In Dee Henderson’s novella “Betrayed,” Janelle Roberts is freed–thanks to people she doesn’t know–after serving six years of a twenty-year sentence for a murder she did not commit. But a murderer is still at large, and Janelle needs to be somewhere safe with someone she can trust. She may not survive another betrayal.In Dani Pettrey’s “Deadly Isle,” Tennyson Kent is trapped on the isolated … isolated island of her childhood by a storm surge, and she is shocked when the typically idyllic community turns into the hunting grounds of a murderer. Cut off from any help from the mainland, will she and first love Callen Frost be able to identify and stop a killer bent on betrayal before they become the next victims?
In Lynette Eason’s “Code of Ethics,” trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John saves the life of Detective Isaac Martinez. After a betrayal leads to him getting shot and then attacked while in recovery, Isaac is now a key witness determined to testify. But someone is intent on silencing him–and those around him–forever. Together, Ruthie and Isaac go on the run, desperate to escape the killers hunting him.
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The Cost Of Betrayal contains three suspenseful novellas by three top Christian writers. This is the second time these authors have collaborated on a book and, just like the first one, was a fantastic read.
Dee Henderson’s novella, Betrayal, delivers another story involving Ann and Paul Falcon. Ann finds a pink pocketknife engraved with the name Janelle Roberts at an auction. Curious, she finds out that Janelle is serving time for murdering her boyfriend. Further looking into the case with Paul, they find Janelle was framed and arrange for her release. Needing a safe place physically and emotionally, Ann takes her to a friend, Greg Tate, who lives on an island off the Louisiana coast and specializes in helping people adjust after a trauma, while Ann and Paul re-open the case.
I love all of Ms. Henderson’s books, but especially those featuring Ann and Paul. This one is no exception.
Dani Pettrey’s novella, Deadly Isle, is the story of Tennyson Kent and Callen Frost. Tennyson and Callen grew up and fell in love on Talbot Island in the Chesapeake Bay. After a painful breakup, Tennyson left and has been gone for ten years. Back on the island to plan her wedding, her fiancé changes his mind and, upset, she goes for a swim with her cousin, Julia. After Julia is killed and Tennyson’s house is blown up, she realizes someone is trying to kill her. With a storm moving in, Tennyson and Callen are trapped on the island with the killer.
This is Ms. Pettrey’s first stand-alone book and it contains all the elements of her previous works – suspense, romance, faith – to make it a terrific addition to her growing collection.
Lynette Eason’s novella, Code Of Ethics, follows the second book in the series Blue Justice about the St. John family. This story is about trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John and Detective Isaac Martinez. After Ruthie saves his life twice – first from a bullet wound and then being attacked in his room – she smuggles him out of the hospital and takes him to a cabin she has just rented in the mountains for vacation. Isaac has discovered corruption in the department and needs a place to hide out until he can find the missing evidence tech who can help him prove it.
Ms. Eason has written another thrilling series that keeps you waiting impatiently for the next book to be released.
I purchased a hardcover copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
3 different Stories by 3 Authors; I got to know Lynette as Author and started reading more by her. I love the audio books, i dive into the stories and it is hard to stop to find time to sleep. ;-))
Betrayed by Dee Henderson
While this was well-written, it fell flat and felt sluggish to me. I’ve enjoyed many of Dee Henderson’s novels in the past and was left wondering if it was really written by her. I loved the premise of the story, solving a six-year-old cold case that put Janelle Roberts –an innocent person—in prison. Obtaining her pardon and giving her a chance at a new life was pretty exciting, but unfortunately this is where the excitement ended for me. It had no element of suspense or hint of romance, one of the whole reasons I read the genre. I was waiting for SOMETHING to happen around the corner and nothing ever did. There was also no conclusive ending to the cold case mystery which was unsatisfying. All that being said, I would still recommend Henderson’s books and in no way does this deter me from her writing!
Both “Deadly Isle” and “Code of Ethics” were exactly as I expect romantic suspense to be! Intense, full of danger, plenty of twists and turns, and enough tension to keep me reading. I loved how well the characters were developed and portrayed realistically. Watching them fall in love despite the odds against them is what I look for. I’m definitely in for reading Lynette Eason’s “Blue Justice” series after her story included here and I already love and read many of Dani Pettrey’s novels. I was very pleased how the theme of betrayal sets the tone for each story, and those betrayals came from unexpected people & places. I never knew who was behind them until the end, a thrilling surprise for this reader!
In conclusion, if you are a romantic suspense fan and enjoy shorter stories, I recommend you pick this one up! You’ll be left wanting more from these authors.
*I was provided a complimentary digital copy from Bethany House via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own *
Betrayal hits close to home for 3 strong women…
Betrayed by Dee Henderson
While I really enjoyed the premise of the story and the way it slowly played out I have to admit that I just wasn’t able to connect with the characters. There were also a couple of loose ends that I wish had been tied up. I liked this novella in the collection but I can’t say that I loved it.
Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey
This is the story that I looked forward to the most in this collection and I was by no means disappointed. This story had all the chills and thrills of one of the author’s full-length novels just in a smaller package. I was kept guessing and second guessing myself all the way through.
Code Of Ethics by Lynette Eason
It’s been awhile since I’ve read one of this author’s books, and, now after reading this novella I’m wondering why it has been so long. Non-stop action and adventure had me glued to my Kindle and desperately trying to figure out who the good guys and the bad guys were.
Overall
A great a collection of romantic suspense novellas from three of Christian fiction’s talented and best-loved authors. I really enjoyed The Cost Of Betrayal and I find myself hoping for another such collection sometime in the future. Don’t miss this trio of novellas, you’ll be in for a real treat.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I’m not really sure if suspense novella’s are destined to be good selections for a short story. In the past I have read all three authors before and really enjoyed their writing. The first story is by Dee Henderson and her story is about Janelle Roberts who has been freed (pardoned) based on new evidence found by Ann Falcon. She and her husband had visited an auction and there she bought a box of miscellaneous women’s items. Mixed within the items was a pink knife, and from there the story began.
The story felt very rushed and pushed through. There was a lot of details that you had to absorb before plodding on. But, the most frustrating part was where the story ended. It is as though the last half of the book has been ripped off and you were given the first half and then told, this is the end. If this is how suspense novellas end, I’m not interested. Yes, I admit, I’m one of those who enjoys a nice and tidy package at the end, where the author has already decided the end. In this case, there is no ending. You are still in limbo.
There was one place in the book where I couldn’t figure out if it was a typo or just I didn’t comprehend the sentence fully. In chapter 11, on my kindle it’s hard to describe exactly where in the book, but it starts off with “Greg couldn’t help but smile. He rather like this person she was when pushed into a corner.” I went back and forth and finally decided that the sentence would have been better off with a “liked this person”.
That said, I haven’t started on the other two books in this batch based on this first story. Perhaps I will continue, but for now I must resolve for myself how the story ended.
Loved all 3 of the novellas, my only “problem” was with Dee’s because I dislike cliffhangers and she left hers for your own interpretation…I want all my loose ends tied up. (smile) But the novella was great and I loved that Paul and Ann Falcon were in this book. Loved the story line in Dani’s and Lynette’s also. Lynette’s featured Ruthie St John from the Blue Justice Series St John family. Loved that!
Definitely worth the read.
This compilation of novellas by three masters of the craft of Christian fiction was a book that compels you to keep reading to the end. Each novella has its own tale of betrayal, the theme of the book. I enjoyed each of them and chose a favorite character in each. I really liked Ann Falcon in Dee Henderson’s story of a woman imprisoned for decades for a crime that she did not commit. Ann discovered the truth by accident and was determined to do something about it. This story is one that addresses the issue of justice and also forgiveness. In Dani Petttrey’s “Deadly Isle”, I really enjoyed the setting of an island that is cut off from others because of a big storm and a killer that is on that island wreaking havoc. The imagery in this novella was remarkable. Finally, in Lynette Eason’s “Code of Ethics”, a family of police officers and their sister who is a surgeon have to try to keep a police officer safe who has discovered corruption in the department. I really liked Ruthie, the doctor who was a force to be reckoned with. All three novellas have strong female characters that draw the reader into the story and seem to end too quickly because you are enjoying the story so much. Readers of romantic suspense will thoroughly enjoy this collection of novellas.
