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Presumed Guilty
"I'M INNOCENT!"
After four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Melanie Swanson's finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she's guilty—including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace's certainty cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie's clearly innocent—and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiancé and her freedom when she was found guilty—but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life.
After four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Melanie Swanson's finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she's guilty—including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace's certainty cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie's clearly innocent—and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiancé and her freedom when she was found guilty—but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
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942 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 6, 2017
3.5 stars
A well-plotted book by a new-to-me author. Though initially the writing was a bit choppy, the story hit a stride pretty quickly. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on with this case, as there were a number of possible suspects and it was hard to pin down how they were all going to fit in with the case. Jace and Melanie were engaging main characters, and I enjoyed their having true belief in the story...as well as Melanie's frank trust that going to prison hadn't stolen her life from her, since she'd found God and true life while there. A refreshing and pleasant response...I'd definitely recommend suspense lovers giving this one a read!
Maggie Slade, a character in this book, is featured in Interrupted Lullaby, so I will be trying to get to that one soon!
Romance: "electricity" and attraction, a kiss or two
Language: squeaky clean
A well-plotted book by a new-to-me author. Though initially the writing was a bit choppy, the story hit a stride pretty quickly. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on with this case, as there were a number of possible suspects and it was hard to pin down how they were all going to fit in with the case. Jace and Melanie were engaging main characters, and I enjoyed their having true belief in the story...as well as Melanie's frank trust that going to prison hadn't stolen her life from her, since she'd found God and true life while there. A refreshing and pleasant response...I'd definitely recommend suspense lovers giving this one a read!
Maggie Slade, a character in this book, is featured in Interrupted Lullaby, so I will be trying to get to that one soon!
Romance: "electricity" and attraction, a kiss or two
Language: squeaky clean
March 17, 2015
One of the most thrilling opening scenes I've read in a Love Inspired Suspense! Lynn pulled me right into the turmoil and I felt an immediate connection with the heroine. She's survived four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit and, upon her release, the worst should have been behind her. Not so much. Scary stalking scenarios, the harsh judgements of the community and fighting off assailants is fast becoming the same old same old. Jace and Mel are thrown together in a wicked game of cat and mouse with plenty of twists and turns and enough surprises to keep me guessing until the very end. Awesome debut novel!
May 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. The perfect mix of light romance, action, mystery and substance. I love Christian reads like this!
Best Ive read in the "Love Inspired" reads.
**I won this book on Goodreads in exchange for an honest opinion**
Best Ive read in the "Love Inspired" reads.
**I won this book on Goodreads in exchange for an honest opinion**
December 21, 2022
Quick read. I liked it. I read it for a book title echo challenge I'm doing, where I needed a book that ended with Guilty.
That being said, the plot was interesting. There were some moments that I thought were meh.
Such as:
That being said, the plot was interesting. There were some moments that I thought were meh.
Such as:
June 2, 2015
Good book. It started with a great deal of tension as Melanie is mobbed the day she was released from prison. There are reporters in her face and protesters who feel she should still be in prison. Sent to escort her home is police lieutenant Jace Tucker, the same officer who was in charge of the investigation against her and who is still convinced that she was guilty. Neither one is happy with the situation, but Mel will accept the protection. She's glad of it when they reach her aunt's home, where they find her aunt unconscious. While caring for her a brick is thrown through the window, with a threatening note attached.
Jace remembers the case very well. He was the one in charge of collecting the evidence. Even though much of it was circumstantial it was convincing enough for the jury to convict her. But seeing Mel now, with the fear in her eyes, he begins to wonder if he had been too hasty. As the attacks increase in number and deadliness, Jace is determined to keep her safe and get to the truth.
The mystery of who is behind the attacks on Mel was really good. As Jace becomes more and more convinced of her innocence, the questions and their answers get more confusing. Some of the attacks seem to only want to frighten her away, while others seem intent on killing her. I loved watching them work through all the possibilities. There were times when I thought Mel was behaving recklessly, especially that last time after her aunt's funeral. There were definitely some interesting twists and turns on the way to discovering who was behind the attacks. I can safely say that one part I suspected, but the other was a total surprise.
I enjoyed the romance that developed between Jace and Mel. The first thing each noticed was the attraction, and neither was happy about it. Jace couldn't believe he was attracted to a drug dealing murderer, and Mel thought Jace was blindly judgmental. But Jace began to see past the criminal that he thought she was and saw the inconsistencies in his previous beliefs. I liked the way that he was able to admit that maybe he had been wrong. He was able to see that his feelings about his youngest sister's death had blinded him to things he should have seen. Once he started to let go of that guilt, he was able to open his heart. I liked seeing Mel slowly begin to trust Jace. Even at the beginning, when he didn't believe her innocence, she still trusted that he would protect her. I liked seeing that trust turn to love. I thought the ending was really sweet and loved the surprise they pulled on their friends and family.
