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Mount Faith #1

Saving Face

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Murder, Mystery, Romance at a Christian university.

When the sitting president of Mount Faith University, Edward Carlisle died mysteriously the race was on to find his replacement.

Taj Jackson was in the running for the presidency against a formidable opponent, the terrifyingly powerful Ryan Bancroft, a man to whom he has more than a passing resemblance...

Meanwhile, Natasha Rowe and her partner, Harry Campbell, were asked to go under cover to investigate the president's death. In the process of investigating, Natasha finds herself attracted to Taj Jackson, though he was on their list of suspects.

She also realizes that all is not what it appears to be at the school. There are secrets and lies; especially in the dead president's past and the line of suspects for his murder grows longer the more they dig.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2013

118 people are currently reading
209 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Barrett

110 books235 followers
Brenda Barrett is an award-winning and bestselling author who has a passion for writing real Jamaican romances.

When she's not weaving words that transport readers to exotic locales, you can find her nurturing her green thumb in the garden or doting on her beloved cats.

With an infectious zest for life, this author brings a unique perspective to her writing that is both relatable and thought-provoking.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in the pages of her latest work, as she seamlessly blends romance with some drama, mystery, suspense, or even sci-fi, leaving readers wanting more.
https://www.brenalbar.com/newsletter

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5 stars
191 (52%)
4 stars
99 (27%)
3 stars
54 (14%)
2 stars
11 (3%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews130 followers
Want to read
May 13, 2021
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/13/2021)! 🎁
332 reviews2 followers
August 3, 2020
Okay

I liked that this was a continuation of Taj's story and learning who his biological parents are. There was an interesting variation on several characters' possible reasons for killing Edward Carlisle but the process was too slow and made some aspects boring. Though the book does keep you wondering till the end who the killer is. Its good that Taj and Natasha will now have time to really explore their attraction (love) for each other. Taj will get to enjoy a relationship with his new found family. The ending was a shocker that the killer was Harry and Natasha's boss. Though Edward Carlisle was NOT a clean, faithful christian, justice still should be served on Greyson.
Profile Image for Ruth Whyte.
377 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2019
Saving Face

Was good good read. Its about Christian family children who have sex get pregnant was sent away to have an abortion, which didn't happen. Eventually baby was born but was adopted grown became a doctor. Get invitation to applied for president of this University after the death of Mr Brancroft. After being investigated by Natasha who became his girl friend. He found that his secretary is his mom and the man he is running against for president is his father.love it.. Good read Brenda Barrett
1,242 reviews9 followers
January 4, 2022
Excellent read

Excellent read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. This is a murder investigation with multiple suspects. Natasha and Harry are sent to investigate the case at a prestigious Christian university. Taj embarks on a new chapter in his life. In the process, he meets a love interest and his biological parents and discovers he has siblings. This was a great mystery of murder and secrets.
Profile Image for Mary Calton Gerard.
1,211 reviews6 followers
June 22, 2023
Ambivalent

Compelling storyline, the suspense incorporated into the story. The characters going back and forth until the ending. The killer was a surprise. I enjoyed "Natasha and Taj" attraction and learning about the birth parents of "Taj". The secrets of the dead president was...
Profile Image for Child960801.
2,799 reviews
February 6, 2017
I picked this book up randomly, without knowing anything about it. It's set in Jamaica and is the story of an murder investigation by two undercover cops on a Christian University campus. I wasn't sure at first, but the story gripped me. I would probably read another in this series.
2 reviews
March 28, 2018
It was a good book! I liked the ending. God is not sleeping, He knows each and everyone in their heart.

It was very entertaining. I could not put it down for very long!
I liked the book because it kept me interested and entertained.
Profile Image for Tracee.
222 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2018
it was along drawn out story of a murder that was never solved ... not the best by this writer. I did like the story with Taj learning his identity and him and Natasha .... readable but not the best
28 reviews
September 20, 2023
Loved it!

One of the best of Brenda Barrett! Great plot and great characters. The ending was a surprise as with all good mysteries. The ending was a bit abrupt but I know that there will be more in a future book.
Profile Image for rachel gilchrist.
2 reviews
June 11, 2025
Didn't guess the ending

Not exactly a literary masterpiece but a pleasant read that kept you guessing until the end. Also not much to encourage people to like or trust Christians from the way they are portrayed in this book.
Profile Image for Janice Magnusson.
35 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2017
A great page turner

This book has all the suspense anyone could want and have a love interest without a of space wasted with unnecessary and graphic sex.
69 reviews
May 5, 2020
Building a future

Taj found his parents were and that he had siblings. He meet some one who is becoming part of his life. He can see a future with April as a true good friend.
Profile Image for Mestaw7.
158 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2020
This book has it all, murder, mystery and romance at a Christian college. This is part one of a on-going series. You will love it as it features a prominent family. Love this book and so will you.
11 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2023
Saving face

A truly awesome mystery novel and love story. It truly kept my interest from the very beginning until the end.
Profile Image for Annette.
65 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2014
Saving Face is the first in a series of books by Brenda Barnnett. These take place on a christian college campus community. We met detectives Natasha and Harry of the local police department as well as many of the faculty and staff of the university. Saving Face is about the murder of the college preesident and the battle for who will take his place. Barrett brings in mystery, family drama, romance, and intrigue as she tells the story.
The plot of the book is good, the pace a bit slow with a tendancy to drag in places. It is a good mystery but we seem to come up with more suspects and less answers. After awhile this loses reader's attention. Barrett writing is clear and easy to follow. Her characters are developed fairly well, about what one would expect for the introduction book of a series. Barrett does a splendid job in handling romance in her writing, avoiding the fairytale or the lusty types we often see. Instead we are given a few different types some healthy, some not. Tal and Natasha's relationship was believeable and romantic.
I enjoyed reading and hope to read more of Barrett's books. if you enjoy mystery without gore and a bit of romance thrown in this book is for you.
Profile Image for Diane Rembert.
1,256 reviews42 followers
July 18, 2025
Taj Jackson has been offered an opportunity to return to the beautiful island of Jamaica, and step into the role of President at Mount Faith University. He just had to beat out the competition, which includes the very intimidating Ryan Bancroft. But, why does everyone keep mentioning the strong resemblance?

Natasha Rowe and Harry Campbell are private detectives who enroll in Mount Faith, in order to find the killer of the previous president. The one thing Natasha didn't exist, was to fall in love.

This is the first book of The Bancrofts series, but technically it's the second book (because of the prequel). It will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end, because it seems as if all leads come up empty. And the secrets…OMG!! Character development, the flow of the story, and the plot twists were spot on!

I not only recommend this book, but this series as well. Brenda Barrett is a quiet force in the literary industry.
Profile Image for Holly.
708 reviews22 followers
July 4, 2014
This was a cute story with some surprises... I enjoyed the main characters and how the story developed. Natasha and Taj were a lot of fun watching their relationship develop.

I did have problems with the story. One was some of the storyline between Taj and Natasha. In one place it was referenced what a strict Christian school Mount Faith was, if that was the case a faculty member would be fired for dating a student.

Also, although a good story and wholesome none of the characters really ended the story any better than they were at the beginning of the story. I like to see that in a story.

I would read more stories by this author.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
21 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2014
First time I read a book by this author. This was a murder mystery on a Christian college campus with a little romance thrown in and family drama. I enjoyed the story line and the characters Natasha and Harry the detectives and the good looking Dr. Taj Jackson. The list of suspects is long including the President in waiting Ryan Bancroft and surprise was who the killer was. I plan to read the next book in this series. I am interested to see how the family drama turns out. It was an easy read.
Profile Image for F Wilkie-Blake.
1 review
March 1, 2014
Didn't expect that ending.

I love Brenda Barrett, I love all your books that I have so far. I didn't expect this ending because I never thought the boss would kill his own uncle! I can't wait to see where the love interest of Taj and Natasha goes...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for DeeReads.
2,284 reviews
March 13, 2014
This is my first time reading this author and how pleased I was with here writing style and candor. If you want suspense,strong, mysterious and round characters with an ending you would never expect, then you would love Saving Face.
Profile Image for LadyS  .
571 reviews
August 5, 2014
I desperately tried to have an open mind when reading this book once I realized the setting. Unfortunately it was too typical and predictable. How this book got more than one star is a mystery. Obviously I have no good comments about it so ill say nothing further.
Profile Image for Ellowyn.
554 reviews62 followers
August 8, 2016
This was a really great read. Just when you think you know who murdered Edward Carlisle there is another twist. If you love mystery this is the book for you. Its a quick read and the author did a great job with the plot and the characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
1 review
December 29, 2013
Pleasant

It was an easy Saturday read that was pleasantly cute. Something to read to take your mind off things and relax.

2 reviews
January 1, 2014
Great read

I loved the mysterious part about the book and the romance. I'm on the next book now I will be reading all the series.
Profile Image for Cynthia Jarrett.
41 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2014
The author really gave the secrets away in this book really early. I just wish that she had concealed it a bit longer but it was a fairly good book.
Profile Image for Alia Garcia.
68 reviews
January 15, 2014
plot and story overall was good, the writing and the personality of the characters lacked.
3 reviews
Read
November 21, 2020
Suspenseful

A real page Turner. The author kept you in suspense until the last few pages of the book. A good read.
50 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2014
Great book

This was a great read. I can't wait to start the next book series. it keeps you on your toes and expecting more.
Profile Image for Patricia Riggins.
18 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2014
Kept you in suspense! Made me feel like a detective, wondering who done it!
Profile Image for Shannan Harper.
2,449 reviews28 followers
November 1, 2014
The beginning of the series regarding the Baincroff family and their time at the fictional Mount Faith christian College. You will not be dissapointed in my opinion
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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