Hold for Release

by Heidi Glick

Carlotta Hartman's life is falling apart.
Although Carlotta desperately wants a child, her journalist husband just wishes their marriage would go back to the way things used to be before infertility treatments took over their schedule. While volunteering at an animal shelter to fill the void, Carlotta stumbles upon dead animals and a human body. Days later, Jake confesses to an affair with a co-worker. Hurt and confused, Carlotta moves in with her sister.
And then things go from bad to perilous.
As Jake receives counsel from a pastor, he pledges to woo Carlotta again and piece together their shattered marriage. But as Carlotta rushes out of Jake's arms, she runs straight into danger. Like the articles Jake writes and holds for release, a psychopath, bent on revenge, vows to hang onto Carlotta until the time is right.
In the end, a secret from the past threatens to kill all hopes of a happy future.

317 pages, Library Binding

First published June 1, 2023

About the author

Heidi Glick grew up in California but now calls Ohio home. Heidi taught science and edited science documents before becoming an author. She has a passion for writing romantic suspense from a Christian worldview.

Be sure to follow Heidi on BookBub--https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heidi...

Reviews

[Judith McNees]

Hold for Release has a strong faith ARC that I especially appreciated in this Christian romantic suspense novel. I find that, more and more, the "Christian" part is missing from Christian fiction, and my kudos go out to Glick for actually including a salvation message in this work.

I did find that Carlotta frustrated me, as with many heroines in romantic suspense stories, because she made a lot of decisions that I could see were bad ones. It made it more difficult for me to feel sympathetic toward her throughout most of the novel.

Jake, however, was a sympathetic character. Even though his potential infidelity was the catalyst for their separation, he started to learn from his actions almost immediately. It made it much easier to forgive him for some of his dumb decisions toward the end of the novel.

My favorite part of this book was the emphasis on the importance of adoption, and ultimately, foster care. It is seldom talked about in fiction, but the need is so great. I appreciated that Glick didn't glamorize foster care, but in the short scenes where it was discussed, she was honest, yet hopeful when it comes to the messy parts of foster care adoption.

Those who enjoy romantic suspense with a strong message will enjoy this novel.

[Kelly Anne Liberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another life affirming thrill ride by Heidi Glick. Her latest novel, Hold For Release, tackles tough topics like infertility, adultery and marital strife. With a deft hand she weaves a suspenseful story that
empowers women and injects faith in the deepest darkness. A must read!
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[M S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold for Release starts with a great hook, taking us right into the action with a stack of dead bodies (not all human!). We meet Carlotta and Jake Hartman as their marriage has reached its nadir. Plagued by infertility and drifting apart, Jake has committed adultery and Carlotta wants a divorce. 

Enter divorce lawyer, Geoffrey, who arrives first to the scene when Carlotta is confronted with the previously mentioned pile of dead bodies. He befriends Carlotta, who needs a platonic friend who has her back (and can conveniently handle her divorce). Jakes suspicions are aroused, but is this based more on jealousy and regret?

Using these flawed characters who have turned away from God, Hold for Release explores the theme from Hebrews 12:15. This verse is about halfway through the stirring “cloud of witnesses” chapter where we’re challenged to turn away from sin and persevere. The example of this verse is Jake, who has committed a sin that Carlotta finds unforgivable, creating bitterness within her. Will he persevere and win her back?

The mystery unfolds and tension and suspense increase as misunderstandings between Jake and Carlotta arise. Danger lurks behind every corner, leaving Carlotta anxious and on edge. Jake's frustration at being out of her life causes him to make rash decisions.

Subplots about Carlotta’s family—her sister Rosario and nephew Antonio, who are estranged from her brother-in-law Pablo—create a rich background to keep the story moving. I also like the cleverly sprinkled backstory using similes that reference Carlotta’s heritage.

The suspense ramps up toward the end, with some satisfying twists and a nice happy ever after. 

I recommend this book for readers who like suspense with a vein of redemptive love running through it, as well as a journey to a true relationship with God.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glick has written an entertaining mystery with a strong faith message and many relationship issues. It opens with a potentially dangerous situation for Carlotta. Then the mystery element takes a back seat to relationship issues between her and her husband, Jake. Someone is out to ruin their relationship.

While this is a good mystery, the strength of the novel is the character development and the strong faith message. Carlotta faces the experience of dealing with spousal betrayal. How can trust be built again? She finds the possibility of relationship restoration in the experience of her sister's marriage. Jake is faced with rebuilding trust with Carlotta while someone is trying to ruin his career. Both Carlotta and Jake need to see how their relationship to God will make the difference in the relationship to each other.

This is a good mystery for readers who like an emphasis on the characters and their faith transformation. Part of the villain structure was not hard to spot but the reason for the nefarious acts is revealed only near the end.

I received a complimentary egalley of this novel. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one in a couple days!

Having experienced infertility myself, I could relate to the main character's struggle and her emotions.

The book starts out with a bang, and from there brings about a few suspects. I will say, I had the guilty person figured out, but second-guessed myself with a few twists and turns! And then the other twist that you find out at the end that I never would have guessed....

About 2/3 of the way through the book, I couldn't put it down and had to know what happened. There were a couple things that were repeated in the book and I wondered if it was intentional in one instance, and in the other just wondered if maybe it was forgotten it was already mentioned? Also there were a few spots where it jumped rather quickly from one thing to another without much development.

Great gospel message explanation as the characters struggle with what is going on in their lives and realize that Jesus changes people. After the details of the mystery are wrapped up, the ending is really sweet. I smiled reading it!

[Barbara M. Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heidi Glick adds loads of suspense to her romantic suspense story. Kudos to Glick for shining a light on the stressors of life and how they affect a marriage. Carlotta and Jake are struggling through infertility and trying to handle the issues in their marriage by themselves and without God.

When animals start dying and young women go missing, the craziness in their town spills over onto Jake and Carlotta's marriage. Jake, a reporter, is trying to make sense of the crimes when there isn't any pattern. Carlotta is trying to forget decisions she has made in her marriage and doesn't realize that danger may be close at hand.

Glick will keep you guessing until the end.

I liked how the author shows Jake and Carlotta finding a relationship with Jesus and how it helps them get through the madness of all the suspense.

I received an advanced copy of this story, but all opinions are my own. I even purchased a copy to read again.

[Angela D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a thrilling page-turner from start to finish, with a powerful Christian message woven throughout. Glick has crafted a masterful plot full of suspense and action, while also incorporating themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption.

What I loved most about this book was how it seamlessly blended its Christian message with its gripping plot. The characters in this book are well-developed and complex, facing moral dilemmas that challenge their faith and ultimately lead them towards a deeper understanding of God's grace.

Overall, I recommend "Hold for Release" to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller with a strong Christian theme. Glick's writing is top-notch and the story will keep you hooked until the very end, while also leaving you with a deeper appreciation for the power of faith in our lives. Don't miss out on this inspiring and thrilling read!

[Karen Malley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold for Release jumps right into action and never stops. Heidi Glick doesn’t shy away from writing about difficult topics. Carlotta and Jake Hartman deal with infertility, infidelity, and are moving toward divorce. Through it all, the story kept me guessing who was behind all the sinister acts which kept happening in Carlotta and Jake’s circle. I thought I had the mystery figured out, but the twists and turns along the way told me I was wrong more than once. God’s love and forgiveness weave throughout the story, and the secondary characters provide depth. Fans of Christian suspense will want to check this one out.

[Clare Revell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlotta and Jake’s marriage has been rocky for a while before one last thing tips it over the edge. But with a killer on the loose and other things that don’t add up you know you’re in for a thrilling read.
Once again Ms Glick doesn’t disappoint. She mixes real life issues such as adultery, infertility and jealousy with faith seemlessly.
I received an ARC. This is an honest review

[Karen Bourland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book.

[Louise Wardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

spiritual plus suspense

Thanks to Goodreads ! Had the opportunity to read this book.
A who done it along with a spiritual teaching.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[Kristy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

GoodRead giveaway win.. good book