There are places in Israel where it is green, places the Israelis have irrigated and beautiful olive and date trees grow, but whenever I read the 63rd Psalm, I think of this photo. It especially fits the book review of Laynie Portland, Retired Spy by Vikki Kestall. The heroine, Laynie, is in a dry and parched land spiritually. She is not a Christian at the beginning, and this book is her journey. American Christian Fiction Bookclub read this book last month and I’m so glad it was chosen!
Here’s the backcover copy:
“Retirement” means something altogether different to a spy. It means someone in authority over you has decided that “coming in from the cold” is out of the question. It means you’d better run.
Laynie Portland has masqueraded as Swedish citizen Linnéa Olander for more than two decades, the last seven years as companion to Vassili Aleksandrovich Petroff, senior technology advisor to the Secretary of the Russian Federation’s Security Council.
Life as Petroff’s mistress is lonely and difficult, even brutal, for Petroff has a pathological need to master what is “his.” But the woman Petroff knows as “Linnéa” is not the compliant, deferential woman he believes her to be. She is Laynie Portland—spy extraordinaire—and Laynie has stolen a wealth of secrets from Petroff and fed the treasure to her Marstead agency handlers.
As Petroff’s abuse intensifies, Laynie fears for her life, and she petitions her agency to pull her out. Instead, her agency declares that she is too well-placed to decommission. Laynie is dismayed to learn that her Marstead chain of command would rather risk her death under Petroff’s hand than lose the valuable intel she provides.
Out of options and faced with no viable alternative, Laynie runs.
Enraged by her betrayal, Petroff vows to capture and punish her, a certain death sentence. And when Laynie disobeys orders, Marstead issues her a “retirement package”—a short walk off the deck of a ferry into the icy black rollers of the Baltic Sea.
Pursued by Russian assassins and hunted by her own agency, Laynie scrambles, fights, and claws her way toward freedom—although she knows that it is only a matter of time before her pursuers overtake her. Desperate and despairing, Laynie is stunned to sense a higher presence at work, acting on her behalf. Could it be the God in whom her sister, Kari, trusts?
No. Why would he help me, Laynie asks herself, given the life I have lived?
My Take:
This was a book I absolutely could not put down. I always wanted to be a spy when I was a kid, but after reading Laynie Portland, Retired Spy, I’m not so sure. It would be very difficult. But Laynie was very good at it. I loved watching her journey to God. He orchestrated the situations so she would slowly come to know Him.
I’ll let you in on a little secret…I wanted to be Laynie! She was so cool and calm and SMART! But eventually, all of that she depended on, failed her. That’s what was so neat about this book. It showed how God often works. It’s a book well worth the read!
There are two more books in the series by Vikki Kestall that I’ve already bought and can’t wait to read, and there’s another series that gives Laynie’s background – A Prairie Heritage, that’s free. You can get it here:
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book in my library! Do you prefer to read about characters who already know Christ or those on a journey to Him?
June’s winner is…Lynn Brown!
One more thing…I’m part of a group of romantic suspense authors and we’ve created a Facebook group where we can interact with our readers. It’s called the BOLO Squad – Be On the LookOut for our books! Here’s the link to join: BOLO Squad We’d love to have you!
Inspirational readers, do you prefer to read about characters who already know Christ or those on a journey to Him? Check out Laynie Portland, Retired Spy by Vikki Kestal @FaithFilledFic for a great read! www.ptrbadley.com/blog Share on X
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Comments 41
I just downloaded the free book; she’s a new-to-me author but I love spy books! Thanks for the recommendation.
Author
I think you’ll love it, Mindy! There is also a prequel to this one: Laynie Portland, Spy Rising.
I haven’t heard of this author. It sounds like a really interesting book. I downloaded the free book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Diana, Vikki is a great author. Very fast-paced and suspenseful books!
Love the scripture! This is a new author to me. Happy Independence Day!
Author
Glad you like the meme, Lucy! I kept thinking of that verse when I was in Israel…Happy Independence Day to you too!
I really don’t have a preference, but this sounds like a good book that I will have to put on my TBR list.
Author
I think you’ll like it, Mary. Try the other books first and you’ll see…
Hmm, I’m not sure. I love both! I haven’t heard of this author either, and this is definitely going into my TBR, along with the other books in the series!
