Exit Strategy by Jen J. Danna

Exit Strategy by Jen J. Danna ISBN-13: 9781496727886 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Kensington Books Released: July 28th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After her mother’s death during a bank robbery when she was a child, Gemma Capello grew up to become one of the NYPD’s elite hostage negotiators. In a family of cops, there’s rarely a day when a Capello isn’t facing down some form of threat. Still, despite their unpredictable schedules, they always find time for their annual family summer picnic. But this year, a sudden phone call changes everything.

A heavily armed gunman has taken hostages at City Hall. Gemma races downtown to join the rest of the Hostage Negotiation Team as they scramble to identify the captives—fearing the mayor may be among them. They scramble for answers and struggle to gain control of the circumstances.

With several lives on the line and a criminal who always seems to be one step ahead, Gemma is the only one able to connect with the suspect. Soon, she finds herself engaging in a battle of wits while enduring a battle of egos in the command center. With time running out and a mastermind who has proven he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Gemma risks it all—her career and her life—in a last-ditch effort to save the hostages. Now, she needs to figure out how to save herself.


My Review:
Exit Strategy is a suspense novel. Gemma is a part of a NYPD hostage negotiator team and is called in when someone takes hostages in the mayor's office. The whole book was a negotiation between Gemma and this man as she tried to save every life. The first challenge was to identify who took the hostages, then they used this knowledge to better negotiate. The first half of the negotiation was about freeing as many hostages as possible. The second half was about capturing the man with as few casualties as possible.

The suspense was high throughout as Gemma negotiated with a man who primarily wanted revenge and so many lives were in danger. The characters were interesting, acted in realistic ways, and I cared about what happened to them. Gemma is an awesome character. She's very competent at her job and used the fact that men underestimate her against them. When making the final takedown, she called in family to pull in the backup she needed, so don't expect a romantic suspense.

There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting suspense 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

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The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch

The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch ISBN-13: 9780825446184 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Kregel Publications Released: July 28th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming mother, the duke impulsively marries a bluestocking who's nearly a spinster. After all, it should be easy to sequester her in the country with his extensive library and get on with his life―as a secret agent for the Crown.

But his bride has other ideas. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society―the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she'd remain in the background as he ordered.

Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?


My Review:
The Gentleman Spy is a romance set in 1814 in England. This is the 2nd book in the series, and it spoiled many critical events in the first book. Since Marcus was still working to fully uncover the plot that started in the first book, you'll probably understand this book better if you read the books in order.

Charlotte feels that she is very smart and knowledgeable, so she's frustrated that no one seems to pay attention to her opinions. She takes her frustration out by verbally lashing wrongdoers with her righteous words of condemnation. Only, nothing changes when she does and it only gets her into trouble. I don't think a child in the Regency period would seriously think she could get away with condemning her father for sexual sin in front of her family and not be punished, but Charlotte seems oblivious to potential consequences when speaking her mind. She wants good things, good changes, but she goes about it the wrong way. When Marcus actually liked that she has her own opinion and new friends helped guide her in better ways to create change, Charlotte was better able to control her tongue while still creating positive change.

Marcus finds his worth in his spy work for the crown, so he's bitter about having to become the Duke of Haverly. This will certainly curtail his ability to sneak away on spy work or be sent into danger. He's especially restricted as long as he's unmarried and his every move is watched by potential brides. He intends to keep his bride in the dark about his activities and certainly won't have much time for her, so he picks Charlotte thinking that she will be content with books and a good home. Only, she's smart enough to see that something sneaky is going on...

Historical details were woven into the story, with some parts feeling highly researched while a few seemed questionable for the time period. Marcus and Charlotte had misunderstandings to work through, but, overall, they built each other up and supported each other. Charlotte learned to see and be grateful for the good gifts that God had given her. There were no graphic sex scenes. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Tracking a Kidnapper by Valerie Hansen

Tracking a Kidnapper by Valerie Hansen ISBN-13: 9781335402967 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: August 4th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Thwarting a kidnapping has thrust Officer Vivienne Armstrong and her K-9 partner, Hank, right into the culprit’s crosshairs. Now, even with danger stalking them at every turn, Vivienne refuses to stop working, but FBI agent Caleb Black intends to safeguard her while doing his job to profile her attacker. Together, can they stop the would-be kidnapper from striking a final, fatal blow?


