Book Recommendation – Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard

Book Description:

USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Goddard Presents a Gripping Thrill Ride

Investigative journalist Cressida Dane arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the “ghost ship” Specter’s Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind–Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces.

County detective Braden Sanders is in Hidden Bay for one reason–to get his niece lifesaving medical treatment. To do that, he is assigned to protect Cressida from a revenge-driven enemy. Together, Braden and Cressida dig deeper to discern the myth from the facts surrounding the Specter’s Bounty.

But more is brewing under the surface than they could ever imagine. Entangled in secrets, they must unravel the past before the current sweeps away their future.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Deadly Currents, the third book in Elizabeth Goddard’s Hidden Bay series set on the remote Washington Coast. Cressida is in danger from the moment she arrives in Hidden Bay to research and finish writing her late father’s book on shipwrecks and ghost ships. She’s determined to use her investigative journalism skills to solve the mysteries that had puzzled her maritime historian father and publish his book.

Braden is a former diplomatic security services agent who’s working undercover as a police detective in Hidden Bay. He’s tasked with the job of protecting Cressida. Their romance is sweet and complicated by secrets and family drama. Trust issues and forgiveness themes are explored in the story.

I loved how the twists and turns in the suspense plot, combined with intriguing town secrets, kept me guessing and turning the page. It was fun visiting with characters from previous books in the series. Hidden Bay is like a character in the story. I loved the story ending and satisfying series finale.

I recommend Deadly Currents to readers who like fast paced romantic suspense with unknown danger, a protector law enforcement hero, forced proximity, small town secrets, maritime mysteries, and relevant faith elements in the story.

Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/23/26

Happy Friday! I’m sharing a selection of books that are on preorder in a weekly post.

Please check the price before preordering. Amazon will always give you the lowest preorder price and bill your payment method on release day.

Click on the book cover to preorder the ebook at Amazon USA. Direct Sales Links (if listed under the book category) will take you to the author or publisher’s website or a universal link to multiple book retailers.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if there’s a book in my post that’s on your TBR (to be read) list. Or, if you’ve already had the pleasure of reading an advanced reader copy. I’m always looking for book recommendations.

4.99

January 27

Romantic Suspense

Christian

Direct Sales

3.99

February 3

Historical Romance

Christian

3.99

February 3

Romantic Suspense

Christian

4.99

January 29

Cozy Mystery

Christian

Direct Sales

12.99

February 1

Historical Romance

Christian

12.99

February 1

Historical Romance

Christian

12.99

February 3

WW2 Historical Romance

Christian

12.99

February 3

Historical Romance

Christian

Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup – Visit my friend Shannon Taylor Vannatter’s blog, check out her SATURDAY weekly book bargains posts, and discover book giveaways, sales, and more.

https://shannontaylorvannatter.com/inkslinger-blog

Free & 99c & Clean & Christian Romance ebooks – Visit my friend Autumn Macarthur’s website to discover free and discounted books.

https://faithhopeandheartwarming.com/free-99c-clean-christian-romance-ebooks

Check out the latest episodes in my FAN GIRLING with NARELLE podcast and YouTube show.

https://www.narelleatkins.com/podcast/

Giveaway for readers with USA mailing address is open through January 28, 2026 (USA West Coast Time Zone)

Enter the giveaway at the link below:

https://kingsumo.com/g/3l5l7l1/the-lies-we-trade-giveaway

*~*~*~*~*~*

Disclaimer: Book information is provided by third parties. Book prices are subject to change. The inclusion of a book in this post is not necessarily an endorsement.

Authors and Publishers: If you’d like to submit a book for consideration for a future post, please fill out the Google form here.

Fan Girling with Narelle – Episode 50 – Love Contemporary Romance: Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon

Welcome to my Fan Girling with Narelle podcast and YouTube show.

In this episode, I’m talking about why I recommend HEARTS IN CIRCULATION by SARAH MONZON to contemporary romance readers who like Christian romance novels.

Here are the links to my book recommendations that I mentioned in the episode for Sarah Monzon’s CHECKING OUT LOVE series.

Book 1 – An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon

Book 2 – Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon

Episode 2 – An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon

I’d love for you to subscribe at your preferred podcasting app or at YouTube if you’re planning to tune in and listen to future episodes.

 

Book Recommendation – Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy by Karen Baney

Book Description:

He’s running from his twin’s crimes. She’s haunted by the man who betrayed her. Can she open her heart to his identical twin?

Shannon thought she’d buried the past—until she arrives at Vargas Ranch and sees the face of the man who shattered her trust. The man she swore she’d never forgive.

Parker has spent his life paying for his brother’s sins. False accusations and shattered opportunities follow him everywhere—because no one sees the man behind the face. When Shannon mistakes him for his twin and has him arrested, his fragile fresh start shatters.

Now forced to work together in the ranch’s equine therapy program, Shannon and Parker must navigate a tense enemies-to-friends journey. As they confront the pain of the past and the pull of unexpected attraction, trust becomes the hardest battle of all.

