Deep Tide by Laura Griffin is her latest standalone romantic suspense novel in the Texas Murder Files. Coffee shop owner and caterer, Leyla Breda and Undercover, FBI Agent Sean Moran’s paths cross when her barista is found murdered. Suspense & romance await you in this coastal tourist town.

Deep Tide
by Laura Griffin
Series: Texas Murder Files #4
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
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An undercover FBI agent and an independent coffee shop owner must team up when a local barista is found dead and danger circles their coastal Texas town

With two brothers on the police force, Leyla Breda is well aware of the rising crime in her small beach town, but she never expected it to show up on her doorstep. When Leyla finds one of her employees murdered in the alley behind her coffee shop, she’s deeply shaken, and as a new law enforcement officer in town begins to circle her place of business, her instincts only sharpen.

Sean Moran is on an undercover mission: The seaside community of Lost Beach may look like a picturesque postcard, but his team suspects it’s a point of intersection for several crime syndicates that the FBI has been investigating for years. Even so, when the brash and beautiful Leyla Breda starts bossing him around, he’s immediately intrigued. He knows her brothers want him to back off, but every time he sees her, he feels more of a spark.

Leyla’s connections in the local community and Sean’s skills allow them to go deeper into the case together than they would be able to go alone. But when a single crime spirals into something much darker, Sean’s carefully planned mission takes a deadly turn.

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All the novels in the Texas Murder Files can be read as standalone and feature a suspenseful case and romance. Here, we meet Leyla Brenda. Her brothers are police officers in their coastal tourist town and one is getting married. She first meets Sean Moran at her brother’s wedding.

After having watched her brother tie the knot and take off for their honeymoon, she enters her coffee shop to discover it in a state of disarray. It appears the barista who shut down didn’t clean up. As she takes the trash out to the dumpsters in the alley, she makes a grizzly discovery.

Undercover Agent Sean Moran may have attended the wedding, but he is here on an undercover assignment. He thinks the recent murder might be related. The suspenseful mystery thread was interesting and involved Lost Beach PD and the FBI. Sean can’t disclose what he is working on, not even with the local cop in charge, because his suspect has deep pockets.

Leyla gets involved mostly because of an opportunity, and it soon places her in danger. The romance is served on the side and despite their initial chemistry; it had a slow burn vibe.

While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, mostly because the pacing felt off, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one. Griffin writes stories I love to slip into with just enough intrigue and mystery to engage me.

Fans of romantic suspense, crime fiction and well-written characters should check out this series and Griffin’s other series as well.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/04/deep-tide-by-laura-griffin.html

Nathan Helm’s Kingdom Society: The Black Hood is an action-packed novel that transports readers to the once-prosperous kingdom of Targus, now under the control of the bringer of death, the Black Hood. With the king possessed by this entity and the queen held captive, the young prince Alyeth Zane becomes the kingdom’s only hope. However, in order to keep him safe, Alyeth Zane was sent to another time along with his sister. Years later, Alyeth Zane must return to Targus to reclaim his kingdom with the aid of old friends and new allies.

Helm’s novel is a delightful mix of fantasy and sci-fi, which makes for an engaging and thrilling read. The merging of magic and technology adds intrigue to the storyline, and readers will find themselves captivated by the creative world-building. Kingdom Society: The Black Hood offers a unique blend of two distinct genres, making it an excellent choice for both sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts. Despite the successful mix of genres, the storyline at times feels overloaded with events and concepts, making it difficult for readers to follow. However, with so much going on, readers will be hooked from the start and keep on edge with each chapter. The compelling characters and imaginative setting make for an enjoyable read that is immersive and original.

Kingdom Society: The Black Hood by Nathan Helm is a captivating time travel story blended with epic fantasy making it the perfect read for both sci-fi and fantasy fans, as they will appreciate the balance between the two genres. The novel showcases Helm’s creative potential, and readers will eagerly anticipate what he has in store for future works.

Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0BRBTW8Y8

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/25/kingdom-society-the-black-hood/

Relationships can be almost frighteningly beautiful in their complexity. From the way we meet that one person who truly understands our innermost thoughts to the way our lives evolve beyond that moment, our friendships speak to the way we both love and live. Time and circumstances may change, but the friends who were made for us stay true through the most emotionally charged and challenging times. The love we share with our closest friends knows no boundaries, and no one knows this better than author Kimberly Sullivan. Her collection of short stories displays a wide variety of relationships and the circumstances that sometimes put them to the ultimate test.

Drink Wine and Be Beautiful: Short Stories, by Kimberly Sullivan, is a collection of striking short stories that will hit home with virtually any reader. Sullivan’s focus is women, their lives and challenges, and the friendships that get them through it all. Taking place in Italy, Sullivan’s book of short stories contains a certain mystique that perfectly compliments the relationships wrapped within its covers. It is difficult to pinpoint one specific aspect of Sullivan’s work that stands out because each short story is unique, somehow relatable, and beautifully impactful on the reader. Sullivan is adept at colorful descriptions, heartfelt dialogue, and reaching out to readers via memorable characters. Despite some of the backgrounds of the various women, each one is fighting a battle that makes them incredibly vulnerable and relatable. Sullivan will, without a doubt, garner a sizable following from her work. The women who make up her short stories contain a bit of each of us. I was especially moved by the story titled Modern Art. This selection features two aging friends, Livia and Eleonora, who meet to explore contemporary art. Their bickering is classic. Their political differences keep them at odds, but they manage to look past that and maintain a healthy respect for one another’s opinions. The argument that seems to be the end of their lifelong friendship is painful to watch but absorbs the reader from beginning to end.

