Rating is 4.5 stars
My Comments
Wow, this is definitely another gripping book from the same author who became a favorite of mine after reading Submerged!! Darcy St. James has just reported for work on this cruise ship headed to Russia when her friend and boss, Abby, goes missing. Darcy has no idea what shes in for, but she knows something is terribly wrong and will stop at NOTHING to find out what happened to Abby.
Gage McKenna has also taken a job aboard the cruise ship not knowing Darcys involvement. He cant get her out of his mind so when he discovers this he decides to stay as distant from her as possible. She reminds him way too much of his ex with Darcys ambition and secretive manner. However, Gage cant help but feel protective of Darcy despite his hesitancy to be around her. Will he be able to help her find the truth in time or will she go too far with her sleuthing tactics in learning about what happened to Abby?
On the one hand, I really couldnt believe how foolish Darcy is as she pursues this investigation in finding Abby. She doesnt just ask questions, she takes constant risks, shes way too revealing in her intentions, she puts her own life in jeopardy, she refuses to back down, she faces her ultimate fear in order not to get fired, and she has no fear in snooping. On the other hand, I wish I had a friend like her who is diligent, faithful, and relentless in making sure Abby is found and wanting her to know Christ before she dies. She puts Abbys needs ahead of her own the entire book making each excursion off the boat even more adventurous and questioning passengers/crew members on the boat (or ship if you will). The story takes place on and off the ship.
There are several misunderstandings between Gage and Darcy which makes for great romantic tension in the story, but I was more interested in them getting along and working together which gradually happens. Gage is convinced that Darcy resembles his ex in character, which helps him guard his heart, but he does realize that this assumption is false. Darcy is only interested in finding her friend and thats the only reason she is so secretive. As foolish as I thought her to be, she considers Gage and his family company in every risk she takes. Shes willing to take the fall to keep his professional reputation intact.
My two favorite things about this story: you have to love the McKenna family! They stick together, depend on one another, trust each other, and support one another in everything. The McKenna family is not limited to the 5 siblings either, this also includes their significant others. They are easy to make friends with; they run their company with integrity, loyalty, and safety; they work hard but they also know how to enjoy themselves; they communicate and work together very well during an investigation; and they are real with one another. Also, this book goes into the very relevant issue of trafficking. Its a real problem and one that should be dealt with swiftly and compassionately. It was a pleasure to see how the McKenna family deals with this and in protecting Darcy.
Another element to this book (and series) that means a lot to me was the main characters love for God. Darcy and Gage have both experienced a death in their past; Darcys childhood friend and Gages infant son; and they have opposite reactions to God in this heartbreaking experience. Darcy regrets not being able to save her friend as she cries out to God for help and peace while Gage resents God for not miraculously saving his son. Darcy prays throughout the story (for herself, for Abby and for Gage) and Gage goes through a night of complete boredom that leads him to reading the Bible. There are a few scenes in the story where prayer is described and Gage learns a lot more than he bargained for while reading Genesis. I love the sensitivity and faith written with these characters and their compassion for one another as they learn about the trafficking, their search for Abby, and their determination to bring justice to this case.
This is such a great book and one I highly recommend! Im pretty sure I know which characters will be written about in Book 4, but well find out summer 2014.
I want to thank the author and publisher for the review copy provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
My Comments
Wow, this is definitely another gripping book from the same author who became a favorite of mine after reading Submerged!! Darcy St. James has just reported for work on this cruise ship headed to Russia when her friend and boss, Abby, goes missing. Darcy has no idea what shes in for, but she knows something is terribly wrong and will stop at NOTHING to find out what happened to Abby.
Gage McKenna has also taken a job aboard the cruise ship not knowing Darcys involvement. He cant get her out of his mind so when he discovers this he decides to stay as distant from her as possible. She reminds him way too much of his ex with Darcys ambition and secretive manner. However, Gage cant help but feel protective of Darcy despite his hesitancy to be around her. Will he be able to help her find the truth in time or will she go too far with her sleuthing tactics in learning about what happened to Abby?
