A few years ago I implemented a personal policy where I would give a book two chapters to engage me and get me interested enough to want to learn how the story ends. If I wasn't hooked by the end of chapter two, then I gave myself permission to stop reading and try another one. There are so many good books out there that I don't want to waste precious reading time on mediocre or bad books.

Distorted had me riveted from the beginning and kept me guessing until the very end. It was very engaging and had me constantly questioning Mallory's team and their motives. I didn't want to put it down and breezed through it in just a few days (pausing only to do responsible adult things like care for my children). If you like suspense with a little bit of romance, then Distorted is definitely the book for you!

Wow...what a riveting read!! Page after page, the adrenaline kept surging wondering what was going to happen next! If you are looking for a suspense-filled, ready-to-go-without-sleep book, this is it! This is a story with a complex plot and faith-filled characters--a hard find these days. This story does a really good job in bringing to light the terrible reality of human trafficking, but focuses on the redemption and saving power of Jesus Christ. An excellent book!

Thank you to the author for this book. The thoughts and opinions posted here are my own.

Christy Barritt does it again. This book really sucks you in and you won't be able to put it down. You follow the story of Mallory, a human trafficking survivor, who is on her book tour and Tennyson, her rescuer turned bodyguard. As more people reappear in her life and join her security detail, who can be trusted. There are perils and twists around every turn which keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is truly a must read for fans of romantic suspense.

"No one can help me."
He shook his head. "That's where you're wrong. No one's beyond hope. No one."

I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All opinions in this review are my own.

What is it about Christy Barritt's stories that keep me coming back to them again and again? I'm not normally a fan of mysteries! But Ms. Barritt continues to hook me in every single time and I can never say no to one of her books. :) Per my usual, this one is no different. I was a goner from the first chapter until the last, every pulse-pounding minute of it!

First, let's talk about Mallory. I cannot even imagine going through a tenth of what this girl has endured! The sheer terror of her life before the story begins permeates everything in her present day. Which is only to be expected, because I don't think one just "gets over" that sort of thing. Human trafficking is a terrible and awful evil, but I absolutely loved her determination to survive despite it all. She is so fiercely driven to live, as well as make sure no one else experiences what she did. To face all the emotions and "stuff" she has to in order to become hope for someone else? That takes a tremendous lot of strength, of which Mallory has in spades. Can you tell I liked her? I really, really wanted to jump in her story (at the very end, of course, after all the action, because hello, I'm a wimp! ;), hug her tight, and give her someone else to lean on. Not that Tennyson isn't enough for her though. Because wow, that man!

Tennyson is certainly hero material. I loved how he knew just the right amount of caring and encouragement that Mallory needed. Plus he's just really good at keeping an eye on her. For more reasons than one. He's not perfect, but goodness is he ever perfect for her! For all the tension due to the constant threats, Ms. Barritt also created some serious chemistry between these two people, I swooned fairly often as they grew closer. Her ability to keep both the romantic tension and the whodunit balanced is so well done! Definitely a big reason I'm a fan of her writing. :)

There's simply no way to sit down with this story and not devour it all in one sitting. I read much too late in the night (jumping at all the creaking noises in my house, so....not recommended for late night reads if you're a scaredy-cat like me! ;), and closed the final pages with a happy sigh. A thrill ride from start to finish, I remain a huge fan of Ms. Barritt's after this story! And happily anticipate her next one, whenever it comes out...

**I received a complimentary copy from the author via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I think I can relax now that I’ve finished this latest action-packed thriller from Christy Barritt.

Maybe.

The action rarely slows, and even when it is granted a brief reprieve the aura of danger stays electric in the air. When you think you’ve got it figured out, Barritt skillfully throws another curve into the mix, muddying the waters just enough to cast a good dose of doubt on your theories.

Tennyson and Mallory have a backstory together that is as layered as their characters. When they meet again in the present day, that complex history between them makes it complicated for them to act on their romantic attraction. I really appreciated the authenticity with which Barritt crafted this aspect of their story while still giving them enough chemistry and genuine friendship to keep the romance angle alive and well. And Tennyson… #swoon.

Mallory is the kind of heroine you want your teenage daughters and nieces and granddaughters to read about. She’s been through the unimaginable, the terrifying, and it’s left scars behind. Literal scars as well as emotional ones. Yet, as she says at one point in the novel, “Through the grace of God, I’m a victor not a victim.” She has leaned in to the only One who can redeem those scars and bring true healing. Not only that, but she’s bravely invested her life post-trauma to help other women who have been through the same nightmare. She still experiences the effects of the trauma – day and night – but it’s her bravery in the face of fear that you’ll remember.

