I wasn't sure if I wanted to read another christian mystery because I've read a number of them recently. However, I am glad I opened this one. This book gripped me from the beginning. There were many unexpected events, twists, and turns. It was a good book for showing how to move beyond issues from the past. I totally did not guess the ending! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a great mystery!! This book was provided to me free for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard is book 1 in the Uncommon Justice Series. When Willow’s grandfather dies suddenly, he leaves her a case to solve. Her own life is soon threatened, but Willow is determined to see it through. This novel is full of suspense and the twists and turns never stop. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read thrillers. It’s a promising start to the series. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Explosive new suspense series!

Awesome start to the new Uncommon Justice series. Forensic Genealogist Willow Anderson decides to continue working on a cold case after her grandfather's death. When an attempt is made on Willow's life, it seems someone wants this case to remain unsolved. Willow's former boyfriend and FBI agent Austin McKade comes back into her life to offer help. Austin is sure someone is trying to kill Willow in order to keep secrets buried, and he is determined to protect her no matter the cost to his own life or heart.

Loved the characters and the suspense filled storyline. I'm very glad this is a series because I can't wait to read the next book! I highly recommend!

*I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this engaging romantic suspense. My rating 4.25.

Willow is a forensic genealogist who has learned under grandfather’s expert and intuitive tutelage. Her grandfather has recently died and, struggling with self-doubt, Willow decides to continue with his last case assignment: to find a daughter who had been kidnapped as a new born 20 years before. Willow’s decision is confirmed when her home is set on fire and it is apparent that someone wants to stop her from investigating further.

Willow’s ex-beau, Austin McKade, a former FBI agent, had been contacted by Willow’s grandfather to help with the case. He arrives on site just in time to give support and insists on staying to protect Willow.

Willow and Austin discover a thread to follow in the cold case. This little thread takes them to the area of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming which just happens to be Austin’s hometown and the source of the past that has kept him closed off, even from Willow. Since danger follows them, they are sure they are on the right path and getting closer to unraveling history.

I really liked the plot which included a path of crimes involving more than one motive. I did suspect the primary villain but there were twists on the second. Throughout the threats and emotional struggles, Willow and Austin call on their faith backgrounds for support and there are forgiveness and acceptance issues. Their own relationship is rocky and unsettled until the end.

The story is fast paced and reads quickly. I also liked the information on forensic genealogist which was new to me. I recommend this to readers who like light Christian, romantic suspense.

Source: 2018 NetGalley.

Vor 21 Jahren hat in Houston Texas eine Frau ein neugeborenes Mädchen von einer Geburtsstation entführt. Sie dachte die krebskranke Mutter sei dem Tode geweiht...

In der Gegenwart in Seattle Washington begegnen wir Willow, ihr Großvater ist vor 2 Wochen bei einem Autounfall verstorben. Trotz ihrer Trauer muss sie sich um das gemeinsame Geschäft Anderson Consulting kümmern. Sie fragt sich, ob sie seinen letzten Fall zu Ende führen will und kann. Im Rahmen ihrer Tätigkeiten in der Ahnenforschung haben sie gemeinsam die ganze Welt bereist und Untersuchungen über die Herkunft vieler Menschen angestellt. Katelyn Mason konnte in 21 Jahren trotz aller Anstrengungen, auch des FBIs, ihre entführte Tochter nicht finden. Nun ist sie sterbenskrank und hat höchstens noch drei Monaten zu leben. Ihr letzter Wunsch ist, ihre Tochter zu finden.
Kurz vor seinem Tod hat ihr Großvater Willows Ex-Freund kontaktiert und um Hilfe in dem Fall gebeten, da es ein FBI Cold Case ist. Austin ist seit dem Ende seiner FBI Karriere Mitglied einer privaten Gruppe von Ex-Agenten, die private Ermittlungen und Security Aufgaben übernehmen. Als Austin vom Todesfall erfährt, will er Willow unbedingt sein Mitleid persönlich ausrichten...

