A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

 A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham 

5 Stars

Clean, funny and full of charm! No surprise for Pepper's books :) A British pub owner + small-town cafe girl = a grumpy-sunshine romance with emotional depth! I loved this one!

What I loved:

✨So many funny southern references - set in North Carolina

✨The BANTER

✨Coffee, Tea and Sweets

✨Disability Rep

✨Single Dad Trope

✨No Third Act Breakup

✨Rivals to Lovers 

✨ALL THE FOOD

✨Found Family

✨Community Helping Each Other

✨Sweet & Funny Granny D

✨ALL THE LAUGHS

As always, a fun time with Pepper's rom-com books. Lots of laughs, yet emotional depth all included in one. I love the single Dad trope and Finn and his daughter Lucy were the sweetest. Finn was just a great guy too, once he opened up. I loved their rivals dynamic. Also really enjoyed Daphne's personality and love for Jane Austen, tea, books, etc. 

Lucy's speech disability represented was done beautifully, especially from my own son's speech issues, I appreciate this being included.  

What can I say? I just felt like this was exactly the book I needed during a hard season! 

The small town, community coming together in the unexpected hardship in the end was also beautiful. Pepper's inspiration from real life events that happened in her town came across and you could feel the emotion from those scenes. She reminded people that even in the hardest seasons, there is hope in God, in community, in family, in life.

About the Book:
Daphne is the owner of an English tearoom in the North Carolina mountains, whose carefully ordered life is disrupted when Finn, a messy and unconventional English restaurant owner, moves in next door. They are forced to work together to cater a British-themed wedding, leading to plenty of sparks, humor, and growing attraction. As Daphne helps Finn and his young daughter settle into the community, both begin to heal from past losses and disappointments.

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted e-book and audiobook to review. I purchased a copy of the physical book. All thoughts are my own.

Content Details: Natural disaster and loss from the disaster, Mentions of divorce and loss of parent/grandparent, grief explained, romance was clean, kisses only, no language 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4xwPu7B
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781400351381_a-brewed-awakening

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Spies, Lies and Alibis by Natalie Walters

 Spies, Lies and Alibis by Natalie Walters

4 Stars

This was a lot of fun you guys! I have enjoyed Natalie's books in the past and this was a rom-com twist on romantic suspense! So hilarious, great characters, fun romance, lots of spies and espionage. I needed a book with a lot of laughs and this delivered. Natalie herself is a ball of laughs too, just check out her Instagram :) I could read an entire series of Ben and Cybil together solving crimes! They would be a dynamic duo. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys clean romantic suspense with lots of humor. Lighter romance, mission driven book, loved that ending.

OH, and the audiobook narration is perfection.

About the Book:
Cybil and Ben knew each other years ago as kids and an unexpected mission throws them back in their lives together. Her mission leads her to the path of Lorenzo Ramirez, a crime boss with deadly plans....Ben is undercover with the FBI under an alias as a financial advisor helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target is Lorenzo and this is how he gets caught up with Cybil again. They are forced to work together in this mission and keep their covers under wraps...

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a gifted ebook and audiobook to read/listen to for review. I purchased a physical copy for my shelves. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4u7zTZ0
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781400354535_spies-lies-and-alibis
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle

 

Daughter of the Rebellion - Jamie Ogle
4 Stars

Thank you to Tyndale for a gifted copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.

I have really enjoyed Jamie's books on St. Valentine and St. Nicholas so when this was announced I was super pumped. This one took me a bit to get fully into, 30% or so, but once I got there, I was invested. I didn't know that female gladiators were a thing so this was very interesting to read about. Loved Felix and Adel's dynamic. Slow burn romance. Telemachus was really good too. Lots of Christian themes, courage and compassion. The arena also feels so real with the desperation of those trapped in Rome's game. Jamie really brings her stories to life. Overall, a good read for anyone who wants ancient-world Christian fiction with strong characters and faith content. 

About the Book: Set in Rome, AD 403, Adel is captured and sold to a gladiator school. She is the most famous gladiatrix in Rome. Felix despises Rome's fascination with violence. He returns from medical training to discover his father missing and his family is desperate. He accepts a position at a gladiator school managed by his uncle and meets Adel. He gets orders that compromise his beliefs and is at a crossroads. Telemachus is a Christian leader who approaches Felix with with an urgent message, if the Visigoth captives are not releases, their army will invade Rome. The emperor is insistent to have a deadly day of gladiatorial games. Telemachus wants to save the Visigoth fighters and Felix and Adel join forces in a rebellion.