My Review:
Tracking a Kidnapper is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the fifth book in a series, but each novel can be read as a stand alone. In the past, an assassin tasked to kill FBI agent Caleb ended up killing his cop wife and their baby instead. His guilt drives how he treats others, especially the attractive K-9 officer Vivienne. He feels responsible to keep her alive and wants to keep her away from any danger, but her stalker always seems to find a way around his measures. Vivienne is very understanding and patient with him, but she's a competent cop with a canine partner, and she trusts God to look after her. She's willing to follow sensible advice, but she's not willing to stop doing her job in order to stay safe. Caleb has to overcome his anger at God in order to find peace and trust if he has any chance of a future with Vivienne. The suspense stayed high as as Vivienne was attacked again and again. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting 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.

Alaskan Showdown by Sarah Varland

Alaskan Showdown by Sarah Varland ISBN-13: 9781335402981 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: August 4th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
After finding the body of a missing hiker in her small Alaska town, search-and-rescue dog handler Adriana Steele becomes the target of a serial killer thought to have been inactive for decades. Now Adriana’s determined to help Officer Levi Wicks catch the murderer. But with the cold case heating up…the jaded officer is all that stands between her and death.


My Review:
Alaskan Showdown is a Christian romantic suspense. Adriana is a logical, no nonsense type of gal, and I loved her dialogue. Adriana has a search and rescue dog that can also find dead bodies. She volunteered to help Levi with a serial killer cold case. If they could find more of the serial killer's burials, then Levi would have a better chance at finding evidence or solid leads. Both Adriana and Levi were complex characters that reacted realistically to events. Levi treated Adriana as a full partner and listened when she made suggestions. Since he could be impulsive, sometimes Adriana got him back on track. Both were good at asking good questions and thinking through the implications of the evidence. Of course, the serial killer didn't want to be found, so they became targets and the danger to their lives added suspense. Some aspects of the murders were left unexplained (though they were probably explainable) since whodunit didn't explain how, just why.

I liked that the dog played an ongoing, active role (with search and rescue and cadaver work, not just as a friendly dog). Adriana and Levi knew each other before the events in the story and got to know each other during the story. I liked how well they worked together and did think that they could have a good marriage together. However, they went from "I'm bad at relationships" and "I don't want to risk hurting that much again" to suddenly saying "let's get married as soon as possible" at the end. Since both seemed to hold married in high regard, it just seemed rushed.

Both main characters struggled with trusting God after He allowed bad things to happen to them. Levi thinks at one point, "Why was he willing to trust a dog, but not the God who had created him and the universe?" There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this fun suspense because I enjoyed characters so much.


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.

Her Lady's Whims and Fancies by Jen Geigle Johnson

Her Lady's Whims and Fancies by Jen Geigle Johnson ISBN-13: 978-1734128864 Paperback: 188 pages Publisher: Kings Row Press Released: July 12, 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Miss Kate is full of spontaneity and dreams of fashion. Put her in a room with Ackerman's fashion plates, the makings of a new bonnet, and a strong cup of tea, and she would be happy for hours. But she is not your typical Regency miss. No one knows that she is the designer behind London’s famous fashion section, the woman who knows every fashion trend before it happens.

Lord Dennison, the ton’s best most brightly dressed dandy, the prodigy of Beau Brummel himself, is often the subject of Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies, a gossip column in the Morning Star newspaper. He moves in circles with the most fashion conscious set. But he hides a deep hurt and doesn’t plan to ever ask another girl to marry him…ever again.


My Review:
Her Lady's Whims and Fancies is a Regency romance. It's a rather simple romance, too. Upon first seeing Kate, Lord Dennison is impressed by her fashion sense and beauty but she overhears him state that he doesn't think she can have any time left to spend on less frivolous things. Not only is she offended, but he soon learns that others view him in a similar way because he enjoys pushing the edge of fashion. He apologizes to Kate, and they promptly fall deeply in lust. By their third (maybe fourth) meeting, he's riding a horse with her basically on his lap and then they walk together on a public but deserted beach and start intensely kissing. They're both so impressed by how wonderful the kissing is (plus some shared interests) that they want to get married. However, Kate has decided it's her fault that no one takes Lord Dennison seriously right when he has decided that he wants to use his power and influence to help people instead of just set fashions. But nothing of real substance stands in the way of their marriage. The fashions were only vaguely described, usually more as people's reactions than detailed descriptions. 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.

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart ISBN-13: 9780800729288 Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Revell Released: June 30th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
In 1933 Louisville, Kentucky, even the ongoing economic depression cannot keep Piper Danson's parents from insisting on a debut party. After all, their fortune came through the market crash intact, and they've picked out the perfect suitor for their daughter. Braxton Crandall can give her the kind of life she's used to. The only problem? This is not the man--or the life--she really wants.

When Piper gets the opportunity to volunteer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer, she jumps at the chance to be something other than a dutiful daughter or a kept wife in a loveless marriage. The work is taxing, the scenery jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open up a whole new world to her.


My Review:
An Appalachian Summer is a romance set in 1933 in Kentucky. The story had three viewpoint characters who were all asking themselves what they wanted from life. Truda is in her 40s and has a job she enjoys but she never married because the most intriguing man she ever met was warned off of courting her. Jamie has been best friends with Piper since their childhood, and both love each other. But the stock market crash took Jamie's family's fortune and now he's struggling to figure out how to support himself, let alone a wife. Piper's parents have chosen a kind, rich young man who is willing to marry her and believes that love will grow between them. But her heart still belongs to Jamie.

I had really expected the people of the Appalachian Mountains to play a larger role in the story, but most of the story occurred at the courier and nurse bases. Many of the events would have been the same if this story occurred on a farm with a garden, cattle, and horses. The characters were very self-focused the whole time, constantly mulling over what they want from life. Piper was focused on her own accomplishments: the first time she painted a door, milked a cow, watched a birth, picked some beans from the garden, etc. The location simply meant that her parents weren't there to pressure her. While I assume that learning how much she could actually do did free Piper to make the right decision, it seemed to me that she was always going to choose the man she did. It was more that Jamie felt so worthless and adrift that he struggled to even ask Piper.

A few of the characters made comments about seeing God's handiwork in the beauty of nature. One person questioned if Piper knew God or simply went to church, but Piper never really pursued the answer to this. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.

I Saw Him Die by Andrew Wilson

I Saw Him Die by Andrew Wilson ISBN-13: 9781501197567 Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Washington Square Press Released: July 21st 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Bestselling novelist and part-time undercover sleuth Agatha Christie is looking forward to a bit of well-deserved rest and relaxation when her longtime friend John Davison pleads with her to help him protect a retired British agent turned hotelier who has been receiving threatening letters.

Together they travel to Dallach Lodge, a beautiful estate on Scotland’s picturesque Isle of Skye. There they insert themselves among the hotel’s illustrious guests, including members of the owner’s family, a leading lady of the theater, a brilliant botanist, a local doctor, and two sisters who coauthor romance novels. Early the next morning, the hotel owner's nephew accidentally shoots his uncle in the leg and finds him dead. But it's not a simple hunting accident, and Agatha discovers that each and every one of the residents has a reason for wanting the late proprietor dead.


My Review:
I Saw Him Die is a mystery set in 1913 in Scotland. This is the fourth book in a series, but it worked as a standalone. The murder was set up in a interesting way, but I had already solved the who and how of the mystery shortly after the nephew shot his uncle in the leg. Granted, it was a "ha, wouldn't it be funny if...", but all the real clues pointed to this being true.

I had great trouble accepting the heroine as the Agatha Christie that wrote clever sleuths who didn't get thrown off track by making assumptions. This Agatha Christie was constantly making assumptions, was easily misled, and wasn't very logical. For example, she carries poisons in her suitcase in case she needs to protect herself. Because, yes, poison is so helpful in self-defense when someone's holding a gun or such on you. She was inexplicably worried that someone would realize she (a mystery writer) was trying to solve the mystery. She was also constantly lying, and no one called her on it even when she contradicted her previous stories. It was very obvious when Agatha's actions were going to lead to someone dying, but she never saw it coming.

The story wasn't very well written, either. People were constantly fleeing the room or storming out or refusing to listen. When Agatha and Davison questioned a suspected murderer until he declared that he would tell them anything they wanted to know, we suddenly jumped to a scene where he's in on the scheme to try to flush out the murderer. It reads like they just stopped questioning him. No explanation was given as to why he's no longer a suspect, and it wasn't because his information (which we later learn he gave to them) was key to solving whodunit. Their traps for the murderer mainly consisted of vague hopes that whodunit would do something wrong.

In the end, rather than just telling the detective what they uncovered, Agatha had a big reveal scene where she gave a very lengthy recounting of every false lead and confusing turn. When revealing whodunit, she gave no evidence for murder, just supposition. Agatha made no effort to avoid being whodunits last target and even distracted the good guys from shooting whodunit when it would have saved another person's life. Also, too much of the murder scheme required everything to happen just so, and the motive wasn't a compelling reason for murder. Basically, I found it very unbelievable. There were no sex scenes. There was some 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.