Four suspenseful summer stories of love, faith and excitement!
Road to Redemption - Laura Scott Owen Ross has made bad decisions in his life, including asking his crew to kidnap nurse Emily Sanders to care for his gunshot wound. He made sure Emily wasn’t harmed prior to escaping her cop brother’s attempt to put him behind bars. While he remains determined to seek revenge against the man who murdered his brother, he can’t forget Emily. And when someone tries to kill him, he fears Emily is in danger, too. Emily has done her best to put the kidnapping attempt behind her but her feelings for Owen are complicated. She shouldn’t be attracted to a man who’d broken the law more times than she could count. When Owen shows up in time to save her from being attacked, she willingly goes with him. As danger stalks their every move, Emily begins to pray for a future with the outlaw who stole her heart. But when Owen makes the ultimate sacrifice—his life for hers—she fears it may be too late.
Badlands Escape - Kari Trumbo In Wall Drug, South Dakota, Allen, the determined chief of police, has his hands full when photographer Heather becomes the target of a ruthless killer. After her father is kidnapped for information she unknowingly possesses, Heather and Allen—once bitter enemies—must join forces to survive. As they race against time to uncover the truth, their mutual distrust slowly gives way to a deeper connection. But can they escape the killers hunting them before it’s too late? In the midst of danger, will love bloom or will secrets tear them apart? Suspense, romance, and betrayal collide in this gripping tale.
Lima - Jessica Ashley Her life is in danger, and this heartbroken Sheriff is her only hope. Dr. Lani Hunt has dedicated her life to healing others, but when she’s abducted, survival becomes her greatest challenge. Sheriff Gibson Lawson has lived with regret, but when Lani—his childhood best friend and secret love—is abducted from home, leaving a blood-stained carpet and a trail of broken glass, he vows to find her. With time running out, each clue draws him closer to the truth and his worst losing her forever.
Shadows of the Mill - Helena Smrcek When Meghan Robins travels to the Czech Republic to settle her inheritance, she never expects danger to be part of the deal. A chance meeting with the charming but mysterious Oliver Skala, a local history teacher, leads her to a burnt-out mill hiding secrets from WWII. But they’re not the only ones searching. Ruthless mercenaries hired by the son of a Nazi officer will stop at nothing to claim a legendary cache of hidden Jewish gold and priceless art records. As the past and present collide, Meghan and Oliver must unravel the truth—before history’s darkest secrets cost them their lives.
This spectacular tapestry of tales offered by Two Dogs Publishing is equally diverse and thrilling. I knew within minutes that I had my hands on a top-notch anthology showcasing the multifaceted faces of suspense and couldn’t wait for these established authors to showcase their different perspectives and skillsets.
I was whisked away to the central states in the USA and to the Czech Republic and journeyed back in time to explore stories of second chances and unravel truths. Each tale had a captivating plot and the twists unfolded rapidly. I was truly in awe of the diversity and pace. I enjoy survival stories, whether in WW2 or present day, because they remind me of humanity’s capacity to adapt and change. Being reminded of how choices affect each of the characters' journeys allows us to recalibrate how we deal with them in the future.
I awarded each of the 4 stories included 5 stars!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A great summer is underway. Authors Laura Scott, Kari Trumbo, Jessica Ashley and Helena Smrcek team up to keep the summer heat rolling in book 2 of the Long Hot Summer anthology from Two Dogs Publishing. Two anthologies down and two to go. All of these stories are really good.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from Authors Jessica Ashley and Helena Smrcek. Opinions are my own.
Wonderful collection of 4 romantic suspense stories. Road of Redemption follows what happened to Bridges's half-sister Emily after she was kidnapped, which took place in Scent of Danger. She is pulled into danger alongside Owen, who seeks revenge against his brother's murderer. This is a story about redemption. This fast-paced story was engaging and had twists and turns. Readers also learn about Owen's backstory and Owen learning important teuths along the way. Badlands Escape by Kari Trumbo involves Heather and Allen having to work together after Heather's dad has been kidnapped. This fast-paced story has enemies to lovers, secrets, forgiveness, second chances, and romance. Lima by Jessica Ashley captured my attention as it focuses on Lani, the youngest Hunt sibling, who has been kidnapped and the harrowing experience as she fights to survive. I certainly didn't guess who the kidnapper was until their identity was revealed. I enjoyed this best friends (and secret crushes) to more story. Shadow of Mills by Helena Smrcek is a dutimeline involving suspense, intrigue, danger, and romance. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the past where Fred was willing to risk his life to help a family escape from the Nazis. Readers will discover how the past ties into the present when Meghan arrives in Northern Moravia to sort out her inheritance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Some battles happen on the outside—others are fought on your knees.
