Two Reasons to Run by Colleen Coble Book 2 in the Pelican Harbor series Rating: 4.5/5 Release date: September 8, 2020
The story continues with Chief Jane and Reid and their son, Will. I was excited to dive back into the Pelican Harbor series and it did not disappoint. The story will make more sense if you read the first book, One Little Lie, but the background info is summarized fairly well, so I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. However, One Little Lie was also an excellent read so I’d still recommend starting from the beginning of the series.
Jane is still reeling from all the lies her father told her. She continues to feel betrayed by her father and even Reid, the father of their son. As chief, she starts investigating the disappearance of a local on an oil rig and suspects foul play. Homeland Security won’t listen to her, so she must continue to investigate on her own to stop a possible terrorist attack. Reid is willing to help her since the man who disappeared had also asked him to help. Together they move from clue to clue to figure out who’s behind the threat all while trying to protect their son, Will, whose life has been threatened in an effort to get Jane to drop the investigation. Meanwhile, Jane and Reid go on a journey trying to find relatives, which brings up a lot of baggage from their pasts. Can these two continue to work together and protect their son while trying to prevent a terrorist attack?
I love Colleen Coble’s stories. They just keep on getting better. I really like continuing with these main characters and how they need to deal with real life challenges. The situations they are in really do require the inner strength that only comes from faith. I also wasn’t able to guess the ending, which I was pleasantly surprised by. I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this series, Three Missing Days.
I highly recommend this book and series if you enjoy contemporary Christian stories with romance, action, mystery and suspense.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Book: The Crushing Depths Author: Dani Pettrey Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: June 30, 2020
They know the power and peril of the ocean.But as they get closer to the deadly truth…An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.
When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.
Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.
Just as the case seems like it’ll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they’re cut off from any rescue–and right where the killer wants them. It’s a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.
Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com
My Thoughts
The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey Book 2 in the Coastal Guardians series Rating: 4/5 Release date: June 30, 2020
Woohoo! I love getting to know what happens next. Dani Pettrey introduced readers to some phenomenal characters in her first book of the series, The Killing Tide, and I was very impressed with how seamlessly the story continues in this second installment. However, you can still read this as a standalone and not feel like anything is missing. Get ready for a thrilling ride!
Coast Guard Investigator Rissi Dawson loves her job but when her childhood friend and crush joins their team, things get a little more interesting. Having just moved from Kodiak, Alaska, Mason Rogers was surprised to find Rissi working for the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS). They are sent out to investigate whether a death on a nearby oil rig was an accident or if foul play was involved. Oil rigs are already a dangerous place to be and add in environmental activists, tensions are high and suspect. When the crewmate’s death points to murder, can Rissi and Mason find out who is to blame before they hurt someone else or get rid of the evidence? Are the environmental activists involved or is it someone on the oil rig? While trying to solve the case, can Rissi and Mason admit their feelings for each other and keep each other from danger?
I always love Dani Pettrey’s characters. Rissi is so strong and resilient after the abusive past she endured. I loved seeing her as a strong and competent agent with uncanny instincts about people. It reminded me of the TV show, Lie to Me, where the main character talked about how victims of abuse can have amazing observational people skills because of what they went through. Rissi knew how to read a room. Unfortunately, Mason did not stand out as much to me in this particular story because there was another subplot regarding Noah (Mason’s boss) and Brooke (Coast Guard medic). Mason is still a sweet and strong male lead but because there are so many other characters, I do not think he got as much development. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing since I enjoyed following all the other characters on the CGIS team, but this is why I marked it down one star.
The story is fast-paced and full of action and intrigue that the reader can’t stop reading until the end when all is revealed. There was a certain point in the book where I did suspect who the murderer was but it still was a nice surprise to read. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy clean thrillers with romance and mystery. I’m sure it will be another hit!
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and CelebrateLit for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
More from Dani
Enjoy this special recipe for a Lavender and Honey Latte that makes a special appearance in my book!
Title: Dust Authors: Kara Swanson Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Release Date: July 21, 2020
The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London…and a boy who shouldn’t exist. Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins. The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself.
As the daughter of missionaries, Kara Swanson spent her childhood running barefoot through the lush jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the fantasy genre. The award-winning author of The Girl Who Could See, Kara is passionate about crafting stories of light shattering darkness, connecting with readers, and becoming best friends with a mermaid—though not necessarily in that order. Kara chats about coffee, fairy tales and bookish things online (@karaswansonauthor) and at karaswanson.com
My Thoughts
Dust by Kara Swanson Book 1 of Heirs of Neverland series Rating: 4/5
I was excited to start reading this book but it took me some chapters to get into the story. I was fascinated by the idea of a reimagining of Peter Pan and was interested in this darker version.
How would you feel if your twin brother disappeared with only a note saying he’d gone to Neverland? What if you grew up wondering what happened to him and no one believed you’d ever find him again? When a clue shows up, Claire flies to London to meet with the last person who saw her brother and begins an adventure of a lifetime to find her brother and learn how to be who she was meant to be.
Claire is such a relatable character who must deal with her own fears and insecurities. She is someone the reader wants to root for. Peter also has his own issues and reasons for not wanting to grow up which seem genuine. These characters are real but still believe in the magic of pixie dust. I enjoyed this adventure and look forward to the next book where the story will continue.
My thanks to the author and CelebrateLit for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
More from Kara
I wrote Dust not just for those who grew up loving the original Peter Pan story — but especially for the children who were left behind. Those of us who never escaped through a window to a magical world, whose childhoods oftentimes felt a little shadowed.
Dust follows Peter Pan when he is cast out of Neverland, grounded in London. For the first time, this Peter has to start thinking about someone other than himself—and become a beacon to remind any Lost ones that there is still magic to be found.
Dust also follows a young woman named Claire who can create pixie dust, but is desperately afraid of herself because when her fears and insecurities leak out, her dust starts to burn. Claire has seen too many shadows to believe in fairytales anymore and is doing everything she can just to lock away the strange dust dripping from her fingertips. But when she meets Peter, he challenges everything she thought she knew.
I wrote Claire for those of us who may feel too weighted to even remember what it feels like to have hope lift your soul. Who can look at ourselves and all we see are our own shadows and shortcomings.
Throughout the course of the novel, Peter has to teach Claire how to see the spark of light inside herself that is far brighter than the darkness. As he helps this girl learn how to fly, Peter rediscovers what it is that truly makes him Peter Pan: the unquenchable childlike belief that there are weightless thoughts in all of us that can lift us out of the shadows.
This story is a love letter to anyone who has ever needed that reminder. We have value simply because we exist. We do not have to be weighed down by our shadows. There is still light that can lift our hearts if we have faith, trust…and a dash of the impossible.
To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away the grand prize package of a Dust-themed bundle that includes a signed hardcover, bookmarks, character cards, Peter + Claire art print, and an exclusive Dust pin!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.
