
Member Reviews

Canyon of Deceit has just become my favorite DiAnn Mills novel. It starts off with a bang and never lets up. It's a high-octane rollercoaster ride of an adventure. The story takes us to the Guadalupe Mountains, where dangers of all kinds abound, and then to Houston, where it seems to never stop. There are twists, turns, and red herrings that kept me guessing. I loved the sweet, slow-burn romance that ended up happily ever after. I recommend it to all romantic suspense lovers who love non-stop action. *I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest review..

I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.
Ever since Therese lost her sister to leukemia as a kid, she has blamed herself for it. Maybe that's why she became a survival expert and search and rescue lead, so that nobody had to experience what she did. When her former colleague calls her early one morning to ask her to find his daughter that had been kidnapped, she knows she needs help. The first person to pop into her head is Texas Ranger Blaine. Blaine is surprised to get a call from Therese. When they had first met, he was taken by her beauty. He had thought their first 3 dates went well, but then Therese learned he wasn't a Christian and told him she couldn't see him anymore. When the search leads them to Dog Canyon and a notorious criminal, they have to rely on each other to get through. During the search they discover that there is far more to this kidnapping then meets the eye, and that truth is something that some people will hide at all costs.
This story was full of twists and turns that kept you guessing. It was well written and told from 3 different points of view all in first person, identified at the beginning of the chapter that it switches. I would recommend not stopping until the pov switches because otherwise it can get confusing when you start reading again.

"Tragedies don't define us unless we give them permission."
Therese and Blane's first person voices were easy to follow and interesting. I loved learning about wilderness survival through Therese and about Texas Rangers through Blane. The suspense was intense as they became targets of an unknown enemy and nature often worked against them in their race to find a kidnapped child. As the intricate plot progressed, it was clear that the kidnapping involved more than just one family and one agenda. The plot was fast-paced with lots of action and a few surprises. Those who love romantic suspense will enjoy this book.
As much as I love plot and action-driven books, I do enjoy character development and I felt that it was a bit lacking in this department. Therese and Blane were both likable but I didn't feel like I really got to know them by the end of the book. They both had tragedies in their pasts that they needed to let go and it was gratifying to see them move towards faith but I still did not fully connect with them. Still, fans of DiAnn Mills would totally enjoy this story.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House via Interviews and Reviews and JustRead Tours and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

DiAnn Mills does not disappoint! From page one we are off with danger on our shoulder, and time begins to run out.
This is a story that could have been ripped from the headlines, and following on the news. A phone call that forever change peoples lives, and in the end a closer relationship with God. Yes, this is a faith based read, but we see evil raising its ugly head here!
There is a young girl kidnapped, but her Russian father has sure prepared her, but will the rescuers get to her in time? What is going on, and why?
As the answers unfold, there are big surprises here, but keep reading, and love the update at the end!
You will be holding your breath with this one, and wondering how some will survive, and whom will be there at the end!
A read you don't want to miss!
I received this book through Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

I love all of DiAnn mills books she adds mystery and suspense to any of her books and keeps you guessing until the end .
This book is clean and Christian romance recommended for all of those who love mystery and suspense as well.
It keeps you guessing until the very end .

Loved the story line. Enjoyed the characters. Will recommend this book to others and to our church library. Love reading books by this author and will look for me. The story was well written and flowed throughout the book.

Theresa is a wilderness survival teacher. When she gets a call from a favorite professor that his wife has been killed, and that his daughter, Alina, is being held hostage in a badlands section of Texas, she feels compelled to do what she can to rescue Alina. She has been warned not to talk to police, but, knowing this will be a job for more than one person, she contacts a friend in the Texas Rangers for help. Together they set off to find Alina. However, there are questions and it appears that the professor has not been entirely straight with his stories and involvement. A good story, a budding romance but no sex--This is a Tyndale book--and lots of twists. Good for adults and also teens. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review.

A page-turning story full of action and suspense!
Fans of inspirational adventures with clean romance will want to add this to their reading lists.
From the Guadalupe mountains of New Mexico to the streets of Houston, Texas, the main characters are embroiled in a dangerous situation involving a missing child, and the Russian Mob. A complex plot involving political sabotage and intrigue built up to a nail-biting climax.
The author includes moments of spiritual awakening, and a redemptive theme is woven into the main characters' development. A need to forgive oneself, as well as enemies, added extra depth to their stories. A satisfying ending with some tender romance helped bring a softer landing to the story.
Recommend to readers who like Christian romantic suspense with lots of action and contemporary issues. 4.5 stars

I have read a lot of DiAnn Mills' writings and I keep coming back for more. However, I've wrestled with what to write as a review for Canyon of Deceit. I didn't really click with this one. This novel is written in first person with multiple narrators. I always struggle with fictional stories that are written in first person so that is more on me than on the author's choice. However, it does play a part in how well I liked the story.
The story line had me scratching my head. There was an aspect of the story that seemed it should be a natural connection that I never figured out how it linked. The majority of this book is conversations that I found to be very jilted and disjointed. The tone seemed very monotone.
One of the characters is an 8 year old girl. I found her portions of the story to sound way more grown up than I would expect an 8 year old to be.
I kept wanting to love this book because I like so much of what the author has previously written.
I hate that this review lacks encouragement and excitement. Authors put a lot of time and energy in to sharing their creativity with us and for that I am grateful! I want there to be more romance, suspense, mystery, excitement! I couldn't do what DiAnn Mills and others do.
I am thankful for the faith aspects that were incorporated throughout the pages. I like the commitment to following the LORD and seeking His guidance and protection that showed up throughout the pages.
I am grateful to NetGalley and Tyndale Fiction for the opportunity to review this story. All opinions are my own.

