New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for May 22nd - May 28th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

I Can't Wait for... The Rules of Matchmaking by Rebecca Connolly (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #cleanromance #cleanreads #historicalromance #romancebooks


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I've recently become a fan of this author and am looking forward to reading her newest. It's part of a multi-author series that I stumbled upon recently. It's my pick this week...

The Rules of Matchmaking
(Castles & Courtship #8)
By Rebecca Connolly
Historical Romance, Clean & Wholesome
eBook
July 14, 2023

Summary

Match not, lest ye be matched...

Jane Richards is not interested in marriage at the moment, nor is she particularly concerned about it. The Season is an opportunity to be out and about, to engage with others, and to experience all that life, and London, have to offer. A house party to a castle in the Cotswolds with her elderly aunt isn't exactly what she had intended, but her curiosity gets the better of her, and she accepts. When she notices a gentleman who would be utterly perfect for one of her oldest friends, she determines she must intervene to make the match between them, but it will require help.

Simon Appleby isn't sure why he agreed to a house party in the Cotswolds, especially as he'd be accompanying his aunt, but it is better than enduring excessive events in London, all engineered to force romantic connections among Society. But even he must admit that his friend has found his perfect match among the party guests, and is going to ruin his chances if left to his own devices. Simon finds himself colluding with the amusing, if willful, Jane Richards to throw their friends together at every possible opportunity, finding more entertainment in interfering than he could ever have imagined.

But are they the only ones making a match at this house party? Only time will tell...

The Rules of Matchmaking is a sweet, witty Regency romance novel.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for May 15th - May 21st #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

I Can't Wait for... An Unwitting Alliance by Anneka R. Walker (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #romancebooks #cleanromance #cleanreads #historicalromance


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I realized today that I'm a day late in posting this. I've been sick with over the past couple of weeks and have recovered, but my days bled together and I'm obviously off by a day. I do apologize!

This upcoming release should be quite humorous. The premise promises that along with a not-so-great start to a relationship. I found this author's previous books to be delightful and I'm sure this one will be as well. It's my pick this week...

An Unwitting Alliance
(Matchmaking Mamas #2)
By Anneka R. Walker
Historical Romance, Clean & Wholesome
Paperback & eBook, 272 Pages
July 11, 2023 by Covenant Communications

Summary

Cassandra Vail has but one objective at the Kellens’ ball: she must secure a proposal from her eminently suitable suitor. Instead, she finds her best-laid plans thwarted by another man―the handsome and thoroughly vexing Mr. Harwood. Thanks to his meddling, Cassandra is faced with an unthinkable consequence: her parents take matters into their own hands and betroth her to a complete stranger.

Tom Harwood meant only to deter a debutante from pursuing his friend. He wasn’t supposed to be entranced by her. He certainly wasn’t supposed to flirt with her. And he especially wasn’t supposed to engage the wrong woman entirely. To make matters worse, he’s offended Cassandra and before he has the opportunity to make amends, he finds himself the latest unwitting victim of the meddlesome Matchmaking Mamas. His parents have signed a contract for his hand in marriage, and it seems his mysterious betrothed is as opposed to the union as he is.

When the reluctant couple finally meets, they are shocked to realize they are not strangers after all. Can one miserable beginning be overcome, or has their future ended before it even begins?

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

A #MustRead for Austen fans... The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray (Review) #5stars #booktwitter #newbooks #historicalfiction #austenesque #mystery #austenprosepr @VintageAnchor @claudiagray


Welcome to my tour stop for this new Austenesque mystery! I LOVED
this book! Definitely read my review below and pick this one up!

The Late Mrs. Willoughby
(A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery #2)
By Claudia Gray
Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque
Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 400 Pages
May 16, 2023 by Vintage Books

Summary

The suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.

Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey are not entirely pleased to be sending their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her new friend Marianne Brandon, who's returned home to Devonshire shrouded in fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new bride.

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney. And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby's new wife—whom he married for her fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.

With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted by the dead woman's newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their families could imagine.

Praise for the Book

“An absolute page-turner full of well-plotted mystery and hints of simmering romance.... More of the Jane Austen characters we love (as well as those we love to hate).” —Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo

”Gray makes her endearing leads’ sleuthing both plausible and entertaining while evoking the wit and feel of Austen’s classic novels. Admirers of P.D. James’s Death Comes to Pemberley will be delighted.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

”Absolutely delightful! Fans of Jane Austen and historical mysteries will fall in love with this series. Gray remains true to Austen’s style and intent for her beloved characters while still adding her own spin on them and their progeny—one that is both refreshing and absorbing. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby series

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

THE LATE MRS. WILLOUGHBY is a delightful mystery set in Austen's fictional worlds mostly centering around the characters from Sense and Sensibility and a follow-up to The Murder of Mr. Wickham. Fans of Austen and the first book will find even more to love in this sequel full of marvelous characters, a mystery and a touch of romance!

