Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.
Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.
Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.
Carla Laureano is the RITA Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.
Carla Laureano is a new author for me and how I have missed her books is beyond me. So now I'm on a journey to read all her books.lol Some books you read and enjoy, but others will touch your heart and soul. Well, this booked did that for me. I was hooked from the first page and didn't want to put it down.
This book is the second installment from the author in the Supper Club series. Having never read the first book in the series, I can easily say this book is a stand alone, but I encourage you to also read the first book to get the full feel of the series.
This book centers around Melody Johannson:
When I opened this book I was intrigued by Melody. She's a French trained baker and works in a chain bakery to prepare baked goods for the following day. She has no chance to use her own recipes or talent to bring a little bit of Paris to Denver. A cold, snowy night and a chance meeting Justin, a pilot, and the next thing you know her life is no longer the predicable life she knew. Melody is a character that feels deeply and acts on her feelings. She was basically raised by her grandmother who was a professor and introduced her to works of literature that she loved. In fact she spent her college years persuing an education in literature, but while working at a bakery in school she found her one true love: baking. At present Melody is not anywhere close to where she thought she would be in her life. I think we all have had these same feeling at one time or another. I think her doubts and disappointments is what makes this character feel real to life for me. She has a vulnerability that most can relate to, but she is also a strong character. Melody would love to open her own place and when the opportunity comes available she talks to her friend, Rachel, who's a chef about a partnership that would make both their dreams come true.
This book has elements of romance, grief, disappointments, adventure of falling in love, heartbreak and most of all faith. Oh, I don't want to forget to mention the delicious food. I am a big fan of the British Baking Show and it was almost like watching another episode with Paul and Mary.lol
This captivating and heartwarming story is one I would recommend to anyone. ** I received this book from the publisher via the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you ever has a favorite author or maybe a series you're reading and wonder how long do I have to wait for the next book? Well, I do all the time. Then I will see a review and think how did I miss this one. Today I'm going to post about books that will be released from some publishing houses that I'm looking forward to reading or at least buying to put in my TBR pile. Remember some of these books come with gifts if you pre-order them. I know Never Let Go has a link to it, so let me know if you would like it.
As most who follow my blog know I love suspense, but I also enjoy many other genres. I love reading, but I want a good, clean read. I want to be drawn into the story. Many authors I review do this with ease by just weaving words together that bring both character and setting to life. Occasionally I will read a book blurb and become interested to only find while reading the author sometimes adds explicit scenes. While I don't particularly like this, by no way does it come into play when I'm writing a review.
Here are just a few that will be released in February and next Friday I will bring more being released in February. Can you guess I am going to need a new bookshelf.lol
Okay, here we go.......
When an Open-and-Shut Murder Case Gets Complicated, Can She Overcome Her Need for Justice?Corporate litigator Mia Shaw suffers the shock of her life when she finds her colleague and friend brutally murdered. Grief-stricken and furious, Mia vows that she will do anything to make the killer pay.
The man accused of the murder is a friend of security tech guru Noah Ramirez, but the evidence just doesn't add up. To save his former ATF partner, Noah needs to convince Mia that the real killer is still on the loose.
Mia soon has more to worry about than the criminal prosecution. She is tasked with taking over her friend's last case and learns he was hiding dark secrets about his client. She thinks she may have stumbled upon corporate espionage that has turned deadly, but she has no idea of the danger involved. Her only ally is Noah, despite their difference of opinion about the killer's identity. Can Noah win Mia over to his side and protect her from ever-growing threats?
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers
The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.
Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers
Daphne Blakemoor was content living in her own secluded world for the last twelve years. She had everything she needed--loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes to a new marquis with an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.
William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect . . . until his housekeeper turns his life upside down. Both Daphne and William have spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, forge a new path for the future together?
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers
Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.
Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.
Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Tyndale House Publishers
Only God can heal our heartsLife is full of twists and turns. Relationships falter, careers fizzle, health fades. We may be faced with choices we never wanted to make or have situations pushed upon us we never expected. Yet in all of it, God is at our side--even when He feels far away.
Drawing on her extensive research into women of the Old Testament, novelist Jill Eileen Smith turns her pen to what we can learn about trusting God from women like Eve, Noah's wife, Sarai, Hagar, Lot's wife, Rebekah, Rachel, and more. You'll discover what these ancient women did right--and what they did wrong--when faced with dashed expectations and deferred dreams. And you'll come away with the confidence that God loves you and is forming you through your trials into the woman He longs for you to be.
Expected publication: February 19th 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company
The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up Forensic genealogist Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from a hospital more than twenty years ago. When someone makes an attempt on Willow's life to keep her from discovering the truth, help will come from an unexpected source.
Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget--and put Willow's tender heart at risk.
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company
Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future. Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him. He has been allowed to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, he must make a sincere apology to each person he's hurt. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused. Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn't so simple. It's gut-wrenching. And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke's clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company
Numbed by grief and harboring shameful secrets, Lt. Adler Paxton ships to England with the US 357th Fighter Group in 1943. Determined to become an ace pilot, Adler battles the German Luftwaffe in treacherous dogfights in the skies over France as the Allies struggle for control of the air before the D-day invasion. Violet Lindstrom wanted to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, where she arranges entertainment for the men of the 357th in the Aeroclub on base and sets up programs for local children. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her work and urges him to reconnect with his family after a long estrangement. Despite himself, Adler finds his defenses crumbling when it comes to Violet. But D-day draws near. And secrets can't stay buried forever.
Expected publication: February 5th 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company
It’s been ten years since Payton Thatcher’s twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine—as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm’s length.
But with her middle sister Jillian’s engagement, Payton’s party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian’s plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.
"Sometimes you just have to forget the other stuff and remember we're sisters."
Meet the Author:
Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A Christy Award winner, as well as an ACFW Carol Award winner, Beth’s first women’s fiction novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, releases May 2018.
I love reading a good story, but this story swallowed me heart and soul.
(Warning, this book should come with a box of tissues.)
Beth Vogt weaved words together that evoked so many emotions for me. In fact, after reading the last page I found myself thinking of these characters.
I knew when I received this book I would need to set aside time to immerse myself in the story, but I had no idea how deeply it would touch me.
This is the first book about the Thatcher sisters/family. Ten years ago the unthinkable happened, Pepper Thatcher was killed in an accident. As you can imagine this was very difficult for the Thatcher family, but no one more than Payton who was Pepper's twin. Every time Payton looks in the mirror she sees Pepper or what at least what she would have looked like. Payton is coping with her loss the best that she can, but she is suddenly free falling without a safety net. Normally your family would be there to catch you, but Payton has held her family at arm's length since Pepper's death. She's afraid if she loves too hard or gets too close and loses someone that the hurt will be more than she can endure, plus she's hiding a secret that she's afraid to reveal to anyone.
Payton owns and operates a successful party planning business, so when her sister Jillian becomes engaged it's natural she would ask Payton for help. Unfortunately Payton knows this means working with her older sister, Johanna, who is not only bossy, but also wants to organized everything. She puts aside her anxiety and agrees for Jillian's sake, but with being around her family more than usual has brought her nightmares on with a vengeance. Plus the resurface of Zachary Gaines could also have an influence on her nightmares returning. Zachary Gaines was the boy involved in Pepper's accident and knows the secret she's held close all this time.
This captivating story immediately pulled me in immediately and held me, until I fell asleep at 3 am, until the last page was turned. It captures emotions that are both real and raw. Yes, I think this is a story everyone will love and I recommend it.
**I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With May just around the corner I thought I would take the time to let you know about some books I'm looking forward to reading.
How do you hear about new books?
As for me, I hear about new books from several places (Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, newsletters and sometimes publishers). My biggest problem is I'll hear about a book I want to read and then forget when it's releasing. Honestly, I think we're all a little guilty of this. So I'm going to share with you some books I am looking forward to not only releasing, but also reading next month.
I will show both fiction and nonfiction, but honestly I lean more towards fiction.
Here we go:
Prosecutor Sophie Dawson has taken a new role at the Fulton County DA's office, and her first case involves a local bank employee who may be cheating customers. She's determined to bring justice to those who've lost their savings . . . but her life is turned upside down when she becomes the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang.
With her life at risk, friends and family convince her that she needs protection, and private security guard Cooper Knight is hired as a bodyguard. But as threats escalate, neither Cooper nor Sophie knows whom they can trust.
