The SEAL: a spicy former military suspense romance

The SEAL is the first book in the Black Hawke Security series by Juliette N. Banks. Josh Hawke is a decorated SEAL and co-founder of Black Hawke Security, an elite team of former special ops who offer protection. When Blaze Cartwright, a famous rockstar, hires him to protect his daughter, Josh thinks it’s just another job. What he doesn’t count on is Cassy Cartwright and the instant attraction between them. The last thing he wants is to mix business with pleasure. Cassy isn’t happy that the quiet life she has fought for is being interrupted with private security; but when a stalker escapes from prison and makes it known that he is on his way to her, she can’t deny it anymore. Vowing to never love again, Josh focuses on protecting his clients. What will he do when Cassy begins to breach his walls? 

I love stories about the military and former military. The Black Hawke Security series is a steamy private security romance with lots of spice and suspense. I was enjoying The SEAL as Josh is a tough, intimidating former SEAL and Cassy is a sassy woman who won’t be a shrinking flower. The problem was the spicy scenes. I can enjoy and even tolerate certain levels of spiciness. However, the level of spiciness in this story was too much for me. I think it got too spicy too quickly. There was no build up, no learning curve. It went full throttle right off the bat. Overall, I enjoyed the story but felt the spiciness was too much for me. I am unsure if I will continue with the series. However, if you enjoy steamy romance with lots and lots of spice and suspense, I recommend The SEAL. 

The SEAL is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Operation: Restoration: second chances, suspense and faith

Operation: Restoration is the first book in the Wayside Ranch series by Kari Trumbo. Junior works at a special ranch that helps rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. When his boss is challenged to fix his one regret, he challenges everyone to do the same. Junior’s one regret: Gabby. Desperate to see her again; but how can he explain that he is not the same man? Gabby Loftens has become a counselor when Junior calls out of the blue and asks for her help with a new patient. Gabby is skeptical, why now? However, she wants to help and maybe it gives her the opportunity to learn why Junior walked out of her life. Maybe she can move on with her life once she learns this information. But when a trafficker threatens her patient, the ranch and everyone there, Junior and Gabby must find a way to protect them all. 

When I read the synopsis of this story, I was intrigued and looked forward to a story of redemption, hope and maybe a second chance romance. However, from the beginning, I felt the story dragged on and it was very hard to get into it. I didn’t care for Gabby as she was annoying and made odd decisions. I felt more for Junior who obviously was dealing with deep emotional wounds. Although the sensitive issues like human trafficking and PTSD were dealt with care, I felt Junior’s story was discussed far too quickly without any depth. Overall, I did not connect with this story. The story didn’t feel like the first book in a series. I felt as if I started in the middle. I will not be continuing the series. However, if you enjoy a clean, faith based drama, you may enjoy Operation: Restoration. 

Operation: Restoration is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Into The Tide: a brother's best friend, friends to lovers romance

Into the Tide is the first book in the Cottonwood Cove series by Laura Pavlov. Lila James is Hugh Reynolds’ best friend’s little sister and completely off-limits. She comes home for the summer after graduating from college and her brother, Travis, asks him to hire her at his restaurant. Of course, Hugh says yes. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Lila or Travis. However, it becomes complicated when he realizes that Lila has grown into a beautiful woman and she asks for a favor of her own. She wants him to help her fulfill a summer bucket list including losing her V-card. She’s only here for the summer and promises she won’t fall for him. They can remain friends at the end of the summer and it can be their secret. With so much at stake, how can he agree? But then every man has his breaking point. How can he refuse her? 

From the very beginning, Into the Tide is filled with drama, flirty banter, laughs and smiles with plenty of spiciness. I enjoyed Hugh as the protective man who struggles to see Lila as his best friend’s little sister. While Lila is nonchalant about her request, Hugh knows better and yet is very tempted. I enjoyed Lila as a woman who is trying to break free from her family’s past and wants to show the town and the world that she is a woman who can stand on her own two feet. She has a fight in her and I cheered as she fought to be her own person. I also enjoyed their supporting characters and I hope to see their own love stories in the series. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy brother’s best friend, friends to lovers romance, I recommend Into the Tide. 

