Sienna Blake is used to chaos. As a well-known movie star, she thought she’d seen it all. But that was before she fell in love with Craig Simmons, a navy SEAL and member of the Saint Squad. The path to matrimony has been strewn with postponements and disruptions, but wedding bells are finally going to ring―until Craig disappears just ahead of the most important day of their lives, leaving Sienna to evaluate whether she’s really cut out for the uncertainty of life as a military wife.
After a potential terrorist threat overseas leaves his wedding plans in ruins―again―Craig realizes he needs to make this wedding happen or lose Sienna forever. In short, he needs backup. With the enthusiastic help of his Saint Squad teammates, wedding plans are once more set in motion. But as the big day draws near, a startling discovery may mean a life-or-death situation for the Squad. The overseas threat looms much closer to home than they ever thought possible. Now it’s not just a quest to make it down the aisle―it’s a battle to survive.
Book Review:
Wow! Another winner by Abramson. Covert Ops is the 12th book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s Saint Squad series. Abramson’s books are always enjoyable and I was really excited to get to read this one! The Saint Squad is back with another exciting adventure.
I loved reading about these characters again. I do need to read the other books because I am missing a bit of the backstory between the characters, but it was still good. The Saint Squad had the greatest chemistry and it was fun to read about them interacting. I was on the edge of my seat as they worked together to complete their mission and keep others safe.
I felt so bad for Craig and Sienna, they were trying so hard to make their wedding happen. However it was sweet to read about them trying to work through the obstacles that kept on popping up and fighting for their future together. Sienna and Craig were just wonderful characters and I was cheering them on.
The plot was engaging. I did not know how Sienna and Craig were going to figure out their wedding plans or how the Saint Squad was going to complete their missions. I also loved seeing the Whitmores and Jim’s campaign for President.
Covert Ops is a fun book. The characters are compelling and the story draws you in. I feel as if it had the perfect blend of suspense, romance, and action. I would recommend reading it as part of the series though because it would be more enjoyable. Covert Ops is a must read. It is a clean romantic suspense novel.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Pairs figure skaters Tyler and Amaliya have achieved the ultimate victory: a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics. But somehow, that victory holds less weight than what faces Tyler next: asking Amaliya’s overprotective father for permission to marry his daughter. When Robert senses a disconnect in Tyler’s and his daughter’s goals, he withholds his blessing, and the couple must determine if what lies ahead for each of them can truly align. As they consider their next steps together, they are unaware that their careers are in jeopardy. They have caught the attention of dangerous and powerful men—men who have vowed to never again allow the American pair to rise above the Soviet’s.
Amaliya’s mother, Katerina, is haunted by the decisions of her past and longs to be reunited with her brother, who is trapped behind the Iron Curtain. But her attempts to see him do not go unnoticed. The KGB does not let its people go easily, and now they know where to find Katerina, the defector. With danger closing in on Katerina and the competition heating up for Tyler and Amaliya, it seems that their dreams for the future may shatter.
Book Review:
Wow! This book had me on the edge of my seat. There were some times when I wanted to put it down, but I just picked it back up again. Worlds Collide is the third book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s Dream’s Edge series.
Poor Tyler and Amaliya. They had a lot to work through, there were so many things going on in their lives. They had just won the Olympics but now they were facing the world championship competition and trying to figure out how to see Amaliya’s uncle and cousin again. They just had so much stacked against them, but I loved reading about them learning to work through their problems and figure out things together.
Oh my goodness, there was so much going on in this book. I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading. The characters were so engaging and the plot was interesting. I was rooting for Tyler and Amaliya as they tried to figure out their next steps.
Tyler and Amaliya had to learn to talk to each other and work through the problems of the future. They were trying to figure out what it meant for them now that the Olympics were over. It was cool to read about them coming together and trying to listen to each other. There was some conflict but it fit the story and Tyler and Amaliya.
There was also so much going on behind the scenes. Katerina, Amaliya’s mother, was trying to figure out a way to see her brother, Viktor but things were much more complicated than they seemed. The Soviet Union was watching them and Katerina might not even be safe. This part of the story was so interesting and oh my goodness, I was on the edge of my seat. I loved how Abramson was able to weave this part so seamlessly into the story and how it all fit.
