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A Secret to Die For
Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn't simply suffering from paranoia.Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan--and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for.With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, Lisa Harris takes readers deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2018
456 people are currently reading
2014 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Harris
128 books1,278 followersLISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Vendetta, and Port of Origin, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times.
She has fifty novels and novellas in print. She and her family work as missionaries in southern Africa. Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. Visit Lisa’s website to learn more.
She has fifty novels and novellas in print. She and her family work as missionaries in southern Africa. Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. Visit Lisa’s website to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
November 27, 2018
Wow! Another wild ride from Lisa Harris.
As soon as I saw that this book features a character dealing with PTSD, I knew I wanted to read it. Detective Nate Quinn is still dealing with the psychological aftereffects of a bombing that killed 18 people, including his partner. From the first chapter, I loved reading Nate's story and his struggles with faith following such a traumatic event. Harris did a great job depicting this subject in a way that was heart-wrenchingly realistic.
I also loved Grace's character (and her name. <3) and her story arc as she learned to love and trust again after much loss. Both the main characters were incredibly realistic and easy to connect with.
The plot. Whoa! Like I said, a wild ride! This book starts out with a bang, and the craziness is almost nonstop. The mystery was intriguing, and I was kept guessing as to the identity of the true villain. While the subject matter (a cyberterrorist attack on the US grid) seemed slightly far-fetched\futuristic, it was still interesting nonetheless. And the technical aspect, while not overly detailed, was particularly interesting to me.
One thing that I love about each of Harris's books is the strong, realistic Christian themes presented throughout. While that subject tends to get lost in a lot of Christian romantic suspense books, Harris always does a fabulous job of incorporating it very naturally into the story, and I often find my own faith and beliefs strengthened by it.
My main gripe would be that the ending felt very sudden and slightly anticlimactic. After the adrenaline-laced first three-quarters of the book, it just felt a little lackluster. Plus a little more time to wrap things up would have been nice.
But overall, I greatly enjoyed this new release from Lisa Harris and recommend it to lovers of good, clean romantic suspense.
CONTENT NOTE: Recommended for ages 15+. This book is very clean, with little more than a few not-described kisses in the way of romance, and some violence.
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
As soon as I saw that this book features a character dealing with PTSD, I knew I wanted to read it. Detective Nate Quinn is still dealing with the psychological aftereffects of a bombing that killed 18 people, including his partner. From the first chapter, I loved reading Nate's story and his struggles with faith following such a traumatic event. Harris did a great job depicting this subject in a way that was heart-wrenchingly realistic.
I also loved Grace's character (and her name. <3) and her story arc as she learned to love and trust again after much loss. Both the main characters were incredibly realistic and easy to connect with.
The plot. Whoa! Like I said, a wild ride! This book starts out with a bang, and the craziness is almost nonstop. The mystery was intriguing, and I was kept guessing as to the identity of the true villain. While the subject matter (a cyberterrorist attack on the US grid) seemed slightly far-fetched\futuristic, it was still interesting nonetheless. And the technical aspect, while not overly detailed, was particularly interesting to me.
One thing that I love about each of Harris's books is the strong, realistic Christian themes presented throughout. While that subject tends to get lost in a lot of Christian romantic suspense books, Harris always does a fabulous job of incorporating it very naturally into the story, and I often find my own faith and beliefs strengthened by it.
My main gripe would be that the ending felt very sudden and slightly anticlimactic. After the adrenaline-laced first three-quarters of the book, it just felt a little lackluster. Plus a little more time to wrap things up would have been nice.
But overall, I greatly enjoyed this new release from Lisa Harris and recommend it to lovers of good, clean romantic suspense.
CONTENT NOTE: Recommended for ages 15+. This book is very clean, with little more than a few not-described kisses in the way of romance, and some violence.
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 8, 2018
Wow, now this was a fun suspense book! I’ve been eagerly waiting for this book and it didn’t disappoint.
Grace Callahan has a secret to die for, only she doesn’t know it. This book immediately starts with action as Grace is trying to get out of her house, realizing that she isn’t alone. There is a lot of action and different events that happen throughout the book. The story unfolds in only a couple days, and I think I would have enjoyed it better if it had slowed down some and taken a little more time. I had the same problem at the end. Though it was exciting, it felt rushed. I definitely would have liked to seen it drawn out more at the end.
The characters were one of my favorite parts of the story. I loved that Grace and Nate used to be friends in the past and how their relationship seemed to pick right back up. It was also great to see how Nate was learning to deal with PTSD and how Grace was able to help him. This book has such a great set of characters!
This is an action packed suspense book and I really enjoyed it! I definitely recommend grabbing a copy.
“I received a free copy of this book from Revell in exchange of my honest review. All thoughts are my own.”
Grace Callahan has a secret to die for, only she doesn’t know it. This book immediately starts with action as Grace is trying to get out of her house, realizing that she isn’t alone. There is a lot of action and different events that happen throughout the book. The story unfolds in only a couple days, and I think I would have enjoyed it better if it had slowed down some and taken a little more time. I had the same problem at the end. Though it was exciting, it felt rushed. I definitely would have liked to seen it drawn out more at the end.
The characters were one of my favorite parts of the story. I loved that Grace and Nate used to be friends in the past and how their relationship seemed to pick right back up. It was also great to see how Nate was learning to deal with PTSD and how Grace was able to help him. This book has such a great set of characters!
This is an action packed suspense book and I really enjoyed it! I definitely recommend grabbing a copy.
“I received a free copy of this book from Revell in exchange of my honest review. All thoughts are my own.”
