READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY HOLIDAY - CHRISTMAS ON SERENITY MOUTAIN (Serenity Mountain, #9) by Cassie Colton

Christmas on Serenity Mountain

The Serenity Mountains Series, #9 
by Cassie Colton 
Release Date: November 26th 2024 
Genre: Holiday/Romantic Suspense/Medical Romance 

The holidays are a time of reflection and redemption...

Reflecting on the year's events, Kassie Winters recognizes the blessings and hardships her friends and family have endured this past year. Through a series of losses and gains, she knows that her life is finally on the right track and heading in the right direction, especially now that the Winter's Foundation is generating recognition for its life-changing work.

But when a stranger from her past shows up without warning, everything changes, and Kassie's perfect world is upended. Now, she's forced to dig deep to find forgiveness that she's not sure she can muster.  As chaos threatens Serenity, those she loves are struggling and battling illnesses. Suddenly, Kassie faces her demons while still caring for her friends and family.  But when it seems the darkest before dawn, they are saved from an unexpected source.  Will this Christmas miracle give Serenity the peace it's hoped for all along?

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO

“This is Kassie. Send the ambulance to Joe and Maddie’s and alert Dr. Petty to the ER for a possible stroke.” “What? Kassie?” Maddie exclaimed as she watched Kassie lay Joe back against the pillows on his side. “Hang on, Joe. Everything will be fine.” “I love you, Little Bit,” he told her, his mouth drooping. “I love you, too. Keep fighting, Joe. Our family needs you,” she encouraged as she smiled and attempted to remain calm. “Take care of Maddie,” Joe whispered as he gazed at her. “Always,” Kassie assured him as her heart raced. The team rushed in. Kassie stepped back to allow them to do their job. She reassured Maddie, “I’ll take care of him.” They rushed him to the ambulance and sped back to the hospital. “I’ll keep you posted. We caught it early, Maddie. It’s a good thing.” Kassie hugged her tightly before racing to her truck. Kassie followed them as they raced him down the hall. One minute, she sat on her deck, planning Tori and Jose’s first Christmas with them as a family, and now her heart filled with dread. Joe needed to pull through. He remained her rock. After the lonely years of spending Christmas alone with Em, she longed for the day Joe and Maddie spent the holidays with her family. They hadn’t created enough memories yet. Without Joe, Christmas wouldn’t be the same on Serenity Mountain.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . CHRISTMAS ON SERENITY MOUTAIN (Serenity Mountain, #9) . . . Holiday Chaos: Can a Christmas Miracle Save Serenity Mountain?

"The holidays are a time of reflection and redemption," and this book throws Kassie Winters into the deepest emotional waters yet! This installment in the Serenity Mountain series is a thrilling blend of Holiday Romance, Medical Suspense, and intense family drama.

Kassie Winters has endured a year of losses and gains, finally feeling that her life is on the right track with the success of the Winter's Foundation. But the twist and turns of life are not over, and she certainly won't get the break she deserves!

Just as Kassie is attempting to find peace, chaos comes to Serenity Mountain. Her perfect world is utterly upended when a stranger from her past shows up without warning, forcing her to confront demons and find a forgiveness she's not sure she can muster. On top of the emotional turmoil, tragedy strikes those she loves, and Kassie finds herself rushing to the ER, reminding us of the high medical stakes this series is known for.

Kassie must dig deep to care for her struggling friends and family while battling her own inner demons. When it seems the darkest before dawn, an unexpected source provides a glimmer of hope. Will this Christmas miracle give Serenity the peace it has longed for? This is a gripping, emotional, and satisfying read that proves even the holidays can’t stop the relentless fight for happiness.

Cassie Colton is a best-selling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, military, and contemporary romance. Always an avid book reader and storyteller, she worked for one of the happiest places on earth. There, she found her love for making magic and happily ever afters.

The Serenity Mountain Series begins her author journey, detailing the lives of former military men and women who have lost their way and found peace on Serenity Mountain. Like in every story, her characters have to fight through adversity to find happiness ever after.

Like life, Cassie writes about character struggles that sometimes become dark before they see the light, but she always provides a happy ending. She believes everyone deserves to find happiness and love because it is the only thing worth fighting for.

She now lives in Virginia with her wonderful family and service dog, Leia. She enjoys gardening, flowers, cooking, and learning about beekeeping.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - RESCUING RYDER (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk, #1) by Cassie Colton

 Rescuing Ryder

Special Forces: Operation Alpha 
Serenity Securities, Team Hawk, #1
by Cassie Colton 
Release Date: November 12th 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Still buried in guilt from losing his unit, Ryder "Patch" Hawkins is ready to end it all. The last thing he wants to do is face his demons and rehash the events of that tragic day. However, he reluctantly agrees to admit himself into Winters Foundation Hospital on Serenity Mountain, a facility that specializes in veteran recovery.

Meeting Dr. Claire Meyers changes everything for the battered corpsman.

