The Targeted (Secrets to Keep #3) by Cara C. Putman

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can she protect her gym students before her past catches up?


When Chloe Ainsworth's older sister reappears after fourteen years, she brings with her the news that Chloe's abuser is back in town. Chloe is a coach at her childhood gym and fiercely protective of her young gymnasts. She won't allow them to suffer the way she did, but she's desperate for an ally—one who can help her make her case.


Law student Dare Shepherd works at the local legal clinic, where he meets Chloe and hears her out. He believes her case but can't get the clinic director on board. As he learns more about her story, he finds himself bound by a deepening personal care for Chloe.


They band together in search of answers, and suddenly the stakes skyrocket. It’s clear they're onto something, but will they be able to find the answers before it's too late?

AMAZON     

MY THOUGHTS.....

The 'Secrets to Keep' series has been exceptional, but this third book was especially riveting! Multi-faceted characters, a relevant subject, and a compelling plot kept me glued to the pages of The Targeted. Secrets, fear, and finally, Chloe's determination to protect others had me experiencing all of the feels, including disgust, dismay, and frustration. There was, however, hope, faith, and satisfaction as truth and justice were fiercely pursued!

I can always count on being entertained AND challenged by author Cara Putman. The Targeted illustrates the worst and best of mankind as it explores the loss of trust and innocence, but the author's personal knowledge of the legal system powerfully intensifies the drama! I recommend this top-notch thriller to all who enjoy Christian suspense,

I received a complimentary ARC from the author, Kregel Publications, and NetGalley, There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The award-winning, best-selling author of more than 35 books, Cara Putman graduated college at 20 and completed her law degree at 27. FIRST for Women magazine called Shadowed by Grace “captivating” and a “novel with ‘the works.'” Cara is active at her church and a full-time Clinical Associate Professor on business and ethics to undergraduate and graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and was a second-generation homeschooling mom for twelve years. Putman obtained her Master’s in Business Administration from Krannert and her J.D. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia School of Law. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana. 

You can connect with her online her  on her Website     

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Secrets to Keep

The Vanished

The Accused

The Targeted

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The Girl from Tomorrow's Town (Enduring Hope #5) by Naomi Dawn Musch

ABOUT THE BOOK

Past and Present Collide on the Railway
 
When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Lily Mae Dodge flees Wyoming by night to find her mother, who sent her west on an orphan train ten years ago. After she's arrested in Chicago, help comes from a man with a rare vision impairment whom she only just met on a train. Francis Basnett is a roustabout for the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, where he helps Lily gain employment. Their friendship grows into more, and it seems Lily is closer than ever to finding her mother. . .until the night a rogue troop train slams into the stalled circus train, killing dozens and splintering hope.

AMAZON     BARBOUR PUBLISHING

MY THOUGHTS.....

Author Naomi Musch truly understands the formula for great historical fiction. Find a little-known subject or event, research it extensively, and then weave a fascinating fictional story around those facts. This is a perfect description of The Girl from Tomorrow's Town, the newest book in the Enduring Hope series. I wasn't familiar with the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus or the train crash that occurred one fateful night in 1918, near Hammond, Indiana. Many circus performers died, many more were seriously injured, and most of their true identities are unknown to this day.


Endearing characters, vivid descriptions, and a captivating look at circus life make this a compelling story! Lily Mae Dodge was sent west on the Orphan Train, but she's now heading back east to search for her mother. This search introduces her to Francis Bassett and the performers of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and eventually leads to her involvement in the tragic train crash. I felt the terror, heard the sounds, and experienced the shock during the crash, along with Lily Mae's desperation when she couldn't find Francis. What follows is a story of faith, hope, and the search for 'happily-ever-after'. I highly recommend The Girl from Tomorrow's Town to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Naomi Musch is an award-winning author who writes from a deer farm in the pristine north woods of Wisconsin, where she and  her husband Jeff live as epically as God allows near the families of their five adult children. When not in the physical act of writing or spending time loving on her passel of grandchildren, she can be found plotting stories as she roams around the farm, snacks out of the garden, and relaxes in her vintage camper. Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Wisconsin Writers’ Association, and the Lake Superior Writers.

She loves engaging with others. You can connect with her on her  Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram     Pinterest

 

ENDURING HOPE SERIES

The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn

The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes

The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debbie Lee

The Girl from Tomorrow's Town by Naomi Dawn Musch

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Find Me in the Lyrics (Jonathon Island / Season 2 Book 4) by Christina Miller

ABOUT THE BOOK

She tried to find her own voice and failed. He buried his melody in grief. Together, they might write the lyrics to a whole new life.

A country star who's never been "just Ariel." A guitarist who traded his music for a hotel ledger. One summer that changes everything.

Ariel Sullivan has sold out arenas, won awards, and built a career most artists only dream of—but always as half of "Miss Dahlia and Ariel." When she secretly records a solo album and it's rejected, she's left questioning everything. A month on the tiny Michigan island where she was born might give her space to figure out who she is without the spotlight.

She didn't expect to find answers in a crumbling hotel. Or in him.

Caleb Kennedy should be on tour with his Christian rock band, not dealing with burst pipes, displaced guests, and a grandfather who won't let him into the locked parlor wing. But family duty called, and Caleb answered—even if it meant burying his music along with his grief.

When Ariel walks through his doors, she's an inconvenience. When she offers to help save the inn in exchange for his help reimagining her band, she becomes something more a reason to pick up his guitar again.

Late nights at the antique piano. Jazz duets in a forbidden room. A harmony that feels like it was always meant to be. But with careers pulling them in different directions and secrets surfacing from both their pasts, they'll have to Is love worth the risk of starting over?

A heartwarming musician romance about finding your voice, healing old wounds, and discovering that the best love songs are written by two hearts in perfect harmony. Ideal for fans of Denise Hunter, Becky Wade, and Nashville.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

Jonathon Island. I fall more in love with it each time I visit, and this book is no exception. Wonderful characters and two legacies are at the center of a heartwarming plot that's bursting with the love of music and the power it holds over all of us! Music, no matter the genre, is capable of uniting people, and Find Me in the Lyrics explores this premise!

Dahlia Denton, her great-niece Ariel Sullivan, Caleb Kennedy and his Uncle Augo are four intriguing characters introduced in this touching story. Caleb is in a quandary because of a family legacy. Should he give up his dreams of a musical career so that his family's historical Island House Inn can continue to prosper? Ariel's legacy is wrapped around her successful duo act with her Aunt Dahlia. Country music has been good to her, but she really wants to try it on her own. Is she talented enough to succeed as a solo artist?

Author Christina Miller provides a realistic look at both the joys and heartaches that musicians experience as they share their musical talents with others.  Find Me in the Lyrics is a sweet romance filled with Ariel's swoony first kiss, a surprising marriage proposal, thought-provoking revelations, and the inspiring faith always evident on Jonathon Island. I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.

I received a complimentary digital ARC from Sunrise Publishing. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Editor and author Christina Miller’s idea of a perfect day involves a white-sand beach, a stack of books, and a glass of sweet tea. Ten years ago, she decided to leave her job as an RN and become a writer and editor so she could read for a living—and sometimes even work on the beach.

Christina is a Bethany Global University graduate, pastor’s wife, worship leader, and author for Love Inspired, the Christian imprint of Harlequin. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her toes in the sand, you might catch her visiting an antebellum mansion, exploring a museum, or teaching at a women’s conference. Christina lives on her family farm with her husband of thirty years.

Learn more by visiting Christina's Website

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JONATHON ISLAND SEASON TWO

Find Me in the Story by Lisa Jordan

Find Me in the Blooms by Alyssa Schwarz

Find Me at the Table by Andrea Christenson

Find Me in the Lyrics by Christina Miller

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The Fearless Cowboy (Noble Ranch, #3) by Jody Hedlund

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hyacinth Berkley is tired of living in the shadow of her sister’s beautiful marriage and is ready to start a life of her own. In searching for a husband, Hyacinth wants a man who is different from her father—someone who is independent and doesn’t need her the way her father needed their mother.

Noble Ranch foreman Beckett Thorpe has to get married by his thirtieth birthday in order to inherit his family’s ranch in Texas. With the clock ticking, he proposes a marriage of convenience to Hyacinth. Since the two of them have bickered from the day they met, he doesn’t expect her to accept his offer and is secretly pleased when she does.

After a quick wedding, they journey to Texas so he can prove he’s married and claim his inheritance. Once there, they learn Beckett isn’t so independent and needs Hyacinth more than they’d realized. As tensions escalate, can they overcome their fears from the past and the dangers of the present to find a way to be together? Or will they finally agree on one thing—that their marriage was a big mistake?

The inspirational themes in this book are light, and the romance is the primary focus. While the romance is sizzling and the kisses swoony, both the language and physical attraction are clean and wholesome.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

Hyacinth Berkley needed a home, and Beckett Thorpe's claim to an inheritance required a wife. Maybe they could solve their problems by marrying each other. Should it matter that they really didn't like each other?

The Fearless Cowboy is bursting with witty banter, constant bickering, and amazing romantic chemistry. I shouldn't be surprised by the latter because Jody Hedlund is known for writing sizzling, BUT CLEAN, closed-door romance novels! I loved the swoony kisses and the strong physical connection, but I was fully captivated by their deepening emotional bond. Marrying a much older man was Hyacinth's initial plan to achieve independence; Beckett's only concern was to gain his inheritance. Why couldn't they see that the ever-increasing tension between them was caused by something other than dislike?

Enemies-to-more, a marriage of convenience, and a western adventure set in the 1880s. What more could a historical romance fan ask for? The Fearless Cowboy is a delightful addition to Hedlund's Noble Ranch series!

I received a complimentary ARC. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats.

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.  

Learn more at Jody's Website     

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NOBLE RANCH

The Forever Cowboy

The Favored Cowboy

The Fearless Cowboy

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Silent Menace (The Secrets of Kincaid #3) by Angela Carlisle

ABOUT THE BOOK

A vulnerable target. A mysterious discrepancy. An unforeseen love.

After the exposure of her deceased husband's criminal activity, CPA Hailey Nieland struggles to move on with life as a single mother raising a hearing-impaired toddler in a hostile small town. When she gains a major client, she hopes the extra income will be just what they need . . . until she begins finding anomalies in the accounts. 

No one should trust their life to a bodyguard who can't protect himself, much less his client. At least, that's what Peter Lewis believes after his failed mission. But leaving his former career behind is much harder than he expected--especially when someone begins targeting an accountant who works in the office building he's now responsible for. As threats against her escalate, Peter and Hailey must work together to overcome their fears and expose a complex cover-up before she becomes the next victim. 

Parable bestselling author Angela Carlisle delivers edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense featuring a single mother, a bodyguard seeking redemption, financial intrigue, and a small-town setting for readers who enjoy high stakes and nonstop action.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

"Something wasn't right." Discrepancies in financial records were troubling CPA Hailey Nieland, but she didn't know the troubles that lay ahead!

I loved this book! Hailey is a single mother determined to provide for her hearing-impaired little girl, and she's going to need help before someone silences her forever. Enter a swoony, English bodyguard willing to protect her.  My reaction to their friendship that slowly evolves into something more? "Be still, my heart!" Another plus is the small-town setting. Kincaid is loosely based on a small city near Carlisle's home in northern Kentucky, and my own home is about 65 miles away!

Author Angela Carlisle spins a chilling life-or-death story in this third book of The Secrets of Kincaid series. There is heart-pounding danger, heart-melting romance, and heartwarming faith. I recommend this captivating book to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense!

I received a complimentary ARC from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela Carlisle resides in the hills of northern Kentucky and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN. Angela is an editor by day and prefers to spend her free time reading, baking, and drinking ridiculous quantities of hot tea. Her unpublished works have won awards in ACFW's Genesis and First Impressions contests and placed in the Daphne du Maurier contest. Each book in her debut series, The Secrets of Kincaid, is a Parable Group bestseller, and her flash fiction pieces—including the prize-winning “Mansion Murderer”—have appeared in Splickety and Spark Magazines. She is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books and Such Literary Agency.

Learn more by visiting Angela's Website

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THE SECRETS OF KINCAID

Secondary Target

Shadowed Witness

Silent Menace

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