Don’t Keep Silent (Uncommon Justice #3) – Elizabeth Goddard

Don't Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard
Also by this author: Present Danger, Deadly Target, Critical Alliance, Cold Light of Day, Shadows at Dusk, Hidden in the Night
Series: Uncommon Justice #3
Published by Revell on June 30, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Romance
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five-stars

Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he just doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her. As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other.

Bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard plunges you into a fast-paced, high-stakes story of honor, forgiveness, and justice.

Don’t Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard is one of those books that would’ve quickly drawn my attention at any bookstore. The title piqued my interest, and when I read the synopsis the first time, there was no question in my mind—Don’t Keep Silent was the next book on my “to read” list, and I pushed all the others aside.  I don’t regret the decision, not for a second…and I don’t miss the sleep I lost, either.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had a book keep me up past midnight because I didn’t want to put it down.  Don’t Keep Silent did just that, and I didn’t hesitate to read it till I finished it the next morning.  I had to know what happened to Liam McKade and Raegan Burke.

For the first time in months, I found myself sayi ng, “I’ll go to sleep after I read just one more chapter.” One chapter turned to two…then five…and before I knew it, I’d read ten, and I was awake long past when I meant to be.  Rae and Liam have a complicated relationship from the very beginning of the novel.  As an investigative reporter who doesn’t know when to quit, Rae has gotten herself into some tough scrapes over the years—including one which almost cost former DEA agent Liam McKade his life.

He never wanted to see her again, but when she crashes into his life in the snowy outback of Wyoming to search for her sister-in-law, he can’t let her conduct her investigations alone. That decision leads them to a thrilling—and dangerous—adventure of sometimes uncovering more questions than answers, while simultaneously attempting to deny the romantic sentiments swirling in both their hearts.

Don’t Keep Silent was the first book by Elizabeth Goddard I had ever read—and I will be reading more.  I loved Rae’s perseverance.  The most important thing to her was her family; she wanted to bring her sister-in-law home safe. Liam was irritable at first, as I think he should have been. But he didn’t let the negatives of the past impact the present. He was determined to help Rae and protect her, as long as she let him. That was what I found most endearing. There was rarely a scenario when he said, “Let me do this for you, Rae.” Rather, he didn’t attempt to stop her; instead, he asked “What can I do to help?” He didn’t always try to be the proverbial hero on a white horse. He let Rae pick her battles, and then he went into the trenches with her instead of for her.

The novel was a fast-paced, never-ending spiral that kept me guessing at every page-turn. I loved how Goddard presented the romance. It wasn’t overwhelming, nor did it seem like the main purpose of the story.  I will make this note—I read books for their stories, not for trying to figure out the plot’s mysteries before they occur.  A more observant reader probably would’ve put all the pieces together long before I did, which for some, may make Don’t Keep Silent somewhat predictable.  There were also a few occasions in which I felt the “clues” were farfetched and the dangerous scenarios forced.  The book had some plot holes that I still find myself struggling to answer.

Overall, though, Don’t Keep Silent was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and won’t hesitate to recommend to my friends. If you like novels with intrigue, thrills, and romance all wrapped up in one, this is definitely a book for you.

five-stars