From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl

Author: Nancy Mehl

Publisher:Bethany House Publishers

Date of publication: June 2017

New Edge-of-Your-Seat Read from an Established Romantic Suspense Author

Kate O’Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker–along with some last-minute evidence–that convicted the suspect.

She’s been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn’t the murderer and she’s been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she’ll only agree if the same marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate’s safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

Dark Deception is the second in the "Defenders of Justice" series. I can definitely say that it works well as a stand alone. Even though there seemed to be characters from the first book in the story, I didn't feel like I needed to know their story to read this one.

There were things I liked and things I didn't like about this book. I liked that it was fast paced and kept me guessing. There are quite a few twists. A couple I figured out and a couple I didn't. That is always a win. The plot was interesting enough to compel me to keep reading until the end. I also really liked the main characters. Tony was exactly the type of guy I pictured when I thought US Marshall..out to protect his charge at any cost. That he had a deeper caring for Kate was just a bonus. I also thought that Kate's reactions to her situation came across as very real. I liked that she was still flawed and was fighting to take her life back, even years later.

Having said all of that,there were a few problems I had with the book. There were a couple of weird time jumps in the beginning that had me going back because I thought I missed something. A title with the year or even a "4 years later..." would have been helpful. I also wasn't a fan of the abrupt scene jumps mid chapter. They took some getting used to. The romance was non-existent. I'm not even sure where the "I Love Yous" came from. The reader is told Kate had a crush on Tony back during the first trial, then they're declaring I love yous at the end. It was weird and really didn't need to be a part of the story. Finally, the ending was rushed and a little unsatisfying. What was in that note?

It is a faith based suspense, but I didn't feel it was overly preachy. I thought the author found a nice balance in that regard. I ultimately liked that mystery and action. I did recommend giving this one a try.

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About Nancy Mehl

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of
Ginger Murray Photography

Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-three books, including the Road to Kingdom, Finding Sanctuary, and Defenders of Justice series. She is a Carol Award finalist and writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson.

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Nancy Mehl’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, June 5th: Reading is My Super Power

Tuesday, June 6th: Books and Spoons

Wednesday, June 7th: Write Read Life