That truth stayed with me all through Valor: A Christian Romantic Suspense Anthology. The danger runs high. Emotions hit hard. Still, what held me the most was the faith—steady, lived-in, and rooted deep.
These stories are grounded in what it means to follow Jesus when nothing feels certain. Prayers aren’t polished. Peace doesn’t always come easy. Yet there’s this unwavering trust that threads through every page.
I caught myself holding my breath during the intense moments. Then came the quiet lines—when a character prayed something I’ve whispered myself. The kind of faith that’s not about appearance. It’s about surrender. Forgiveness. Hope that doesn’t shake loose.
What stood out wasn’t how faith was added—it was how faith shaped every turn. Through loss, courage, healing, and love, these characters kept reaching for Christ. Their stories stirred something in me too.
Reading Valor felt like reaching for something steady when everything around me shifted. This kind of courage grows in the quiet places—where trust runs deep and Jesus stays near.
The stories don’t wrap up pain with platitudes. They show God’s presence through loss, anger, and uncertainty. Characters pray real prayers, seek God’s guidance, and grow in faith amid hardship—not outside of it.
I received a digital ARC of Valor from the publisher via BookFunnel. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
Omg this was one of the most suspenseful books I have read this year. This book had me clued to my seat because I didn’t want to put the book down even after I had finished reading. Laura Scott is a very talented author who knows how to keep her readers on the edge of there seats. Can’t wait to see what she writes next. I recommend this book to everyone who loves Love inspired suspense books.
Great collection of stories. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Road to Redemption
Who to trust? Who is the good guy and who is the bad? Will Owen get justice for the his brother? Owen and Emily are on the run from some powerful men that seem to be always just one step behind them. A suspenseful plot making me read faster to get to the next page. Theirs is a gentle romance where Emily is also concerned about Owen’s soul, not just his heart. Great story!
Badlands Escape
Who took Heather’s father and why? Can Allen be unbiased as sheriff to search for a man who doesn’t like him? I like that Heather thinks for herself and learns to trust Allen, in spite of others’ opinions. There are many twists, multiple secrets, and much danger, but a sweet HEA. I liked it; it kept me on my toes trying to connect the dots.
Lima
Action-packed from the very beginning! Definitely a page-turner, both for the suspense and the romance. Gibson and Lani have waited so long for each other and now someone is trying to separate them permanently. The question is…who? So many clues and so many dead ends. All of Lani Hunt’s brothers make appearances in the plot and it is go time! I really enjoyed the story; kept me up late to finish it.
Shadow of the Mill
The Author was a new one for me; her story was one that touched my heart. WWII was such a difficult time to live through. The dual storyline made the plot very interesting and intriguing. There is much danger, past and present, much heartache, but there are rays of hope and happiness also. Oliver and Meghan make a great team seeking justice for the past wrongs done their ancestors.
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a Christian romantic suspense anthology which means it’s one book with four stories inside from four different authors. The first book is Road to Redemption by Laura Scott. The main characters are Owen and Emily. Owen is out for revenge for his brother. Emily is trying to fight her feelings for Owen. When danger comes for her will he protect her? Will he find redemption and peace? The second book is Badlands Escape by Kari Trumbo. The main characters are Allen and Heather. Allen is a sheriff and Heather is a photographer with a killer after her. Can they put their past as enemies behind them and catch the killers before they get her? Can he keep her safe? The third book is Lima by Jessica Ashley. The main characters are Sheriff Gibson and Dr. Lani. They were best friends growing up and in love. Lani gets kidnapped and is in danger. Can Gibson find her before it is too late? Can they finally open up to each other about how they truly feel? I will say I was a little more excited about this book as I have been reading the series with her family. The last book is Shadows of the Mill by Helena Smrcek. The main characters are Oliver and Meghan. Meghan sets out to settle her inheritance and meets Oliver along the way. When they start looking they are put in danger. Will they stop looking? Can they keep each other safe? I loved all of these stories. Each story had main characters falling in love despite the hardships they faced together. Christian suspense has always been some of my favorite books and this did not disappoint me. I was excited to receive this book and these are some of my favorite authors. Overall, I loved these stories!
