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Canyon of Deceit (Christian Series Level II
A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.
-A thrilling Christian contemporary novel with themes of courage and resilience from award–winning author DiAnn Mills
-Perfect for fans of clean, action-packed romantic suspense
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.
-A thrilling Christian contemporary novel with themes of courage and resilience from award–winning author DiAnn Mills
-Perfect for fans of clean, action-packed romantic suspense
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs
500 pages, Library Binding
Published January 1, 2026
42 people are currently reading
5129 people want to read
About the author
DiAnn Mills
129 books1,977 followersDiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
September 12, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Thriller, FAITH, Mystery and Romance - those are the genre categories for CANYON OF DECEIT, the September 2025 release by author DiAnn Mills.
Mills has written over 125 books in her long and oft’ awarded career. Early on, she favored Historical Fiction. It always had strong faith and adventure themes flowing thru them. Now, she writes mainly thriller or police/justice professional/first responder, high action stories. Faith continues to be a primary theme with wholesome romantic sub plots and contemporary current world/political adjacent events woven in.
Blane is a Texas Ranger. Therese is a wilderness survival expert. His profiling/negotiating skills and her knowledge of the beautiful but dangerous land that is the Guadalupe Mountains National Forest, along with her first aide skills are exactly the combination needed to rescue the kidnapped young daughter of a Russian professor. Russian Organized Crime, the ROC, is involved with the professor, impending assassinations, murders, military espionage and foul play in the city of Houston. All the major law enforcement agencies come together to rescue Alina and solve this complex web of corruption that keeps readers guessing.
Chapters alternate POV’s between Blane, Therese and Alina, the young girl. There’s some overlap in the storytelling that elongates the overall narrative that could easily be tightened up. I’d have liked to hear more from Alina and what was happening where she was being held by the bad guys, who were really nasty, btw.
Character development happens for Blane and Therese while they are patching each other up after near death encounters. “Oh, you have a concussion and have to stay awake; tell me your life story.” A few chapters later the other gets in a worse jam and has their opportunity to tell their story. Secondary characters are revealed by way of discussing “the case”. That technique works well.
Bring your truth meter to this tale; you’re gonna need it. Subterfuge is everywhere. It’s not until the very last few pages that readers learn what actually happened even tho’ you might fit in a few pieces in advance. Truly, this is a CANYON OF DECEIT 📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks.
Thriller, FAITH, Mystery and Romance - those are the genre categories for CANYON OF DECEIT, the September 2025 release by author DiAnn Mills.
Mills has written over 125 books in her long and oft’ awarded career. Early on, she favored Historical Fiction. It always had strong faith and adventure themes flowing thru them. Now, she writes mainly thriller or police/justice professional/first responder, high action stories. Faith continues to be a primary theme with wholesome romantic sub plots and contemporary current world/political adjacent events woven in.
Blane is a Texas Ranger. Therese is a wilderness survival expert. His profiling/negotiating skills and her knowledge of the beautiful but dangerous land that is the Guadalupe Mountains National Forest, along with her first aide skills are exactly the combination needed to rescue the kidnapped young daughter of a Russian professor. Russian Organized Crime, the ROC, is involved with the professor, impending assassinations, murders, military espionage and foul play in the city of Houston. All the major law enforcement agencies come together to rescue Alina and solve this complex web of corruption that keeps readers guessing.
Chapters alternate POV’s between Blane, Therese and Alina, the young girl. There’s some overlap in the storytelling that elongates the overall narrative that could easily be tightened up. I’d have liked to hear more from Alina and what was happening where she was being held by the bad guys, who were really nasty, btw.
Character development happens for Blane and Therese while they are patching each other up after near death encounters. “Oh, you have a concussion and have to stay awake; tell me your life story.” A few chapters later the other gets in a worse jam and has their opportunity to tell their story. Secondary characters are revealed by way of discussing “the case”. That technique works well.
Bring your truth meter to this tale; you’re gonna need it. Subterfuge is everywhere. It’s not until the very last few pages that readers learn what actually happened even tho’ you might fit in a few pieces in advance. Truly, this is a CANYON OF DECEIT 📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks.
September 25, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
CANYON OF DECEIT by Diann Mills is a suspenseful and intricately plotted Christian romantic suspense/mystery/thriller set in the beautiful and rugged Guadalupe Mountain National Park of New Mexico. The protagonists are Therese Palmer, a wilderness survival expert and Blane Gardner, a Texas Ranger on the hunt for a kidnapped child. This is a standalone story that is tension filled with many surprising twists that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages.
This romantic suspense plot is well paced with physical struggles and obstacles as well as struggles with their faith. What starts as a kidnapping soon turns into a complex web of assassination, murders, and military espionage. Therese and Blane both have traumas in their pasts that lead to their beliefs, but heartfelt, honest conversations occur between the action as both come to care for each other. Therese lives her faith, and she is clear with Blane that she will not compromise her beliefs even for a relationship, but she is not preaching at him. Blane is the protagonist on a spiritual journey in this story. This is a Christian romantic suspense so there are no sex scenes.
I recommend this exciting, well written Christian romantic suspense.
CANYON OF DECEIT by Diann Mills is a suspenseful and intricately plotted Christian romantic suspense/mystery/thriller set in the beautiful and rugged Guadalupe Mountain National Park of New Mexico. The protagonists are Therese Palmer, a wilderness survival expert and Blane Gardner, a Texas Ranger on the hunt for a kidnapped child. This is a standalone story that is tension filled with many surprising twists that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages.
This romantic suspense plot is well paced with physical struggles and obstacles as well as struggles with their faith. What starts as a kidnapping soon turns into a complex web of assassination, murders, and military espionage. Therese and Blane both have traumas in their pasts that lead to their beliefs, but heartfelt, honest conversations occur between the action as both come to care for each other. Therese lives her faith, and she is clear with Blane that she will not compromise her beliefs even for a relationship, but she is not preaching at him. Blane is the protagonist on a spiritual journey in this story. This is a Christian romantic suspense so there are no sex scenes.
I recommend this exciting, well written Christian romantic suspense.
June 20, 2025
DiAnn Mills has been an auto buy author for me for years. Her work is always outstanding. I would encourage you to read all of her books. I often reread them. This story was captivating from the first page. I loved the characters. The suspense was edgy. I loved the setting in the mountains of New Mexico. There were several unexpected developments and that made the novel even more interesting. Up until now, I couldn’t have chosen a favorite book by her. This is definitely my favorite book she’s written. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Enjoy the book.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Enjoy the book.
September 8, 2025
“Hope is a reason to live when the world erupts into madness.”
The hero and heroine of this 5-star romantic suspense team up and head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park on a search-and-rescue mission for a young girl who’s been kidnapped.
Therese Palmer and Blane Gardner complement each other with their unique skills, values and experience; Therese as a wilderness survival expert and Blane as a Texas Ranger. Although they share the common goal of stopping the antagonists, Russian organized crime, Therese shows that she doesn’t need her Texas Ranger to be her knight in shining armour. Likewise, Blane doesn’t need a damsel in distress. Furthermore, Therese knows what she’s looking for in a relationship and doesn’t compromise, despite Blane’s appeal. I always love a heroine who stands courageously for her beliefs, knows where her strength lies, sets aside distractions, and as a first line of action, chooses faith-based problem solving.
I was reminded (1) how difficult it is for anyone to help us if we’re not willing to tell the whole truth, (2) how related but how very distinct sympathy and empathy are, and (3) the importance of being armed with the ammo of faith instead of a sliver of doubt.
“Tragedies don’t define us unless we give them permission.”