Eigentlich entspricht die Buchbeschreibung ganz meinen Beuteschema und ich habe mich sehr auf das Buch gefreut. Aber ich konnte nicht wirklich in die Erzählung rein kommen, die Protagonisten und die Handlung konnten mich nicht fesseln. Willow ist ständig unschlüssig, ob sie Austin nahe sein will, oder er vielleicht doch nicht bei den Ermittlungen helfen sollte. Austin wiederum denkt aber immer wieder über seine familiären Probleme in der Vergangenheit nach. Jedoch wird der Leser hierzu zu lange mit Andeutungen im Ungewissen gelassen. Immer wieder werden bei beiden Protagonisten die gleichen Gedankengänge ausgearbeitet. So lässt das Interesse daran schnell nach. Die Geschichte geht mir zu langsam voran. Schnell habe ich begonnen ganze Textpassagen zu überfliegen. Auch die Nachforschungen im eigentlichen Cold Case des FBI beginnen lange nicht.Schade.

4.5 stars
This is a great, suspenseful, exciting read. I would love for it to be a movie. It is book one in the Uncommon Justice series, so what a great place to get started and hooked on this series. There are many twist and turns, some heartache, healing, surprise, romance and so much more all packed into an amazing story. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Willow Anderson is following in her grandfathers footsteps, not really understanding why he took on this cold case, when usually they search for the genealogy of deceased people. Now she must see if she has what it takes to find a missing person, who does not know they are missing. All while in the company of her handsome ex-boyfriend and former FBI agent Austin McKade. Both will uncover things about themselves and try to solve a mystery all while trying to keep Willow from the danger that seems to lurk around every corner.

From the first page I knew it would be a late night of reading! I could not put this book down! I'm hoping there is another book in the works... maybe about Heath?
I found the storyline kept my interest and teased me in figuring out who and why... I thought I had it figured out! 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

So, this is the first book I have ever read from this author. I was impressed, the story did not slow down much, and when it did those time were still pretty intense just wondering what was going to happen next. The story line was well written and keeps read wondering who did what. Early on I thought "oh this book is so predictable and I know who done it" in the end I was completely wrong. In the end I wanted a little more about Willow,Austin, Charlie, and Heath and what is next for them, then I realized this was a series so I sure I haven't heard the last of them. I hope to also hear more of Charile's story as well. Over all this book was a clean read and suitable for all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars. This book started off with a prologue that immediately got my attention. An infant is kidnapped from the hospital hours after birth. Who kidnapped the baby and why? And where is she now? Those are questions our heroine Willow, a forensic genealogist, is trying to answer. This story had lots of action, suspense and romantic tension. I loved the hero, Austin, the ex-FBI agent and ex-boyfriend to Willow. And I love second chance romances. What I didn’t like so much was the constant internal monologue of our main characters. It just felt too repetitive and sometimes out of place. They both have trust issues though they clearly want to be together. It’s a clean romance and I liked the spiritual elements. There are also a lot of secondary characters; some were well developed and some not. It got a little confusing to be honest. The pacing could have been better with a little less introspection from the main characters. Though I did enjoy the alternating chapters giving both characters’ point of view.

This was my first time reading this author and I will read her books again. The story of Willow and Austin had a lot of tension and twists. I especially liked how the book began, it really grabbed my attention. This book will be recommended to the patrons at our library.

"Never Let Go" is such a great start to this series, I cannot wait for book #2 to come out! This is fast-paced, action-filled and a nice mix of suspense and romance. Willow is faced with so many decisions professionally with what to do with the business she was running with her late grandfather and if that wasn't enough now she has to face some personal issues, some heart issues when Austin becomes a part of her life once again. Trying to solve a mystery from so many years ago, and obviously someone wants it to remain unsolved, has Willow more determined and more vigilant. Both main characters are strong and likeable, it was easy to feel a connection right away with them. I highly recommend this book for those whom enjoy romantic suspense, you will not be disappointed!

If I’m being honest, even though I believed it would still be interesting, I thought I had this book all figured out before I even picked it up. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Elizabeth Goddard has written a must-read for suspense fans!

One thing I really liked about the character development was that Willow and Austin already had a complicated relationship with baggage prior to the start of this book. It drives me nuts when I read a book and the main character meets the detective on their case and suddenly BAM they’re in love. To a certain extent I can understand it’s part of the genre, but when characters are able to have more depth and history than is maintained in the pages I’m instantly more likely to enjoy it.

This is one of those books that can easily keep you up past your bedtime from “Just-one-more-chapter” Syndrome. With short chapters and a fast-paced storyline this isn’t a difficult book to finish in one sitting (time permitting of course 😉 ).

This was my first time reading a book by Elizabeth Goddard but I’m sure it won’t be my last! I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book to arrive in the series!

*I received a copy of this book through JustRead Publicity Tours. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

Just finished this one. I've never read Goddard before, and this was an enjoyable read. I would definitely read her again, even though this wasn't really my genre. It's also a book (and author) that I'll probably buy for my Mom, who is a fan of the genre, and as such is kind of picky.

Whatever you do, don’t bypass the prologue. The prologue thrusts you into the middle of the action and builds immediate suspense. The tension doesn’t let up until the end of the book. A crime is committed when the unthinkable happens. A newborn is abducted from the hospital.
That alone should pique your interest. Years pass and none of the investigators the mother hired produced any results. The mother refuses to believe her daughter is dead. She never stops searching for her baby.
Willow Anderson works as a Forensic Genealogist with her grandfather’s business, Anderson Consulting. Her grandfather was murdered after he agreed to investigate the kidnapping of an infant over twenty years ago. Before his death, he asked Austin McKade, a private investigator, to assist with the case. Willow must continue the search for her grandfather, but she’s frustrated when Austin shows up.
Without giving away too much of the story, Willow and Austin struggle with a past relationship that didn’t work out, causing more tension. But now that Willow’s grandfather had involved Austin in the case, the two must join forces and work together in order to search for the missing girl.
Willow’s life is threatened when she receives warnings to stop the search, which makes her even more determined to see it through. She must fulfill her grandfather’s wishes regardless of the risks.
All the unexpected twists in Never Let Go will keep you guessing who killed Willow’s grandfather and who is determined to stop Willow and Austin.
Super novel! It's a must read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

When it comes to cold-cases, they don’t come much more emotionally charged than tracking down someone who was abducted as a newborn twenty-one years ago. Especially when the bereaved mother has leukemia and possibly only a few months left to live. It’s the kind of situation that tugs at the heart strings, even when you’re mourning the recent loss of your own grandfather and not at all sure you have the ability to fill his shoes. Add in the reappearance of an ex-boyfriend and the stage is set for an emotionally gripping read.

Except…

…I never really got further than an intellectual interest in the outcome of this story. Despite a gripping opening prologue and some early danger for Willow, the first part of the story was frequently hijacked by Willow’s and Austin’s internal monologues about their feelings for each other, their personal baggage, and the impossibility of a future relationship. I find that kind of romantic tension flat at the best of times, but in this case it became repetitive as well. And when it came to Austin’s past, refusing to talk about it seemed to be more of an issue than the circumstances themselves, if you know what I mean. When he finally did talk about it, I found it anti-climactic.

The action really picked up in the second half of the book, so readers who like a lot of suspense and surprises may still find this fits the bill. However, it became too convoluted for me. There’s a fine line to walk between foreshadowing and keeping the reader guessing in a suspense novel, and this story blurred that line by foreshadowing one thing and then revealing something totally different. Some readers may enjoy that, but I don’t. And when all was said and done, I wasn’t convinced that the motivation was equal to the crime and the effort to cover its tracks.

Unfortunately, this one was more miss than hit for me, but other readers who enjoy a second-chance romance and suspense that keeps them guessing may find it more to their taste.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Sometimes I am just in the mood for an exciting, suspense filled book. This book started out a bit slowly for me even though there were plenty of things happening. BUT. It had an excellent build up of tension both in the story line and between Willow and Austin. I could feel everything growing, expanding and becoming more intense as the book progressed. I love when that happens. I was constantly trying to figure out where things were going and how everything could possibly resolve.

