Shadow in Serenity

by Terri Blackstock

Carny Sullivan grew up in the zany world of a traveling carnival. Quaint and peaceful Serenity, Texas, has given her a home, a life, and a child. Logan Brisco is the smoothest, slickest, handsomest man Serenity, Texas has ever seen. But Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one—and she’s seen plenty, starting with her father. As far as Carny Sullivan can tell, she’s the only one in town who has his number. Because from his Italian shoes to his movie-actor smile, Logan has the rest of the town snowed. Carny is determined to reveal Brisco’s selfish intentions before his promise to the townspeople for a cut in a giant amusement park sucks Serenity dry. Yet, as much as she hates his winning ways, there is a man behind that suave smile, a man who may win her heart against her will.Shadow in Serenity is a modern-day Music Man, penned by a Christy Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Suspense, Audiobook, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2011

About the author

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.

Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.

In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.

Reviews

[Leo]

I got the audiobook for review on netgally. Im not a Christian and this book is definitely "Christian" but I enjoyed it. Don't feel like you necessarily has to have the same beliefs to enjoy the overall story. This book feelt suspenseful but not in an action kind of way but in an emotional way. A woman who grew up in a carnival with parents doing fraud and a man who's been lying and doing schemes for most of his life chatches feelings when he sweeps in her town promising to build a carnival of they just give him money to do so. Beautiful in its own way, frustrating in others and a 4.25 stars from me

[Marcie McPherson]

🍃 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲.

This was sweet, easy and very predictable — basically a Christian-style Hallmark story. I thought the characters would be more interesting given the premise, but they never really grabbed me. Definitely not my taste, although I can see why the right audience would enjoy it. Gabrielle de Cuir's Southern drawl was a real treat, though!

Thank you to Terri Blackstock, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Gray Cox]

I really enjoyed this, would definitely recommend.
Review to come.

[Cecily - MillennialBookGal]

Thank you Terri Blackstock and and NetGalley for the audiobook of this novel.

3.25 stars

The overall story was pretty good, kind of heartwarming with a sense of redemption. The characters are interesting, especially Carnie, I loved her.

I forgot how heavy the Christianity is in Blackstock's writing but if that is your thing she's the perfect author for melding reality of the world with God and learning from His teachings.

Gabrielle was a great narrator and was great to listen to.

Cute read.

[Iola]

Terri Blackstock is a bit of a hit-or-miss author for me. I really enjoyed her standalone romance novel, Emerald Windows, and her romantic suspense series, Sun Coast Chronicles and Cape Refuge, but I loathed Last Light, the first in her futuristic Restoration series, so much that I didn’t read the sequels. I felt Last Light was marred by a TSTL (too-stupid-to-live) heroine who gave new meaning to the term 'shallow'. So what about Shadow in Serenity?

Con man Logan Brisco breezes into Serenity, Texas, with the aim of relieving it's good citizens of their cash. Carny Sullivan is a widowed single mom who grew up surrounded by con artists, and who is not about to let her friends get ripped off by Logan, despite his good looks and endless charm. Carny makes no secret of her desire to bring Logan down a peg or two, and her challenge both amuses and intrigues him, setting the scene for some colourful goings-on.

But trying to persuade a town full of honest people that Logan is running a con might be more than Carny can manage. Meanwhile, Logan is excited by the challenge Carny presents, and stays in town even though it is against the 'rules' of a good con. However, as Logan spends longer in Serenity, he develops relationships with more of the people, and his perceptions gradually begin to change. Meanwhile, Carny knows from her own life that God can change anyone, even a con artist, and begins to doubt her initial impressions of Logan.

Basically, this was a hoot. The scenes between Carny and Logan were consistently underpinned by an amusing combination of mistrust and attraction, the story was fun, and the book had the desired ending without in any way appearing predictable. I really enjoyed this as a fun read underpinned by a sound Christian message.