Agreed? If so, and you love a tisty and perfectly paced Christian romantic suspense featuring professionals who struggle with their faith as they put their lives on the line for others, you’ll want this one on your reading list ASAP.
I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The hero and heroine of this 5-star romantic suspense team up and head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park on a search-and-rescue mission for a young girl who’s been kidnapped.
Therese Palmer and Blane Gardner complement each other with their unique skills, values and experience; Therese as a wilderness survival expert and Blane as a Texas Ranger. Although they share the common goal of stopping the antagonists, Russian organized crime, Therese shows that she doesn’t need her Texas Ranger to be her knight in shining armour. Likewise, Blane doesn’t need a damsel in distress. Furthermore, Therese knows what she’s looking for in a relationship and doesn’t compromise, despite Blane’s appeal. I always love a heroine who stands courageously for her beliefs, knows where her strength lies, sets aside distractions, and as a first line of action, chooses faith-based problem solving.
I was reminded (1) how difficult it is for anyone to help us if we’re not willing to tell the whole truth, (2) how related but how very distinct sympathy and empathy are, and (3) the importance of being armed with the ammo of faith instead of a sliver of doubt.
“Tragedies don’t define us unless we give them permission.”
Agreed? If so, and you love a tisty and perfectly paced Christian romantic suspense featuring professionals who struggle with their faith as they put their lives on the line for others, you’ll want this one on your reading list ASAP.
I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 4, 2025
“My straw-thin hold on God got me into trouble once, and I refused to bridle that horse again. No lies. No phony faith. No manipulation.”
This quote from Diann Mill’s Canyon of Deceit really set the foundation for what Texas Ranger Blane would need to overcome in order to survive the trouble that Therese brought his way—all for the sake of saving a young girl’s life. This outdoor, nature filled story gave me Love Inspired Suspense feels, since they usually have so many books with the similar trope. So if you like that genre, and want a longer book, then this inspirational romantic suspense, set in the desert of the Guadalupe Mountains is for you. Such an amazing survivalist book!
This quote from Diann Mill’s Canyon of Deceit really set the foundation for what Texas Ranger Blane would need to overcome in order to survive the trouble that Therese brought his way—all for the sake of saving a young girl’s life. This outdoor, nature filled story gave me Love Inspired Suspense feels, since they usually have so many books with the similar trope. So if you like that genre, and want a longer book, then this inspirational romantic suspense, set in the desert of the Guadalupe Mountains is for you. Such an amazing survivalist book!
September 15, 2025
Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills
4 Stars
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
In Canyon of Deceit, we follow a rescue team looking for a missing young girl. Therese is a wilderness survival expert and gets a call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov saying his young daughter, Alina, is missing and his wife has been murdered. Rurik asks for help to find his daughter but the police can't be involved as the kidnappers requested. With her past scars of losing her own sister years ago to cancer and the death of her parents, she has a lot of guilt...and hearing about a missing daughter has put a fire in her heart to try and find this girl as soon as possible. So, she reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, who she met 7 months ago during a training course. Blane's background in crisis negotiation makes him prepared for this one.
This book was INTENSE. That is the best word for it. I have found I love DiAnn's writing style and am just always fully engaged in her suspense.
From the very beginning, our main girl's tragic story of losing her sister to cancer, then her parents death soon after...she had been THROUGH some things in life. Her past really made her even more determined to find Rurik's young daughter. From the start though, you as the reader really aren't sure who you can trust and what's really going on.
Seeing the romance between our characters develop along the way was paced very well. (Which, Blane likes her first even from the time they met before, haha.)
I also liked seeing Blane's faith journey in this book. He went through something hard and found the Lord through it.
If you like a fast paced clean, Christian, romantic suspense, read this new standalone book from DiAnn!
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 Stars
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
In Canyon of Deceit, we follow a rescue team looking for a missing young girl. Therese is a wilderness survival expert and gets a call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov saying his young daughter, Alina, is missing and his wife has been murdered. Rurik asks for help to find his daughter but the police can't be involved as the kidnappers requested. With her past scars of losing her own sister years ago to cancer and the death of her parents, she has a lot of guilt...and hearing about a missing daughter has put a fire in her heart to try and find this girl as soon as possible. So, she reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, who she met 7 months ago during a training course. Blane's background in crisis negotiation makes him prepared for this one.
This book was INTENSE. That is the best word for it. I have found I love DiAnn's writing style and am just always fully engaged in her suspense.
From the very beginning, our main girl's tragic story of losing her sister to cancer, then her parents death soon after...she had been THROUGH some things in life. Her past really made her even more determined to find Rurik's young daughter. From the start though, you as the reader really aren't sure who you can trust and what's really going on.
Seeing the romance between our characters develop along the way was paced very well. (Which, Blane likes her first even from the time they met before, haha.)
I also liked seeing Blane's faith journey in this book. He went through something hard and found the Lord through it.
If you like a fast paced clean, Christian, romantic suspense, read this new standalone book from DiAnn!
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 21, 2025
Romantic suspense page turner!
A Texas Ranger, missing child, national park setting and plenty of action equal to a novel romantic suspense readers will not want to miss.
Wilderness expert Therese Palmer blames herself for the death of her young sister. When a colleague asks for help in locating his missing daughter, how can she refuse?
Texas Ranger Blane Gardner has feelings for Therese and is rather easily persuaded to help Therese find the missing girl.
Plenty of action and intrigue had me glued to the pages to find out how things would turn out. I loved that the novel is told from three different points of view. The cover is lovely. This novel had me at its setting in Guadalupe Mountains National Park which is on this reader's bucket list.
My gratitude to publisher Tyndale and Just Read Tours for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions shared are my own.
A Texas Ranger, missing child, national park setting and plenty of action equal to a novel romantic suspense readers will not want to miss.
Wilderness expert Therese Palmer blames herself for the death of her young sister. When a colleague asks for help in locating his missing daughter, how can she refuse?
Texas Ranger Blane Gardner has feelings for Therese and is rather easily persuaded to help Therese find the missing girl.
Plenty of action and intrigue had me glued to the pages to find out how things would turn out. I loved that the novel is told from three different points of view. The cover is lovely. This novel had me at its setting in Guadalupe Mountains National Park which is on this reader's bucket list.
My gratitude to publisher Tyndale and Just Read Tours for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions shared are my own.
October 19, 2025
Professor Rurik Ivanov's frantic call to wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer ignites Therese's fears for his daughter Alina. His wife has been murdered by the kidnappers. His daughter's trackers in her shoes show that she has been taken to the Guadalupe Mountains. Her kidnappers warn him not to contact law enforcement.
Therese knows better than to go to those hostile mountains by herself, so she asks her former boyfriend who is a Texas Ranger, Blane Gardner, to accompany her because she knows his skills and commitment. When they get into the mountains, things start going wrong, but the worst thing is that they discover that one of the men they are pursuing is Tom Chandler, a violent drug runner whom Therese encountered before. That time she survived.
Ivanov's explanations don't make sense. They don't know what to believe, but he is certainly hiding something. When parts for weapons-grade lasers and a defector that the Russians desperately want to destroy figure into the picture, they realize that the picture is a lot bigger and more dangerous than they were led to believe. And time is running out.
Mills tells an exciting story with Therese being an unusual heroine. She and Blane both carry baggage from their pasts that may hamper their growing attraction in the future. If they have a future to explore.
Therese knows better than to go to those hostile mountains by herself, so she asks her former boyfriend who is a Texas Ranger, Blane Gardner, to accompany her because she knows his skills and commitment. When they get into the mountains, things start going wrong, but the worst thing is that they discover that one of the men they are pursuing is Tom Chandler, a violent drug runner whom Therese encountered before. That time she survived.
Ivanov's explanations don't make sense. They don't know what to believe, but he is certainly hiding something. When parts for weapons-grade lasers and a defector that the Russians desperately want to destroy figure into the picture, they realize that the picture is a lot bigger and more dangerous than they were led to believe. And time is running out.
Mills tells an exciting story with Therese being an unusual heroine. She and Blane both carry baggage from their pasts that may hamper their growing attraction in the future. If they have a future to explore.
September 9, 2025
Canyon of Deceit has just become my favorite DiAnn Mills novel. It starts off with a bang and never lets up. It's a high-octane rollercoaster ride of an adventure. The story takes us to the Guadalupe Mountains, where dangers of all kinds abound, and then to Houston, where it seems to never stop. There are twists, turns, and red herrings that kept me guessing. I loved the sweet, slow-burn romance that ended up happily ever after. I recommend it to all romantic suspense lovers who love non-stop action. *I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest review.
October 8, 2025
“Tragedies do not define us unless we give them permission.”
Survival expert Therese Palmer is awakened at 2 am by a desperate father whose daughter was kidnapped. Therese turns to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner as the only one she can trust in this volatile situation.
The search for 8 year old Alina takes them from Huston to the Guadalupe Mountains - a beautiful,deadly, dangerous location. Trouble follows the pair as international political implications surface and multiple agencies get involved.
This was a thrilling story with dastardly villains and questions arise about who is trustworthy. Therese and Blane are faced with hazards of the wilderness as well as unpredictable bad guys. Blane has a crisis of faith that leads to surrender to Christ. Therese faces a past that taunts her. “So many times I had asked why evil and injustice existed. But if I had the answer, God would not be God.” “Hope is a reason to live when the whole world erupts into madness.”
This author is adept at crafting complex intrigue with just the right amount of romance and a faith thread that gives hope, all with beautiful descriptions of the landscape that was fashioned by God. “Taking in the autumn sunrise over the high desert- a radiant scene that felt like a praise song spreading inspiration across the sky.”
Another exciting offering from an exceptional author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale through PICT tours and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Survival expert Therese Palmer is awakened at 2 am by a desperate father whose daughter was kidnapped. Therese turns to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner as the only one she can trust in this volatile situation.
The search for 8 year old Alina takes them from Huston to the Guadalupe Mountains - a beautiful,deadly, dangerous location. Trouble follows the pair as international political implications surface and multiple agencies get involved.
This was a thrilling story with dastardly villains and questions arise about who is trustworthy. Therese and Blane are faced with hazards of the wilderness as well as unpredictable bad guys. Blane has a crisis of faith that leads to surrender to Christ. Therese faces a past that taunts her. “So many times I had asked why evil and injustice existed. But if I had the answer, God would not be God.” “Hope is a reason to live when the whole world erupts into madness.”
This author is adept at crafting complex intrigue with just the right amount of romance and a faith thread that gives hope, all with beautiful descriptions of the landscape that was fashioned by God. “Taking in the autumn sunrise over the high desert- a radiant scene that felt like a praise song spreading inspiration across the sky.”
Another exciting offering from an exceptional author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale through PICT tours and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
July 19, 2025
"Tragedies don't define us unless we give them permission."
Therese and Blane's first person voices were easy to follow and interesting. I loved learning about wilderness survival through Therese and about Texas Rangers through Blane. The suspense was intense as they became targets of an unknown enemy and nature often worked against them in their race to find a kidnapped child. As the intricate plot progressed, it was clear that the kidnapping involved more than just one family and one agenda. The plot was fast-paced with lots of action and a few surprises. Those who love romantic suspense will enjoy this book.
As much as I love plot and action-driven books, I do enjoy character development and I felt that it was a bit lacking in this department. Therese and Blane were both likable but I didn't feel like I really got to know them by the end of the book. They both had tragedies in their pasts that they needed to let go and it was gratifying to see them move towards faith but I still did not fully connect with them. Still, fans of DiAnn Mills would totally enjoy this story.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House via Interviews and Reviews and JustRead Tours and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Therese and Blane's first person voices were easy to follow and interesting. I loved learning about wilderness survival through Therese and about Texas Rangers through Blane. The suspense was intense as they became targets of an unknown enemy and nature often worked against them in their race to find a kidnapped child. As the intricate plot progressed, it was clear that the kidnapping involved more than just one family and one agenda. The plot was fast-paced with lots of action and a few surprises. Those who love romantic suspense will enjoy this book.
As much as I love plot and action-driven books, I do enjoy character development and I felt that it was a bit lacking in this department. Therese and Blane were both likable but I didn't feel like I really got to know them by the end of the book. They both had tragedies in their pasts that they needed to let go and it was gratifying to see them move towards faith but I still did not fully connect with them. Still, fans of DiAnn Mills would totally enjoy this story.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House via Interviews and Reviews and JustRead Tours and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
September 12, 2025
Sit back and buckle up for this edge of your seat read! I had no idea what to expect when picking this book up, except that I knew there was going to be plenty of deductive reasoning happening right alongside some suspenseful/intense moments as Therese and Blane go into the wilderness to rescue a young girl. And that there was going to be a sweet love story underlying for these two main characters as they had previously known each other when the book opens. And let me just say that I was here for every moment. There are lots of twists and turns that you won't see coming! I'd reached a certain point in the book and realized that I was only about a third of the way done and thought what else is going to happen and how are these two going to survive and make it out alive!
Very well written. You will be captivated. Not only by the suspense in the book but the open, honest and heartfelt conversations and relationship between Therese and Blane. I truly just loved watching them work together, care for each other and continue developing more love for each other. It was very sweet. I also was pretty engrossed in all of the wilderness survival skills that Therese and Blane knew and learned a lot from that!
This was my first book by DiAnn Mills and it definitely won't be my last! I loved how she wove the gospel and Christianity into the story, in the very heart of Therese. I loved just seeing how she lived her beliefs completely and wasn't ashamed to be straightforward with Blane about them, but in a sweet and gentle way, not in a feeling like she was preaching to him. But she wasn't going to compromise her beliefs. It was very well done and I think describing it as woven into the story is a very apt description.
If you enjoy clean Christian fiction suspense then this is definitely a not to be missed book!!! But trust me and other readers when we tell you that it is a wild ride! Enjoy!
Content: This book has moments of peril, suspense, danger, kidnapping, death, sweet and clean romance, Christian fiction elements. I would say it is a clean read.
I received a copy from JustRead Tours. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Very well written. You will be captivated. Not only by the suspense in the book but the open, honest and heartfelt conversations and relationship between Therese and Blane. I truly just loved watching them work together, care for each other and continue developing more love for each other. It was very sweet. I also was pretty engrossed in all of the wilderness survival skills that Therese and Blane knew and learned a lot from that!
This was my first book by DiAnn Mills and it definitely won't be my last! I loved how she wove the gospel and Christianity into the story, in the very heart of Therese. I loved just seeing how she lived her beliefs completely and wasn't ashamed to be straightforward with Blane about them, but in a sweet and gentle way, not in a feeling like she was preaching to him. But she wasn't going to compromise her beliefs. It was very well done and I think describing it as woven into the story is a very apt description.
If you enjoy clean Christian fiction suspense then this is definitely a not to be missed book!!! But trust me and other readers when we tell you that it is a wild ride! Enjoy!
Content: This book has moments of peril, suspense, danger, kidnapping, death, sweet and clean romance, Christian fiction elements. I would say it is a clean read.
