Member Reviews
This was a fun romantic suspense novella collection! The first story was "In the Dark" by Lynette Eason. When Stephanie's best friend and co-worker is killed in a car accident, some evidence comes to light that it might not be an accident and she works with the handsome new detective to figure out whodunit before it's too late. Of the 3, this one was my least favorite and I would give it 3 stars. I think this story would have made a better full-length novel with a bit more fleshing out. It was still an enjoyable story line, but it felt a bit rushed and off-kilter to me. The second story was Downfall by Lynn Blackburn. When Cassie Quinn comes in for a private meeting with the CEO of The Haven to find her kitchen completely trashed, she's at a loss. When her inability to manage conflict has some serious backlash, she finds her own life in danger and it doesn't help that the officer who responded to her case was her ex. I really enjoyed this story and would give it 5 stars. It fully sucked me in from the very beginning and took me along for the ride! The final book was Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters. When Lahela Young receives a disturbing phone call and texts on the night she's out with her friends and expecting Briggs Turner to finally ask her out, even after she's changed her number, she wonders how her stalker has continued to find her. Will this be the thing that pushes her to move back to Hawaii after all? I also enjoyed this story and would give it 5 stars. With humor woven in to the suspense and romance, this one had a great mix!
Each of these stories had a fabulous mystery element to it, a sweet romance and a light spiritual thread. All of these were clean romantic suspense stories. All were well written, decently paced and enjoyable in their own rights. Each had a unique story line and a whodunit that had me guessing, along with some serious twists and turns. All in all, this was an enjoyable romantic suspense novella collection and one I would easily recommend to fans of the genre. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this collection. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
Three romantic suspense novellas that keep you turning pages and keep you guessing. Tough heroines and loyal heros who love them and want to protect them makes for great stories complete with complex villains who make a mess of their lives. There is an underlying faith thread that shows the characters are grounded.
In the Dark- Lynette Eason
Steph is too ready to trust and needs to be more cautious. Tate gets a workout keeping up with her.
Downfall- Lynn Blackburn
Someone is sabotaging the kitchen in The Haven in Gossamer Falls. Who wants Cassie gone and why? Donovan searches it out. This was my favorite. I loved going back to Gossamer Falls.
Perilous Obsession- Natalie Walters
Stalking and a kidnapping keeps Lehela on edge but Briggs comes to the rescue and wants to take their relationship to the next level.
A great trio of suspense stories.
* A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Revell through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*
All three of these romantic suspense novellas were so fun! I was very familiar with the characters from both Eason and Blackburn’s stories, and while I haven’t gotten to Walters’ newest series yet, I still didn’t feel lost. I don’t always love novellas for not getting the depth I’m used to in full length novels, but I never felt that way about this collection. All the characters deal with not only their current suspense plots, but also work through some other things. Each of the couples were just perfect for one another and I felt so rewarded with the conclusion of each one. I’m a huge fan of all three of these authors, and I completely recommend Cornered as either a way to get MORE from each of their respective series or as a way to introduce yourself to their writing, which will definitely leave you wanting more!
I received a complementary copy of this book from the authors. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are completely my own.
Buckle up for three suspenseful stories that will have you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who done it! Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters have truly outdone themselves with these page-turning stories. Through it all, the best part of these stories is their ability to point to Christ regardless of what circumstance the characters, and we, may find ourselves in.
I highly recommend this trio of novellas to anyone who loves Christian fiction, suspense to the max, and mysteries solved!
I received an ARC from Revell and NetGalley; however, my review is my own opinion and done of my own volition.
Cornered is a high octane fueled compilation of three stories by a trio of romantic suspense writers! Each story had me biting.my nails for likeable characters I wanted to be best friends with. And, heroes that I wanted as my new book boyfriend. I enjoyed each one. I normally have a favorite story in a boxed set of books, but not this time. I ENJOYED ALL THREE!
Each story could be read in an evening with a satisfying and happy ending.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
This collection of stories will definitely be enjoyed by readers who have read the series by these authors. Readers who are not familiar with Lake City Heroes, Gossamer Falls and the SNAP Agency series will enjoy this sampling. The message of faith runs strong in each novella. Likeable characters, a little romance, intrigue and mystery all wrapped up in this collection.
IN THE DARK
Lynette Eason
Non-stop action will keep you guessing right up till the end. Stephanie, a CPA, turns investigator when her friend is murdered. A code, embezzlement, money laundering - what had her friend discovered and who is behind it all?
DOWNFALL
Lynn H. Blackburn
You can’t make someone love you back. Plenty of excitement to keep you guessing in this story of a long-standing feud between two families and the fall out in the end. Kidnapping, vandalism, drugs and more will have the reader questioning will the perpetrator be found or will one family leave Gossamer Falls?
PERILOUS OBSESSION
Natalie Walters
Lahela Young loves teaching her 2nd grade students. Life would be just about perfect if she didn’t have a stalker. Silent calls from unknown numbers, pictures taken from a distance, arson and more. Who wants her gone?
