This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. I thought at first I had it figured out as far as who done it, and then that blew up in my face, so the more I read I kept thinking okay this person done it , but no I was wrong again. So this is one of those books that when you find out who did do it, your like "oh wow are you serious?" This is a very good mystery/suspense book. I was not lucky enough to read the first books in this series but it is just as good as a stand alone book. I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book for the purpose of this review. ( )

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. I thought at first I had it figured out as far as who done it, and then that blew up in my face, so the more I read I kept thinking okay this person done it , but no I was wrong again. So this is one of those books that when you find out who did do it, your like "oh wow are you serious?" This is a very good mystery/suspense book. I was not lucky enough to read the first books in this series but it is just as good as a stand alone book. I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book for the purpose of this review. ( )

This is the third book in the series. I did not read the first two. It really didn't matter, but I do think you would have understood more if you do. I wish I had. The characters are fully formed and believable, though the story line is a bit of a stretch. But, not so far that it leaves you wondering or laughing. It is a good suspense and love story combined. The story is told in the first person and flows well. I enjoyed reading this story. It isn't so full of suspense that you cannot put it down, but it has enough suspense to make you want to read the story and not give up. The editing was well done. I greatly appreciate a well edited book. I would recommend this book to any looking for a fast read in a mystery/suspense style book. This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Rising Darkness
Nancy Mehl

Book Summary: Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. Certain she's left her past far behind her, she's now focused on her job at a newspaper and is shocked when she stumbles upon the name of someone she knew in her old life. But when she learns the man--a prisoner--claims a suspect from a decades-old unsolved crime is hiding out in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, she can't resist following the lead in hopes of furthering her career. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Sophie's confronted with a face from her past and fears her intention of using a false identity to investigate is doomed. But with the help of Sanctuary's charismatic young pastor, Sophie knows she's getting close. Will she be able to conceal the truth of her own past long enough to find the suspect before someone puts a stop--fatal or otherwise--to her investigation?

Review: I usually love Nancy Mehl’s books. I found myself reading this very slow. I struggled to get into the story and the details as I worked my way through it. It did get better after the first half. I usually sail right through these books. I loved the first 2 in the series. It had the added bonus of being a foot in the Sanctuary Series and the Kingdom Series. This should have endeared me to it, I did not mind that Sophie was not a Christian at the start and her life in Kingdom was awful, I just found her telling blatant lies a little hard to take. I do understand the reporter in her wanted to investigate under cover, but to smear the name of a dead woman seemed a little over the top. That was part of my problem. At the story unfolded Sophie grew on me. I think by than it was a little late for me to really love this book, however I did grow to like it.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ( )

Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl is the third and final book in the Finding Sanctuary trilogy. Sophie Bauer (formerly Wittenbauer) used to be a conservative Mennonite living in Kingdom, Kansas. An incident forced her to leave and seek a new life. Sophie works at the St. Louis Times doing the obituaries and occasional restaurant review. Sophie wants to be a crime reporter and is working towards getting a college degree. One day Sophie comes across a letter from Tom Ford (Sophie knew him in Kingdom) who is in prison in El Dorado, Kansas. Tom claims a wanted criminal by the name of Terrence Chase is hiding out in Sanctuary, Missouri (of course, Tom wants something in exchange for giving Sophie this information). Sophie sees this as her chance to write a big story (and gain recognition) if she can find Chase. Sophie goes to Sanctuary (a very private town) under an assumed name and with a made up story to explain her presence in town (and so she can gain access to Church records). Sophie will have to face her past in Sanctuary (which was originally an all Mennonite town but is now mixed) especially when she comes face to face with Jonathan Wiese. Jonathan is a pastor at Agape Fellowship Church in Sanctuary and the only man Sophie ever loved (secretly as a teenager). Will Sophie be able to find Terrence Chase (without getting herself killed) and write her story? Can Sophie resolve her past issues? You will have to read Rising Darkness to find out.

I found Rising Darkness to be a predictable novel (the mystery and the romance). I was hoping for a twist to make it more interesting (I would have been happy with anything that would have made the novel more interesting). While Rising Darkness is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone story. I give Rising Darkness 3 out of 5 stars. The writing is satisfactory, but not remarkable (I was not pulled into the story). I found parts of the novel to be very slow paced (and a little boring). It actually took me three different tries to get through Rising Darkness (I just never got into the story). The Christian theme is not mild in this book. There are many discussions about religion and theology throughout the book. The book ends without everything being resolved (which is frustrating). I did like Sophie’s growth during the book and how she is finally able to overcome her troubled and difficult youth.

I received a complimentary copy Rising Darkness from NetGalley and The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. ( )