I received a copy from JustRead Tours. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
September 6, 2025
4.5 stars
“Tragedies do not define us unless we give them permission.“
I love suspense novels that involve some sort of wilderness or mountain survival while being chased by the bad guys because that combination of enemies (villains + nature) truly gives our main characters zero time to breathe. Which in turn keeps readers like me on the edge of our seats. Even if bullets aren’t flying, you still have to navigate the harsh & unpredictable terrain, and this is exactly the situation Therese and Blane find themselves in for the first half of Canyon of Deceit. I’m pretty sure I had to remind myself to breathe every couple of chapters once they’re trekking through the Guadalupe Mountains – at least one of the men they’re tracking is lethal and when we weren’t looking over our shoulder for (or dealing with) him we still had to battle the elements. Whew. I thought maybe I could relax a bit after that setting was behind us, but nope. DiAnn Mills, like the master author she is, surprised me several times in this novel with twists that I was not expecting.
Amid questions of who to trust, how to stay alive, and how to rescue the kidnapped little girl, Therese and Blane wrestle with some emotional and spiritual layers as well – and I was here for it. Of course, I enjoyed the sweet-but-spark-filled romance developing between them but the greater Love Story playing out in their souls too was just as appreciated. Both Therese and Blane have deep regrets in their past, guilt over lives lost and stories that might have been different. But the grace of Jesus is about to break through, even with the chaos around them. I admired Blane’s honest journey as much as I admired Therese’s solid faith, and I loved that, through their current circumstances and conversations, Mills presents the gospel without apology but also without being preachy or feeling forced.
Bottom Line: Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is a high-stakes suspense novel that pits its characters against both ruthless villains and the unforgiving wilderness. The author also skillfully balances relentless danger and surprising twists with heartfelt spiritual depth and tender romance. Be forewarned: you may not know who to trust as Therese and Blane battle the mountains, Russian organized crime, and their own regrets but I don’t think you’ll be complaining (except maybe for lack of oxygen when you get too absorbed to remember basic functions). Because Canyon of Deceit is an edge-of-your-seat story that keeps your mind whirring, your pulse racing, and your heart engaged. One of my new fave DiAnn Mills novels!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at my link text
“Tragedies do not define us unless we give them permission.“
I love suspense novels that involve some sort of wilderness or mountain survival while being chased by the bad guys because that combination of enemies (villains + nature) truly gives our main characters zero time to breathe. Which in turn keeps readers like me on the edge of our seats. Even if bullets aren’t flying, you still have to navigate the harsh & unpredictable terrain, and this is exactly the situation Therese and Blane find themselves in for the first half of Canyon of Deceit. I’m pretty sure I had to remind myself to breathe every couple of chapters once they’re trekking through the Guadalupe Mountains – at least one of the men they’re tracking is lethal and when we weren’t looking over our shoulder for (or dealing with) him we still had to battle the elements. Whew. I thought maybe I could relax a bit after that setting was behind us, but nope. DiAnn Mills, like the master author she is, surprised me several times in this novel with twists that I was not expecting.
Amid questions of who to trust, how to stay alive, and how to rescue the kidnapped little girl, Therese and Blane wrestle with some emotional and spiritual layers as well – and I was here for it. Of course, I enjoyed the sweet-but-spark-filled romance developing between them but the greater Love Story playing out in their souls too was just as appreciated. Both Therese and Blane have deep regrets in their past, guilt over lives lost and stories that might have been different. But the grace of Jesus is about to break through, even with the chaos around them. I admired Blane’s honest journey as much as I admired Therese’s solid faith, and I loved that, through their current circumstances and conversations, Mills presents the gospel without apology but also without being preachy or feeling forced.
Bottom Line: Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is a high-stakes suspense novel that pits its characters against both ruthless villains and the unforgiving wilderness. The author also skillfully balances relentless danger and surprising twists with heartfelt spiritual depth and tender romance. Be forewarned: you may not know who to trust as Therese and Blane battle the mountains, Russian organized crime, and their own regrets but I don’t think you’ll be complaining (except maybe for lack of oxygen when you get too absorbed to remember basic functions). Because Canyon of Deceit is an edge-of-your-seat story that keeps your mind whirring, your pulse racing, and your heart engaged. One of my new fave DiAnn Mills novels!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at my link text
September 11, 2025
Have you ever read a book and thought...movie? This is one of those books. Actually, as I got further in, I really felt like a mini-series would be the best choice. Does Hollywood make clean action movies with a strong Christian message? I'll have to look into this.
The premise of the story is exciting, and the reasons Professor Rurik Ivanov gave to Therese Palmer about involving her instead of the police seemed valid. As with most kidnapping stories, Rurik was told not to involve the police. Asking Therese, a wilderness survival expert, seemed a little odd. I mean, doesn't this guy know former military or someone like that? Here's the thing: Therese knows this isn't her area of expertise, so she reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner to get his help. While she knows that she can trust him, it immediately goes into what Rurik didn't want to happen—to involve law enforcement. But that is for the best; we're talking about a kidnapped child. However, Therese staying involved at all seemed off because she isn't law enforcement. Hence, the whole mini-series vibe.
Therese's wilderness skills and determination were inspiring to me—as was Blane's. I liked the fact that they were both single people because it made it more realistic as the plot unfolded that they were doing the things they were. Especially Therese. She was risking her life for what is really more of an acquaintance, and the fact that she had no one to return to (yes, that's a little sad in and of itself) made it more believable.
The Rurik character had me thrown the entire time. I really wasn't sure where this was going when it came to him, his secrecy, and really the overall complexity of the story. This is great. After all, I really didn't have any guesses about what was going on the entire time, because I couldn't get a handle on him or the secondary characters. He really was a surprising character.
Therese and Blane's love story worked well with the suspense because it was a slow development, and they had previously gone out on three dates. Plus, Therese met Blane when she was teaching the Texas Rangers about wilderness survival. So the immediate attraction, their thoughts, and actions made sense despite the traumatic experience they were going through.
This story provided vivid elements and a lot of adventure and action. Despite that, the story development was a little slow for me. Overall, the balance of suspense and romance was just right. The Christian themes were strong, which is always a favorite of mine. Overall, I think that if you enjoy romantic suspense, you will not be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author.
All opinions are my own.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
All opinions are my own.
The premise of the story is exciting, and the reasons Professor Rurik Ivanov gave to Therese Palmer about involving her instead of the police seemed valid. As with most kidnapping stories, Rurik was told not to involve the police. Asking Therese, a wilderness survival expert, seemed a little odd. I mean, doesn't this guy know former military or someone like that? Here's the thing: Therese knows this isn't her area of expertise, so she reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner to get his help. While she knows that she can trust him, it immediately goes into what Rurik didn't want to happen—to involve law enforcement. But that is for the best; we're talking about a kidnapped child. However, Therese staying involved at all seemed off because she isn't law enforcement. Hence, the whole mini-series vibe.
Therese's wilderness skills and determination were inspiring to me—as was Blane's. I liked the fact that they were both single people because it made it more realistic as the plot unfolded that they were doing the things they were. Especially Therese. She was risking her life for what is really more of an acquaintance, and the fact that she had no one to return to (yes, that's a little sad in and of itself) made it more believable.
The Rurik character had me thrown the entire time. I really wasn't sure where this was going when it came to him, his secrecy, and really the overall complexity of the story. This is great. After all, I really didn't have any guesses about what was going on the entire time, because I couldn't get a handle on him or the secondary characters. He really was a surprising character.
