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Customer Reviews for Baker Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2

Baker Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2

Average Customer Rating:
4.625 out of 5
4.6
 out of 
5
(56 Reviews) 56
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54 out of 5696%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Review 1 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

SUPENSE!

Date:May 6, 2013
Customer Avatar
Faye
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Sophie returns to Hickory Ridge determined to make her mark as a journalist.
Ethan is a talented architect and is in charge for building the Blue Smoke Resort. But when Sophie's editorial puts his job in danger unexpected events unfold. Will Sophie and Ethan find where their hearts belong?
Even though it is the third in a series, Every Perfect Gift stands well on it's own. I loved how the characters where compelling and complex, struggling to reconcile their pasts and forgive.
I loved how their were unexpected twists to the story. The characters where truly engaging and I really came to care for them, which kept me reading because I wanted to know what would happen next.
Overall, a well paced story that engages and entertains, with characters that made me love them. A lovely book, that I wouldn't be shy to recommend.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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Review 2 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Wow. Loved It!

Date:April 19, 2013
Customer Avatar
CharityUAusten
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
After reading and enjoying “Shattered” for the blog tour, I decided I needed to read the first book in the series. I finally convinced the library to get it…and can we say – New Favorite Book! Wow, it was so good. The first half? Yup, awesome. The second half? Beyond belief amazing. Now, a few things that stood out to me…the cover. Pretty cool. If you look close, you’ll note that the model had on mascara, which is now smearing in streaks down her face. Which I think is super cool because as any girl who’s ever gotten wet with un-water-proof-mascara on knows…that’s exactly what it does. Makes this cover real to me!
Once again, I loved the Alaska setting. It’s an amazing place, and I love it up there – reading books set there is a delight! Cole and Bailey too were such a delight to read about. I loved them both! And yes, I’m overusing the word love/d. ;) The suspense was super suspenseful, and the adventures and excitement were simply stunning. I also really loved getting to know Piper a bit in this book! I feel like I need to read “Shattered” again and see them all again now that I know them better! There were some very unique and fascinating settings – and concepts for the story as well. I was riveted the whole way through. I’m considering buying this one (despite the fact that the library now has it), but even if I decide not to buy it myself, I’ll be requesting it for my birthday or Christmas. It was THAT good!
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Review 3 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

A great new suspense author!

Date:April 3, 2013
Customer Avatar
crtnybc
Location:British Columbia, Canada
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I read the second book, Shattered, before this one and I although I still enjoyed it I would recommend starting with Submerged first. There was a lot of history with the characters that I had previously missed out on. This is Dani's first book, I believe, and what a start to her career! She is right up there in my opinion with well known suspense authors such as Irene Hannon and Lynette Eason. And she's extra cool because she's a fellow homeschooling mom.
I was immediately sucked into the story and didn't want to come up for air until I was done, but of course I had to a couple of times. I loved that it was set in Alaska, and that the McKenna's owned a dive shop - not something you would expect in Alaska! They use dry suits but even so that water must be awfully cold.
I saw today that the next book in the series, Stranded, is coming out this fall and I can't wait to read it. I like it when a series follows different people each book, but the characters are somehow known or related in some way to the ones you've already read about in previous books. This series follows the McKenna siblings.
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Review 4 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:March 27, 2013
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Mary Duke
Location:Beaver Dam, Ky
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Enjoyed the book very much. Looking forward to the 2nd book
e 2nd
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Review 5 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

awsome story

Date:March 15, 2013
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mmmmm
Location:LA
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
the good always prevails. This story has good story line. I enjoyed every minute of it.
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Review 6 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Fantastic Debut from Dani Pettrey!

Date:March 6, 2013
I'm not sure why I put off reading this book for so long. I suppose I just didn't make the time for it. Shame on me, because it was simply fantastic! It's nearly impossible to believe that this is Dani Pettrey's debut novel. The plot was so tight and the suspense was incredibly well-written! I was intrigued from the very beginning and enjoyed the roller coaster to the end.
I love, love, LOVED Bailey and Cole and thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Plus, Cole's family (clan may be more appropriate) was a lot of fun too. I look forward to getting to know them in future books. My only complaint was that things wrapped up a little quickly at the end. Minor complaint, though!
I wholeheartedly recommend Submerged and can't wait to see where Dani takes readers from here! [4.5 stars]
I was not asked to review this book. I offer my review freely. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Review 7 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
This review is fromSubmerged - eBook.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Good read but not my favorite

Date:February 9, 2013
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Billie Rayborn
Location:Pascagoula, MS
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
This was a good book, but rather formulaic in my opinion. I've read several that follow the same form with just different situations.
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Review 8 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
This review is fromSubmerged - eBook.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Good read

