This was the first Ginny Yttrup book I have read. I was a little leary as it was listed as a Christian suspense and wondered if too much religion would be brought up in this. I was pleasantly surprised that it did not take away from a great psychological thriller but had just the right undertones to lend to the main character, Dr. Denilyn Rossi, to give her strength to do what she needed to do to get through a traumatic event that had her living her life in fear.

The reason I only gave it a 4 star was because this was a little difficult for me to follow. It kept jumping back and forth between past and present with two characters points of view so you do have to focus and pay attention. Maybe the confusion for me was because I couldn't just sit down and read the book in 2-3 days but had to read when I had the chance. But having said that, the book was very intriguing and suspenseful and kept you trying to piece together what was going on.

I do recommend that you give this book a read because it does pull you in right from the start and you will not be disappointed!

I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Barbour in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this story was thrilling! The story line, jumping between three points, gives you just pieces of the stories until the end, making it hard to put down!

This was an interesting mystery that kept my attention right to the riveting end. The characters were well flushed out and kept me turning the pages to see how it would end. This is a new author for me and one I recommend highly.

Well. This book held my attention from the prologue. The fear. It is so REAL. Denilyn had something terrible happen to her, and hints are given here and there, but the suspense leading up to it....it's incredible.

The timeline in this book bounces around a bit. Denilyn's present. And then it goes back eight years to when this terrible event happened. And just when I'd started getting that all figured out, then another character and viewpoint is introduced--Adelia.

Adelia has been a student of Denilyn's teaching and wants to use it to empower herself and her future.

Darkness. Shadows. Suspense. Terror. Fear. It's all here, and you can almost taste it...I had to lay this book down at bedtime, I didn't want to find myself in the middle of it during those night-time hours when I wanted to be sleeping! ;)

And yes....it held my attention the entire way through, to the very last page! Well-written suspense.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Not the kind of book I normally read but I thought I would give it a try. Interesting concept and a good story but I struggled to get thru it honestly. Too much back and forth.

Ginny Yttrup has penned a new genre for her in this suspense/psychological thriller. With a spiritual undertone, Yttrup combines incidents from the past and present to create a roller coaster ride from start to finish.

Danilyn Rossi is a psychologist, college professor and successful published author. She has recovered from a horrible stalking situation that almost ended with her dead. But the perpetrator is in prison, and now it is time to move on with her life. She is a Christian, but is still questioning why God put her through this difficult time. When, once again, she feels as though she is being stalked, it brings back the PTSD she suffered from after the first incident. Is she going crazy or is history repeating itself? When 3 women's lives converge, one dead, one being stalked, and a leery college student, the answer at last comes to light. A psychological thriller that definitely focuses on the mind games that stalkers can employ to make one question their sanity and their peace of mind.

I would have given this book a 5, but the confusing shifts of character and timelines made me have to reread several sections in order to make sense of what was happening. I thought, though, that the spiritual thread was excellent and highlighted several quotes. Here is one of my favorites:
"I don't think trust is a feeling. I believe it is a choice. And on those days when doubt plagues me, I ask for His (God) 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."

A very good start in a new genre for Ginny L. Yttrup.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shiloh Run Press through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Well, first things first, I loved this book. It continually surprised me. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something would come sailing in out of left field and throw me for a loop.

Probably my favorite thing was how Convergence was interwoven between two separate storylines and the way the author was able to use white water rafting and rivers as metaphors for what the characters were going through. I knew the title would have specific meaning somewhere in the book. When it was revealed, I gave a nod of approval. Well done, exceptional.

The storyline goes back and forth between Denilyn of the present and Denilyn of ten years ago. We also have Adelia’s storyline. The back and forth can get confusing if you forget to read the heading at the top of the chapter so you know which character you’re following. I love split timelines and multiple storylines, so this was no problem for me.

I will admit I had the who-done-it figured out long before the end. But the well-being of the characters kept me reading till the end.

I nominate Keith for the ‘worst-fictional-husband’ award. Sorry, but it’s true. He was an okay guy, just way, way, way too immature. I think Ginny Yttrup did a fine job in making relatable characters – in the love ’em and in the hate ’em categories. I couldn’t believe it when I found out this was her first suspense novel.

From the Christian Fiction aspect, there was a nice balance. My favorite scenes were the action scenes. Both the white water rafting and skydiving scenes were breathtaking.