Into the Tide is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Proposal: a clean military friends to lovers romance

The Proposal is the first book in the Brides of Beaufort series by Jess Mastorakos. Paul Bristol has been friends with Shelby Thompson since grade school; however he fell in love with her in high school. However, she firmly placed him in the friend zone. He settled on being her best friend. Now as a Marine who jumps out of airplanes for fun, he is not afraid to take risks, except where Shelby is concerned. When his public proposal to his girlfriend ends with rejection, he learns that proposing to the wrong woman because you can’t have the right one is never a good idea. However, Shelby is hiding a secret. She loves Paul as well but living with a life threatening condition, she doesn’t want to be a burden. Shelby has always had Paul’s heart, can he convince her to trust him with hers? 

The Proposal is a clean romance with plenty of drama, banter and deep issues. From the very beginning, I enjoyed Shelby and Paul’s characters. Shelby is learning to deal with a life threatening condition. I had never heard of this condition and the author does a great job explaining the condition without being overly technical. I loved Paul as a man who knows what he wants. I love how he shows that he wants Shelby and that supporting her as she deals with her condition is not a burden. Together, they were sweet. I also enjoyed their supporting characters and hope they get their own stories in the future. The great gesture at the end is very sweet and romantic. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy clean military romance, I highly recommend The Proposal. 

The Proposal is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Commanding Sia: a second chance romance with military suspense

Commanding Sia is the first book in the NCIS series by Zoe Dawson. JAG Lawyer Lieutenant Ambrosia “Sia” Soto returns from an investigation aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. James McCloud, she comes face to face with NCIS Special Agent Christophe “Chris” Vargas. They have a past. He was involved in the F-18 fighter jet accident that took her brother’s life six years ago. They were also once lovers and the loss of her brother tore them apart. After a new series of accidents, Sia and Chris are teamed up together to investigate. Is it a series of unfortunate pilot error or is there someone sabotaging the pilots? Once aboard, they soon realize they have a serial killer on board but who? Sia must trust her instincts and suppress the feelings for Chris that come roaring back. Can they find the killer before it’s too late? 

I love books about the military and especially featuring JAG lawyers and NCIS agents. Filled with suspense and action, Commanding Sia is a second chance romance. I loved Sia as the tough as nails lawyer who will go toe-to-toe with anyone and will not back down without a fight. When a new investigation hits close to home, Sia is partnered with Christ, a man who ignited a passion in her that she never forgot and the man she blames for her brother’s death. I also enjoyed Chris who carries his own guilt and wounds about the accident that took his friend’s life. The suspense was good and the identity of the killer was a surprise. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. If you enjoy romance with military suspense, I recommend Commanding Sia. 

Commanding Sia is available in eBook

The Christmas Keepsake: a family's story careful told in Christmas ornaments

The Christmas Keepsake is the second book in the Love in Bloom series by Annie Rains. Mallory Blue’s beloved grandmother, Nan, puts on a Christmas play in her community theater that has become a beloved tradition. However, this year is different. Nan is in a memory care living facility and putting on the Christmas play has fallen onto Mallory’s shoulders. As Mallory struggles to put on the play, two things help her keep going. First, a journal written by Nan which explains the story behind each handmade ornament on Nan’s tree. And second, Hollis Franklin, a man who is trying to prove to their small town that he is no longer the rebellious boy from the past. As Mallory reads Nan’s journal, she sees her Nan in a whole new light. There was so much she didn’t know about her grandmother, her family and the past. Can Mallory and Hollis learn the key to holiday magic isn’t the gifts under the tree? 

From the opening chapter, Mallory is a woman stuck in the middle. Between preserving her grandmother’s legacy and the expectations of the town with the reality of how to do it all. I loved that she wanted to hold on to her grandmother and the closeness they shared. My heart broke for her as she watched her grandmother slip away from her. I also enjoyed Hollis’s character. My heart broke for him as a man who was still trying to belong and seek forgiveness for all he did as a wild teen. I liked that Mallory learns to see Nan as a person, as a flawed woman who made decisions and choices. Overall, I enjoyed this story. It had great drama with lots of emotions. While this story is a sequel to The Finders Keepers Library, but I do recommend it, readers do not need to read it to understand Mallory’s story. If you enjoy a holiday story with a bit of romance, I highly recommend The Christmas Keepsake.  

