Book Review: Double Take by Lynette Eason

 

Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

Series: Lake City Heroes, book #1

My rating:

So good! It's been awhile since I've written a well-thought-through review, so let's dive right in!

Okay, let's be honest, when I say 'well-thought-through' I really mean that I spent more than 2 minutes writing this. Set the bar of expectations low, people.

I really enjoyed Lainie. She wasn't annoyingly in-your-face macho-woman like a lot of female protagonists can be, but she was strong. And that's the best type of women to read about, in my humble opinion.

I also loved James, he was the sweetest. And the fact that he has fantastic siblings?? Y'all know that I'm hooked. (I may or may not be a sucker for tight-knit fictional families). I hope we get a spin-off series about Keegan and Dixon. I'll admit that the whole side plot with his dad seemed kinda random, but I also kinda liked it?? Idk, my thoughts are all over the place.

Lainie's group of friends was great. I loved them so much, and the fact that they dropped everything as soon as they could in order to give her a pizza party and a night of distraction? Forget women empowering women, this was straight up BESTIES and I was totally here for it.

And Cole. I was also totally here for Cole. I may or may not have been excited to see that book two will be about him and Kenzie.

The plot itself was intriguing, and that, combined with the likeability of the characters, made it a book that was hard to put down! Much to my chagrin, I didn't have the bad guy pegged within the first half - and whether that's a testimony to my rustiness as a reader or Eason's prowess as a writer, I'm not sure, but I have to admit that it was fun being surprised, haha.

Albeit slightly unsettling, ngl. Luckily I don't have much imagination so I wasn't struck with the absolute terror of not knowing who's out to murder people.

The faith aspect of the book was kinda lacking for me, tbh. I think the main reason is that it was not the message for me, so I won't let that affect my rating. (The prayers did seem few and far between, but as one fellow adult to another, I can understand. Is it right? No. Is it relatable? Absolutely.)

Overall, it was a fantastic romantic suspense (the romance didn't make me gag, miracle of miracles - just a lil bit of cringing, but it's all good) and I look forward to reading the next one!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton & Tosca Lee

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire. 

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise - until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as Japanese warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history. 

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

My rating:

Holy cow y'all, I don't know what to say.

The book is intense. Not so intense that most people couldn't handle it, but intense in that it's not for younger readers. War is real, it's ugly, and it's scary. The language was mostly clean - a couple of words thrown in here and there, but not enough to actually bother me.

The dual timeline messed me up at first - they usually do - but while I normally skim-read one timeline to get back to the other, I didn't this time. I definitely preferred the scenes from the war, but reading about Jimmy and Hank and Billy and Charlotte as children, and all the events that led up to this moment...it felt so real.

I suppose that was kind of the point, being inspired by true stories and all, haha.

To be honest, I adored every single one of the characters, and then I realized why: they were humans. There wasn't the holy-mission main character with adorably flawed and endearing side characters. They were all relatable. They all had their fears, they all had their flaws, and they all snuck their way into my heart without warning.

A few random things in the book that stood out to me:

-Jimmy's last name is Propfield, so his nickname is Propper and I love it. Even his COs called him Propper

-Cowboy. Roy. Whatever you want to call him. A minor character but so so good. Such a fantastic big brother

-The whole bit with Jimmy's dad. It added an entire dimension to the story that I'd love to say more about but I will refrain due to spoilers.

-It didn't wrap everything up in a pretty bow but it left me with hope and inspiration all the same

"A gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Book Review: Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn

 

USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light. 

Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?

Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored.

Series: Defend and Protect, book #3 (would recommend reading the other books first)

My rating:

*sigh* Honestly...this book was a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I was definitely hooked through most of it, but yet at the same time, it...fell flat.

Book one released in 2021 (I absolutely loved it - review here), book two in 2022 (kinda meh - review here), aaaand since then, I kinda totally forgot which character is which. I didn't think it would be a problem, since books tend to stick in my mind and I've never had an issue with mixing them up, buuuut as I started reading Under Fire and got everything mixed up, I came to the unfortunate conclusion that none of the characters were actually unique enough to keep them separate in my mind.