Cover to cover, the short stories in Drink Wine and Be Beautiful are engaging, full of characters, and create thought-provoking moments for readers. Readers will reflect on their own relationships, especially those they share with lifelong friends. I highly recommend Sullivan’s short stories to anyone looking for a deeply meaningful read doled out in small, manageable doses.

Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0BX486BLZ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/25/drink-wine-and-be-beautiful/

In The Dirt Bike Detective by Douglas L. Hoover, readers are taken on a thrilling journey through a world of mystery, fantasy, and true crime. The story follows a group of young detectives as they embark on a mission to reclaim Oliver’s grandfather’s watch, which ultimately leads to investigating a series of paranormal mysteries.

The author’s captivating style keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end, with a prologue that sets the tone for the entire book. While facing everyday school experiences such as bullies, family life, friendships, and relationships, the young detectives are tasked with solving a series of intriguing paranormal mysteries. The author masterfully combines mystery and fantasy elements, creating a world that will appeal to readers of all ages.

This is a family-friendly book that is sure to entertain both young and old. No matter your age, you will find yourself invested in the story and trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters. The author’s use of a simple yet lyrical style brings the atmosphere to life through the eyes of 12-year-olds, making it easy to imagine yourself right alongside the young detectives. While readers of the book do not get to know all of the characters as well as they would like (aside from Chase and Oliver), the ending is well-written and leaves room for a possible sequel or continuation of the saga. The book’s conclusion provides a satisfying end to the story while still leaving readers hungry for more.

Overall, The Dirt Bike Detective is an interesting and engaging middle-grade novel that is sure to make you laugh and keep readers invested. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting book that combines mystery, fantasy, and true crime, this is the perfect choice for you!

Pages: 494 | ASIN : B0BS3DBC3V

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/25/the-dirt-bike-detective/

The Broadway scene in 1920s New York City has been rocked by the shocking news of a playwright’s untimely demise and the discovery of a missing manuscript. Enter Jax Diamond, a charming and sophisticated private detective who embarks on a journey to unravel the chaotic final weeks leading up to the playwright’s death. The list of suspects is long and includes the playwright’s wife, Patricia, who may have been seeking evidence for a divorce case, a potential scorned lover, and a suspected murderer on the loose. But, regardless of who is to blame, Jax Diamond is determined to get to the bottom of it all in Songbird by Gail Meath. Prepare for an immersive experience!

As I listened to the Songbird audiobook, I was transported into the room where the scenes were unfolding. Meath’s skill in creating period-driven dialogue and characters is evident throughout the book. The audiobook narrator also contributes to the immersive experience, making it feel as though you’re a part of the story. While this may not be the book for readers seeking challenging, hard-to-decipher mysteries, it is a delightful, light, and easy read/listen that allows you to unwind and relax. I personally enjoyed following along with the story while tending to my garden on a sunny afternoon.

Meath’s character-building is spectacular. The standout character in the novel is Jax Diamond. He is well-crafted and perfectly curated to fit the overall vibe and themes of the book. Diamond’s charming and relaxed demeanor sets the tone for a well-known private detective in the 1920s, and his dialogue throughout the novel is exceptional. If you’re a history buff, you’ll appreciate the small easter eggs that Meath includes in the book, such as Diamond’s homemade beer, which references the prohibition era. This is yet another example of Meath’s ability to fully immerse readers in Jax Diamond’s world.

Whether you’re a fan of the glamorous worlds depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald novels or the whodunit feel of an Agatha Christie story, you’ll love Songbird. It is a tantalizing mystery that I highly recommend.

Pages: 212 | ASIN : B09HMRCVCL

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/25/songbird/

Set in the 19th-century Austro-Hungarian Empire, Alexandru Czimbor’s The Soul Machines is a captivating novel that explores the impact of a mysterious device on the lives of three young friends and the residents of a burgeoning mining town in Transylvania. As the discovery of this peculiar object unleashes a wave of violence, murder, and lunacy, the three young men must navigate a complex web of conflicts, including a pauper’s love for a wealthy girl, a villain’s sinister plans, and a group’s plot to harness the power of the device.

What I appreciated most about this gripping book was the author’s skillful weaving of multiple minor conflicts, which together create a dramatic and engaging story. Czimbor expertly blends genres, including mystery, thriller, and forbidden love, to deliver a rich and elaborate reading experience. By shifting between multiple perspectives, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the story and how the character’s interactions with the device influence their plans and objectives. Moreover, the book raises insightful and thought-provoking discussions around religion, naturalism, Marxism, and Darwin’s theories of evolution. The combination of themes makes this genre-blending novel perfect for eclectic readers.

The Soul Machines is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages for hours. For readers looking for a historical narrative that is both captivating and emotionally engaging, this book is a must-read. Be warned, however, that the book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers eagerly anticipating a sequel. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking an unforgettable reading experience.

Pages: 584 | ASIN : B0BRT85YMG

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/25/the-soul-machines/

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