Double Take

Silver Cascade #2

by Rachelle J. Christensen

When Mandy’s car is stolen with her two young daughters inside, the police think it’s a car-jacking gone wrong, but she can’t forget the determined look in the man’s eyes as he drove away. Mandy and her husband, Nick, are on the verge of divorce and the kidnapping is a wake-up call. All of their differences and problems can’t stand in the way of a parent’s love. In order to find their children, they’ll have to forgive each other and learn to work together. But they don’t have years or even months to make this happen . . . according to the kidnapper, time is running out. Be sure to check out the first novella in the Silver Cascade Suspense series, Silver Cascade Secrets.

Genres: Mystery, Contemporary

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2016

About the author

Rachelle J. Christensen is a mother of five who writes mystery/suspense and solves the mystery of the missing shoe on a daily basis. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a music minor. She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and of course reading.

Rachelle is the award-winning author of twenty books, including The Soldier’s Bride (a Kindle Scout Selection & Whitney Award Finalist), Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things, Veils and Vengeance, Proposals and Poison, Hawaiian Masquerade, and Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology. Her novella, “Silver Cascade Secrets,” was included in the Rone Award–winning Timeless Romance Anthology, Fall Collection.
Join Rachelle’s VIP mailing list to learn more about upcoming books & get your free book at www.rachellechristensen.com

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella, this had so much story and so much action, it was a fast read with my heart on my sleeve. I was worried about the children, Olivia and Julia when they had been taken from the parking lot. Mandy is a basket case, not knowing exactly what to do. It has only been a few months since her marriage started falling apart.

This story is sweet, endearing and very hopeful. I love the way Ms. Christensen writes and this one is as good as they get. Nick and Mandy have to try to work together is they are going to get the children home safely. What an emotional read.

I was so happy to be provided with a copy of Double Take in exchange for an honest review. Loved this family, and it was good to be back in Silver Cascade park.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very excited to introduce another story in the Silver Cascade Suspense series. I enjoy writing mystery/suspense with a dash of romance and this novella has all of those things plus a kidnapping! I first came up with this idea over ten years ago!! I jotted down a first chapter, later made it into a short story, and then let it simmer until the time was right. I need to especially thank my daughter for encouraging me to write this story. She found one of my old manuscript pages in the scrap paper drawer and started reading it and begged me for the rest of the story. And now you have the rest of the story too! I hope you enjoy this one.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double Take (Silver Cascade Suspense Book 2), my second read from author Rachelle J. Christensen. Another enjoyable short (78 page), well-written read. I'd gotten an email from the author today and in reading it immediately went out & browsed her books and the blurb for Double Take jumped off the page at me so I bought it. Now I like to read series in order so I went to Silver Cascade Secrets & discovered I already owned it having got it back in January of 2017 and never got around to reading it until now but I enjoyed it so much that I went out & in re-reading the email discovered that Hope for Christmas was on sale Start reading HERE 99 cents & Free in KU, so I bought it and now it’s queued up on my Kindle.

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.

Mandy, a mother of 2 young children, is experiencing "one of those days" as a mother. She's angry and stressed over her marriage which is suffering from huge financial troubles as well as a teething infant and a fussy 3 year old. After a particularly stressful shopping experience, and out in the July heat, she's struggling with car seats and seat buckles when a strange man jumps in her car and drives off with her children.

What follows is an intense suspense story of a struggling marriage, 2 missing children, and a police force determined to find them and bring the kidnapper to justice.

The character development is excellent. I really felt the panic and worry in Mandy and her husband, Nick. I felt Nick's determination to be strong for Mandy, and I felt the confidence and focus in the police officers. Everything came across as very realistic.

I also appreciated the themes presented in the story - those of family, forgiveness, love, and trust.

It's a quick read. It'll take you less than an hour to read. So, if you're up for a few minutes of who-done-it suspense, then I suggest you grab this for your reading pleasure.

This is a clean story with no offensive language, violence or sexual activity.

My rating - 5 stars.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this novella. It's a quick read that I didn't want to put down. I really loved that even though the space is limited in this novella, you get a really good glimpse of just who Mandy is, it seems like you don't get as much character development in a lot of novellas.

I really liked Mandy, she's a young mother trying to do things on her own for the moment, because she can't trust her husband with their finances. I like that she's doing her normal things, at a normal time of day, having normal thoughts about her children's behavior. But everything changes in an instant when her children are taken along with her car, right out of her hands. Wow, I can't even imagine! This part made me feel for Mandy so much. And she really does fall apart, especially remembering her thoughts just before her girl's were taken. I loved that she finds the strength to do what needs to be done, when she really needs to do it, including in her relationship with her husband.

I was really surprised with just who had done the crime and the reason why they had, just as Mandy and Nick were. This is a clean, suspenseful, well-written novella that you'll enjoy reading as much as I did!

I was sent an e-copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, quick and clean read. The author always does a great job with character development and suspense for such short stories. This book also made me think about mothering in general and how terrible and heart wrenching it would be to have your children kidnapped.



I received a reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story of suspense, hope and forgiveness. I love Rachelle J. Christensen's books!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double Take is a fast paced and quick read. It is a good, clean, suspenseful story.
Highly recommended.
5 stars.

[Lisa Swinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one can doubt Ms. Christensen’s ability to weave a tale of suspense after reading this frightful tale. It’s a mother’s nightmare come to book life, both of Mandy’s children are kidnapped right after she’s thinking of how challenging it is to be a mom.

I had to emotionally disengage from the story in order not to become a guilt-ridden basket case full of turmoil like the main characters.

