Anytime I pick up a Christian suspense novel by Robin Patchen, I expect to find complex characters and complex storylines with Christian themes. Wreathed in Disgrace lived up to my expectations. Denise Masters, an actress, returns to her hometown of Coventry to attempt to repair her relationship with her daughter. Everyone believes she just abandoned her family, but the situation turns out to be much more complex. As a Christian, Denise feels secure in her place in the world.

Jon Donley along with his team find themselves guarding Denise and her family. Initially, he expects her to be a typical privileged prima Donna, but she turns out to be completely different from what he expected. As the two start to develop feelings for each other, the biggest barrier for them stems from him not being a Christian.

With a killer on the loose and Christmas to prepare for, Denise refuses to run from danger. Secrets from Denise’s past get revealed, and forgiveness

The author does an excellent job of weaving together a story filled with family, faith, and the importance of Christians being equally yoked. I found myself unable to put this book down. If you enjoy Christian suspense novels or stories centered around Christmas, check out this book for yourself. I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Attention fans of suspense with an adrenaline rush this is a must read book. It goes at a good pace and keeps you on your toes as danger surrounds Denise. I enjoyed getting some background on her which helped me relate to her. Her life took a nose drive when she became an addict and walked away from her sweet little girl. As the author states Denise wasn’t really meant to be a heroine but somehow she became this person that many understand. No one has a perfect life and when Denise messes up it costs her dearly.

Oh yes she has fame and fortune now, but what she really wants is a relationship with her daughter. After you have reached the bottom it is hard to convince others that you have changed. She has gotten past her demons that drew her into a world of drugs. She gives God all the credit for her transformation. Now she needs to show her ex-husband that she can be trusted and has her daughter’s best interest at heart.

All seems to start going well when she buys a house in the town her daughter is being raised in. She does have to travel back and forth to Hollywood since she is an actor, but she hopes having a home here will help rebuild her relationship with her daughter. What transpires next no one could predict. A serial killer is on the lose and targeting Hollywood Actors. Denise finds herself the target as bullets come close to her, an arrow flies through her home and mysterious messages turn up.

I absolutely loved having Jon join us in this adventure. I remember him from the last book and yes he is definitely attractive and able to protect Denise. She has a team of guards around her but is that enough? Jon does let his guard down a little as he can’t deny the attraction he has for her. His team is concerned he is getting too close to Denise which may complicate their mission.

I loved how the author incorporates faith in the story as Denise and Jon start to share how they feel about each other, I applaud Denise for letting Jon know that she can’t have a serious relationship without them being equally yoked. Jon doesn’t take this well , but the author uses this to show that God is first in Denise’s life. Will Jon decide to surrender to God and allow Him to show Jon he is loved unconditionally? It is important to note that both of our main characters struggle with the idea that they are not valuable. God loves each of us the same. He has no favorites and loves without conditions.

The ending is one of the best suspenseful moments I have ever read. First I didn’t see the twists coming and second I was shocked at who was behind everything. The author concludes the story with heart pounding action and gives readers a glimpse into what happens when you trust God.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

What a pleasant surprise! I was not surprised by how much I enjoyed this book because I always find pleasure in reading Robin Patchen's romantic suspense stories. I was surprised that Denise Masters and Jon Donley were the characters on whom the story focused. Previous mentions of Denise Masters in this series never painted a pretty picture, at least not below skin deep pretty. In Wreathed in Disgrace Patchen truly shows us that there is more than one side to every story as we learn why Denise abandoned her young family eight years ago. I hadn't expected bodyguard Jon Donley to return to Coventry, but am so glad Patchen included him in this action-packed story; now I hope that his cousin, Lake, will be the focus of a future book.

So many series these days are limited to three books. Wreathed in Disgrace is the eighth book in Patchen's Coventry Saga series. I truly appreciate this series as well as her Nutfield Saga series that allow readers to get to know her characters well. It makes me want to pack up and vacation in one of these two New Hampshire small towns. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this her latest book from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

If God loves and forgives you, then you’re valuable because He says so.

Denise Masters has much to be grateful for and perhaps even more to be sorry for. After deserting her husband and infant 8 years earlier, she returns to her hometown hoping to make amends. However, someone seems to be out to kill her!

This wonderful story in the Coventry Saga brings the importance of sacrificial love to the forefront - could you give up the desire to spend time with your child for her safety when someone wants you dead? There is forgiveness and redemption as the wonderful characters learn that hate is not what God wants. This well written suspense had me guessing and the perpetrator was totally unexpected!

An early copy was received through JDO Publishing and BookFunnel. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited. ( )