SHATTERED SANCTUARY by Nancy Mehl, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

The Erin Delaney Mysteries Book #1

A Christian Mystery and Suspense Novel with Action and Clean Romance

PAULA'S REVIEW:

What was meant to be a getaway to decompress for friends Erin Delaney and Kaely Quinn-Hunter has been totally upset on the first full day by a knock on the door from Chief Adrian Nightengale. A body has been found that has him requesting help from the two behavioral analysts. No murders have occurred in a very long time and now Sanctuary, Tennessee has four.
 

Ms. Mehl has done a stellar job of writing an exciting, intricate murder mystery, complete with a supposed ghost legend and danger during a snowstorm.
I loved seeing Kaely again and getting to see her demonstrate her unusual technique for profiling. Erin was a complex character who was not a Christian, so that gave Kaely a challenge in being her friend while not being pushy with her witness. She exhibited listening to the Holy Spirit.
 

I have to admit that I did not guess the identity of the culprit this time. I was completely wrong. Good job Ms. Mehl!
 

This was another exceptional suspense story that really had me turning pages. The personalities of the characters came through, the setting was wonderful, and Chester the dog was a great touch.
 

I am looking forward to the next installment of this series. I hope it is back in Sanctuary and maybe a romance for Erin and Adrian.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:

Was this the last thing she'd ever see? Would she be able to make things right before it was too late?
"God . . ." was all she got out before he lunged toward her.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

 

 

Bethany Publishing, March, 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:
BUY SHATTERED SANCTUARY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

SEEKING EVIL by Mary Alford, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

HALLOWED HALLS FBI SERIES #3

PAULA'S REVIEW:

After being held in check for 25 years, a serial killer re-emerges in the remote resort town of Pinedale, Wyoming. FBI agent Sierra Parker wants to disappear from her high stress job and a tiff with boyfriend Zeke to go climbing in the Wind River Mountains near Pinedale. But what she walks into is something out of a horror story.
 

She shows courage and tries to outsmart a killer and save another kidnapped girl while her coworkers try to find her.
This was a creepy story and a mental workout to keep up with the twisted mind of the killer, all the time watching Sierra escape twice and try to keep the killer at bay. Zeke and their team work against time to stop danger from overtaking Sierra and Dawn with finality.
 

There was a solid faith thread that rounded out the characters and their search for justice.
 

I read this book in record time. I wanted to see how all the tension would be resolved. Thanks to Ms. Alford for an interesting plot that kept me guessing.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author and was won from Kav at BestRead. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 4 stars solid faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
No one knows where she is. . .

When BAU Agent Sierra Parker's car dies in the middle of nowhere Wyoming, she breaks a critical rule by catching a ride with a kind stranger. This decision leads her straight into the lair of a serial killer, where she discovers she isn't the first victim. 

 

Barrels containing the remains of those who went before her line a wall proving none of them escaped their captor. Can Sierra outwit the seasoned killer to save her life, or will she become the latest victim buried in a barrel?
 

The last Agent Zeke London heard from Sierra was when she told him she needed to get away to figure things out between them. That was over a week ago and his calls have been met with radio silence. Can he do the impossible and locate Sierra in the middle of the mountains before it's too late?
 

Find out in the next book in the Hallowed Halls Series!  

 

March, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback

BUY SEEKING EVIL at Amazon

(Three!) HOLLY NOVELS by C. C. Warrens, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 
REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

Crossed Off (Holly Series #3)

"Every single person matters, and no one should simply disappear. No one should ever have to think, no one's looking for me."

In spite of every precaution, every measure taken, every safeguard . . . Holly Cross is convinced that her foster brother Collin will find a way . . . to destroy her, and all those who occupy a special place in her heart. He's crossing people off of a list . . . starting with a fiery blaze at a women's shelter.

After one of her dearest friends succumbs during the fiery blaze, every instinct tells Holly to go on the run . . . again. The only thing holding her back is a promise, Holly has assured a little girl who survived the fire that she would remain by Maya's side until family members arrive. Determined never to be a victim again, Holly continues to indulge Detective Marx's protective vigilance (most of the time) by making sure that she never ventures anywhere alone. Will it work? The final pages of this book hold the answers.

Despite taking a rather dark turn, this horrifying chapter in Holly's story stands as a testimony to God's faithfulness even in the "valley of the shadow of death"; for we are never alone.

Content Advisory: The final quarter of this book was difficult to read, the depravity of man being on full display. Honestly, I read over some portions to avoid dwelling on the evil, choosing instead to reach for what was "true, noble, honest, right . . . excellent or praise worthy" . . . . because there were plenty of those things in this story as well.

BackCover Blurb:
Collin Wells is relentless and ruthless, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants: his foster sister, the girl who always manages to slip through his fingers.

Holly’s foster brother has haunted her footsteps for years—taunting her, toying with her—and until recently, she never dared to stop running and build a life for herself. Now, everyone she loves is in danger.

How can she protect the people she loves when her foster brother comes to collect?

Cross the Line (Holly Series #4)

"You guys find missing people, right?"

That hard rattling at the front door of Holly and Jordan's investigative agency in the dark of night? Just a very young girl scantily dressed and carrying broken stiletto heels, that's all . . . that's all???? Of course trouble would come knocking when Holly was there alone, but we all know that she would never pass up a desperate plea for help, even if investigating Camilla "Cami" Chen's disappearance would take her straight into the most dangerous part of the city.

