Grave Consequences

Pennsylvania Parks #3

by Elle E. Kay

Beneath the ancient canopies of Pennsylvania’s Worlds End State Park and Loyalsock State Forest, Malachi James and Cate Garrison are drawn together by a mission to protect wildlife.

Malachi, haunted by a past he thought he'd left behind, is thrust into the heart of a struggle for control within Jade, a cult his mother, Rebecca, seeks to dominate by positioning him as the rightful heir to his father, Ezekiel's, forsaken legacy.

Cate, whose heart beats with an unwavering commitment to the defenseless, steps into the complexities of Malachi’s world, a beacon of hope that pierces the looming darkness of his family history.

Their joint endeavor to rescue three bear cubs from danger transforms into a journey fraught with conflicting loyalties and concealed motives. As they navigate a complex of web of lies, the discord within Jade emerges as a dire threat to their mission and their very survival.

Amid this struggle for justice and autonomy, a romance unfolds, rooted in the shared faith that guide their steps. This budding love, promises a chance for renewal, casting a light into the forest’s darkest corners—and their hearts.

Facing his mother’s cunning and the echoes of his father's crimes, Malachi stands at a crossroads. The Loyalsock's ancient woods become the arena for this deeply personal conflict, mirroring the inner turmoil that both Malachi and Cate must navigate. Through this crucible, Malachi confronts the true meaning of family, learning that it's the bonds forged through choice, struggle, and love that truly define us.

Grave Consequences is a testament to the bonds of found family as the Malachi and Cate confront their pasts and ask God to direct their futures. Their love and convictions are tested against the backdrop of nature's grandeur and familial legacies.

Genres: Christian, Audiobook, Mystery, Romance, Christian Fiction, Suspense

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

Gripping Suspense ♦ Engaging Romance

Elle E. Kay is an Angel Award-winning Christian fiction author known for her gripping suspense and engaging romance. Since her debut in 2016, she has published over twenty-five books. Her expanding catalog features the award-winning Pennsylvania Parks series, the Endless Mountain collection, the high-octane Toxic Truths series, and her recent thriller, Project Sentinel. Her stories seamlessly weave faith, suspense, and romance to offer readers thrilling narratives grounded in Christian values.

Beyond her fiction, Elle is the founder of Glyph Stack, where she develops software to assist fellow authors. A devoted follower of Christ, she is active in her church's ministries. Elle lives on a hobby farm in North Central Pennsylvania with her husband, Joe, where they care for their dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks.

For updates on her latest works and upcoming releases, visit her website.

Reviews

[The Bookworm Girl Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book! If you love a good suspenseful story with romance and Christian faith, this book is perfect for you.

I enjoyed this story so much. I mostly listened to the audiobook, and it was well narrated. I always appreciate Elle's dedication to Christian themes in her books. This book, especially, held beautiful faith themes within its contents. Also, the cult mystery was EXTREMELY interesting and spooky at times. And I do enjoy a good suspenseful cult story (ha-ha).

Also, the romance was sweet, and the family relationships were touching. I also appreciated that Elle showed that the FMC had some serious fears and anxiety. Elle didn't shy away from hinting at the FMC having PTSD.

Overall, a great story with gripping suspense!

Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to read this story! The author has written a book that is filled with adventure, suspense, loving relationships and well developed characters. Malachi is a forest ranger and is trying to help Cate, a wildlife biologist locate missing bear cubs after the death of the mother bear. During their search they discover a cult leader that is wanted by the FBI. Don’t miss out on all the action and excitement.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynette Eason. Colleen Coble. Dee Henderson. Irene Hannon. Patricia Bradley. These are some of the greats of Christian Romantic Suspense Fiction. Recently added to that Hall of Fame in my opinion is Mary Alford, Sarah Hamaker, and now Elle E. Kay. Elle E. Kay is someone who has been on my reading radar for the last year. Hearing about Elle E. Kay’s latest release, Grave Consequences, I jumped at the chance to read it! Grave Consequences is the third book in the Pennsylvania Parks series that tells the story of Cate, a woman who works with the research of bears in the National Parks, and Malachi, a Ranger for the National Parks. Cate and Malachi are thrown together to solve a case involving the illegal bear hunting and trade. As both begin solving the case, skeletons from Malachi’s cult and family past become known, while Cate’s deep buried fears start to surface. As the pieces of the case start to come together, so do Malachi’s skeletons and Cate’s fears, allowing God to bring closure and healing to create something beautiful for them both.

