My Review: Moving Target

"They say love is blind, but I say love sees all and still loves."  - Maddy McKay

(I loved this quote and couldn't resist sharing!)

Description:

When Maddy McKay and Quinn Holcombe don't show up for Quinn's surprise birthday party, his friends know that something is very wrong. Their search turns up little beyond evidence that Quinn and Maddy just decided to take off for a long overdue vacation. But it soon becomes apparent that they did not leave of their own accord.

Maddy awakens in a cement room with no idea where she is. But it's not long before she realizes she's in the clutches of a madman exacting revenge by hunting. His prey of choice? Humans. Now Maddy and Quinn must run for their lives, hoping to find their killer before the next game begins. Because if they don't win this game, they die.

About the Author:

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason has written/contracted thirty-six books since 2007. She writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists. Lynette has been teaching for more than ten years and is very happy to make the transition from teaching school to teaching writing whenever the opportunity presents. She is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.









My Review: 4.5 stars

Moving Target is the third book in Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardians series and a book I’ve been very anxiously awaiting.  I made the “mistake” when I was finishing the second book of reading the excerpt for this one that the publisher so kindly included and after that I just couldn’t wait!  I was so happy to learn it would be Maddy and Quinn’s story, one I’ve been anticipating since meeting them in Always Watching, and the cliffhanger in that excerpt - goodness!  I always remember why I skip excerpts, right after I read one leaves me hanging like that.  I’ve been a big fan of Ms. Eason’s books for quite a while and they very rarely disappoint me, and I can happily say that this one definitely wasn’t an exception.  I loved the suspense that kept me engaged from the very first chapter and the mystery that kept me guessing - I was so close to being right, too!

I honestly have no idea how Ms. Eason creates these stories and the mysteries therein, but I so enjoy them, particularly a series that allows me to get to know the characters over several books.  I really enjoy how the author continues to weave the characters from each story back into the current one, while also giving another glimpse into the character for the next book.  I can’t wait for that one, either!  I also love how she continues to build the tension and the mystery until I’m groaning when I have to stop reading and pretend to be a functioning adult while the characters are fighting for their lives.  My only mildly negative comment is that the story lags just briefly for a chapter or two, while the author focuses on the characters and it isn’t so much suspense driven.  I kept turning the pages, waiting for something to happen, a gun to go off, or the villain to show their face, and it continued a little slowly, until it built to the climax at the end that had me back on the edge of my seat.  

As always, the characters are my favorite part of any story and I so enjoyed getting to know Quinn Holcombe and Maddy McKay better.  Quinn sports a hard veneer most of the time, seeming jaded by his line of work and a history that inspires nightmares.  He isn’t the easiest man to know and the challenges he faces encourage him to let others in and learn to forgive before it’s too late.  While Maddy isn’t a character I felt I knew as well prior to picking up her book, I quickly fell in love with her here.  She’s the kind of lady I’d love to have as a friend and one you wouldn’t want as an enemy.  She has hope where Quinn doesn’t, and she challenges him to share his heart, not just with her, but with friends and family.  She is also incredibly tenacious and determined, with an inner strength and kindness.  While I appreciated their strength in the face of evil, I think my favorite moments in this story were the ones where they let down their guards and allowed themselves to be vulnerable.  The times where the suspense paused for just an instant and they learned a little better how to love.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and a mystery to keep you guessing, but also takes the time for a bit of romance.

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my review!  I've been majorly slacking in the blogging department, but I recently got a promotion at work and it's taking a good bit of my time and energy to figure that out.  I'm enjoying it, though, despite losing some reading and writing time.  :)
As always, links are below if you'd like to check out Lynette's books!
Have a fantabulous day!   

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My Review: Still Life

"I want to know why you love me."

"Because I don't make sense without you.  You're part of me."

Description:

Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.

Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

About the Author:

Dani Pettrey is the bestselling author of the Alaskan Courage series and winner of the 2014 Daphne du Maurier award for Inspirational Novel, the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award for Suspense, and the 2013 Holt Medallion for First Novel. She and her husband reside in the D.C. Metro area. She can be found online at www.danipettrey.com.

My Review: 4.5 stars

I was so excited to read this book after loving Cold Shot, the first book in Dani Pettrey’s Chesapeake Valor series.  I adore diving into a new series and meeting new characters, but there’s just something about the second book in a series, where you’ve already met the characters and kind of know them and now you have the chance for them to become dear friends.  And these characters definitely do that in this book!  I was so stoked to dive into Parker and Avery’s story and found I didn’t want to come up for air after opening the first page.  The story takes off and left me hanging on and occasionally scrambling to catch up and remember what all was happening.  I loved the dual mystery going on, and how Ms. Pettrey managed to bring all of the loose ends together in a way that left me simultaneously sighing at the ending and wanting to know when Declan’s book would be releasing.      

One of my very favorite things about Ms. Pettrey’s writing is how she creates this community of characters in her series and has them stepping in and out of each story.  This book was primarily Parker and Avery’s, but it was also a little bit Declan’s and a little bit Kate’s, with Finley and Griffith stepping in to help and letting us keep track of where they’re story is going.  Everyone is back from the first book, along with Tanner, who brings an intriguing expectation for the next book, and the mystery of the fourth friend that is carrying over.  As aforementioned, I immensely enjoyed the mysteries and the twists and turns, therein.  I appreciated the detail the author put into the story for both cases, explaining some of the procedures to clue in the curious, without bogging down the story with information.  I was left guessing “whodunit” throughout the book and I was so close!  I loved reading a book that left me thinking, and rethinking, and trying to guess motive, and wondering if I was right, and then that surprise ending just blew my plotting out of the water!  

Despite how thoroughly Ms. Pettrey tied up all of the loose ends with the mystery, I did think a couple of the personal issues with Avery and Parker were glossed over a bit, in order to keep the story flowing.  I would’ve actually been okay with the suspense taking a break for a few pages in order to bring a bit more resolution to their relationship.  Though with the way the author keeps the characters consistent and continuing to play leading roles in each book, I’m hopeful more of it will carry over into the next book.  And I’m really hoping Declan’s book will be next (hint,hint)!

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed romantic suspense with a mystery that will keep you guessing!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review!  I've been falling behind in my posting lately, though hopefully I'll get back on track again.  How many times have I said that, now?  Haha!  Anyway, hope you enjoyed!  As always, links are below!

Have a colorful day!

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