Dark Flight: A Thrilling Small Town Romantic Mystery

by Charlene Tess, Judi Thompson

In a heart-pounding twist of fate, ATF agent Matt Bentley's past comes back to haunt him when the criminal he put away a decade ago escapes from a maximum-security prison.

As Lyle embarks on a relentless quest for revenge, Matt's first thought is to protect his loving wife and their two young children. Sunshine Bentley takes the kids on a long-planned camping trip in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and out of harm’s way.

Sunshine is traveling with women friends including Bella Morales, the local soothsayer. Although the old woman is in her ninth decade, her psychic powers are as strong as ever.

After Lyle hijacks a small plane to make his escape to a remote mountain cabin, it crashes in the forest not far from where the women and children are camped.

Will Bella’s extraordinary gift of second sight help stop this vicious killer in his tracks? Or will her intervention provoke him even further?

This standalone novel, Book 9 in the heart-racing Angel Falls romantic suspense series, weaves a tale of revenge, abduction, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

Get ready for a pulse-pounding read—grab your copy of this adrenaline-fueled romantic suspense today.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Charlene Tess co-writes thrilling romantic suspense novels with her sister Judi Thompson. The sisters combined their two last names into the pen name Tess Thompson.

Their novels are psychological romantic mysteries combined with tender love stories and compelling characters that readers will long remember.

The heroines are independent intelligent women who are attracted to strong, caring men. It doesn’t hurt that the men are also virile and easy on the eyes.

The sisters invite you to visit their website www.sisterswritingcrime.com and subscribe to their newsletter https://tinyurl.com/SWCNewsL and receive a FREE eBook.

Charlene is an English and creative writing teacher who also writes grammar workbooks and lessons. Her highly acclaimed series of grammar eBooks, Simple Steps to Sentence Sense, is widely used.

Charlene is married to the love of her life and has two daughters and three grandsons.

She loves to read and is usually reading a book, listening to an audiobook, and writing a book all at the same time. It can get a little confusing.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "DARK FLIGHT" What an exciting, thrilling, riviting, suspense filled action packed thriller that hooks you right from the start, revenge, escape convict, angst, danger, intrigue, abduction, twists a pulse pounding addicting page turner you can't put down.
Matt Bentley ATF Agent put criminal Lyle away a decade ago in maximum security prison, he manages to escape & he's looking for revenge, Matt trys to protect his wife Sunshine & his two kids from harm she takes a trip to Sangre de Cristo Mountains camping as well as Bella Morales the towns sooth slayer she old but her psychic powers are strong, hoping to be out of the way of danger.
Lyle hijacks a plane to hide out in a remote mountain cabin but something goes wrong & he crashes in the forest not far from Sunshine & Bella can her extraordinary second sight powers help to catch a vicious killer or cause more problems for them.
I definitely recommend to get this on the edge of your seat intense thriller to see what happens to Sunshine, Bella & the kids, will Matt save them on time & recatch this vicious killer without losing anyone, it's absolutely a must read you don't want miss I throughly enjoyed this story & all the characters.
AWESOME RIVITING TWISTED THRILLING DANGEROUS ADVENTURE I LOVED IT 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having received the ARCs of the prior books, I have become a fan of these authors and this series. These authors have an ability to include enough details from the other books, that this could be read as a standalone, but you might want to go back and learn the other stories they have created in Angel Falls.
This story brings us back into the world of ATF agent Matt Bentley, who is now married to Sunshine and become step-father to her children. Unfortunately, the man he put away while on an undercover assignment has escaped prison and is looking for revenge. At the same time, Rico Espinoza, a deputy sheriff has decided to fulfill a dream by learning to fly a plane. There he meets and is instantly attracted to his flight instructor, Melanie. They begin to get to know each other through his lessons but are interrupted by Rico’s work since there are fugitives in the area.
With everything going on, Matt is relieved when Sunshine and her friends have a plan to go camping in the mountains with Bella Morales, the matriarch of the Angel Falls series and her granddaughter Maggie. Many of the women on the trip have been the main characters in prior books and this seems to be bringing the series to an end.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent romantic suspense as this series and characters continue to grow, delighting and thrilling me with each new story. Three convicted felons have escaped leaving death and destruction in their path. They have plans for revenge and former ATF Agent Max Bentley knows that they will be coming after him. He hopes the camping trip his wife and children will be on will keep them safe. They are going with Bella Morales, the local wise woman, her granddaughter and a local doctor. When Matt is injured, who has compromised his location? Local pilot Melanie Harlow has been training deputy Rico Espinoza to fly. She still grieves the loss of her husband and although there is a slight attraction between them, she is not ready for a relationship. When her plane is hijacked and crashes in the mountains, will they survive long enough to be rescued? Matt and the FBI learn that the convicts are headed towards where the women and children are camping. Along with Sheriff Jonas Clearwater, will they arrive in time to capture the killers and save their loved ones? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Flight is the ninth installment in the Angel Falls series by sisters Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson, better known by their nom de plume: Tess Thompson.
Life gets complicated in the idyllic town of Angel Falls when three dangerous convicts escape from a maximum security prison, starting an intense manhunt. But to make things even more difficult, the gang's ringleader has sworn revenge on our old friend Matt Bentley (Dark Flames (Angel Falls #5))
In an effort to keep his family safe, Matt sends them to Cielo Verde, where they will accompany our beloved Bella Morales and Maggie on their traditional camping trip to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
As a special surprise, sweet little Marie begins to show her psychic powers in this book.
I hope there are more books in this series. After that little Marie cameo, I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to read more about Bella, Marie, and the inhabitants of Angel Falls!
I thank the authors and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

