His name is Joshua Knight. Once a respected explorer, the press now calls him the Tarnished Knight. He took the fall for a disaster in the Underworld that destroyed his career. The devastating event occurred in the newly discovered sector known as Glass House—a maze of crystal that is rumored to conceal powerful Alien antiquities. The rest of the Hollister Expedition team disappeared and are presumed dead.
Whatever happened down in the tunnels scrambled Josh’s psychic senses and his memories, but he’s determined to uncover the truth. Labeled delusional and paranoid, he retreats to an abandoned mansion in the desert, a house filled with mirrors. Now a recluse, Josh spends his days trying to discover the secrets in the looking glasses that cover the walls. He knows he is running out of time.
Talented, ambitious crystal artist Molly Griffin is shocked to learn that the Tarnished Knight has been located. She drops everything and heads for the mansion to find Josh, confident she can help him regain control of his shattered senses. She has no choice—he is the key to finding her sister, Leona, a member of the vanished expedition team. Josh reluctantly allows her to stay one night but there are two rules: she must not go down into the basement, and she must not uncover the mirrors that have been draped.
But her only hope for finding her sister is to break the rules…
PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES (A Ghost Hunters/Harmony Novel Book #17) by Jayne Castle is an action filled paranormal/urban fantasy romantic suspense return to the world of Harmony and this story returns to Illusion City and the Underworld tunnels. I anxiously wait for each new book in this series to once again immerse myself in the Harmony worldbuilding, each new couple and of course, the dust bunnies.
Joshua Knight is a renowned navigator in the Underworld. On his latest trip into the tunnels, he reappears on the surface without any other members of his expedition to the Glass House and has no memory of what occurred in the tunnels. With his reputation in tatters and everyone believing him to be delusional, he disappears to the mansion in the desert where the tunnels led him to the surface to hide from the world, but the mansion full of mirrors is not benign.
Molly Griffin has finally found her true talent as a crystal artist. Her talent and abilities have led her to be chosen to provide the crystal circle for the wedding of the year in Illusion City. As she prepares for the wedding, she discovers the location of the navigator who led the team, which included her sister, Leona Griffin, underground and has been lost for a month. She knows he is the key to locating her missing sister and she is willing to face anything to help him regain his memory and find her sister.
I always love returning to Harmony! The worldbuilding immerses me into a world I feel at home in as much as this reality. The paranormal abilities are interesting and believable to the environment, as well as dust bunnies that are as individual as the people they choose to befriend. I love the dust bunnies so much! Molly and Joshua may have some communication problems at first, but Molly has had to hide portions of her and her sister’s past for so long, trust is difficult. The suspense plot has a lot of action and many twists that kept me guessing to the end. Even though it is not a cliffhanger ending to this story, you discover an overall Ghost Hunters series arc plot is carrying over to the next book featuring Molly’s sister, Leona.
If you are looking for a paranormal series that has action, romance, paranormal abilities, humor, and dust bunnies, this will be perfect for you. I highly recommend this paranormal romantic suspense, this addition to the entire series, and this author!
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About the Author
Jayne Castle, the author of Guild Boss, Illusion Town, Siren’s Call, The Hot Zone, Deception Cove, The Lost Night, Canyons of Night, Midnight Crystal, Obsidian Prey, Dark Light, Silver Master, Ghost Hunter, After Glow, and After Dark, is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She writes contemporary romantic suspense novels under the Krentz name, as well as historical novels under the pseudonym Amanda Quick.
Ex-con Seth Zimmerman has spent the last three years making amends by helping the vulnerable in his former Amish community. Lately, this mission includes calling on Tabitha Yoder, whose divorce from her abusive husband has isolated her from the community. Even though she never comes out of her house to talk to him, Seth knows she watches him from the window while he chops wood, clears her driveway, and drops off food.
An uneasy friendship is just starting to take hold between them when small gifts begin to appear at Tabitha’s home–gifts that can only be from her ex-husband. Seth might be Tabitha’s only hope at maintaining her hard-won freedom from the man whose violent outbursts had almost cost her life. But coming to her rescue might mean he ends up behind bars once again.
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Elise’s Thoughts
Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray is an Amish romantic suspense novel. This book explores how both the Amish and “English” view issues of divorce, abuse, attempted rape, accidental manslaughter, incarceration, love, faith, forgiveness, healing, and second chances.
Seth Zimmerman was sent to prison for the accidental death of an Amish man who was close to raping an Amish woman, Bethanne. There is also Tabitha Yoder who divorced her husband after enduring years of abuse. Both are wounded deciding not to pursue the Amish community who now considers them outcasts. Tabitha did the unthinkable and divorced her abusive husband, Leon. Seth defended a young Amish woman against an attack of another Amish man who fell, hit his head on a rock and died. Seth went to prison for saving her. The suspense part of the book comes into play as both Seth and Tabitha’s past catches up with them.
