Is Doing What’s Right Worth the Cost?

Undercover cop Michael Hunt found himself wanted by the government, the police and the drug cartel. A fugitive presumed dead by the people who loved him most, his partner eliminated, he was left battered and alone in his fight to stay alive and battle the forces of unspeakable evil.

Olivia Hamilton was doing just fine as a reporter and guardian to her deaf brother Ivan. Till a slew of emails, murder, and deception turned her world upside down. Discovering the father they loved was the kingpin of a ruthless drug ring, coupled with helping a stranger escape the death sentence hanging over his head, the siblings were on the run trying to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. The door of life they once knew slammed shut. No turning back.

At the intersection where the danger that loomed for the law enforcer crossed the peril threatening the law-breaker’s son and daughter their lives irreversibly entwine, leaving no choice but to trust each other.

Corrupt criminals chasing them. Crooked cops lurking in the shadow of dark heinous crimes. Death knocking on too many doors.  A calculated kidnapping wrapped in betrayal, greed, ambition, family lies and family ties putting the very ones they wanted to protect in harms way. “What if doing what was right turned out not to be worth the cost?” was the question hot on their minds.

You’ll be wondering the same when every move closer to cracking the case is littered with bloodshed and violence. How many more people will die or get hurt? Maybe, it was time for Michael to turn himself in. Time to walk away from it all before more victims pay the price in the line of justice. Or could one more day in the heat of danger make all the difference in the world?

Wouldn’t want to ruin it for you but I can reveal this: they went forward in faith trusting God to the very end.

Hidden Agenda is the fast-paced, action packed conclusion to Southern Crimes series that grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let go. The final installment was enriched by the connection to the other two books but was solid as a stand alone volume. It held me spellbound as the intriguing characters brought the enthralling drama to life.

What I especially loved about this novel is how Lisa Harris brilliantly strung together threads of suspense, love, and life lessons into a story that captures your heart, keeps you at the edge of your seat with surprise twists and turns, while inspiring empathy, faith and the courage to seek the truth. The truth that indeed sets us free.

Every page swept me on roller coaster ride of emotion and anticipation. My heart raced. My heart melted.  My heart danced. My heart broke. With all my heart I highly recommend it!

While some things are mysterious, one thing I know for sure. There’s always plenty of encouraging words served with a measure of inspiration whenever we link-up at Holley Gerth’s place. So let’s head on over and enjoy some heart-warming Coffee for Your Heart together. See you there!

Disclosure – I’m honoured and delighted to be on board the Hidden Agenda Blog Tour with Revell Publishing who generously provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for this unbiased review.

Thank you  Holley Gerth
for the Coffee for Your Heart image

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Chasing Down Justice and Truth

Valium addiction behind her and leadership role at New Start before her, Kate Marshall was all set to begin a new normal since her husband and son drowned 3 years ago. Abruptly, one word spoken by a child at the mall would slam the breaks on moving forward.

Poppysicle. The word her son Kevin used for popsicle came from a boy with the same blond hair as hers. He also appeared to be the same age as her son would have been. The voice was carbon-copy, and there was a spark of recognition in his eyes as he turned towards Kate when she called his name. He may even have come up to her. Except the man accompanying the boy whisked him away in a hurry.

Could it be that Kevin was still alive? Could she even dream it was possible? Not according to the accident report. Not according to both mall security and local police when Kate raised the possibility. Perhaps she was grasping at straws, delirious from grief and insane hope. Her mother’s instincts told her otherwise.

If the son she left for dead is still alive, she was going to do her best to find out. Surely a good private investigator could get to the bottom of what happened that day at Braddock Bay. That’s exactly what former Secret Service agent Connor Sullivan promised to do. He admitted it was a long shot, but there was enough substance in Kate’s suspicions to merit taking on the case. Besides, he kind of liked her.

Greg Sanders, by all appearances was a good man. Evidence pointed to his being reliable, trustworthy, and as squeaky-clean as they come. By all accounts, and Connor’s own observations, he dearly loved the adopted son Kate believed might be hers. Not at all, the sign of a cold-blooded killer. But then again after losing his wife and son “even normal, well-adjusted, caring people can crack up when forced to endure enough stress or loss or grief. We all have our limits.”*

If not him, then what? It could all be a waste of time. Or it could be the reunion miracles are made of. Danger loomed darker with each turn closer to the truth. With brilliant use of foreshadowing, Irene Hannon had me from page one. There was just enough intrigue and mystery to make Deceived hard to put down without keeping me awake at night.

The animated characters in the story drew me into the plot and made it credible. They came off as real people and added a bit of  humour and warmth to the narrative. There’s plenty of suspense to hold your attention while a smidgen of romance leaps into your heart. Just when all the clues seemed to line up as anticipated I let out a gasp! Surprised and horrified I couldn’t believe the unexpected twist. That’s what makes this a great novel. Kept me riveted from beginning to dramatic, heart-stopping conclusion.

I’m honoured to be included in Revell’s Blog Tour for Deceived, the third installment in the Private Justice Series, which I received in exchange for this unbiased review. The novel reads smoothly as a stand alone with just a hint to the past books to entice you to go back and read the other two.

Isn’t it comforting to know the same God who showed up in the mystery of the Deceived story line with truth and justice shows up in the story of our life? In so many ways. One of favourites is the weekly link-up at Holley Gerth’s place where we meet the author of our salvation inside the heart and words of the Coffee for Your Heart Community. Won’t you join me there today for a cup of encouragement and inspiration?

*Quote from Deceived by Irene Hannon

Thank you  Holley Gerth
for the Coffee for Your Heart image

Follow @mariiamarino