Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley

Counter Attack
by Patricia Bradley

ISBN-13: 9780800741624
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 16, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
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. The murdered women all look strikingly like Alex, suggesting a connection to her past.

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 they bring the killer to justice before it's too late?


My Review:
Counter Attack is a Christian romantic suspense. Alexis left small town life for the big city and her dream of one day becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. When her sheriff grandfather has health issues preventing him from working, she agrees to run the department as his chief deputy. Not everyone likes that she got the job, though. Even Nathan thought he might get the job, but he's needed in his current position as chief of police. He's tracking down drug dealers, but he works with Alexis to stop the serial killer who's followed her to Pearl Springs. Alexis and Nathan learned to work together as a team. They already cared for each other, but Alexis has to decide if she can be content with small town life and potentially becoming the next sheriff.

The main characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to events. The high level of suspense came from several attacks on Alexis, her need to get her deputies working smoothly under her, and trying to stop the serial killer from murdering yet another woman that looks just like her. However, I wondered why Alexis so easily believed the distress call at the end since the caller was previously pointed out as a possible suspect and also didn't fit the profile of the killer's previous targets. She could have been portrayed as slightly suspicious.

Alexis didn't like to ask anyone for help, even God. She felt that God knew what was needed and could stop evil, so He ought to just do it. She finally realized she should have been asking for God's guidance and help all along. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense.


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.

In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart

In the Shadow of the River
by Ann H. Gabhart

ISBN-13: 9780800741723
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 9, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily.


My Review:
In the Shadow of the River is a Christian historical romance with a mystery. The first part was set in 1881, when Jacci's five years old and her mother prevented an unknown man from kidnapping her. No one's quite sure who the man was or what he intended to do with Jacci, but her mother hid her with Jacci's grandfather on a showboat. The story jumped to 1896, when Jacci's twenty years old and an actress on the showboat. Her best friend, a man whom she's long thought of as a brother, wanted her to see him as a possible husband. He's always been there to help cheer her up, protect her, or make her feel cared for and loved. When another actress made a move on him, Jacci finally started seeing him as a man. The threat from the past isn't completely gone, though. As Jacci learned more about her complex past, she felt confused about who she is. And someone wants to harm her, but who, exactly?

The main characters were engaging, complex, well-developed, and acted realistically. Historical details about the time and life on a showboat were woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. The main characters prayed and grew in their faith in God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical.


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.

The Heart's Choice by Tracie Peterson; Kimberley Woodhouse

The Heart's Choice
by Tracie Peterson;
Kimberley Woodhouse

ISBN-13: 9780764238970
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: May 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca McCutcheon--the first female court reporter in Montana--hopes to someday be a lawyer and defend the innocent. During a murder trial, some of the evidence indicates the accused is innocent, but the man's lawyer doesn't bring it up in his defense. When Rebecca tells her thoughts to the judge, he rebukes her, saying they need to remain impartial and not influence the case.

But the handsome new Carnegie librarian supports her efforts to determine the truth. Librarian Mark Andrews's father sent him off to college hoping he would someday take over the business side of the family ranch. Mark refuses, sure that his older sister and her new husband can run the ranch fine without him. Little does he know that the new husband only wants to make a quick profit off his family and is a threat to everyone he cares for.


My Review:
The Heart's Choice is a Christian romance set in 1904 in Montana. The main characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. This was not a detective novel: Rebecca had a good eye for bringing up things that would cast doubt in the case, but she didn't really try to prove who the real murderer was--though she suspected. The judge, a good man who was also a friend and mentor, felt that they needed to remain impartial, so anything she did to help the defendant potentially threatened her job. Historical details about the time (especially the legal system and the library) were woven into the story, providing a distinct feel of the time and place. Rebecca and Mark quickly became friends through shared interests and spending time together. They supported each other through difficult events and came to care for each other. They were a good match and worked well together.

Rebecca had been to church occasionally, but her boss's wife was appalled to learn she didn't have a personal relationship with Christ. A good chunk of the story was about Rebecca coming to a saving faith in Christ after reading the Bible and asking questions. Mark was a Christian and helped answer Rebecca's questions about faith. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


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.

26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse

26 Below
by Kimberley Woodhouse

ISBN-13: 9780825447723
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: April 4, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips coordinates emergency services during disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming. As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends. Then an old woman publicly predicts widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below. No one's sure if she should be taken seriously, but it's making people nervous.

