Choosing Carter

by C.J. Petterson

Bryn McKay has always tried to save her brother from his risky choices, but a near-tragic truck accident landed him in prison and her in the hospital. Now, a year later, he's converted to radical Islam and escaped, vowing revenge on the people who put him there, including his sister.

To clear her mind, Bryn goes on a rafting trip with her best friend, naturalist and outdoor guide Carter Danielson--and she wouldn't mind if things turned romantic. Unfortunately, Carter is a recovering alcoholic who shies away from commitment. That is, until the two of them stumble across her brother and must flee for their lives.

Will Carter figure out where his heart lies, or will Bryn face her biggest watching someone she loves die?

Sensuality Behind Closed Doors

226 pages, ebook

First published August 17, 2015

About the author

Born in Texas, raised in Michigan, now living in Mobile, Alabama.

Retired from Chrysler Corp in Auburn Hills, MI.

Reviews

[Vickie Fee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryn McKay has always tried to help her younger brother despite his consistently poor choices. Now he has converted to radical Islam and escaped from prison with a jihadist. Bryn has romantic feelings for her best friend, Carter, and wonders if he feels the same. After she and Carter are taken hostage by terrorists, Bryn’s limits are tested as she fights for family, for love—and for her very survival.

This short romantic suspense novel was a real page-turner, with a strong sense of place, lots of action, heart and a sweet romantic through-line. The characters are appealing and the author has nicely balanced romance and danger without compromising the story.

(I received an Advance Review Copy of this book.)

[Katherine Prairie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryn McKay, still struggling with the aftermath of a car accident that injured her and led to the imprisonment of her younger brother, Robbie, a year earlier seems vulnerable at the start of this novel. Her relationship with Carter Danielson, a man struggling with his own demons, magnifies that vulnerability, as does their reluctance to commit to one another. The story takes a decided turn though, when Bryn learns that Robbie has escaped from prison, and is believed to be part of a terrorist plot. Using an insider’s knowledge of everything outdoor, the author plunges the reader into a story filled with danger at every turn. Together Bryn and Carter raft the Colorado and hike the rocky canyons of Echo Park, playing a game of cat-and-mouse with a team of terrorists that have recruited Robbie. The author paints the scenery with the skill of an artist, one that leaves you feeling as though you can actually touch the rock walls of Echo Park, and feel the icy Colorado River. The interplay between Bryn and Carter hooks the reader early on, and it’s easy to root for these two lost souls. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

[Andrew Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I take my hat off to Petterson for this great mystery story. She effortlessly develops the characters with realistic dialogue, and keeps the plot moving along with lots of twists and turns. Even though it's been classified in the romance genre, I would recommend this book to any thriller/mystery fans.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suspense and characters. Thrilling read with heart.

[Mahala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Carter is another winner for cj petterson. Bryn McKay, the protagonist, is frequently thrown into the role of savior for her rabblerousing brother who finds it impossible to make a good decision. When they get into an argument while the drunken Robbie is driving, they crash into a ravine. The crash sends Robbie to prison and Bryn to the hospital. Twelve months later, Bryn is visited by an FBI agent that tells her Robbie has converted to radical Islam while in prison. Making matters worse, he has escaped with an Islamic prisoner considered armed and dangerous. Robbie calls Bryn to let her know that he has escaped and is seeking revenge on the people who sent him to jail, including her.

For the past year, Bryn has enjoyed life in her isolated cabin in the Colorado hills. She manages her freelance writing business from the adjoining bunkhouse. Interacting with the FBI, police, and terrorists do not appear anywhere on her list of things to desire. She has created a peaceful existence in her mountain earie and now wants to develop a more personal relationship with the elusive Carter Danielson, a muscular, tall hunk of gorgeous, not deal with her out-of-control brother. Bryn continues to drop hints in Carter’s direction about taking their relationship further; hints which Carter adroitly ignores. But she notices that he doesn’t stay away for long between visits. A birthday canoe trip sends Carter and Bryn into a nest of vipers; terrorists that seek to destroy Americans.

Petterson’s brings to life a believable story of potential middle-America terrorism. Filled with thrills from the fear-washed first page truck ride of Bryn and Robbie through the betrayals of friends, Choosing Carter demands the reader turn the next page.

[R.b. O'gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold tight to the raft. Terror waits ahead.

Fast-paced suspense with a full order of twists and complexities to keep the readers on their toes. cj petterson’s prose is tight, never wasting a word in her descriptions, yet painting a lush landscape. Don’t be fooled by the cover. Yes, there’s romance and you’ll agonize with the protagonist, Bryn, as she makes decisions impacting her personal life. But you’ll always have one eye out for the eco-terrorists on the horizon. And when you start that raft trip into the canyon, stay alert. cj petterson’s characters are three-dimensional, her plot intricate, her location vividly detailed. And you never doubt her expertise on rafting, explosives, law enforcement, or psychology.

[Craig Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Being part of Crimson Romance, I was expecting a standard romance. I was pleasantly surprised with the suspenseful action that I found instead. The book has a romantic element to it, but it is truly a suspense novel. You follow these characters through the Colorado wilderness trying to stop terrorists. The characters are fun, and this novel is a real page turner. We get into Byrn's head well, but I wish a little more time was spent on Carter, his chapters were always short. A very fun read, and full of suspense with great chapter endings that had you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend to any fans of suspense.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

“Choosing Carter” has an explosive opening that truly sets the pace for this breathtaking romantic suspense!

Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a thriller than a romance. When a couple go for a weekend rafting trip they encounter terrorists. Worse yet, one of the terrorists is the woman's younger brother. Excitement builds through the book and not everyone survives.

[Coco.V]

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Blurb:
Bryn McKay has always tried to save her brother from his risky choices, but a near-tragic truck accident landed him in prison and her in the hospital. Now, a year later, he's converted to radical Islam and escaped, vowing revenge on the people who put him there, including his sister.

To clear her mind, Bryn goes on a rafting trip with her best friend, naturalist and outdoor guide Carter Danielson - and she wouldn't mind if things turned romantic. Unfortunately, Carter is a recovering alcoholic who shies away from commitment. That is, until the two of them stumble across her brother and must flee for their lives.

Will Carter figure out where his heart lies, or will Bryn face her biggest fear: watching someone she loves die?