BOOK REVIEW: DANGEROUS PAST by Suspense Sister Roxanne Rustand

Marji Laine here. 

Last week, our Suspense Sister, Roxanne Rustand, released book nine of her Northern Pines Suspense Series. I realized that I’ve never gotten to read one of her books, so I quickly rectified that situation. I didn’t want to start at book nine, so I picked up book one. I’m so glad I did.

Roxanne reminds me of one of my all-time favorite authors, Phyllis A. Whitney. Whitney had a habit of setting a heroine in the midst of unknown hostility where unexplained events covered intentional attacks. Her writing, if memory serves, was either from an omniscient (narrator-type) viewpoint or only from a single point of view, bu
t as the stories progressed, attacks grew more pronounced and more dangerous.

Roxanne, thankfully, uses a dual point of view between the hero and the heroine and even throws in a few other characters from time to time to give a more colorful background. But in the same way as Whitney's heroines, Lauren, faces seemingly inescapable problems.

This is an emotionally-charged story with a good amount of tension and rich characters. It adds multi-layered characters, Lauren and Michael, with strong back-stories, reasonable reactions, and even defining quirks. Amidst past problems and their current hopes and goals, both Michael and Lauren find joy, laughter, and make embarrassing and even heart-breaking mistakes.

A troubled young daughter and an entourage of various pets add to this heart-warming story. Even the goat has a personality!

Dangerous Past has a mild level of suspense, particularly at the beginning as the backdrop of the story is laid with the initial interactions of the characters. Michael and Lauren, though, with their various secrets, hidden needs, and quiet desperation, intrigued me. The story itself amped up its flavor of suspense throughout, and the final scenes satisfied completely, leaving me eager to read more of this series.

Here’s a little more about this story.

She needs to hide from her past. He only wants to be left alone. What could possibly go wrong?

A DISILLUSIONED ATTORNEY
Michael is searching for a quiet life in a small town. Alone. When his elderly, vagabond Aunt Bertie announces her plans for yet another summer in Europe, he agrees to stay at her home on the shore of Briar Lake. It’s perfect timing, while he hunts for a house to buy and a location for his law practice. 

Perfect---until he meets a flamboyant stranger at Bertie’s front door, who refuses to let him inside. A very nervous one, at that.

A WOMAN WITH A TROUBLED PAST
A housemate? No way. Bertie’s menagerie is of epic proportions—thanks to the homeless animals she constantly adopts. Lauren promised to move in and care for them this summer. It’s a promise she cannot break to the woman she has loved as an "extra grandmother" since childhood—even if she fears this forced proximity to a man who could uncover her darkest secrets.

But there’s another problem… one that could end her life.

Roxanne Rustand is the USA Today Bestselling author of forty romance and romantic suspense novels—in both Clean & Wholesome and Christian genres. Her books have sold over 2.9 million copies.

Get your own copy HERE!

But don't miss out on all the books of Northern Pines Suspense - particularly the brand new release, book nine! Learn about them all HERE! 

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I so enjoyed this book with my snowy backyard as a backdrop, wrapped in my sweater and crocheted throw and stretched out in my recliner. What did you do during this year's snowy/icy/frigid days? Share your answer below and you just might win a copy of Roxanne's book. (Don't forget to leave your email address!)

BOOK REVIEW: On the Edge of Trust by Suspense Sister Patricia Bradley

Great mystery in this excellent book, and a GREAT romance! 

Patricia Bradley has hit another homerun with her 18th publication. This one returns to Logan Point, the setting for her first series, and this place holds both a comfortable homeyness and intense danger. 

It also has some delightful folks who speak with a relaxed drawl and an encouraging tone. 

Ah, and then there is the tension... Well that begins with an attack at the very beginning of the book, at the scene of a situation that brings new meaning to the word stressful. Between that event, and the appearance of a young man at the scene of a murder, this story's twisted wheels begin turning. 

Our main character, Tori Mitchell, deals with the popularity of a true crime podcast that seems to collect enemies, the pain of tragically losing a loved one, the trap of addition, and the emotions that are entangled with all of these situations. She also deals with memories of a summer crush and the return of that man, shocking her with feelings she'd forgotten. 

And then there's the shooter. Oh, and the fire. Yeah, the threats and intensity of the suspense keeps rocking with so many suspects and so many possible motives for the attacks Tori experiences. 

Scott Sinclair, the source of her long-ago crush, as a temporarily off-duty FBI undercover agent, wavers between thoughts that he is the target of the shooter and concern for a woman who had touched his heart a decade before. He wasn't about to take Tori's safety for granted, though. The two of them are thrust together as he struggles to keep her safe while she tries to figure out who is trying to kill her. 

Is it someone involved with the murder blamed on her nephew? 

Is it one of the physical abusers of the women she'd helped to escape?

Does it have something to do with past murders solved or maybe it's something else?

This mystery checks all the boxes! Here's a little more about it. 

Sometimes the closer you get to justice, the deadlier it becomes

When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation.

Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.

Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.

