KILL SHOT by Anne Patrick

Kory Wagner is a former combat medic who survived three tours in Iraq. Now she's home for good and wondering what her future holds. Right now that future includes trying to stay alive. Someone killed her sister and the PI she hired to investigate her sisters death. She's next on the list and comes very close to taking a bullet. Sheriff Sean Harding is called in from vacation when the body of a PI is found dead in a warehouse that's owned by Kory. She manages to escape the Sheriff's whole search party. Sean finds her backpack and a scrapbook that gives him a little more insight into who Kory really is. Kory has a hard time trusting but her gut tells her Sean is a good man. Can they find the killer before he gets his target?

Kill Shot is an excellent start to the Wounded Heroes Series and I for one can't wait for the next installment! Anne once again works her magic in blending just the right amount of humor, suspense and romance to keep you glued to the end. The characters were very well drawn and full of life. As always Anne gives us a strong, capable yet sensitive heroine. Kory is very easy to like! Anne also keeps you guessing until the end who's responsible for the killings. Sean is the perfect kind of hero. Confident and strong enough to handle a strong female. I loved the secondary characters! One of which was Kory's dog, Zinger and the other was her best friend, Digger, from the Army. I actually liked her whole Army unit. You could easily see why they were close knit. The subject of PTSD was realistically addressed as well as the roll faith has in a persons life. You realize how much of an impact having a loving church family can have on a persons life. It's a great reminder that as believers we are God's hands and arms to those who struggle. Anne Patrick is one of my favorite authors. If you haven't read one of her books I highly recommend you pick one up. If you are an Anne Patrick fan, Kill Shot is one you won't want to miss!! A thank you goes to the author for this complimentary copy for my review.
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61252-102-2
Release Date: November 15, 2011

A LASTING IMPRESSION by Tamera Alexander

Claire Laurent loves to paint but she doesn't like doing what her father and uncle insist she do. Paint forgeries of famous paintings. When a robbery occurs at her father's gallery her uncle sends her to Nashville. Then fleeing some unwelcome advances from the man her uncle sent her to, she finds herself sleeping in a church. Claire overhears a couple of women talking about a job opportunity. When the women leave she thinks she's alone until Sutton Monroe makes himself known. A very handsome and intimidating attorney. She interviews at Belmont Mansion for the job as Mrs. Acklen's personal liaison but soon realizes that Sutton Monroe is her personal attorney and close friend. Sutton has his own problems going on with his family's land and his father's reputation. Claire is both challenged and inspired by Sutton as well as Mrs. Acklen. Sutton is intrigued by Claire's sweet yet feisty personality. Claire knows that at some point she must be honest about her past but when she does it may cost her everything she holds dear!

A Lasting Impression was a charming tale loaded with lots of great characters that were well drawn and had lots of depth to them. You hit the ground running in the beginning of the story but I must admit that toward the middle it seemed a little slow. The last half of the book however was WONDERFUL! I have to say that Sutton and Claire will remain some of my favorite characters. There was a chemistry between them that was tangible. Mrs. Acklen was a wise woman. One thing she said to Claire was so good. She said, "Oftentimes, through the years, Miss Laurent...I've pondered how much is provided for us by God's goodness. So many sources of enjoyment, and how thankful we should be. We should not expect to have all the blessings of life and none of it's trials. It would make this world too delightful a dwelling place, and I fear we would nerve care to leave it." That's good advice for each of us. The story had a nice blend of humorous moments, serious moments, touching moments and tense moments. I was pretty sure that I knew how it would end but the journey in getting there was very rewarding. Tamera Alexander is known for her wonderful rugged western stories but I must say I'm confident she'll make A Lasting Impression with her Belmont Mansion Novel. I'm looking forward to the next installment!!! A thank you goes to Bethany House and LibraryThing for providing this complimentary copy for my review!
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (November 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0764206222
ISBN-13: 978-0764206221

LOVE ON THE LINE by Deeanne Gist

Georgie Gail is a switchboard operator in the little town of Brenham. She loves her job, being independent and most especially birds. She's perfectly happy. That is until they send a new troubleman to her station. Luke Palmer is a Texas Ranger who is trying to bring Frank Comer and his gang to justice. When a train robbery occurs in Brenham, Luke is sent there undercover as the new troubleman. Georgie is very distracted by the handsome Luke Palmer and Luke finds Georgie is much more than he bargained for. The attraction between is definitely strong! But trouble is brewing and Luke knows that Georgie could end up in the middle of it. Will he be able to catch the Comer Gang and protect Georgie or will one come at the expense of the other?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I don't think I've read anything before on the subject of a switchboard operator so that was quite interesting. Even the job of a troubleman. I thought the story was well paced except I must say it waned just a little for me with all the 'bird parts' on the hats and the Audubon stuff but after that it was great! There was a real chemistry between Luke and Georgie and lots of good toe curling kisses! Luke is tough as nails on the outside but tenderhearted on the inside and Georgie is full of sass and grit. Together they make this a really fun story. I must say too that you'll want to be sure and read the authors note at the end. To me it made the story even better. If you're looking for a fun story with a bit of a sizzle then I recommend you try Love on the Line! A thank goes to Bethany House for providing this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (October 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0764204092
ISBN-13: 978-0764204098

DEEP COVER by Sandra Orchard

Rick Gray is an undercover cop. Maintaining his cover has meant allowing the woman he loves to think the worst of him, then allowing her to walk away for her own protection. Ginny Bryson has a hard time with trust. She takes a job working as a PR person for her uncle. Rick hires on with Ginny's uncle to gather evidence against him because he was responsible for setting the fire that killed his partner and friend. Imagine Ginny's surprise when she shows up on the job site and sees Rick. Only now he's Duke. Rick finally convinces her that he's there for a fresh start but things continue to come up that make her think Rick hasn't really changed at all. Will he be able to protect Ginny, take down her uncle and tell her who he really is before it's too late?

This was a story that I enjoyed and certainly kept me turning pages. It had a some unexpected twists and turns which is always fun. Rick was a really great hero. Your heart really went out to him. It caused me to think about the real-life undercover cops who probably deal with the same type issues. It's gotta be tough. Ginny kinda bugged me a little bit with her attitude. I suppose that in her position I might feel the same way but it just seemed she always thought the worst of Rick even though 'what she thought he was' and 'how he behaved' were polar opposites. There were times when it was hard for me to understand why Rick would want to be with someone who thought so little of him. But that makes for good drama. I really liked the supporting characters, Kim and Zach. They added an extra spark to the story. Sandra Orchard is a new author to me but I look forward to reading her future works. Deep Cover is book one in the Undercover Cops Series. A thank you goes to Harlequin who provided this complimentary copy for my review through Netgalley.
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (September 6, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0373444591
ISBN-13: 978-0373444595