Valor: A Christian Romantic Suspense Anthology (Long Hot Summer: Christian Romantic Suspense2) has four heart-stopping stories of women in danger and the men that God uses to help them. One of the best things about anthologies is not only getting to read a favorite author but also to find new favorite ones.
Road to Redemption by Laura Scott has a man who tried to exact revenge but ended up running from the police instead. Clearly, he is in need of the Lord’s guidance. This is what kidnapped RN Emily continually tells Owen as he now tries to protect her.
Badlands Escape by Kari Trumbo, a favorite author of mine, has a photographer and her father in dire straits due circumstances out of their control. Allen, the chief of police, not only is trying to protect Heather, find her kidnapped father but also must discover why they have been targeted in the first place.
Lima by Jessica Ashley, a -new-to-me author, is my favorite story. The beginning is startling so I could not stop reading until I knew who the diabolical kidnapper was and be sure that they were caught. I want to read more written by this author now. Also, you won’t understand the name of the story until the very end. I loved it.
Shadows of the Mill by Helena Smrcek has the past WWII actions of others affecting the inheritance of Meghan Robins. Taking place in the Czech Republic there is danger, two timelines and plenty of danger.
All of the stories in the Valor anthology are Christian faith-based, making it an inspiring read as well as an exciting one.
VALOR IS GREAT COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER. The heroes and heroines in this anthology have exhibit valor in multiple ways. Valor is an anthology of four books written by four different authors. Each of these books is special on its own and could easily be a stand alone book. These are all page turners with unexpected twists, faith, hope and redemption. Road to Redemption by Laura Scott is the story of Emily Sanders and Owen Ross. Emily is a nurse that helped Owen heal from an infected wound. He is looking for revenge. She’s trying to keep him alive. Their mixed up feelings pulled me in and kept me hooked to the pages. Badlands Escape by Kari Trumbo is the story of Allen and Heather. Both are strong willed and unsure about the other. He’s the chief of police. She’s a photographer. When her life is threatened, Allen steps in. The twists in this story are surprising. Lima by Jessica Ashley is about Dr. Lani Hunt and Sheriff Gibson Lawson. All of the emotions were pulled out of this reader while reading Lima. The twists are shocking, the faith over fear is amazing. Shadows of the Mill is a split time tale of greed, sorrow, hope and redemption. Meghan Robins is checking out an inheritance when she meets Oliver Skala. It soon becomes apparent that someone else is interested in the inheritance. The story unfolds over decades in time that are filled with twists, greed and faith. I recommend this book for those who enjoy Christian Romantic Suspense. My thanks to the publisher for an ARC of Valor. The opinions expressed here are mine.
Road to Redemption - Laura Scott I could not get into this book about a reformed gang member. So I skipped it. No rating.
Badlands Escape - Kari Trumbo As a photographer, Heather's job is usually predictable. But when her dad is kidnapped, her life is suddenly dangerous. Reluctantly she reached out to a man she wants to avoid, Allen , the town chief of police. Can they discover what is going on? Set in Wall Drug, South Dakota, this book almost had a western vibe. Since I have been to that location, I think that caused me to like the book even more. An interesting book. 5 stars.
Lima - Jessica Ashley
As a doctor, Lani Hunt is all about helping others. Her brothers are the ones who seek to solve the crimes. But when she is abducted, all she can do is pray that they can find her with the help of her best friend, Sheriff Gibson Lawson.
This one had several unpredictable parts. After I finished, I wanted to read the rest of the series. This book.was my favorite one in the collection. 5 stars.
Shadows of the Mill - Helena Smrcek
Meghan Robbins agreed to go to the Czech Republic to take care of her grandfather's estate. She did not expect trouble. Far from home, can she determine what is going on in this unknown land?
This is a dual timeline book that is set in the modern day with glimpses into a World War 2 past. Overall I enjoyed the book. The international aspects added to the intrigue. 4.5 stars.
This anthology is filled to the brim with everything I like in a good mystery. Each story is full of action, intrigue and suspense, as well as characters with real world problems. Each one is different with a different type of story, but all of them are edge of your seat thrillers. Though each story was different, they have one common thread, and that is they are faith based.
You will see bad choices do have consequences, but no one is lost from true redemption. Survival requires trust in others sometimes. A kidnapping rocks a sheriff's world. Finally, seeking a hidden treasure and secrets from the past can be dangerous as the past and present collide. You will be transported on a world tour as you travel from the United States to the Czech Republic.
