Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Cold Shot

GIVEAWAY

PETTREY, DANI
COLD SHOT

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 friendship -- crumbled.

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he's living a quiet life as a park ranger at 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 he -- and those he cares about -- are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.

My Review:

Exceptional start to a new series. I have to admit to being gutted after I read the last book in the Alaskan Courage series. I didn't want to leave the McKennas and I was mildy put out at the author for not making that clan bigger so there could be more books. :-) However, Dani Pettrey has redeemed herself with this magnificent start to a promising new series and a new host of swoonworthy heroes.

The stars of the Chesapeake Valor series aren't from the same family, but they are a brotherhood...of sorts. Fractured relationships are the result of past tragedies but they are beginning to move towards restoration. In Cold Shot they are united by a common goal -- solving a complicated cold case.

Pettrey provides delectable hints of background that she slowly reveals throughout the read. There's still plenty to learn about these intriguing men though, which has me rabidly anticipating the release of the next book.

So for now we'll concentrate on Griffin -- a taciturn and gruff park ranger who is carrying around a world of hurt and bitterness. He doesn't make a good first impression on Finley...or a good second, third or fourth one either. It is sheer delight to be privy to their inner thoughts as they size each other up. Finley's unsettled by her attraction to Ranger Grumpy until she burrows beneath the gruff exterior and catches glimpses of the real man. Be still my heart -- I was swooning way before she started (mind you I had the advantage of 'hearing' his musings about her.)

A delectable romance with loads of promise ensues. Pettrey develops it slowly, teasing her readers with just a glimpse of what is in store. Finley and Griffin learn to work together, respecting each others' strengths and weaknesses before gradually unbending enough to engage in some heart-to-heart talks that lead to a deeper relationship. Unexpected humour and compelling faith conversations make their love story even more thrilling.

As to the suspense -- intense, complicated -- the kind that keeps your heart racing and breath puffing out in shallow gasps from time to time. "Duck!" and "No!" became a kind of reading chant as I raced along plenty of hair-pin plot turns. Phew! Still catching my breath.

And I can't forgot to mention the road trip loving Irish wolfhound. Yes, I said Irish wolfhound. I might have swooned more over the dog than the hero. :-)

A definite 'must read' if you enjoy romantic suspense. Dani Pettrey fans will be ecstatic and she's sure to garner new ones with this enthralling story.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Cold Shot please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 14 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!



58 comments:

  1. I'm really excited to read this! I haven't actually read Dani Pettrey Alaskan Courage series *GASP!* Awful I know. I've got the whole series ready to got though because I get the feeling it'll be a read the whole series at once situation.

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    1. Gasp! is right!!! LOL You'll love the series -- she's an amazing author. I don't know how she does it but she excels at deep characterization and relationships. You'll be invested in the characters in no time. Good luck, Liz.

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  2. This book has been on my radar for a while -- so many good reviews! I haven't read Dani Pettrey either, but that, obviously, must change. Thanks for the review and a chance to win a copy of her new book.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Oh yes it must, Pam!!!!! Great place to start with this first book in a new series too. Though you really want to read the Alaskan Courage series too. :-) Good luck.

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  3. This series is going to be just as fantabulous. Good luck, Kate.

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  4. Romantic suspense is a MUST read! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  5. I've really, really been looking forward to this new series. Loved the Alaskan Courage series. Cold Shot sounds very interesting. Thanks, Kav, for offering a chance to win this book!
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. Loved Alaskan courage series. So looking forward to this new series!! Thanks!

    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. It's going to be just as good, Melissa. Good luck.

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  7. I have such an extensive "want to read" list that I haven't gotten around to reading any of Dani's books yet though I keep hearing how great they are. Cold Shot sounds like one I should definitely read. Thanks for the review and the chance to win it.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. GASP! Ahem, sorry, nearly fell on the floor there, Pam. LOL They are really good books. Hopefully you'll be able to tame your want to read list enough to be able to include A Dani Pettrey book. Good luck.

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  8. I read Cold Shot the first two days it came out, so I'm sitting here shaking my head up and down as I read your review, exactly right. So good! Hope you're feeling much better!

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    1. Wasn't it stupendous? I'm still basking in the afterglow. Thanks, Tracey. At least I'm reading again...though much slower than I'm used to. :-)

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    2. You brought up swooning in your review, that last chapter, whew, left me with a smile on my face!

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  9. Ooh-ooh!! I can't tell you how excited I am to read Dani's new book! I absolutely loved her Alaskan Courage series, which quickly moved her up onto my favorite authors list. ;D
    Thanks for offering this giveaway, Kav! :)

    sleepy_bookworm_aery [at] yahoo [dot] com

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    1. She's just as amazing with this new series, Aerykah. You're going to love it. Good luck.

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  10. thanks for the chance to read this mystery, kav.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  11. I absolutely love all of Dani's books, my Grandma does as well so it's fun to pass them on and share in conversation with her. So excited for this new series. Anything with an FBI emphasis is interesting to me. -Sara

    sarajohns95 at yahoo dot com

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    1. The criminal investigation aspect of this novel is fascinating. So well done. And what fun to have someone in the family you can share the same books with. Good luck, Sara.

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  12. this release caught me by surprise! guess my head was stuck in a book and I wasn't keeping up with the latest news.lol the Alaskan courage series is on my permanent keeper shelf. I swear I went through a period of mourning when I finished it!

    Can't wait to read this one too!

    ladepooh AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. Me too, Lea, it was so hard to let that series go. Sob. But this is going to be just as great. Good luck.

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  13. this book is on my to read list, so i would to read it. sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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  14. Great review! Dani had me hooked with the teaser she sent out awhile back! Loved her Alaskan Series and am sure to love these too!

    cyndilou83(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. I'm right there with you Kav, when Dani ended the Alaskan Courage series. I felt absolutely bereft and wanted some distant McKenna to show up somewhere, somehow to continue the series. It sounds like she redeemed herself with this new one. It's most definitely on my radar...or a more accurate saying, in my crosshairs (get it)! :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Bwahahaha! Crosshairs...good one and definitely fits with this story. I'm still hoping some McKenna cousins will come along -- maybe we can convince her to start a second series with relatives from the old sod. :-) Good luck, Trixi.

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  16. KAV, I love reading your reviews! I've not yet read Dani's books. This new series sounds like a great place to begin. *wink*

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Caryl....and you have a lot of glorious reading ahead of you because once you open one of Dani's books you won't be able to stop. Good luck.

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  17. You know I'm in! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  18. As always love your reviews. New author for me to add to my list. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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    1. Put her at the top of that list, Kim. Good luck.

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  19. Sounds great, thank you!
    karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Dani is one of my favorite HAVE TO HAVE authors. Thanks, Kav for the chance to win. Have I told you lately that YOU ROCK? You do!

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    1. I agree -- not only a place on the keeper shelf but you have to stop and hug them once in a while. :-) Good luck, Marianne.

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  21. I so love romantic suspense and I can't wait to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy. Dani's books are right up there with Dee Henderson.

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    1. Oh, yes, great comparison. Two great romantic suspense authors for sure. Good luck, Stella.

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  22. I haven't read any of Dani's books yet either, but hope to remedy that soon . My mother just read the first in the Alaskan series on her Kindle when it was free , and really enjoyed it !

    So many books so little time!

    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Oh -- you do need to make time for Dani Pettrey -- you'll love her books, I'm sure of it. Good luck, Patty.

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  23. Sounds like a great book! tmaininiATgmailDOTcom

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  24. I was also reluctant to leave the McKennas, but I am sooo excited about Dani's new series. Your review was great Kav! Thanks for the giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. Thanks, Loraine. And yes, a kindred spirit in the mourning of leaving the McKennas. You have ever reason to be excited about this new series though -- it's awesomesauce! Good luck.

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  25. I am so looking forward to this new series too!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  26. I haven't read anything by Dani Pettrey, yet. Because of the popularity of the Alaskan Courage series, I am really excited to begin this new one at its inception instead of having to catch up. :)
    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. You will LOVE her!!! Really. You will. Good luck, Terrill.

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  27. I haven't read her yet - but she is on my list. truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com

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    1. ooooohhhhhh -- put her at the top of your list. Really. :-) Good luck, Eliza.

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  28. Sounds like another winner! Great review, Kav, and thanks for the chance to win. :)
    mbaaij (at) hetnet (dot) nl

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  29. Ranger Grumpy, I love it and Dani's amazing suspense stories!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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