I cut my teeth on romantic suspense with Dee Henderson's O'Malley series and I love anything she puts out. Add in the brilliance of Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason and you have the recipe for a great collection of stories!

I'm already familiar with these authors, so I was super excited for this collection. It didn't disappoint at all, and I'm not sure I can pick a favorite! There is so much suspense in these gripping stories! They all have a bit of romance, but it's not the driving force. Deadly Island was, deadly and full of twists. It was everything I have come to love from Pettrey, just in a condensed package. Code of Ethics was super fast paced. Remember to breathe! Then Betrayed, is aptly named. This story is more like an episode of CSI or NYCS or something. I never quite get the endings to those shows, and the ending to this story left me with a bit of the unsolved mystery feeling. I'm not at all sure what I'm supposed to think about that one, because it's too open ended for me. That's the reason this isn't 5 stars That story feels incomplete, and I don't like that. For all three stories they have some faith elements, but they are very fast moving for the most part.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my digital copy of this book. This review is all mine and contains what I think about this book. A positive review is never required.

This book consists of three stories. Each with a great premise and protagonists.
Janelle Roberts is a free woman. After 6 yrs in prison charged with a murder that she did not commit, Janelle knows the real killer is still out there. Can she trust her friends or family?
Tennyson Kent and her childhood friend are trying to get to the buoy during a storm. They have done this many times as children. However when Tennyson gets there, her friend is gone. There is only blood remaining on the buoy. What could have happened and will she be trapped on the desolate island?
Detective Issac Martinez was shot and sent to a trauma hospital where he was worked on by Dr Ruthis St. John. Issac is a witness and now someone wants him dead. Determined to flee to safety he and St. John run to escape whatever the killer has in mind.
Three great stories told by three awesome authors. The stories are well written and believable.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’m not really sure if suspense novella’s are destined to be good selections for a short story. In the past I have read all three authors before and really enjoyed their writing. The first story is by Dee Henderson and her story is about Janelle Roberts who has been freed (pardoned) based on new evidence found by Ann Falcon. She and her husband had visited an auction and there she bought a box of miscellaneous women’s items. Mixed within the items was a pink knife, and from there the story began.

The story felt very rushed and pushed through. There was a lot of details that you had to absorb before plodding on. But, the most frustrating part was where the story ended. It is as though the last half of the book has been ripped off and you were given the first half and then told, this is the end. If this is how suspense novellas end, I’m not interested. Yes, I admit, I’m one of those who enjoys a nice and tidy package at the end, where the author has already decided the end. In this case, there is no ending. You are still in limbo.

There was one place in the book where I couldn’t figure out if it was a typo or just I didn’t comprehend the sentence fully. In chapter 11, on my kindle it’s hard to describe exactly where in the book, but it starts off with “Greg couldn’t help but smile. He rather like this person she was when pushed into a corner.” I went back and forth and finally decided that the sentence would have been better off with a “liked this person”.

That said, I haven’t started on the other two books in this batch based on this first story. Perhaps I will continue, but for now I must resolve for myself how the story ended.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

My star rating of the three stories in the book averages out at around 3.5, but I'm rounding up because the last two were so good.

Betrayed by Dee Henderson: 2 stars
Boooooooorrrrrrrrring. Neither romantic nor suspense. Basically a blow by blow of a woman getting pardoned for a crime and a bit about the doctor who is her psychologist afterward. This one didn’t hold up to a reread at all.

Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey: 4 stars
A quickie story set during a storm on an East-Coast island. First Teni’s cousin is murdered, but before they can solve the murder, multiple attempts are made on Teni’s life too. Sorting out motivations and suspects definitely kept me guessing.

Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason: 5 stars (and the reason I wanted to reread this collection!)
Just as thrilling as the first read was! This one stands up well on a reread. I just wish I could have spent more time with this vibrant couple...like a full-length novel! Isaac and Ruthie are a memorable pair and their story is chock-full of danger and betrayals.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Betrayed
By Dee Henderson
Rating: 1 star

This story was hard for me to connect with, because there was very little action and the tone throughout was extremely passive. The entire plot felt too stiff, too controlled, which left no room for the characters to have natural reactions to any of the plot points.

Where was the suspense in this suspense book??? The crime was already done and over. Getting a character pardoned from prison was much too easy with everything falling perfectly into place with no bumps along the way. The governor even granted the pardon without hearing any proof or looking at any new evidence, instead relying solely on a man’s word of honor based on his gut instinct and conspiracy theories and one piece of evidence that even he admitted would make the prisoner look guilty rather than innocent. That felt flimsy at best. Were I that governor asked to pardon a convicted murderer, I would want to see ALL the evidence and see if the train of thought through the evidence made sense before signing any paperwork that would pardon someone convicted of murder.

The entire plot felt contrived, orchestrated, toward a specific end. There was no wiggle room for the characters to come alive and make their own choices, so they ended up feeling very flat and one-dimensional. Where was the development? Where was the growth? I wanted to get to know Ann and Paul and Gregory and Janelle along the journey, to feel like they became friends, but that didn’t happen at any point in the story. It always felt like they were two counties away from me, that I was viewing them through a spyglass or something rather than walking right beside them. There was a bit of hot emotion in Janelle, but even that felt contrived as no one else showed any emotion whatsoever, even when she blew up a time or two. Contrived melodrama is not my cup of tea.

My favorite parts of this story were the lake-effect snow, the dog, and the fact that an innocent person was set free from prison.

This really was more of an emotion-recovery book, and I’m not sure what genre that fits into, but it definitely did not feel suspenseful at all.

I miss Mrs. Henderson’s old style of writing, found in the O’Malley Chronicles, which is still one of my favorite book series.

Deadly Isle
By Dani Pettrey
Rating: 4 stars

Now this is suspense! From the very first page, the action and stakes were high—and they kept rising! The characters were three-dimensional and interesting, and the backstories were inserted in small chunks along the way to help fill in the blanks of the past as we cruised through the present.

The mystery surrounding a murder off the coast of an island during a nor’easter was wonderful. I enjoyed how the weather played a large role in this novella. That was a brilliant touch by the author, and delivered well. The way clues were dropped here and there along the way was great, but I still didn’t figure out who was behind it before the big reveal. Well done, Mrs. Pettrey!

Content: one sexual term, a couple of derogatory terms, mention of a one-night stand (with a drug involved)

Code of Ethics
By Lynette Eason
Rating: 5 stars

1/3/19
The first book I read in 2019 landed squarely on my favorites list! I'm so happy about that I could just jump for joy. I needed to start this reading year off right, and this book definitely fit the bill.

Ruthie and Isaac were amazing and relatable. Their adventure was great and intriguing, keeping me riveted and flipping pages. While this story is short, it is tall on action and deep in heart. It's a special little tale that should be on everyone's reading list this year (but catch up on the previous books in the series first!).

I can't wait to read the next story, Code of Valor. My copy is sitting on my desk, just waiting for me. Where is yours?

7/9/20
Again, I adored the suspense vibes of this story. The characters were so amazing and felt realistic and as if they could burst into my living room at any second. Such a vivid and entertaining story deserved a second read. I’m pretty sure it’s earned several future readings too.

Three of my favorite authors come together to give you this great book!

I love the St. John family and have read all the other books about the siblings so was so happy to see that one thrown in here. Also, I loved the medical aspects since I'm a nurse and I find those details just perfect to include in stories.

Tennyson Kent and her story gripped me in their suspense. I couldn't stop reading. So much trouble over an island. And she had so much betrayal in her life. To lose her home and her cousin all at once was a hard blow but she's strong and resilient. And maybe, just maybe, she can trust her only true love again.

And finally for the first novella. I loved this one too but it read slower. It also disappointed me in how they handle the real killer. I wanted the confession and to learn why and how it truly happened. Definitely a good read though.

