Review of Present Danger–I can’t believe what I did last Friday! When was trying to get Deception finished, I gave the first line of Present Danger and said I’d be back when I got the book turned in…well, I missed it by a week! So here it is!
But first, the photo and scripture. We had a BIG thunderstorm and after it cleared, this beautiful cloud appeared in the sky. At any rate, I’d read the 4th chapter of Leviticus recently and remembered this verse. God was telling the Israelites what He would do for them if they obeyed Him. It went on to say what He would do if they didn’t obey Him. While God wants obedience from us, I’m so thankful we aren’t under the Law, but instead, have a Savior who intercedes for us.
Now onto Elizabeth Goddard’s Present Danger! Here’s the cover and back copy:
Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He’s committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.
When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn–one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he’s failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.
Join bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard as she plunges you into a web of deceit made of hidden crimes, open threats, and long-buried family secrets in this gripping first book of an explosive new series.
And here’s the opening sentence:
Chance Carter should have known this last delivery wouldn’t go down without a hitch.
My Take:
I loved this twisty, (is that even a word?) romantic suspense, and Goddard kept me wondering who the main villain was until the end. There were enough twists and turns to keep suspense readers glued to the page and enough romance for me.
This book was a lot about the past and secrets. Jack Tanner lived his whole life in the shadow of the bad deeds he and the world thought his dad had done. He left Terra without so much as a personal goodbye and went off to be an FBI agent. It’s now many years later and he’s left the FBI, making Terra wonder if it’d been her all along and not his career.
Terra, on the other hand, was trying to live up to the heroism of her mother who died trying to save a downed pilot in a snowstorm. She feared she would never live up to her mother’s legacy. And she is very angry with Jack for abandoning her–a pattern in her life.
The story is also about stolen Native American artifacts. This is a fascinating subject to me since I’ve always wanted to be an archeologist. I had no idea there was such a demand for Native American artifacts or that they brought so much money. Goddard kept me guessing just who the big man was behind the thefts and the murders.
I enjoyed watching Jack and Terra work through their problems (you knew they would). I also liked the outcome with Jack’s Aunt Nadine who has dementia. She was an endearing character. This is a book I think romantic suspense and suspense readers will enjoy!
Present Danger is book 1 in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. Each book is a stand-alone. You can find buy links here.
This book was so much about secrets and the effect it has on lives. There’s one line in the book that really made me stop and think: “The direction your life takes can often come down to one decision, one moment in time.”
Leave a comment telling me how you feel about that sentence (or a comment about anything) and I’ll enter you in a July drawing for a book from my library.
Elizabeth Goddard's Present Danger--What I'm Reading is my post for today. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing from my library! Click To Tweet
Comments 34
I like the sentence. Present Danger is a great read.
As always, your scripture and photo are perfect together.
Author
I do too, Terri. I’ve been thinking on it ever since if first read it. Thanks for stopping by.
I tell my kids and grandkids decisions dictate destiny so think about it. Perfect scripture for me this morning as we have needed rain desperately as wells are going dry, gardens are dying, etc. We didn’t get much last night but at this point anything is a blessing.
Author
Will be praying for rain in your area, Lucy! I used to tell the kids in my abstinence class the same thing. So glad you stopped by.
I do like the sentence and believe the direction of our lives often come down to a decision in a particular moment of time. However, I also believe God allows U-turns, so we’re not stuck with the direction we chose. Present Danger sounds good!
Author
And I’m so thankful for those U-turns, Priscilla! I think you’d enjoy Present Danger! Good to see you here, as always!
Love Elizabeth Goddard’s books. Interesting you wanted to be an archeologist! I did too. Maybe that is why we ended up digging into words.
Author
Sally Jo, I bet there are more than one or two writers out there who wanted to be archeologists! Thanks for stopping in!
Great photo with matching verse, Pat. The rains we get are good reminders of God’s grace.
“Present Danger” is one of the best I’ve read from Ms Goddard, and she’s written so many great ones!
Regarding life changing decisions, that statement at first seems trivially true. Don’t all major changes to our life’s direction usually come down to one choice we make, assuming we are allowed a decision? E.g., the decision of whom to marry, where to move, job to take, etc. But I think the intent is that sometimes we don’t have time to deliberate over a choice. We may be forced to make a quick decision, perhaps even one we don’t think will change the major direction of our life, and realize later what an impact that decision has made.
Author
Such wisdom, Tim! I’ve made more than one decision hastily and lived to regret it, then again, I’ve made others that turned out well. Thank goodness, God was watching over me in both cases. 🙂 I agree about Present Danger, too! Have a good weekend!