Unwilling to back down on either case, Sophie pursues the truth at any cost. But her bank litigation gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from taking the stand. With all sides closing in, steadfast Cooper is the only man she can lean on. But drawing close may be the distraction that costs both of their lives.
A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community, and among the missing are not only a group of students but also PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.
A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students or on her.
Willow Bradford is content taking a break from modeling to run her family's inn until she comes face-to-face with NFL quarterback Corbin Stewart, the man who broke her heart--and wants to win her back. When a decades-old missing-persons case brings them together, they're forced to decide whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.
It's been ten years since Payton Thatcher's twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine--as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm's length.
But with her middle sister Jillian's engagement, Payton's party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian's plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.
In the aftermath of her husband’s act of adultery and abandonment, Savannah must finally face the ghosts that haunt her and discover for herself whether authentic faith, grace, and ultimate healing really do exist.
When her husband of twenty-one years leaves her, Savannah Barrington believes she’s lost almost everything she’s ever loved. With her daughter in college and her son in boarding school, Savannah retreats to her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, where hope and healing come in the form of an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, a touch of magic, and a handsome man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove she’s still worth loving.
But when her husband asks to reconcile, Savannah is faced with the hardest challenge of all: Forgiving the unforgivable. Somehow she must find freedom from the chains of their past and move forward, or face an unknown future without him.
Daisy Swanson and her Aunt Iris run a delightful shop in Pennsylvania’s Amish country with an emphasis on tasty teas and treats—but murder is not so sweet . . .
As local merchants unite to attract tourists for a much anticipated weekend quilting event, business is sure to spill over into eateries like Daisy’s Tea Garden. Gorgeous craftwork is hanging everywhere—but among the quilts, potholders, and placemats, one gallery owner is wrapped up in some dangerous affairs . . .
Reese Masemer had been dating one of Daisy’s employees, Tessa, an artist, though their last interaction was as strained as a cup of loose leaf tea. Now Reese has been found dead near a covered bridge where Tessa’s been practicing her sketches. She’s the obvious suspect, but Daisy’s learning that there were some major secrets in Reese’s background, and several of his relationships were infused with resentment. To save Tessa, she’ll have to find out who’s tainted this quaint little town with murder . . .
Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she'll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.
As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.
Ever since her best friend died six months ago, Laura Reihl has vowed to make each day count. And that means she should probably break off her relationship with Rudy. They’ve been together for so many years, and his friendship means the world to her. But she knows friendship doesn’t come close to the fireworks of true love, and she’s not really feeling the fireworks.
So when Savilla’s widower, Allen, asks her to help him take care of the baby Savilla left behind, Laura jumps at the chance. Maybe the change of scenery will help her gain perspective on her relationship with Rudy. And she’d do anything to help Allen out—he’s always been a good friend to her, and he’s Rudy’s best friend as well.
When she arrives at Allen’s house, though, she finds a man she barely recognizes. Allen is distraught over his wife’s death, blaming himself for not taking her to the doctor soon enough.
As Laura helps Allen work through his grief, she remembers just how easy he is to talk to. And she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. She can’t be falling for Allen, can she? It would be a betrayal to the two people she’s care most about, Savilla and Rudy. But if she denies her feelings, is she betraying herself?
As you can see there are some great books releasing in May and I am anxiously looking forward to each one. Check back here and see my reviews.
ER nurse Sloane Ferrell escaped her risky past—new name, zip code, job,
and a fresh start. She’s finally safe, if she avoids a paper trail and
doesn’t let people get too close. Like the hospital’s too-smooth
marketing man with his relentless campaign to plaster one “lucky”
employee’s face on freeway billboards.
Micah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital
image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his
heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family
tragedy. So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate,
beautiful, and elusive Sloane Ferrell.
Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past.
Can hope spring from crisis?
Former ER nurse, wife, Mom and proud grandmother, Candace Calvert believes
that love, laughter, and faith are the best medicines. Her popular
medical fiction offers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding drama,
romance, humor, suspense--and a prescription for hope. Think, “Grey’s
Anatomy finds its soul.” She is . . .
A Northern California native who spent several years in Hill Country Texas--where she learned to check
her shoes for scorpions and plucked an armadillo from her swimming
pool. Thinks cruising is the best way to travel: honeymooned in Venice,
swam
with stingrays, rode a camel at the pyramids, and sang (badly) with a
Newfoundland country band. She’s passionate about cooking, loves bird watching, gardening, and gets goose bumps when her handsome husband hits the low notes at karaoke. She writes inspirational fiction because . . .
God blessed her with a quirky wit, buoyant optimism,
and a contagious sense of fun--but she didn’t come to know him until
after the Triple Whammy that turned her life into a bad country song. A
painful and unexpected divorce, the Northern California floods of 1997,
and (just when she was coping like a champ, no problem) an equestrian
accident that left her with fractured ribs, a bleeding lung, broken back, neck fractures and a spinal cord injury. She’ll tell you that God took drastic measures to get her attention.
In the months of rehabilitation,
Candace healed in body and spirit. And came to fully understand the
difference between being a strong woman and a woman of strength. The
difference is faith, and that lesson has been her biggest blessing. Her
story, “By Accident,” appears in Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, and launched her writing career. Now . . .
She is honored to bring readers medical fiction that offers exciting entertainment and a healthy dose of hope.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
~Psalm 139:14
My Thoughts:
I loved this book! This is the third installment in the Crisis Team series from Candace Calvert. With that being said I feel that this is a stand alone story even though it's part of a series. I do recommend to read the two previous books so you can get the full impact of this series. Candace Calvert is a retired ER nurse and brings a wealth of medical knowledge which only adds to the overall experience when reading one of her books. This is the story of Sloane Ferrell who we have met in her previous books and she was not a nice character at all. She is a beautiful, young woman who had a tragic childhood, but instead of overcoming it she let it define her as a person. Mistakes on top of mistakes, but you can't change your past no matter how hard you try. It takes faith, hope and a lot of grace just to live with some of the choices you make. At the story opens we find Sloane as a relatively new hire at Los Angeles Hope with only being there for about 3 months. She likes to keep to herself and is trying to heal, both physically and emotionally. This has not been a good year for her, but she has made positive changes in her life. Micha Prescott is a wonderful character who is kind and caring. He works at Los Angeles Hope in the PR department and also volunteers as a crisis responder for the area. Micha has a tragedy in his past that he hasn't really dealt with. This has shaped him into the person he is. Fireworks ignite when he first meets Sloane and he tries to understand her opinions, but deep inside feels that he can change them. This is a heart wrenching story that touches on some tough issues (alcoholism, sex trafficking, etc.) but they are resolved realistically. I didn't immediately like Sloan, but I respected her for trying to change her life. As the story progressed her character just jumped to life for me and I could feel her turmoil, fear and joy. She literally broke my heart a little. In no time at all I was cheering for her to succeed in turning her life around. This story also has elements of suspense, romantic tension, faith, forgiveness and grace. I guess what I liked best about this story was how it showed that we are none so lost that we can't be saved by God's grace. This is a book I would definitely recommend, but I worn you to be prepared to read it in one setting. **I received this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a
serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That
is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for
her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new
partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he
has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles
couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by
the book.
When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences
threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns
up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might
yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be
the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve
it.
Listen to DiAnn Mills talk about her new release:
Excerpt:
CHAPTER 1
HOUSTON, TEXAS
NOVEMBER
7:15 A.M. MONDAY
FBI Special Agent Bethany Sanchez swung open the door of her truck with the same jitters she had her first day at Quantico. On this gray morning, she was beginning a violent crime assignment and would meet her new partner, Special Agent Thatcher Graves,the man who’d sent her brother to jail. Bethany caught her breath and took in the unfamiliar surroundings. The residential area was flooded with Houston police
officers and unmarked cars, part of a task force between HPD and the FBI.
Alicia Javon had been murdered here late yesterday afternoon, leaving behind
a husband and two daughters. The homes rose like monuments in this older,
exclusive neighborhood, a mirror of refinement and dollar signs. The
Javons’ two-story brick with classic black shutters was no exception. Not a
dog or cat in sight. In her parents’ neighborhood, dogs ran loose and usually in packs, whether the four-legged or two-legged type. Here, a pair of squirrels scampered up an oak. The bushes and hedges received regular manicures. Freshly mowed yard. The three-car garage was the size of her apartment.
