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Kayden's climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.
Praise for the Alaskan Courage series
"Readers who enjoy Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and DiAnn Mills will add this to their to-read list." Library Journal about Stranded
"I have not been this enthralled since the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson! Pettrey does such an excellent job of developing the character of each and every family member..." Christian Manifesto
"Hard-to-put-down romantic suspense with snappy dialogue, realistic characterizations and fast-moving intrigue." Suspense Zone
"Pettrey provides that perfect blend of romance and suspense, that keeps me completely absorbed and turning pages until the last word . . . . Riveting plots, spellbinding settings, and fascinating characters makes this series a favorite in my book." --Radiant Lit
"Pettrey keeps the stakes high for her characters and her readers, who, by now, know and love the whole McKenna clan will be pushing for romance to bloom as suspense mounts." -Booklist
Anonymous
Posted Tue Aug 12 00:00:00 EDT 2014
The white dappled she cat was hunting a mouse. She watched it closely with her crystal blue eyes.
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Posted Sun Aug 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This was my first Dani Pettrey book and I enjoyed it very much! It was full of romance, mystery, adventure and faith. The characters were believable and the description vivid. Every time I thought the conflict was coming close to a resolution, Dani threw something else in there to surprise me. Although this was book four in the series, I had no trouble following along with the characters and their ties to each other. Can't wait for Dani's next book!
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Posted Thu Jul 17 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Great series!
I haven't been this invested in a family since Dee Henderson's O'Malleys.
Suspense, faith, romance, family- all present in this fast-paced book!
You won't regret reading this book and while eyre better read from the beginning, this one isn't too confusing to be
read as a stand-alone.
NetGalley provided me with a digital copy to review, but my words and love for this book are mine alone.
LJ44
Posted Thu Jul 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Mystery, action, suspense...this book has it all!!
Silenced is my favorite in the series, as Kayden and Jake intrigued me from the first book Submerged. Now that Jake's past is exposed, he's hoping for a relationship with Kayden but his past comes back to haunt him threatening all he loves. This book had me hooked from beginning to end and couldn't put it down!!
First thoughts: I've enjoyed the entire series so far but Kayden and Jake have to be my favorite couple yet.
What it's about: Kayden McKenna goes climbing only to discover a dead man on a cliff ledge. It appears to be an accident but Kayden isn't so sure. She and Jake, a family friend, find themselves apart of the investigation. The more they learn, the thicker the mystery becomes.
What I liked about it: One of my favorite things about this series is the Alaskan setting. It is as full of danger and surprises as the McKenna family itself. I loved watching Kayden and Jake discover each other's secrets and their relationship unfold.
What I didn't like: The only thing I didn't like was that I couldn't go to Alaska to read the book.
Who I would recommend it to: I'd recommend this book to anyone that enjoys mystery, romance and an inspiring story.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
MountainsJJ
Posted Mon Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014
A fantastic read! Dani Pettrey's fourth installment in the Alaskan Courage Series is out and she hasn't missed a beat yet!
Silenced was an exciting read filled with an amazing cast of characters. Most of them are all familiar to readers who have been following
the series all along. I read this book from that perspective, having started with Dani and the McKenna clan in book #1 Submerged. I am
not a good person to ask how the story holds its own to a reader just joining the fun. However, each of the past characters plays a
supporting role in the book, continuing on with their story lines slightly. This makes the characters more fleshed out then just names
and casual mentions.
I have been looking forward to this story line since the middle of book #3 Stranded. Kayden always drew my curiosity in the ways she
poked and prodded at Jake, hoping to prove him a fraud. In book #3 we all got a glimpse into his secretive past making us all, Kayden
included, like him a little bit more.
Now in Silenced we have the full growth of that change into a budding romance. And a sweet one at that. Jake is anything but a fraud.
He is a gentle man filled with protectiveness, spirit and faith. He fights hard to protect the woman he's falling for and the family that
supports her. A wonderful hero.
It was also fun to peel back some of the hardened outer layers of Kayden and see into her heart. She is a strong woman with her own
demons and secrets to secure. Yet, with faith, time and the gentle prodding of a compassionate, caring man she learns to reveal her
true self.
The suspenseful plot was responsible for a few late nights, but thankfully I was compelled to finish it in only a few days! Pettrey has a
gift for keeping the reader moving along. Her twists and turns are engaging and believable. This book is tops in that category. I can't
even tell you why, or I might spoil the ride for you. Loved the twist!!
Again, Pettrey sets the stage for another round. The book adds in a couple new points of view later in the book as bad-boy brother Reef
gets a voice along with newcomer Kirra. At first this threw me off. I found it distracting to the story line my heart was invested in. It became
clear as the story went along that this was the pre-staging for the next book Sabotaged. However, it was a bit jolting so late in the story.
Even still, I am looking forward to see what trouble those two characters will get in to. (Release February 2015.)
Overall, a fantastic addition to your summer reading list! Excitement, romance, enthralling settings and deep, engaging characters - a
perfect mix!
Thanks to Bethany House, and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. These thoughts are my own and
I was not required to review it positively.
J_Augustine
Posted Mon Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This is a Dani Pettrey book, need I say more? OK, so for this actually to be a review I DO have say at least a little more. I LOVE suspense, got hooked years ago on mystery and suspense and have devoured the genre since. I read the first book in the Alaskan Courage series last year and have enjoyed each succeeding title.
Silenced has everything it takes to make a good suspense story. One of my favorite parts of reading mystery/suspense is trying to figure out who-done-it but Dani Pettrey had me really stumped on this one, I totally did not see it coming.
Another great story from a wonderful author, Silenced will grab your attention and hold it whether you are looking for romance, suspense, or the great outdoors, it has them all and then some.
Dani Pettrey has a confirmed fan in me and I will be eagerly awaiting, not only the final book in the series, but also any future books.
(I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Laura_Pol
Posted Fri Jun 27 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Dani Pettrey is the only suspense author I know that can take me out of my typical genre reads and bring me into the world of romantic suspense! She has such a way of writing a story that sucks you in from the first page and leaves you on a thrill ride until the very end! Silenced was no different for me!
It was awesome to get more of Kayden's story and her passions from her perspective! I had such a fun time of getting to know her better concerning her fears and strengths! I didn't realize she could even be such an awesome detective and seeing her work with Jake so good was unexpected for me! I also enjoyed hearing more of Jake's story and some of his struggles! It was great seeing him really in his element concerning the police force!
The overall suspense in this one was different then the past novels Dani has written, but still great! It actually had a tougher edge in realizing who the killer was and had me unprepared in how the story would play out!
One thing I was slightly bummed about was I didn't feel there was as big Gospel message as there has been in her past books! Don't get me wrong there was a great message of Christ and the power of change He does in people, but I was hoping for a Little more!
Silenced is not a novel to be missed if you enjoy suspense! Not only will you be on the edge of your seat, but you will also receive a powerful message of God being in control! Dani Pettrey will continue to be one of my favorite authors!
I give Silenced by Dani Pettrey a 4.5 out of 5 stars!
*(I received this novel from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review!)*
I LOVE this book. It was filled with so much suspense that I just didn't want to put it down. From the beginning to the end I was at the edge of my seat!
I was captured by this book. There is definitely suspense from beginning to end.
The author draws you into her novel and the words easily flow and hold you. Everything is so very well explained, and all scenes are created in just a way as if you feel as if you are right there alongside the characters!
What I loved most about this book was the twist and turns in suspense! I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that this book doesn't leave you wanting for more mystery and suspense. I literally found myself on the edge of my seat, sitting straight up in bed, holding my breath, and chewing on my lip at times I was so nervous and captured!
I also found myself frustrated while reading this book mainly because Kayden and Jake each in their own way was just so stubborn! I wanted to shake them and give them a good talking to. They are each attracted to each other, but neither will act on their feelings. It is so frustrating to see romance and sparks between two characters only for them not to act on it because of their own ridiculous reasons. Jake knows that Kayden is emotionally unavailable and believes she has no interest in him. Because of this and his past he fears telling her how he really feels will push her away so he keeps it to himself.
Kayden will simply not allow herself to feel. Terrified because of the loss of her parents due to health reasons she doesn't want to feel that type of pain again nor does she want to inflict that kind of pain on anyone. Despite the fact she is giving up love and personal happiness she is determined to go it alone and live the healthiest lifestyle she can.
Another wonderful aspect of this book is the closeness of the McKenna siblings and friends. They all hold faith in God and stick together in unimaginable ways. I fell in love with all of them in my own way. And to see God so strong in not just a few but many of the characters lives was so refreshing. Not to mention all the characters have such a strong personality each their own! No character melts into the next, and each is interestingly unique. I can't wait to go back and read the other books in this series to find out about more of the characters, and I especially can't wait to read the next book after this one. I'm hoping it tells more on Reef and Kayden and Jake. I was definitely left wanting more.
I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more information on Conrad Humphries death. I was really wanting more information on that. I can't go into specific details on that because I don't want to spoil anything.
Even though this is Book 4 in the Alaskan Courage series it does well as a stand alone book. All the characters are present, but this is more of Kayden and Jake's story. You get snippets of the other characters which makes you want to go back and read the other books dealing with their individual stories. Each of the novels are centered around suspense so you know they are all going to be page turners.
I urge you to give this book a read. Go out and get it and read it as fast as you can! :)
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
SeasonsofGrace
Posted Fri Jun 20 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Once again, Dani has outdone herself in the fourth book of the Alaskan Courage Series. Her work is amazing and will keep you glued until you turn the final page. Dani is all about taking you straight into the plot. Silenced, is Kayden's story; and if you have read the other books in the series you will recognize the McKenna family members included in this book. Happily we celebrate two of their weddings from previous books. On that note though, the book can certainly be read alone.
In Silenced, Kayden is finally letting down her guard and falling in love. Jake and Kayden end up working together quite a bit, and the connection is there, with subtle sparks. As they work to solve the mystery of the dead climber and new mystery is brewing which will take them both by surprise. The twists in this book are exciting and suspenseful. I also enjoyed Dani's way of incorporating each character's relationship and dependence on the Lord. Family is a top priority and the values portrayed are great. This book has it all, and if you haven't yet, you certainly will fall in love with the McKenna family.
Dani also does an amazing job portraying the great Alaskan outdoors. She creates a stunning picture and makes you want to go there.
This book was provided courtesy of Bethany House Blogger Program. All opinions are my own. I am in no way required to give a positive review.
PugAC
Posted Fri Jun 20 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Really enjoyed this read. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
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Posted Wed Jun 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014
When I found out this book would be about Jake and Kayden, I couldn’t wait to read it. After learning just who Jake is in the last book, I was eager to get inside his head. And Kayden being the female main character, I had a feeling, would be interesting. And it most certainly was.
Rock climbing has intrigued me ever since I can remember, so for that to be the backdrop in the novel was fun. I enjoyed Kayden’s strength, her expertise, and her love of dogs. And Jake might just be my favorite guy character in the series even though he’s not a McKenna. He’s that cool.
The story grabbed me immediately and held me to the last page, which I have come to expect when I read one of Dani’s novels. Twists and turns in the plot cast doubt over various characters, keeping me in suspense about who the bad guy was. I liked having Reef around more in this one, and I’m already looking forward to seeing his story unfold in the next novel. I know it’ll be just as engaging and well-written as the first books have been — if not better.
———
+My copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Anonymous
Posted Thu May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I absolutely loved this book! And the rest of the Alaskan Courage Series by Dani Pettrey. This book contains lots of suspense and action, but it has romantic plot as well. I was looking forward to this book for about 7 months and I read it in two days. Inspiring messages can be found throughout the book as well. I highly recommend this book, but if you have not read the other three books in the series, you should start with them (The McKenna family is awesome!).
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Submerged, Shattered, Stranded and now Silenced- all title’s in Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series and I must say that I have enjoyed each one as you get to know up close and personal the McKenna siblings and all the many suspenseful happenings in their lives. I have to say that I really was looking forward to this one as this time it was Kayden MeKenna’s turn. This is the McKenna daughter who looked exactly like her mother, but ever since her death had remained pretty closed off to those around her. The story opens with a bang as Kayden finds a dead body while she is out on one of her recreational rock climbs- so much for a relaxing rock climbing experience. Kayden teams up with former police detective Jake Westin (Cavanaugh) as he is coaxed out of retirement by newly appointed local Sheriff Landon Grainger - (Piper McKenna’s fiance’.) As this case unfolds and the two are working closely together to crack it we get a closer look at Jake’s back story as well- a police detective with a sad story- a case gone wrong which ended the lives of his wife and their precious daughter, not yet born. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, a whole other mystery pops up, one which is very dangerous for both Kayden and Jake, but which also draws them closer and closer together.
I have to say that this story begged the question- “what drives you?” If you think about it we are all driven by something- whether it be fear, guilt, revenge or love, and we get to choose what that might be. Our choices then dictate the course that we set ourselves on. As the stories of Kayden and Jake come out more fully and even the “bad guy” of the story, it is a clear picture of what drives each character. I feel it is very well done and so all those choices make sense and play out well in the storyline . And so for instance, we understand why Kayden is the way she is in terms of extreme self- discipline with her health etc., and we get it why Jake’s has a fierce protective side towards Kayden. And so of course, that leads to why it makes total sense that Kayden and Jake are attracted to each other and how they help each other see that the thing that we should be driven by is a relationship with God, any other forces lead to ruin. The suspense part of the story, as usual is well played and you will find the pages turning faster and faster towards the end of the book as you reach the climax of the story.
I am very glad to have discovered Dani Pettrey and have really enjoyed this series. I know that I will be among the many that will be greatly looking forward to the next book in the series- Sabotaged which tell’s Reef McKenna’s story, oh Spring of 2015, hurry up and get here!
5 stars
I was graciously given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Anonymous
Posted Tue May 27 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Dani Pettrey has done it again. SILENCED, her fourth book in her Alaskan Courage Series is a suspenseful mystery with just the right amount of romance in it. You will get pulled into Kayden and Jake's story from the very first page. You will love spending time with the whole McKenna family again. Dani's characters and writing has so much depth, you will feel like you are right there with the characters experiencing what they are going through . From the first page where Kayden and her sister, PIPER, are climbing and hanging on the edge of a seven-hundred-fifty-four-foot-sheer cliff face; to where Kayden finds a dead body on the next crested ridge; to the exciting roller coaster ride through the book , as you turn the last page, you won't be able to stop reading. You will sense the danger that Kayden and Jake are in as Jake's past comes up to threaten him and those he loves. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen net. Through this book you will experience and see how God is in control of every aspect of our lives. We can't live on the "what ifs" but are to live our lives to the fullest and not in fear. I love how Dani brought this out in her story. Grab your copy of SILENCED today; settle in your favorite reading spot with a hot cup of cofffey and be prepared to enjoy hours and hours of pure reading pleasure. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dani and Bethany House. for my honest review. Thank you Dani and Bethany House for this awesome book!!!! tabby
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Posted Tue May 27 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Silenced is the fourth book in the Alaskan Courage series following the adventures of the McKenna siblings. They own and operate an outfitting and adventure tour company. I love the setting, an island town in Alaska, and I love the characters and always eagerly await the next book. I'm a little unclear as to whether or not this is the last book in the series as it didn't entirely finish up the story of the last sibling, Reef, but I think it is.
My one beef with this book is that I wish the back story for Jake had been explained a little more at the beginning. I'm sure we were told more details in the last book but I read it quite a while ago. I would have found a recap helpful. It sort of comes out throughout the story but it felt like the author was alluding to things I either forgot or just didn't know.
While the books in this series each center around one sibling, and their love interest of course, there is enough going on within the family that I would recommend starting with the first book and reading them in order or you will miss out on a lot.
This has been my favourite series in the last couple years and while I will be sad to see it finish up, I'm excited to see what Dani Pettrey writes about next.
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Mocha-with-Linda
Posted Thu May 22 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Heart-pounding tension and unexpected twists in this captivating novel! The McKenna siblings return in book four of Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series, this one spotlighting Kayden McKenna as Pettrey once again combines breathless suspense and extreme adventure sports in this novel set in the rugged beauty of Alaska. Heart-pounding tension infuses the pages of this story--from Kayden's free climb up a cliff to the search for the killer of the man whose body she discovers at the top. Kayden and Jake--at odds for so long in the previous novels--have joined forces in an attempt to solve the mystery, and their new friendship deepens as the danger escalates. Just when it seems as if the solution is at hand, Pettrey surprises the reader with an unexpected twist, lending an even more sinister tone and making the book impossible to put down until its conclusion. Don't miss this captivating novel!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Dani Pettrey and Bethany House Publishers as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
Anonymous
Posted Thu May 22 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for review. I was not sure at the time what I was going to think about this book since it was 4th in a series, and I knew nothing about the series at all. I have to say after reading this one, it does interest me in reading the other books that came before this one. This book also has a bit of a religious element to it, but not in your face religious. This can be read without reading the others, but for the sake of character development I think it would be much better if the whole series is read.
The premise of the book is about a woman named Kayden who is a mountain climber and she is on a climb when she discovers a dead body on one of the cliff edges. She and her friend Jake are out to find out what happened when they discover that it was murder and thus the story continues from there.
The story was very engaging, fast paced, fluid and easy to follow although there were a couple of things that confused me. I could not understand why Kayden was involved with the mystery solving when she was not even a part of the police department, was not a detective or investigator. So that kind of bothered me a little and seemed a tad unrealistic. I also don't feel like all the lose ends were tied up with this story which left the story a little incomplete for me.
I liked most of the characters and I did really like the McKenna family, a lot. They are a very close knit family and you could really feel that. I think my favorite was actually Kayden and Jake. I really would have liked to gotten to know the rest of the family a bit better, but then again this is the 4th book in the series and I have not read the other 3. I also liked that the romance between our two main characters was not 'love at first sight', and not over the top.
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read and would recommend to anyone who loves mystery and is not afraid of a bit a religious element to the story. I give this book a 3.5 star rating.
LisetteRue
Posted Tue May 20 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This story is the fourth novel in Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series. The growing relationship and budding romance is all there as expected, but the suspense is tempered. It’s not edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting suspense, though there was some intensity near the end. Lest you think this is negative, it is not, for I’ve really been enjoying Pettrey’s novels. I love that Kayden and Jake, while obviously meant for each other, have struggles and doubts that any of us might have. They feel like real people, people that I’d like to be friends with. I also love that Pettrey twines faith into the characters without making them sound preachy or overbearing. And when the going is scary and tough and dangerous, Pettrey shows through her characters that there’s truth to the 'phrase have a little faith.'
For those who prefer completely light fare devoid of any hurt or violence or suffering, this book may not be for you. There is minor violence, but I still highly recommend this set of books. I started reading these books at the second story, which has worked out fine, but if you’re going to start the Alaskan Courage series, I’d definitely start with the first book
-- Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own.
h. My. Goodness. I LOVED THIS BOOK! Dani Pettrey has really outdone herself. I have been waiting in agony since the last book, Stranded, to find out more about Jake and Kayden. This book didn't disappoint. The story was exciting. The details about the land and rock climbing provided an added element to the story that made it more interesting and easier to imagine.
The characters were phenomenally written. I have been waiting to hear Kayden's story since the first book of the series. I wanted to know what made her the way she is. She is strong, beautiful, stubborn, and fiercely independent. She guards her heart, and for most of the book we don't understand why. When Jake, kind, caring, patient, and strong Jake, finds out why, I admire her even more. Their romance was so sweet. It was fun watching them dance around their feelings for each other, and that provided an added level to the story and took the tension out of the suspense.
The message of the book was subtly hinted at throughout the entire story, but brought to amazing clarity at the end. You cannot live your life in fear of what might happen. No matter how hard you try, you are not in control of what happens in your life. God is. He knows what you need, when you need it. So don't be afraid! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was nice getting to hear from the other characters again and my love for the McKenna family has grown even more. I am anxiously awaiting Reef's story!!!
Suspense, romance, and a little action/adventure all packed into one amazing book.
**Thank you Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**
Overview
But He Never Guessed How Wrong.
A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route brings her face-to-face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something darker? When the case is handed to overburdened sheriff Landon Grainger, he turns to Jake Westin for help. ...