I love Elizabeth Goddard’s books! I believe that sentence is true. Every decision we make is important and we need God’s leading.
Author
Absolutely, Joan! And I’m so thankful He allows us U-turns like Priscilla said. Thanks for stopping by.
Present Danger is a great read. Decisions can make a huge impact on our lives, some more than others, for good or bad. Thankfully, God has a way of pulling us back to His path from time to time if we meander.
Author
Not only that, Gloria, but He forgives when we stray too far as long as we make that u-turn!
I wanted to be an archeologist too for quite a few years. It was more influenced by watching Ray Van der Laan videos than Indiana Jones…I loved learning about the ruins, places, and history surrounding the Scriptures!
Funny thing, when I was 19 I decided to play an arcade game, which triggered a series of events over the next 6 years, ultimately resulting in me meeting my husband. True story. 😀
Author
I’d love to hear that true story, Elizabeth! Sounds very interesting. Indiana Jones was to late to influence me…don’t know why I wanted to be an archeologist…maybe one of Agatha Christie’s books. 🙂 So glad you stopped in.
In a nutshell, my younger brother needed a ride to the arcade, where he and a couple friends wanted to check out the new DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) machine. I wasn’t into video games myself, but I’m a musician who loves moving my feet so the game appealed to me. I watched for a while, tried it, got hooked. I played regularly and became friends with the other regulars, one of whom told me about LiveJournal. As someone who already kept a paper journal, the concept of an online journal appealed to me, so I joined.
A couple years later another friend on LJ referenced a new website/ forum for homeschool graduates, and since I was one I checked it out, liked it, joined. On the website, the writing of a particular user caught my eye, and I watched for weeks, waiting for a good opportunity to say something to him. A couple months later we were corresponding regularly, married within a year.
I wrote out a more detailed recounting of our meeting some time ago, which is available here if interested : https://creativewending.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/level-one-once-upon-a-time-we-met-online/
Author
Elizabeth, what a wonderful story! I followed the link and read all four posts! Amazing, and so happy you found the perfect man for you! Thanks for sharing!!
Very true statement. Sometimes a wrong decision can haunt you for the rest of your life.
Author
Absolutely, Lynn. For those times, I’m so thankful not only God forgave me, but those I hurt as well! Thanks so much for your comment.
I love the picture and verse. I really enjoy all the many variations of clouds and the way the sun or moon are reflected there.
I am reading Present Danger now. I think I read that line last night. I believe there is a lot of truth in it. I wouldn’t say it applies to everyone but it reminds me of the way people often slip one toe over the line to see what happens. What happens is that they get away with it and next time, they take it a little further. Soon they are in over their heads, all because they got away with a very small infraction.
Author
That is so true, Edward. I think we try to see how close we can get to the fire without getting burned. Thanks so much for stopping by–always good to ‘see’ you.
I think that sentence holds true more often then we realize, but I also believe the direction of our lives is made up of all the little decisions we make each day that we maybe don’t even think about consciously.
Author
So agree, Megan! Glad you stopped by!
We must think twice before we do anything too drastic, we must think before we act . Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Author
So true, Alicia! If only we would always do that. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love that quote! Book sounds great!
Author
I love the quote, too, Shelia! Good to ‘see’ you!
My Kindle is up and running so I’m making progress in reading this now 🙂
Author
Great!! Good to ‘see’ you, Delores!
Happy Friday!
Elizabeth Goddard’s series sounds like a page turner!
Author
It is, Caryl! I think you’d really enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by.
That’s a line to ponder for sure Patricia! Yes, our decisions can lead us in a right way or the wrong way & sometimes we don’t know which way is right or wrong. This is why I seek God’s wisdom in all things….especially when I don’t know which way to go. Because I know if I take a wrong turn when God says not to go that way, I’ll end up in a bad situation or whatnot. And like someone said here, God does allow U-turns if we realize that we’ve made a mistake, ask His forgiveness, repent & allow Him to lead us out of the trouble we’ve caused ourselves.
I don’t know if what all I said even makes sense! It does in my head, but when I go to type it out I often wonder if it comes across the way I intend it to 🙂 Suffice it to say that I agree and disagree to a point with that line. I guess it depends on the circumstance that the decision has to be made in.
Author
Hi Trixi. As for your last paragraph, now you know how this writer feels sometimes trying to tell a story. 🙂 I so agree about talking to God about our decisions. Thanks for dropping by and joining the conversation!