Readers who enjoy suspense novels will like this story. Mystery, intrigue and corruption all play a large part as Therese, a wilderness and Blane, a Texas Ranger race to find Alina, a daughter kidnapped by the Russian Organized Crime. Told in first person by Therese, Blane and occasionally Alina, readers will experience first hand their thoughts and actions. Not my favorite by this author but I know readers will enjoy the race for truth. Recommended.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoy this author but felt this book was a little disjointed or parts felt incomplete. This is an action packed suspense with a little romance thrown in. The beginning will pull at your heart strings with Kate’s story and then plunge into a Russian nightmare with lots of twists and turns.

If you like fast paced action this book is for you.

Action packed and full of suspense from the first page until the very last.
This book was such a good read!
It is a bit longer than many suspense novels, and I thoroughly enjoyed that fact!
It contains POV for three of the main characters - Therese, Blane, and Alina (it is however, primarily from Therese's viewpoint). This gave such a well-rounded picture of all the action.

Therese was an incredible heroine. Trained to the nth degree in wilderness survival, so it was no surprise when she was called upon to rescue a little girl who'd been kidnapped and taken to the Guadalupe Mountains. This scenario required the skill set of Blane, who was a Texas Ranger as well as a negotiator. And what made their twosome even more interesting is that they had a bit of a history.

So...Therese and Blane take off on a dangerous rescue attempt, one of which they know they may very well not come out of alive.

So many unusual twists and turns took place, I was kept guessing as I read.

If you like action packed and lots of adventure, then I suggest you give this book a try!
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

Canyon of Deceit by Diann Mills is an action packed story that lives up to Mills’ reputation.
Therese Palmer is an expert in how to survive in the wilderness. Her background was fascinating even if a little sad. She contacts Texas Ranger Blane Gardner to help her with the kidnapping of an 8 year old girl. The first third of the book is Therese and Blane hunting the kidnappers in the Guadalupe Mountain National Park. I appreciated the history with Therese and Blane it was very well done. I loved that Mills included some perspective of the little girl’s thoughts as well. She was a fabulous addition to the story. I respected her as much as I did Therese and Blane.
Once out of the mountains the race is still on to figure out who to believe and who is in charge. Mills did a fabulous job of keeping us on the edge of our seats and trying to guess what the main motives were for several characters.
Mills excels at building suspense, developing strong characters, and weaving together faith, danger, and romance.
Content notes: kisses-only romance; violence includes kidnapping, deaths, shootings, and helicopter crashes.

While Canyon of Deceit is filled with danger and intrigue, Diann Mills also weaves in a story of pain, regret, and a struggle with forgiving oneself and moving past the past. Through her two protagonists' efforts to locate a kidnapped eight-year-old daughter of a Russian professor teaching in Houston,Texas, they face the elements and terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, terrorists, and multiple attempts on their lives. But through it all they find forgiveness, faith, and love. This book truly is a wild ride, one that includes helicopter crashes, explosives, lots of waiting, and a tumble down a mountainside. There is a mystery to solve as to who is behind the chaos, and another mystery for us to both accept and appreciate as we begin to see God's using it all for good, no matter what man's intentions had been.

Canyon of Deceit is an entertaining read that is highly engaging. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Action-packed, breath-holding danger. Cliff falling, bullets flying, rattle snake poised to strike and rattling his tail adventure. Did I mention breath holding? This story takes you on an adventure with descriptions so real your mind can see it as if you're watching a movie. Oh, and the friction and flirty characters—Therese and Blane will have you questioning if those two could ever become a couple. It's like they want to but they refuse to!

Highly recommend this book for a great adventure and thrill seeking reader!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher with no expectation in return. I voluntarily chose to write this review with my honest thoughts and comments.

Canyon of deceit started out suspenseful and engaging, with the kidnapped daughter and possible Russian terrorist plot.

