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Sins of the Past
Sins Of The Past
Three top authors of Christian romantic suspense present a collection of gripping novellas, including "Henderson's Missing," in which a sheriff races to find his mother; "Pettrey's Shadowed," in which the parents of the McKenna clan investigate a death; and "Eason's Blackout," in which a woman is targeted by a criminal on parole. (religious fiction).
554 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
496 people are currently reading
2230 people want to read
About the author
Dee Henderson
72 books4,213 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Dee Henderson is the author of 27 non-fiction and fiction titles, including Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Truth and the Life, The Good News Project, Taken and the acclaimed O’MALLEY series. Several titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller list; Full Disclosure has also appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. For details visit: DeeHenderson.com
Dee Henderson is the author of 27 non-fiction and fiction titles, including Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Truth and the Life, The Good News Project, Taken and the acclaimed O’MALLEY series. Several titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller list; Full Disclosure has also appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. For details visit: DeeHenderson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
March 4, 2017
Missing by Dee Henderson - 3 Stars
This one started off quite well and really pulled me into the story! And, while it definitely is better than the last couple of novels I've read by this author and the basic storyline was interesting... it's still only a 3-star read for me. I don't know which of us changed, but I find that I simply don't enjoy this author's writing style as much as I used to. This novella is still a good read, though! :)
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey - 4 Stars
Well! This one certainly drops you right into the middle of the story! And then the first chapter comes along and takes you back to the "beginning" so you can understand more of what's going on. With mystery, suspense, and romance, this one kept my attention from beginning to end and is probably my favorite of the three.
And we get another McKenna story-- Yay!! :D Libby: "Four... or maybe five, a handful." -- Ben: "We have five adventurous kids who take after us, and we're definitely going to have our hands full."
Blackout by Lynette Eason - 4 Stars
A couple of my favorite things about this book were the flashbacks and the relationship background. The flashbacks feed you information in a... smooth sort of way. I could see them clearly with my mind's eye and I liked that. And the relationship background gave the couple a basis of trust and friendship that helped them work together and made a relationship between them an easy transition rather than a sudden "Oh my gosh, you're gorgeous and I'm in love with you!" sort of thing. I always like that in a story. ;)
Overall, I really enjoyed these stories and the fact that they are wholly unrelated to each other. The writing was great, the suspense was gripping, and the endings were satisfying. I likely only would have enjoyed them more had they been full length novels. ;)
I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This one started off quite well and really pulled me into the story! And, while it definitely is better than the last couple of novels I've read by this author and the basic storyline was interesting... it's still only a 3-star read for me. I don't know which of us changed, but I find that I simply don't enjoy this author's writing style as much as I used to. This novella is still a good read, though! :)
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey - 4 Stars
Well! This one certainly drops you right into the middle of the story! And then the first chapter comes along and takes you back to the "beginning" so you can understand more of what's going on. With mystery, suspense, and romance, this one kept my attention from beginning to end and is probably my favorite of the three.
And we get another McKenna story-- Yay!! :D Libby: "Four... or maybe five, a handful." -- Ben: "We have five adventurous kids who take after us, and we're definitely going to have our hands full."
Blackout by Lynette Eason - 4 Stars
A couple of my favorite things about this book were the flashbacks and the relationship background. The flashbacks feed you information in a... smooth sort of way. I could see them clearly with my mind's eye and I liked that. And the relationship background gave the couple a basis of trust and friendship that helped them work together and made a relationship between them an easy transition rather than a sudden "Oh my gosh, you're gorgeous and I'm in love with you!" sort of thing. I always like that in a story. ;)
Overall, I really enjoyed these stories and the fact that they are wholly unrelated to each other. The writing was great, the suspense was gripping, and the endings were satisfying. I likely only would have enjoyed them more had they been full length novels. ;)
I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2016
Three romantic suspense authors join together to delight readers with a suspense novella collection.
Missing by Dee Henderson - John Graham is the police chief in Cheyenne, Wyoming. When he receives word that his elderly mother is missing, he returns to Chicago. Together with the lieutenant in charge of the case, John begins to realize that maybe something from his past may have triggered his mother's disappearance.
My Thoughts - This one started off really good. I liked the dynamics between Sharon and John. I loved how they'd follow the clues. But then out of nowhere, the author threw in something that turned it in a completely different direction. Until then, I was really enjoying the story. My rating: 3 stars
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey - Ben McKenna is a simple Alaskan fisherman who takes tourists out on his fishing boat. When competitive swimmer Libby Jennings shows up in the rain for a whale watching tour, neither she or Ben expect to be drawn into a web of deceit and situations involving more than just the body they found.
My Thoughts - I loved this story. I loved getting to meet the parents of the McKenna siblings from the Alaskan Courage series. Like all of Dani's books, this story was a thrill ride from start to finish. This was my favorite of the three novellas. My rating: 5 stars
Blackout by Lynette Eason - A young woman, Macey, has been having blackouts over the past several years that are linked back to when she was an unintended part of a burglary gone wrong. When neighbor Chad hears her scream one evening, he rushes over. Together Chad and Macey begin a race against time to see who is trying to kill her. Is it all tied into her past?
My Thoughts - This was another one that I really enjoyed. I loved how quickly it moved. I was glad that my suspicions were proved wrong. It kept me on the edge of my seat. My rating: 4 stars
Overall Thoughts - This novella collection is overall really good. It's fun to pick a collection of novellas and have them being romantic suspense. Fans of these authors will enjoy this book.
I received this book for free from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, romantic suspense
Overall rating: 4 stars
Missing by Dee Henderson - John Graham is the police chief in Cheyenne, Wyoming. When he receives word that his elderly mother is missing, he returns to Chicago. Together with the lieutenant in charge of the case, John begins to realize that maybe something from his past may have triggered his mother's disappearance.
My Thoughts - This one started off really good. I liked the dynamics between Sharon and John. I loved how they'd follow the clues. But then out of nowhere, the author threw in something that turned it in a completely different direction. Until then, I was really enjoying the story. My rating: 3 stars
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey - Ben McKenna is a simple Alaskan fisherman who takes tourists out on his fishing boat. When competitive swimmer Libby Jennings shows up in the rain for a whale watching tour, neither she or Ben expect to be drawn into a web of deceit and situations involving more than just the body they found.
My Thoughts - I loved this story. I loved getting to meet the parents of the McKenna siblings from the Alaskan Courage series. Like all of Dani's books, this story was a thrill ride from start to finish. This was my favorite of the three novellas. My rating: 5 stars
Blackout by Lynette Eason - A young woman, Macey, has been having blackouts over the past several years that are linked back to when she was an unintended part of a burglary gone wrong. When neighbor Chad hears her scream one evening, he rushes over. Together Chad and Macey begin a race against time to see who is trying to kill her. Is it all tied into her past?
My Thoughts - This was another one that I really enjoyed. I loved how quickly it moved. I was glad that my suspicions were proved wrong. It kept me on the edge of my seat. My rating: 4 stars
Overall Thoughts - This novella collection is overall really good. It's fun to pick a collection of novellas and have them being romantic suspense. Fans of these authors will enjoy this book.
I received this book for free from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, romantic suspense
Overall rating: 4 stars
October 11, 2016
Excellent! It's hard to go wrong with a book featuring three of my favorite suspense writers, and I can also recommend it to those interested in giving these authors a try. All three stories are a solid four, and all three hard to stop reading before the end. Here are links to my individual reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 16, 2025
Um, I don't remember the titles besides the last novella, so I'm just gonna go by authors.😂
Dee Henderson - 3 stars
This story was not at all what I was expecting, and it was by far the slowest in the collection. John was a nice character, and I appreciated his concern for his mother, but the story had a lot of build-up that just ended up falling flat to me. *shrugs*
Dani Pettrey - 4 stars
Okay, this one got intense and I really liked Ben's character! I was able to pick up the first book on the series this is connected to at McKays and I'm excited to get to it eventually...lol...Ben and Libby were great and all the spy mystery side of things was so interesting!
