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Moonlighters #2
Distortion
A husband s lies can have deadly consequences. When Juliet Cole s husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband s dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2014
About the author
Terri Blackstock
93 books5,743 followersTerri 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews
March 18, 2014
Generally, I am not an incredible fan of contemporary novels, but with Terri Blackstock, I make a notable exception. I know from the moment I pick up one of her stories that I will read an intensely involving story with strong Christian themes. She is not afraid to talk about drugs, addiction, crime, and even faith doubting. I know I will always read a book that is appropriate (no profanity, bedroom scenes, or a celebration of evil), and I appreciate her take on realism. There are no guaranteed "happily ever afters," and she will not beat you over the head with the salvation message. The message of redemption is woven into the framework of the story in a way that most novelists can only dream. This is one of those books you will not wish to desist in reading, and the ending will take you an emotional roller coaster. My simple review cannot do this book justice, and I believe that both Christians and non-Christians can enjoy this high impact, fast-moving story. Indeed, Terri Blackstock has shown us yet again that you can be a Christian and still write a book that has true validity in today's over-sexed, immodest, anything-goes culture.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
September 15, 2024
One of my favorites by Terri Blackstock. When her husband is shot and killed she thought it was a unknown murder but when time goes on she discovered her husband had a whole different life. He had a son by another woman and was with her as well but the most unbelievable thing was he was laundering drugs for millions of dollars. So now she needs to know why and with the help of her family she is going to find out! This was the first book I read this year and It seem only right to reread this book in December. I loved the troupe of not really knowing who you are married too and what effect this does to a family. In this book he has two other children not know why their father was doing what he was doing? Can she ever figure out what was really going on? If you are looking for rainbows in this book there isn't any. A bad decision can totally effect those we love which is shown in this wonderful book. I recommend this whole series because its different than any other crime book I have read and even at the end of the book Jesus is still the redeemer.
September 9, 2018
I listened to the audiobook version of Distortion and really enjoyed it. While it was easy to guess I didn't find it boring to just read the story and see the characters' journey. I am eager to read the last book in the Moonlighters series.
August 11, 2016
Okay, y'all... I wasn't able to make myself finish this one. :/
Perhaps it was the fact that I had so recently read another book about a woman who's husband was killed and . Or perhaps it was the narrator, who got on my nerves. Or perhaps it was simply the storyline, the writing, the....?
I think it was just a bad combination, to be honest.
Anyway, I've found that I seem to have a lot more patience for an audiobook (don't know exactly why) so I listened for a good long while before finally giving up because I was about bored out of my mind.
So, yeah. I don't think I'll even try the third book in the series. Too bad.
Perhaps it was the fact that I had so recently read another book about a woman who's husband was killed and . Or perhaps it was the narrator, who got on my nerves. Or perhaps it was simply the storyline, the writing, the....?
I think it was just a bad combination, to be honest.
Anyway, I've found that I seem to have a lot more patience for an audiobook (don't know exactly why) so I listened for a good long while before finally giving up because I was about bored out of my mind.
So, yeah. I don't think I'll even try the third book in the series. Too bad.
March 8, 2014
One ordinary day while helping her sister move, Juliet witnesses a man gunned down in a dark parking lot. That man is Bob, her husband of 15 years, and though at first she believes it is a random shooting, she quickly discovers that the attack was no random event but a planned attack on her husband. Juliet soon finds her own life threatened, and she fears for the safety of her children as well. Juliet and her sisters team up with PI Michael Hogan to discover the truth of just who exactly Bob was. Every clue she unearths reveals another layer of deception until Juliet doesn't even know what's real anymore - except that she'll do anything to keep her family safe.
Action-packed and featuring Blackstock's signature suspense, "Distortion" is a thrilling read from beginning to end. Readers who enjoyed the first novel in the Moonlight Series, entitled "Truth Stained Lies", will quickly become reaquainted with the characters they grew to care about in the first book, including the sisters Cathy, Juliet, and Holly. Blackstock does an admirable job at getting into her character's heads and minds, and as such I found myself grieving alongside Juliet and her children as not only do they have to deal with the loss of their husband and father, but they also have to choose to face a web of deceit that unfolds one layer at a time. By the time you put down this book, you may be looking at your own spouse askance and wondering if there are any secrets they are hiding from you! As with Blackstock's other books, I love that she makes no hesitation in celebrating faith with a clear, accessible gospel message, even in the midst of hypocrisy. Deep themes of betrayal are woven into the story alongside of the power of forgiveness, confession, and accepting the consequences of ones actions. As such, not only will "Distortion" provide you with an entertaining read, but you will find yourself taking a look at your own faith and wondering if you would be able to respond to the hard-ache with the strength that these characters do.
