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Blue Justice #3
Code of Valor
What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.
Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.
Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
1,015 people are currently reading
2,459 people want to read
About the author
Lynette Eason
200books3,519followersLynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
November 24, 2023
2.5 stars, personally.
About this book:
“What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.
Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.�
Series: Book #3 in the “Blue Justice� series. Reviews of Book #1 Here! and Book #2 Here! Also mentions characters from “Dive Team Investigators� series by Lynn H. Blackburn.
Spiritual Content- 1 Samuel 16:7 at the beginning; Prayers; Talks about God, prayers, believing in Him after traumatic times, & His plans; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Brady believes in God, but thinks He failed him so he’s shut Him out; Brady says that God doesn’t always answers prayers “like we want [H]im to� and his sister reminds him that sometimes He does (he does a couple jabs on this topic; *Spoiler* ); Emily asks God why something bad happened and asks Him to help her not to become bitter over it; *Spoiler* ; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of Heaven & hell; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of churches & church going; A mention of a Bible.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘duh�, a ‘suck up�, an unfinished ‘what the—�, a ‘wimp�, five ‘idiot’s, five ‘shut up’s, eight ‘dumb’s, and eleven ‘stupid’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Thinking you’re going to die, Being kidnapped, Being shot at, Being shot (x2), Gunfire, Being attacked, Fighting, & Stalked (up to semi-detailed); Seeing others shot and killed & seeing dead bodies (up to semi-detailed); Fires & Explosions (up to semi-detailed); Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Passing out (up to semi-detailed); Hearing a terrifying phone call, Throwing up, & Grief (up to semi-detailed); Threatening & Aiming a gun at someone (the villain); The villain has a glass of bourbon; The second chapter is in the point of view of Emily’s friend while she’s been stalked, threatened with being killed, & on the phone with 911 (semi-detailed, *Spoiler*); Brady & Emily have to break into a place for safety; Emily lies and feels guilty; Many mentions of deaths, killings/murders, murderers, blackmail, & threats (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hits being ordered, hired assassins, crimes, crime scenes, criminals, stealing, stolen items, arrests, prisons, & the death penalty; Many mentions of gunfire, being shot at, being shot/gunshot wounds, & shootings (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of bodies & bodies found missing parts (up to semi-detailed); Mention of an abusive father, being a violent drunk, thinking he’s going to kill someone, him threatening that and nearly doing it, & him being shot and killed (*Spoiler* , up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drownings (including a case where a mother drowned herself and her young children, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of human trafficking & rings; Mentions of kidnappings, kidnappers, being drugged, & almost being killed (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a fire, arson, explosions, & bombs; Mentions of gangs & tattoos; Mentions of a stalker & stalking; Mentions of break-ins & burglaries; Mentions of car wrecks & major injuries; Mentions of fighting, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drugs/narcotics, addictions, & someone beating an addiction to painkillers (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of grief (for a close friend, for a daughter); Mentions of a divorce & the parents each taking a son with them; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of hatred & self-hate; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & bars; Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of someone being tortured & the aftermath (up to semi-detailed); A few mentions of almost drowning; A few mentions of someone being stabbed; A few mentions of money laundering; A couple mentions of a high school bully; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a psychopath taking joy in killing others;
*Note: Emily has scars on her wrist from when she started cutting, but never planned to commit suicide because it “was too easy� to do that (barely-above-not-detailed); Emily lived on the streets for a year as a teen after her mom kicked her out; Emily & her mother have a strained relationship and throw jabs at each other; *Spoiler* ; Mentions of car brands; Mentions of Uber; A mention of brand names (Nikon); A mention of a movie & fictional characters (Despicable Me); A mention of aliens; A mention of butting into a case.
Sexual Content- Three not-detailed kisses and two border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Warmth, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); *Spoiler, but important content note* ; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of dates & dating; A few mentions of jealousy; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Emily thinks that while she doesn’t like the number on the scale, she likes herself now (she is still self-conscious about her appearance but tries to find happiness in other things); Mentions of women’s clothing sizes; A mention of Emily’s mom making comments on her (Emily’s) weight in the past (Emily beats her to saying one jab); A mention of Emily fixing her shirt to feel less fat; A mention of Emily being overweight in high school; A mention of jealousy over another woman’s appearance (Emily).
-Emily Chastain
-Brady St. John
P.O.V. switches between them, villains (x7), & Heather (x1)
315 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{ Add up to a full star for Older High School Teens interested in law enforcement }
I’ve been meaning to finish this series for years but never got around to doing it as they released. The concept of this series—a big family with almost everyone in law enforcement—is such a fun plot and I love seeing the siblings interact through the books.
That said, there has been some content that lower the ratings for girls in BFCG’s target range age and make this series better for older girls who are highly interested in law enforcement. There’s a lot of harder themes for far in this series and especially with this one because of things Emily has gone through and goes through in this book.
I will say that I had a hard time keeping tract with who everyone was and how they were connected. I read this book as a physical book, but also grabbed it off on Kindle Unlimited so I could search different names because I was lost at times.
I liked both Emily and Brady and enjoyed how they communicated and thought the romance wasn’t over-the-top or stealing the (suspense) show, which I appreciated. There were a few parts that were kind of gut-wrenching at times and added to the heaviness, but I will say that I really liked the faith content and discussions, especially towards the end of the book.
Link to review:
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.
Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.�
Series: Book #3 in the “Blue Justice� series. Reviews of Book #1 Here! and Book #2 Here! Also mentions characters from “Dive Team Investigators� series by Lynn H. Blackburn.
