Tag Archives: Romantic suspense

#BookReview: Silence in the Dark

27 May

Silence in the Dark

Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/25mzQrW

Bailey Adams is running for her life . . . again.

When Bailey Adams left Logan Point two years ago she thought she was getting away from her problems. Running into her ex-fiancé Danny Maxwell was not part of the plan–neither was being chased through the city by the local drug cartel, the Calatrava. Now despite her best efforts, Danny is her only chance of escaping the people chasing her and getting back to Logan Point safely. Can Bailey find the strength to face what’s coming? And in the midst of the chaos, can she keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again?

 

My thoughts:

Silence in the Dark is an intriguing tale! Patricia Bradley takes readers from Mexico to Mississippi in a fast-paced story of suspense and second chances.

The action and adventure start on the first page and continue until the very end! The diverse cast of characters kept me engaged, and I enjoyed the relationships that developed as the story unfolded. While fans of the Logan Point series are sure to enjoy Bailey and Danny’s story, this novel can also be enjoyed independently of its predecessors.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: Sins of the Past

25 May

Sins of the Past

Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1XUEr2j

In Dee Henderson’s “Missing,” a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins.

Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with “Shadowed,” introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.

Lynette Eason’s “Blackout” delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found–but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?

 

My thoughts:

Sins of the Past is a great collection! These three beloved and bestselling authors have shared engaging stories “where the past will not stay buried” and “danger will never go away”.

“Missing”- Dee Henderson kept me guessing with this novella, puzzling more over the “why” than the “who”.

“Shadowed”- I loved Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, so I was delighted to learn more about the McKenna parents and their journey.

“Blackout”- Lynette Eason captivated me with this nail-biting suspense!

I am a fan of each of these authors, so enjoying them together in one book was a real treat! Each of their stories is uniquely told and boasts intrigue, adventure, and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed Sins of the Past and recommend this collection to fans of romantic suspense!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: Tailspin by Elizabeth Goddard

31 Mar

Tailspin

Tailspin by Elizabeth Goddard

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook

Nothing can stop Sylvie Masters from scuba diving to find her mother’s downed plane—except possibly the hit man determined to keep the truth from surfacing. When brave bush pilot Will Pierson comes to her rescue, she knows she can still reach her goal, but she needs his help. Will wants answers about the crash, too, especially since his mother was the missing plane’s pilot. He’ll be the hero Sylvie needs, but can he ever trust her? Sylvie is shrouded in secrets that keep leading her back to Mountain Cove. Secrets someone will kill for. Will may protect her, yet no one can persuade her to end her search…not even a killer.

 

Quote- Tailspin

My thoughts:

Tailspin is an adrenaline-fueled adventure! Aptly titled, Goddard sends her characters into a tailspin again and again as they race to uncover buried secrets while trying to stay alive. Just as the tagline promises, love and danger collide in this fast-paced story. Sylvie and Will’s journey is filled with drama, danger, and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed this exciting tale and look forward to the next Mountain Cove adventure!

Tailspin is the fifth stand-alone book in the Mountain Cove series. Fans of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy this story, as well as its predecessors.

 

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Elizabeth Goddard is an award-winning author of eighteen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—winner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she home schools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.

Connect with Beth:
Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

Tailspin

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Guest Post + #Giveaway: Mary Alford

3 Mar

I’m happy to welcome Mary Alford to Buzzing About Books!
Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Mary, and for graciously offering a copy of Rocky Mountain Pursuit to one of my readers! 

Guest Post- Mary Alford 

The Dance

A few years ago, my oldest granddaughter was certain she wanted to be a dancer after she watched Angelina Ballerina. Unfortunately, for the dancing world that has since changed many times over.

I was about my granddaughter’s age when I read my first Nancy Drew mystery and knew that I wanted to create stories when I grew up. That was it. Career settled. Life put into place. If only it were that easy. At the time, I had no idea I was about to embark on the dance of a lifetime.

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Just like dancing, writing requires a lot of discipline and training.

First, you must learn the proper steps: There is nothing scarier than sitting in front of a blank computer screen for the first time and trying to write…something. It’s a huge leap to go from reading inspirational romantic suspense to actually writing it. When I wrote my first story, I had no idea all the intricate steps involved in creating a suspense story, but I wrote, I read about my craft, and I found a great network of seasoned authors who willingly shared their knowledge.

Practice, Practice, Practice: It you don’t use it you lose it. In other words, to improve as a dancer or a writer, you have to work through all the self-doubt and times when life gets in the way.

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In the beginning, writing was a trial and error experience for me. I confess I tried other genres in the process before I came back to my first love, inspirational romantic suspense. Some wise author once told me, write what you enjoy reading and then perfect it. In other words, if you don’t read contemporary romance, then don’t try to write it.