I will leave you with one warning - while much is resolved in this second story, you are left hanging wondering if ultimate justice will be visited upon the family. Like me, you will be eagerly waiting for the next installment! 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.
Action-packed and featuring Blackstock's signature suspense, "Distortion" is a thrilling read from beginning to end. Readers who enjoyed the first novel in the Moonlight Series, entitled "Truth Stained Lies", will quickly become reaquainted with the characters they grew to care about in the first book, including the sisters Cathy, Juliet, and Holly. Blackstock does an admirable job at getting into her character's heads and minds, and as such I found myself grieving alongside Juliet and her children as not only do they have to deal with the loss of their husband and father, but they also have to choose to face a web of deceit that unfolds one layer at a time. By the time you put down this book, you may be looking at your own spouse askance and wondering if there are any secrets they are hiding from you! As with Blackstock's other books, I love that she makes no hesitation in celebrating faith with a clear, accessible gospel message, even in the midst of hypocrisy. Deep themes of betrayal are woven into the story alongside of the power of forgiveness, confession, and accepting the consequences of ones actions. As such, not only will "Distortion" provide you with an entertaining read, but you will find yourself taking a look at your own faith and wondering if you would be able to respond to the hard-ache with the strength that these characters do.
I will leave you with one warning - while much is resolved in this second story, you are left hanging wondering if ultimate justice will be visited upon the family. Like me, you will be eagerly waiting for the next installment! 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.
May 26, 2017
First, having seven POVs in a 300 page book made the narration feel crowded to me, and in some places things were repeated from two different POVs. Also, the ending was really rushed. Deadline, maybe? Things happened really fast, and yet explanation was at a minimum. It got all tied up in one tight bow, with just one escapee from justice and one good guy taking the fall for something that shouldn't even be against the law. It felt jarring. Like, somehow, I was supposed to read the author's mind to really get what was going on in the last 100 pages (technically, from a bunch of really short chapters, the length of that space was really about 75 pages.)
Again there are questions about God's providence that are raised but not resolved, and this time around it seemed to really stick out at me that nouns referring to God were not capitalized. That's like referring to the President of one's country as president. Weird editing choice, especially when there were multiple hes in one paragraph and simple capitalization of He would make it easy to distinguish which one is God. Juliet asks, "God, why are You doing this to me? I have been faithful. Why must I be punished?" It is never made clear that we "deserve" nothing from God, or that earth is never meant to be heaven. Instead of being grateful for the blessings they have (each other, safety despite some of their harebrained risks), they instead focus on/complain about what God has not done for them. Really...
Here's to hoping book three clears up the sisters' ungrateful attitude toward God.
Also, Juliet somehow gets a death certificate with two days or so of her husband's death. Wow, the government sure acted fast for her. Death certificates are generally not issued for a couple of weeks at best.
Again there are questions about God's providence that are raised but not resolved, and this time around it seemed to really stick out at me that nouns referring to God were not capitalized. That's like referring to the President of one's country as president. Weird editing choice, especially when there were multiple hes in one paragraph and simple capitalization of He would make it easy to distinguish which one is God. Juliet asks, "God, why are You doing this to me? I have been faithful. Why must I be punished?" It is never made clear that we "deserve" nothing from God, or that earth is never meant to be heaven. Instead of being grateful for the blessings they have (each other, safety despite some of their harebrained risks), they instead focus on/complain about what God has not done for them. Really...
Here's to hoping book three clears up the sisters' ungrateful attitude toward God.
Also, Juliet somehow gets a death certificate with two days or so of her husband's death. Wow, the government sure acted fast for her. Death certificates are generally not issued for a couple of weeks at best.