October 8, 2018
About this book:
“Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--and a target on her back. When one of her clients is murdered, Grace quickly realizes that computer security specialist Stephen Shaw wasn't suffering from paranoia. What she doesn't know is that someone believes Shaw gave her a vital piece of information before he died--and they are ready to silence her at any cost. Her only hope may be an old friend, Detective Nate Quinn, who has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed his partner and left him dealing with PTSD.
With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, bestselling author Lisa Harris takes you deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- A couple Scriptures are remembered; Prayers; Being witnessed to; Talks about God, prayers, trusting, & guilt; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Nate is a bit bitter towards God; Many mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, & a pastor; Mentions of Bible reading & memorizing Scriptures; A few mentions of miracles; A mention of a God thing; A mention of being blessed; A mention of Armageddon;
*Note: Mentions of evil & evil people; A mention of taking on the devil himself; A mention of demons haunting a man; A mention of a man’s demons; A mention of a woman’s demons.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, two ‘dumb’s, two ‘stupid’s, and five ‘shut up’s; A break-in & intruder (barely-above-not-detailed); Guns aimed, Being shot at, & Gunfire (up to semi-detailed); A car chase, accident, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Being attacked, tasered, & held hostage (up to semi-detailed); Panic attacks (up to semi-detailed); Pain & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Being drugged & passing out (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of dead bodies, finding the bodies, murders, murderers, possible suicides, & how the deaths happened (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a bombing, bomber’s plan, many deaths, & living through it (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of autopsies; Mentions of deaths from elevators & the possibility; Mentions of a child who died from leukemia (*Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*); Mentions of hostages & kidnappings; Mentions of gunshots & shooting; Mentions of break-ins, a robbery/burglary, intruder, & burglar/robber; Mentions of criminals; Mentions of stealing; Mentions of hacking & hackers; Mentions of threats; Mentions of conspiracy theories; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of divorces (including Grace and her husband); Mentions of hunting; Mentions of tattoos; A few mentions of a bar & drinking; A few mentions of torture; A few mentions of prison; A couple mentions of a death from a car crash; A couple mentions of wars; A couple mentions of an IED explosion & a lost limb; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of cigarettes; A mention of an assassination; A mention of eye rolling;
*Note: A few mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of social media; A mention of a clown fetish.
Sexual Content- a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss; Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; a ‘hot’; Mentions of a kiss & kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Grace’s husband who left her; Mentions of dating; A mention of a honeymoon; A mention of a crush; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Grace Callahan, age 32
-Nate Quinn, age 32
P.O.V. switches between them
314 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add ½ for older girls interested in homeland security.}
While in the past, the more recent books of Lisa Harris have been about drug trafficking and kidnappings, this stand-alone novel took a different topic of cyberattacks & cybersecurity. I personally find this topic interesting and found myself really enjoying this novel. The faith content was great (though, some would probably say it was too ‘preachy’, I happened to like it), and I liked how clean it was for a romantic suspense (in both genres). Also, that cover is stunning.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
“Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--and a target on her back. When one of her clients is murdered, Grace quickly realizes that computer security specialist Stephen Shaw wasn't suffering from paranoia. What she doesn't know is that someone believes Shaw gave her a vital piece of information before he died--and they are ready to silence her at any cost. Her only hope may be an old friend, Detective Nate Quinn, who has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed his partner and left him dealing with PTSD.
With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, bestselling author Lisa Harris takes you deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- A couple Scriptures are remembered; Prayers; Being witnessed to; Talks about God, prayers, trusting, & guilt; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Nate is a bit bitter towards God; Many mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, & a pastor; Mentions of Bible reading & memorizing Scriptures; A few mentions of miracles; A mention of a God thing; A mention of being blessed; A mention of Armageddon;
*Note: Mentions of evil & evil people; A mention of taking on the devil himself; A mention of demons haunting a man; A mention of a man’s demons; A mention of a woman’s demons.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, two ‘dumb’s, two ‘stupid’s, and five ‘shut up’s; A break-in & intruder (barely-above-not-detailed); Guns aimed, Being shot at, & Gunfire (up to semi-detailed); A car chase, accident, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Being attacked, tasered, & held hostage (up to semi-detailed); Panic attacks (up to semi-detailed); Pain & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Being drugged & passing out (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of dead bodies, finding the bodies, murders, murderers, possible suicides, & how the deaths happened (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a bombing, bomber’s plan, many deaths, & living through it (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of autopsies; Mentions of deaths from elevators & the possibility; Mentions of a child who died from leukemia (*Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*); Mentions of hostages & kidnappings; Mentions of gunshots & shooting; Mentions of break-ins, a robbery/burglary, intruder, & burglar/robber; Mentions of criminals; Mentions of stealing; Mentions of hacking & hackers; Mentions of threats; Mentions of conspiracy theories; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of divorces (including Grace and her husband); Mentions of hunting; Mentions of tattoos; A few mentions of a bar & drinking; A few mentions of torture; A few mentions of prison; A couple mentions of a death from a car crash; A couple mentions of wars; A couple mentions of an IED explosion & a lost limb; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of cigarettes; A mention of an assassination; A mention of eye rolling;
*Note: A few mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of social media; A mention of a clown fetish.
Sexual Content- a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss; Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; a ‘hot’; Mentions of a kiss & kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Grace’s husband who left her; Mentions of dating; A mention of a honeymoon; A mention of a crush; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Grace Callahan, age 32
-Nate Quinn, age 32
P.O.V. switches between them
314 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add ½ for older girls interested in homeland security.}
While in the past, the more recent books of Lisa Harris have been about drug trafficking and kidnappings, this stand-alone novel took a different topic of cyberattacks & cybersecurity. I personally find this topic interesting and found myself really enjoying this novel. The faith content was great (though, some would probably say it was too ‘preachy’, I happened to like it), and I liked how clean it was for a romantic suspense (in both genres). Also, that cover is stunning.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
September 12, 2018
A Secret to Die For has a lot of action, a whole lot of action in the first half of the novel. While the action continues in the second half, there is a bit more focus on the blooming romance between Grace and Nate in the latter half.
