2017 RITA Nominee Author Carol J. Post crafts a story of romance, reunions, and revenge in her latest novel Reunited by Danger. Recognized in the Golden Heart Awards and the Royal Palm Literary Awards for her work, Post's latest novel explores the lasting aftermath of teen behavior. As if high school reunions were not stressful enough, Amber Kingston faces hazardous relationships she wanted to leave in the past.
Five hard-partying friends, each carrying secret guilt, are invited to their 10th High School Reunion by one of their own who fails to appear. Ten years have passed since Amber parted ways with her friends, but long-held grudges rise again when the classmates are reunited. One by one, they are taunted by poetic threatening messages.
This story is part of Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and will be released on September 1, 2017. ( )

Very entertaining inspirational romantic suspense that starts at a high school reunion where a group of friends from high school days are reunited. When one of them is killed at the reunion, they find that they are being targeted by a killer seeking vengeance against them. The killer thinks that they were responsible for the death of a fellow student ten years ago, and now they must pay for it, one by one. Set in Cedar Key, Florida, this was a fun and suspenseful story, fast-paced, with an enjoyable cast of characters and a sweet romance. I really liked the heroine, Amber, who went from being a bad girl in high school to now being a cop. ( )

Title: Reunited by Danger (Cedar Key Series)
Author: Carol J. Post
Pages: 224
Year: 2017
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
My rating 5 out of 5.
Have you ever gone to your high school reunion and been surprised by how some people have changed and the choices they made brought a different result to their adulthood? Right from the beginning, in the final book of the Cedar Key Series, readers will be hooked and drawn in when at a reunion one classmate is discovered dead outside. That is just the beginning of six people who were close during high school and now are slowly but surely being eliminated one by one. It all starts with a Facebook invite to the party by what turns out to be a deceased classmate.
Amber Kingston and Detective Caleb Lyon are collaborating to find the killer before anymore classmates disappear. However, one of the people the killer is after is Amber herself. Amber is a local police officer who initially isn’t afraid for her life, but when the killer ups the ante, Amber’s thinking changes.
The story kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart beating in excitement while also trying to figure out who is after these classmates after a decade. Plus, I enjoyed the way the character, Caleb, comes to a point where he must decide to risk loving again and entrusting the future with Amber to God. I hope folks take the time to enjoy each of the Cedar Key books as each was such a joy to read. While people are at it, they may consider sharing the books with other readers, be they family, friends, or coworkers. ( )

STORY-LINE REUNITED BY DANGER BY CAROL J. POST:

Police Officer Amber Kingston and Detective Caleb Lyons feature in author Carol J. Post new mystery, suspense, romance Reunited By Danger. Amber receives face book posts from her old friend, Ramona, begging her to come to the ten-year class reunion. Ramona says she has cancer and wishes to connect with the old group of six at the reunion.

Amber, a girl headed for no good in high school, ran with a bad crowd. Six of them who grouped together for drinking and fun. When one of the six is murdered at the reunion, Amber finds a one line message near him. Each of them have mysteriously received cryptic messages from someone seeking vengeance for a past deed they feel the six are responsible.

Detective Caleb Lyons, ran with the good crowd in school; always top grades, helping others, and a Christian to boot. These two must now work together on this case. Amber and Caleb, find her friends murdered one by one, as they receive messages of retaliation for the past. Caleb with his own demons, tries to get Amber to open up to him and tell all she knows? Will they solve this mystery? Can a relationship, possibly love, bloom between Amber and Caleb as they become closer and closer? My mystery suspense romance book reviews of Reunited By Danger follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Reunited In Danger grabbed me from the beginning of the book and did not let go until the last page. A fast paced tale of vengeance, murder, and secrets, author Carol J. Post crafted a first class story filled with mystery and suspense. I could relate to their immature behavior, as we all were immature in our teen years of high school. Post highlights the repercussions of immature behavior with the resulting damage and repercussions which occur.

I found the suspense and mystery addictive as I became involved in the story-line. Then, I found myself asking: who's going to be next and what happened on that night long ago? Post kept the identity of the murderer and secrets close to her chest and did not reveal either until absolutely necessary to the story-line. What event set the murderer on a trail of vengeance? Wondering if Amber's involved and praying not, I impatiently clicked my E reader screen, reading this book straight through as I had to know the answers.

