Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman

It's the intel every agent fears--terrorists have been smuggled into the country, intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. The only problem is Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in a room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice.

If it wasn't for a bad call Evan made, Kiley's former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent's death seems an impossible obstacle--but it's also the last thing he needs to think about. As the terrorist plot targets Kiley's family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.

The RED team is trying to stop a terror attack that is supposed to be worse than 9/11.  Kiley is in charge of the team and she is pushed to her limit.  They have four days to find out the target and stop it.  With the help of the other team members Evan, she has to find a way.  

This is a good procedural book.  It shows the steps that are taken to find the terrorist. There wasn't a lot of action until the very end of the book.  I recommend to  everyone who likes a good mystery.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Dead End Detective by Amanda Flower

Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.

Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.

Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can prove her innocence in time?

This is a typical Hallmark story.  A good clean book with no foul language or sex scenes.  The mystery is who killed Samantha Porter.  Darby her partner in Two Girls Detective Agency is the prime suspect.  She has to prove her innocence with the help of Tate Porter, Samantha's nephew.  But can she trust him.  He hasn't been in town for years and showed up just before Samantha was killed.  This is a good beach read or to set by the fireplace and enjoy a good book.

I was given this book by Hallmark Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any ay.  

Acceptable Risk by Lynette Eason

Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when her convoy is attacked and she's taken hostage. When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander--Sarah's imposing father--to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.

Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she's discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army. Until she learns of her brother's suicide. Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth. What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah's career--if she can survive long enough to write it.

This book starts out with Sarah being held captive in the Middle East.  She is rescued by Gavin Black, a former Army Ranger.  He was hired by Sarah's father to rescue her.  After she recovers from her injuries, she discovers that she was falsely discharged from the Army and that her father, the General, had a hand in it.  Also, her life is still in danger.  With the help Gavin and her brother Caleb, and FBI agent, they track down who is responsible.  

This is a great mystery that you will want to read.  Ms. Eason has written another great book.

I was given this book Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.  

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in love.

Penelope and Tucker have been best friends for twenty five years.  Penelope leaves the impression with her ex-fiancé's fiancé that Tucker and her are an item.  She does this because she wants Winston to know she has moved on from him leaving her at the altar.  Tucker readily agrees.  As he is running for sheriff, having an escort serves his purpose too.  Also, Penelope has helped him with his campaign.  A snag in his campaign happens when his apposer starts a smear campaign stating that Tuckers for bearers were traitors to the Confederate cause.  In trying to find proof that they weren't, Tucker and Penelope come across a journal indicating there is a buried treasure somewhere.  The hunt is on.

This is a nice cozy read.  Not a lot of edge of your set mystery.  More of a romance with a little mystery thrown in.  But a good book.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. But beneath the faade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she's hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.

Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service team. He is immediately suspicious of Caroline despite his overwhelming attraction to her quick wit and undeniable charm. Desperate to keep the president protected, Nathaniel must battle to keep his focus fully on his job as the threat to the president rises.

Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel will face adventure, danger, and heartbreak in a race against time that will span the continent and the depth of human emotion.

I have read several of Ms. Camden's books and have enjoyed them.  I just couldn't get involved in this book.  I really can't give a good reason.  I just didn't grab my attention.  I would read it for awhile, put it down and read another book, and then come back to it.  Other reviewers seemed to enjoy it.  So may it is just me.  

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.  

Second Hand Cowboy by Lacy Williams

Never show weakness. Callum’s childhood mantra is back in play as fate sends the bull rider back to his hometown. Ten years ago, he was run out of town under a cloud of suspicion. But he’s not a banged-up foster kid anymore. He only wants one thing: to prove he’s not the trailer trash they said he was.

Fate must be laughing. Iris was supposed to escape the small town life and have a ballet career on stage in NYC. But family issues kept her home long enough for opportunity to pass her by and now she’s going nowhere, fast. She’s blindsided when she comes face-to-face with the boy who walked away from her and broke every promise. Callum hasn’t changed from the boy she remembers. He’s just better at hiding his scars.

Iris is just trying to survive one day at a time.  She had a ballet career that fell apart when she was injured.  Now she is back on the ranch taking care of her sister who is had cancer.  The only way to pay bills is to sell the ranch left to her by her uncle.  The new owner is none other than Callum.  Her boyfriend from years past.  He brings along with him his twin sons.  He deserted her and never had any contact with him since he left.  This is Iris and Callum's journey to reconnect after her father and uncle conspired against them 10 years earlier.  

This is a clean book appropriate for anyone.  A good book to pick up for a cozy afternoon or a beach read.  

I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.  

How Sweet It IS by Robin Lee Hatcher

Holly Stanford is doing the best she can with the restaurant she inherited from her late uncle. But after her fiancé abandons her and the business, Holly regrets having given up her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now a few bad financial decisions might cost her everything, including her hope for the future.

Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father, the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.

Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith.

Holly is stuck with a restaurant she really doesn't want.  Her ex-fiancé convinced her to  open the restaurant with his promise that he would help her run it while she concentrated on her baking business.  Well, that was before the fiancé decided he didn't want to be engaged any more and left town.  Jed is on the look out for his younger brother.  Their dad gave Jed an ultimatum to find Chris or he would close Jed's business.  

This is a story of reconciliation and listening instead of jumping in with both feet without all the facts.  An easy read that keeps your interest.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.    

Love's Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller

Young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing, with no lawman in town, she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help.

Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who's behind the kidnapping, and if he's right, he knows all too well the evil they're chasing.

As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

Joanna is beside herself when she realizes her five year old son and the woman watching him have gone missing.  Isaac has been trying to keep on eye on Joanna so when he finds out that Samuel is missing he drops what he's doing and helps.  As they are tracking the kidnappers, he realizes they are looking for someone from his past.  A past that he wants to keep secret and left in the past.  But in order to save Samuel,  he has to confront his past.  Which means he must tell Joanna and hope that she will forgive him.  All Joanna wants to do is find her son safe and sound. They face several hardships along the way to the outlaw hideout.  The most severe is that Isaac breaks his leg.  

This is a clean story with some mystery and romance.  I recommend this book to everyone.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not  compensated in any way.  

Don't Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard

Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he just doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her. As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other.

This is the third book in the Uncommon Justice series.  It is not necessary to read the first two books to read this one.  This is the story of the third McKade brother, Liam.  When his cover as a DEA agent is blown and he is injured he heads home to the family ranch in Wyoming.  When he left it wasn't under the best of conditions.  So he is hoping to make things right with his brothers.  While there, he runs into Rae Burke.  She is the reporter who blew his cover and was responsible for his injury.  He wants nothing to do with her and tries to stay as far away as possible.  Rae is trying to find her missing sister in law and she will do any thing to find her.  Even ask Liam for help.  Against his better judgement he starts to help her.  What they don't know is the kind of people they are up against.  

This is a book that I recommend for all those who like a good mystery.  The book kept my interest the entire time.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Where Tomorrow Leads by Diann Mills

Once a member of the royal family in Sudan, Paul Farid now carries a price on his head for becoming a Christian. Called to aid his persecuted countrymen, Paul risks his life nearly daily but worries that his sometimes-reckless actions may bring harm to his wife, Larson. This war-torn country is certainly no place to raise a family . . . but that’s little comfort when Larson realizes she’s pregnant.

After fighting more than two decades against the Sudanese government’s mandates, Colonel Ben Alier is wary of the fledgling peace treaty meant to unite the north and south again. Ben vows not to give up the fight, but a pressing health concern turns his thoughts toward securing his legacy and finally acknowledging his son.

The days ahead hold no promise of peace, so Paul, Larson, and Ben must learn to trust God in all things, no matter where tomorrow leads.

This is the second book in the series.  I recommend reading the first one before you read this one.  The characters will make more sense.  Also, the situations they find themselves in.  This book had some of the same issues for me as the first one did.  Too much background and not enough action.  The story is good but I found myself skimming ahead to get past parts of it.  Larson has finally accepted God back into her life.  That doesn't mean her life is any easier.  She is still trying to run a medial compound in the middle of a jungle and a war.  Paul has been contacted by his brother and is trying to decide to accept his offer to meet.  Ben has accepted the fact that Paul and Larson are married and are happy.  He has even begun to consider Paul a friend.  The news Ben receives in the middle of the book shatters his stoic personality.  This is a good book with a good story line if you don't mind skimming.


I received this book from Tyndale Publishing via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any.  

Long Walk Home by Diann Mills

As an Arab Christian pilot for a relief organization, Paul Farid feels called to bring supplies to his war-torn countrymen in southern Sudan. But with constant attacks from Khartoum’s Islamic government, the villagers have plenty of reasons to distrust Paul, and he wonders if the risks he’s taking are really worth his mission.

American doctor Larson Kerr started working with the Sudanese people out of a sense of duty and has grown to love them all, especially Rachel, her young assistant. But despite the years she’s spent caring for them, her life feels unfulfilled. It’s a void that both Paul and Rachel’s older brother, Colonel Ben Alier of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, notice.

When Rachel is abducted, Paul, Ben, and Larson agree to set aside their differences to form an unlikely alliance and execute a daring rescue. Their faith and beliefs tested, each must find the strength to walk the path God has laid before them, to find their way home.

This book had a great story line and kept me reading.  I will admit to skimming pages when the war details were discussed.  Not that they were gory.  I was more interested in the characters and the story than the background history.  It was a necessary part of the story.  I just felt it was discussed too much.  

Larson is a doctor who is running from God and is working in the most primitive of conditions.  Paul is a converted Muslim who is trying to atone for all he did while being a zealous Muslim.  Paul also has a price on his head by his family because he converted to Christianity.  Ben is fighting for the Sudanese people and has no time for God.  He also doesn't trust anyone.  Especially Paul.  The one thing they have in common is they both love Larson.  

I was given this book by Tyndale House Publishing via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.