Graduate student Maddie Clare is never talking to her ex-boyfriend Joze Evans or God again. Still broken from Joze’s betrayal, Mattie has to go home for her Aunt Lonna’s funeral. But after a run-in with a stalker who insists Maddie knows the secret that had Aunt Lonna investigating him, Mattie is afraid for her life and must accept Joze’s protection. As the stalker draws closer, Maddie and Joze … and Joze have to face the past and a love that never died. Maddie sees she needs God’s help to end her fears and to get through the new danger.
Can Maddie stay out of the stalker’s grip long enough to figure out who he is and what secret he possesses? And how will Joze keep Mattie from being buried with the stalker’s true identity?
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This is the first book I’ve read by Erin Unger. I find she has a true skill at keeping her book moving and the suspense high.
In this story, we find Maddie and Jose two individuals with a “not so good” history and now they are thrown into trying to solve a mystery all the while trying to stay alive.
I found this book kept me on pins and needles. It was also the kind of book where I shouldn’t have read it late at night because I kept thinking about all the mystery and NOT being able to go to sleep. I love mysteries and this story is full of twists and turns.
Now I will be looking for more by Erin Unger. I like her writing style and how she brings in fantastic characters.
I highly recommend you pick this book up if you enjoy suspense. It will keep you wanting more!
I received this book from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Maddie Clare is home taking care of business after her aunt is killed in a plane crash. Trying to distract herself for a while, she attends the local carnival, but finds herself grabbed and thrown in the alley with a warning that she should forget everything her aunt had told her.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the EMT who is called to take a look at her happens to be Joze Evans … the man she once loved and she has no wish to remember their previous time together ..and how the relationship ended.
As the mystery man continues his reign of terror by stalking her at every opportunity, Maddie begins to fear for her life. What was her aunt involved in? How far will this man go to make sure she keeps quiet. He’s assaulted Joze with a warning to ‘stay away from her’. What comes next?
Maddie and Joze must find some way to learn to trust each other again in order to protect each other and maybe find a way to each other’s heart again.
This is a fast paced mystery that kept me engaged and rapidly turning pages. The characters are finely drawn. I liked how they emotionally interacted with each other. Throw in a little romance and it’s a well written winning book.
Many thanks to the author / Wild Rose Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Christian Romance. Read and reviewed voluntarily, the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
One thing I know to expect from books by Erin Unger is that they can be intense. From emotions to suspense and more, there is a lot to process. This book was no different. With non-stop danger, a second chance to get things right, intrigue, and more this book kept my attention.
I love the initial interaction of Joze and Maddie in the final scenes with them. The storyline moved at a pace that kept me reading until I finished the book. The dynamics between Joze and Maddie captured everything good and bad about failing to have the support of the one you think you love.
Joze’s ability to finally be willing and able to see the truth about what Maddie told him years ago brings some sense of closure to their lives. I also loved reading about Maddie’s interactions with her cousins and various ones of her aunt’s friends.
So if you enjoy reading Christian Suspense novels, check out this book for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
This is an author who I have read several books by. They’ve all been great and I’ve enjoyed reading them. This one is no exception. It reads really fast and quick and keeps you fully engaged throughout.
Maddie comes home to take care of things after her aunt is killed in a plane crash. But she didn’t count on someone thinking she knows things she doesn’t. After being warned to forget everything she knows and thrown into an alley she isn’t sure what’s she’s gotten herself into. That feeling magnifies when it’s her ex-boyfriend, who she never wanted to see again, Joze who comes to her rescue as the EMT.
Joze is warned off being around Maddie but that makes him stick closer as he must protect her at all costs. Can they stay a step ahead of the stalker and figure out the mystery before they get hurt? And can they protect their hearts? Will they find love together again amidst trying to beat the stalker?
Great read. I highly recommend you read this book and check out others by this author as her books are great!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
If you are looking for a quick read that includes intrigue, adventure and faith look no further. The author has compiled great characters that compliment the story with ease. Maddie is at the forefront in this story when someone attacks her at a fair. I think I would be in shock if someone attacked me from behind. Maddie is confused as she slowly gains consciousness and stares into the face of someone she hoped to never see again. What were the odds that the EMT there to help her was her ex-boyfriend. Yes that would cause a shock to my system for sure.
Joze is not very welcomed by Maddie but soon the two find themselves in the middle of a complex mystery that involves Maddie’s aunt. Maddie got on my nerves a bit as she pushed Joze away then decided she needed him around. Make up your mind already Maddie. He wants to help you but you are stubborn and prideful. Okay now I feel better. The author has me talking out loud to a character so what is next. Well I wanted to help with the investigation into who was stalking Maddie but I think I’ll leave that alone. A big thank you to the author for getting me so invested in the story that I actually started to believe I was there beside Maddie and Joze.
The story is a non stop thrill as Maddie and Joze start to get closer to the truth. I loved how the author weaved the mystery through different people that lead to an unbelievable ending. I’m happy to say that at the end of the book I realized why Maddie had slipped away from God. She had been deceived by someone and no one believed her. She was angry at God and others who doubted her. I loved how the author uses Maddie’s past to finally allow herself to cry out to God in her time of need. I highly recommend this story to fans of intrigue and faith.
I received a digital copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Teach us to seek truth with diligence.
You tell anyone and you’ll disappear forever!
Coming home for the funeral of her beloved aunt, Maddie Clare is looking for a little emotion-numbing time at the carnival. Thus begins the most exciting and treacherous ride she has ever experienced in her life! Assaulted at the carnival, the threats and dangers are just beginning. What on earth does this person want from her and what information is she to keep to herself? Rescued by long lost boyfriend, Joze, the emotional rollercoaster just continues to climb.
Threats, a missing journal and kidnapping will keep you on the edge of your seat in this very well written suspense. Will the mystery get solved before someone else dies? Can trust in God finally bring about a difference in her life?
This digital copy was received through Harbourlight Books, Pelican Ventures and CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments made are my own and were in no way solicited.
The past, present, & future all come to a head…
Well, I didn’t see that one coming! I had some ideas about the stalker’s identity, but boy, was I in for some surprises. Which, is a good thing as it keeps a book from being boring and just like every other one out there.
Erin Unger is a new author for me as Practicing Murder was the first book of hers that I’ve either read or listened to. Though, the story started off a bit slow for me and it took awhile to get into it, when it got going, it got going! I was listening to the audiobook and found it hard to put my phone down through the second half of the book. I did wish that one character’s finding their own faith wasn’t quite so convenient for the romance between the two. But, oh well. It’s a pretty common thread in Christian fiction these days anyway.
The quality of the audio production was good for Practicing Murder and I did like the male narrator’s as he brought Erin Unger’s characters and story to life. As an audiobook I thought it was well done and it was easy to listen to.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Practicing Murder by Erin Unger
This was my first book by Erin Unger. How have I missed her?
Joze and Maddie have a past history that was very hurtful. When Maddie returns to take care of her aunt’s business after she dies in a plane crash, Maddie finds herself in extreme danger. Joze is the EMT called when Maddie is found unconscious. She wants nothing to do with him, but against their wills they are thrown together and fighting against her stalker.
The story had twists and turns and kept me totally engaged. It had a definite faith base, without being preachy. I will definitely read and/or listen to more of her books!
I received this audiobook free with no requirement of review. I am reviewing this book of my own accord and am giving my honest opinion.
When Maddie Claire is attacked by a man at the carnival who insists she knows more than she’s letting on, it triggers a sequence of events Maddie could have never expected.
EMT Jose Evans wasn’t expecting to run into his ex-girlfriend at the carnival, or to find out she was in danger. Much as he wants to avoid the drama that seems to follow Maddie Claire wherever she goes, he can’t ignore his urge to protect the woman he’d once sworn to love forever.
This book had a lot of potential- look at that stunning cover!- but fell short in the plotline and badly needed editing help. Even the blurb has marked errors.
I don’t like to give negative reviews, but can’t in good conscience recommend this DNF (Did not finish) story.
“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”