I highly recommend you read not only this book but any and all books you can find by these three authors. You won't regret it!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I always look forward to the newest novella collection from Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason, and I was excited to read The Cost of Betrayal. All of these authors know how to weave together an engaging and suspenseful story, and this was no exception!

Not only was this a great collection of stories from three great authors, but it also gave me the chance to connect with some characters I've come to know from previous books.

Henderson, Pettrey and Eason come together to make this amazing book that will leave you wanting more and searching for other books by these wonderful authors. You will recognize some of these characters from other books by these authors but can read this book as a stand alone as well. Love these great women and the amazing books they write.

When not one but three of your favorite authors come together for a suspense novella, it's a must read! I have yet to read a book that I didn't love by these three authors of romantic suspense. The three novellas do not intertwine, so each is a unique story. You may however recognize characters involved from previous books. On one hand it connects readers who've read their other novels, but then if you have not, you may feel a little behind on character development. Either way, they are still enjoyable and easy reads. 

Out of the three, Lynette Eason's is my favorite. Betrayal is a definite thread through each story but the suspense is excellent with just a touch of romance. I would recommend this read for anyone who enjoys these Christian Fiction authors. And if you have not read a book by these three, you should! I highly recommend all three authors and I read every book they have published!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for this partnership.

In this book, three short stories are grouped together: in the first one: "The betrayal": we find Jannele who after six years of imprisonment is released by strangers. She was serving a 20-year sentence for a crime she did not commit. Which means the murderer is still at large. She needs support to feel safe because she will not survive another betrayal.

In the second short story: "Deadly Isle" We find Kent who has been trapped on an island since childhood by a storm when an idyllic community goes after a murderer, with his lover they try to identify this famous killer before they are killed themselves.

And in the latest news: "Code of Ethics" There is Ruthie, a surgeon who saves Issac. He was betrayed and shot. Having been saved, he will want to testify but we will want to silence him, with Ruthie they will set sail to escape him.

A book that includes three short stories about treason. I immediately hooked on his three captivating, addictive short stories filled with suspense and twists and turns with very engaging characters. I love the addictive pen of these authors.

Loved reading this! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this book is so much more than I first thought! So good!

Unbelievable! Three truly talented authors write three novellas that are filled with suspense, thrills, faith, action and more. Each accomplished author has written many novels individually that are truly magnificent to read, so if you’re not familiar with them look up their novels and dive right in! The three novellas aren’t tied together, and they are unique and mesmerizing!



Dee Henderson’s story is titled, “Betrayed”, and I enjoyed the plot of a couple, one who works for the FBI while the other is a retired police officer who are at an auction. The couple, Paul and Ann, aren’t seeking anything in particular just enjoying being together without a crisis on their plate. Of course, that is until Ann chooses a box of miscellaneous items to hopefully set up her next painting scene. What it does though has set them on a path of discovery of a murder and the woman who supposedly was the culprit.


Dani Pettrey offers readers “Deadly Isle” where two cousins are on an island swimming towards a buoy. Tennyson and her cousin Julia have raced toward this mark for as long as “Teni” can remember. When Teni arrives, Julia is nowhere to be found. However, a storm is on the horizon and there is blood on the buoy, a lot of it but no one is around. Now, there’s a good teaser for this gripping murder mystery along with so much more to the story that readers will get to discover.


Lynette Eason brings to the audience a tale entitled, “Code of Ethics”. Like Dee and Dani, Lynette is a master of suspense and telling gripping tales. A surgeon saves the life of a detective who was shot while on duty. Ruthie goes in to check her patient only to find an intruder there trying to put something in the IV. The patient, who is a detective, is trying to leave the hospital because he knows his life is in danger. Isaac had reported a fellow officer when he caught him stealing from the evidence room. While it was the right thing to do, there are those who don’t agree with Isaac, and others who want to kill him.! All three stories are standalones and very well written. They entertain but they also bring a sense of adventure and will keep you captivated until the very end! Read, enjoy and tell others you know about this fantastic collection of three novellas!