A total page turner, with a twist. This novella is worth the read and will have you looking over your shoulder at the grocery store parking lot forevermore.

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Double Take (Silver Cascade Suspense Book 2} by by Rachelle J. Christensen , Cami Checketts
5 stars
I purchased a copy of the novella Double Take (Silver Cascade Suspense Book 2} by Rachelle J. Christensen and Cami Checketts and this review was given freely.
An ironic and suspenseful story. Detective Sloane and Officer Platt help Mandy and her financially irresponsible spouse Nick find their daughters who were kidnapped days after Nick was named the recipient of his uncle's 25 million dollar estate.

[Woody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting short read

Well written short novella about the trauma a mother and her estranged husband go through when their two children are kidnapped. I loved the beginning, it starts a typical bad day at the supermarket which then turns into a parent’s worst nightmare. Good well-developed characters which leaves you rooting for Mandy, Olivia and Julia. Book 2 of the Silver Cascade Suspense series.

[Debra Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tigerpawe

This book is very intense about how deep parents love for their kids really is.
Taking two people who caught constantly to being a crack team fighting time and out smarting a
dangerous kidnapper. Putting. Their lives on the line for their kids. This book won't let you put it
down till you hear the last word. So hang on to your chair for this mystery.

[Virginia L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding out what's really important can be very painful!

This was a short story but very good. When two little girls are kidnapped the parents are devastated and do everything they can to help the police as they search for them.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love mysteries. This is one that tackles a difficult subject, child abduction & a split family. I think it is handled in a good way & has a happy ending.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy is having a rough day as it is--separated from her husband and dealing with a fussy toddler and a teething infant in the middle of Wal-mart--but when her car is stolen with her two kids inside, things go from bad to worst in seconds. As Mandy works with the local police and her estranged husband Nick to try to figure out who took their kids and why, things take a strange twist--it appears their kids were specifically targeted but given that Mandy and her husband have less than $1000 in savings, they have no idea what the kidnapper is after.

This story had an interesting twist; I wasn't expecting the reason this particular family was targeted. I thought the author did a good job including realistic details--like Mandy having not eaten but not being able to stand the thought of eating and her needing to be able to do something with her hands while she's waiting for news. I really liked seeing how Nick and Mandy came together (I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more of their relationship!) This is a quick read, so snag it if you've gotten 45 minutes or so and want a suspenseful story to read.

I received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was rather astonished to realize I hadn't read this, as I never miss a book by Rachelle Christensen. If I'd realize it involved the kidnapping of children, I'm sure I'd have found it sooner, as I am drawn to those stories. A separated couple are drawn back together when their two daughters are taken, and they both come to realize what is really important in life.

[Nari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short but intense novella. Mandy has just finished a shopping trip to Walmart. She is tired and frazzled by a teething baby and a screaming 3 year old. While buckling in her children a stranger jumps in her car and drives away. This begins the mystery of who took her children and why. Mandy and her husband Nick who she is separated from at the present because of poor finances are trying to help the police locate their girls. Mandy learns that Nick has made serious changes during their separation. The two start to repair their marriage as they pull together during this ordeal. Mandy discovers what really matters and some hidden a strengths by the end of the story. I highly recommend this novella. It caught my attention from the start and didn't let go until the end.

[Pattisue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story races along at a mile a minute and had me hanging on to my seat. My heart was pounding as Mandy Richardson desperately clings to her car and her daughters. This is every parent’s worst nightmare, to have your children kidnapped before your eyes. Mandy and her husband Nick are overwhelmed and distraught. Already separated, this can either make or break their marriage. Intrigue and suspense build as clues are found and sinister plots develop. Well written and exciting, I enjoyed reading this short but intense novella.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fast paced novella it was full of suspense. I can't even fathom the horror of someone taking your car with your kids in it. I don't it does happen on rare occasion though. This book has some surprises and was a fast afternoon read but totally worth it. This book should make the Momma Bear in all of us go give your kids a big hug and remember even on the tough days it is worth having them around. It was fun to be able to sit near my sick kiddo and read. Great job again Rachelle!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is book 2 in the series, I felt that there was very little overlap. Really it is just a sister story-one that takes place in the same town as another. I think the police detective is the only character we have met before. So don't be scared off if you haven't read book 1!
This was a pretty good suspense story. I can't call it a mystery because there is nothing for me to try to figure out--we are just there to watch what happens. Not my favorite book, but an easy afternoon read.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double Take was a quick read with a lot of intrigue. I was impressed with the detail of such a short novella. I KNEW who was responsible for the trouble right from the beginning (and don’t you think that you’re going to throw me off the scent because I read these things a lot! But I also have teenagers who like to tell me how often I’m wrong, wrong, wrong so I’m used to eating humble pie.) Totally worth the money for a quick, suspenseful read.
4 ½ Stars. Clean.

[KimberlyDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A parent's worst nightmare. Mandy's kids were stolen in a car-jacking. She and her ex must work together to find them. Will they be able to forgive each other? Will they find their kids before it's too late? Wow, this book had me hooked from the get-go and I could not put it down! Loved it!

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean read.
This was more of a 3.5 for me.
I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

sweet story but I'm disappointed in the mystery aspect. I want some clues and misdirection with a chance to actually figure it out. I really don't like stories where there is no chance because the perpetrator is never mentioned until the reveal. I don't really think these qualify as mysteries, cosy or otherwise. More like relationship stories with a little crime or suspense thrown in. I doubt I'll read any more of this series.