Have you read STRANDED by Dani Pettrey?

August 22, 2013 / Dora Hiers / 4 Comments

About the book~
When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn’t satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn’t lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby’s position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn’t the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.

Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He’s surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they’ve only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

My summary~
Darcy St. James gave up investigative reporting years ago, but she still loves the thrill of tracking down leads. So when her friend, Abby, terribly frightened and distraught about her current story, contacts her, Darcy determines to help her friend uncover the truth. When Darcy arrives on the cruise ship, Abby has vanished. Restless and hoping to squash five month old memories of Darcy, Gage McKenna accepts the excursions gig on the cruise ship. The last person he expects to run into on the cruise ship is Darcy St. James.

What I liked…

I really liked that the author had set up Gage and Darcy’s story at the end of her last book, Shattered. Even so, while it’s not necessary to read Shattered before Stranded, you probably should because once you read this one, you’ll want to go back and read the first two. Trust me.

Loved the characters. I’ve gotten to know Gage over the last two books, and he’s definitely a favorite of mine. Masculine and manly, yet wounded and vulnerable. How could Darcy not fall for him? Especially when she sees the two little feet tucked close to his heart. But then, he’d stolen her heart long before then.

Darcy’s not a wimpy heroine. Sure, she’s frightened once she learns what they’re facing, but she’s not willing to give up on finding her friend, especially since Abby doesn’t know the Lord. This book made me think about my loved ones who don’t know the Lord. Would I be as willing to face the same frightening situations for my loved ones? The faith element is woven into the plot, so beautifully and intrinsically, and it doesn’t come off forced or trite.

and not so much…

I can’t think of one element I didn’t like about this book, except that it had to end.

Overall…

Stranded is worthy of highest praise. It’s a book that’ll make you forget about everything except flipping the page. Definitely a keeper, and Pettrey is now on my “must read” list!

Purchase Link

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of Stranded. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.

Have you read Stranded?

Do you agree with my review?
What about you? Would you face frightening situations to track down a friend in danger?

Conferences…or routine?

August 9, 2013March 24, 2016 / Dora Hiers / 20 Comments

August is all about conferences in our family. As a fire chief, hubby attends two conferences, and they’re both in August. The first is a regional conference, always in Raleigh, and the second’s an international one held in different cities across the US. This week we’re in Raleigh; next week, Chicago.

I enjoy traveling, but I confess I tend to be more of a “routine” kinda gal.

I mean, really. Raleigh and Chicago offer some spectacular sights, but what can beat the view from our back deck?

And hotel coffee doesn’t compare to the strong brew I make at home.

This week we were able to bring along our baby, but next week, we’ll have to leave him at home. He’s skiddish about getting in an elevator. I can’t imagine how he’d be after being forced into the belly of a plane.

I’ll miss the big baby next week.

And my writing?

Usually, I write from my office every day. No music. No distractions. No noise. Just the way I like it. But that means conferences stretch my comfort zone,
take me out of my normal writing environment.
Which means my word count comes to a screeching halt.

So, every August I’m faced with a difficult decision.
Conferences…or routine?
Traveling with hubby or staying at home to write?

Hmmm…not a no-brainer for me. I choose him.

What about you?

What brings you out of your comfort zone?

Are you a routine kinda person or do you like to shake things up?

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Go Where?

February 27, 2013March 24, 2016 / Dora Hiers / 4 Comments

Have you ever hopped in your car and drove, reaching your destination without realizing how you got there? Perhaps you had something on your mind and you just went through the motions.

That’s how we found ourselves in Panama and Costa Rica.

What?

Yep. Let me explain.

My parents joined us on our European cruise last fall, but they only agreed to go if we’d travel with them to Central America.

Gulp. Go where? South? We moved away from FL, where we’d lived for thirty+ years, to NC where the temps are cooler and we actually experience seasons. My vacation radar doesn’t point south.

Why? Because it’s hot. We left a balmy 40 degrees in NC and stepped off the plane in Panama City to a blistering 85. Can anybody say air conditioner? Well, we didn’t find too many air conditioners there (only one, actually), but that didn’t spoil our trip. How could it when we had this to enjoy?

This was the view from our hotel room in Boquete. Sweet, isn’t it?