Like Christian authors such as Francine Rivers and Robin Lee Hatcher, Terri Blackstock was published in the general market before she became a Christian. This book was previously published with another title and under a pseudonym. Now the copyright has reverted back to her, Terri has revised and updated it for the Christian market. I have no idea what the previous title was (if you know, leave a comment), but I would say that the new and revised passages are well integrated into the overall story, and there is no sign that you are actually reading an updated book.

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.

[Hannah]

A really unusual story with a former carny and a con man as the lead characters. There isn’t much suspense, which is usually what’s I grab a Blackstock book for, but I was surprised how much I liked this storyline. Is Logan going to get away with swindling the town, or will Carny be able to stop him? I really enjoyed the unusual twist and liked the low-key romance and strong Christian message.

[Sue]

I received a copy of the audiobook of Shadow in Serenity from NetGalley, fifteen years after it was first published. I love Teri Blackstock’s work, but somehow I missed this one and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to listen to it. If you’ve seen The Music Man, the plot will seem familiar. A con artist, Logan, shows up in a small town with big (and fake) promises to make everyone rich. What he doesn’t bank on is Carny, a woman from a con artist family background who can easily read people and knows instantly that he is not on the level. The townsfolk, including her son, fall for his story, desperate to believe he can revitalize their economy. Logan is well on his way to swindling the entire town, but the more time he spends the Carny, the more his long-buried conscience starts to speak up.

I could hear Trouble in River City play in the back of my mind as I read this. The other thing I could hear is my accountant brain picking apart all the ways this scam could be proven false. Bankers like independently audited financial statements.

But ignoring that, I enjoyed the sparring between Carny and Logan. I especially liked the character development of the two. This is a story about forgiveness, repentance, and not judging people on their pasts.

I liked this story and would recommend it to everyone.

Kudos to Gabrielle de Cuir on her excellent narration.

This is Christian fiction so expect prayer and discussions of faith.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Emily Boyer]

Not so much a mystery but a romance

[Sarita]

Shadows in Serenity stayed too long on my TBR. Ever since I discovered Terri Blackstock, she became a favourite in the suspense genre and I added all her published books to my list.

This story was not really suspenseful, since you already know the culprit and what he is doing. It was more a redemption story of where a conman discovered more about himself while someone who is seeing through his story is pushing to show the truth.

The drive to reveal the truth added to some suspense though, as you as reader see the truth and wonder how all the characters will react when all come to light.

Not my favourite by this author but still enjoyable.

[Melanie]

Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R22EOTBL...
Review on my blog: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...

4.5 stars

Shadow in Serenity was way better than I expected! I really liked how the story dealt with con artists and scamming people - very unique from most books I've read.

I loved how Carny instantly saw through Logan and realized he was a con man. I also loved how redemption and forgiveness were major parts of Shadow in Serenity.

Overall, Shadow in Serenity was a great read that I enjoyed very much! Unlike most Terri Blackstock novels I've read, there wasn't much (if any) suspense, but I didn't even miss it! If you enjoy stories like this, then I think you'd like Shadow in Serenity. Recommend! :)

*I received an eBook copy of this book via Netgalley for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Melissa]

This book was ok, It was a very easy book to read.

The heroine was a bit of a "know it all, if you don't listen to me your stupid" type person which was a bit of a turn off for me but other than her there was some very good characters in this story.

It was your typical con man falls in love and decides to "turn good" and makes the con real story which is why I went with 2 stars rather than 3, just a bit to predictable for me.

[Cheri Swalwell]

This book was exactly like what was promised. People who love The Music Man will LOVE this book! It helped me connect with my daughter who loves musicals and we watched an adaptation of The Music Man together that was awesome so this book brought back nostalgia for us as well. I liked Carny from the get go and obviously did NOT like Logan. It was a great book and definitely one that I will be recommending to others in my circle of reader friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from netgalley and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer)]

[Comments/Review years after reading] Terri Blackstock is great at writing CLEAN suspense/thriller/mystery books that are fairly fast paced in nature and easy to follow. They are clean in every way. Any violence is minimal and non-descript.

[Dashea Carlson]

I listened to the audiobook. It had a great narrator! The book was a little predictable for me but entertaining.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Erika Hayes]

I really liked the story and loved how it ended. it was Noble and a great story of how people can change. I loved it! onto the next book!!

[Jacque]

This was an okay book. Everything wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly. The story was clean and original, but very fictional.

[Sabrina]

I really liked this book!

[Melissa]

I really enjoyed every second of this story! I absolutely loved the relationship between the two main characters, Logan and Carney. And the theme of second chances and forgiveness was perfect!

[Erin Roneree]

I really enjoyed this book- I just found the ending to feel rushed- the author wraps it all up way too fast for me.

[Melissa Nordgren]

I have read this one before. Love Terri Blackstock and have read every book she has written. Excellent author!

[Sylvia]

Always a great read by Terri Blackstock

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith]

"A pigeon dropper? What's a pigeon dropper?"

"A huckster. A shyster. A con man. Y'all are making a terrible mistake."

Yet no matter how many times she tried to warn them, not only her own in laws and citizens of Serenity, no one wanted to listen.

Situated in Texas, Serenity was a quaint and peaceful town that some would compare to Mayberry from the old Andy Griffith show. One that was also beginning to feel the effects of the latest downturn in the economy. These are where hard-working, God-fearing people still lived and worked trying to find a better way. Where everyone knew one another and were willing to look out for others. Until Logan Brisco showed up.

Smooth-talking, wealthy, and charismatic, Logan has researched the small town of Serenity. He's been looking for a town that was down on its luck, a town that needed a dream or two, but also a town that still had resources. Green resources! The kind that would keep him in the lifestyle he had grown accustomed to, and only one person stood in his way, Carny Sullivan.

Carny Sullivan was a con-artist til the age of 17, who was raised by two small time frauds in a traveling carnival. Named after her family's lifestyle and trained to follow in her parents footsteps, she lived for the day she could finally walk away from this and live the life she could only imagine. Until the day Abe Sullivan walked in, married her, and convinced her, that he was the man of her dreams. Abe would also be the man who would later drink himself dead, leaving Carny behind with her baby Jason in Serenity, and Carny would learn that dreams don't come true after all. This is why she has to convince the residents of Serenity, that Logan is a con man.

In the latest novel by Terri Blackstock, Shadow in Serenity, we see what happens when Carny's past allows her to see what others can't. What others only want to see, is the possibility of their financial dreams becoming a reality; where they won't have to work as hard and prosperity once again return to the residents of Serenity. Some are willing to give all that they have just to make that happen.

I received this book compliments of Zondervan Publishers and Shelton Interactive for my honest review. I am already a huge fan of Terri's, so asking me to review her latest book was a true gift. Able to whisk the reader away from their present day circumstances and place them within the town of Serenity as a resident, is what makes Terri's writing so captivating and desired. There is an underlying message contained within the story, but unfortunately, you'll have to pick this one up, get lost in the story and like me, be left breathless as you finish the final page. Make sure you set some time aside when you start, because if you're like me, once you begin, you won't want to set this one down til you finish. Another 5 out of 5 stars for this novel and can't wait for you all to pick this one up at your local book retailers.

[Antionette]

Let me start by saying: I love, love, love Terri Blackstock. I will practically read anything the woman puts down on paper. I love her story ideas, research and writing style. Her books are Christian based, but she doesn't preach at you. She's taken on some personal issues in the Intervention series and wrote them beautifully, making the reader really see the other side of the fence.

In saying all that, Shadow in Serenity is a different animal altogether. The title alone kept me back. It just had a hint of Harlequin to it..blah. This was not classic, suspenseful Blackstock. I decided to dive in anyway. I enjoyed the con-man/grifter angle. I was fascinated to learn the ins and outs of conning. What annoyed me most was the incredible ignorance of the people of Serenity. I guess it had to be done to build the story..but come on! The WHOLE TOWN??? Nothing is ever mentioned about how these are supposed to be God fearing people, yet, they didn't pray and seek God about it. We see no conflict of emotions with the people. They just happily hand over their money...it was incredulous. I struggle with deciding if Logan was appealing to the larceny in their hearts to get rich or were they all that desperate to see the town come back to life again. If it was the larceny, then old Bro. Tommy had some work cut out for himself, STARTING with himself.

Now, I liked Carny, but why did she have to be the prettiest one in town that all the men fawned after yet she snags the attention of the "new guy" in town, who just so happens to be the most handsome they've seen in a while? Really? I would have liked her to have been a woman of basic looks with a beautiful carefree spirit that was her most attracting quality.

I liked Logan's story, but I was somewhat taken aback by this: the author leading us to believe that Logan spent his entire life angry at his mom for abandoning him. His flash backs and behavior suggested such. Then suddenly, at the age of 10 he found out she was dead? Really? Unbelievable. With some thought, it really could have been written differently.

All of Ms. Blackstock's stories(the ones I've read so far) have the running theme of redemption of which I respect.

[Christy]

I have been a diehard fan of Terri Blackstock since I first started reading Christian fiction over ten years ago. I have always been able to rely on Terri to provide suspenseful stories that keep me awake until the wee hours of the morning. However, this was not one of her stronger novels.

While the carnival/amusement park idea was unique, I felt that I had to suspend belief for a large portion of the story. Like Carny, I wondered how in the world all of Logan's plans would come to fruition if he wasn't in fact a con artist. Without giving too much away, the end of the story was where this was most evident. Considering the amount of time that had passed between Logan's first visit to Serenity and the final chapter of the story, everything progressed much faster than it would in the real world.

On the flip side, I felt that the characters in this story were extremely believable, Logan in particular. His reflections on his past as a product of foster homes combined with the years spent with his con artist mentor made him the most complex character of the story. Having personally met a con artist in my life (but thankfully not his victim), I could identify with some of the techniques Logan used to persuade the town into parting with their hard-earned money.

I appreciated that Terri went back to her last novel written for the general market and rewrote it to appeal to a Christian audience. Never once did it seem that the story was rewritten as all the Christian elements blended seamlessly throughout the story. But if I compare it to some of her recent novels, it was not up to the same caliber that I've come to expect from her. It was only slightly suspenseful and romantic, yet still engaging enough that I wanted to read it to the very end. My rating is 4 Stars.

[Casey]

I have to admit I wasn’t as taken with “Shadow in Serenity” as I honestly thought I would be. While portions of this novel drew my attention and had some great insight into the human condition, the novel itself, entire story arc and how it was put together, failed to truly move me.

I knew full and well going into the story it wouldn’t be the typical suspense/murder mystery and I was perfectly fine with that. Where I ran into some snags was how the story came together. Much of the dialogue felt weak in places and a great deal of “info-dumping” (a fancy term for too much information too fast) took momentum away where story acceleration should have been.

Now. That being said and my personal opinion shared, I do have this to say: it’s a great story of redemption of characters. I can see why this novel holds a special place in the heart of the author – as a reader I wanted to see the characters redeemed and given a new life in Christ.

It’s an interesting story angle with a con man, something you don’t read about often and obviously well researched.

Please realize this only my personal opinion and I can still honestly say I am looking forward to the next release – I just hope it’s more along the usual story lines.

This review is my honest opinion. My thanks to Shelby Sledge, PR director for my copy to review.

[Tamara Tilley]

SHADOW IN SERENITY was a unique book that I quickly found myself engulfed in.

Carny Sullivan grew up the child of traveling carnival con artists. She can spot a con from a mile away. And because of that, the minute Logan Brisco blows into town she knows he’s a con just waiting to happen. She calls him on it publicly, but he quickly diffuses her claims. Carny is determined to expose Logan before he fleeces the town of Serenity of everything they have.

