This was an enjoyable novella collection from three of my favorite romantic suspense authors. Each author has a distinct style that is evident in this collection. And the stories are perfect for a quick read.

Three novellas by three of the top Christian writers.

Henderson's novella features a recurrent character, Anna Falcon. Pettrey and Eason's novellas are faster paced than Henderson's.

For novellas, there is a good amount of plot development and these are enjoyable reads.

Betrayed

Ann Falcon and her husband, Paul, who works for the FBI, work together to solve a case after Ann finds a pocket knife among the things that she buys at an auction. As a former investigator Ann can't shake the feeling that she is onto something, and a great injustice has been done.



Janelle Robert is a free woman after serving 6 years of a 20 year sentence for a murder that she didn't commit. But the real killer is still at large.



The Falcon's make arrangements for Janelle to spend time on and island with a friend of theirs who is a doctor, Greg Tate who helps people who have dealt with traumatic events. I like that Greg is a very open and frank with Janelle, he is open to talking at any time, and has a dog named Mario.



Janelle has a strong faith and her faith helps her get through her difficult ordeal, she learns things about herself too while on the island. I really liked her strength and how the friendship between Greg and Janelle grows.



Deadly Isle

When storms trap Tennyson Kent on the island where she grew up she must rely on the help of her childhood friend Callen Frost. All communication with the outside world is lost and a murderer is at large on the island. Will Callen and Teni be able to catch the killer before it's too late?



Teni is a NRP officer who specializes in underwater investigations, when she finds her cousin's body in the water she insists on processing it herself, staying strong to help find her cousin's killer.



Callen and Teni have known each other for a long time and they were each other's first loves. Callen has a strong faith, and his first priority is keeping Teni safe.



An intense thriller against the backdrop of a ferocious storm. Strong and daring heroes, make this fast paced read almost impossible to put down!



Code of Ethics

Ruthie St. John is a trauma surgeon from a family of law enforcement members. After saving Isaac Martinez's life, she goes to check on him and finds a stranger in his room. She agrees to help him out of the hospital undetected as the other officers won't help him, and he reported his suspicions. Now someone is determined to silence Isaac, and Ruthie is a key witness. Can Ruthie help Isaac clear his name and expose the dirty cops?



Ruthie and Isaac share a strong sense of moral right and wrong along with their faith. I liked how they get to know each other over the course of the book, and Ruthie's willingness to help keep him safe.



Action packed, with an explosive ending that you won't want to miss. This story is also a special bonus for fans of the St. John family in Ms. Pettrey's previous novels!



Fantastic collection of fast paced and suspenseful reads from the top Christian Suspense writers! Definitely recommend!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

These novellas were fantastic! I am a big fan of mystery, but have always had a hard time with Dee Henderson's writing style (a lot of dialogue, very little action or emotion). However, her novella in this series was just right and I was thoroughly intrigued! Additionally, Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey are two of my favorites and they definitely did not disappoint. This kept me up late reading for a few nights and my only complaint was that I finished them too soon. Would definitely like another novella series by these three authors!

This collection by an all-star lineup of Christian mystery/suspense writers is a must-read. I am never disappointed by any story written by one of the three writers, and this book is no exception to that. All three stories have their own distinct style. Each story is novella length, and perfect for those times you want to read something that’s a little bit shorter. The theme of “betrayal” is in each story. It’s interesting to read each author’s style on that theme. Fans of Christian mystery/suspense novels will love this book. If you haven’t read previous books by one of these authors, it’s a great way to be introduced to them. Lots of things to love in this collection.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Betrayal hits close to home for 3 strong women...

Betrayed by Dee Henderson
While I really enjoyed the premise of the story and the way it slowly played out I have to admit that I just wasn't able to connect with the characters. There were also a couple of loose ends that I wish had been tied up. I liked this novella in the collection but I can't say that I loved it.

Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey
This is the story that I looked forward to the most in this collection and I was by no means disappointed. This story had all the chills and thrills of one of the author's full-length novels just in a smaller package. I was kept guessing and second guessing myself all the way through.

Code Of Ethics by Lynette Eason
It's been awhile since I've read one of this author's books, and, now after reading this novella I'm wondering why it has been so long. Non-stop action and adventure had me glued to my Kindle and desperately trying to figure out who the good guys and the bad guys were.

Overall
A great a collection of romantic suspense novellas from three of Christian fiction's talented and best-loved authors. I really enjoyed The Cost Of Betrayal and I find myself hoping for another such collection sometime in the future. Don't miss this trio of novellas, you'll be in for a real treat.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

The Cost of Betrayal was a good collection of novellas. It starts off with Betrayed by Dee Henderson. I loved her older novels, but was disappointed with Full Disclosure, so I wasn't sure how I would like this one. It wasn't bad, but it was my least favorite of the collection. The mystery was intriguing, but I didn't like the ending.



The second story was Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey. This is the novella I was most excited about when I heard of this collection and it was just as amazing as I anticipated. My attention was grabbed from the first chapter and I didn't want to stop reading. A great read from beginning to end.



The third novella was Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason. I was actually very surprised by how much I enjoyed Code of Ethics. Eason's books have been very good in the past, but I found myself growing tired of a theme I had noticed in several books, so I quit reading them. I was happy that this book was different and I now want to go back and read the Blue Justice series.



All in all, The Cost of Betrayal was an enjoyable read. I recommend it if you like romantic suspense.



*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

So when I first saw this book I didn't see who the authors were but I thought the book looked interesting! Then I saw who the authors are... How could I not want to read it when:
1. It's by my three top favorite suspense authors!
2. The books sounded awesome!
3. There were some old favorite characters!
4. Each one was short enough to read in one sitting.
And man, did I enjoy these novellas! Longer review to come!

The Cost of Betrayal introduces you to three romantic suspense authors. Dee Henderson is the reason I wanted to read this book. Her story did not disappoint. I wanted the story to continue, it ended to abruptly for me. I was glad to learn more about Ann and Paul Falcon, but would have liked more pages to learn more about Janelle Roberts.

Dani Pettery is a familiar author, I have read at least one of her books. Her story, Deadly Isle, held my attention and interest. I read the story in one sitting. The story hooked me from the moment the swimming race began. The action didn't let up until the conclusion of this murder mystery. I will be looking to read more from this author because of this story.

Lynette Eason was totally new to me. Her story was filled with action. Her cast of characters reminded me of Henderson. Ruthie is a doctor, while the rest of her family is in law enforcement. Her family steps in to help solve the mystery behind who wants to kill Ruthie's patient, Isaac. Isaac is a Police detective. In reading this story, I know that Eason has written other stories about Ruthie's family. I will be looking to read these stories next. I think Eason is going to become a new favorite author.

This book introduces you to three romantic suspense authors. This is a great introduction to each of these authors as well as this genre. All three stories leave you wanting more.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for my review of this book.

The Cost of Betrayal is a collection of three suspense filled stories by three fabulous suspense writers. These stories include:
Betrayal by Dee Henderson - Janelle is wrongly convicted, newly released and on the run.
Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey - Tennyson and Callen finds themselves isolated on an island with a murderer.
Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason - Isaac goes on the run after he becomes a witness.
I enjoyed every one of them and I highly recommend this collection.
5 plus stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Love love love these three authors, and was super excited to read this novella collection! I was not disappointed! It can be a challenge to create a full story that does not feel rushed or too easily solved in novellas, but that did not happen here at all. Each novella was just long enough to satisfy, and even included some "connecting" characters if you have ready any of their other books.


Betrayed (by Dee Henderson)
Returning to much beloved characters Ann and Paul Falcon, when Ann buys a box of trinkets at an estate sale/auction, much to her surprise she also discovers a mystery. Some of the items in the box could be linked to a murder where the convicted killer has been serving a 20 year sentence. But did she really do it? And if not her, who did??


Deadly Isle (by Dani Pettrey)
Set on a small-town island off the coast of Maryland, investigator/National Resources Police officer Teni Kent's cousin Julia (who is practically her sister as they grew up together and she now has very little family left) dies - but was it a terrible accident, or was Julia murdered?

Callen Frost made a mistake in college, and broke Teni's heart. Thrown together to investigate the death and subsequent suspicious events, he and Teni begin to reconnect. With multiple suspects with possible motives, a crazy storm that is creating extra havoc and confusion, an explosion that may or may not have been an accident, AND a limited amount of space to hide or confront the problems....what will happen?


Code of Ethics (by Lynette Eason)
Dr. Ruthie St. John is an anomaly in a large family of law enforcement. When a patient shows up needing an emergency bullet removal, she successfully removes the bullet and then finds a mystery, too.

Police Officer Isaac Martinez is sure there is something dirty happening within the police force - yes, the same one that many of Ruthie's family work for. Ruthie and Isaac decide to work together to find out just who can be trusted; and they hope to figure it out soon, because their lives are now in danger.

If you have read Lynette Eason's Code of Valor series, it will be extra fun to have a "novella peek" into Ruthie's story.


