YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT By Susan May Warren

You're the One that I want opens with dramatic flare as Owen Christiansen and Scotty McFlynn struggle to survive after going overboard during a storm while at Sea on her father's fishing boat. Drawing us into the story, Ms. Warren sets the stage for the developing romance between the hero and heroine. She gives us glimpses of Owen's strained history with his family, his desire to return home but certainty that he cannot. Scotty has her own issues having been raised as an only child by her father after losing her mother at a young age. She thrives at doing a man's job, Captaining a boat and being one of the men and as a police detective on the side. But, a tragic circumstance on her detective job involving family members has her denying a need for faith.

Things get even more complicated when Owen's brother, Caspar shows up to convince him to return home and then has to be arrested and escorted home by Scotty because of a suspected murder charge. Waiting on them, is the woman, Caspar loves and the mother of Owen's child.

This is a great climax to a family saga. It can stand alone as an enjoyable read but many of the characters and their part in the story will be much more meaningful if you have read all the earlier books in the Christiansen series. I highly recommend the whole series for your keeper shelf. Ms. Warren remains in the top 5 of my Christian Romance authors.

COLDSHOT (CHESAPEAKE VALOR SERIES) By Dani Pettrey

http://www.danipettrey.com

If you like romantic suspense, then you will thoroughly enjoy this new novel and series by Ms. Dani Pettrey. She writes masterfully using both third person and first person to tell her narrative. I enjoy hearing clues through the first person thoughts of her villain.

In addition, I am encouraged by the faith depicted through her hero and heroine as they breathe their spur of the moment prayers to God. As a Christian, I do this throughout the day and can relate. If you are offended by those living out their faith, you may not be able to overlook this. However, if you can, you will find a very interesting story that details crime scenes, post-mortem, and ballistics. Ms. Pettrey has obviously done her research.

Our story opens as National Park Ranger, Griffin McCray discovers grave robbers while he makes his rounds. The surprise is that, instead of a violation of a civil war grave, he finds it is modern remains. He calls in forensic anthropologist,  Finley Scott. From here, the mystery grows, the romantic tension smolders, and the  foundation is laid for the rest of her series.

Turns out the victim was killed by a sniper and this leads us to the knowledge that, in his past, Griff was a sniper learning his skills in the military and performing for a police department. Secrets from the past haunt both Griff and Finley. They are both fighting a relationship even though they are drawn to each other. Will the truth destroy them? Will they find the truth before they become the next victim--and they are in the sniper's line of sight.

 Coldshot, actually, a hot suspenseful read that I highly recommend for your reading list which should include looking forward to the rest of the Chesapeake Valor Series.