Genealogy is so big right now- knowing where you come from and who you "belong" to. This book uses that platform to serve up a really cool story. I actually liked the story best when I started understanding Austin's history and backstory instead of being teased with it constantly. It was probably the shift emotionally I was needing to connect with the characters and the story and what helped amp up that intensity.

The last third of the book is full on and very exciting! I liked how everything came together and included all the players at once. It felt very dramatic.

I do believe this is the first book I have read by this author but hopefully it will not be my last!

Content: violence, peril, death. Christian elements (praying, talk of God).

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Be prepared to delve into the world of forensic genealogy and a twenty year old cold case.

This fast-paced suspense thriller kept me turning the page. I honestly read it in one sitting. A riveting story with a bit of romance woven into the plot. The dynamics between Willow and Austin really added to the tension and interest.

Overall a fantastic read.

As soon as I read the synopsis for Never Let Go, I just knew I was going to love this book. I’m so happy to say it did not disappoint, either. This was my first Elizabeth Goddard book, but after reading this one, it definitely won’t be my last!

From the very first page in the prologue, I was absolutely hooked! This book was so fast-paced and gripping. Never Let Go is so well-written and one of those books that once you get started, you just do not want to stop! There is so much action and adventure in this book, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Plus, the chapters are quite short, which was something I loved, because it was so easy to use the “just one more chapter” excuse 10 times, haha!

The characters were so well-rounded, too. I absolutely loved how tough yet level-headed Willow was. She was such a determined character and I love how through it all she kept her faith in God so strong.

Austin was so sweet, too. The way he cared for Willow no matter what was so endearing, too. He had so many struggles and inner demons to deal with, yet he never took it out on Willow or anyone else as an “excuse” like I’ve read in some other books. I just loved him and Willow together so much!

Overall, this book was so enjoyable! It was so action-packed, thrilling, and had just the right amount of romance. Never Let Go was filled with so many memorable characters and an intricate, well done plot. I cannot wait to read book 2! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and suspenseful mystery!

So surprised there weren't more five star reviews. Loved this story! Action, suspense and romance. This one was a fairly quick read for me as I had a hard time putting it down.
Willow Anderson is a forensic genealogist who works with her grandfather, JT. They help find both the living and the dead for the living. An interesting occupation, for certain.
After JT's death, Willow isn't sure if she has what it takes to keep the firm open. She doesn't feel she has the skills her grandfather had. She discovers there is only one case her grandfather was working on at the time of his death. A woman, Katelyn had hired the firm to find her daughter, her precious baby girl who was abducted from her hospital room only hours after giving birth. She would now be twenty-one years old. Katelyn has never given up hope of finding her child.
Willow makes the decision to continue the case when she learns Katelyn, who has leukemia, has been given only two months to live and some of that time has already passed.
Then, attempts are being made on Willow's life. First, her home burns, with her barely making it out alive. While in the ER, she sees Austin McCade in her room. Austin, is her ex-boyfriend and a friend of her grandfather's. Willow never got over loving Austin, but he had too many secrets. Austin tells her that JT had hired him to help work with him on finding Katelyn's child.
Then, there is an attempt on Willow and Dana's (assistant) lives, Willow begins to think it may all be connected to the infant kidnapping case and realizes that she needs Austin's help. Austin was formerly FBI.
Following a lead, Willow and Austin travel to Wyoming, which is where Austin grew up. Nothing like a road trip between two old flames to add to the tension of the case.
Attempts were made on Willow's life in Wyoming. Can they even trust the local sheriff? Why doesn't someone want them to solve the case? Do the attempts on her life mean she and Austin are getting closer to the truth? To finding Katelyn's now grown child?
Wonderful, wonderful story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Great, fast-paced romantic suspense novel following a genealogist and former FBI agent who join together to locate a missing person. There are many twists and turns in this novel, combining murders and abductions with family tensions and reconciliations. Great book one - I can't wait to read the next book in the series!