REVIEW and GIVEAWAY!

Marji Laine here! I just had the most wonderful day, enjoying a brand new book! 

Elizabeth Goddard’s new release, STORM  WARNING, is a masterfully written suspense full of expansive twists and unexpected curves. To use the water theme that runs throughout the story, think about a flash flood that diverts suddenly against debris. Then the sheer force of the water shoves through all barriers.

That was the plot of this story. It didn’t just trickle in. It started in the prologue with a violence that grabbed me. Then it gripped again in chapter one. (Seriously, I kept having to remind myself to breath during that scene!) And after several hours, when the intensity grew even more, I could sense that the end was near, a huge apex was growing. But I was wrong – I was only in chapter 10 of 40-something. The author kept the tension amped up and growing throughout the entire story. Every high point was perfectly calculated and lasted just long enough before giving the characters a breath and allowing me to take one as well.

Speaking of the characters, plainly, there is target on the back of Remi Grant, the manager of an isolated lodge on the coast of Washington. While storm watching is the main pastime at this retreat, the storm that’s brewing outside the windows of the lodge doesn’t hold a candle to the internal storm within Remi that is poised to overwhelm her.

Her forgotten past is the problem for her. And it has someone trying to kill her. Her goal, as it should be, is to remember what her mind has blocked in order to identify the who and why of the attacks against her. But she’s not even scratching the surface on the issue.

Her new acquaintance, the “lumberjack,” just happens to arrive on the scene in the nick of time to save her life. Could he have something to do with mounting attacks against her?

Her “lumberjack,” Hawk Beckett, has issues of his own that need resolution. His friend suggested this place, as its very isolation could give him a chance to find what he’s searching for. And in truth, the stormy waves crashing against the rocks below him and the wind threatening to knock him over vie against the torrent of deep regret and shame that roils through him over and over again. But when he finds a girl about to fall to her death, instinct and training kick in. Besides, there’s something about this girl. Something more than the fact that someone had tried to kill her.

These two characters are great together. They alternate between trust and suspicion, secrets and openness, confidence and vulnerability. They are presented with such an authenticity; as real as people I actually know. Having finished the book, I want to know more about them and the others at the lodge!

And speaking of the lodge, that is just one of the intriguing settings from this book. I am convinced that Elizabeth Goddard has visited the Washington cliffs during storm season. Her descriptions are so intense and have such depth that I bet she has also climbed a hanging ladder, taken a pre-storm helicopter ride, and maybe even visited a “SquatchCon” event. (That setting was a particular favorite of mine! LOL!)

I can’t recommend this book enough! If you are a fan of the tingling that tightens your shoulders during a good suspense, you’re going to LOVE this book! There’s even a tricky little mystery here (well a tricky big one) that can take you one direction before shooting you the other way. I LOVE a good mystery, and this one is just right!

STORM WARNING is available in e-book, paperback, a library hardback, and an audiobook. I enjoyed it as I crocheted my coming grandbaby’s blanket on audiobook. (My favorite way to enjoy a book.)

Get your copy HERE! I hope you LOVE it!

And speaking of loving great suspense. What book would you recommend right now? Or maybe you have one on your bedside table just waiting for you? Share the title and author in the comments and why you’re excited about it. You just might win a free e-copy of another favorite of mine from Elizabeth Goddard, BURIED. It was the first one of hers that I read and had me hooked on her books ever after!

Everything about Bundled Books, Collections, Anthologies, or Co

Bundling books isn’t a new concept. Back in college, a LONG time ago, I subscribed to an Agatha Christie collection, getting three books in one binding every month. And back then, they were actual, physical books. Today’s bundles can still be found as physical books – like three-book collections from famous authors or an anthology of short stories from romance authors. But much more often, they are e-books. E-books are perfect for bundled books because there’s no worry about the book being too flimsy or the spine splitting in two.

You can find all sorts of book bundles, but they usually fall into three categories.

Multi-Author Anthologies or Collections According to Genre

These are often collections of novellas or short stories that are all in the same genre. There are all sorts of options. In fact, a couple of our Suspense Sisters are part of these.

Mary Alford has a 2-in-1 collection where her book AMISH COUNTRY KIDNAPPING is matched with author Katy Lee’s book, AMISH COUNTRY UNDERCOVER. You can find it at THIS LINK!

She has another 2-in-1 collection with author Alison Stone in the book AMISH COUNTRY HIDEOUT. Find the link to that book HERE.