Elle E Kay’s Grave Consequences is an absolute masterpiece! From the get-go I was on the edge of my seat, feeling as though I was swept into a Criminal Minds episode (especially when it came to the cult aspect)! I love the character of Malachi and admire that despite all that life had thrown at him, at the end of the day, Malachi chose to follow God. I love meeting Cate and seeing how passionate she is about her job and bear conservation. I thought that the bear conservation and trafficking element was an unique element in the story too. I thought it was adorable how protective Cate’s Brothers are towards her and that it doesn’t scare Malachi away. I love how Malachi’s Faith challenges Cate’s Faith to be stronger (instead of it being vice versa which is sometimes stereotypical in Christian Fiction). I love the roller coaster ride that Grave Consequences gave me as a reader. I love the surprises that Grave Consequences gave me as a reader too. I love how when Malachi’s biological parents came into the storyline. I believe, Malachi, in his own way, honored his parents when searching for the truth, as well as God. I also love how action packed Grave Consequences is and, how, at the same time, I was sad to see the story end, but am thankful at the same time that the story had closure. If you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat read, sprinkled with Faith and Truth, then I highly recommend Grave Consequences by Elle E. Kay! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Pennsylvania Parks series and am excited to see what Ms. Kay creates next!

Have you read Grave Consequences? What did you think of the book? What book of Elle E. Kay’s should I read next?

I would like to thank Elle E. Kay and Crystal for giving me a copy of Grave Consequences to review and for giving me the information I needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Amazon and my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good conclusion to this series. Cate always seems to get in trouble. Lots of characters in this one. I enjoyed it, as Malachi and Cate get to know each other and their faith grows, and their love grows, and we learn more about their families. We get to meet bears, and cult members and more!

[Ethelann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grave Consequences is a great story. With poaching and selling animals illegally, I don't want to give away which animal, cults, and a hit man. This story has some great twists and turns.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author/publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.I was provided a copy of this book by the author/publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars, rounded to 5

Grave Consequences is the third book in the Pennsylvania Parks Series and it’s definitely my favorite one!

It follows Cate, the sister of the MMC of book 2 Gavin a few years after book 2 ended, when she is working as a wildlife biologist, who tries to find three bear cubs whose mother was killed.

She meets Malachi, a park ranger at the park where the bears went missing and they start working together on something that leads them to the cult where Malachi was raised in until he was eight.

It was a really interesting plot and I kept turning pages wanting to find out how it all fit together. We get glimpses through the POV of different characters (all in third person) like the cult leader and Malachi’s birth mom. It was a fast paced and thrilling suspense novel and you really have to read it yourself to see how perfectly the author weaves the different elements together.

While I was not really into the romance aspect of the previous books, I loved Cate and Malachi as characters and as a couple. Their connection builds slowly and they are a great team, working together to help the bear cubs find a new home, to bring the poacher to justice and to find out how Malachi’s parents are involved in all this. They both had to deal with heavy situations in the past and don’t let new people in easily. But they learn to trust each other and what started as a respectful work relationship turns into a hesitant friendship and into a lot more.

Only Cate’s brothers are extremely annoying. Being protective is one thing, but they don’t know any boundaries and I think they treat Cate like a little child, even though she obviously isn’t the careless young woman she was in book 2. For me, Cate and Malachi (along with Wade from book one) are the most mature characters of the books and I enjoyed how open, honest and respectful they were with each other.

Their faith is also a strong element of the book and they both grow in their relationship with God, learning about trust and true forgiveness.

I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it if you like adventures and wildlife, suspense and intrigue, kind but guarded Christian characters who you can empathize with and a clean and sweet romance.

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

[Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle E. Kay is still a relative new author to me, but I'd loved the last book I'd read by her (Wooing the Widower), and I couldn't wait to give this one a try. The synopsis sounded both amazing and spine chillingly scary, and I went into it expecting great things. I ended up definitely not being disappointed, and can honestly say that it's one of the best Christian suspense stories I've read in quite awhile.

Whenever I pick up a book from this genre, I need it to have a heavy faith emphasis to balance out the darkness of the content. I've had a lot of issues with this lately reading from this genre from the traditional publishing market, and it was so refreshing to see an author who has truly figured out the perfect balance. The story deals with some extremely dark and disturbing circumstances, but a lot of the focus is on Jesus and how He's our light shining in the darkness. It made a great story even better, and that was perhaps my favorite part of all.

