TITLE:  Acceptable Risk (Danger Never Sleeps #2)
AUTHOR:  Lynette Eason
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when her convoy is attacked and she's taken hostage. When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander--Sarah's imposing father--to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.

Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she's discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army. Until she learns of her brother's suicide. Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth. What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah's career--if she can survive long enough to write it.

Non-stop tension and action fill the pages of Acceptable Risk, another fast-paced story by Lynette Eason. From the first pages, Sarah shows her tender heart by her actions when her life and the lives of her students are threatened. But her that tenderness vanishes whenever her father, the General, is mentioned.

The relationship between Sarah and Gavin grows as they work together to solve a thoroughly tangled mystery that could end their lives at any time. Who is after them? Is Sarah the target, or Gavin? Questions kept the pages turning and my blood pressure high right to the satisfying end.

However, even in times of great danger, faith barely entered the scene. This disappointed me and brought the rating from five stars to four. Acceptable Risk is a thriller sure to entertain lovers of this genre. I received a copy of Acceptable Risk from the publisher.

TITLE:  The Protector (The Dumont Chronicles Book 3)
AUTHOR:  Gloria Repp
DATE:  2018
PUBLISHER: MTL Resources LLC
STARS: *****

A heart divided . . . An enemy unseen . . . A riddle of trust.

Lindsey Dumont, photographer, must defend her home in the Pine Barrens while she struggles to revive her career and salvage a long-distance romance. But who can she trust?

In The Protector, we follow Lindsey from high hopes to broken dreams, deep fears to bold courage. After reading the first two books in this series, I slipped easily into this story as though revisiting dear friends.

When she learns her niece Mollie may be in danger, Lindsey leaves the west coast and Colin, the man who’s becoming scarily important, to help Mollie deal with the Manor and whatever is threatening them both. Twists and turns include new, intriguing characters, who bring more reasons for Lindsey and Mollie to learn to depend on God.

As with the other books, faith pulses through this story, bringing it and my own trust to brighter life. I identified with Lindsey’s struggle to trust God with every detail and admired her courage and growing wisdom.
​
I loved this book, a gift from the author, and award it five stars. Highly recommended.
 

TITLE:  The Forever Stone (The Dumont Chronicles #1)
AUTHOR:  Gloria Repp
DATE:  2012
STARS: ****
​
The paperweight—a summons to courage . . . A new home, new love, new fears . . . and a mystery. How will she face the challenge? And what does God have in mind?

Madeleine, a young widow, is determined to break free from her paralyzing memories and controlling family. Her father’s gift spurs her to declare independence, and she joins her aunt’s house-restoration project in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Two men enter her life, bringing joy, conflict, and danger. She’ll need courage to fight the treachery she discovers and faith to step into a new life of promise. Can she do it?

Because I’d read the second of this series first, I looked for familiar names as I began to read. The lack of surnames in the opening scene confused me a bit, and I was relieved when it was revealed the Madeleine was also known as Mollie. That grounded me in the story, and the rest was an emotional and enjoyable journey.

While The Forever Stone employs a slightly slower plot than Deep Focus (book 2), the depth of each character drew me in, and the secrets and discoveries kept me riveted. The author deals with deep grief gently and unflinchingly. I learned a great deal through this story, as it took me through grief, hope, puzzlement, anger, joy and understanding. I will carry these characters in my heart for a long time.

I received a copy of The Forever Stone from the author; all opinions are my own and unsolicited. I truly enjoyed this story and give it a strong four stars. Recommended.