Blackout by Lynette Eason - 5 stars
This was my favorite! probably largely do to the fact that it has the amnesia trope.😂 But the fact still stands that Macy and Chad were great characters! (Anyone know if they connect to any of her other books?) I enjoyed the storyline and the high stakes!
Overall:
This was a fun Christian fiction novella collection with a story for any level of suspense readers.😉
Recommend age 15+
Dee Henderson - 3 stars
This story was not at all what I was expecting, and it was by far the slowest in the collection. John was a nice character, and I appreciated his concern for his mother, but the story had a lot of build-up that just ended up falling flat to me. *shrugs*
Dani Pettrey - 4 stars
Okay, this one got intense and I really liked Ben's character! I was able to pick up the first book on the series this is connected to at McKays and I'm excited to get to it eventually...lol...Ben and Libby were great and all the spy mystery side of things was so interesting!
Blackout by Lynette Eason - 5 stars
This was my favorite! probably largely do to the fact that it has the amnesia trope.😂 But the fact still stands that Macy and Chad were great characters! (Anyone know if they connect to any of her other books?) I enjoyed the storyline and the high stakes!
Overall:
This was a fun Christian fiction novella collection with a story for any level of suspense readers.😉
Recommend age 15+
June 8, 2016
This was a great romantic suspense collection! I have really enjoyed Dani Pettrey’s and Lynette Eason’s suspense books in the past, and this novella collection introduced me to the writing of Dee Henderson. It is one of the reasons I enjoy novella collections. There have been many times that I have found another author I like when their work is paired with those I already know.
In Missing by Dee Henderson, I really enjoyed the way the author walked me through the process of trying to find John Graham’s mother. It was interesting to see the clues as they unfolded and watch the way the case was handled. I also thought that the gentle, slow development of the romance between the two characters was realistic for the situation.
In Shadowed by Dani Pettrey, I loved getting to see how the McKenna parents, Libby and Ben, met. It was definitely a surprise to find out what they had been through and to see where their children got their sense of adventure from! I thought the author did a great job of building up the romantic tension between these two! Another thing I really enjoyed was the references to things of the time period, such as music, clothing styles, and brands that were popular.
In Blackout by Lynette Eason, I was terrified about the attempts on Macey’s life and mesmerized by the flashbacks she kept experiencing. This was such a suspenseful story! I loved the way the author gave us only little glimpses into the past a bit at a time, making the big reveal at the end of the story even more powerful. The romantic tension was great in this novella, as well.
This was such a fun collection to read! I liked how each story did, in fact, tie back to something in the past. In two of the stories, there was a link to an event in the past. In the other story, the novella was actually set in the past. It was a great tie-in between the novellas!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
In Missing by Dee Henderson, I really enjoyed the way the author walked me through the process of trying to find John Graham’s mother. It was interesting to see the clues as they unfolded and watch the way the case was handled. I also thought that the gentle, slow development of the romance between the two characters was realistic for the situation.
In Shadowed by Dani Pettrey, I loved getting to see how the McKenna parents, Libby and Ben, met. It was definitely a surprise to find out what they had been through and to see where their children got their sense of adventure from! I thought the author did a great job of building up the romantic tension between these two! Another thing I really enjoyed was the references to things of the time period, such as music, clothing styles, and brands that were popular.
In Blackout by Lynette Eason, I was terrified about the attempts on Macey’s life and mesmerized by the flashbacks she kept experiencing. This was such a suspenseful story! I loved the way the author gave us only little glimpses into the past a bit at a time, making the big reveal at the end of the story even more powerful. The romantic tension was great in this novella, as well.
This was such a fun collection to read! I liked how each story did, in fact, tie back to something in the past. In two of the stories, there was a link to an event in the past. In the other story, the novella was actually set in the past. It was a great tie-in between the novellas!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
October 8, 2018
All of these stories are fast-paced and full of suspense as the mysteries are worked out and solved. I liked the first story and the way it showed the methodical work of the police and detectives, leaving no stone unturned but having to prioritize certain leads before others. Sharon, the lead missing persons detective had a great rapport with John, the sheriff whose mother has gone missing, and I liked the friendship that developed there. The romance angle was kind of out of the blue because they are both so pragmatic and the focus was so much on the case, but friendship is always a good place to start ;)
I was so excited to read the second story since I'm a fan of the author's Alaskan Courage series. It was cool to get to know Ben and Libby and see how they met as young adults. It is set during the Cold War, and the politics with the Russians and espionage made for high tension as the murder is investigated. I would have liked more on the relationship and romance, but it was still a great story and had a full plot.
The last story Blackout had one of my favorite suspense tropes- amnesia of the victim. For me it automatically ramps up the anticipation and anxiety while the holes are being filled and not knowing where or when the danger will strike. A great conclusion to the collection.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I was so excited to read the second story since I'm a fan of the author's Alaskan Courage series. It was cool to get to know Ben and Libby and see how they met as young adults. It is set during the Cold War, and the politics with the Russians and espionage made for high tension as the murder is investigated. I would have liked more on the relationship and romance, but it was still a great story and had a full plot.
The last story Blackout had one of my favorite suspense tropes- amnesia of the victim. For me it automatically ramps up the anticipation and anxiety while the holes are being filled and not knowing where or when the danger will strike. A great conclusion to the collection.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
September 18, 2021
Too good to not give the whole thing 5 stars!
Dee Henderson's was my least favourite, but Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason knocked it out of the park!!!
Great mystery suspense stories with a touch of romance to make it sweet. LOVED it!
Dee Henderson's was my least favourite, but Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason knocked it out of the park!!!
Great mystery suspense stories with a touch of romance to make it sweet. LOVED it!
February 8, 2016
Three of my favourite romantic suspense authors all in one book?? Sign me up!!! Sins of the Past is a collection of three romantic suspense novellas. All three stories are based on something that has happened in the past impacting current events and they bring together plenty of action, suspense and romance.
Missing - Dee Henderson
Missing is a wonderfully insightful and exciting look at working a missing persons case, one that is very personal. Police chief John Graham's mother has been reported missing. He teams up with Lieutenant Sharon Noble to help locate her. It's a frustrating and emotional time for John, but he enjoys working with the enigmatic Sharon. The focus of this story is definitely the case. Details, interviews, clues and time lines, it's like being dropped into the middle of an active crime scene and it's very interesting. As always with Dee's writing it is also very enjoyable to read. This is the first time I have read a novella by Dee and was pleased by the balance in timing, and the mix of family, crime solving and romance is also perfect. The story never felt rushed or cut short. The romance develops slowly and sweetly, with the delicate hand that Dee Henderson always turns to her love stories. Very enjoyable.
Shadowed - Dani Pettrey
In Shadowed, readers get to meet the parents of the McKenna group, Ben and Libby, and uncover the story of how they first met. Those who have read Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series will know these two become the parents of the McKenna children who star as our heroines and heroes of that series. It's fun to go back and see where their story starts. And just like any book in the McKenna series, Shadowed is full of action and plenty of twists that just keep coming, especially when you think things have resolved. You can see where the McKenna clan get their tenacity, deep curiosity and love of investigating. It's a fun novella, lots of suspense, great positioning in the era and setting and sweet romance.
Blackout - Lynette Eason
Blackout starts off terrifying - don't start this one at night - and continues with plenty of action. Macey was unwittingly involved in a crime when she was a teenager but never fully retained her memories of what happened. Now someone is out to make sure she dies before she does remember. Breaking into her house is just the beginning. Macey's neighbour, police detective Chad is on scene when Macey's house is broken in to. It gives him the opening to help Macey begin an investigation into her past and find who is hunting her now, and maybe even convince Macey to finally give them a chance as a couple. Things are a little rushed to fit the timeline of this story, prints and lab results are conveniently returned very quickly and the action happens quickly. I didn't connect with Macey, but Chad is charming. Blackout is not as good as some of Lynette Eason's full-length books, but still an enjoyable read.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.
