Lynn Stapleton likes designer handbags and high-end clothing, so how did Sharee Jergenson talk her into visiting a homeless site, much less starting a friendship with one of its residents?
Then a hurricane hits Florida, and Lynn finds herself involved in the homeless woman’s murder. Detective Rich Richards thinks Lynn’s connection with the woman is suspicious, but Lynn doesn’t care what the blue-eyed detective thinks. She’s not leaving this investigation until the murderer is found.
On the other hand, Richards finds Lynn not just a disruption to his case, but also to his life as a nominal Christian. He’d do better to stay away from the tall, willowy blonde, but he can’t—because she and Sharee have unearthed evidence that will convict someone of murder, and that person has marked both women for death.
Linda was born and raised in Florida. She is married with two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. At twenty-six, she discovered the miraculous love of Jesus Christ. God blessed her with a passion for the written word—especially mysteries and romantic suspense novels, from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie, from Dee Henderson to Kristen Heitzman. She speaks about and works against human trafficking. Her author blog is www.lindarodante.com. Her human trafficking and commitment to God blog is at https://lindarodante.wordpress.com/
Lynn Stapleton is the executive assistance for a state senator, a high-powered job that leaves her little spare time. However, through her friend Sharee Jergenson, she has gotten involved in serving the homeless population in their area. As a result, she becomes friends with one of the women, only to have her turn up dead during one of Florida’s worst hurricanes. Detective Rich Richards is assigned to find the woman’s killer, and struggles to believe Lynn has nothing to do with the murder despite her good looks and well-connected position in the state. She and Sharee insist on being part of the investigation, putting themselves and others in danger. The biggest danger is his heart when he finds himself falling for Lynn, despite his better judgment.
Author Linda Rodante does an excellent job of creating strong, believable characters who handle issues in a real-life way. Her ability to give the reader just enough information to know what could happen to the characters creates tension and suspense kept me turning pages well into the night. The dialogue is natural, and the description immersed me into the hurricane and its aftermath. Lynn is an amateur sleuth, and is drawn to find her friend’s killer because she feels the police are ineffective in their investigation, not because she has dreams of being a detective. She faints at the sight of blood and is fearful when appropriate, not like many amateur sleuths in today’s books who seem callous or cavalier about death and murder. Clues kept me guessing as to the murderer’s identity along with Lynn and Sharee. The added story line of Sharee’s adjustment to her recent marriage added depth to her as a character and to the story in general.
I look forward to reading other books by Ms. Rodante. I highly recommend Splashdown.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
If I could give this book more than five stars I would. It is that good. The mystery/suspense had me holding on to my seat until the very end. I loved following the characters, John and Sharee, that we got to know in the previous books. Very interesting to see how they work out the problems of being a married couple after being independent and doing their own thing for so long. Also, loved the character of Lyn and her determination to do the Christian thing when it came to temptation with the handsome police detective. The plot was most intriguing and had you guessing until the end. I highly recommend this book. The book was given to me by the Author in exchange for my honest review which I have given. All views stated above are my own.
Although this is the third book in the series, I had no problem following the story without having read the earlier books. I imagine that the story of the courtship of the young married couple--John and Sharee--was told earlier in the series, but I could relate to their first-year adjustments without knowing about their previous history. Lynn was a determined and principled character. I wasn't impressed with Detective Richards' morals or roughness (the way he twisted Lynn's hair sounded painful) initially, but I was glad to see him respect Lynn's principles and eventually return to his faith. The mystery was intriguing and the ending satisfactory.
My review today is on the Christian Contemporary Romance With Suspense, Splash Down. I really enjoy Linda's work and this book is no exception; it's well written, action packed and full of faith. I know you are going to love it.
Lynn Stapleton is trying to find her friend in the torrential rains of Hurricane Bella in Florida. They have called for an evacuation and she's been unable to find her friend at any of the shelters. She heads for the homeless tent city where she last saw her. What she finds is her friend's dead body lying under one of the demolished tents. When she calls for help a detective that she once met is in charge of the homicide. Lynn falls hard for the detective only to find out he might not be what she thinks he is.
Detective Rich Richards had seen Lynn at the abduction of a small child about a year ago. He found her fascinating then and even more so this time. When Lynn almost faints he allows her to leave with the address of where she will be staying. When he tries to contact her he can't find her and becomes upset. He is losing valuable time. His partner thinks Lynn might be involved in the incident. Rich doesn't believe that and is drawn to her as he investigates.
