🎯 🏔️ “Deadly Target” (Rocky Mountain Courage #2) (2021) 🏔️ 🎯 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Revell (November 2, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737997
ISBN-13: 978-0800737993
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.
Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.
As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through not only the author’s launch team, but also Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Hilariously, this is the second book I requested from Interviews & Reviews prior to being accepted for the launch team. As review copies cannot be sold, something I wouldn’t do (and I don’t part with my paid books either), I passed the spare copy on to my mother. She definitely appreciated it as she has the first book in this series, Present Danger.
As this is book #2, I do recommend reading Present Danger to not only familiarize yourself with the series, but the characters as well. Jack and Terra from book #1 do make an appearance in this book and play a part in it throughout the entirety. There are some who think this can be a standalone read, but I do feel that it is always best to start off with the first book in a series to get to know the background.
The first book establishes the connection of Terra Connors, Erin Larson, and Alex Knight. Terra’s mother, Erin’s stepfather (Dwayne), and Alex’s father were killed on the mountain during a SAR (search and rescue) mission over a decade earlier. This caused the surviving children to form a lifelong bond becoming like siblings to one another. This book definitely shows that bond, more so towards the end when Erin is in danger and Alex is extremely concerned, same as Terra. Alex makes his appearance more toward the end of the book.
The cover is definitely similar to the first book, likewise the third (and final book in the series) book (Critical Alliance) will be as well, so there is definitely a theme going on.
Erin and Nathan have some kind of history. Though it doesn’t seem like it got mentioned. Then again, that story was pretty wild. It is clear that they still care very much for each other, and this is what drives Nathan to protect Erin throughout the story. She is also driven to protect him as well.
While Erin is reeling from two traumatic events in her life – the boating accident in Washington as well as her mother’s attempted suicide, Nathan is dealing with the shooting and near-murder of his father.
One thing is clear – it involves cold cases; though why, who, what are questions for both Erin and Nathan. For Erin, a passion is her podcast that focuses on missing people. One in particular – a child by the name of Missy.
Though, what case Nathan’s father was working is unknown. Are they connected? That was a question I had right off. I had a feeling this, for some reason, had to center around Erin. Though three possibilities were brought up as to why – was it because of her job with the state, her own past, or her podcast? Goddard definitely threw out a lot of potential reasons there.
To say Deadly Target is intense, is one HUGE understatement. It is a riveting, enthralling, action-packed, thrill ride with danger at nearly every turn in every situation from Seattle to Montana to Boston, and back to Montana.
Goddard’s use of short chapters and engaging narrative keeps the story moving along without lingering in one place too long. I definitely found myself reading more at any one time than I had planned to.
Other than the usual dead bodies, near-murder attempts, there is the sensitive subject of attempted suicide and potential mention of depression. Some readers might be sensitive to the topic and will want to take caution reading this. That is not the overall theme of the book though and the write spends very little time on it.
Erin is living in Seattle and on a kayak trip with her friend Carissa Edwards (always nice to see part of one’s name in a book) when they’re nearly mowed down by a boat. It seems accidental. Yet, just as she’s being rescued, Nathan calls her – her mom has attempted suicide.
Given what has happened, Erin rushes home to Montana. That was a bit too coincidental for me right off.
Nathan is fishing with his father. The two have a rocky past, but Newt trusts his son enough to tell him he is working a case he was warned off of. He only trusts Nathan, then Newt is shot and almost killed. Definitely not a coincidence there.
That won’t be the only calamity to befall Nathan though, and it won’t be all he learns either.
As Erin looks for him when Terra and Jack express concerns, Erin finds Nathan at the dam when it seemingly fails nearly killing them in a flood. Erin’s mother, Celia’s first thought? Who did it?
How does a woman who almost killed herself, not remembering the act, ask such an interesting and intriguing question? And, worse? Could she really be right?
With that, Goddard sets off on this story that is going to be a thrill ride without proper safety restraints causing the reader to hang on for dear life through the turns, bumps, and drops. The only thing this story doesn’t do – go upside down, backwards.
Nathan is given time off by Sheriff Henry Gibson, mainly so Nathan can sit vigil by his father’s bedside, but something in his father’s past is the key to solving the shooting. But, when he threatens to increase the time off, I really had to wonder what was going on. Honestly? I didn’t trust Henry. Part of me said something is wrong.
Nathan enlists Erin to help him on a case that takes him to Boston where he learns about his father’s personal life. Erin also gets a stunning call about the boat accident – it doesn’t look like it was. Anyone who reads the first chapter will come to that on their own. Though, why? The author takes the readers on a wild ride to find the answer. And, it will wind around in the story as well.
There is nothing seemingly connecting Nathan’s father’s shooting and Erin’s “accident”, but I had a nagging suspicion though. The only thing Nathan knows – it deals with articles from a cold case that his father was asked to look into by Erin’s step-father Dwayne. It is clear that Nathan’s father was on to something though. Though what was Dwayne’s interest.
Each step of the way, attempts are made on Nathan’s life and Erin’s. And, it isn’t clear until about the 72% mark as to why Erin’s podcast is so important along with other details.
Where the huge part of the story and cases comes together is around the 87% mark. Talk about keeping the reader on the edge. Goddard did not make this one easy. Then again, that’s her job – keep the reader reading until the end.
There is more suspense than romance in this, there isn’t even a kiss until page 247 (80%). Goddard keeps the main focus on the story and plot with little hints to Nathan and Erin’s potential future.
The ending wraps up the story quite nicely overall, but left me with a few questions. I was left wondering about Celia and the attempted suicide as it seemed like it was hanging there.
In addition to the chaos of Erin and Nathan’s cases, the Rocky Mountain Courage memorial has been vandalized again. Yet, like the first book – it is mentioned and then dropped. I’m definitely curious as to what is going on. It seems like there has to be a connection and a message being sent. I’m hoping it will be revealed in book #3.
There is a spoiler moment here – Terra’s dad was revealed to be a character that had some “interesting” dealings in book #1. Those who read it will likely know who the man is/was. In this book, the only mention is that her brother Owen and their “dad” are going to do something. I thought their father was looking at some jail time for what he had done. I’m wondering if that will be addressed in the third book as well.
To say this was a “can’t put it down” kind of read is putting it mildly. It was difficult to walk away from for any length of time and certainly the last 15 pages were pulse-pounding and head spinning. One of the bad guys, or rather a “questionable” character wasn’t revealed until the very last pages. Talk about keeping readers on edge.
Revell, which is a division of Baker Book, has primarily Christian and faith-themed reads. As such, most of their books have mentions of God, prayer, tenets of Christian faith, and expressions of faith.
These books are also clean reads and devoid of “steamy” scenes or bad language. They rely heavily on the character interactions, character development, and action.
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)
Previous Book in Series:
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book #1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (April 6, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0800737989
ISBN-13: 978-0800737986
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“Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.
When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.”
PRE-ORDER THE EXCITING THIRD (3rd) [and final] BOOK IN THE SERIES:
CRITICAL ALLIANCE
JULY 2022
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book #3)
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (July 5, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0800738004
ISBN-13: 978-0800738006
Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Mackenzie Hanson’s special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father’s tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.
Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he’s trying to relax, he’s drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common—a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.
When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need—before someone silences Mackenzie for good.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELIZABETH GODDARD is the USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels including Present Danger and the Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over one million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. Learn more at www.elizabethgoddard.com.
You can find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/
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