I loved Zane. I loved his protective nature and the way he was determined to keep Tessa safe and accountable even while he tried to let her have her independence. His faith was a big part of him, and I LOVED the camaraderie between him and Luke. (Although the repeated use of the word 'bro' kept throwing me off...maybe I just live in a backwards community, but I've never heard the guys in my life actually use the word repeatedly? I think it was mainly the term 'bro hug' but it just...*shudders* made me uncomfy for some odd reason)

Tessa was honestly such a lovable character. Her desire and determination to honor God and overcome her past was inspiring, and her struggle to be independent yet reasonable was relatable, haha.

The plot was super engaging, and while I thought I had the bad guy pegged from the beginning (I generally have a knack for that - I listen to a lot of Dragnet *cackles*), I...was completely wrong. Not that I wanted to be right about it in this case, but the real culprit seemed kinda out of the blue? I'm not gonna complain about it too much though, since there were twists and turns I didn't see coming and that just improves the book immensely, in my opinion.

I did, however, get about 95.7% fed up with Tessa/Zane drama. Gave me a headache.

The whole reporter guy thing (Lloyd? Leonard? I know neither of those are his name but I can't remember his actual name *cough*) creeped me out and I think it was totally unnecessary buuuuut just my opinion.

In conclusion, the quality of this review kinda sums up the whole book: some parts were good, some parts weren't so good, overall it was just meh, in my opinion

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: Everything is Just Beginning

 

An Immersive Story of Music, Struggle, and Starting Over from an Award-Winning Author

Michael Sullivan is a talented lyricist and a decent guitarist, but since he was kicked out of his band (and his apartment), he's not sure he'll ever get a record deal. Living with his loser uncle in a beat-up trailer and working a dead-end job, Michael has little reason to hope for a better future. Until the invitation for a swanky New Year's Eve party shows up in the mailbox. It's for his uncle, with whom he shares his name, but his uncle is going out of town . . . 

On the effervescent night of December 31, 1989—as the Berlin Wall is coming down, the Soviet Union is inching toward democracy, and anything seems possible—Michael will cross paths with the accomplished and enigmatic young heir to a fading musical dynasty, forever altering both of their futures. 

Award-winning novelist Erin Bartels enchants with this story of two lonely souls who have exactly what the other one needs—if they could simply turn their focus from what is ending to what is just beginning.

My rating:

The best part of being part of the Revell Reads program is that by the time I actually receive the book, I've completely forgotten what it's supposed to be about, but I know that I obviously chose it for a reason—it's like a present from myself to myself, haha! 

When trying to figure out how I would describe Everything is Just Beginning, the first thing that popped into my head is that this book is an entire vibe.

Or, if my sister were a book. A bit too modern—1990 is kinda past the era of bell bottoms and The Beatles—but the vibe was still there. Rock & Roll and just kinda all-around vintage (sorry to all the 90s kids, but the book really did feel retro). Maybe it was the fact that Nicki's dad refused to listen to music for fun on anything other than vinyl.

So, overall, the vibe was on point. Kudos to Ms. Bartels for nailing a setting that had me hooked!

I loved Michael's character. He was so fun to read, and his depth of character was something that I loved watching develop. His struggle with forgiveness and his sense of duty both made for an unforgettable character.

Nicki was cool. I enjoyed her, she and Michael worked really well together...but idk, she seemed kinda flat? Which feels really weird to say, because she definitely wasn't perfect, nor overly flawed. Her struggles with her mom's illness really pulled on my heartstrings, but...maybe it was her attitude? Being an only child, she acted kinda entitled and was definitely used to getting her way, but she wasn't overly bratty or anything, and I liked reading her and Michael together. She was just kinda meh for me.

Uncle Mike was kinda a jerk that everyone loved because he could be charismatic when he wanted to, and it drove me up a wall. Probably partly because I know people like that. Dusty and Deb were flawless. I loved them to pieces. Selfless and hospitable and loved people like crazy. They were just...*chef's kiss*

The music was probably another reason I fell in love with the vibe. Not that I particularly enjoyed the music that the characters enjoyed (yes, I looked up nearly every artist mentioned), but that the characters loved music. And that just makes a person have a bond with someone even if they're fictional, ya know?