Spiritual Content- 1 Samuel 16:7 at the beginning; Prayers; Talks about God, prayers, believing in Him after traumatic times, & His plans; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Brady believes in God, but thinks He failed him so he’s shut Him out; Brady says that God doesn’t always answers prayers “like we want [H]im to� and his sister reminds him that sometimes He does (he does a couple jabs on this topic; *Spoiler* ); Emily asks God why something bad happened and asks Him to help her not to become bitter over it; *Spoiler* ; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of Heaven & hell; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of churches & church going; A mention of a Bible.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘duh�, a ‘suck up�, an unfinished ‘what the—�, a ‘wimp�, five ‘idiot’s, five ‘shut up’s, eight ‘dumb’s, and eleven ‘stupid’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Thinking you’re going to die, Being kidnapped, Being shot at, Being shot (x2), Gunfire, Being attacked, Fighting, & Stalked (up to semi-detailed); Seeing others shot and killed & seeing dead bodies (up to semi-detailed); Fires & Explosions (up to semi-detailed); Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Passing out (up to semi-detailed); Hearing a terrifying phone call, Throwing up, & Grief (up to semi-detailed); Threatening & Aiming a gun at someone (the villain); The villain has a glass of bourbon; The second chapter is in the point of view of Emily’s friend while she’s been stalked, threatened with being killed, & on the phone with 911 (semi-detailed, *Spoiler*); Brady & Emily have to break into a place for safety; Emily lies and feels guilty; Many mentions of deaths, killings/murders, murderers, blackmail, & threats (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hits being ordered, hired assassins, crimes, crime scenes, criminals, stealing, stolen items, arrests, prisons, & the death penalty; Many mentions of gunfire, being shot at, being shot/gunshot wounds, & shootings (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of bodies & bodies found missing parts (up to semi-detailed); Mention of an abusive father, being a violent drunk, thinking he’s going to kill someone, him threatening that and nearly doing it, & him being shot and killed (*Spoiler* , up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drownings (including a case where a mother drowned herself and her young children, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of human trafficking & rings; Mentions of kidnappings, kidnappers, being drugged, & almost being killed (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a fire, arson, explosions, & bombs; Mentions of gangs & tattoos; Mentions of a stalker & stalking; Mentions of break-ins & burglaries; Mentions of car wrecks & major injuries; Mentions of fighting, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drugs/narcotics, addictions, & someone beating an addiction to painkillers (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of grief (for a close friend, for a daughter); Mentions of a divorce & the parents each taking a son with them; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of hatred & self-hate; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & bars; Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of someone being tortured & the aftermath (up to semi-detailed); A few mentions of almost drowning; A few mentions of someone being stabbed; A few mentions of money laundering; A couple mentions of a high school bully; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a psychopath taking joy in killing others;
*Note: Emily has scars on her wrist from when she started cutting, but never planned to commit suicide because it “was too easy� to do that (barely-above-not-detailed); Emily lived on the streets for a year as a teen after her mom kicked her out; Emily & her mother have a strained relationship and throw jabs at each other; *Spoiler* ; Mentions of car brands; Mentions of Uber; A mention of brand names (Nikon); A mention of a movie & fictional characters (Despicable Me); A mention of aliens; A mention of butting into a case.
Sexual Content- Three not-detailed kisses and two border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Warmth, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); *Spoiler, but important content note* ; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of dates & dating; A few mentions of jealousy; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Emily thinks that while she doesn’t like the number on the scale, she likes herself now (she is still self-conscious about her appearance but tries to find happiness in other things); Mentions of women’s clothing sizes; A mention of Emily’s mom making comments on her (Emily’s) weight in the past (Emily beats her to saying one jab); A mention of Emily fixing her shirt to feel less fat; A mention of Emily being overweight in high school; A mention of jealousy over another woman’s appearance (Emily).
-Emily Chastain
-Brady St. John
P.O.V. switches between them, villains (x7), & Heather (x1)
315 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{ Add up to a full star for Older High School Teens interested in law enforcement }
I’ve been meaning to finish this series for years but never got around to doing it as they released. The concept of this series—a big family with almost everyone in law enforcement—is such a fun plot and I love seeing the siblings interact through the books.
That said, there has been some content that lower the ratings for girls in BFCG’s target range age and make this series better for older girls who are highly interested in law enforcement. There’s a lot of harder themes for far in this series and especially with this one because of things Emily has gone through and goes through in this book.
I will say that I had a hard time keeping tract with who everyone was and how they were connected. I read this book as a physical book, but also grabbed it off on Kindle Unlimited so I could search different names because I was lost at times.
I liked both Emily and Brady and enjoyed how they communicated and thought the romance wasn’t over-the-top or stealing the (suspense) show, which I appreciated. There were a few parts that were kind of gut-wrenching at times and added to the heaviness, but I will say that I really liked the faith content and discussions, especially towards the end of the book.
Link to review:
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 7, 2019
I loved it! Brady’s story is nonstop from the moment he pulls Emily out of a lake and foils a murder attempt on her. Murder stays in hot pursuit of her through the entire book, with Emily enjoying one close call after another. Brady, determined to keep her alive, gets the help of his family in investigating who’s possibly involved in trying to kill her and in her best friend’s disappearance.
The book kept me flipping pages and eagerly trying to guess who all was involved in getting rid of Emily and her friend. There are so many suspects that it’s definitely a challenge to guess correctly!
I loved how Emily wasn’t a perfect Barbie of a character; she has to fight to keep fit and she’s chunkier than she wants to be, and she has a real faith and turns to God when she’s in trouble. She does have a rocky past, and while the past isn’t portrayed graphically, it definitely plays into the person she is now. This part of the story was well done and felt believable.
I did hope we would have gotten a few more glimpses of Brady’s past, but it seems we just have to rely on the earlier books for a few glimpses of that. The time frame of the novel was simply too short and too focused on Emily’s peril to have allowed for much delving into his past
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
The book kept me flipping pages and eagerly trying to guess who all was involved in getting rid of Emily and her friend. There are so many suspects that it’s definitely a challenge to guess correctly!
I loved how Emily wasn’t a perfect Barbie of a character; she has to fight to keep fit and she’s chunkier than she wants to be, and she has a real faith and turns to God when she’s in trouble. She does have a rocky past, and while the past isn’t portrayed graphically, it definitely plays into the person she is now. This part of the story was well done and felt believable.
I did hope we would have gotten a few more glimpses of Brady’s past, but it seems we just have to rely on the earlier books for a few glimpses of that. The time frame of the novel was simply too short and too focused on Emily’s peril to have allowed for much delving into his past
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
January 14, 2019
A tightly written romantic suspense. Packed with action and tension. Really enjoyed seeing the other St. John siblings as well.
December 31, 2018
Code of Valor is one wild, crazy ride from page one until the end! I've been so looking forward to Brady's story, and it did not disappoint.
Our female MC, Emily, is a very complex character, and I greatly enjoyed her story. Eason touches on some very pertinent issues with her character, which I really liked. Brady seemed a little lacking in depth, but I still really liked his character.
