Deceived: A Suspense Novel By Tyson Abaroa-Mystery Suspense Review

 

Book Synopsis

When he won a coveted spot at Harvard Law School, Enrique Miller thought he was escaping his small Arizona hometown for good. But after failing the bar exam—again—his path forward is more uncertain than ever. That all changes when his phone rings with devastating his father, a renowned amateur detective, has been murdered. There’s no choice now but to go home.

Enrique grapples with grief as he arrives in a town shaped by his father’s towering legacy—and he soon realizes that while that legacy bolstered the community, it also cast dangerous shadows. When his deputy brother feels unable to pursue the truth of what happened to their father, Enrique is reluctantly drawn into the murder investigation alongside his former flame. But as the amateur investigators discover a dangerous pattern of deceit and betrayal 

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Covenant Communications
• Genre : Mystery Suspense
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 10, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1524428280

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

My Review

Deceived is the second book I've read from Author Tyson Abaroa. Enrique Miller is the main character, an anti-hero and the "black sheep" of his family. He got his college degree but left town without patching things up with family or friends. Poor Enrique fails the bar exam four times. Then comes a dreaded call saying his dad was murdered, and he has to go back home.

This story is a mystery. Enrique faces much more as he grieves his father and his lost chance to heal their relationship. He works to heal old wounds with those he left behind without even a goodbye. Enrique starts to own his actions. He starts to grow up to become the man his dad saw in him.

Enrique teams up with his cop brother, Francisco, to hunt the killer. The man in charge, Detective Shepherd, warned them to stay out. I loved how the townspeople painted a vivid picture of the dad. Everyone there loved Hank Miller. The small town's quirky residents are lively and fun, but some seem shady, too. Red herrings pop up everywhere about who killed Hank, which could confuse readers. The big reveal caught me off guard; in fact, this person wasn't even on my mind.

Fans of suspense mysteries will enjoy this novel. A touch of sweet romance is also there. Enrique renews his faith in God and fixes old wrongs. You may be "Deceived" until the end, as I was.

****Meet Author Tyson Abaroa****

Whitney Award Winning author, Tyson Abaroa, was born in Provo, UT but raised in Gilbert, AZ. His freshman year of high school he was assigned to write an essay on what he’d be when he grew up. He turned in a step by step plan to become world dictator. That should have been his first clue that maybe he should keep imagining. In July 2001 between his junior and senior year of high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves. After graduating high school, boot camp, and MOS school; his unit was deployed to build a fuel hose line in support of the invasion of Iraq. After this deployment he served in the Chile Santiago East Mission. He married soon after returning home and just before his first anniversary was deployed again. This time to Djibouti, Africa as part of a provisional security company. Tyson’s ADHD has led to an eclectic career after the Marine Corps. He has been a credit card collector, a claims processor, a Track Director for USA BMX, and now a Pest Control Technician. He draws from his experiences and develops stories to write about in his spare time.

~*~*~*~*Purchase Deceived ~*~*~*~*

HERE

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If You'll Have Me: A Proper Romance By Esther Hatch-Historical Romance Review

 Book Synopsis

A lady desperately seeking freedom. A prosperous younger man. An unexpected connection.

Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare. When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.

David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting David in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing David’s deepest secrets.

In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain Publishing
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 3, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639934561

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

My Review

This is the perfect novel to review on Valentine's Day. The love story sticks with you long after. David and Anna face huge roadblocks to real joy. His painful history keeps him from opening up to her. She starts as a friend but craves more. I loved how David and Anna's caring relationship started when they were young. Years pass, and Anna and her mom face many problems. David steps in to save them without any thought of his own welfare. Many things happen quickly. Soon, they fake an engagement, with some humor, odd moments, and deep feelings that can't be denied.

David's secrets loom large in their relationship, along with a cruel father's shadowed presence. Anna would do anything to help David. They want to make one another happy, but barriers get in the way. This love story is one of hope and healing from their past. So much happens, but no spoilers will show up here. 

I loved this book, and all of Author Esther Hatch's novels. She has a beautiful way with words. This was my favorite quote, 

"My love earlier had been selfish. I'd loved him before, what I felt now was deeper. I'd wanted David in my life for the happiness he brought me. Now, more than anything, I wanted to fill his world with joy. "

Read this amazing story of sacrifice, healing, hope, and love. If You'll Have Me takes its place as one of my top Proper Romance books. 

