This was a good romantic suspense. I loved the ghost aspect and how Jonathan couldn’t move on until things were resolved. I liked the surprise at the end. I was not expecting that. I also liked learning about history through this story. I thought they plot was well done and I liked the characters. I also like that we didn’t know who was behind things and why until the end. This was a very enjoyable story to read.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This story was unlike anything I expected. It is a suspense, a mystery, and there is just a touch of the supernatural. The premise was fascinating and I was able to suspend my own reality and climb into the story,

I was fascinated with the idea of the sand pounders of the Coast Guard protecting our coasts during WWII. The connection between Gloryanna and Jonathan was strong and mysterious. I found myself turning page after page in order to find the next clue and the next twist. There were things I never saw coming, I loved it!

Gloryanna is the headstrong heroine that I love while Jonathan is the hero that is just doing what he can. Add in elements of family and of friends, even betrayal. This novel has everything I could want. This story also includes a faith journey and changes to both of our characters.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I opened this book, but I was absolutely enthralled and enjoyed every page.

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I liked this book! I thought the premise was really interesting and I feel like it developed well. I’ve only read one other book that was somewhat similar to this, but I was happy to see it used in a different way. The mystery was suspenseful and kept me reading throughout the whole book. It was a bit of a slow start for me, but I’m glad i stuck with it! It was a unique, fun read and I’d definitely recommend it to others!

The only negative was that I didn’t really jive with the writing style, but that’s a me problem!

Gloryanna Griffin is competing for a full-ride scholarship in order to finish her degree in marine biology. During a research dive, she sees something unusual on the ocean floor, but before she can do anything about it, she’s swept into an underwater vortex. Miraculously, she is saved by Jonathan, a man who has saved many others, but no one besides Gloryanna has been able to see him. Since he was murdered decades before, his spirit has been unable to move on, yet he’s able to rescue people from the vortex. With Gloryanna’s ability to see and speak to him, they are pulled into a mystery that could change their lives forever. But as they work to figure out who killed him and who is trying to kill her, long buried secrets and unexpected feelings begin to come to the surface. Can a ghost and a girl have a future together?

Shifting Sands is a paranormal romance that will keep you guessing. The dual objectives of finding Jonathan’s murderer and the person who wants Gloryanna dead are filled with tension and red herrings that kept me up way too late reading just to see how it all turned out. Ms. Peterson showcases the history of World War II “sand-pounders” and their important mission during the war, which added a twist to the threats surrounding Gloryanna and the danger she is in. The setting is well-done with plenty of detail to help the reader feel immersed in the story, and the paranormal element gives the characters and plot an unpredictable edge. It’s a suspenseful mystery with a dreamy romance that will have readers anxiously hoping for a happy ending.

This book by Kathi Oram Peterson surprised me in the best way. I've loved her books before. But I didn't expect how great this one would be. At all.

This one starts out in 1943 with Jonathon. He's a Sand Pounder. A man in the military charged with keeping enemies from entering the country on the coasts. I hadn't heard about any one who had done this before. It was fun to learn about though.

After the first chapter, the book jumps to Gloryanna in present day. She was diving when something strange happened. She thought she was going to die, but she ended up on the beach. That's when she met Jonathon. And he was a...ghost.

I loved the way the author had several mysteries woven through this one. There was so much danger around every corner. And the reader, like Gloryanna and Johnathon, didn't know who to trust. Or who was to blame.

This was one book I didn't want to put down. I read the whole thing in less than a day. And I have no regrets about that, either. Make sure you grab this one. It's amazing!

I was sent a copy of this book as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I have read so many books by this author (maybe all of them!) and this is the first one that features a ghost as a main character! Yup, you heard that right. This author is known for her mystery/suspense novels but this time she has thrown in a bit of the paranormal and I really liked it! That sure changed things up!

Jonathan is a ghost. A steady, unwavering, dependable ghost. Still protecting the stretch of beach he did in life. His dog is there too and good thing he was because he literally saved Gloryanna a handful of times all by himself.

Gloryanna is a ocean loving student diver. Resilient and smart. She slowly but surely came to love her ghost, Jonathan. It was a lovely process. A ghost, a dog and a diver.

I loved the whole mystery and how everything started connecting together with the characters and the plot. The ending was great! The last bit of the book really turns up a notch so I was reading really quickly! So fun.

Content: peril, violence, death. Kissing.