But the story has very tender moments as an uneasy friendship develops. Seth has had a crush on Tabitha since she taught school as a seventeen-year-old, three years Seth’s elder. Tabitha won’t leave her home and Seth does small things for her, like cutting firewood and bringing her food, as she watches from her window. He gets her to trust him, and the relationship develops over the course of the story.
Other characters include Seth’s younger sister Melonie, Lott’s sister Bethanne, the young woman Seth saved from rape, and her younger brother Lott, boyfriend to Melonie.
With the main and supporting characters the author shows their internal struggles and how events changed their lives. They realized that despite the community’s judgment their actions were necessary. Readers realize that those abused need the support of the community, family, and friends. The themes of trust, forgiveness, with emphasis of self-forgiveness, and faith all play a role. Readers will not want to put this book down and the story will have them turning the pages with this heartwarming and emotional story.
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Author Interview
Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for this book?
Shelley Shepard Gray: I have been writing for twenty years. I write Amish books, contemporary romances, for a number of different publishers. This is the beginning of a new series set in Crittenden Town Kentucky, across the river from St. Louis. This book is a little book darker because the hero and heroine are former Amish with dark pasts. They are at a crossroads with some suspense elements as their past catches up to them.
EC: How would you describe Seth?
SSG: He is honest, up front, confident, but not trusting. He also must deal with the gossip surrounding his incarceration and is ostracized. He is multi-faceted. He went to prison because he saved a woman, Bethanne, from being raped and that person got killed.
EC: How would you describe Tabitha?
SSG: Lonely, struggling emotionally and physically, fearful, and sweet. She is also skittish, broken, quiet, timid, recluse, and determined because of what she went through with her abusive husband. She is trying to make the best of her situation.
EC: Does abuse plays a role?
SSG: It is complicated. Tabitha learned from her ex-husband, her extended family, and the community that she should not put herself out there because she will get hurt. The Amish community was very self-righteous to both Seth and Tabitha. They created barriers with these two. There is a book quote about this, how the Amish “had long held traditions instead of what their eyes and ears told them was true.” They viewed divorce negatively. Although the Amish by the end of the book realized they needed to change their attitude and forgive them. Seth was not the type of person to ask the Amish community for forgiveness because he did not regret what he did. The characters had to overcome a lot.
EC: What about the relationship between Tabitha and Seth?
SSG: They both left the Amish faith. In the beginning they were both outcasts even with some members of their family. She is rattled easily, but he still teases her. He wanted her to feel in control, urged her to believe in herself, helped her to heal, and made her feel safe/secure. She was the “older woman,” three years older and his former teacher. Tabitha put a wall around herself and was guarded to Seth. They both eventually found common ground.
EC: How would you describe Leon, the ex-husband?
SSG: Cruel, intimidating, abusive, and looks upon women as his possession. He preyed on women susceptible to his charm. This is where I had the suspense piece of the book.
EC: How would you describe the male supporting role, Lott?
SSG: Immature, self-centered, angry, easily frustrated, and protective.
EC: How would you describe the female supporting role, Melonie?
SSG: Spunky, direct, caring, secure, and bossy.
EC: What did you want to convey with Lott and Melonie
SSG: Lott was Bethanne’s brother. Melonie was Seth’s sister. These family members were also affected by what happened to their siblings. Hopefully, the reader will get a better idea of the perception of the community. Through Melonie and Lott, I showed how they were part of the Amish community and were very understanding and protective. They want their siblings to heal and be accepted. I think it was a natural way to respond and would happen within any type of community. This is such a serious book with Tabitha, Bethanne, and Seth having had to go through very hard issues. I wanted a few scenes with Lott and Melonie to lighten the story up.
EC: How would you describe the relationship between Melonie and Lott?
SSG: They are trying to understand their feelings toward each other. They are not old enough, not mature enough, and have not experienced a lot.
EC: Next book?
SSG: The victim who Seth rescued, Bethanne, will be featured. The reader will find out what happens with Melonie and Lott. The book is out in November titled Unforgotten. There is also suspense in this book with an English cousin of Bethanne, an Englisher beauty queen. She was not shunned for not being Amish because she was never baptized.
There is another new series with another publisher, the book is titled A is For Amish in July. It is an Amish romance. It has four grown siblings close to their Amish grandparents. They try to find themselves at their grandparents’ farm. Some become Amish and some do not.
THANK YOU!
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BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.
Takes place in Alaska with the characters that are rescue workers and law enforcement.
Book Description
When country music star Oaken Fox joins survivalist Mike Grizz’s new adventure show in the Alaskan wilderness, he just wants to boost his fan base. But when tragedy strikes, and Air One Rescue must save them, Oaken just wants to quit. Too bad his producer has other plans—signing him on with Air One Rescue as a recruit and making a reality show…
EMT Boo Kingston did not join Air One Rescue to train a celebrity. But she’s a rookie to the team, so yes, she’ll train Oaken and keep him alive and not for a minute pay attention to his charm…
And then five women go missing from a resort during a bachelorette weekend gone south. Now, Air One and the rescue team will have to use all their skills–and manpower, including Oaken–to find them before a blizzard settles in. But can they work together before tragedy strikes?
