‘STRANDED,’ by Dani Pettrey

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Fans returning to the Last Chance Frontier and Alaskan wilderness, Stranded, finds Gage McKenna and Darcy St. James reunited when Darcy’s friend disappears off a cruise ship.

‘STRANDED,’ by Dani Pettrey. Book three of the Alaskan Courage series follows Gage and Darcy. All text © Rissi JC

STORY: Working with the smarts she hones as a former investigative reporter, Darcy left the job following a conscious troubled by a case, a decision she made when where the lines should be drawn begin blurring. Now she is drawn back in while trying to protect her now-missing friend and much to her dismay she finds Gage will also be a working member of the cruise – along with his family who have signed a contract to provide expert, guided tours at various scenic locations. When past and present collide, Darcy and Gage discover it’s not just Abby who is in danger – or missing, Darcy has also made herself a target.


Stranded, by Dani Pettrey | Book Review


In case you hadn’t heard, the McKenna family is baaack! There’s no secret about how well these novels resonate with fans. They have this ability to make us catch our breath then turn around and coax a smile. All elements that brand this series a leader in its genre. As a reader, the excitement and danger makes this one a fast read (the kind you never wish to see conclude) and discovering an emotionally relatable character within these pages has been a wonderful reader journey. But then this only solidifies my opinion of this group. This McKenna family seems more like best friends than the norm of cookie cutter characters whom we read about for 300 hundred pages and then promptly forget.

‘STRANDED,’ by Dani Pettrey. Book three in the McKenna family saga. #FWarchives #BookReviews #FavoriteBooks Click To Tweet

Their laid-back teasing always comes at the most opportune interval (just when readers are in need of a momentary bit of relief!) and more emotions play into the dynamics. Pettrey has a brilliant knack for combining familial ties and a top-notch mystery; the former offers comfort and stability, and the latter earns each story the distinction of being a page turner. Given the circumstances, again, there is no shortage of adventure; the mystery runs along similar lines and is yet again impressive though I do remember questioning the possibility (through educated guesses and the clues) of what it ultimately ended up involving.

BOOK REVIEW | ‘CHASING SECRETS’: BOOK FOUR IN THE LYNETTE EASON SUSPENSE SERIES

Gage is probably the most complicated of the McKenna men yet. From experience he doesn’t trust easily. He judges Darcy on a standard he should not, which then interferes with him trusting her based on past experience that has nothing to do with Darcy. Getting to know Darcy again is fun and while I think Cole’s story is my favorite, I thoroughly enjoyed Stranded; one of Dani’s best assets is the past she seamlessly forms between the romantic leads of each novel. Darcy and Gage may find love quickly when you read this as a stand-alone novel (which I don’t recommend) but when read as a series their love story has more meaning.

If nothing else (though they are more), the McKenna’s are unforgettable. The good thing about these books is that there is more than merely unforgettable characters. Dani weaves strong bonds and fantastic plots. Fans of suspense or familial sagas will be swept away by Pettrey’s masterful Alaskan Courage series. The only disadvantage is having to bid adieu to them for another year.

About the Book:

Author: Dani Pettrey
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: September 2013
Find the review elsewhere: Goodreads | WordPress
Add the Book: Goodreads
Series: Alaskan Courage – Book 3
Genre: Fiction; Suspense, Romance, Christian Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5

 Sincere thanks to author Dani Pettrey for providing a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

14 comments

  1. 'In case you hadn't heard, the McKenna family is baaack!' Whoop!! Now you've got me wanting to read the book, right now. It'll be fun to meet up with this family, again. Jake is so intriguing.. I'm glad something about him is revealed in Stranded. Thanks for sharing, Rissi!

    1. My reaction EXACTLY, Ganise! Always anticipate this family's return – and am excited we get two more novels instead of the standard three-book contract. :)

      Jake *is* intriguing! Cannot argue that. Always did like the guy and Dani has done a fabulous job in supporting and piquing that interest.

      Thank you for reading, Ganise – hope you enjoy the book!

    1. Thank you for sharing this family with us all, Dani. I find their adventures not just exciting but also very poignant and thought-provoking. Happy to have been able to read Stranded – it's now a proud member of my "keeper shelf." :)

      Thank you for stopping by – always appreciate it. :)

    1. Hello, Jillian! Thanks bunches for stopping by Dreaming Under the Same Moon. I hope you enjoyed the visit. :)

      You know, if you don't have a copy coming in the mail or you haven't bought it yet, there is a giveaway for Stranded going on now on the blog – you can find the details by clicking the link at the top of this review or the giveaway button on the sidebar. :)

    2. My pleasure, Jillian – always happy to discover new blogs. :)

      Thanks for the blog follow – glad to have you as part of the readership. Join in the fun, you readers bring to Dreaming Under the Same Moon any time. :)

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