Therese and Blane's love story worked well with the suspense because it was a slow development, and they had previously gone out on three dates. Plus, Therese met Blane when she was teaching the Texas Rangers about wilderness survival. So the immediate attraction, their thoughts, and actions made sense despite the traumatic experience they were going through.
This story provided vivid elements and a lot of adventure and action. Despite that, the story development was a little slow for me. Overall, the balance of suspense and romance was just right. The Christian themes were strong, which is always a favorite of mine. Overall, I think that if you enjoy romantic suspense, you will not be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author.
All opinions are my own.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
All opinions are my own.
September 6, 2025
Canyon of Deceit is a novel of action and mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! I will admit I wasn't sure to expect whenI first started reading and each timebI thought the characters were close to solving the crime another obstacle occurred and sent them further down the tunnel but when you think about it all these obstacles are what made the plot enjoyable and the actions of the antagonists made you want to disliks them even more!
We are introduced Therese a wilderness survival expert who ever since the death of her sister has made it her misson to help others. She is soon thrown into the misson of a lifetime when a college professor enlists her help in finding his daughter. However, this case has a bunch of suspicious secrets which the victim won't reveal. Texas ranger Blane who is a friend of Therese soon joins in and it becomes a race against time to save the life of a innocent little girl.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions are of my own.
We are introduced Therese a wilderness survival expert who ever since the death of her sister has made it her misson to help others. She is soon thrown into the misson of a lifetime when a college professor enlists her help in finding his daughter. However, this case has a bunch of suspicious secrets which the victim won't reveal. Texas ranger Blane who is a friend of Therese soon joins in and it becomes a race against time to save the life of a innocent little girl.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions are of my own.
October 23, 2025
As a wilderness survival expert, Therese has seen (and done) a lot. But seeking a missing girl in Guadalupe Mountains National Park wasn’t something she ever thought she would do. She recruits Blane to help, and they venture into the deserted landscape. The case, however, quickly becomes more complicated…and with higher stakes than either of them could’ve anticipated. DiAnn Mills hits it out of the park with Canyon of Deceit. This one’s a thrill ride!
I can always count on DiAnn Mills to do her research, and I adore seeing Texas portrayed in novels—and done accurately. I hiked in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 2024, and Mills’s imagery pulled that trip to the forefront of my mind. The park is a hiker’s park. What I mean by that: If you want to see anything, you must hike—and no hike is easy. Trails are well maintained, but it’s nothing like, say, the Grand Canyon. There aren’t many people; even getting a hotel near the park is an adventure. Mills does a fantastic job portraying how rural everything is.
Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is somewhat convoluted. It has a very complex plot, pulling in political twists and organized crime. The novel can be hard to follow, but you have to let it progress. Eventually, everything locks into place and makes sense, but it takes time. And brain power, which I sometimes didn’t possess enough of to read the book. Don’t get lost studying the bark on the trees. Keep pushing through, for Canyon of Deceit is worth it!
I did have some qualms, though with some of the international politics. I can’t go into much detail without spoilers, but I didn’t find them to be entirely accurate. In real life, there probably would be some ramifications to certain actions, but there’s nothing. Maybe my reaction comes from my educational background in international affairs. Perhaps it’s because I thought about it too much, which is also entirely possible.
I doubt most readers would react in the same manner, so don’t let my cynicism deter you! Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is quite the adventure filled with faith, twists, believable characters, and plenty of action!
Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review; all views expressed are my own.
I can always count on DiAnn Mills to do her research, and I adore seeing Texas portrayed in novels—and done accurately. I hiked in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 2024, and Mills’s imagery pulled that trip to the forefront of my mind. The park is a hiker’s park. What I mean by that: If you want to see anything, you must hike—and no hike is easy. Trails are well maintained, but it’s nothing like, say, the Grand Canyon. There aren’t many people; even getting a hotel near the park is an adventure. Mills does a fantastic job portraying how rural everything is.
Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is somewhat convoluted. It has a very complex plot, pulling in political twists and organized crime. The novel can be hard to follow, but you have to let it progress. Eventually, everything locks into place and makes sense, but it takes time. And brain power, which I sometimes didn’t possess enough of to read the book. Don’t get lost studying the bark on the trees. Keep pushing through, for Canyon of Deceit is worth it!
I did have some qualms, though with some of the international politics. I can’t go into much detail without spoilers, but I didn’t find them to be entirely accurate. In real life, there probably would be some ramifications to certain actions, but there’s nothing. Maybe my reaction comes from my educational background in international affairs. Perhaps it’s because I thought about it too much, which is also entirely possible.
I doubt most readers would react in the same manner, so don’t let my cynicism deter you! Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is quite the adventure filled with faith, twists, believable characters, and plenty of action!
Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review; all views expressed are my own.
August 11, 2025
Canyon of Deceit had me hooked from the beginning. The suspense was outstanding, and the story kept getting more involved as the characters' many layers were revealed. The plot kept evolving with more questions than answers, but was resolved in the end. It kept me guessing who was really in charge of the bad guys.
Blane and Theresa were courageous, inspiring, and cared about the people they worked with and those they tried to help. The sweet, slow burn of a romance between them had me laughing at times. I loved Blane's final spiritual transformation. The kidnapped child, Alina, was amazing in how she managed to be so brave.
I finished the story in one sitting-couldn't put it down! One of the author's best and highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
Blane and Theresa were courageous, inspiring, and cared about the people they worked with and those they tried to help. The sweet, slow burn of a romance between them had me laughing at times. I loved Blane's final spiritual transformation. The kidnapped child, Alina, was amazing in how she managed to be so brave.
I finished the story in one sitting-couldn't put it down! One of the author's best and highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
Loved this book! Super suspenseful!
August 19, 2025
I enjoy all of DiAnn's books because they reflect the reality of struggling with faith, life, and more.
The first chapter of this book was a gut punch. My heart hurt for Therese and how her parents treated her at that moment regarding her sister. While I am sure they weren't malicious, the fact is that her younger sister had cancer, and this was inevitable.
Flash forward about twenty years, and Therese has become an expert in wilderness survival. She taught Blane, along with other Texas Rangers, and this led to a few dates. However, his lack of faith was a deal killer. Had Therese dug a little deeper, she might have understood where he was at that time. However, tracking a kidnapper in the mountains can lead people to have a change of heart in life and faith.
This novel was filled with action, some of it violent, but I would expect nothing less considering the plot. You will discover some unsavory characters, some that you might think are trustworthy but prove otherwise, and a bright young girl whom they are trying to keep alive. I kept wondering what new information would come to light to help shed light on the situation. Therese has strong feelings towards Alina and wants to do nothing but save her. Is she thinking of her sister Kate, whom she couldn't save? Or is it loyalty to Alina's father? The truth might surprise you.
There are several great quotes in this novel, but this one really caught my attention:
It's not what we lose that defines our character - it's what we learn.
Such a true statement!
I am never disappointed by this author's books, and this one is no exception. We give it 5 paws up.
The first chapter of this book was a gut punch. My heart hurt for Therese and how her parents treated her at that moment regarding her sister. While I am sure they weren't malicious, the fact is that her younger sister had cancer, and this was inevitable.
Flash forward about twenty years, and Therese has become an expert in wilderness survival. She taught Blane, along with other Texas Rangers, and this led to a few dates. However, his lack of faith was a deal killer. Had Therese dug a little deeper, she might have understood where he was at that time. However, tracking a kidnapper in the mountains can lead people to have a change of heart in life and faith.
This novel was filled with action, some of it violent, but I would expect nothing less considering the plot. You will discover some unsavory characters, some that you might think are trustworthy but prove otherwise, and a bright young girl whom they are trying to keep alive. I kept wondering what new information would come to light to help shed light on the situation. Therese has strong feelings towards Alina and wants to do nothing but save her. Is she thinking of her sister Kate, whom she couldn't save? Or is it loyalty to Alina's father? The truth might surprise you.