I liked that Grace wasn't a widow, but rather divorced after a tragic event rocked her marriage. Young widows are used rather frequently by authors. I found the premise of a group trying to take down a power grid in the United States completely plausible. Loved that there were a couple of characters living off the grid to be prepared for such an event. The way Grace's patient left her clues was creative and interesting.
What fell short for me was the romance and to some extent the suspense. The romance developed very quickly and I didn't find chemistry between the two. The suspense itself felt surface deep and would have been stronger if there was more about the villains and their motivations and aspirations.
Lisa Harris is a talented author and I look forward to what she has to offer next. My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
I liked that Grace wasn't a widow, but rather divorced after a tragic event rocked her marriage. Young widows are used rather frequently by authors. I found the premise of a group trying to take down a power grid in the United States completely plausible. Loved that there were a couple of characters living off the grid to be prepared for such an event. The way Grace's patient left her clues was creative and interesting.
What fell short for me was the romance and to some extent the suspense. The romance developed very quickly and I didn't find chemistry between the two. The suspense itself felt surface deep and would have been stronger if there was more about the villains and their motivations and aspirations.
Lisa Harris is a talented author and I look forward to what she has to offer next. My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 19, 2018
Once I turned the first page I was gone, be ready for a fast-paced action packed read. You will never see most of what happens coming, and yet it is one of those being at the right place at the right time happenings.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping your attention, from beginning to end, and the title sure pulled me in, and you will quickly know how the title applies, and when you learn what is happening it could be so true.
There is a bit of sweet romance, not knowing what you’re looking for, and maybe an end to life as we know it, yes this is just a few of the happenings in this book.
I received this book through Revell Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping your attention, from beginning to end, and the title sure pulled me in, and you will quickly know how the title applies, and when you learn what is happening it could be so true.
There is a bit of sweet romance, not knowing what you’re looking for, and maybe an end to life as we know it, yes this is just a few of the happenings in this book.
I received this book through Revell Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
October 1, 2018
3.5 stars. Rtc
November 20, 2018
As Reader Friend Trixi so aptly put it -- "A Secret to Die for is to die for!" And while that is definitely true, just make sure you don't expire before you reach the nail-biting conclusion! Because this book is going to plunge you into a suspensey nosedive of aftershocks that will chill and thrill and definitely require a bit of recovery time. :-)
And while the suspense is amazing, the in between action and casework bits bring such depth and meaning into Grace and Nate's story. Life has been hard in different ways for both of them and making sense of the brokenness seems impossible. There's some great soul-stirring, faith-stretching dialogue as they try to figure things out. Like: "Because God knows that sometimes, after you put the pieces back together, you end up with something stronger and even more beautiful than before." (p 224) Happy sigh. Love it when fiction challenges me in my faith journey.
A riveting romantic suspense that will have armchair sleuths shredding upholstery as they strive to keep pace. Heart-pounding perfection!
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishin and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
And while the suspense is amazing, the in between action and casework bits bring such depth and meaning into Grace and Nate's story. Life has been hard in different ways for both of them and making sense of the brokenness seems impossible. There's some great soul-stirring, faith-stretching dialogue as they try to figure things out. Like: "Because God knows that sometimes, after you put the pieces back together, you end up with something stronger and even more beautiful than before." (p 224) Happy sigh. Love it when fiction challenges me in my faith journey.
A riveting romantic suspense that will have armchair sleuths shredding upholstery as they strive to keep pace. Heart-pounding perfection!
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishin and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
March 31, 2020
If you love romantic suspense, you are in for a treat with A Secret to Die For by Lisa Harris.
Still reeling a bit from tragedy, psychologist Grace Callahan finds herself the focus of a dark plot. Detective Nick Quinn, still affected by trauma of his own, can’t help wanting to protect her, an old college friend. Murder, secrets, and a chance to become reacquainted drive their story forward at a fast, twisted pace.
I enjoyed A Secret to Die For—especially seeing Grace and Nick reconnect after so many years and discover healing and romance amidst all the action. It’s a thrilling, sweet, and all-around entertaining read.
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a complimentary copy of A Secret to Die For and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Still reeling a bit from tragedy, psychologist Grace Callahan finds herself the focus of a dark plot. Detective Nick Quinn, still affected by trauma of his own, can’t help wanting to protect her, an old college friend. Murder, secrets, and a chance to become reacquainted drive their story forward at a fast, twisted pace.
I enjoyed A Secret to Die For—especially seeing Grace and Nick reconnect after so many years and discover healing and romance amidst all the action. It’s a thrilling, sweet, and all-around entertaining read.
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a complimentary copy of A Secret to Die For and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 19, 2021
This book kept me turning the pages until I finished it in one sitting. I'll definitely read more books by Ms. Harris.
October 5, 2018
This book was fast-paced. I was hooked from the beginning of it. I can tell you it kept me awake many evenings because I didn't want to put it down!
Grace is dealing with some of her own issues when she learns one her clients was murdered. I didn't expect this book to have developed the characters so deeply. I also didn't expect the book to show how the characters deal with their traumatic pasts.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm hoping it's part of a series so that I can catch up with these characters at another time.
I received a copy from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion. I was not required to like the book, only to give an honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of romantic suspense, Dani Pettrey, Irene Hannon
Rating - 4 stars
Grace is dealing with some of her own issues when she learns one her clients was murdered. I didn't expect this book to have developed the characters so deeply. I also didn't expect the book to show how the characters deal with their traumatic pasts.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm hoping it's part of a series so that I can catch up with these characters at another time.
