Terri Blackstock never fails to bring forth a story brimming with fast-paced action and delightful suspense. This newest from the author introduces us to two childhood friends who are brought together because of falsely accused crimes. Dustin is the typical neglected teenage bad boy who's shaped up in the army and has discovered who he is since his troubled childhood. Jaime is a defense attorney who is trying to keep her head above water at work and at home as a single mom. When Dustin is framed for theft, arson, and treason, Jaime puts everything on hold to help prove his innocence. In the midst of the action and suspense, the author sensitively addresses grief and suffering that come from watching a loved one deteriorate. The solid long-held friendship between Dustin and Jaime is sweet and tender and is highlighted more so than their budding romance, which I appreciated. I really enjoyed that the characters are deeply layered and that the author pulled emotions other than just suspense into the story line to create a full and well-rounded plot. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you will definitely enjoy this one!

I received the book from Thomas Nelson via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

My thoughts

Would I recommend it ? Yes, but to only the ones that love Christian fiction since I know and understand its not everyone's cup of tea.

Would I read more by this author? No

First off I want to say a huge thank you to Partners In Crime , the publisher Thomas Nelson , the author Terri Blackstock , and to NetGalley for inviting me to join the blog tour for this book as well as letting me read and review it.Second off why I said I wouldn't read more by this author is because while the story was good and it deserves the 4 star rating I give it ,Christian Fiction isn't a genre that I love to read , its just one of those genres that I have trouble getting in to and its not my cup of tea. As for the story its self its well written and captivating,gripping as well as action-packed from start to finish , the characters come to life with each turn of the page , and the author's style of written is mix of action, as well as tension that has you setting on the edge of your set.

I cannot recall the last time I read a book in one day - until this one. Maybe I never have. This one drew me in and kept me there until the very end - a page turner. Blackstock makes easily identifiable characters - ones that you'll find yourself wanting certain things to happen for.... but maybe they will, maybe they won't. You'll need to find that day when you can devote yourself from start to finish too and find out. This is my first Blackstock read in many years - and I do believe I'll need to discover more of her recent work in my near future. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Just to add... I still bought the paperback the day it came out.

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock opens with a bang...literally. A bomb goes off at a political rally. Taylor and her two friends were in attendance but she is the only one to make it out alive. The grief and self blame she feels is heartbreaking and Ms. Blackstock treats this part of the story with sensitivity and care.
Dustin Webb is pulled over by police and arrested after they find bomb making materials in his trunk, he's arrested a calls childhood friend Jamie for help. Jamie is an attorney now and doesn't believe he had anything to do with the bombing. She has always been a little in love with him and works to find the evidence to prove his innocence. She won't stop fighting for him.
This is a faith based book but doesn't come at you hard. Dustin and Jamie both have their faith ingrained in their personalities....it's just a part of them. Ms. Blackstock expertly ties the various story lines up and brings us to a very satisfying conclusion. And yes....there is romance brewing too.
I enjoyed the fast pace of the book...it was impossible to put down. So if you are looking for a quick engaging mystery, with a touch of romance, you won't go wrong with this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review .

Aftermath focuses on the circumstances after a bomb is detonated at a political rally. Taylor Reed narrowly escapes the blast, but her friends are killed. She struggles to deal with survivor’s guilt. Dustin Webb is pulled over by police, only to find that someone stashed explosives in his trunk. He’s framed for the bombing. Jamie Powell, longtime friend of Dustin, becomes his lawyer. She knows he’s innocent, but the charges are serious, and they don’t have much time to prove Dustin’s innocence.

I’m a fan of the author, and this story is what readers expect from a Terri Blackstock novel. She has a way of creating characters that work their way into your heart, but she doesn’t shy away from the suspense. Aftermath mixes danger and high stakes action with intense emotions during the aftermath of a terrible tragedy. The author tackles the subject of mental health head on, but also shows the characters struggle with grief, overcoming the past, and some serious betrayal. This book sucked me in on page one with the intensity of the bombing, but I couldn’t put it down. I became so invested in the characters and had to keep reading to the very end.

This is definitely high on my list of books to recommend. Terri Blackstock is always a must-read author for me, and with stories like this, I will keep coming back for more.

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

This is my first Terri Blackstock book and it is a real mystery-suspense-thriller with a touch of romance added to the mix. This is a multi-layered character plot that weaves a devastating event with interesting, but flawed characters. The faith aspect was not heavy handed and came across as genuine for the characters, especially since they were facing some of the most trying times of their lives.

A political rally explosion leaves carnage and wreckage that affects the lives of those directly involved and a lot of other people. Taylor is a survivor and she literally crawled her way out of the devastation left in the wake of that bomb blast. She lost her two best friends that day and can't deal with it. Suffering from OCD, she spirals out of control and is determined to see justice done, even if she has to to it herself.

Dustin Webb is pulled over by the cops and he has no idea why. When they open his trunk and boxes of explosives are found, he is dumbfounded as to how they got there. Who could possibly hate him that much as to implicate him in this horrific bombing?

Jamie Powell is a criminal attorney who has just won her first major case. But instead of basking in the victory she get a call from an old, dear friend she hasn't heard from for 15 years telling her he desperately needs her help. Unraveling the tangled web that Dustin finds himself in will require every bit of tenacity and skill, not to mention faith and trust, that Jamie has.

This is my second time reading a Christian suspense and I had a great time. I like that it wasn't preachy. There was mention of prayer and a few bible quotes, but it did not take over the story.  Blackstock delivered a suspenseful story riddled with emotions, which enthralled me from start to finish.

The story introduces army veteran Dustin Webb who was arrested and charged for in relation to a bomb explosion at a political rally. An explosion which killed twenty (20) people and injured hundreds. His first call after his arrest was to his childhood friend turned lawyer Jaime Powell. Despite, not being in contact with each other for fifteen years, Jaime never hesitated in offering to defend him. In spite of the mountain of evidence stacked against him, starting with the explosives found in the trunk of his car, Jaime believed in his innocence. This may prove to be her most difficult case as she races against to clock to find the real perpetrator and prove Dustin's innocence.

At the centre of the story is an innocent man being framed for an act of terrorism. Then there was Taylor a survivor, her sanity hanging by a thread, who suffers from survivor's guilt. She wants justice for her friends who died in the explosion, even if meant taking matters in her own hands.

The author pulled me into the lives of the characters, and in doing so elicited feelings empathy  for them, the villain included. The story gave me a glimpse in to Dustin and Jaime's past.  I also got a look into the villain's life and the reason for his actions. I may not have agreed with the actions, but I understood the reasons. However, I had hard time with his decision to frame someone else.

Although classified as a romantic suspense, the romance was negligible. While reading I sensed the chemistry which existed between Dustin and Jaime. However, they never acknowledged their feelings for each other until the end.  The mystery as to whom was behind framing Dustin was easily solved, however it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. Taylor and her quest for justice kept me on the edge of my seat and had me flipping the pages.

In addition to the suspense, Aftermath also had some heartbreaking moments that would likely make readers shed a tear or two.

To conclude Aftermath  was a riveting tale, which would appeal to readers of suspense stories.

From the beginning I was hooked on Aftermath. Terri Blackstock does a masterful job of capturing the reader's imagination and only letting go when the story ends, though Aftermath definitely stuck with me long after I read the final page.

Aftermath is told through the eyes of multiple characters, giving no doubt to their perspective, and really giving each character incredible depth. There are several storylines within the main story that are tragic and utterly heartbreaking. My heart ached for Crystal, the wife that is dying of cancer, and Dustin the man that is framed for the bombing, but is seemingly innocent. Travis, the grieving husband of Crystal, and Taylor, the bombing survivor that is lost and grieving. So much tragedy and so much grief are within these pages, but at the same time you see the sprinkling of faith that is throughout the story that gives hope and balance. I love that the times of faith and prayer aren't forced, but feels organic and real, truly warming my heart.

Though it's pretty obvious from the beginning who is responsible for the bombing, it didn't matter that I knew, as Aftermath tends to focus more on the psychological rather than action, which I appreciated.

