Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey Review [GIVEAWAY]



Picture of Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey
(c.) 2015 by Bethany House Publishers
Title: Sabotaged (Alaskan Courage #5) 
Author: Dani Pettrey
Published: 2015 by Bethany House Publishers
About the Book:
“Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and trouble-maker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now as they work search-and-rescue together for Alaska’s arduous Iditarod race, a growing attraction seems to be forcing aside old arguments. Then Reef catches Kirra sneaking from camp in the middle of the night.
Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank’s daughter has been kidnapped. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life –but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.”
The Artist Librarian Review:
If you read Dani Pettrey’s previous novel, Silenced, you probably got a hint of who the protagonists of this final book would be.  Their scenes together left me eagerly waiting for Kirra and Reef’s story! 

It’s almost fitting that the youngest McKenna son closes out the Alaskan courage series. Sabotaged really showcases Reef’s growth throughout the series from being a somewhat reckless, aspiring extreme sports athlete (whose dramatic appearance in Shattered was the catalyst of book 2), to a reformed (but still heart-stopping) hero.  Losing his parents at a young age may have temporarily led Reef to isolate himself from God and his family, but I think Reef’s protective, gentlemanly tendencies would make both his parents and big brother Cole proud.  They taught him well and his life is a testimony to how God can work in a person's life.

My favorite Alaskan Courage books featured protagonists who grew up together or knew each other from childhood (e.g. Submerged and Shattered), so I had a feeling I was going to like Sabotaged.  Kirra Jacobs is a juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability.  The secret burden she carried was heartbreaking as a reader to realize as I unraveled hints that lead up to a quiet climax and a turning point in Kirra and Reef’s relationship.  I give Pettrey credit for tackling such a difficult subject. Though I still like to imagine a conversation in which Kirra is encouraged to go to the authorities, in the end, I thought the resolution to that portion of the story was satisfying.

As Reef and Kirra dig into her uncle’s and cousin’s pasts, it seems that there’s more to Frank and Meg than what they appear on the surface.  Who is the behind Meg's kidnapping and what is he using Frank for?  The entire McKenna family will have to assist Reef and Kirra to find out ... 

I've been following this series since it debuted in 2012, so it's bittersweet to say good-bye to the McKennas.  Pettrey is a worthy successor to the paths paved by Dee Henderson's O'Malley series for Christian fiction.  Sabotaged features all the suspense, mystery, and romance Dani Pettrey fans will enjoy.

Do you read a lot of Romantic Suspense? What do you like about the genre? What authors or books would you recommend and why?
About the Author:
Photo of Dani Pettrey"Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and her latest release, Sabotaged. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson."
[Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author.  No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.]

GIVEAWAY! Bethany House Publishing has graciously offered a chance for one of my readers to win a paperback copy of Sabotaged! (U.S.A. residents, 18 years and older only.)  The drawing will be held March 1, 2015 and the winner will have 24 hours to respond to the email.  Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (please read the full terms and conditions there).  If you have trouble, contact me and I will enter you manually.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments

  1. TheScribblingSpriteFebruary 24, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    I really loved this series. This was a good conclusion. I loved watching Reef grow, and seeing his and Kirra's relationship unfold. Can't wait to see what she has planned next.

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 25, 2015 at 9:52 PM

      Agreed, Ally! I heard Dani has a series set in Michigan in the works ... I can't remember for certain, but I think it was a blog interview.

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  2. Amanda DykesFebruary 24, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    Jen, thank you so much for this post! It was a treat to read your thoughts and reflections on the characters and plot of Sabotaged, and what a gift that you're hosting this giveaway as well. Thank you so much!! ~Amanda

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  3. UnknownFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:29 PM

    I absolutely love reading romance and also Dani Pettry is my favorite author

    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 25, 2015 at 9:56 PM

      Danie, Dani Pettrey's one of my favorite contemporary authors also. =)

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  4. Dani PettreyFebruary 25, 2015 at 3:43 AM

    Jen,
    Thank you SO much for this beautiful post!!! I love the childhood friends (or in this case enemies ;)) falling in love as adults too.

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:59 AM

      Thanks for commenting, Dani! I didn't mention it in my post, but when reading Sabotaged, I kept thinking how I'd love to see Reef and Kirra as kids! If you ever run out of story ideas, I can't be the only fan who'd love to see a prequel story with the McKenna family in their younger days ... =)

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  5. Sally DFebruary 25, 2015 at 10:01 AM

    I like romantic suspense by many authors. Tracie Peterson, Francine Rivers, Richard Paul Evans, are only a few names that I read all their books & love them.

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 9:29 AM

      Sally, after seeing "The Christmas Box" movie on Hallmark channel in high school, I went on a Richard Paul Evans book spree! That was my first introduction to what I like to call "bittersweet" fiction: The endings were usually satisfying, but there was something in almost every one of his novels that I felt was bittersweet ... =)

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    I love romance and to have suspense added is a big bonus. I have wanted to read ths whole series for awhile so I hope I get a chance to. I enjoy reading Tracie Peterson and Richard Paul Evans.

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 10:04 AM

      Deanne --Do you have any Tracie Peterson favorites? There's so much of her work out there ... =)

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  7. Sharon BryantFebruary 25, 2015 at 1:48 PM

    I love Romance and Suspense Books!! Terri Blackstock and Dee Henderson are some of my favorite suspense authors!! Thanks for the chance to win your book.
    Sharon Bryant
    Conway, SC.
    sharonruth126(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:26 PM

      My mom loves Dee Henderson's books! I'm planning to *finally* get to the O'Malley series this summer. =)

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  8. Jan HFebruary 25, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    I love romantic suspense because it is more than just the normal romance. I love reading suspenseful books with a christian theme. I love all of the Love inspired suspense books. My mind is blank and I can't think of any of the authors names

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:32 PM

      No worries! I like that there are a large variety of LI authors. I don't read too much from the suspense line, but I have enjoyed Camy Tang's Sonoma series.

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  9. PattyFebruary 26, 2015 at 5:02 AM

    I don't read a lot of romantic suspense, but I have the rest of this series ans have heard it is very good! Look forward to reading them all in sequence.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:35 PM

      I also don't read a whole lot of romantic suspense (the majority of my reads are historical) but I really have enjoyed the Alaskan Courage series. Hope you get to them soon, Patty! Once you start, I think you'll fly through the books quickly! =)

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    Hello! Thanks for having this give-away for Dani's newest book. I love the Romantic Suspense books for just what the genre says. I love the romance but also look forward to the Suspense. I really want this one. Thanks. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:59 PM

      Maxie, I like romantic suspense for a similar reason. I loved reading mystery books like Nancy Drew growing up, so having the suspense can add to the story for me.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    I commented on your Dauntless-------Wordless Wednesday
    Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  12. tickmenotFebruary 26, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    Yes, I do read a lot of romantic suspense. I like the mystery that is often part of those stories. I like Colleen Coble's books along with Dani's!

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 9:00 PM

      Ah, Colleen Coble, I haven't gotten to (I actually have one of her historicals on my to-read shelf). =)

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  13. MerryFebruary 26, 2015 at 6:33 PM

    I love romantic suspense. Some of my favorite authors are Terri Blackstock, Colleen Coble, Brandilyn Collins, Lynette Eason, and Dani, of course!

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    1. The Artist LibrarianFebruary 26, 2015 at 9:02 PM

      Lynette Eason is one of my mom's faves as well --I'll have to borrow books from her later because she has novels by all of those authors you mentioned!

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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! Comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

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