Review and Giveaway: Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom for a chance to win a copy of the book!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet--until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern--a young social justice lawyer missing since spring--and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

My Review

Talk about a nail-biter! I've been so excited to see what Dani Pettrey wrote after finishing her amazing Alaskan Courage series, and Cold Shot did not disappoint. The action begins swiftly and we get to know Griffin and Finley bit by bit as they are swept along in a dangerous investigation. Even though they haven't made each other's lives easier, I loved how the mutual admiration quickly turned to growing chemistry. They work well together and with the other members of the team each having their own set of skills, the plot moves forward at a steady clip. I appreciated that the characters turned to prayer in moments of anxiety, helplessness, and danger. The brief glimpses from the villain's perspective without revealing his identity ramps up the suspense and I couldn't put the book down! While the majority of the telling is from Griffin and Finley's points of view, we also see some from other members of the team, giving a great set up for the upcoming books in the series. I can't wait! Highly recommend, especially to fans of suspense with romance woven in.

(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the brand new romantic suspense Chesapeake Valor series, as well as the well-loved Alaskan Courage series which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. 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.

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Extras

• Explore the Pinterest World for Cold Shot! I love getting a feel for what the author envisioned for the setting and characters.

• Tour Finley's neighborhood with Dani!
  

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Giveaway and Review: Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey

Be sure to enter to win a copy of Sabotaged at the end of this post!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey's search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light. Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits.

Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper's bidding or she will die. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

My Review

Wow, thrilling adventure and mystery is what Dani Pettrey is skilled at writing! It was so hard to put down the book when real life called, and I devoured it in all my spare time and late into the night :) I thoroughly enjoyed Reef and Kirra's story, the last of the Alaskan Courage series. Sabotaged has all the vital elements that the previous books have- romance, family loyalty, extreme adventure and a dangerous mystery to be solved- yet the story is fresh, unique, and compelling. The banter and tension between Reef and Kirra is interesting as their eyes are opened to see new sides to the other throughout their journey. Their friendship deepens as they trust and protect each other, and the long-held mutual but hidden admiration quickly develops into stronger feelings as they race to find the villains threatening them and their loved ones. The spiritual themes are handled well as Reef continually turns to the Lord for guidance and Kirra's faith is tested and strengthened through the adversity.

(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Extras

Check out the dossiers on Reef and Kirra and their soundtrack

The Sabotaged Pinterest board has dozens of great images and links on character inspiration, the Iditarod, and Alaska

Read an excerpt from Sabotaged!

Don't forget to enter the Heart of Adventure sweepstakes celebrating the release of Sabotaged!

Alaskan Courage is an amazing series! Be sure to read all the books, definitely in order since each book sets up the characters and plot for the following one. I gave them all 4 or 5 stars, but my favorite is Piper and Landon's story in Shattered!

About the Author

Dani 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, Silenced, and her latest release, Sabotaged. 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 Dani Pettrey

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Enter the Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes!

Celebrate the release of Dani Pettrey's newest book Sabotaged by entering the Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes!

About the Sweepstakes


In SABOTAGED, the fifth and final book of author Dani Pettrey’s award-winning Alaskan Courage series, Kirra Jacobs and Reef McKenna experience the high stakes of Iditarod search-and-rescue when Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, goes missing.

Kirra and Reef put aside their differences to search for him, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank’s daughter Meg has been kidnapped, and Frank must do the kidnapper’s bidding or Meg will die.

Soon Kirra, Reef, and the entire McKenna family are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

To celebrate their epic race, Dani and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to present the HEART OF ADVENTURE SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.

Timeframe & Notifications:
This giveaway starts February 2, 2015 and ends February 22, 2015 @ 11:59 pm (PST).
Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Monday, February 23, 2015, and announced at DaniPettrey.com.


About the Prizes
GRAND PRIZE:

LUXURIOUS LODGE GETAWAY

During their cross-country hunt for answers, Kirra and Reef stop to rest at a gorgeous mountain lodge in Denali that holds special memories for Reef. This prize offers you a chance to build your own special memories, with a luxurious lodge getaway for two.
Our Grand Prize winner will receive: A $250 gift certificate to Hotels.com, good for reservations at lodges and hotels across the Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and numerous International locations

SECOND PRIZE:

PALS WITH PAWS DONATION

In the Alaskan Courage series, Kirra is the proud owner of Nanook Haven, a rescue shelter for sled dogs. In real life, animals need rescue as well, and this prize will allow you to give a special gift to support an organization like Kirra’s.
Our Second Prize winner will receive: A $150 donation in your name, to the animal rescue, shelter, or veterinarian of your choice

THIRD PRIZE:
SWEETHEART SURVIVAL SLED
In SABOTAGED, Kirra and Reef take shelter in a snow cave while hiding from a man determined to put them on ice– permanently! Luckily, Kirra has a survival kit, to help them make it through the sub-zero temperatures.
If you prefer a little more romance and a little less suspense in your survival kit, this is the prize for you.
Our Third Prize winner will receive: A $100 value sweetheart survival pack. This gift basket includes double chocolate raspberry cake, smoked salmon, brie cheese and crackers, and a wide variety of gourmet snacks

How to Enter:

Go to http://www.danipettrey.com/heart-of-adventure-sweepstakes/ and complete the entry box, anytime between February 2 – 22, 2015.

E-book sale! $1.99 for Shattered by Dani Pettrey

Download Shattered by Dani Pettrey for only $1.99 through Nov 10th! This is the second book of the Alaskan Courage series and my favorite one so far; I rated it 5 stars.

(Be sure to check price before purchasing since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

Piper McKenna couldn't be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed--but despite the evidence, Reef swears he's innocent. And Piper believes him.
Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon's career.
With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada's rugged backcountry--and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

Review and Giveaway: Silenced by Dani Pettrey

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis from goodreads.com

A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route leads her face to face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something sinister? When the case is handed to the overburdened sheriff, he turns to Jake Westin. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again--but he could never prepare for where the case will take him.

Kayden and Jake soon realize that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is on to them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.

My Review

I'm hooked on this series! I love the McKenna family and their suspenseful stories. Silenced (the fourth in the Alaskan Courage series) can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I recommend reading them in order if you'd like to know the backstory of the siblings from the previous novels. The author has been introducing the connection/relationship between the main characters in each previous novel, so you get a better feel for their history if you've read them first.

I've been looking forward to Kayden and Jake's story since there has been so much tension between them! Kayden has been vocally suspicious of Jake's past since he hasn't shared with the family where he came from. Once she found out his tragic story in Stranded, it set the scene in Silenced for her to reconcile with him and recognize the attraction she has. She has been an abrasive and fiercely protective personality in the previous books, but now we gain more of an understanding of her vulnerabilities and fears. Jake has always known how strong she is, but is waiting for the chance to connect with and get closer to the real Kayden.

The mystery had me as baffled as Jake- the clues and suspects weren't adding up, although any of them could be guilty based on the circumstantial evidence. The author is so skilled at creating anxiety and anticipation while you read as fast as you can to follow the trail with the characters. Jake and Kayden spent quite a bit of time together while investigating the case, but the pacing of the romance slowed as they failed to communicate their feelings- instead, angsting over them with internal dialogue. The case takes a lot of their focus, and when mystery is finally solved, the race is on to catch the villian who always seems to be one step ahead of them...

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Alaskan Courage series

About the Author

Dani 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.

• Web Site
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest

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$1.99 e-book sale! Submerged by Dani Pettrey

E-book sale! Only $1.99 for romantic suspense novel Submerged by Dani Pettrey- get it at Amazon here. I gave it 5 stars, and there are two more books in the series, with a new one being published later this year.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a small town. She's returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.
Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer has settled in his town and doesn't appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he's not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

Review: Stranded by Dani Pettrey

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn't satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn't lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby's position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn't the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.
 
Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He's surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they've only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

My Review

This is the third book in the Alaskan Courage series and continues providing a strong plot and plenty of suspense. It can be read as a stand-alone novel, however I highly recommend reading them in order from a romance standpoint, since the relationship of the main characters of books two and three begin in the previous book as a subplot. Darcy and Gage don't really expect to see each other again, but are thrown together in a high adventure undercover investigation. The pacing slowed for me while Darcy was trying unsuccessfully to figure out the reason for the disappearances. The progress in her case wasn't consistent- it seemed like she did a lot of floundering for clues and questioned anyone and everyone, but suspected nobody. Once Gage's family and friends (whom you get to know in the first two books) got more involved in aiding her investigation, things started moving along swiftly. 

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review) 

Alaskan Courage Series

Book One - 5 stars!

Book Two - 5 stars!