I also really liked the secondary characters. They all felt very real with believable actions and emotions. I liked Jace's fellow cops, including the young and intense Miles. Dan rubbed me wrong early on, but redeemed himself at the end. I really liked Jace's sister Irene and her acceptance of Mel. I loved their girl times together and how good it was for Mel. Even Jace's mom had perfectly understandable reactions, but was also able to see the truth when it was presented.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Jace remembers the case very well. He was the one in charge of collecting the evidence. Even though much of it was circumstantial it was convincing enough for the jury to convict her. But seeing Mel now, with the fear in her eyes, he begins to wonder if he had been too hasty. As the attacks increase in number and deadliness, Jace is determined to keep her safe and get to the truth.
The mystery of who is behind the attacks on Mel was really good. As Jace becomes more and more convinced of her innocence, the questions and their answers get more confusing. Some of the attacks seem to only want to frighten her away, while others seem intent on killing her. I loved watching them work through all the possibilities. There were times when I thought Mel was behaving recklessly, especially that last time after her aunt's funeral. There were definitely some interesting twists and turns on the way to discovering who was behind the attacks. I can safely say that one part I suspected, but the other was a total surprise.
I enjoyed the romance that developed between Jace and Mel. The first thing each noticed was the attraction, and neither was happy about it. Jace couldn't believe he was attracted to a drug dealing murderer, and Mel thought Jace was blindly judgmental. But Jace began to see past the criminal that he thought she was and saw the inconsistencies in his previous beliefs. I liked the way that he was able to admit that maybe he had been wrong. He was able to see that his feelings about his youngest sister's death had blinded him to things he should have seen. Once he started to let go of that guilt, he was able to open his heart. I liked seeing Mel slowly begin to trust Jace. Even at the beginning, when he didn't believe her innocence, she still trusted that he would protect her. I liked seeing that trust turn to love. I thought the ending was really sweet and loved the surprise they pulled on their friends and family.
I also really liked the secondary characters. They all felt very real with believable actions and emotions. I liked Jace's fellow cops, including the young and intense Miles. Dan rubbed me wrong early on, but redeemed himself at the end. I really liked Jace's sister Irene and her acceptance of Mel. I loved their girl times together and how good it was for Mel. Even Jace's mom had perfectly understandable reactions, but was also able to see the truth when it was presented.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes next.
April 7, 2015
Title: PRESUMED GUILTY
Author: Dana R. Lynn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
April 2015
ASIN: 978-0373446643
Genre: Romantic suspense
"I'M INNOCENT!"
After four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Melanie Swanson's finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she's guilty—including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace's certainty cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie's clearly innocent—and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiancé and her freedom when she was found guilty—but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life.
PRESUMED GUILTY is the first romantic suspense I ever read where the heroine had been to jail for a crime she didn’t commit. It made the threats against her realistic as she tried to go home again—no one wanted to live in the same area as a murderer. But right away, Jace was confused by the MOD of the person threatening Melanie. Why did some attempts seem as if she was being scared away, and others make attempts at lives of those who were involved in her life or trial?
I had absolutely no idea who the “bad guy” was at all. None. I did get worn out by all the attacks against Melanie in one form or another. Quite frankly, I would’ve told a few people to forget it and walked out. And I probably would’ve been waving the white flag of surrender with some of the attacks. That is, if I even survived the first one!
If you like Love Inspired Suspense, then PRESUMED GUILTY is one you’ll want to read. It is scary, edge-of-the-seat, romantic suspense at it’s best.
Available in paperback and ebook. 224 pages. 4.5 stars.
Author: Dana R. Lynn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
April 2015
ASIN: 978-0373446643
Genre: Romantic suspense
"I'M INNOCENT!"
After four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Melanie Swanson's finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she's guilty—including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace's certainty cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie's clearly innocent—and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiancé and her freedom when she was found guilty—but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life.
PRESUMED GUILTY is the first romantic suspense I ever read where the heroine had been to jail for a crime she didn’t commit. It made the threats against her realistic as she tried to go home again—no one wanted to live in the same area as a murderer. But right away, Jace was confused by the MOD of the person threatening Melanie. Why did some attempts seem as if she was being scared away, and others make attempts at lives of those who were involved in her life or trial?