And Patricia Bradley is part of a collection of twelve heartwarming Christmas stories. Though not suspense, they sound like a perfect set of books to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa! You can find it HERE!

Single Author

This is where the classics often fall into place. I even have an e-book of the complete works of Jane Austen. Today’s authors are also jumping on board with these. I had such a great time last week indulging in one of these bundles.

I’ve been slowly but surely making my way through Christie Barritt’s Lantern Beach Universe. She has a number of multi-book series in this universe and all of them are so good. Last week, I made it through the four-book bundle of “Lantern Beach Blackout – The New Recruits” series. Each book picked up the story of one of the four team members and the women who entered their lives and changed the forever. And that little romance is only part of the exciting suspense and mystery series! Such a good read. Find it HERE!

Mary Alford also has dipped her toe in this type of collection. She has a six-book series called "Courage Under Fire." They are included in two different collections by the same name. The first is available HERE and includes books 1, 2, and 3. The second of books 4, 5, and 6 is HERE.

There are also book bundles from popular authors like HL Wegley, Alana Terry, and Margaret Daley.

Collaborations

This last type seems to be the most difficult to find. Sometimes, they aren’t exactly bundles but one book written by two or more authors. This type of book is the way I got my start as a published author with THE CHRISTMAS TREE TREASURE HUNT. Though the single story was written by nine different authors, it is described as "seamless." We were all shocked when it stayed at the top of the Amazon rankings for almost a month, catapulting all of the authors into the top 100 authors. For eight days, I was in the 48^th place, in front of Leo Tolstoy! Crazy! HERE is the link for THE CHRISTMAS TREE TREASURE HUNT. 

I’ve also seen very popular collaborations between suspense authors like GHOST HEART from “The Agents of Mercy” series by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry. The authors worked together on each of the four stories. You can find the link for GHOST HEART HERE.

There is also BEYOND THE SILENCE by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse. This team generally write historical romance, but this book seems to have suspense involved as well. Find it HERE.

I got to do another type of collaboration like that. In this one, seven different authors wrote a mystery or light suspense using the same central character. She was sort of like Jessica Fletcher. “The Visitor Mystery Series” follows the CEO of a charitable organization all over the country as she visits branches of her company and members of her family. “She doesn’t invite murder or mayhem to join her; they just sort of show up.” In this collaboration, each author wrote a separate book from the viewpoint of the family member embroiled in the trouble. You can find THE VISITOR MYSTERY SERIES BUNDLE at THIS LINK!

So have you ever read a book bundle? Which type would you like the most:  a collection based on genre by many authors, a single author collection of a series, or a collaboration in one book or series by many authors?

I’m giving one e-copy of THE VISITOR MYSTERY SERIES BUNDLE away to a reader who answers my questions and leaves an email address!

Good luck!

Review: COLD VENGEANCE by Suspense Sister Nancy Mehl!

I had such a delight the last few days. I was able to sit and crochet on a new blanket, watch (silent) Olympic games (volleyball, beach volleyball, and water polo), and listen to a fiendishly intense suspense by Nancy Mehl on Audible. 

Close to perfect this side of Heaven! :)

COLD VENGEANCE is the third and final book in the Ryland & St. Clair series, and boy was it worth the wait!

Elements of the first book came back to haunt in this story as the partner of the Salt River Strangler, seemed to continue to send threats to River Ryland. But there was so much more to this story.

I have seldom had the pleasure of such “Sherlock-esque” deductions. I felt like I was in the room where it all happened, right alongside River and her partner, Tony St. Clair. That was so much fun! And the secondary characters opened up huge emotional swings.

First, there was the client with a missing fiancé. Hope was a thin strand for this situation after so long, and it wobbled back and forth with despair throughout the story. This guy had all the makings of a tragic character, so the entire strand of the story had me emotionally knotted.

Then, there were River’s mom, dealing with Alzheimer's and floating in and out of lucidity, and her precious care-giver. Having lost my mom a couple of years ago to complications with Alzheimer’s, this strand of the story was all too real. And made even more complicated with appearances from River’s dad and brother.

Finally, there was the building tension between River and Tony. You’ve already felt it if you’ve read the other two books of this series, but it becomes palpable from the beginning of this one!

As a completion of this series, it is most satisfying! And though I did read and review book 1, COLD PURSUIT, I haven’t yet read book 2 of the series, COLD THREAT. It’s always ideal to read a series in order, of course, but don’t be afraid to read book 3, COLD VENGEANCE, out of order. It makes for a GREAT stand-alone story!

Here’s the description of this book. The cover gives you a direct link to the Amazon page for it, or you can click HERE to get your copy!

When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan.

As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the targets of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both?

So what is the suspense or mystery that you are most wanting to read right now?

Book Review: SHROUDED PAST by Suspense Sister Mary Alford

This book is a perfect example of what makes the suspense genre so captivating and intriguing! 

When I heard a few weeks ago that Mary Alford's newest book had been released, I grabbed a copy, and I'm so glad I did. To be honest, at the time, I was under some stress and didn't think I had the opportunity to read a book, so I just opened to the first page and planned to dabble a bit before getting back to real life. 

Oh, that was NOT going to happen. The beginning was absolutely riveting! There was no way I was going to put it down. The plot in itself has a great pace, with just enough "breathing spaces" between the waves of action. And throughout, the tension slowly mounts, much like the hurricane-like storms that swirl around the characters. 

And the two main characters are unique and dynamic. 

Bryce Malone is a former sheriff from Wyoming. A widower of two years, he blames himself for his wife's death. He's moved to the northeast to escape his memories, but when a seemingly helpless woman lies in his path - well, practically in his path - he can't turn his back. 

Piper Alexander suffers from memory loss. Aside from the last three years - which she spent in captivity - she remembers nothing of her life. Between "Protector," who kept her locked away for the last three years, and "Skeleton Man," who grabbed her off the road when she finally escaped, she's been living the life of a horror flick. 

Needless to say, these two were in for a nail-biting ride. I'm glad I got to join them. And the unexpected twists at the end of the story left me breathless! I love it when the strings are all tied up neatly. 

While this is a stand-alone book, it is part of a series. Other characters in the series, those who have had their own books, played vital roles in this story. 

• For those familiar with the series, this is a great chance to revisit beloved characters. 
• As one not familiar with the series, I didn't have any sense of "missing something." 
• The other characters intrigued me. Now I want to read their stories! 

Well done, Mary Alford! Thank you for providing just what I needed to relieve some stress and give me a half-day vacay! :)

Here's a little about Shrouded Past. 

Former Wyoming Sheriff Bryce Malone is determined to put as much space and as many states between him and the tragedy that had taken away his life.

He’d gone after international drug smugglers, and it had cost him dearly when his wife was taken hostage and killed. The smugglers got away. He’d stopped nothing.

Bryce tossed his badge on the mayor’s desk and left. He’s done with being the good guy and doing the right thing.

After renting a beachside cabin on Hope Island, Maine, Bryce comes across a single-vehicle accident near his home late one night. The car is empty but there is blood on the seats. Inside the trunk, a frightened woman is bound and gagged.

Piper Alexander was taken at gunpoint and forced into the trunk. And the worst part? She has no idea why. If it hadn’t been for the accident and the man who saved her, she’d be dead.

With Piper refusing to go to the police, Bryce asks her to trust him. But he’ll need more help than what he alone can provide to figure out who is coming after Piper. He reaches out to his neighbor, and one of the owners of Hope Island Securities, JT Wyatt.

Can Bryce and the team unravel the truth behind Piper’s abduction before it’s too late? Find out in this exciting installment of the Hope Island Securities series.

Get your own copy of Shrouded Past on Amazon at THIS LINK, and leave some love for our author in the comments below! 

Also don't forget about our giveaway this month! You can enter at the link below!  

January Suspense Sisters Giveaway!

Review: COUNTER ATTACK

Breathless! 

That's what I am after finishing the newest suspense by Patricia Bradley. I know in this photo, she looks like a sweet lady, but this new story of hers tells of a devious mind hiding behind that smile! She is a master of twists and keeps the tension at the perfect balance of breath-holding gasps and sighs of relief. 

This story opens as Detective Alex Stone works undercover to trap a serial killer. When the set up turns into an unexpected tragedy, she moves back home to the small town where she grew up. Not only does she need to heal, but her grandfather, the county sheriff, needs her help while he recuperates from an unexpected health scare. 

Strangely enough, the serial killer seems to move with her. Or is it a copy cat? This plot is sheer poetry. I'm not going to say I was completely surprised, but there were some elements of the ending that I did not see coming - to my sheer delight! 