Also, when Deb talked about Glen Campbell giving her a guitar? I kinda maybe sorta majorly fangirled a lil bit. (he was my top-listened-to artist on Spotify in 2022 in case anyone wondered. Pretty sure I was in the top 5% or something)

The message was...there. Healing and moving on from the past and letting go and all that. It honestly was fantastic, I just...idk. The fact that Nicki and her parents were Christians was something that I really loved, and the way that they brought in Michael and practically made him part of the family was amazing (found family trope ftw, y'all). I guess it just bugged me that Michael, who was not a Christian, fell in love with Nicki. Which isn't a problem. Except that Nicki reciprocated. And it bugged me (don't be unequally yoked and all that) and, quite frankly, took away from the theme of the book a little bit for me.

But, all in all, I did love the book and would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a bit of vibes in their life.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.

The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

Fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era—and now.

My rating:

Wow. Um. Where do I even start?

"No such thing as a hopeless case."

I...uh...okay, y'all, I'm not sure what to say, to be honest. This book, it...wow. I'm honestly left speechless. 

(But not for long, because when am I ever speechless for any measurable amount of time?)

The prose was beautiful but not overdone (more like woven throughout instead of distracting from the plot), the suspense was spooky and kept me on the edge of my seat, the romance was...honestly some of the best I've read. The attraction between the couple was sparked not by their physical appearance, but the kindness and compassion they saw in each other's hearts amidst the darkness and chaos of their circumstances, and it was the sweetest thing ever.

Vivienne herself was an amazing character. Her qualities, her struggles, and her flaws all made for an unforgettably realistic character that I honestly adored.

Same with Mitchell.

They both felt so...so real and genuine that while the setting of the book basically placed me in a book-induced coma, I could. Not. Stop. Reading. Because of those two.

The Lost Melody is heavy. So heavy. I'm usually able to emotionally distance myself from such heaviness; call it a coping mechanism, call it insensitivity, whatever, but I can normally read things without being affected too much.

I was affected.

The first half of the book had me both longing to put it down and never pick it up again, and glued to the pages to see what would happen. Because, in the first half, there was no light. Just darkness and utter hopelessness, and yet, I found myself attached to Vivienne, and even though we had nothing in common physically or mentally (except our love for music), I was hopelessly attached and couldn't quit the book while she was still trapped in a home with barred windows.

*deep breath* okay. Let's try to get the rest of my thoughts sorted and expressed coherently.

There were spooky parts, obviously - hello, insane asylum with a rumored ghost - and I couldn't decide whether I loved the book or hated it.

And then I reached the second half.

Y'all...no words.

"We're all of us told to walk in the light, but we don't. We simply wish to drag the light over to where we're already standing, so we may better see the path we've set out for ourselves."

This isn't a bloom-where-you're-planted book; it's so much more. It's about bringing light to the darkness, because your light isn't needed in broad daylight. It's about reaching past the outward eccentricities of a person and seeing them for who they really are - a human being created in the image of God. It's about saying "yes, Lord" when the thing you want to say the most is "please, choose someone else." It's about surrendering your plans and dreams to God and watching them unfold in a way you'd never imagined possible. It's about clinging to hope when there seems to be none. 

It's honestly one of the most inspiring books I've ever read.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman

 

FBI Special Agent Lynda Cutler is investigating an ecoterrorist organization in the Alaskan wilderness when her partner is taken captive and murdered before her very eyes. The only person who can identify the key players, Lynda gets assigned to take part in a joint operation in Istanbul to take the organization down.

As a woman in a Muslim country, she'll find it much easier to move around undetected with a fake husband. Unfortunately for her, the man assigned to play the role is none other than US Army weapons specialist Bill Sanders—the man who crushed her heart into a million pieces back in college.

With a cargo bay's worth of hurt and baggage between them, these two consummate professionals must play their parts perfectly if they hope to stop those responsible for bombing oil pipelines, killing innocent civilians, and threatening to destabilize the oil markets. But love long buried has a way of resurfacing at the most inopportune times—and protecting Lynda has become Bill's primary focus.

Series: Love & Honor, Book #2 (could be read as a standalone)

My rating:

That...was actually really good! I made what I thought was an unfortunate decision when I requested to review this one before I'd even read the first book, since I ended up disliking that one (read my review here). But, this one did not disappoint! (not that I had high expectations after the first *cough*)

I loved Bill. His personality was fantastic and funny and I really appreciated his character struggles. The arc seemed a bit stiff, but overall, Bill's character was much deeper than Rick's in book 1 (though I really love Rick and wish that we could have another story about him) (but it was really fun to see him in this book too). Lynda, as well, was an epic character. I loved the fact that while she was a kick-butt female agent, she understood her limits and didn't pretend to be indestructible. Put the two characters together and you've got a dynamic duo that's sure to be a hit!

