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Danger Lies Within
Courtney Drake prefers her peaceful life in the mountains where her little town is quiet and unchanging, the only excitement an occasional dragon sighting.
She takes a position as a nanny for five-year-old twins of a captivating Lord Robert Ranfurly and the last thing she plans on is falling in love. But as much as she tries to push back her feelings, the attraction for her new employer is undeniable.
When a member of Lord Robert's staff is murdered and the entire household is in question, Courtney finds herself caught in a world of whispers and covert affairs. Little does she know that Lord Robert has secrets he keeps from everyone.
Falling in love can be dangerous in Danger Lies Within, Book One of The Ranfurly Mysteries by K.M. Krenik.
#Romance #Urban Fantasy #Mystery #Suspense #Sci-Fi #Dystopian #Dragons #Regency
She takes a position as a nanny for five-year-old twins of a captivating Lord Robert Ranfurly and the last thing she plans on is falling in love. But as much as she tries to push back her feelings, the attraction for her new employer is undeniable.
When a member of Lord Robert's staff is murdered and the entire household is in question, Courtney finds herself caught in a world of whispers and covert affairs. Little does she know that Lord Robert has secrets he keeps from everyone.
Falling in love can be dangerous in Danger Lies Within, Book One of The Ranfurly Mysteries by K.M. Krenik.
#Romance #Urban Fantasy #Mystery #Suspense #Sci-Fi #Dystopian #Dragons #Regency
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2024
92 people are currently reading
4535 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 31, 2024
A terrific thriller
Now, first of all, I didn’t read ‘Inevitable Danger’, K.M. Krenik’s prequel to book one of the Ranfurly-series ‘Danger Lies Within’. The author herself, not without commercial intentions, suggests it’s necessary to read it because of certain important clues. But I think that this novel is perfectly understandable and enjoyable without any previous information, which of course doesn’t mean I won’t buy the prequel. For sure, I’ll buy it because Krenik’s original mix of mystery, romance and dystopian sci-fi is fantastic and addictive. The author compares herself tot Jane Austen. I would say she – and this is a compliment – reminds me much more of Emily Brontë. And the intriguing Lord Ranfurly is a modern version of Heathcliff. So I would suggest the story is an encounter between Brontë, Agatha Christie and Philip K. Dick. The truly unique element to it is Krenik’s beautiful, melodious writing. I caught myself several times reading entire passages aloud. I understand she’s a musical artist and voice teacher. That must be part of the explanation of the wonderful style. I suspect, furthermore, that the female protagonist Courtney Drake has inherited a lot of characteristics of her creator. She’s attractive, charming and intelligent. She’s also incredibly curious like a master detective, which comes in handy as this book is above all a terrific thriller.
Now, first of all, I didn’t read ‘Inevitable Danger’, K.M. Krenik’s prequel to book one of the Ranfurly-series ‘Danger Lies Within’. The author herself, not without commercial intentions, suggests it’s necessary to read it because of certain important clues. But I think that this novel is perfectly understandable and enjoyable without any previous information, which of course doesn’t mean I won’t buy the prequel. For sure, I’ll buy it because Krenik’s original mix of mystery, romance and dystopian sci-fi is fantastic and addictive. The author compares herself tot Jane Austen. I would say she – and this is a compliment – reminds me much more of Emily Brontë. And the intriguing Lord Ranfurly is a modern version of Heathcliff. So I would suggest the story is an encounter between Brontë, Agatha Christie and Philip K. Dick. The truly unique element to it is Krenik’s beautiful, melodious writing. I caught myself several times reading entire passages aloud. I understand she’s a musical artist and voice teacher. That must be part of the explanation of the wonderful style. I suspect, furthermore, that the female protagonist Courtney Drake has inherited a lot of characteristics of her creator. She’s attractive, charming and intelligent. She’s also incredibly curious like a master detective, which comes in handy as this book is above all a terrific thriller.
August 2, 2025
A Fantastic Read
A fantastic read that blends romance with mystery perfectly. A thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The story follows Courtney, a woman who decides to flee her peaceful life, to serve as a governess to a gothic style estate. Enter Lord Robert, Courtney’s new employer. As she works to care for his children, romance blooms between Courtney and Lord Robert. However, there is a murder and Courtney is left wondering as to whether or not she can trust Robert.
The book is told from dual POVs, and is very well written. Overall, a great read and highly recommend it.
