Still Life by Dani Pettrey

I am a huge fan of Dani Pettrey and after reading Cold Shot, the first book in her "Chesapeake Valor" series (read my review here), I could hardly wait to  read the second book, Still Life. It was just as good as the first book.

From the Back

SOMEONE IS OUT THERE. WATCHING HER. WAITING.

Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime-scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime-scene analyst Parker MItchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.
     Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit for which her friend modeled. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead-and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found, and so Avery immediately calls Parker for help.
     As Avery, Parker, and their friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

My Thoughts:

The more books I read by Dani Pettrey, the more I fall in love with her writing and her characters. I love how, in each book, she introduces the majority of her characters, that will populate her series. While Still Life is Avery and Parker's story, we get a glimpse at the couple that will be front and center in her next book as well as hints to another possible book in the series. I have read books by other authors that try do this but to be perfectly honest, I believe Ms. Pettrey has a gift of weaving her characters into each book and she has excelled at it.

Still Life is fast paced and will keep you guessing right until the end but don't let your guard down as just when you think you know what is going on, there might be a twist or turn taking you in another direction. I found myself rooting for Avery and Parker all the way.

I would highly recommend Still Life to anyone who loves a good clean suspense novel.

On a 5-Star Scale - a HUGE 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for my copy of Still Life. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

What does the Gettysburg Cemetery, a forensic anthropologist and a park ranger have in common? That's simple, Dani Pettrey's newest novel Cold Shot. This novel is the first in Ms. Pettrey's newest series, Chesapeake Valor and if the first book is any indication, the rest of the series will present more wonderful books from this author.

Blurb from the back of the book:

Four Best Friends. And Then One Went Missing...

In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department. Declan Grey would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad wen he was a SWAT team sniper, he's living a quiet life as a park range in Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top--and they aren't Civil War-era.

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist, Finley Scott, discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if e --and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.

* * * * *

My Thoughts:

While Cold Shot is Griffin and Finley's story, I love the way Ms. Pettrey introduces all the main characters that will soon populate the other books in the series. Some authors wait to fully flesh out other characters until "their" book but Ms. Pettrey gives us a wonderful introduction to her characters which only makes the reader want to read the next book all the more.

There is a sub-plot that begins in this book and I have a feeling it may carry out through the rest of the books, or who knows, it may be resolved by the end of Book 2. That sub-plot is what happened to Luke Gallagher?

Cold Shot is another wonderful and entertaining book from Dani Pettrey. The mystery surrounding the story kept me reading and guessing long into the night. Packed with some twists and turns I guarantee you will be taken on a wonderful journey within the pages of this book.

I fell in love with Griffin and Finley's characters and look to keep tabs on them in the coming books. They were well created and you almost feel that the characters are living and breathing and not just a creation in the author's mind. If you would like to get to know these characters a little more please visit the authors page here and you will be able to see the dossiers created for Griffin & Finley, as well as going on a virtual tour of the Chesapeake area where the story takes place.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this first book in the Chesapeake Valor series, especially if you love a good suspense novel.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Huge Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my e-copy of Cold Shot. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,