Showing posts with label romantic suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romantic suspense. Show all posts

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Coordinates of Death
Series: Arctic Protectors #2
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Romantic Thriller

A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness.

Sweetwood Falls, Yukon, has seen too much terror for one small town. Corporal Aurora Hunt still blames herself for not catching the Shadow Box Killer before five women lost their lives. The killings stopped two years ago, and her colleagues believe the murderer is dead. But Aurora isn’t convinced.

A chilling discovery on a winter’s morning confirms her fears. The crime scene is all too familiar—a woman’s mutilated body, and beneath it, a box containing a gruesome souvenir. But this time, there’s a special message, daring Aurora to play a game that will lead her into the wilderness to try and save the next victim.

Canadian Watcher Squad survivalist Kordell Greene is part of the past that Aurora has tried to put behind her. He’s also the only person equipped to guide her through this deadly terrain. But somehow, the killer knows all their secrets. Solving cryptic clues as they battle the elements, Aurora and Kordell must confront dark truths they’ve withheld, even from each other. And always, the Shadow Box Killer is one step ahead, drawing them deeper into a twisted game where the slightest mistake may be their last.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series


About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.


My Thoughts

Some thrillers keep you guessing—Coordinates of Death kept me reading long past bedtime, with only my very insistent cat able to break the spell. Darlene Turner delivers a riveting blend of fast-paced investigation, emotional depth, cryptic puzzles, nail-biting suspense, and just the right touch of romance. Corporal Aurora Hunt is a strong, relatable heroine carrying the weight of past mistakes, and her partnership with survivalist Kordell Greene adds both tension and heart as they learn how much they must trust each other to survive. I especially enjoyed watching the characters grow as the danger intensified. Cleverly plotted and richly layered, the story balances chilling suspense with warmth, faith, and hope woven gently throughout. If you love a suspense novel with heart, danger, and a puzzle that pulls you in, this one is well worth losing sleep over.



Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Let’s wrap up the week with a thrilling stack of mysteries and a little giveaway fun! Coordinates of Death is available from Amazon, along with Echoes of Darkness. Looking ahead, Darlene L. Turner’s Missing in the Mountains, featuring a female smoke jumper, arrives April 27, 2027. On Friday, October 9, I’ll be featuring Mariah Fredericks’s merry mystery, Murder on 34th Street. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card—because every great reading week deserves a prize-worthy final chapter!


Kris

The Avid Reader

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Amish Country Witness by Meghan Carver

Amish Country Witness
Book Summary

A woman on the run…

An enemy on her trail.

Halie Mae Hochstetler’s quiet life in witness protection falls apart when she witnesses her uncle’s murder by the mafia. Now she’s a loose end that the mob is determined to tie up. Forced to run, she puts her life in the hands of Amish widower Daniel Beiler. As Halie Mae unravels buried family secrets, Daniel helps her piece together a daring plan for justice in their fight to survive. But with merciless killers determined to make Halie Mae their next victim, staying alive may be just out of reach…
Plain Secrets Series


My Thoughts

From the first page, Amish Country Witness pulls you into a tender mix of romance, faith, and danger. Meghan Carver keeps the story moving with steady suspense, meaningful moral choices, and just the right touch of heartwarming romance. Hallie Mae Hochstetler and Daniel Beiler make an appealing pair, and Daniel’s quiet kindness gives Hallie Mae the strength and support she needs as she fights to stay safe and seek justice. Although this is the second book in the Plain Secrets series, it stands well on its own. Warm, suspenseful, and satisfying, Amish Country Witness is a story that keeps the pages turning and leaves a sweet impression.

Ready to turn the page to your next heart-pounding read? Meghan Carver’s Amish Country Witness is available now on Amazon, along with Amish Country Hideout, the first book in the Plain Secrets series. While you’re there, follow Meghan Carver on Amazon to receive an email whenever she releases a new book. Then, come back on Tuesday, October 6, when I’ll be featuring Where There’s Smoke: A Coldren County Novel by Rachel Louise Adams. Have a wonderful weekend—and may every page you turn lead to a delightful new adventure!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Defending the Innocent Target by Carol J. Post

 Defending the Innocent Target
Book Summary

Danger in the shadows.

A K-9 keeping guard.