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

I know everyone is loving this book but I only liked it. Something about the ghost idea just bothered me. Don’t get me wrong it was really well done. I just never got over a vague sense of unease with the storyline.
Gloryanna is a lovely girl. She is capable and interesting but rather naive. It’s a good thing Jonathan was there to have her back because this would have been a short story otherwise.
Jonathan is an interesting character. I struggled with the ghost idea but in every other way he was a strong addition to the story. He was kind, strong and had a great depth of empathy.
I liked learning about “sand pounders”. It wasn’t a part of world war 2 of which I was aware.
Really the plot was brilliant centering on past events and a lost submarine. There was a lot of it that seemed unlikely. Besides the ghost of man and dog, it seems unlikely that Thomas’s father would come to the rescue and what happened to his boat? The outcome with Gloryanna and Jonathan seemed unlikely and is unexplained. And maybe that is where I came into trouble with this book. The author’s last book was less paranormal so maybe my expectations were off for this book. I like paranormal stories but this had so many real elements that I struggled with the suspension of belief required to fit the paranormal elements into the story.
At the end of the day, I like the book but don’t feel the overwhelming enthusiasm expressed by other reviewers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review the book.

I discovered Kathi Oram Peterson's books in 2020 and have loved all the ones I've read. Suspense is one of my favorite genres and she knows how to suck me into a story and keep me engaged until the end. This book is a little different than her others because it has a paranormal element in the story; one of the main characters is a ghost!

Jonathan was a Sand Pounder during WWII. He and his faithful dog, Max, both died in the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state in 1943, but for some reason unknown to Jonathan he and Max are still tied to the area. Gloryanna is getting a masters degree in Marine Biology and is saved by Jonathan when her scuba equipment malfunctions on a dive and she's sucked into a vortex. Jonathan has saved many people in the years since his death, but Gloryanna's the first person he's rescued that can see him.

There were many mysteries that needed answers--why were Jonathan and Max still there, why could Gloryanna see him, who was after Gloryanna and why? The clues pointed to several people who could've had a motive and I kept changing my mind about who I thought the guilty party might be. I was completely invested in this story until the end and the revelations towards the end surprised me. I really enjoyed the parts where Jonathan used his "ghostly powers" for lack of a better word to help Gloryanna get the information they needed to solve the big mystery. At some point while reading I kind of forgot that Jonathan was a ghost and just enjoyed the friendship that developed between him and Gloryanna. I didn't know how the author was going to resolve the ending, and I don't want to spoil anything, but I think it's a great ending.

I'd never heard of Sand Pounders before and really appreciated the author notes at the end where she explains who they were and what they did. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was a great thriller. I was surprised by the ghost aspect and wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this story, but Mrs. Peterson did a great job of making this ghost story almost feel believable. Gloryanna is an interesting character. She has a lot going on in her life, but somehow she juggles it all. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue, as well as the different relationships in this story. It was different than I expected, but still so good. It kept drawing me back for more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

From the moment I read the first page, I was hooked on this fascinating story. I was impressed with the authors ability to weave this far-fetched and yet inspiring story. The research that was done, and the creativity mixed together make an intriguing story. The suspense, mystery and history held my interest throughout the book. The sweet attraction and endearing characters, had me wondering what was going to happen next, and could there be a happily ever after. I highly recommend reading this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is an amazing book! I could not read it fast enough. I had to put it down to go to work! I had to convince myself I should be asleep at 1:00 in the morning. I was annoyed by all the interruptions. Kathi has done a fantastic job of keeping it intense! I loved this book!

What a fun read! Shifting Sands is full of mystery, suspense, and romance! It has such a unique storyline, unlike any other book I have read. There are so many twists and turns in this story that you are constantly trying to figure out how things will work out.

This is a book I highly recommend reading. You will not want to put it down!

Wow! This book has to be my favorite Kathi Oram Peterson book! From the first, I was on the edge of my seat. It’s a heart pounding, romantic suspense, mystery, and ghost story all in one! The story is extremely compelling and based on actual events in history. I loved the main characters and quickly fell in love with Jonathan, the handsome, charming, sand pounder from the 1940’s who happens to be dead, and his trusty dog Max.

Jonathan’s death in 1947 is a mystery. Since that time, he and Max have existed as ghosts tied to the same stretch of beach on the Olympic peninsula. Over the years, he’s helped numerous people who get caught in the dangerous underwater vortex. In 2022, when he rescues Gloryanna Griffin, a beautiful marine biology student, their lives become inexplicably tied.

Gloryanna is in competition with an ex boyfriend for grant money to help fund her education. When her diving tank is sabotaged and she’s caught in an underwater vortex, she thinks she’s as good as dead. Instead, she’s rescued by a handsome stranger who claims to be a ghost. Her doubts about his story are soon laid to rest when he disappears before her eyes only to reappear in her home days later.

Soon Jonathan, Gloryanna, and Max are caught up in a harrowing mystery as they try to discover who is out to get Gloryanna. There are several suspects which make it hard to know whom to trust. With Jonathan’s unique capabilities and Max’s uncanny ability to detect danger, they go from one suspenseful situation to the next as they search for clues. At the same time, they try to discover who may have killed Jonathan in the past and if Gloryanna’s current problems are somehow linked. Then there’s Gloryanna’s grandfather who may hold a key to the mystery.