To sum up?? If you know you already enjoy any of these authors, you will like this book! If you have never ready all or any of these authors, you will still like this book! Go get it today!

I was provided this book as a courtesy by Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Three great books by three great authors. Each book was well planned with an engaging plot and relatable characters. It doesn't get much better than a good romantic suspense and all three of these books made reading worthwhile. Once I started reading, it was all I could do to put it down long enough to sleep before reaching for it again the moment I was awake.
Dee Henderson's "Betrayed" kept pushing the envelope on my anxiety until the very last page. I was so anxious to learn what would happen to Janelle. While a lot of the focus was on Janelle's recovery from spending six years wrongfully imprisoned, there was plenty of action to keep the story moving forward. Her character developed well, and her strength of will became her anchor. There is very little actual romance in "Betrayed", but I found that I didn't mind. It was a pleasure to dig straight into the suspensefulness of the book. "Betrayed" showed just how far faith in God can carry you in times of need.
Dani Pettrey's "Deadly Isle" was a race to the finish. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out the bad guy, but this one surprised me. Having the entire story revolve around an island while it is cut off from civilization added an extra level of suspense that I found intriguing. While Tennyson has rejected God after several painful experiences, Callen's faith has remained intact. This deadly battle is just what Tennyson needed to push her back into the arms of her loving Father. The love story between Tennyson and Callen was sweet and poignant without taking away from the murder and mayhem. There was a nice balance between the emotions that I appreciated. Tennyson did not run to Callen for saving, she protected herself and fought for herself like a true heroine.
Lynette Eason's "Code of Ethics" gave me all the good feelings. You're immediately immersed in the drama and suspense, and that feeling never lets go. The romance is subdued, really only taking effect toward the very end, but considering Ruthie and Isaac are fleeing for their lives, it makes sense. Here, both characters already have a strong connection with God, so the action took center stage. Ruthie's ability to protect herself and take care of an injured Isaac made her an unforgettable character. Isaac's honor and loyalty are a perfect match for Ruthie's strengths.
All in all, a great set of books.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoy when these three authors come out with new books. It is even better when all 3 put together a collection. I especially love that Dee incorporated characters from previous series. Such a great collection of stories!!! I hipe they continue to put together these collections!!!

I wanted a little more resolution or action from Dee’s novella. It’s an interesting take on life after a wrongful conviction is corrected, but I miss the suspenseful romance style of the O’Malleys and her military series.

Dani’s story has that style in spades, and I hope Callen and Teni show up in her upcoming Coastal Guardians series! I wouldn’t mind catching up with these characters.

Lynette’s Blue Justice novella is sweet and suspense-y, and Issac is one swoon-inducing character, y’all. I know this changes with every new book I read in this series, but Ruthie is my favorite St. John. :) Spunky and compassionate, it’s now completely clear how she fits with the rest of them. (On a #NoSpoilers note, I’m happy for Derek, but I’m REALLY hoping for a full-length Derek book, and this story made that potentially unlikely. Please, please, please, can we get a Derek book?)

The Cost of Betrayal with romantic suspense novellas from the famed authors Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason was outstanding!  I could hardly stop reading each of the three stories.  Each author introduced the main characters, giving them a depth and background that was impressive for such a short story, while landing each of the respective characters in extremely suspenseful plots that kept my attention and made me think.  If you have the chance to pick this book up, I would highly recommend it! My only advice: hold on and try your best to keep up with the fast-paced suspense!  You won't be disappointed with this collection!

In "Betrayed" Dee Henderson gives her readers the unique experience of the legal and justice system with a behind the scenes view of Janelle Roberts, a woman wrongfully imprisoned for a murder that she did not commit. Janelle's bleak outlook gains fresh light as Ann Falcon accidentally makes a huge discovery in the six-year-old case.  Although Ann was only looking to purchase some scarves when she purchased a box of miscellaneous items at an auction, she instead discovers the murder weapon in the six year old case.  I love Ann's determined nature and focus on her work.  She determines to dig to the bottom of the situation and prove Janelle innocent when she discovers the murder weapon of Janelle Robert's case, even when things seem very complicated and trickey.  Ann and her husband Paul make a sweet couple in the crime-fighting world.
I appreciated the depth of detail that Ms. Henderson gave to the mystery and crime involved in the plot and the continuance of Ann and Paul's characters.  However, this novella seemed a little drier than her usual mysterious suspense, which may be due to its short nature.  The characters, although very real and believable were somewhat flat as far as personality--by that I mean that Ann and Paul sometimes were so work-focused that I felt like I was missing the dialogue and just getting the case notes. I also was somewhat surprised by the ending of the story, which left the relationship between some characters (trying not to spoil it here ;) unresolved. Overall, I enjoyed this novella, but it was not the same high-adrenalin pumping, mysterious, sweet, romantic story of Ms. Henderson's past works.
In Dani Pettrey's "Deadly Isle" a young woman, Tennyson Kent deals with past tragedy, unexpected loss in her present, and horrible disasters and attacks on her isolated home island that lead her to the realization that there is a murderer on this small island.  Who is it and is that person coming after her?    Not only does Teni have to deal with her grief, loss, threats, and anxiety, but she also has to deal with an immense emotional rollercoaster as her fiance breaks up with her the same day that she loses her best friend and cousin in a suspicious accident.