Missing - Dee Henderson
Missing is a wonderfully insightful and exciting look at working a missing persons case, one that is very personal. Police chief John Graham's mother has been reported missing. He teams up with Lieutenant Sharon Noble to help locate her. It's a frustrating and emotional time for John, but he enjoys working with the enigmatic Sharon. The focus of this story is definitely the case. Details, interviews, clues and time lines, it's like being dropped into the middle of an active crime scene and it's very interesting. As always with Dee's writing it is also very enjoyable to read. This is the first time I have read a novella by Dee and was pleased by the balance in timing, and the mix of family, crime solving and romance is also perfect. The story never felt rushed or cut short. The romance develops slowly and sweetly, with the delicate hand that Dee Henderson always turns to her love stories. Very enjoyable.
Shadowed - Dani Pettrey
In Shadowed, readers get to meet the parents of the McKenna group, Ben and Libby, and uncover the story of how they first met. Those who have read Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series will know these two become the parents of the McKenna children who star as our heroines and heroes of that series. It's fun to go back and see where their story starts. And just like any book in the McKenna series, Shadowed is full of action and plenty of twists that just keep coming, especially when you think things have resolved. You can see where the McKenna clan get their tenacity, deep curiosity and love of investigating. It's a fun novella, lots of suspense, great positioning in the era and setting and sweet romance.
Blackout - Lynette Eason
Blackout starts off terrifying - don't start this one at night - and continues with plenty of action. Macey was unwittingly involved in a crime when she was a teenager but never fully retained her memories of what happened. Now someone is out to make sure she dies before she does remember. Breaking into her house is just the beginning. Macey's neighbour, police detective Chad is on scene when Macey's house is broken in to. It gives him the opening to help Macey begin an investigation into her past and find who is hunting her now, and maybe even convince Macey to finally give them a chance as a couple. Things are a little rushed to fit the timeline of this story, prints and lab results are conveniently returned very quickly and the action happens quickly. I didn't connect with Macey, but Chad is charming. Blackout is not as good as some of Lynette Eason's full-length books, but still an enjoyable read.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.
February 15, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
What's better than one suspense novel?
Three!
Two of the stories in Sins of the Past drew me in and kept me guessing until the very end. The authors expertly used hooks, the element of surprise, and pacing to their advantage and delivered entertaining tales of redemption and mystery.
I especially enjoyed the Cold War setting of Dani Pettrey's Shadowed. I think this might be the first book since The Bourne Identity that I've read that took place in that era, and I was pleased with the story line. Ms. Pettrey was a new author for me, and I must say I was delighted with her writing ability. I usually try two or three books from authors before forming a permanent opinion, but she's started off on a good foot with me.
Lynette Eason's Blackout brought a slightly different style than I'm used to from her, in that she used flashbacks fairly often. With the partial amnesia the lead character struggled with, this technique worked beautifully. As always, she crafted memorable characters and crimes and twists. I stayed up way too late to finish this one, because I couldn't go to sleep with the crime nearly-but-not-yet solved. Yes, she did that to me. Again. (And I love her for it!)
The story that fell short for me was Dee Henderson's Missing. It was extremely dialogue-heavy with little action, and I expect suspense books to contain a ton of action (especially from an author who had mastered this in her O'Malley Chronicles and Uncommon Heroes series). The story was too stilted and controlled, not free flowing; each character carefully thought out every word before they said it, because they already knew what other characters could and couldn't handle or deal with. Life isn't that neat and tidy. People don't know what other folks can and can't handle, nor how they'll react to things. I want to see more reality in Ms. Henderson's stories, like her first two series contained. I'm not sure why there's been such a departure from her original author's voice, but it's obvious to me that her style is vastly different now; it seems like the two phases of her career have been penned by two different authors. I keep trying her newest books, hoping she'll find a happy middle ground or something, but each time I close the book with disappointment and a dying hope for the next one.
Overall, Sins of the Past earned four stars from me, because two out of the three stories were excellent, and I was happy to see that the third one had a premise I had not seen before. This books would be a great gift for suspense lovers and crime-drama fans.
This is my unbiased, honest review.
What's better than one suspense novel?
Three!
Two of the stories in Sins of the Past drew me in and kept me guessing until the very end. The authors expertly used hooks, the element of surprise, and pacing to their advantage and delivered entertaining tales of redemption and mystery.
I especially enjoyed the Cold War setting of Dani Pettrey's Shadowed. I think this might be the first book since The Bourne Identity that I've read that took place in that era, and I was pleased with the story line. Ms. Pettrey was a new author for me, and I must say I was delighted with her writing ability. I usually try two or three books from authors before forming a permanent opinion, but she's started off on a good foot with me.
Lynette Eason's Blackout brought a slightly different style than I'm used to from her, in that she used flashbacks fairly often. With the partial amnesia the lead character struggled with, this technique worked beautifully. As always, she crafted memorable characters and crimes and twists. I stayed up way too late to finish this one, because I couldn't go to sleep with the crime nearly-but-not-yet solved. Yes, she did that to me. Again. (And I love her for it!)
The story that fell short for me was Dee Henderson's Missing. It was extremely dialogue-heavy with little action, and I expect suspense books to contain a ton of action (especially from an author who had mastered this in her O'Malley Chronicles and Uncommon Heroes series). The story was too stilted and controlled, not free flowing; each character carefully thought out every word before they said it, because they already knew what other characters could and couldn't handle or deal with. Life isn't that neat and tidy. People don't know what other folks can and can't handle, nor how they'll react to things. I want to see more reality in Ms. Henderson's stories, like her first two series contained. I'm not sure why there's been such a departure from her original author's voice, but it's obvious to me that her style is vastly different now; it seems like the two phases of her career have been penned by two different authors. I keep trying her newest books, hoping she'll find a happy middle ground or something, but each time I close the book with disappointment and a dying hope for the next one.
Overall, Sins of the Past earned four stars from me, because two out of the three stories were excellent, and I was happy to see that the third one had a premise I had not seen before. This books would be a great gift for suspense lovers and crime-drama fans.
This is my unbiased, honest review.
May 13, 2016
"Sins of the Past" is a great collection of novellas that can be read all at once or in brief bites, one novella at a time. Each is a quick, well-written read that may be just what you are looking for if you are craving some romance, suspense, and some entertaining plot twists. Probably my favourite of the three is "Missing" by Dee Henderson, as I particularly enjoyed the interaction and dialogue between the characters John and Sharon and the way the plot unfolds. However, the other two additions are also fine reads. "Shadowed" is a great prequel to Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series with action-packed scenes and a sweet romance. Eason's "Blackout" provides the most heart-pounding moments, and I am always glad to read anything by such a talented suspense author, with this novella being no exception. What I particularly appreciate about each of these novellas is how each is imbued with Christian faith and ideals and how each is a clean addition to the romance field with no messy inappropriate scenes to wreck the story. All in all, these novellas are sure to please fans of Henderson, Pettrey and Eason, as each features an interesting plot that will keep you guessing and, of course, a happy ending that will leave a smile on your face.
Sometimes you simply aren't in the mood for a long novel that will require a day or two of reading. If so, then the "Sins of the Past" collection is just what you are looking for! I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Sometimes you simply aren't in the mood for a long novel that will require a day or two of reading. If so, then the "Sins of the Past" collection is just what you are looking for! I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
August 8, 2016
Sins of the Past was a good novella collection. My individual ratings for the novellas are 3 stars for Dee Henderson's, 5 stars for Dani Pettrey's, and 4 stars for Lynette Eason's.
While I enjoyed them all, I thought Dee Henderson's was a bit rushed to me and that made it less enjoyable than the others (not totally bad, though).
I absolutely loved Dani Pettrey's story! If you have read her Alaskan Courage series, this novella was about their parents and how they met. It was very fun and suspenseful...just all-around a great story!!
All in all, I recommend Sins of the Past if you like inspiration suspense. The mysteries were good and there were definitely suspenseful moments throughout. A very nice read!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
While I enjoyed them all, I thought Dee Henderson's was a bit rushed to me and that made it less enjoyable than the others (not totally bad, though).
I absolutely loved Dani Pettrey's story! If you have read her Alaskan Courage series, this novella was about their parents and how they met. It was very fun and suspenseful...just all-around a great story!!
All in all, I recommend Sins of the Past if you like inspiration suspense. The mysteries were good and there were definitely suspenseful moments throughout. A very nice read!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
May 9, 2016
Sins of the Past: is a collection of three novellas by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynnette Eason
Can you ask for a better collection of authors for romantic suspense???
Missing with have you holding your breath. One of your worst fears; you mother is missing. John who is a sheriff in Wyoming receives the call that his mother is missing. He feels the guilt of wondering if it is one of his enemies from his days of working undercover in Chicago. You just melt at the relationship you experience between John and his mother and his concern for her. It is so heartwarming. Sharon Nobles is the lead investigator. If you read Traces of Guilt she is mentioned as the lead in the new team to work cold cases of missing persons. I liked her immediately. She is in charge in a subtle way. In true Dee Henderson fashion you are not sure how this will turn out, especially when half way through the book it takes a major turn. Suspense at its best.
Fans of Dani’s Alaskan series will be thrilled to read Shadowed which is the story of how the parents of the McKenna family met and fell in love. Ben is a fisherman (with an interesting back story that I will not spoil for you) who finds a dead body that happens to be one of the competitive swimmers. Libby, who is also a competitive swimmer, happens to be with him at the time. They try to solve the mystery of the swimmers death who may actually be a Russian defector. Elliot, one of the secondary characters was very interesting with his mysterious past. I really liked Ben, and liked Libby even though she was obnoxious a couple of times wanting to make sure she was included in the mystery.
Lynette delivers high octane suspense in Blackout. Macey cannot remember what happened during a robbery gone wrong years ago. As one of the culprits is released on parole, he comes to find her because he wants her to remember. The loot has never been found and he thinks she knows where it is. Chad is her next door neighbor for the last two years and happens to be a detective. He wants to help protect her.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
Can you ask for a better collection of authors for romantic suspense???
Missing with have you holding your breath. One of your worst fears; you mother is missing. John who is a sheriff in Wyoming receives the call that his mother is missing. He feels the guilt of wondering if it is one of his enemies from his days of working undercover in Chicago. You just melt at the relationship you experience between John and his mother and his concern for her. It is so heartwarming. Sharon Nobles is the lead investigator. If you read Traces of Guilt she is mentioned as the lead in the new team to work cold cases of missing persons. I liked her immediately. She is in charge in a subtle way. In true Dee Henderson fashion you are not sure how this will turn out, especially when half way through the book it takes a major turn. Suspense at its best.
Fans of Dani’s Alaskan series will be thrilled to read Shadowed which is the story of how the parents of the McKenna family met and fell in love. Ben is a fisherman (with an interesting back story that I will not spoil for you) who finds a dead body that happens to be one of the competitive swimmers. Libby, who is also a competitive swimmer, happens to be with him at the time. They try to solve the mystery of the swimmers death who may actually be a Russian defector. Elliot, one of the secondary characters was very interesting with his mysterious past. I really liked Ben, and liked Libby even though she was obnoxious a couple of times wanting to make sure she was included in the mystery.
Lynette delivers high octane suspense in Blackout. Macey cannot remember what happened during a robbery gone wrong years ago. As one of the culprits is released on parole, he comes to find her because he wants her to remember. The loot has never been found and he thinks she knows where it is. Chad is her next door neighbor for the last two years and happens to be a detective. He wants to help protect her.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
September 2, 2025
This was actually 3 books in one, so kind of hard to rate! The middle one was a prequel to a series I read previously, so that might have been my favorite and probably would have had a better rating on it's own. Overall, it was a nice read though splitting them as individual books would have been a better plan on my part, though didn't know that going in. I'm also just guessing that all these books can also be read as individuals, and I would recommend that more, because they are really not connected. The first book was more intriguing in my opinion than the last, but also a bit predictable in my opinion. It was slightly drawn out and I felt like it was obvious only cause the mom wasn't spilling on the kidnapper. The last one, I did not predict the ending, but also was not nearly invested enough in the character's story arcs and felt like the decision of the character to hide in the back of her boyfriend's car while he rode away with a friend was also just a little bit weird... But oh well. I would probably read any of the others again, and am guessing their other books are probably more my pace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 23, 2024DNF*** I read the Dee Henderson story and was utterly bored. I may pick it up and read the Lynette Eason story at some point, because I have never read anything by that author.
But, I probably won’t ever read the Dani Pettrey. I read the first two full-length novels in that series and I also found them boring, so I don’t really have any desire to continue the series.
The Dee Henderson book “Missing” was a solid 2⭐️ for me. I did not enjoy it.
But, I probably won’t ever read the Dani Pettrey. I read the first two full-length novels in that series and I also found them boring, so I don’t really have any desire to continue the series.
The Dee Henderson book “Missing” was a solid 2⭐️ for me. I did not enjoy it.
May 3, 2016
When I first heard that this novella collection was going to be happening only one thought went through my mind, my three all time favorite romantic suspense authors together in one book? Yes, please! Needless to say Sins of the Past was my most anticipated read of 2016!
Missing by Dee Henderson-4.5 Stars!-
This story got the collection off to a great start! As a huge fan of Dee's O'Malley family series, I am happy to say that I feel like this one was a lot closer to her earlier books than her more recent ones. While the suspense wasn't quite the same as in the O'Malley books, Missing was still very suspenseful, I had no clue whether John's mother would survive. And I totally didn't guess the reason for her disappearance until right before it was revealed! I also really enjoyed the romance between John and Sharon, it was very fun and I felt that it was very well developed for a story this short! Overall, while this novella wasn't my favorite of the collection, I still really loved it!
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey-5 Stars!-
If you know me at all then you probably know what a huge fan I am of Dani's books! I absolutely adored every page of her Alaskan Courage series and I was over the moon excited when I found out that Dani's contribution to this collection would feature the parents of our beloved McKenna clan! Words truly cannot express how happy it made me to finally be introduced to Ben and Libby, I was completely enthralled with every single word of their adventure! I don't know how Dani does it but every time I think one of her books has reached the absolute pinnacle of awesomeness, the next ups the awesome factor tenfold. Such was the case with Shadowed, forgive me but I just can't seem to stop gushing, it was just SO perfect! The suspense was off the charts crazy, I loved it! One of the things I thought was so cool about this story was all the references to pop culture and things of the time, I'm only twenty four years old but those details helped to paint such a vivid picture that while I was reading the story I felt like I was really living in 1979! I could go on for days about how much I loved this book but for the sake of everyone reading this review and for fear of spoiling something I'll draw this gush-fest to a close! Let me end by saying that the ending of this book caused me to feel giddy tingles of pure happiness and I had the biggest grin on my face when I read the last few sentences! This was my favorite of the three novellas and as soon as I finished it I found myself wanting to read it all over again, and I plan to make sure I leave room in my schedule to re-read it many times in the future!
Blackout by Lynette Eason-5 Stars!-
Lynette Eason is another one of my favorite authors, I always love her stories and Blackout was no exception! Macey and Chad were both such great characters and I loved their story. This was such a unique take on a suspense storyline and I loved it! I really had no clue who the villain was and I was totally surprised when their identity was revealed! I was absolutely blown away by the intensity as well as the sheer number of suspenseful scenes that Lynette was able to squeeze into a story this short, I never had a chance to catch my breath and I loved it! This story also contains one of the most crazy suspenseful climax's that I have ever read, I was literally on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next! I loved every minute of Blackout and I anticipate re-reading it many times in the future!