She must learn to trust the man her heart keeps mistaking for the one who broke it. Parker must prove he’s not his brother before he loses his second chance at love.

When the past collides with the present, can love build the bridge to healing and forgiveness?

A heartfelt Christian romance about redemption, mistaken identity, and love that dares to heal. Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy will steal your heart.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy and read it quickly, within a day, because I was hooked into the story from the opening line. Parker is weary from dealing with multiple situations where he’s arrested for his identical twin brother’s crimes. His twin is a con artist and fraudster with numerous outstanding arrest warrants. Parker is working as a ranch hand at Vargas Ranch in Arizona. He’s looking for peace and a fresh start away from his brother’s problems.

Shannon works for great aunt’s charitable foundation managing events and fundraisers. She applies for a job at Vargas Ranch to assist in fundraising for their equine program for children with disabilities and veterans. While at the ranch for her job interview, she sees Parker and has a panic attack emotional meltdown. She’s convinced Parker is his twin brother who ruined her life and she sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Parker getting arrested.

They start out as enemies, with the added complication of Shannon being Parker’s twin’s ex-girlfriend. Shannon dated the con artist twin eight years earlier and he stole all her money and disappeared.

Parker and Shannon’s enemies to friends to more-than-friends romance is sweet and they both have truckloads of emotional baggage to unpack during the story. Their relationship is complicated by family drama and their deep emotional wounds. Parker’s twin’s emotional and financial abuse has too many victims, including Parker and Shannon. They struggle to trust people and are on a healing journey during the story.

I appreciated the strong faith threads that addressed trust issues, forgiveness themes and injustice. I loved the story ending and how Parker and Shannon were honest and willing to take responsibility for their choices. I loved journeying with them as they overcame obstacles in their path to an emotionally healthy romantic relationship.

I recommend Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy to contemporary romance readers who like westerns with enemies to love romance, mistaken identity, forced proximity, family drama, and strong faith elements in the story.

Many thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy.

Suspense: Chat with Kristine Delano – The Lies We Trade + #Giveaway

Welcome to my Fan Girling with Narelle podcast and YouTube show.

In this episode, I’m chatting with KRISTINE DELANO and talking about her debut SUSPENSE novel, THE LIES WE TRADE.

Here is the link to my book recommendation that I mentioned in the episode.

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano

Connect with Kristine online at kristinedelano.com

I’d love for you to subscribe at your preferred podcasting app or at YouTube if you’re planning to tune in and listen to future episodes.

 

Giveaway open through January 28, 2026 (USA West Coast Time Zone)

Enter at the link below:

https://kingsumo.com/g/3l5l7l1/the-lies-we-trade-giveaway

Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/16/26

Happy Friday! I’m sharing a selection of books that are on preorder in a weekly post.

Please check the price before preordering. Amazon will always give you the lowest preorder price and bill your payment method on release day.

Click on the book cover to preorder the ebook at Amazon USA. Direct Sales Links (if listed under the book category) will take you to the author or publisher’s website or a universal link to multiple book retailers.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if there’s a book in my post that’s on your TBR (to be read) list. Or, if you’ve already had the pleasure of reading an advanced reader copy. I’m always looking for book recommendations.

4.99

February 3

Contemporary Romance

Christian

Direct Sales

4.99

February 9

Historical Romance

Christian

2.99

January 15

Cozy Mystery

Clean & Wholesome

99c

February 18

Historical Romance

Christian

11.99

January 20

Suspense

Christian

12.99

January 20

Historical Romance

Christian

18.99

January 20

Historical Romance

Christian

12.99

January 20

Historical Fiction

Christian

9.99

January 27

Legal Thriller

Christian

2.99

January 20

Romantic Suspense

Christian

4.99

January 27

Romantic Suspense

Christian

4.99

January 27

Contemporary Romance

Christian

Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup – Visit my friend Shannon Taylor Vannatter’s blog, check out her SATURDAY weekly book bargains posts, and discover book giveaways, sales, and more.

https://shannontaylorvannatter.com/inkslinger-blog

Free & 99c & Clean & Christian Romance ebooks – Visit my friend Autumn Macarthur’s website to discover free and discounted books.

https://faithhopeandheartwarming.com/free-99c-clean-christian-romance-ebooks

Check out the latest episodes in my FAN GIRLING with NARELLE podcast and YouTube show.

https://www.narelleatkins.com/podcast/

Giveaway for readers with USA mailing address is open through January 28, 2026 (USA West Coast Time Zone)

Enter the giveaway at the link below:

https://kingsumo.com/g/3l5l7l1/the-lies-we-trade-giveaway

*~*~*~*~*~*

Disclaimer: Book information is provided by third parties. Book prices are subject to change. The inclusion of a book in this post is not necessarily an endorsement.

Authors and Publishers: If you’d like to submit a book for consideration for a future post, please fill out the Google form here.

Fan Girling with Narelle – Episode 49 – Love Suspense: The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano + #Giveaway

Welcome to my Fan Girling with Narelle podcast and YouTube show.

