Out of Darkness, blog tour plus GIVEAWAY!

Description:

Elisabeth Allen gave her heart to Jesus as a little girl and to Drew Marek as a teenager. When their wedding day finally arrives, it’s the happiest day of her life–until a car bomb transforms her dream come true into a living nightmare.

As Best Man at the wedding, Gabriel Di Salvo promises Drew–his best friend and CIA partner–he’ll look after Elisabeth, but he never dreams it will become necessary so soon. As Elisabeth struggles to put the pieces of her life back together without Drew, Gabe becomes her rock, and as they share their grief and begin to heal, their friendship gradually deepens into something more.

Three years later, Gabe and Elisabeth are planning a future together when he receives a shocking call from the one man who can upend his happiness: Drew. Suspecting someone at the CIA is behind his abduction, Drew refuses to come home. Instead, he asks Gabe to bring Elisabeth to him. Now Gabe just has to figure out how to let her go.

Drew and Elisabeth race across Europe, dodging international arms dealers and attempting to reclaim what was stolen from them. But years of captivity and torture have left their mark on Drew. He is no longer the same boy Elisabeth fell in love with, but he is still her husband, and she’s determined to build something new and leave her relationship with Gabe in the past, if her heart will get the memo.

When their enemies close in and the threat of a terrorist attack escalates, Gabe may be the only person they can trust. Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe are thrown into a fight for their lives–one that will test their loyalties to God, country . . . and each other.

About the Author:

Erynn Newman is a pastor’s kid, raised in churches all over the Eastern Seaboard. Since earning her degree in Christian Studies, she has traveled the world and served as a missionary, a counselor, an ESL teacher, and a nanny. Though she has never worked with the CIA, her DVR contains a veritable Who’s Who of international spies. She is a Carolina girl, a wife, and Mama to a very busy little boy, two cats, and a gaggle of characters that live inside her head.

My Review: 4 stars

I have mixed thoughts regarding this book. On one hand, I loved the characters and was so into the story! On the other hand, there were a few things that bothered me a bit, looking back. As far as I’m aware, this is Erynn Newman’s first book, aside from the prequel novellette (which I enjoyed) and as such, I didn’t really have many expectations. I was hoping to be entertained and enjoy the adventure, both of which definitely happened, and I always look for characters to fall in love with, something that is also true of this story. With those things in mind, I am definitely looking forward to another book from this author!

Ms. Newman has an interesting writing style that drew me in from the very beginning! I was curious to read this story, as I love suspense and adventure, and the synopsis had me wondering where the story would go before I ever turned the first page. I enjoyed how she pulled me into the characters’ lives and it seemed as though I was right there with them, even when it was painful. She did an excellent job of creating characters I would care about and come to think of as friends. I cried with them and ached at their pain, while also cheering them on and hoping for a “happily ever after.” Or at least, something close to it. I appreciated how the mystery kept me guessing and the suspense had me wishing for “just a few more minutes,” more than once. I have no idea how many pages this story has, but I have to confess, I wanted it to be longer. I loved the pace of the beginning, the “hooks” at the end of chapters that kept me coming back, getting to know Elisabeth and Gabe, and watching them walk through their grief. After that, the middle and the ending felt rather rushed. It’s as though the story reached a certain point and then everything focused on getting to the end. The characters began falling a bit flat and I didn’t connect with them as thoroughly. Some issues were a bit glossed over and I would’ve really liked to have seen more of the investigation, maybe been given another clue or two as to “whodunit.” I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say that there were some heavier topics and issues the characters needed to address and I felt as though we were simply told how they were handling it, rather than getting to walk through those things with them. I don’t know if the author simply didn’t want to take the chance of slowing down the story, or maybe it didn’t fit into her intention when starting out, but I would’ve loved to have seen a bit more depth in that regard.

I have no idea who made this photo, but I love it and am borrowing it!

Thank you, whoever made this. My complete lack of visual creativity salutes you. :)
Click here to purchase a copy!

Undoubtedly my favorite part of this story was the faith element. I loved how Ms. Newman chose to show it through the darkest moments. I appreciated how authentic it was, especially in how the characters approached God. They never came across as perfect. We see their doubts as clearly as their faith, but they never entirely gave up or lost hope, despite the trials they faced. I enjoyed how it was so naturally woven throughout the story, never feeling forced or contrived. Some may find it “preachy,” but I definitely appreciated the depth and the willingness of the author to portray Christianity with so much authenticity.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, despite it feeling a bit rushed. I will definitely be looking forward to the author’s next book (I’m really hoping it might be a sequel)!

Now, for the part you probably scrolled right past my lengthy review for: giveaway details!

To celebrate her tour, Erynn is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Out of Darkness, a signed copy of First Light, The Joy Eternal~A Sweet and Bitter Providence CD, a $10 Starbucks gift card, and Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Creme Cookies!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! And be sure to check the other posts (listed below) for more opportunities to win!

Blog Stops!

August 17: A Baker’s Perspective

August17: Genesis 5020

August18: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

August 18: Reading Is My SuperPower

August 19: Fiction Aficionado

August 19:Inklings and notions

August 20: Reflections from my Bookshelves

August 20: Blossoms and Blessings

August 21: History, Mystery & Faith

August 21: Blogging With Carol

August 22: Faithfully Bookish