Death in High Places

 

About the Book

Book: Death in High Places

Author: Sara L. Jameson

Genre: Mystery /Suspense/Romance

Release Date: February 28, 2023

An Interpol agent with a deadline he can’t miss.

Urgent intel warns of terrorist cells planning coordinated attacks throughout Europe. Special Agent Jacob Coulter of Brussels Interpol is assigned to find the terrorist financiers supporting these groups and shut down their funding operations.

An opera singer’s life and career hang in the balance.

The Queen of the Night’s vocal pyrotechnics have launched many a soprano’s international career. But Riley Williams, Jacob’s fiancée, is terrified of heights, and her Antwerp Opera debut as the evil queen requires her to sing from a hydraulic lift forty feet above the orchestra pit. When newspapers cite Riley’s recent unmasking of an international terrorist plot and the lift malfunctions, Jacob suspects terrorist sabotage.

He encourages Riley to accept her BFF’s invitation to stay the Savoy Hotel in London where she’ll be out of danger. Or so he thinks …

A series of murders connected to a notorious terrorist financier known as the Priest leads Jacob across Europe. When the victims’ deaths point to London, his Interpol partner convinces him London is a haven for terrorist financiers.

But the clock is ticking, and what Jacob uncovers is more devastating than anything he could have imagined.

 

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My Review: 

Riley Williams has been marked with a big X on her back after she is identified by the media as helping expose terrorists. As an opera star who must be on a tall hydraulic lift, you just know something bad is going to happen. And it nearly does as the lift loses control and tosses Riley around. It’s a really good thing that her fiancé, Special Agent, Jacob Coulter is able to rescue her!

Money laundering, charming and not so charming villains, and a murderer known as The Priest will keep you interested to see what happens. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance between Riley and Jacob, but I wanted to see more of them furthering their relationship. This is a series, so I am thinking this will happen in the next book. Read this if you enjoy a clean romance/suspense story.

I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. I was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.  

About the Author

Sara L. Jameson won Scrivenings Press’s grand prize publishing contract in 2020. They released her debut romantic suspense novel, Cruise to Death, in June 2021. Death in High Places, (Book 2 in the Troubled Waters series), releases February 28, 2023, to be followed by Vengeance in Vienna, December 17, 2023.

Sara is the pseudonym of a multi-published former university professor who writes non-fiction under her real name. She also writes WWII historical novels. When not writing, she enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, and dog-sitting.

 

More from Sara

God never wastes our life experiences. I never suspected my love of travel and years as a professional classical singer in Europe would lead to a romantic-suspense series. Schlepping a suitcase of opera and art-song scores on cross-country trains kept me trimmer than a gym. A few encounters with they-shall-remain-unnamed international security agencies created fodder for the Troubled Waters series. And a lead character who’s far gutsier than I.

 My personal experiences often generate story events. Sigh. Even some of the embarrassing moments soprano Riley Williams endures in Cruise to Death and Death in High Places. Sadly, the blue-eyed hunk, Special Agent Jacob Coulter of Brussels Interpol, is pure fiction. Whenever possible, I visit or have lived in my novels’ locales.

Cruise to Death launches Riley’s attempts as a musical theater singer, a romance she never saw coming, and tracking terrorists. In 2019, I revisited each stop of the riverboat cruise that inspired the book.

 Trips to London and stays with a friend in Sussex inspired the unsettling events in Death in High

Places, which released February 28, 2023. I’m indebted to my friend for help verifying details in key scenes. When I travel, I don’t necessarily expect a day sightseeing to morph into a life-and-death moment in a book someday. Well, not until now. Naturally, Antwerp and Burie’s Chocolatier, my favorite Belgian chocolate shop, had to feature in this story too.

 I’m excited to announce Vengeance in Vienna releases December 19, 2023. The book draws on my years in Austria and a disturbing criminal element now active there, which I was made aware of in 2019.

 And ideas are already flowing for book 4!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 22

Book Looks by Lisa, August 22

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, August 23 (Author Interview)

Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 24

Holly’s Book Corner, August 24

Betti Mace, August 25

Texas Book-aholic, August 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 28

Exploring the Written Word, August 28

Cover Lover Book Review, August 29

The Book Club Network, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

Pause for Tales, August 31

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 2

Blogging With Carol, September 3

Lights in a Dark World, September 3

For Him and My Family, September 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift card and a copy of Death in High Places in paperback!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/27734/death-in-high-places-celebration-tour-giveaway

Unseen

 About the Book:

You never know when you’ll be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Manuel never expected to be condemned to life in prison for something as mundane as going to buy milk. When the guardian program offers him a way out, he fakes his death and becomes a ghost, protecting U.S. government operatives in Central and South America.

Laura’s work as a nurse practitioner in San Diego has pushed her to the breaking point. Her visit to Honduras to see her abuela is supposed to be a respite from the pressure. In a split second, however, Laura is captured in a deadly case of mistaken identity. The outlook is dire until a mysterious rescuer appears, launching the pair on a desperate flight to freedom.

Manuel’s skills are pushed to the limit as he races to get Laura out of the country alive. What begins as a connection forged in a shared ordeal quickly deepens, and Manuel and Laura must learn to trust their instincts—and their hearts—if they hope to survive..

