Review ~ The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians 1) by Dani Pettrey

Paperback, 352 pages

Published August 6th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, CGIS special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous and volatile crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's adrift cutter, and the direction the clues point will test him and the guard to their limits.

Complicating matters further is the arrival of investigative reporter Harper Grace. An unrelenting journalist who was nearly killed as the result of her last expose, Harper has been sent to Wilmington on the hunch of her boss that the Coast Guard is stonewalling the truth about the officers. An interview with the dead victim's wife convinces her there's a story worth uncovering, even if it means risking her life again.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Harper can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them, but will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer before they become his next mark?

Purchase link:

Amazon

CBD 

Purchase links are for softcover but The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians 1) is also available in hard cover, e-book, and audio. I am in no way affiliated with any vendors. Links are provided as a courtesy only.

My Review

3.5 Stars

The Killing Tide has an amazing cover and it’s even better in print. I’m visual, so I base whether or not I want to read a book on the cover first and the blurb second. Both of these things made me anticipate the release of The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians 1). The mystery and suspense is good too. Anyone who has read a Pettrey book knows she is one of the “big fish in the sea” when it comes to writing compelling stories.

So this was how she was going to die…

Quite a first line, huh? Waves of intrigue crash onto the page right from the beginning. The plot is believable as far as the Coastal Guardians go with their extensive training and investigative techniques.

Gabby, the heroine, is an investigative reporter with a back story involving Finn, our hero. While Gabby is not afraid of danger, many of her attitudes and actions seemed irresponsible and bratty to me. She’s constantly going against wise counsel where her safety is concerned. I just couldn’t connect with her character. And I would have found her inclusion in every aspect of the CGIS case more plausible if she had been introduced as official support personnel.

Regardless of my disconnect with Gabby, I still liked the story and I learned a lot about the United States Coast Guard while reading The Killing Tide. I’m anticipating book two highlighting more of our brave Coastal Guardians.

I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romantic suspense interlaced with strong faith. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

If you've read any of Dani Pettrey's books, please share in the comments which one is your favorite. If not, recommend a book!

Rebecca Reviews ~ Storm Rising (The Book of the Wars 1) by Ronie Kendig

Paperback, 382 pages

Published July 2nd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers 

Once lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold ancient secrets and dangers. Former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe has been tasked with capturing the ancient text, but a Bulgarian operative snatches it, determined to secure her freedom. When a series of strange storms erupt, they must form an alliance to thwart impending disaster.

Rebecca's Review

5 STARS!!!

"She has picked you -whether for trust or target, we don't know. Until we do, stick close and see if you can turn her."

There's a lot he doesn't know . . . . when Special Warfare Operator Leif "Runt" Metcalfe unexpectedly meets his match, in the form of a highly trained Bulgarian operative. At the end of a tunnel; she bests him by hang gliding off a cliff, deftly absconding with an historic scroll; the famed Book of Wars. Simply put, Iskra "Viorica" Tonorova is known worldwide as an assassin. . . . . and yet, she just took (without mortally wounding him) something that Lief wants; not wants exactly, but has been commanded to retrieve. And in order to accomplish that mission, Lief's intentions have become inextricably tangled with hers. He can be just as determined as she is, he just never expected to care. 

"There. . . . . . There was the thing that wouldn't let him walk away when common sense said it was the smartest thing to do. Sometimes smart wasn't right. It was thinking with the head, not with the heart."

Filled to the brim with accelerated scene sequences, high octane military engagements, enemies with surreal weaponry and indescribable brutality,"Storm Rising" rushes to thwart the beginning of the end of all nations, as its characters set an elaborate stage with an impressive cast of heroes. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Senior Reviewer, Rebecca Maney

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

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Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

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Have a blessed day in the Lord,

Greedy Hummer

While shopping for a few odds and ends the other day, we decided to purchase another Hummingbird feeder because it seemed like the other one wasn't getting much attention, although we did have a beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird visit it a couple of times. 

He didn't stay around long and it would be days and days before he would show back up, then he disappeared altogether. The feeder is glass and metal so we thought maybe it was getting too hot, plus it doesn't have a lot of red on it. A friend told me to tie a big red bow on top and that would attract him back.

But, I am impatient so I found a new one I thought would work better. And it does!!! Now there is a Hummer visiting us every day and he/she stays around for up to an hour at a time, flitting over to the Crepe Myrtles and back to the feeder. I hung it from an ant guard, which is working really well. Hummer also preferred feeding out of the other side where I couldn't see him/her, so I put a tiny piece of clear tape over the opening, forcing him/her to feed from a flower visible to me and my camera! :-)

The video isn't as sharp as I would like because I have to video (and photograph) through the screen but you can still see how hungry he/she is! I'm not sure if it's a young male or a female since the throat is not red. Could be either one but I don't care. I'm just happy it likes coming here to feed!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed our little Hummer visit! 

What kind of birds do you have at your feeders? 

Review ~ Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham + GIVEAWAY

Paperback, 320 pages

Published July 2nd 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company 

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never 

really expecting a reply.

When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.

My Review

3 STARS

The Dead Letter Office of the USPS seemed an intriguing premise since I am a fan of a similar TV show. While the earlier letters Thomas wrote to Clara were definitely moving and made my heart squeeze, I didn’t feel any spark between Thomas and Penny which reduced my enjoyment of the story. I’m in the minority in feeling this way so don’t take my word for it. If you enjoy historical fiction, I encourage you to give this book a try.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I'm passing along my paperback copy to one commenter.

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