The Christmas Keepsake is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Overdue: a crossroad decision to renew or start a new chapter

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins is a story of the crossroad decision to renew or start a new chapter. Ingrid Dahl is a cheerful twenty-nine year old librarian in Ridgetop, North Carolina. She has been happily dating her boyfriend, Cory, for the past eleven years. When Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement after two years of dating, Ingrid and Cory feel the pressure. They decide to take a one month break, to pursue other people, and come back together and make a final decision about marriage. Ingrid has someone in mind: her charming, yet grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski. She has had a crush on Macon for years but her best laid plans go awry and the month ends, Ingrid and Cory realize they are not ready to resume their relationship and her crush on Macon turns complicated. 

I was pulled into this book by the gorgeous cover and I loved the double meaning of the title as an overdue book or an overdue relationship. Plus I love books where books and lovers of books are featured. Overdue is described as “a beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way.” However, I did not see this description in the story. Overdue is slow, painfully snail slow, ramblings. There were way too many chapters which were way too long. I felt no connection to Ingrid as she tries to discover who or what she wants. I can’t imagine dating someone for eleven years and not have the “Where is this relationship doing?” conversation. I didn’t feel there was any real character development. I do not recommend Overdue. 

Overdue is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Marine's Marriage: a grumpy-sunshine romance with faith, hope and healing

The Marine’s Marriage is the first book in the Fuller Family in Brush Creek series by Liz Isaacson. After retiring from the Marines, Tate Benson has arrived in Nowhere, Utah in order to fix up his late grandfather’s house and join the local police department. Wren Fuller has her days filled with running the family’s cleaning company. While Tate calls and needs a maid for that morning, Wren decides to clean the house herself. She discovers that Tate is her new neighbor and behind his rude exterior hides a kind heart and a wounded soul. As Tate keeps his cool exterior, he and Wren can’t help but be drawn to each other. The Marine and the maid seem to be a match made in heaven. Can their new relationship weather the storms of past wounds and look to the hope of the future? 

The Marine’s Marriage is a grumpy-sunshine romance with hope, healing and faith. It is a fast read, fairly short. A perfect book for an afternoon of reading. I enjoyed the introduction of Wren and Tate. Wren is the quirky member of the Fuller clan who wears the shirts that irritate her mother. And Tate is the man carrying more than physical wounds. Their first meeting was funny with great banter as Wren goes toe-to-toe with grumpy Tate. The romance between Wren and Tate was good and I enjoyed their happily ever after. However, the sheer number of secondary characters was overwhelming and keeping track of them all was difficult. Overall, the story was good; however, I was not intrigued enough to read the rest of the series. If you enjoy stories of hope, healing and faith, I recommend The Marine’s Marriage. 

The Marine’s Marriage is available in paperback and eBook. 

Her Unexpected Cowboy: one birthday wish, a man with no memory and a web of danger

Her Unexpected Cowboy is the first book in the Unforgettable Cowboys series by Danae Little. Sydney hides out on her goat ranch, clinging to her loneliness and refuses to ask for help. While making a birthday wish, a handsome stranger shows up at her door, wounded with no memory. Sydney is torn between allowing him to stay in her barn or sending him on his way. When Jameson woke up on the side of the road, he came to the first house, he was struck by the beautiful woman who answered his call for help. As he struggles to restore his memories, he makes excuses to stay, to help her around the house all the while ignoring the warning ringing in his head. That is until the local sheriff comes to the ranch, Jameson recognizes his voice and a web of danger begins to close in. 

Her Unexpected Cowboy was my first book by Danae Little and I enjoy a good cowboy story. The beginning of the story was intriguing. I liked Sydney from the beginning. I liked her courage, strength and hard working attitude. She is lonely with only her pets and the goats on her ranch. She loves her life, the ranch but something is missing. Jameson was a man with no memory and the mystery around him was interesting. However, the story was slow. The suspense was okay. The resolution was a bit predictable. The author’s attention to detail was admirable but slowed down the story’s flow. The romance between Sydney and Jameson was sweet and their happily ever after was good. Overall, the story was okay; but, I will not be continuing the series. If you enjoy cowboy romance with a bit of suspense, you may enjoy Her Unexpected Cowboy. 

Her Unexpected Cowboy is a available in paperback and eBook

The Relationtrip: a vacation, friends to lovers romance

The Relationtrip by Elana Johnson asks the question: what do a reclusive author from Wisconsin and an outgoing real estate agent from Pittsburgh have in common? The answer is simply nothing. Logan Murphy is Sloane’s accidental best friend when one fateful choice brought them together on vacation five years ago. Every year since then, Logan and Sloane take an annual trip together. This year’s trip is to an adults only resort in Belize. When Sloane sees Logan at the airport for the final leg of their trip, she feels something, something that hasn’t happened for a very long time. However, Logan is hiding a secret as Sloane doesn’t know what he does for a living and she doesn’t know how he truly feels about her either. He wants more than a once-a-year trip with his best friend. He wants to be in her life every day. How will she react when she learns the truth? Will it be the end of their friendship? Or can it be the beginning of a happily ever after? 