Worlds Collide is an engaging wonderful book, it should be on your TBR! The ending was sort of satisfying but I hope that there are more books featuring these amazing characters. I would definitely recommend this book, however it definitely needs to be read as part of the series. Worlds Collide is a clean romance set during the 1980s.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Title: The Danger with Diamonds Series: Falcon Point Suspense #1 Author: Sian Ann Bessey and Traci Hunter Abramson Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: October 11th, 2022 Genre: Romantic Suspense
When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.
As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm that he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly links Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle to the crime. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.
Book Review:
Wow! Another amazing book by two awesome authors. The Danger with Diamonds is a companion novel to Heirs of Falcon Point. I was beyond excited to hear that there was going to be another book. I knew that some of the characters still had a story that needed to be told. It was fun to see Lars and Cole again and get to read their story.
Cole was a CIA Operative. He was used to being undercover and working under pressure but he was not used to courting a girl. It was sweet to read about Cole fighting for Isabelle, but Cole also had to figure out how to find his family’s jewels. Isabelle was so cool. I loved how she was able to handle herself and yet she knew when she needed help. Isabelle was hurt when Cole ghosted her but she was willing to put aside her feelings to get to the bottom of the heist. However, as Cole and Isabelle spent time together, they found themselves falling for each other.
Lars was a sweetheart. I really liked him. You didn’t get to see much of him in the last book so it was cool to learn more about him. He wasn’t an operative but he wasn’t willing to let his family’s jewels just be taken. It was cool to see Lars step up and fight. Marit was also wonderful. She was one of Lars’ closest friends and it was sweet to read about them falling in love. Marit had to learn to trust Lars and his family especially as things got complicated. Marit and Lars always had a connection but as they interacted, it grew to more.
It was interesting to read about Cole and Lars and see them falling in love. I loved both of the characters and reading about their romance. They were both unique characters and they made the book fun to read. All of the characters had a part to play that was exciting to see. The characters were likable and I was able to connect with them. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how this story was going to end. The plot was engaging and I didn’t know what they were going to find out about the bank heist.
The Danger with Diamonds is a must read! It is an exciting suspenseful romance. I felt as if this was the perfect blind of romance and suspense. I am crossing my fingers that there will be more books to come in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Danger with Diamonds by Traci Hunter Abramson & Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book:
Title: The Danger with Diamonds Series: Falcon Point Suspense #1 Author: Sian Ann Bessey and Traci Hunter Abramson Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: October 11th, 2022 Genre: Clean & Wholesome Romantic Suspense
Some secrets are worth keeping. Others are not.
When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.
As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm that he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly links Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle to the crime. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.
We really came up with the idea for The Danger with Diamonds while we were still working on The Heirs of Falcon Point. Both of us knew that our characters had more stories to tell, and it didn’t take long for the basic plot to take shape.
How did you choose the title of the book?
We offered several title suggestions to our publisher, but Sian came up with this one based on the diamonds that are integral to the plot and the danger that follows them.
How did you co write this book?
We wrote together using a Google.doc with the basic idea of what the first couple scenes would look like. Then each day Traci would write a scene or two in the morning. When Sian woke up (she is in a time zone two hours behind Traci), she would then work on her scene. Often when Traci would wake up, Sian would have another scene waiting for her. Every 8 to 10 scenes, we would have a zoom call to plan out the next portion of the book.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Sian will tell you it was getting Traci to help figure out the bad guy. Traci will tell you it was trying to figure out the bad guy. This is what happens when two discovery writers come together, and one (Traci) has absolutely no idea what is going to happen next.
How much research did you need to do in order to write this book?
Traci’s CIA background saved us hours of research into the ins-and-outs of law enforcement. There were a few times when we felt it necessary to check on specific protocols, but for the most part, her knowledge borne of experience was our best resource. Having grown up in Wales, Sian’s European upbringing helped make our European characters more authentic. We have both visited Vienna, which helped us as we decided on locations for various scenes. Our most time-consuming research involved uncovering small details like: When does the Christmas Market at Stephansplatz open? Which U-bahn lines run underground? What are the toppings offered at a typical doner stand?
Do you like writing the romance or suspense parts better?
