Member Reviews
I don’t read that many suspense novels, so was not sure about this one but it was excellent, It is a literal page turner that made me want to keep reading. The characters are believable and aroused my sympathies. The situation is also to close to being real after all of the roots of the past year.
I recommend this to anyone who wants a good read for a weekend,
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! I have just finished reading this book and can't quite express how deeply it is affecting me. I'm afraid I had lunch ready a bit late one day as I was so caught up in the story. I must say before I go any further that I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Terri Blackstock does such an admirable job with her characters. Often in Christian fiction, characters are so syrupy sweet that they seem a bit fake. The characters in this book seem real because they are flawed. I feel like I got to know them through their actions in the book and their backstories. I cared about them. In fact, I still care about them and want to read more.
This book is exciting, sad, energetic, suspenseful, tender, loving, and smart. Women are portrayed as strong and confident. Men are shown to be caring and hard working. I liked seeing both genders as professionals and caregivers.
Some topics included in the story are terrorism, crime investigation, cancer, and mental disorder (OCD). I didn't feel that these issues were brought up just to be sensational. They were integral to the story.
I greatly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this author.
Lawyer and single mom Jamie Powell is stunned when she receives a call from her childhood friend, Dylan, asking for help in a professional capacity. In the aftermath of a horrific, deadly bombing, the police found explosives in his car. As the investigation progresses, shocking evidence is uncovered leading in a direction no one would have suspected. It’s another riveting combination of suspense, drama, romance and faith from popular author Terri Blackstock. Once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.
This is a religious romantic suspense that focus's on faith, morals and betrayal. There are several story lines and at times it got confusing. Seemed like there were lots of depressing things happening in this story but the story grabbed me and I had to finish it
Taylor and her best friends don't care much for the politician they're in the crowd to see, they just came to hear the band. When an explosion leaves her as the only one standing her OCD runs full speed ahead.
Jamie Powell and Dustin Webb were best friends as kids but have lost touch. When Dustin needs an attorney he breaks his own rule and reaches out to the only girl he ever really loved. Jamie doesn't know why she and Dustin lost touch through the years but she is certain there is no possible way he's guilty of any crime. The mounting evidence doesn't look good but Jamie stakes her career and her daughter's safety on Dustin's innocence.
Blackstock takes us on another emotional adventure as we follow Dustin, Jamie, and Taylor's lives through the streets of Atlanta. She keeps us turning the pages to discover who's responsible for such a cowardly act of terrorism. She definitely keeps our attention as we track the progress of the case and the irritation of the police detective who is just trying to do his job.
There was a loose thread or two that I would have liked to have seen tied up but all in all this story was well written and kept my attention. I am thankful for trusted authors like Blackstock who willingly share their talents with us.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to review this book!
Suspense, faith and a love story are expertly woven together. Terri Blackstock does really know how to do that.
Terri Blackstock is a staple in Christian suspense, although her style is grittier than other peers in her genre, such as Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey. I had trouble getting into the story as it is not very fast paced and drags with some backstory and three differing characters’ perspectives. If you enjoy realistic suspense and don’t mind a slower pace, you might enjoy this novel!
3.5 stars
It was a good book but not great. The story and suspense were good but the characters weren't quite there for me. Something just felt a little flat. I usually really like Terri Blackstock so this was a bit odd for me. I think maybe there were too many storylines. I guessed pretty early on who the perpetrator was going to be and would have been surprised if they WEREN'T but there was more to it than I suspected.
Taylor's story did offer a unique look at survivor's guilt and mental health challenges. Jamie's loyalty was wonderful and we get a peek into the foster care world.
I always jump at the chance to read a Terri Blackstock novel. An explosion happens at a concert. Taylor was there when it happened. She survived. Her friends did not and she has survivor's guilt. Complicating the problem is that the fact that she has OCD. Dustin Webb is immediately picked up after an anonymous tip that he may be responsible. He calls his friend Jaime Powell a childhood friend who is a criminal defense attorney. He had some rough times as a teenager getting into trouble but has since cleaned up his act, became a Christian and runs a successful business with his partner, Travis.
I has suspicions when reading the book as to who one of the culprits was and I was right. There are still some twists in the book that I did not see coming.
Fans of Terri Blackstock suspense novels will enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Expected publication is May 11, 2021.
Fantastic new release from Blackstock! Couldn't put it down! Coming on the heels of her amazing "If I run" series, Blackstock is on a roll! 4.5 stars!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own!
I could not put this book down! The suspense kept me reading and not getting much else done.
Taylor and her 2 best friends are at a concert when a bomb goes off. Dustin is ex-Army and is arrested with bomb materials in his trunk. He hires his former neighbor as his lawyer.
There are so many twists and turns in this book as they try to uncover who committed the bombing and the motive. It was such an engaging novel!
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
Fantastic book! The characters were flawed and believable. They were real people on paper and the reader was invested in their lives. The storyline was great and kept a wonderful pace. Thank you for offering an ARC. Very enjoyable.