On the one hand, I really couldnt believe how foolish Darcy is as she pursues this investigation in finding Abby. She doesnt just ask questions, she takes constant risks, shes way too revealing in her intentions, she puts her own life in jeopardy, she refuses to back down, she faces her ultimate fear in order not to get fired, and she has no fear in snooping. On the other hand, I wish I had a friend like her who is diligent, faithful, and relentless in making sure Abby is found and wanting her to know Christ before she dies. She puts Abbys needs ahead of her own the entire book making each excursion off the boat even more adventurous and questioning passengers/crew members on the boat (or ship if you will). The story takes place on and off the ship.
There are several misunderstandings between Gage and Darcy which makes for great romantic tension in the story, but I was more interested in them getting along and working together which gradually happens. Gage is convinced that Darcy resembles his ex in character, which helps him guard his heart, but he does realize that this assumption is false. Darcy is only interested in finding her friend and thats the only reason she is so secretive. As foolish as I thought her to be, she considers Gage and his family company in every risk she takes. Shes willing to take the fall to keep his professional reputation intact.
My two favorite things about this story: you have to love the McKenna family! They stick together, depend on one another, trust each other, and support one another in everything. The McKenna family is not limited to the 5 siblings either, this also includes their significant others. They are easy to make friends with; they run their company with integrity, loyalty, and safety; they work hard but they also know how to enjoy themselves; they communicate and work together very well during an investigation; and they are real with one another. Also, this book goes into the very relevant issue of trafficking. Its a real problem and one that should be dealt with swiftly and compassionately. It was a pleasure to see how the McKenna family deals with this and in protecting Darcy.
Another element to this book (and series) that means a lot to me was the main characters love for God. Darcy and Gage have both experienced a death in their past; Darcys childhood friend and Gages infant son; and they have opposite reactions to God in this heartbreaking experience. Darcy regrets not being able to save her friend as she cries out to God for help and peace while Gage resents God for not miraculously saving his son. Darcy prays throughout the story (for herself, for Abby and for Gage) and Gage goes through a night of complete boredom that leads him to reading the Bible. There are a few scenes in the story where prayer is described and Gage learns a lot more than he bargained for while reading Genesis. I love the sensitivity and faith written with these characters and their compassion for one another as they learn about the trafficking, their search for Abby, and their determination to bring justice to this case.
This is such a great book and one I highly recommend! Im pretty sure I know which characters will be written about in Book 4, but well find out summer 2014.
I want to thank the author and publisher for the review copy provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Stranded is the third book in the Alaskan Courage series. I love this romantic suspense series, and enjoyed the third book as much as the first two. Although Id recommend you read the books in order for the most enjoyment, this one has enough action and excitement to stand on its own. Each book focuses on one member of the McKenna family. Stranded features Gage, whose romantic interest is Darcy St. James. Gage and Darcy already have some history from the previous book, where they had bid each other farewell and gone their separate waysat least by outward appearance.
The author writes in such a way that as a reader, I felt like I was right there in the story. I love books like this one, where I dont feel like Im just an observer, but I feel as if Im right there in the midst of the action, heartache, or excitement of the current moment. Stranded pulls the reader swiftly through a myriad of emotions and situations.
The faith element in this novel is a major part of the plot, and should give Christian readers an opportunity to ponder our own love and commitment to our friends. Do we really have the heart that Darcy has for her friend, Abby? Although, Darcy does tend to get on my nerves somewhat with her penchant for following her gut instincts, she is certainly focused and driven toward her goals, one of which is seeing Abby become a follower of Jesus. Gage, also, has not made a commitment to Christ, so we again see him battling and trying to come to terms with his past.
There are some great sub-plots, which add interest to the story and give readers an opportunity to know the characters on a deeper level. I love this type of family series, where each book allows the reader to become better acquainted with various members of the core group of characters. Im really looking forward to reading the fourth book. If you enjoy romantic suspense and family sagas, why dont you give this series a try? I think you will be very happy with the Alaskan Courage series.
The author writes in such a way that as a reader, I felt like I was right there in the story. I love books like this one, where I dont feel like Im just an observer, but I feel as if Im right there in the midst of the action, heartache, or excitement of the current moment. Stranded pulls the reader swiftly through a myriad of emotions and situations.
The faith element in this novel is a major part of the plot, and should give Christian readers an opportunity to ponder our own love and commitment to our friends. Do we really have the heart that Darcy has for her friend, Abby? Although, Darcy does tend to get on my nerves somewhat with her penchant for following her gut instincts, she is certainly focused and driven toward her goals, one of which is seeing Abby become a follower of Jesus. Gage, also, has not made a commitment to Christ, so we again see him battling and trying to come to terms with his past.
There are some great sub-plots, which add interest to the story and give readers an opportunity to know the characters on a deeper level. I love this type of family series, where each book allows the reader to become better acquainted with various members of the core group of characters. Im really looking forward to reading the fourth book. If you enjoy romantic suspense and family sagas, why dont you give this series a try? I think you will be very happy with the Alaskan Courage series.
Darcy St. James is a reporter. When her friend Abby contacts her and asks for her help, Darcy agrees. When Abby vanishes from the cruise ship they are working on, Darcy doesnt buy the story the crew is telling everyone. Something is very wrong. After asking questions around, she finds that Abby isnt the only person to have disappeared. Gage McKenna and his family own and operate Last Frontier Adventures. This summer they signed on with a cruise ship line to lead interested passengers on adventure excursions. Imagine the surprise when Gage finds Darcy working on the ship. She was hired as a journalist to cover the adventure excursions. Its been awhile since Darcy and Gage have seen each other but the emotional pull is still very strong. Darcy fills Gage in about her missing friend and all shes found out. Feeling he must protect her, Gage reluctantly helps her. As they try to put the pieces together, they discover a whole lot more than they bargained for.
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Alaskan Courage Series. Stranded finds us aboard a cruise ship where people, mainly women, seem to just vanish. After watching Darcy and Gage in Shattered, (book 2), I was anxious to read their story. Gage is one of those great flawed heroes. You could easily understand why he felt the way he did. Darcy was a woman of great faith and strength. Her genuineness really shined through. It was neat to catch up with all the McKennas. Piper and Landon are very involved in the story as well as Kayden and Jake. It was nice to learn more about Jake and I certainly hope well be seeing him and Kayden in the next book. There were twists and turns and youre not really sure just whos involved until the end. One thing I appreciated was how the Gospel message was woven into the story in a way that felt very natural. We see throughout the story how sometimes God uses the difficulties in our life to bring us to Him and that even if we turn away from Him, He is still there with us. Although you could read this as a stand-alone, this is one series I recommend you read in order. That way you get all the background of everyone involved. Looking forward, with great anticipation, to the next installment!
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0764209841
ISBN-13: 978-0764209840
*This complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
For more information about this book or the authors other books, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.danipettrey.com/
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Alaskan Courage Series. Stranded finds us aboard a cruise ship where people, mainly women, seem to just vanish. After watching Darcy and Gage in Shattered, (book 2), I was anxious to read their story. Gage is one of those great flawed heroes. You could easily understand why he felt the way he did. Darcy was a woman of great faith and strength. Her genuineness really shined through. It was neat to catch up with all the McKennas. Piper and Landon are very involved in the story as well as Kayden and Jake. It was nice to learn more about Jake and I certainly hope well be seeing him and Kayden in the next book. There were twists and turns and youre not really sure just whos involved until the end. One thing I appreciated was how the Gospel message was woven into the story in a way that felt very natural. We see throughout the story how sometimes God uses the difficulties in our life to bring us to Him and that even if we turn away from Him, He is still there with us. Although you could read this as a stand-alone, this is one series I recommend you read in order. That way you get all the background of everyone involved. Looking forward, with great anticipation, to the next installment!
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0764209841
ISBN-13: 978-0764209840
*This complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
For more information about this book or the authors other books, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.danipettrey.com/
This is the third book in the Alaskan Courage series and the third one that I have read by this author. I am becoming accustomed to great characters and fast-paced suspense. I was not disappointed. Although I will say, that in the previous books, I was more into the characters versus the suspense plot. I found myself more into the suspense plot in this book. I loved the way that the author kept me guessing and was not afraid to tackle a tough subject of underlying evil.