The plot is convoluted and gripping, and the action doesn't stop. You will not be able to put this one down! This book might just be my favorite in the series. Also, can we talk about that gorgeous cover? All the covers in the series are just so gorgeous!
All in all, I greatly enjoyed this explosive release from Lynette Eason! Highly recommended!
CONTENT NOTE: Lots of violence, shootings, near-death situations, etc. Some romance, kissing, hugging, attraction, etc. Recommended for ages 17+.
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Our female MC, Emily, is a very complex character, and I greatly enjoyed her story. Eason touches on some very pertinent issues with her character, which I really liked. Brady seemed a little lacking in depth, but I still really liked his character.
The plot is convoluted and gripping, and the action doesn't stop. You will not be able to put this one down! This book might just be my favorite in the series. Also, can we talk about that gorgeous cover? All the covers in the series are just so gorgeous!
All in all, I greatly enjoyed this explosive release from Lynette Eason! Highly recommended!
CONTENT NOTE: Lots of violence, shootings, near-death situations, etc. Some romance, kissing, hugging, attraction, etc. Recommended for ages 17+.
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 14, 2024
This wasn't my favorite Eason book...mainly because there was so much going on. I know, usually I want stuff to be happening, but this was just one thing after another in the beginning, and I kind of stopped caring about a bit...if that makes sense. Anyway...
3.5 stars
Characters:
I love Brady. He was so sweet! And just nice and kind.
Emily was so sweet, too! And I loved her!
Derek and Linc were awesome! Love the sibling interactions between all the brothers and with their sisters...lol...it's so great!
There was a lot of backstory trauma for both Brady and Emily... and this sounds bad, but there was so much going on with the main plot and then their backstories that I kind of disconnected. It felt like too much, and thus, I didn't finish this story as quickly because I was busy trying to sort all the pieces.
Themes:
Everyone has worth, no matter who they are. Beautiful!
Romance:
Not overall descriptive kisses. There was a vague mention of a past incident that involved s*x.
Language:
N/A
Overall:
This was a very fast-paced story with lots, and I mean LOTS happening! Including some of the following: kidnapping, murder, being shot at, more kidnapping, running from bad guys, a fire, being help knife point, a vague mention of someone being very bloody from what you can deduce is torture, and some more killing...
This list does not include the emotional baggage that both Brady and Emily carry as well as the mentions of recovering bodies from the lake and another from a freezer.
So, yes... this one was a lot and not quite my cup of tea. If it was a movie, I 100% wouldn't be watching it because I don't need those visuals in my head. The word pictures painted are bad enough.
Anyway... did I enjoy this book?
Yes. Just not as much as the other Eason books in this series or even her other series have I have read.
3.5 stars
Characters:
I love Brady. He was so sweet! And just nice and kind.
Emily was so sweet, too! And I loved her!
Derek and Linc were awesome! Love the sibling interactions between all the brothers and with their sisters...lol...it's so great!
There was a lot of backstory trauma for both Brady and Emily... and this sounds bad, but there was so much going on with the main plot and then their backstories that I kind of disconnected. It felt like too much, and thus, I didn't finish this story as quickly because I was busy trying to sort all the pieces.
Themes:
Everyone has worth, no matter who they are. Beautiful!
Romance:
Not overall descriptive kisses. There was a vague mention of a past incident that involved s*x.
Language:
N/A
Overall:
This was a very fast-paced story with lots, and I mean LOTS happening! Including some of the following: kidnapping, murder, being shot at, more kidnapping, running from bad guys, a fire, being help knife point, a vague mention of someone being very bloody from what you can deduce is torture, and some more killing...
This list does not include the emotional baggage that both Brady and Emily carry as well as the mentions of recovering bodies from the lake and another from a freezer.
So, yes... this one was a lot and not quite my cup of tea. If it was a movie, I 100% wouldn't be watching it because I don't need those visuals in my head. The word pictures painted are bad enough.
Anyway... did I enjoy this book?
Yes. Just not as much as the other Eason books in this series or even her other series have I have read.
November 29, 2020
What a page-turner! This series is a blast!
January 6, 2019
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Revell. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Yet another amazing suspense story by Lynette Eason, and, yes, it stole my sleep! The surprises and twists kept me flipping pages way too late into the night, and I was able to finish this one up in only three days. The plot was wonderful and involved many different players and settings and events. I like how mysterious things were; there was definitely a vibe of secrecy going on throughout that intrigued me.
There were a couple of times I was being led to believe the leads were about to solve everything� but there was still half a book or a third of a book left, so I knew there had to be a huge twist coming. Still, I didn’t guess it until it smacked me upside the head. In that fashion, this book very much reminded me of Mrs. Eason’s first Revell series, Women of Justice, my favorite of her series until Blue Justice came around. I think I need to pull out those oldies to see how I feel they compare to this new and brilliant collection of books. May I just binge-read a ton of her stories right now?!
The faith thread seemed to arrive a little late, but it was a good one. I really enjoyed seeing the leads overcome their fears and challenges within their journeys of faith. The way the author entwined the two separate threads of faith was mesmerizing and encouraging, and that finale! Just you wait till you reach that point and see if your jaw doesn’t drop in humble surprise (okay, flat-out shock). It’s amazing, truly.
Fans of Dee Henderson’s O’Malley Chronicles and the TV show Blue Bloods will adore this series. Be sure to start from the beginning to get all caught up on the St. John family’s adventures!
Yet another amazing suspense story by Lynette Eason, and, yes, it stole my sleep! The surprises and twists kept me flipping pages way too late into the night, and I was able to finish this one up in only three days. The plot was wonderful and involved many different players and settings and events. I like how mysterious things were; there was definitely a vibe of secrecy going on throughout that intrigued me.
There were a couple of times I was being led to believe the leads were about to solve everything� but there was still half a book or a third of a book left, so I knew there had to be a huge twist coming. Still, I didn’t guess it until it smacked me upside the head. In that fashion, this book very much reminded me of Mrs. Eason’s first Revell series, Women of Justice, my favorite of her series until Blue Justice came around. I think I need to pull out those oldies to see how I feel they compare to this new and brilliant collection of books. May I just binge-read a ton of her stories right now?!
