New Edge-of-Your-Seat Read from an Established Romantic Suspense Author
Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis. Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed. 
Dark Deception starts off with an intense and fear-filled scene that chilled me down to my core.
Kate O'Brien is a survivor, fighter, a warrior. She witnesses her twins brutal murder, was left to death herself but survived, and had to face the killer again and again in this haunting thriller. The personal battle she has to go through to be able to go on, accept that she is still alive, and to get over the survivor's guilt is a wearing road, yet she does champion on, with the help from the people around her and with the faith she finds in God. I wish I had read the first book in the series before I read this one, the feeling of jumping into a middle of a scene was strong here. With the generous amount of characters, keeping everything in line came to be an effort. Kate's previous connection to Tony DeLuca is referred several times, the developing relationship between them is heavily based on those previous feelings between them, and I wanted to know more about the foundation the new connection, after being apart for years, was based on. Tony DeLuca is a solid man, straight-shooter, honorable and honest. His faith in God is evident, his trust for God's guidance clear. One of the highlights of the story for me was a conversation between him and Kate, where they share their past hurt and burdens, talk about depression and suicide, when openly and honestly, they admit their brokenness and weakness and help each other to heal. The suspense in the story is convoluted and distressing. There are clues to the culprits but they lead the trail so close to the protagonists you would rather not believe them. It is twisted, dangerous, tangled mess, that brings the law enforcement to their knees. After the built up I was expecting a bit more fiery solution, but all the loose ends are tightly wrapped up in the end. An interesting faith-based romantic suspense story, volatile and deadly action and riveting mystery with a touch of romance and the characters growing and developing in their faith in God. ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. First published in 2001, she has now authored nine books, including an omnibus mystery collection, Cozy in Kansas, which contains three of her previously published Ivy Towers mysteries. Book three in the series, For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls, won the American Christian Fiction Writers Mystery Book of the Year award. Nancys main writing interests lie in mystery although her new Harmony Series leans more toward the romantic suspense genre. Nancy runs a HUD program for the city of Wichita and is president of a volunteer organization, Wichita Homebound Outreach. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Kansas Authors Club. You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com
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1 Comment
9/6/2017 16:48:29
Tony and Kate sounds like characters I'd really enjoy getting to know. Leave a Reply. |
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