🎄🧸🎯 “Texas Christmas Revenge” (2021) 🎯🧸🎄 – Book Review/Reviewer Tour

 

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 224 Pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (October 26, 2021)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335554661

ISBN-13: 978- 1335554666

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

“An abandoned little boy is the only clue

to a killer's dangerous holiday plot…

 

Certain a desperate 911 caller is her presumed-dead sister, emergency dispatcher Brandi Callahan follows the cryptic message to a terrified toddler…and an armed assailant. Now Brandi will do anything to protect the boy—even if it means asking her ex-fiancé, Texas Ranger Rhett Kincaid, for help. But can Brandi and Rhett stop this killer before he exacts his terrible Christmas vengeance?”

 

As soon as I saw this was touring with JustRead, and knowing I’d only get an eBook, I decided to use my Amazon gift card balance to get this book. And, right off – I knew it was going to be a good one. It had its own tale of woes. Took five (5) days to get to me. Even after landing in my area, it was delayed for three (3) days. The day it was to be delivered (10/26)? Twice it was delayed in delivery. The next day (10/27)? Another delay.

When a book starts a journey like that – you know it might might be a “must-read”. Call from a presumed deceased sibling, an abandoned little toddler, being shot at, chased, and a car nearly plunging off of tree limbs – all before the end of chapter one. Yup, definitely got my interest there. Right off, I didn’t want to put it down.

 

Getting back to the cover – this right off has an ominous and sinister tone to it. And, that poor little bear! Believe it or not, what happens to the bear was the worst part, for me. Yeah, I know it is a teddy bear – but look at it! Poor thing!

 

Moving on …

 

In addition to the cover, and being the genre I like – it is set in Texas. Any romantic suspense novel set in Texas (or most any book there) – I’m definitely in for reading it.

 

But, also, the plot grabbed me – a 9·1·1 dispatcher in trouble, a little boy, and a Texas Ranger. And, already? It seems like the sheriff’s department has it in for Brandi.

 

Who is the little boy?

Is Brandi’s missing sister, Sadie, still alive?

 

Queen hits the ground running on this one. Even for a short, “snack-book”, this is an intense, action-packed, edge of seat read. The short chapters definitely keep the story on pace and doesn’t let up until the very end. By halfway it went from “can’t put it down” to “HAVE TO KEEP READING”.

 

As far as characters go, while I understood Brandi’s urgency to find her sister – it was annoying after a while. Rhett, bless his heart, was trying to find her while keeping it real – the caller may not have been her and Levi might not be Sadie’s little boy (I’m sure we can predict how that turns out).

 

Levi was adorable and knowing the type of book it was, I wasn’t too upset of his lack of “screen-time”. I dearly adored Rhett’s realism. He was real, honest, yet wanted to help Brandi – only because he cared so much for her. This is despite her ending their engagement two (2) years earlier when her sister disappeared.

 

This came on the heels of a theft that implicated their family and an argument Sadie and Brandi had (not related). The incident shattered Brandi’s trust in those around her. Yet, that was easy when some viewed her with suspicion.

 

It doesn’t help that one of those people is Rhett’s uncle – the county sheriff among a few of his deputies.

 

For that reason, I understood Brandi’s attitude. But, honestly, Rhett was the hero.

 

The other characters? Queen made NO secret of who was “bad” and who was “good” for the most part. I did doubt one character, but was surprised by the fact they remained the same from beginning to end. There were a few characters that surprised me. She definitely kept me guessing on certain aspects.

 

While I have another book by the author, Justice Undercover, this is the first book I’ve read. As a result, I am not familiar with her style – but it could be!

 

There are mentions and references to suicide, drug addiction/use, as well as underage drinking.

 

As stated, this starts off with quite the incident.

 

Someone obviously wants Brandi killed. Thankfully, Rhett won’t late that happen. But, Brandi, given what she has been through – won’t ask for help. That doesn’t stop him from giving it. Despite his father leaving him and Sadie compounding that sense of abandonment, Rhett won’t leave her side.

 

Brandi obviously feels betrayed by Rhett who dropped the ball on her missing sister which is why she broke things off.

 

There is little doubt that the sheriff’s department is involved, though the why is definitely a huge question. Even Rhett is a bit suspicious of his uncle (the sheriff). Rhett also doesn’t know who else is involved though, or why.

 

There are little clues and evidence that Sadie was the caller, and Levi is her son. Still, Brandi has her “feelings”; Rhett deals in facts. It won’t be easy for either one of them to “work together” to find out what is going on.

 

While the two try to figure out where Sadie is, there are numerous attempts on Brandi’s life.

 

In addition, she’s very distrustful of her mother’s new husband. Even more so because he bought her mother a new vehicle and changed several things about her and her home. Brandi has her suspicions about him.

 

It isn’t just Brandi that the “killer” is after, but Sadie as well.

 

Queen definitely kept the suspicions and tension high. Along with the investigation solely being focused on Brandi’s family.

 

Just as Brandi and Rhett find a viable clue (one after the other), they’re being chased after and shot at. One of the clues stunned me, but it wasn’t too surprising. Eventually, a lead pans out, and Rhett soon comes around to believing what Brandi has “known”.

 

And, apparently, so does(do) the “killer/s”.

 

The story journey towards the end and conclusion was exciting. By the last 25 pages, I didn’t stop reading it. I was turning page after page. I was surprised by the “main” bad guy along with his motives though.

 

By the end, Queen wraps up the story and tells the reader what has happened to everyone involved. The ending was quite predictable, but happy as the genre goes. It appears to be a standalone read which is fine with me.

 

It was, for the most part, a satisfying read with few disappointments.

 

I love how the author explained each side of law enforcement, especially Rhett “dropping” Sadie’s case. Though, I would’ve hoped that Brandi understood why he HAD to. But, the author also shared the other side – the person or family who doesn’t care and just wants answers or results. Sadly, it doesn’t work that way.

 

As a Love Inspired Suspense book, there will be Christian and faith themed references such as mentions of God, prayer, and characters practicing their faith in different ways. It is not in a preachy manner and is a part of the character backgrounds.

 

Fans of the author, genre, and Love Inspired Suspense line are sure to enjoy this read. I’m definitely interested in future books by the author.

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub 

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Until recently, CONNIE QUEEN has spent her entire life in Texas, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. Together they’ve raised eight children and are enjoying their grandchildren. Today she resides with her husband and Nash, her great Dane, in Nebraska, where she is working on her next heart-throbbing suspense.    

 

 

 

You can find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/queenofheartthrobbingsuspense

 

Website: http://www.conniequeenauthor.com/ 

 

 

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