Thursday, January 30, 2020

Bookish Thoughts: Collateral Damage


This post is going to be very simplifed.  The dinosaur of a laptop isn't wanting to work, so I'm trying to do everything from my tablet.  First world problems, right?

Description:
Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

About the Author:
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

My Thoughts:
I'm not sure what to say about this book. I think anything I seek to write will just sound like a repeat of my reviews for Ms. Eason's previous books. Not that this book was just like her others - the premise and mystery were different - but like all of her other books, it was action packed and definitely kept me turning pages as quickly as I could read!

As always, she did an excellent job with the suspense and mystery! Though parts of it honestly made my heart hurt - the things humanity does to one another - I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! Plus, I also desperately wanted to see justice for the victims. Even just rereading a bit of it, in preparation to write this, I was angry again. You know it's a great book when you're almost crying, or super angry with the villain, but still cheering on the good guys.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Brooke and Asher, along with Gavin, Sarah, and Caden. The military focus and camaraderie was interesting and a bit different from the author’s previous books. I wasn’t quite sure what to think of that change, at first, but overall I thought she did a great job with it! I’ve heard rumors that the next book will have Gavin and Sarah as the main characters, so I’m really excited for that! And I so appreciated how the author focused on the importance of every life. It wasn't "preachy," but definitely noticeable and a welcome reminder, especially in the midst of war and the case they are seeking to solve.

And I think that's about all I can say, without possibly spoiling something. So overall, I greatly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense and mystery!

*My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.




Saturday, January 18, 2020

Bookish Thoughts: On Wings of Devotion


"You'll either be a hero or a villain, Phil.  Try to pick the right one, will you?"

Description:
Against Every Warning, She’s Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as “Black Heart”

All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.

As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed “Black Heart,” she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing–and some of her own to do as well.

With Camden’s court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope–and to each other–if they want to survive.


About the Author:
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.





My Thoughts:
This is the second book in The Codebreakers series and I’ve been anxiously awaiting it! As soon as I learned Major Phillip “Black Heart” Camden was to have the starring role, I just couldn’t resist! I met him in the first book, The Number of Love, and was curious to see where the author would take this sourpuss of a character. And I can happily say that this book will definitely be going on my favorites shelf, as soon as I make space for it!

As always, I loved Ms. White’s writing! I’ve yet to read a book of hers that I didn’t enjoy, and this one is certainly not the exception. I’m not even sure where to start . . . She has such a beautiful way of bringing the characters and time period to life. I could almost hear the clipped English accents, feel the chill in the air, and the stress of war looming so close to home. I enjoyed the cameos from characters from some previous books and how she’s tying the various series together. Though this book is able to stand alone quite well, I immensely enjoyed the first book as well, and would highly recommend it.

"He does not ask everyone to give all they have.
But if He does, are we willing?  Truly willing? . . .
Whatever He asks of us, whether it be a fortune or a pittance
or our time or our devotion, we can be sure it will be painful.
Cutting out what stands between us and God always is.
But we can also trust that in the giving, we'll gain something far more precious."

Frankly, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of Arabelle Denler, at first. She seemed almost too kind to be true. But I soon learned her flaws and couldn’t help but love her character, too. She was someone I easily connected with and could see being a friend, were she real. And she was perfect for Phillip! I didn’t know how the story with them could possibly play out, but the author did an excellent job of making their relationship believable. I laughed out loud more than once at their banter, making my husband glance over and just shake his head, and I’m sure I was found smiling into my book on multiple occasions. I also enjoyed the banter amongst the crew of Room 40 and how the author wove the code breaking element into this story, as well. It wasn’t as front and center as it was in the first, but still played a role, staying with the theme of the series.

I will also say, it’s not often that someone can create a “villain” that I both hate what they’re doing and sympathize with their decisions. I’m not going to spoil anything, but I do want to note that I thought Ms. White did an excellent job of finding the balance with that character.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book! From the time period, to the suspense that kept me rushing to turn the next page, to the romance that made me smile, I would have read it in one sitting, given the opportunity.