Sins of the Past is a novella collection that not only has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf but that all fans of romantic suspense NEED to read, you will not be sorry! This book will totally make my favorite books of 2016 list!
I was honored to receive a complimentary copy of this amazing book from Author Dani Pettrey and Bethany House publishers in exchange for helping to promote it! Thank you!
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
Missing by Dee Henderson-4.5 Stars!-
This story got the collection off to a great start! As a huge fan of Dee's O'Malley family series, I am happy to say that I feel like this one was a lot closer to her earlier books than her more recent ones. While the suspense wasn't quite the same as in the O'Malley books, Missing was still very suspenseful, I had no clue whether John's mother would survive. And I totally didn't guess the reason for her disappearance until right before it was revealed! I also really enjoyed the romance between John and Sharon, it was very fun and I felt that it was very well developed for a story this short! Overall, while this novella wasn't my favorite of the collection, I still really loved it!
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey-5 Stars!-
If you know me at all then you probably know what a huge fan I am of Dani's books! I absolutely adored every page of her Alaskan Courage series and I was over the moon excited when I found out that Dani's contribution to this collection would feature the parents of our beloved McKenna clan! Words truly cannot express how happy it made me to finally be introduced to Ben and Libby, I was completely enthralled with every single word of their adventure! I don't know how Dani does it but every time I think one of her books has reached the absolute pinnacle of awesomeness, the next ups the awesome factor tenfold. Such was the case with Shadowed, forgive me but I just can't seem to stop gushing, it was just SO perfect! The suspense was off the charts crazy, I loved it! One of the things I thought was so cool about this story was all the references to pop culture and things of the time, I'm only twenty four years old but those details helped to paint such a vivid picture that while I was reading the story I felt like I was really living in 1979! I could go on for days about how much I loved this book but for the sake of everyone reading this review and for fear of spoiling something I'll draw this gush-fest to a close! Let me end by saying that the ending of this book caused me to feel giddy tingles of pure happiness and I had the biggest grin on my face when I read the last few sentences! This was my favorite of the three novellas and as soon as I finished it I found myself wanting to read it all over again, and I plan to make sure I leave room in my schedule to re-read it many times in the future!
Blackout by Lynette Eason-5 Stars!-
Lynette Eason is another one of my favorite authors, I always love her stories and Blackout was no exception! Macey and Chad were both such great characters and I loved their story. This was such a unique take on a suspense storyline and I loved it! I really had no clue who the villain was and I was totally surprised when their identity was revealed! I was absolutely blown away by the intensity as well as the sheer number of suspenseful scenes that Lynette was able to squeeze into a story this short, I never had a chance to catch my breath and I loved it! This story also contains one of the most crazy suspenseful climax's that I have ever read, I was literally on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next! I loved every minute of Blackout and I anticipate re-reading it many times in the future!
Sins of the Past is a novella collection that not only has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf but that all fans of romantic suspense NEED to read, you will not be sorry! This book will totally make my favorite books of 2016 list!
I was honored to receive a complimentary copy of this amazing book from Author Dani Pettrey and Bethany House publishers in exchange for helping to promote it! Thank you!
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
February 27, 2016
Three suspense novellas in one book.
Missing by Dee Henderson is the first novella in this book. John Graham, a Wyoming sheriff has come back home to Chicago because his mother Martha has come up missing. Her car is in its spot and her purse with all the contents is next to the front door. Martha lives in a retirement home. Is Martha the victim of foul play? Is so what could be the motive? Could it be someone John Graham arrested in the past has a grudge against John and wants revenge. Also I was wondering if maybe Martha had onset of dementia and lost her way. Lt. Sharon Noble helps John in his quest to find out what happened to his mother. The novella kept me engaged since I wanted to find out what happened to his mother. Of course you do eventually find out what happens but I shall not give too much of the story away. In the end a friendship develops between John and Sharon and is implied that it could develop into something more.
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey is the second novella in this book. This novel is more of a prequel to his Alaska Courage series which consists of five books and deals with one family, the McKennas. This novella is about the parents Libby and Ben, how they met, the mystery they helped solved and their love story. It started out suspenseful with the discovery of a female corpse in the water. Libby was a competitive swimmer and recognized the victim as a member of the Russian team. As the story progressed it seem to drag some the main reason was too hard to keep up with all the characters. I had never read any of the Alaska Courage books so this novella did spark an interest in me reading the Alaska Courage books.
The last novella was Blackout by Lynette Eason. It was by far the best. I knew it would be. I didn't start this late at night because I knew I could not stop until I finished and I was right. This book had me hooked from the first page. Lynette's books always get me hooked from the beginning. In this book Macey had gone through a traumatic experience a few years before. She has no memory of what happened but has nightmares of what happened to her. She is afraid to let anyone get close to her. She is afraid that anybody close to her will die. Eventually she has no choice but to trust Chad, her next door neighbor who is also a detective. I liked the way the love story developed in this novella. It did not feel rushed or anything since Chad has always hoped Macey would open up and talk more to him about her troubles.
This novella collection is due to be released on April 26, 2016. Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to preview this book.
Missing by Dee Henderson is the first novella in this book. John Graham, a Wyoming sheriff has come back home to Chicago because his mother Martha has come up missing. Her car is in its spot and her purse with all the contents is next to the front door. Martha lives in a retirement home. Is Martha the victim of foul play? Is so what could be the motive? Could it be someone John Graham arrested in the past has a grudge against John and wants revenge. Also I was wondering if maybe Martha had onset of dementia and lost her way. Lt. Sharon Noble helps John in his quest to find out what happened to his mother. The novella kept me engaged since I wanted to find out what happened to his mother. Of course you do eventually find out what happens but I shall not give too much of the story away. In the end a friendship develops between John and Sharon and is implied that it could develop into something more.
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey is the second novella in this book. This novel is more of a prequel to his Alaska Courage series which consists of five books and deals with one family, the McKennas. This novella is about the parents Libby and Ben, how they met, the mystery they helped solved and their love story. It started out suspenseful with the discovery of a female corpse in the water. Libby was a competitive swimmer and recognized the victim as a member of the Russian team. As the story progressed it seem to drag some the main reason was too hard to keep up with all the characters. I had never read any of the Alaska Courage books so this novella did spark an interest in me reading the Alaska Courage books.
The last novella was Blackout by Lynette Eason. It was by far the best. I knew it would be. I didn't start this late at night because I knew I could not stop until I finished and I was right. This book had me hooked from the first page. Lynette's books always get me hooked from the beginning. In this book Macey had gone through a traumatic experience a few years before. She has no memory of what happened but has nightmares of what happened to her. She is afraid to let anyone get close to her. She is afraid that anybody close to her will die. Eventually she has no choice but to trust Chad, her next door neighbor who is also a detective. I liked the way the love story developed in this novella. It did not feel rushed or anything since Chad has always hoped Macey would open up and talk more to him about her troubles.
This novella collection is due to be released on April 26, 2016. Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to preview this book.
June 24, 2016
As is often the case with novella collections, the contents are a mixed bag. Some novellas I loved, and others were just so-so.
Missing by Dee Henderson: I started reading Henderson's romantic suspense in college, and I absolutely devoured her O'Malley series. This is the first of her writing that I've read in probably close to ten years, and I have to say, I didn't really enjoy it. The story is fine—John returns to Chicago when his mother goes missing, and he begins working with Chicago cop Sharon to find her. The mystery was intriguing, and though I did accurately guess who had John's mother, I was way off on the motive. The problem for me was that Henderson told the reader that John and Sharon were falling for each other, but it was all talk—there was a lack of emotion that made me not buy the two romantically. 2-1/2 stars.