A thrilling mystery that takes place in the national parks of Pennysylvania, Grave Consequences is a wonderful story that readers will have a hard time wanting to put down. As park ranger Malachi's past explodes with his present in a dangerous setting that leaves no room for errors, his path collides with wildlife biologist Cate Garrison. She's recovering from her own terrors in her past, and this new unfolding mystery may just put them both right back into harm's way. As they learn to let go and let God, they'll start to realize that maybe just maybe they can find the healing they both long for, and find their way into happily ever after.

A heartwarming suspense story with a swoon worthy romance and a heavy faith based plot, this one was truly a winner in my eyes, and I never wanted to see it come to an end. If you're looking for a Christian suspense title that has an actual faith element present, then this just might be the title you've been waiting for. I wholeheartedly enjoyed it, and can't recommend it enough.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Elle E. Kay for allowing me to read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

[Brandi | RB Momma Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

Grave Consequences is a great, fast-paced novel and the third book in Elle E. Kay's Pennsylvania Parks series. The character development is thorough and relatable. The suspense is perfectly paced, and the drama that unfolds is entertaining without being over-the-top. As clinical as that may sound, this truly is a gripping piece of suspense fiction that kept me on edge, eager to see how everything would be resolved.

I love Elle E. Kay's writing style and look forward to reading more of her novels. She consistently weaves elements of Christian faith into her stories in a way that feels natural and meaningful, faith that is, or becomes, central to the characters.

The audiobook is narrated by Emily Norman, whose performance perfectly complements the story; she pulls the listener in quickly. Her tone, inflection, and character voices all enhance the experience, bringing the writing to life in a way that feels both genuine and engaging. She and Elle E. Kay make a wonderful team.

Content Warnings:
Minor: Adult/minor relationship (only spoken about as a past event), Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

I was provided a copy of this audiobook by the author/publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Tags: Christian-fiction, adventurous, hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, tense, fast-paced, page-turner, action-packed

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I don’t deserve to be free of the guilt, and God is good, so if I ask Him to take it, I know He will.”

When reading Grave Secrets I soo hoped that Cate would be our next story, so I am thrilled that she’s our heroine here! And, while you could read this book as a stand-alone, you’ll be muuuch happier if you at least read Grave Secrets (book 2 in this series) first. Promise. ;)

This was a thrilling read with a lot of connection between our main characters centered out in the wilderness. Bears and a cult, the past rearing its head and intruding into many lives. Poaching, protective older brothers, and a trip across state lines ramps up tension for our sweethearts. This was a suspenseful romance with some mystery and intrigue. I enjoyed the Christ and forgiveness centered story. It makes you think and reevaluate your own prejudices. I really related with our heroine and her desire to avoid making phone calls. While it doesn’t send me into a visible panic attack, it’s a hurdle I’ve actively been working in overcoming the last years. I’ve loved this series and can’t wait for more from this author.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Grave Consequences in a day. There is really no good place to stop until the end. I found the characters engaging. The main characters Cate and Malachi are likeable and have backgrounds that add to their depth. The romance between the two sizzles, but doesn't go past kisses. The paths that their faith have taken feels realistic. I love Cate's overprotective brothers and Malachi's foster family that have kept him as part of the family. He may have aged out of the system, but not out of the family. The villain is horrifying but has a tenderness for his wife and children. The plot has twists and turns and is filled with action. Author Elle E. Kay has a writing style that makes the story flow and the reader feel a part of it. I recommend this to clean and to Christian romance readers, to suspense readers and to wildlife lovers. I would definitely read more by this author, and I'm hoping there are going to be more books in the Pennsylvania Parks series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am sharing my opinion of this well-written and exciting book.