Author
I think you’d like this book. She has a prequel, Laynie Portland, Spy Rising that’s free as well.
Laynie was a great character. I like spy things , too. She reminded me of a female Jason Bourne, running from many groups.
I don’t mind if a person is mot a Christian and you can see their journey. It could give hope to the reader.
I joined BOLO! It is awesome! Party was fun, too. But I kept getting PAGE NOT FOUND.
Author
Thank you, Paula for coming last night! It was a great party and I hate you kept getting PAGE NOT FOUND and also some of our party-goers got put in FB jail or timeout! Evidently you can’t post your comments too close together!
Having been raised a Christian, it’s hard to imagine a life without Christ. But, I’ve known many people whom I’ve called my friends who have made that journey, so I can appreciate the journey through them. I like stories about both life experiences.
Author
I’m really enjoying Laynie’s journey, Tim. I have the other two books downloaded but haven’t gotten to them yet. Maybe this weekend!
I reallydon’t have a preference. This book sounds very exciting. This is a new to me author I’ll have to check out.
Author
I think you’ll enjoy Vikki’s books, Nicole!
Beautiful intro. If you weren’t already a writer, I’d urge you to become one. And it is a fabulous book. I’m happy to now enjoy Vikki Kestell’s books!
Author
Aww, Delores, thank you! It is a fabulous book!
I enjoy both. A primary “requirement” for me to enjoy a book is that the language is clean and no explicit sex. Filthy language and explicit sex are two of the most difficult things to get out of my mind if they enter. So my policy is try with the help of the Holy Spirit to keep the “no admittance” signs firmly in place.
Author
This meets both requirements, Edward! I’m like you and do not like to read either. If I review a book that might have one or the other, I always let my readers know it’s not for them.
I’m with you, Edward. I stay away from that kind of writing, too. Sometimes, it’s unexpected, and you’re right: the Holy Spirit is needed to resist.
Author
Tim, absolutely! I figured out a long time ago, I didn’t need any of that in my head. I’ve quit watching more than a few TV shows after they started drifting in that direction. Now I rarely watch anything but Jeopardy!
I just joined the squad. Thanks for posting about it. Btw I love your books. I am reading or rereading your Logan Point series now. This book you reviewed sounds awesome. I like seeing the main characters journey to discovering God in their lives.
Really don’t have a preference. This is a new author to me . Book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win!
Author
Faith, I really believe you’ll like this book!
This sounds like a great series and I will check it out. I enjoy both books where a person discovers God and those who already know Him.
Author
Gloria, I think you’ll really enjoy this book! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for finding, and then sharing, interesting authors & books w/ your readers!
Author
Thank you, MS Barb! I love reading and when I find a book I like, I want others to know about it! I was a reader long before I was a writer. Thanks for stopping by!
I like either/or in a story. I do like watching characters who come to Christ in a book, seeing how God redeemed them is a lot of fun. I also love characters who are already following Christ because I can read about thier journey to honor Him in all that they do or say. I think it’s a unique prespective either way.
As for a spy, I’ve never wanted to be one…lol! A fly on the wall at times, yes, a spy, not so much. I think there is a level of danger I wouldn’t want in my life to be one. You definitly don’t want a family becuase what if the bad guys find out who you are and threaten those you love? I think I’ll leave the spy business to those characters in a book, lol! 🙂
Author
Trixi, that’s exactly what happened to Laynie! She was so afraid they’d find out about her family…thanks for stopping by!
getting to know him I guess. that way it can show how their life was before and how it’s been changed. thanks for the chance
Author
I like that as well, Lynn! Thanks for stopping by!
It sounds like a great read, thank you for sharing about it. I like to read books about characters or are journeying to know Christ.
Author
It is a great read, Alicia! Vikki is a really good writer!
I enjoy reading stories about those on a journey to Him. It’s more realistic.
Happy Weekend!
Author
I think it’s more realistic, too, Caryl. So glad you stopped by!
I love books where they know Christ! I also joined the BOLO Squad
Author
Hey, Shelia! So glad you joined the Squad! This is going to be fun.
I like both. I’ll have to check this author out. Very intriguing.
Author
You will like her, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by and Happy 4th!