I loved the details in this story, from the different chess moves and the threats that they can represent to the police procedure and even the typical commands for a K-9. It all felt so real and genuine. I hesitate to share more as I would give too much away, but there are a few moments when I'm right alongside Alex, thinking I can't take another moment of this. You'll see what I mean when you get to that part! 

The characters had deep and genuine personalities that were so natural. Especially Gram. She made such an impact on me. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't the quiet, unassuming grandmama type. She was a little on the pushy side, even, but her wisdom and the love she obviously had for Alex were priceless. She wasn't the only "voice of reason" in the story, but she nailed the spiritual aspects. 

As with the Natchez trace series, the beautiful setting near Chattanooga, Tennessee fills the story with a rugged color and sets the tone for this fast-paced psychological thriller. Patricia Bradley has quickly become a favorite of mine, and this story is a sheer delight. 

Just be sure to leave a nightlight glowing! 

Here's a little more about COUNTER ATTACK: 

A brand new heart-stopping series from a USA Today bestselling author.

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.

You can order your own copy of COUNTER ATTACK here or get it on Audible like I did. LOVED the narrator! 

What book have you read where you felt exactly what the main character was feeling - panic, exuberance, victory, despair? Share the title and your thoughts in the comments. And don't forget to sign up for our $100 Starbucks giveaway! HERE's the link! 

BOOK REVIEW: Hang on Every Word

Even in a small town, things and people aren't always what they seem. 

This fourth, stand-alone book from Julie Cosgrove's Wordplay mysteries once again marries some of the best things together - mysteries and word puzzles. 

I love them both, so this totally works for me. But let me catch you up to speed. 

Wanda Warner is a closet sleuth that is suddenly not so closet anymore. In fact, she's the head of the neighborhood watch for the whole town of Scrub Oak, Texas, and she takes that role seriously. 

In this fourth stand-alone book of the Wordplay Mysteries, Wanda herself is up against it. Somehow, she has foreknowledge of terrible crimes, and a lot of the townspeople are beginning to doubt her integrity. 

Horrors. 

Here are the details from the back of the book: 

It can't be happening again!

Wanda Warner is delighted to design the wordplay puzzles in The Oakmont Gazette. But when the clues to her Hangman puzzle are used to coordinate robberies, some people in tiny Scrub Oak, Texas wonder if she's masterminding the thefts so she can "solve" them in order to bask in more glory.

Then her own nephew, one of the town's cops, hauls her into the police station as her neighbors look on. The totally embarrassed Wanda is determined to crack this treacherous word puzzle crime spree, but can she do it before her fellow citizens hold a lynch party?

My Take

Since I'm already a fan of word games (Can't get enough of Wordle!) these books are right down my alley. But I also really like the way Mrs. Cosgrove has built consistent characters with realistic responses and genuine friendship. 

Take Wanda for instance. She has a cute little dog. She doesn't forget the dog, draws her into the "at home" scenes, and generally pays attention to her dog. Like a normal person. And she struggles with exercise and her eating habits. She's even been known to put her foot in her mouth and regret a harsh word to a friend. 

Never once does the author paint Wanda outside of those lines. She doesn't change her stripes for the sake of a scene. She's consistently kind, sometimes a little impatient, sincere in her faith, and very sharp. I love it when characters are so real. They make an impact, and their stories (or in this case the entire series) are more memorable for it. 

I also like the interplay between Wanda and her nephew and friends. It isn't the same type of interaction with any of them. Another example of real life. I tend to speak differently to my husband than I do to my grown kids, than I do to my neighbor, than I do to my best friend. So does Wanda. The depth of these characters is keeping readers coming back again and again. 

Add to that a twisted little mystery that kept me guessing to the end. With a well-woven story, I can always reflect and see the details that led to the revelation of the culprit, even if I don't catch them upon the first read. While it's always satisfying to beat the sleuth to the punch, I love being able to plainly see what I missed if I fail. Mrs. Cosgrove does a brilliant job of layering the details that will ultimately make a difference.

I really enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed all of the Wordplay Mysteries. While you don't have to read them in order, it is more fun to watch Wanda's progression through them. 

HANG ON EVERY WORD is available on Amazon as an e-book or a paperback. 

Are you more a fan of cozy mysteries or of word puzzles? Which type of word puzzles do you like the best? (I'm a fan of logic problems along with Wordle!) Share your thoughts in the comments and you might win an e-copy of the first book of this series. 

BOOK REVIEW: Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

Never Let Go didn't let go! 

