REVIEW: LIFE FLIGHT by Lynette Eason

 Hey everyone! Today I have a review for Lynette Eason's latest book, Life Flight, a Christian romantic suspense which released recently. Check out more info on the book before my review: 

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EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

MY REVIEW

I did have some fairly high expectations going into this book, so I had a bit of trouble deciding whether or not those expectations influenced my view of the book overall. I'm a huge fan especially of Eason's earlier works, but I found this one to definitely be a little far-fetched (with things that I can't mention or...big spoilers.) It was fast-paced for sure, and the main characters were easy to empathize with, plus they were enjoyable to read. I also loved the romance aspect of the story, and the characters fit very well together (it's a pairing that you'll probably root for right from the beginning). However, the suspense end of the story didn't really get going or feel like "traditional Eason" until the last seventy pages or so, which was a bit of a disappointment for me. Setting those issues aside, I did enjoy this story overall. So if you're an Eason fan, you'll probably like it -- if you're a fan of books that blend realistic circumstances into fiction, maybe not so much. 

Have you read any books by Eason? What's your favorite? 

REVIEW: TRUTH UNSHAKEN by Kristina Hall!

 Hey everyone! Today I have a review for Truth Unshaken by Kristina Hall, which is the final book in the Moretti Trilogy. I was given the opportunity to review this novel (the whole series, actually -- you can check out my prior reviews on my blog as well!) actually last year, but I just was too busy with the holidays and everything to properly sit down and read it until recently, hence...the review today! Before I get into the review, here's some info about the book:

Whom can they trust?

After losing her parents, Carla Belardi discovers her life was a lie. Now, she must flee unless she wants her parents' fate to be her own.

Frank Ashton lost the use of his legs—and his desire to live—in the Great War. When Carla is brought to his home injured, he gains a friend. But despite the attraction growing between them, he can never burden her with a cripple.

Alberto Moretti thought he could do good working for the Prohibition Unit—until he finds out his new employer isn't much better than the criminals he once served. Now, he has to fight both sides—the Prohibition Unit and the crooked Belardis.

When danger surrounds Carla, Frank, and Alberto from too many angles, will they put their trust in the Truth that will never be shaken?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

MY REVIEW

I was really conflicted on how to rate this because while the storyline was compelling, the how the characters were written confused me once in awhile. I think part of that was probably because I was really intrigued over Frank's character since he was initially introduced in the series and his characterization was pretty rocky when he got his own story -- while people struggling with PTSD and other problems that Frank faces can swing between bitter moments and stable moments, not to mention stumbling in his trust in God, which are completely understandable and accurate, but the transitions between those felt a little stiff to me. However, the attitude toward Frank and his disability, were extremely accurate for the times, and I think that's worth noting. Moretti's side of the story was full of speakeasies and "good" cops turning into bad, which definitely keeps the reader guessing. Plus, Carla's storyline might be my favorite out of the women of the Moretti trilogy, and it was interesting to see her paired with Frank.  This story starts off with a bang and then lulls a little bit (except for Moretti being, well, Moretti. Someone get that guy a medic...) I also enjoyed the themes of becoming more mature in your faith and seeing opportunities to grow and taking them instead of letting life pass you by.  If you're a fan of the Moretti trilogy, you'll definitely want to pick this one up! 

Have you read the Moretti trilogy yet, or are you thinking about picking it up sometime?

REVIEW: THE BLOOD REPUBLIC by Angela R. Watts!

 Hey everyone! Today is the official release day of The Blood Republic, book 4 of The Infidel Books! I had the opportunity to be an advanced reader for this, and...wow. Just. Wow. If you're a fan of the series, you'll want to order a copy ASAP. Before I get into the review, here's a bit about the book itself.

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“THIS NATION WILL BE REBUILT FROM BLOOD.”

The Second Civil War ends and West Johnston is heir to the new nation—but the war in the shadows continues as they rebuild America. With team members missing, West must help save his family. But the team discovers a biological weapon, and if they fail to maintain power, it will fall into the enemy’s hands.

Meanwhile, the crew finds intelligence that will change the course of the nation, and must team up with unlikely friends to escape government labs. If Gideon, Spencer, and Rene’ can survive, then new hopes await—but not everyone will make it out alive.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

MY REVIEW

I've seen good book series. I've seen great book series. And then there's this one. Watts has an excellent ability to weave plots, character arcs, and themes -- and those skills are portrayed beautifully in THE BLOOD REPUBLIC. This novel is so satisfying, not just as its own story, but as a part of the larger series itself. I can't think of anything to say that won't basically spoil everything, but let me just say: you'll laugh, you'll cry, your heart will have all the fuzzy feels (and all the other feels that make you wanna throw your book at the wall--not recommended if you use an ereader), and then you'll read it again. I can't wait to see what lies in store next. 

Have you read THE INFIDEL BOOKS? Plan on picking it up? 

COVER REVEAL: A STUDY IN TERMINAL by Kara Linaburg!

Hey everyone! Today I'm sharing a post with the cover reveal for Kara Linaburg's upcoming novel, A Study in Terminal, which will be coming this summer! The cover is stunning, the story is even better, and I'm so excited to share with ya! 