"I wasn't a licensed investigator, and I didn't know the first thing about navigating digital trails, but I was an excellent snoop."

It would take all of Holly's street smarts to arrive back home safely after her trip to Bushwick, but she did manage to return (barely) with clues that she didn't fully realize at the time that she had accumulated. Of course her business partner (and second-best friend) was frantic with worry, but even with Jordan's help, this story was destined from the beginning to become terribly complicated and a lot more dangerous.

Spending more time with these characters seems like a rare privilege, their diverse personalities and wide ranging life experiences fit together so perfectly, forming a ring of support around Holly that she so desperately needs. The humor! It's so refreshing. And the faith elements! They are everywhere just waiting to be discovered, for yes, "God always comes through".

BackCover Blurb:

An unexpected, late-night visitor.

And a missing teenage girl.

Holly’s quiet evening at the investigative agency takes a curious turn when a frantic woman shows up on the doorstep after closing with a tale about a missing prostitute.

With JGH Investigations in financial distress, and a client who can’t afford their services, Holly decides to tackle this investigation on her own time. She soon learns, however, that this missing girl isn’t just missing—she’s been taken. Holly’s questions dredge up more danger than answers, and if she’s not careful, she might disappear just like the girl she’s trying to find, the girl some people believe is already dead.

Determined to keep Holly safe, Jordan joins the investigation, and together, they wade through a world of prostitution, wealth, and lies in search of the truth. But the truth is hard to find, when even the witnesses have secrets.

Crossroads (Holly Series #5)

 

"Despite the warm May temperature, memories shivered through my bones - bones that had been bruised and broken under the roof of the two-story structure in front of me."

There were no good memories from that place, but Holly Cross was willing to brave a return if it meant establishing a re-connection with her foster sister. She and Cassie had been separated for half a lifetime, her last words to the small girl running through her memory; "Run and don't look back. I'll find you when it's safe". Tragically, fifteen years passed before Holly could feel a small modicum of safety.

Cassie's last known location sent Holly and her good friend Jordan to the mountains of West Virginia where they immediately met with trouble. Members of a remote religious community come to their aid, but without cell service or transportation Holly and Jordan find themselves at the mercy of the good Samaritans. Their gracious welcome quickly turns into something far more sinister; what exactly is going on at Shepherd's Ridge? More importantly, where is Cassie?

Consistent in style with previous books in the series, this story is replete with humor, helplessness, and the power of the Holy Spirit . . . deepening the bond between author and reader . . . strengthening the tie between character and writer. . . energizing the commitment between God and reader. Who wouldn't want to read a book like that?!

BackCover Blurb:
RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK.
I'LL FIND YOU WHEN IT'S SAFE.Those were the last words Holly whispered to her six year old foster sister before the little girl fled into the trees and disappeared from existence.

Fifteen years later, Cassandra Ward is still missing.

Holly is haunted by the possibility that she sent her foster sister running from one monster and into the clutches of another. How else could a child vanish without a trace?

Determined to find her, Holly sifts through her own dark memories for clues, revisits her past, and chases a lead across the country with Jordan by her side. But the search for Cassie takes a dangerous turn when an altercation in the mountains leaves them stranded, cut off from the outside world, and running for their lives.

*I purchased a copy of each book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

NOTE: We offer other HOLLY NOVEL reviews over the years in the list at the right.

FIREFLY DIARIES by C. C. Warrens, Reviewed by Kim

 CHERRY CREEK  MYSTERIES Book #1

KIM'S REVIEW:

A friend, actually a couple of friends, highly recommended C. C. Warren’s books, so last year I started with Criss Cross (book 1 of the Holly series) and I was hooked. I mean Marx alone will keep you reading this series, but I digress! Lol. Anyway, I have read most of her backlist, since then. I am so glad I gave her a try!

I really liked meeting the characters in this new series. Noelle has been through a major tragedy and is in the process of trying to recover. Your heart will just ache for her and all she has been through. Derek, who is the captain at the local sheriff’s office, is the perfect guy to help her not only with her past, but with all the strange things going on in her new house, which is steeped in tragedy. The mystery kept me glued to the pages while trying to figure out just what was happening and why. The suspense is top notch and the hint of romance is perfect!

Just like all of her stories, Firefly Diaries sucked me in right from the start. I am really enjoying these new characters and this new series! I cannot wait to start the second story, Dragonfly Ashes. 
*I purchased this book. All opinions are my own. 5 stars! 

See REVIEWS BY PAULA and REBECCA

BackCover Blurb:
"The world whipped around her in a dizzying funnel of lights and shouts, people in uniforms pressing in from all directions. Noelle sat motionless in the street, barely able to breathe. His little body was too still. Too broken."

Noelle's world shattered that night, like the pieces of headlights scattered across the dark street. There was no rebuilding her life around the grave of her child.

Adrift in her grief, Noelle finds herself drawn to an old house as rundown and weary as her spirit. She might not be able to mend her own brokenness, but maybe she can restore this abandoned structure to its former beauty. Determined, she throws herself into a renovation project with the unexpected help of a local. But she soon learns that her new home comes with a blood-stained history and a chilling reputation.

When she stumbles across a diary written by a child with a disturbing life, and a teenage girl vanishes from the village, clues leave Noelle wondering if her house might somehow be connected. Someone -- or something -- wants her gone, but she has no intention of leaving without discovering the truth.

BUY THIS SERIES AT AMAZON in digital ebook, paperback, or audiobook