The romance honestly didn't make me cringe (at least, not too much, haha), even though it was enemies to lovers...I think it was the fact that though both parties involved were forced into a situation that neither wanted to be in, they did their jobs and didn't let their attitudes get in the way of the mission. Of course they didn't get along, and of course there were a few times that I wanted to throttle them, but I could see where they were both coming from, and I didn't blame them, and that made all the difference in the world. Kudos to you, Ms. Bridgeman!

The suspense lasted through almost the entire book, and I think that's what made me enjoy it so much; it was much more of a military-suspense-with-a-romantic-subplot than its predecessor. The twists and turns (and trying to keep all the details straight in my pea brain) kept me reading, and overall I just really enjoyed it.

The faith aspect seemed kinda preachy (especially with about 95% of the characters being Christians, and the other 5% being the villains), but it definitely seemed more real to the characters than in the first book; Bill and Lynda both were putting effort into their faith 24/7, and I loved that it wasn't the cliché I-don't-spend-as-much-time-with-God-as-I-should-but-that's-going-to-change-now Christianity.

Overall, this one was great, and I'm seriously regretting my decision to not request the third book for next month!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What was the last book that you thought you were going to end up regretting but didn't?

Book Review: Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces "A-Team" on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger--but an unwanted attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he's beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

Series: Love and Honor, book #1

My rating:

I have just one question. 

WHERE'S THE BEEF?!

(If you didn't read that in an old lady voice, you obviously haven't been cultured.)

Honor Bound started out great. A little stilted for my personal taste, but it's military suspense, soooo of course I definitely went in planning to give this puppy the benefit of the doubt.

The first third or so of the book took place in an African jungle, and while I cannot abide humidity and mosquitos, the fact remains that I was transported there and could practically feel the sweat dripping off my forehead. 

Unfortunately, that's pretty much all of the good I can think of to say. *grimaces* like I said, I went into this book with an open mind, excited to read military fiction, but the delivery was just...not there. What disappointed me the most, though, was that while the book is labeled as romantic suspense, it was definitely more like a military romance with a little suspense sprinkled in.

There was a lot of telling instead of showing - which I know is hard not to do, but it was throughout the whole book, unfortunately. Instead of seeing body language tell its own story, I was told the characters' feelings, which really pulled me from the story.

Aaand that gets me to the lovey-dovey part of the story. The novel is categorized as romantic suspense, so I knew going into it that I should expect just that - romantic suspense. The romance was about how I expected. The suspense, however, was...very disappointing. Even though there were suspenseful parts, it didn't have me on the edge of my seat. In fact, the only reason I got the book read within four days was the fact that I had the time and I was determined to get it read - not because it kept me hooked. After that first portion of the book, and then one sequence a couple of chapters later, the suspense was over and it was simply a romance.

It was your generic romance, with all of the she's-out-of-my-league and he-makes-me-feel-like-a-person drama, with of course the little twists and turns unique to the story. But there was something nagging at the back of my mind that I couldn't quite place...until I realized that this book could be about any character.

The characters themselves were...flat. I didn't feel particularly connected to any of them, and I couldn't especially relate to them.

Rick Norton could've been named Jerry Kramer and it wouldn't have mattered, because the book wasn't character driven; it was plot driven. There were no character arcs, no growth, no overarching theme. The only conflict in the book was the fact that he's a Green Beret, and she's a pacifist. And that just felt like unnecessary baggage that drove me up a wall.

And for my final point, the message of the story.

There was none.

All the characters are Christians, and that bugged me. I know it can happen, but it just felt forced, like they're Christians so that the book can be labeled Christian fiction. The characters talked about God, but it was more like He was a vending machine, y'know? Instead of including Him in everything and following His lead, they prayed when they needed help, talked about His goodness when their life was good, and thanked Him when the decisions they made (because they wanted things and not because He told them to) worked out.

This really felt like a squeaky-clean book about Christians. Not a faith-based book about believers. So...two stars. *sigh* which is disappointing, because I was really looking forward to this one (and, I mean, that COVER *heart eyes*)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn

Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose—and how far will they go to get what they want?

Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

Perfectly balancing chilling suspense and uplifting romance, award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn delivers a story of revenge, greed, and overcoming that you won't want to put down no matter how late it gets.

Series: Defend and Protect, Book #2 (could be read as a standalone)

My rating:

I loved book 1, so duh, of course I'm going to request the sequel to review! Unfortunately, I didn't love this book as much as the first, but it was still enjoyable and kept me on my toes.

First of all, I loved getting back into the lives of these characters. Zane, Gil, Luke, Faith, Tessa...I adore these folks. There didn't seem to be as much banter in this book, though, which was a huge disappointment after book 1. 

I enjoyed Gil's character, and his interactions with everyone, and the way he fiercely loved and protected both Ivy and his sister, but honestly, the only character growth I noticed was him reconciling with the past, and learning how to interact with Ivy. While this could be argued that this was the only character arc he needed, I personally believe that it just...fell flat.

And then let's talk about Ivy, shall we? Super intelligent, emotionally strong (but at her breaking point because who wouldn't be after being tortured with a curling iron), and very sweet. But again, there's no...depth to her character? Like Gil, she has to reconcile with the past and learn to know Gil again. The most inner conflict we see is stress because people are trying to kill her—which is definitely conflict, don't get me wrong, I just...I don't know how to put it into words, haha!

I guess the best way to say it is that it's definitely a plot-driven story...but not really a character driven story. Which is okay, as long as you still love the characters and the plot keeps you involved. But it just...fell very flat for me.

This is a short review (for me), buuuuut honestly, that pretty much sums it up. I enjoyed it, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a clean romantic suspense novel (I didn't mind the romance, it was just pretty meh) with a good message (they trusted God, prayed, all that good stuff, and it was actually very good), I just personally didn't find myself super attached to the story, even during the suspenseful parts.

(And I think the name Daniel is absolutely epic. #iykyk)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (this has absolutely nothing to do with anything in this post, I just didn't know what to put here)

Book Review: The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

A prima ballerina. Two American medics. And a young Jewish girl with no name . . . At the height of the Nazi occupation of Rome, an unlikely band of heroes comes together to save Italian Jews in this breathtaking World War II novel based on real historical events.

Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness that is sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history. Alongside hospital staff, friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, Julia risks everything to rescue Italian Jews from the deadly clutches of the Holocaust. But when one little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina arrives at their door, Julia and the others are determined to reunite the young dancer with her family—if only she would reveal one crucial secret: her name.

Present Day. With the recent loss of her grandfather—a beloved small-town doctor and WWII veteran—Delaney Coleman returns home to help her aging parents, even as she struggles to pick up the pieces of her own life. When a mysterious Italian woman claims she owns one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to uncover what’s true of her grandfather’s hidden past. Together with the woman’s skeptical but charming grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, everything Delaney thought she knew about her grandfather comes into question as she wrestles with the possibility that the man she’d revered all her life had unknown ties to Rome and may have taken noble secrets to his grave.

Based on true accounts of the invented Syndrome K sickness, The Italian Ballerina journeys from the Allied storming of the beaches at Salerno to the London ballet stage and the war-torn streets of WWII Rome, exploring the sometimes heart-wrenching choices we must make to find faith and forgiveness, and how saving just one life can impact countless others.

My rating:

This book hooked me from page one—and I mean hooked me. As soon as I started reading, I knew that there was no turning back or giving in to reading slumps with this one. The writing style is amazing and I cannot wait to read more books by this author.

(also can we take a moment to appreciate that BEAUTY OF A COVER.)

I'll start by talking about the historical part.

I fell head over heels for Court. I just...yes. So much yes. His sense of duty, his perseverance, his stubbornness...and the fact that he got injured. *cough* Maybe it also had something to do with the fact that he was a seriously flawed character and had to do what it would take to become respectable. I don't know. All I know is that Court was amazing and that he was my favorite, if you hadn't figured it out by now. I also loved Julia. Love love loved Julia. Loved her dedication, her commitment, and her courage to do what was right even when her legs threatened to give out from shaking so badly. Calla was adorable and rightly had everyone wrapped around her little finger. And then there's AJ, the sweetest guy ever, and one that will hold nearly as large a place in my heart as Court.