I received a copy from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion. I was not required to like the book, only to give an honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of romantic suspense, Dani Pettrey, Irene Hannon
Rating - 4 stars
September 21, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this novel of romantic suspense. Harris is a capable author and the novel has good scenes of suspense and romantic tension. I did have some issues with the way the plot developed.
One thing I can't tolerate is suspense due to poor police procedure. It happened twice in this novel. An attempt had been made on Gracie and she is obviously a target of the bad guys. Shortly afterward, police detective Nate takes her to a location all by himself. Of course they are attacked by bad guys and suspense ensues. Later in the novel Nate is transporting Gracie and another person when they are again attacked. Paige, Nate's partner had been with them but now the other car was twenty minutes ahead. What? Nate is with two people the bad guys probably want to attack and his partner is in a car twenty minutes away? That is just poor police procedure and poor thinking on Nate's part. And even though the police are dealing with expert hackers, the idea that their own system might be hacked is not considered until another suspenseful event happens. I really got tired of Nate repeatedly thinking he “should” have done this or that.
I had trouble liking Nate. He falls for Gracie and it seems to make him more dumb in his attempts at keeping her safe. I know he had a devastating experience previously but I just found him to not be the kind of competent policeman I like to see as a hero. I liked Gracie. She is competent and brave. Give her a badge.
I do like to learn something when I read fiction and in this case it was about hacking and how vulnerable the nation's infrastructure might be to attack. There was also information about healing from a traumatic event.
There are a couple of good plot twists at the end even though the plot was wrapped up very quickly by a minor character.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
One thing I can't tolerate is suspense due to poor police procedure. It happened twice in this novel. An attempt had been made on Gracie and she is obviously a target of the bad guys. Shortly afterward, police detective Nate takes her to a location all by himself. Of course they are attacked by bad guys and suspense ensues. Later in the novel Nate is transporting Gracie and another person when they are again attacked. Paige, Nate's partner had been with them but now the other car was twenty minutes ahead. What? Nate is with two people the bad guys probably want to attack and his partner is in a car twenty minutes away? That is just poor police procedure and poor thinking on Nate's part. And even though the police are dealing with expert hackers, the idea that their own system might be hacked is not considered until another suspenseful event happens. I really got tired of Nate repeatedly thinking he “should” have done this or that.
I had trouble liking Nate. He falls for Gracie and it seems to make him more dumb in his attempts at keeping her safe. I know he had a devastating experience previously but I just found him to not be the kind of competent policeman I like to see as a hero. I liked Gracie. She is competent and brave. Give her a badge.
I do like to learn something when I read fiction and in this case it was about hacking and how vulnerable the nation's infrastructure might be to attack. There was also information about healing from a traumatic event.
There are a couple of good plot twists at the end even though the plot was wrapped up very quickly by a minor character.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
September 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this suspense with strong romance threads. It was well plotted, creative, and engaging.
October 23, 2019
I didn't expect A Secret to Die For to have the storyline it did...I was surprised by what was really going on!
I found the characters to be very nice. They had difficulties in their lives and things they had to work through which made them feel real. The romance was nice in the fact that they weren't strangers and knew each other in the past.
The story was written very well and I enjoyed the suspense aspect. When you find out what is really going on, I think you'll find it to be not what you expected.
All in all, A Secrets to Die For was really good and I recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I found the characters to be very nice. They had difficulties in their lives and things they had to work through which made them feel real. The romance was nice in the fact that they weren't strangers and knew each other in the past.
The story was written very well and I enjoyed the suspense aspect. When you find out what is really going on, I think you'll find it to be not what you expected.
All in all, A Secrets to Die For was really good and I recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
September 19, 2018
Good, solid romantic suspense, but overall the romance is better than the mystery/suspense portion.
I liked the development of the relationship between Grace and Nate. It felt real and I appreciated that a Christian fiction book portrayed a relationship between a divorced woman and a never-been-married man. It seems as if CF books nearly always have the previously married person as a widow or widower, and in real life, with younger people, a divorce is a much more realistic scenario.
The suspense parts of this tale weren't very surprising, and there were just too many perilous situations with Grace in the middle to be believable. I just cannot believe that the police/FBI would allow a civilian in the center of everything. And this had a feel of been-there-done-that with the mystery. Harris has much better books.
As a whole, I liked this book. It is fast paced and pretty easy to read in a couple of sittings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I liked the development of the relationship between Grace and Nate. It felt real and I appreciated that a Christian fiction book portrayed a relationship between a divorced woman and a never-been-married man. It seems as if CF books nearly always have the previously married person as a widow or widower, and in real life, with younger people, a divorce is a much more realistic scenario.
The suspense parts of this tale weren't very surprising, and there were just too many perilous situations with Grace in the middle to be believable. I just cannot believe that the police/FBI would allow a civilian in the center of everything. And this had a feel of been-there-done-that with the mystery. Harris has much better books.
As a whole, I liked this book. It is fast paced and pretty easy to read in a couple of sittings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
December 21, 2018
This one's fast-paced for sure! It kept me on the edge of my seat and wondering what would happen to Grace while the bad guys were trying to get what they think she has. I wasn't feeling great the day I read it, so I probably need to reread it to recall some details, but it kept my attention on a day with a bad headache and helped pass the afternoon.
Anyway, so it turns out that Grace may have run across some folks who want to take down the power grid. I enjoy running across suspense books that have diverse crimes, and this one was definitely a unique motivation. The romance did move fast, but as the two had known each other in the past I didn't find it hard to believe.
I definitely enjoyed all the faith content. It's worked in organically and is part of the characterization rather than being preachy.
Thanks the publisher for a free copy. A favorable review was not required.
Anyway, so it turns out that Grace may have run across some folks who want to take down the power grid. I enjoy running across suspense books that have diverse crimes, and this one was definitely a unique motivation. The romance did move fast, but as the two had known each other in the past I didn't find it hard to believe.
I definitely enjoyed all the faith content. It's worked in organically and is part of the characterization rather than being preachy.
Thanks the publisher for a free copy. A favorable review was not required.
September 24, 2018
I was in the mood for a romantic suspense. Which this book is one. Yet, I thought the chemistry that Grace and Nate had was "medium". There is nothing wrong with "medium" but I was looking and hoping for "spicy". However, as this book is published by a Christian publisher, I can understand the heat level. On the bright side, this book is not preachy in regards to the word of God.
The story started out good. It had a intense scene. From there the next several chapters were still riding the high from the beginning. Grace did prove right away that she was not a helpless woman. Although, having some help does not hurt. Nate did a fine job of protecting Grace for the most part and solving the case. Personally, as much as I liked Grace and Nate; I could not establish that strong connection to them or the storyline. Readers of cozy mysteries may like this book.
The story started out good. It had a intense scene. From there the next several chapters were still riding the high from the beginning. Grace did prove right away that she was not a helpless woman. Although, having some help does not hurt. Nate did a fine job of protecting Grace for the most part and solving the case. Personally, as much as I liked Grace and Nate; I could not establish that strong connection to them or the storyline. Readers of cozy mysteries may like this book.
October 10, 2018
This is a wonderful book filled with suspense and romance. There are a lot of twists and turns. Grace and Nate become reunited after losing touch after college. Nate must protect Grace after she helps one of her patients. I really love this author and her stories. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
July 6, 2024
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I like how it had so much faith content in it. It encourages people who've had a lot of trauma in their lives and points them to God.
September 22, 2018
A sharp clatter jerked Grace Callahan out of the novel she was reading. She dropped the paperback onto the empty side of the queen-sized bed, then sat up, trying to determine if the noise had come from inside the house, or outside. More than likely it was her neighbor’s dog again, knocking something over. Or maybe she’d simply imagined it.
She glanced at the book’s ominous cover. Next time she should stick to reading something less…intense when trying to go to sleep.
Guess what I was doing when I started this book? Yeah, I knew as soon as I read this opening I was in for an intense ride and sleepless night. You would think by now, I’d learn not to start a suspense novel before bedtime! But in my defense, I couldn’t wait to dive into this promising thriller by a new-to-me author. Though I know Lisa Harris has penned multiple books over her writing career, I haven’t had the chance to read anything by her until now. What a ride this book was! I’ll be adding all of her other novels to my very massive must-read list.
Both Grace and Nate have had their share of grief they are still dealing with. As a psychologist, Grace has all the tools to combat the negative feelings that often sneak up on her. While she’s dealt with most of it, the murder of her client brings them sharply back to focus. Nate just recently returned to duty after an explosion takes out his partner and most of his team. Having survivor’s guilt threatens to bury him in a pile of remorse. Together they not only need to outrun the killers but help each other emotionally & spiritually.
I love how the suspense takes precedence over the romance, but you can also feel it simmering under the surface. This is definitely an adrenaline rush as they race to stop a national threat all while trying to figure out what clues Grace’s client left her. Information that in the wrong hands can have disastrous results! I also love how Grace clings to her faith in spite of the danger and how she leads Nate back to his. It’s refreshing to read a book that not only keeps you on your toes but feeds your spirit too!
Intense, heart-pumping, adrenaline laced, and keeps you turning pages late into the night are just some of the adjectives I’d use to describe this novel. Lisa Harris is now on my list of automatic read authors! If you love stories like this, I highly recommend “A Secret to Die For”.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review.*
She glanced at the book’s ominous cover. Next time she should stick to reading something less…intense when trying to go to sleep.
Guess what I was doing when I started this book? Yeah, I knew as soon as I read this opening I was in for an intense ride and sleepless night. You would think by now, I’d learn not to start a suspense novel before bedtime! But in my defense, I couldn’t wait to dive into this promising thriller by a new-to-me author. Though I know Lisa Harris has penned multiple books over her writing career, I haven’t had the chance to read anything by her until now. What a ride this book was! I’ll be adding all of her other novels to my very massive must-read list.
Both Grace and Nate have had their share of grief they are still dealing with. As a psychologist, Grace has all the tools to combat the negative feelings that often sneak up on her. While she’s dealt with most of it, the murder of her client brings them sharply back to focus. Nate just recently returned to duty after an explosion takes out his partner and most of his team. Having survivor’s guilt threatens to bury him in a pile of remorse. Together they not only need to outrun the killers but help each other emotionally & spiritually.
I love how the suspense takes precedence over the romance, but you can also feel it simmering under the surface. This is definitely an adrenaline rush as they race to stop a national threat all while trying to figure out what clues Grace’s client left her. Information that in the wrong hands can have disastrous results! I also love how Grace clings to her faith in spite of the danger and how she leads Nate back to his. It’s refreshing to read a book that not only keeps you on your toes but feeds your spirit too!
Intense, heart-pumping, adrenaline laced, and keeps you turning pages late into the night are just some of the adjectives I’d use to describe this novel. Lisa Harris is now on my list of automatic read authors! If you love stories like this, I highly recommend “A Secret to Die For”.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review.*
September 15, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley, Revell and Lisa Harris for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.
My rating is actually 3.5 stars, but since there aren't half stars I always round up.
Another good novel from Lisa Harris. Not my all time favorite from her, but still a good solid suspenseful mystery. It was nice to get back into the world of police detectives solving mysteries in Christian fiction.
I enjoyed the world of conspiracy theories with good reason. The book was so psychologically terrifying. The fact that these things could happen in real life is so scary. Hackers attacking the power grid and leaving our country without power for months. The impact it could have on our country and so many people is terrifying. Such an interesting premise! There was a lot of action, physical and mental, that kept me reading, reading, reading to find out what happens.
