Cold Threat By Nancy Mehl

Cold Threat

by Nancy Mehl

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Ryland + St. Clair

ISBN: 9781493445240

Who doesn't love a good suspense novel? I really enjoy this author's writing and her series! She's even going to be our book club author for March! She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

Twenty years ago, several people were murdered in Des Moines, and the only evidence left behind was a snowman ornament hanging on a tree on their front lawns. With a suspect behind bars, the killings have come to an end--or so everyone thought. But now crimes with a similar MO are happening in a small Iowa town, and a local detective believes the killer is back and ready to strike again.

With little time on the clock before they have another murder on their hands, private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair must work alongside Tony's father to find evidence that will uncover an evil that has survived for far too long. As the danger mounts and the suspect closes in, it will take all they have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

My Review:

Wow, Cold Threat was such a nail biter! Book one in this series reminded me a lot of the author's The Quantico Files series. This one really stood out on its own!

River and Tony head to Iowa to help his dad solve a cold case while still trying to figure out who the Strangler's partner is. The same one that seems intent on taking out River. Needless to say, that partner is never far from River's mind.

As they begin to untangle the mystery of whether or not the same person is responsible for the new crimes being done where his father lives, they still have to deal with the Strangler's partner threatening River. Being with Tony's family while trying to figure the new crimes out adds a whole layer of stress neither of them was prepared for.

River is dealing with a lot: her past, her mom's health & their fractured relationship, her absent father wanting back into their lives, her "relationship" with Tony, and her fragile faith. I can tell you, you can feel her struggle in each situation. It's so wonderful when Tony comes alongside her to encourage her and speak Truth to her.

I'll admit there was a bit of a creep factor with the crimes. Reading as it all unfolded and as they started to connect the dots, came with a lot of twists and turns. I had no clue who cold be behind those crimes until almost the end!

The faith in this story... let me tell you! It's strong and beautiful! I'm so grateful when author's make faith, a struggle with faith, and/or a growing faith as a major part of a character's growth. It was so well done in this story and I loved it!

I'm really looking forward to book three!

About the Author:

Nancy Mehl (NancyMehl.com) is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

Every Word Unsaid By Kimberly Duffy

Every Word Unsaid

by Kimberly Duffy

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764235658

When Kimberly reached out to me asking me to review her book, I didn't even ask what the book was about. I've read her first two books and loved them so much, I immediately said, "yes." She sent me her book for review!

Summary:

Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family's constant disappointment. As the nation's most fearless--and reviled--columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape. 

Arriving in India, she expects only a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. Instead, she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel's sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she's long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her. 

My Review:

Kimberly Duffy has a gift of transporting your heart and mind to India! Her characters in Every Word Unsaid immediately work their way into your heart and only grow fonder as you turn the page. The story is as rich and deep in the telling as is the India the author describes.

We meet Gussie as she's on an adventure, which is NOT approved by her family. Nothing she does is looked favorably upon by them, and that is the crux of Gussie's running. Never accepted. Never meeting expectations. How can anyone bear up under that? India is where she ends up after her identity is revealed, and it appeals to her adventurous nature. It's also where her dearest friends, Specs and Catherine, live.

We're also introduced to her Uncle James early in the story, and honestly, I come to love him right away. He's always just one step behind her as he chases her everywhere she goes. As opposed to her immediate family, he sees the gem she is and speaks love & truth into her life. I adored him and his love of Gussie.

As Gussie lands in Poona, India, through the author you can imagine what she is seeing and experiencing. This is where we meet the most wonderful characters who are living in the midst of the plague! Catherine's sisterly love for Gussie is exactly what she needs. Specs, let's just say, he's changed since they were all separated as children. I was enthralled with how Specs, Gabriel, saw Gussie. Of course, nothing is as simple as just realizing how you see someone, especially if you've spent your life running, trying to find yourself, and searching for adventure.

The people who come into her life to help Gussie realize how God truly sees her. That her worth isn't limited to the hurtful things spoken to her. The things meant to bring her in line with expectations - which are completely unrealistic for her. Honestly, Gussie's hurt spoke deeply to me, and I was able to understand her in ways others may not.

I am so thankful for authors such as Kimberly Duffy who pour themselves into a story like this and touch the reader so deeply. She uses her characters to speak Truth to the readers, for which I'm incredibly grateful!

About the Author:

Kimberly Duffy (www.kimberlyduffy.com) is a Long Island native currently living in Southwest Ohio, via six months in India. When she's not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes her readers back in time and across oceans. She loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty years. He doesn't mind.