There are several great quotes in this novel, but this one really caught my attention:
It's not what we lose that defines our character - it's what we learn.
Such a true statement!
I am never disappointed by this author's books, and this one is no exception. We give it 5 paws up.
September 8, 2025
Canyon of Deceit is the first book I have read written by DiAnn Mills, and I look forward to reading more. This romance suspense kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Suspense mixed with wilderness survival skills made for a fun dynamic in this story. If you love Christian suspense, you do not want to miss this one.
The character development was good. Therese has a lot of guilt and trauma from her sister’s death. The burden of guilt that was put on her was a lot to bear. Blane has his own layers to pull back.
The setting was perfect for this suspenseful survival story. The storyline was off the charts. I love a good suspense story, and this did not disappoint. Every time I thought everything was going great, a plot twist happened. We have kidnapping, murder, wilderness survival skills in the Guadalupe Mountains, rock climbing, helicopters, FBI, near-death, and so much more.
The romance was a kisses-only romance that was perfection.
DiAnn Mills did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. Therese has gone through some faith-rocking events, but she still holds on to her faith in God. Blane has a rocky faith and battles with the truth Therese speaks. I loved the truth given in this book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
The character development was good. Therese has a lot of guilt and trauma from her sister’s death. The burden of guilt that was put on her was a lot to bear. Blane has his own layers to pull back.
The setting was perfect for this suspenseful survival story. The storyline was off the charts. I love a good suspense story, and this did not disappoint. Every time I thought everything was going great, a plot twist happened. We have kidnapping, murder, wilderness survival skills in the Guadalupe Mountains, rock climbing, helicopters, FBI, near-death, and so much more.
The romance was a kisses-only romance that was perfection.
DiAnn Mills did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. Therese has gone through some faith-rocking events, but she still holds on to her faith in God. Blane has a rocky faith and battles with the truth Therese speaks. I loved the truth given in this book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
September 8, 2025
Canyon of Deceit, by Dianne Mills, is a contemporary Christian suspenseful romance. Theresa is a wilderness expert that has been called in to help locate an abducted girl. Along with Blane, a Texas Ranger she use to date, they search the Guadalupe Mountains National Park for her.
This is a well written story that is fast paced, action filled story that pulled me in right from the beginning. The story kept growing as it went along with the mystery surround the abduction of the young girl, her father and their connection to the abductors. I enjoyed the characters of Theresa and Blane. I admire Theresa, her strong faith and how she follows it so faithfully. The two have a history, but Theresa would not commit to a non-believer. It is interesting to follow Blane through the story and see how the events that happen bring him to God. This story is filled with so much action, suspense and danger that it was hard to put the book down.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
This is a well written story that is fast paced, action filled story that pulled me in right from the beginning. The story kept growing as it went along with the mystery surround the abduction of the young girl, her father and their connection to the abductors. I enjoyed the characters of Theresa and Blane. I admire Theresa, her strong faith and how she follows it so faithfully. The two have a history, but Theresa would not commit to a non-believer. It is interesting to follow Blane through the story and see how the events that happen bring him to God. This story is filled with so much action, suspense and danger that it was hard to put the book down.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
August 10, 2025
Review: Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills
I’ll start by saying I’ve read and enjoyed multiple books by the talented DiAnn Mills, although Christian fiction is not my go-to genre. But there is something about her well-plotted stories that really pulls me in and that is why I enjoy them.
In Canyon of Deceit we meet Therese Palmer, a wilderness expert who, like all Mills’ heroines, is damaged by life; in her case it was the death of her sister at a young age. But her faith is strong. In fact, it is so integral to her life that she broke off a budding relationship with the handsome Texas Ranger, Blane Gardner, because of his lack of belief. When a colleague comes to her for help, his wife has been brutally murdered and his daughter kidnaped, she turns to Blane to help her rescue the child.
With his help, she tracks the kidnapers to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in remote West Texas, a mysterious and harsh landscape that has a spare beauty all its own. Things do not go their way and suddenly the pair find themselves fighting for their lives.
As with all Mills’ books, there is a high level of violence in the story. The bad guys are pretty bad. But the shifting plot keeps you guessing as to who they actually are and wondering if they are they closer than you think?
The budding romance between Therese and Blane is sweet and slow-moving but gives you enough to keep you hopeful the pair will make a go of it. I really enjoyed the scenic descriptions of the mountains and the dramatic scenes set in the national park. The mystery kept me guessing, and I did not see the end coming.
All in all, another great story by a gifted mystery writer.
Five stars all the way.
I’ll start by saying I’ve read and enjoyed multiple books by the talented DiAnn Mills, although Christian fiction is not my go-to genre. But there is something about her well-plotted stories that really pulls me in and that is why I enjoy them.
In Canyon of Deceit we meet Therese Palmer, a wilderness expert who, like all Mills’ heroines, is damaged by life; in her case it was the death of her sister at a young age. But her faith is strong. In fact, it is so integral to her life that she broke off a budding relationship with the handsome Texas Ranger, Blane Gardner, because of his lack of belief. When a colleague comes to her for help, his wife has been brutally murdered and his daughter kidnaped, she turns to Blane to help her rescue the child.
With his help, she tracks the kidnapers to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in remote West Texas, a mysterious and harsh landscape that has a spare beauty all its own. Things do not go their way and suddenly the pair find themselves fighting for their lives.
As with all Mills’ books, there is a high level of violence in the story. The bad guys are pretty bad. But the shifting plot keeps you guessing as to who they actually are and wondering if they are they closer than you think?
The budding romance between Therese and Blane is sweet and slow-moving but gives you enough to keep you hopeful the pair will make a go of it. I really enjoyed the scenic descriptions of the mountains and the dramatic scenes set in the national park. The mystery kept me guessing, and I did not see the end coming.
All in all, another great story by a gifted mystery writer.
Five stars all the way.
September 12, 2025
4.5 STARS. It takes a talented storyteller to so fully immerse a reader in her book that all else completely fades away. In CANYON OF DECEIT, author DiAnn Mills transports readers into the wilds of the Guadalupe Mountains and beyond in this pulse-pounding, action-packed thriller. (Author bonus points: the setting she managed to remove me from was lounging under a palm tree on a pristine Maui beach. What sea turtles and sparkling waters? Impressive reading escape.)
“The weather matched my mood. The more we learned, the more it rained disillusion.”
In CANYON OF DECEIT, events quickly escalate, and Mills doesn’t shy away from describing the violence that comes with these kinds of shady characters and the organizations that fund them – and the organizations that fight them. Some of the scenes are intense, but they are never gratuitous and always increase the reader’s heartrate and page-turning pace.
“My mind clicked like a photographer’s lens, sealing incredible views into my life’s album.”
I’ve read several of Mills’s books, and her gift for writing richly detailed descriptions and realistic, complex characters always shines. In CANYON OF DECEIT, the nuances of Guadalupe Mountains National Park pop to life on the pages, as readers explore its rugged splendor that’s both devastatingly beautiful and deadly. A few chapters later, we’re dodging bullets in dodgy dive bars where the ick-factor is palpable. And we’re seeing it all through the eyes of our main characters, Therese and Blane.
Chapters are told mostly from our MCs’ alternating points of view, so we get good insight into how these people tick. But Mills does something interesting in CANYON OF DECEIT by providing backgrounds of some of the unscrupulous characters. So, readers may feel sympathy and maybe even relief that there is a reason for their evil. It forces thought about the ages-old nature versus nurture argument.