Despite all the action that I loved, I didn't really like that the murder mystery involved a psychiatric patient in any way. In this case, the patient wasn't a suspect (not a spoiler), but there is so much stigma and stereotypes that I'm wary of books that even associate therapy, mental health, etc. with anything negative. Also a key to solving a major part of the mystery was overlooked until much later. If I were there, I would have found the object right away by doing a simple but thorough search. If the characters stopped to think for 2 seconds the detective and psychology would have found it. So frustrating!
Overall, a compelling mystery that unfortunately had a few nuances that bothered me. Loved the conspiracy theory ascent though.
My rating is actually 3.5 stars, but since there aren't half stars I always round up.
Another good novel from Lisa Harris. Not my all time favorite from her, but still a good solid suspenseful mystery. It was nice to get back into the world of police detectives solving mysteries in Christian fiction.
I enjoyed the world of conspiracy theories with good reason. The book was so psychologically terrifying. The fact that these things could happen in real life is so scary. Hackers attacking the power grid and leaving our country without power for months. The impact it could have on our country and so many people is terrifying. Such an interesting premise! There was a lot of action, physical and mental, that kept me reading, reading, reading to find out what happens.
Despite all the action that I loved, I didn't really like that the murder mystery involved a psychiatric patient in any way. In this case, the patient wasn't a suspect (not a spoiler), but there is so much stigma and stereotypes that I'm wary of books that even associate therapy, mental health, etc. with anything negative. Also a key to solving a major part of the mystery was overlooked until much later. If I were there, I would have found the object right away by doing a simple but thorough search. If the characters stopped to think for 2 seconds the detective and psychology would have found it. So frustrating!
Overall, a compelling mystery that unfortunately had a few nuances that bothered me. Loved the conspiracy theory ascent though.
October 16, 2018
This was an interesting Christian "romantic suspense" novel, but I didn't enjoy it as much as other novels I've read in this genre by other authors. There was a good amount of action in the novel, but there was also a great deal of long conversations between the characters and a lot of internal dialogue taking place in the minds of the two main characters, which not only affected the pacing of the novel--making it feel that the intense events happened over a longer period of time than they did--but also affected the amount of suspense that the reader experienced. Another downside for me with this book is how unlikely it is that police detectives would allow a civilian to be involved in a case to the degree that Grace was; there are plenty of books where I can suspend my disbelief when things like this happen, but this time, I had a much harder time dealing with it. However, I still liked the novel and found the premise of the novel to be interesting, and I also appreciated how Grace and Nick both grew as characters and how they learned to deal with loss.
August 1, 2024
3.5 stars
"Because God knows that sometimes, after you put the pieces back together, you end up with something stronger and even more beautiful than before."
Her life just settling into some sense of normalcy, after a long season of grief and disappointment, psychologist Grace Callahan is startled to realize that one of her clients entrusted her with hyper-sensitive information . . . . . . just before he was killed. Waking up to a stranger in the night, Grace runs for her life, wondering who in the world would want to harm her over something that she doesn't even have in her possession.
When the police come to investigate her ties to their homicide victim Stephen Shaw, Grace is reunited with a dear friend from her past, Detective Nate Quinn, who is not about to let anyone else die on his watch. After listening to a cryptic message from the deceased, Nate reluctantly lets Grace assist in their investigation, while wondering what has happened to the friend that he thought was living an "happily ever after".
As Nate and Grace delve into the dark side of international cyber space, where well organized hackers quietly lurk; waiting for just the right opportunity to disrupt vital national security systems, they not only have their own pasts to unravel, they must unravel the secret for which Stephen Shaw died, before it's too late.
High suspense sprinkled with just a tease of romance!
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing through Interviews & Reviews.
"Because God knows that sometimes, after you put the pieces back together, you end up with something stronger and even more beautiful than before."
Her life just settling into some sense of normalcy, after a long season of grief and disappointment, psychologist Grace Callahan is startled to realize that one of her clients entrusted her with hyper-sensitive information . . . . . . just before he was killed. Waking up to a stranger in the night, Grace runs for her life, wondering who in the world would want to harm her over something that she doesn't even have in her possession.
When the police come to investigate her ties to their homicide victim Stephen Shaw, Grace is reunited with a dear friend from her past, Detective Nate Quinn, who is not about to let anyone else die on his watch. After listening to a cryptic message from the deceased, Nate reluctantly lets Grace assist in their investigation, while wondering what has happened to the friend that he thought was living an "happily ever after".
As Nate and Grace delve into the dark side of international cyber space, where well organized hackers quietly lurk; waiting for just the right opportunity to disrupt vital national security systems, they not only have their own pasts to unravel, they must unravel the secret for which Stephen Shaw died, before it's too late.
High suspense sprinkled with just a tease of romance!
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing through Interviews & Reviews.
September 26, 2018
Lisa Harris certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat! From the very first sentence to the very last I was completely sucked into this story! It almost felt like an episode of a crime show (which I love) but with a deeper look into everything.
Grace and Nate had a bit of a unique relationship. They had known each other in college when Nate’s best friend was dating Grace but they’d lost touch. Now they meet again under very crazy circumstances. I really appreciated how the author handled their relationship. Even though the story takes place over a short period of time things didn’t seemed rushed and flowed at a natural pace. They were getting to know each other again, building on what they’d known in the past and discovering who the other had become in their years apart. They both had experienced trauma that deeply affected them but they were able to confide in each other and help the other work through things.
I loved the suspense and mystery of the story, racing against the clock with the characters to piece together everything before it was too late. I did guess part of it but it still kept me turning pages till everything met a satisfying conclusion.
This book was non-stop and I absolutely recommend it for all lovers of romantic suspense!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Grace and Nate had a bit of a unique relationship. They had known each other in college when Nate’s best friend was dating Grace but they’d lost touch. Now they meet again under very crazy circumstances. I really appreciated how the author handled their relationship. Even though the story takes place over a short period of time things didn’t seemed rushed and flowed at a natural pace. They were getting to know each other again, building on what they’d known in the past and discovering who the other had become in their years apart. They both had experienced trauma that deeply affected them but they were able to confide in each other and help the other work through things.
I loved the suspense and mystery of the story, racing against the clock with the characters to piece together everything before it was too late. I did guess part of it but it still kept me turning pages till everything met a satisfying conclusion.
This book was non-stop and I absolutely recommend it for all lovers of romantic suspense!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 30, 2018
Another suspenseful crime drama full of action! A psychologist becomes a target when one of her clients ends up murdered. A former friend whose first day back on the job becomes her ally as they chase the clues and the plot expands to an FBI investigation.
This book was a real page turner, with an interesting, relevant plot involving cyber crimes. The action and police investigation pauses to allow for spiritual discussions, but in a realistic way. Faith struggles following trauma, like how can God allow evil, and other heavy topics, like PTSD, loss of a child, survivor guilt, abandonment and other issues are addressed. Grace's background as a clinical psychologist adds a therapeutic touch to some conversations, yet she shares her own doubts and fears too. She has a good friend to remind her that God can take the broken pieces of our lives and turn them into something beautiful. The romance is low key, growing from a reacquaintance to something more.
Recommend to readers who enjoy a good police drama with inspiration and a side of romance. 4.5 stars
(An e-book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)
This book was a real page turner, with an interesting, relevant plot involving cyber crimes. The action and police investigation pauses to allow for spiritual discussions, but in a realistic way. Faith struggles following trauma, like how can God allow evil, and other heavy topics, like PTSD, loss of a child, survivor guilt, abandonment and other issues are addressed. Grace's background as a clinical psychologist adds a therapeutic touch to some conversations, yet she shares her own doubts and fears too. She has a good friend to remind her that God can take the broken pieces of our lives and turn them into something beautiful. The romance is low key, growing from a reacquaintance to something more.
Recommend to readers who enjoy a good police drama with inspiration and a side of romance. 4.5 stars
(An e-book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)
September 1, 2018
I surprisingly found myself bored with this book. Yes, there was a lot of suspenseful moments, but they weren't really unique or interesting. It was mostly just predictable. (Like literally every suspense book I've read lately has had a car chase where the main characters are pushed off the road.). I even had the bad guy figured out pretty early on.
I thought the premise was really interesting and I had high hopes for this book, but I guess the constant harping on Gracie and Nate's backstories got old. I don't mean to diminish their stories and that it's a big part of who they are now, but it was brought up every couple of pages like somehow the reader was going to keep forgetting about it. Neither character really had any personality or depth because their backstory was the only thing ever talked about.
The ending was very abrupt and anticlimactic as well. We're led to this big moment and it just doesn't play out.
I liked the Nikki Boyd series and I just felt like this book didn't measure up.
Also, what's up with the 80's looking cover?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley
I thought the premise was really interesting and I had high hopes for this book, but I guess the constant harping on Gracie and Nate's backstories got old. I don't mean to diminish their stories and that it's a big part of who they are now, but it was brought up every couple of pages like somehow the reader was going to keep forgetting about it. Neither character really had any personality or depth because their backstory was the only thing ever talked about.
The ending was very abrupt and anticlimactic as well. We're led to this big moment and it just doesn't play out.
I liked the Nikki Boyd series and I just felt like this book didn't measure up.
Also, what's up with the 80's looking cover?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley
September 15, 2018
I loved that this story started with a realistic, creepy-scary scene. The danger ramps up before Grace has any idea why she’s being targeted. The action is pretty consistent throughout with a few curveballs thrown into the mix. It is a pretty exciting read with a scenario that feels all too possible in today’s world.
I enjoyed seeing a few characters who are trying to live off the grid. My husband reads a lot of “prepper” books so it was fun seeing for myself more of what that would look like. I pray we never come to such a time that that is necessary.
Both Grace and Nate are struggling to heal from traumatic events. They showcase the tension of wanting to run away from God and others to avoid being hurt again and that tenuous thread that still longs for connection. Nate also wrestles with the seeming absence of God when everything is going wrong and evil men seem to be winning. I felt it was easy to connect with them as most of us have struggled with those same things at some point in our lives.
Thank you to Revell for providing me with a complimentary e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed seeing a few characters who are trying to live off the grid. My husband reads a lot of “prepper” books so it was fun seeing for myself more of what that would look like. I pray we never come to such a time that that is necessary.
Both Grace and Nate are struggling to heal from traumatic events. They showcase the tension of wanting to run away from God and others to avoid being hurt again and that tenuous thread that still longs for connection. Nate also wrestles with the seeming absence of God when everything is going wrong and evil men seem to be winning. I felt it was easy to connect with them as most of us have struggled with those same things at some point in our lives.
Thank you to Revell for providing me with a complimentary e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2018
This story was full of action and adventure. The characters are in a race against time as they try to save themselves and the country from being destroyed.
The action scenes were interesting but I found them to be a bit too much after a while. At times the situations seemed unrealistic. I also found (in this book and many other romantic suspense Christian fiction books) that even when their lives are in danger and they are running from people who want to kill them, the characters are focusing on their romantic feelings for each other. This trope drives me crazy and feels extremely forced and ridiculous. I found myself skimming the scenes where the characters were pondering over their feelings of adoration for each other (while being chased by murderers!).
