What she uncovers sheds light on a cold case… and can put her in a grave. After finding the body of a missing hiker in her small Alaska town, search-and-rescue dog handler Adriana Steele becomes the target of a serial killer thought to have been inactive for decades. Now Adriana’s determined to help Officer Levi Wicks catch the murderer. But with the cold case heating up…the jaded officer … up…the jaded officer is all that stands between her and death.
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Who are Adrianna and Levi? What is going on in their lives? How do they meet or know each other? What does each of them do for a living? I loved Blue and Babe! I was not certain how I felt about Judah and his attitude and actions/comments at first, but he grew on me as the story progressed. He really showed me a different side after the explosion. Who is Nathan? What do we learn about him? I suddenly have a thought about what is going on after the call to Levi and the visit with Nathan. Who are Jim, Rosie, and Jenny? What is going on that puts Levi and Adrianna in danger? Read and see who is behind it all and why!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT from Netgalley FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.
The discovery of a dead hiker’s body sends Adriana Steele and her search and rescue dog, Blue, on the run from a serial killer. Adriana, though shaken, is determined to help Officer Levi Wicks catch the killer, will they be able to catch the killer before it’s too late?
A high stakes suspense, with strong characters and a fantastic dog. Adriana has always had to be strong, she knows dogs better than people, and has trained Blue to be a remarkable asset in recovery of bodies. I admired how much she wants to help Levi find the killer, despite the toll it takes on her.
I admired Levi’s never-give-up attitude, and how he and Adriana make such a good team. He is committed to seeing justice served, and has a way of cheering others up, and trying to stay hopeful.
Overall, a fantastic read from beginning to end. I loved how it took two acquaintances and gives them the opportunity to work and get to known each other. Well built characters, strong themes of faith, and I just really enjoyed how this book was executed. Part mystery, and suspense, but also showing the harder sides and the emotional toll, and the people who are brave enough to walk that line. Highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A delightfully diverse story filled with intense suspense, sweet romance, soul searching, and the amazing abilities and connections search and rescue dogs and their handlers have.
The suspense is fierce and explosive. The serial killer’s patterns arise questions, the twists in the plot managed to take me by surprise. How Blue reacted in different situations, how the dog’s moods changed as bodies were found was palpable and heartfelt. As well as was the connection developing between Officer Levi Wicks and Adriana Steele. Yes, it was building up fast and under duress, yet it was believable and authentic.
I admired how naturally Adriana and Levi talked about their faith in God, how they shared about their life struggles and losses. As the story started to unfold the friction from the beginning dissolved, the growth and character development were tangible as they battle the attacks towards them and fight to stay alive.
Alaskan Showdown was a compelling story that was hard to put down. All the three main elements, suspense, romance, and faith in God, were well imbedded into the twists of the plot making it entertaining, inspirational, genuinely wholesome tale.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
This was a new author for me, and I must say that after reading this book, she has been added to my TBR list.
Alaskan Showdown is a clean Christian suspense romance that grabs your attention from the first page to the last.
Adriana Steele is a search and rescue dog handler in Alaska. When she finds the body of a missing hiker, it seems she has also found a link between this body and a serial killer.
A case Officer Levi Wicks has been working on and with Adriana’s help he might be able to solve this case.
This action packed story was one in which both individuals had strong personalities and respected each other’s ideas. Both also questioned God but as the tension both in the case and personally intensifies their beliefs start to change.
Will they be able to solve the case? Will they renew their faith and trust in God and finally find their HEA?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
3 1/2 STARS
Adriana Steele is a member of a search and rescue team in Raven Pass, Alaska. Her dog Blue is a cadaver dog and can also search for live victims. Blue has the exceptional skill of scenting a dead body underwater. On the present search Blue alerted in the middle of a lake during their search for a missing hiker named Lara Jones. Subsequently it was ascertained that the woman was actually the victim of the area’s serial killer. Adriana had participated in other searches where the victims weren’t found alive but this time felt different. When Officer Levi Wicks started talking to her about the discovery of the body for some reason she fell apart. She has experienced panic attacks before but it was disquieting to break down in front of Levi. Somehow he made her feel okay about it though. When Levi mentioned he suspected this was related to the serial killer case he was investigating Adriana knew she had to offer to help even if it was assisting Levi Wicks. Adriana’s impression of Officer Wicks from past encounters is that he is laid back, too easy-going and seems to lack concern. Working with him told her she has been all wrong in her thinking of him. She now finds him super dedicated, focused and caring. Adriana is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend five years ago when the ice on a lake cracked and he fell through on his snow machine. She isn’t ready to dip her toe into the relationship waters yet. Or is she?
Officer Levi Wicks is working a serial killer case. When he got the call about the recovery of the body of Lara Jones from a local lake he didn’t suspect it could possibly have anything to do with the case he was investigating. But it did. The woman’s body was found with the same zip ties used on the murder victims. Dumping the body in the lake didn’t fit the serial killer’s MO though. Adriana Steele, along with her cadaver dog Blue, ended up being a real boon to his investigation and his life as she offered to help him with his investigation. Levi hasn’t gotten over his ex-wife cheating on him yet and Levi fights his attraction to Adriana.
Alaskan Showdown by Sarah Varland is the second book in her Raven Pass Search and Rescue series. This story has a lot of emotion involved. The main characters both have to overcome the difficulties of their pasts. The storyline is interesting. I found the writing style to be a little choppy at times but I enjoyed the story.