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey: Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series featuring the McKenna family is one of my favorite series of all time, so I was thrilled to dive into the love story of Ben McKenna and Libby Jennings, who would later become the parents of the McKenna tribe. (They are long dead by the time the Alaskan Courage series begins, so it was nice to meet them.) The mystery surrounds the murder of one of Libby's swimming competitors, and as Libby and Ben investigate, they find their lives in danger. For me, the love story was a bit rushed, but the suspense was spot on. And, as always, Pettrey's writing was excellent. 4 stars.
Blackout by Lynette Eason: Of the three novellas included in this collection, Blackout is by far my favorite. Macey survived being shot and buried alive as a teenager, but her memories of that tragic night have been dim at best. When she finally starts remembering, she becomes a target. Macey's next door neighbor Chad, a police detective, helps her search for the person who is after her, but the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Eason is known for her high-octane suspense, and Blackout certainly lives up to her reputation! Also, the romance in this novella doesn't feel rushed (as the two are friends prior to the novel's beginning), which lent an air of believability to the story. 5 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed Sins of the Past, and, while I definitely connected with some novellas more than others, I think most fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this collection. 4 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Missing by Dee Henderson: I started reading Henderson's romantic suspense in college, and I absolutely devoured her O'Malley series. This is the first of her writing that I've read in probably close to ten years, and I have to say, I didn't really enjoy it. The story is fine—John returns to Chicago when his mother goes missing, and he begins working with Chicago cop Sharon to find her. The mystery was intriguing, and though I did accurately guess who had John's mother, I was way off on the motive. The problem for me was that Henderson told the reader that John and Sharon were falling for each other, but it was all talk—there was a lack of emotion that made me not buy the two romantically. 2-1/2 stars.
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey: Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series featuring the McKenna family is one of my favorite series of all time, so I was thrilled to dive into the love story of Ben McKenna and Libby Jennings, who would later become the parents of the McKenna tribe. (They are long dead by the time the Alaskan Courage series begins, so it was nice to meet them.) The mystery surrounds the murder of one of Libby's swimming competitors, and as Libby and Ben investigate, they find their lives in danger. For me, the love story was a bit rushed, but the suspense was spot on. And, as always, Pettrey's writing was excellent. 4 stars.
Blackout by Lynette Eason: Of the three novellas included in this collection, Blackout is by far my favorite. Macey survived being shot and buried alive as a teenager, but her memories of that tragic night have been dim at best. When she finally starts remembering, she becomes a target. Macey's next door neighbor Chad, a police detective, helps her search for the person who is after her, but the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Eason is known for her high-octane suspense, and Blackout certainly lives up to her reputation! Also, the romance in this novella doesn't feel rushed (as the two are friends prior to the novel's beginning), which lent an air of believability to the story. 5 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed Sins of the Past, and, while I definitely connected with some novellas more than others, I think most fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this collection. 4 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 20, 2016
My thoughts:
First up is Missing by Dee Henderson
This is the first novella in the collection and while I know I was reading a rough advanced reader’s copy, I have to admit that I was rather disappointed in this story.
The story started right in the middle of the action, which is great, and the plot had a lot of promise. As soon as they started talking about suspects, I knew who had done it, so spending the rest of the novella shaking my head at two seasoned cops who couldn’t figure it out made me less intrigued. However, if the characters were three-dimensional, this wouldn’t have been an issue at all.
The characters kept referring to one another by name, sometimes multiple times in a conversation. I do hope that will be taken care of before it goes to final print, but it was rather distracting—not something that happens in a real conversation.
However, I was more disappointed in the quality of the characters. They felt flat—almost monotonous—and the romance truly felt forced. I didn’t feel any sparks between the two, so when John, the hero, asked Sharon, the heroine, about the pull between the two of them, I was caught off guard. It was abrupt, in my opinion.
I’m normally a Dee Henderson fan and truly don’t like giving a negative review, but this is not a novella I’d read again. However, there may be editorial changes made before the book comes out, so don’t not read this one based on my review.
Next is Shadowed by Dani Pettrey.
Oh, it was so good to read a prequel to Dani’s Alaskan Courage series! To read how the siblings’ parents (Ben and Libby) met and how their relationship developed. It was like coming home.
Dani didn’t disappoint with regards to her writing style. The tension, the sparks, the suspense…it’s all there in spades. A truly great, fun novella!!
Finally, there’s Blackout by Lynette Eason.
Lynette never fails to disappoint me, I have to admit. This is a fast-paced, very suspenseful story. Macey and Chad are a great team, and there’s a lot of action packed into a short novella! Sometimes the pacing is a little too fast, but considering the shortness of this story, it’s completely understandable. Overall, a great read by one of my favorite romantic suspense authors!
While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Dee Henderson’s novella, I do recommend Dani Pettrey’s and Lynette Eason’s!
*Note: I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own.
First up is Missing by Dee Henderson
This is the first novella in the collection and while I know I was reading a rough advanced reader’s copy, I have to admit that I was rather disappointed in this story.
The story started right in the middle of the action, which is great, and the plot had a lot of promise. As soon as they started talking about suspects, I knew who had done it, so spending the rest of the novella shaking my head at two seasoned cops who couldn’t figure it out made me less intrigued. However, if the characters were three-dimensional, this wouldn’t have been an issue at all.
The characters kept referring to one another by name, sometimes multiple times in a conversation. I do hope that will be taken care of before it goes to final print, but it was rather distracting—not something that happens in a real conversation.
However, I was more disappointed in the quality of the characters. They felt flat—almost monotonous—and the romance truly felt forced. I didn’t feel any sparks between the two, so when John, the hero, asked Sharon, the heroine, about the pull between the two of them, I was caught off guard. It was abrupt, in my opinion.
I’m normally a Dee Henderson fan and truly don’t like giving a negative review, but this is not a novella I’d read again. However, there may be editorial changes made before the book comes out, so don’t not read this one based on my review.
Next is Shadowed by Dani Pettrey.
Oh, it was so good to read a prequel to Dani’s Alaskan Courage series! To read how the siblings’ parents (Ben and Libby) met and how their relationship developed. It was like coming home.
Dani didn’t disappoint with regards to her writing style. The tension, the sparks, the suspense…it’s all there in spades. A truly great, fun novella!!
Finally, there’s Blackout by Lynette Eason.
Lynette never fails to disappoint me, I have to admit. This is a fast-paced, very suspenseful story. Macey and Chad are a great team, and there’s a lot of action packed into a short novella! Sometimes the pacing is a little too fast, but considering the shortness of this story, it’s completely understandable. Overall, a great read by one of my favorite romantic suspense authors!
While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Dee Henderson’s novella, I do recommend Dani Pettrey’s and Lynette Eason’s!
*Note: I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own.
May 11, 2016
I was so excited to get my hands on this book. Three of my favorite romantic suspense authors all under one cover. What could possibly be better?
The funny thing is that I don't usually gravitate to novellas. I like my stories long and detailed. But this collection may have changed my mind. Since the stories had to be short the action began right from the beginning. The pace was fast and the drama unfolded quickly. Because of these details I actually thought the stories were even more suspenseful.
The first story, Missing, from Dee Henderson is not only heart-pounding it is also heart-gripping. Beyond the shear terror of a missing person's tale this is also a beautiful story of a mother and son and their deep love for each other.
The second story, Shadowed, by Dani Pettrey was a scary but fun trip back in time. The setting is the late 70's in Yancey, Alaska. As a fan of Dani's Alaskan Courage series I was delighted to read the story of Ben and Libby and the beginning of the future McKenna clan. If you've read that series, you must read this as well.
The third and final story, Blackout, by Lynette Eason is a quick snapshot of Lynette's amazing crime drama style. The story was so fast and intense that I didn't figure out the killer until the person was revealed. I would have liked to see this one as a full novel just because I wanted more details but it was a very satisfying and complete read.