Three incredible stories that will keep you guessing all the way through. An early copy was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
If I wasn't already a fan of these three authors works, this anthology would be a great introduction. All three of these stories can be enjoyed as standalones, but also have connections to other works by these authors. 'Downfall' is my favorite. It's suspenseful and there is a second chance of romance for Cassie and Donovan. I also love Cassie's strong family ready to support her even on their rival family's ground. In 'Perilous Obsession' Lahela Young is jumpy after she has attracted a stalker. Unfortunately, there is little that the police can do to protect her. Briggs Turner is hoping for more than friendship with Lahela, but he will wait and make sure she stays safe. When Steph Cross's friend's death seems suspicious in 'In the Dark', Steph works with police detective Tate Cooper to unravel the clues in a coded notebook. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. All three of these romantic suspense stories are terrific. I didn't want to put the stories down until I finished them.
This is a strong novella collection by three popular Christian authors. Each story is filled with suspense, as well as a little romance. They contain enough twists to keep readers engaged. Each story is connected to a series by the individual author, but you do not need to have read those books before this one. The stories can stand alone. This is a nice collection for those who enjoy romantic suspense stories and looking for a quick read.
Lynette is one of my favorite authors! Her storylines are ALWAYS very engaging -- real page-turners. I love that she includes zero gratuitous sexuality or profane language in her novels. Her stories carry the books! I'd characterize her plots as "Hallmark romance without the predictability." This book, Cornered, was excellent. As always, I love the angle of a scintillating criminal investigation. Red herrings kept me reading from start-to-finish. The plot moved swiftly to a momentous conclusion. Her characters were interesting. The plot was believable. The editing was clean. Her writing was well-crafted. I would read any Lynette Eason novel!
Cornered is a gripping collection of three novellas that will have you feeling the pressure of being backed into a corner, each with a suspenseful, emotional, and faith-inspiring punch. The novellas—by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters—deliver everything I hoped for, with each story standing alone yet featuring familiar characters that tie them back to other books the authors have written, making the experience even more enjoyable.
In the first novella, In the Dark by Lynette Eason, I was immediately thrown into a corner with Detective Tate Cooper and Steph Cross. The tension in this story is thick, and I found myself flipping pages faster and faster, desperate to uncover the truth alongside them. Eason’s expert blend of suspense, romance, and emotional turmoil left me breathless. Both characters face overwhelming odds and are "cornered" by the choices they must make in the face of danger, all while trusting in God's plan for their lives. The deep emotional stakes keep you turning pages, hoping for a way out—but it’s the faith and resilience of the characters that ultimately shine through.
Lynn H. Blackburn’s Downfall brings a different kind of pressure, mixing humor with heart-pounding suspense. Cassie Quinn and Detective Donovan Bledsoe are tangled up in a complicated history, and as they navigate an increasingly dangerous situation, they must confront the past and learn to trust God in new ways. The faith theme here is especially wonderful, showing how trusting God can be a lifeline when you feel cornered by the weight of your past and present. The story of redemption and second chances rings true, as Cassie learns that the love of God—like love between two people—is built on trust, freedom, and the courage to step out of your comfort zone.
Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters had me on an emotional rollercoaster, with Lahela Young feeling truly cornered by the terrifying reality of being stalked. The suspense is relentless, and as Lahela and Briggs Turner work together to uncover the truth, the lines between fear and faith blur. Lahela’s journey is a poignant reminder that, when we find ourselves cornered by fear or circumstances, God is our refuge—He never leaves us, even in the darkest moments. The romance in this story is built on deep trust and mutual respect, and the tension between the characters mirrors the gripping sense of being trapped in a situation with no clear way out. It’s only through their faith that they find the courage to face down their fears.
What ties these stories together isn’t just the spine-tingling suspense and romance, but the underlying Christian message that, no matter how cornered we feel, there is always a way out through if we fix our eyes on Jesus. Each character is tested in different ways, but ultimately, love and faith offer a way to break free from the traps that life sets. Cornered left me feeling inspired and mindful that when we’re backed into a corner—whether by life’s circumstances, our own mistakes, or the forces of evil—God always provides a way out. Sometimes, the greatest freedom comes from the unexpected ways He moves in our lives.
As Papa Quinn says in one of my favorite quotes, “We know that God is good. We know that He works for our good and His glory… through all the pain… still He is faithful… and we choose to offer up a sacrifice of praise.” This powerful reminder encapsulates the heart of Cornered—that no matter how stuck we feel, if we fully surrender to God, His faithfulness will always lead us through.
I highly recommend Cornered to anyone who loves Christian romantic suspense. This thrilling ride will leave you with a renewed sense of hope and love.
I received a copy of Cornered via Revell and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on how true it is to Scripture, the writing style, the pacing, and the content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
The only thing better than an exciting suspense story is THREE exciting suspense stories!! Eason, Blackburn, and Walters (who was new to me!) deliver in a big way with this short story collection, and I love it. These novellas are each a continuation of a world that these authors have built through previous books, and it was so much fun to dip back into those stories through this collection. Just be prepared to finish it once you start it, because these stories just won’t stop, and you won’t be able to put them down once you begin reading!
I’ve been reading a tough and heart wrenching nonfiction book, and I needed to take a break so I grabbed this boxset to read in between sessions with my book on school shootings.