What a team Manuel and Laura make! They are both calm under pressure when they need to be. Laura is dragged into dangerous situation and Manuel is her only hope of rescue. A cross country chase and hiding from a deadly gang who will stop at nothing to make sure they don’t make it to safety makes this a fast-paced read. The hours flew by as I joined Manuel, Laura, and Xavier, a member of the Jaguar Negro gang, try to outwit the murderous gang members following them. 

With lots of action, gun battles, and some romance, you are sure to love this book. I really enjoyed the plot and look forward to reading more books by the author. .

I received a complimentary copy of the book. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

Hearts of Gold

About the Book: 

The Bridal Shop

Alice Turner, the owner of one of Charleston’s finest bridal shops, is determined never to be dependent on a man for anything after the disgrace of her father’s prison time. When her best friend requests Alice to be her maid of honor, she reluctantly sets aside her feelings on marriage and dons a stylish bridesmaid’s gown, never intending to catch the eye of the handsome groomsman. Will he be able to convince Alice to open her heart again?

Miss Beaumont’s Companion

When Italian lady’s companion Aria St. Angelo is coerced into posing as her political employer’s absent daughter for the evening at the Louisiana Governor’s masquerade ball, she wasn’t planning on falling for Byron Roderick—the most eligible bachelor in the capitol. But, when he pays call at the Beaumont’s home, Aria is quickly shuffled into the shadows once more, forced to watch him fall in love with another woman.

The Becoming of Miss Blanche

Content to remain a Harvey Girl forever, fiery Tacy Blanche has worked in nearly every Harvey House down the Santa Fe line. But, when she accepts the position of second waitress at the new Montezuma resort, Tacy isn’t expecting her former fiancé’s brother to return to her life—

Pinkerton Jasper Caffery had long abandoned hope of ever finding Tacy again, but while on holiday in New Mexico, Jasper collides with the woman who had never noticed him before. He decides to take his chances and attempt to woo her. However, when Tacy’s past catches up with her, more than Jasper’s heart is at stake.

My Review: 

I enjoyed reading these short stories that have it all: interesting plots, great characters, and a clean romance. Ms. Hitchcock’s pace was excellent, they were not too fast to seem unrealistic for the romance. Each story is unique and well crafted.

I recommend this book to young and mature readers alike. There is sure to be at least one story you will love, but I think you will find it hard to pick your favorite from the three excellent stories. Why not consider reading this with your daughter and you mother? This would be a fun book for all of you to read together. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Lady and the Lionheart

 

About the Book: 

Virginia, 1890

Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.

As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

My Review:

I loved listening to this audiobook. Ella and Charlie are perfect for each other. They both have had traumatic events that have taken place in their lives. Ella is an extremely giving young lady as she quits her job and follows her convictions to care for the infant, Holland, who is in Charlie's care. She doesn't care what others think of the circus performers and risks visiting each day to make sure Holland is progressing.

The sacrifices that Charlie makes on behalf of Holland and the strength he finds to endure hardships was admirable. His faith in the Lord and his determination to fulfill his contract to an evil greedy woman in order to secure his loved ones' futures made me love this book and want to read it again.

I enjoyed the narration of both a woman playing Ella's part, and Charlie being cast by a man. They both did an excellent job!

Positively, Penelope

About the Book: 

The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think?

Dear Reader, My name is Penelope, and while I may not be a real-life princess, I’ve been told I possess a certain fairy-tale heroine quality. I wield optimism as my weapon of choice, don amazing shoes and vintage hats whenever possible, and speak in musical references. All of which perfectly qualifies me to succeed in my new role as a marketing intern at the historic Darling House theater on the island of Skymar.

Only . . . it seems this internship position is going to be a LOT bigger than I thought. The Gray family, who owns the theater, has been stuck in a rut of darkness ever since the loss of their matriarchs. Now all that’s left is a dying theater, a reclusive grandfather, three siblings, and an adorable seven-year-old girl who desperately needs some pixie-dust magic.

So that’s what this story is about. My plans to save the theater! (Plans that, somehow, keep being stolen by a local competitor.) And an anonymous online theater troupe. And two single brothers who may be vying for this American girl’s heart . . . until they’re not (or maybe they just want me for my ideas too). And a dream job offer that will require me to make a truly heart-wrenching decision. I may not excel at finishing stories, but I promise to see this one through to its happily ever after.

Positively,

Penelope

My Review: 

I absolutely, positively, (sorry, I couldn’t help it!) loved this book and Penelope who brings her optimistic and fun-loving outlook to the people of Skymar when she is given the opportunity to help revitalize an old family-run theater. What Penelope is able to accomplish not only for the theater, but the town, and the Gray family in the time that she is there as an intern is remarkable.

There were so many things I loved about this story that I gave it a five star rating. Throughout the story I found gems of truth about faith in God and His care for us that had me highlighting quite a few things that I plan on returning to later. The emails that Penelope sends to her family back home are so fun because she half explains things and leaves her family hanging. It’s up to them to prod her to finish her stories and fill in the details or send someone to check on her to make sure she is all right. I loved Penelope’s character, her infectious outlook on life and caring of people, and her ingenuity. I think we all need more Penelope's in our life.

If you like romantic comedies, faith inspired stories, and a book that will make you smile, this one is for you! I consider this to be the second book in the series of the Edgewood siblings, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I can.not.wait. to read Luke’s story who is Penelope's brother!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.