When Isaac Cooper and his K-9 partner investigate suspicious activity at the house next door, they discover Brandi Feldman, the frightened new owner who has been attacked. The home she inherited hides dark secrets, and there are traps around every corner. As threats against her escalate, it’s clear someone wants her gone—at any cost. Under Isaac’s vigilant protection, Brandi must uncover the truth about her deadly inheritance. But can they outmaneuver a killer determined to make Brandi’s next move her last?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Canine Defense Series





My Thoughts

What a page-turning adventure from the very first chapter! Defending the Innocent Target by Carol J. Post blends danger, intrigue, faith, and romance into a warm yet suspenseful story that kept me happily engaged. Post’s fast-paced writing brings just the right mix of adventure, emotional depth, and edge-of-your-seat mystery, while the subtle faith thread adds a meaningful touch. Brandi and Isaac are relatable, courageous characters, and I especially enjoyed watching their relationship grow naturally amid the danger surrounding them. With mysterious attacks, clever traps, hidden motives, and ties to the ongoing Canine Defense series, this story offers plenty for returning fans while remaining easy for new readers to enjoy. Defending the Innocent Target is a compelling, heartwarming suspense novel that left me turning pages—and smiling at the finish.

Ready to fetch your next page-turner? The intriguing Defending the Innocent Target is available on Amazon, along with the other engaging novels in the Canine Defense series. Be sure to follow Carol J. Post on Amazon so you’ll receive a notification whenever she releases a new book. Then, join me on Wednesday, September 30, when I’ll be featuring Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele—and there will be a giveaway! Until then, may your day be joyful and your next great read be only a page away.


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

The Memory House by Mary Alford

 The Memory House
Book Summary

Some truths aren't buried.
They're hidden inside us.

When grief counselor Elise Warren inherits Coldwater Hollow, the crumbling Victorian estate of her estranged father, she expects to settle his affairs and finally leave the past behind.  Instead, she finds hidden journals, secret recordings, and evidence that her father’s controversial psychological treatments may have harmed more than they healed.

As Elise digs deeper, fragments of her childhood begin surfacing—memories of a frightened girl named Ivy, whispered warnings from her long-missing mother, and a darkness lurking beneath the house itself. But the more Elise uncovers, the less she trusts her own mind.

Someone has been inside Coldwater Hollow.
Someone is watching her search for answers.

And someone desperately wants one missing piece of evidence to stay buried.  Because if Elise remembers what really happened twenty years ago, she may discover that the greatest mystery was never what happened to Ivy. It's who Ivy was.

And the truth could destroy everything she believes about herself.

The Memory House is a gripping psychological suspense novel about memory, identity, and the dangerous secrets families bury in the name of protection.
My Thoughts

Step inside The Memory House by Mary Alford, and you can almost hear the old Victorian walls whispering their secrets. This atmospheric psychological suspense pulls readers into a haunting mystery filled with hidden rooms, buried truths, and the uneasy question of what can—and cannot—be trusted when memory itself feels uncertain. Alford creates a wonderfully Gothic mood, letting the tension build gradually so each revelation has room to land with real impact. The slower pace works in the story’s favor, reflecting the protagonist’s fragile state of mind and giving the mystery a layered, immersive feel. 

While readers who prefer a nonstop thriller may find the psychological elements more intricate, those details add depth and make the final disclosures even more satisfying. At its heart, the novel explores how families sometimes bury painful truths in the name of protection, and how those truths can shape identity long after the past should have stayed behind. The reveal of who Ivy truly was gives the story an emotional twist that elevates it beyond a simple mystery. Richly atmospheric, thoughtfully paced, and full of quiet tension, The Memory House is a suspenseful read that lingers like a secret you cannot quite shake.

Get ready to fill your reading list with mystery, suspense, and plenty of page-turning excitement! Mary Alford’s The Memory House arrives Thursday, September 24, and is available for preorder on Amazon. Mary is a wonderfully versatile writer, so be sure to explore her other engaging novels while you’re there. Also on Thursday, September 24, I’ll be featuring Bruce Hammack’s fast-paced, suspenseful Magic City Murder—and there will be a giveaway, too! Mark your calendar, bring your love of mysteries, and don’t miss your chance to uncover a thrilling read and win a special treat!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

These Ancient Bones by Heather Graham

These Ancient Bones
Book Summary

The X-Files meets Dan Brown in this suspenseful tale of dark magic, ancient curses, and modern murder, as two agents with unusual talents investigate a series of sensational crimes in the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida.

The case is sensational. Whistle-blower investigative journalist George Maynard has been killed in his St. Augustine home, his body so badly burned the morgue is needed to verify his identity. Paranormal investigator Shelly Mahoney has been transferred to a special unit to help law enforcement. Off the books, the unit is called the Krewe of Hunters and deals with “strange” cases.