Elise’s Thoughts
One Last Shot has country music star Oaken Fox joining a survivalist new adventure show in the Alaskan wilderness, to boost his fan base. But when tragedy strikes and Air One Rescue must save them, Oaken wants to quit. But his producer decides to change the premise, signing him on with Air One Rescue as a recruit and making a reality show. EMT of Air One Recue Boo Kingston is tasked to train this celebrity. After five women go missing from a resort during a bachelorette weekend gone wrong, the Air One Rescue team will have to use all their skills and manpower–including Oaken–to find them before a blizzard settles in.
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Book Description
Axel Mulligan was built to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. He could swim faster, endure longer and became a miracle for those in peril in the sea. Until a tragedy destroyed him and sent him home, to Alaska.
Now, three years later, he’s not going to let the past repeat itself, so as an Air One rescue swimmer, he’ll do anything to save lives. Including lose his own—which is what he expects when he goes into the icy waters of the Bering Sea, trying to rescue a cruise group of tourists. But for the voice on the other end of the Ham radio, he might have given up, let hypothermia win.
But it didn’t. Now he’ll do anything to find the voice and thank her.
Except the voice—Flynn Turnquist—is not who he thinks. A national wildlife researcher, she’s deep in the bush, tracking wolf pack patterns. Or is she? In fact, she’s a former cop, tracking down a serial killer. And she’s close enough to see his handiwork in the trail of bodies. She nearly had him—until he escaped into the Bering Sea. But she just knows he’s still alive…and she’s sure she’s on his trail…
When Axel finds Flynn…and what she’s really up to, it stirs up a terrible nightmare he’s been dodging for years—the kidnapping and death of his own cousin. Worse, he’s led the killer right to her doorstep. Now, it’s a race through Alaska to stay alive… and when tragedy strikes again, he must choose between rescue or redemption…
Elise’s Thoughts
In One Last Chance the plot begins with Axel Mulligan going into the icy waters of the Bering Sea, trying to rescue a cruise group of tourists. But for the voice on the other end of the Ham radio, he might have given up, letting hypothermia win. She uses banter, pleading, and encouragement to keep him focused on rescuing himself.
The voice is Flynn Turnquist, a detective who, tracks down serial killer. And she’s close enough to see his handiwork in the trail of bodies. She is afraid one of the killer’s victims is her sister Kennedy who disappeared a few years ago. She and Axel work together to search for Kennedy and to find answers about what really happened.
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Author Interview
Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the series?
Susan May Warren: I wanted to write about a rescue team in Alaska. I created a team in a previous book, Sky King Rescue, to rescue a character. This is how I came up with this team. One Last Shot, the first book in the series, came about from the reality TV I watch. I wondered what happens to these everyday people who found themselves in the limelight but have left the big screen. I also like how rescue plays into the story, literally and figuratively. The heroine was a rescue worker but both she and the hero had to rescue their reputation, their dreams, and their souls, as well as they did physical rescues.
EC: Do you like reality TV?
SMW: Yes, especially adventure ones. But I am not a massive reality TV person. I am a total rescue TV show junkie. I am currently binge watching the show, “Trapper.” I think I will write an upcoming book with a character who will be a trapper.
EC: What about the setting of Alaska?
SMW: My son Peter was born there, and we lived there for a time. I am enthralled with this setting. I did have some stories set here with my earlier books. It is an extremely wild and remote place. The terrain and the river in this story were like an antagonist. People have moose in their backyards. We have a good friend, Duane King, who is a Bush Pilot there and gives me information for my stories.
EC: How would you describe the hero, Oaken Fox in One Last Shot?
SMW: In another book, Flashpoint, Fox was a country music singer who wrote a soundtrack for a movie. Then I decided to put him in my rescue book. I am a total country music junkie. He is pampered, a want to be survivalist. Imagine the country music singer Brett Young. Oaken’s sister died after having a fight with him. His career came about after replacing his sister who was also a country music star.
EC: How would you describe the heroine, Boo Kingston, of One Last Shot?
SMW: I made her a reality TV star and described why she was called Boo. Her reputation was damaged on social media. She likes to improvise, is adaptable, spider-man type skills, brave, calm, fierce, and fearless. A loner with secrets. She feels betrayed by the reality show stuff. She is no-nonsense. She takes her privacy seriously. Because she is an ex-Marine, she has those skills of let’s get the job done, with a sense of loyalty and teamwork.
EC: What about the relationship?