I’m still reeling a little from this novel. It had me hooked from the onset despite the use of present tense POV, and even though I’m not usually one to be spooked by suspense stories, I actually found myself a little jumpy while reading this! It has the feel of a psychological thriller, particularly in the way the stalker plays with Deni’s mind, and I think it was that aspect that kept me hooked the most.

The story is told from three different points of view: Deni’s POV in the present, Deni’s POV back in 2009 (when the first incident occurred with her stalker), and Adelia’s POV, also in the present but beginning a few months in front of where Deni’s present POV begins, if that makes sense. By the end of the book, Deni and Adelia’s present POVs have . . . well, converged, and they carry the story to its conclusion.

I did sometimes find myself having to check whether I was in Deni’s past or her present POV in the middle of a scene, most often because something was happening to her and I’d lost track of whether the incident was in her present or her past, but overall, I think it was probably still the most effective way to tell the story. In any case, I was eagerly turning the pages, anxious to get to the bottom of both parts of her story.

There were several surprises in the latter stages of the story. One, I worked out a short while before it was revealed, and another really threw me for a loop until I got my head around it. However there was one revelation right near the end of the book that made me feel a little . . . Deceived doesn’t quite feel like the right word, but it felt as thought Deni’s POV was rendered less authentic by having kept that piece of information from the reader until the end. I’m not sure I can explain it any more clearly without giving too much away.

But aside from those few quibbles, this was a wholly engrossing read, and would especially suit those readers who are looking for a good suspense without a romantic thread.

This was the first book I read by this author and will not be my last. I did not want to put this book down until I got to the end. I loved all the twists and turns that occurred. I was so wrapped up in all of the characters lives. I loved all the surprises throughout. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit and Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I must admit my biggest motivation for reading Convergence by Ginny Yttrup was its tag as a Christian thriller. It's a category that I'm not familiar with and it intrigued me. On the other hand, as a practicing but very liberal Christian, I was prepared to put it down and walk away from any fundamentalist leanings. I was pleasantly surprised with this aspect of the book. For most of the book, the faith aspect is primarily one of practice and one of the presence of faith itself, and though the ending slipped into what to me is somewhat magical thinking, I did not feel any of the book was preachy or promoting a judgmental form of Christianity. That meant that I could simply sit back and enjoy the story.

A complex and intelligent thriller, Convergence kept me reading to pull the threads of the past and present together to learn what had happened and who the culprit was. Yttrup used an excellent balance of building tension and withholding information, so that I was always invested in the story but never frustrated at its pace. I'd recommend Convergence to anyone who wants an engrossing and exciting read.

This book takes readers on a roller coaster ride with thrills and suspense at every turn. The author delivers a powerful story of survival and overcoming fear. i loved the main character and thought she was brave, intelligent and determined. Denilyn has been through a traumatic event that has caused her to live in fear. She is paralyzed at times to even venture outside for fun. The details of her attack are terrifying and gave me chills. Being stalked would make anyone paranoid and Denilyn will have to face danger after danger as someone closes in on her once again. It begins to take an emotional toil on her and she starts to think she imagining things.

I loved the way the author told the story from present to past. It lets readers see a glimpse of what happened and how Denilyn has tried to overcome her fears. I thought it was fascinating that she wrote a book about bullies. A stalker really is a bully that wants to have power over you. Terror finds Denilyn years later and mysterious things start happening again. The author does a good job of showing how a person deals with danger and the support system that is vital to Denilyn.

The addition of Adelia to the mix was very intriguing. What do these two women have in common? Will Denilyn be able to finally find peace or will her past continue to haunt her? There is much more intricate parts to this story that are revealed slowly. I felt like Denilyn was on the verge of losing control at times and loved how she reached out for help. I thought about the people surrounding Denilyn and wondered if they could all be trusted.

There are times in the book where i felt the author might have dragged the story out a bit too long. I wanted to know more about Willow and she seemed to be an afterthought at the end of the book. To me she was an important part of Denilyn's story and helped put the suspicion on the right person. Overall the book was good and it definitely delivered a chilling account of stalking that had me glued to my seat. It is a hard book to put down and I had to finish the book because I had to know if Denilyn would survive.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

This was an intriguing book. I couldn't figure out what was going on, and that was the point. I couldn't put it down because I just had to figure out what was going on.
This was well written, and very intense. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

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.