[Lori Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! This book is full of what you’ve come to expect of this author. The plots are deep and soulful and the characters are amazing! I absolutely love the Angel Falls series, it makes me feel like I’m back home in New Mexico. Everything just feels so authentic from the food to the scenery to the feel of the towns. I can’t get enough and this book was no different. We have an escaped convict out for revenge against one of our beloved characters, Matt. We visit Cielo Verde and the mysterious Bella, who is my favorite character of all time! She’s so clever and I love that maybe Maggie and her daughter may have a little prescience as well. There is so much action, excitement and romance all packed into this book you’ve got to read it! I read an ARC of this book and am happily leaving this review.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and a change of genre .. I have read several books by these authors, but this series is new reading for me.
It iscdramtic and intense storytelling as the individuals are a family on a camping holiday in the woods, three escaped high security prisoners with an earlier attachment to an ATF officer, plus the resident psychic. Lots happening

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is about to be stalked by the killer he put away in a maximum security prison. They want revenge on him and they will do anything to get his revenge. Can he stop them? Can he keep his family and friends safe? How will he get on? See just how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ninth book in the Angel Falls series. It’s a heart pounding psychological thriller that I had a hard time putting down. There’s a prison break and the killer is out for revenge. This is an edge of your seat thriller full of suspense. It’s fast paced and action packed. It’s an amazing story with a great plot.

[Julia Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three criminals have escaped and must be found before one of them gets revenge! They end up putting an entire town in danger and everyone works to find them! This was a good story of suspense and ultimately, of love.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling and suspenseful read. I enjoyed the different things happening in the characters lives. It all becomes connected as it comes to a mind-blowing conclusion. The escaped convicts get the heart racing as you are waiting for them to strike.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want a book that reads fast, and you don't want to put it down? This is THAT book!
Think - prison break and revenge!

Great job, ladies!

[Carolyn Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella and a fateful women’s camping trip

The people in this book learn hard lessons. Bella helps the women (and Bobby) have a safe but rather dangerous return. The characters surprise the men with their courage, resilience, and teamwork. Together, they were a formidable force. Someone will inherit Bella’s intuition and talent, I hope. Such a lovely ending for the good guys. This is a great book for Valentine’s Day!

[Just Read and Imagine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Flight is the latest hit in the Angel Falls series. I can just feel the love these ladies have for each other! Once you start reading, you don't want to put it down!