The Relationtrip is described as a standalone, slow burn travel romance similar to Beach Read and The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, The Layover by Lacie Waldon, and The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. While I have not read the mentioned books, I know they are highly recommended. I was looking forward to friends to lovers romance; however, the story fell flat for me. Sloane is way too jaded about love and marriage for me. Her fiance left her at the altar and her parents ended their 33 year marriage, so her jadedness makes sense; however, I couldn’t connect with it. Also, I did not like her reaction to Logan’s secret about his real job or his true feelings for her; despite her own feelings. However, I did like Logan. He really tried to have a relationship beyond their current arrangement; but Sloane made it difficult. Overall, I was bored and not interested in their love story. However, if you enjoy the books mentioned above, you may enjoy The Relationtrip as well. 

The Relationtrip is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

James, the son of Alphaeus: an example of how working in the background is still working for the Kingdom of God

James, the son of Alphaeus, is a quiet disciple. There is not much said about him in the gospels. There is no record of his occupation or any characteristics. The major event of his life is becoming a disciple of Jesus and there is no record of Jesus saying anything specific about him. Does that mean he is not worthy of study? By no means. He is an example that God calls us all for a purpose. Some have great and public purposes like Peter. While others are called to have great and private purposes like James. Who was James in the gospels? What example does James give us? What does it mean to be called to service God?

The only time James is mentioned by name is the lists of the disciples (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13). However, there is some information we can gather about him. While his hometown is unknown, he was likely from Galilee and most likely spoke Aramaic as well as Greek and biblical Hebrew (Tate, 2021). He was probably in his late teens but no older than early 20s (Tate, 2021). While he is not mentioned outside of the list of disciples, he was present during Jesus’s teachings. He saw his miracles and was sent out to preach, baptize and perform miracles (Matthew 10, Mark 6:7:13), Luke 9:1-6). He fled at Jesus’s arrest. He saw the resurrected Christ and was given the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18). James was there to witness Jesus’s ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19:20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9). And James is there as the disciples begin their mission in Acts. 

James is our example of someone who worked for the kingdom of God without the limelight. He was so quiet and observant that he is not written about in the Scriptures and becomes obscure in the early church. However, James is proof that we do not have to be Peters or Matthews or Johns and go down in history as the greatest for God. We are all given different gifts from the same Spirit, different acts of service but the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). There is one body, many parts with each part having an important function for the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). No member is superior over another and there is a unity in the diverse functions (verse 25). As someone who is more introverted, being a public speaker is terrifying. I feel God has called me to use my talents in a private setting and use my research and writing skills for his kingdom. My desire to study the Bible and write about the lessons and insights I have learned and write about them on this blog can be used to bring God’s Word to individuals across the country and maybe even the world. 

Many people think being called is to work in a church ministry. However, our ministry does not need to be a church. Our calling is to use our gifts and talents for the kingdom out in the real world. For example, if you are a cashier at a local retail store, you can still be a steward for the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 4:10 says to “use whatever gift he has received to service others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” We can also look for opportunities, big and small, to use our gifts to make a difference. For example, if you are a good baker, you can bake a welcome gift to a new neighbor. Or if someone is sick or injured, offer your services to help. The important thing to remember is to put faithfulness first. “Faithfully give what you have to God, and let him take care of the rest” (Barnett, 2021). Remember we are working for God so that God may be glorified (1 Peter 4:11). Colossians 3:23 tells us that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” 

In conclusion, the silence of James, the son of Alphaeus, is an example to us that we can work in the background and still do good work for the kingdom of God. We are called according to God’s purpose and given gifts to use in the kingdom. We can serve God and the kingdom in every moment of every ordinary day. Look for opportunities to serve as Jesus served. You never know how an act of kindness or service can open the door to share the gospel. Whether it is serving in the limelight or quietly in the background, our impact for the kingdom of God can be greater than we will ever know or imagine. 

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References

Barnett, Tim (July 29, 2021). Looking for Your Role in God’s Kingdom? Start Here. Stand to Reason. https://www.str.org/w/looking-for-your-role-in-god-s-kingdom-start-here. Retrieved September 10, 2025

Tate, David (November 7, 2021). The Life of James, son of Alpheus. Now Let’s Be Honest. YouTube video. https://youtu.be/JMUHwd_y0G4?si=wB67mSYaUgKaFC8V. Retrieved September 2, 2025.

Last First Kiss: a second chance romance after loss and the uncertainty of the future

Last First Kiss is the first book in the Legacy of the Maguires series by Stella Holt. The Maguire family is particularly law enforcement royalty in her hometown. Sadly, law enforcement makes Charlotte Maguire James a young widow when her husband is killed in the line of duty. In order to distract herself from her grief, Charlotte throws herself into work creating promotional campaigns. When her new boss is Caleb Kincaid, a blast from her past. Still gorgeous as ever, Caleb awakens something in her; but, she is afraid to love and lose again. Caleb is a survivor and is no stranger to second chances. Now that his path has crossed with Charlotte again, he is determined to fight for her this time. Knowing they can be great together, but can he promise a future when he is unsure himself? 

I love second chance romances. So I was looking forward to this story. From the beginning, I liked Charlotte. She was a strong woman trying to find herself and sees her promotion as a way to escape the constant reminder that her husband is gone. I liked Caleb as a man who views every day as a second chance for life and seeing Charlotte again, he wants to take the opportunity to finish what they started so many years ago. It started as a great story; however, I wasn’t as invested in the story as I would have liked. I felt as if I started in the middle of the series with references I didn’t understand. Overall, it was a good story but I wasn’t as connected to the characters as I thought I would be. If you enjoy second chance romance, you may enjoy Last First Kiss. 

Last First Kiss is available in paperback and eBook

On the Rocks: an age gap, small town romance

On the Rocks is the first book in the Becker Brothers series by Kandi Steiner. Noah Becker has a reputation as being nothing but trouble. Ruby Grace Barnett was warned by her mother to stay away from Noah. In their small town, the brothers went wild after their father tragically died. She is reminded of the fact that he is nothing but trouble as she walks into Scooter Whiskey Distillery to buy a wedding present for her fiancé and he is there. Yes, he is trouble. Dirty, sweaty, rude trouble. And no matter how hard she tries, Ruby Grace just cannot escape Noah. He infuriates her and yet he sees what no one else else does: the real her. The person she isn’t allowed to be, the dreams and desires she wishes to accomplish before settling down. But she is the mayor’s daughter, raised to be a politician’s wife and fulfill the family legacy. What does she do with the man who makes her question everything in front of her? 

On the Rocks is an age gap, the wrong side of the tracks romance. I am usually wary about age gap romances, which aren’t usually my cup of tea. However, this age gap is about nine years which is a difference but not as big as some age gap romances I’ve read. That being said, I did not like this story. I did not care for Ruby Grace. She is way too young to be married. I don’t care if it is “family legacy” or “family expectations,” she’s too young. She is not even “mature for her age” young. Noah is supposed to be the bad boy all women secretly want; however, he has a big chip on his shoulder about the past, the elites of their small town and known to sleep around town. Overall, I was bored. I did not like any of the main characters or their supporting characters. I did not like this story and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend On the Rocks. 

On the Rocks is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Guest in Room 120: a bit of mystery, history, romance and haunting

 he Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman is a story of the mysterious death of Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University. 1905, Jane Stanford is a woman with an iron will and has her share of enemies. After an attempted poisoning attempt in her San Francisco mansion. With medical advice for warmer climates, she flees to Honolulu with two companions to the new Moana Hotel. On the island, Iliahi Baldwin is a young girl working at the hotel as she takes care of her younger brothers. She forms an unlikely friendship with the intimidating Jane Stanford and witnesses events that would expose the truth. 2005, Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who attends a writer’s conference at the Moana Hotel. She soon begins to experience mysterious dreams and events which puts her on the path to discover the shocking events which occurred at the hotel one hundred years ago. 

I did not know anything about Jane Stanford before reading this story. I knew she and her husband created the university to honor their late son. I was intrigued as her death remains a mystery to this day. From the opening chapter to the final page, I was pulled into a story that was a bit of mystery, history, romance and a haunting without being overbearing or too much of one over the others. The story is told from the perspective of all three women as readers see the events leading to Jane’s death, the immediate aftermath and the experiences which lead Zoe to investigate. The haunting aspect was not scary or terrifying. I enjoyed reading about the island in 1905. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is a story of betrayal, secrets and a death that echoes and connects three women across time. I highly recommend The Guest in Room 120. 

The Guest in Room 120 is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Cup of Autumn: when love wasn't a part of the plan

A Cup of Autumn is the third book in the Silver Falls series by Melissa McClone. Keaton Andrews has always dreamed of becoming a tenured professor at an elite university. His plans come to a halt when he learns that his department has been cut and his contract has been terminated. With time on his hands, he heads to Silver Falls to spend time with family and focus on his options. One morning, at the local cafe, he takes a risk and orders something other than his usual coffee. Raine Hanover has been running on empty, trying to find reliable staff for her increasingly busy cafe when she is “volunteered” to organize the town’s annual Boo Bash. She has no time for romance and she especially has no time for a charming smile even if it is a nerdy yet handsome professor. When Keaton offers to help her organize the event, it takes long before the sparks fly. 

Silver Falls is a small town that I wish I lived in. The sense of community, friendship and family is heartwarming. I love this series and I was eagerly waiting for the nerdy professor’s story. Right off the bat, I loved Keaton and Raine. They were honest with each other about their expectations and plans for the future. He still had no plans to stay in Silver Falls and Raine wasn’t leaving. However, sometimes you can’t help it when you fall in love and are faced with a painful decision. Does one follow their long standing dream? Or do they embrace a new one? It is a sweet story and I couldn’t not put it down. I read well into the night as I wanted to see Keaton and Raine’s happy ending. I am looking forward to the final book in the series and the final Andrews sibling to have their story. I highly, highly recommend A Cup of Autumn. 

A Cup of Autumn is available in paperback and eBook

Every Reasonable Doubt: a legal suspense thriller

Every Reasonable Doubt is the first book in the Vernetta Henderson series by Pamela Samuels Young. Vernetta Henderson comes off a victory in a case which yielded the biggest verdicts of her career. While looking forward to some downtime, Vernetta is quickly partnered with Neddy McClain to take on the defense for the biggest murder case of their careers. The two women aren’t thrilled to be working together; however, they must put aside their strained relationship for the case. Their client, socialite Tina Montgomery, is charged with the brutal murder of her husband, Max Montgomery, a high profile businessman. As Vernetta prepares for trial, she feels the pressures from all areas of her life: home, career, and public opinion. What she doesn’t count on is the new bond formed with Neddy. Can they prove Tina’s innocence beyond every reasonable doubt? 

Every Reasonable Doubt is my first book by Pamela Samuels Young and it starts off running. The opening prologue readers witness the brutal murder and it leads into a fast paced whodunnit. I liked Vernetta from the start and the initial conflict with Neddy was tense. I liked Neddy as well. Her no nonsense attitude makes her a great character. The suspense was good. I was constantly questioning if Tina really did kill her husband or not. There were plenty of suspects to cast doubt on the case. I liked that there was enough legalese to inform readers about the process without bogging down the story. Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to more cases with Vernetta Henderson. If you enjoy legal suspenseful thrillers, I highly recommend Every Reasonable Doubt. 

Every Reasonable Doubt is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Foundation: a grumpy-grumpy romance

Foundation is the first book in the Brady family series by Lainey Davis. Zack Brady doesn’t do relationships. He does cold, hard calculations. When his family engineering firm sends him to investigate a sinkhole at a client’s house, Zack meets the one who threatens to shake his entire world. Nicole Kennedy is loud, crass and has no time for nonsense. She has no time for the marathon relay she is being forced to run by her boss and she definitely does not have time for the sinkhole in her yard. From the moment they meet, Zack and Nicole clash; however, as they pour over the engineering plans something shifts. Can they put aside their differences and rebuild a foundation of love and happily ever after? 

Foundation is described as a grumpy geek romance; however, a more accurate description would be a grumpy-grumpy romance. The story lacked a sense of flow. It felt choppy and more time was spent on the technicalities of the engineering plans than the characters’ romance. I couldn’t stand Nicole from the very beginning. Even though she is described as crass, Nicole was way too crass for my taste and I can tolerate a lot. Her attitude to her friend, who is happily married with children, was irritating. All she did was complain. She complained about having to run the marathon and her vibrator not working like jeez really? Zack wasn’t much better either. Overall, I did not enjoy this story and I will not be continuing the series. 

Foundation is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook