Shadowed Doubt

Bay Town #3

by Kathleen J. Robison

Is street smart enough to save a life and protect a family?

Finally recovering after the abduction of her mother by a human trafficking ring and the mysterious death of her father years ago, Lacey Thompson wants to live again. But things aren’t panning out. Exclusion from Fashion Design School leaves Lacey nursing rejection when a young stranger shows up in Bay Town. He’s brash but beautiful, and Lacey senses she shouldn’t get involved, but she can’t help it.

Wade Bodine Gardner is heir to Gardner Hotel Enterprises. As a long-lost family member discovered on the streets of New Orleans, Wade is living a second chance. Life is good, especially when he meets Lacey Thompson. But his past comes back to haunt him. The man who raised him is released from jail…the man who killed his mother. Beau Bodine wants a piece of the action and will stop at nothing to get Wade’s inheritance. Stalking Lacey is his first plan of action. How far will Beau go?

Instead of fighting their battles together, Lacey and Wade battle each other. Will Lacey draw on what got her through before? Can Wade learn to trust God and Lacey? It’s a race against time to save those whom he loves.

Genres: Suspense, Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

About the author

Finding light in the darkest places.
www.kathleenjrobison.com
Kathleen is an award-winning author who
writes romantic suspense with a twist of faith, where life’s trials are believably depicted. Shattered lives, restored by grace and saved by grace. She is an Inspirational Christian Fiction author with six books published in the Romantic Suspense Bay Town Series set in a small coastal town in Mississippi. Revived Hope, The Prequel, Shattered Guilt, Book #1, Restored Grace, NEST Award winner, Book #2, Shadowed Doubt, Book #3, Ransomed Peace, Book #4, and Shaded Goodness, Book #5. Rich characters and fast-paced plots keep pages turning.

She also writes sweet holiday romance. Let Them Eat Fruitcake is light-hearted, Bay Town Book celebrating Christmas. Uniting the characters for the holidays.

The Award-winning Book, Keeping Christmas Vol 1, contains her intriguing Novella, The Cross at Morioka Castle, transporting you to modern-day Japan where the past hides secrets.

Mistletoe Village is a heart-wrenching Christmas Romance set in the Pacific Northwest where secrets stay hidden, but newcomers to the town of Grace change lives.

Adding Historical Fiction to her repertoire, The Missing Songbird, is a 1940s mystery set in Wales.

Kathleen was born in Okinawa, and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels and her family are the sources of her inspiration. She and her retired Pastor husband have eight adult children, and seven are married, blessing them with twenty-one grandchildren and counting. The diversity of the family provides more lovely and lively characters than can be imagined. Sharing God’s amazing love amid trials, tragedies, and blessings through her books are her true inspiration and hope for all.
You can connect with Kathleen on her website:
www.kathleenjrobison.com or Facebook.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowed Doubt by Kathleen J. Robison is a story about faith and trusting even when it feels like there is no hope.
Lacey wants to go to Design school but keeps getting rejected, but she finds out God knows what is best. This is a clean romance. This is the third book in the series, but I believe a reader would enjoy even if they haven't read the other two books. I recommend reading all the books to get the full content.
A handsome stranger also comes to find out that God can and does forgive past sins. There is a little violence but it is not a lot of graphic details like in other novels.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey is feeling lost when her dream to attend Design School is shattered . Have you ever experienced a disappointment in your life? How did you handle it? Lacey is struggling to keep her faith grounded as her rejection letter seems overwhelming. I do think she is being hard on herself and bitterness does start to rise to the surface.

I really liked Wade because he is a flawed character who is trying so hard to change his life. His back history is very intriguing and helps readers understand why he feels inadequate at times. Someone from his past has come to cause him misery and Wade isn’t quite sure how to handle it. I love that his great grandfather has taken him in to give him a second chance. I love second chance stories and this one is especially emotional.

Lacey and Wade start out on shaky grounds but soon form a somewhat relationship. From the beginning you can tell that Lacey is not quite trusting and she starts to turn on Wade when things don’t go her way. I can understand how we all have done that as well. The ones close to us are the ones we turn our anger on.

I enjoyed the intrigue in the story which gives our characters a chance to turn to God in their darkest moments. Fighting with each other, Lacey and Wade start to pull away from each other. They both find themselves lost and alone. Lacey can be stubborn at times and doesn’t give Wade a chance to explain his situation.

I love the faith element in the story which shows how the enemy can twist the truth and cause you to walk away from God. She gets some very wise advice from Desmond as she starts to turn her back away from God. “You don’t want to go there.You have your whole life ahead of you, don’t make the mistake of walking away from the Lord for something like this.” She not not only feels rejected by the Design School, but also by a famous designer who has stolen her design. The anger builds up to a point where she starts to think she is a loser.

The story delivers a great message about forgiveness, second chances and mercy. Lacey has a chance to be an example to Wade so he can see that God has not left him. The author allows Lacey to decide to let go of something she knows was not fair in order to grow in her faith. I think it would be hard for me to let go of something that caused my reputation to be questioned. We need to remember that God is in control. What the enemy meant for bad, God can turn into good. Here is where Lacey will see how her faith will sustain her.

Thanks to the author for an emotional, heart pounding story where revenge, forgiveness, bitterness and trust are highlighted in this story. “Remember God never left us during our last trial. He won’t now. He’s always here.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowed Doubt by Kathleen J. Robison is a work of Christian Romantic Suspense. It continues the stories of Lacey, her mother, and those around them. To overcome painful pasts, Lacey and Wade Bodine Gardner must learn to lean on God to overcome Wade’s family member, who wants to steal his future.

While you could read this book independently, I recommend reading the series in order. Doing so will allow you to appreciate better and understand the characters and their struggles. The author does an excellent job building the characters and their thoughts through the pages of this series.

So if you enjoy works of Christian Romantic Suspense, check out Shadowed Doubt by Kathleen J. Robison for yourself and the rest of the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of Kathleen Robison's books and have enjoyed them. Shadowed Doubt by Kathleen J Robison is Book 3 in the Bay Town series. I have read a couple of books in this series and I have been anxiously awaiting this book.

Lacey Thompson is ready to live life to the fullest again. She has been through a lot in recent years, including her mother being kidnapped in a Human Trafficking ring and her father dying under mysterious circumstances. She is devasted when she doesn't get into Fashion Design School. Lacey questions life even more when a stranger comes to Bay Town. Wade Bodine Gardner has been given a Second Chance at life and he feels life is going good. He meets Lacey and is excited to be in Bay Town. Wade gets worried when he discovers that the man who spent many years in jail for murdering his mother, has been released from jail. Beau Bodine is determined to take control of Wade's inheritance from his mother, which his mother was part of the family of the Gardner Hotel Enterprises. Lacey and Wade need to work together to battle against Beau and make sure Wade's inheritance is secure, although they seem to be in battle against each other. Can Lacey and Wade find peace between the 2 and win the battle against Beau? Will Wade learn to Trust Lacey and more importantly God?

WOW, this book was captivating from the very beginning. The author does touch on some sensitive topics including Human Trafficking and Murder The author is very eloquent in how the topics are addressed. Lacey is probably my favorite Character in this book. She has regained her spunk for life after many devasting events in life. She is interested in the newcomer to town and then realizes he has a past. Wade is enjoying life and just wants to continue with his Second Chance at life. He has come to enjoy spending time with Lacey and then chaos ensues when Beau comes to stalk and haunt him and Lacey. This book is about LOVE, Faith, Mystery, and Second Chances. I really LOVE that the Faith message is strong in this book. I HIGHLY recommend to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction with Romance and Mystery! WONDERFUL BOOK!

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written story of the power of prayer, redemption and second chances. Lacey Thompson is still recovering from almost losing her mother after she was abducted, and losing her father and grandparents all within a short period of time. Things are looking up for their family as her mother is about to marry a good man. Lacey's dream is to attend Design School, but she keeps getting rejection letters. Her heart is broken, but she puts on a good face for her mother. On the day of the wedding when Lacey goes for her morning run, she literally runs into Wade Bodine Gardner. They exchange apologies and laugh a little, neither really knowing the other one and how their pasts will intersect and compete for what the future holds for both of them.

Wade has been given a second chance at life when he was saved from living on the streets. Apparently he is the great-grandson of the Gardner family and is now heir to the Gardner Hotel Enterprises. The new life is about to be put to the test when the man who raised him is released from prison. He wants a piece of the pie and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

This book had just the right amount of intrigue, a little touch of romance and a lot of learning to lean on your faith and believing in the power of prayer, as well as second chances. The character of Wade really wanted to be a better man, but it seemed his past just kept coming back to haunt him every where he turned. Lacey was a fine young lady with a heart of gold who had a real talent for design, but did not have the personality for the highly competitive world of high fashion. The characters were very likable and three dimensional. There was a shroud of mystery about the past until all was revealed later. If you enjoy a good, clean read with characters who never give up, you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowed Doubt took me back to a friend I made in the first book of this series. It felt like forever since I read it but no time at all. Lacey was just a teen girl in the previous book. This is actually book three in the Bay Town series however, when I read them it was a prequel and then book one. I think they’ve reorganized the numbering.

If you’ve never read anything by this author before be prepared. She takes hard topics and writes about them. She doesn’t shy away from them at all. In fact, somehow she brings the nitty gritty bits to life and takes you into the depths of it without making you feel dirty. I think it’s so important that these hard topics be talked about. And I truly enjoy all of the books by Kathleen J Robison that I have read.

Lacey meets someone. He’s also had a troubled past. But now his life has turned around and he is doing well. That is until he’s not. How can he work through his past when his past shows up in his present day? When the man who raised him (a very not nice man) shows back up and starts to go after Lacey to get what he wants things start moving along very quickly.

You’re going to love this hard but wonderful read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wade Bodine Gardner, the heir of Gardner Hotel Enterprises, and apparel designer Lacey Thompson are both eager to follow their passions and look to the future. The issue of sacrifice causes them difficulty. Would it be worthwhile to give up their desires for God to use them? How can Lacy allow God to direct her in selecting the best opportunity? Can Wade Bodine Gardner escape the sinister snares of his past? How does he move in the future's light?

Wade and Lacy struggle with believing in God and in other people. The novel does a good job of illustrating the characters' issues with religion and the future. Could humans overcome obstacles while still acting morally? The story of a budding romance that is veiled in mystery and intrigue is intriguing and perplexing. The author's effective incorporation of the religious message is on the verge of being preachy in places.
Despite being book three in the Bay Town series, this one may be read on its own.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowed Doubt is book three in the Bay Town series that is written by Kathleen J. Robison. The books can be read as stand alones, but the series has been so amazing. The author does an amazing job bringing to light dark areas of humanity. (Ie: Human Trafficking). I have enjoyed this series so much.

Lacey Thompson has been through a lot. Her mother was kidnapped by a human trafficking ring. Her father died mysteriously. She wants to attend design school, but has been faced with a slew of rejection letters.

Wade Bodine Gardner is heir to Gardner Hotel Enterprises. Wade meets Lacey, and he realizes that his life is going in a good direction. However his father, Beau is released from prison after killing his mother. Beau wants to get his hands on the inheritance that Wade stands to inherit.

Both of our characters need to rely on the power of prayer. They need to put their trust in God to keep them both safe from harm. There is a perfect balance of romance, action and suspense. Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

[Carol Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey has been through more than her share of pain. She's had her mom kidnapped by a trafficking ring, her dad has passed and it doesn't seem like it's from natural causes. Now the rest of her dreams appear to be shattering as well with the design school rejecting her. Do you think you're reading the plot? Nope, you are just reading foundation of what it means to be Lacey at this moment in time.

Then we have Wade. He's trying to reboot his life as well. He's new to Bay Town, but not disconnected. Then he meets Lacey and more the reason to like where you are, right? But something is wrong. A really evil man, a dude who did in his own mother, is bent on destroying Wade.

Think that's enough conflict for one relationship? Guess again, because even while trying to work through all this, Lacey and Wade have their own conflicts.

Throughout the entire story, themes of forgiveness, God's love, and trusting God for second chances are embedded into the story.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own and a positive review is never required.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is Robison's style, this novel shows God working in people's lives, even if they are reluctant about acknowledging it. The story is a testament to God redeeming one's life despite heritage or previous actions. It also highlights the importance of honesty in keeping relationships secure.

An interesting side issue dealt with corporate espionage in the garment design industry. The competition is fierce and designs are stolen. Lacey learned about the deceptive practice the hard way. She does come to the point of trusting God, however, when it seems so many things are going wrong.

The focus of this novel is believing God for second chances and it contains a very strong Christian faith message. Robison's writing style is easy to read. The plot has a good amount of danger balanced by character thoughts and feelings. It is the third in a series and some of the actions of the characters would be better understood if the previous novels are read first.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, and though this is the third in the series, I had no problem jumping in with the third! This is a book that deals with one character, Wade, coming to grips with his past and learning to put his faith and trust in God, as he also falls in love with Lacey. Wade also learns that neither his past nor his family has to define him. Lacey is a Christian, but still has a bit of a problem accepting that God really does want what's best for her, and trusting Him even when everything she thinks she wants isn't happening. Lacey learns she's got to trust God even (most!!) when it looks as if life is falling apart and she doesn't get what she wants when she wants it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowed Doubt is the third book from Kathleen J Robison's Bay Town series. I was looking forward to getting my hands on this installment after reading the first two from the series. I was far from being disappointed. It was a pleasure visiting this town and getting wrapped up into another suspense filled mystery. I love the theme of faith and forgiveness weaved within the story. I could not put it down from start to finish.

Shadowed Doubt will be getting five stars from me. I believe fans and readers of clean suspense will want to pick this one up, as well as, the previous books from the Bay Town series. I hope to read any upcoming releases written by Kathleen J Robison in the future.

I received a digital copy of Kathleen J Robison's Shadowed Doubt from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book about two young people trying to figure out what the Lord has in store for their lives even when it doesn’t match up with what they had in mind. I liked seeing the different trials that Wade and Lacey went through as they tried to follow their dreams and how things didn’t work when they were relying on themselves. I liked seeing their faith grow and seeing them develop as characters. I liked how the town was there supporting them and trying to help them through the different things they faced. I thought the story was well told and that it can stand on its own since I enjoyed it even having not read the first books in the series.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline is one of doubt, suspense, uncertainty, and love. Melanie and her daughter, Lacey, have a past they are trying to put behind them. Wade is dealing with ghosts of his own and issues with his identity. Wade's life is shrouded in mystery and deception. When his past hits him head-on, things become very complicated.

I enjoyed the author's writing style and well-developed characters with many layers. There was non-stop action with a strong Christian message woven throughout. The character's struggles with their faith were real and kept me glued to the pages. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and willingly choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my introduction to this author. While there obviously was some mention of what had occurred in the earlier books, I had no problem enjoying this one. Lacey is studying to be a fashion designer and is very good at it. While we know there is evil everywhere, it was good to see her rise above what could have been devastating to her dream.

Great-grandfather Reginald Gardner has taken Wade under his wing, helping him to rise above his sad upbringing. Understanding that God cares and wants to help him is not something new, but he is so used to fighting for himself. Amid blackmail, accidents and more will he finally learn to trust?

An early copy of Bay Town Book 3 was received through BookFunnel and CelebrateLit. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I had read the previous books, so following up on the characters was great. However, you get enough background in this book to know what had previously happened and can read this one even if you haven't read the previous ones. Highly recommend the reading. Good story and characters.

I received a complimentary ebook and I am leaving my review on my own accord.

[Richard Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning read in the series.

A rogue from Laceys past is out of prison with revenge and greed. He will test her faith and new love. Book three in this Baytown saga is a gripping tale and great read in the series.