A fantastic read that blends romance with mystery perfectly. A thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The story follows Courtney, a woman who decides to flee her peaceful life, to serve as a governess to a gothic style estate. Enter Lord Robert, Courtney’s new employer. As she works to care for his children, romance blooms between Courtney and Lord Robert. However, there is a murder and Courtney is left wondering as to whether or not she can trust Robert.
The book is told from dual POVs, and is very well written. Overall, a great read and highly recommend it.
November 9, 2024
I won this Title in a Goodreads Giveaway. I absolutely loved this book!!!! I will read this author and this series all the time now. I didn't want to put it down. The author captivated me. This was an excellent murder mystery. This book was a little confusing at first, but it is a fantasy mystery after all. There is mention of Dragons, and a New World Order that is just horrible nasty people.
Courtney's husband has been murdered by the new Government for non compliance of the new Government. Her adult kids are off to college. Being an empty nester and needing something to do she gets a job as Lord Robert's nanny. A rich man that has many secrets. He is one sexy man, Lord Robert stirs feelings in Courtney she hasn't felt for years. After a couple of murders take place in Lord Robert's extravagant home, Courtney is wondering what the heck did she just get into. This book has it all, danger, mystery, romance and a lot of bloody fight scenes. One of the best books I've read this year. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It definitely is a must read.
Courtney's husband has been murdered by the new Government for non compliance of the new Government. Her adult kids are off to college. Being an empty nester and needing something to do she gets a job as Lord Robert's nanny. A rich man that has many secrets. He is one sexy man, Lord Robert stirs feelings in Courtney she hasn't felt for years. After a couple of murders take place in Lord Robert's extravagant home, Courtney is wondering what the heck did she just get into. This book has it all, danger, mystery, romance and a lot of bloody fight scenes. One of the best books I've read this year. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It definitely is a must read.
August 22, 2025
Warning: You’re entering into an alternate world, one with characters you’ll fall for, lots of animals, handsome men who make our heroine doubt herself, and an alternate reality that echoes frightening possibilities in the real world.
Widowed Courtney Drake is our heroine, an independent woman and mother of two college-aged kids who finds purpose in living on ten acres with a cadre of animals that rely on her. She misses her murdered husband deeply. This acreage is her healing space, her safe place, the land where she and her husband Keith raised Nick and Laurel, who are entering their college years. Their home was a refuge in an alternate political world, one in which PAX, an authoritarian regime, has gained power, micro-chipped most of the world’s inhabitants, and puts down all who fight their abusive rule. The family has avoided micro-chipping by living on their acreage. But Keith’s murder at the hands of PAX haunts the family. Son Nick vows to fight PAX threatening to embed himself with the enemy. Daughter Laurel only wants to remain invisible and safe. Courtney fears for both her children, especially Nick. She also needs to find a way to keep the family home so seeks a way to earn a living now that she’s widowed. This opens the story of Danger Lies Within. Hers is a relatable story of widowhood.
Another voice enters. Lord Robert Ranfurly, a widower whose wife was murdered, lives in a manor on a secluded estate, more secluded even than Courtney’s home. He only hires unchipped help and he’s looking for a nanny for his 5-year-old twins, Luke and Elizabeth. While those working in his manor are unaware, readers learn that Ranfurly is part of CAPE, the rebel movement to overthrow PAX. He knows Nick and is working with him to change the political dynamic by living through CAPE’s principled oath: “Protect the helpless, keep order, be peacemakers, and bring offenders to justice. Leave vengeance to God.”
Conveniently Courtney applies to be Robert’s nanny for his twins. She’s hired by the very serious house manager without first meeting Robert who is away saving children and teens from the reprehensible trafficking of PAX.
When Courtney and Robert meet, attraction sparks overwhelming chemistry that neither Courtney or Robert was expecting. These feelings are complicated when Sean Knight, Robert’s chauffeur, demonstrates strong physical attraction to Courtney, which confuses her; that is, until he disappears.
As Courtney learns about the manor’s inner workings, she discovers the twins to be smart, creative, and delightful. She’s overseen by a stern housekeeper named Mrs. Stern. She uncovers secret passages, and is surprised by a nighttime visitor when Sean proves to be a spy, adept at climbing rose trellises onto her bedroom’s balcony.
Additional complications continue to make Courtney uncertain if she should stay at the manor. Within the first week of her nanny job, two employees are murdered. Courtney also learns dark secrets, revealing Robert’s deceased wife isn’t who he or the staff of Ranfurly Manor believe her to be, and staff who might be loyal to another cause. Is it possible, Robert is responsible for the staff deaths? Maybe even his wife’s death?