The characters were thrown into one dangerous situation to the next, which should have added to a very thrilling read. For me the author lost me in the writing. It was just not as smooth as I like my suspense and I did guess a major plot reveal very early on.

The Christian thread was strong and I enjoyed how the characters made talking and asking God for protection just a natural part of their day.

Therese Palmer, a wilderness survival expert, receives a call from a former colleague whose daughter, Alina, has been kidnapped. He won’t report the kidnapping to the authorities, raising Therese’s suspicions. She calls on Blane Gardner, a former participant in her training, to help her find Alina.

Their search takes them deep into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and they receive conflicting intel reports, making their search more difficult.

This book is a great read. The characters are well-developed, and the story is suspenseful, keeping you guessing. I highly recommend this book.

Mills doesn't disappoint! I've read many of her books, and as I expected, this one starts off strong and doesn't let up. It's a roller coaster adventure ride through the dangers of the Guadalupe Mountains to Houston. There are ample twists and turns and enough red herrings to keep readers on the edge of their seats and guessing throughout. There is a romance angle, but it is not overpowering. The suspense take center stage, Which I truly enjoyed.

Mills takes readers on a complex ride as Therese and Blane work to rescue a kidnapped child. The plot starts with lies and confusion. The child's father wanted no law enforcement helping so Therese and Blane initially work alone. I was surprised when it was not long that others had to come to their aid and the initial restrictions faded away. The rescue location was in a mountainous region, a setting created for suspense it seems. Even Therese thought bringing the kidnapped child here “made little sense.” (1683/3666) A secluded warehouse would have been as useful. Much of the pursuit was about the treacherous land and I was surprised there was not more description of it. I like it when the heroes are smart and I was disappointed Therese made some bad choices, increasing the suspense because of them.

Mills includes more of character thoughts than compelling action, such as Therese often contemplating what might happen. The narrative is written from three points of view, all first person. While the character is listed at the beginning of the section, it is hard to keep straight in a digital copy and is not my favorite writing style.

I have read many of Mills' novels and this is not her best. The convoluted plot and complex character structure did not sit well with me. I did appreciate the strong faith message. I do like Mills' books in general so will be watching for more from her.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Canyon of Deceit is the first book I have read written by DiAnn Mills, and I look forward to reading more. This romance suspense kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Suspense mixed with wilderness survival skills made for a fun dynamic in this story. If you love Christian suspense, you do not want to miss this one.

The character development was good. Therese has a lot of guilt and trauma from her sister’s death. The burden of guilt that was put on her was a lot to bear. Blane has his own layers to pull back.

The setting was perfect for this suspenseful survival story. The storyline was off the charts. I love a good suspense story, and this did not disappoint. Every time I thought everything was going great, a plot twist happened. We have kidnapping, murder, wilderness survival skills in the Guadalupe Mountains, rock climbing, helicopters, FBI, near-death, and so much more.

The romance was a kisses-only romance that was perfection.

DiAnn Mills did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. Therese has gone through some faith-rocking events, but she still holds on to her faith in God. Blane has a rocky faith and battles with the truth Therese speaks. I loved the truth given in this book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

⭐ Review: Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills ⭐

DiAnn Mills is already on my must-read list, and Canyon of Deceit reminded me exactly why. This romantic suspense delivers high-stakes action, a vivid setting, and a faith-filled story of courage and healing.

The wilderness survival and search-and-rescue theme set in the rugged Guadalupe Mountains felt like such a fresh backdrop. Mills writes the danger of climbing and survival so vividly that I could see Therese and Blane scaling the cliffs. Their chemistry is strong throughout, with both tenderness and tension in their second-chance dynamic.

I also appreciated that Mills included the kidnapped girl Alina’s perspective. Though young, she is portrayed as wise and courageous beyond her years, adding emotional depth to the story.

The pacing is relentless—Blane’s early fall, the loss of supplies, safe house attacks, and a psychotic antagonist with a personal vendetta keep the tension high. At the same time, there are layers of betrayal and secrecy, especially surrounding Rurik, that left me questioning loyalties until the very end.

Faith and trauma are woven thoughtfully into the narrative. Therese’s struggle with her own self-worth and the value of her life was raw and sometimes difficult to read, but her journey felt authentic. The epilogue was a highlight for me—it underscored that healing isn’t linear but messy, and it’s more of a process than a destination.

The conclusion was intense, with big dynamic moments, but also beautifully anchored in the reunion of father and daughter. I had suspicions about the leader of the Russian Organized Crime group, and I was satisfied when those suspicions proved true.

Overall, Canyon of Deceit is a gripping, faith-driven romantic suspense that blends danger, hope, and healing. Fans of Mills will not be disappointed, and new readers will quickly see why she’s a staple in this genre.

4.5 stars

“Tragedies do not define us unless we give them permission.“

I love suspense novels that involve some sort of wilderness or mountain survival while being chased by the bad guys because that combination of enemies (villains + nature) truly gives our main characters zero time to breathe. Which in turn keeps readers like me on the edge of our seats. Even if bullets aren’t flying, you still have to navigate the harsh & unpredictable terrain, and this is exactly the situation Therese and Blane find themselves in for the first half of Canyon of Deceit. I’m pretty sure I had to remind myself to breathe every couple of chapters once they’re trekking through the Guadalupe Mountains – at least one of the men they’re tracking is lethal and when we weren’t looking over our shoulder for (or dealing with) him we still had to battle the elements. Whew. I thought maybe I could relax a bit after that setting was behind us, but nope. DiAnn Mills, like the master author she is, surprised me several times in this novel with twists that I was not expecting.

Amid questions of who to trust, how to stay alive, and how to rescue the kidnapped little girl, Therese and Blane wrestle with some emotional and spiritual layers as well – and I was here for it. Of course, I enjoyed the sweet-but-spark-filled romance developing between them but the greater Love Story playing out in their souls too was just as appreciated. Both Therese and Blane have deep regrets in their past, guilt over lives lost and stories that might have been different. But the grace of Jesus is about to break through, even with the chaos around them. I admired Blane’s honest journey as much as I admired Therese’s solid faith, and I loved that, through their current circumstances and conversations, Mills presents the gospel without apology but also without being preachy or feeling forced.

Bottom Line: Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills is a high-stakes suspense novel that pits its characters against both ruthless villains and the unforgiving wilderness. The author also skillfully balances relentless danger and surprising twists with heartfelt spiritual depth and tender romance. Be forewarned: you may not know who to trust as Therese and Blane battle the mountains, Russian organized crime, and their own regrets but I don’t think you’ll be complaining (except maybe for lack of oxygen when you get too absorbed to remember basic functions). Because Canyon of Deceit is an edge-of-your-seat story that keeps your mind whirring, your pulse racing, and your heart engaged. One of my new fave DiAnn Mills novels!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Canyon of Deceit is a suspenseful, romantic novel. DiAnn Mills knows how to keep her readers engaged and keep us reading until the end. Therese Palmer, a wilderness survival expert, gets a call from Professor Rurik Ivanov, who is highly upset his daughter, Alina, has gone missing and needs her help. He refuses to call the police which has Therese wondering, what is he not telling her. Therese calls on Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, who has trained with Crisis Negotiation Unit, for help. The two head into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park to search for Alina. As they work together, it becomes obvious that an attraction between them is developing.

The story is told from each of the characters POV in alternating chapters. There is alot of action and misdirection, since it becomes evident that they are not receiving accurate information about the true nature of Alina's abduction. Russian organized crime, possible assassinations, murders keep us on the edge of our seats. The slow burn romance between Therese and Blane is sweet. I highly recommend this book. I can't wait for DiAnn Mills' next novel!

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher, Tyndale, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills starts off with mystery and suspense, as the story reveals a child’s life is in danger. You know there is going to be more to this story when a father asks for help to find his kidnapped daughter but says that the authorities cannot be involved. Therese Palmer is asked to help find the child, so she enlists the help of Blane Gardner, with his background in negotiating skills. Backstory has you finding out her past haunts her and his past leaves him with trust issues. Add a mutual attraction in the mix and this adds more layers.
A beautiful mountain setting with treacherous terrain and dangers, sometimes hidden, interwoven with international organized crime and ruthless villains keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot twists and turns keep you guessing as to who the mastermind behind all this really is.
I can always count on DiAnn Mills to deliver a fast-moving suspenseful story with strong characters, intrigue, all mixed with romance and faith. Be prepared to be entertained with this great read.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers, DiAnn Mills, and NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this novel to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Therese Palmer is a survival specialist. A former colleague contacts her for help locating his daughter who has been kidnapped and taken to a canyon on the Texas/New Mexico boarder. Therese in turn reaches out to Blane Gardner, a Texas Ranger, she had worked with in wilderness training months before. She knew he had skills that would help her in the quest to find the little girl. What starts out as a straightforward tracking case turns in to a full blown political intrigue case.

This book was interesting to me! It was not my favorite DiAnn Mills book for sure, but there were interesting things about it. The premise sounded neat, but I found it to be convoluted and hard to follow. Therese and Blane were great characters in some ways, but in other ways I wanted to shake them. Also, I feel like nothing was clearly answered in this book. I never really understood why things were happening. Some of the writing was beautiful. In fact, I highlighted a few quotes, but with the beautiful writing there was quite a few things that were just hard to follow. As I said, I have always enjoyed DiAnn’s writing, but this one was not the one for me.

I think if you like books with fairly brutal political intrigue from multiple countries you might enjoy this one. If books with blatant faith content bother you or books with a bit of violence are not your thing, then this might be a book to skip out on.

#CanyonofDeceit #NetGalley

Mills always tells a suspenseful, taut story with characters to root for all the way.

The protagonist, Therese, is a strong character, fully capable of holding her own in any confrontation, whether a verbal or physical challenge. It’s always nice to see a woman who can take care of herself and not have to rely on the men to get her out of tough situations.

Right away we learn about her sister, Kate, who died some years ago and how that loss has affected Therese ever since. Her grief over the loss, as well as the guilt she feels because she couldn’t save her sister, plays a big part in the rest of the story. Those emotions drive her almost manically to save the child she is asked to find in her role as a Wilderness Survival expert.

That request comes from a former colleague, Rurik Ivanov, who is panicking because his young daughter, Alina, is missing, possibly kidnapped. Hearing the story and seeing his desperation, Therese doesn’t hesitate. She enlists the help of Blane Gardner a Texas Ranger she has worked with before. She knows she can rely on him and his survival skills, but she’s also well aware that their mutual attraction from that prior case is still strong. How they work out the romantic entanglements is as compelling as the race to find the child.

The search takes them deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location. Rurik has a tacking device in a necklace Alina wears all the time, so he has seen areas where she, or at least the necklace, has been. Mills does a great job in presenting the fear and anguish a father feels at a time like this, and those emotions compel Therese and Blane to do all they can, but there are times when they doubt Rurik has told them the truth. Then there is the mix of intel they are getting from Blane’s boss and some agents from the FBI. It soon becomes clear that there is possibly Russian organized crime involvement.

The tension and pace really ramp up at that point, as Therese and Blane work frantically to rescue Alina before she becomes a casualty to all the intrigue. One can always expect great drama and complicated plots in stories by Mills, and those are the parts of her books I enjoy the most. Characterization is always top-notch, too.

Blane is simply wonderful, especially in the way he’s so respectful of Therese and her abilities, which makes for such a strong partnership. It’s obvious that he cares deeply about her and is willing to do anything to convince her that he is more secure in faith than when they first met. The fact that they both care so much about rescuing Alina brings them even closer together, and in that closeness, they both wonder if they can have a future together. Mills handles the romantic angles as deftly as the dramatic ones.