We both find romantic and suspense scenes challenging to write. The suspense build up is not as difficult as a fight scene. And the increase in romantic tension is not as difficult as a kissing scene. Given a choice, we’d both avoid writing fight scenes and kissing scenes completely if we could.
Where do you get the ideas for your characters?
The main characters in The Danger with Diamonds originally appeared in Heirs of Falcon Point. Lars and Cole are cousins who only recently learned of each other’s existence. Neither of them has brothers, and it was really fun to develop a brother-like relationship between them. Isabelle and Marit, our primary female characters in this book, also had cameo appearances in Heirs of Falcon Point, but we really enjoyed fleshing out their characters and allowing their individual strengths to shine. Most of our characters are a blending of people we know and people we’ve observed over the years.
How do you write relatable characters?
No one is perfect, including fictional characters, but at their core, our heroes and heroines are good people trying to do the right thing. We enjoy using humor to endear our characters to readers. We also show our characters making mistakes, overcoming difficult things, and trying to improve. Ultimately, when readers finish one of our books, we’d like them to feel a bond with the characters and be glad for the time they spent with them.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) Safe House won Whitney Awards for both the mystery/suspense category as well as 2017 Adult Novel of the Year. She added two additional awards in 2019 (Mistaken Reality – best mystery/suspense and Sanctuary – Adult Novel of the Year.) She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and recently retired from coaching high school swimming.
Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.comto follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.
Although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.” She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she’s home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
Connect with Sian by visiting sianannbessey.comto follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of The Danger of Diamonds, and book-themed swag (including stickers, bookmark, and postcard).
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 17, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 24, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Title: Not Dead Yet Series: Guardian #6 Author: Traci Hunter Abramson Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: June 13th, 2022 Genre: Suspense
Cassidy Edgemont has been dead for four years. At least, that is what the world has been led to believe. After becoming unwittingly entangled in a group called the Coalition, known for using fake news to generate political unrest in the United States, Cas was offered a devastating choice: stage her own death and join her rescuers, the guardians, or risk the wrath of the organization she betrayed. She chose death.
As an invisible government operative, Cas has been living in Paris with no complications—until her family pays an unexpected visit to the European city, changing everything. They think Cas is dead, and she has to keep it that way. But when a bomb is detonated nearby and fake news incites riots in the city, Cas recognizes the mark of the Coalition.
Donovan, a fellow guardian, is summoned to join her in Paris to attempt to untangle the intricate web linking Cas’s past with the recent bombings. But as the threat level escalates, Cas must again make an impossible decision: face possible exposure to her family in her race to uncover the truth or risk the loss of innocent lives.
Book Review:
Another winner by Traci Hunter Abramson! Not Dead Yet is the sixth book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s Guardian series. I have to admit that I haven’t read the first five yet but it did not take away from the amazing book except that there were some characters who I did not really know, but otherwise it was great!
Cassidy Edgemont was a great character, she really drew me in from the beginning. I loved reading about Cas and reading about her trying to save her family. She had suffered a lot and lost a lot, but she was still trying to do the right thing through it all. It was definitely sweet to read about her interacting with Donovan and learning to trust him though. Cas was so strong and I just loved her character throughout the book
Donovan was also lovely. I loved him from the beginning. It was fun to read from his perspective and see him learning to trust Cas, and then falling in love. He was also a guardian and he wanted to find his own family. Donovan worked hard to protect Cas and help their mission.
Donovan and Cas were cute together and I definitely loved reading about their interactions. However romance was not the only thing that kept this book going. There was suspense and mystery. Oh my goodness, I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. I didn’t know what was going to happen or how Cas was going toprotect her family. It was so exciting and I was engaged the whole time
Not Dead Yet was wonderful! I loved everything about it! It was fun to see the other characters, I need to go read their books. I would definitely recommend Not Dead Yet. Not Dead Yet is a clean romantic suspense book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Nine months ago, Amaliya Marcell’s world was rocked when she nearly lost her parents in a devastating accident. In that moment, everything changed, and it was with no small amount of determination that the former ballerina rebuilt her life into something wonderful alongside the man she loves, her pairs ice-skating partner, Tyler.