As Carny watches Logan’s every move and does her best to trip him up, she makes one mistake. She allows herself to get too close to the dashing man with the easy smile and soon finds there is more to the man they she counted on. With the town’s people in love with him, and willing to follow him to the ends of the earth, Carny is torn. Maybe he isn’t the swindler she thought him to be, or is she, along with everyone else in Serenity going to fall prey to the ultimate con.

This story was very captivating. I found myself torn between Carny getting the opportunity to show the people of Serenity that she in fact is right in her analysis of Logan, and me wanting Logan to turn out to be a standup guy. Without spoiling it for others, this story has an ending that satisfied both of my desires.

With the unique setting and colorful characters, SHADOW OF SERENITY was a fresh approach to an otherwise basic premise.

[Chickadee]

Carny Sullivan has more in common with Logan Brisco than she cares to admit. Carny has been raised around carnivals and con men and can spot a hawker a mile away. When Logan Brisco bursts onto the scene in the peaceful little town of Serenity, Texas, Carny smells a rat. She’s determined to expose his underhanded schemes and refuses to be swayed by his charm. She doesn’t want to see the honest, hard-working people she loves scammed out of their money and goes on an all out assault to expose Logan’s plans.

Although Logan won’t readily admit that Carny has him accurately pegged, he loves the challenge she presents and is certain he’ll win the upper hand (as always). Sparks fly and the tension builds as Logan and Carny face off, each determined to prove the other one wrong. I really enjoy the “cat & mouse” feel of this plot as Logan manages to stay a few steps ahead of Carny. The tension between them is electric and held my interest all the way through this book.

Another GREAT story by one of my favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. I have yet to find a book written by her that I haven’t liked! All of her books are amazing and if you haven't had the chance to discover this author yet, you definitely need to get her books on your bookshelf.

[Tima]

Carny grew up traveling with the circus. She learned at an early age to con people out of their money. But she grows tired of the games and running and decides to plant roots in a town named Serenity.
Logan comes to town spinning dreams and charming Serenity's citizens. But Carny can spot a con a mile away and isn't letting him steal from "her" town.

Change is hard. Both Logan and Carny find out that God can help and no matter what the fault He will forgive and make new. It was a new look at how God can take anyone and restore them in His image.

This book was different from anything I've ever read. It was real, refreshing and fun. The story line is unique and real. The characters, despite their faults, make you fall in love with them.
It's been a while since I've read anything by Terri Blackstock. But that is about to change. This book was not what I was expecting and the change was refreshing. Definitely a must read in the world of Christian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.

[Beth]

This book took longer to read than it should have because I had difficulty getting into it. I almost returned it to the library unfinished but decided to stick it out. I was expecting another of Ms. Blackstock's suspense books and it was not; just a basic boy meets girl with a bit of a twist. Logan is a con artist who has come to Serenity with the intention of fleecing the citizens out of their money by promising an amusement park and then skipping town with all the cash. Carny knows a con when she sees one, having grown up in a carnival with con parents, but cannot convince the rest of the folks not to give him money. No real suspense; we know who the 'bad guy' is; the story just tells how he comes to realize the error of his ways and wind up with the girl at the end.

There was a tiny tease at the end for her next book - Downfall - which looks to be in the same suspense category as what I have come to expect and enjoy.

[Kristina]

After reading the If I Run series, I needed more Terri Blackstock. I saw carnivals and chose this one, thinking I was in for another fantastic thriller. Surprisingly, this is a romance but it's still a great read. Logan is a lifetime con-artist looking to swindle the folks of Serenity with promises of a theme park. Carny, whose name comes from her parent's work as carnival con-artists, is on to Logan immediately and sets to uncover the truth and save her small town. What unfolds is a beautiful redemption story about the power of God and the desire to be loved.