Over Maya Dead Body

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
OVER MAYA DEAD BODY

Crime doesn't take a vacation

FBI Special Agent Serena Jones arrives on Martha's Vineyard with her family, ready for a bit of R & R and a lot of reminiscing as they celebrate the engagement of an old family friend. But when a suspicious death tied to an antiquities smuggling ring interrupts her picture-perfect trip, she's soon entangled in the investigation.

Propelled into danger, Serena must stay the course and solve this case before anyone else dies. But just how is she supposed to do that when the two men in her life arrive on the scene, bringing with them a boatload of romantic complications -- and even a secret or two?

My Review:

Campy and quirky and sooooooo much fun. The author's devious plotting leads Serena and company on a merry chase around Martha's Vineyard as they work on solving a very personal murder mystery. Madcap mayhem guaranteed! Aunt Martha is in her element and even Harold the Cat gets to pack his bag and cone holidaying...even if a murder interrupts the festivities before they really get started!

The mystery is brilliant. I think I suspected nearly every secondary character at some point in my read. And I was all too gullible in places, willing to be reeled in by multiple red herrings. I might just have to turn in my armchair sleuth credentials after finishing this novel!

This is the third and final book in the Serena Jones Mystery series and, honestly, I think it is best to read these books in order.. That's because of the developing romantic entanglements that carry over from one book to the next. And, hallelujah,we finally find out who Serena will spend her happily ever after with in Over Maya Dead Body!

In fact the author did something rather outrageous and totally intriguing -- she let readers vote for who Serena would choose as her Mr. Right. Fans quickly divided into teams -- Nate vs Tanner -- and all bets were off. Even Sandra Orchard didn't know what the romance outcome would be as she was writing this third book. Talk about gutsy. But she pulls it off brilliantly.

I have to admit to falling hard for both heroes -- wisecracking FBI agent Tanner and there's-more-than-meets-the-eye neighbour Nate. My heart feels rather pummeled now that I've watched it all play out to a stunning conclusion. And I loved every minute even though I'm not a fan of love triangles as a rule.

Clever from the unique cover art to the tongue-in-cheek title to the compelling story within. I loved this book so much that I savored it over a period of three days! (I usually read a book in a day or day and a  half.) But I didn't want this one to end even though I wanted to know how everything turned out. So I doled out my reading time in short installments and then giddily created my own spin offs scene by scene before picking up with the story once again. Reading Over Maya Dead Body was such a blast! I'll admit to feeling a bit melancholy now that it's all over.

Book provided courtesy of the author and Revell Publishing

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Over Maya Dead Body, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so that it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announce on Sunday July 16 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Another Day Another Dali

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DALI

The world of art theft can be a deadly game -- one that Serena Jones understands all too well.

When FBI Special Agent Serena Jones takes on the case of a forged Dali painting as a favor to her grandmother, she assumes it will be a typical investigation. Hopefully collaring the thief will also mean finally measuring up in her grandmother's eyes. But the deeper she delves into the forgery and the suspects surrounding it, the less typical it becomes.

The Dali isn't the only painting that's fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the possibility of a sophisticated theft ring -- one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena's grandfather. To make matters worse, someone connected to the forgeries seems to be determined to stop Serena's investigation -- no matter the cost.

Another Day, Another Dali gives the plucky Serena Jones -- and readers -- a new high-stakes case to crack. You won't want to miss a single brushstroke!

My Review:

Clever title. Clever cover. Clever plot. Campy good fun with lots of tongue-in-cheek wit and a passel of quirky secondary characters. Not to mention an opinionated cat named Harold. What is not to love?

And that includes the two hero heart-throbs engaged in a subtle one-upmanship as they vie for Serena's attention. In fact the author has invited her readers to cast their vote for the man who will ultimately claim Serena's heart by the end of the series. I'm hovering between Team Nate and Team Tanner in the worst way. I love them both and I don't want either one to get hurt. :-(  The uncertainty of it all is causing me severe romantical reader anxiety!

Serena Jones has moxie...except maybe when it comes to facing her formidable grandmother. A complicated family history ties Serena to her past and that shapes her present. She feels like she has a lot to prove and becoming an FBI Agent extraordinaire is her way of doing that. Unfortunately she has to juggle her professional life with an eclectic mix of relatives who kept me grinning the whole read through. And Orchard dangles an exciting hint about Aunt Martha's past for the avid mystery connoisseur to store away in anticipation of the next book. (Another Day, Another Dali is the second book in A Serena Jones Mystery series and while it can be read as a standalone, there's enough carry over in characters and one over-arcing plot point that I think it's best to read the books in order.)

