Some days I need this reminder. But He is faithful and true.
Since I’m plotting a Love Inspired Suspense book, I’ve been reading a few, and this week I read Sherri Shackleford’s Stolen Secrets. Whew! This is a page-turner! And I loved the characters, but more on that later. Here’s the back cover copy:
Someone has been impersonating software engineer Lucy Sutton to steal classified technology secrets, and it’s up to her to figure out who.
National Security Agency employee Jordan Harris is the only person she trusts to help her set a trap. But with an unknown enemy watching Lucy’s every move and threatening her life, capturing the culprit becomes an even deadlier task than they expected.
My take:
The story literally starts out with a bang! in the first chapter when Lucy Sutton meets with Jordan Harris with her suspicions that someone was impersonating her at work, and someone shoots up the cafe where they meet. From that point on, the story is full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
I loved the way the romance developed–Lucy’s fiance (and Jordon’s partner) had died a year earlier when one of NSA’s covert operations went south. Jordan fought his developing attraction to Lucy because he felt it was a betrayal of his partner–he’d promised to look after her, not fall in love with her. Lucy was just emerging from her grief and didn’t think she was ready for love again. Sherri Shackleford did a great job of working that out!
If you enjoy suspense and intrigue with a bit of romance, I believe you will really enjoy Stolen Secrets!
Right now it’s on sale for $2.99 at Amazon! (I don’t know why Amazon has a line through it, but I can’t get it off! There’s nothing wrong with the link.)
Love Inspired Suspense books are smaller than my regular trade-sized books, so leave a comment telling me how you fee about shorter books, and I’ll enter you in this month’s drawing for a book from my library, and since I just received my newest book, Standoff, Natchez Park Ranger Book 1, that will be one of the books you can choose. 🙂
The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers.
John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save?
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Comments 46
I really enjoy the length of the Love Inspired line. I can easily finish it in a few hours, so even when I am very busy, I can carve out a little time to read :).
I loved Standoff and am looking forward to book 2 in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series!!
Author
I do, too, Betti! LIS will be quicker to write, too! lol. Maybe I can even go back to writing 2 books a year. And I’m so glad you enjoyed Standoff! Thanks for dropping by.
Sometimes I feel like reading a book I can get through quickly and other times I feel like reading a book that is longer and I can read a little each day. Sometimes it’s just a time thing.
Author
I agree, Nicole. And LIS is perfect for that. Thanks for stopping by.
I typically do enjoy a longer novel but they come in quite hand when you’re distracted or really busy. When we first went into shutdown, I really couldn’t seem to focus well enough to read. Those shorter novels are very helpful in that situation.
Author
I know exactly what you mean, Perrianne! Thanks for stopping by.
I don’t really care about the length of a book as long as it keeps my interest and the plot moves along well. I read all lengths.
Author
This one will definitely keep your attention, Linda! I stayed up to 1 a.m. to finish it. lol Thanks for dropping by.
It’s GOT to be a good book if you didn’t see the twists & turns coming. You’re a master at anticipating!
Author
Thanks, Delores! It’s a really good book and gave me ideas on how to fashion my twists and turns. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Pat, you are my goto lady for introducing me to new authors! I just bought “Stolen Secrets” for my Nook. I love this kind of story.
Regarding the length, I can go either way, and it depends on how well the author can fit the necessary elements into the space. I’ve read books by authors I like who’ve had trouble holding my interest in the longer format. I’ve also had authors who’ve kept me wishing the shorter format was another 100 pages or so. The only format I’m not crazy about is the ~100 pagers. It’s just too short to pack in enough detail to suit me.
Thanks again for your Scripture picks. They make my day.
Author
I’m glad you enjoyed the meme! Those are some of my favorite verses. I’m really enjoying the LIS books. They are so well written and pack so much in a smaller book, Tim. Thanks for dropping by!
Just finished “Stolen Secrets”. Pat, thank you for recommending this book, and introducing me to an author I hadn’t read yet. It was a great book!