A journey of intrigue as they look for a killer and find themselves involved in a sex trafficking ring. God has a plan for these two; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. In this trying time we are living in fear, terror, and violence is running a muck. God is our only answer. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in and protect you. God is so good.
Lynn works for a politician and is always dressed in designer clothing, etc. Her best friend, Sharee, works with a homeless ministry. Sharee and Lynn have befriended many of the homeless in the Tampa area. A hurricane is coming so Lynn is going to look for her friend, Victoria. The homeless community has been evacuated, but she finds Victoria's body. She calls the police, but the hurricane is coming in and they can't do much. Detective Richmond is assigned the case. He begins to suspect Lynn because he can't believe she would be close enough friends with a homeless person to be out in a hurricane looking for her. Great romantic suspense. John and Sharee are preparing to go on the mission field. There are several stories that all collide with Victoria's death. Human trafficking and people in powerful places have set out to harm Lynn and Sharee.
This is a hard one for me to review. Parts I loved, parts confused me, parts moved so slowly that I almost gave up reading. I felt like I was already supposed to know the main characters and was wracking my brain trying to remember the story from the previous book. Now that I have read some of the reviews, it seems that the primary two were from the first one in the series, which I didn't read.
I will be generous and give four stars for the parts I did really like and for the fact that it's a clean, Christian novel but I don't believe I will finish the series!
We are again invited into the lives of newlyweds, Sharee and John, who were falling in love in As Long as You Both Shall Live. Sharee's best friend Lynn is one of the main participants of this fast paced novel. Her love interest, Rich, is a tough detective.. When she needs him most, will he be there to protect her? Both women are drawn into a web of a pedophile nightmare. Murder, Kidnaping, gunfire, and suspicion pivot this read one way and then swirl it another. Thanks Linda for another great read.
I liked the story, but most of the time did not care for either Sharee or Lynn. Sharee seemed at times oblivious and uncaring of good advice from her husband. Lynn was rude in ignoring phone calls, hanging up on the 911 operator and (the tired old thing in romances) jumped to conclusions about our hero without giving him a chance to explain. She also seemed to be an "its all about me" type who didn't think she needed to cooperate with the police. I doubt I'll be reading more by this author. Too bad.
This book should have had a picture of Sharee and John on the front like the previous two stories because it was mostly about them and not so much her friend, Lynn and the detective, Rich.
I didn't care for Sharee's overbearing personality or the detective, Rich, with his over interest in sex with Lynn in the last third or so if the book. The story is about human trafficking which is very difficult to read about as well. So overall, I did not care for this book and won't read it again.
A police detective falls for an administrative assistant.
First time reading this author. She did a great job. She fit in with all the suspense authors I've read. Rich and Lynn and also John and Sharee story was very exciting. Lynn and Sharee got themselves caught in something that almost got them taken and killed. But their men meaning Rich and John tried to keep them safe. Sharee and John love grew stronger. Lynn and Rich started to bud and bloom. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
This book’s theme centers on two current and very important topics: homelessness and sex-trafficking, especially among children and young teens. A contemporary Christian romance, with great characters who grow and mature in their Christian faith as the story progresses. Nail-biting suspense will keep the reader turning the pages long into the night!
This book was well written and had well developed characters. There is a lot going on in this book, but it flows together well. A lot of suspense to keep you guessing what happens next. This is the fourth book I've read/listened to from this author and I'm hooked. I love the clean and faith based perspective from which this author writes.
The narrator did a very good job on their part.
I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Even though I did not read the first two books I could follow the story with no problem. Missionary work is not easy and in the story it shows all the elements that you need to prepare yourself doing this work. It's a calling from God and the first priority is to spend it in prayer in order to do it according to His plan. I did not guess who the villain was until the end. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
This is one of those stories that hooks you from the beginning and keeps you on the line the whole time. The flow of the story is seamless, the plot just complex enough, and characters are engaging. It's a good stand alone book, even though it's part of a series, but makes you want to come back for more.
I enjoyed every minute of the book. The main characters, Lynn and Sharee were engaging and imperfect trying to do the best in their current situations. They showed us how to mature into trusting more fully in God. I definitely want to read more of Linda Rodante's books.
Lynn Stapleton is checking on her friend Victoria. A hurricane is coming. Detective Richards is someone she met previously when he was a Sheriff's Deputy.
She is friends with Sharee and John Jergenson who plan to go to into Missions. They are struggling to adjust to there life together after their recent marriage.
3.5 stars Good story. Didn't like the love interest much but very happy that the lady fought to maintain biblical values even if her responses weren't mature. I have found this to be a very rare thing in US Christian fiction.