I enjoyed tagging along with Therese and Blane on this harrowing journey, and the conclusion to all the various elements romantic and dramatic, was very satisfying. This is a perfect book for readers who like clean, action-packed romantic suspense.

Heart-wrenching prologue. Catch-your-breath action adventure. Second-chance romance. Faith-centered story. Danger at every turn and thrilling international intrigue. DiAnn Mills’s Canyon of Deceit has it all.

Ms. Mills delivered once more a fast-paced, high-stakes romantic suspense novel with a strong Christian belief at its core. As I’ve come to expect from her, the main characters, Therese Palmer and Blane Gardner, are excellent at their jobs and worthy of respect. Their tragic back stories make it easy to sympathize with them and root for them to triumph against all odds. What they were missing in terms of luck, they made up for in bravery and fierce determination to complete their mission. They are deserving of a hopeful future together after going through everything Ms. Mills threw their way. Without giving away spoilers, I can say that at the end of the book, bruised and battered Therese and Blane truly earned their happily-ever-after.

The situation with the antagonists is super complicated, and some aspects of the Russian subplot went over my head. It gave a proper backdrop to explain the involvement of the FBI and the Texas Rangers, but the violence and loss of lives and properties leaned towards excessive. The bright light in the midst of all the bloodshed is the little girl Alina. She provided the focal point of the story and the motivation for the actions taken by both sides — good and bad.

Canyon of Deceit is one of those stories that stays with you when you aren’t reading, and lingers when you’ve finished. This is probably one of the cleverest books I’ve read this year in terms of plot complexity. The backdrop here is the Russian mob versus the Texas Rangers and FBI. We all know the Rangers never fail, but it took a lot of trouble to get to the win!

Survival expert Therese is contacted by acquaintance Rurik Ivanov when his wife is murdered and daughter kidnapped. Her rescue involves an arduous trek in the Guadalupe mountains where nothing is as it seems. Therese calls on Ranger Blane Gardner to assist in the mission, with the two sharing an attraction, but kept apart by Blane’s lack of faith.

As the plot moves on, the only thing that becomes clear is that there’s a much bigger picture than kidnapping for money. I scratched my head several times trying to figure out what was actually going on. The bullets kept flying and the finals showdown was explosive and magnificent. Bravo.

When the bad actors were finally revealed, I was half right and given the complexity here – I’m happy with that. This book is a plotting masterpiece. If you like suspense that keeps you guessing with a strong faith arc, I’m confident you’ll enjoy this very clever story.

I received a copy of Canyon of Deceit from the author via NetGalley, the views are my own.

“Tragedies do not define us unless we give them permission.”
Survival expert Therese Palmer is awakened at 2 am by a desperate father whose daughter was kidnapped. Therese turns to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner as the only one she can trust in this volatile situation.
The search for 8 year old Alina takes them from Huston to the Guadalupe Mountains - a beautiful,deadly, dangerous location. Trouble follows the pair as international political implications surface and multiple agencies get involved.
This was a thrilling story with dastardly villains and questions arise about who is trustworthy. Therese and Blane are faced with hazards of the wilderness as well as unpredictable bad guys. Blane has a crisis of faith that leads to surrender to Christ. Therese faces a past that taunts her. “So many times I had asked why evil and injustice existed. But if I had the answer, God would not be God.” “Hope is a reason to live when the whole world erupts into madness.”
This author is adept at crafting complex intrigue with just the right amount of romance and a faith thread that gives hope, all with beautiful descriptions of the landscape that was fashioned by God. “Taking in the autumn sunrise over the high desert- a radiant scene that felt like a praise song spreading inspiration across the sky.”
Another exciting offering from an exceptional author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale through PICT tours and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*