SMW: She is guarded and cautious about it. They grow into deciding they want to watch each other’s back but do have trust issues. Oaken is sunshine, while Boo is grumpy. I had him learn about her secret early in the story. She is more protective of him. They find themselves working together.
EC: What about the second book in the series, One Last Chance?
SMW: I was watching a You-Tube video about the Coast Guard, and how the people on the ship were trying to survive after it went down. Someone had said ‘had it not been for the voice on the radio, I would have given up.” I wanted to write that scene of how someone encouraging and believing in the person could keep them alive. I wanted to try to figure out how the hero’s boat went underwater but he survived. Plus, I added a serial killer as part of the story.
EC: How would you describe the heroine in the story, Flynn Turnquist?
SMW: She comes to Alaska to find her missing sister, Kennedy. She is a detective who hunts serial killers. She feels trapped and is obsessed in finding out what happened to her sister. She is super driven. She is angry, focused, and meticulous because she is searching for answers. She is much more of a lone wolf.
EC: How would describe the hero, Axel?
SMW: He is happy-go-lucky and easy going. He is a team player. He is also responsible, funny, kind, and charming. He wants closure to find out what happened to his cousin.
EC: What about the relationship and how does the “Titanic” movie come into play?
SMW: She helps keep him focused. She is guarded. Both are driven by justice and redemption. The question in my mind, would Jack and Rose from Titanic really have made it with the obstacles set aside? In Flynn’s mind she is wondering if she, like Rose, is just sucked into a relationship versus a “real” long-lasting one.
EC: Kennedy versus her sister Flynn?
SMW: Kennedy had taken alcohol and drugs. She is a free spirit, selfishly independent. She has been described as the light with Flynn the darkness.
EC: Next books?
SMW: The third book in this series, One Last Promise releases in August of this year featuring Moose and Tillie. The last book in the series, One Last Stand releases in October of this year will feature Shep and London, who has a secret identity.
I will also be writing books that will come out in 2025 about the Minnesota Kingstons, Boo’s family. There will be heists and prison breaks. It will start out with the wedding of Boo and Oaken.
There will also be a three-book series titled, “Call of the Wild,” a K-9 branch out in 2026. This series will be about tracking people. Axel’s brother, Moose, will be featured.
THANK YOU!!
***
BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for CAPTIVATING ANIKA (On Call Book #9)(Police and Operation Alpha) by Freya Barker on this Buoni Amici Release Blitz.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Blurb
Anika Jones has her future carefully plotted out and is checking the boxes, one by one, despite the bumps thrown in her path. This last one is a challenge, but she manages to stay on track; her salon is thriving, and she just bought a house. Unfortunately, when one of her employees runs into trouble, she inevitably gets sucked in, throwing her carefully paced life off-balance. It doesn’t help a friend, who’s been ghosting her for a year, suddenly makes an appearance.
He was born to pig farming, but for Noah (Hog) Hodgekins fighting fires is his calling. He wasted too many years honoring a legacy he wants no part of. But now that he’s finally free from family obligations, there’s nothing holding him back from pursuing the life he’s been dreaming of. The first step is mending bridges with the one person who is central to that future, but she comes with her own challenges, family and otherwise.
Instead of treading carefully to gain her heart, he ends up throwing caution to the wind when her recent string of bad luck lands the FBI on her doorstep.
CAPTIVATING ANIKA (On Call Book #9)(Police and Operation Alpha) by Freya Barker is an exciting romantic suspense addition to the On Call series. Each of these books stand on their own and have a complete suspense plot and romance, but there is some crossover of characters from previous books in the series. If you love romantic suspense as much as I do all the books in this series are worth a read and contain wonderful mature and sexy heroes and heroines.
Anika Jones has worked hard to achieve her goals. Her hair salon is thriving, and she has been able to buy her own home. Her main bump in the road was a diagnosis of RA and fibromyalgia a year ago, but with a change in lifestyle, she has been able to cope well with few recognizing a change. When one of her stylists is having troubles with her abusive husband, Anika tries to help, but there is more danger involved than just the abuse. When the danger involves Anika, her brother’s friend and fellow firefighter jumps in to help and protect her.
Noah “Hog “ Hodgekins has been dreaming of calling Anika his own for years, but with family obligations and working with her brother, he has put it off and been avoiding her. Now, with her life in danger, he is determined to concur any challenges to make her the center of his life and keep her safe.
I love this series and have been waiting for this new book! Anika and Noah are a wonderful couple, and you want nothing but a HEA for them. This is a friendship-to-lover and best friend’s sister-to-lover romance that works beautifully. They are mature adults who know how to compromise and communicate, which brings their worlds together fairly easily and makes them strong as a couple. The sex scenes are smokin’ hot and realistic without being gratuitous. The suspense plot is intense and well-paced with a twist at the end that I did not see coming. This story hits all the right notes for me and has everything I look for in this genre.
