Sins of the Past

Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection – Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason – Bethany House – Published 3 May 2016

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Synopsis

Three Novellas from Bestselling Authors
In Dee Henderson’s “Missing,” a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins. 

Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with “Shadowed,” introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.

Lynette Eason’s “Blackout” delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found–but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?

My thoughts

Three of my favourite romantic suspense authors all in one book?? Sign me up!!! Sins of the Past is a collection of three romantic suspense novellas. All three stories are based on something that has happened in the past impacting current events and they bring together plenty of action, suspense and romance.

Missing – Dee Henderson

Missing is a wonderfully insightful and exciting look at working a missing persons case, one that is very personal. Police chief John Graham’s mother has been reported missing. He teams up with Lieutenant Sharon Noble to help locate her. It’s a frustrating and emotional time for John, but he enjoys working with the enigmatic Sharon. The focus of this story is definitely the case. Details, interviews, clues and time lines, it’s like being dropped into the middle of an active crime scene and it’s very interesting. As always with Dee’s writing it is also very enjoyable to read. This is the first time I have read a novella by Dee and was pleased by the balance in timing, and the mix of family, crime solving and romance is also perfect. The story never felt rushed or cut short. The romance develops slowly and sweetly, with the delicate hand that Dee Henderson always turns to her love stories. Very enjoyable.   

Shadowed – Dani Pettrey

In Shadowed, readers get to meet the parents of the McKenna group, Ben and Libby, and uncover the story of how they first met. Those who have read Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series will know these two become the parents of the McKenna children who star as our heroines and heroes of that series. It’s fun to go back and see where their story starts. And just like any book in the McKenna series, Shadowed is full of action and plenty of twists that just keep coming, especially when you think things have resolved. You can see where the McKenna clan get their tenacity, deep curiosity and love of investigating. It’s a fun novella, lots of suspense, great positioning in the era and setting and sweet romance.

Blackout – Lynette Eason

Blackout starts off terrifying – don’t start this one at night – and continues with plenty of action. Macey was unwittingly involved in a crime when she was a teenager but never fully retained her memories of what happened. Now someone is out to make sure she dies before she does remember. Breaking into her house is just the beginning. Macey’s neighbour, police detective Chad is on scene when Macey’s house is broken in to. It gives him the opening to help Macey begin an investigation into her past and find who is hunting her now, and maybe even convince Macey to finally give them a chance as a couple. Things are a little rushed to fit the timeline of this story, prints and lab results are conveniently returned very quickly and the action happens quickly. I didn’t connect with Macey, but Chad is charming. Blackout is not as good as some of Lynette Eason’s full-length books, but still an enjoyable read.

The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

More information

Category: Fiction

Genre: Christian contemporary.

Themes:  Crime, police, mission persons, family, romance.

Published: 3 May 2016 by Bethany House.

Format: Hardcover, paperback,  ebook. 384 pages.

ISBN: 9780764217982

Find it on Goodreads