What if you accidently sent the wrong person to jail? What if you were wrongly accused of a crime and had to learn how to live life again after serving time? I thought that this mystery explored some interesting questions!

Trace of Doubt was thrilling the entire way through. I couldn't put this book down and read well into the night.

Trace of Doubt was a surprisingly great read! I started the book without any real expectations, and was hooked right away. I was intrigued by the main character and how she was a convicted murderer being released on parole. I don't think I've ever read a book like this.

The suspense was so good! I had my suspicions early on that things weren't as they seemed and who was after her...and, even though I guessed it, I still really enjoyed the ride!

All in all, Trace of Doubt was a gripping read that I'm sure fans of romantic suspense will enjoy. The romance is not a huge focal point, which I liked.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Out on parole after serving 15 years after confessing to murder, Shelby Pearce is ready to start again in small town Texas.

A chilling suspense, that deals with more intense topics than I typically expect from this author. I liked how Shelby has grown and clung to her faith, as well as how she makes new friends as she works to make a fresh start.

This was a hard one for me to read, because of the subject matter and just how cruelly things played out against Shelby. I wanted to like Denton, but being in his head and made it hard.

Overall, this one just wasn't my cup of tea. Though there were many things that I enjoyed, I had a hard time wanting to read this because of just how truly awful the bad person was. Great for people who like the emotional roller coaster and more intense reads.

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

DiAnn Mills set my heart to pitter-pattering with this suspenseful tale. Emphasis on suspense. DiAnn skillfully lured me into the difficulties and challenges of Shelby Pearce and FBI Special Agent Denton McClure, who have an adversary equipped with intelligence, connections, and extreme ruthlessness.

Shelby Pearce is in prison at the start of the novel. She’d confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and is believed to have embezzled five hundred thousand dollars of his money. At her release from prison, she is looking for a fresh start, but complications keep arising. Maybe someone is after the money? Are you wondering if she took it too? I’m not telling.

Shelby is super likable, smart, and has excellent instincts. You can believe me when I tell you that she will need every bit of skill that she owns to combat the opposition and more.
Denton McClure is a rookie assigned to the Pearce case. I think he is everything a hero is meant to be! I loved the interaction between characters and how they grow to know one another. These are the perfect characters for the right kind of plot! I refuse to tell spoilers. I will tell you that I had a difficult time putting this story down! Interesting, enlightening, and perfectly entertaining! I highly recommend this novel and this author friend of mine, DiAnn Mills! If you expect an adventure—you will get one with DiAnn’s suspense!

I was given the TRACE OF DOUBT novel for my honest review, and I have happily provided my reaction and thoughts.

This mystery is quite an intriguing one. Shelby Pearce, the heroine, is an ex-con, and has just been released from jail after serving 15 years for murdering her brother-in-law. She met Jesus during her time behind bars, and now she wants to make a fresh start in a new town.
But someone wants to get rid of her. It begins slowly, but then things continue escalating until she is not safe anywhere. But who is behind the attacks?

I enjoyed reading this story, seeing who Shelby was, getting to know her.
The mystery had me stumped for most of the story. But then....I had an "aha moment".

Diann Mills has done a masterful job at telling this tale. I highly recommend it to all who love mysteries.

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

I love this author. She writes so you can envision the scenes beautifully. An ex-con is trying to start over but everyone is watching her to prove she can’t but she’s really the one being hunted. Read to see how it all goes down.

Another great book from Ms.Mills. I liked the way she developed the main character and how she got you invested in her from the beginning. The plot was interesting and took twists especially toward the end that were unexpected and fascinating. It kept me interested and made you care about the characters and the outcome. The excitement built until the very end. The least suspected is the answer you would never have guessed.

Fast paced thriller set in small town Texas with a stong Christian theme. Recommend to those who like a clean romance story with lots of action.

Trace of Doubt is exactly what I would expect from DiAnn Mills. It was full of action, mystery and suspense. Five stars.

This book was about… Shelby Pearce’s attempt to make a fresh start in the world on her release from fifteen years in prison for confessing to the murder of brother-in-law. FBI Special Agent, Denton McClure, always believed Shelby was also guilty of the unsolved embezzlement five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. Now, as an undercover agent, he has rented a cabin next to where Shelby plans on living. As he befriends, Shelby, plans on revealing her involvement with the embezzled funds.