The plot was amazing. I mean, really—Syndrome K, two combat medics, a little Jewish girl, and a ballerina determined to make a difference just...floored me. I genuinely cannot say enough good about this plot line.

The other plot lines, though, are what docked it a star for me. Yes, I said plot lines. Plural. If it would've just been a dual timeline plot, that would've been fine; I'm not crazy about it, but if it's done well, I enjoy a good dual-timeline story. But this book incorporated three or four timelines, plus at least four different points of view. Three of those timelines are in the past; one is in the present. Honestly, it was just very confusing at first, and took me a bit to keep them all separate in my mind.

(also, Anton is a jerk and I cannot stand him.)

My favorite timeline, if you haven't figured it out by now, is when the majority of our cast of characters (aka Court, AJ, Calla, and Julia) are all together. I just...yes. *chef's kiss*

Court's point of view from pre-war was epic and gave good insight and made me love Penn and get annoyed with—yet respect—his father.

Julia's point of view from pre-war (and at the beginning of their traveling), again, gave good insight, but at this point I got sick and tired of Anton, and I was getting weary of all of the backstory. (if all of this had been put in the book in chronological order, it would've been fine, but I got sooo tired of jumping back and forth.)

The present-day POV...well...I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, I loved Del, and Matteo, and Italy, and everything. On the other hand, I usually found myself disappointed when I turned the page and saw a chapter with the heading "present day." We all obviously have our favorite points of view and are eager to get back to them, but I just...this one had me hooked in some places, and had me rolling my eyes at others because while I really enjoyed the characters, I didn't love the romance; I felt like the story could've been done just as well without it. (Though all the history nerds will disagree with me because of Del and Matteo's ancestors, but I digress.) I liked reading about the characters peeling back each layer of the mystery, but I also felt a sense of disappointment the original characters weren't there to tell them the story.

One last thought, though, before I end this super disjointed review: there's a plot twist at the end of the book that had me s h o o k. Like, I was NOT expecting that and IT MADE ME NOT OKAY AND I'M STILL REELING. Like...just GO READ THE BOOK SO YOU CAN SCREAM ABOUT IT WITH ME because if I talk about it anymore I'm going to give away spoilers. So.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Have you read a Kristy Cambron book? Which one would you recommend I read next?

Book Review: Mercy Undeserved by Kristina Hall

Lillian Rossi had it all—a devoted husband, a new baby, and all the riches she’d dreamed of. But one January day changed everything. Now, the consequences of her late husband’s sins extend to her and her son, and Matteo, though only a baby, is the rightful heir to the Rossi empire, making him a target. 

Alberto Moretti promised to protect Lillian and her son, but he well knows the cruelty and desperation of the Rossi family. He served them all too long—until God set him free.

As Lillian and Alberto are thrown together in a race to save her and Matteo’s lives, their own sins and Stefano Rossi’s plans threaten to destroy them. Will they fall prey to the danger so close behind, or will they find mercy they’ve done nothing to deserve?

Series: The Moretti Trilogy, book #2 (could be read as a standalone, but some character confusion would be easier to straighten out if you read book 1 first)

My rating: 

That was a wild ride!

From gunfights to high-stakes car chases, you don't have to look any further for a faith-filled, action-packed suspense novel! (It makes for a great read if you need to kill time on an airplane, too. Not that I know from experience or anything. *cough*)

I really liked Alberto. He was a Christian, but that did not by any means make him a perfect character, and while I really couldn't relate to his struggles exactly, I was here. for. it. His effort to do the right thing and the way he struggled to trust God with his issues was inspiring.

Lillian was honestly a kinda 'meh' character for me. I can't really put my finger on a specific reason...maybe that she just seemed shallow, and her character felt kinda flat? I don't know. I did learn to appreciate her later on in the book, but she still just wasn't my favorite, even after her character arc. (but her love for Matteo? Awwww. So sweet.)

(Also, Alberto's interaction with 'the kid' #iykyk made me smile)

I knew going into this book that the Christian message would be strong (overly strong, honestly), so I'm going to try to not let it influence my review too much. You just have to understand that if you read a Hall book, it's going to be kinda preachy, and that's okay. I did really appreciate the message; the book was full of truth.

I would like to insert here, though, that honestly, I feel like the ending could've been handled differently? I mean, I can't really complain about it since it's completely my personal opinion. But. I feel like the message could've been driven home a bit better if...certain things...had actually happened...and someone would've *whispers* died. (sorry, I know I'm butchering this, I'm just trying to avoid giving spoilers here. If that was a spoiler, I'M SORRY) Like I said, it's totally just personal opinion.

So while I'm sitting here wondering why I chose four stars instead of three...I remember the plot and Scranton. Aaaah, y'all, I loved the plot. Injuries (there were a lot of those in this one *smirks*). Car chases. Guns. Bullets flying. A baby's screams. Cold cement. Handcuffs. Sacrifice. And Scranton.

Let me just take a moment and tell you 'bout my good buddy Scranton. I like him.

That is all.

*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

What has your favorite read of 2022 been so far??

Book Review: Lights Out by Natalie Walters

CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency (SNAP) for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a woman who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning--the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world—and their hearts—hangs in the balance.

Series: The SNAP Agency, Book #1

My rating:

Mmkay. *deep breath* That was what I call a letdown.

I enjoyed Brynn! A lot! I loved her get-it-done attitude and the way she wasn't afraid to work at her goals. Though I may not be as driven as she is, I live around people that are, and I sooo understood her shock when everyone took a weekend break. (Was I a bit shocked too? Um, yes. Still not sure if I agreed with them, but Jack made a good point, so I couldn't exactly argue.)

I really liked Jack. His sense of responsibility. His struggle to overcome past feelings and move forward. I loved his happy-go-lucky attitude (though not nearly as happy-go-lucky as Kekoa) and the way he jumped into everything with a positive attitude.

The suspense was epiiiiic. Like, all of the bad dudes and how they tied in to the plot confused me a liiiiitle bit, but other than that, it kept me on my toes. (well...not literally. But ya get my drift.) I especially loved it when Brynn teamed up with Lyla; they made a formidable duo. And Lyla was one of those characters that amused me and annoyed me at the same time, but I adored her for it anyway.

And her + Garcia? Classic. Iconic. Poor dude got majorly friend zoned, but I loved his attitude. (Now that I think about it, there really wasn't anyone on the team that I didn't like.)

And shall I talk about the InjURiEs?? People got poisoned. Shot. Bones broke. Ended up in the hospital. It was great. (wow, Kate, love the priorities there)(also I feel like every time a book involves injuries, I have to make some sort of crack about my priorities)

So. What didn't I like? Um...well...y'all know I'm not a romance fan. If something is categorized as romantic suspense, I expect there to be romance, and I expect there to be suspense. I expect people to do their jobs, and then explore a relationship. What I don't expect is for people to be walking into a potential ambush, guns at the ready, unable to stop thinking about kissing the person next to them. And every moment in between. Really, y'all. It was just...too much. Sparks were flying every which way c o n s t a n t l y, and when one moment they refused to trust each other, the next moment it's "LeT mE KIsS YoU" (can you tell I'm not a fan of enemies to lovers?)

And then the spiritual aspect. Brynn and Jack are Christians. But, as often happens, they kinda walked out on God due to their jobs, past hurts, etc. and then realize that they need to fix that. Fine. I'm okay with that. But the fact that they just kinda mention it in passing and then there's never really any conclusion to that? Like...it would have been better not to mention it at all, I think, than to just gloss over it and give the impression that the mention of God and faith is only because the publisher is Christian.

Someone is going to love this book and learn from it and have it touch them. I just am not that person.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

 What makes or breaks a book for you? If you've read Lights Out, what were your thoughts? Oh, and happy Thanksgiving!

Book Review: Unknown by Vanessa Hall

He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.

Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.

Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.

Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear? 

Series: Grace Sufficient, book #1

My rating:

So, I have conflicted feelings over this one. On one hand, it's well-written and I enjoyed the narration, it has an excellent message, and is super, super clean. On the other hand...I'm waffling between 3 and 4 stars for various reasons (yes, it was well-written, but it also seemed to kinda drag on a bit). (I'll decide after, I write up the review, haha) Prepare for a long review, y'all. *sheepish grin* Let's dive in, shall we?

