Marji Laine here.
Second, this book has the perfect mix of intensity, mystery, and
romance.
Even the book’s first page twisted up my insides. I have
driven mountain roads before. The tension wrapped around my middle and kept tightening
with every turn. Then on Sarah Ellison’s brief hike, I felt like the rug was
ripped out from under me. To say I wasn’t expecting what happened is putting it
lightly. And that was all in just the first chapters.
I love the fact that the author uses not only a criminal
element to build suspense, but a natural one to deepen it and send it out of
control. And I love the fact, probably because of the natural element, that the
Lord is the reasonable call.
Elizabeth Goddard gives a clever mastery of the suspense
element. In addition, she has an excellent rhythm for the breaths that a reader
needs before the next intensity begins. That’s crucial. Readers need to breathe
and have a chance to let down their guard for a bit. Goddard’s timing is
perfect!
As for the mystery, that is another stroke of genius that
develops seamlessly. The fact that family members would want to protect each other from a volatile truth is completely believable, as is the
guilt they might very well have felt. This intrigue stunned me with how real it
felt.
And then there is the romance. Sarah seeks out Ryder Goodwin
because of his knowledge of the mountain and expertise in guiding people in the
area. That and the intel she is able to dig up on him. She doesn’t expect the
man to have such deep compassion. I got the feeling early on that his kindness,
like with his mom, sort of broke away the callouses on Sarah’s heart.
The fact that he saves lives and is drop-dead gorgeous doesn’t
hurt.
And I think he certainly notices her beauty. But he has walls
up, a past that still haunts him, and no room for someone else who can cause
him pain. Her surprising personality starts carving away the stone. And
the life-threatening issues just amplify every emotion.
All of the elements come together like the painting of a master. The story has stayed with me even now, over a week since I finished the book. I’ve even started a few other books, but had to stop them. What can I say? They just didn’t measure up! You have to read this book!
Here’s a little more about the story:
When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather's deathbed confession connected to her brother's murder, she's determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand.
After his father's death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can't stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community.
Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.
This gripping romantic-suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard is a series opener that will sweep you away in a rush of adrenaline.
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