Perhaps Sean is secretly working for PAX. Courtney fears for her own life, the lives of her young charges, and worries about her own children, and all this is complicated by worry about the two dogs, multiple cats, ducks and chickens she’s left back at home.
The political and romantic intrigue built around nicely complex characters make this novel a page turner, one that draws readers deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Ranfurly Manor and its inhabitants.
While this is a dark romance complete with micro-chipping, drones, wild forests, and even a mention of dragon, it speculates on fascist governance that is all to real in our contemporary political rhetoric. The novel asks the questions, we might be asking ourselves. Would it be possible for current governing powers to micro-chip every member of their domain? Who would we trust in a politically volatile climate? And how would we defend ourselves against a cruel authoritarian government?
Courtney finds integrity to be her guide in this dystopian setup and that helps readers recognize there is a way to the other side, a place of more peaceful, ethical leadership. This page turner, with a cliffhanger ending, promises a sequel that readers will be clamoring to read. Hopefully then, readers will discover their way out of fascism and into finding Courtney’s true heart.
Review by Ann Angel
Widowed Courtney Drake is our heroine, an independent woman and mother of two college-aged kids who finds purpose in living on ten acres with a cadre of animals that rely on her. She misses her murdered husband deeply. This acreage is her healing space, her safe place, the land where she and her husband Keith raised Nick and Laurel, who are entering their college years. Their home was a refuge in an alternate political world, one in which PAX, an authoritarian regime, has gained power, micro-chipped most of the world’s inhabitants, and puts down all who fight their abusive rule. The family has avoided micro-chipping by living on their acreage. But Keith’s murder at the hands of PAX haunts the family. Son Nick vows to fight PAX threatening to embed himself with the enemy. Daughter Laurel only wants to remain invisible and safe. Courtney fears for both her children, especially Nick. She also needs to find a way to keep the family home so seeks a way to earn a living now that she’s widowed. This opens the story of Danger Lies Within. Hers is a relatable story of widowhood.
Another voice enters. Lord Robert Ranfurly, a widower whose wife was murdered, lives in a manor on a secluded estate, more secluded even than Courtney’s home. He only hires unchipped help and he’s looking for a nanny for his 5-year-old twins, Luke and Elizabeth. While those working in his manor are unaware, readers learn that Ranfurly is part of CAPE, the rebel movement to overthrow PAX. He knows Nick and is working with him to change the political dynamic by living through CAPE’s principled oath: “Protect the helpless, keep order, be peacemakers, and bring offenders to justice. Leave vengeance to God.”
Conveniently Courtney applies to be Robert’s nanny for his twins. She’s hired by the very serious house manager without first meeting Robert who is away saving children and teens from the reprehensible trafficking of PAX.
When Courtney and Robert meet, attraction sparks overwhelming chemistry that neither Courtney or Robert was expecting. These feelings are complicated when Sean Knight, Robert’s chauffeur, demonstrates strong physical attraction to Courtney, which confuses her; that is, until he disappears.
As Courtney learns about the manor’s inner workings, she discovers the twins to be smart, creative, and delightful. She’s overseen by a stern housekeeper named Mrs. Stern. She uncovers secret passages, and is surprised by a nighttime visitor when Sean proves to be a spy, adept at climbing rose trellises onto her bedroom’s balcony.
Additional complications continue to make Courtney uncertain if she should stay at the manor. Within the first week of her nanny job, two employees are murdered. Courtney also learns dark secrets, revealing Robert’s deceased wife isn’t who he or the staff of Ranfurly Manor believe her to be, and staff who might be loyal to another cause. Is it possible, Robert is responsible for the staff deaths? Maybe even his wife’s death?
Perhaps Sean is secretly working for PAX. Courtney fears for her own life, the lives of her young charges, and worries about her own children, and all this is complicated by worry about the two dogs, multiple cats, ducks and chickens she’s left back at home.
The political and romantic intrigue built around nicely complex characters make this novel a page turner, one that draws readers deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Ranfurly Manor and its inhabitants.
While this is a dark romance complete with micro-chipping, drones, wild forests, and even a mention of dragon, it speculates on fascist governance that is all to real in our contemporary political rhetoric. The novel asks the questions, we might be asking ourselves. Would it be possible for current governing powers to micro-chip every member of their domain? Who would we trust in a politically volatile climate? And how would we defend ourselves against a cruel authoritarian government?