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So what is your favorite type of suspense? Do you lean toward thrillers, romantic suspense with a little bit of a slower pace, or do you prefer the tension with a strong side dish of mystery? 

Leave your answer (and your EMAIL address) in the comments. You might just win an e-copy of the first book in the Logan Point series - SHADOWS OF THE PAST. 

And let me know if you've read AT THE EDGE OF TRUST. I'd love to know your thoughts about it! 

REVIEW: Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard

Hi, Marji Laine here. I have been reading books by Elizabeth Goddard for almost a decade, and she never fails to totally wow me! The same can be said about PERILOUS TIDES. 

Ferry leaving Seattle for Bremerton

Her newest story begins in a place of my worst nightmares. Not the northwest—Washington is lovely—but being locked in a car that is sinking in the Puget Sound! I had to deal with serious horror as I read through the first chapter of PERILOUS TIDES. Talk about suspense! Wow! And oh, so good!

Beth is a master at the details and allows the reader to live through the story as well and better than some of the greatest suspense writers of our time. The research she does is amazing! For this book, it’s forensic science. I almost feel like I could be a forensic scientist after living in the skin of one for this ten-hour suspense-filled vacay. (Well, if I could draw worth beans! Lol!)

About the research, Mrs. Goddard says, “I based Jo and her mother off a real mother and daughter forensic art team who possessed a unique gift for portraying criminal depictions with extraordinary accuracy, so most of what I used to created Jo and write about her skills I gathered from this specific research.” So cool!

Jo is a wonderful character, rich and deep with layers of experience. “Jo’s experiences, her battles as well as the secrets and answers she discovers along the way, give her a strong sense of who she is and what her real purpose is as someone who will fight for justice against all odds, no matter the cost.” I really like her character, especially how smart she is. 

And I like the romantic confusion between her and her ex-boyfriend, Cole Mercer. That tension is palpable between them. I have to say, second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. Mrs. Goddard says, “I love second-chance romances, especially in romantic suspense. If the hero and heroine already have feelings for each other—good or bad—that gives the romance plot of the suspense novel a running start.”

The romance does start at an unexpected sprint, but the suspense races right alongside it. I don't want to give too much away, but history becomes vivid—events that I lived through and remember so clearly. I love how each detail has purpose! 

I also love that a couple of characters from the first book of the series play an important role in this one. I always like the revisits from past main characters. And I hope there is a future main character in this book. There’s a detective in this story that lays his life on the line to help Cole and Jo even though he doesn’t know them very well. I’m hoping we get to see him again. He deserves his happy ending too.

This is a strong suspense! One of my favorite so far this year, right up there with Patricia Bradley, Nancy Mehl, and Lisa Phillips. Here’s a little more about it:

High-Stakes Romantic Suspense from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard

Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her--none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother's death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.

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I can't wait for book three of the Hidden Bay series! DEADLY CURRENTS is due to release next February, but you can get your own copy of PERILOUS TIDES HERE! Leave a comment and you could win a $10.00 Amazon gift card!

I hope you LOVE PERILOUS TIDES! 

Book Review: STORM AND TEMPEST by Lisa Phillips and a book-giveaway!

Marji Laine here. And I just had the most delightful Saturday, crocheting on a new baby blanket and listening to an amazing suspense by bestselling author Lisa Phillips. I can certainly see why she's a bestselling author! 

There are so many things to unpack with this story, so let me start with the cast. What a list of players she has here. Now, I'm not gonna lie - there are stories that I've read with a large cast like this that completely confuse me. I lose track of who's who and have to look back or rewind the recording to figure out what's going on. 

Such was NOT the case with this extensive story population. Lisa Phillips creates unique players who feel visible, touchable. Each leaves a special impression with hints of their backgrounds, issues, and challenges. The narrator, Cynthia Farrell, helps with this. She doesn't do crazy-different accents or voices, but each had its own personal consistency - an edge or lilt - that clearly identifies the characters. The author and narrator combine incredible talent to make this story seamless and so enjoyable. 

Now as to the characters, there were a couple of rarities in this story - detours from the typical stories that I read. First, though this was full of romantic hints, the couple in question was married. I find most of the books I read are in the initial stages of a relationship - at least at first. And I didn't miss that "initial stages of the relationship" element at all. The change was refreshing and real. 

The second delightful change of pace was that the entire book was from the hero's perspective. Most of what I read is either from the female point of view or begins and ends in the female's perspective with the hero's viewpoint alternating or tossed in here an there. This story dug deep into Jax's psyche, revealing his weaknesses, his growth, his faults, and changes of opinions and attitudes. To say Jax is a full, rich character is putting it lightly. And he wasn't alone. We lived through quite a lot with several of the characters, though only through interaction with Jax. But with all they dealt with, seeing the depth of the characters wasn't hard. 

And they dealt with plenty! A missing person became a cover-up that seemed to infiltrate every area of Jax's life and his family. A team of misfits assembled to help him some from his background and some from a team that his wife had worked with for some time. But their enemy was unseen and insurmountable. I found myself on the edge between hope and "there's no way" over and over. And the climax caught me off guard but was so satisfying. 