A compelling mystery with plenty of potential suspects and hair-raising cat-and-mouse scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. Orchard is really skilled at creating whiplash plots. Half the time I didn't know if I should be laughing or ducking. But in the end, Serena emerges triumphant. Case closed along with another piece of the larger puzzle that ties the books in the series together.

The only thing missing is an inspirational thread. Just a mention of attending church and a paragraph about observing Sunday as a day of rest. And there's so much potential in Serena's life for a solid faith thread to be woven in. Otherwise, this novel ticked all the boxes and then some. Can't wait for the final Serena Jones installment.

My thanks to the author and Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Another Day Another Dali please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 6 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Fool & His Monet

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
A FOOL & HIS MONET

Sketchy politics and a palette of lies can't stop Serena Jones from exposing the mastermind behind the daring theft of a priceless work of art.

Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art -- one that's surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about who murdered her grandfather. She's joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite the her mother's pleas to do something safer -- like get married -- Serena's determined to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Serena leaps into action -- and a whole heap of trouble.

My Review:

Campy and fun and chock-full of mystery -- an incredible beginning to a new series. And I just love this retro-style cover. Fits the book's ambiance to a T.

Serena has enough quirks to keep a reader smiling in the midst of an intense art theft investigation. The perfect blend of action, suspense and the hint of romantic entanglement...only, oh dear, there seem to be a number of eligible candidates. Time...and a few more books should set us straight on that score.

And her family likes to stir things up a bit -- especially Aunt Martha who has an interesting past. Orchard hasn't shared it yet, but I'm betting on something knock-your-socks-off surprising. There's another character, Nate, who is much more than he seems -- I'm sure of it. Two subtle clues set my reader spidey senses on edge and I can't wait to see if I'm right. Another reason to anxiously await the next installment which comes out in September.

Like most cozy mysteries, A Fool & His Monet is written in first person point of view. We're in Serena's headspace all the way. I know a lot of people don't like this POV, but I think it worked really well in this case. It's kind of fun to see everything through Serena's eyes only, including some interesting men who just might be thinking of her as more than a friend.

And I could tell the author really did her research when it comes to police and FBI procedure and that results in a fascinating journey into the inner workings of an investigation. Honestly, I don't know how Orchard kept all the intricate nuances straight! Spectacularly done.

I have only one complaint and that is the lack of any kind of faith thread. I know this is becoming more commonplace among Christian publishers but it still makes my heart hurt. Especially from a big name publisher like Revell. It is clear that Serena is a Christian through simple things like blessing the food at a family meal but an actual inspirational thread just isn't there. :-(

Still, this is a splendid start to a promising new series -- witty, upbeat and full of the unexpected. Sweet perfection for the avid cozy mystery fan.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Fool & His Monet please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 13 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Desperate Measures

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
DESPERATE MEASURES

Kate won’t be safe until all of Port Aster’s secrets are revealed

 

Researcher Kate Adams has finally pinpointed the supposed “miracle plant” that tore her family apart years ago. She’s certain that discovering its secrets is her only hope of solving the mystery surrounding her father’s disappearance. She’s willing to risk anything to find the truth, including her relationship with Detective Tom Parker. But with so many people in pursuit of the plant, going it alone might be a fatal mistake.

 

Award-winning author Sandra Orchard pulls out all the stops in this breakneck and breathtaking conclusion to the Port Aster Secrets series.

 

My Review:

 

Have you ever met a heroine that was so stubborn you just wanted to smack her upside the head to knock some sense into her? Only you like her too much to do bodily damage so you suffer in silence while grinding your teeth? Yeah, well Kate's that kind of heroine. And yes, I get why she is the way she is and I can totally sympathize but the girl hasn't a clue -- including about how to manage a protective type boyfriend. Mind you, Tom doesn't have a clue how to manage a maverick researcher like Kate either. You might say they deserve each other. And what a delicious conundrum that makes for the avid romance reader. Since this is the concluding book in a three part series Orchard doesn't hold anything back, making their romance a sizzling read.