At the murder scene with federal agent Grant Markham, Shelly makes an odd discovery: a stone etched with what appears to be a curse that invokes flames. If Shelly can use her ability to summon the dead—providing they have remained behind—she may unearth what happened.

Grant, too, has an unique ability. By holding the hand of the recently deceased, he can see what has happened to them. Yet in this case, neither of their gifts is of any help. As they set out to question those who might have had a motive, they also study ancient “curse tablets”—often used in the Greco-Roman world to cause death or warfare.

What ensues is a shocking discovery by the medical examiner and a search that takes the team to Italy where a similar murder may reveal the creators of the mystical tablets—made deadly with a little human assistance. But soon, the danger is closer than ever—because the target is Shelly . . .

My Thoughts

Beware: These Ancient Bones may lure you into the shadowy streets of St. Augustine and keep you happily haunted until the final page. Heather Graham delivers a wonderfully atmospheric mystery filled with ancient curses, creepy old cities, helpful ghosts, and a twisty murder investigation. The setting comes vividly to life through rich descriptions, city history, and recognizable landmarks, giving history-loving readers plenty to savor while adding depth and texture for anyone who enjoys an immersive backdrop. 

A murdered journalist, a mysterious stone etched with an ancient curse, and two investigators with special abilities make for an irresistible setup. The investigation moves along with steady momentum, offering twists, turns, and multiple suspects that kept me guessing. The supernatural elements add an extra shiver of charm, while the quick-blooming romance brings a lively spark to the suspense. As the second book in The Crows series, These Ancient Bones still works well as a standalone, making it easy for new readers to jump right in. Fans of atmospheric history, ghostly chills, and twist-filled mysteries will find plenty to love here. Step carefully—once this ghostly mystery has you in its grip, you may not want to escape.

Ready to curl up with These Ancient Bones and maybe keep one light on? You can find it on Amazon and at other major booksellers. If you’re new to The Crows series, the first book, The Witching Hours, is available to read for free with Kindle Unlimited—perfect for a little spooky binge-reading. And if your book stack could use a cozy, crafty detour with plenty of seaside charm, be sure to check out Danger Looms by Betty Hechtman. I’ll be back on Tuesday, September 1, with Sarah Addison Allen’s Paper Ghosts. Until then, grab a cozy blanket, guard your bookmarks, and may your next read rattle the teacups in all the best ways!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Safehouse Under Seige by Virginia Vaughan

Safehouse Under Seige
Book Summary

Deep in the heart of Texas,

he’s her only chance for survival.

US Marshal Wyatt Briggs will risk his life for his job—but when Emily Matthews’s WITSEC identity is compromised, keeping her safe becomes personal. Once engaged to Wyatt’s deceased brother, Emily is like family, yet now she means even more. Both find themselves targets on a drug kingpin’s revenge list, forced to flee from one compromised safe house to another. With a mole lurking in the Marshals Service, Wyatt and Emily must risk everything to protect each other. Emily’s testimony brought the criminal down once, but now they’ll have to work together to deliver justice again, all while staying one step ahead of deadly threats.

My Thoughts

From the very first page, Safehouse Under Siege by Virginia Vaughan pulls readers into a fast-paced blend of danger, mystery, suspense, and second chances. Emily and Wyatt are likable, well-developed characters with real depth, and their shared history adds emotional weight to the nonstop action. I especially enjoyed how quickly the story begins and how the twists keep coming as they work to stay one step ahead of the danger surrounding them. The mystery of the mole kept me guessing, and I found myself eager to solve it before the truth was revealed. 

I also appreciated the faith element, particularly the way Emily gently helps Wyatt begin seeking God again. Although this is the fifth book in the Lone Star Defenders series, it works well as a standalone; that said, I highly recommend reading the entire engaging series. Warm, suspenseful, and hard to put down, Safehouse Under Siege is a compelling page-turner from beginning to end.

Looking for your next page-turner? You can pick up Safehouse Under Siege on Amazon, along with the other novels in the Lone Star Defenders series. Be sure to follow Virginia Vaughan on Amazon, too, so you’ll be the first to know when her next book releases. If romantic suspense is your kind of read, don’t miss the intriguing Vanished in Montana by Jenna Night. Prefer a charming cozy mystery? Add A Little Latitude by Johnnie Alexander to your list. I’ll be back on Thursday, August 27, with the ghostly mystery These Ancient Bones by Heather Graham. Until then, happy reading—may your bookmarks be busy and your TBR pile joyfully out of control!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.