Date:January 8, 2013
Customer Avatar
AntieM
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
A very nice Christian mystery. It was entertaining, and kept my attention. I would definitely purchase books by this author again.
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Review 9 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

A great first book

Date:December 18, 2012
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Emmy Sue
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This book is amazing! I was scared, sad, excited, in suspense...everything a book should have within its pages. There was just enough romance for my taste; it's not dripping with it, but it was sprinkled throughout to make me go, "Aww!" at times, and not, "Blech!."
Ms. Pettrey delivered with this! I love it when books show sibling love and rivalry, and she did this with ease.
I usually have a hard time reading books that contain an insanely evil villain, but SUBMERGED has one that is just that; insane. And it made sense. I don't know how, but she made this guy completely believable. My hat's off to you, Dani.
Something else that impressed me was the author's ability to create a complex protagonist. Bailey Craig made some really bad choices in her school years, and even though she is a new creation in Christ, the image of her old self haunts her. It's not easy for her to forget, especially when she has to face her past head-on when she returns to her hometown of Yancey, Alaska, where her scorned first love still lives. Not to mention, the whole town knows of her escapades, and a few of its residents still taunt and harass her relentlessly.
I'd recommend this book because it's filled with hope and new beginnings. Anyone who has made mistakes in their past--and who hasn't?--will find hope when they read SUBMERGED. I can't wait until book #2 in the Alaskan Courage Series!
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Review 10 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Excellent Debut Suspense!

Date:December 11, 2012
Customer Avatar
Christy Janes
Age:25-34
Gender:female
What a fabulously suspenseful novel from debut author Dani Pettrey!! Never before have I read a book with such a great mix of historical elements balanced against heart-pounding action. Considering that Dani's novel was set in Alaska, it wasn't far-fetched to include some intriguing Russian components, and believe me, they made the story. I normally shy away from Russian history or talk of czars and such in fiction, but the way it was presented here was so very interesting! Dani may have just gotten me a little farther outside my comfort zone in books here... :o)
The only thing (and truly, this really was the only thing) that I didn't care for were the character's names. With the exception of one or two, they were all a bit too faddish for me, and truthfully, a bit difficult to tell them apart in the beginning. I'm hoping for at least a few people to have more normal names in book two.
In spite of that one qualm, I can't wait to see what Dani has in store for these Alaska folks next! My guess is that it will be another gripping adventure full of twists and turns, and it'll be great for this reader to make a return trip to Yancey. :o)
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Review 11 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:November 9, 2012
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Rudy Lady
Location:Rudy, Arkansas
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I absolutely loved this book. I am not into history but this book was so good even with the parts of history in it. I did not want to put it down. I look forward to the next book or books in this series. I would highly recommend this book to others.
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Review 12 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

A MUST READ ROMANTIC SUSPENSE!

Date:October 15, 2012
Customer Avatar
My Book Addiction
Location:North Carolina
Age:55-65
Gender:female
SUBMERGED by Dani Pettrey is an exciting inspirational romantic suspense. It is the beginning of a new series, "Alaskan Courage" and what a beginning. It is fast paced and action packed. Written with vivid descriptions and a cast of characters that will steal your heart away. What an amazing story of faith,suspense,danger,the Alaskan countryside,rescue divers,treasure diving,mystery,romance,family secrets,murder,second chances,healing and forgiveness. It has everything a romantic suspense reader could possibly want to read and than some. Follow,Bailey Craig and Cole McKenna into uncharted waters as they navigate their feelings for each other,stay alive and find a killer. "Submerged" will leave you breathless as you try to figure out who,what and why of the murders. A must read that will keep you up all night. I can hardly wait for the next installment into the "Alaskan Courage" series. What a debut! An author to watch for. If you enjoyed Dee Henderson, or Lynette Eason you will enjoy Dani Pettrey. Received for an honest review from the publisher.Details can be found at Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group,the author's website, and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING:SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
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Review 13 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Love and Romance, Mystery and Suspense

Date:October 10, 2012
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Carrie B
Location:Walla Walla, Wa
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
From the very first page, Dani Pettrey draws you into the intrigue of plane crash involving mysterious people. Who is Agnes Grey and why does someone want her dead? Then when Bailey returns to the small Alaskan town she'd sworn off for good, she finds herself confronting the town gossip, her former almost-sweetheart, and her own self-worth as she works to discover the truth of her aunt's death.
I loved the interaction between Cole and his siblings/friends and how they bring Bailey right into the thick of their camaraderie. An excellent read in the Christian mystery/suspense genre! And I can't wait to read the next book in the series about another love interest that pops up in the story.
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Review 14 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Pettrey's got talent! Don't miss out!

Date:October 5, 2012
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JesuSaves
Location:Canada
Age:Under 18
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Okay, this was one good read!
I am not usually prone to read Romantic Suspense but lately I've read a couple of books in that category that I've really enjoyed!
Needless to say, Submerged is one of them!
What a splendid cover! What a well-crafted story with great characters! (Well, minus the evil ones...)
Readers will enjoy diving into this book and exploring the beauty of Alaska. With plenty of details, thrill and suspense, 2 heart-warming love stories and a beautiful spirit in the McKenna household, Dani has penned a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
Cole and Landon definitely deserve to have their names on a Christian Fiction's Best Heroes list! I can hardly wait for Landon and Piper's story and I'm really hoping that something is cooking for Gage, Kayden and Jake!
My only complaint would be that I've found the beginning to be a bit slow but before I even got halfway through the story I was in knee-deep! Now that's what I call talent.
Excellent. Simply excellent!
+1point
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Review 15 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Awesome! I loved it!

Date:September 20, 2012
Customer Avatar
Michelle Sutton
Location:Arizona
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
They say the beauty is in the details... well this book has plenty of them. Rich with Russian and Alaskan history and a scuba diving culture that held my interest, Submerged simply kept me enthralled to the end. I enjoyed a lot of things about this story, mainly because of the tension and suspenseful elements combined with history and culture. My nail-biting increased as I kept reading, until I couldn't stop and had to finish the book to find out how things resolved. I loved the under water scenes and the strong sense of family they had. In many scenes I felt like I had a scuba mask and oxygen tanks on. The details were incredible.
I also understood Bailey's angst. She had a painful past, but it had been wiped clean with salvation. The sad thing is with so many new Christians with bad pasts, she understood that Jesus had forgiven her, but whether anyone could love her because of her past... well, she had a hard time believing that. Cole was a great hero. I loved him from the start because he had a deep faith and a concern for Bailey that inspired me. He'd wanted to hold her so many times, but was afraid to reach out. I could see why. But in the end the truth came forth and it was a sigh-worthy resolution for sure. A great story with spiritual depth, awe-inspiring suspense, and emotion that kept me hooked to the end, Submerged is making my top fiction list for 2012.
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Review 16 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

What lies Submerged could change her life

Date:September 16, 2012
Customer Avatar
Blooming with Books
Location:Bloomer, WI
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
SUBMERGED
Alaskan Courage Book 1
By Dani Pettrey
When her Aunt Agnes dies unexpectedly in a plane crash, Bailey is drawn back to Yancey, Alaska, a place she never planned to ever visit again.
Yancey is the past Bailey doesn't want to face. After her parents abandonment, Bailey moved to Yancey to live with Agnes. But a lonely 15 year old girl seeking love makes mistakes and Bailey's have cost her the man she loved and her reputation in Yancey. But she owes her aunt, the only person who ever truly loved her.
When Bailey arrives in Yancey she is determined to project a proper, no-nonsense attitude. But can Yancey overlook her reckless, wild high school years and see her as she now is?
Cole McKenna had his heart broken by Bailey when she rejected his friendship and instead sought the wrong crowd and he's determined to keep his distance, but circumstances keep bringing them together. When evidence comes to light that the plane crash that killed Agnes was sabotage and it may be linked to the murder of a couple of divers, Bailey is drawn into the investigation and the McKenna family.
As they get closer to the truth the danger begins to mount. Will Bailey ever get the chance to stop runnig from her past or will her life end at the hands of the very man responsible for her aunt's death? What lies beneath the sea that is worth killing so many for?
Submerged grabs your attention and draws you in. You feel for Bailey and her pain. You laugh at the antics of Piper and sympathize with Landon. Cole's confusion touches you. This is an all nighter book until you reach the final page and your left wondering what comes next!
Submerged is an honest look at God's grace and mercy. Until we accept it from Him we won't experience His loving and total forgiveness.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this review. There were no expectations placed upon this review and the opinions expressed are my own.
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Review 17 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Great Suspense/Mystery!

Date:August 31, 2012
Customer Avatar
rkokes
Location:Colorado Springs, CO
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Bethany House recently sent me a copy of the book Submerged by Dani Pettrey. The story is the first in the Alaskan Courage series, and revolves around a character named Bailey. Forced to return to her hometown of Yancey, Alaska, Bailey is immediately surrounded by bad memories from the past. She had sworn never to return, ashamed of her actions as a youth, and had worked hard to remove herself from anything that reminded her of home. Arriving back in Yancey not only resurfaces her emotional ties to the past, but quickly embroils her in a mystery far beyond anything she could have ever expected.
Submerged is full of suspense, action, interesting twists and turns, romance, and most importantly weaves throughout the story a theme of the power of forgiveness and redemption.
I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely a quick read-I finished my copy in less than 24 hours. The main characters were well-developed, the Alaskan setting and main topics including Russian history and scuba diving were unique, and the main villain was very good. I also liked that the book centers around a strong family unit. Submerged definitely reminded me of a Dee Henderson book (my favorite author,) so that was another plus as well.
My only real criticism of this book was the fact that there were just too many characters. I felt the author was trying to introduce the reader to the entire small town of Yancey in one book, and it just wasn’t necessary. I found myself a little confused at times trying to remember who everyone was when several characters really weren’t that important, and could have been left for book two.
This book is definitely worth the read though if you enjoy a good suspenseful mystery with some romance thrown in, and I thank Bethany House for sending me a copy-this book is definitely one I will be keeping!
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Review 18 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Calling all Dee Henderson fans

Date:August 23, 2012
Customer Avatar
KCPryzr
Location:Gilbert, AZ
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
I picked this book to review because of the description, and because it was the first book in a series. This was a plus for me because I keep choosing books that are middle or end books in series, which usually ends up costing me money. :-)
When I got the book, I saw the endorsement from Dee Henderson on the front cover and was intrigued.
After I read the book I was hooked.
For most people, when you read this book, I think you will see a little similarity to Dee's style of writing. Maybe it's just the same type of genre, mystery, action, fiction, and solid Christian faith. It could also be because Dani Pettrey has been mentored by Dee Henderson. (She is mentioned in the acknowledgements at the end.)
There were some parts of this book that were a little predictable, but I think that is something she will work out in time. There were also quite a few times that I actually got a little caught up in the secondary characters and wondering where their stories would go. I have ideas in my mind, and I can't wait to see if Ms. Pettrey will go in the same direction.
The book had a solid plot and good detail. I loved the historical story woven throughout. I felt for the character as she dealt with the past and her the after-effects of her choices. The underlying theme of God's grace and redemption woven throughout the story show how it's not God who can't forgive, it's we as people who can't forgive ourselves.
All in all, I think this is a good solid book and definitely recommend that you put it on your TBR list.
This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Book Reviews.
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Review 19 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Date:August 15, 2012
Customer Avatar
Nise
Location:Michigan
Age:45-54
Gender:female
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. A great setting, suspense, mystery and a little romance kept the pages turning for me. I am excited to know this is a first in a series. The historical background of the story was just as interesting as the character's themselves. The character's faith is central to their lives, but does not hit you over the head as a reader. A fine debut for the author!
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Review 20 for Alaskan Courage Series, Vols 1-2
This review is fromSubmerged - eBook.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Nice mystery

Date:August 6, 2012
Customer Avatar
Merce
Location:San Juan, PR
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
This one grabbed from the beginning, from the Prologue to be exact. It starts right in the middle of the action before settling to a slower pace as we discover the main characters and get a sense of who they are. This is a novel with the rare characteristic of having very interesting secondary characters. Of course, these characters will later become main ones in their own right, as the series progresses, but for now, they just keep you wanting to get to know them better.
However, as nicely written as the book and the characters are, it sometimes feels as if you’ve started reading book 2 or 3 of the series, instead of the first. The author brings forth many characters in a short time and assumes you know or remember (from a previous mention) who they are and that gets confusing. It’s very obvious that the author knows really well who her characters are, but does not realize that the reader is just getting to know them now. But this does not take away from the experience as whole; it was just a little confusing at first.
The novel is very interesting; the mystery, engaging. The romance makes you ache for the leads, for who they were 13 years ago, and for who they became. It is, in fact, a Christian novel that does not shy away from the mention of God and His grace through Christ. Because, you see, this is a fiction book with a great teaching on God's love, what it means to be a new creation in Christ, how He sees us, and how we can heal from our past hurts and the from the shame we carry even though we have been forgiven. And that makes for a great read: entertaining, wise, fun and profound.
It is very well written; the plot, the characters, and the mystery will keep you wanting to read more, to go faster to get to the resolution. And in the end, I wanted badly to know what's going to happen next between Landon and Piper... This side story (and the others you see slowly forming) is enough to carry my interest on to the next book in the series, Shattered. So, yeah, the author did a great job of piquing my interested with a nice, sort of cliffhanger that did not leave me unsatisfied, but, sure enough, made me want to know what's going to happen next.
*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange of an honest review.
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