 

The suspense is complicated and relentless. Since some of the suspense carries over from the first two books, I'd recommend that you read the Port Aster Secrets novels in order. For two reasons: First: this one has spoilers related to the previous stories. Second: As I said, the suspense is complicated and involves a lot of players -- a lot of suspects -- as well as intricate details that all lead up to the riveting conclusion. It will just make more sense if you've read Deadly Devotion and Blind Trust first. 

 

A hard-to-put-down read that left me guessing until the very end.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Desperate Measures please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 12 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Emergency Reunion

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
EMERGENCY REUNION

Saved by the sheriff's deputy

Paramedic Sherri Steele refuses to believe someone's out to get her—until she's held at knifepoint in her own ambulance. It'll take her high school crush to convince her she needs protection—and deputy sheriff Cole Donovan is as persuasive as he is handsome. But when his brother rises to the top of the suspects list, Cole's torn between family duty and the woman he's never forgotten. With every emergency call to the paramedics turning into an attack on Sherri's life, Cole's convinced Sherri has a stalker. Cole needs to know whether his brother is the culprit before things spiral out of control. Survival—and a future with Sherri—depends on discovering who wants to cause trauma to this EMT.

My Review:

Intensely action-driven, Emergency Reunion is a nail-biter of a read.  Orchard's imagination knows no bounds when it comes to tormenting her hapless heroine. Sherri barely has time to recover from one attack before the next comes out of nowhere. And with nary a gun fired since the villain is cunningly diabolical and downright cruel. Another product of the author's vivid imagination. There's plenty of suspects to confuse the intrepid armchair sleuth and enough plot twists to keep a reader slightly off balance. And the romance? Delectable. Evident from the very first scene since both Sherri and Cole have harbored feelings for one another for years. I was entranced from beginning to end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Emergency Reunion please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 7 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Identity Withheld

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
IDENTITY WITHHELD

Witness in hiding

After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named "Kara Grant" is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she's guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she's been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father's door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she'll pay for her silence could be her life.

My Review:

Starts off with a bang and the pace just doesn't let up. Take a deep breath before you open this book because it's guaranteed you'll need the oxygen. Loved the opening scenes. Kara fleeing for her life, unable to trust anyone. Jake in full protector mode unable to leave well enough alone. The lady says she doesn't need his help but he doesn't believe it...thank goodness. The suspense is taut, the romance is tense and the action is plentiful. Fans of Orchard will recognize the Steele family from Perilous Waters. Love when I get to catch up with old friends! Orchard has become a must read suspense writer for me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Identity Withheld please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 19 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Blind Trust

 

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
BLIND TRUST

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can’t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker’s investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor’s innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation–and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world–and her budding romance with Tom–begin to crumble. To Kate, it’s clear that she won’t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster’s secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

 

Award-winning author Sandra Orchard draws readers into a world of rogues, red herrings, and romance as she unfolds the continuing story of amateur sleuth Kate Adams.

 

N.B. Each book in this series is a stand-alone mystery featuring Kate Adams, a herbal medicine researcher turned amateur sleuth, and Tom Parker, Port Aster’s newest detective. Together the three-book series reads as a romantic suspense, with Kate and Tom’s romance and an underlying suspense plot arcing the series. For that reason, and because book two is a spoiler for book one, we recommend the series be read in order.

 

My Review:

 

 As the author's disclaimer says, Bind Trust is best read as the second book in the series. Having said that, it does read well as a standalone, however obviously acts as a spoiler to the mystery in the first book.

I think Orchard has created a new genre...suspestry? Or myspense? A suspense/mystery hybrid. :-) Whatever you want to call it, this is a page-turning read. The author's detail-oriented, steel-trapped mind is scary! How she keeps everything straight as she weaves the current plot and overall series arc together is beyond me. I'm just glad she does! Honestly, my mind was reeling by the end of the book. And the end? Sob, more of a cliff hanger!

Kate and Tom are back dancing around a relationship. One step forward, two steps back. That's all right, I know they are destined for each other. Can't wait until the next book to follow their romance to it's rightful conclusion.

If you like a good mystery with a liberal dose of suspense and dashes of humour and light romance then Blind Trust is definitely the book for you!

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Blind Trust please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 27  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Perilous Waters

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
PERILOUS WATERS

For FBI agent Sam Steele, there’s no room for error or emotions on his latest undercover assignment. Getting close to gallery owner Jennifer Robbins while on an Alaskan cruise is the only way to catch her dealing stolen art. Out on the icy seas, Jen suddenly goes from suspect to victim when she’s targeted by a deadly enemy. And Sam’s mission goes from investigating an art crime to protecting the woman who’s begun to melt his heart. As danger looms closer, he’ll do anything to save her life—even if it costs him his own.

My Review:

Another edge-of-your-seat read from one of my fave romantic suspense authors. Loved the unique setting -- an Alaskan cruise ship. And the art theft angle is something I haven't read much of before. Both made for a refreshing read.

Orchard did a great job of inventing creative (and sinister) ways the enemy used to target poor Jen. And the whole case is so muddied with fact and fiction that I was constantly compiling theories and tossing them just as quickly. A great action-packed ending held me riveted and left me jaw droppingly gobsmacked!.  :-)

I am so loving the Love Inspired Suspense line and this book is exactly the reason why!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Perilous Waters please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 23 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Fatal Inheritance

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
FATAL INHERITANCE

“You don't belong here."

Someone wants to stop Becki Graw from claiming her inheritance. Police officer Joshua Rayne is just as determined to keep his beautiful neighbor safe. She may not be the tomboy Josh remembers, but she’s just as stubborn. Becki is intent on keeping her grandparents’ remote farmhouse-no matter the danger. Becki’s feelings for her childhood crush may be rekindled, but she’s seen too much to risk opening her heart. As the threats against Becki escalate, the list of suspects grows longer. Josh must convince Becki to trust him with her heart-and her life-before a madman ends their chance at happiness…permanently.

My Review:

My garden hates Sandra Orchard. That's because I spent the last non-humid day devouring Fatal Inheritance instead of weed wrassling. Now I have to get up at five a.m. and slink out into the garden to do my weeding before the heat and humidity become unbearable, all the while keeping an eye out for skunks meandering on home. The sacrifices I make for a favourite author!

My downfall was sneaking a peek before heading out with gardening gloves in hand. A thrill shot through me at that first sinister warning: "You don't belong here." Before I knew it I was flipping pages and gobbling up words consoling myself with the thought that as soon as I found a good spot to stop I would. Only there wasn't a good spot...well there were lots of good spots for avid readers, not so many for desperate-need-to-stop-reading readers. That's because Orchard keeps the pace spiraling with intrigue and surprises and lots of gasp-out-loud moments.

And then there's Josh. Who can resist a handsome protective police officer in full protection mode? Not I, that's for sure! Becki had moments where she tried to resist his lure, but I knew it was a losing battle from chapter one. :-)

I'll just sum this one up by saying fantastic not to be missed summer read for romantic suspense lovers! In fact Love Inspired Suspense wowed me with their selection this month. Stay tuned for more LI reviews next week.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Fatal Inheritance, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 21 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Deadly Devotion

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
DEADLY DEVOTION

Kate knows the truth is out there-but if she's right, that means a killer is out there too.Research scientists Kate Adams and Daisy Leacock were on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy was suddenly found dead. Kate knows that her mentor's death wasn't suicide or a careless accident-and she's determined to do whatever it takes to unearth the truth about what happened to the woman who changed her life.

Former FBI agent Tom Parker is finding it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gave him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom's just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation into her friend's death, he knows his job is at stake. But despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate may have something to hide.

As evidence mounts, a web of intrigue is woven around the sleepy town of Port Aster. Can Kate uncover the truth? Or will Tom stand in her way?

My Review:

A book to be devoured with zeal! Orchard is a welcome addition to Revell's Romantic Suspense authors. She has a distinctive style that blends mystery with suspense with punches of humour mixed  in. The result? A page-turning read.

A clever and fresh plot kept me on my toes but I smugly admit to figuring out whodunit a tad before the intrepid heroine. Yes, I'm patting myself on the back because the author wove a complicated trail of clues and mis-clues that left me reeling. I rallied though, stoic armchair sleuth that I am. :-)

Kate and Tom make a good team -- when they aren't at cross purposes, that is. There's attraction and frustration and gentle humour in their developing relationship; the beginnings of a sweet love story that has its bitter moments. Orchard has rooted her characters in reality, drawing on their painful pasts to add depth and plenty of complications to their present.