Preferred it to book 4/
Liked the couple struggling with first year of marriage - realistic issues.
@Linda K. Rodents takes characters and give them real life problems that could be real headlines today. Homeless people, human Trafficking, fears, and learning to give everything to God and trusting Him. You will cry, get angry, and laugh in all the right places.
I loved the treatment of human trafficking written about in this way. Sure does let you see how very real such things can and do exist. Makes me grateful for the Lord's tender mercies in my life. Thank you Linda Rodante.
Great book! Exciting and inspirational, romantic, and danger. I loved every book in this series. This author touched your heart with real people, their passions, trials, and overcoming in the LORD.
Another winner in this series. Sheree talks Lynn to visit with her the homeless. Lynn develops a friendship with the one, talk about opposites, Lynn’s designer bags to this homeless one…Murder happens to her and Detective Rich question Lynn’s friendship. A good clean Christian story
Lynn is trying to find her friend Victoria during a hurricane and ends up finding Victoria's body in the tent city where the homeless live. The plot was action-packed, suspenseful, and intriguing and will keep you guessing until the end.
WOW! I was immediately pulled into the story. The twists and turns kept met turning the pages. I read this book in a couple of hours. This is a great series!
Splashdown, written by Linda K. Rodante, is the continued story of Sharee and John as they look forward to going to Indonesia with the addition of the exciting story that involves Lynn. Loved the character of Lynn because she is a strong independent woman, yet suddenly can grow weak and defenseless against the struggles of her life within the story. She was always trusting in the Lord and always trying to do what He wants of her. But when a certain Sheriff’s detective comes into her life, can she really stay firm to her commitment and promises that she has made to her Lord and Savior?! I also loved haw Rodante shows us the first year of Sharee and John’s married life and how true it is to form. Life is so not easy and when we commit to Christ, He doesn’t say it’ll be easy, but rather that He will walk with us through each day and moment. The struggles that are brought to life within the pages of Splashdown are very real and to think how people have to deal with them, it’s challenging in itself…so thankful this author was capable of telling this story on these pages and portraying such a real horror of what happens when faced with these situations. I recommend this book especially if you want to get down and dirty with the sins of this world and see how God can prevail! I was gifted this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review: I just finished ( 2 days ago) Splash Down by Linda Knadle Rodante. Ms. Rodanted was a new author to me so I was very excited to read it.
Full disclosure it took until the end of Chapter 3 to really grab me. Not sure why but once I got through Chapter 3 I was hooked.
Lynn Johnson is a single Christian woman who works for one of FL political up and comers. Det. Rich Richardson is not sure where his faith lies and is currently investigating the death of a homeless woman. No one can figure out why someone would kill Lynn since it seemed everyone liked her. But as the investigation moves along and another friend of Lynn's, Sharee, who works with the homeless along with her husband John is targeted as well. The detective starts to wonder whether that is a horrible coincidence or a if there is a specific reason. As the detective and Lynn get to know one another Lynn's faith becomes the part of her that could derail the possibility of having a relationship with Rich.
I believe the intent of the book was to make Lynn and Rich the primary characters of this story since there are others in the series but I found that all of the characters seemed to be primary and although at first I was not sure I would like that, I did. Good read and look forward to reading the others. Thank you Linda K Rodante.
We see the story of John and Sharee Jergensen continued in this third book.They are married anticipating going to Indonesia to the Lord's work. Sometimes the Lord's plans are not your own. There is an earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia and John is asked to go without Sharee. Sharee stays home to continue working the homeless ministry. The suspense starts when Sharee's friend, Lynn, is involved in a murder at the homeless camp. There is a non-stop suspense as Lynn, Detective Rich, Sharee and John are involved in the murder and other events involved with human trafficking. The Lord in his mercy protects all the characters as they struggle to solve the mystery and do his work with the homeless at home and Indonesia. The characters were well developed, the storyline was thought provoking and the action exhilarating. Another good book by this author and I look forward to the next.
This was Christian Fiction at it's best. I received this e-book as a gift from the author Linda K. Rodante for a review which I was happy to do. After reading the book I am more then glad I excepted this gift. The story is about a young woman who stumbles over the body of her homeless friend in the midst of a hurricane in Florida. She and her best friend newly married Shree Jergenson become involved in the investigation and Lynn meets the two detectives that are assigned to the murder. Both seem to disbelieve that Lynn is telling the whole truth of what she knows of the young women she found dead at the homeless camp. It is a contemporary romance and a mystery all in one and very well done. I would like to read others of Ms.Rodante's stories.