Book Review: The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Shifting Current 

Series: Coastal Guardians novella 

Author: Dani Pettrey 

Publisher: Gracie & Johnny Inc. 

Release Date: May 2, 2023 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

An elusive killer. A false identity. A deadly maze of lies.

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart. 

Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him. 

What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other? 

They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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More Books in this Series

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Excerpt from The Shifting Current

Logan’s cell phone rang. Clearing his throat, he answered on the second ring. “Perry,” he said.

“Logan, it’s Tom.”

“Hey, Tom. It’s been a while.” At least a month since his high-school-buddy-turned-hometown-sheriff had called to chat through a case.

“I’m afraid this isn’t a catch-up call,” Tom said, his tone uneasy, stilted.

“What’s up?” he asked slowly, not liking the tension in his friend’s voice.

“It’s Colt. Something…something’s happened.”

His grandfather? Logan shook his head, bewildered. What could have happened? They’d talked just the other day. “Is he hurt?” The old man was the picture of health, but that didn’t stop accidents from happening. Had there been a car crash? A fall?

Tom released a whoosh of air. “Man…” he said, a catch in his throat. “I don’t know how else to say this other than to shoot straight.”

Logan frowned. “How bad is it? Is he in the hospital?”

“No, I’m afraid it’s too late for that. Logan, your grandfather’s been murdered.”

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My Thoughts

Despite the compact novella form, The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey had no shortage of mystery and suspense. The well-crafted crime/mystery held my interest as Logan and Emmy searched for a murderer and surrendered to their feelings for each other. This was less of a falling-in-love tale and more of a how-do-they-get-together story.

As far as characters go, The Shifting Current had an interesting villain that I almost liked. I think she could carry her own story in a subsequent novella if she was given a redemption arc. Logan and Emmy were perfect together, and I enjoyed how their skill sets complemented each other. Some things in Logan’s character development felt underdeveloped or a bit too convenient, common issues caused by the shortened form of a novella.

The Shifting Current lands as installment 3.5 of Dani Pettrey’s Coastal Guardians series. I have not read any other books in the series, and I felt like I was missing Emmy and Logan’s backstory as they were already head-over-heels in love with each other at the start of this story. I suspect I would have enjoyed this novella more if I had read the other novels in the Coastal Guardians series. 3.5 Stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

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About the Author

Publishers Weekly, #1 Parable, #1 Amazon, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly 800,000 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). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland.

Connect with Dani by visiting danipettrey.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" mug, gourmet roasted coffee from NYC, and the full Coastal Guardian series including The Shifting Current in paperback!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" notebook, gel pens, and a paperback copy of The Killing Tide!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" vintage sign and a paperback copy of The Crushing Depths!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 5, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!