The faith thread seemed to arrive a little late, but it was a good one. I really enjoyed seeing the leads overcome their fears and challenges within their journeys of faith. The way the author entwined the two separate threads of faith was mesmerizing and encouraging, and that finale! Just you wait till you reach that point and see if your jaw doesn’t drop in humble surprise (okay, flat-out shock). It’s amazing, truly.
Fans of Dee Henderson’s O’Malley Chronicles and the TV show Blue Bloods will adore this series. Be sure to start from the beginning to get all caught up on the St. John family’s adventures!
September 13, 2020
Yessssssssssss. 😍
#mustread4all
#mustread4all
August 11, 2019
Code of Valor is book three in the Blue Justice series by Lynette Eason. It is another thrilling episode concerning the St. John family.
The first time Emily Chastain sets eyes on Brady St. John it is definitely not a “cute meet�! Brady is trying to take much needed time off at a cabin near a river when he hears a scream and a splash and come to Emily’s aid as someone is trying to kill her.
Our heroine is a strong woman with a bit of a self-esteem problem due to her background. What’s more, she doesn’t like her body image. With God’s and Brady’s help she’s beginning to see her worth as a child of God. She, in turn, helps Brady overcome his anger toward God.
There are determined people after Emily. However, she can’t figure out why they are after her. Brady continues to help her as she is pursued by the villains.
Ms. Eason is quite adept at coming up with confounding scenarios and she has built a fantastic work support system for Brady and his family. Brady is a rescue diver, so the diving scenes were very interesting and informative. They added variety and significance to the plot.
I am ready to see what is in store for the St. John family in the final book of the series.
*I purchased a copy of this book. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.*
The first time Emily Chastain sets eyes on Brady St. John it is definitely not a “cute meet�! Brady is trying to take much needed time off at a cabin near a river when he hears a scream and a splash and come to Emily’s aid as someone is trying to kill her.
Our heroine is a strong woman with a bit of a self-esteem problem due to her background. What’s more, she doesn’t like her body image. With God’s and Brady’s help she’s beginning to see her worth as a child of God. She, in turn, helps Brady overcome his anger toward God.
There are determined people after Emily. However, she can’t figure out why they are after her. Brady continues to help her as she is pursued by the villains.
Ms. Eason is quite adept at coming up with confounding scenarios and she has built a fantastic work support system for Brady and his family. Brady is a rescue diver, so the diving scenes were very interesting and informative. They added variety and significance to the plot.
I am ready to see what is in store for the St. John family in the final book of the series.
*I purchased a copy of this book. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.*
February 12, 2019
Wow. This took me three days to read, not only was it good but I was also spurred on by the fact my library needed the book back in three days #procrastinator. The MC, Emily, was so sweet and different. Let me emphasize that word again, different. Emily didn't have a perfect body, she didn't realize her self-worth, & she didn't think anyone could ever actually love her. I enjoyed seeing Emily grow. I commend the author for writing this character the way she did, it was unique, special, and made me to want to read the book again.
Let's talk about the ending, adding Lynn H. Blackburn's characters in this book was ingenious. It really made me happy to read that. But what actually thrilled me, is *spoiler alert* when the villain accepted Christ, I don't think I've ever read a mystery that ended that way.
I have loved this series and I am eagerly awaiting book 4. 😀
Let's talk about the ending, adding Lynn H. Blackburn's characters in this book was ingenious. It really made me happy to read that. But what actually thrilled me, is *spoiler alert* when the villain accepted Christ, I don't think I've ever read a mystery that ended that way.
I have loved this series and I am eagerly awaiting book 4. 😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2019
This book was a page turner from start to finish. I couldn't put it down.
I am really enjoying reading about the St. John family. They remind me so much of other fictional families.
I loved seeing how Brady and his brothers worked to keep Emily safe. There was a plot twist that I didn't really see coming that had me going wow. Now, I did manage to figure out the overall villain in the book, but the suspense still had me quickly turning pages.
I received a copy from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion. I was not required to like the book, only give an honest opinion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Dani Pettrey, Dee Henderson
Rating 4 stars
I am really enjoying reading about the St. John family. They remind me so much of other fictional families.
I loved seeing how Brady and his brothers worked to keep Emily safe. There was a plot twist that I didn't really see coming that had me going wow. Now, I did manage to figure out the overall villain in the book, but the suspense still had me quickly turning pages.
I received a copy from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion. I was not required to like the book, only give an honest opinion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Dani Pettrey, Dee Henderson
Rating 4 stars
July 17, 2023
"You really have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?"
Emily Chastain has overcome so many obstacles; one of which is her daily struggle to maintain any semblance of an healthy self image, so many experiences from her teen years silently taunting her with half-truths and lies. It's a good thing that she's a fighter, because when her past barrels uninvited into her present, her best friend goes missing, and she's kidnapped and drugged, it's going to take more than acute financial investigative skills to stay alive . . .. along with her hero several times over . . . . Detective Brady St. John.
Brady St. John is supposedly on a quiet vacation when terrorizing screams break the evening silence. Quickly assessing the situation, he dives into the nearby lake to rescue the young woman who has slipped over the side of a speedboat, escaping what appeared to be an assailant. The situation quickly escalates, propelling Emily and Brady into the cross hairs of a determined killer; for it's what Emily doesn't know, that has the potential to endanger the lives of those around her.
What an exciting addition to the author's Code of Valor series; she has written in wonderful characters who are allowed the time to have deep, meaningful conversations; and she has crafted a story line that is guaranteed to keep the most seasoned sleuths happily perplexed, sitting on the proverbial "edge of their seats", until all the pieces of the puzzle glide into place.
Book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing through the Interviews & Reviews book review program.
Emily Chastain has overcome so many obstacles; one of which is her daily struggle to maintain any semblance of an healthy self image, so many experiences from her teen years silently taunting her with half-truths and lies. It's a good thing that she's a fighter, because when her past barrels uninvited into her present, her best friend goes missing, and she's kidnapped and drugged, it's going to take more than acute financial investigative skills to stay alive . . .. along with her hero several times over . . . . Detective Brady St. John.
Brady St. John is supposedly on a quiet vacation when terrorizing screams break the evening silence. Quickly assessing the situation, he dives into the nearby lake to rescue the young woman who has slipped over the side of a speedboat, escaping what appeared to be an assailant. The situation quickly escalates, propelling Emily and Brady into the cross hairs of a determined killer; for it's what Emily doesn't know, that has the potential to endanger the lives of those around her.
What an exciting addition to the author's Code of Valor series; she has written in wonderful characters who are allowed the time to have deep, meaningful conversations; and she has crafted a story line that is guaranteed to keep the most seasoned sleuths happily perplexed, sitting on the proverbial "edge of their seats", until all the pieces of the puzzle glide into place.
Book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing through the Interviews & Reviews book review program.
April 15, 2019
Whoa -- my head is still spinning! You might need a healthy dose of caffeine (in the form of rich, dark chocolate, of course) to keep your brain sharp and ready for some serious convoluted story threads that gnarl into one colossal tangle before our hero and heroine manage to smooth it all out. Perfectly perfect for intrepid armchair sleuths everywhere. :-)
And it all starts with a gripping edge-of-your-seat opening scene. Poor Brady, in need of a relaxing vacation and getting anything but! (And this is where I go all fan-girling over the St. John family -- especially those brothers!) Because, of course, they're not about to leave Brady floundering on his own. Love that connection between the books (this is #3 in the Blue Justice series.) Code of Valor reads wonderfully as a standalone though -- so no worries if you haven't read the the first two books and the novella. Eason does such a great job of making returning readers feel like they've come home while welcoming new readers to the family.
A fast-and-furious plot with lots of action and gasp-out-loud moments buffered by sibling rivalry and teasing make this an inhale-in-one-gulp kind of read. Not to mention the heavenly toe-curling romantical scenes that provide a buffer between all the angst!
This right here is why Lynette Eason is a best-selling author -- she knows how to weave a spellbinding tale that won't let you go -- even after you've reached the very last page.
And it all starts with a gripping edge-of-your-seat opening scene. Poor Brady, in need of a relaxing vacation and getting anything but! (And this is where I go all fan-girling over the St. John family -- especially those brothers!) Because, of course, they're not about to leave Brady floundering on his own. Love that connection between the books (this is #3 in the Blue Justice series.) Code of Valor reads wonderfully as a standalone though -- so no worries if you haven't read the the first two books and the novella. Eason does such a great job of making returning readers feel like they've come home while welcoming new readers to the family.
A fast-and-furious plot with lots of action and gasp-out-loud moments buffered by sibling rivalry and teasing make this an inhale-in-one-gulp kind of read. Not to mention the heavenly toe-curling romantical scenes that provide a buffer between all the angst!
This right here is why Lynette Eason is a best-selling author -- she knows how to weave a spellbinding tale that won't let you go -- even after you've reached the very last page.
July 19, 2019
Wow. By far the best book in this series! The ring of bad guys was so entwined I really had a hard time keeping them straight—which to me is a positive thing. This also had an undeniably Christian thread. It dealt with a lot of hurt and heartache—but also Christ’s healing.
There were some past incidents about physical intimacy that were explained. It takes you up to the moment, but given that it’s in dialogue and not description, it didn’t feel as... revealing. Human trafficking was mentioned, but it wasn’t nearly as big a thread as the last book.
The spiritual thread dealt a lot with trusting God and turning to Him for everything. There was so much in here that the book would not have been as impacting without it.
The romance was sweet. Several kisses were mentioned. I liked that, though it was the romantic interest that made Emily feel her worth, it wasn’t HIS strength and acceptance that she was relying on, but she still relied on God.
And the mystery. Wow. Just so well done. Lynette Eason is a fantastic mystery weaver, and this one just proves it all over again.
There were some past incidents about physical intimacy that were explained. It takes you up to the moment, but given that it’s in dialogue and not description, it didn’t feel as... revealing. Human trafficking was mentioned, but it wasn’t nearly as big a thread as the last book.
The spiritual thread dealt a lot with trusting God and turning to Him for everything. There was so much in here that the book would not have been as impacting without it.
The romance was sweet. Several kisses were mentioned. I liked that, though it was the romantic interest that made Emily feel her worth, it wasn’t HIS strength and acceptance that she was relying on, but she still relied on God.
And the mystery. Wow. Just so well done. Lynette Eason is a fantastic mystery weaver, and this one just proves it all over again.
January 7, 2019
I have fallen in love with the St. John family all over again. It's been nearly a year since I have last read a Lynette Eason book. I regret that very much. I will definitely be reading the second book tomorrow.
This book was so good. Like most Lynette Eason books, it pulls you in right from the beginning. All the action starts the very first page. This book was a fast pace and page turner for me. I am a book worm who typically reads more Historical fiction and not a fast paced books as this but these books I love to read every once in a while. Mrs. Eason's Blue Justice series has proven to be a reason why I both love these kinds of books. You get an adrenaline rush and you never want it to stop. Mrs. Eason makes you feel like you are right there watching all these events unfold. Also, her added romance in these books that are both subtly but also evident are amazing.
I am a sucker for romance, so in the midst of the page turning action, I also get my little taste of romance that I love to read. For anyone who needs a good read that will keep them until the finish the book, I recommend this book. It has been a while since I last sat down and finished a book in one sitting!
Also can I just add one more thing, the St. John family is literally the BEST family ever!! Sure, they have their weaknesses because what family, especially a large one, doesn't. But their love for one another is very evident in this book, and I love that. Also the boys humor throughout this book was to die for. I literally was laughing so hard at some scenes.
The faith in Lynette Eason's books are another thing I love. It's not everyday that you find a good action novel that contains good firm Christian beliefs, but this series does. So that's just another added bonus when you read this, amazing, series!! ;)
Overall, if you are a fan of fast paced books, romance, humor, and just an all around amazing Christian book well then you should really pick up this one!! :D
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. It did not have to be positive.*
This book was so good. Like most Lynette Eason books, it pulls you in right from the beginning. All the action starts the very first page. This book was a fast pace and page turner for me. I am a book worm who typically reads more Historical fiction and not a fast paced books as this but these books I love to read every once in a while. Mrs. Eason's Blue Justice series has proven to be a reason why I both love these kinds of books. You get an adrenaline rush and you never want it to stop. Mrs. Eason makes you feel like you are right there watching all these events unfold. Also, her added romance in these books that are both subtly but also evident are amazing.
I am a sucker for romance, so in the midst of the page turning action, I also get my little taste of romance that I love to read. For anyone who needs a good read that will keep them until the finish the book, I recommend this book. It has been a while since I last sat down and finished a book in one sitting!
Also can I just add one more thing, the St. John family is literally the BEST family ever!! Sure, they have their weaknesses because what family, especially a large one, doesn't. But their love for one another is very evident in this book, and I love that. Also the boys humor throughout this book was to die for. I literally was laughing so hard at some scenes.
The faith in Lynette Eason's books are another thing I love. It's not everyday that you find a good action novel that contains good firm Christian beliefs, but this series does. So that's just another added bonus when you read this, amazing, series!! ;)
Overall, if you are a fan of fast paced books, romance, humor, and just an all around amazing Christian book well then you should really pick up this one!! :D
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. It did not have to be positive.*
May 24, 2019
Finally, one of the St. John men gets top or well-shared billing along with Emily Chastain. Brady is well-intentioned with starting his two-week vacation that is well deserved, but it's part of having I think the DNA that makes up the St. John's bloodline. This one fast-paced, non-stop action, so if that's your kind of thing then this is the book for you. Emilly Chastain is a strong character with a background that might scare some people off, but Brady isn't, in fact, he wants to know more about her, he is intrigued by how she preserves through all of that is thrown at her. I liked learning more about her. I don't remember reading a lot about Brady in the previous novels in this series. But he is hardworking and willing to work on his vacation, which I think says a lot about him. I liked the dedication he put into keeping Emily safe and those who were important to her safe. You don't have to read all the book in this series to understand what's going on, but if you do you'll understand better the ribbing that goes on between the St. John siblings.
February 1, 2019
Code of Valor is a fast-paced suspense containing some intense scenes that are quite descriptive. From beginning to end, there is no lag time in this story. Eason’s writing is tight and detailed, showing her powerful skills with a pen or keyboard as it nowadays.
Even though I read the first two novels, I had a hard time keeping up with all of the characters in this one. There are a lot of them; good guys and bad guys. I’m still not sure I completely understand the complexity of the wrap-up other than it was about money but it’s still a page-turner I recommend to fans of Christian contemporary suspense.
My friend, Rebecca, sent me a paperback copy but I also received an electronic copy from the publisher through Netgalley. No review required. No compensation received.
Even though I read the first two novels, I had a hard time keeping up with all of the characters in this one. There are a lot of them; good guys and bad guys. I’m still not sure I completely understand the complexity of the wrap-up other than it was about money but it’s still a page-turner I recommend to fans of Christian contemporary suspense.
My friend, Rebecca, sent me a paperback copy but I also received an electronic copy from the publisher through Netgalley. No review required. No compensation received.
March 1, 2019
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Brady is a modern-day knight-in-shining-armor and I love that hardwired protective personality in a hero. His drive to rescue and shield makes him a successful detective/dive team member!
Emily is a numbers gal, cautious, and crazy smart. Her painful past has taught her to muscle through difficulties in order to accomplish what is necessary. Emily is the kind of character readers hope and cheer for!
The diving aspects of this story are completely fascinating but most of all, I am loving the St. John family dynamics! I highly recommend this entire series so far and encourage you to binge read them all!
I borrowed an ebook of this title through a paid subscription service. The opinions expressed are my own.
Brady is a modern-day knight-in-shining-armor and I love that hardwired protective personality in a hero. His drive to rescue and shield makes him a successful detective/dive team member!
Emily is a numbers gal, cautious, and crazy smart. Her painful past has taught her to muscle through difficulties in order to accomplish what is necessary. Emily is the kind of character readers hope and cheer for!
The diving aspects of this story are completely fascinating but most of all, I am loving the St. John family dynamics! I highly recommend this entire series so far and encourage you to binge read them all!
I borrowed an ebook of this title through a paid subscription service. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 1, 2021
WONDERFUL. The suspense... SO GOOD. So action-filled! From the start it just kicked me in with a banger and got me hooked right away. It never felt dragged, even though I spent a few days finishing this. Lynette Eason definitely writes really really well in this suspense genre. !!!!!!!!
January 15, 2019
Lynette Eason is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. When she says she has a book coming out, I’m already looking for the release date and anticipating getting the book in my hand. That was no different with Code of Valor.
From the opening scene, I was hooked. There was plenty of action in this novel, that kept me turning the pages and holding my breath. The romance was authentic and kept me enthralled as Emily and Brady tried to figure out if a relationship was worth the risk.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
**Full review at:
From the opening scene, I was hooked. There was plenty of action in this novel, that kept me turning the pages and holding my breath. The romance was authentic and kept me enthralled as Emily and Brady tried to figure out if a relationship was worth the risk.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
**Full review at:
April 29, 2020
I loved this book and loving this series. From the first page there was action, intrigue and nail biting suspense. I was constantly guessing what will happen next and was thrown with a lot of twists. The author also did a great job of confusing me numerous times on who is after Emily and the ending had a surprising reveal.
But apart from the suspense, Brady and Emily added to a great story with their relationship as well as hurts from the past. I was surprised with a certain reveal. Emily was not the perfect women - she struggled with her self image a lot and I enjoyed seeing a not so perfect heroine. Brady was the perfect hero. I just wanted a bit more detail on his past with Krystal than what we received. The family dynamics was fun to read.
I really enjoyed the scene with the Dive Investigation team from 's series . (I specifically read this series because I heard that the team makes an appearance in Brady's book.) And I loved the dive scene - was waiting a while for that suspense.
A solid 4.5 stars and will recommend this series to fans of romantic suspense.
But apart from the suspense, Brady and Emily added to a great story with their relationship as well as hurts from the past. I was surprised with a certain reveal. Emily was not the perfect women - she struggled with her self image a lot and I enjoyed seeing a not so perfect heroine. Brady was the perfect hero. I just wanted a bit more detail on his past with Krystal than what we received. The family dynamics was fun to read.
I really enjoyed the scene with the Dive Investigation team from 's series . (I specifically read this series because I heard that the team makes an appearance in Brady's book.) And I loved the dive scene - was waiting a while for that suspense.
A solid 4.5 stars and will recommend this series to fans of romantic suspense.
