THIN ICE by Irene Hannon

Christy Reed had experienced extreme heartache, first at the loss of her sister and then the loss of her parents. When she finally starts to gain some ground in feeling somewhat normal, she receives an envelope addressed to her in her sister's writing. A note inside lead her to believe her sister was still alive and if Christy wanted to see her again she was to await instructions and not contact police. Knowing she couldn't handle this on her own she reluctantly contacts the FBI. Lance McGregor was once part of Delta Force but he is now a special agent for the FBI. His first real case comes when he receives a call from Christy asking for his help in discovering the truth about her sister. He agrees to help her but instead of finding answers he's plagued with more questions; ones he's determined to answer, especially since Christy was quickly becoming more than just a job. As Lance continues to investigate, he soon realizes that something a lot bigger than he ever imagined is going on, something that will draw on all of his Delta Force experience to handle.

This was another great romantic suspense from Irene Hannon. From beginning to end, you'll find yourself totally immersed in the story and trying to fit together the clues along with the lead couple. In Buried Secrets (book one in the Men of Valor series) we were introduced to the McGregor brothers (Mac, Lance and Finn) but the focus was on Mac McGregor. Thin Ice focuses on Lance McGregor although the other brothers are very involved as well, which I loved. Lance was such a great guy but had trouble getting past something that happened while he was in Delta Force. Christy made a great leading lady. She was gracious and kind, and despite the terrible heartache she was dealing with, her simple faith in God shined through, which helped Lance out. Actually, I loved the way they helped each other and even though they thought it prudent to wait until the case was closed to explore their feelings, there was lots of romantic tension between them, which is always a plus in my book. The secondary characters were very well drawn and really added a lot to the story. Finn had a pretty big roll and it will leave you anxious to read his story! I know I can't wait. If you enjoy a great romantic suspense with real life characters, a creepy villain and some great romantic tension then this is one you won't want to miss. It's one time where I would highly recommend skating on 'Thin Ice'.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Revell through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Irene Hannon, I encourage you to visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.

BURIED SECRETS by Irene Hannon

Stress had taken a toll on Lisa Grant’s life so she gave up her detective job in Chicago to work as a police chief in the small town of Carson.  The easier pace was doing wonders for her, that is, until a construction crew dug up a human skeleton.  Mac McGregor left the SEALs for a quieter kind of job.  Now working as a county detective, they send him to Carson to assist Lisa Grant in solving who they found in the unmarked grave.  Though their initial meeting doesn't go so well, it's not long before they gain a deep respect for one another along with a deep attraction as well.  As they work together to gather information and evidence about what happened all those years ago, it becomes apparent that someone doesn't want the truth to be revealed and is willing to go to any lengths to keep the secrets buried.

This was a great start to Irene Hannon's Men of Valor series.  It really was the perfect blend of suspense and romance.  One thing I really liked was that even though Lisa was a police chief, she wasn't an 'in-your-face', hard, type woman.   She was a nice combination of strong yet soft. Mac was a great guy, the kind of hero I like reading about.  He was strong yet tender and comfortable in his own skin.  I loved the way he was with Lisa.  One thing I thoroughly enjoyed was the McGregor brothers.  The interaction and banter between them was so much fun.  I am looking forward to getting to know those brothers better.  I appreciated that both Mac and Lisa had a personal faith that got them through the difficult things they faced.  It was a great reminder that God is in control, of everything whether good or bad.  If you enjoy romantic suspense then this is one I would highly recommend.  If you don't believe me, head on over to Carson and see just what Buried Secrets will be revealed.

For more information about this book or other books by Irene Hannon, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.irenehannon.com/

MURDER AT BLACK LAKE by Anne Patrick

Jackson Ridge is someplace actress Jamie Riedel left behind, along with the difficult memories. Fourteen years ago, while camping with her father, they’re attacked by someone wearing a ski mask. She was wounded but her father was killed. Not long after that her mother sent her away to live with her grandma, but never understood why her mother did that. When her mother passes away, she returns to Jackson Ridge to settle her estate. It's not long before Jamie finds out, by way of a note on her door, that someone doesn't want her there, but why? Deputy Chief Gage Hansen has always had feelings for Jamie but a cheating wife and ugly divorce has made him apprehensive about opening his heart again, especially to Jamie after reading the stories about her life. But as they work together to find the truth about the past as well as the threats she's now receiving, he finds she’s very much the same girl he remembers. They also discover that their feelings for each other are still very strong. Can two people on very different paths form a future together? The road ahead will have a few unexpected curves and just might result in a 'dead' end if they’re not careful.

I have read most, if not all, of Anne Patrick's books and I can honestly say that none have ever disappointed me. Murder at Black Lake was no exception. Although this was not really an 'edge of your seat' type story, it was full of mystery and intrigue and I will say that there were a couple of places where I held my breath. All the characters were very well drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Jamie and Gage. Jamie was strong yet vulnerable. She had achieved success by the world’s standards but she never felt truly fulfilled. Gage was the perfect combination of strong and tender. I liked the fact that even though he had been badly hurt he didn't become hardened by it. I loved the interaction between them. It was fun and romantic and I appreciated that there wasn't a lot of angst. It made it a pleasure to read. I also appreciated that each had a personal faith that was evident in how they lived. That always encourages me. Gage's sister Mallory was someone I enjoyed getting to know. I would love to see a story with her as the lead and find out what happens with her and Cade. As I closed the book, I was reminded that the conclusions we draw about certain situations are not always correct, so we need to be careful to gather the complete truth before making a judgment. Wow, that was food for thought. If you enjoy a good romantic mystery with a side of suspense, then I would definitely recommend a trip to Jackson Ridge. Do be careful, I hear there's been a little trouble there lately.

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Anne Patrick I encourage you to visit her website at: www.annepatrickbooks.com

CHRISTMAS WITH MISS AUSTEN by Laura Briggs

Julia Allen makes her living as a waitress but her real passion is painting; something she does in her off time.  She also loves portraying Jane Austen at a Christmas open house at one of the historical homes in town.  One evening, she fell asleep in the mansion after all the guests had left.  When she awakens it's late and she rushes home in the dark, still dressed as Jane Austen, and collides with a stranger which causes her to drop the rare and extremely valuable copy of Northanger Abbey that she borrowed from a friend.  Knowing she must replace the book before her friend returns from vacation, she seeks help from Eliot Weston.  Eliot Weston thinks he may have dreamed up his encounter with the lady dressed in Regency-era clothes, except he finds the book she dropped.  Knowing the value of it he wants to find its rightful owner.  Julia is nothing like the girl in his late-night encounter but she is seeking to find a copy of that exact book.  Not to mention there is something about her that draws him in.  What happens when Julia finds out that Eliot has the book she's looking for?  Will Eliot ever figure out who the lady of his late night encounter was?

I thoroughly enjoyed this cute story and thought it had the makings of a good Hallmark movie.  The characters were very well drawn and I felt like I really got to know them.  This is a 'feel good' story so you won't find any major conflicts, which makes for a nice soothing read.  I've read two books by this author and both have been very good.  If you're looking for a quick, romantic, intriguing read then look no further.  Christmas with Miss Austen is a fun story that can really be enjoyed any time of year.  I look forward to seeking out other books by Laura Briggs.

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*