****Meet Author Esther Hatch****

Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school, she alternated living in Russia to teach children English and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week. Visit her at estherhatch.com.

~*~*~*~*Purchase If You'll Have Me ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

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Eye of the Mind By Sara Davison- Chrristian Romantic Suspense Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Eye of the Mind by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Eye of the Mind 
Author: Sara Davison 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: December 17, 2025 
Genre: romantic suspense (with thriller elements)

****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

She can't picture his face. 
But he knows hers. 

Firefighter Jules Adler suspects her blind date with Officer Dante de Marco will not go well. When she witnesses a violent crime, the night goes from bad to worse fast. 

Dante, the police sketch artist, is tasked with getting enough details from her to draw the killer. If only Jules could visualize the man’s face. 

She and Dante are forced to spend a lot more time together than either would like, trying desperately to come up with a likeness. The problem is, with a ruthless psychopath closing in, that time is about to run out. 

For fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat suspense, slow-burning romance, humor, and deep issues of faith.

My Review

Though this book is shorter at 173 pages, it's powerful, making a big impact on the reader. Eye of the Mind is many things: a mystery, romance, and an edge-of-your-seat thriller. 

After a miserable blind date between Jules and Dante, she leaves to only stumble upon a killing, and the murderer sees her face. Honestly, this man and his tactics made me shake at times. He was always two steps ahead of Dante and Jules.  The anxiety was real as Jules experienced the killer messing with her mind and threatening her and her loved ones.

 Though the blind date had gone wrong, Dante and Jules became closer, working together to find the man terrorizing her. Dante is a policeman and a sketch artist, so it was a natural transition for the story to go. As they both grieved a loss, they had abandoned God. Strength is given to them to move forward in life as they heal and grow closer to each other and to God. Such beautiful words are spoken here without being preachy or trite. Sara Davison always knows how to balance things out in her books. My favorite quote shows how touching her words are: “Pain might be the price you have to pay for love, but the price you pay for refusing to accept that love is far higher.”

Eye of the Mind is packed with emotion, fast-paced action, and terror. Reading it all in one sitting keeps the suspense high as you become absorbed in this new world. I highly recommend this romantic suspense thriller to all readers. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Sara Davison is the author of numerous romantic suspense series. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a HOLT Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better and subscribe to her short, monthly newsletter at ontheedgesuspense.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Eye of the Mind plus a $25 Amazon card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 10, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 17, 2026. Winner 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

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

Hidden Identities: A Guardian Novel By Traci Hunter Abramson-Romantic Suspense Review

 Book Synopsis

A betrayed CIA operative and a covert guardian join forces to outwit a global traitor before his next move turns deadly—all while navigating an unexpected spark between them.

Jia Wu is one of the CIA’s most skilled undercover operatives—sharp, adaptable, and able to disappear into any environment. But when a covert mission in Thailand goes sideways and her partner is taken captive, Jia barely escapes with her life. The bigger problem? Her location was leaked, and there’s only one Someone inside the agency betrayed her. With her trust in the CIA shaken, Jia turns to the one man outside the agency who might be able to help.

Erik is a guardian whose job is to protect intelligence assets from threats too dangerous or too compromised for official channels, so when Jia calls on him for backup, he doesn’t hesitate. The plan is They’ll travel to Singapore, infiltrate the world of a criminal mastermind, and rescue the captured agent. But as the line between professional and personal becomes increasingly blurred, Erik and Jia’s path forward becomes anything but simple. The clock is ticking as they confront a terrifying truth—the traitor they’re chasing may be closer than they think.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Covenant Communications
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 3, 2026
• Genre: Romantic Suspense
• Series: The Guardian Series
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1524429589

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

• 
  

My Review

Not a fan of sleep? Grab Traci Hunter Abramson's latest, Hidden Identities. I've devoured tons of her books and tell myself not to start reading them at bedtime. I ignore my own rule every time. Once I dive in, I can't quit. It's an all-nighter for me.

The Guardian Series stays true to form with every book. They pack solid characters, non- stop action, high risks, and slow-burn romance. Hidden Identities follows suit with everything you hope is in a Guardian's novel. 