I really enjoyed this anthology because each story was a mystery, but the plotlines were diverse and the characters were likable.
Book 2 in the Long Hot Summer suspense series is definitely hot and well worth the time it takes to read it. One thing that makes this book easy to read for an avid reader is that since it is four separate stories, you do have good stopping points so you do not stay up all night reading, although you may want to.
Thank you to Two Dog Publishing and the authors for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review is for the first book in this anthology. Did I miss a previous book?? I hate when authors do this. Their book gets put in with others in a collection with no mention that theirs is part of a series and no mention of the previous book. I felt like I was missing a lot of backstory here and no way to figure out where to find it as no other books are listed. Huge disappointment. I’m still giving it 3 stars as it seems to be well written, but I was unable to read more than a couple of chapters as I got too frustrated with the confusion. Too bad. I really enjoy her books. Unfortunately, the last couple I’ve read by her have been thumbs down for me.
Just read the second book by Kari Trumbo. It was just okay also. At this rate, I will probably return this set to KU and not read the third book. So far, two for two unimpressed….
I skipped ahead and read the last book in this anthology. I was spellbound! It made the whole set worthwhile. Amazing story of WWII and very, very gripping. A story of two families. It was tragic so get the tissues ready! There were several grammatical errors that were distracting but the story itself was excellent. I would read more by the author in the future. It had some good suspense. For a while, I was afraid it would end in a cliffhanger, but it didn’t and the ending was very satisfying.
I loved every story in this anthology. The first story will have you wondering who to trust, and trying to figure out who is the bad guy from the good guys. Can Emily trust Owen or should she listen to her brother? I had to laugh at this part in the story, " He was tired,crabby, and not in the mood for her Pollyanna attitude toward life." The second story will take you for a ride with plenty of twists and another who do you trust! Can Allen help keep Heather safe and still find her father in time? "...only God could take something so ugly and squeeze love from it." The third story will have you seating on the edge of your seat from the very start until the very last nail-biting page. This story won't let you go from start till finish. The end will have you breathless. "And God will never leave my side. Even when life is not, He is ALWAYS good." Then the finally story will touch your heart, rip out your heart and leave you in shambles. I can't describe this story and do it the justice it deserves. I will be reading more of this authors books. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I chose to read Jessica Ashley's "Lima" first and I will go back at a later date and read the other 3 books. Lima was a fantastic book that kept me entertained from the first page until the last. I laughed, cried and prayed right along with the characters. I highly recommend this book to you all and I know that you are going to love it as much as I did.
Here we have a story of two people who have grown up together, been best friends and now they both want something stronger then just friends. They have grown to realize that their friendship has blossomed into love. Dr. Lani Hunt and Sheriff Gibson Lawson are meant for each other. But other people might think differently. On their first date when he drops her off at home due to an emergency call from his deputy, Lani is attacked and kidnapped from her own house. So later when Sheriff Gibson realizes that he has not heard from Lani since their date he goes to check on her. There he starts to panic when he sees the broken glass and blood stained carpet. He blames himself for not walking Lani to the door and he vows to find her. Each clue brings him closer to the truth but will he find Lani before it is too late?
Valor is a set of exciting suspense stories. Road to Redemption is the story of Owen and Emily. Owen is wounded while infiltrating a gang to get evidence against the ones who murdered his brother. Emily is a nurse who he kidnaps to help him. Emily knows there's good in Owen, and there's a secret that is keeping. Especially when he saves her from being attacked.
Badlands Escape has Chief of Police Allen, protecting photographer Heather from criminals who think she has some vital evidence with her. And she has no idea what. Even though her father doesn't trust Allen, she does, and so they work together to figure out what is going on.
Lima tells the story of Dr. Lani Hunt and Sheriff Gibson Lawson. Someone is out to get her, and Gibson must find her before it's too late. The criminal of this act was a complete surprise to me!
Shadows of the Mill is a story of a wrong from long ago being righted and mercenaries going after Meghan and Oliver to stop them from finding the hidden treasure and put things to right.