Then the bodies start dropping. Darcie is relying on her skills to stop a killer; Jason is relying on God to guide the way. They'll have to work together to find the truth and prevent their Alaskan town from becoming a city of nightmares.


My Review:
26 Below is a Christian romantic suspense. The Emergency Operations Center has just been started, with a timeline of a year before it's expected to be fully up and running. Darcie had to field questions about what they do, hire staff, and get secure computer systems going (among other tasks). Then an old woman publicly warned of an attack on the power system when it reached 26 below zero. There's simply not enough time to get ready, but her team pushed hard to complete their part: coordinating things in an emergency.

The bad guys targeted Darcie through hostile meetings and press conferences, which shook her confidence, but she loves to organize things and is a good leader. Jason's weak point is his drug-addicted brother, who worked to undermine him. When the temperatures hit 26 below, the crisis hit, and they had to determine how the sabotage was done and get communications back online.

Darcie and Jason worked well together as a team, supported each other, and built each other up. They had to work through triggered emotional issues as well as deal with the public emergency. The main characters were likable and acted realistically. Darcie came to accept Christ through the example of Jason and her assistant, plus God working through events to reach her when she hit rock bottom tired, sad, and stressed. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting and suspenseful 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.

The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan; J'nell Ciesielski; Rachel McMillan

The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan; J'nell Ciesielski; Rachel McMillan

ISBN-13: 9780785265320
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harper Muse
Released: May 2, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Leedswick Castle has housed the Alnwick family in the English countryside for generations, despite a family curse determined to destroy their legacy and erase them from history.

1870. After a disastrous dinner at the Astor mansion forces her to flee New York in disgrace, socialite Beatrice Holbrook knows her performance in London must be a triumph. When she catches the eye of Charles Alnwick, one of the town’s most enviably-titled bachelors, she prepares to attempt a social coup and become the future Marchioness of Northridge. When tragedy and scandal strike the Alnwick family, Beatrice must assume the role of a lifetime: that of her true, brave self.

1917. Artist Elena Hamilton arrives in Northumberland determined to transform a soldier’s wounds into something beautiful. Tobias Alnwick’s parents have commissioned a lifelike mask to help their son return to his former self after battle wounds partially destroyed his face. But Elena doesn’t see a man who needs fixing—she sees a man who needn’t hide. Yet secrets from their past threaten to chase away the peace they’ve found in each other and destroy the future they’re creating.

1945. Alec Alnwick returns home from the war haunted but determined to leave death and destruction behind. With the help of Brigitta Mayr, the brilliant young psychoanalyst whose correspondence was a lifeline during his time on the Western Front, he reconstructs his family’s large estate into a rehabilitation center for similarly wounded soldiers. Now Alec’s efforts may be the only chance to redeem his family legacy—and break the curse on the Alnwick name—once and for all.


My Review:
The Castle Keepers is a series of three short stories where the actions of the first pair affected their future descendants. In each case: there was a bit of interesting historical information as the basis of the story (an American heiresses marrying a cash-poor English title, detailed masks to hide war wounds, and methods of dealing with war wounds of the mind). The characters were developed and acted in realistic ways. And each romantic pair became better people after knowing each other. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this collection.

In 1870, Beatrice felt like Charles was kind and thoughtful, and his title satisfied her mother. Only, his family was determined to make his younger brother the heir. When his father was murdered, Charles was the obvious suspect and asked Beatrice to secure his title/authority at home while he's being questioned. I liked the characters but was a little thrown when Beatrice figured out whodunit only to discover she didn't need to.

In 1917, Elena arrived to "fix" Tobias by making a lifelike mask to cover his scars. In the process, she worked to restore his belief that he's still a whole, handsome man. Only, her father's determined to force her to marry the man he wants to inherit his successful business.

In 1945, Alec wrestled with nightmares of the war so wanted to help himself and other soldiers by using techniques suggested by psychoanalyst Brigitta. She listened to them talk (especially about their dreams) while they got used to peaceful, normal living again while at the castle. Only, Alec's arrogant cousin pressured him to sell the castle instead. Brigitta seemed so intent on treating everything as war-induced that it took a while for her to see what was happening (which the reader can guess from the clues before she figured it out).


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.

Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

Return to Satterthwaite Court
by Mimi Matthews

ISBN-13: 9781736080238
Paperback: 285 pages
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Lieutenant Charles Heywood has had his fill of adventure. Battle-weary and disillusioned, he returns to England, resolved to settle down to a quiet, uneventful life on an estate of his own. But the owner of the property he desires--one connected to his mother's family--mysterously refuses to sell it to him.