Since he was a child, Tyler Linden has dreamed of Olympic gold. And with Amaliya by his side, he’s confident that his goal is finally within reach. The pair is on track to compete in the Winter Games in Leningrad, but the path to gold turns out to be rougher than they expected. A painful injury on the ice shakes Amaliya’s confidence, and it will take every ounce of willpower to keep working toward the competition of her life. But when the discovery of a family secret connects her to the Soviet Union, the truth of her history forges within Amaliya a renewed determination to make her Olympic dreams a reality.
Book Review:
This was so good! I didn’t want to put it down. Dreams of Gold is the second book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s series, Dream’s Edge. This book was a continuation of the first book and it was really good! At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it because I generally read series that contain standalone books but I loved Dreams of Gold!
Amaliya and Tyler were working towards competing in the Olympics and winning gold, but there were a lot of obstacles that stood in their way. The path to gold had a lot of twists and turns. A painful injury and situations in life shake their confidence and it will take all of their willpower to keep on going. However when Amaliya learns of her connection to the Soviet Union, she is given a drive to make their Olympic dreams come true.
I really enjoyed reading more about Amaliya and Tyler. It was fun because I had liked them from the first book and it was cool to read about them connecting and growing. They had a lot to overcome and it was sweet to read about them coming together. It was interesting to read the obstacles they faced and learn to overcome them. They faced injuries but they also had to learn to work through hard relationships. I liked how real Amlaiya and Tyler felt, they were just two people working towards their dreams. It was definitely cute to read about them interacting with each other, reading about them falling more and more in love.
The storyline was so interesting, Abramson keeps you on the edge of your seat. I didn’t know how the story would turn out, but I was definitely interested. Although this book is more of a slice of life book, there were still some twists and turns. I don’t want to say anything else, but this is definitely a must read book. I also loved seeing characters from the first book, and getting to see their Coach more. I enjoyed the family aspects of these characters and how they came together to help each other throughout the trials they were facing.
Dreams of Gold was an amazing book! I could not recommend it more. I loved Dreams of Gold but you do need to read these books in order because it really adds to the story. I can’t wait to read the next book, there are still some questions to be answered. Dreams of Gold is a clean romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
A lifetime ago, Maggie Alexander’s parents narrowly missed medaling in the Olympics as pairs figure skaters. Now a coach, her father Gordon is living his dreams through the skaters he trains—until Maggie is forced to deliver heartbreaking news: her mother’s battle against cancer will be a losing one. Shattered, her father loses his dreams in an instant—his beloved wife and his will to coach. Left to pick up the pieces, a devastated Maggie finds herself relying on the steadfast support of her childhood best friend, Lance Whitmore.
Despite the fact that Maggie has never seen Lance as more than a friend, his heart has always been hers. Lance does what he can to help Maggie work through her grief, and soon their friendship blossoms into love. But when distance threatens their relationship, Maggie is torn between building a life with the man she loves and helping her broken father rebuild his life.
Book Review:
I read this sweet novella in one day! I recently found Traci Hunter Abramson’s books and I have fallen in love! Her books are always interesting and engaging with great characters and this book was no different. Broken Dreams is a novella in Traci Hunter Abramson’s Dreams Edge series, it is 1.5. Broken Dreams was a fun novella that really added to the series and I am so glad that I read it!
A lifetime ago, Maggie Alexander’s parents nearly medaled in the Olympics as pairs figure skaters. However, now her father Gordon coaches and is following his dreams through the skater he trains. But when Maggie is forced to deliver the heartbreaking news that her mother’s fight against cancer will be a losing one, his dreams are shattered yet again. After losing his wife, her father loses the will to coach, and Maggie is forced to try to make sense of her new life. Feeling out of her element she leans on the steadfast support of her childhood best friend, Lance Whitmore. Although they have never been more than friends, Lance’s heart has always belonged to Maggie. As Lance comes alongside Maggie, their friendship starts to grow to something more. However, when distance and family threaten their relationship, will they be able to last?
Maggie was such a strong character. Her family was her life, but the death of her mother changed everything. I enjoyed reading about Maggie as she learned to come to terms with the death of her mother and how she grew from it. She was struggling because she wanted to help her father too, when her mother died she felt as if she lost them both. I adored Maggie from the start, and I wanted her to find her happy ending. It was sweet to read about her connection with Lance. He was a friend who could help bear the load. They were a cute couple. However, Maggie will have to learn how to balance her relationship with Lance and her father, learning what it means to fly the coop.
Lance was an awesome character. He was so kind, and he really cared for Maggie. He was learning how to love her and help her in a way that worked. I enjoyed reading more about him and seeing his relationship with Maggie. He was such a great guy. However, he had to learn how to not take things too fast and wait patiently on Maggie. He didn’t have that many faults, but I still liked him as a character, he was just leaning towards the perfect side 🙂
I was definitely excited to learn more about Gorman. He loved his wife dealing and he didn’t know what to do after losing her. It was sad to see his desperation and his sadness, but he tried his best for his daughter. I liked reading about him growing up and seeing that he couldn’t give up. He was breaking but he wasn’t broken beyond repair.
Broken Dreams was a sweet and short novella, the characters were amazing and I really felt for them. The ending was awesome and oh so sweet, I want to reread An Unlikely Pair now! I would totally recommend Broken Dreams! Broken Dreams is a clean, historical romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
Title: Heirs of Falcon Point Author: Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A. L Sowards Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: October 11, 2021 Genre: Historical Fiction
In the early days of World War II, the Lang family lost everything. Eighty years later, it’s time to take it back.
The Nazis have taken control of Austria, and wealthy widower Leopold Lang faces a difficult decision: join the ranks of the foreign power that has taken over his homeland or flee with his children to safety. Leopold makes his choice—but too late. His family is ripped apart, never to be reunited. But decades later, fate brings together the descendants of this broken dynasty in the place where it all began—Falcon Point.
Anna, Cole, and Tess have never met, each relying on fractured pieces of information to understand their Austrian heritage. But when unforeseen opportunities draw these Lang cousins to Falcon Point, they soon discover they are not alone in their quest to claim the coveted property and the fabled treasure hidden within. Unfortunately, another claimant, one with a much darker heritage, is determined to eliminate the Lang family once and for all.
I was so excited to read this book especially because some of my favorite authors collaborated to write this lovely book! Heirs of Falcon Point is written by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, and A. L. Sowards and it was such an exciting book!
Karl was on the run, he just wanted to protect his family. He and his two sisters, Anna and Ingrid were forced to flee their home but they never expected to be ripped apart by the war, never to be reunited. Anna, Cole and Tess have never met or even known of each other but they are searching for the past that their relatives had told them of. However there are some who don’t wish for the Lang family to find each other or find Falcon Point. Will the descendents of Karl and his sisters, Anna, Cole and Tess, be able to find each other and find their home. Or will those who wish to take the wealth of Falcon Point succeed?
This was such a fun and interesting book to read! There were so many things happening and I was really interested in seeing how it would end! The first person you really follow is Karl and his sisters as they escape their home. Karl was an interesting character to read from, he was loyal to a fault and he wanted to avenge his family.
I adored all of the characters and I enjoyed reading from their perspectives. They were different characters and yet they were also similar. They each had their own ideas and the way they responded to difficult situations.
Anna was also fun, I found her conversations with Beckett so sweet. She came to work at Falcon Point and it was sweet to read about letting Beckett back into her heart. I liked how strong and stubborn she was, it was cool.
Tess wasn’t really searching for her past or to learn more about her heritage, but life had other plans. She was brave and I liked how she didn’t freak out when things got crazy. She was strong but she was also able to lean on her friends. Her romance with Bram was sweet! He was so nice.
Cole was the “cool” one. It was really interesting to read about him and see how he was different from his cousins. He knew what he was looking for and he also knew how to take care of himself. I also enjoyed reading from his perspective. His side romance was also cute, just not as prominent.
The whole story was interesting and I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. The bad guy was shockingly good at what he does. But the ending!! I would recommend this book to those who like any books by these authors. I am excited to read more by these authors. Heirs of Falcon Point was a clean, historical suspense romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
About the Authors
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She loves to travel and enjoys coaching her local high school swim team. She has written more than thirty bestselling novels and is a seven-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year.
Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a college student, publishing several articles in the New Era, Ensign, and Liahona magazines. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best-selling author, a Foreword Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.
Sian and her husband, Kent, are the parents of five children and the grandparents of three beautiful girls and two handsome boys. They currently live in Idaho, and although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch still rolls off her tongue.
Traveling, reading, cooking, and being with her grandchildren are some of her favorite activities.