First, some info about the book: 

The hardest goodbyes are the ones we never got to say...

Sean Brogan has spent most of his life running from a past he can never escape and the scars he carries are ones no one can see. He plans to slip into the sleepy town of Lake Fort, West Virginia as quietly as he did ten years before, but his life has never gone as planned. 
As Sean spends time in town, he has no choice but to face the pain that he buried from a life cut off too soon.
An anthem for those of us who have been left behind, “A Study in Terminal” is a vulnerable story about the human condition that reminds us that to beat your past, you first must learn to turn around and face it. 
A Study in Terminal coming June 7th, 2022

Make sure to follow Kara Linaburg on Instagram as well as Monarch Education Services for more updates on the book as the release date arrives. 

Now, you ready for the cover? 
Check it out below...

 Isn't that awesome? I can't wait for the release. Are you looking forward to reading this too? 

THOSE WITH EARS: eARC & Launch Team Members Wanted!

 Hey everyone! I'm dropping in super quick to let everyone know that I still have space available for launch and eARC team members if you want to read Those With Ears, which is being released under my new pen name Makenzie Gray. The teams have been open for a little while now, but I've updated dates and whatnot to reflect which dates I need filled the most, and I'm ALWAYS game for more reviewers!  I just sent out the first batch of eARC copies and will continue doing so as necessary for anyone who would like to sign up. HOWEVER, the signups for both reviewers and the tour will be closing very soon, January 15th, so as to give everyone time to read or prep posts.  Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. 

Check out the link HERE.

And ICYMI, here's some info on the book itself!

What will Takvi do when the End begins?
In the blink of an eye, Takvi's guardians disappear into thin air, along with thousands more. When the government swiftly moves to cover up the Disappearing, she and her siblings grapple with the truth behind what happened. They've been government loyalists their whole lives, but a split in opinions threatens to upend their lives permanently.

And Takvi is trapped in a vacuum where no solution leaves her or her family unscathed, which is the one thing she can't bear.

The illegal book their guardians left them has answers that agree with her siblings, but Takvi struggles to accept it. When the newly-formed government tightens its grip in eerie prophetic fashion, will she stand up or will she fold? Will any of it matter in the end of the world?

A compelling apocalyptic story on redemption, sibling bonds, and seeking truth in a corrupt world, Those With Ears is the first novel in the Midnight Hour series.

Save it on GOODREADS | Preorder on AMAZON

What I've Been Up To + 2022 Plans

Hey everyone! I know it's been awhile since I've given any updates on my own writing, so...here's a big info-dump about some projects I'm hoping will be coming your way soon! 

1. Where Giants Fall anthology arriving March 2022. I've been having a blast co-hosting this with Angela R. Watts, and will also have my own story in the collection as well. I'm excited to share more soon! 

2. "Away From You" short story arriving July 2022. 
This one is a Christmassy short that I was admittedly hoping to have finished and sent as a newsletter gift for this Christmas, but that just isn't going to happen this year. Instead, I'm determined to publish it as a precursor to the next project (below), in July 2022, as a whole "Christmas in July" thing. We'll see. 
 

3. Back To Me novel arriving October 2022.
This is a contemporary Christian novel that has been rattling around in my head since the beginning of this year, but it's a tough one. I'm hoping to have it released in late fall 2022, namely around October. Stay tuned for more details, but for now, here's a moodboard for it as well as "Away From You" -- 

AND don't forget that I'm also writing under a pen name, Makenzie Gray, so make sure to check out those projects too!

1. The Depths We'll Go To anthology just arrived December 7th. I have a short story titled "Salt and Light" in the anthology!
You can click HERE to order your own copies. There are a lot of fantastic authors featured in this anthology, and I'm still so excited that I was accepted! 

2.  Those With Ears is set to arrive February 1, 2022, and is available for preorder on Amazon.
The preorder link is HERE and you can also add it on Goodreads! If you want to read it before anyone else, I also have eARC copies available HERE!

3. Let Them Hear, the sequel to Those With Ears, is set to arrive in 2022. 

Blurb and cover reveal forthcoming for this one!

SO - which projects are you looking forward to? Any questions? Let me know in the comments below! 

COVER REVEAL: THE BLOOD REPUBLIC by Angela R. Watts!

Hey everyone!  Today I'm super pumped to share the cover reveal for The Infidel Books #4, The Blood Republic by Angela R. Watts!!  Check out the blurb below and then scroll for that cover...you won't want to miss it. 

 BLURB

“THIS NATION WILL BE REBUILT FROM BLOOD.”

The Second Civil War ends and West Johnston is heir to the new nation—but the war in the shadows continues as they rebuild America. With team members missing, West must help save his family. But the team discovers a biological weapon, and if they fail to maintain power, it will fall into the enemy’s hands.

Meanwhile, the crew finds intelligence that will change the course of the nation, and must team up with unlikely friends to escape government labs. If Gideon, Spencer, and Rene’ can survive, then new hopes await—but not everyone will make it out alive.

Releasing January 11th, 2022

What do you think of that cover?! Sound off in the comments below and make sure to follow Angela R. Watts across her social media for updates as we approach January 11th!