“Had God shown up to walk with me into the hereafter, one with more misery than I’d ever known?”
There is another character in this book, and it is faith. Not a character named Faith, but faith in the one sovereign God. In CANYON OF DECEIT, the faith journey of both main characters is front and center, which surprised me. It ventured out of the comfort zone of my own faith practice with the witnessing, instantly becoming a believer, and crediting God for the placement of a deadly bullet. My experience with the Christian fiction category in the past several years, including some of Mills’s other titles, is that the faith element is subtle: a thoughtful thread that complements the story without taking center stage -- and that’s my preference. But that’s not to say that plenty of other readers won’t enjoy the religious aspect exactly as it’s done in this book.
“Did I want to get stuck in a quicksand of crimes?”
Careful readers may pick up on small clues and bits of foreshadowing that Mills carefully sprinkles throughout CANYON OF DECEIT. If so, one might figure out a thing or two before the spectacular resolution reveals all the answers. But never fear! In CANYON OF DECEIT, there are so many shifts and twists, the pleasure is in the journey getting to the fantabulous resolution. Readers will finally let out the breaths they've been holding and miraculously, despite the body count, feel hopeful.
I read an ARC of the book, so I assume the final copy will be edited clean as a whistle, as all Mills's books have been. I recommend CANYON OF DECEIT for readers who want all the suspense and pacing of a high-stakes thriller but without the profanity, steamy scenes, and doom and gloom endings to bog it down.
This review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
“The weather matched my mood. The more we learned, the more it rained disillusion.”
In CANYON OF DECEIT, events quickly escalate, and Mills doesn’t shy away from describing the violence that comes with these kinds of shady characters and the organizations that fund them – and the organizations that fight them. Some of the scenes are intense, but they are never gratuitous and always increase the reader’s heartrate and page-turning pace.
“My mind clicked like a photographer’s lens, sealing incredible views into my life’s album.”
I’ve read several of Mills’s books, and her gift for writing richly detailed descriptions and realistic, complex characters always shines. In CANYON OF DECEIT, the nuances of Guadalupe Mountains National Park pop to life on the pages, as readers explore its rugged splendor that’s both devastatingly beautiful and deadly. A few chapters later, we’re dodging bullets in dodgy dive bars where the ick-factor is palpable. And we’re seeing it all through the eyes of our main characters, Therese and Blane.
Chapters are told mostly from our MCs’ alternating points of view, so we get good insight into how these people tick. But Mills does something interesting in CANYON OF DECEIT by providing backgrounds of some of the unscrupulous characters. So, readers may feel sympathy and maybe even relief that there is a reason for their evil. It forces thought about the ages-old nature versus nurture argument.
“Had God shown up to walk with me into the hereafter, one with more misery than I’d ever known?”
There is another character in this book, and it is faith. Not a character named Faith, but faith in the one sovereign God. In CANYON OF DECEIT, the faith journey of both main characters is front and center, which surprised me. It ventured out of the comfort zone of my own faith practice with the witnessing, instantly becoming a believer, and crediting God for the placement of a deadly bullet. My experience with the Christian fiction category in the past several years, including some of Mills’s other titles, is that the faith element is subtle: a thoughtful thread that complements the story without taking center stage -- and that’s my preference. But that’s not to say that plenty of other readers won’t enjoy the religious aspect exactly as it’s done in this book.
“Did I want to get stuck in a quicksand of crimes?”
Careful readers may pick up on small clues and bits of foreshadowing that Mills carefully sprinkles throughout CANYON OF DECEIT. If so, one might figure out a thing or two before the spectacular resolution reveals all the answers. But never fear! In CANYON OF DECEIT, there are so many shifts and twists, the pleasure is in the journey getting to the fantabulous resolution. Readers will finally let out the breaths they've been holding and miraculously, despite the body count, feel hopeful.
I read an ARC of the book, so I assume the final copy will be edited clean as a whistle, as all Mills's books have been. I recommend CANYON OF DECEIT for readers who want all the suspense and pacing of a high-stakes thriller but without the profanity, steamy scenes, and doom and gloom endings to bog it down.
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September 3, 2025
Set against the rugged beauty of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Canyon of Deceit is a fast-paced romantic suspense novel that blends danger, faith, and second chances. When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer’s former colleague calls for help finding his missing daughter, she can’t refuse—even though he insists on keeping the police out of it. Knowing she can’t go alone, Therese turns to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whose specialized training (and growing affection for her) make him the perfect partner in a desperate search.
What follows is a tense race against time, with nature itself adding to the dangers they face. Mills’s trademark blend of action and heart shines here: kidnappings, organized crime, and hidden agendas unfold alongside Therese’s struggle with past guilt and Blane’s quiet persistence. I especially appreciated the alternating perspectives, which made the suspense feel immediate and layered.
Two lines in particular stuck with me: “My straw-thin hold on God got me into trouble once, and I refused to bridle that horse again,” and, “Tragedies don’t define us unless we give them permission.” Even as a reader who doesn’t strongly identify as Christian, I found those words resonant and authentic rather than heavy-handed.
Plenty of action, believable characters, and a setting I’m eager to experience beyond the page kept me turning pages late into the night. Fans of clean romantic suspense won’t want to miss this one.
Goes well with: mesquite-grilled steak with roasted peppers.
What follows is a tense race against time, with nature itself adding to the dangers they face. Mills’s trademark blend of action and heart shines here: kidnappings, organized crime, and hidden agendas unfold alongside Therese’s struggle with past guilt and Blane’s quiet persistence. I especially appreciated the alternating perspectives, which made the suspense feel immediate and layered.
Two lines in particular stuck with me: “My straw-thin hold on God got me into trouble once, and I refused to bridle that horse again,” and, “Tragedies don’t define us unless we give them permission.” Even as a reader who doesn’t strongly identify as Christian, I found those words resonant and authentic rather than heavy-handed.
Plenty of action, believable characters, and a setting I’m eager to experience beyond the page kept me turning pages late into the night. Fans of clean romantic suspense won’t want to miss this one.
Goes well with: mesquite-grilled steak with roasted peppers.
Read
September 19, 2025an action-packed story from diann mills!
a former colleague needs therese palmer's help when his wife and daughter are in trouble. as a wilderness survival expert, she could use some law-enforcement assistance, so she contacts texas ranger blane gardner. their search-and-rescue mission quickly becomes full of danger and plenty of twists and turns. will they be able to separate the truth from the lies before it's too late?
canyon of deceit is such an intriguing read. it's suspenseful and fast-paced, and i loved the setting of guadalupe mountains national park—plus the discoveries their search uncovered added quite a bit of thrill. the romance, though, felt a little lacking to me. therese and blane had dated in the past, but a difference of faith kept them from pursuing something more long-term. after a post-adrenaline, come-to-Jesus moment, suddenly they're all in, and i just wanted more development and tension there.
still, it's an exciting read, and fans of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy it.
(i received a complimentary copy from the author and/or publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)
considerations:
—language: none
—spice: kisses only
—faith: mentions of God, prayer, church, and salvation
—content: violence, death, kidnapping, loss of family member
a former colleague needs therese palmer's help when his wife and daughter are in trouble. as a wilderness survival expert, she could use some law-enforcement assistance, so she contacts texas ranger blane gardner. their search-and-rescue mission quickly becomes full of danger and plenty of twists and turns. will they be able to separate the truth from the lies before it's too late?
canyon of deceit is such an intriguing read. it's suspenseful and fast-paced, and i loved the setting of guadalupe mountains national park—plus the discoveries their search uncovered added quite a bit of thrill. the romance, though, felt a little lacking to me. therese and blane had dated in the past, but a difference of faith kept them from pursuing something more long-term. after a post-adrenaline, come-to-Jesus moment, suddenly they're all in, and i just wanted more development and tension there.
still, it's an exciting read, and fans of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy it.
(i received a complimentary copy from the author and/or publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)
considerations:
—language: none
—spice: kisses only
—faith: mentions of God, prayer, church, and salvation
—content: violence, death, kidnapping, loss of family member
October 2, 2025
Therese and Blane find themselves immersed in a case where they are looking for a little girl, Alina. This case is also complicated by the fact that no one seemed to want to tell them the truth about what was really going on, most especially Alina’s father, Rurik.
They also found themselves attracted to each other, something that hadn’t died even though Therese had shut Blane down before.
What I really enjoy about this author’s writing is her style, the story she weaves coupled with the characters in their doubts and their beliefs. I like the fact that certain characters call upon their faith at the most unexpected times, in the good times, and most especially when they are faced with dangerous situations. The author is able to paint a picture that is so true to life when it comes to faith and how we call upon our own in times of trouble.
In this particular tale, I enjoyed reading about the father’s apparent deception, Alina’s bravery for such a small girl, and the ultimate outcome. This is truly a story of good versus bad, with the underlying question of who would win. I sort of figured out who was behind it all, but it took most of these pages to lead me there.
They also found themselves attracted to each other, something that hadn’t died even though Therese had shut Blane down before.
What I really enjoy about this author’s writing is her style, the story she weaves coupled with the characters in their doubts and their beliefs. I like the fact that certain characters call upon their faith at the most unexpected times, in the good times, and most especially when they are faced with dangerous situations. The author is able to paint a picture that is so true to life when it comes to faith and how we call upon our own in times of trouble.
In this particular tale, I enjoyed reading about the father’s apparent deception, Alina’s bravery for such a small girl, and the ultimate outcome. This is truly a story of good versus bad, with the underlying question of who would win. I sort of figured out who was behind it all, but it took most of these pages to lead me there.
September 10, 2025
Upon receiving a frantic call from her former colleague, Professor Rurik Ivanov, concerning the disappearance of his daughter Alina, wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer knows she will do whatever it takes to find the missing girl. She also knows she can't do it alone. She reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met during one of her wilderness survival training courses. He also happens to be trained in crisis negotiation, making him perfect for the mission. When he agrees, they head into Guadalupe Mountains National Park. But it seems Rurik is not giving them the full story. He doesn't want the authorities involved, so they are on their own. As they delve deeper, they find possible Russian organized crime involvement and an assassination attempt on a high-profile target. Will they be able to locate Alina alive and get to the bottom of what is going on?
Told in the alternating POVs of Therese, Blane, and Alina, this was an adventurous read. There was tons of action, suspense, and a wholesome romance. The mystery was intriguing, and it was non-stop, making it engaging and unputdownable. I seriously didn't know who to trust! I loved that Therese was a wilderness survival expert and Blaine was a Texas Ranger. They really went well together, and I loved seeing their romance blossom under such tense circumstances. I also loved reading how Therese used her expertise trekking through the park. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, especially to someone who loves Christian romantic suspense.🩷
Told in the alternating POVs of Therese, Blane, and Alina, this was an adventurous read. There was tons of action, suspense, and a wholesome romance. The mystery was intriguing, and it was non-stop, making it engaging and unputdownable. I seriously didn't know who to trust! I loved that Therese was a wilderness survival expert and Blaine was a Texas Ranger. They really went well together, and I loved seeing their romance blossom under such tense circumstances. I also loved reading how Therese used her expertise trekking through the park. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, especially to someone who loves Christian romantic suspense.🩷
October 26, 2025
I was so excited to see this title from DiAnn Mills as I have read and enjoyed her books before. They always prove to be page turners for me! Canyon of Deceit, unfortunately, did not have that effect. Although the plot itself was decent enough, the writing felt off, and the character development was majorly lacking. Several times throughout the book, there were strange/awkward uses of figurative language that distracted rather than contributed to the story. The dialogue seemed painfully unnatural. This book was written in dual first-person POV which is a very popular writing style, but not Mills's typical (at least not of the titles I have read from her). A person wouldn't even know Canyon of Deceit was written by the same person to compare it to her other works.
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The opinions above are completely my own.
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The opinions above are completely my own.
September 17, 2025
This was an incredibly suspenseful story with twists and turns! From tackling nature and its hazards on a dangerous mountain range to being chased multiple times while being shot at, the suspense didn't let up. I also liked that there was some investigation to it as they tried to figure out if they could trust Rurik and find out what was actually going on. I really admired Therese and her faith and how she put God first, even when she was really drawn to Blane when they had dated previously but broke up with him when he didn't share her faith. She was also incredibly strong mentally and fit physically to guide them up and down slippery mountain peaks, all while searching for the child and dangerous men. She also could keep her head about her and help in a crisis. Blane was pretty impressive, too, with his skills as a Texas Ranger and with negotiating. There were some good conversations about faith and they discovered there had been incidents in both their pasts that they blamed themselves for and couldn't seem to forgive themselves for. There was some good advice about dealing with that, too. There was also a little bit of romance. I would highly recommend this book if you like suspense!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
A story with a complex mystery, intense action and characters, and a focus on faith which fans of this genre will appreciate. . .
The setting of this novel is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. The author does an excellent job of placing her readers 'on the ground' in the park for a wilderness adventure like none other I have read previously.
Therese Palmer is a well-known wilderness expert who is respected for her knowledge of the treacherous terrain in this park along with her ability to survive challenging conditions in order to rescue people.
Texas Ranger Blane Gardner is a highly-trained Crisis Negotiator who knows Therese from one of her wilderness survival training courses earlier in the year. When she receives a call from a former colleague asking her to help him locate his kidnapped 10-year-old daughter in Guadalupe Park, she immediately knows that she will need someone qualified to assist her in this dangerous mission.
Blane comes to mind, and Therese contacts him and gives him the limited information she has about the abduction. After consulting with his superior at the Texas Rangers, Blane tells Therese he will work with her on finding little Alina and returning her to her father.
The action scenes in this story are unbelievable. Therese and Blane have to use every tool and survival skill in their tool belts to survive in this dangerous wilderness and gain the upper hand on the villains who are trying to stop their pursuit of the young girl.
The faith thread woven throughout this story is powerful and hopeful. The book is completely clean in language and content.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.
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The setting of this novel is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. The author does an excellent job of placing her readers 'on the ground' in the park for a wilderness adventure like none other I have read previously.
Therese Palmer is a well-known wilderness expert who is respected for her knowledge of the treacherous terrain in this park along with her ability to survive challenging conditions in order to rescue people.
Texas Ranger Blane Gardner is a highly-trained Crisis Negotiator who knows Therese from one of her wilderness survival training courses earlier in the year. When she receives a call from a former colleague asking her to help him locate his kidnapped 10-year-old daughter in Guadalupe Park, she immediately knows that she will need someone qualified to assist her in this dangerous mission.
Blane comes to mind, and Therese contacts him and gives him the limited information she has about the abduction. After consulting with his superior at the Texas Rangers, Blane tells Therese he will work with her on finding little Alina and returning her to her father.
The action scenes in this story are unbelievable. Therese and Blane have to use every tool and survival skill in their tool belts to survive in this dangerous wilderness and gain the upper hand on the villains who are trying to stop their pursuit of the young girl.
The faith thread woven throughout this story is powerful and hopeful. The book is completely clean in language and content.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.
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