[Beverly Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book and stayed up far too late reading it. I enjoyed getting to know Cate and Malachi as they navigated all the twists and turns of this story on their way to falling in love with each other. It was good to see Cate's brothers again, and Cate's interactions with them were quite entertaining. The descriptions of Pennsylvania’s Worlds End State Park and Loyalsock State Forest made those places come alive for me, and I was quite concerned for the welfare of the bear cubs, as well. This book was written from several different points of view, so it gives some insight into how some of the other characters were thinking. This book was very well written, and, as usual, the author’s writing style made the book a joy to read. I was provided a copy of this book by the author/publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grave Consequences is Cate and Malachi's story. Cate is a wildlife biologist, and Malachi is a park ranger. The two are brought together when they have to track 3 missing cubs whose mother had died. Their search for the missing cubs leads them to the cult that Malachi had ties to when he was younger.
Both Cate and Malachi had issues they had to confront, and they have to navigate the future of their growing relationship. I enjoyed the chemistry between Malachi and Cate.
Grave Consequences has twists and turns and has different point of views such as Malachi's birth mother besides Cate's and Malachi's. Filled with suspense, adventure, action, and romance, the story has a wonderful plot line and kept me turning the pages.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enter the world of Malachi, a DCNR ranger at Worlds End State Park. His solitary job fits him very well and he enjoys all the different seasons that nature brings to the park. Some of the guests may give him an uncomfortable feeling, but he has learned to leave things in the Lord’s hands and move on.

Cate Garrison is a biologist with the Game Commission. Learning that someone is raiding bear dens, killing the sow and stealing the cubs brings her into the world of Malachi. Working together they uncover more than they planned and their safety becomes questionable. A little spark of romance adds to the story.

A wonderful way to spend a few hours, this third book in the Pennsylvania Parks series was received through Faith Writes Publishing and BookFunnel. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was great, but the writing needed some polish. There were quite a few typos, and I had to guess to fill in the blanks. There were also times where the characters were suddenly in different positions/locations that didn't make sense. And while the characters were well-written, their romance could have been developed a bit better. Still, the story was interesting! It was fun watching Malachi put things together, related to his history with the cult, and I thought including Cate and her profession was unique. It was definitely an intense story, and the last exciting scene had me turning pages quickly!

Content: references to killing (not graphic).


I received this book free from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Tawni Suchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ this was a great Christian romantic suspense. God plays an important role in both character’s lives and reference to prayer and growth is references to throughout the entire book. The story itself really picked up about a third of the way through the book and I found it hard to put down. The chapters were short—which I really like especially with a suspense as it kept me on the edge of my seat.

There were quite a few twists through the entire story and it was interesting to discover how close Malachi (our MMC) was to the group with the villain.

I loved that the characters weren’t law enforcement but still fought to solve the crime and bring the bad guy to justice. It was different in that we knew who the bad guy was, but there were some really solid twists that came along with that knowledge that kept me guessing.

My ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
✝️✝️.5
💋
15+

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Cate Garrison is a biologist whose job is to track bears. When they get a call that a momma bear has been killed at World’s End State Park, she goes to get the three cubs which were being sold by the poachers who were part of a cult and meets park ranger Malachi James. When the first one is placed Malachi joins her to watch the process. As they explore his biological parents and their involvement with the cult their faith grows along with their feeling for each other, but so do the dangers around them. I certainly enjoyed reading this book and the look at the growth in the characters, the ways they deal with their pasts, and their faith.

[Holly Moseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is suspenseful!!

I could not put this down. It was full of suspense and had me on the edge of my seat. Cate, Gray and Gavin have a strong sibling relationship, which proved true again in Grave Consequences. Their faith in God was in all that they do, not put on a back burner to be picked up when they thought they needed it. My heart went out to Becky and all that she went through being part of the cult and others who were pulled into the deceit, for Malachi and how his mom vanished again after he was willing to at least try to have some kind of relationship with her. Elle E Kay is an excellent author and I look forward to what the Lord lays on her heart to write next.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caty is the daughter of a billionaire with 2 overprotective big brothers. She was kidnapped in a previous book and still has some anxiety from that. She works with an organization that tracks the habitats of animals.

Malachi grew up in a cult. He was put in a foster home when he was 12 after his dad went to prison and his mother gave him up. He's a park ranger. He meets Caty when a bear is killed and the 3 cubs are placed for sale on the black market. They work together and find that the cult he was born into has been started up again. The man in charge is a terrorist. They face danger as they rescue the cubs and investigate the cult. Malachi also comes in contact with his mom again.

Great book on trusting others and not letting your past define who you are.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge-of-your-seat read!

Good, clean novel with Christian morals and promises from God’s Word. Some of the mystery between Malachi and his biological family was easy to guess or was given in the plot, but the cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek will keep you tense and guessing.

This was my first suspense novel by the Author and I enjoyed it. It definitely kept me turning pages. I was glad that Malachi and Cate got a HEA after their difficult pasts, but I was sadden to be reminded how some of the cults in our world twist the truth about God into lies. I’m glad Malachi and his dad learned the truth.