Submitting a manuscript the first time can be a frightening experience. After you’ve polished and perfected your baby, it’s time to send it out into the world and let it stand on its own. And that’s just the beginning. You wait and wait until one day you receive news about your baby. Only it’s not what you were hoping. The dreaded rejection letter arrives and it feels as if someone slugged you in the stomach hard. This wasn’t what I expected. To quote my granddaughter, “Now what”? Well, some rejection letters are form letters. Those you file away. Others have comments from the editor who reviewed it. Those you can gain little pearls of wisdom to help you along your way…but you have to put aside your hurt feelings and listen. You can’t take it personal. Publishing is a business. A very hard one at that.

It’s finally Showtime! What do you mean I’ll be dancing by myself?

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For me, ten years of writing came down to five minutes in the spotlight. In 2012, I entered the Speed Dating Contest that editor Emily Rodmell hosted and I was one of the lucky ones who got an appointment to chat with Emily. On the day of the pitch, I was on vacation in Colorado. At our cabin, internet service is nonexistent. I could have given up and said, well, that’s it, better luck next time, but I didn’t. My husband and I drove into the small town of Pagosa Springs where I did the entire chat on my laptop in the parking lot of the Ace Hardware Store.

Emily was kind enough to request a synopsis although I was so nervous she probably didn’t understand anything I told her. I promptly sent the synopsis out to her. Then she requested the first three chapters followed by the full manuscript. With each request, I tried not to get my hopes up.

Forgotten Past

In December 2012, Emily called. To this day, I can’t tell you what she said to me other than that she wanted to buy FORGOTTEN PAST for Love Inspired Suspense. It was a surreal moment. One that still hasn’t fully sunken in yet. It’s a great feeling to have your dream become a reality and even greater to hold your book in your hands.

But Would There Be A Second Dance? For most authors who have been published, selling the second book can be even more daunting. For me, the answer to that question was yes, there would be a second dance.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PURSUIT is available now!

Rocky Mountain PursuitEveryone believes agent Jase Bradford is dead—everyone but Reyna Peterson. Only he can protect her now that someone wants the information her CIA husband died to secure. As the one member of their spy team not killed, Jase must remain in the shadows. Yet when Reyna leads the enemy right to his mountain refuge and blows his cover, Jase risks his life for hers. As his best friend’s beautiful widow scales the walls around his heart, whether out of loyalty or love, he makes it his duty to secure her safety. But when their pursuers trap them in the snowy Colorado mountains, will it become his final mission?

Available at:
Harlequin, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine booksellers

 

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So to quote Garth Brooks’ famous song, The Dance, “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance”.

And what a dance it is.

What about you? What dreams are dancing around in your head? Whether it is becoming a published author or something else, I’d love to hear how you’ve overcome the obstacles along the way to your Showtime?

I’ll be giving away a signed print copy of ROCKY MOUNTAIN PURSUIT, my second Love Inspired Suspense, to one random person who comments. Thanks for stopping by! ~ Mary

Giveaway- Rocky Mountain Pursuit

GIVEAWAY DETAILS – (US only) 

Thanks to Mary’s generosity, one lucky reader will win a signed copy of Rocky Mountain Pursuit!

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address. The giveaway ends Tuesday, March 8 at midnight CST, and a winner will be chosen and announced on March 9th.

To earn additional entries:
Follow this blog, Buzzing About Books, and/or share the giveaway. Be sure to let me know what you’ve done to earn additional entries!  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Contest Rules:
◦No purchase is necessary.
◦Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
◦US residents, 18 and older, are eligible to enter.

 

Mary AlfordMary Alford is a Texan whose debut novel, FORGOTTEN PAST is now available at Love Inspired Suspense.  When Mary’s not dreaming up people in dangerous situations and writing them down, she’s also a mom, wife, grandmother, avid reader, a proud geek-girl.  For occasional updates and news about upcoming publications, please go to the contact form on her website and subscribe to her newsletter!

Author links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

#Giveaway: COLD SHOT by Dani Pettrey

25 Feb

Cold Shot

COLD SHOT by Dani Pettrey

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper.

When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

 

My thoughts:

COLD SHOT is a great romantic suspense! This first book in an exciting new series by beloved author Dani Pettrey introduces readers to a cast of complex and intriguing characters. I really enjoyed getting to know this band of brothers and am eager to learn more about them as the series progresses.

I loved Griffin and Finley and their romantic chemistry! Struggling with issues from their pasts, it was great to experience their emotional and spiritual journeys as the story unfolded. COLD SHOT enthralled me from beginning to end as murders, investigations, and a tangle of twists and turns kept me guessing.

I am really excited about the adventures that await in this new series! As much as I loved the McKenna family from the Alaskan Courage series, I have a sneaking suspicion that I just might love the “brothers” of Chesapeake Valor even more. We’ll see!  

 

Giveaway- Cold Shot

GIVEAWAY DETAILS – (US only)
Thanks to the generosity of Dani Pettrey and Bethany House Publishers, one lucky reader will win a print copy of COLD SHOT!

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address. The giveaway ends Tuesday, March 1 at midnight CST. The winner will be drawn, emailed, and announced on March 2nd.  If the winner does not claim their prize within 3 days, another winner will be drawn.  

