Cold Terror (Cold Harbor #1) by Susan Sleeman

Title: Cold Terror (Cold Harbor #1)

Author: Susan Sleeman

Pages: 138

Release Date: September 12, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Rose City Press

Format: eBook

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novella from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Forensic artist, Hannah Perry’s skills made her a valuable asset to the police…

     A young woman has been murdered. Her body unidentified. Her skull recently discovered by the police, and Hannah feels compelled to help find the killer. Even if she’s on a much-needed vacation on a secluded island with her young son. She could work on the reconstruction in the evenings while her son slept. But as the woman’s face takes shape, an assailant invades Hannah’s cabin and tries to end her life. Before he can permanently silence her, she and her son flee the island in a small boat. Trouble is, as they approach Cold Harbor, ocean waves capsize the boat, enveloping them both in cold terror.

     But it also makes her the next target.

     Former SEAL Gage Blackwell can’t believe his eyes as he plunges into the raging waters to rescue the pair. Owner of Blackwell Tactical—a law enforcement training facility and protection services agency—Gage pulls the woman he once loved from the angry ocean. When he learns of her attack, he vows to protect her while hunting down the killer. Alone and vulnerable, Hannah has to accept Gage’s protection—even if it means staying close to the man who’d once walked out on her without a backward glance.

My review:

     A riveting romantic suspense novella!

     The development of both Hannah and Gage is wonderful. I love all the details that are given slowly throughout the story about the past relationship. It was great to meet all the members of Gage’s security team. I am looking forward to finding out more about each of them as each book in this series comes out.

     The action in this book is fantastic. I was kept guessing about the details of the danger right up until the end of the story.

     This story is a great way to spend a few hours. I am highly recommending it and giving it a rating of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

At Your Request (Apart from the Crowd #0.5) by Jen Turano

Title: At Your Request (Apart from the Crowd #0.5)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 105

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Format: eBook

About the book:

     After Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff’s father lost the family fortune in a poor investment decision, she finds herself banished from the fashionable set within New York society and directly into the wallflower section. Taking on work as a social secretary in order to help with family expenses, she spends her time penning out invitations to all the most sought-after events, wondering if her life will ever improve.

     While languishing one evening at a ball given by one of the esteemed New York patriarchs, Wilhelmina is appalled to discover that Mr. Edgar Wanamaker, her oldest and dearest friend, and the first gentleman to offer her a marriage proposal, has shown up at the ball unexpectedly, having been absent from New York ever since she rejected his offer years before. 

My review:

     A hilarious historical romantic comedy!

     I have to start by mentioning the names of the characters in this charming novella. I got a chuckle out of quite a few of them just by reading them out loud. I know that different names were popular at different times in history, but I think that the author had to have put extra effort into coming up with some very funny combinations.

     The rules that people were expected to follow within society when attending a ball seemed strange to me. I was surprised to find that there were definite class distinctions within the upper class. I didn’t realize that there was a special area for “wallflowers” and that they were supposed to behave differently.

     I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff and Mr. Edgar Wanamaker. They were well developed and their background as childhood friends was very sweet. I’m very glad that I will have a chance to learn more about the other ladies in the wallflower section in the other books in this series.

     I am definitely giving this delightful story a 5-star rating. I highly recommend it. It would be an excellent choice if you are in the need of cheering up.

Plain Retribution (Amish Country Justice #2) by Dana R. Lynn

Title: Plain Retribution (Amish Country Justice #2)

Author: Dana R. Lynn

Pages: 224

Release Date: August 8, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     AMISH ABDUCTION

     Ten years ago while on rumspringa, Rebecca Miller and her friends were kidnapped and held captive…and now, living in the English world, she’s nearly abducted again. One by one her friends who once helped send their abductor to jail are targeted, and she is next…unless police officer Miles Olsen can stop a killer. Deaf since birth, the only person on the force that Rebecca can communicate with is Miles, and he needs this case to redeem himself of past mistakes. When the relentless killer tracks them deep into the heart of Amish country, protecting Rebecca must be Miles’s sole focus. Because a mistake this time will cost something worth more to him than his job—the woman he’s falling for.

My review:

     An amazing adrenaline rush!

     I absolutely love both Rebecca Miller and Miles Olsen! They are so incredibly well developed. The amount of details that are given as to how a deaf girl would be treated is fantastic. My heart broke for Rebecca every time that the distance between her and her family came up. I can’t imagine what it would be like to not be able to hear. This book helped me to have some understanding of what deaf people deal with all the time.

     The plot for this story was wonderful! There were lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing as to how everything fit together. I just knew that I needed to find out how the mystery of who was attacking Rebecca and why turned out. The attraction between Rebecca and Miles was just bonus content for me.

     I was enthralled with this book. I am highly recommending it and giving it a rating of 5 stars. I am really looking forward to the reading everything else by this author.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

Title: The Christmas Blessing

Author: Melody Carlson

Pages: 167

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Genre: Christmas 

Publisher: Revell Books

Format: eBook (also available in hardcover)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

    When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby’s father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant’s paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don’t know that she—or their grandson—exists. When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma?

     Beloved author Melody Carlson pens a story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.

My review:

     This is a delightful Christmas romance!

     I absolutely loved Amelia! She is a very sweet woman who is carrying a huge burden of heartache. She is beautifully presented and so well developed that many times I wished I could just wrap my arms around her and help to shoulder the load of pain she had.

     The development of the story is fantastic. This isn’t the light-hearted story that I was expecting based on the earlier Christmas books I’ve read by this author. It is filled with deep emotion. 

    

     I loved this amazing story. I am definitely giving it a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it. Reading it is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*