🚨🏔️🎿 "Don't Keep Silent" (Uncommon Justice #3) 🎿🏔️🚨 (2020) - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

Series: Uncommon Justice (Book #3)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (June 30, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800729862

ISBN-13: 978-0800729868

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“Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he just doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her. As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other.”

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell, as well as Elizabeth Goddard for sending me a complimentary review copy as part of her launch team. Interestingly I had also requested a copy through Interviews & Reviews, that extra book will be going to my mother for her birthday at the end of the month. She is in for a treat. 

I have to admit, I LOVED the goodies that came with this book! Everything I love! Notepads, bookmarks. I gave my mom one, I kept three as I don't have ones for the other two books, and the PEN!! Yes, authors I love pens! I collect them, so I am forever appreciative when I get them!

Elizabeth Goddard is certainly no newbie at this romantic suspense genre. She’s serious, intense, and doesn’t hold back on the action – at least in this thrilling, exciting, and engaging story. This is the first one I’ve read by her; and in anticipation of it – I got the two previous novels: “Never Let Go” and “Always Look Twice”. I haven’t had a chance to read them, so I can’t say how well connected the books are. But, I can say that Goddard isn’t going to remain a new-to-me author for long.

“Don’t Keep Silent” is the third and final installment of the Uncommon Justice series which features brothers Austin, Heath, and Liam McKade.

Obviously, this is Liam’s story and can easily read as a standalone novel. However, I am sure once a reader sees the connection; they might go ahead and read them in order. As someone who LOVES Romantic-Suspense reads, I had to sign up for the tour. Not knowing if I was approved, I asked for a copy through Interviews & Reviews, and very glad I did!

The covers of the books in the series are similar, only the font has different colors and the “women” featured are to correspond to the particular romantic interest/heroine in the story. Revell has a way of designing covers that immediately pop right out and, for me, grab my attention. I’ve rarely been disappointed with a Revell read.

This installment is told in third person from Rae and Liam’s perspectives. And, Goddard doesn’t hold back – I already said that – but that is essential to remember! 

Right off this book starts in a shocking manner! Even the first chapter was thrilling. So much so, I could barely take notes. The action, the secrets – the vivid and descriptive writing really set this one off with a bang!

This is a definitely a pulse-pounding, rapid-pace, action-packed wild ride. That didn’t surprise me from the blurb. But, there were times I was absolutely SHOCKED! Just blown completely away!

It didn’t stop. IT-DOES-NOT-STOP.

Goddard’s writing style kept me interested and the pace/action moving so rapidly I often had to stop to catch my breath. Some of the chapters were short, so obviously moving on with another one was easy to do. While head-spinning at times, it wasn’t that confusing. If there were plot holes, I wouldn’t have noticed them. I appreciate the smaller chapters as I can read through a book a lot faster. Then, there were times I just couldn’t put the book down.

There weren’t that many characters so it wasn’t too hard to keep up with who was related to who. However, some of the supporting characters I had strong feelings about because of how they kept dropping off with regard to interaction.

Brad, Reggie, Sheriff Taggart, Ivan – even Zoey’s mom Samara wasn’t free from seeming like a suspect, especially when it came down to the mysterious book packages. I have to admit, I had NO idea what was going on until the last few chapters, some if it I wouldn’t have guessed.

There was a lot of character development between Liam and Rae, who already had a past run-in when it came to a human trafficking case. And, that comes right back to this story. Again, as I have not read the other two books – I can’t say how well their plots play into this one or if those previous books set this one up. These books are DEFINITELY on the TBR list.

When Goddard isn’t keeping us wound up with action – we’ve got secrets flying around from all directions: Callie, Zoey’s little daughter, has one; the books and Samara; even Alan, Zoey’s husband seems like a good suspect; what about Zoey’s step-dad?? No one and nothing is off the table with this story. The way Goddard writes this – you begin to wonder if Callie’s past was tied into it, perhaps Alan’s past, is Zoey really even innocent? And, that is just in that group.

The author also weaves in the pain and torture of a missing loved one – what the family is put through by investigators as well as the psychological trauma from the loss that is in their own homes. It’s made even worse when one of the family members has special needs such as Autism (Callie). So there is not just an entertainment element to this story, but a human element.

The connection between Rae/Liam was cemented from the beginning, even prior to the story. And, watching them working together and at times him rescuing her, was a beautiful relationship.  

This story also had a few other journeys in it – Liam’s was trying to learn where he belonged and what he wanted to do.

Rae’s journey was in getting to the bottom of stories, particularly ones like human trafficking. Being the voice for the voiceless, speaking up, and the responsibility of “don’t keep silent” when you see/hear something wrong. She wanted to please her late father.

This is a worthy conclusion to what seems like a fascinating series.

This is a clean read distributed by Revell – no sex talk and no foul language. There are bible quotes, but the religious and faith themed tones are respectful, and it is not integral to the scene or preachy in nature.

This book is written more for those who have read and enjoy Christian/faith themed Romantic Suspense books as well as fans of the author, especially those who’ve read the previous two books in the series. So, I would definitely recommend it to them.

RATING:

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

Other books in the series:

Series: Uncommon Justice (Book #1)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (February 5, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800729846

ISBN-13: 978-0800729844

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“As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.”

Series: Uncommon Justice (Book #2)

Paperback: 378 pages

Publisher: Revell (October 1, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800729854

ISBN-13: 978-0800729851

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“At the advice of her therapist, homicide survivor Harper Reynolds has traded her job as a crime scene photographer for a more peaceful life taking photographs of the natural world. But her hopes for a life surrounded by the serenity of the outdoors are dashed when she inadvertently captures a murder being committed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She flees the scene in fear--and loses the camera.

Former Green Beret Heath McKade is a reserve deputy in an understaffed county who has been called in to protect Harper, a childhood friend he is surprised to see back in the area. When Harper learns that the sheriff's department can't find any evidence of the murder she witnessed, she is determined to do what she can to see that justice is done. What neither Harper nor Heath could know is how many explosive secrets from the past will be exposed--or how deeply they will fall for each other.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Goddard is the best-selling author of more than forty books, including Never Let Go, Always Look Twice, and the Carol Award-winning The Camera Never Lies. Her Mountain Cove series books have been finalists in the Daphnie du Maurier Awards and the Carol Awards. Goddard is a seventh-generation Texan and can be found online at www.elizabethgoddard.com.

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bethgoddard

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