Contrast the tranquility with a woman who’d been shot, and it
was Bethany’s job to help bring down the killer.
She arched her shoulders and walked to the front door, wishingher first day in violent crime could have been less stressful. She’d been up most of the night giving herself a pep talk about working with Thatcher Graves despite their history. A little confidence on her end would boost her ego. She looked like a professional. Wore
a black pantsuit and a white blouse. Hair secured at the nape. No rings. No
bracelets. Just tiny gold balls in her earlobes, a small gold cross necklace,
and a keen sense of determination that had never failed her. After greeting two police officers and displaying her credentials, she entered the home, and another officer directed her toward a hum of activity to the right. She passed through a
living area, where an upright bass, grand piano, and harp filled a third of the
space. Beyond there she’d find Special Agent Thatcher Graves. Her gaze pulled ahead. She wanted the partnership to work so badly that her blood pressure flared at the thought of it. She moved through the room to the kitchen. Thatcher bent behind
the crime scene tape, where the body had been found. He glanced up, his
earth-colored eyes stormy. She extended her hand and hoped he didn’t observe the trembling. “Good morning, I’m Bethany Sanchez.” He stood and towered over her, but most men did over her small frame. “My new partner. The gal from the civil rights division who solved a cold hate crime in the Hispanic community.
And was influential in bringing peace to an Asian business district where a prostitution ring worked the streets. Welcome to violent crime.” He gripped her hand, not too firm and not an ounce of wimp. “We’ve met before.”
She offered a slight smile while her stomach rolled. “Yes, we have.”
“I think it was the Labor Day picnic. Certainly not what the victim had here.”
Had he forgotten Papá’s threat at the courthouse, or did he expect her to
elaborate? “I understand there’s a link between this murder and a previous
one, and that’s why the FBI’s been called in.” “Right. Three weeks ago, Ruth Caswell, an elderly woman in the River Oaks area, was murdered. She was under hospice care but otherwise lived alone. Shot with a 9mm to the forehead,
hollow-point bullet, and the killer left a plastic scorpion on her body. At
that time, HPD requested our help, due to the unusual circumstances. Alicia
Javon’s murder appears to be identical, but it’ll take weeks before we learn if the two women were killed with the same weapon.” “Didn’t realize the lab was so far behind. Fingerprints?” “Too soon to have the report. We’ll see about the DNA.”
“Anything to go on?” “Looks like a serial killing.”
“But the husband is a viable suspect. Looks to me like a domestic squabble that
went bad.” He lifted a brow. “I’ve been at this longer than you have. The
family will arrive in the next thirty minutes for an interview. They spent the night
at a hotel.” “Can’t blame them.” She glanced around the kitchen. A stockpot
rested on the stove, a box of pasta beside it. A dinner that never happened. “I wouldn’t want to stay here either. What else do you have?”
He grabbed a large Starbucks cup from the kitchen counter
and toasted her. The man wore a muscular build like an Italian suit. “You fit
your MO.” She lifted a brow. “What do you mean?”“Nononsense. Gets
the job done. Analytical. Outstanding record—”
“Whoa. You’re armed, and all I have is office chatter and media headlines.”
He sipped the coffee. “I’m sure it’s all true.”
Egotistical, but with a sense of humor. She stared into his chiseled face.
“I hope not or I’m doomed.”
“Doubt it, General Sanchez. Your reputation is outstanding.”She drew in a
breath. The ring of his tone pierced her like a dull knife. “Guess I won’t call
you a general again.” The muscles in his jaw tightened. “Okay, back to the
case. The killer is most likely a psychopath.” “We need more information to
make that determination, a suspect whose behavior we can psychologically
examine to determine if he’s hearing voices and the like.” “Not every
psychopath is a killer, but serial killers are psychopaths.” She’d mull his explanation when she had time to think about it. “Has the blood spatter been analyzed?”“Yes. Nothing additional for us to follow up on there. I’ve
been here since five thirty poring over the reports, trying to find a motive for
both murders. We have two victims killed with the same type of weapon and identical scorpions left on each body. I sent a copy of the reports to you about
an hour ago.” “Hold on a moment while I retrieve them.” She eased her
shoulder bag to the floor and snatched her phone, berating herself for not
checking it sooner. She scrolled through the various reports. There it was. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”“Alicia Javon was a forty-five-year-old wife and mother.