I greatly enjoyed Ms. Pettrey's writing in this short work.  She developed Teni's character in a short time, giving the reader a great background to relate to Teni as she is hammered by so many difficult situations in such a short time.  The themes of mystery, suspicion, betrayal, loss, and lack of control were tied together with the background of the harsh storm hitting the isolated island. Teni's struggle with her grief and her strength (physically, emotionally, mentally) really impacted me and impressed me with how easily I was able to understand her character. I also was impressed by Ms. Pettrey's firm grasp on suspense--I couldn't put the book down and was slightly on edge, sometimes even getting goosebumps with the situations and descriptions. I greatly enjoyed reading this short story and would love to read more of Ms. Pettrey's works.
Lynette Eason in her novella "Code of Ethics" brings her readers on an exciting, ever-changing adventure full of heart-pounding dangers and suspense. I really enjoyed the main characters, Trauma Surgeon Ruthie St. John and Detective Isaac Martinez, as well as the issues they dealt with in this story.  From the first page, the reader is thrown into Ruthie's "home", the hospital where she works, specifically the surgical department. I enjoyed this change from the typical occupation for a main character as well as how the unique way it led her to meet the other protagonist, Detective Isaac Martinez.

As a trauma surgeon, Ruthie has seen many bad injuries, but sometimes the greatest damage she sees is that of betrayal and injustice, which is exactly what her patient Isaac is going through. Isaac Martinez is a hard-working detective who happens onto some suspicious inconsistencies with evidence from some crime scenes and drug busts, which lead him to believe that there is corruption among his fellow enforcers of justice.  Isaac has a target on his head that is enormously isolating and incredibly dangerous.  He has a hard time trusting anyone, especially this trauma surgeon that saved his life, Ruthie St. John.  However, as the story unfolds with its many twists and turns, I was impressed by the development of each character and their relationship with each other. I loved the themes of justice, courage in difficulty, and strong family bonds. Overall a wonderful story with excellent characters and a very thrilling and suspenseful plot.

I will not be publishing a review for this book. I did not care for it as much as I usually like the authors books. I do not want to write a negative review as someone else may enjoy the book.

Betrayed – Dee Henderson
I found that there was a lot of description and not enough action in this novella. The plot was slow moving and it took a while before there was any suspense.

Deadly Isle – Dani Pettrey
I normally like Pettrey’s books but this novella fell a little flat for me. The POVs were very short and it made it harder to get in the story. I also found Teni forgiving Callen seemed too clean and that there wasn’t much behind it. I also got the impression that God was forced into the story and it didn’t flow as well.

Code of Ethics – Lynette Eason
This was my favorite of the three novellas in this collection. The suspense was there throughout the book and was paced well. However, I found the romance to be lacking. It was never really mentioned or hinted at until the end.

"The Cost of Betrayal" is a novella written by three amazing suspense writers. And they did not disappoint. Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason each wove great stories that held my interest to the end. They brought good clean stories, with the common thread of betrayal, that are full of suspense, drama, faith, and a bit of romance to keep you reading. Each story keeps you guessing until the end. I have read other books by these same authors and would recommend this novellas as an introduction to their style of writing. If you enjoy suspense novels, you won't be disappointed.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to give a review and the opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the short stories from Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason. They were full of action, romance, and mystery. I found Dee Henderson's story to be, though interesting plot-wise, dry and rather boring in the way it was written. The characters are so dull and lifeless.

Dee Henderson, Dani Pettry, and Lynette Eason each write novellas that keep you on the edge of your seat in this trio combination. The novellas are totally separate from one another in themes & characters and follow characters from each of the authors' other books, but can easily be read as stand-alone stories. Excellently written, quick reads with believable characters and story-lines. Romance is minimal in each of the novellas, but definitely there. Fantastic collection of novellas in one book!!!