Before you go to purchase a book you read the blurb on the cover. I initially wanted to read it because of a certain author had written a book they coincided with one of her series and I definitely wanted to read that! However, I received so much more than the book I was after. I got to read new to me authors that write with so much depth. The topics chosen, the suspense, the sweet romances that unfold, are all very well done. The details are a huge point for me when reading. Sometimes you don’t get enough details in the book and some are overly done. These stories have details from scenes that I could picture being there, and the characters in each book brought the stories to life. I love that all of them not only have great storylines, but they also give you much to think about in the form of faith and scriptures. They weave it all in perfectly. I will definitely be checking into other books from these authors.
Road to Redemption Emily and Owen's story is action-packed and epicly written. Laura crafts an excellent story but I would recommend reading Scent of Danger first as it sets the stage for Road to Redemption.
Badlands Escape Heather and Allen were great characters who were in the middle of a fantastic mystrey, that had many unexpected twists and turns. It took a while to get into but it was worth reading.
Lima When I first saw Lani was getter her own story I was ecstatic and Lima didn't disappoint. It's filled with an epic mystrey and a sweet friends to more romance.
Jessica writes Lima in such a way that it doesn't spoil the previous stories despite being set after them.
Shadows of the Mill Meghan and Oliver's story is a dual timeline suspense filled mystrey. Both stories were thought provoking and interesting, and the European setting described was extraordinary beautiful.
I received an ARC from Two Dogs Publishing, and I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
Omg these stories were fantastic. I was so impressed with each story I read.
All of these characters were smart, caring and vulnerable.
The guys had a support network, were protective and invested in the recovery of their ladies. The ladies loved fiercely, were emotionally all in with their guys.
Take Lani and Gibson in Lima. She is kidnapped and he just turned the world over finding her.
Even though Owen is misguided when he and his team kidnap Nurse Emily to help him, he still was protective and loved her.
They all are very different stories, all compelling to read and not able to put down. Brilliant characters and plots that are Christian themed but still suspenseful and action paced.
This is a wonderful group of 4 suspense stories. Each of them has their own style. The stories by authors that I have read were a great complement to their other work. The stories by new authors were a great way to get a sense for their style and find a new author to binge read their other work. These were all good in different ways and I especially loved the addition of the puppy as I am a big dog lover. It definitely will tug at the heartstrings of others who like dogs having a spot in a story. Well done anthology that I highly recommend. Great work by 4 talented authors.
What's better than a great suspense story? How about 4 of them!! That's what you get in this collection of suspense stories from four awesome authors. Each story is different, with it's own mystery and suspense and characters that you may recognize if you have read any of the authors' books. If you haven't, this is a perfect way to "try" some new authors - besides being a deal with getting 4 books in one. I received an advance copy from one of the authors but all opinions are my own.
This is a collection of books from different authors. The books included are not interconnected with each other, however some of them are interconnected with other books by that author. TRIGGER WARNING: Some of the books deal with heavy topics either discussions of or the characters actually dealing with it in the books. Such as WWII and the treatment of the Jews and the Sympathizers, addiction, kidnapping, abuse, human trafficking... All of them have a HEA for the main characters.
All these stories were riveting, however I especially enjoyed how the final one was told from the perspective of both the past and the present. I was uplifted by the faith elements, left guessing with twists and turns, could hardly take my breath between the non-stop action, and cheered each couple on as they connected with each other. I’m looking forward to discovering more books from these authors!
Lots of suspense and some romance. Each author’s story had a different feel and flow. The last story was set in two different times which I found fascinating. The other story that stood out to me was the one about the photographer, but it also was the one that took me the longest to read. This was a gifted copy and I enjoyed the stories.
This is a unique compilation. There is one author I love and have read every book she's written, and three new-to-me authors. Every single one of these brought suspense and made me want to read late into the night. I'm looking forward to digging into the new-to-me authors' backlists and can't wait to see what they all release next!
I loved every one of these stories! Eaxh one of them was filled with suspense and a little bit of romance.
I especially liked the Shadow of the Mill story by Helena Smrcek, since it was set in Czechia. My dad's family immigrated from Czechoslavakia, so it felt like visiting a bit of my past as well.
Another great book by Laura Scott! If you are looking for a clean Christian book that's a can't put down suspense and romance then you definitely need to read this one . Laura draws you into the lives of Emily and Owen and you feel like you're right there with them throughout.
Amazing storytellers! Each of them weave a compelling story that blends love, family, community, drama and compassion, but above all, with God in the beginning and the end!
This is a great collection of authors with action-packed stories. Each author has their own style of writing but all have riveting stories that keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll definitely enjoy this one!