I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[candace conte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author, looking forward to reading more. This is book 3 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. The story takes place in the Pennsylvania mountains, the main character Malachi is a park ranger he meets Cate (a wildlife biologist) when she comes into his office seeking assistance with locating a missing bear. Both Cate and Malachi harbor secrets, as they work together to solve the mystery of the missing bear and cubs, they fall in love. This book contains, suspense, romance, secrets it is a quick read, I didn't want to put it down. If you are looking for a Christian read with no sex, this book is for you. I was provided with a free copy of this book by the author and all opinions in this review are my own

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series by Elle E. Kay.
Intense storyline
Malachi and Cate are both trying to find the person or persons who killed a mother bear at her den. When Becky comes forward to tell Malachi about Reece trying to sell some bear cubs, she seems familiar, she reminds him of his mother who left years ago.
Malachi’s biological father was the head of a cult that was raided by the FBI years ago. His father went to prison and his mother left him and he was place in foster care.
Trouble comes in the form of a cult coming to the area.
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pennsylvania wilderness is the setting for this fast-paced suspense novel - being a nature lover I couldn't wait to dive in! Cate Garrison, a wildlife biologist, is currently working on a project to track bears and their cubs. When poachers and wildlife traffickers become a problem, she ends up crossing paths with Malachi James, a park ranger. Both Cate and Malachi have secrets in their past and are hesitant to divulge them. But when Malachi's birth mother appears on the scene, causing another layer of intrigue, can they work together to figure out who is behind these terrible crimes? You won't want to miss this final book in the Pennsylvania Parks Series!

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachi is a park ranger and the biological son of a cult leader. Cate is a biologist with the game commission and the daughter of a billionaire businessman. They meet when poachers kill a mama bear and plan to sell her cubs. Malachi is a bit of a recluse, and Cate is afraid any relationship will be based on who her father is.

This is a thrilling book, filled with romance, intrigue, suspense, humor, and great Christian principles such as: listen to, pay attention to, and obey the Holy spirit.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of Malachi and Cate is gripping. Malachi has little memory of his birth in a cult, as he was adopted following an FBI raid. When a woman resembling how he remembers his mother, visits his forest ranger office, he's deeply affected. Cate recruits Malachi to save three bear cubs, plunging them into peril with a cult setting up camp in the state park. As Malachi's past and present collide, Cate becomes endangered, prompting Malachi and her brothers to embark on a rescue. The author excels in crafting romantic suspense, creating a story that's as engaging as the setting itself.

[Raven2352 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for Grave Consequences.

Malachi James is looking for poachers, Cate Garrison is looking for tagged bears. One possibly pregnant. Malachi finds a trail of blood leading to a bear den. Cate is concerned there are cubs. They search the forest for clues. Find men trying to buy the bear cubs, the man is scared off.

Later a man's body is found.

The trail leads to a religious cult and woman named Becky, who is not what she seems.

Meanwhile Malachi and Cate race to save the cubs and find the killer.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a bear lover and a lover of mystery, I thoroughly loved this story about bears being pouched and a search for some baby cubs. And add to that the chance meeting of a ranger and a biologist who are immediately drawn to one another and you have romance to add to the mystery. But with 2 over protective brothers and distance, will they have a chance. Guess you will have to get a copy and find out. Great themes of poaching versus protecting animals in the wild, of living out our faith versus learning to trust again, cults, power struggles, and truth.

[Marilu Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book keep me on the edge of my seat very Suspenseful, thrilling and exciting with romance, Christian values very likable characters, beautiful setting for the book and very, very bad people. This book is for people who like intense but easy to read and fast pace I like this book a lot and recommend it wholeheartedly. I received a copy of this book by the author and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm totally enjoying this series and getting to know the characters. I loved Cate and Malachi's story. Their story is full of intrigue, suspense and romance. These two have had difficult past and have much more to get through to get their HEA. It all makes for a captivating read that I read straight through.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachi and Cate meet to investigate cub snatching. What ensues is a cult with a killer in charge, camping in a state forest. Cate and Malachi start a relationship which her overprotective brothers get involved. There are killings, kidnapping and other surprises. The author really gets into the head of Becky so you realize what cult members go through.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book number three in the Pennsylvania Parks series. It follows Malaci and Cate’s story. Suspense, danger, faith and love while trying to find the culprit who killed a bear, kidnapped her cubs and all related to the cult. Their relationship builds slow but grow strong and help Malaci realise the real meaning of family.