I completely loved this book! I loved it even more than the first in the series. I think that somewhat had to do with the fact that you see some character development in this second installment that I felt was slightly lacking in the first book, and there aren't so many Austen characters to meet expectations of. The mystery was cozy with some red herrings that held my interest. The writing is honestly superb with so many nuances. I found myself loving turns of phrases and the intricacies of the relationships. I especially enjoyed the character of Mr. Darcy who is on the Autistic spectrum and seeing how he interacts with others and how his brain works. It was the perfect dynamic between him and Miss Tilney who understands him so well, but also compliments him perfectly.  I loved seeing their friendship and budding romance develop. I also appreciated that the story's focus is the mystery and not the romance but how they weave together to create a perfect story. I honestly loved this from beginning to end!

In the end, was it what I wished for? This is highly recommended to Austen, historical cozy mystery and romantic suspense fans who like the romance on the light side. The characters, setting, story, and writing are all superbly done! I'm hoping for more from this series, even though they obviously can't keep meeting like this, but hopefully for my happiness, they will. 😉

Content: Some innuendo and references to affairs and violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to my review.)

About the Author


Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and Jane Austen-inspired series, A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.


Are you an Austen fan? Did you read the first book in the series? Will you be reading this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for May 8th - May 14th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

I Can't Wait for... In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #romancebooks #cleanreads @TNZFiction


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I love escaping into a sweet romance to historical England with this author. I still need to read the first book in this series, but each can be read on its own. It's my pick this week...

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House
(The Houses of Yorkshire #2)
By Sarah E. Ladd
Clean & Wholesome Historical Romance, Christian
Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 352 Pages
July 11, 2023 by Thomas Nelson

Summary

A young widow faces an uncertain future . . . until an unexpected encounter with her first love gives her heart a second chance in this Regency romance set on the Yorkshire Moors.

England, 1817
—Charlotte Grey thought she had seen the last of Anthony Welbourne. Knowing her father would never consent to his only daughter marrying a man he deemed beneath their family’s station, Charlotte bid her final farewell to Anthony and vowed never to turn back. Instead, she honored her father’s wishes by marrying the wealthy Roland Prior.

Determined to put his love for Charlotte in the past, Anthony chose to immerse himself in a life full of meaning—first as a soldier fighting a war overseas, then as a member of William Walstead’s watchmen, a rugged band of men dispatched to deal with perilous situations. Fearless and persistent, he makes it his life’s focus to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.

When Charlotte’s husband dies unexpectedly, she quickly realizes how blind she’d been to his nefarious ambitions and how many people he’d angered on his relentless quest for wealth. To protect her infant son, Henry, from those who wish him harm, she and the baby flee to Hollythorne House, her childhood home. There Charlotte comes face-to-face with her former love, who has been sent as one of the hired watchman to protect her and Henry until the details of her late husband’s estate are settled.

Anthony’s presence brings back feelings she never expected to have again, and she struggles to trust his intentions. Are the watchmen really looking after Charlotte as they claim—or are they looking to make trouble for Roland’s estate and heir? Despite the constant reminders of their past, Anthony must remain focused on the task he was hired to do. But when new threats emerge and the past collides with the present, both must decide what they are willing to risk for the chance to right old wrongs and carve out a new future . . . together.

- Sweet Regency romance
- Part of the Houses of Yorkshire series but can be read as a stand-alone novel
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for May 1st - May 7th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

An explosive conclusion to this epic space opera series... War of Torment by Ronie Kendig (Review & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #newbooks #scifi #books #spaceopera @enclavebooks @celebrate_lit


Welcome to my tour stop with Celebrate Lit! Check out my review
of the conclusion to this epic series and enter the giveaway below...

War of Torment
(The Droseran Saga #4)
By Ronie Kendig
Adult Science Fiction, Space Opera, Christian
Hardcover & eBook, 635 Pages
April 11, 2023 by Enclave Publishing

Summary

The time for peace is over—now he demands vengeance

They followed him back. Against his will, against his intention. Now enemies threaten from every direction. Amidst it all Marco Dusan struggles to lead his people, to help them survive, even mayhap win the war. He will take any advantage to even the odds. But only after tragedy strikes does he learn just how much he’s willing to sacrifice.

He’s not alone. Droserans fight as one, united against the offworlders— Symmachians who covet their planet. With the aid of unexpected allies, the Droserans battle on longer than anyone could have anticipated. Yet they cannot win. And the Faa’Cris, those supernatural warriors, fair of face and fierce of mien, do nothing.

But not all have turned their backs. After a bitter year of pain and loss, Kersei Dragoumis navigates a new heritage, ever intent on defending her people. Like her, light-years away from the Quadrants and even farther from the girl she thought she was, Eija Zacdari must come to terms with a new role. Or, rather, with an ancient one. And her success or failure may determine back in the Quadrants who lives and who dies.

In the end, Marco will have vengeance for the torment brought by this war. No matter the price. Not even if the price is his soul.

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

WAR OF TORMENT starts right where Shadow of Honor left off and gives readers just enough time to get their bearings before they're thrown into the chaos. It's another installment in this series full of action, strong characters, a fight on a personal and global scale between good and evil, and sweet romance. Overall, it's a explosive and satisfying conclusion to this series.

It took me a bit to remember who all the characters were and keep all the storylines straight. There is so much going on all over the place, but I loved all the different teams or groups of people and how massive the effort was to fight against these aliens. There are so many different relationships in this series, both familial and not and romantic and not. I really have come to love these characters, even though I also was very frustrated with them in places. The action is intense and sometimes brutal. I liked the character development and how that all played out. I also felt the romance wasn't overplayed, particularly the ending which brought everything around for me from the first book. I appreciated that the author didn't end the series in a perfectly sweet bow. There is grief and lost and hardship, which made the characters' perseverance and happy endings that much sweeter. This book definitely brought out all the feels.

I also had some frustrations with the book, particularly the way the characters seemed to always be arguing or fighting each other when they were on the same team. It took them a bit to completely get on board and some of that was immaturity or pettiness which I don't have a lot of patience for especially at this point in the series. Having said that, the ending made up for a lot of that. I would say the first half of the book was around 3.5/4 stars, but the second half to the end a 5. I also felt like some more minor characters could have been more of a mention instead of time spent on them. They were vital to the war effort but not always enough to warrant the page space they got.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This book, like the others in the series, is full of all the things space opera fans love. There is real struggle, heartbreak, endurance, but also friendship, hope and love. It was intense and climatic and ended pretty near perfectly. Definitely a series highly recommended!

Content: Violence related to the war and some suggestive content, but would consider this clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit but also purchased my own, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Excerpt from War of Torment

Anticipation tremored in his veins—it had come. The Progenitor’s War had finally arrived.

“Admiral on the bridge!”

“What’s going on? What was that swarm of ships?” Amid grating claxons and pulsing orange lights running around the bulkheads of the Command deck, Fleet Admiral Domitas Deken strode past the offices and conference rooms to the central Command hub of the newly christened Cronus, the flagship of the Symmachian armada. He glared up at the array hovering in the air between him and his handpicked officers, who had been transferred from other ships in the fleet.

“A fleet, sir.” Grim-faced, Captain Lasson Pount stood with the executive officer.

“What fleet?” Domitas demanded. “We have the only fleet in the Quadrants!”

“Unknown, sir.” Commander Wellsey Dimar, onetime XO of the Macedon, recorded the images and waved them to Command. “None we have record of, and the ships are . . .” He frowned at what he saw. “They’re entirely foreign. Fast. Advanced—incredibly so.”

Domitas compared radar to the moments before the arrival of the new ships. “Where’d they come from?”

“As far as we can tell,” Pount said with a shake of his head, “the jumpgate at the Chryzanthe.”

“Can’t be. Baric reported it damaged by that spherical ship.” Never would Domitas forget watching that alien ship explode from the jumpgate and come around, firing. The relay vids of the incident had taken nearly a day to reach the Cronus on its route to Drosero.

“Maybe they slipped through in time?” The captain quirked a blond eyebrow.

“Baric said it was damaged beyond repair,” Dimar noted. “Perhaps the ship came through one of the other Sentinels.”

“They’re not operational yet. With Baric’s flair for the dramatic, it’s possible the Chryzanthe isn’t as damaged as he reported.” Probably wanted a way to keep anyone from nosing into whatever he and that alien were doing. Domitas indicated to the array, then flicked the screen, rolling back the time. “Those ships are moving fast.”

“Like we were standing still,” Dimar noted.

“Any idea where they’re headed?”

“I’ll calculate,” Pount said, tapping on a console, then nodding at the results that splashed through the air between them. “Course and speed suggest a trajectory for Drosero.”

“In fact”—his fingers flew over the console—“the exact same course the first craft took.”

“We think,” Dimar added with a look to Domitas. “The engine signature of the first craft is so slight that, while we can confirm that fleet followed its course, we cannot say if they ended up at the same place.”

Not comforting. “Do we have a lock on the sphere’s final destination?”

“Speculation only, sir.”

Domitas waited for said speculation, and when neither officer expounded, he lifted his brows. “Is there a problem?”