I highly recommend this wonderful romantic suspense, the entire series, and this author!
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Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.
Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Best friends and partners through high-stakes missions . . . And the biggest risk they’ll take is falling in love.
Eight months ago, black ops operative, Magician, infiltrated a sex-slave ring. Little did she realize the mission would not only change her life forever, but kick off a series of events no one saw coming.
Romeo still can’t wipe the image of Magician’s battered body nearly dying in his arms. Since then, one-night stands have lost their appeal. Now, his best friend and partner stars in fantasies he has no business envisioning.
When a pro-American Oil lobbyist and a Saudi Arabian Oil Sheikh—two natural enemies—join forces to destroy new legislation allowing America to gain independence from foreign oil, they utilize bombings to throw the country into chaos.
Magician’s intuition knows there’s a connection between the two, but she’s forbidden to investigate since she has no evidence. Romeo doesn’t think twice about defying orders and remains by Magician’s side. He was sidelined once and Magician paid a horrific price, he will not let anyone hurt her again. Their investigation takes them across the globe, jeopardizing their careers and lives.
But nothing is riskier than gambling their friendship to find love…
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Elise’s Thoughts
Crossing The Line by P. A. DePaul is the third book in the series. Each book is part of the romantic suspense genre. Whereas the first two books were more suspense than romance, this book is more romance than suspense with the heroine Magician and the hero Romeo, part of the Delta Squad team.
The story goes back to eight months ago. Magician was part of a black ops mission, going undercover to infiltrate a sex-slave ring. Little did she realize the mission would change her life forever. The team was sent it to rescue the girls with Romeo assigned to rescue Magician. He still can’t wipe the image of Magician’s battered body nearly dying in his arms. Since then, one-night stands have lost their appeal. Now, he realizes he is falling for his best friend and partner.
The suspense part of the plot has a pro-American Oil lobbyist and a Saudi Arabian Oil Sheikh-two natural enemies-join forces to destroy new legislation allowing America to gain independence from foreign oil, they utilize bombings to throw the country into chaos. It is during a party that Magician attended that she recognizes the lobbyist as being an assistant of the Sheikh, knowing that both were involved in the sex trafficking ring.
But because she has no evidence, the SBG Agency will not give her the go ahead to investigate. She and her partner Romeo decide to defy the order to stand down. Together they investigate on their own with only the help of another teammate, Talon. They are taking a big risk to expose the Sheik and lobbyist, but also realize that they are risking getting emotionally and intimately involved.
This novel emphasizes how the characters through their profession and relationship find that the greatest gift of all is survival, success, and finding a soul mate. DePaul allows the relationship to grow into an intimate one of unbreakable love The protagonists are complex and caring who teach each other how to trust again. The mission is intense and will keep readers guessing until the very end.
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Author Interview
Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for this book?
P. A. DePaul: I was intrigued how Americans became less dependent on foreign oil when I started writing this book. There was also a backstory that started with Exchange of Fire that I delved into with this book in the opening scene. The common thread with all three books is the incident in Mexico. Readers could read each book on their own, but had they read all three books they got a deeper understanding of the op.
EC: Does each member of the team, part of the SBG Agency, have their own set of skills?
PAD: I modeled it off of real life where most of the operators have a dedicated skill set, they bring to the team. I have spoken to a lot of law enforcement and read a lot of military books. My father was military and law enforcement. Wraith, who was highlighted in the first book, Exchange of Fire, is the sniper, while her significant other Grady, being a former Marine, has his military skills. Talon likes to infiltrate and is good with knives. Romeo was a former law enforcement explosives expert. Magician is good with disguises for herself and the team. Jeremy aka Cappy is the strategist and commander. Ted is the IT expert. The team dynamics include love, support, respect, and grief. In book one the team was in it in the last half, in book two the team was in it from beginning to end, and in book three the team was hardly in it.
EC: Did this book have more intimate scenes than the other two books in the series?
PAD: Yes. Any reader that read all the books would have witnessed how Magician and Romeo started recognizing each other on a more romantic level. It just felt right for the progression they had gone through from the beginning. This one was heavier on the romantic and less on the suspense. The first book, Exchange of Fire, had a lot of high action, the second book, Shadow of Doubt, had deeper characters.
EC: How would you describe Magician, the female lead?
PAD: She goes undercover and likes to isolate herself. She is direct, broken, charming, and manipulative. She wants a place to belong because she is afraid of being abandoned. She is very complex.
EC: How would you describe Romeo, the male lead?
PAD: A player who at times can be shallow. He is warm-hearted, humorous, loyal, charming, confident, restless, and introspective. I love the part about him that he reads romance novels to understand what women are thinking.
EC: What about the relationship between the two of them?
PAD: A lot of bantering. They went from friends to lovers. They consider themselves best friends, partners, and have a bond. They have an intense attraction. They have divergent backgrounds. Romeo is from wealth, and she was always abandoned. He wants to protect her, while she is his anchor. Magician is not as trusting of him because he is a player and what happened to her on the op. Because of that op she experiences fear, panic, doubt, and suspicion. Her heart thinks differently than her mind. Because of her childhood she wants to ensure that her teammates and partner, Romeo, will entrust her to help with the mission.
EC: Did the third book have more banter between the characters than the other books?
PAD: Yes, Magician and Romeo tease each other a lot with a lot of sarcasm back and forth. They have that comfort and do charm each other. Wraith/Grady and Cappy/Michelle walked on eggs more in their relationship. Probably because they were in such intense situations.
EC: How would you describe the two women operatives, Wraith and Magician?
PAD: They do have similarities. They both are dedicated to make the mission a success. They have a tender side to them. Wraith can compartmentalize a little more. I see them as quick-witted with sharp minds. Magician can turn on the charm and sway decisions, while Wraith is more direct, and she is not good at shmoozing. But since that Mexican mission they have become distant and guarded with secrets.
EC: The second book, Shadow of Doubt highlights Cappy and Michelle?
PAD: It starts out with Cappy already the team leader. He is always trying to put the team and mission first. He is all about everyone else but himself. Michelle is trying to overcome being a victim of that Mexican op. They both have in common that they had to give up their families.
EC: Next books?
PAD: I would like to write Talon’s book. But I am in a holding pattern trying to figure out what his story is. It feels like I am forcing things. Talon is not the most diplomatic and always says it like it is.
Another book is a spin-off in the SBG world, romantic suspense genre. The books we were talking about today has a team, the Delta Squad. But the spin-off will have a single operator, someone who gets in and out. It will come out the end of this year, or the beginning of next year. The working title is Spy Versus Spy. Each spy works for two different agencies and they will eventually have to work together.
THANK YOU!!
***
BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for SECONDARY TARGET (The Secrets of Kincaid Book #1) by Angela Carlisle on this Partner In Crime Virtual Book Tour.
Below you will find a book description, my book review, and excerpt from the book, the author’s bio and social media links, and a Kingsumo giveaway. Good luck on the giveaway and enjoy!
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Book Description
THE SECRETS OF KINCAID
A ruthless murderer. A deadly secret. An unbreakable love.
After the brutal murder of her mother and brother twelve years ago, Corina Roberts built a new life in Kentucky. But when strange things begin to happen, she is thrust into a perilous game of life and death. With nowhere else to turn, her best hope of survival depends on her ex-boyfriend, army veteran Bryce Jessup.
Recently returned from service, Bryce has every intention of staying away from Corina, but when threats close in around her, he isn’t willing to leave her safety to chance. As their search for answers uncovers lethal secrets her detective father kept hidden, Bryce and Corina must untangle the mystery of the merciless killer intent on terrorizing and eliminating Corina’s family before it’s too late.
Genre: Romantic Suspense Published by: Bethany House Publishers Publication Date: May 7, 2024 Number of Pages: 336 ISBN: 9780764242502 (ISBN10: 0764242504) Series: The Secrets of Kincaid, Book 1
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Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
SECONDARY TARGET (The Secrets of Kincaid Book #1) by Angela Carlisle is an action filled gripping Christian romantic suspense set in small-town Kentucky where danger from one of the heroine’s P.I. father’s cold cases come back to threaten all those she loves. This is a well written start to a new series from a debut author.
Corina Roberts has built a new life with her father in a small Kentucky town. Strange things begin to happen that are increasingly threatening and she also discovers her father has been keeping secrets from her. With her father in the hospital, she turns to her Army veteran ex-boyfriend to assist her in discovering who is after her.
Bryce Jessup returned to his hometown hoping to stay out of his ex’s way, but when Corina is threatened, he is not willing to leave her unprotected. Corina and Bryce must untangle the mystery behind a ruthless killer from her father’s past before he eliminates everyone she loves, including her.
I really enjoyed these characters and the main suspense plot. Corina and Bryce both had communication issues after a tragic accident that ended their relationship, but they slowly resolve these problems even as they are dodging a killer. Corina is also dealing with her father keeping secrets from her, and her loss of faith after the two horrible tragedies in her life. While Corina and Bryce both have moments of prayer and discussions of faith, it did not disrupt the pace of the suspense plot. This is a Christian romantic suspense so there are no sex scenes in this second chance romance. I enjoyed both the well-developed characters and the well-paced romantic suspense plot.
I recommend this exciting Christian romantic suspense and I am looking forward to the next book in this series from this new author.
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Excerpt
1
Security alarms shattered the autumn morning’s tranquility.
The mechanical shrieks pierced Corina Roberts’s consciousness, dissipating any lingering fog of sleep.
Not again.
She threw back the covers and rolled from the bed, revolver drawn from the nightstand before her feet touched the polished oak floor. She shoved the holster into her pocket but didn’t bother searching for her phone. Her dad’s security system was configured exactly like her own and would send a notification to the police within thirty seconds of being triggered if they didn’t shut it off. Help would be here soon enough. In the meantime, she’d be prepared to protect herself if necessary.
As she reached for the bedroom door, her German shepherd howled, creating a dissonant chorus with the wailing alarm. Shivers chased themselves up her spine. Her hand tightened around the revolver’s rose–wood–and–steel grip, and a fraction of her tension melted away. The .38 Special LadySmith fit her hand perfectly.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t need it.
She sucked in a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder. “Houston. Quiet.”
The howling broke off abruptly, but agitation continued to radiate from him. Before she had the door fully open, he burst through it, nearly knocking her off–balance in the process.
She slipped into the darkened hallway after him and caught sight of her father already standing at the front door, his own gun held in a ready position as he peered out the peephole. He would have checked the security monitor as soon as the alarms started. Whatever triggered them must be somewhere along the front of the house. The bright glow of motion–sensing lights beyond his position confirmed it.
“What is it?” She raised her voice to be heard over the alarm.
“I don’t know yet. Stay back.” He didn’t look her direction as he crept from the peephole to the edge of a nearby window and parted the blinds with his finger. Seconds passed. They were well past the requisite thirty now. “Turn the alarm off.”
Keeping to the perimeter of the entryway, she did as he asked. Sudden silence engulfed the home, but her eardrums still pulsed with the electronic rhythm of the previous few moments.
She glanced at her dad, and he signaled her to wait. Together they listened, but no sound carried through the door. Whoever had set off the alarm had probably been frightened away. Or were they merely biding their time?
Her dad bent down until his lips were close to her ear. “I’m going out the back to have a look around.”
She latched onto his arm as he started to turn away. “Wait for the police, Dad.”
“If anyone’s still out there, the police will scare them off.”
“Then let them get scared off.” Her voice rose on the last words, and he pressed a finger to her lips.
“Shh. I know what I’m doing. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He extracted himself from her grasp as he spoke.
Something akin to panic wrapped around her chest as he strode down the hallway. She had to stop him from doing something reckless. Something that could get him killed.
She followed him to the spare bedroom and found him unlocking a window. Even with the alarm off, he couldn’t use the back door without setting off the motion sensors. A window was his only option. But a window wouldn’t do much good if he needed to make a quick reentry.
“Don’t go out there, Dad.” Corina tried to still the slight tremble in her voice. She hated sounding weak, but more than that, she knew it would only feed her dad’s protective instincts.
“I need to, Corina.”
“Why? So you can play hero?” She refused to cringe at the implication of her words or take them back. Her dad didn’t play hero—-and they both knew it. But she never understood why he was always adamant about investigating threats on his own. Almost as if he didn’t trust the police to do their jobs.
He didn’t answer her. Just started easing the window upward. He wasn’t going to listen, so she said the first thing she could think of. “Fine. I’m going with you.”
Her wild shot hit its mark. Her dad stopped midmotion and turned back to face her. Even in the near darkness, she could see the steel in his gaze.
“No. You’re not. Stay here and keep Houston close.” Quiet finality rang in his words, but she lifted her chin in defiance, tamping the fear that threatened her control.
“I’m not a child, and if you’re going, so am I.”
“Corina, I know you’re not a child, but I don’t have time to argue with you. Stay. Here.” He fixed her with a look that had once made hardened criminals sweat.
She met it. Matched it. And waited.
The faint sound of a quickly approaching vehicle interrupted their glaring match and saved her further argument. The car stopped at their house, strobing lights announcing the police had arrived.
Her dad frowned and brushed past her to let them inside. He wasn’t happy, but he was safe. She’d stalled him long enough.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Corina leaned back against the wall as red and blue lights bounced around her. She slipped her revolver into her pocket holster, then clasped her arms across her chest to hide the trembling in her hands.
Buried memories surfaced, and she fought a wave of nausea. Not now. She clenched her fists and forced herself to focus on the present until the feeling subsided. She’d dwell on the past another day. Maybe.
Bryce Jessup’s hands stilled in the middle of his fifty–third rep. Police lights flashed outside his front window, and they weren’t just passing by. Not normal for sleepy Kincaid, Kentucky, especially at four in the morning. He lowered the barbell to its resting place and removed the headphones pumping upbeat music into his ears.
He tossed a towel around his neck before moving to peer outside. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of a cruiser parked across the street. Corina doesn’t live there anymore, he reminded himself. His sister had assured him of that.
Her father hadn’t moved, though.
Concern for the overly private man prompted him to step outside. He ignored the midforties temps and focused on the two officers from the local PD standing on the Robertses’ porch. With their backs to him, he couldn’t identify them. Truth was, he might not know them anyway. It had been several years since he’d spent more than a week or two in his hometown. Change in a small town might be stilted, but it was still inevitable.