Bottom Line: Distorted is an excellent non-stop thriller, yes, but it’s so much more than that too. Mallory Baldwin IS a survivor, and Barritt weaves into the core of her fictional story a victim-turned-victor who reflects the not-so-fictional atrocities and evils of human trafficking … as well as the grace of God that heals. This latest book set in the Cape Thomas universe is not to be missed!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Distorted is a suspense-filled story that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages. It captured my interest immediately, and the numerous twists and turns kept me guessing. Christy Barritt is a master at setting the scene and creating realistic, complex, and memorable characters. Although the subject of human trafficking is a tough, gritty subject, she handled it very well. This is a primarily a novel of suspense, but there’s also romance and a thread of forgiveness and redemption. I will definitely be reading more of Christy Barritt’s books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed it and all opinions are my own.

Phew. I had to wipe a bit of sweat off my forehead by the time I got to the end of this book. And although it has a little length to it, I read it in one day. It was that good, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep without finishing. The book really captured my attention from the very first chapter, well the prologue actually, with the swoon worthy Tennyson. I’m not sure who the author pictured in her mind as the inspiration for him, but I was picturing Channing Tatum.

Swoon worthiness aside, this was a fantastic suspense book. Here’s the thing about Christy Barritt – she is great at making you take a second thought of what you think is coming. There is such a great mystery that you really have your decision on the who and why going in about ten different directions by the time you find out the answer. She will keep you on your toes and make you want to just ignore the world until the book is finished.

I have to say that I loved Mallory’s character. The world thought she had herself together, but the reality was she still struggled on the inside. Even with those struggles, she still knew what she wanted and for the most part would not back down from her beliefs. And when she and Tennyson started interacting, it wasn’t like some books where Tennyson would have saved her, kissed her, and promised to protect her while proclaiming his love for her. Instead they had a slow relationship that focused on the main storyline first, and dealt with feelings second. And although some may feel the slow progression is unnecessary, I disagree. It added more depth and emotion to their feelings. It made them second guess if these feelings were something they truly wanted to act on. And it allowed me to focus on the situation at hand – finding the one responsible for all that had happened.

This is a great read for suspense readers. Just make sure you have some time on your hands when you begin. I think you’ll find that you don’t want to stop! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Distorted is a thrill ride from beginning to end! The reader gets drawn into the action and suspense from the very beginning. Mallory, the main character in the book is a survivor of human trafficking. While vacationing in the Caribbean, her family was murdered and she was held captive for over a year. After her rescue, she took some time for herself and received counseling and has now written a book and is getting ready to head out on a speaking tour to encourage other survivors. Now that she is back in the public eye, she starts receiving threatening emails from an anonymous stalker and weird events start occurring in the cities she is visiting. So, former Navy Seal Tennyson Walker is brought in to protect her. However, this is not the first time they have met. He is the man who rescued her from her captor. It is a race against time for Walker to keep Mallory safe and get to the bottom of who is after her. The reader will be on the edge of her seat with lots of questions of who is behind all this. Just when you think you have it all figured out of who is after Mallory, the author throws you another curve ball and you just keep reading!
In my opinion, Christy Barritt handled the very difficult and heartbreaking issue of human trafficking very well in this novel. I appreciated her approach of having Mallory striving to become a victor and not a victim through the grace of God.
I would definitely recommend this book. It is full of suspense and just the right amount of romance for me.
I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! This story truly will keep you on the edge of your seat not wanting to put it down. It's so full of suspense, action, intrigue and gripping drama. It also brings sweet redemption and love into the story of Mallory and Tennyson.
From the very first moments in the book to the very end, I was captivated by it's fast moving pace. This book held my attention so much I couldn't put it down. I continued to think about it even while I was going through my everyday routines, which made it hard on my husband because dinner was sometimes a bit late.
This story presented current issues in our society, issues some just want to ignore. Yet the issues of human-trafficking is so prevalent now that it saddens me.
Christy Barritt has done a wonderful job with this story. She shares the hope others can have to be a, "victor not a victim" through the grace of God.
I highly recommend you reading this book. I received this book from the author and all opinions are my own.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on Christy Barritt's newest release, Distorted, which came out this week. It was a fantastic read! Barritt moves from her more humorous side often seen in her other series to a tad more serious in this book, but her voice remains very recognizable. She has a way of writing suspense that takes you on a ride without spinning you so much that you want off. Her characters have depth with believable conflict, and Distorted was no different. It tackles the difficult subject of human trafficking in a way that brings awareness and yet isn't so heavy you cannot keep reading. That's a hard balance to strike on such an issue when approaching it in a book meant to entertain. And entertain it did.

Barritt keeps the pace moving, raises good questions, develops likable characters, and has you guessing until the very end. And she still delivers the HEA that her readers look for.

Christy Barritt is a prolific author who excels in writing various types of mysteries that range from humorous cozy mysteries to serious suspense-filled novels that keep readers on the edge of their seats. “Distorted”is one from the latter category and could easily be a story from current newscasts.

Mallory Baldwin, once kidnapped and held as a slave by a twisted man, thinks she has moved on with her life and spends her time attempting to help other women who have been victims of similar crimes. The man who rescued her, Tennyson Walker has been assigned to be her bodyguard after signs that Mallory is being stalked. The man who held her captive is dead but why does she think she sees him around every corner?

“Distorted” gets off to a quick start and moves from one scary scene to another as the suspense escalates. The plot twists are crafty with several surprises in store. Then as most readers might suspect, the author has managed to introduce a strong romantic thread right into the center of the treacherous situation. With their lives in peril, Mallory and Tennyson must place their trust in God to see them through to the end.

Once again Christy Barritt has captured my attention and imagination and held it from the first to last page. Not only is “Distorted” entertaining but it opened my eyes to the very real dangers of human trafficking that seems to be growing rapidly in our world while offering a real hope at the same time. I highly recommend this novel and suggest you pick up your own copy as soon as possible!

Distorted is book that is not only suspenseful, but makes you really think as well. Mallory was a victim of human trafficking and after being rescued, she goes out speaking out about what has happened. When she starts to get some threats and it becomes apparent that everything is not as it seems, Tennyson is brought in to help protect her.
This book really kept me reading and things were not always as they seemed. It was a book that really make me want to guess what would happen next and then was quite pleased when I guessed right and pleasantly surprised when I wasn't.
I also liked how Mallory was a survivor and did not let things get to her and stop her even when she was afraid. She was not afraid to keep on living.
I received a copy of the book from the author, the review is entirely my own

Distorted by Christy Barritt is a mesmerizing page tuner from the very first sentence. Mallory Baldwin is a socialite vacationing in the Caribbean with her parents when her family is killed and she becomes a victim of human trafficking. Held captive for over a year, Distorted begins with Mallory’s release as her captor is killed. A few years later, she is trying to put her life back together when she starts receiving threatening messages. She turns to the man who saved her, Tennyson Walker, to protect her once more. Christy Barritt never fails to write fantastic stories. This novel is no exception. My only warning is that you should not start it until you have time to finish it right away—it will keep your attention until it is done! A fantastic read—Disorted is a book worth seeking out. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, but I also purchased it.

This tense, suspenseful novel features Mallory Baldwin, who had been held prisoner by a notorious weapons dealer. Her captor died in an inferno, but now she fears he may actually still be alive and a threat to her safety and sanity. Can her bodyguards protect her? Will she ever be able to trust anyone again, especially a man? The title describes well the views throughout the story—what is real and what is possibly distorted? My heart went out to Mallory for all she’s endured. She seems quite real. The rest of the characters are not as developed but add plenty to the action and relationship issues. Christy Barritt always writes dramatic mysteries that may just leave you short of breath at times. I received the book from the author. All opinions are my own.

Distorted by Christy Barrit

Reading a Christy Barrit novel is like eating a delicious piece of cake, you want to immediately devour it, but yet you want to savor every tiny bit of it. Then when you are finished you keep thinking about how good it was and how amazing the next one is going to be.

Distorted's main character is Mallory Baldwin, a stunning young socialite who was snatched from a life of luxury by the hand of a madman, Dante Torres, a weapons dealer who kept her enslaved until the fateful night she was rescued by a brave Navy Seal.

Tennyson Walker, was on a mission to end the life of Dante Torres and he was not expecting to find Malory Baldwin huddled in a dark closet when he raided Torres' Caribbean Estate. Tennyson had heard Torres had a new girlfriend, but no knew it was Mallory. After both of her parents had been killed by terrorists and found at sea, everyone thought Mallory had met the same fate, no one thought she was a victim of Human Trafficking.

Two years later Mallory, after lots of counseling, therapy and drug rehab, was set to start a thirty city tour of speaking engagements to encourage other woman who had also been victims of abuse or trafficking. At her first stop, Mallory notices a man standing at the back of the room listening to her speech. Her first thoughts are she knows him from her year in captivity, which brings back flashes of her horrific ordeal. After composing herself Mallory makes her way to the stranger and confronts him, and after a brief exchange she realizes he is her rescuer.

Mallory's manager hires Tennyson to be her bodyguard for the rest of the tour, after an over-zealous fan sends her some disturbing emails. As more and more terrifying things start to happen, Mallory and Tennyson begin to think a part of her past has come back to haunt her.

Even though Mallory's story is not one anyone would want to experience first hand, Ms. Barrit has such a way of bringing her characters to life it seems like you can feel the gamut of emotions Mallory is put through. I love that all of her characters were believable, and that the plot pulled in me from the very beginning, with the suspense holding me until the very intriguing end! Once again I applaud Ms. Barrit for another job well done!

Thank you to Water Fall Press and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion!

Great suspense from beginning to end!

Mallory is learning how to live in freedom again, after being a victim of human trafficking. Two years after being rescued, she starts a nonprofit to bring awareness to the fact that such evil can happen anywhere. At the very first tour stop, Mallory is surprised to see Tennyson there. The Navy Seal that rescued her from a madman. As soon as Mallory is in the public spotlight, she begins to receive emails from a stalker. She also keeps imagining that she sees the madman that held her captive... or is it real? When Tennyson learns of the threats against Mallory, he agrees to hire on as her bodyguard. Together, through faith, they must learn who they can trust. Tennyson also carries very deep secrets from the past, including the night of the rescue. He desperately wants to tell Mallory the truth about that night, but fears she would no longer view him as a hero. Both of their lives have been greatly affected by the same evil man. When the past comes back to haunt them, will they both manage to survive... again?


Favorite quotes:

"I have to do something to turn this tragedy around. I don't want to think that all of the... the trials, the heartache, the pain... that it all happened for nothing."

"Failure isn't an option."

"... another form of water ... saved her - Living Water. Jesus ... helped her see beyond the temporary struggles of this world and into the eternal."

Distorted: To give a misleading or false account or impression of.

Distorted delves into the disturbing world, and aftermath for a survivor, of human trafficking. It's a very real issue that doesn't get the attention that it needs. This novel brings to light the fact that human trafficking doesn't just happen to poor girls from foreign countries, it could happen to anyone.

Tennyson is “one of the good guys”. I mean, how could anyone not like him. Mallory's a survivor. She's very relatable and even though she went through something so terrible, she's working hard to overcome it. I really admired her courage and the fact that “she could take her heartache and redeem it by helping others...”

The pace never let up. I was hooked from the very first sentence and did not want to put it down. It's one of those books where I was constantly telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” I couldn't, didn't want to, stop, even when I had to. I never knew what was going to happen next. I didn't know who to trust or the motives of a few of the characters. Were they good, bad, only in it for themselves? Did they have Mallory's best interests in mind? I was constantly kept guessing, which is what I love in a great suspense novel.

There were many times when the action was so intense and the suspense so great, when my heart was racing and I was holding my breath that I forgot I was reading about fictional characters. I felt like I was right there with them, praying everything would turn out okay.

Distorted is a must-read for any fan of romantic suspense. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

This book grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the last page! This newest suspense novel from Christy Barritt delivers again and again. Focusing on a current topic, human trafficking, we meet Mallory who has excaped that life and Tennyson, who rescued her and comes back into her life two year later when a threat is made against Mallory. Just like a rollercoaster, there are twists and turns in each chapter - who can Mallory trust?
Who is stalking her? Will she ever be able to have a normal life? Can she and Tennyson forget past mistakes and decisions? If you like suspense, this is the book for you!

Another fantastic Christy Barritt suspense book!

This book is about Mallory who is a former victim of human trafficking and how she rebuilds her life once she is saved. There is action, suspense and love (I was a huge fan of Tennyson!). As usual, Christy really doesn't disappoint with her story telling. It's a fast paced book where you are easily drawn into the story from the first chapter. I highly recommend this enjoyable read to those who love Christian fiction.

Intense Suspense!

Both long-time and new fans of Christy Barritt will welcome this mystery. Distorted is the perfect and accurate title for this drama involving human trafficking. When people and situations are not what they appear, knowing whom to trust is a lethal risk. Join Mallory on her quest to healing and purpose as she devotes her life to helping other survivors. Meet Tennyson, on his journey of protection duty and detective work. Both work to navigate life after tragedy and into a deeper level of faith.

I received a free copy of the book without obligation. This review is my own opinion.