Courtney finds integrity to be her guide in this dystopian setup and that helps readers recognize there is a way to the other side, a place of more peaceful, ethical leadership. This page turner, with a cliffhanger ending, promises a sequel that readers will be clamoring to read. Hopefully then, readers will discover their way out of fascism and into finding Courtney’s true heart.
Review by Ann Angel
January 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It took many twists and turns and kept me reading late into the night. It was a quick read and I would have liked a little more development of the characters relationships, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. There are lots of little interesting details dropped throughout as well that I hope subsequent books elaborate on- I want to know more about the dragons!
March 31, 2025
A DEADLY TWIST!
Courtney Drake's quiet mountain life gets turned completely upside down when she accepts a job as nanny to the adorable five-year-old twins of the mysterious and totally hot Lord Robert Ranfurly.
Despite her best efforts to stay professional, Courtney finds herself falling hard for her charming employer, creating all kinds of complicated feelings she never expected to deal with.
Just when their attraction seems undeniable, the brutal murder of a staff member throws the entire household into chaos, with suspicion and secrecy suddenly lurking around every corner.
Courtney Drake's quiet mountain life gets turned completely upside down when she accepts a job as nanny to the adorable five-year-old twins of the mysterious and totally hot Lord Robert Ranfurly.
Despite her best efforts to stay professional, Courtney finds herself falling hard for her charming employer, creating all kinds of complicated feelings she never expected to deal with.
Just when their attraction seems undeniable, the brutal murder of a staff member throws the entire household into chaos, with suspicion and secrecy suddenly lurking around every corner.
October 16, 2024
I won this novel through giveaway on Goodreads.
I absolutely love this thriller. My brain was everywhere thinking who the bad guy was. Worried about Courtney and if she was caring for the wrong person. I loved that the romance of this novel had you torn on who would Courtney give her heart to. I can’t wait for the second book and also excited to read the prequel!
I absolutely love this thriller. My brain was everywhere thinking who the bad guy was. Worried about Courtney and if she was caring for the wrong person. I loved that the romance of this novel had you torn on who would Courtney give her heart to. I can’t wait for the second book and also excited to read the prequel!
December 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! I liked how it mixed dragons with the future. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing! I can't wait for the second book.
January 19, 2026
I won this book in a giveaway. The characters are well developed and the pace of the book was good. I felt like this book was really doing some world building and setting up lots of mysteries and plot points for future sequels. Overall, it was a good, quick read, despite some formatting issues in the kindle edition.
June 1, 2024
I could not put this book down! The story is so intriguing and relevant. The writing is awesome- fun, clever, light hearted and had me emotional at times. The author brought so much life, love, and humanity to this story. And oh man the ennnnding! Can’t wait for the rest of the series! 👏
September 10, 2024
A really fun adventurous story with great plot twists! A fun one that keeps you reading fast to find out what is happening, all the way to the end. Courtney is a kick, I love her. The conversations are genuine, characters have a lot of humor and intrigue. Can't wait to read the next one!
August 16, 2024
Intriguing and fast-paced. Very enjoyable and looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 1, 2024
I won this book in a giveaway and had a really hard time with the writing style. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me.
November 9, 2024
Started off amazing and I was so excited, but for some reason by 70%, not just the story but the prose itself is a complete utter disaster. What a shame.
January 31, 2025
I picked up Danger Lies Within to fill a reading prompt
And fell in love with it. I can't wait to learn what happens between Lord Robert and Courtney. Oh and Elizabeth and Luke.
And fell in love with it. I can't wait to learn what happens between Lord Robert and Courtney. Oh and Elizabeth and Luke.
February 16, 2025
Not my usual genre of choice but this was an enjoyable enough read. A bit far fetched, and I thought the dragon angle would play a bigger part in the overall outcome. A good clean fantasy.
November 29, 2025
Enjoyed this book
I liked this is a good clean read but still has mystery, excitement and romance. The twins are delightful and there is a dragon somewhere.
I liked this is a good clean read but still has mystery, excitement and romance. The twins are delightful and there is a dragon somewhere.
Want to read
December 25, 2025 It was very good book i never by that auther
January 20, 2026
Was hoping for more dragons 🧐
Read
December 31, 2024This book has series character and characters!! Mystery, intrigue, overstepping government, secrets, lies, the rich, the poor, the taken advantage of. You never really know who is the good guy or the bad guy which keeps you involved.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews