Heirs of Falcon Point by Traci Hunter Abramson

Heirs of Falcon Point
by Traci Hunter Abramson,
Sian Ann Bessey,
Paige Edwards & A.L. Sowards

ISBN-13: 9781524417796
ebook
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: October 11th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In the early days of World War II, the Lang family lost everything. Eighty years later, it’s time to take it back.

The Nazis have taken control of Austria, and wealthy widower Leopold Lang faces a difficult decision: join the ranks of the foreign power that has taken over his homeland or flee with his children to safety. Leopold makes his choice—but too late. His family is ripped apart, never to be reunited. But decades later, fate brings together the descendants of this broken dynasty in the place where it all began—Falcon Point.

Anna, Cole, and Tess have never met, each relying on fractured pieces of information to understand their Austrian heritage. But when unforeseen opportunities draw these Lang cousins to Falcon Point, they soon discover that it won't be easy to claim the coveted property and the fabled treasure hidden within. Unfortunately, someone with a much darker heritage is determined to eliminate the Lang family once and for all and claim their property for himself.


My Review:
Heirs of Falcon Point is a romantic suspense novel. It started with Karl in 1940 as he and his two younger sisters escape from an evil SS officer and get separated in the process. The story then skipped forward to present day and followed three descendants--one from each original child--as they discover each other and their right to claim Falcon Point. However, the descendent of the evil Nazi wants to retain control of the property and hires assassins to take them out.

The suspense was high throughout, especially in the historical section as they were constantly on the run. While all of the main characters were feisty and fought back, one was better trained for this task. Luckily, each descendent reconnected with a romantic partner from the past or met someone new who was willing to help support and protect them. These romantic partners supported their main character, built them up, and were smart and caring. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable and exciting novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Waiting on Love by Tracie Peterson

Waiting on Love
by Tracie Peterson

ISBN-13: 9780764232404
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Elise Wright loves her Great Lakes life onboard her father's ship, the Mary Elise. As cook, Elise can keep an eye on her father and the grief he bears, fulfilling a promise to her late mother. But in doing so, she may forfeit love and a family of her own.

Trying to forget his own guilt over a wrong decision while captaining another ship, Nick Clark hires on as the Mary Elise's first mate, quickly bonding with the attractive cook over their common struggles.

When a rough new sailor makes an inappropriate pass at Elise, her father believes it was a misunderstanding and offers a second chance. But other odd behavior raises Nick's suspicions. Just as clues to the sailor's unsavory past start to stack up, an even more immediate danger swells up around them. Forced to confront their greatest fears, Nick and Elise will have to rely on their faith and each other to see them through.


My Review:
Waiting on Love is set in 1872 on the Great Lakes. This book is the third in a series, but it's basically a stand-alone. Historical details about life on a freight ship and the development of the Great Lakes area were woven into the story and provided a distinct sense of time and place. The main characters were complex and grew throughout the story. Elise and Nick spent time together and got to know each other. They shared interests, especially their love of life on ship. Elise, her father, and Nick looked to God for peace during danger and studied the Bible. The father's belief in God's power to transform people was why he gave a trouble-maker a position on his boat. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.

That said, I felt like they didn't react realistically to this trouble-maker. At first, yes, but when it's clear that he's violent and hates everyone on the crew, and Elise suspects that he might have committed murder? I'd at least be very wary and tell my father about it immediately. She boarded a ship that would isolate them from help and forgot to tell her father for days. No real proof, so they keep him on. Huh? They knew he was a poor crewman; that's reason enough. Later, Nick saw a wanted-for-murder poster that looked just like the crewman but with a different name. He didn't tell the police because he couldn't prove he was the wanted man. Huh? The police want to know where possible suspects are. They're not asking people to prove anything. Nick did tell the father/captain, who also didn't report the crewman because he felt there wasn't enough proof. Hm. Just seems odd and like they didn't take the danger seriously.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott

A View Most Glorious
by Regina Scott

ISBN-13: 9780800736415
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Headstrong Coraline Baxter has worked all her life to be more than the spoiled socialite others expect. When her fellow suffragettes in Tacoma, Washington, suggest that she should climb to the top of Mount Rainier to prove that a woman can do anything, she resolves to do it. And if she can climb Mount Rainier, her mother promises to stop pressuring her to get married to the wealthy Cash Kincaid. All Cora needs is a guide to get her to the top of the mountain.