*My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.


As always, thanks for stopping by!  I'm sorry if this review seems choppier than usual - I loaned my laptop to my sister, so this was done half on an old dinosaur of a laptop (it's 11 years old!) and half on my tablet, when the old geezer decided to rebel and froze up on me.  So hopefully it makes sense!  As always, purchase links are below!
I'm going to go, before old lappy decides it's officially done with working.
Have a lovely day!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book

Roseanna's Shop


Wednesday, January 1, 2020

My Most Anticipated Books of 2020!

Happy New Year!!  Is anyone else still in shock that it's 2020?  Seriously, this past year went by so fast!  I know, I know.  Everyone always says that.  And people keep telling me that feeling only gets worse as you get older.  But, still.  What happened to 2019??
That aside, there are some awesome books coming out this new year that I'm super excited for!  How many of them I'll actually get to read after March?  Eh, that's definitely questionable.  But I'm looking forward to at least cheering on "my" authors as their new books release, regardless of whether or not I'll actually have time to read them right then.  So, without further ado . . . .
(Oh, and click the titles to learn more)


1) Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason - Jan. 7th

I actually already have this book in my TBR pile - and I can't wait to get started on my next free day!

2) On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White - Jan. 7th

I just got this one in the mail a couple days ago!  And let me say, it's even more beautiful in person!  It's going to be a challenge to decide between this one and Collateral Damage - I don't know which one to read first! 

3) Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar - Feb. 4th

I've read all of Tessa's books to date and have yet to find one that I didn't immensely enjoy - so needless to say, I'm looking forward to this one.  :)

4) Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse - Feb. 4th

This is the final book in The Ravenwood Saga and I can't wait!  When I found out it releases in February, I told my husband I knew exactly what I wanted for my birthday.  I have to know how it ends!

5) The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano - Feb. 4th

I read the first two books in this series last year (they'd been waiting on my Kindle for I don't know how long) and am super excited for this one!  Though I'm not a coffee person and I'm sure there will be a lot of the stuff poured and drank throughout. :)

6) Kings Falling by Ronie Kendig - March 31st

Again, Leif Metcalfe.  And Iskra Todorova.  And the Book of Wars.
I can't wait!!!

7) Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano - May 5th

Beatrix's book!  I can't wait!  Even from the little bit I know of her from the previous books, I know this one will be excellent!   Plus, she just looks so mischevious on the cover. 

8) The Best We've Been by Beth K. Vogt - May 5th

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to think of this series, when I first started it.  I read the other two books while I was on vacation this past summer and I almost didn't finish the first one.  I started it, stopped, read something else, then tried it again.  By the time I finished it, though, I knew I'd have to finish the series.  There are just too many unanswered questions and I really want to see Johanna redeemed.  And if she isn't, I just might chuck the book at wall . . . .

9) Stay with Me by Becky Wade - May 5th

To be honest, I don't even remember what this book is about right now.  But it's by Becky Wade, so it automatically gets a place on the list.  Plus, this cover is just too pretty.

10) The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey - June 30th

Again with the trippy cover!  It's really cool, just a little weird, too.  And she basically set up the first book so that I couldn't not want to read this one, too . . . So many questions!

11) Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter - Aug. 4th

Looking back over the other books on the list, this one is a little bit like the odd one out.  But that's okay, too.  It's by Kristi Ann Hunter, so obviously, I want to read it.  Any dichotomy with the rest of the books is entirely irrelevant to me.   

So, there's my list.  It's definitely not complete, but it'll do, for now.  Maybe I need to start doing a bi-annual list.  One for the first half of the year, one for the second half . . . . It sounds like a nice idea, but if I'm being honest, it'll probably never happen. 
Anyway, I want to know - what books are you most looking forward to?  Are there any you think I missed?  Please share in the comments below!

And have a happy new year!