With its fast, unrelenting pace and irresistible characters, the pages flew by!

A Deadly Wilderness, the debut Christian romantic suspense novel by veteran author Kelly Irvin, updated and re-released, is an absorbing tale of police work and personal relationships. The compelling story is sure to grab readers from the start and not let go until the final page. With its fast, unrelenting pace and irresistible characters, the pages fairly flew by.

Set in San Antonio, Texas, the story looks at the murder of the youngest son of a prominent local family in one of the city’s many public parks. Partner homicide detectives Ray Johnson and Deborah Smith lead the investigation when Ray discovers the body while hiking in a park’s wilderness area. They are under pressure from city leaders to find the killer because of the victim’s father’s political connections.

The partners’ relationship is a complicated one. Newly assigned as a team, neither one is familiar nor comfortable yet with the other. She sees Ray as a “Bible Boy” or “Jesus Freak,” and he knows she has a problem with alcohol and men. This situation made for compelling reading, wondering how it would all work out.

Deborah Smith is a strong woman, but her early and meteoric rise through the ranks to her current position has taken her to the edge of burnout. Ray Johnson is a strong and forthright hero who is carrying a torch for his immediate supervisor’s sister, Susana, with whom he has a history. Susana Martinez Acosta has her hands full. A widowed former firefighter, she’s going to school in preparation for a career change, caring for two small and active boys, and making ends meet while torn by grief for a fallen husband and guilt over her interest in Ray. Long undisclosed backstories for several of the characters confused me, making me wonder if there was a previous book to this one that I had overlooked.

Besides the murder, the story examines several troubled relationships and heavy topics such as adultery and alcoholism. However, the plot remains fast-paced, with the killer just out of reach of the investigators. The villain is suitably evil, and I was on the edge of my seat for Ray and Deborah to unmask and stop him as soon as possible. The detectives are persistent, and a couple of twists kept the story extra exciting.

I recommend A DEADLY WILDERNESS to readers of contemporary Christian fiction, romantic suspense, and mystery, especially those interested in San Antonio or locations in Texas and fans of the author’s other work.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. ( )

If you’re a fan of police dramas and Christian romantic suspense, you might enjoy A Deadly Wilderness. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it definitely pulled me in. The fast-paced, suspenseful mystery with plenty of drama kept me turning the pages.

When, off-duty cop Ray Johnson stumbles off a cliff while hiking, trying to save his girlfriend’s son, they discover the dead body of Joey Doyle, son of a wealthy San Antonio, TX family. As Ray investigates the murder, several suspects emerge. But, one by one those close to the murder begin dying and it’s up to Ray and his partner to discover who the killer is before more die.

The murder investigation isn’t Ray’s only problem. His girlfriend Susana, still grieving over her husband’s death, irrationally blames Ray for her son getting injured on the hike. He also has to deal with an antagonistic, alcoholic partner whose off duty behavior puts herself and him at risk. Ray’s boss who is also Susana’s brother has to navigate between her and Ray along with dealing with unwanted feelings towards Ray’s partner Deborah. We also get the twisted viewpoint of a deadly hitman who enjoys what he does.

This story felt like watching a police drama on tv. At first, it felt like I’d been put right in the middle of the story without understanding what seemed like already established relationships. I questioned if this was the first book in the series. As I kept reading, the author did a great job introducing all the characters and helping me understand their backgrounds. There is definitely a lot of drama along with the fast-paced mystery. It felt like a realistic portrayal of what cops deal with on a day to day basis and the toll it takes on themselves and their families.

Faith was woven throughout the story, and I appreciated how the characters grappled with real problems and overcoming temptations. The story was realistic, at times gritty, and inspirational. I liked the way Ray persevered despite his own sorrows in life. The romance between him and Susana was well done despite it not being a prominent part of the story. At first, Ray’s police partner Deborah was totally unsympathetic, but as Ray finds out more about her background and why she drinks, I gained more sympathy for her. The bad guys were pretty awful and reading from the hitman’s point of view was at times disturbing. The final scenes where Ray finally discovers what’s going on were nail biters!

All in all, a good, inspirational, police drama with lots of suspense and a touch of romance. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through PICT. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily given. 3 1/2 stars raised to 4.

TW: child abuse, death by cop, death of spouse, alcoholism/drug abuse, brief descriptions of violence/murder. ( )

In A Deadly Wilderness, author Kelly Irvin transports the reader to San Antonio, Texas for an intriguing Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

When a prominent citizen's son is found murdered in a wilderness park by San Antonio Homicide Detective Ray Johnson while hiking, the heat is on to find the killer by the mayor and chief of police. When more bodies are found in other city parks with a connection to the first victim, the investigation intensifies, and is made even harder when the suspect list grows, and Ray has personal struggles and a professional conflict with his partner, Detective Deborah Smith, added into the mix. Ray is determined to solve the murder case before it becomes even more deadlier.

Author Kelly Irvin weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that follows Ray and Deborah as they search for the reason behind the murders and for the killer. They embark on a dangerous cat-n-mouse game with someone who will do anything to get what they want.

The reader will be easily drawn into this action-packed and well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, possible motives, deceptions, and clues are uncovered during the search for the killer. Just when you think you know who is behind the murders, the author teases the reader with unexpected twists and turns that keeps them sitting on the edge of their seat until the surprise ending.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved the intertwining of a Christian faith themed story with an intriguing and suspenseful police procedural, it kept me turning the pages. The angsty personal relationship that Ray has with his girlfriend, and the haunting addiction that Deborah has that threatens her career, had me feeling the gamut of emotions, it just doesn't get better than that!

A Deadly Wilderness has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2023/06/a-deadly-wilderness-by-kelly-... ( )

Get caught up in the thrilling lives of law enforcement in San Antonio, Texas.
The characters are the Martinez family who are all policemen and their spouses, girlfriends and work partners. This current case is a puzzling crime involving the Doyles who own multiple car dealerships. Joey Doyle is found dead by off duty cop, Ray Johnson while he was hiking in the wilderness. Danger is around every corner as more bodies pile up, Roy and partner Deborah try to figure out who could be targeting the dealership. There are more sinister things going on.
Lots of twists and turns, motives to ponder, unlikely coincidences and job rivalries, not to mention family and relationship drama. Some characters show that even though they are Christians, they are not perfect;they struggle. But they also show that their strength comes through prayer and trusting God no matter what the circumstances.
This story is complicated and interesting. It will keep you on your toes.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book through PICT tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* ( )

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
A Deadly Wilderness, Wow! Another Kelly Irvin read that I couldn’t put down once I started reading. Susana Martinez-Acosta only wants a safe environment for herself and her son. But this was challenged when she takes a frantic anonymous crisis center hot-line call that leaves Susana’s life into an uproar of deadly hikes, murders, unease, tension, and dangers and all of the things she wants to avoid in life.

From the first page of A Deadly Wilderness, this story gripped my heart and never let go. The characters are very well written with their own unique personalities, strengths and weaknesses. Each character gave their own depth and authenticity to the story and era. There are many character’s, and many twists and turns that had my head spinning by the time I finished this story. I actually went back several times to re-read scenes because they were so fabulous and well written. This is a book I will keep and read again.

A Deadly Wilderness is a romantic suspense that sadly ruins families because some family members covet wealth more than a family. The faith running throughout the storyline makes you think of what is more important in life. I love all of the books I have read by author Kelly Irvin. And I think this is my favorite. Despite the fact that this is a re-print of Irvins debut novel. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this. I am giving A Deadly Wilderness Five Stars. If you love romance mixed with a lot of suspense, this book is a must for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )