Dr. Denilyn Rossi is a courageous and determined lady as she strives to overcome her fears following being stalked and attacked a few years ago. As a psychology professor, Deni realizes she is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A friend advises Deni, "I don't think trust is a feeling. I believe it's a choice. And on those days when doubt plagues me, I ask for His help to believe what I can't see. That's faith, believing what we can't see. And in this world, we can't always see goodness." When new trauma begins happening, Deni determines that she is the only one who can draw out the man threatening to destroy her and her family. This time Deni faces danger relying on God rather than herself. If you enjoy suspense with very romance, you will love Convergence by Ginny L. Yttrup. I received this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. This is my honest opinion.

Ginny Yttrup's first suspense book and it was great from beginning although it did take me a bit to get used to the flow of the book because there are flashbacks and then the present.  I admittedly don't pay much attention to chapter headings so it was a bit of a struggle to remember to look (that's on me though1) . 

Denilyn was a mature likable character. I did not want to put this book down! . If you are a suspense fan then I definitely recommend it to you! 

Thank you netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I'm not even sure how I got caught up in today's book - Convergence by Ginny L. Yttrup. I had never heard of the author, and when I read the back cover of the book again this morning, I swear I don't remember requesting it from NetGalley but obviously I did...... musta been a thing that day.

Convergence is the story of Dr. Denilyn ("Deni") Rossi,  a psychologist dealing with crippling fear, flashbacks and panic attacks years after being attacked by a stalker.  She feels strange vibes that someone is once again watching her...following her.  She was either being stalked again or her PTSD was making her think she was.

The story moves from past to present and back frequently and between the lies of three women.  There was lots of action along with a twist or two for readers to enjoy.  The story showed how fear really can keep someone prisoner, but that there can be hope to break the cycle of fear.  I loved that this was a clean mystery/suspense thriller and that there are Christian references throughout the story.

I loved all the references to faith, facing your fear through the help of God and trusting in God to get you through tough situations. Convergence is a solid suspense book with a lot to like about it. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press through NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Denilyn and Adelia are both in danger. A person already in prison but is he the only on involved? The book covers things happening in 2017 and goes back to 2009. Each chapter a different character. 
I did at times have a heard time keeping up with when I reading about Denilyn or Adelia. Besides that I found the book fast reading and exciting. 
The book also covers PTSD which is something a lot of people deal. Both of the characters definitely had a lot to deal with that would cause it. 
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.

A great read! CONVERGENCE by Ginny L. Yttrup, a great author, is a complex psychological thriller that is full of intrigue and suspense. Amazing true to life characters that you will never forget! Plus; a deep unforgettable plot!  

The story opens with Dr. Denilyn Rossi, who, after a holiday break, is back to work. But on her first day back things don't seem right for some reason. First she thought she had lost her pin. Then as she dropped her mail from her mailbox inside her breifcase, she came across a white envelope. As she reached inside the envelope, there was the pin. She was suddenly perplexed and wondered how the pin got from her desk to the white envelope. Then, while she was at a book signing, she thought she saw someone watching her. But when she looked up, no one was there. Was it real, or was it her immagination? Why does she suddenly think she is beginning to forget things? Is her past coming back to haunt her?  

Adelia, a student, holds Dr. Rossi's teaching as a way to help her try to push herself forward in life. Will it help her? First she stopped at a gas station and went to the restroom. Then she reached inside her backpack and pulled out her wallet. After thumbing through the small pockets she took out a photo. In doing so a business card come out with it. The name on the card said Denilyn Rossi, PsyD. After looking at the card, she tore it up into small bits and threw it into the toilet bowl and flushed it. Why? Then after staring at the photo she cried, tore it up and threw it into the toilet bowl. Again why? Will Adelia's and Dr. Rossi's worlds converge? An amazing story.    

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I found this book to be an extraordinary suspense thriller, it captivated me; it kept me turning the pages of each tantalizing chapter. The dark all consuming fear and suspense that Denilyn Rossi a psychologist and professor feels is palpable. She has a traumatic past that haunts her, and her PTSD paralizes her. The story is written in alternating chapters in the past and present between Adelia and Denilyn whose pasts converge. Will Denilynn be able to put behind her past that involved her being stalked by a man who attacked her? Will her strong faith betray her or help her as she seeks to find the truth? There are so many twists and turns in this dramatic book, complex characters and plot that kept me immersed in trying to figure out how this would end. The ending was unbelievable, unpredictable although the little suspicion I started to have early on that I had dismissed was brilliantly revealed. It is hard to believe this is Ginny's first debut mystery/suspense novel; I hope it is not her last!

Page turner!!  Great story. Well written. Twisty plot creatively executed.  Strong on faith without being preachy. 
Convergence grabbed my attention and held it from the first page.  While ive never had anything happen to me like the main character did ... i felt like i was living it with her and i was TERRIFIED! I didnt see that coming. 
Ive loved Ginny Yttrup’s books since i first read
 “Words” and will continue to read whatever she writes. One of my favorite authors!
I Was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing/Shiloh Run Press through Net Galley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 Stars
I’m kind of torn about this book. There were things I really liked about it and others that left me scratching my head a little bit. But, as a first attempt and suspense (note the lack of “romantic” in that description), Ginny L. Yttrup most definitely strung me along enough that I had to keep reading to find out exactly what was going on.

