This is an engaging novel. I was hooked early with the tension of the intriguing mystery building. Grier is nice fellow but we know there is some secret he is hiding. Autumn is a good police chief in the small Alaskan town but she has issues from her past making her a realistically flawed human trying to keep her job. The mystery builds as murders begin to happen, leading to compelling action. It seemed so hopeless near the end I read way too late as I just had to see how it ended.

I like the setting. The small town is exactly the kind of place in Alaska people might go to hide out or start a new life. That could be because of a previous crime (Hank) or a secret from which one needed to hide. I like how Goddard developed the residents of the town. They formed a tightly knit group that helped one another, especially when trouble loomed.

I highly recommend this novel. It begins with mysterious intrigue and ends with action that compels reading to the end. There are a couple of twists thrown in too. There is a subtle but good faith message and just enough hint of romance to add an emotional layer to the plot. I've read a number of Goddard's novels and this may be her best one yet.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

In Cold Light Of Day, book one of the Missing In Alaska Series, author Elizabeth Goddard transports the reader to Shadow Gap, Alaska for an intriguing Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Autumn Long is the police chief in Shadow Gap, Alaska. Autumn took over the position two years ago when her dad, then police chief Miles Long, suffered a permanent disability from an accident and had to retire. Now Autumn is fighting to keep her job due to local politics within the city council.

Grier Brenner is a newcomer to Shadow Gap. He's been in town for a few months, and has come there to disappear, lay low and live off the grid, and he doesn't want to attract any unwanted attention.

But when criminal activity and unexplained murders occur in the town, Autumn reaches out to Grier for his assistance, and he reluctantly teams up with her, and they are determined to find out who is behind the recent criminal activity, especially when buried secrets and a connection between their pasts puts a target on both of their lives.

Author Elizabeth Goddard weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person alternating narrative that follows police chief Autumn Long and Grier Brenner as they team up to investigate and solve the recent criminal activity and unexplained murder cases, while dealing with threats and danger that lurk around every corner.

I loved reading this action-packed story. Autumn and Grier's investigation kept me intrigued as their unlikely partnership brings two people with a lot of buried secrets and past baggage together, especially when a connection behind their pasts puts them both in danger. And if that isn't enough, Autumn and Grier have a potential romantic connection that they both try to deny.

The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive setting and plot that will keep them guessing as family dysfunction and buried secrets, possible motives, and clues are uncovered during the investigation. Just when you think you figured out who is targeting Autumn and Grier, the author provides enough intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader in suspense and guessing until the surprising conclusion.

Cold Light Of Day has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, angsty romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2023/02/cold-light-of-day-by-elizabeth-goddard.html

Cold Light of Day is the first tale in Elizabeth Goddard’s Missing in Alaska series. Autumn Long is going about a typical day as police chief of a small town in Alaska, when she suddenly sees a woman struggling in the frigid waters of Lewis Inlet. Autumn is relieved when she sees a man sprinting into action. This incident has brought back the nasty memory of her mother’s drowning years ago!

Grier Brenner, a newcomer in town, is the man who came to the rescue. He may be the town hero today; however, Autumn senses Grier is hiding something from her. When unexplained dead bodies begin showing up, Autumn and Grier jump in to determine what is going on!

You will not believe who is behind these murders. By the final pages of this tale, you will not only learn what originally brought Grier to this neck of the woods and but also what happened to Autumn’s mother all those years ago!

Cold Light of Day is a thrilling tale. I felt immersed into the book as I were there fighting against the Alaskan elements and racing against time to protect the town from more death.Adventure meets heartwarming moments with great balance from cover to cover. I definitely recommend this book.

I received a copy, but all opinions are my own.

If you are looking for a great suspense read with a bit of romance, then I am sure you will enjoy this book. It is always fun when a book is set in a place you’ve never been. It’s not often I read books set in Alaska, so I enjoyed a new scenery.

This book is full of twists and turns and surprises. I enjoyed the way it was written because you never really knew who the bad guys were, who they were after or why

I always enjoy Elizabeth Goddard’s books and I am sure you will too. This book is the first in her new series, so read it now so you don’t get behind on the series.

4.5 stars

“People went missing all over the world, but Alaska set records when it came to missing people.”

Whew! What an intense ride! And just when you think you know how it’s going to turn out, brace yourself because you probably don’t.

I love reading books set in Alaska, and I really love reading suspense novels set there. Something about its vast remoteness, brutal elements, and stunning beauty just lends itself to the perfect suspense mood – and it certainly doesn’t hurt that a lot of people head there to intentionally disappear. Which brings up all kinds of delightful (to a suspense fan, anyway) plot possibilities. And Cold Light of Day is teeming with all of the above. I was engaged from the very first page and caught up in the story all the way through. (Also… who knew Alaska had a rain forest?!?)

Autumn and Grier are both very likable characters, right off the bat, and the more we get to know them the more we like them as individuals, as a team, and as a potential couple. Both have complex layers that the author peels back for readers a little at a time, tantalizing us with just enough information to whet our curious minds and keep us guessing until all is at last revealed. There are several surprises tucked away in this story, and Grier’s reasons for being in Shadow Gap are just the beginning. For the last several chapters, in fact, I was absolutely spellbound with all the twists and turns, wanting to see how it would all play out and – at the same time – not wanting it to end.

Bottom Line: Cold Light of Day is the perfect kick-off for Elizabeth Goddard’s new Missing in Alaska series and will keep you on your toes from start to finish! I loved the layered characters – the more I learned about them, the more I wanted to know – and the way the author revealed their backstories and core values organically as the story unfolded. Not to mention the way Alaska peeks over their shoulders as a vivid supporting character all its own. The suspense had my heart in my throat with several unexpected twists, and of course I am here for the delicious romance & swoony kisses. This was such a great read & I cannot wait for book two!!!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Things get dangerous in a small Alaska town...

There are some authors you just know that you can count on for a Christian romantic suspense story that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Elizabeth Goddard has always been one of those authors and Cold Light Of Day certainly proves it. This first book in her new Missing In Alaska series delivered all of the cold chills I could have hoped for and even a few surprises along the way.

And on the subject of surprises, in this story there were quite a few. Nothing and no one were as they first appeared. Even our heroine and hero have some secrets. And if there is one thing this book is about, it's secrets....

If you like murder and mayhem, and I do, Cold Light Of Day was a fun read. The dramatic and treacherous Alaskan setting only amplifies the danger and intrigue in this fast-paced first Missing In Alaska novel from Elizabeth Goddard. I really enjoyed it and absolutely can't wait for the next book in the series...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

It's so exciting that Elizabeth Goddard has another suspense filled series releasing. The start of her Missing in Alaska series, Cold Light of Day, does not disappoint. I loved it. Five stars.

I loved how well this book was written. It drew me in from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the characters, the storyline, and how well it was concluded.

Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.

Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are--to disappear--when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he's not sure even Autumn could save him.

As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats.

This was a fast-paced book that I enjoyed reading. I didn't want to put it down. I would have liked more information as to why Autumn was fighting for her job. It felt like that part was thrown in without any explanation. It was like the details were explained in a previous book. But this was book one of the series. I liked that Grier and Autumn put aside their need to keep their noses clean in order to find the killers.

This was a clean suspense filled book.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Elizabeth Goddard kicks off her latest series, Missing in Alaska, with double barrels of action and intrigue. Cold Light of Day finds Shadow Gap police chief Autumn Long fighting for her job and ultimately her life. As suspicious deaths start to add up in an area where death is usually clearly related to the harsh landscape, details about the mysterious-but-helpful newcomer in town begin to trickle to light. There’s no reason for Autumn to trust Grier, but intuition tells her he’s the only outsider she can trust. Even when her investigation leads directly to his doorstep, she knows there’s more to the story than he is telling her - a story which implicates, but ought to exonerate him. Losing her position as chief may be more blessing than the curse it seems, and when the truth about Grier brings Autumn face to face when the mother she thought had been long dead, reality becomes stranger than fiction. Goddard has laced her boots tight to forge a path of action adventure and romance worthy of lacing up your own to follow where she goes.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Elizabeth Goddard never disappoints me! I was intrigued from the first page and it took extreme will power not to pull an all nighter and finish the book! Cold Light of Day is set in a small Alaskan town where you need to be strong to survive. I admired Police Chief Autumn Long who is working to prove she can perform her job with a mayor who wants to give the job to his nephew. You'll wonder why the peaceful town of Shadow Gap is suddenly finding murdered bodies! Newcomer Grier Brenner has the skills to help Autumn but who is he really? You will not want to put this book down! I recommend Cold Light of Day to anyone who enjoys suspense. I received a complimentary copy of the book through Revell and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

This is an exciting read from start to finish. The details give you insight into life in Alaska. You may think that it is so desolate and nothing ever happens there. But when you least expect it, crime can come knocking at your door. There is just enough romance to make it interesting without too much mushy stuff. The language is clean, and the characters are well developed and likable (well, most of them are likable.). The twists and turns keep you guessing to the end. The action keeps you wanting to turn the page again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow! So must danger and drama wrapped up within the covers of this thriller set in Alaska. Murders and connections to international crime figures keep pulling readers deeper into the intrigue and peril. Secrets and suspicions keep them guessing. And the plot twists and surprising developments amp up the excitement and emotions. It makes you wonder if they will ever sort it all out or even survive. If you enjoy powerful mysteries with high stakes, this definitely fits the bill. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own. #ColdLightofDay #NetGalley

Title: Cold Light of Day
Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Ch: 44

Pg: 352

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell

Elizabeth Goddard is quickly becoming one of my favorite Christian Romantic Suspense authors. I’ve enjoyed everything she’s written so far and Cold Light of Day is no different. I enjoyed the new setting as I haven’t read a romantic suspense set in Alaska. And I think Alaska lends itself to its own character in this novel.


