TWO SECONDS TOO LATE by Dani Pettrey, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #CelebrateLitTour #Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Two Seconds Too Late (Jeopardy Falls Series: Book Two)

Author: Dani Pettrey

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: April 29, 2025

A missing woman. Two hit men. When every second counts, who will survive?

In the stark but beautiful wilds of northern New Mexico, a couples’ retreat at a luxury resort turns into a chilling nightmare when a woman vanishes. Skip tracer Riley MacLeod and private investigator Greyson Chadwick pose as a couple to hunt for clues that might reveal the missing woman’s location. Those leads uncover a harrowing truth: They’re not the only ones looking for her. What begins as a normal tracking case turns into a deadly chase when they, too, become the hunted.

As Riley and Greyson work together, their partnership ignites a tumultuous attraction, but Greyson’s secrets prevent him from acting on his feelings for her, and Riley can’t bring herself to fully trust him. Delving deeper into the case, they find themselves fighting not only for justice and the chance at a loving relationship . . . but also for their very survival.

Click here to get your copy!

PAULA'S REVIEW

Book two in the Jeopardy Falls series has Riley MacLeod and Grayson Chadwick teaming up to go undercover at a couples spa retreat. With friend Kelly gone missing, they try to find the reason Kelly left the spa abruptly. More confounding is why Riley receives a key and a cryptic note.

While searching for clues, Gray and Riley find they can no longer deny the attraction growing between them, especially when they are posing as a couple. But each has baggage in their past that is putting a damper on romance. They both have a strong faith that they rely on to get them through the threatening situations and they count on their expertise as members of a private investigation team to hunt down answers, even as danger follows them.

Intense from start to finish, this was a page turner with interesting characters, a twisty plot and a sigh worthy romance.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Celebrate Lit tours via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars and a solid faith thread 

About the Author

Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly one million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.

Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today).

Dani loves to mentor aspiring and newly-published authors. Seeing them grow and spread their wings is so rewarding. She recently was awarded ACFW’s Mentor of the Year. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Florida, where she lives with her husband.

More from Dani

Hi friends! Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and say hi. I deeply appreciated. I have loved writing Riley and Greyson’s story. They are my favorite couple since Landon and Piper in my Alaskan Courage series. She’s fiery and independent and he is smitten by her, but also fears for her safety and after you read Two Seconds Too Late, you’ll understand why. Taking them out of their regular environment and placing them as a couple at high-end spa and resort brings on the opportunity to test out their feelings for one another under the guise of playing along. It’s a close proximity, opposites attract, and fake relationship story that tugged at my heart and I hope it’ll dug at yours too.

Every time I release a new book, I get a bunch of questions, which I love. I love sharing more about the story and digging into my hope for it, so I’m sharing several of the questions I get asked most and I wanted to share the answers to them with you. Please feel free to ask any other questions in the comment section below and I’ll respond within a day. Thanks again for stopping by! I hope you enjoy reading Riley and Greyson’s adventure as much as I enjoyed writing it.

1. What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That despite a strong, complexed and nuanced antagonist, that light can come from the darkest places and bring peace or, at the very least, closure to not only the families of the victims but to the hero and/or heroine as well. It might not be perfect, and it certainly doesn’t fix anything, but I still believe in the hero/heroine triumphing over the villain.

2) What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

So many. I would say my top three influencers were Sue Grafton and are Lisa Gardner and Dee Henderson. The three write very different style of stories. Sue perfect the mystery with some edgy suspense scenes. Lisa creates the best or worst, I suppose. They are a force to be reckoned with and I love her twists and surprises. And, Dee’s book are paced so well and laid out so methodically. I’ve learned something different, and continue to do so, from these three, excellent authors.

3) Which took shape first: plot, character, or setting?

To me it’s a combination of knowing the hero and heroine’s jobs. I like to think about what kind of person would do that job and how it will affect them and the story itself. I also know the setting as it’s a character its own right and adds to and affects the story overall. I also know the crime, but I don’t know who did it. I like to leave my options open to see the direction the story goes, and where the investigation leads.

4) What was the biggest challenge this book presented? What about the biggest opportunity?

The balance between what was occurring on the surface in contrast to what was simmering beneath the surface and rising up in subtext. Creating that balance and keeping things on track was interesting, but It provided the perfect opportunity to delve into the deepest part of the characters. Overall, it was tricky to strike the right balance and have the subtly rise to the surface in a natural and authentic way.

Homemade Butterscotch Recipe:

Butterscotch is Riley’s favorite candy & the bane of Greyson’s existence (you’ll see why in the book J).Ingredients:

2 ½ cup sugar

1 cup unsalted butter

1/3 tsp. salt

¾ cup water

½ cup molasses

¼ cup honey

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

And a little sea salt for an added touch.

Directions:

Put ingredients in pan. Cook mixture to 250 degrees.

Pour into a lined pan with parchment paper and leave it alone.

Sprinkle some sea salt if you’d like.

Let it sit overnight.

Cut it up into squares (a pizza cutter works great) and store in fridge.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, April 23

CeCe Reads and Sings, April 23

The Sacred Line, April 24

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 24

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 24

Where Faith and Books Meet, April 25

Wishful Endings, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Inklings and Notions, April 27

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

For Him and My Family, April 28

Maureen’s Musings, April 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

Betti Mace, April 30

Bizwings Book Blog, April 30

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 1

Just Your Average reviews, May 1

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Inkwell Inspirations, May 2

Stories By Gina, May 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 3

Cover Lover Book Review, May 4

Labor Not in Vain, May 4

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 5

Lights in a Dark World, May 5

Pause for Tales, May 6

Roads to Everywhere, May 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dani is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book in winner’s choice of eBook or paperback, and a $20 Starbucks gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE LIGHT ON HORN ISLAND by Valerie Fraser Leusse, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

Southern Women's Fiction about Community, Sisterhood, 

and Self-Discovery Set in Mississippi

PAULA'S REVIEW:

This novel exudes enough southern charm that I want to sit down at the table with Punk, Edie and the TenSpots and fill up on grits and shrimp, mud pie and sweet tea. You could feel the humidity of the Mississippi summer and the cooling breeze coming off the gulf.
 