Disclaimer:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions 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 Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
In Dee Henderson’s novella “Betrayed,” Janelle Roberts is freed–thanks to people she doesn’t know–after serving six years of a twenty-year sentence for a murder she did not commit. But a murderer is still at large, and Janelle needs to be somewhere safe with someone she can trust. She may not survive another betrayal.
In Dani Pettrey’s “Deadly Isle,” Tennyson Kent is trapped on the isolated island of her childhood by a storm surge, and she is shocked when the typically idyllic community turns into the hunting grounds of a murderer. Cut off from any help from the mainland, will she and first love Callen Frost be able to identify and stop a killer bent on betrayal before they become the next victims?
In Lynette Eason’s “Code of Ethics,” trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John saves the life of Detective Isaac Martinez. After a betrayal leads to him getting shot and then attacked while in recovery, Isaac is now a key witness determined to testify. But someone is intent on silencing him–and those around him–forever. Together, Ruthie and Isaac go on the run, desperate to escape the killers hunting him.
Betrayed was a procedural book which told the story of how Janelle was sent to prison and how she was freed and her life after imprisonment. There was no edge of your seat suspense. Good, but not very suspenseful.
Deadly Isle was very good. Suspense and reconnecting with and old love is throughout the entire story. I really enjoyed reading it.
Code of Ethics was the most suspenseful of all three books. Ruthie and Isaac are on the run to save their lives. The killers don’t seem to realize they are messing with the St. John family when they mess with one of them. Very book.
All three books were good and I would recommend all of them.
Betrayed-Dee Henderson
I first met Paul and Ann in Unspoken and it was neat to see them again.
I absolutely loved the hero, Greg! The island and all the activities it offered were super interesting to read about, and I loved Greg’s dog, Marco! Also, all the different foods that Janelle cooked sounded delicious. The mystery in this story was very good!
Overall, I enjoyed this one but it wasn’t my favorite of the collection.
Deadly Isle-Dani Pettrey
I am a die-hard Dani Pettrey fan, her name on the cover is all that’s necessary to make me automatically want to read anything she writes! I’ve been eagerly awaiting this novella since I first heard this collection was happening, and oh wow! It exceeded every single one of my sky high expectations! I LOVED IT SO MUCH! The whole story was incredible and I absolutely devoured every single moment! I adore reunion romances and this one was perfection, as was all the incredible suspense. I love to see diverse characters, and it is so fabulous that the hero in this story had Native American heritage, I loved that! I can’t wait to reread this story! Overall, Deadly Isle was everything (and more!) that I dreamed it would be, mere words simply cannot fully convey how much I adored every single second! In case all the gushing above isn’t enough of a clue, yes, I HIGHLY recommend this novella, and am waiting with bated breath for Dani’s next book! I know I say this a lot, but it’s so true, Dani’s books are total awesomeness, if you haven’t read her books yet, what are waiting for? You NEED Dani’s books in your life!
Code of Ethics-Lynette Eason
I’ve read almost all of Lynette’s books and I have to say that the Blue Justice series just may be my favorite series of hers! I absolutely adore the entire St. John family, the siblings banter is hilarious and so very real! I was so excited to read Ruthie’s story and I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT! I loved how strong and smart Ruthie was, and how even though she was a doctor she thought like a cop! Isaac was such a fabulous hero, and he and Ruthie were absolutely perfect for each other. This story was just so good, I already can’t wait to reread it! Seriously, it was nothing but total awesomeness from beginning to end! A phenomenal must read that you won’t want to miss!
Overall, this is a fantastic novella collection that will absolutely enthrall fans of romantic suspense! (4.5 Stars!)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author Dani Pettrey, which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
The Cost of Betrayal features three novellas from some of the best romantic suspense authors out there right now. I really enjoyed these author’s first collection, Sins of the Past, and was excited to hear about this new one.
Betrayed by Dee Henderson – Three Stars
This was my second time reading anything by Dee Henderson. It was good, but probably my least favorite of the collection. By no means was it bad, it was just a bit slower moving than I was expecting and had an unresolved ending that was kinda disappointing. But it was still an interesting read that kept me intrigued.
Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey – Four Stars
I’ve read and loved many of Pettrey’s books, so I was excited to start reading this one. It was action-packed right from the beginning and didn’t really let up. I do wish it had been a bit longer though. I know it’s a novella, but the whole story felt rushed. Though the characters were great and it did hold my attention the whole way through.
Code of Ethics by Lynnette Eason – Five Stars
I’ve been loving Eason’s Blue Justice series and was very eager for Ruthie’s story. She’s a trauma surgeon and the only member of her family not involved in law enforcement. I loved every pulse-pounding moment of this novella. It had everything I love in a good romantic suspense: nonstop action, intrigue, great characters, and a little bit of romance. I finished it in one sitting. It was unputdownable.
All in all, The Cost of Betrayal was a good collection of stories that I’d recommend to anyone who loves romantic suspense. I hope these authors team up again for another collection!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
A romantic suspense novella collection from three of the top authors in the genre with the theme of betrayal? How could I resist this one?
Betrayed by Dee Henderson
Much of this story is a running conversation between Ann and Paul Falcon as they hash out possibilities and theories of a murder. Two-thirds of the way through, Janelle Roberts—a woman who has spent the last six years in prison—gets a full pardon and makes her colorist appearance. I felt like this was more procedural (and very talkie instead of action) than suspense or romance. And while I appreciated Greg’s POV as Janelle settles into a new life, I missed getting into Janelle’s head at least once.
Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey
This is Pettrey’s first stand-alone story is as captivating as her full series. As Tenny and Garen track down a killer and unravel motive in the midst of a storm pounding their island, the stakes are high, the action intense, and the romance engaging. Pettrey keeps you guessing at the villain until the very end.
Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason
While Ruthie St. John hasn’t followed the rest of her siblings into law enforcement, she has learned plenty from them and their mother (the chief of police). When Isaac Martinez is attacked after Ruthie operates in him, the two go on the run. Danger lurks around every corner as these two try to stay ahead of the people with enough connections to thwart their investigation. As with the other Blue Justice books, the St. John siblings band together until justice is served (and Ruthie gets her man).
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A great choice for romantic suspense fans, The Cost of Betrayal truly is the perfect name for this collection. All of the stories deal with people who have been betrayed in some of the worst ways.
The first novella, Betrayal by Dee Henderson, moves at a much slower pace than the other two stories. I really enjoyed the build up as the main characters worked through new evidence to determine what really happened years earlier. I enjoyed the entire story, but ended up feeling like I was left hanging at the end. I personally needed more closure for the entire situation.
The second novella, Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey, was absolutely fantastic. It was fast paced and full of danger. I loved that the two characters used to be an item and their love for each other had obviously never faded away. There were many twists and turns in this story, keeping me anxiously reading to find out who was behind this betrayal.
The last novella, Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason, was also really good. There was plenty of danger to go around as well as questions about who to trust. I enjoyed the way the author wrapped up this story, including the sweet romance that developed.
I definitely recommend this collection to fans of romantic suspense.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Deadly Isle is a novella by Dani Pettrey. It is her contribution to the Cost of Betrayal Collection along with Dee Henderson and Lynette Eason. Readers will be hooked from page one of this romantic murder mystery. Teni and Callen, the main characters, are right in the middle of the action as they are on the hunt for a killer who seems to want them dead as well. I enjoyed this quick murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Although this is a novella, readers will still get to know the complex relationship the main characters have, be on the edge of their seats as Teni and Callen search for the killer on a stormy night on an isolated island, and enjoy a Dani Pettrey story with the perfect balance of romance and action!
At this point, I have only read Deadly Isle. I look forward to reading the other two very soon and will update my review at that time.
I was given a copy by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
“I know the truth is miserable. You don’t want to believe it. That’s fair. But, again, you need to accept it as a possibility . . . . ” Betrayed – Dee Henderson
No one wants to believe that a person whom they have loved and trusted is capable of betrayal, but that’s exactly what happens in this extraordinarily well written trio of high level suspense novellas.
And who wouldn’t want to be back among Ann and Paul Falcon’s circle of friends?