Will Roberts stepped into view, leaving the door open behind him. Okay, so he was safe. Bryce held his breath, trying to hear the low voices, but he was too far away.
A flash of fur caught his eye as a familiar—-though now fully grown—-German shepherd pushed around Will to investigate the officers and the mess littered about the porch. A mess Bryce hadn’t noticed until now. He eyed the upturned trash can.
“Houston. Inside.” The command came from somewhere behind Will. The feminine voice was one Bryce knew all too well. His gaze settled on a shadow in the darkened doorway. His jaw tensed. So Corina was there after all. Why would Allye tell him she’d moved if she hadn’t?
When his mom had offered to rent him their old home upon his return from active duty, he’d put her off with excuses, not caring to voice the real reason behind his hesitation. Allye wasn’t fooled, though. At least she’d had the decency to wait until their mom was out of earshot before flatly informing him that Corina had moved. She hadn’t called him a coward, hadn’t even insinuated it. But he’d felt like one just the same as he took his mom up on her offer.
Now he just felt like a fool.
He truly intended to seek Corina out at some point—-try to make things right. But he had no intention of seeing her day after day in the neighborhood where they’d shared so many memories. That was asking too much.
Far too much. He cleared his throat, and Houston’s head shot up. Now you’ve done it, Jessup.
“Houston.” Corina’s call was slightly louder this time.
Houston glanced at the doorway. Back at Bryce. Back at the door-way. In an instant, he was off the porch and making a beeline for him. Bryce braced himself for the impact of paws against his chest. “Oof!” Houston had definitely grown since the last time he’d seen him.
He grunted and pushed the excited animal off him. “Down.” Without taking his eyes off the scene across the street, Bryce bent to ruffle the fur on the dog’s neck. “So you remember me, huh, boy?”
One of the officers turned, and he recognized Mike Broaddus, a senior member of their small department and one affectionately dubbed “Officer Mike” whether on or off duty. Although Mike was the type to keep a bag of candy in his patrol car just in case he had a chance to treat the neighborhood kids, he could also hold his own against any criminal likely to show up in this town.
As the man began walking toward him, Bryce straightened and pointed at the Robertses’ house. “Go home, Houston.” The dog sauntered off, taking his time but headed in the right direction.
“Well, if it isn’t Bryce Jessup. I’d heard you came back.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Bryce nodded, then gestured to the Robertses’ home. “Some excitement this morning?”
“Yeah.” Officer Mike scratched his head. “Something triggered his alarm system. You didn’t happen to see anything, did you?”
“Sorry, no. I was up but didn’t look outside until just now.”
“Figures. Eric’s taking a look around, but there’s no evidence anyone made it inside—-or even tried to, if you discount the alarms.” The man sighed. “I’d better get back over there.”
“You mind if I come with you?” Bryce could have kicked himself the instant the request popped out of his mouth.
Officer Mike quirked an eyebrow. “You and Corina back together?”
“No.” His lips firmed, and he was thankful for the darkness that hid the heat rising in his neck. Officer Mike and everyone else had been aware of their previous relationship. And why it ended.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to hit on a touchy subject.”
Bryce waved him off. “Not touchy. That ship sailed a long time ago.” Five years ago next month to be exact.
“Understood.” Officer Mike turned away. “I suppose it won’t hurt. Just don’t touch anything.”
“Thanks.” Bryce followed the officer across the street, still trying to figure out why he’d asked to come. He paused at the edge of the Robertses’ porch and glanced at the still–open door. No Corina. He wasn’t sure whether he was more relieved or disappointed. As much as he dreaded their inevitable meeting, he couldn’t help wondering how the last five years had treated her.
Will had his back to him and didn’t seem to notice his presence, but the other cop who’d arrived with Mike caught his eye and nodded. Eric Thornton. Of all the guys he’d attended high school with, Eric was the last one Bryce would have expected to hang around Kincaid this long. Maybe things had changed even less than he’d thought.
Bryce returned the nod, then allowed his gaze to travel the area. Might as well be useful while he was here. His eyes landed again on the upturned trash can. This was garbage day, so it had probably been full—-hence the mess. But he saw nothing that should have set off the alarm. Nothing unless . . .
On a hunch, he circled the outside perimeter of the porch, paying careful attention to a muddy patch near one corner. Yep. There they were. He motioned to the men. “Hey, I have some footprints over here.”
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Author Bio
Angela Carlisle (AngelaCarlisle.com) resides in the hills of northern Kentucky and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN. Angela is an editor by day and prefers to spend her free time reading, baking, and drinking ridiculous quantities of hot tea. Her unpublished works have won awards in ACFW’s Genesis and First Impressions contests and placed in the Daphne du Maurier contest. Her shorter fiction works, including the prize-winning flash-fiction piece “Mansion Murderer,” have appeared in Splickety and Spark magazines.