Ryder makes an astonishing breakthrough with the sassy and confident psychologist's unorthodox methods. Soon, the strong and sarcastic man begins to soften in her presence. But when a dangerous killer sets his sights on Claire, Ryder and the Serenity Securities team jump into action. Ryder refuses to lose another person he cares about. He's determined to save her before it's too late. Will Ryder finally find a "life worth living" and allow Claire to rescue him from himself?

AMAZON 

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . RESCUING RYDER (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk, #1) . . . A Shattered Soldier, a Killer's Obsession, and a Fight for Redemption!

RESUCUING RYDER launches the Serenity Securities, Team Hawk series with a powerful emotional punch, blending military trauma with intense romantic suspense.

Our hero, Ryder, is a man consumed by the intense guilt of losing his unit of brothers in arms. He's a broken warrior, convinced he is beyond saving, but his journey toward redemption begins when the team from the Winters Foundation Hospital on Serenity Mountain intervenes.

In swoops Dr. Claire Meyers, the dedicated and compassionate therapist who is determined to heal the brokenness she sees in him. Claire's strength and light begin to chip away at Ryder's hardened shell, and they find something truly special between them—a connection that's both unexpected and necessary for their survival.

However, the path to healing is fraught with danger. A killer, fascinated with Claire, introduces a terrifying new layer of chaos to the serenity of the mountain. Ryder, a man who swore off protecting anyone else, is forced to re-engage with his instincts to save the one woman who is saving him. This book delivers high-octane action, deep emotional healing, and a consuming suspense plot, making it an absolutely unputdownable read!

Cassie Colton is a best-selling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, military, and contemporary romance. Always an avid book reader and storyteller, she worked for one of the happiest places on earth. There, she found her love for making magic and happily ever afters.

The Serenity Mountain Series begins her author journey, detailing the lives of former military men and women who have lost their way and found peace on Serenity Mountain. Like in every story, her characters have to fight through adversity to find happiness ever after.

Like life, Cassie writes about character struggles that sometimes become dark before they see the light, but she always provides a happy ending. She believes everyone deserves to find happiness and love because it is the only thing worth fighting for.

She now lives in Virginia with her wonderful family and service dog, Leia. She enjoys gardening, flowers, cooking, and learning about beekeeping.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - TEMPTING TESS (The Serenity Mountain, #8) by Cassie Colton

Tempting Tess
Serenity Mountains, #8 
by Cassie Colton 
Release Date: October 29th 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Devastated, destitute, and depressed Tess Ramerez is struggling to keep her taco truck, her only livelihood, afloat after the death of her beloved grandmother. Despite her financial and emotional situation, Tess does all she can to help others--even a young man who's embroiled in danger with a perilous gang.  When Tess is injured in an attempt to save him, she has no trust in the medical field or the money to recover.

Retired Navy SEAL Noah "Taco" Whitaker puts his life on the line for others, facing off against sinister criminals for Serenity Securities. He finds solace in the spicier things in life, sexy women and scrumptious foods.  And tacos top his list. The fiery, spitfire who owns his favorite food truck and keeps him on his toes with her spicy personality is an added bonus to his palate.  But when a dangerous gang infiltrates their area and Tess is hurt, he'll do anything to help her.  Getting her to agree to heal on Serenity Mountain is one of the toughest challenges of his life.  Can he find a way to convince Tess to trust him or will tempting Tess be harder than taking down the gang who threatens them all?

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK 

“Mijo, your chicken soup tastes like boiled water with chicken grease. Have you ever heard of seasonings?” She shook her head, cringing.

“I’ll have you know, I cook for the team,” Taco informed her proudly.

“And they're still alive?” She acted as if the news surprised her.

Taco leaned over, tugging her long, silky black hair. “Heyyy. Do you think you can do better? How about this? We’ll hold a cook-off. If you win, I’ll concede and give you back your keys. Yes, I have them. If you lose, you’ll allow me to help get you back on your feet.”

She turned her head to study him. “Fine. Tomorrow, we’ll start from scratch. I’ll need my keys to get ingredients out of my truck.”

“I’ll hand them over tomorrow. Shall we eat dinner?” He stood and started to exit when he noticed she didn’t follow.

She bit her lip and held in the laughter, “I can't stand another bland meal. What did you even call what you fixed?”

“Meatloaf.” He deadpanned.

Laughter filled the air. “Then you better hurry and get it. It’s burning.”

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . TEMPTING TESS (The Serenity Mountain, #8) . . . Spicy Tacos and Sinister Gangs: A Navy SEAL’s Toughest Mission!

TEMPTING TESS is a high-stakes, absolutely intriguing addition to the Serenity Mountain romantic suspense series!

Tess Ramerez is everything the hero needs but can't have: fiery, broke, and fiercely independent. Devastated and struggling to keep her beloved taco truck afloat after a personal tragedy, she doesn't trust the medical field and certainly doesn't have the money to recover after she's injured helping someone embroiled with a perilous gang.

Enter Noah "Taco" Whitaker, the former Navy SEAL who puts his life on the line for Serenity Securities. The only thing hotter than the spicy foods he craves is the spitfire Tess herself! When her danger hits close to home, Noah is determined to help her, but convincing the stubborn, destitute Tess to heal on Serenity Mountain is the toughest challenge of his life.

The conflict is fantastic, balancing the sinister criminal threat with the sizzling personal tension. I loved the "cook-off" challenge—it's Noah's hilarious and sweet way of forcing her to let him in! Can he find a way to convince Tess to trust him, or will tempting Tess be harder than taking down the entire gang? This book is a must-read for fans who love an alpha hero who falls hard for a resilient heroine, wrapped up in a thrilling suspense plot!

Cassie Colton is a best-selling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, military, and contemporary romance. Always an avid book reader and storyteller, she worked for one of the happiest places on earth. There, she found her love for making magic and happily ever afters.

The Serenity Mountain Series begins her author journey, detailing the lives of former military men and women who have lost their way and found peace on Serenity Mountain. Like in every story, her characters have to fight through adversity to find happiness ever after.

Like life, Cassie writes about character struggles that sometimes become dark before they see the light, but she always provides a happy ending. She believes everyone deserves to find happiness and love because it is the only thing worth fighting for.

She now lives in Virginia with her wonderful family and service dog, Leia. She enjoys gardening, flowers, cooking, and learning about beekeeping.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - BECKONING BRYANNA (Serenity Mountain, #7) by Cassie Colton

Beckoning Bryanna
Serenity Mountains, #7 
by Cassie Colton 
Release Date: August 20th 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Gabriel "Saint" Carter’s life changes forever when he discovers he has a daughter, Miya. With the support of the Serenity Mountain family, he builds a safe and loving home for her. However, his peace on Serenity Mountain is shattered when his ex-wife Clarissa and his brother Theo appear, determined to take Miya away. Saint finds solace in Bryanna, whose strength and kindness have captivated him since day one —but she has a strict rule against dating military men.

Bryanna Hutchins, a strong, independent business owner, notices the Navy SEAL when he walks into her bakery daily. Yet she refuses to acknowledge her growing attraction to him.

Neither realizes the significance of their evening together as their lives are forever changed.

When her bakery is vandalized and shut down for weeks, Bryanna struggles with an uncertain future. Always strong and independent, Bryanna must rely on others, bringing up her fears and insecurities of the past. Will she allow Saint to break down the boundaries between them? 

Faced with a mission gone awry and a vindictive ex-wife, will Bryanna rise to the occasion? Can she overcome her fears and believe in a love worth fighting for?

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK  

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . .  BECKONING BRYANNA (Serenity Mountain, #7) . . . Welcome to Serenity Mountain and the friends and family that make you feel right at home and welcomed in until you make the wrong choice to cross or hurt one of their own. Bryanna and Saint are the lead couple in this contemporary suspense. There were a lot of characters to get to know and have a love hate relationship with. On the love side was Bryanna, Saint, Mia, Leo, Kassie just to name a few. On the hate side of this one was Theo. There were some complex character here with more going on in the background. 

Saint was a military man that was also a single father. He was determined to be the best father he could be to his little girl and give her more than she had. He was also interested in the local bakery owner, Bryanna. Bryanna was a smart, savvy woman that had her own reasoning behind many of the things she did. She was a strong supporter of her community and her friends on the mountain. She also love little Mia/Nugget. Watching Saint and Bryanna find a way to their first date was interesting and a little painful. This was no straight to love and intimacy. There were more things in the mix. 

There was a story behind Kassie, Saint, Mia, Leo, Katherine, and many of the other characters introduced. There was a lot going on in this one. I like the levels of interest. I liked the dynamics between the characters. I did not like that I was at time lost. At times I was confused on the various characters. I did not feel like somethings were explained. I lost a connect with Katherine and Leo's baby. That is one thing you will need to figure out by reading. I want more. Serenity Mountain felt like a home, a place to be welcomed. 

I am new to both Cassie Colton and her Serenity Mountain series. I fell in love with the sense of community in both family (natural and found) and friends. With this being said, I enjoyed getting to glimpse pieces of previous stories/couples, but I also felt like I missed out on some important aspects of the community. If I had it all to do over again I would have began the series from the beginning and then moved up to this one. I am a whole picture kind of person. I want all the story and I most certainly felt like I missed some of the story. The way that we went in between couples and characters. I was at a disadvantage. 

Reasons I enjoyed this book: Family Friends Community Tragic Unpredictable Entertaining Easy-to-read Great world building Wonderful characters Action Suspense Complexity

Cassie Colton is a best-selling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, military, and contemporary romance. Always an avid book reader and storyteller, she worked for one of the happiest places on earth. There, she found her love for making magic and happily ever afters.

The Serenity Mountain Series begins her author journey, detailing the lives of former military men and women who have lost their way and found peace on Serenity Mountain. Like in every story, her characters have to fight through adversity to find happiness ever after.

Like life, Cassie writes about character struggles that sometimes become dark before they see the light, but she always provides a happy ending. She believes everyone deserves to find happiness and love because it is the only thing worth fighting for.

She now lives in Virginia with her wonderful family and service dog, Leia. She enjoys gardening, flowers, cooking, and learning about beekeeping.

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