Jonathan & Gloryanna’s romance was surprisingly swoony and palpable considering he’s a ghost. I was hoping the entire time that there would be a way for them to be together. Both characters were so enjoyable and I liked Gloryanna’s intelligence and strength. They made a great team.

The mystery was intelligent and well written. While I guessed pretty early on who the villain was, I wasn’t sure until the end who all might be involved. There were some good twists along the way too. I had a really hard time putting this one down and loved the way actual events were woven into the story. Now, I need to go watch the documentary mentioned in the author’s afterword. It’s a suspenseful, romantic mystery that I highly recommend! I received advanced complimentary copies from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

This story pulled me in and I could not put it down until I finished. It is not your regular story because one of the main characters and his dog are not alive. This had twist and turns I didn’t see coming. Overall a great book.

What a great read! This book is full of suspense, mystery and romance. It has just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. Loved it and highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This story tells a bit more of WWII on American soil, the mainland, as Hawaiians call the 48 states.
Learn who sand pounders were and more German Uboot activity on the west coast.
You do have to use your imagination. A ghost plays a main character. While there are references to a higher power, the Almighty God, Creator of the universe is never mentioned.

This book was so fun. I loved all the twists and turns. Jonathan and his dog, Max are sand pounders during WWII. Things take a dangerous turn on one of their nights on watch. 80 years later we meet Gloryanna who Jonathan has just saved from the ocean. How? You'll have to read to find out. This is full of adventure, mystery and a bit paranormal. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery to solve with a bit of romance.

I think I've read almost everything that Author Kathi Oram Peterson has written and Shifting Sands has been the most unique. It has a beautiful fusion of mystery, action, romance, and paranormal. Yes, I said, "Paranormal".This was a wonderful addition to the overall story as well as historical happenings from WWII that I hadn't heard of before. One of the main characters was a member of a division of the Coast Guard called Sand Pounders. They patrolled the coastlines of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during WWII as they searched for enemy vessels. I enjoyed reading the historical facts that the author compiled at the end of the book.

The main character Gloryanna is a strong lady who finds herself bonding with a man who died in 1943. Sand Pounder Jonathan rescues Gloryanna from near death as she was caught in an underwater vortex while on a research dive. As the story unfolds, they both are trying to understand how and why they have been brought together. Someone is trying to murder Gloryanna, and Jonathan and his dog Max, do everything in their mysterious power to help keep her alive. You may wonder, how can a romance be built from all of these unusual variables? Well, this story will surprise you at every turn as Gloryanna and Jonathan figure out things that solve mysteries for both of them and Gloryanna's grandfather. With such distinctive plot lines that keep you reading non-stop, Shifting Sands is a Romantic, Mystery Suspense that should be put on the top of your to-read list.

I didn't read much into this book before requesting it, so I didn't realize how much of a paranormal aspect would be present in this story. I found it to be interesting, and the mystery was engaging, but ultimately this book didn't live up to the hype I had built up for it in my head, which is my fault.

I liked the marine biology aspect, and the uniqueness of the story. I haven't read any story like this before. The closest I can think of is Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.

I think this book would be more marketable with a cover change, and could appeal to a wider audience with better marketing.

RTC on Goodreads/Amazon!

Wow! This book is amazing! I couldn't stop once I picked it up. I thought I'd read a few minutes here and there in between different things I needed to do on a Saturday. Nope! I finished it all pretty much in one sitting! I had to pause for just a few minutes but I was quickly back to enjoying it and turning pages as quickly as I could.

Such a fascinating history as well that was woven into the story. Sand Pounders. Have you heard of them before? I have but I also lived on the coast for a long time. But I think this is one aspect of history, WWII history that probably isn't talked about much. I loved reading about the author's inspiration for the story and I'm so glad she wrote this one.

Gloryanna and Jonathan's story is unique. They are tied together in an unexplainable way. Shocking for both of them. I didn't read the blurb too closely because I wanted to be surprised when I read the book. And boy oh boy was I. Jonathan is a ghost and happens to rescue Gloryanna when she's caught in a vortex underwater while researching for a grant.

The mystery and unknown of the whole situation will pull you in and keep you guessing as Gloryanna experiences one setback and danger after another. With Johnathan at her side and unable to be seen by anyone else, he adds a lightness to the story. Poor Gloryanna might be thought to be mad talking to herself, but we all know it's just the ghost.

So many twists and turns that I love and have come to expect from books by Kathi Oram Peterson. I've loved all of her books that I've read and keep returning for more. I think it's safe to say that out of all of her books that I've read, this one is by far my favorite!

Gloryanna and Johnathan are racing to explain the dangerous things that keep happening, help her grandfather, try to solve Johnathan's die and figure out who is after her. Clear your schedules because you're going to want all the time to dive in and figure this one out!

Content: Clean. Some mild peril but nothing graphic.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!