Amber's ashamed and regrets her behavior all those years ago; she can not forgive herself for many reasons. She carries a huge weight of guilt. Filling her life with activity from police work to fostering animals, she tries to make amends. Post matured Amber slowly throughout the book, bringing her to the realization of God's love and forgiveness.

Caleb has his own demons and guilt. Although a Christian, his past emotional trauma haunts him; he wrestles with his guilt and demons, searching for answers, and making deals with God. Finding himself drawn to Amber, will a romance bloom between these needy hearts in need of grace, hope, and forgiveness?

Post handled the religious aspects gracefully; religion did not take top billing in this story, only about 1/4 of book tells the story of forgiveness and grace. Rather, Post let the characters personalities and lives show their beliefs. Caleb's testimony made a great impact on Amber as she realizes bad things also happen to good people. A wonderful graceful way to add in God's love, grace, and forgiveness.

Will Amber let go the guilt and turmoil to live life according to God's plan? Will Caleb and Amber finally realize the past is exactly that, the past? Does the villain succeed in murdering the last two standing survivors? Do Amber and Caleb find a route to romance? Or will they go their separate ways, yet, whole and ready for life, and finally, who's the killer? Nearing the end of the story, I began to see and guess the murderer; boy was I surprised; the reasons for getting revenge were also a huge surprise. To find all the answers, you will have to read this intriguing book.

As a book review blogger, I am supposed to tell what I did not like about the story. However, I can truthfully say, I found nothing. In Reunited By Danger by author Carol J. Post, I found a solid well-written suspense mystery with a touch of romance for those of us who like a little romance with our murder. The story's well paced and the scenes transition well with writing which is easy to read and follow, as well as, flowing smoothly. The tension and mystery's kept at high peak throughout and the characters are well-developed. I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend.

REUNITED BY DANGER RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

Reunited By Danger is a clean read; Post had no need of fluff or sex to satisfy the reader; with intense and creative writing, I never lost interest. Perfect for reading in your favorite chair with a beverage by your side. Book reviews for books like Reunited In Danger are a joy to create. I hope you enjoy this tale as much as I did.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with honest romance book reviews. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influences my voluntary suspense mystery romance book reviews. ( )

Do you remember going to your high school reunion? It's exciting to see your old friends and reminisce about the old days. You can't wait to see the people you hung out with and find out what they are doing now. But what if a group of you had kept a deep dark secret all these years in hopes no one ever finds out? The story is so intense and edgy I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Amber was my favorite character because she did so many things to help others. She was a cop, fostered animals and volunteered at a hospice. She wanted to give back but was she doing all these things to overcome guilt of something from long ago? When she decides to go to her high school reunion, she is a bit nervous. Caleb was always good looking and Amber is glad he showed up at the reunion. The night is shattered when someone is murdered as the party is in full swing. I loved the intrigue that surrounds the tight knight group from high school. Whatever secret they have been keeping is about to explode in their face.

I thought it was very clever how the author used cryptic notes to warn the group that they were in danger. The terror they felt was so real, I could almost hear their heart racing. Someone is out for revenge and won't stop till they are all dead. What secret from so long ago, could make a person angry enough to kill? The story is non stop action with characters that are desperate to stay alive. Caleb is such a great detective and is determined to keep Amber and her friend Liv alive. The author always amazes me how she can write a story that keeps you guessing and sends shivers down your spine. I like the way Caleb gently explained how he trusts God but still was fighting with his own personal struggles. I think Amber is having a hard time believing she can be forgiven. The story of David was a perfect example of how God forgives us no matter what we have done. The ending is very emotional and the author gives us an ending that you won't see coming.

Many of us have done things in our past we are ashamed of. Amber thinks she can't let go of her past and let God heal her. Will Amber find healing and learn to trust God again? Will the killer be found before more people die? This story has intrigue, forgiveness , secrets and the unconditional love of God that bring the story to an exciting and unforgettable ending.

"No matter how awful your past may be, Jesus is not only ready to forgive you, but also to restore you. But you have to be completely honest with where you are ."

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