My thoughts on Betrayed by Dee Henderson: 1/5 stars.

The story started out a little oddly. I would have liked more of an introduction but we started right off in the middle of two people's lives. Paul and Ann are interesting characters, Ann is especially quirky, but fun.
I noticed what I always notice when reading Dee's books-- things got a bit too technical Too much shop talk, not enough character interaction.
I was a little confused because we weren't given much of a back story for Paul and Ann. I felt like I was missing a lot, which I guess you could credit that to me reading another book in the middle of a series. But other than that I think there was some unneeded information, and sone missing information.

I longed for more romance and mystery. This book was definitely lacking that.

The first few chapters are really boring but it did get better towards the end. Just not by a lot.
The characters were cringey and unnatural. There was no relatability or flow to them.

There was WAY too much telling and talking instead of showing and action.

I was also very confused by the jump in scenes.
In one scene the characters would be getting ready for bed and then without skipping a beat they'd be eating breakfast! Like what?

I did like the scenes between Paul and Janelle more. I liked Greg, though he seemed to like to hear himself talk.
It was mentioned he had a rough past, I love that he accepted it and moved forward He's a very kind and funny, generous guy.

But overall this was a very stiff and boring read. I did not like the ending at all. And I hate to say it, but I wouldn't recommend this story.

My thoughts on Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey: 4.5/5 stars.

I enjoyed this story, though I wish we were included in more of the back story of the characters.
I didn't like the jumps of POVs, but it was still very enjoyable.

I liked Callan and Teni a lot.
They were friends turned to lovers. Callan made a huge mistake and their relationship came to stop. However, their love did not.

Among the gripping pages of pain and mystery, can the people they are now forgive the people they were then and give it another go?

Love, loss, and faith are the three themes of this book.
The suspense will have your heart racing, and the romance will have you sighing with delight.


My thoughts on Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason: 4.5/5 stars

This story was really good! I liked the characters a lot and the relationships were great.

There was mystery, suspense, and I'd say a good, low amount of romance. Definitely not overpowering or underwhelming. (Wait, is that a word?)

I found out a little too late that this was the third in a series. (You've seriously got to start checking Rebekah!!) But it was still very enjoyable You didn't feel like you were missing anything, more like you just wanted to know the other stories.

I really liked Isaac and Ruthie, though they were perfect strangers so I'm not sure why they trusted each other so easily.
There were a few things like that that didn't connect but other than that it was fine.

It was fast paced and intriguing, I think my favorite story from the trio.
I ran into the problem I always do with novellas-- I wished it were longer!


As always, I looked around for the best deal and that was on CBD!

Thanks so much to Bethany House for a free copy of this book!
**all thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own, I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. **

~Rebekah 💖

The Cost Of Betrayal is a collection of novellas by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynnette Eason. Each story is completely different from the others, which makes this the perfect book for when you want quick, high quality reads. The one thing that definitely connects the stories is betrayal. If you are a fan of these authors’ other works, you will notice some familiar characters here. I absolutely loved each novella and would highly recommend the collection overall. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Betrayed by Dee Henderson
While this was well-written, it fell flat and felt sluggish to me. I've enjoyed many of Dee Henderson's novels in the past and was left wondering if it was really written by her. I loved the premise of the story, solving a six-year-old cold case that put Janelle Roberts –an innocent person—in prison. Obtaining her pardon and giving her a chance at a new life was pretty exciting, but unfortunately this is where the excitement ended for me. It had no element of suspense or hint of romance, one of the whole reasons I read the genre. I was waiting for SOMETHING to happen around the corner and nothing ever did. There was also no conclusive ending to the cold case mystery which was unsatisfying. All that being said, I would still recommend Henderson's books and in no way does this deter me from her writing!