At only twenty, Lady Katherine Beresford has already earned a scandalous reputation. As skilled with pistols as she is on horseback, she’s never met an obstacle she can’t surmount—or a man she can’t win. That is, until she encounters the infuriatingly somber Lieutenant Heywood. But Kate refuses to be deterred by the raven-haired soldier’s strong, silent facade. After all, faint heart never won handsome gentleman. Kate pursues Charles from rural Somersetshire to the glittering ballrooms of early-Victorian London.


My Review:
Return to Satterthwaite Court is a romance set in 1843 in England. Though the 3rd in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. I didn't really care for the characters and didn't really feel convinced they were a good match (or even a love match).

Katherine's intrigued by Charles mainly because he's not interested in her. He's a challenge. He's also "heroic" because he rescued a mongrel from the London streets. (I have a hard time seeing that as heroic, though it is compassionate.) She pushed her way, unasked, into his life. She even took a four hour round trip for an unannounced visit to him without being formally introduced first and with no idea if he was literally or socially "at home" for the visit. She sneaked away to do unchaperoned things with him--it's only a scandal if they're caught, right? And he had a mystery to solve, so she tried to lead the investigation so she could have some adventure in her life.

Charles was used to being in command and having people obey him. Katherine most defiantly didn't and wanted to be the one to lead. He oddly jumped to bad conclusions about her because two letters with different handwriting came at the same time, one from her and another with a "threatening" letter (and I still don't see how it was threatening). He started to tolerate her behavior because she's kind to his shy sister. At the end, he's suddenly determined to marry her.

Katherine just didn't seem realistic for the time period. The "romance" seemed more based on looks and the challenge of it than a lasting match in personality and interests. It's just not my type of story. There was no sex. There were a few uses of 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.

Dawn's Untrodden Green by Carolyn Miller

Dawn's Untrodden Green
by Carolyn Miller

ISBN-13: 9780825446559
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Not much happens in Theodosia Stapleton's tiny Northumberland village. Certainly not to her. She has resigned herself to spinsterhood, caring for her ailing mother in the home of her grandfather, known to the locals as "General Contrary." When her dear friend dies and leaves behind a daughter, it's simple enough to take the child into her own quiet world. That is, until her ward's famous uncle unexpectedly arrives and throws Theo's tidy orbit completely off-kilter.

Fame was the last thing Daniel Balfour sought when he fought in the Peninsular War. But his brave exploits caught the attention of the King, and now the honors he was given hound him everywhere . . . even on his rushed trip to rescue his orphaned niece.

Theo's quick wit and warm smile reassure him that Rebecca is in good hands, and he should soon be free to return to London and his responsibilities. But those caring hands are beginning to look like they could also safely hold his heart, and he's tempted to linger. But the army is all he knows and is spouse enough for him.

Then an accident leads both Theo and Daniel to discover that their best-laid plans may not have been what God designed for them after all.


My Review:
Dawn's Untrodden Green is a Christian romance set in 1812. I liked this story up until the end. Theo and Daniel had a similar sense of humor and quickly fell into a friendship full of banter. Both were likable characters, and the romance grew as they spent time together and got to know each other. Daniel intended to remain single and focused on his army career, partly because he didn't know what else he'd do and didn't feel a Captain could support a family (despite having enough money saved up to completely renovate a decrepit house). Theo felt she had a duty to care for her mother, who was often ill, and who would want a woman with a small birthmark on her face (though she had a local suitor)?

Daniel wanted to grieve his sister and deal with her affairs quickly without being entertained by everyone in the neighborhood due to his hero status. He could have just claimed mourning status, but he instead mislead the squire's wife into thinking he was his steward. She expected someone tall and handsome, and he's rather plain. Theo and her family agreed to keep his identity private and mislead their neighbors. This became a problem, threatening sandal and turning the neighborhood against Theo. When Daniel finally admitted the truth, Theo and Daniel sincerely asked forgiveness and resolved to never mislead again. But some didn't actually learn the lesson. Daniel promptly agreed to a scheme by her grandfather (involving the very people who supposedly love her) to deliberately mislead Theo to pressure her into quickly marrying Daniel. Also, the end left so many things undecided--will he return to the army? Where will they live and who will live with them?

The Christian theme was trusting God with your future rather than trying to make your own plans work out. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd like to recommend this sweet romance, but the ending was too manipulative for me; you don't act like that toward someone you genuinely love and respect.


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.