I had absolutely no idea who the “bad guy” was at all. None. I did get worn out by all the attacks against Melanie in one form or another. Quite frankly, I would’ve told a few people to forget it and walked out. And I probably would’ve been waving the white flag of surrender with some of the attacks. That is, if I even survived the first one!
If you like Love Inspired Suspense, then PRESUMED GUILTY is one you’ll want to read. It is scary, edge-of-the-seat, romantic suspense at it’s best.
Available in paperback and ebook. 224 pages. 4.5 stars.
July 10, 2023
A nonstop thrill ride that gives you moments to catch your breath before the momentum speeds on. Although this was released originally in 2015 I missed reading it and it has been revised, given a new cover and you won’t want to miss it as I was in from the get go. I can’t imagine going to prison for a crime you didn’t commit but God used that time to change Melanie from the inside out. It is a story of redemption and trying to navigate life after prison amidst prejudices against you and someone trying to silence you. I really enjoyed this storyline and characters so much so I stayed up way to late to finish.
I was blessed to receive an early copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I was blessed to receive an early copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
May 17, 2015
This is a fast paced book with lots of drama and tension. I loved the way the characters interacted and how everything came together in the end. There was just enough romance to make me happy and just enough suspense to keep it enjoyable. Jace and Mel did fall in love very quickly (something I usually don't like in a book) but it definitely worked well in this story. I loved the aspect of forgiveness and personal growth explored in the book and the fact that Mel could forgive the person that wrongfully sent her to prison was very uplifting. I read this book in a few hours because I could not put it down! Great read,great writing!
April 22, 2015
If you like your books where the tension and conflict leap off the first page, then you'll love Presumed Guilty. I immediately sympathized with this young woman who has lost years of her life over a crime she didn't commit. And you've got to appreciate a man who can admit when he's wrong and then seeks to correct his mistake. Presumed Guilty is a nail-biting, yet beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness. Read it!
October 18, 2015
Heart Pounding Read
I could not put the book down. This story literally pulled me through it, page after page. Then tension and suspense were top notch. The characterization was sound, and all the plot complications were resolved. This amazing read is Dana Lynn's first novel. Impressive. I can wait for her next offering!
I could not put the book down. This story literally pulled me through it, page after page. Then tension and suspense were top notch. The characterization was sound, and all the plot complications were resolved. This amazing read is Dana Lynn's first novel. Impressive. I can wait for her next offering!
July 27, 2015
a book about entwined blessings, beliefs and betrayals, an inspiring read
May 31, 2016
Presumed Guilty is definitely a 5 star romantic suspense novel. Dana R. Lynn did an amazing job weaving the tangled threads into a story that left me guessing...
April 30, 2015
4.5 stars
May 13, 2015
Loved it! Full of suspense and intrigue with just as much romance! Kept me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait for more from this new author!
November 5, 2015
Good story. Suspense was good although u know after reading starting chapters that who was the main culprit behind it.
July 2, 2015
Right away, I was hooked into the book. I didn't want to put it down. Very intense!
May 4, 2017
I read this on the Kindle
I read the series backwards so where this is the 1st of 3 it was the last one read as i found the 3rd first
I did guess who was one of the people after Mel or at least one of them
having read this last only spoilt that you knew who was in later books but the romantic side of this was so plain that didn't spoil
you learn of people in this book which make book 2 & 3 I enjoyed it & it was a nice crime read
I read the series backwards so where this is the 1st of 3 it was the last one read as i found the 3rd first
I did guess who was one of the people after Mel or at least one of them
having read this last only spoilt that you knew who was in later books but the romantic side of this was so plain that didn't spoil
you learn of people in this book which make book 2 & 3 I enjoyed it & it was a nice crime read
March 7, 2018
Melanie is released from prison after four years for a crime she did not commit.
Jace,a lieutenant from the LaMar Pond PD, is assigned to her security because of threats.
Suspense grabs you and pulls you through the pages as they race to find who is trying to kill her and those associated with her.
I loved the story,the intriguing characters and the setting of LaMar Pond.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romantic suspense.
Jace,a lieutenant from the LaMar Pond PD, is assigned to her security because of threats.
Suspense grabs you and pulls you through the pages as they race to find who is trying to kill her and those associated with her.
I loved the story,the intriguing characters and the setting of LaMar Pond.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romantic suspense.
