Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

inspirational fiction

Enjoyed the journey but expected more: Review of The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

heart's pursuitIn all my years of reading Christian fiction, this is the first book I’ve picked up by Robin Lee Hatcher. I’ve heard good things about her stories, and The Heart’s Pursuit offered a compelling premise: a jilted bride, a bounty hunter bent on revenge, and travel through the barren Western states in the late 1800s. (Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy of the book from the publisher through the Booklook Bloggers program.)

And it certainly had its moments. Silver Matlock and Jared Newman find themselves in plenty of scrapes and have their work cut out for them battling their personal demons and their growing affection for each other.

I enjoyed the story for the most part. It didn’t “wow” me, although that’s certainly not a requirement for novels. But the characters were strong and believable and the conflict was enough to keep me turning the pages.

And reading The Heart’s Pursuit hasn’t deterred me from trying another of Hatcher’s stories. If you like Western romance with a spunky heroine and a tortured hero, this is a book for you.

A cliffhanger of a story: Review of Silenced by Dani Pettrey {plus a giveaway!}

If you’re a reader and happen to think inspirational fiction is limited to cozy, feel-good G-rated romance, can I introduce you to Dani Pettrey and her Alaskan Courage series?

I will confess that until I read Pettrey’s books and fell in love with the McKenna family, I hadn’t a clue about inspirational romantic suspense novels. Hers are among the best! Each novel focuses on one of the five siblings, a relationship and a criminal investigation. (To read my reviews of two of her previous novels, click here and here.)

silenced3dThe fourth book in the series (there are five total), Silenced, releases this month and follows rock-climber Kayden and Jake, whose past, until recently, was a mystery to the McKenna family. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.) When Kayden discovers a body while rock-climbing, she and Jake set out to investigate while uncovering a new side to their relationship. Kayden has always held Jake at arm’s length, suspicious of his motives and his virtual anonymity. She’s also closed herself off to any possibility of love. Jake has harbored feelings for Kayden but knows she’ll run if he makes a move. As the search for a killer intensifies, Jake’s past collides with the future he hopes to have with Kayden.

Pettrey never fails to keep me reading. The mystery and suspense hold up throughout the novel, and I’m never quite sure how it’s all going to end. While not much of an extreme sports/risk-taker type myself, it’s fun to live vicariously through the McKenna family’s hobbies, professions and rescue efforts. If you’re new to this author and series, I think you’ll appreciate it more if you start at the beginning with Submerged. The story continues with Shattered, Stranded and Silenced. (Care to take a guess at book five’s title? It follows the pattern of the others! The title and cover for that one will be revealed on May 23 during a Facebook party on the Bethany House Publishers events page.)

Although it wasn’t my favorite of the four books thus far, I enjoyed Silenced for its plot twists and themes, one of which is about letting our past experiences and hurts control and limit our futures. Not just fun, suspenseful reads, Pettrey’s books are stuffed with spiritual truths that encourage readers to live an adventurous spiritual life and fiercely love those around us.

And if reading her books wasn’t enough of a treat, Pettrey’s also hosting a fun giveaway in honor of Silenced! Between now and May 21, head over to Pettrey’s website and enter to win one of three great prize packages, including an air travel gift certificate, Alaskan art and a romantic picnic pack.

 

Enter the RUGGED ROMANCE Sweepstakes from Author Dani Pettrey!

 

I can’t wait for book five and just might go back and re-read the other books to immerse myself in the McKenna family’s world. (It’s not healthy, but I want to hang out with them!)

Here’s more about the author:

Dani PettreyDani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, on Twitter and Pinterest. (Warning: her stories and pictures will make you want to travel!)