In the Dark by Lynette Eason
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A sweet Christian, brother’s friend, romantic suspense. I’ve read others by this author set in Lake City but this works perfectly as a stand alone. Our hero is a police detective. I got a bit frustrated with our heroine, who is NOT law enforcement. This was a good murder mystery with some twists and danger.
Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I adored this sweet, second chance, Christian, romantic suspense. Our law enforcement hero is just so sweet! I marked sooo many quotes in this book. So swoony. I absolutely adored Donovan and Cassie and I wanted more, more, more! I would have been happy if this book was 600 pages long! A chef, a family feud, history, danger, and more. This book was fine as a stand-alone but you’d enjoy it so much more reading Cal’s novel first and having the full history of the feud and families and characters.
Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I just finished reading Kekoa’s story so this was perfect timing! This was a Christian romantic suspense with stalking as it’s theme. There was a lot of energy and I enjoyed our protector hero’s care for our teacher heroine.
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I love mysteries!! This book had three intense mysteries to tease my detective senses. Cornered by Lynnette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn and Natalie Walters was a fantastic read, full of familiar characters from previous books from Lynette (her Lake City Heroes series) and Lynn (her Gossamer Falls series) and I’m a big fan of those books. Natalie had a host of new characters that I would love to read more of their stories. This is a thrilling book for all mystery/suspense fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
Cornered brings together Lynn Blackburn, Lynette Eason, and Natalie Walters to author novellas continuing the worlds of their series. Blackburn returns us to Gossamer Falls while Eason expands the Lake City Heroes universe. Walters brings readers back to SNAP Agency, and I will be picking up this series after reading this novella.
The book Cornered by Lynette Eason, Lynn H Blackburn, and Natalie Walters lives up to the great expectations I had for it. Each unique story puts the heroine in a difficult situation—backing her against a corner. Despite all appearing to be lost toward the end of the stories, the heroine and the main characters of the story manage to come out on top.
Although Walters is a new author for me, I was delighted to discover characters from Eason and Blackburn’s other stories that I came to love.
In my review of Lynn H. Blackburn’s series debut, I praised her for capturing the Hatfield and McCoy family feud effectively, which continued in the novella Downfall (for this anthology). I liked how Lynette Eason included main characters from another series in this anthology and made Stephanie Cross and Tate Cooper stand out. Natalie Walters’ incorporation of humor in her suspense stories, a feature not commonly found in the genre, motivated me to promptly start following her on Book Bub. I will be reading more of her work.
This anthology is perfect for fans of whodunnits, suspense, thrillers, action, romance, second chances, and Christian fiction.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
I have enjoyed many books by these three authors, and this read of three novella's hits the mark.
We are given great suspense reads, often with your heart in your throat, and then throw in a bit of sweet romance.
Each story is separate from the others, and some build on previously read books, but can be read alone, but all offer danger and wow the surprises, most you never see coming.
This is a great team that Revell put together for our enjoyment! I'll be looking for more reads they always fit the mark and then I'm ready for more!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
These three stories are by my favorite authors. In these novellas, the authors give us well-developed characters and believable story lines, Each story is complete and does not leave you hanging like some prequels do. If you've not read these authors, this is a good way to experience their style of writing.
SUSPENSE, SWOON, & TRUE ROMANCE
There are few books I enjoy more than romantic suspense novels. I was delighted to learn that three of my favorite authors collaborated on three romantic suspense novellas in one. Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters are on their “A Games” as they introduce readers to their upcoming releases through these novellas. Readers are in for a treat! These authors provide plenty of suspense, swoon, and true romance!
Eason’s “In the Dark” takes you back to Lake City, introduces a new detective, and ups the suspense. Blackburn’s “Downfall” revisits Gossamer Falls and brings back some of my favorite characters. Now, Cassie and Donovan have their story. Many family issues between several generations are blocking the way from any close family relationships. Blackburn creates a magnificent plot to bring the many family members together. She also creates a high level of suspense and a great deal of swoon. Natalie Walters’ “Perilous Obsession” revisits the SNAP Agency through Kekoa Young. His younger sister, Lehela, is the star of Walters’ novella, and it will take everything the cowboy has to protect her from her stalker.
This novella is not to be missed! I highly recommend it and suggest you put it on your Pre-order and TBR Lists!
Revell and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. However, my opinions are entirely my own and uninfluenced.
An excellent collection of Christian Fiction Suspense novellas from three of my auto buy authors. I never miss a story from any of these ladies and I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. All three had me invested from the opening pages of each story and each had its share of surprises and twists. I also loved that each novella tied back to the authors current series. Lynette’s story definitely took turns I was not expecting and it wrapped up reallt well. Lynn’s story was one I absolutely devoured. I think I read it in one setting, and I loved how it added what is sure to be drama to the books to come in the Gossamer Falls series. There’s going to be fallout in the rest of the series because of the events of this novella, if I don’t miss my guess! Natalie’s story was probably the one with the most surprises. I had part of it figured out, but not the whole thing and that ending was a doozy. Don’t sleep on this collection!
I received a copy of this book as a member of the Launch Team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts on my own.