Paige Edwards is an award-winning author of contemporary Regency romances with a side-order of suspense. Her stories have debuted in the number-one Amazon spot for Christian fiction and have received national five-star reviews by Reader’s Favorite and InD’Tale Magazine. Her novels appeal to a wide range of readers from Historical Romance to Mystery/Suspense. She holds a degree in interior design and has worked professionally in that field. Due to her strong British roots, Paige’s books are often set in the UK, and she hops the pond whenever she gets the chance. She Is the Lady Paige Edwards when in Scotland, but her favorite title is Grandma. When she needs a break from writing, she serves as president of her area’s Interfaith Community Council, she is fond of digging in the dirt (what some might call gardening), she bikes the battlefields, and she kayaks on the lake.
A. L. Sowards has always been fascinated by the 1940s, but she’s grateful she didn’t live back then. She doesn’t think she could have written a novel on a typewriter, and no one would be able to read her handwriting if she wrote her books out longhand. She does, however, think they had the right idea when they rationed nylon and women went barelegged.
Sowards is the author of multiple historical fiction novels, with settings spanning the globe from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries. Her stories have become Whitney Finalists and won a Whitney Award, reached the number one spot across multiple Amazon categories, received praise from the Historical Novel Society, and been loved by readers from a variety of backgrounds.
She lives with her husband and three children and has called Washington State, Utah, and Alaska home. She enjoys hiking and swimming, usually manages to keep up with the laundry, and loves it when someone else cooks dinner. She doesn’t own a typewriter, but she does own a pair or two of nylons.
Gage Stewart has spent five years trying to overcome his past. Once an abused and troubled teenager, he has worked tirelessly to move beyond the fateful day he was manipulated into holding a group of teenagers hostage. Now, with a new identity and a college degree in criminal psychology, he accepts an unlikely job teaching others what to do during mass shootings.
At the hotel where his class is held, Gage is immediately drawn to Skyler Prescott, the daughter of the wealthy hotel owner. Gage and Skyler quickly discover a shared desire for normalcy, and their easy friendship soon develops into something more. But after a night out ends in horror when a gunman opens fire in the crowded venue, they make an alarming discovery that threatens more than their relationship. The attack was little more than a publicity stunt to draw out the real target: presidential candidate Senator James Whitmore. Unwilling to become someone’s scapegoat, Gage must now work in tandem with the very men who ended his own life of crime before it began—the Saint Squad.
Book Review:
I haven’t read any of the other Saint Squad books but Redemption was still amazing and thrilling! Redemption is the 11th book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s Saint Squad series and it was truly a wonderful suspenseful book! Redemption had so many wonderful characters and a story that I couldn’t put down. I know I need to read the rest of the books. I now have so many books to add to my TBR!
Skylar was so fun to read about, she was learning how to be herself and not let her family define her. She just wanted to live a quiet life, but being related to a man who owned hotels had their perks. It was sweet to read about her falling in love with Gage, she allowed him to see parts of herself that she kept hidden from the rest of the world. However, will she stand with Gage when she learns about his past? Will Skylar be able to see the changed man that Gage had become?
I felt for Gage from the beginning. He had gone through so much at a young age and I wanted him to find peace. I enjoyed reading about him as he learned to forgive himself and move on from the past. It was cute to read about him falling in love with Skylar and wanting to make her feel special. However, teaching others what to do during mass shootings brings back memories of his past. Gage had to figure out how to help others and see the good in himself.
Gage and Skylar were definitely a lot of fun to read about, but it was also so interesting to read from some of the other Saint Squad members’ perspective. It was cool to read about the Saint Squad and it made me want to read the other books. I love characters who find their “family” and stick with them. The characters were lovely, and their relationships were so relatable. The action and suspense were perfect. I didn’t feel scared but I also couldn’t put the book down. I needed to know what would happen and how it would end.
Redemption is the first suspense book that I have read written by Traci Hunter Abrmason, but it will definitely not be the last. I would totally recommend this book, even if you haven’t read the rest of the series it is still great. I also love how the title fits the story, it was such an awesome redemption story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
After a family tragedy, aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater, she finds a glimmer of hope.
After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the US national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink. Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. However, competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve their dreams.
