Monday, March 10, 2025

One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey

Series: Jeopardy Falls #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: Feb. 6, 2024
381 pages
About the Book:

Taunting riddles.
A deadly string of heists.
Two broken hearts trapped in a killer's game.

Christian Macleod was pulled into a life of crime at a young age by his con artist parents. Now making amends for his corrupt past, he has become one of the country's foremost security experts. When a string of Southwestern art heists captures the FBI's attention, Christian is paired up with a gifted insurance investigator who has her own checkered past.

Andi Forster was a brilliant FBI forensic analyst until one of her colleagues destroyed her career, blaming her for mishandling evidence. She now puts those skills to work investigating insurance fraud, and this latest high-stakes case will test her gift to the limit. Drawn deep into a dangerous game with an opponent bent on revenge, Christian and Andi are in a race against the clock to catch him, but the perpetrator's game is far from finished, and one wrong move could be the death of them both.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I very quickly got invested in the story and was drawn to the characters of Andi and Christian. They meet when both start working a case of a gallery break-in. The attraction between them is obvious but they are focused on the case. While on the case they experience a few close calls that had me holding my breath at times. They get help from Christian's siblings and his agency. I loved the group interaction and learning about the siblings past. Story also switches pov from the two mains to Deckard and Haley and the villain. Each pov allowed me to feel more connected to the characters. In addition to trying to solve the case and stop the thieves the book is a romance and I was here for it. I didn't want to say bye to these characters and can't wait for book 2 to spend more time with all of them. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Saturday, March 8, 2025

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon

Series: Checking Out Love #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: February 18, 2025
320 pages
About the Book:

If the covers of every romance book ever published hadn't convinced librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn't heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what's a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that's what. Armed with library patrons' check-out histories, she's determined to make at least one love connection—even if it's not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn't surprise him when the town's quirky new librarian does the same thing and believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can't help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline's secret matchmaking scheme, he's not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can't judge a book—or each other—by the cover.



My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Evangeline's self-confidence took a hit when her ex broke up with her due to her health issue of losing her hair. She does not believe anyone can find her attractive and sets out on mission to matchmake strangers based on their library check out histories. Her first attempt doesn't go well as she is new to town and doesn't know much about the people she is trying to set up. Tai pursues Evangeline and when he finds out about her matchmaking attempt he convinces her to go on dates with him under the agreement of him helping her get to know her targets. I grew to really like Tai and how determined he was to show Evangeline that she was attractive to him and help her see herself as loveable. I didn't the matchmaking theme but thankfully that was more in the background and more of the focus was on the various characters interactions and Evangeline becoming more comfortable with herself. I felt like there were too many pop culture references and feel this could very quickly date the book. I also don't find tattoo's attractive so this aspect of the book turned me off a bit. However I really enjoyed the interactions between the characters and how there was no big third act breakup thrown in. I am interested in continuing the series as I liked Haley in this one.

(I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Friday, March 7, 2025

Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Released: January 1, 2022
307 pages
About the Book:

An inheritance could provide her with financial freedom, a rare accomplishment for a woman in the Regency era; she only has to marry one of two men to gain it. But what if her heart belongs to a third?

Brushed cruelly aside by the only father figure she’s ever known and then hospitalized by her arranged husband months before his death, Amelia Pembroke means to take control of her future at last, one way or another. Yet she knows all too well she faces an uphill battle, considering her transient sleeping spells are only getting worse.

Cluett’s Mesmeric Hospital has been something of a refuge for Amelia over the past year, even if it didn’t exactly improve her condition. But when her doctor is murdered and her name surprisingly turns up in his will, her options take a drastic turn. She has thirty days to marry one of two named gentlemen—strangers to her—and she will inherit everything from her friend and doctor, Mr. Cluett. One simple decision and all her financial troubles are at an end. The only problem is it’s not a simple decision anymore. Not when she’s falling in love with another man.

Ewan Hawkins has received his first assignment as an apprenticed solicitor: to update a man’s will. Finally, a chance to prove to society that possessing a disfigurement won’t hold him back. Thus, he means to do his job well. Of course, he never could have anticipated a murder, nor the strange clause added to the will—nor, most importantly, the charming widow who has found a way to capture his heart.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐


I was intrigued after reading the synopsis but I felt like the story did not live up to what I was expecting. A death occurs and some think it was suicide but others are determined it was murder and seek out to find answers. I found it slow with not much happening for a good portion of the book. I found there were too many revelations coming out at the end like an info dump that could have been spread out throughout with the characters piecing everything together to get to the large reveal at the end. I struggled to connect with any of these characters and just was not engaged in this book.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

 

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Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock

Series: Restoration #4
Genre: Myserty/Suspense
Publisher: Zondervan 
Released: April 22, 2008
390 pages

About the Book:

As the electronic pulses that caused the power outage finally come to an end, thirteen-year-old Beth Branning witnesses two brutal murders. She narrowly escapes the killer and runs away in terror. But he knows who she is, and it’s just a matter of time before he comes after her. Torn between fear and compassion, Beth tries to help the grieving wife of one of the victims. But will her bravery cost Beth her life? As the power begins to be restored, the Branning's face their toughest crisis yet. Will God require more of them this time than they’re prepared to give? New York Times bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if novel in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts―and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world.








My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Picks up once again with the Branning family living through the world blackout. It has now been a year since it began and there is possibilities the pulses are ending and power will be restored. Someone witnesses a murder and is threatened, they refuse to tell anyone what happened and this takes a dark turn. The Branning's faith is tested, but there is a strong faith message with lots of scripture verses shared and discussed. Filled with tense moments, with murder and life threatening situations. The emotions express felt very realistic and understandable in the moment. I loved the character dynamics and was so invested in the family and the situation. I was very close to tears a few times. I loved the play the community children put on. This was a favourite and I highly recommend reading, but you must read the books in order to really get to know the characters and understand the situation.
(I won this book in a giveaway; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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