Autumn Long is the police chief of Shadow Gap Alaska when a crime wave hits her small town. She’s doesn’t have enough officers or the support of the town council. But she’s a capable police officer and she’s determined to prove that she’s the right person to be chief.


Grier Brenner is a man who’s running from his his past as well as keeping secrets. But he still has a heart for helping and doing the right thing. Not to mention he’s pretty much adopted by a husky with one blue eye one brown eye name Cap. Pretty cap was my favorite character though bear was a close second.


I also loved the people of Shadow Gap the old guys at the diner reminded me of my grandpa and his friends.


The suspense kept me turning the pages because I just had to find out what happened. And another plus is I didn’t figure out who done it till it was revealed. And I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The first thing that comes to mind is the really great world building. It almost began to feel like a really good travel log. It gave more insight to places and histories of areas in Alaska. Although that was good, it also slowed the story for me, which I didn't enjoy quite as much. Because I wanted the "story" about the people.
The unexpected rescue of Sarah stirred things up big time. And that just adds into the "so many questions" category.
Grier nailed it when he thought he had to help Chief Autumn. He couldn't stand by and watch a bunch of nitwits on the city council try to pull her down. Especially Wally who seemed to be the biggest nitwit thorn in her side. Grier even goes the extra mile to bring in some people he knows to help with the dives, even though he's trying to hide. He knew it was a risk though because he was trying to NOT get his face on the news.
This were a bit slow getting into the story BUT when it took off it really did. INTENSE all the rest of the way through, with surprise after surprise.
I was crossing my fingers for the romance to go from the cagey friendship to the romance that their attraction promised. Because what worthy main characters they were and so easy to be drawn into.
I liked how faith in God was so subtly woven into the story. And I liked how the story ended even better.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

With a nail-biting prologue which kept the reader guessing of what happened and breadcrumbs being dropped throughout the story, Elizabeth Goddard did a great job of keeping suspense fans captivated in this suspenseful story.

The beautiful setting of Alaska, two main characters with baggage which impacted their actions and natural and criminal threats which kept Autumn and Grier from finding the truth added to the thrill.

However, some people went missing by choice. Disappearing in Alaska was part of their grand scheme. And others were forced into hiding to survive.

I believed in Grier’s innocence, though I wondered if his secrets was a bit shady.

I am hoping Nolan, Autumn’s brother will have his own story in this series as well.

Such a great start to a new romantic suspense series! It's easy to forget that the characters aren't real people and the ending has a delicious twist that wasn't predictable. Throw in vivid Alaskan scenery and swoony romance and I'm already anxious for book two.

An interview and discussion of the book can be found here: https://youtu.be/Q8oCSZDZVag

Ready for a wild ride?! The latest book from Elizabeth Goddard takes you on a reading rollercoaster as you visit the beautiful but mysterious state of Alaska where anyone can disappear. This story grabs you from the first line, "I never should have come" until the very end. Once you start, you can't put this one down. I truly loved the beautiful setting and the interesting characters - especially Autumn who is the sheriff, and Grier the mysterious stranger in town. Even the supporting characters are people you want to know more about. If you like a story which has mystery, suspense, and enough action to keep you "glued" to your book - this story is for you. I received a copy from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

Autumn Long loves her hometown of Shadow Gap in southeastern Alaska. She has succeeded her father as Police Chief, but her job is in jeopardy. The reasons are suspicious. However, she has bigger problems when crime in this normally quiet community escalates. The dead bodies keep mounting up as she struggles to find out why. Against his better judgement, Grier Brenner tries to help. For reasons of his own, he needs to stay under the radar to stay safe, but he is drawn to Autumn. Quickly it becomes evident that both their lives are in danger. Can they survive long enough to find out why?
The setting is vividly brought to life in this masterfully crafted story. The action never stops as the story becomes more and more complicated. Nothing in this engrossing narrative is predictable. Shocking secrets are revealed, and the tension runs high. Just when readers think all questions have been answered, we are thrown a curve.
I found this to be an exciting story. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.