Review: Lake of the Cross by LD Stauth

Series: A Campground Mystery #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Word Alive
Released: April 11, 2018
277 pages

About the Book:

Tumbling waterfalls, white pelicans, and sweet serenity were just a few of the reasons Karly Foster became a park naturalist. But when rumours of an unsolved murder surface and a friend mysteriously disappears, Karly’s world becomes anything but peaceful. Then, as if she needed her tranquility shattered further, her ex-boyfriend, Blake, literally flies back into her life.

Blake Fenton, the owner of Wilderness Bush Adventures, can’t believe it. Was that really Karly Foster he’d just flown to the Aspen Ridge Emergency, suffering from heat stroke? After three years, she has gotten even more beautiful … if that were possible. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that flying sparks between him and his feisty former flame could leave nasty burns. Again.

Then Blake makes a horrifying discovery, and strange and terrifying events begin to unfold. As Blake wrestles with fear for Karly’s safety and confusion over his feelings for her, his wilderness-guide friend, Henry, implores him to seek God for answers. For centuries, God has been revealing Himself to the locals in Henry’s remote community—in a very unusual way.

When Blake and Karly join forces to compete in the No Trace Canoe Race, they find themselves fighting, not just to win, but to stay alive. Because someone has committed murder in the campground, and the killer’s sights have turned on them.

Do Blake and Karly have a future together? Or will this moment, when they have finally found each other again, be the last one they ever share? 

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my second read through of this book and I found that I enjoyed it even more than the first time I read it.

The banter between Karly and Blake hooked me in the first book and I was looking forward to spending more time with them. The story is told by switching between each of their point of view and we find out what makes them who they are.

I was sucked in by the prologue. Every time things look promising for Karly and Blake something or someone gets in the way. I did not want to put the book down. Each character felt unique with no two feeling the same. I especially enjoyed Henry, his teasing of Blake and his sense of humor was entertaining. But he also had some deep moments that added to the story. I had mixed feelings toward Harrison, there were times I liked him but there were times he annoyed me. And don’t get me started on Raven, each time I began to feel for her she goes and does something that takes all those feelings away.

As much as I loved the characters I loved that the story kept me guessing. Who is behind all the strange events and what is their motive? I had not suspected the person who turned out to be the villain. Once it was revealed I began to think back on it and realized I had missed a bunch of little hints.

The descriptions made me feel like I was right there amid everything, characters I wanted to cheer for, and intrigue and suspense that kept me guessing. There was also a strong faith element without preaching at me, it flowed with the story. 

Favourite Quote: 

“Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. If you confess your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved - saved from spending eternity from God.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Stormy Lake - A Campground Mystery #1