In this episode, I’m talking about why I recommend THE LIES WE TRADE by KRISTINE DELANO to suspense readers who like Christian fiction novels.

Here is the link to my book recommendation that I mentioned in the episode.

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano

I’d love for you to subscribe at your preferred podcasting app or at YouTube if you’re planning to tune in and listen to future episodes.

 

Giveaway open through January 28, 2026 (USA West Coast Time Zone)

Enter at the link below:

https://kingsumo.com/g/3l5l7l1/the-lies-we-trade-giveaway

Book Recommendation – Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore

Book Description:

One case almost destroyed her career. Now the past seems to have caught up with her. And as a high-stakes game of truth and lies unfolds, someone’s out for retribution at any cost.

As a detective in the Long Beach Police Department’s violent crimes division, Lainie Jensen is no stranger to hard-to-crack cases and unusual disappearances, but then her sister Evie vanishes on a trip to Hawaii. After traveling there to look for her, Lainie quickly realizes her brother-in-law Stan is telling law enforcement a story that doesn’t appear to add up.

FBI special agent Ben Isaacs has spent six months collecting evidence to take down a money laundering operation. While his fellow agent Efren Gomez goes undercover to infiltrate the ring, Ben investigates those connected to it, including Stan Moffitt, who Ben believes could help lead to the criminal kingpin. Then Stan’s wife goes missing just days after Ben contacted her seeking information, and he knows there’s more to this case, especially when he loses contact with Efren and law enforcement comes up short in their search for him.

When Ben’s and Lainie’s investigations converge, Lainie’s not eager to work alongside Ben given their complicated history, but she’s willing to do so if it means figuring out what Stan knows and locating Evie. Soon, Lainie can’t deny Ben’s dedication to finding the truth or her growing admiration for him. And the more the two examine the evidence, the more they suspect Evie’s disappearance is tied to a highly publicized criminal case from Lainie’s past . . . and someone is playing a perilous game aimed at personal revenge.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Edge of Truth, a romantic suspense novel set in Los Angeles. Lainie is a career focused police detective who is shocked when she discovers her sister is missing. Ben is a FBI agent who crosses paths with Lainie at work when a case at Long Beach Police Department is connected to a FBI investigation. Ben’s partner is undercover and has missed his check in.

Lainie and Ben’s meet cute is tense due to their conflict over their connected cases. The attraction is there, but it’s the wrong place and the wrong timing. A lovely low key friends-to-more romance develops during the story.

Lainie has history with a local crime boss that’s complicating their cases. Unknown danger is lurking and Lainie’s family gets caught up in it. She’s blindsided by a betrayal that has massive implications for her close family.

Ben has his own problems to deal with as he investigates why his FBI agent partner is missing. Lainie and Ben must work together to solve the intriguing mysteries. I loved how the suspense plot kept me guessing. I was worried about the characters and appreciated seeing their faith journeys on the page. Themes including trust, forgiveness, and justice are explored.

The story is more weighted toward suspense than romance and would appeal to suspense readers who aren’t big romance fans. I recommend Edge of Truth to romantic suspense readers who like friends-to-more romances with law enforcement characters, forced proximity, a cold case, missing people, family drama, and strong faith elements in the story.

Many thanks to Tyndale for the advanced reader copy.

Book Recommendation – Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon

Book Description:

Can a rundown bookmobile be the vehicle that brings two unlikely hearts together?

Little Creek’s bookmobile is more of a death trap on wheels than a vehicle of literary delights, and circulation librarian Hayley Holt is afraid it’s going to careen down a mountainside with her in it. Yet she sees it as a way to serve her community and be worthy of the liver transplant that saved her life as a child. However, her fears come true when the bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her in the small hollow of Turkey Grove.

Reclusive mechanic Levi Redding lives in tiny Turkey Grove to get away from people. He can handle getting the bookmobile running again, but the endless chatter and unsettling touches from the vibrant librarian leave him overstimulated. When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren’t contained within the bindings of a book.

Sarah Monzon pens a charming contemporary rom-com for fans of books about books, the forced-proximity and grumpy-sunshine tropes, and pen-pal romances.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Hearts in Circulation, the second book in Sarah Monzon’s Checking Out Love series set in Tennessee. Hayley is a small town librarian who has the job of driving the old bookmobile donated to the library by the mayor. Her maiden journey in the bookmobile doesn’t go according plan. Mechanical issues and a natural disaster leave Hayley stranded in a small and remote mountain town.

Levi is a reclusive mechanic who rescues Hayley and the bookmobile. He has sensory issues and prefers to avoid people. Their meet cute is charming and memorable. He’s grumpy for a reason and she’s the sunshine extrovert who challenges him to move outside his comfort zone. Hayley has her own emotional baggage to unpack. Their romance is sweet and I loved how their shared love of literature led to adorable communications via notes and letters.

I recommend Hearts in Circulation to contemporary romance readers who like opposites attract and grumpy sunshine romances with forced proximity, instalove, bookish characters, and relevant faith elements in the story.