April 27, 2014
I love the fact that there are Christian authors that can write suspenseful, fast paced fiction, with tough thematic content, and unsavory characters, while still remaining true to their faith. Not only that, but you don't miss the bad language or sexual content at all! In fact, in my opinion, it makes the book so much better! Contrary to what some may think, Terri Blackstock's books never feel slow placed, boring or as if they're missing something. I would put them up against mainstream top writers of this genre. Even if you don't usually prefer Christian fiction because you think it's too sappy, or if you've tried another Christian author and didn't like him/her, you should try Blackstock's work. You won't be disappointed. This novel would be a great place to start!
March 22, 2025
I have yet to read a Terri Blackstock book I don't like! This one was heavy and I had to to short breaks from it at times, but it was very good! This book focuses mostly on Juliette. After a life changing event with her husband, life starts to unfold in a unbelievable way as lie after life after lie begins to come out about her husband. I did really enjoy that Juliettes family, some of the main characters from the first book, were also very present in this book. There was a lot of suspense, some mystery, a tad bit of romance, and a good bit of action. With some great faith based threads worked in there as well. I'll be moving on to the final book in the series at some point!
December 1, 2017
Op naar deel 3, wel benieuwd.
June 4, 2025
Book 2 of the Moonlighter series. This book picks up a couple months after book 1 ends. It starts out with a bang, literally, right in chapter one Juliet witnesses the murder of her husband. As the three sisters and friend, Michael, begin to investigate his death they unravel things about his life that none of them knew or suspected. As they dig deeper and deeper, the lives of her children are threatened by those who don't want her to know the truth. I felt for Juliet as the life she knew came crashing down around her and she tried to pick up the pieces, move forward and also make sure the guilty people where held responsible. I was surprised to find out who was the one that had recruited Juliet's husband into this whole situation. And then for Michael to be punished for trying to do the right thing, so not right, this better be rectified in the next book. The story held my interest the whole way through and moved at a good pace.
March 7, 2026
So good!! I enjoyed the little plot twist at the end!
October 5, 2020
I didn't enjoy this as much as Truth Stained Lies, but it was still really good. The drug-trafficking mystery just wasn't as interesting to me. Also, there was not nearly enough Cathy and Michael content. But I knew Bob was bad news from the first moment he showed up in the first book and that's on period.
March 22, 2014
Distortion by Terri Blackstock is a highly recommended faith based thriller.
After Juliet Cole witnesses the murder of her husband, it becomes clear that after 15 years of marriage she really didn't know him. Bob Cole was a successful doctor but what else and who else was he involved with and how is his secret life going to affect grieving Juliet and her two sons, 12 year old Zach and 9 year old Abe. Juliet turns to her two sisters, Holly and Cathy, as well as her brother Jay, and PI Michael Hogan to investigate what Bob was really doing and why he was murdered.
The plot is action packed and based right on today's headlines. While Blackstock is well known as a successful Christian writer, truth be told, she's simply a good writer. She knows how to execute a plot full of action and intrigue and how to carry that plot on to the end. Her Christian values insure readers that while there might be some harsh, cruel actions taking place (sin happens), there won't be swearing or gratuitous sex scenes. That is refreshing. The characters will struggle but will turn to their faith.
“Lord,” she said through her teeth, “I believe Romans 8:28 is true. But I can’t imagine how all of this is going to work for good, because all I see is tragedy and heartache, and shock after shock. We need some real miracles here.”
Distortion continues the story found in Truth Stained Lies. Sometimes a continued story doesn't put the reader at a disadvantage but that isn't the case here. The two stories really are tied together and it might behoove readers to read the first before this second book. There are also some incredible coincidences/backstory that strained my acceptance. I know bad things happen to good people and often seemingly all at once but consider the following excerpt:
"How strange that three of four of these siblings had lost their loved ones to murder. It was too much of a coincidence, but he couldn’t make the crimes fit together. His own brother Joe, who’d been engaged to Cathy, had been murdered by a drug dealer he’d been investigating. Leonard Miller had been acquitted by his jury, even though there were eyewitnesses. Jay’s wife’s murder had been completely unrelated to Joe’s. And Bob’s seemed unrelated to both of them. A guy driving up in a parking lot and gunning him down. A threat by telephone. Michael’s training as a police detective had honed his instincts, but they weren’t guiding him now. He had to focus on facts. He just didn’t have enough of them. (page 34)
Another fact worth noting is that the story will be continued because it doesn't wrap up at the end. You might want to consider the series aspect of this book and decide if a series is what you are looking to invest your time in or if a stand-alone novel would be a better choice.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Zondervan via Netgalley for review purposes.
After Juliet Cole witnesses the murder of her husband, it becomes clear that after 15 years of marriage she really didn't know him. Bob Cole was a successful doctor but what else and who else was he involved with and how is his secret life going to affect grieving Juliet and her two sons, 12 year old Zach and 9 year old Abe. Juliet turns to her two sisters, Holly and Cathy, as well as her brother Jay, and PI Michael Hogan to investigate what Bob was really doing and why he was murdered.
The plot is action packed and based right on today's headlines. While Blackstock is well known as a successful Christian writer, truth be told, she's simply a good writer. She knows how to execute a plot full of action and intrigue and how to carry that plot on to the end. Her Christian values insure readers that while there might be some harsh, cruel actions taking place (sin happens), there won't be swearing or gratuitous sex scenes. That is refreshing. The characters will struggle but will turn to their faith.
“Lord,” she said through her teeth, “I believe Romans 8:28 is true. But I can’t imagine how all of this is going to work for good, because all I see is tragedy and heartache, and shock after shock. We need some real miracles here.”
Distortion continues the story found in Truth Stained Lies. Sometimes a continued story doesn't put the reader at a disadvantage but that isn't the case here. The two stories really are tied together and it might behoove readers to read the first before this second book. There are also some incredible coincidences/backstory that strained my acceptance. I know bad things happen to good people and often seemingly all at once but consider the following excerpt:
"How strange that three of four of these siblings had lost their loved ones to murder. It was too much of a coincidence, but he couldn’t make the crimes fit together. His own brother Joe, who’d been engaged to Cathy, had been murdered by a drug dealer he’d been investigating. Leonard Miller had been acquitted by his jury, even though there were eyewitnesses. Jay’s wife’s murder had been completely unrelated to Joe’s. And Bob’s seemed unrelated to both of them. A guy driving up in a parking lot and gunning him down. A threat by telephone. Michael’s training as a police detective had honed his instincts, but they weren’t guiding him now. He had to focus on facts. He just didn’t have enough of them. (page 34)
Another fact worth noting is that the story will be continued because it doesn't wrap up at the end. You might want to consider the series aspect of this book and decide if a series is what you are looking to invest your time in or if a stand-alone novel would be a better choice.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Zondervan via Netgalley for review purposes.
February 5, 2020
Ok wowzers!!!!! It was a “hold your breath” ending!!!
So like turns out the some of the FBI is in on the drug trafficking and murder so they end up shooting Michael!!! (My sweet ex cop-think Dylan!) Then they’re supposed to save Juliet but try to stage her murder! Thankfully her sister saves her.
Michael ends up surviving.... thank God!! But worst of all, the bad guy, who has countless murders under his belt (including Michael’s brother) escapes!!! 😳😱
So cliffhanger going into the book three!!
But at least Cathy agreed to marry Michael!! 💕
So like turns out the some of the FBI is in on the drug trafficking and murder so they end up shooting Michael!!! (My sweet ex cop-think Dylan!) Then they’re supposed to save Juliet but try to stage her murder! Thankfully her sister saves her.
Michael ends up surviving.... thank God!! But worst of all, the bad guy, who has countless murders under his belt (including Michael’s brother) escapes!!! 😳😱
So cliffhanger going into the book three!!
But at least Cathy agreed to marry Michael!! 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2017
It was probably more a 2.5 Stars for me this time around. But then the last chapter got me and bumped it to 3.
February 12, 2021
Characters: All the characters (except the nasty bad guys) were relatable. I like that the characters were the same people from the first book. In a lot of suspense series, each new book focuses on two new main characters. Having mostly the same people from the first book was a nice change.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The moral that stood out to me was that sin has consequences. After Juliet's husband is murdered at the beginning of the book, his sins come to light and ruin a lot of people's lives.
Plot: The plot had enough action to keep my attention. I appreciated that this book didn't have the cliched "happy ending." Yes, the ending tied the plot up, but it left room for the third book in the series.
Romance: Clean. This book had very minimal romance. The slight romance between Cathy and Michael continued from the first book, but it wasn't the focus of the story.
Writing: This was a more plot-driven story, and the writing worked well for that.
Overall: I enjoyed reading this book (actually rereading it) and would recommend it to people who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense. It'd also be good for readers looking for books where the main focus isn't romance.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The moral that stood out to me was that sin has consequences. After Juliet's husband is murdered at the beginning of the book, his sins come to light and ruin a lot of people's lives.
Plot: The plot had enough action to keep my attention. I appreciated that this book didn't have the cliched "happy ending." Yes, the ending tied the plot up, but it left room for the third book in the series.
Romance: Clean. This book had very minimal romance. The slight romance between Cathy and Michael continued from the first book, but it wasn't the focus of the story.
Writing: This was a more plot-driven story, and the writing worked well for that.
Overall: I enjoyed reading this book (actually rereading it) and would recommend it to people who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense. It'd also be good for readers looking for books where the main focus isn't romance.
April 29, 2020
4.75 stars
I loved this book! Distortion by Terri Blackstock was easily readable and quick to jump right into, perhaps because I knew the characters from book one, but also the writing style is easily accessible. It’s not perfect and is a tad over-the-top and far-fetched, but not drastically so. I loved the Christian message and the twists and turns. It was a bit predictable, but still intense and exciting and a thoroughly engaging and entertaining story with a positive message.
I loved this book! Distortion by Terri Blackstock was easily readable and quick to jump right into, perhaps because I knew the characters from book one, but also the writing style is easily accessible. It’s not perfect and is a tad over-the-top and far-fetched, but not drastically so. I loved the Christian message and the twists and turns. It was a bit predictable, but still intense and exciting and a thoroughly engaging and entertaining story with a positive message.
September 11, 2025
WOW! I'm so enjoying this fast-paced suspense series! This one is the story of Juliette and her family. Layers of secrets and deceit come to light after Juliette's husband is brutally murdered - what she thinks is a terrible mistake suddenly morphs into so much more! And guess who is involved? Yes the infamous Lenny Miller - he's back and once again embroiled in crime with evil intent. Grab Book 2 and hang on for a wild ride!
September 6, 2017
I seriously love that each book I read of Blackstock's is a fantastic story, consistently great characters. I enjoyed this book as well and now I'm reading her next in the If I series. I love that she never loses focus on the real story she is sharing. I can only hope to one day turn out books like these.
June 25, 2018
Jumped right into Book 2 in this group of books. I don't want to call it a series because I could read one book and feel it had a conclusion. The stories tell more about the characters introduced in the first book, Truth Stained Lies. I downloaded these mp3 files from my local libary.
August 23, 2019
I read this book like 5 years ago. I loved it then. Love it now. I actually listened to the audible version this time and the narrator was great. It was full of drama, mystery, action and some romance. The end had me in tears. As with all of Terri Blackstock books this is a winner.
August 10, 2022
The suspense just doesn’t let up and this time it involves a young widowed mother and her children. But this story isn’t just about the suspense; it is about betrayal, love of family, and trusting in God when a fallen world seems to be winning the war.
April 22, 2017
Great book. Suspenseful. Some people aren't who you think. Hmmmm
July 23, 2019
I am lovin' this author's books! Can't wait to get the third book in this series! Then, it's onto another series!
September 5, 2020
This might be the fastest paced book I’ve ever read! Heart pumping and mysterious! Very excited for the third one!
October 27, 2022
The second in this series still enjoyed reading
May 17, 2026
Just amazing storytelling here!! They just keep coming!! This one is over the top fantastic!! 🩷
May 24, 2026
3.5🌟
Fast-paced from beginning to end.
Fast-paced from beginning to end.
January 31, 2023
Good suspense and love the characters!
January 28, 2024
Book #2 in the Moonlighters Series and it’s a great one.
I enjoy the flawed characters in Blackstock’s books. Real people with real struggles. Relatable. Each of us can find ourselves in one of her characters.
I was excited to find Book #3 of this series at the library, so bye….time for more reading. ❤️
I enjoy the flawed characters in Blackstock’s books. Real people with real struggles. Relatable. Each of us can find ourselves in one of her characters.
I was excited to find Book #3 of this series at the library, so bye….time for more reading. ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews