Broken Trust

by Sharon Dunn

"I need you to trust me."
Impossible! Sheriff Christine Norris still remembers the heartache from the last time she gave Special Agent Wyatt Green her trust. And she certainly doesn't believe him now, when he claims some of her residents are involved in a dangerous militia. But Christine can't ignore the fact that someone who may be tied to the militia has kidnapped an innocent boy. And when she's almost killed in a fiery explosion, Christine realizes Wyatt may be the only person she can trust to protect her. Even if she's still not sure she can trust him again with her heart....

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Romance, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Christian

ebook

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

After almost 27 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She has three grown children and a busy cat named Sparky.

Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.

Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/

Reviews

[Daphne Self · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christine, the sheriff and former FBI agent, + Wyatt, the ex-boyfriend and FBI agent = a good suspenseful romance.

Though at times, you think this story is predictable, a nice tidbit of information throws you off the trail...again. The characters are well developed and the conflict has just the right touch of tension needed.

Broken Trust makes for a good, cozy afternoon tea-time reading. An enjoyable book and one I would recommend to any romance reader.

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

BROKEN TRUST by Sharon Dunn is the page turning story of Sheriff Christine Norris as she tries to balance being a single parent, doing the job she loves, saving her ranch and coming face to face with someone from her past.

Christine feels she’s doing a fair job of holding it all together after the death of her husband in a tragic accident on the ranch. It hasn’t been easy, but the joy of her life, her young 5 year old daughter, makes it worth all the work. She’s determined to keep the ranch that is her home. Now its home for the three of them – Christine, Eva and her mother-in-law. Badly in need of repairs, it is still home. Being the sheriff in the town where she’s been accepted and respected, is something she loves doing and takes very seriously.

Special Agent Wyatt Green knows he’s the best man for the job to find a five year old little boy in a custody dispute. Although finding the boy is in earnest, they are hoping to find information on a militia training camp in the area that his father, Emmett Lansky, is known to associate with. Wyatt’s job is to find the boy without causing the area the same kind of trauma and heartache that an incident ten years ago did when a child ended up being killed. He’s hoping Christine, with her agency background and her present job, will work with him to move matters along smoothly and with no complications. Will she be willing to work with him with their working and personal past?

Will Christine concede to work with the agency again – as an outsider? How can she prevent history from repeating itself – both professionally and personally? Why does Wyatt still have an effect on Christine after all these years? Are the feeling mutual? She belongs in this town and she will do anything to prevent it or anyone in it from being hurt in a take-down operation! Is the fire at her ranch connected to the militant group? Is her family in harm’s way? Will their search for an innocent little boy end up with danger finding them? Can Christine trust that Wyatt has changed? Can she depend on him to keep her family safe?

BROKEN TRUST is an amazing, inspirational suspense story that will keep you turning pages as you fall in love with Christine’s strength and love of family and community, Wyatt’s undying love, fighting for justice and willingness to put his life on the line to do so, and Eva’s sweet young innocence with complete faith in Wyatt, a complete stranger to her. It’s the fabulous story of truth and justice winning out and true love never dying. Sharon Dunn writes with a thread of faith throughout this story that is both true and enduring - to have faith and never give up, but rather to hand it over to a higher power.

If you love a sweet romance wrapped inside a suspense story that has you wanting to read the whole story in one sitting and when finished leaves you more than satisfied with the ending as well as knowing you have to find out what other books this author’s written, then BROKEN TRUST is the book that I highly recommend to you. I loved it and give it five stars!

[Amy S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought a female sheriff would be a strong lead for the story but she pretty much crumbles when she has a rough week.
The male main character is a cookie cutter good guy.
Abrupt beginning and ending.
I missed the piece where the villains explained their motivations, revenge maybe?
Violence. No sex. Mild language.

[Tara Callahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love reading this novel. Sharon Dunn is a great writer. The only issue I have is the ending. It happened too quickly and the history and chemistry of the two characters were a mystery.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Liked the long lost love being reunited. Good bit of action too.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense. Inspirational romance.

[Kim]

This was a very good book.

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI Special Agent Wyatt Green has been sent on an assignment to the small town of Roosevelt – just him & his partner, Samuel Cranson with reinforcements available at their request. They need to keep this quiet. 10 years ago a situation involving the FBI had sad consequences that had left a bitter taste in the townspeople’s mouths & distrust for the Bureau. Wyatt & Cranson need to go in, & quietly see what they could find out. Wyatt knows exactly who he needs to approach. Dropping in the area by helicopter, he makes his way to the sheriff’s home.

Sheriff Christine Norris is not at all happy to see Special Agent Wyatt Green. They dated 10 years ago when they were both with the FBI, but Christine broke it off when she realised Wyatt wasn’t interested in her any further. Then God had let her to her late husband Dustin. She left the FBI & settled down to ranch & family life in Roosevelt. Seeing Wyatt again brings up unwanted memories. Memories she wants left behind.

Wyatt needs her help. He needs her to trust him, to help him figure out who in the community could be involved in a dangerous militia group – a group who have possible links with the kidnapping of a young boy. At the same time he hopes to prove to Christine, he’s not the same man he was – that she can trust him to love her & her young daughter, Eva.

Christine is horrified at what he’s telling her, & cross that he believes that someone in the neighbourhood would be mixed up in all of this. But when a car bomb goes off nearly killing Christine, she realises something is going on, & will do everything she can to help Wyatt out – while also doing everything she can to keep her heart intact.

A car bombing, arson, shootings, kidnappings, murder, hostages held...& a rekindled love – another winning romantic suspense & faith filled story from Sharon Dunn.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: BROKEN TRUST
Author: Sharon Dunn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
March 2012
ISBN: 978-0-373-44482-3
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Christine Norris used to love Wyatt Green. But when he failed to make a commitment, she married a Montana rancher, Dustin. Now Dustin is gone, leaving Christine struggling to support a five year old and a ranch. She becomes acting Sheriff of her small town, one that could pass for Mayberry.

Special Agent Wyatt Green has been sent to Montana to find information on an anti-government ring, but undercover of finding a small boy, kidnapped from his mother. Christine insists there is no sign of either the boy or the anti-government ring in her town, yet all the evidence insists there is…

As Wyatt continues to investigate and as Christine gets sidetracked by a car bomb, a missing teenager, and a fire, it soon become apparent that something is going on and someone is prepared to do anything to keep their secrets. Who in her town isn’t who he or she seems, and what exactly is going on?

BROKEN TRUST is the latest suspense by award winning author, Sharon Dunn. Both Wyatt and Christine have BROKEN TRUST between them, and the trust is rapidly being broken between Christine and her town. Christine is a realistic heroine, hurting from past actions and struggling to keep the walls up that are meant to keep herself from being hurt again. Wyatt wants to renew the relationship, but recognizes the hurt and is struggling to remain indifferent and just do his job.

I thoroughly enjoyed BROKEN TRUST and figured out some of whom were involved early on in the book. Some were obvious. Others seemed obvious and weren’t involved. If you are looking for a good romantic suspense, then BROKEN TRUST would be a good choice. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 217 pages.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Trust by Sharon Dunn is a romantic suspense novel set in Montana. Special agent Wyatt Greene works for the FBI. Christine Norris, now Sheriff Norris, used to work with Wyatt at the FBI but left the Agency to settle down with her husband Dustin on a farm in Montana.

When Wyatt is assigned to a kidnapping case involving an extremist group, he must work with Christine to uncover possible leads in the kidnapping case. Because of their past history, Christine and Wyatt are cautious around one another, and Christine chooses not to reveal Dustin's recent death.

As they work together, Wyatt must prove to Christine that he's not the same man she worked with years prior, help Christine solve the case and find a kidnapped boy, and protect Christine and others who are targeted by the extremist group.
I liked that the tension was ongoing. There was never a dull moment in this book. I didn't feel the need to skim flowery descriptions because they weren't there. The story kept moving at a fast pace. The story was believable, and I could easily picture the setting. Also, I enjoyed the characters.

I wish the story would have resolved Dustin's death more. Still, the author leaves readers with a pretty good idea of the outcome. Also, I enjoyed the book so much that I wish it could have been longer. All, in all, it was nice, quick read.
This book should appeal to women as well as men who enjoy romantic suspense.


*Please note that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost rated this 2 stars, but the story is exciting. It is the editing, once again, that was off. A good editor would have caught the fact that both the eyes of the male protagonist and the eyes of cows in a corral were described as "onyx." Maybe so, but not a good comparison. A good editor would have caught that twice the woman's legs were as "noodles," and suggested a different simile for one or the other occurrence. A good editor would have seen that, if a road the hero's truck was on was so muddy and narrow the couple had to stop the truck and get out and walk, the hero probably would not be able to back the truck down the road while crunched down to keep from getting shot - a positon which would not have allowed him to use the rear view mirror. I am sure Ms. Dunn knew exactly what she was trying to say, and she wrote a good story - she should fire her editor.

[Kasandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Trust by Sharon Dunn captivated my interest from the first page, actually from the first glance at the cover. I love the rugged mountains of the west and knowing this book was set in Montana stimulated my interest in reading Broken Trust before I ever received my copy.

It was the book's story, though, that kept my interest from beginning to end. The characters came to life on the pages and made me reluctant to put the book down. The struggles of Sheriff Christine Norris and Special Agent Wyatt Green to locate militia member Emmett Lansky and his young son Tyler held me on the edge of my seat as I read page after page.

I received my copy of Broken Trust free in order to review but this is one book I would have eagerly paid for.

[Ginger Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading Sharon Dunn's work. It was good. Given the opportunity, I would read a story written by her again.

Broken Trust resonated with just the right about of romance and suspense to keep me wondering if the guy and the girl would make it out alive and be able to overcome the obstacles to their feelings, both external and internal.

Once broken, trust is hard to reestablish, but with God all things are possible. Can Christine and Wyatt trust Him long enough to believe in each other again? Read and find out.

***I received this book free for review. The above is my honest opinion.

[Angela Breidenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Trust by Sharon Dunn is an action packed romantic suspense that drives the theme of trust not only in the plot but in the character's stories too. We see people who fight through situations we think might break anyone and yet the hero, Wyatt, does what has to be done in spite of his own pain and frustration. Christine teaches us that though she has really good reasons to hold grudges, with God's help she learns how to release them and learns to love again. Are there second chances? Sharon Dunn entertains as she draws us to believe second chances are possible.

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Christine Norris still remembers the last time she trusted Special Agent Wyatt Green. She doesn't want to get trapped in the same scene with her town. She's having a hard time believing that any of her friends and neighbors is part of a militia or would be involved in kidnapping an innocent boy. After a bomb, shots fired at her and a hostage situation involving her daughter, she is taking Agent Wyatt's warning more serious. But what will happen to the relationship between them. Can she believe he loves her and is willing to put her first?

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big job for a small town Sherrif. But does she know it is also dangerous? Its not until
an old flame asks her for her trust... she can't trust him with her heart, but can she trust
him to protect her? Is it move to even up the score? She feels she knows everyone in
her little town. How is it then, that she is being singled out, and creeped out, and by who?
This book will keep you on your toes. I gave it a 4 star.

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Wyatt and Christine's reunion, especially the fact that they take the time to learn how each other has changed. The storyline could have used more foreshadowing for who the actual culprits were (I felt more "huh?" than "OH!"). The book overall was not helped by the fact that there may have been too many characters, especially since I found myself getting the names of the various city members mixed up.

[Pegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about redeeming relationships tucked into an action packed agenda. At times it stretched credibility - but the characters are so engaging that I could overlook those. A female sheriff and a handsome Federal Agent reopen an old romance while working to uncover a subversive group tucked into the rugged wilds of Montana. Worth the read.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I enjoyed this one.

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and intense

[Jennifer Lassiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. A really fun read. I was hooked!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Love Inspired Suspense with lots of twists and turns that you were not expecting. I love that in a book and it keeps you reading!

[Chewie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books in the Christian/Suspense genre ever. These two law enforcement agents look for a leader of an anti-government militia group.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning, great middle, great ending, loads of action, great read!!