Saturday, March 5, 2016

Review + GIVEAWAY: Cold Shot


Cold Shot
By Dani Pettrey
Chesapeake Valor, #1
Bethany House, 2016


Summary

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper.

When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.


My thoughts

I love Dani Pettrey’s new series! I’m not a suspense fan by nature, but Dani is one of the few authors in this genre that I will read without hesitation, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a combination of strong setting, appealing characters with a close bond, and the way their faith is lived out. And while the bad guys are pretty evil, they’re not creepy. I also enjoy a police procedural type of story that reflects the logical, step-by-step investigative process, and Dani does that extremely well.

Cold Shot takes us far away geographically from her previous Alaskan Courage series, to the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, and introduces us to a new quartet of friends in various areas of law enforcement and who are as close as brothers . . . at least they were at one time, and therein lies their fascinating story.  If there’s one negative, it’s that a lot of characters are introduced in this first book, almost too many for me to keep up with. On the other hand, they will be familiar when I pick up the next book, so that’s good overall.

Dani’s writing style flows easily and she has a gift for making you see and feel the setting – as in the opening sentence describing the Gettysburg National Military Park:  “Fog wafted over the silent hilltop, dancing in eerie waves amidst the centuries-old tees, the weathered trunks the sole markers of the lost graves littering the grounds surrounding them." Griffin and Finley are appealing characters, and I especially enjoyed the sweetness of their relationship as it gradually built throughout the story. I’m always longing for more cover pictures of guys, so can I just say how great this one is?!

I loved that Griffin and Finley have a committed faith, reflected in one way by how they frequently turn to prayer. This was a reminder to me that prayer should be as natural as breathing. I also enjoyed Griffin’s spiritual journey as he learned to let go and forgive, a message we all need from time to time.

Cold Shot is a thoroughly enjoyable story and I eagerly await book #2. Highly recommended.

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Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the brand new romantic suspense Chesapeake Valor series, as well as the well-loved Alaskan Courage series which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson.

Connect with Dani . . .


Thank you to Amanda at pulsepointdesign.com and Bethany House for providing a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here. Are you new to Dani’s stories, or have you read her Alaskan Courage series?

I try to promote on social media, but the best way to keep up with my reviews and occasional giveaways is to subscribe by e-mail in the top right corner (no pressure intended).

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Sunday, March 13­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary. One entry per person, odds of winning are based on number of entries.

Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older

37 comments:

  1. would love to read this, you are new to me :)

    dlsmilad [at] yahoo [dot] com

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    1. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you need to try Dani's books, Dina. I think you'll be very pleased.

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  2. I simply love Dani's books!
    gracelz1(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I really enjoy her writing also, Charis. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  3. I've read her Alaskan Courage series and am looking forward to this new one and meeting her new characters! I didn't want the Alaskan one to end I was so entangled with the characters :-) She has a way of writing that puts you in the middle of the story and invests you heart and soul! Thanks for your lovely review, Carole. I know we're in for another fantastic ride with this one!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
    I've also shared on my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/trixi.oberembt/posts/1103618416323393?pnref=story

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    1. I totally agree, Trixi. That's probably why I enjoy Dani's books so much, even though suspense isn't my favorite genre. I only got to read the last two Alaskan Courage books, but will read the earlier ones as soon as possible. Thank you so much for sharing, Trixi.

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  4. Great book! Looking forward to the rest of the series! If it's half as good as the Alaskan series, it'll be wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Cyndilou83(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Cyndi, the Alaskan series was really special to me because I loved the setting so much - and the characters also! I don't think you'll be disappointed in series, though. Best wishes in the drawing, Cyndi!

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  5. Liked & shared. I have read and enjoyed Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series! I'm excited about her latest release and can't wait to read it! :)

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    1. Wasn't that series great, Vicki?! I think you will enjoy Cold Shot's new setting and characters also. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Dani Pettrey's Alaskan series rocks! I have read the first few and have to catch up on ereader - always like to keep one or two back so when really am in need of an excellent read, I know just whose book is waiting. I am looking forward to starting this series! I do follow by email. jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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    1. Jeanie, I've only read the last two Alaskan Courage books because those were the ones I had the opportunity to review. And I had to smile at you holding books back because I do the same thing for when I want a special read that I know I will enjoy. It's always good to see you here and thank you for following, Jeanie.

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  7. I would love to win. I haven't read any of Dani's books yet :)
    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. If you enjoy romantic suspense, Betti, you have a treat in store with Dani's books. Best wishes in the giveaway!

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  8. Really looking forward to reading Cold Shot. Sounds really interesting. I loved Dani's Alaskan series.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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    1. Karen, I was initially drawn to Dani's writing because of the Alaskan setting, but enjoyed this new setting very much also. You've got a treat in store with this series.

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  9. Forgot to say I shared the post on Facebook.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  10. New to her stories and shared on facebook. cheetahthecat1986ATyahooDOTcom.

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    1. Kim, if you enjoy romantic suspense with a great family of characters, you will enjoy Dani's writing. Good luck in the giveaway! And thanks for sharing, Kim.

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  11. I've not yet read Dani's books. I've heard great things about them. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Shared on facebook
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. Caryl, as much as you read, I'm surprised you haven't discovered Dani's writing yet! LOL Seriously, there's just not enough reading time, is there? I think you'll enjoy her writing.

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  12. Carole,
    No need to enter me in the giveaway; I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your wonderful review, and for hosting the giveaway! I loved your takeaway from Griffin and Finley, and the reminder that prayer should be as natural as breathing. Thank you for sharing your heart!
    ~Amanda

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  13. I believe you will enjoy this new series as well, Kate. Different setting and characters, but still filled with all the elements that make Dani's writing so enjoyable.

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  14. I haven't read any of Dani's books yet, but this one sounds really good! I'd love to read it!
    Shared your post on Facebook!

    amyputney89 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  15. I definitely want to enter the giveaway!
    egilkimmons @ gmail . com

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  16. Love Dani's books!! Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. I haven't read any of Dani Pettrey's books. I know my SIL has read the Alaska series and she has those books. She told me how great that series is. I would like a chance to win Dani Pettrey's newest book. That sounds interesting. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

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  18. I have shared it! I have read the Alaskan Courage series and loved them!

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  19. I liked and shared! Thanks for the chance to win this! Excited to read this new book by Dani Pettrey! Nancycooks4u[at]gmail[dot]com

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  20. Don't see my previous comment but I did share I love Danis books and have read most of them

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    1. Carolyn, sometimes it just takes a while for this program to send a notification email, but I've got you. All I need is your email address so I can enter you in the giveaway. Thanks!

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  21. Ok yes I love Danis books have read most of them. Already shared and would love to win a copy

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  22. Loved the Alaska series and am really looking forward to this one!
    Connie (dot) Randel (at) gmail (dot) com

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  23. Hi Carole, I thought I commented the other day, but must have gotten distracted--LOL! I loved Dani's Alaskan Courage series and I'm really looking forward to another series by her. I shared on Facebook.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I haven't read anything by Dani, this sounds like a great suspense story. Would enjoy reading.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Shared! I haven't read any of Dani's books yet, but they are all on my to-read list.
    imaclogger23 at yahoo dot com

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