Book Review: Not This Time by Vicki Hinze

From the author’s website:

Sara and Beth have built a multi-million dollar business together, but their once solid friendship is now strained. Beth is leery of Sara’s husband, and when he is kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.

Then, their small town of Seagrove Village is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn’t know who to trust. Someone she knows is linked to the attack, but who? Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center? In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past. She knows she shouldn’t fall in love with him, but she can’t resist or even explain their bond. As her world unravels around her, she wonders, is it possible to be beyond redemption?

When I started reading this book I thought I would never be able to finish it.  I was frustrated with the large number of characters and trying to figure out what was going on.  I still am not sure exactly who the bad guys are and what their motives are.  As I continued to read I was able to follow the story better and realized that I needed to read the previous two books in the series in order to enjoy it more.  Had the author included a little more background information about Crossroads, NINA and several of the characters it would have been much better.  I’m not sure how much she could include without spoiling the previous books.

I would recommend Not This Time to anyone who likes mysteries with a little more suspense than a cute cozy but doesn’t want over the top graphic violence or sex.  The Christian elements are not preachy and fit in as a natural part of the characters involved.  To preview this book yourself you can read chapter 1 here.

You can also read more info about author Vicki Hinze or order a copy of the book at the Waterbrook Multnomah website.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.