Elizabeth Goddard takes the torn and frayed strand of family, the bare remains of trust, and the dedicated perseverance of one woman to weave together an intense suspense. The plot is as deep as the Montana wilderness that acts as the setting. And as active. While an bird's eye view might show little in the way of motion or drama in that place, amidst the trees a completely different story is taking place. 

The story is riveting; I finished it in 3 evenings. The antagonistic element completely eluded me, but the details all connected up. I hadn't made the connections because I didn't look closely enough at what was going on underneath the treetops. 

The romance was also engaging. Willow and Austin made excellent use-to-bees. Very believable and with a chemistry that was palpable. 

Make sure you have a little free time set aside for this one. You won't want to put it down once you get started! 

Here's a little about the book, and click the cover for a direct buylink:

As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.

In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end.

With only a few hours available each night to read, I think I got through this fifty-something-chapter read in only six hours. Well, a little over. Such is the case with such intense suspense. 

What's the fastest you've finished a full novel? Share your thoughts about it in the comment section and you might just win one of my books. 

Book Review: CROSSHAIRS

I just spent the last few days reading a gripping suspense called CROSSHAIRS, by our beloved Suspense Sister, Patricia Bradley. As a reader, it was cool in that I was aware of more going on than the main characters, but the plot was so full of twists and turns, I truly didn't see the end of it coming. 

There's a difference between suspense and mystery genres. You probably already know that, but in case you don't, the mystery genre has secrets - hidden things that must be discovered. The suspense genre has something of a ticking clock. An anticipation of something about to happen. Oftentimes, the "clock" is more like a target on one of the main characters - a mortal threat of which they are unaware. 

And in really juicy stories, there are elements of both suspense and mystery. CROSSHAIRS is definitely one of those. The book is a little different in that there are several mysteries that converge to create a chair-gripping story. I was delighted to see all of the different mysteries tied up in neat little bows. 

Oh, did I mention the romance. True confessions - I love clean romance. Especially when they seem real with elements of doubt, vulnerability, and insecurity. I gotta tell you, the main characters in this story have an undeniable chemistry that is palpable. 

I highly recommend this book for those who love the twists and turns of a juicy mystery and the intensity of a strong suspense. You're going to be delighted from the first page to the last! 

Here's a little more about CROSSHAIRS by Patricia Bradley: 

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target - nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley continues her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with a story about how good must prevail when evil just won't quit.

**Just another little note here. I know this is Book 3 of the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, but it is a completely stand-alone story. You'd probably get a kick out of reading them in order, but I didn't miss a thing by reading this one before I read the others. Which I will DEFINITELY be doing!

I was delighted to find CROSSHAIRS as an audiobook. Do you like listening to stories? I love it because I can do something more productive as I indulge - like crochet or cooking or cleaning. Leave a comment about your experience with audio books. I'm giving away a free kindle copy of one of my own books.  

Life in the time of the coronavirus .....Roxanne Rustand

Hi everyone,

Wishing you my very best while we all deal with the Coronavirus. 

My heart breaks over the stories of people who were barely subsisting on minimum wage paychecks, and who have now lost those jobs. Over anyone who has lost their job, had to shutter a business, who has their children home from school for the foreseeable future and needs to work but has no childcare for the little ones. And the elderly who have limited money, no transportation and must somehow get to a grocery store only to find the shelves bare.

In our area, there has been the canceling of non-essential medical appointments, and canceling of non-emergency surgeries, to keep beds, staff, and supplies free for increasing Covid-19 cases.  Here is a sign at the Iowa University Hospitals and Clinics which limits even families of surgery patients to a single visitor per day. Can you imagine sitting alone in the waiting room for hours throughout a loved one's very serious surgery? Yet, it's all good--for the health of the hospital patients who are already in compromised health.

I'm so glad that this country is now taking Covid-19 very seriously, to help save lives. And I pray that we will all get past this with less illness and loss of life than predicted.

How are you all coping with this? Are you in an area where you've been told to shelter in place? 

In light of the extra time at home for some folks, that none of us would've predicted just months earlier, have you taken on some big projects at home? Found excellent books to read from your TBR stacks?

Do you have any recommendations for good books to read--old favorites or new? Recommendations for fun projects for yourself, or for entertaining kids who are at home?

Leave a comment, and the winner of a drawing can choose any book from my newest and throughout my backlist!  If I no longer have what the winner would like, a different book can be chosen.

All my best,

Roxanne Rustand