We start with Gabe Kelly, an American that grew up in Russia with his missionary parents, moved back to America for school and to start his career, but then has to go back to Russia after his parents' sudden and tragic deaths. He wasn't your typical lost-his-parents-and-blamed-God-so-he-walked-away-from-his-faith kinda guy; actually, he admirably stuck to his faith, despite the tears and the days that he felt like he couldn't handle the heartbreak. Gabe was really, really sweet, and I really liked his character. But, he was also...perfect. Perfect characters are kinda my pet peeve, y'all *hesitant smile* and while I did like Gabe, he was just...ever the gentlemen but never flawed. And that just kinda bugged me a bit.

Enter stage right: Sophia Rykov, ballerina (Get it? Stage right? Ballerina? *cackles*). Not a christian, But an old friend of Gabe's that never quite got over her childhood crush. Cute, right? (It was cute.) I've never personally had any experience with ballet, but I actually loved reading about it and the pointe shoes (you know those tiny elements in books that you like reading about because they're just sooooo satisfying for absolutely no apparent reason? Pointe shoes, y'all). And I could practically feel the sweat glistening on my forehead as she pirouetted her way through Romeo and Juliet with Evgeny (I actually really liked that dude). Her ankle injury also just really added to it, as it was well done and wasn't glossed over like so many injuries in fiction.

Speaking of injuries, I can't say too much without giving spoilers away, buuuut there was also another major injury in the book that I feel, though I'm definitely no medical expert, was also well-done. A gunshot wound that immobilized the victim's arm, caused nerve damage, and essentially rendered the arm useless. I really, really, really appreciated the fact that the author didn't suddenly have him back to full health within a week, or having him use the arm with superhuman-like strength when danger lurked. The dude was mortal and couldn't a whole lot without needing a break and I just...yes. The injuries were superb (wow, look, my priorities are incredible).

As far as characters go, I'd say that Daniil was my favorite. I loved his protective heart and his addiction to exercise (I'm not as committed as he is, but I could still relate and appreciate it). Such an epic dude. I also loved Sergei and Ana, and, of course, who could forget Gregor? The grumpy old codger is lovable, what can we say?

Sophia and Gabe together made a sweet couple, but obviously, it couldn't work because she wasn't a christian. This is a point brought up several times by Gabe and while I appreciated his struggle with his attraction toward her while holding back because he knew that they could never be together as long as she wasn't a christian...I also felt like it maybe should've been done a little be differently. I'm not just saying this because of personal preference; Gabe was strongly attracted to Sophie, but as he wasn't at first sure whether or not she shared his faith, he held back. And then when he found out for sure that she didn't, he first was disappointed, but then it was later stated that he didn't just want her to convert so he could have a relationship with her, but more importantly because she was a sinner that needed Jesus. And while I know that it wasn't intended to be an afterthought, it kinda seemed presented as one, honestly.

So, anyway, shall we talk about the message? I did like how clearly and concisely the salvation message was put...but (there's always a 'but', isn't there?) the book was...kinda preachy. This isn't generally something I'd dock points for (don't get me wrong—I'm all for a strong message), but honestly, it was hard for me to get through some of it because, even though I've grown up around and am used to all the lingo used (hello, baptist here), it was...a lot. And it kinda made me feel disconnected to the story and characters. I felt like the message could've been mixed in better, and I think it's partly because of this that it took me two months to read it. (granted, this was definitely not the only reason it took me that long—I just didn't do a whole lot of reading over the past couple of months—buuuut it partially contributed.)

And, lastly, I'll talk about the suspense. It wasn't a mystery; as a reader, you'll know very quickly who the villain is. But I thought it was extremely well done in how oblivious the characters were; they weren't just ignorant of what was in front of their noses—there was genuinely just nothing to point to the culprit. He was very careful in his methods, and while there were a couple of things that could've clued in our protagonists, since they had no reason to believe he was the bad guy, there was no reason for them to think anything of it. So tthat was done really well. And y'all already know that I loved all the injuries. (That climax toward the end? Superb. Slightly drawn-out, but still superb. Definitely had me hooked.)

So. After typing all of that up (and editing it to make it shorter...sorry, guys, didn't work very well *cough*), I'll land on three stars. This book is perfect for people that love a super clean Christian romance with a good dose of suspense and a very strong message, just not totally my thing. I'm definitely planning to try more from this author in the future, though!

*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Will I ever learn to write short reviews? Maybe. Probably not.