Sparked by a shared history and a midnight betrayal, Erik "Ghost" and CIA operative Jia Wu must team up to stop a global virus. Their high-stakes mission is packed with life-threatening clashes and surprising highlights—including the Saint Squad’s timely arrival, a darling mini labradoodle recruit, and an ending far more intense than expected.

While Hidden Identities works perfectly as a standalone, reading the full series enriches the overall journey. Traci Hunter Abramson has delivered another winner that consistently meets her high standard of excellence, and we, the readers, are the lucky ones.

****Meet Author Traci Hunter Abramson****

Traci Hunter Abramson, a former Central Intelligence Agency officer, was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the CIA for six years until she resigned to raise her family.

Traci is a popular writing instructor and keynote speaker. She has written more than fifty best-selling novels, several of which have won awards. Traci was also honored with an Outstanding Achievement Award in 2025 for her contribution to the writing community. She loves hearing from her readers. Learn more about her

HERE: https://www.traciabramson.com/

~*~*~*~*Purchase Hidden Identities ~*~*~*~*

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                               Paperback-https://shorturl.at/7WBlh

  Kindle-https://a.co/d/0eT62rza

Whispers at Painswick Court By Julie Klassen-Historical Romance/Mystery Suspense Review

 

Book Synopsis

Anne Loveday, a surgeon's daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year.

Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sick-room nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne's sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia's spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady's maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own. As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her determination to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real killer--and protect her heart--before it's too late?

Acclaimed Regency author Julie Klassen marries the best of historical romance and mystery in a novel full of English village charm, intrigue, and love.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers
• Genre : Historical Romance/Mystery Suspense
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 2, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764244868

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

  
  

My Review

Whispers at Painswick Court blends many genres in one story. Anne Loveday starts work as a nurse for an old, odd, wealthy widow. Soon, strange events make her question what she got into. Anne stands out as a kind, caring soul, true to her role.

Some things you'll find in this novel:

-A grumpy old patient facing danger

-Spoiled adult daughter

-Slow burn romance

-The ghost of King Charles haunting the manor 

-A Murderer on the loose

-Basement dungeons

-Missing big kitchen knife

-Handsome doctors and old friends

-Twists and a shock ending

The story keeps you on edge with fake clues tossed everywhere. It all pulls together by the finish. There was the perfect amount of romance, intrigue, and family drama. You'll enjoy Whispers at Painswick Court if you're a fan of Agatha Christie and Jane Austen.

****Meet Author Julie Klassen****

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Visit www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

~*~*~*~*Purchase Whispers at Painswick Court ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

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Kindle-https://a.co/d/2JeL6Pl

Beyond The Clouds: Book 3 of Women of Midtown Series By Elizabeth Camden- Historical Fiction Review

 

Book Synopsis

As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together--until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.

Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. To his surprise, this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir--until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them--or the possibility of falling in love again?

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers
• Series : Women of Midtown
• Genre :  World War I Historical Fiction
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764241737

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

My Review

The Women of Midtown series has been outstanding. I've read all three books, and each tells a strong story.  Beyond the Clouds is historical fiction from World War 1 in 1917.

Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney met as kids in an orphanage, and in their teens, they fell in love.  A mix-up, hidden truths, and grudges tore them apart. Years pass, and war brings them back together. Delia is working for the CBD, which supplied food supplies to occupied Belgium. Finn is now a celebrated war hero who flew planes over France, was shot down, and was rescued by good Belgian people. Soon, they are working together to raise support and funds for the CBD. It starts rough as Delia still fumed over Finn taking their saved cash for a future kite shop. She refused to forgive him.

The story shares deep emotions for the characters and the readers. Delia starts to forgive, and Finn learns to forgive himself. Both grow stronger and braver than they ever thought, and angst hits hard at times.

I loved this second-chance romance. Elizabeth Camden researched the era's people and events in depth. I highly recommend you read all three books in this series. Each one was so unique and worth every minute of reading. Beyond the Clouds was a fabulous novel to end this series.

****Meet Author Elizabeth Camden****

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

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                                   Book 1
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  Book 2
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  Book 3

~*~*~*~*Purchase Beyond The Clouds ~*~*~*~*

HERE

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Kindle-https://a.co/d/hAIAnIR