Always Watching by Lynette Eason

 Always Watching

by Lynette Eason

Elite Guardians series, Book 1

Christian Fiction / Romantic Suspense

February 2016 // Revell // 336 pages

About the Book
Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap.

Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him--including Olivia. But in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart.

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My Thoughts
Every time I read a book by one of my favorite authors, I'm always hopeful that the newest book will live up to my expectations. I'm thrilled to say that Always Watching surpassed every expectation that I had for a new book from Lynette Eason. So what did I love so much about the book?

1. A strong female lead. It seems that the majority of suspense fiction features a strong male lead with a damsel in distress who needs rescuing. I certainly enjoy many of those stories, but it was nice to read a story featuring the female lead as the "rescuer." Plus, it added a great dynamic where the male lead needed to be protected but also wanted to do the protecting. Lots of tension there!

2. Intriguing relationships. Because of the tension between the protector and the protectee, it made the development of the relationships very interesting. I also enjoyed meeting Wade's daughter and seeing her struggle through the craziness that unfolded around her.

3. True suspense. At any given time, I had 4-5 suspects. Every time that I thought I knew who the "bad guy" was, I quickly realized I was wrong and began to rethink things. And no one was "cleared" until the very end when the culprit was revealed.

4. Strong faith element. Wade was an excellent witness of true Christian faith. Through conversations and the way he lived his life during extremely trying circumstances, his faith was evident to everyone around him.

Overall, I thought this was an amazing book. I honestly thought it was Lynette's best yet and am looking forward to reading the next books in the series! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series and the Deadly Reunions series. She was a 2013 finalist for the ECPA Book Awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She has a master's degree in education from Converse College and she lives in South Carolina.

Lynette Eason Online 

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Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun (Blog Tour)

Thunder

by Bonne S. Calhoun

Stone Braide Chronicles series, Book 1

About the Book

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of scientific advances, political intrigue, and wilderness survival, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a world more like our own than we may want to admit.

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About the Author

Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year.”

She loves to write, but it doesn't make her happy unless there are the three B's...body count, blood, and blowing things up. She also has mad skills at coding HTML, and website design. And she lives in a log cabin in the woods with fifteen acres and a pond full of bass, though she'd rather buy fish at the grocery store. Bonnie shares her domain with a husband, a dog, and two cats, all of whom think she’s waitstaff!

Bonnie S. Calhoun Online

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The Prequel

My copy of Thunder just arrived on Monday, so I haven't had a chance to read it yet. However, I did read the prequel short story, Tremors, last month and thought it was fantastic! You can download it for free (here) if you want to get a little background info on the series before you dive in. As for my thoughts on Tremors, here's a short review ...

Tremors is a short prequel to the forthcoming Stone Braide Chronicles. I enjoyed getting a sneak peek into this series and meeting some of the characters who I'm sure I'll be reading more about in the rest of the series. Selah is going to be a great main character. She's bold and a little angsty, which is always a fun combination. Selah's parents and brothers were interesting as well. I was also surprised (pleasantly!) at how much action was incorporated in these 28 pages——an arranged marriage, a murder, and some serious subterfuge.

I think it's important to note that this is a prequel and pretty much leaves readers hanging. I assume that Thunders (the first book in the series) will pick up where Tremors leaves off. I'm extremely curious to see how this series will play out. Great beginning! [4 stars]

In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin (Blog Tour + Review)

In Perfect Time
by Sarah Sundin
Wings of the Nightingale series, Book 3
Christian Fiction / Historical / Romance
Available July 2014
Revell
416 pages

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About the Book

Two hearts are about to learn the rhythm of love
Bold, sophisticated, and coy, Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, leaving men pining in airfields all across Europe. So how can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to her considerable charms? In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.

Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer. Can they overcome the fears and misunderstandings of the past in order to take hold of the future?

Sarah Sundin seamlessly weaves together emotion, action, and sweet romance into a tale that transcends time and calls us to believe in the power of love.

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My Thoughts 

In Perfect Time is the third and final book in the Wings of the Nightingale series. What an incredible read it is! This series follows a group of female flight nurses in World War II. I love how each book builds on the last. (You don't have to read them in order, but I would definitely recommend that you do!) By the time I got to the end of this book, I felt like the characters were friends, and I was so sad to turn the last page. 

There are three things that really have hooked me on Sarah Sundin's books. First, she gives readers characters that are interesting, realistic, and emotional. Even though her stories are set during WWII, I feel like I can relate to the people. Second, she makes history come to life. For whatever reason, there aren't a ton of books set during WWII. It's a fascinating period in history, and I love reading about it. Sundin brings interesting and sometimes obscure facts and features them in her books. I've totally enjoyed reading about female flight nurses during this series! Plus, I felt like I was in the midst of the action throughout this book in particular. Finally (and most importantly to me), faith is always a central theme throughout her books. She definitely doesn't do "cheesy" but God is a primary focus of the characters. I appreciate how she handles this and weaves it throughout fairly effortlessly.

I'm in a phase right now where I'm not as interested in historical fiction as I've been in the past. BUT I knew I had to read In Perfect Time. I mean, it's the final book in the series after all! Sundin wrapped up the series beautifully and gave Kay and Roger a beautiful story. I highly recommend this series and look forward to reading whatever she gives us next! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Sarah Sundin Online

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You're Invited to a Book Launch Party w/ Kellie Coates Gilbert!

New Romantic Suspense from Popular Author Lisa Harris

School teacher Emily Hunt must risk her life in a dangerous clash between a drug cartel and a desperate student. Will she have to trust the one man her family has vowed to hate? Read more.

New From Award Winning and Bestselling Author Irene Hannon

Waiting on Wednesday | A Woman of Fortune

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is ...

A Woman of Fortune by Kellie Coates Gilbert

Revell | June 3, 2014

About the Book

You never know what you're really made of until you lose everything.

Texas socialite Claire Massey is living the dream--designer clothes, luxury cars, stunning homes. But everything comes crashing down when her charming cattle broker husband is arrested for fraud. Suddenly she finds herself facing attorneys, a media frenzy, and a trail of broken hearts. Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible odds to save her family--and discover a life worth living.

Author Kellie Coates Gilbert delivers a story both poignant and emotionally gripping that celebrates the kind of fortune that lasts.

Why I Can't Wait to Read It

Kellie's first book was a powerful, emotional read, and I can still remember how I felt when I read it nearly two years ago! I'm certain this book will be just as wonderful and have been waiting a long time for a follow up!

Popular Author Cathleen Armstrong takes you back to Last Chance

New from Popular Author Dan Walsh!

Dan Walsh offers profound insight into the heart of a hurting child, and he reminds us that a time will come to look back on hard times and smile, because we'll know that what follows after is not what we expected at all.

Funny New Romance by Popular Author Janice Thompson

A lowly seamstress at a swanky bridal botique, Gabi Delgado dreams of doing more than ripping out seams and fitting dresses for doe-eyed brides. She wants to see her own original dress designs gracing the young women of Texas. But when Jordan Singer, reporter for Texas Bride magazine, visits the shop to do a feature, Gabi is humbled by his influential—and unnervingly handsome—presence.