Let’s start with those head scratchers. First, there are three storylines happening—one in 2009, one in early 2017, and another (with another person’s POV) mid 2017. While that got a bit clunky here and there, for the most part, it worked as the events of 2009 were unveiled as Denilyn deals with what’s happening in her present life. Next, I had a bit of an issue with the ending. There was so much build up to the climax of Convergence—reveals and revelations, conversations, and preparation—then, boom!, it’s over in two or three pages. I would have liked more explanation with and from the stalker.

That said, even though I had an inkling of what was going on that grew as the story progressed, Yttrup managed to throw a couple of surprises I didn’t see coming at me, which Is tough to do with me. And the intensity of this book, the anticipation of discovering first what happened in 2009 as well as when everything will converge in the present-day storyline, made it hard to put the book down.

Overall, a solid enough attempt at suspense that I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book by Yttrup in for the plat as well as to watch her growth in this genre.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

What a great book! I have never read this author before but I’m sure it won’t be the last time. I can’t believe I read this book in one day. I just couldn’t put it down! Thanks for such a great book!

“I don’t think trust is a feeling. I believe it’s a choice. And on those days when doubt plagues me, I ask for His help to believe what I can’t see. That’s faith, believing what we can’t see. And in this world, we can’t always see goodness.”

What an incredible journey of a psychological thriller!  It’s very different from the previous novel I’ve read from Ginny Yttrup. Yet her beautiful, melodic, and haunting first person prose is the same and will draw you into the world of fear and anxiety Deni lives in. The present day of 2017 is narrated by Deni and Adelia in first person present tense. The flashbacks from 2009-2010 is narrated by Deni in first person past tense. The three “separate” timelines and thought processes were a bit difficult to untangle at the beginning, but 1/3 way into the story, the plot emerged in a cohesive and consolidated manner. The author delves into the psyche of the victim and shows that even though the victim is a renowned and well-respected psychologist and professor, head-knowledge and heart-knowledge don’t always go hand-in-hand. It’s a chilling and suspenseful novel that leaves you wondering who the actually villain is until the end. 

Deni’s faith journey is rocky and full of doubts, but she finally understands her own mantra that “the past is either a shadow that haunts us or a force that propels us.”  Her strength, even in the midst of paralyzing fear, is incredible and admirable. 

Anyone who enjoys a well-written, intense thriller/suspense novel would love this book. I was given a copy of the book by Barbour Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Convergence is a departure of sorts for Ginny Yttrup. While the suspense genre is new for her, fans of her excellent writing will soon find that Yttrup doesn’t skimp when it comes to the character development and meticulous plotting that she is known for. What you get with this novel is an amped-up, well-crafted novel. I was drawn in from the first page, tossed about with the twists and turns, and left with a very satisfied, catch-my-breath ending. Convergence earns a recommended rating.

The structure of Convergence is unique. Two story lines, both set at differing times, march along until they converge. The first person accounts by Denilyn Rossi and Adelia Sanchez are very strong and give the reader a good look at the emotions, fears, and determination of the two women. Denilyn’s story is fleshed out by recollections from the past. Denilyn, a psychologist with an expertise in bullying, has been the victim of stalking. Her past experiences color her world, and when she again feels threatened she is determined not to ignore her instincts. The facts of the book are revealed slowly through the two women’s accounts which increases the suspense for the characters and the reader. This reader was surprised over and over. The cat-and-mouse between the women and the unknown assailant is very effective in keeping the pages turning. Fear is a prime motivator for Denilyn and Adelia, and their attempts to control their circumstances often leave them with a feeling that security is only a facade. I liked how the author shows that surrender to God is the only way to truly alleviate fear.

If you are looking for an unpredictable suspense novel, then Convergence is a good choice. With its strong female characters, unique framework, and twisting plot, it leaves me eager for more of the same from Yttrup.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were well developed.  It had an interesting plot. I would be interested in reading more

I found this book hard to follow and didn't really like the storyline. I wasn't able to finish it. Every time I tried to read it,  I had to page back to remind myself of what was going on.

** I received this one through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.**

Psychology! My favorite subject, ever. Dr. Enilyn Rossi has a belief that the past can either make us or break us basically by keeping us in the past or moving us forward to the future. A student of her class, Adelia Sanchez, is ready to live off of this motto and stop living by her past. 

There are 3 timelines to this story. So you have to keep up with the story between all three but it's interesting how the pieces fit together. Her stalker, from the past, destroyed her marriage but taught her valuable life lessons on empowerment and overcoming obstacles. Although, presently in her life some of her psychological behaviors consist of anxiety, self-doubt and borderline depression. She lives in constant fear which she knows is not good for her well-being. 

