The Final Word ~ Reader Friday

The Final Word, A Love at First Sight Christian Romantic Suspense (Bite of Betrayal Book 2) by Laura Thomas is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: THE DESERTED STREET WAS DELICIOUSLY SINISTER in the glow of a solitary lamp—the perfect milieu for Sophie’s final nights living in Paris.

But first the photo and verse. This is the photo I wanted to use on Tuesday. 🙂 Florida has some of the most beautiful clouds I’ve ever seen. I took this picture just before a thunderstorm. Dark clouds were behind me, but the light shone through the clouds in front of me. It was breathtaking (the camera can’t do it justice). The verse is one I’ve turned to time and again in trials.

Now for The Final Word by Laura Thomas. Here’s the cover and back copy:

Terrorized by darkness from her past. Real life is no fairy tale…

When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last night.

Miles Morgan’s life has been defined as a successful opera singer—until now. His chance encounter with Sophie in Paris ignites renewed hope … if he can figure out his next chapter and if she can accept what his future may hold.

In the heart of the English countryside, Sophie and Miles’ fairy tale romance turns into a noxious nightmare as the darkness of Sophie’s past—and her volatile ex—catch up with her. Both Sophie and Miles must surrender everything to the One they thought had betrayed them as they lean into love and fight for their lives.

Travel from Paris to England in this fast-paced, faith-over-fear story of surrender.

My Take:

Laura Thomas is a new author to me, but she won’t be new long! The opening, set in Paris, grabbed me from the get-go. Thomas writes beautifully about Paris and the English countryside, making me want to visit. On one of Sophie’s last nights there, she witnesses a man assaulting a woman. And not just any man, but her ex-boyfriend. Then the night before she leaves, she meets Miles, and it’s love at first sight.

Sophie, an aspiring author who has been working at a bakery in Paris, is a great character, and Miles is swoon-worthy handsome. Add them to the setting of Paris and the English countryside, and I couldn’t put the book down.

The ex follows her from Paris to the English countryside, where her sisters live, and the suspense ratchets up. This is a great read and one I believe lovers of romantic suspense will love.

You can read it in KU or buy it here.

I thought I’d share a review that Clean Fiction Magazine gave On the Edge of Trust!

Sometimes the closer you get to justice, the deadlier it becomes

When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option—especially when he’s unofficially pulled into an investigation.

Tori Mitchell isa passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.

Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them. Tori is doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They’ll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.

Now for this Friday’s song. I love to hear Josh Groban sing and this is a favorite…