December 24, 2018
What a fabulous third installment in the Blue Justice series! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! From the first page I hated to stop reading. The suspense was phenomenal, and the story utterly enthralling, not that I expected anything less from a book by Lynette Eason! I love the St. John family, their dynamics and their banter always makes for many smiles and laughs, and Code of Valor was no exception! I was so excited to get Brady's story, he was such a fabulous hero and it was wonderful to watch his trust in God return throughout the course of the book! Emily was a wonderful heroine, I could relate so much to her insecurities and struggle to truly believe that she was made in God's image and that He loved her unconditionally no matter what size she wore, that message touched my heart so deeply that I plan to reread it many times in the future, and I adored the tender way Brady helped Emily to see how beautiful she was! The scuba diving aspect of the story was great, and so fabulously described that I felt like I was experiencing it vicariously while reading! Code of Valor is yet another Lynette Eason book that has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf! I would say each book in this series can stand alone, but I highly recommend you read them all, as you won't want to miss a moment of the total awesomeness that is the Blue Justice series! I can't wait for Linc's story!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
March 22, 2019
The "Blue Justice Series" from author Lynette Eason features the St. Johns--a large, close-knit family whose members serve in law enforcement. Book 3 in the series, "Code of Valor", is Brady St. John's story, and what a story it is! The second day of detective Brady St. John's much-needed vacation turns into a criminal investigation when he must rescue a beautiful woman from armed attackers. Renting a friend's cabin at Lake Henley for two weeks had seemed like a good idea, but the cries of a person in peril had quickly brought his lawman instincts to the forefront. Emily Chastain, a financial crimes investigator for a bank, has stirred up a dangerous hornet's nest with her findings. Eluding the determined assailants had not been easy, and Brady vows to keep Emily safe and bring the criminals to justice. With his formidable law-enforcement family to aid him in his quest, he stands a good chance of bringing down the bad guys--but can he protect his own wary heart from falling for Emily? A top-notch entry in a highly-recommended inspirational romantic suspense series from the talented Lynette Eason.
Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via Library Thing
Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via Library Thing
January 3, 2019
Code Of Valor is another superbly crafted novel by Lynette Eason. It opens with a bang and keeps up an intriguing and compelling pace through out the entire book. The mystery kept me guessing especially when it seemed the folks after Emily were on two different sides since one of the would be assasins were taken out by another bad guy! I really wasn’t sure how all the pieces fit and was excited to find out. And my “Dive Team Investigations� loving heart was THRILLED to see Gabe, Anissa, Ryan & Adam from Lynn Blackburn’s books make a cameo. That was awesome. This was an exciting read and I am eagerly waiting for Linc’s story this summer!! Can’t wait for it.
I received this book from the publisher and author. I was not required to post a positive review, all thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the publisher and author. I was not required to post a positive review, all thoughts are my own.
January 5, 2019
Plenty of action in the third book of the Blue Justice Series! The action begins in the initial pages and continues to the end. It was nice to catch up a little with the St. John siblings in this novel focused on Brady St. John. I loved the character tie-in with Lynn Blackburn's Beneath the Surface. What I enjoyed most about Code of Valor was Emily Chastain. She had a tough childhood and struggled with her weight among other things as a teenager. She is a wonderful example of how God can change behavior and outlook.
I look forward to reading the conclusion of the series which focuses on Lincoln St. John. My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to write a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
I look forward to reading the conclusion of the series which focuses on Lincoln St. John. My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to write a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
July 24, 2020
There are so many Eason books I enjoy, but this one wasn't quite as good. I LOVED this series, especially #2, but this one didn't give me quite the same reaction. Not to mention that the main character wasn't my favorite...
December 28, 2021
*4.5 stars*
Whew! That is now my absolute favorite Lynette Eason book (at least that I've read). Even though Ruthie is my favorite St. John sibling, her story doesn't even compare well to this one. Forgot any star ratings I've given other suspense books, this one is probably at the top (I've gotten more stingy with my ratings the more I read :D).
Pros:
1) The theme. Can I just rant about this (in a good way) for a minute? Thanks. Lynette Eason's previous books (at least the five books and two novellas I've read), while emotional and thrilling, don't seem to have a whole lot to them when it comes to theme. , my favorite Elite Guardians book, touches on a theme - but not like this one. And, the incredible thing is that, despite the fact that several characters are Christians, the theme isn't restricted to a "Christian" theme. And I'm fine with that. Actually, I'm happy with it. It's past time for Christian authors to realize that it's okay to write a story that tackles a tough, real-life topic - even if that tough topic doesn't come with a Sunday School Bible story. Emily struggles with body image, self-worth, big spoiler: , and - in the past - minor spoiler: . Here, an altar scene at church on a Sunday morning isn't what Emily needs. The St. John family - particularly Brady, ahem - is what she needs. Mary Beth's "You don't know how beautiful you are, do you?" (maybe not verbatim, but close) is what she needs (BTW, Mary Beth might be one of the sweetest characters in my fictional world). Knowing that God loves her anyway is what she needs, yes, but oftentimes God helps us out by putting people in our path. Knowing that God loves me, no matter what I see in the mirror, doesn't take away my doubts about myself. Lynette Eason realized that, and I'm so glad that she didn't write a cliched theme.
2) Emily. Most of what's above is about her but, let me say, she was such a great character. I actually like her better than Ruthie (and I really like Ruthie :D). She wasn't a supermodel-pretty character that I had to struggle to relate to. She wasn't, as she told Brady, a size 2 blonde. She was a real person with real issues.
3) The suspense. This is pretty much a given with any Lynette Eason book. I'm not going to go into detail, but it was really good. Emily's exclamation of "I'm tired of getting shot at!" came before the book was even halfway over (I think), if that gives you any idea :D
4) The St. John family. I just love 'em. Especially Ruthie (why do I like Ruthie so much???).
5) Witty banter. Brady and his siblings are really interesting to listen in on. I still love it when Ruthie - a grown woman - threatened to call their mom if Brady - a grown man - wouldn't let her take care of his bad knee. And then the conversations between Brady, Linc, and Derek. Is every guy in that family crazy protective? :D
6) Villians. The bad guy side of things was so convoluted that it reminds me of the old TV show Mission Impossible. And, actually, I really liked the craziness! Not to mention that - big spoiler - .
