Into the Fire – a novel

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn’t want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the danger escalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance–and maybe even their lives–go up in flames?

The bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense is back with a brand-new series that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you burn through the pages to discover the truth.

Wow!  What a phenomenal novel!  I had such a hard time putting it down!  One of the things I really loved was that before I could figure out the bad guy, the author lets us know.  And then it was a race for time to see if Bri and Marc can figure it out before one of them is next.  This was a different twist and I really liked it, especially since I did not see that one coming.  The novel has a light faith element and seems a little thicker with 387 pages.  Fortunately, it is the first in a new series by the author called Undaunted Courage so I can look forward to reading the next one!  I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Author: Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 60 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers’ Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers’ Best, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Into the Fire was published on October 3, 2023 by Revell.

On Moonberry Lake – a novel

Cora Matthews has long wondered why her mother stopped taking her to visit her grandparents’ lodge in the small Northwoods Minnesota town of Moonberry Lake. Now, after burying her mother and breaking off her engagement just two weeks before her wedding, Cora has a chance to find out. Once there, she is stunned to learn that the old lodge is her inheritance–with a surprising condition attached. Maybe some time to regroup on the shores of a beautiful lake is just what Cora needs to figure out what’s next for her.

But Cora’s days on the lake are anything but relaxing. The only thing that’s a bigger mess than her own life is the dilapidated building she’s living in. Add a cantankerous handywoman, an angry neighbor, and an elderly woman who spends all her time talking to the “residents” in the cemetery and Cora’s not sure she can stick it out. But if she can, she may find a love she never expected–from the most unexpected people imaginable. This homespun tale of new friendships, sweet romance, and ordinary miracles will have you wishing you could spend a summer (or a lifetime) on Moonberry Lake.

“We’re all the same.  We all need love, grow from love, search endlessly for love and end up living to feel loved.  That’s what connects us to one another.”  And so, Cora learns about love from her eccentric neighbors at her inherited lodge on a Minnesota lake.  From Widgy, a self-proclaimed repairman, Mr. Wells, the agoraphobic, and Joseph, a neighbor who looks like Jesus, to Kitty and the other tea ladies, Cora is surrounded by mostly loveable but strange people as she learns about loving and being loved.  There is some romance, which is a bonus to all the other relationships.  The faith element in this book was light, and there were some New Age elements in it, which I could have done without.  But I did enjoy the quirky characters and reading the book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The author: Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian and Swedish descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutfisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed to becoming a storyteller was planted in Holly’s heart. Though she and her husband and their three sons live along the Central Coast of California, her beloved Midwest roots continue to influence everything she writes. She is host and author of the podcast Moments from Moonberry Lake, where more stories of her characters from this sweet small town are shared.

On Moonberry Lake was published on September 26, 2023 by Revell.