There is a lot of suspense in this book. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen a lot of the time. The adventure and sense of trying to find oneself through troublesome times is definitely a forefront and great lesson that can be read about in this one! I loved all the psychological parts from start to finish!

This book had a slow start but it did end up making me wonder what exactly Denilyn and Adelia gone through.   It also did flashbacks between different years which I found kind of dizzying to try to make sense of.   That part I didn't like so much. It did present the truth of why you should trust your gut impressions.  Denilyn sure wishes she had.  Another thing that I found hard to deal with was the bouncing back and forth between the two people like I mentioned.  I barely got to know one person and then I barely got to know the other.  I didn't like the choppiness of that. That did change a bit as the story went on and focused more on Denilyn.  For me, it just felt like it was all over the place. 
One piece of really great advice was when Denilyn's therapist told her to "Pay attention". No matter what anyone else said she was  advised to pay attention to what she was feeling and sensing.  She began to get that exact same phrase from more and more people.
It wasn't until over more than half-way through  that things started to really pick up and make more sense.  I did begin to enjoy it more then. Still, I can honestly say that I have mixed feelings about this book.
There are a couple of good twists in the story and I also liked that I could see Denilyn's faith in God grow.

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

Honest y’all, this book has everything that makes it nearly impossible to write a review for. So much so that I’m finding myself scrambling for words as I write this! It’s the thing that happens every time I read anything by Ginny Yttrup. She has this special way with storytelling that is both entertaining and impactful. In her latest release – Convergence – Ytturp’s special storytelling displays itself in a way sure to thrill readers.

Intense. Thought provoking. Soul stirring.

Convergence is all of those descriptions and more. From the start of the story to the shocking ending, this novel blew me away! I could not figure out at first what or where this novel was headed, but once the puzzle started to connect I could only read on in wonder. And the characters… Well, for fear of spoilers I’ll just say the characters kept me glued to my reading spot.

But what I loved most about this novel was its realistic approach to fear. It didn’t sugar coat or make it seem that fear is unbeatable – Instead, Yttrup allows readers to walk the path of freedom and victory along with the leading character. And I can not express how moving and thrilling it was to “walk” that journey.

A must read for sure, Convergence is a novel that reminds us that we’re stronger than we may think and that no river is unconquerable when God is on our side. Who doesn’t love those reminders, eh? 😉

I was confused through the first 75% of this story. I wanted to give up so many times, but just couldn’t. I needed to find out what happened, why, and by whom. 

Told from two points of view and two different timeframes, things weird until everything starts clicking into place and making sense. Overall, and I think it’s because of the sense of confusion, I really liked this story. 

I feel like I would have behaved and thought exactly as Deni had. I did get frustrated with one of the characters and was glad when his appearance waned. 

Grab this book and give it a fair shake.

I was not quite sure what to make of this story for a while.  It has plenty of suspense and the psychological mind games that I enjoy with this genre.  I liked the main characters, especially Denilyn (Deni) and Jaylan (Jay).  However, it involves two storylines that appear to be converging (hence the title), with the second storyline involving Adelia, an old friend of Deni and Jay.  Yet, it takes a long time before her storyline starts to make sense, which made me question what I thought of the book.  In the end, I found the book quite enjoyable.  The author throws some rather significant, surprising, and quite good, twists into the final third of the book.  

The basic storyline involves a psychologist (Deni) who had a stalker after publishing her first book, and now, seven years later, the stalker appears to be back, even though he is supposed to still be in prison.  The book alternates between current events (2017) and past events (late 2009/early 2010, when she was stalked and then attacked), as well as the secondary storyline involving Adelia, which takes place in the present.  I do not want to say too much about the plot because I do not want to accidentally give away any of the plot twists.

Something I do not often see in psychological suspense novels is discussion of faith and God and the main character questioning her faith, and ultimately regaining her faith.

Based on the "Acknowledgements" and "About the Author" sections at the end of the book, Convergence is the first suspense novel by Ms. Yttrup, and it appears to be quite a change from the contemporary women's fiction that she apparently normally writes, but based on the overall quality of this book, I think she has found a new genre that she can pursue.

I received a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

When I finished this book, I knew I had a dilemma.  I knew I needed to write a review, but honestly, I didn't think I had the words to adequately describe this book and its impact on me.  I am still pondering, still trying to grasp the depth of Yttrup's message.  Perhaps the best thing I can say is that you need to read this book.  You just need to.  

I normally gravitate to historical fiction.  But for some reason I picked Convergence up.  From the beginning I was sucked in – not only for the suspense – but also for the immense depth of emotion, the complexity of characters, and the brilliantly exposed message of truth.  This plot is so deep, so twisted, so well developed that Yttrup stunned me.  I sincerely hope you all take the plunge into its pages.  For within you will find entertainment to be sure, but also a challenge to face your fears and to truly let go.       

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

It was very difficult to follow the story and too confusing to continue.  Couldn't finish the story because it could not hold my attention.