May 28, 2019
Love Inspired Suspense Books Are Always a Favorite with Me
These books are full of love, suspense and twists and turns that keep you hanging on to the last page all the while rooting for the good guys. These books are written by Christian authors and all love scenes are clean and sweet. Nothing "R" rated about these books which are much appreciated by me as a reader. Worth the money I spend on them because I am never disappointed.
These books are full of love, suspense and twists and turns that keep you hanging on to the last page all the while rooting for the good guys. These books are written by Christian authors and all love scenes are clean and sweet. Nothing "R" rated about these books which are much appreciated by me as a reader. Worth the money I spend on them because I am never disappointed.
April 28, 2020
Always love the story of suspense when someone who did not commit a crime was put into jail but then as Melanie struggle to put herself back into society how she have to battle to maintain her innocence while everyone thinks she was guilty with the exception of her aunt.
I have bought this book long time ago and got stuck in my TBR pile and during the time of quarantine and shutdown of the pandemic, I was somehow able to pull this book out and start reading...
I have bought this book long time ago and got stuck in my TBR pile and during the time of quarantine and shutdown of the pandemic, I was somehow able to pull this book out and start reading...
October 28, 2023
A great story.
Melanie Swanson is released from the 4 year prison sentence. She wants to prove her innocence.
Jace Tucker believes she was guilty until secrets surface and attempts or her life are made. Jace and Melanie become close after he is determined to keep her safe. What a great thriller. Dana R Lynn has done it again. I could not put this book down. Such a good story line that kept me on the edge of my seat. A 5 star read.
Melanie Swanson is released from the 4 year prison sentence. She wants to prove her innocence.
Jace Tucker believes she was guilty until secrets surface and attempts or her life are made. Jace and Melanie become close after he is determined to keep her safe. What a great thriller. Dana R Lynn has done it again. I could not put this book down. Such a good story line that kept me on the edge of my seat. A 5 star read.
October 14, 2017
Melanie spent four years in jail for a crime she didn’t commit. Jace, the officer that had a hand it that met her outside on the day of her release. They had a journey to overcome past hurts and prejudices and learn to trust. LaMar Pond is fictional but this small town sure does come alive in the stories Dana writes. Don’t pass up this book.
April 4, 2023
this is a very good story if you like suspense you will want to read the book, well written. she gets out of prison for a murder she did not do. he is police and is there to pick her up . somehow people are there to yell at her to go somewhere else then she gets to her aunts and someone has broken in he know she can not stay there but what to do very good
July 20, 2019
Presumed Guilty:Faith in the Face of Crime
Dana R. Lynn
Jumps right into the many mysteries that throw Mel and Jace together.
Think you have the answers? You’re in for a big surprise.
Love how Mel and Jace use their faith when all seems lost.
Late night read.
Dana R. Lynn
Jumps right into the many mysteries that throw Mel and Jace together.
Think you have the answers? You’re in for a big surprise.
Love how Mel and Jace use their faith when all seems lost.
Late night read.
March 25, 2023
This is story about Melanie Swanson's and how she has spent time in prison for something she didn't do. She had witness his awful crime but no one believes her. It is like real life so many people get put away for something they didn't do.
April 23, 2023
This book captured my heart from the beginning to the end! I couldn't put it down. You can tell Ms. Lynn felt this story while she was writing it! Excellent characters, strong faith and a great ending!
August 7, 2023
Very fast-paced story with lots of twists and turns. Strong, realistic characters. Great combination of love, faith, and suspense.
September 11, 2023
If you like suspense and romance you have to read this one. Fantastic read.
March 30, 2025
I read this many moons ago, it was a story that seared itself into my mind. Profusely suggest this read for anyone who loves a good romance/mystery book!
February 27, 2017
Amazing suspenseful book!
Mel was convicted of manslaughter, of which she was innocent. Jace, the cop who sent her to jail was there when she was released four years later. And he still believed her guilty. Through several attempts on her life, Mel relies on her faith and the strength of Jace to keep going.
There were multiple twists in the plot that kept me guessing as to who the real murderer was. It kept me guessing until the end! I applaud Dana R. Lynn for weaving everything together so seamlessly. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian suspense with a love story that unfolds from within the pages.
Mel was convicted of manslaughter, of which she was innocent. Jace, the cop who sent her to jail was there when she was released four years later. And he still believed her guilty. Through several attempts on her life, Mel relies on her faith and the strength of Jace to keep going.
There were multiple twists in the plot that kept me guessing as to who the real murderer was. It kept me guessing until the end! I applaud Dana R. Lynn for weaving everything together so seamlessly. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian suspense with a love story that unfolds from within the pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews