I didn't realize, until after I read this book, how desperate I was to read something encouraging and believable. Terri Blackstock creates likeable characters in a moving and suspenseful story of unrelenting love, deep friendship, intense tragedy, absolute forgiveness, and undying faith. Two friends (Travis and Dustin) who were army companions restart their civilian lives by forming their own high tech security business, only to have their friendship tested by Travis' wife's illness. A deadly terror attack threatens to change the course of their lives and those around them. Past losses and relationships are interwoven, when Dustin requires an attorney and only has an old friend, Jamie to call for help. Their relationship becomes a central source of strength and faith for Dustin. We are also introduced to Taylor, a complex young woman caught in a horrific tragedy giving us a glimpse into the real frustration and fear of an obsessive compulsive illness which challenges her sense of reality. Readers will not he disappointed!

When a bomb goes off at a political rally, life changes for Taylor, Dustin and Jamie. Taylor and her friends are close to the stage when the bomb detonates. These events trigger Taylor’s OCD, survivor’s guilt and send her into.a downward spiral. Shortly after the explosion, Dustin, a veteran with the Ordnance Corp. is stopped by police acting on an anonymous tip. When the police find explosives in his trunk, Dustin is arrested and charged with the terrorist bombing at the rally. Jamie, a young mother and widow, receives a call out of the blue to represent Dustin, a childhood friend she has not spoken to in years. Travis and Dustin served in the Ordnance Corps together. They are now business partners and best friends, Travis has two young boys and a wife who is battling cancer. As Dustin and Jamie fighting to prove Dustin’s innocence, Travis sits in the hospital waiting to see if this newest treatment will give him back his wife.

This is a fast paced mystery with plenty of suspense, a few twists and turns, and a little romance. Terri Blackstock is a Christian author who manages to bring faith into all of her stories, which I enjoy, Her characters are likable, relatable, and well developed.

Special thanks to Terri Blackstock, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy! # Aftermath # NetGalley

This was a NetGalley arc read for me. I’ve read a lot of her books several years ago and have always loved them. She inserts a little religion, but never too much for those that may not like it. This book grabbed me from the beginning. I chuckled a little, cried a little, and really enjoyed this book. I didn’t give it a full 5 stars because there were some things that were a little predictable but I’d recommend it!

Aftermath had me on the edge of my seat, and enjoying every minute of it. From the horror of reading about a bombing first hand to nervously hoping the truth would prevail, Blackstock is a suspense master. The twists and turns in this book took me by surprise and that’s not an easy thing to do. I easily loved Dustin and Jamie and had fun picturing them growing up alongside each other. I could not imagine how Dustin was feeling being accused of being a terrorist. Having to prove yourself innocent isn’t as easy as it sounds, and Dustin and Jamie have an uphill battle ahead of them. Will innocent until proven guilty be true in Dustins case? Or is something more sinister at play?

This story threw me for a loop several times. I had a hard time putting the book down not knowing what could possibly happen next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Suspense with just the right amount of Romance mixed in. I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is an intense story from beginning to end! It gets off to an explosive start when a bomb goes off at a concert - but who was the target and why? When Dustin becomes the number one suspect, he knows he is being framed and turns to his childhood friend Jamie for help. Terri Blackstock once again proves why she is one of the biggest names in Christian romantic suspense with this masterful novel!

Aftermath is part suspense and part legal thriller, as Dylan and Jamie race to find the truth before more people get hurt. It also shows the far-reaching effects tragedy can have on everyone involved - in Dustin’s life, after his turbulent childhood; in the lives of the survivors of the bombing; and in the lives of the perpetrators. In the aftermath of tragedy, we have the choice to grow and become better, or to become bitter and compound the impact by making bad decisions with ripple effects. We can choose either healing or destruction, and the contrast is stark in this book.

This is a story of friendship, second chances, and redemption as Jamie and Dustin rekindle their childhood friendship and reestablish their trust in each other. It is definitely heavier on the suspense than romance, though, with a gripping plot that keeps you guessing. The added perspective of one of the survivors of the bombing, whose story we follow throughout, also provides plenty of twists, turns, and tense moments! If you are a suspense fan looking for a book that will keep you turning pages long into the night, don’t miss Aftermath!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Terri Blackstock knows how to weave a good story, and she has done it again in Aftermath. From its explosive beginning to its satisfying ending, this was a quick read. It was fast-paced and suspenseful, while at the same time touching on themes of OCD, PTSD, and cancer, with realistic characters and well-written dialogue.

I received a copy of Aftermath from Net Galley in exchange for my opinion.

Special thanks to the author, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the review copy! I’m such a fan of Terri’s, she writes Christian fiction that doesn’t harp or try to throw her beliefs into you. I am a Christian and appreciate a well written story that is able to show Gods love for us all without being a hypocrite or harping.

This story was immense and so good! Innocent people are killed after an explosion at a concert/political rally. Not too long after that, Dustin is arrested after a cop just happens to pull him over, after given an anonymous tip. Dustin calls his old friend/neighbor, lawyer Jamie to help him. The story focuses on proving Dustin’s innocence and finding out who’s really behind it.

The story flowed well and had great points of conflict as well as reasoning. The characters were well developed and their personalities showed well. I loved it and highly recommend it!

Three young friends attend a concert where the Trudeau Hall auditorium explodes. Taylor Reid scrambles to exit bloody and bruised but alive. Outside she looks for her friends.

Ms. Blackstone writes a very compelling tale of the aftermath of a bombing. Guilt envelops Taylor as she wonders why she did not try to help her friends. Fight or flight had overtaken her and she was one of the few survivors.

Dustin Webb is driving along the highway when he is suddenly pulled over. Why? The police ask to check his car including the trunk. He is arrested after 4 boxes of highly explosive RDX is found in his trunk.

His best friend, Travis Grey, is at a hospital where his wife, Crystal, is dying from inoperable cancer. Together he and Dustin started a building security firm called Grey Webb Security. He is unaware that his business partner has been arrested and charged with the crime of domestic terrorism for planting the bomb.

The intricacy of the plot and the interweaving of the lives of the characters kept me glued to the pages. The conclusion is surprising and convoluted as Taylor decides to take matters into her own hands because of the death of her friends.

Jamie Powell, Attorney at Law, decides to help Dustin. She simply cannot believe he would ever commit such a terrible crime. The twists and turns kept me guessing.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. These are my unbiased opinions. 5 stars - CE Williams

Aftermath has a lot of unexpected twists that will keep you wondering who the bad guy is and will keep your attention! There is lots of action when there is an explosion at a political event. I liked that Dustin had made something of himself despite his childhood after the death of his parents. Jamie was an excellent female protagonist who believed in Dustin even though evidence pointed against him. If you like suspense, you won't want to miss Aftermath by Terri Blackstock! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock is a spectacular work of romantic suspense. This book will capture your attention immediately and not let it go. Don’t start this novel when you have a lot to do. You need time to read quickly to the end. This book is a mesmerizing, terrifying read. It is well crafted in terms of characters and plot. Readers of romantic suspense will not be disappointed. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Aftermath" and all opinions expressed are my own. This book was just not for me. I didn't connect with the characters and I felt it was slow going. Predictable story and I really was hoping for more.

In Aftermath, author Terri Blackstock transports the reader to Atlanta, Georgia for an intriguing Romantic Suspense story that follows four people who are interconnected by the traumatic after-effect of an unexpected terrorist bombing at a political rally.

Taylor Reed and best friends Desiree and Mara attend the political rally for US Presidential Candidate - Libertarian Ed Loran featuring a concert by the band Blue Fire. As the concert ends and Candidate Loran enters the stage, an explosion goes off from the stage. Taylor is the sole survivor of the three friends, and the bomb explosion killed a total of twenty-six people, including the presidential candidate.

Dustin Webb is a veteran of the Army Ordnance Corps and co-owns GreyWebb Securities, a designer and installer of commercial security systems with Travis Grey, his best friend from the Army. An anonymous tip targets Dustin as carrying boxes of explosives in his trunk tied to a recent theft at ChemEx, an ammunition plant inwhich GreyWebb had installed a company security system. Dustin is arrested under suspicion of the theft and involvement in the political rally bombing.

Jamie Powell is a criminal defense attorney and Dustin's childhood friend. Dustin calls Jamie and asks her to represent him on the charges of felony possession of explosives and terrorism. Dustin claims that he is innocent and being set up, Jamie is determined to prove Dustin's innocence, and find the person responsible for the bombing.

Travis Grey is Dustin's best friend and business partner in WebbGrey Securities. They served together in the Army Ordnance Corps. Travis has been at his wife Crystal's bedside at the hospital as she battles terminal cancer, and has been hoping that the new Leukemia treatment will help her recover.

Aftermath follows the unexpected and traumatic inter-connection between Taylor, Dustin, Jamie and Travis, and how each of them deals with the aftermath from the terrrorist bombing at the political rally. A survivor, a wrongfully charged man, a childhood friend and defense attorney, and a business partner dealing with a family medical issue ... each struggles with the trauma and determination to find the person responsible for the bombing and getting justice.

Author Terri Blackstock weaves a multi-layered and suspenseful tale written in the third person alternating narrative that easily draws the reader into this well written story. The richly descriptive plot will keep the reader guessing as survivor guilt, secrets, deceit, betrayal, unwavering friendship, and heartbreaking family drama, and unexpected twists and turns are uncovered. I loved the intertwining of the four characters' individual perspectives, and how their struggles leads them to search for justice after the traumatic devastation felt throughout Atlanta.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the backstory of Dustin and Jamie's childhood friendship, and the touch of Christian faith that is interspersed throughout the story.