Terri Blackstock has always been a favorite of mine and I love this new book of hers. Terri Blackstock writes in a way that is so easy to read and keep up with. She makes you feel part of the story and that you know the characters personally.
Taylor and her friends are attending a rally where their favorite band is playing. The band is the whole reason why they go to the rally in the first place. The girls were taking selfies as normal young girls would do and the next thing they know, there is an explosion that rocked their whole world. Taylor is determined to make her way out but never looks for her friends. It was a moment of fight or flight for Taylor. Taylor goes to her car thinking her friends will be meet her there, but they never show up.
Dustin is minding his own business when he is pulled over by the police and treated like a criminal. They tell Dustin that they have been tipped off that he has some explosives in his trunk. Dustin has no clue what they are talking about and consents to a search of his vehicle where they indeed find some explosives. Dustin has no clue how they got in his car. He calls the only person he know to help him, Jamie.
Jamie is an attorney and has a past with Dustin. They were friends from their past and lost contact when Dustin went off to the military. When Jamie married a guy that Dustin has warned her about, he figures that she will not want to talk to him anymore. Jamie immediately know that she is going to do everything in her power to clear Dustin's name. Jamie knows without a doubt that Dustin is innocent.
Dustin owns his own security business with his long time ARMY buddy, He has been sort of side tracked lately because his wife is dying of cancer. Dustin is very understanding of his situation and is at the hospital with them too for support.
All of these stories combine together and make a great read. You will not regret picking up this book that is for sure. It is a page turner. I am so glad that I got to read this book and look forward to the next books from Terri Blackstock! They can't come fast enough for me though!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
Well I was unable to put this book down, wondering how the plot would twist & turn. Made me realise how important friends are and keeping close in things of life. The poignant reminder of how easy it is to become distracted and pulled away from God's best for me.
Another beautiful story of mystery, faith, and trial by Terri Blackstock. It is a tale of life challenges and friendship that transcends time and place while mixing in the Gospel message that God will always be there. Ms. Blackstock has a unique spin to her novels.... and it is quite refreshing. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Aftermath is a suspense novel written by Terri Blackstock.
Summary: Dustin can’t believe his eyes when he gets pulled over and the police find his trunk filled with explosives.
Worse yet, there has just been a bombing and he is the prime suspect.
Dustin turns to his childhood friend lawyer Jamie Powell for help.
Can they discover who is setting Dustin up and why before even more people die?
My Thoughts: This was a fun and suspenseful read. The plot is interesting, the story is well-written, and there is a great who-dunit mystery besides.
I enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it.
I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!
Aftermath by Terri Blackstock A Christian thriller which incorporates faith, love suspense and mystery with likable and reliable characters in Dustin and Jamie Not one but three different dilemmas are skillfully woven together. There also is insight into depression and OCD. Twists at the end are a surprise.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
One minute Taylor is taking a selfie with her 2 friends and listening to a speaker - the next she is hearing an explosion and running for her life!
Dustin Webb gets pulled over by a group of policemen and special agents and told to open his trunk, along with a gym bag, there are assorted boxes which he can't identify, he can't believe he's been set up! He calls his friend Jamie Powell from jail and tells her he needs a lawyer and that explosives were found in his car.
Jamie was 9 and Dustin 13 when they met as next-door neighbors, Dustin was a foster kid who needed a friend and Jamie was a friendly kid who liked to talk so they remained friends for years.
Then they grew up and Jamie married and had a child, Avery, and Dustin served in the Army Ordnance Corps.
Dustin calls on Jamie to help him and be his attorney and she agrees and begins searching for information.
You will have to read the story to find out who bombed the building and who wants to kill Dustin at any cost!
Once again Terri Blackstock has written a book I couldn't put down!
Aftermath weaves together the stories of multiple characters after a bombing attack and we see themes of friendship, mental illness and betrayal but most important is the overarching theme of grace and forgiveness.
I appreciate that Terri Blackstock's characters are not just Christ followers in name but also their actions and I can't wait to read what she comes out with next.
Aftermath
by Terri Blackstone
Pub date 111 May 2021
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
“Four boxes of RDX, taken from the ChemEx ammunition plant that was robbed about ten days ago”.
This book was written by Terri Blackstock and will be published on 11 May 2021. Terry Blackstock has written many books to date, many are action-packed and exciting to read.
The publisher is Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction - Fiction That Inspires...You may follow this link to see other books that have been published by this company.
This story is about bombings, friendship, betrayal, and moral beliefs. A man is accused of a crime that he claims he did not commit. Many people have had their lives changed by the events told within this story. We also see the experience of the death of loved ones, who were taken without warning, and Swifty and the effect this has on so many people.
As I read this story, I found myself as I was looking over the shoulder of the characters, I could feel the pain, joy of them. As the story unfolds, I was drawn in by the many perspectives of those in the story. I enjoyed the short amount on Dude, a dog that is part of this story.
Each detail and change in the story had me asking, why and who would do this. I enjoyed the story and could very easily see and hear each of the characters in this story.
Out of a possible 5-star rating, I give this book a 4. I look forward to reading more from this author and suggest that if you enjoy action and drama-packed books, then this one is for you.