Book Excerpt:
Washington, DC January 1982 Frigid air, skates scraping against the ice, the scent of stale popcorn. Amaliya Marcell sat in one of the twenty thousand seats of the Cap Centre and laced up her figure skates before she tugged her leg warmers into place and watched while twenty hockey players worked through their last drill.
As soon as they finished, they joined her father at center ice.
The great Robert Marcell. Amaliya still missed watching her father compete, but his transition from player to assistant coach to head coach had allowed her to enjoy her routine of spending time with her dad at work. She could hardly remember a Saturday when the Washington Capitals were home and she hadn’t been here with him.
Travis, the goalkeeper, stepped off the ice and gave her a disapproving shake of his head. “You’re wearing the wrong skates again.”
“You sound like my dad.”
“Coach knows what he’s talking about,” Travis said.
“Maybe for you, but I don’t think I’m going to be joining a hockey team anytime soon.” Amaliya stepped past him. “Figure skates are more my style these days.”
“Too bad. With a bit more practice, maybe you could score on me.”Amaliya’s eyebrows lifted. “I scored a goal on you last week.”
“That was a lucky shot.”
“That’s what he always says,” her dad said as he joined them. Amaliya grinned. “Yeah, I know.”
“Travis, get some rest. It’s the kid’s turn to play.”
“Kid?” Amaliya stepped onto the ice and twirled to face her dad. “I hate to break it to you, but I’ll be an adult next week.”
“Don’t remind me,” Robert groaned.“Good luck, Coach.” Travis started toward the locker room.
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.” Robert turned his attention to Amaliya and spoke in French, his preferred language, thanks to his upbringing in Quebec. “Are you going to play a little one-on-one with your old man?”“Don’t you have to check on your players?”
“I can spare a few minutes.” He tapped his stick against the ice. “Show me what you’ve got.”
“Okay.” Amaliya combined her years of ballet training with growing up on the ice and executed a spin that resembled a pirouette.
“When you skate like that, you look like a ballerina on the ice.”Amaliya laughed. “I am a ballerina on the ice.”
“Honey, I hate to break it to you, but most ballerinas can’t do that once they put on ice skates.”
“If you say so.” She skated backward so she could still see her dad. “You’re going to let me skate while you’re in your meetings, right?”
Robert grabbed an extra hockey stick and held it out. “Play a little hockey with me first, and I might be persuaded.” Amaliya made a quick stop and returned to her father. She took the offering and grinned. “Deal.”
Book Review:
This book was just what I needed, I was in a bit of a reading slump, but it pulled me right out of it. An Unlikely Pair is the first book that I have read written by Traci Hunter Abramson, but I was really excited to read it! I had heard so many good things about Abramson books, and I have to say this one lived up to the hype. An Unlikely Pair is the first book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s new series, Dream’s Edge.
Amailya’s whole life had been turned upside down after her parent’s accident. She was such a strong character. I liked her from the beginning. She did feel a bit mature for her age, but I loved that about her. She is someone that I would have wanted as a friend and a person I would have tried to befriend. I liked reading about her growing more comfortable and learning to live again after her parent’s accident.
Tyler was a sweet guy. I liked how he was nice to Amailya from the beginning. He was struggling because he wanted to go to the Olympics, but it looked like his dreams were slipping through his fingertips. He befriended Amailya never knowing how much she would change his life. I liked reading about him interacting with his sister too, I thought they were cute together. Tyler had to learn what it meant to chase after his dreams and what it meant to love Amailya.
Okay, so this was just an amazing book! I loved the skating party and the relationships between all of the characters. I loved some of them and loved to hate others. Tyler and Amailya were super cute together and I liked the progression of their relationship, and that they were friends first. I also liked how well they seemed to get along, although they did have some disagreements. I loved Mike and Linda, Amailya’s aunt and uncle, and I really enjoyed reading about them! It was lovely to read about Tyler and Amailya chasing after their dreams of making the Olympics, and it was super fun to read about them practicing, and cheering them on as they worked towards qualifying.
I loved An Unlikely Pair! I would totally recommend it! I think that teens 13 and up would enjoy it. It was super cool to me that it was set in 1982, I liked the little easter eggs like the Walkmans. An Unlikely Pair is a clean book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
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Books and Everyday Life 