Dark Deception By: Nancy Mehl

Back of the Book

Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. 

She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same Marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

My thoughts

Dark Deception is suspenseful from page one and never lets up to the very end.  Mehl has written yet another amazing, intense novel which I couldn't put down.  While I felt blindsided at many times as the story unfolded, I never felt lost as they blended easily into place as the case developed.  The side characters and their stories are unlike anything I have read in a suspense novel, it brought a unique charm to the book that I was not expecting.  Overall this is an intense, enjoyable and completely entertaining book on so many levels.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own

Under a Summer Sky By: Melody Carlson

Back of the Book

High school art teacher Nicole Anderson is looking forward to a relaxing summer in Savannah, house-sitting and managing an art gallery for a family friend. The house is luxurious in a way that only old money could make it, and the gallery promises interesting days in a gorgeous setting. Yet it isn't long before her ideal summer turns into more than she bargained for: a snooty gallery employee who's determined to force her out, a displaced adolescent roosting in the attic, and two of Nicole's close childhood friends--who also happen to be brothers--vying for her attention.

With a backdrop of a beautiful historical city, incredible architecture, and even an alleged ghost or two, combined with the opportunity for romance . . . anything can happen!

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites readers to spend the summer surrounded by beauty and tantalizing possibilities for the future.

My thoughts

Like a nice evening stroll, Under A Summer Sky is a smooth, comfortable novel.  The characters were easy to relate to, the conversations were enjoyable and the love story is like reading a hallmark.  While I enjoy books with suspense, sometimes I find the need to clear the tension and drama, this is the perfect novel to cleanse the readers palate.  I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own

Just Look Up By Courtney Walsh

Back of the Book

After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home—a quaint tourist town full of memories she’d just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work—something her eclectic family doesn’t understand.

Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming aren’t ideal.

Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can’t find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the surrogate family he’s found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really matters has been right in front of her all along—if only she’d just look up.

My Thoughts

You can never go wrong reading a Courtney Walsh novel,  and Just Look Up is a clear reminder of this.  The story was wonderfully entertaining and heart warming.  Lane is an amazingly well written character with a personality and struggles that are easy to relate to.  Ryan is the epitome of peace and patience and as the story develops those qualities grow stronger and more endearing.  Walsh addresses real issues many of us face and shows them in an entertaining way and begs the question, how can our lives change if we Just Look Up?

I was given a complementary copy of this novel.