Aftermath is a fast-paced and riveting suspense story that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/06/aftermath-by-terri-blackstock-vbt-book.html

Seeking justice:
This was an interesting mystery with a touch of suspense and a hint of romance.
Dustin and Jamie been friends and neighbors during their teenage years but had lost touch. However when Dustin suddenly found himself accused of bombing a political rally he reached out to Jamie for legal assistance. It was nice seeing these two reconnect however I would have liked to see more of their romantic journey.
This book drew me in from the very beginning and had me devouring the pages until sadly there were no more to be had. I was intrigued as to how it would all play out and I liked that despite all of the danger and false accusations, it never became too dreary. I also liked the message of trusting in God our Refuge when times are tough.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I always enjoy a good mystery and this book doesn’t disappoint. The great story/world-building that Blackstock does make this a quick, easy read that has me following Dustin, Jamie, and Taylor as the crime occurs, unravels, and is solved. She gives the reader relatable, and likeable characters who have flaws just as all humans do. I could feel the emotions/struggles of all the main characters and I couldn’t put it down.

It is a christian-based story; Not jammed down your throat, but woven seamlessly into the story to add depth. This book touches on terrorism, fear & trauma that heavily affects mental health, sickness, death, but also friendship in both good and bad ways. The culprit was slowly revealed, not with a huge bang, but it played out more realistically. But I think that was the point, not who did it, but how we react AFTER the tragedy.

Thank you @partnersincrimeVBT for the ARC.

I had no idea what to expect going into this one, and I refused to read the synopsis before diving in. And honestly, I might do this for all of my books now because it truly paid off!

This book was both tragic and insightful. At one point while reading it, my husband tried to talk to me about something political, to which I said “I can’t handle the depressing world right now; please let me return to the explosions and death in my book.”

There were a few parts that didn’t 100% work for me (one of which was the religious entity, just as a personal preference, but I know it could be a favored genre for many, too!). Another part was the lack of help and explanation for what was clearly a mental health breakdown at one point in the novel, that was partially written off as a severe allergic reaction — something about that didn’t feel quite right. Otherwise, I enjoyed following the mystery of this novel, trying to understand who framed one of the main characters for the bombing (I guessed who!), and just what would happen between some of the characters before the ending came around. It was a great read, and one I finished within a day.

🅱🆁🅸🅴🅵 🆂🆈🅽🅾🅿🆂🅸🆂
Three best friends attend a concert as a prelude to a presidential candidate’s speech. But before the candidate can even speak, a bomb explodes. Only one of the friends makes it out alive.

Dustin Webb is pulled over on the side of the road – but he wasn’t even speeding, and since his high school years, he’s been a model citizen. Yet the officers find boxes of explosives in his trunk, and he has no way to explain how they got there.

Calling up the one friend he had in his childhood – something he hasn’t spoken to in years – he knows he needs her help as a criminal attorney. But is he ready to face Jamie while the rest of the world looks at him as a cold-blooded killer? Can Jamie maintain the faith she’s always had in Dustin, or will the weight of the case break her down?

Aftermath was another winner in my book for Terri Blackstock. She is an aithor I cant wait to read when she has a new book. Lots of supense and action. The story line was very engaging. A top notch read !!

Aftermath starts off with a literal bang. When there is a bombing at a political rally, an anonymous tip pins the violence on Dustin. His first call from jail is to his childhood friend Jamie for legal help. I really enjoyed this mystery. I was hooked from the first chapter and didn't want to put it down. I thought Jamie was a strong character. I loved her unending faith in Dustin, even though they hadn't seen each other in years. The romance was light and would have been fine without it. However, I was happy with where things were at the end for both Dustin and Jamie. I definitely recommend this one.

Aftermath is about 3 friends who are at a political rally when a bomb goes off. Who is the bomber? You have to read it to find out. This was just ok for me. I see I’m in the minority as it has many 4-5 stars. Took me 5 days to read this which is not the norm but I did just start a full time job so I’m not reading as much. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

I've read several books by this author and have always enjoyed everything I've read, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I must say it didn't disappoint. This book was easy to read and fast paced and kept me wanting to read more. I highly recommend this book.

A story of betrayal, heartache, loss and how to deal with tragedy in the hardest of times.

Taylor Reid and her friends go to enjoy a night out at a concert when an explosion separates them and only Taylor makes it out alive. Dustin Webb is arrested in association of the bombing and swears he is being framed. He calls the one person he thinks can help with his biggest problem, his next-door neighbor from when he was growing up, Jamie who is now an attorney. Jamie puts her career on the line by agreeing to help Dustin, whom she knows could never have had anything to do with what they are accusing him of. Together they must figure out who framed him for the bombing and why before anything else happens to hurt themselves or others.

It has been a long wait for a new Terri Blackstock book, and I have to say she did not disappoint with Aftermath. The writing was very well done and kept the suspense throughout all while writing a clean and engaging story. Terri Blackstock has been one of my favorite authors for a very long time, writing fun, exciting, novels all while keeping an element of faith. As the story progresses, readers see flashbacks of Dustin and Jamie’s time growing up together and makes it hard to keep from rooting for them to succeed, not only in proving his innocence but also in finding a relationship together. There is a lot of exploration in this novel, between why the characters act the way they do and how each choice affects the others involved. A few lose strings that didn’t get tied up but not enough to keep the story from being a really enjoyable read. I recommend this to readers that have enjoyed Blackstock’s writing before and are aching for a great new romantic suspense read.