I truly think this novel is sheer perfection. Terri Blackstock is such an incredible writer, pulling me deep into the narrative, attaching my heart to these characters, to the point that I physically felt the weight of strife and tragedy myself. The pace isn't too fast or too slow, and I found myself craving to pick it up every time I put it down, yet sad when it ended, as I felt like I finished it too fast.

Honestly, I could see myself reading this book again, which is something I do not normally say. I cannot recommend this novel enough!

Terri Blackstock continues to put out engaging storylines. This particular story involves being wrongfully accused of a very serious crime. Full of twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages.

I'm not reviewing this book for the blog but will be adding it to the church library.

Terri Blackstock does not disappoint readers in her latest thrilling suspense book! This book will be a great addition to your library. This book focuses on Dustin who is wrongly accused of a mass casualty event due to being framed to take the fall for what happened. Dustin calls the one person from his childhood that he knew he could count on. Jamie is an attorney and is determined to prove that Dustin did not do what he is being accused of. This book goes through their stories, but also shows how circumstances can make other people do things that they would never do. This book is best read in one sitting! You will not want to put the book down. I love this author’s books and the way she can weave a story to tie together so smoothly as if you are there in person experiencing what is occurring. Additionally, I love how she incorporates God and faith into her books and characters. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

** “The sure knowledge that God had his back filled him with strength laced with calm. He would fight this, but it wouldn’t be just his fight.” **

Terri Blackstock delivers another heart-thumping, action-packed novel with “Aftermath.”

When Dustin Webb is found with explosives in his car after a deadly bombing, he calls his estranged childhood friend Jamie Powell, now an attorney, to defend him. They must diligently work to figure out who is putting the blame on him, all while also dealing with the fact his business partner’s wife is dying.

Taylor Reid is also dealing with the aftermath of the bombing — she was at the political rally and concert where it occurred. As she spirals into trying to determine who may have caused the horrific event, she must also overcome her OCD tendencies and the vengeance she fills.

“Aftermath” is a great suspense thriller with just a touch of romance, as Dustin and Jamie rekindle their former friendship, perhaps into something deeper. Blackstock does a great job of creating real, relatable and flawed characters, while also including some heartwarming ones like Jamie’s daughter Avery and Dustin’s dog Dude.

This story also contains some great themes, like God is a our refuge and fortress; the power of prayer; God provides us with what we need; and dealing with the aftermath of trauma.

Fans of authors like Lynette Eason, Kelly Irvin and Irene Hannon will enjoy “Aftermath.”

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Another fast paced novel from Terri Blackstock that pulls you in and won’t let go.

The characters were extremely relatable and the story was one that I couldn’t put down. I needed to know how it ended. Loved the redemption story that underlines the key story of the bombing. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock is a modern day suspense story that starts out running and doesn’t stop. There is so much action and twists and turns I struggled with putting the book down. The characters are good, strong characters to the point the ending shocked me. I enjoyed how Jamie responded to her first message from Dustin in years, just dropping everything to go help him. Together they work so hard to claim his innocence, while clinging to faith. The story also touches on the traumatic responses to surviving a terrible situation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustReads, this is my honest review.

Some books are marathons. Others are a flat-out sprint. Aftermath is the latter: a focused, pulse-pounding, action-packed thriller that will make you wish you could read faster then leave you exhausted, satisfied, yet a bit disappointed it’s all over. If you read many of my reviews, then you’ll know that I love Terri Blackstock but that I felt her last couple of novels lacked focus.

I don’t know if Terri reads my reviews or not, but I feel seen. (I almost hope she doesn’t, because I’m always loathe to publicly criticize someone who I really do like—yet I must also be truthful and honest to my opinions.) Blackstock has taken every criticism I’ve levied and fixed it, crafted a book without bloat, one that doesn’t layer up so many dramatic plots that the story becomes a soap opera, and simply tells a thrilling, barn-burner of a story.

Aftermath is the story of what happens after a bomb blast at a political rally kills a presidential candidate. Dustin Webb, ex-military and current owner of a security company, has just heard about the blast when the cops pull him over with a warrant. The open his trunk and find all the materials necessary to create such an explosion. It’s a setup, but a good one. Reaching into his past, he calls a friend he hasn’t seen since childhood—a friend now a high-powered attorney.

A second storyline involves one of the blast’s survivors and her struggle to make sense of the tragedy. Taylor had gone to the rally/concert with two other friends. She’s the only one who survived. Blackstock captured the chaos of the explosion really well and documents how it affects Taylor’s life and how she becomes obsessed with getting revenge on the killer. Blackstock maybe could have fleshed this storyline out a bit more, but given that my previous criticisms have been “too much,” I feel a bit hypocritical here saying “no more!”

The storylines converge in a powerful fashion that will leave you thinking about how we all jump to certain conclusions, how we all have certain biases, and how certain influences affect our way of thinking. Aftermath is like a drag race. It doesn’t deviate, it doesn’t meander, it doesn’t swerve. It’s a straightforward, simple story that packs a punch. A thrilling novel!a

I feel like this author never disappoints including this book I feel like this book could have been ripped from the headlines, it kept me on the edge of my seat for sure. I really liked Jamie she has a big heart for doing what's right no matter the cost. Dustin faced so much but he walked through with his head held high, and would stop at nothing to prove he was innocent. I really liked Taylor my heart broke for her for sure she was also very relatable. I like how the author kept this book clean and keeps you guessing from beginning to the end. Over all this is book I could not put down and it was a really good read for sure.

When I first started reading Christian fiction years ago, Terri Blackstock was one of my most favorite authors. I hadn't read her much over recent years, and now I wonder why because this book proves she is still at the top of her game. This book is heavy on suspense, and light on romance. It is very contemporary with headlines one would not be surprised to see in today's culture. Attorney Jamie Powell is placed in a position of defending her closest childhood friend when he is framed for a mass casualty event. Her best defense is to find the real culprits. This is one of those wonderful books where the reader can't wait to find out how all will be resolved, yet not wanting the book to end.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

In the book Aftermath, author Terri Blackstock take you on an edge of your seat journey! An explosion rocks a presidential rally and only one of three friends who enters leaves alive. Who is to blame? After an anonymous tip, ex-military explosive expert Dustin, is pulled over and explosives are found in his trunk. But is the real bomber? And can his attorney and best friend from childhood, Jamie, find the truth before its too late?
I would highly recommend this fast pace, edge of your seat book! And you will never guess who is guilty! I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Many times a reviewer says that a book starts out with a bang. In the case of Aftermath, Terri Blackstock’s latest suspense novel, that is literally the case! I was hooked from the beginning, furiously turning the pages to find out whodunit. The book focuses on the results of a bombing at a political rally — the suspect and his attorney and one of the victims. It is filled with twists and turns and never-saw-it-coming moments. I loved the main characters, Jamie and Dustin who were childhood friends now thrown together again by the circumstances of Dustin’s arrest. Their quest to uncover the truth was great. But I have to say that the perspective of Taylor, a survivor of the bombing, was fascinating. Taylor has some issues that are exacerbated in the aftermath. She has a small but pivotal role in the investigation and outcome of the book that I thought was a wonderful addition to what could have been just another romantic suspense novel. All three characters, plus some supporting characters were believable. The faith element is strong and natural with Dustin, especially struggling with maintaining his trust in God. I really, really liked this book. I think it is one of my favorites from Blackstock, and that is saying a lot!

For past-paced suspense, a twisting plot, and characters to cheer for, Aftermath cannot be beat.

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults

After an explosion Taylor can’t find her friends, did they make it out alive? When Dustin gets pulled over by the police they arrest him for a crime he didn’t commit. Travis is spending every moment with his beloved wife as she passes from this life to the next. Jamie is reconnected with her dear childhood friend, Dustin when he calls her to take his case. Blackstock weaves everything together perfectly for an edge of your seat read that you won’t want to put down until you reach the very last word!

An exciting, but sad read, about a bombing at a political meeting and its effect on the victims and the suspects.