If you're a fan of romantic suspense you need to tuck this one into your summer reading stash. You won't be disappointed!
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
The funny thing is that I don't usually gravitate to novellas. I like my stories long and detailed. But this collection may have changed my mind. Since the stories had to be short the action began right from the beginning. The pace was fast and the drama unfolded quickly. Because of these details I actually thought the stories were even more suspenseful.
The first story, Missing, from Dee Henderson is not only heart-pounding it is also heart-gripping. Beyond the shear terror of a missing person's tale this is also a beautiful story of a mother and son and their deep love for each other.
The second story, Shadowed, by Dani Pettrey was a scary but fun trip back in time. The setting is the late 70's in Yancey, Alaska. As a fan of Dani's Alaskan Courage series I was delighted to read the story of Ben and Libby and the beginning of the future McKenna clan. If you've read that series, you must read this as well.
The third and final story, Blackout, by Lynette Eason is a quick snapshot of Lynette's amazing crime drama style. The story was so fast and intense that I didn't figure out the killer until the person was revealed. I would have liked to see this one as a full novel just because I wanted more details but it was a very satisfying and complete read.
If you're a fan of romantic suspense you need to tuck this one into your summer reading stash. You won't be disappointed!
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
June 15, 2017
Missing - Dee Henderson - 3 stars
This story started off with potential to be a great suspense read, but somewhere started to fall flat and being a bit slower paced to what I like in suspense books. I also guessed who the bad guy was so that revelation came as no surprise.
However, it was still a good suspense read that kept the mystery going right till the end. Her O'Malley series is still my favourite.
Shadowed - Dani Pettrey - 4 stars
This one was fast-paced suspense - exactly how I like my suspense. I was drawn from the beginning to the end with the mystery and had no clue who the killer was or why.
The characters were very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I'm hoping for another novella which will take place few years after this novella where all 5 kids are born already and causing loads of adventures for the parents.
Blackout - Lynette Eason - 4 stars
Lynette is one of my favourite suspense writers and this novella confirmed why. From the start to the end there was non-stop action and the flashbacks was intriguing and kept me fully interested in the story. I did guess correctly but the way it was written did not take any suspense away from the story. There was enough back story to the relationship to avoid any insta-love scenario.
Recommended to fans of these authors or to someone who is looking for new Suspense writers - this is a great introduction to what these authors can do and their novels is even better.
This story started off with potential to be a great suspense read, but somewhere started to fall flat and being a bit slower paced to what I like in suspense books. I also guessed who the bad guy was so that revelation came as no surprise.
However, it was still a good suspense read that kept the mystery going right till the end. Her O'Malley series is still my favourite.
Shadowed - Dani Pettrey - 4 stars
This one was fast-paced suspense - exactly how I like my suspense. I was drawn from the beginning to the end with the mystery and had no clue who the killer was or why.
The characters were very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I'm hoping for another novella which will take place few years after this novella where all 5 kids are born already and causing loads of adventures for the parents.
Blackout - Lynette Eason - 4 stars
Lynette is one of my favourite suspense writers and this novella confirmed why. From the start to the end there was non-stop action and the flashbacks was intriguing and kept me fully interested in the story. I did guess correctly but the way it was written did not take any suspense away from the story. There was enough back story to the relationship to avoid any insta-love scenario.
Recommended to fans of these authors or to someone who is looking for new Suspense writers - this is a great introduction to what these authors can do and their novels is even better.
June 11, 2016
When three amazing suspense authors team up, you know you’re in for an adventure! I’m not sure I could pick a favorite novella in the book. They were all great!
‘Missing’ by Dee Henderson
Heavier on the suspense, and lighter on the romance, Missing sets the clock ticking from the first page. You’ll keep digging to piece together the clues to solve the mystery before the police do.
‘Shadowed’ by Dani Pettrey
Suspense and romance intertwine in Shadowed, leaving you looking over your shoulder and yet holding out hope that “good guys” do still exist. With Dani Pettrey’s solid writing, you’ll be surprised to realize you aren’t really in Alaska!
‘Blackout’ by Lynette Eason
What if you couldn’t remember the details of a terrible even in your life? Blackout will have you experiencing the process of remembering, even when the memories endanger your life. Another well-balanced romantic suspense which will keep you turning pages!
If you haven’t read these authors before, Sins of the Past is a great opportunity to try out all three. You won’t be sorry you did!
(This review was first posted on my blog -- sarahruut.com. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.)
‘Missing’ by Dee Henderson
Heavier on the suspense, and lighter on the romance, Missing sets the clock ticking from the first page. You’ll keep digging to piece together the clues to solve the mystery before the police do.
‘Shadowed’ by Dani Pettrey
Suspense and romance intertwine in Shadowed, leaving you looking over your shoulder and yet holding out hope that “good guys” do still exist. With Dani Pettrey’s solid writing, you’ll be surprised to realize you aren’t really in Alaska!
‘Blackout’ by Lynette Eason
What if you couldn’t remember the details of a terrible even in your life? Blackout will have you experiencing the process of remembering, even when the memories endanger your life. Another well-balanced romantic suspense which will keep you turning pages!
If you haven’t read these authors before, Sins of the Past is a great opportunity to try out all three. You won’t be sorry you did!
(This review was first posted on my blog -- sarahruut.com. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.)
April 4, 2016
Take three popular, successful inspirational romantic suspense authors and put them together in an anthology and you get Sins of the Past. It’s a non-stop, engaging, and of course suspense-filled collection of novellas from Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason.
Interestingly, each novella is completely different. The only theme running through each of these stories is the crime. But the collection works. It’s just an appetizer for those who are waiting on something new from any of these authors.
Henderson’s story centers on a missing person and the investigation to find her. Fans of Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series will enjoy reading about how the McKenna siblings’ parents met, and Lynette Eason’s chiller about a woman whose past has come back to haunt her.
May 3, 2016 is a busy, busy week for the Christian fiction publishing industry but be sure and add this one to your list to pick up. Better yet, go ahead and pre-order it now so you don’t forget about it.
***Bethany House Publishers provided me with a digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2016
Three well known authors have written suspense novellas to make this wonderful book. Each story is tied together solely by the title. Each author brings her own authentic writing style and creates a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, infuse you with faith, and give you a small taste of their excellent writing skills. Intrigue, suspense, drama, faith, and a touch of romance are all combined to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Two of these authors were already favorites, so I was excited to read this book. But now I've added another favorite to my list. They were all outstanding. I loved how they incorporated faith into a difficult or dangerous situation. Each story had a touch of romance, but the main theme was suspense. The characters were well fleshed out, the plots were perfectly suspenseful, and the faith was not overwhelming. Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Two of these authors were already favorites, so I was excited to read this book. But now I've added another favorite to my list. They were all outstanding. I loved how they incorporated faith into a difficult or dangerous situation. Each story had a touch of romance, but the main theme was suspense. The characters were well fleshed out, the plots were perfectly suspenseful, and the faith was not overwhelming. Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
May 31, 2016
In Ms. Eason's novella, Blackout, the reader is introduced to Macey. Macey was an eye witness to a murder. Problem is, she has no complete memory of it. I LOVED the premise and how Ms. Eason pulled me into the story. Then again, I'm not surprised because her stories always manages to hook me from the beginning. This novella was no different.
*Full review at: http://tonishiloh.weebly.com/blog/rev...
*Full review at: http://tonishiloh.weebly.com/blog/rev...
June 2, 2016
Wow! These three authors emanate the definition of romantic suspense. When I say I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, I mean it. This is a fast-paced, page turning, suspenseful novella collection full of faith and love. Read my full review: http://faithlovebooks.blogspot.com/20...
November 4, 2016
I am reviewing each of the stories in this collection separately:
Missing (by Dee Henderson): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shadowed (by Dani Pettrey): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blackout (by Lynette Eason): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Missing (by Dee Henderson): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shadowed (by Dani Pettrey): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blackout (by Lynette Eason): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 28, 2018
3.5 stars. This is a romantic suspense novella collection by three popular Christian inspirational authors - Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason.
Missing by Dee Henderson - Police chief John Graham travels from Wyoming back to his hometown of Chicago after his mother mysteriously disappears from a retirement village. He works alongside Lieutenant Sharon Noble to solve the case, but they could be running out of time. This story started out well, but I felt it got a bit bogged down in detail as the police worked the evidence. It's really more of a police procedural than a suspense story, and I felt there were some lost opportunities to ramp up the drama.The romance was also a little light-on, though I appreciated that Henderson didn't move things too quickly either, as that would have been unbelievable given the circumstances. I loved Henderon's O'Malley series, but this seemed a little pedestrian by comparison.
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey - This is a prequel to Pettrey's popular Alaskan Courage series that features the drop-dead gorgeous and outdoorsy McKenna siblings. This novella is set in the 70s and tells the story of how their parents met. Libby is a champion ocean swimmer who's in Yancey for a competition. On a rare afternoon off, she goes on a whale-watching tour with hunky skipper Ben. However, things take a sinister turn when they discover the body of Libby's Russian competitor floating in the ocean. Is the dead Russian a spy, and if so, whose side is she on? It's an interesting Cold War story, though it was a bit constrained by the novella length. Some potentially suspenseful moments were cut short, yet there was a lot of time for introspection. I read this on Kindle last year, not realising it was a novella until I suddenly reached the end. Fans of the series will probably enjoy it. You can see my full review at the following link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Blackout by Lynette Eason - Macey Adams had been in a serious car accident six years ago, after being innocently caught up in a robbery-gone-wrong. The details of that night have been a blank, but after she starts remembering bits and pieces, her life is in jeopardy, along with the lives of those she loves. People are getting killed and Macey could be next, in spite of the efforts of Chad, the hunky policeman next door who is smitten with Macey. I liked this novella the best of the three. It had genuine suspense and an interesting plot, though there were still a few little things that niggled me.
I enjoyed the collection overall, but I would put it in the light, holiday-read category. Not that that's a bad thing. I like a light holiday-read. I just felt there were some lost opportunities for suspense at times, and some of the writing could have been tightened. I hadn't read any of Lynette Eason's books before, and I may have a look at her full-length works. I felt the stories by Henderson and Pettrey weren't up with their best, but the novella length is not always easy to get right. If you like inspirational romantic suspense, you might like to give this collection a try. It's also a good book if you want to intersperse longer novels with shorter reads.
Missing by Dee Henderson - Police chief John Graham travels from Wyoming back to his hometown of Chicago after his mother mysteriously disappears from a retirement village. He works alongside Lieutenant Sharon Noble to solve the case, but they could be running out of time. This story started out well, but I felt it got a bit bogged down in detail as the police worked the evidence. It's really more of a police procedural than a suspense story, and I felt there were some lost opportunities to ramp up the drama.The romance was also a little light-on, though I appreciated that Henderson didn't move things too quickly either, as that would have been unbelievable given the circumstances. I loved Henderon's O'Malley series, but this seemed a little pedestrian by comparison.
Shadowed by Dani Pettrey - This is a prequel to Pettrey's popular Alaskan Courage series that features the drop-dead gorgeous and outdoorsy McKenna siblings. This novella is set in the 70s and tells the story of how their parents met. Libby is a champion ocean swimmer who's in Yancey for a competition. On a rare afternoon off, she goes on a whale-watching tour with hunky skipper Ben. However, things take a sinister turn when they discover the body of Libby's Russian competitor floating in the ocean. Is the dead Russian a spy, and if so, whose side is she on? It's an interesting Cold War story, though it was a bit constrained by the novella length. Some potentially suspenseful moments were cut short, yet there was a lot of time for introspection. I read this on Kindle last year, not realising it was a novella until I suddenly reached the end. Fans of the series will probably enjoy it. You can see my full review at the following link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Blackout by Lynette Eason - Macey Adams had been in a serious car accident six years ago, after being innocently caught up in a robbery-gone-wrong. The details of that night have been a blank, but after she starts remembering bits and pieces, her life is in jeopardy, along with the lives of those she loves. People are getting killed and Macey could be next, in spite of the efforts of Chad, the hunky policeman next door who is smitten with Macey. I liked this novella the best of the three. It had genuine suspense and an interesting plot, though there were still a few little things that niggled me.
I enjoyed the collection overall, but I would put it in the light, holiday-read category. Not that that's a bad thing. I like a light holiday-read. I just felt there were some lost opportunities for suspense at times, and some of the writing could have been tightened. I hadn't read any of Lynette Eason's books before, and I may have a look at her full-length works. I felt the stories by Henderson and Pettrey weren't up with their best, but the novella length is not always easy to get right. If you like inspirational romantic suspense, you might like to give this collection a try. It's also a good book if you want to intersperse longer novels with shorter reads.
November 1, 2024
Missing - 5 stars! So sweet. I loved all of the characters involved, and while the pace was a bit slower, I really enjoyed the fact that the main character wasn't the one in danger, but someone he loved. I also absolutely loved that the romance was kind of a subplot and not the main point of the story. I love Dee Henderson stories, and this one was honestly just so perfect. It's hard to get a realistic/believable timeline in a novella, but she nailed it. And it was at Christmas time, so that was an extra bonus. :)
Shadowed - 2 stars. Not one that I'll be reading again. The entire plot felt very rushed, as if the author was trying to get a 400-page novel packed into a novella. Not to mention that the couple is falling in love and making out two days after they met?? Not a fan.
Blackout - 4 stars. I loved the characters, especially the way Macey handled the whole stalker situation. She wanted to keep people from getting too close for fear of endangering them, and yet she acknowledged that she needed help and let Chad in.
Shadowed - 2 stars. Not one that I'll be reading again. The entire plot felt very rushed, as if the author was trying to get a 400-page novel packed into a novella. Not to mention that the couple is falling in love and making out two days after they met?? Not a fan.
Blackout - 4 stars. I loved the characters, especially the way Macey handled the whole stalker situation. She wanted to keep people from getting too close for fear of endangering them, and yet she acknowledged that she needed help and let Chad in.
September 21, 2023
As usual, Dani pettreys story knocked it out of the park. Perfect blend of suspense and romance. And the fact that they were parents of the Alaskan series!!! So cute and creative. The other two stories on the other hand…
Lynette eastons story was ok but almost all of the characters were just stupid. There were multiple times in the story where I slapped my hand to my forehead like why would they do that????? I’m considering reading her extreme measures series but I’m not sure I can because I don’t really enjoy stories.
As for dee henderson, I continue to be disappointed by her. Her true heroes series were soooo good but everything else I’ve read by her has been so boring and anticlimactic. Dee henderson completely missed the assignment with this story. If you’re into romance and/or romantic suspense I highly recommend the true heroes series.
Lynette eastons story was ok but almost all of the characters were just stupid. There were multiple times in the story where I slapped my hand to my forehead like why would they do that????? I’m considering reading her extreme measures series but I’m not sure I can because I don’t really enjoy stories.
As for dee henderson, I continue to be disappointed by her. Her true heroes series were soooo good but everything else I’ve read by her has been so boring and anticlimactic. Dee henderson completely missed the assignment with this story. If you’re into romance and/or romantic suspense I highly recommend the true heroes series.
February 15, 2017
Overall review: I think that it must be difficult to write good romantic suspense in novellas because of the short amount of time that you have to do it. I thought that these authors did a good job combining both the romance and suspense. I received this book in a giveaway and was not required to give a positive review. Overall 4 1/2 stars - full review at my website.
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