An outstanding first book in the Port Aster Secrets series, Deadly Devotion wraps up one mystery while hinting at more to come. Kate and Tom's relationship solidifies but the author promises much more to their romance. We just have to be patient until the second book in the series comes out sometime next year. I can't wait.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deadly Devotion, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 9 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Critical Condition

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
CRITICAL CONDITION

There's a murderer in the hospital, and nurse Tara Peterson is determined to prove it. With mysterious deaths in the cancer ward, anyone could be next. But no one wants to believe her except undercover agent Zach Davis. The murderer wants Tara's suspicions silenced, permanently. To protect Tara, Zach lets her in on his secret, and unwittingly into his heart. Tara and her three-year-old daughter are like the family he lost years before. Zach will risk everything to keep them safe, no matter the cost.

My Review:

Gasp! Still need to take in copious amounts of air in order to recover from my breakneck read! Riveting is putting it mildly. What a clever plot! Lots of twists and turns and peril around every corner but in the midst of it all Zach and Tara have time to connect. The attraction is there from the get go and despite his professional standards, Zach has a hard time resisting. And Tara's daughter -- adorable! Especially when she interacts with 'Dak'. But honestly, every chapter ends in such a way that my heart dropped into my shoes and I had to keep reading! Spellbinding suspense at its best.

 Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Critical Condition, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 23 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Shades of Truth

GIVEAWAY!

ORCHARD, SANDRA
SHADES OF TRUTH

Big city detective Ethan Reed is working deep undercover at a Christian youth detention center. The kind of place he spent some harrowing time in as a kid. Ethan’s mission: ferret out who’s recruiting resident teens for a drug ring. He expects help from the lovely, devoted director of Hope Manor. But Kim Corbett won’t tell Ethan anything— even when she’s threatened and attacked. When Ethan discovers what Kim is protecting, his guarded heart opens just a bit wider. Enough to make this the most dangerous assignment of his career. 

My Review:

I said it in my preview and I'll say it again -- this edge-of-your-seat suspense has enough sharp turns to give you whiplash! Orchard keeps her readers on their toes from the very first action-packed scene. My head was spinning with possible suspects...or maybe it was because of the hunky hero, Ethan Reed. Talk about a knight in shining armor exploding onto the scene! Every girl's dream -- except for Kim's. Not that she doesn't appreciate an attractive man with a rescue gene. What girl wouldn't? But life's too complicated to go there...right? Little does she realize just how complicated things will get after their first powerhouse introduction!

A truly riveting read packed with a solid dose of inspirational insight that left me floored. A brilliant mix of romance, suspense and inspiration!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Please Note: I got an ARC copy -- my first ever! Thanks Sandra! I feel so special! This book won't be available until February at eharlequin and March every where else. So if you win this draw you'll have to be patient. BUT to soften that blow, I'm offering the winner their choice of any January Love Inspired book. So if you win this draw you'll get two books -- one now and one in February.

If that sounds like a good deal to you, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so I can spot your entry easily. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 22, 2012. Offer open to international readers! Good luck!

Deep Cover

ORCHARD, SANDRA
DEEP COVER

Maintaining his cover cost undercover cop Rick Gray the woman he loved. Sweet Ginny Bryson never really knew Rick—he never gave her the chance. Not then, and not now, when he's back with a new alias to gather evidence against Ginny's uncle. The man's crimes led to Rick's partner's death, and Rick wants justice to be served. But his investigation is stirring up trouble, and Ginny is smack-dab in the middle. Someone wants Ginny to pay the price for what her uncle has done. But how can Rick protect her without blowing his cover, jeopardizing his assignment…and risking both their lives?

My Review:

This debut novel doesn't read like a first. Deep Cover is a well-paced read packed full of action and suspense. Orchard's writing style is wonderfully easy to read. The words flow, sentences are fluid, conversations natural -- all the qualities of a polished product.

The suspense starts on the first page and doesn't stop until the last. The plot is well thought out with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. By mid story I had an inkling of a suspect but no motive. I love a suspense that isn't predictable!

This is one of those clever Love Inspired Suspense reads that manages to find a good balance between romance and mystery/action. That's hard to do with a shorter word count and I love it when I find an author who has perfected the balance. It helps that Rick and Ginny have a past -- their attraction is palpable at the first meeting and just climbs from there. Unfortunately Ginny tries very hard to place mind over heart and that leads her to keep her distance from Rick. He, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about her even though he knows the circumstances of their second meeting are as complex as their first. Throw in a bit of doubt, Ginny's penchant for jumping to conclusions and making fast judgements and Rick's feelings of not being good enough and -- well, let's just say this story packs an emotional punch.

A great debut novel that will steal your breath away!