The pacing of the story was swift and there were no moments where the story lagged but for me it was just okay. Fans of romance and action may like this book.
My Rating
2.5 stars
I received this book to review from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The action scenes were interesting but I found them to be a bit too much after a while. At times the situations seemed unrealistic. I also found (in this book and many other romantic suspense Christian fiction books) that even when their lives are in danger and they are running from people who want to kill them, the characters are focusing on their romantic feelings for each other. This trope drives me crazy and feels extremely forced and ridiculous. I found myself skimming the scenes where the characters were pondering over their feelings of adoration for each other (while being chased by murderers!).
The pacing of the story was swift and there were no moments where the story lagged but for me it was just okay. Fans of romance and action may like this book.
My Rating
2.5 stars
I received this book to review from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 30, 2018
I normally stay away from a series, but since this book two in a series was so highly commended by a Goodreads friend, I decided to make an exception. That friend said it wasn't necessary to read book one, but I'm wondering if I may have been more interested in the protagonist and other characters if I had.
I didn't dislike this book, but it didn't grab me by the time I was a quarter of the way through so I decided to abandon it. I found the style to be journalistic and I'd read enough of the story to get the "news." There was some mystery to discover, but not enticing enough for me to continue.
I didn't dislike this book, but it didn't grab me by the time I was a quarter of the way through so I decided to abandon it. I found the style to be journalistic and I'd read enough of the story to get the "news." There was some mystery to discover, but not enticing enough for me to continue.
August 26, 2018
A Secret To Die For plunges readers straight into the tension and thrills of a race to foil a terrorism plot. With sweet romance and limitless action, Lisa Harris weaves together a story of second chances and overcoming grief and tragedy.
When psychologist Grace Callahan’s home is broken into and her life threatened, it’s not long before the case is tied to the murder of one of her clients. It’s the first day back on the job for Detective Nate Quinn after a bombing left him sidelined and dealing with PTSD after the death of his partner. Reuniting with an old college friend, Grace, and facing a murder investigation with ties to a larger criminal plot, Nate must work to keep his feelings from overshadowing the investigation. Nate and Grace join together to solve the case and stop the people who plan to threaten millions of lives - starting with Grace’s.
The first chapter of A Secret To Die For starts as the book continues - with plenty of tension and action, and also alluding to a depth of hurt and grief behind the main characters’ stories. The mystery combines a murder case with home break-ins, hacking, and technological warfare.
The majority of A Secret To Die For takes place over a few days. As such, the romance doesn’t have a lot of time to develop. Fortunately, Grace and Nate have a shared history that saves the quickly growing feelings between them from feeling rushed or unrealistic. The few moments they have to reconnect also allows them to share the trauma and grief they have both experienced. Grace and Nate have both lost a lot and this shared trauma gives their relationship a depth of shared understanding and connection.
A Secret To Die For is an easy-to-enjoy romantic suspense perfect for readers who enjoy light romance and intriguing action.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
When psychologist Grace Callahan’s home is broken into and her life threatened, it’s not long before the case is tied to the murder of one of her clients. It’s the first day back on the job for Detective Nate Quinn after a bombing left him sidelined and dealing with PTSD after the death of his partner. Reuniting with an old college friend, Grace, and facing a murder investigation with ties to a larger criminal plot, Nate must work to keep his feelings from overshadowing the investigation. Nate and Grace join together to solve the case and stop the people who plan to threaten millions of lives - starting with Grace’s.
The first chapter of A Secret To Die For starts as the book continues - with plenty of tension and action, and also alluding to a depth of hurt and grief behind the main characters’ stories. The mystery combines a murder case with home break-ins, hacking, and technological warfare.
The majority of A Secret To Die For takes place over a few days. As such, the romance doesn’t have a lot of time to develop. Fortunately, Grace and Nate have a shared history that saves the quickly growing feelings between them from feeling rushed or unrealistic. The few moments they have to reconnect also allows them to share the trauma and grief they have both experienced. Grace and Nate have both lost a lot and this shared trauma gives their relationship a depth of shared understanding and connection.
A Secret To Die For is an easy-to-enjoy romantic suspense perfect for readers who enjoy light romance and intriguing action.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
December 2, 2018
Prepare yourself for a fast-paced thrill ride when you crack open the cover of "A Secret to Die For"! Lisa Harris has succeeded at crafting a novel that crackles with tension, action-packed scenes, and one twist after another as her characters race to find out what secret Grace's client, Stephen, entrusted to her unknowing care. Grace and her long-lost friend, Detective Nate Quinn, make quite the dynamic crime-fighting team as they work to piece together the clues of what Stephen left behind. Readers who enjoy romantic plot-lines in their novels will surely enjoy the way that Grace and Nate dance around the feelings awakening between them, feelings that grow to something stronger in the midst of the bullets flying all around them. And for those readers simply looking for some well-plotted suspense, then they will find much to like here as well as they join these characters in unravelling the truth. I must admit that as the story progressed, I found myself considering how all too plausible this story seemed regarding the vulnerabilities of our power grids sustaining our society as we know it, and what would happen if we suddenly lost power for weeks or months. This story reminded me not to take our lives for granted, because we never know when things could change at a moment's notice, much like Grace's life took a sudden and unexpected turn in this story.
"A Secret to Die For" is another winner from a very talented author. With characters you will immediately become fond of, a story that progresses rapidly from start to finish (just the way I like suspense novels to go), and a soul-satisfying conclusion, Lisa Harris' latest book is just what you've been craving. I award this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
"A Secret to Die For" is another winner from a very talented author. With characters you will immediately become fond of, a story that progresses rapidly from start to finish (just the way I like suspense novels to go), and a soul-satisfying conclusion, Lisa Harris' latest book is just what you've been craving. I award this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
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