“Pount and Dimar exchanged glances before the XO sighed. “Long-range scans suggest it entered Droseran orbit, but since we have yet to hear from the Damocles, we don’t know if those projections are accurate.”

Drosero. This war sure was waking up the ’verse, wasn’t it?

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to my reviews.)

About the Author


Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a ten-year stint in the Northeast. They survive on Sonic & Starbucks runs, barbecue, and peach cobbler that they share–sometimes–with Benning the Stealth Golden. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Tour Schedule


Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 1 (Author Interview)








Mary Hake, May 7

Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Mindy)






Tour-Wide Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Ronie is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of War of Torment in Hardcover and $20 Barnes & Noble gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


Are you a space opera fan? Have you read this series yet or will you be?

Check out this new romantic suspense... The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey (Review & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #newbooks #romancebooks #christfic #suspense


Welcome to my tour stop with by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Check out my review and enter the giveaway below...

The Shifting Current
(Coastal Guardians Novella)
By Dani Pettrey
Christian Romantic Suspense
Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 210 Pages
May 2, 2023 by Gracie & Johnny Inc.

Summary

An elusive killer. A false identity. A deadly maze of lies.

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart.

Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him.

What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other?

They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

THE SHIFTING CURRENT is a story about a man who is determined to find who killed his grandfather and while doing so, faces a personal demon and seeks for love. The suspense is weaved throughout the story as is the faith element with a strong dose of romance. Those who are fans of the author and series might enjoy this one.

I've read most of this author's books and have enjoyed them. I like the military/spy aspect and have found it interesting in this series to learn more about the US Coast Guard. In this installment, there isn't a lot going on with the Coast Guard as the characters are inland working a personal case. I thought the opening scene gave a good reference point and would say that you could read this one on its own without reading the rest of the books. I liked the characters and thought the author did well in keeping the suspense present. I also liked the small-town aspect and the hero having strong ties to the area.

I think because this story is basically a personal case inland, the positive aspects of the Coast Guard from the rest of the series weren't present in this story. Not that that is a bad thing, just that I missed it. I felt like the villains and crime were a bit unrealistic. The bad guys involved weren't super intelligent and it seemed a bit odd that they would target who they did when there were others involved and the situation would eventually come to light. I think I needed more there and a stronger reason why they did what they did. The romance was also pretty strong - a bit too sweet with lots of looks and touches between the characters that were supposed to be meaningful but fell flat for me and were overused. I also didn't get the hero's hang-up. I think it was traumatic, but I didn't follow his reasoning, particularly for who his character was.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This book definitely had issues for me, but it did hold my interest and I liked the characters. I enjoyed this series overall. I will definitely be reading this author's next release.

Content: Some suggestive content and violence, but would consider this clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author


Publishers Weekly, #1 Parable, #1 Amazon, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly 800,000 copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters (Publishers Weekly), gripping storyline[s], (RT Book Reviews), and sizzling undercurrent of romance (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland.

Connect with Dani by visiting danipettrey.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Schedule

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Tour-Wide Giveaway


(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" mug, gourmet roasted coffee from NYC, and the full Coastal Guardian series including The Shifting Current in paperback!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" notebook, gel pens, and a paperback copy of The Killing Tide!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" vintage sign and a paperback copy of The Crushing Depths!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked above. Giveaway began at midnight May 5, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Have you read other books with characters who work for the US Coast Guard? Are you fan of this author? Does this sound like a book you'd enjoy?

I Can't Wait for... The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter @bethany_house #newbooks #romancebooks #womensfiction #mustread


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

This is another author I've been a fan of for some time. Her newest sounds amazing! The perfect beach read for summer that also will have plenty that will resonate with my soul. It's my pick this week...

The Best Summer of Our Lives
By Rachel Hauck
Contemporary Christian Romance, Women's Fiction
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 384 Pages
June 27, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

Twenty years ago, the summer of '77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde's life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow--the Four Seasons--had big plans.

But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, "Nowhere," Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.

Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It's a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love's voice.

Praise for the Book

"Rachel Hauck sets the gold standard in inspirational fiction. The Best Summer of Our Lives is a nostalgic novel of friendship, romance, and the choices that define a life."--Brenda NovakNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author

"The Best Summer of Our Lives blends faith and hope into a story about the seasons of life, the seasons of friendship, and the seasons of love."--Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends

"The Best Summer of our Lives brought me back to my teenage years, with all the angst, the hope, and the friendships, and reminded me that the best times of our lives don't have to be perfect to be loved."--Susan May WarrenUSA Today bestselling, award-winning author

"Rachel Hauck fans will savor this sparkling story full of depth and heart!"--Lauren K. DentonUSA Today bestselling author of The Hideaway and A Place to Land

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?