Shattered by Dani Pettrey - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Shattered Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013) by Dani Pettrey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In real life, Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one’s faith and plenty of romance. She’s a huge fan of dark chocolate, is always in search of the best iced mocha and her dream is to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

Just in case you’re curious…The real Dani does love traveling. She’s been to some amazing places (Greece, Hawaii, the Keys) and there are many more she hopes to visit in the future.

And while she’s not quite up to sky-diving, cave diving or heli-skiing (too high, too enclosed, too cold!) she and her family love hiking, canoeing, wave jumping and a ton of other outdoor adventures a little further down on the risk scale.

Dani is the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling debut novel Submerged and latest release Shattered. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Piper McKenna couldn't be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed--but despite the evidence, Reef swears he's innocent. And Piper believes him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon's career.

With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada's rugged backcountry--and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.


My Thoughts:

Families are complicated.  The McKenna family is a particularly close knit group.  When one of the family members is accused of murder, nothing can keep them from launching every means necessary to clear their family name.  And ALL of the evidence is so overwhelmingly convicting, the reader has to wander what on earth will ever deliver them from a certain lifetime behind bars.

From the very opening scenes of this story, the reader is drawn into relationship.  Family, friendships, embittered enemies…no relationship escapes the scope of this story.  The reason?  It is through the vehicle of relationship that truth is pursued and discovered. The cost?  Deadly!!

The outcome will surprise you.  The relationships within the story ebb and flow about you and leave you challenged and encouraged.  There is nothing easy about any aspect of the characters’ lives.  They have a faith that is challenged and changed within the scope of the developing mystery.  You will love the members of this family and community (most of them anyway!), and you will be amazed at the answers they discover along the way!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Shattered, go HERE.