Content/Trigger Warnings: violence within gladiator arenas, violence, death, murder, themes of sexual assault captivity, war themes, mentions of past trauma, Christian persecution, drugs, clean romance, slavery

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PCdLbc

Tyndale: https://www.tyndale.com/p/daughter-of-the-rebellion/9798400506611

Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9798400506611_daughter-of-the-rebellion

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links

Daily Grace Company Discount Code - 10% off with code BOOKLOVERAMANDA

 Hey y'all! I love the Daily Grace Company's bible study materials and books! Many of you know you can save 10% off your order with my discount code, BOOKLOVERAMANDA, but now, my code will have unlimited uses for you guys! So every time you order, you can use coupon code BOOKLOVERAMANDA for 10% off your Daily Grace Company order!

If you want to shop, here is the link and the discount code will automatically apply: Daily Grace Co Site

Thank you for your support! You all know I don't just collaborate with anyone. I share products I genuinely use and support and The Daily Grace Co. is amazing. I have supported them for years, even before working with them. 

I hope you find something you enjoy!

Act Of Valor by Dana Mentink

   

    

Act of Valor by Dana Mentink 

4 Stars 

I really enjoyed this love inspired romantic suspense! Any book with a beagle is going to be a win in my book! Action packed, good characters I connected with, a sweet romance, tender faith moments, friends to more, a great dog, what more can I say? 

I usually like the love inspired books with dogs, they always seem to be the best. The rest of the series is on my radar for sure. 

The dog moments were fun, especially the hilarious scene when Eddie was tearing apart her couch! We have always had beagles in our family so I am biased. :)

I also love when the love inspired reads have friends to more trope because I always connect to the characters so much easier. :) Loved Zach and Violet's connection.

Thank you to Harlequin for a gifted copy of the audiobook to listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

About the Book:

Airline employee Violet Griffin encounters suspicious passengers and is pushed into the crosshairs of a drug smuggling operation. NYPD officer Zach Jameson and his drug detection beagle, Eddie, work to keep Violet safe and catch the bad guys. Zach refuses to lose his friend...and the woman he is falling for...especially after the loss of his brother.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of loved one, grief, action scenes with guns and mild violence, mention of sibling death

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uIo9NP

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Mountain Fugitive by Lynette Eason

 

Mountain Fugitive by Lynette Eason

3 Stars

This is a solid Christian romantic suspense read with plenty of action and danger throughout the story. The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and I liked how quickly the plot got moving. Dr. Katherine Gilroy is out horseback riding and stumbles into a deadly shoot-out and she helps US marshal Dominic O'Ryan. She is determined to find her brother who they think murdered his partner. Is all that it seems?

The suspense side of the story was definitely the strongest aspect for me. There were several twists, plenty of tense moments, and enough mystery to keep me interested in finding out what was really going on with Katherine's brother and the shooting that set everything in motion. If you like fast-paced Love Inspired Suspense books, you will likely enjoy the nonstop action as you usually see.

While I liked both Katherine and Dominic as characters, I never fully connected with them on a deeper level. Their relationship developed well enough for the story, but I found myself more invested in the suspense plot than in the romance. 

That said, this was still an enjoyable read. The pacing was strong, the mystery kept me engaged and there were enough to hold my interest. I also appreciated the clean romance and the faith elements, which felt natural to the story.

Overall, this is a good read that I think many Christian Love Inspired romantic suspense fans will enjoy, even if it wasn't a standout favorite for me personally.

Thank you to the Harlequin Audio for a copy of the audiobook to listen to for review. The narrator was good. All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ecXrqz
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Anchoring You by Robin Patchen

 

    

Anchoring You by Robin Patchen 
5 Stars

Book #9 in The Wright Heroes of Maine Series but can be read as a Standalone

OK. I AM IMPRESSED. New to me author and now I need to read this entire series y'all!! I was SO INVESTED.

A girl over a yacht in the Caribbean. Modern day pirates raiding the boat. Drugs on board she didn't know about. The DEA informant that saves her life. Both going on the run, in hiding, pretending to be in a relationship for safety. Beautiful faith moments. LET'S GO! 

That's all we need to know, right! 

I grabbed a copy of this book from NetGalley to read when I had some extra time. I decided to pick it up the week after release and read it in ONE DAY. I was IMMEDITALEY hooked with the action packed scenes and connection to our couple, Jasper (Jaz) and Kenzie. 

I loved Robin's writing, it was exactly what I look for in a good Christian romantic suspense. If I am honest, I have struggled finding a new favorite romantic suspense book lately and THIS WAS IT! 

I LOVED the faith discussions, as Jaz had ran away from the Lord due to his past and feeling unworthy. He knew the truth deep down, but felt like God wouldn't love him because of his mistakes. Yet Kenzie shows him the true love of the Lord and how God is big enough for all of our mess, no matter what it is. Amen.

While this was technically book #9 in this series, I don't feel like I was spoiled or missed anything for other books. Regardless, I plan to go back and read the series because I loved it so much.

Content/Trigger Warning: Murder, Modern-Day Pirates, Drugs, Cartel, Action Packed Suspense, Attempted Sexual Assault

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f743YH

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.