Nathan Hardee may look like a mountain man, but he once ruled the halls of high society. He left all that behind after his father broke under financial pressure from Kincaid. To best Kincaid now, Nathan agrees to guide Cora up the mountain.

Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora's strength and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two right a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.


My Review:
A View Most Glorious is a Christian romance set in 1893. It's the 3rd in a series, but it's essentially a stand-alone novel. Historical details about what Tacoma and Mount Rainier were like at that time were woven into the story and brought the story to life. The main characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. Nathan and Cora built each other up and helped each other heal from hurts from the past. Their initial conflict was over his need for instant obedience when guiding people on the mountain and Cora's determination to not let men order her about or disrespect her intelligence. However, once she realized he wasn't going to abuse his position and that he did respect her, Cora was able to trust Nathan with her life. I enjoyed how Cora was able to use her intelligence and boldness to take down a threat to her family meant to force her into an abusive marriage.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable historical romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon

All That Is Secret
by Patricia Raybon

ISBN-13: 9781496458384
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In the winter of 1923, Professor Annalee Spain--a theologian at a small Chicago Bible college--receives a cryptic telegram calling her home to Denver to solve the mystery of the murder of her estranged father.

For a young Black woman, searching for answers in a city ruled by the KKK could mean real danger. Still, figuring she's learned something from reading Sherlock Holmes stories, Annalee launches her hunt for clues, attracting two surprising allies: Eddie, a relentless young white boy searching for his missing father, and Jack, a handsome Black pastor who loves rides in his sporty car, awakening Annalee's heart to the surprising highs and lows of romantic love.

With their help, Annalee follows clues that land her among Denver's powerful elite. But when their sleuthing unravels sinister motives and deep secrets, Annalee confronts the dangerous truths and beliefs that could make her a victim too.


My Review:
All That Is Secret is a romantic suspense set in Nov. 1923 in America. I was expecting Annalee to be smart, logical, and a Christian. Nope. She knows the Bible but hasn't prayed in a long time. She's more of a philosopher and doesn't follow any of Sherlock Holmes' methods. She tells herself things like, "Stop trying so hard. Let the answers find their way to you." Or when a child pointed out that Goldilocks didn't break in, Annalee's suddenly sure that her father's mysterious key must unlock something that's already open. Huh? She's very impulsive, makes foolish choices, and has scattered thoughts. The author used a lot of short, partial (poor grammar) sentences, giving it a poorly edited feel.

By 20% into the book, I wasn't even sure why Annalee had quit her good job to follow up on a cryptic message that might have to do with her father's murder. Everything seemed so disjointed that it's hard to follow what's going on or put clues together. Her thinking was hard to follow, especially since coherent ideas about the case were kept out of her thoughts until nearly the end. For example, she told someone she needed a distraction, but we're not told why or what she's looking for until her actions show her intent.

I also felt like some things that happened weren't probable for the time period. For example, the pastor knew he was picking up a single woman, and he's a single man, living alone. There's a rooming house within view of his house with rooms available. He didn't arrange a place for her to stay, though, so she ended up sleeping in his bed (with him in another room). Really?!

In the end, Annalee basically solved the mystery by happening to hide from the bad guy and overhear his confession. So many details were never explained, especially things that happened on the train. The Christian element was Annalee starting to pray again as she realized she needed God's help. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

A Deep Divide by Kimberley Woodhouse

A Deep Divide
by Kimberley Woodhouse

ISBN-13: 9780764238000
Paperback: 332 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it--including her father's offering her hand in a business deal. She sneaks away to be a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Grand Canyon Hotel, planning to stay hidden even if it means always looking over her shoulder.

Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel wanting to impress his successful businessman father so he can take on more of the family business and do something good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though a friendship forms, she's afraid he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. Then art and jewels go missing from El Tovar and the nearby Hopi House, a mystery that pulls them in and stirs up their worst fears. When shocking revelations come to light, they'll have to question all they thought to be true.


My Review:
A Deep Divide is a Christian romance set in 1905 at the Grand Canyon. Emma ran away when her father auctioned her off as a way to merge businesses. She later discovers he was murdered that very night. She's afraid that the murderer will force her to marry him and then kill her. Ray was a self-centered, rich young man until he nearly killed a boy due to reckless driving. God changed him, and now he wants to use his wealth to help others...but his father has no intention of giving money away.

Historical details about what the Grand Canyon and the Harvey Girls were like at that time were woven into the story and brought the story to life. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. Ray's kindness and humility slowly won Emma over to agree to spend time getting to know him. This included a hike into the canyon and time at the Hopi house. Emma and Ray shared interests and values and were a good personality match. Emma's also dealing with indications that someone has nearly found her, adding suspense.

Emma's attracted to the grace-giving God that Ray and her new friends at El Tovar believe in. She learned Bible verses to help her deal with her fear. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable historical romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Redemption by Traci Hunter Abramson

Redemption
by Traci Hunter Abramson

ISBN-13: 9781524417529
Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: September 20th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Gage Stewart has spent five years trying to overcome his past. Once an abused and troubled teenager, he has worked tirelessly to move beyond the fateful day he was manipulated into holding a group of teenagers hostage. Now, with a new identity and a college degree in criminal psychology, he accepts an unlikely job teaching others what to do during mass shootings.

At the hotel where his class is held, Gage is immediately drawn to Skyler Prescott, the daughter of the wealthy hotel owner. Gage and Skyler quickly discover a shared desire for normalcy, and their easy friendship soon develops into something more. A night out ends in horror when a gunman opens fire in the crowded venue, and it seems like the real killer wanted to make Gage the scapegoat for the shooting. Little do they know that the attack was little more than a publicity stunt to draw out the real target: presidential candidate Senator James Whitmore. Gage must now work with the very men who ended his own life of crime before it began—the Saint Squad.


My Review:
Redemption is a romantic suspense novel. This is the 11th book in a series, and it referred back to events in a previous book (I assume "Lockdown"). It can be read as a standalone, though.

The first part of the novel mainly developed the friendship, which grew into romance. Gage and Skyler felt comfortable with each other and had shared interests. Each withheld some information about themselves that would potentially change the relationship. When this information came out, Skyler just avoided Gage rather than asking why the people who clearly knew his past didn't seem concerned by it. Plus he'd already risked his life to save people during a shooting, so I'd have thought she'd question rather than completely reject him. Poor guy. Gage just wanted to create a new, useful life and was very likable. But Skyler just kept holding Gage to unclear-to-him standards, like asking her to spend time with him didn't count as a date. Maybe realistic, but I didn't like her as much because of it.

I also thought the father acted out of character at the end, and his reason didn't even justify his actions. Anyway, the romance quickly wrapped up after Gage told her what she'd already heard before. Maybe Gage looked more appealing after her father's unreasonable actions.

The shootings were suspenseful and provided Gage a chance to prove himself a hero. Gage and Skyler went to church with the Saint Squad a few times. There was no sex or bad language. I liked most of the story, but the ending (after the suspense was wrapped up) just didn't work for me.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon

Labyrinth of Lies
by Irene Hannon

ISBN-13: 9780800736187
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls' boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn't take her long to realize that beneath the veneer of polish and wealth, things are not as they seem at Ivy Hill Academy. But the biggest surprise of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn't the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine--and startling connections emerge among the players--the danger escalates significantly. But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go?


My Review:
Labyrinth of Lies is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the second book in a new series, but it works as a stand-alone novel. The main characters were engaging, complex people who reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. The suspense was created by the increasing level of physical danger to Cate and Zeke. They shared information that each found when investigating their different cases. They both still loved each other, but Zeke had to explain why he'd chosen undercover work over marriage to Cate in the past and rebuild her trust in him. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, exciting novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.