I'll begin my review of Trace Of Doubt by saying I've never been disappointed in a book by DiAnn Mills. She is one of my favorite authors. I love how she creates strong believable characters. Just released from prison after 15 years after her confession of killing her brother in law, Shelby is looking for a new life as she starts over again in a new town. Her family has completely disowned her, never visited her once in the 15 years she was gone and have now warned her to stay away. So being forgiven is not in the picture. She hopes for new friends and a chance to prove that she is now a new creature in Christ, as she was converted in prison. The prison Chaplin has arranged for her a place to live and a job. With high hopes and new friends, Shelby starts her new life. Then...a local police officer suggest she turn around and leave town as she isn't wanted here. Also someone is after her and wants her dead, but who and why? She has served her time for the crime committed. Then the guy living in the cabin next to her seems familiar and acts rather strange. Just who is he? All she wants is peace and friends and to be able to work at her art jewelry. But there is no peace for Shelby. You will love the twists and turns of this book and believe me there are major twist and turns.......I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Trace of Doubt is definitely one of those enthralling stories that I didn't want to put down. The plot has twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The characters have depth that is revealed throughout the book. I found Denton and Shelby to be both likable and admirable. I loved seeing the Christian faith of Edie, Shelby's landlord, and Amy-Jo, her employer, lived out. There is a very satisfying ending to the book. I highly recommend this to every reader that enjoys a clean exciting thriller with a romance.

Why do I remember
The sins that stalk my soul?
Why can’t I hold on to the
Forgiveness that makes me whole?
Ashes rise to steal my breath.
I choke from downing fear.
Help me, Lord, to cling to You
In never-ending prayer.

When I pick up a new book by DiAnn Mills, I expect to experience the best in Romantic Suspense. Trace of Doubt is no exception. Marissa is the epitome of evil; even the fifteen-year prison sentence had not changed her. Now she would kill her sister and her daughter and break her father’s heart.

Two narrators trade places throughout the book as Shelby Pearce and Denton McClure take turns telling their stories and how those stories interact with Marissa’s malignant behavior. It would not be easy as they each had to deal with lies and misconceptions that wounded their lives and the lives of those around them. They each would need to experience far more of God’s forgiveness and grace than they thought they needed. But He would provide.

The book was intense at places and held my attention. My only concern was the implication that a pastor can provide the level of counseling needed by two of the main characters. Unless the pastor had at least a MS in Counseling, the kind of support needed by Aria and Shelby should normally be done by a professional counselor. Seminary training is not sufficient for the consistent therapy these two women needed. I would suggest that an appropriate warning be added as part of the front matter or immediately following the book’s epilogue. Despite this oversight, the book is worthy of 5-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

From the beginning, we doubt that Shelby is the one who killed her brother-in-law. I found this book to have a slow start, but once it got moving it was difficult to put down.

My life had been frozen in time, and now that I had permission to thaw, the world had changed.

I found Shelby to be more naive than she should have been, especially after spending so many years in prison. I guess it's true what they say, that love is blind. However, in other ways, we admire her tenacity in rebuilding her life, standing firm in her faith, and refusing to let others walk all over her. She refuses to cower when she is threatened over and over again, and she refuses to let the darkness in and depression overtake her, even when it would have been easy to do.

Officer Hughes, I’m not your doormat. So clean your muddy boots somewhere else.

I am not entirely sure what to make of Denton. I didn't like him much at the beginning, especially since we are made aware of his agenda. I thought it was weird that he was working undercover but used his real name, that seemed completely unbelievable. However, his character grew on me and I felt like he was alright by the end of the book.

There are some surprises and the villain is wickedly warped. The villain portrays the darkest sides of human nature with absolutely no remorse. It is incredible to think of people as truly that wicked. This is a story of dark versus light, secrets, and redemption, with love covering a multitude of sins.

Thank you to Net Galley and Tyndale House for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Traces of Doubt by DiAnn Mills was as much a psychological novel as much as a mystery.

