I loved this romantic suspense set in Alaska. A book that allowed me to read a favorite genre while being able to armchair traveling.

This was a pretty good book. The story was well paced and very enjoyable. I really like Adriana and Levi. I liked following along as they uncovered the mystery. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I really enjoyed this book set in Alaska, where Adriana Steele works with K9 cadaverdogs to find missing people and sometimes dead bodies. She works a case with Levi Wicks, a local police officer, of a series of brutal serial murders that resemble crimes committed 20 years ago. They are shot at, the car is blown up, and threatened to stay away from the crimes, but they are persistent. Also, during this time, they both fall in love (which is sweet). Really good story, hard to put down.

I received this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

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The author does a nice job of taking a disturbing storyline about a serial killer and making it into a suspenseful story that has some tense moments without turning it into a “ Criminal Minds” type of intensity. The story flows very well with the tension building in the plot as the book progresses. I liked both of the main characters’ personalities and how they worked together to solve the case. Their romance was a sweet one, and although it moved along quickly, it was believable. The case took a twist I didn’t see coming and identity of the killer completely surprised me. This book was a great fit into the “Love Inspired” mystery/suspense category, and I hope to read more from this author.

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

Who are Adrianna and Levi? What is going on in their lives? How do they meet or know each other? What does each of them do for a living? I loved Blue and Babe! I was not certain how I felt about Judah and his attitude and actions/comments at first, but he grew on me as the story progressed. He really showed me a different side after the explosion. Who is Nathan? What do we learn about him? I suddenly have a thought about what is going on after the call to Levi and the visit with Nathan. Who are Jim, Rosie, and Jenny? What is going on that puts Levi and Adrianna in danger? Read and see who is behind it all and why!

The discovery of a dead hiker's body sends Adriana Steele and her search and rescue dog, Blue, on the run from a serial killer. Adriana, though shaken, is determined to help Officer Levi Wicks catch the killer, will they be able to catch the killer before it's too late?

A high stakes suspense, with strong characters and a fantastic dog. Adriana has always had to be strong, she knows dogs better than people, and has trained Blue to be a remarkable asset in recovery of bodies. I admired how much she wants to help Levi find the killer, despite the toll it takes on her.

I admired Levi's never-give-up attitude, and how he and Adriana make such a good team. He is committed to seeing justice served, and has a way of cheering others up, and trying to stay hopeful.

Overall, a fantastic read from beginning to end. I loved how it took two acquaintances and gives them the opportunity to work and get to known each other. Well built characters, strong themes of faith, and I just really enjoyed how this book was executed. Part mystery, and suspense, but also showing the harder sides and the emotional toll, and the people who are brave enough to walk that line. Highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Adriana seems to have landed herself in the middle of a case when her dog finds the body of a missing hitch hiker. Officer Levi is the man on the case and to continue his current case as well as a close case Adriana dog dug up that might have connection. Now they both with work together to find the murder as the murderer seems to be alive and well and coming after them.

I enjoy a good mystery suspense novel. I loved getting to know the characters and seeing her relationship with the dogs. It never occurs to be to think a bit more when it came to search and rescue dogs when it comes to finding someone dead or alive that it would impact the dog in anyway and I thought it was interesting how it was pointed out there. I loved seeing that there was that bit of attraction going on but that this book remained clean which I appreciate. I loved that there was enough mystery surrounding the cases and watching as they solved it. I loved that there was a few close calls to keep things interesting. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.

A great Christian-based romantic suspense, Alaskan Showdown gives readers experience with search and rescue dogs (the factor that drew me in) and gives readers a great story and fine romance. I am going to be quick to recommend this one to reader who are too sensitive for the forensics of police procedurals, but are looking for a little more action that what the typical Christian fiction romance offers.

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Varland and it won’t be my last. I found her telling a story that kept my interest from the first page to the last. She had Adrianna and Levi go through a lot but in the end they still had each other.

A delightfully diverse story filled with intense suspense, sweet romance, soul searching, and the amazing abilities and connections search and rescue dogs and their handlers have.
The suspense is fierce and explosive. The serial killer's patterns arise questions, the twists in the plot managed to take me by surprise. How Blue reacted in different situations, how the dog's moods changed as bodies were found was palpable and heartfelt. As well as was the connection developing between Officer Levi Wicks and Adriana Steele. Yes, it was building up fast and under duress, yet it was believable and authentic.
I admired how naturally Adriana and Levi talked about their faith in God, how they shared about their life struggles and losses. As the story started to unfold the friction from the beginning dissolved, the growth and character development were tangible as they battle the attacks towards them and fight to stay alive.
Alaskan Showdown was a compelling story that was hard to put down. All the three main elements, suspense, romance, and faith in God, were well imbedded into the twists of the plot making it entertaining, inspirational, genuinely wholesome tale.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This was a new author for me, and I must say that after reading this book, she has been added to my TBR list.
Alaskan Showdown is a clean Christian suspense romance that grabs your attention from the first page to the last.
Adriana Steele is a search and rescue dog handler in Alaska. When she finds the body of a missing hiker, it seems she has also found a link between this body and a serial killer.
A case Officer Levi Wicks has been working on and with Adriana’s help he might be able to solve this case.
This action packed story was one in which both individuals had strong personalities and respected each other’s ideas. Both also questioned God but as the tension both in the case and personally intensifies their beliefs start to change.
Will they be able to solve the case? Will they renew their faith and trust in God and finally find their HEA?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

"Alaskan Showdown" is a Christian romantic suspense. Adriana is a logical, no nonsense type of gal, and I loved her dialogue. Adriana has a search and rescue dog that can also find dead bodies. She volunteered to help Levi with a serial killer cold case. If they could find more of the serial killer's burials, then Levi would have a better chance at finding evidence or solid leads. Both Adriana and Levi were complex characters that reacted realistically to events. Levi treated Adriana as a full partner and listened when she made suggestions. Since he could be impulsive, sometimes Adriana got him back on track. Both were good at asking good questions and thinking through the implications of the evidence. Of course, the serial killer didn't want to be found, so they became targets and the danger to their lives added suspense. Some aspects of the murders were left unexplained (though they were probably explainable) since whodunit didn't explain how, just why.

I liked that the dog played an ongoing, active role (with search and rescue and cadaver work, not just as a friendly dog). Adriana and Levi knew each other before the events in the story and got to know each other during the story. I liked how well they worked together and did think that they could have a good marriage together. However, they went from "I'm bad at relationships" and "I don't want to risk hurting that much again" to suddenly saying "let's get married as soon as possible" at the end. Since both seemed to hold married in high regard, it just seemed rushed.

Both main characters struggled with trusting God after He allowed bad things to happen to them. Levi thinks at one point, "Why was he willing to trust a dog, but not the God who had created him and the universe?" There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this fun suspense because I enjoyed characters so much.