Pro and Con:
1) Brady. This is somewhere between a pro and a con. At first, he seemed like an over-protective tough guy and a little bit of a jerk. But I grew to like him, especially once he got a little more character behind him. He had a soft side, and he was so nice to Emily when she told him her past that I can't really help but love him. I feel like he would have been better if I could have seen his motivations and flaws more, but he was still a nice character. I think part of it is that Lynette Eason finds girls easier to write about than guys when it comes to characterization. I feel like the character arc was mostly on Emily's side. But Brady might be my favorite St. John brother (I haven't read Linc's story yet, but, so far, I like Brady better).
Cons:
1) The writing style. Sometimes it just felt clunky, especially with the dialogue (like when they were around other police officers). However, it seemed to get better as the book went on.
Content: There are a bunch of things that could through up red flags here, especially for young readers. No cussing that is written out. Violence? Yeah. Dead bodies without too much detail, but enough for me to know I do not want to see this in a movie. There were a bunch of murders...maybe 7? Plus 3 bad guys killed by the police. Nothing is very gory, though (the worst are the dead bodies underwater - I'm quite sure that isn't a pretty sight). So, it's more violence than graphic descriptions. As far as romance goes, the main romance is squeaky clean. I think only one kiss is even described, and that isn't much at all. I didn't mind them much, and that's saying something. This romance was crucial to Emily's character arc, and it was also really sweet (while trying to avoid being killed by bad guys, I mean). However, Emily's past is where things get inappropriate for young readers. Let's just say that Emily messed up when she was younger, and she and Brady have a rather blunt conversation about it. Trust me, you might feel like going and punching a certain person (not Brady or Emily, but someone else) right in the nose by the time you finish. Here's a better, less vague description, but with a spoiler: . Overall, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone too young because of the violence and Emily's past.
Whew! That is now my absolute favorite Lynette Eason book (at least that I've read). Even though Ruthie is my favorite St. John sibling, her story doesn't even compare well to this one. Forgot any star ratings I've given other suspense books, this one is probably at the top (I've gotten more stingy with my ratings the more I read :D).
Pros:
1) The theme. Can I just rant about this (in a good way) for a minute? Thanks. Lynette Eason's previous books (at least the five books and two novellas I've read), while emotional and thrilling, don't seem to have a whole lot to them when it comes to theme. , my favorite Elite Guardians book, touches on a theme - but not like this one. And, the incredible thing is that, despite the fact that several characters are Christians, the theme isn't restricted to a "Christian" theme. And I'm fine with that. Actually, I'm happy with it. It's past time for Christian authors to realize that it's okay to write a story that tackles a tough, real-life topic - even if that tough topic doesn't come with a Sunday School Bible story. Emily struggles with body image, self-worth, big spoiler: , and - in the past - minor spoiler: . Here, an altar scene at church on a Sunday morning isn't what Emily needs. The St. John family - particularly Brady, ahem - is what she needs. Mary Beth's "You don't know how beautiful you are, do you?" (maybe not verbatim, but close) is what she needs (BTW, Mary Beth might be one of the sweetest characters in my fictional world). Knowing that God loves her anyway is what she needs, yes, but oftentimes God helps us out by putting people in our path. Knowing that God loves me, no matter what I see in the mirror, doesn't take away my doubts about myself. Lynette Eason realized that, and I'm so glad that she didn't write a cliched theme.
2) Emily. Most of what's above is about her but, let me say, she was such a great character. I actually like her better than Ruthie (and I really like Ruthie :D). She wasn't a supermodel-pretty character that I had to struggle to relate to. She wasn't, as she told Brady, a size 2 blonde. She was a real person with real issues.
3) The suspense. This is pretty much a given with any Lynette Eason book. I'm not going to go into detail, but it was really good. Emily's exclamation of "I'm tired of getting shot at!" came before the book was even halfway over (I think), if that gives you any idea :D
4) The St. John family. I just love 'em. Especially Ruthie (why do I like Ruthie so much???).
5) Witty banter. Brady and his siblings are really interesting to listen in on. I still love it when Ruthie - a grown woman - threatened to call their mom if Brady - a grown man - wouldn't let her take care of his bad knee. And then the conversations between Brady, Linc, and Derek. Is every guy in that family crazy protective? :D
6) Villians. The bad guy side of things was so convoluted that it reminds me of the old TV show Mission Impossible. And, actually, I really liked the craziness! Not to mention that - big spoiler - .
Pro and Con:
1) Brady. This is somewhere between a pro and a con. At first, he seemed like an over-protective tough guy and a little bit of a jerk. But I grew to like him, especially once he got a little more character behind him. He had a soft side, and he was so nice to Emily when she told him her past that I can't really help but love him. I feel like he would have been better if I could have seen his motivations and flaws more, but he was still a nice character. I think part of it is that Lynette Eason finds girls easier to write about than guys when it comes to characterization. I feel like the character arc was mostly on Emily's side. But Brady might be my favorite St. John brother (I haven't read Linc's story yet, but, so far, I like Brady better).
Cons:
1) The writing style. Sometimes it just felt clunky, especially with the dialogue (like when they were around other police officers). However, it seemed to get better as the book went on.
Content: There are a bunch of things that could through up red flags here, especially for young readers. No cussing that is written out. Violence? Yeah. Dead bodies without too much detail, but enough for me to know I do not want to see this in a movie. There were a bunch of murders...maybe 7? Plus 3 bad guys killed by the police. Nothing is very gory, though (the worst are the dead bodies underwater - I'm quite sure that isn't a pretty sight). So, it's more violence than graphic descriptions. As far as romance goes, the main romance is squeaky clean. I think only one kiss is even described, and that isn't much at all. I didn't mind them much, and that's saying something. This romance was crucial to Emily's character arc, and it was also really sweet (while trying to avoid being killed by bad guys, I mean). However, Emily's past is where things get inappropriate for young readers. Let's just say that Emily messed up when she was younger, and she and Brady have a rather blunt conversation about it. Trust me, you might feel like going and punching a certain person (not Brady or Emily, but someone else) right in the nose by the time you finish. Here's a better, less vague description, but with a spoiler: . Overall, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone too young because of the violence and Emily's past.
August 31, 2024
I really loved Emily as a protagonist! She was smart, but what I really loved was how poorly she dealt with everything going on. It made her seem very real.
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