Now here's the catch: this is book 13 of the series. I've not read any of the others (but I will!) and yet, I didn't have any trouble getting into this book and fully enjoying every step of the way. You can get your own copy RIGHT HERE! 

Have you ever read a series out of order? Did you like it? I'd loved to hear about it! Let me know the last book from a series that you've read and you just might win a copy of my book A TROLL FALLS. It's a mystery set 1948 Dallas, Texas, and based on the little-known fairy tale of Snow White and Rose Red, complete with real places, people, and situations. Wanna know more about A TROLL FALLS? Click HERE. 

Wanna win a copy? Leave your answer in the comments and don't forget to include your email address. 

BOOK REVIEW: DEADLY REVENGE by Suspense Sister Patricia Bradly

Marji Laine here, and I’m delighted to review DEADLY REVENGE by Suspense Sister Patricia Bradley. I’m even more delighted to have read it, by the way!

Patricia Bradley’s third book in her Pearl River series has the same intensity as books one and two! All are stand-alone stories with the characters and the setting of Pearl River being the connection between them all. Being “stand-alone” means there’s no over-arching story that would require the books to be read in order, so you can read book three even if you haven’t read the others. However, if you want to get full enjoyment from the series, start with book one, COUNTER ATTACK. You can get a copy HERE!

I have to say, I liked Deputy Jenna Hart right away when I met her in the earlier books. I’m so glad we get to enjoy her story! And I love the way that Patricia Bradley wrapped the series up. You’ll have to read it to feel the satisfaction there!

The tension in this book starts on page one. (I kept having to remind myself that the main character wasn’t going to get killed off in the prologue.) The author certainly has the gift of setting a hook for a reader! And like with COUNTER ATTACK and FATAL WITNESS the suspense comes in hills and valleys with just enough time to catch a breath before another attack or surprise shocks the main characters.

They are outstanding by the way. The unexpected feelings between them are palpable, fueled from years of working together in a relationship that didn’t allow for romance. It is like a dance between them. But even more than that, I really enjoy how they personally develop. Particularly in the area of trust. I can't imagine going through the betrayal that Jenna went through, but to come out on the other side, actually able to build trust again is remarkable. And Maxwell is attentive to her with such compassion. I like that the attraction between them is more than chemistry! 

I don’t want to give anything away, so here’s the basic description:

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

Get your copy HERE! I hope you LOVE it! ~ Marji

Book Review: TAKE MY HAND by suspense sister Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

I had the best time earlier this week, listening to Kristen Hogrefe Parnell’s TAKE MY HAND on my Audible app. Squee! This is exactly the type of suspense book that I LOVE to read, the perfect recipe!

·       Drama at the beginning ignites some unknown situation.
·       Relational drama with plenty of humor and great chemistry between the two main characters is braided through the entire book.
·       An undercurrent of suspense, carried through hints, a mysterious point-of-view character, and spoken intentions grows from chapter 1.
·       The foreboding heightens in the middle, amidst everyday type of activity - as shadowy characters appear on the scene.
·       And then the roof falls in! The suspense just gets tenser from there until the end.
·       I won’t give anything away, but the ending offered just the right amount of satisfaction!

And the characters, Kaley and Reef, and also sweet Liam, have stayed with me for several days. Usually, the characters are my favorites from books, but this plot was so good – the timing was so perfect – it took me back to when my love of suspense began in the idyllic days of high school with my cache of Phyllis A. Whitney books.

Yes, Kristen Hogrefe Parnell is that good! There are only a handful of authors that I compare with Whitney!

Here’s the book’s official description and the cover is a buy link, but make sure you read all the way to the end!

Trauma therapist Kaley Colbert needs a vacation from her job, and a ski trip with her church singles’ group seems like the perfect way to unplug. But while in the mountains, she learns that her last client was murdered hours after their meeting, and she wonders if the notes she’s receiving from a possible stalker hold a more sinister warning.

On the trip, ex-boyfriend and entrepreneur Reef Mitchell wants to give their relationship another chance, but Kaley questions if his past and priorities could ever mesh with her life. When her client’s underworld connections catch up with her, she has no choice but trust Reef to help her stay alive, solve her client’s mystery, and bring the killers to justice.

(Available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook at Amazon.com.)

And the best part about this book, now that I’ve finished reading it… There are LOTS of characters in this crowd begging for stories of their own! I sure hope Kristen shares them! I can’t wait to read them. And I’m going to start with HOLD YOUR BREATH, book 2 in her Crossroads Suspense series. Stay tuned for my review of that one coming soon! 

So you now know that Phyllis A. Whitney introduced me to suspense back in the day. What author introduced you to suspense? Let me know your thoughts and you might just win an e-copy of this book. Share in the comments section and don't forget to leave your email address!

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!

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.  

From Marji

Check out the review page next week where I'll be reviewing Margaret Brownley's latest historical suspense, Undercover Bride.

I loved her most recent book of this series, Petticoat Detective, and I can't wait to finish this one.

See my full review at the Review Page on Monday. And while you're there, leave a comment to win Elizabeth Goddard's Wilderness Peril!