She held a vice president position at Danford Accounting. Two daughters
are enrolled at Rice University majoring in music. Her husband is currently unemployed and on disability due to a spinal injury sustained in an auto accident.
He told the police his wife’s Bible and several pieces of her jewelry are missing. All heirlooms from her family. HPD noted a sizable inheritance from her family’s estate.” Bethany read the list of diamonds, rubies, and sapphires stolen.
Motive? “The husband claims the jewelry is insured. Has HPD checked the pawnshops?” “Yes, and they will continue,” Thatcher said. “No signs of
forced entry.” “She may have known her killer or opened the door without
a visual check. Where was her husband? Do her daughters live at
home?” “The girls were out with their father. Walked in and discovered
the body,” he said. “It’s in the report. I labeled it Scorpion.” Ouch. Could this get much worse? “Hey, I’m messing with you. Don’t worry about it.”
She smiled but didn’t feel it. “I noted Mrs. Javon’s arm was in a cast. Worth
looking into.” “I agree. Have a few thoughts about the injury.”
“Theory or fact?” Immediately she regretted her question. Arguing fact and logic solved nothing. “That was inappropriate. I know you operate on instinct, and you’re quite successful.” “But you have no respect for my methods, right?”
She reddened. “I’d like to think our partnership could work well organically.”
He took another sip of coffee. “Well said. We could fail or become a dynamic team. When we’re finished here, let’s head back to the office and discuss the case.”
A police officer stepped into the kitchen. “The family has arrived.”
“They’re early.” Thatcher glanced out the kitchen window to a patio and pool
area, his face stoic. “Tell them Special Agent Sanchez and I will talk to them
in a few minutes. We’re stepping outside for privacy.”
My Thoughts:
DiAnn Mills brings us the 3rd installment in the FBI Huston series. Even though this book is part of a series this book would be still considered a stand alone novel. There are secondary characters well integrated in the story that were the primary characters in the previous books in the series and of course the setting is the same which is Huston, Texas. This is a fast paced edge of your seat suspense interlaced with a romance. This story will quickly pull you in with the introduction of Bethany Sanchez. She has just moved from the civil rights division to violent crimes after solving a cold case hate crime. She is called to the scene of a murder her first day on the job because there's a link to the previous murder of Ruth Caswell. The link is a plastic scorpion which is placed on the victim's chest. The only problem is, Alicia Javon, has a history of domestic violence and it's looking like her husband is maybe their prime suspect for this murder. Bethany is a complex character with her own problems. She grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood where killing is almost a right of passage for most. She has agreed to volunteer at Noah's Loft which is basically a safe house that helps the residents with becoming productive members of society after some form of abuse has taken place. Most residents, if not all, are female with children. At present she is estranged from her family after arresting and testifying against her brother, Lucas, which sent him to prison.This was not Lucas's first incarceration, but his second. She has been assigned a partner and wouldn't you know it, he's the very one who arrested Lucas first. Lucas has recently been released from prison and he's looking for revenge and retribution from Bethany. Special Agent Thatcher Graves has been assigned a new partner. The first thing he notices is that she is quick to jump to assumptions about a crime and her lack of trust. Two things as the senior agent in charge he would have to change and quickly if this partnership was to work. As important factors in the puzzle start to come to lightBethany decides full disclosure with Thatcher about Lucas and the threats he's making about her. Is there a link to the murders and Lucas? This case is turning into a complication neither expected and suspect there's a serial killer out there looking for the next victim. I really enjoyed this fast paced plot. It grabs you and keeps you turning the pages. It's full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end of the story. The characters are complex with faults of their own, but so easy to love. There's just enough romantic tension that keeps a romance probable once the case is solved. I always look for a message of faith in every book I read. The message I received was one of remembering that Godloves us and will be there for us regardless of the circumstances. We must remember that no matter what struggles you are facing today there is always another chapter to your story. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys suspense. * I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a honest review without bias or outside influence. All opinions or thoughts are my own.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should
expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with
unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won
two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier,
Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal
presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the
Christian Fiction category for Firewall. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction
Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association;
International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of
Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap
with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion
of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups
and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans.
She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are
the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny
Houston, Texas.
Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.