Our lead character is getting out of jail. DiAnn gives you just enough hints to make your wonder from the beginning if she was incarcerated unfairly. You empathize with her as she tries to start over with the help of some secondary characters that show God’s love to her.

We then have an undercover cop that is still convinced she may know where the embezzled money is. You will not be surprised when he starts to fall for her.

They you have the diabolical villain. I wont share much here to ruin any of the plot twists.

This book is different from DiAnn’s other FBI series books but a wonderful thoughtful read.
Violence – some memories of being in jail, the murder of her brother in law,

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

When Shelby Pearce is released on parole, she decides to start her life over in a new small town, Valleysburg, Texas. Fifteen years before, Shelby had confessed to murdering her brother-in-law. She soon learns that starting over isn’t easy as she finds herself a target within minutes of arriving in this new to her town.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie when he had first been assigned to Shelby’s case. Shelby was also accused of embezzling five hundred thousand dollars when she killed her brother in law, but no one had ever been able to find the money in her accounts. Denton believes that now that Shelby has been released, she will immediately snatch up the cash and run. He decides to position himself undercover in order to to get closer to Shelby.

As Denton gets to know Shelby, he realizes he may have been wrong and that Shelby may have been framed. Can Denton and Shelby solve the mystery and come out unscathed?

I loved this story! DiAnn Mills has long been one of my favorite authors, and I have been really enjoying her last few books! They have been a new take on the romantic suspense genre and I have loved the challenge of puzzling out new mysteries with her characters.

This is a book that I didn't want to put down.. After fifteen years, Shelby Pearce has been released from prison for killing her brother-in-law. Shelby is still suspected of embezzling money from the charity that her brother-in-law ran. An undercover FBI agent is trying to befriend in hopes of recovering the money. Her landlord's police officer brother is harassing and threatening her. Her family has disowned her. Someone wants her dead. Good thing there are a few people in town that support her being there. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. First, I love how the author paints a picture with words. I also thought that Shelby and Denton are very well developed characters. This story would make a terrific movie if they could handle the Christian themes well. The suspense builds and is intense at times. Shelby has to face so much danger and evil that I found myself so riveted that I didn't want to put the book down.

I started this book without reading anything about it. I liked the author, the book cover was intriguing, so I jumped in. Oh, I was pleasantly surprised at how this story started. Trace of Doubt is written in first person, from the main characters Shelby and her neighbor, Denton, which gives it an intimate feel. Therefore, enjoyed the small-town setting, the splash of romance, and the genuine friendship Shelby had with Edie and Amy Jo, who runs the local bakery-café. The faith message is natural and not preachy.

Shelby is a brave young lady that doesn’t want any trouble with anyone in this small-town community. She is willing to work hard and let the locals get to know her, so they see how she is changed. But Edie’s brother, who just so happens to be a policeman, doesn’t like the fact that his sister is helping an x-con. He doesn’t care how much time she spent in jail or that she met Jesus and changed. He felt there was nothing good in her.

I loved how the story takes a huge twist and things aren’t what I thought they were going to be. I also liked how the author shows how it’s hard to love the unlovable. I could imagine what it would have been like to hang around with Paul (at the time he was killing Christians) and then hang out with him after becoming a Christian. How could the disciples and others believe this guy? He met Jesus and changed? Right! But that’s what it was like for Shelby. She was truly changed from the inside out.

DiAnn Mills hits it out of the park with just the right blend of mystery, suspense, redemption, healing, and romance. This is a thought-provoking read I could not put down. I highly recommend it for your next book club pick. The story is rich and the characterization deep. There is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Trace of Doubt is a gripping tale told from the perspective of Shelby, an ex-con and Denton, the FBI agent who wants to find the money he believes she has embezzled.

In many ways, I couldn't help rooting for Shelby. She seemed like a genuinely kind person who had given her life to God. But from the beginning, you could tell that she had secrets.

It was pretty easy for me to figure out who the real culprit was early in the story, but the level of depravity was staggering and for me, required a little suspension of belief.

I would have liked to see a bit more of the why as it pertained to the perpetrator, but was glad when events were successfully resolved.

Readers will be reminded that forgiveness should be offered to those who have wronged or persecuted us but it sometimes comes at a high price.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.