Author
Great, Tim! I think Sherri Shackleford is a great writer. I’m reading lots of LIS books to get a feel for their stories. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for your kind review!!
Author
I loved your book! Would like to interview you on the Suspense Sisters sometimes! I’ll email you!
I enjoy both long and short books. I think my only complaint on shorter books is that sometimes they don’t have as much depth, due to the length, as other books. But usually they are good and I forget they are shorter in length.
Author
It seems the authors at LIS are doing better about adding depth to their books, Megan. Sometimes I miss the subplots the bigger books have, too. Thanks for stopping by!
The book sounds interesting. Yours does as well. I read full-length books, shorter Love Inspired, and some novellas. I prefer the longer formats over the novellas.
Author
An interesting thing about the novellas, Edward–they take almost as much time to develop as the longer books! Of course, once the story is developed in my head, it doesn’t take as long to write. 🙂 So glad you stopped by!
I read the Love Inspired Suspense novels when I go to appointments, like the doctor. Anytime I have to wait, I like to have something to read. They are also more easily tucked into my purse which makes them more portable. I don’t mind the length of the novel as long as it is well written and interesting. I have pre-ordered “Standoff”. It sounds like another good one.
Author
Oh, thank you, Sue! I hope you enjoy Standoff! And the LIS books are easier to carry around. Good to ‘see’ you!
I usually like my books to be around 300 pages long. But LIS are nice for a quicker read. I have read Stolen Secrets and agree it is one of the best LIS I have read. Looking forward to yours, Pat.
Author
Thanks, Paula. I had a setback today on the story! I had it all planned out in my head how I’d open, and then one phone call to the United States Equestrian Federation, and I learned that I had to find a different way to take someone out of the picture. 🙂 So glad you stopped by!
I generally like longer books but shorter books are good at times especially after reading a longer book. Cozy mysteries are shorter and I read quite a few of those.
Author
I like cozy mysteries, too, Gloria. And sometimes I just can’t think about reading a longer book! Good to ‘see’ you today.
I enjoy shorter stories when I don’t have much time, but I prefer a longer book. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Author
Thank you, Lucy! I like the shorter books, especially when I’m short on time. Good to see you, today!
Sometimes I like the shorter ones, sometimes the longer. But I’m really anxious to read the Natchez Trace books! It’s a beautiful area.
Author
Oh, Valita, it is such a beautiful area. I had planned to make a trip there again this spring, but not it’s on hold. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
I don’t mind smaller books if the book looks interesting. Your new book sounds really good !
Author
Thank you, Erika! I really enjoyed writing it and I hope everyone likes it!
depends on my time for reading whether I chose a long book or short book
Author
That pretty well sums up me, too, Shelia! Good to ‘see’ you here today!
Hey Pat! I like shorter books. Enjoy your weekend.
Author
Hi Caryl! I hope you enjoy your weekend, too! I got out in the yard for a while this afternoon, pulling weeds.
The older I get the more I sometimes tend to lose focus more easily. The shorter books and novellas come in handy for those days.
Author
Oh, goodness, yes, Joni! Plus I have ADHD…do glad you stopped by!
I like both! Sometimes I’m busier!
Author
I totally understand, Joan! Sometimes I want a quick read, especially when I have a lot on my plate.
It doesn’t matter the length for me. A good book is a good book. Thanks.
Author
Absolutely, Lisa! And LIS has some really good books! Thanks for stopping by.
I read Sherri’s book recently and loved it!! A definite must-keep-turning-pages kind of suspense book I enjoy. 🙂
I guess for me, length of book doesn’t bother me in the least. As long as it’s well-written and keeps my attention, then I’m all for it! Love Inspired books have always been my go-to stories, I know I will always get lost in the pages.
Author
This one pulls you in very quickly, Trixi! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
I almost always wish books were longer, no matter how long they are, so if it’s written well, I don’t mind the shorter LIS books. This books sound fascinating!!
Author
This book is absolutely fascinating, Monique! I think you would enjoy it. Thanks for dropping in and commenting.