Both “Deadly Isle” and “Code of Ethics” were exactly as I expect romantic suspense to be! Intense, full of danger, plenty of twists and turns, and enough tension to keep me reading. I loved how well the characters were developed and portrayed realistically. Watching them fall in love despite the odds against them is what I look for. I'm definitely in for reading Lynette Eason's “Blue Justice” series after her story included here and I already love and read many of Dani Pettrey's novels. I was very pleased how the theme of betrayal sets the tone for each story, and those betrayals came from unexpected people & places. I never knew who was behind them until the end, a thrilling surprise for this reader!

In conclusion, if you are a romantic suspense fan and enjoy shorter stories, I recommend you pick this one up! You'll be left wanting more from these authors.

*I was provided a complimentary digital copy from Bethany House via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own *

A collection of novellas by three of the leading authors in Christian fiction makes for a great read.

First up is Dee Henderson’s Betrayed. After spending years in prison Janelle Roberts is freed after an FBI Agent and his wife buy a box of possessions at an auction and find evidence showing there is no way she could have committed the murder she is accused of. To keep Janelle safe, they hide her away while they all search for the murderer who is still at large and might threaten Janelle’s life and freedom.

Second, we have Dani Pettrey’s Deadly Isle. When a storm hits her childhood home, Tennyson Kent is trapped along with the rest of the island residents with a murderer. The storm cuts them off from anyone that could help. Together with Callen Frost, her first love, Tennyson hopes to figure out who the killer is and stop anymore tragedy from coming to their island.

Finally, Lynette Eason’s Code of Ethics gives us the story of Ruthie St. John saving the life of Detective Isaac Martinez. Isaac is trying to prove one of the others on the squad is betraying all they believe, and it puts his life on the line. Together he and Ruthie must stay alive and prove who in the department is corrupt.

This was a great group of stories and even though they don’t tie in to one another, they are very well written. I think when I started this I was expecting the stories to connect in some way and was a little confused when they didn’t. Had I realized this to begin with, it would have helped while reading. The first story to me was the slowest to get through. Deadly Isle and Code of Ethics were really quick reads and made the entire set worth reading for me. I really enjoyed the fact that Eason’s Code of Ethics tied in with her latest series. If any are like me and the first third seems a little slow to you I recommend sticking with it through the other two thirds where the suspense really kicks it to another level and the stories are extremely riveting. I recommend this to readers who enjoy all three of these authors and enjoy a great romantic suspense reads. I have the feeling that some of these stories will be further developed as time goes on, either in another collection of short stories or on their own. Either way I can’t wait to see what happens with these characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I enjoyed this set of novellas and each story was very suspenseful and lived up to what I would expect from each author.

In Betrayed a woman is freed from jail due to the actions of two people she did not know. An object found at an auction set it all in motion and to ensure that the real culprit did not come after her, the two people help her to find a safe place to stay while they find the real killer.

In Deadly Isle, what starts out as frequent race between cousins turns deadly and it is up to Teni to find out what really happened. As she investigates, she has to be careful as things are not always what they seem.

In Code of Ethics , Ruthie finds herself helping someone far beyond her doctoring skills. When it seems there is more to her patient than meets the eye, she helps him to find out what really happened and has to work on keeping them both safe.

The Cost of Betrayal contains three novellas written by three talented authors that are each filled with suspense, action, mystery, romance and faith. All three of these authors are accomplished writers with many of their own novels, so it's pretty unique that they've gotten together for this one! 

The main characters in all three novellas have one thing in common – betrayal, of course! Each of the stories focuses on readers discovering who the actual betrayer is.  

Betrayed is the longest story at approximately 140 pages while Deadly Isle and Code of Ethics are both approximately 110 pages.

The novellas are not tied together, but they are each very unique and hold your attention from page 1 to the end. The stories themselves are standalones, but you won't be able to keep yourself from moving to the next story! With these well established authors, you won't be disappointed in this collection of stories of betrayal.

I  was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I'm a fan of all three authors, and I enjoyed these novellas. Each one was interesting and a quick read. Eason's story was my favorite. It was full of twists and turns even though it wasn't a full novel. Fans of these authors will enjoy these novellas. It's also a great introduction to each author if you haven't read their full novels.

I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

Review left on Goodreads and Amazon.