"Shattered" by Dani Pettrey

Shattered (Feb. 1, 2013) by Dani Pettrey.*

The prodigal brother has returned only to be arrested for the murder of a competition skier. Reef McKenna’s sister, Piper, is sure of his innocence, but as charges aren’t dropped based on gut instinct, proof of his innocence must be found. Unfortunately, the evidence appears stacked against Reef. While no one actually witnessed the murder itself, a couple witnesses claimed they walked in on Reef holding the murder weapon. The sheriff thinks it’s an open-and-shut case and is therefore pushing for a swift conviction. Even Deputy Landon Grainger, who thinks of the McKennas as family, appears doubtful of Reef’s innocence. What isn’t in doubt; however, are his feelings for Piper, though he has trouble displaying them. To Landon, nothing is more important than Piper and keeping her safe. But Piper opens her own investigation and discovers information that puts her – and the lives of those around her – in great danger. Landon, of course, will jump in to serve and protect those he loves.

            Dani Pettrey’s Christian fiction, romantic suspense novel is a page-turner. Although I haven’t read the first book and had to catch up on the main characters, their relatives and friends, I enjoyed the novel. Pettrey writes in a smart fashion: her characters are people we want to befriend in real life, the romance isn’t too mushy-gushy, and the faith of multiple characters is agreeably evident, but not overwhelmingly so. Pettrey creates a story landscape that is far from stark, and I would visit it again.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”