Also by this author: Airborne, Fatal Strike, Deadly Encounter, High Treason, Deep Extraction, Where Tomorrow Leads, Long Walk Home, Trace of Doubt, Trace of Doubt, Concrete Evidence
Published by Tyndale Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance, Suspense
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A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.
-A thrilling Christian contemporary novel with themes of courage and resilience from award–winning author DiAnn Mills-Perfect for fans of clean, action-packed romantic suspense-Includes discussion questions for book clubs
As a wilderness survival expert, Therese has seen (and done) a lot. But seeking a missing girl in Guadalupe Mountains National Park wasn’t something she ever thought she would do. She recruits Blane to help, and they venture into the deserted landscape. The case, however, quickly becomes more complicated…and with higher stakes than either of them could’ve anticipated. DiAnn Mills hits it out of the park with Canyon of Deceit. This one’s a thrill ride!
I can always count on DiAnn Mills to do her research, and I adore seeing Texas portrayed in novels—and done accurately. I hiked in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 2024, and Mills’s imagery pulled that trip to the forefront of my mind. The park is a hiker’s park. What I mean by that: If you want to see anything, you must hike—and no hike is easy. Trails are well maintained, but it’s nothing like, say, the Grand Canyon. There aren’t many people; even getting a hotel near the park is an adventure. Mills does a fantastic job portraying how rural everything is.
Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is somewhat convoluted. It has a very complex plot, pulling in political twists and organized crime. The novel can be hard to follow, but you have to let it progress. Eventually, everything locks into place and makes sense, but it takes time. And brain power, which I sometimes didn’t possess enough of to read the book. Don’t get lost studying the bark on the trees. Keep pushing through, for Canyon of Deceit is worth it!
I did have some qualms, though with some of the international politics. I can’t go into much detail without spoilers, but I didn’t find them to be entirely accurate. In real life, there probably would be some ramifications to certain actions, but there’s nothing. Maybe my reaction comes from my educational background in international affairs. Perhaps it’s because I thought about it too much, which is also entirely possible.
I doubt most readers would react in the same manner, so don’t let my cynicism deter you! Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is quite the adventure filled with faith, twists, believable characters, and plenty of action!