To earn additional entries:
Follow this blog, Buzzing About Books, and/or share the giveaway via social media. Be sure to let me know what you’ve done to earn additional entries!  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Contest Rules:
◦No purchase is necessary.
◦Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
◦US residents, 18 and older, are eligible to enter.

 

DaniSpring2016

Dani Pettrey is the acclaimed author of the brand new romantic suspense Chesapeake Valor series, as well as the well-loved Alaskan Courage series which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

#BookReview: Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey | Chesapeake Valor Prize Pack #Giveaway

16 Feb

Cold Shot

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

 

My thoughts:

Cold Shot is a great romantic suspense! This first book in an exciting new series by beloved author Dani Pettrey introduces readers to a cast of complex and intriguing characters. I really enjoyed getting to know this band of brothers and am eager to learn more about them as the series progresses.

I loved Griffin and Finley and their romantic chemistry! Struggling with issues from their pasts, it was great to experience their emotional and spiritual journeys as the story unfolded. Cold Shot enthralled me from beginning to end, as murders, investigations, and a tangle of twists and turns kept me guessing.

I am really excited about the adventures that await in this new series. As much as I loved the McKenna family from the Alaskan Courage series, I have a sneaking suspicion that I just might love the “brothers” of Chesapeake Valor even more. We’ll see!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

chesapeake valor prize pack

Bethany House Publishers is celebrating the release of Cold Shot with a Chesapeake Valor Prize Pack Giveaway!  Enter here!!

 

Dani Pettrey

Dani Pettrey is the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage.  She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Friday Freebie

12 Feb

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

River of Danger

River of Danger by Alexa Verde

Kindle

Dallas reporter River Montenegro returns to her hometown, Rios Azules, in south Texas to aid her father, a constantly recovering alcoholic. After the notorious Smiling Killer strikes close to her home — and her own neck, River grudgingly accepts help from her childhood friend and first love, who unknowingly crushed her heart.

When his formerly awkward school buddy is being stalked and attacked, local newspaper editor and town favorite Jacob Forrester decides to protect River. Falling for River, who blossomed into a confident, beautiful woman, Jacob is also eager to take their friendship to a different level. But River always made it clear she wouldn’t stick around.

Scarred and scared, River has fled to the big city lights once. But she’s stronger now. The homegrown killer better be prepared because not all Rivers run…

River of Danger is a prequel to the Secrets of Rios Azules Series, followed by Book 1, Color of Danger. The series is set in Rios Azules, a small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep, and the richest family in town has a fine taste for food, jewelry, and murder. 

#BookReview: Always Watching by Lynette Eason

11 Feb

Always Watching- Cover

Always Watching by Lynette Eason

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common–they’re also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.

But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she’s next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.

 

Graphic- Always Watching

Always Watching is not your typical suspense! With a style all her own, Lynette Eason has crafted a chilling and thrilling story!

Wade Savage is being watched and his stalker is determined to get his attention. Hired to protect him, Olivia Edwards and her team are determined to keep Wade safe. Will they survive this dangerous and deadly game?

Complex characters, unique story elements, and a subtle romance kept me turning the pages of this spine-tingling suspense. I really enjoyed this first Elite Guardians novel and am eager to continue this exciting new series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

A behind the scenes look at the cover photo shoot!

 

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA).

Visit Lynette’s website: http://www.lynetteeason.com/

#BookReview: If I Run by Terri Blackstock |Fitbit #Giveaway

3 Feb

If I Run

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1ZEF914

Casey knows the truth. But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

 

Terri Blackstock talks about her latest release, If I Run

My thoughts:

Heart-pounding and nail-biting, If I Run is a fast-paced suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed the way this story was told! The first person point of view heightened the drama and sense of urgency, thrusting me into the action of the story.

From the first page until the last, I was completely engaged in Casey Cox’s story. As the book draws to a close, a subplot is resolved, but Casey’s plight remains ongoing and will continue through the series. Terri Blackstock thrilled me with If I Run and left me wanting more. I can’t wait to read the next installment of this exciting series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/tblackstock

 

Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Plus don’t miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.

if i run - enterbanner

 

TBlackstock-294

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.

Connect with Terri:
Website, Twitter, Facebook

 

#BookReview: Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

27 Jan

Thin Ice

Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

If Ginny Reed is still alive–who is the woman buried in her grave?

After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again–until an envelope addressed in her sister’s handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he’s coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game–or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon pulls out all the stops in this high-stakes thriller that races to a bone-chilling finish.

 

My thoughts:

From the very beginning, Thin Ice takes readers front and center to the dramatic events that unfold. Irene Hannon does a wonderful job crafting a suspense filled story line, and I loved the edge of your seat moments. I also enjoyed the romance that develops between Christy and Lance and cheered them on as they struggled to stay ahead in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse.

Thin Ice is an exciting romantic suspense, and I look forward to reading more about the McGregor brothers as the Men of Valor series continues!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers’ Choice Award, a Booksellers’ Best Award, and a National Readers’ Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.