The story takes place in 2002 and has Edie going back to Bayou de Chene to her grandmother Punk and a new job preparing photos and archiving stories about Hurricane Camille in Beloxi.
 

Second chance romance, grieving a loved one and encountering a mysterious light on Horn Island makes for an absorbing story, not to mention God appointed occurrences that could not be described as mere coincidence.
 

Ms. Leusse always provides a unique and relevant story of family, faith and life lessons. If you like southern fiction, immerse yourself in this wonderful story of love lost and found and friendship that lasts for a lifetime.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Just when her life comes crumbling down, she discovers secrets that could shape her future--and heal her past.

When Edie Gardner's life in New York falls apart, her grandmother Adele "Punk" Cheramie coaxes her back to tiny Bayou du Chêne, Mississippi. Edie spent many happy summers there, a stone's throw from untamed Horn Island, where she once found love. Can she now demystify the island's strange new light?

Punk and her colorful friends introduce Edie to the Trove, a fascinating gallery and antique shop. Like Horn Island's light, The Trove has appeared out of nowhere. Its proprietor, with a gift for discerning his customers' needs, gives Edie a Victorian parlor game that asks players a series of personal questions, which is harmless fun at first. But Edie and her grandmother's circle find that the game has a way of uncovering secrets, including a heartbreak that has haunted one of the women for decades. Banding together, this Southern sisterhood is determined to find answers that will bring healing, hope, and happiness--and maybe explain the transcendent illumination of a wild and windswept barrier island.

Revell Publishing, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

BUY THE LIGHT ON HORN ISLAND at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

TANDEM COTTAGE by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Mackinac Cottages Series Book 3

PAULA'S REVIEW:

I always love returning to Mackinac Island through the stories of Ms. Pagels. She makes me reflect on the time I visited, albeit a long time ago. It is just so fun to read these stories.
I appreciate the pronunciation guide and character list at the beginning so that I can refresh my memory about the family connections.

Alyssa and Sammy captured my heart from the first page and I enjoyed Alyssa’s compulsion to provide for her son. I was glad to see Carter striving to take care of baby Kelsey and prioritizing his mental health after a crisis. 

From the interaction between Alyssa and Carter, it was clear to see they were interested in each other but wanted to take it slow and be sure.

The plot was creative and informative about relevant issues. The supporting characters were well drawn and added to the family dynamic. Many were Christians who lived out their faith transparently.

I look forward to another trip to Mackinac to soak up the atmosphere and catch up on what everyone is doing.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 4 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Newly minted computer science graduate, Alyssa, has plans to obtain work and finally live independently with her son. Summer programming for Alyssa’s son, who has Aspergers, is tossed when his biological father and new wife, an attorney, insist on summer visitation. With her plans completely upended, Alyssa pursues a job on Mackinac Island with the hopes of acquiring an internship. Young widower, Carter, who has suffered the tragic loss of his wife, is working remotely on Mackinac Island as a computer programmer and hires Alyssa as nanny for his baby girl.

Susan, a social worker with unknown links to Alyssa, is also Carter’s former group therapist. Susan consults at a Mackinac Island summer-long retreat as she mulls retirement options. With Alyssa’s estranged grandmother a famous television evangelist, Susan’s mother the senior-most congressional representative, and a mysterious artist all adding their dramatic flair to the Mackinac Island mix—what could go wrong? 

Hearts Overcoming Press, May, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

TWO SECONDS TOO LATE by Dani Pettrey, Reviewed by Kim #NewRelease

A Forced Proximity Romantic Suspense Thriller Book Set in New Mexico

KIM'S REVIEW:
Two Seconds Too Late is packed with romance, suspense, and nonstop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Dani Pettrey delivers a gripping story with plenty of twists and turns, all wrapped up in a sweet, heartfelt romance.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Riley and Greyson. The fake dating trope is always a fun one, but what made it really work here was the deep friendship and feelings that were already between them. Watching their relationship grow as they faced both danger and personal struggles—and supported each other through them—was my favorite part of the story.

The plot was intricate and twisty, and the pacing of the action was spot on. I also loved the strong group dynamics; the bonds between the characters added an extra layer of warmth to the story. After the hints in this book, I’m already looking forward to book three!

Although Two Seconds Too Late is the second installment in the Jeopardy Falls series, it easily reads well on its own. That said, I’m definitely going back to read the first book while I wait (impatiently!) for the next one.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith element is light. 4 stars.

BackCover Blurb:
A missing woman. Two hit men. When every second counts, who will survive?

In the stark but beautiful wilds of northern New Mexico, a couples' retreat at a luxury resort turns into a chilling nightmare when a woman vanishes. Skip tracer Riley MacLeod and private investigator Greyson Chadwick pose as a couple to hunt for clues that might reveal the missing woman's location. Those leads uncover a harrowing truth: They're not the only ones looking for her. What begins as a normal tracking case turns into a deadly chase when they, too, become the hunted.

As Riley and Greyson work together, their partnership ignites a tumultuous attraction, but Greyson's secrets prevent him from acting on his feelings for her, and Riley can't bring herself to fully trust him. Delving deeper into the case, they find themselves fighting not only for justice and the chance at a loving relationship . . . but also for their very survival. 

 

Bethany House Publishers, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy TWO SECONDS TOO LATE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House