STill Life by Dani Pettrey - A Brief Comment

Still Life felt very different than other Dani Pettrey books that I have read, still quite good, just different. It had more of a Nancy Mehl feel to it. So, of course, I recommend this book to fans of both of these authors. While Still Life is the second book in Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series , it works well as a stand-alone read. The story is intense and could be categorized as a psychological thriller rather than strictly romantic suspense. 

I enjoyed this book through the Libby app. 

Whiteout by Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

   

Whiteout is made up of two romantic suspense novellas: Buried in Shadows by Dani Pettrey and Snowbound Secrets by Lynette Eason. Both settings are at a ski resort impacted by an avalanche, cutting the protagonists off from outside help.

Buried in Shadows had me engrossed from the first page. Waking up to the possibility of an intruder in one's home is many women's worst nightmare. Knowing it may signal the return of one's stalker compounds the terror. The story continues with many more hooks to hold readers captive: a lost love, adrenaline pumping adventure, an avalanche, dangerous wild animals, an abandoned lodge with secret passages, and a killer on the loose. The only thing missing from this story is more of it. When the ending abruptly arrives, the readers just aren't ready to let the characters go.

Snowbound Secrets begins with three friends who had lost touch after high school and joining the military unexpectedly finding themselves all back at a ski resort they had enjoyed together in their youth. Stranded with other guests following an avalanche, Dr. Maya Sullivan is unable to put any distance between herself and the unknown person who seems intent on killing her. This story also holds readers' attention immediately and consistently with its second chance on love trope, secrets revealed, murder attempted, and old tunnels discovered. This story has a bit more real estate in the book and comes to a satisfying ending.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Whiteout from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

   

One insurance investigator, one FBI agent, four private investigators, and two cases to solve make for an intense read. While two too-quick romances don't always add up, in this case they are not greater than the suspense so the reading pleasure is not decreased. Bullets are flying everywhere, riddles are dropped as clues, and the investigators travel by land, air, and sea. There is non-stop action as the investigators divide to conquer. Themes of dealing with one's past and forgiving those who caused much grief, even if one of those people is oneself is well-developed. Readers see the contrast between bitterness allowed to take root and becoming a new creature in Christ.

I highly recommend One Wrong Move to fans of romantic suspense. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

  

It was difficult to decide which drove this story, the romance or the suspense. There was a lot of both. In this book two new couples are formed as they each collaborate on their own case. I am a big fan of Dani Pettrey, but I must say that this is not in my top three favorites of her books, although I enjoyed it enough to feel comfortable recommending it to others. It's just a personal preference for me to have the scales tip a bit more to the suspense storyline than to the romance one.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Deadly Shallows from Bethany House without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

  

The Crushing Depths has two romantic suspense story lines, both involving members of the Coast Guard Investigative Services. Each story line is equally intriguing with lives at stake. The adventure-loving members of the investigative team and the beautiful North Carolina beach setting are perfect compliments to the story's plot. The Crushing Depths is the second book in Pettrey's Coastal Guardian series, but would work well as a stand-alone read. I would say that this book would make the perfect beach read, but since many of us won't be vacationing at the beach during the pandemic, let's just say it is a great summer read, one I highly recommend.

I received a copy of The Crushing Depths from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and I received no monetary compensation.

The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

   

Gabby Rowley is an investigative reporter who is more than willing to lay down her life for a story. So far her luck has held, but for how long? Memories of the betrayal that threatened her life in Southern Sudan haunt her, and a new threat from drug lord Xavier Fuentes is a real and present danger. Giving in to pressure from her brother, a member of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Gabby accompanies him back to North Carolina to be under the watchful eye of his team, including Finn Walker, the man she walked away from in order to pursue her career.

The Killing Tide is classic Dani Pettrey with her signature style. Those who enjoy action and suspense will find plenty of both in this book. The characters model the integration of faith and prayer into daily life as Christians. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Cost of Betrayal by Henerson, Pettrey and Eason - A Book Review

The Cost of Betrayal consists of three novellas focused on betrayal. The first of which is Betrayed by Dee Henderson. Ann Falcon, a retired police investigator, unearthed a murder weapon in a box of miscellaneous dresser drawer items she had purchased at an auction. Looking into the case convinced her that an innocent woman was behind bars. Once she had convinced her husband, who ran the Chicago FBI office, of this they pursued the release of the wrongly convicted woman and justice for the victim. While this story is set in America rather than Europe, fans of Julianna Deering's Drew Farthering series will likely enjoy this story. It had a fresh plot and was well written. While I would like to comment on the ending, I will avoid the spoiler.

The second novella is Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey. Tennyson Kent, better known as Teni, owened Talbot Island which had been passed down in her family through generations. Members of the community leased their property from her. While Teni had the best interests of all the residents at heart, it was impossible to please everyone. The stress this caused, however, was currently second to the stress in her personal life as her engagement was unexpectedly broken. That coupled with the presence of Callen, her former boyfriend, who had betrayed her and fractured her heart, was just the background noise to the clamor inside her head wanting to know who was responsible for her cousin's death and the attacks on her own life. Even with the restrictions placed on her by a novella's length, Pettrey fleshed out a wonderful mystery with characters one wants to root for, and others one wants to see taken down.

The final novella is Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason. It was great to be back with the St. John family, this time focusing on the only person in the family with a non-law related career. Fortunately, Ruthie has picked up a lot from her mother and siblings over the years, and could therefore handle herself in dangerous situations. After surgically removing a bullet from a police detective, Ruthie interrupts someone in his room with murderous intentions. Detective Isaac Martinez is no longer sure who he can trust as he investigates corruption within the police department. Knowing his life is in danger, Ruthie chooses to spirit him away from the hospital thus becoming embroiled in his case. As always Lynette Eason hits the mark.

The Cost of Betrayal with its three novellas based upon that theme is a good read. All three award winning authors live up to their reputations. I recommend this book to their fans and to those mystery fans who have yet to discover these talented writers. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

 

     I stepped into Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series with Dead Drift, the final book in the series. While it was obvious as I read that it would have been preferable to read the books in sequence, Pettrey provided just enough background information to inform a reader new to the series and to refresh the mind of a reader following the series without causing the story to drag.

     CI A operative Luke Gallagher was recruited by the agency fresh out of college. He walked away from friends, family and the love of his life, Kate Maxwell, for what he thought would be a short assignment and a big adventure. Now he was back for the first time after a seven year absence. The hunt for the terrorist Ebeid having brought him full circle, back to his hometown. Now he must find Ebeid with the help of Kate and their closest friends, each with their own special skill set for fighting crime, before Ebeid could carry out his plan to unleash anthrax on unsuspecting Americans. He must do this while facing the fact that Kate was still the only woman he had ever or would ever love, working with the friends he had abandoned, and coming to terms with the things he had done while working as an operative.

     Kate Maxwell, a private investigator and a federal consultant on the task force to bring down Ebeid, was shocked to have Luke walk back into her life after seven years; seven years in which she had never gotten over loving him or being betrayed by him. No way she was going to risk having her heart pummeled again, but would her resolve hold out? Danger has a way of defining priorities.

     I recommend Dead Drift, and do suggest reading the entirety of the Chesapeake Valor series in sequence. Pettrey can always be counted upon for a fast paced, adventure filled read, and this book does not disappoint. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation. All opinions are my own.