A wounded veteran and the police chief’s daughter must work together to bring a killer to justice. Caden Wallis lost friends, his girlfriend, and even his leg to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks broken and still reeling, struggling to make peace with his new life. McKenna Dockery has been stuck in limbo since her fiancé died three years ago. Now, when the handsome yet … when the handsome yet heartbroken Caden arrives at her doorstep, she starts to wonder if there may be hope for her heart after all . . .
But no sooner do they meet than a man is found murdered on McKenna’s property — and Caden is the prime suspect. The two must learn to trust each other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks.
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I loved everything about this book. The characters were real, the setting was vivid, and the pacing was excellent. But best of all, the healing message brought meaning and understanding.
A Vast And Gracious Tide is a story of a life saved. McKenna has looked death in the eyes twice – can you believe that? but – now believe this – it happened all in one day. Now what would you do if that happened to you? well she – – – – I can’t spoil it for you but I will tell you that she did have an encounter with Caden and for Caden was it a good thing of a bad thing? Well that too you have to find out for yourself what happened and believe you me, you definitely want to find out what happened how does GOD fit in Well, that is what you have to find out for yourselves but HE of course – is detrimental to the whole story. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
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Caden Wallis has suffered several devastating blows that have left him reeling. He’s lost friends and now his girlfriend to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks for one final mission—to thank the woman who sent him a quilt while he was recuperating from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
McKenna Dockery knows all about loss. She lost her mother at a young age, and her father has never been the same since he came home from his own war. She juggles the family business, her ailing father, and an aging grandmother. Much to Caden’s surprise, she is the quilter—not sTome elderly lady. The quilt was something she’d begun for her future husband but shipped to the military hospital after the tragic death of her fiancé.
When a man is found snared in a net and murdered on McKenna’s property, she and Caden must work together to bring the killer to justice. Each must learn to trust the other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks. A nor’easter, a sea turtle named Cecil, and a surf-crazy hound named Ginger conspire to bring these two searching hearts together through the vast and gracious tide of God’s love.
McKenna and Caden are both struggling with loss. McKenna the loss of her fiance and Caden the loss of his leg and his fiances rejection. Cade’s solution will be very final. McKenna is just living one day at a time. The book was very enlightening about the effects of life altering changes and how the public react and how that effects the person it happened to. This was a very good story about love and redemption. I highly recommend it. I have never read a book by Lisa Carter. I look forward to reading her next one.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
I’ve read a lot of wonderful redemption stories, but A Vast and Gracious Tide in particular really pulled at my heartstrings. I could feel Caden’s inner turmoil at the beginning of the story, his struggle to find a spark of hope and a reason to live. The phantom pains, the survivors’ guilt, and the overwhelming sense of loss were all part of Caden’s daily life. I know veterans and amputees, and Lisa Carter portrays their struggle accurately and respectfully.
McKenna was also familiar with loss in her life, although her life circumstances differed greatly from Caden’s. Both of them were struggling to move on with their lives and to recognize God’s vision for their futures. I have to say that McKenna’s determination and persistence with Caden were extremely admirable! He spent a lot of time pushing her away, and she handled it quite well even when angered. As Caden and McKenna slowly unraveled the mystery of the dead body on the beach, I was excited to see how it played out. The way that they drew closer, challenging one another and growing, is so exciting and romantic. I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed all of the action too!
This was my first chance to read one of Lisa Carter’s books, and I’m so glad that I did! I’m excited to look for her other books now! I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
What a wonderful summer read-or any time! This one ticks all the boxes. Faith, romance, danger, flawed but redeemable characters, sand, surf, and salty sea air. A happily ever after doesn’t hurt either.
Lisa Carter is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend this book!
I really liked this book and the characters. The plot circled action and character. The author’s faith (and that of the characters) came through. My one problem with romantic Christian book relationships these days is that they jump in on page 1 or on first sight. The second is that the characters are always so beautiful. That might not be a problem for most readers and the author did stay away from the second to a degree which I thought was admirable. The gist of the story was well done and definitely up to the five-star rating. As a love story, it definitely worked. Characters love for each other should never override their love for God, and I think that is a line that was walked here. Good book.
Sergeant First Class Caden Wallis loses more than his foot in Afghanistan—he loses his leader and friend, Joe, and Friday, his bomb-sniffing dog. While he struggles to recover, his girlfriend dumps him. There’s only one thing left to do—return a quilt that brought him such comfort during his recovery to its rightful owner and then end it all.
McKenna Dockery can’t get over the loss of her fiancé three years ago. If not for his death, they’d be married by now. She gave up her dream of dancing when he died to help out in her family’s restaurant in the Outer Banks. She’s been a Banker all her life and never wants to leave.
When McKenna meets Caden on the beach, she recognizes his despair and quickly grasps his suicidal intentions. She offers him a chance to do something positive again.
Then a dead body washes ashore and suspicion falls on Caden, the stranger in town. And that’s only the beginning.
This multi-layered story captured my interest—and my heart—from the Prologue and never let go. Suspenseful. Lovable, broken characters that tugged at my emotions. Add a skillfully-woven romance to the mix and you’ve got a great story.
I highly recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
I discovered Lisa Carter’s books several years ago and have since made it a point not to miss her latest. I was blessed to have the opportunity to read and review a copy of A Vast and Gracious Tide for JustRead Publicity but would have definitely purchased a copy otherwise.
The setting and plot may be different than the previous novels but I can guarantee that the suspense and romance are still top notch with plenty of twists and surprises in store for the reader. In this wonderful story both McKenna and Caden are dealing with the loss in their lives in different ways. A chance meeting brings the pair together in ways that will change their own lives and that of others forever.
At times heartbreaking, the story eventually leads to hope and restoration for its characters. I liked how the author managed to convey the despair and hopelessness often experienced by our veterans of war. We lose too many of these young men to suicide yet so many are unaware of their desperation. I also loved how the words of the much loved song Here is Love were woven throughout this powerful story of the power of Christ to restore broken lives.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by JustRead Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
One of the best romantic suspense books I’ve read in a while. Lisa Carter does an excellent job in characterization and bringing the reader along during the twists and turns of the story.