DiAnn Mills has written another masterful story in Canyon of Deceit. This book will keep readers riveted as they try to unravel this intricate plot. Therese is a wilderness survival expert who is asked to help find a kidnapped little girl, but the catch is she must not go to the authorities. Therese knows she cannot trek into the wilderness completely alone, so she asks a Texas Ranger friend, Blane, to accompany her and to help with negotiating the little girl’s release from her kidnappers. This rescue proves to be much more than they bargained for. So many lies and deceptions abound, and those lies and deceptions cost lives on both sides of this conflict. Evil is so far reaching. Who is telling the actual truth, and who is withholding bits of truth for personal gain? Diann Mills kept this avid reader guessing at who the true villains are in this story for the duration of the book. Through it all, Therese’s strong faith in God, even in the midst of trauma and danger, guided her and others to the end of the book, I appreciated the strong element of faith through trials. I highly recommend this book to lovers of suspense or mystery, as well as to someone just wanting an intriguing plot to sweep them off to a new place for a while.

DiAnn Mills has been an auto buy author for me for years. Her work is always outstanding. I would encourage you to read all of her books. I often reread them. This story was captivating from the first page. I loved the characters. The suspense was edgy. I loved the setting in the mountains of New Mexico. There were several unexpected developments and that made the novel even more interesting. Up until now, I couldn’t have chosen a favorite book by her. This is definitely my favorite book she’s written. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Enjoy the book.

Whenever I read a book by DiAnn Mills, I know I'm in for a wild ride and an exciting adventure. This captivating story is no exception.
After losing her little sister at a young age, wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer has dedicated her life to helping others, especially children. When Russian professor Rurik Inanov reaches out for help in retrieving his kidnapped daughter, Therese doesn’t hesitate to lend her expertise. Complicating matters, the kidnapping hasn’t been reported to the police or any other agency. With time running out, Therese knows she needs assistance from someone with experience in crisis management and negotiations. Blane Gardner, a Texas Ranger, comes to mind. Though she had been on three dates with him in the past, she had quickly ended things when he declined her suggestion to attend church with her. Nevertheless, she believes his skills make him well-suited for the vital mission of saving young Athina.
Equipped with trackers in Athina’s shoes, Therese and Blane trek through the treacherous terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As the FBI becomes involved, they receive alarming information indicating that a Russian organized crime syndicate is behind the kidnapping. Athina's father has already paid a ransom of $3 million, but now more is being requested.
There are many unexpected twists and turns to this riveting story. I could not put this book down until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this fascinating book that is full of adventure but also delivers an important, heartfelt message.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

A gripping story that takes the reader on a breathtaking journey of suspsense, mystery, murder, danger, intrigue, faith, hope, and love. From the first moment I began reading the story, I was drawn to the lives of the characters and the plot twists. A kidnapping leads to questions about trust and survival. Great read. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

Therese Palmer has her work cut out for her when a young girl goes missing, she must rely on Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, to help her decide what to do. This book is full of mystery, suspense, romance and more. The characters are well developed and the story line grabs you from the beginning. If you enjoy fast paced, contemporary, suspenseful reads you will enjoy this one. I was given a copy. of this book for my honest opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tyndale for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This is another winner by Diann Mills full of suspense, mystery and romance. Very descriptive and highly enjoyable!

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Thriller, FAITH, Mystery and Romance - those are the genre categories for CANYON OF DECEIT, the September 2025 release by author DiAnn Mills.
Mills has written over 125 books in her long and oft’ awarded career. Early on, she favored Historical Fiction. It always had strong faith and adventure themes flowing thru them. Now, she writes mainly thriller or police/justice professional/first responder, high action stories. Faith continues to be a primary theme with wholesome romantic sub plots and contemporary current world/political adjacent events woven in.
Blane is a Texas Ranger. Therese is a wilderness survival expert. His profiling/negotiating skills and her knowledge of the beautiful but dangerous land that is the Guadalupe Mountains National Forest, along with her first aide skills are exactly the combination needed to rescue the kidnapped young daughter of a Russian professor. Russian Organized Crime, the ROC, is involved with the professor, impending assassinations, murders, military espionage and foul play in the city of Houston. All the major law enforcement agencies come together to rescue Alina and solve this complex web of corruption that keeps readers guessing.
Chapters alternate POV’s between Blane, Therese and Alina, the young girl. There’s some overlap in the storytelling that elongates the overall narrative that could easily be tightened up. I’d have liked to hear more from Alina and what was happening where she was being held by the bad guys, who were really nasty, btw.
Character development happens for Blane and Therese while they are patching each other up after near death encounters. Oh, you have a concussion and have to stay awake; tell me your life story. A few chapters later the other gets in a worse jam and has their opportunity to. tell their story. Secondary characters are revealed by way of discussing “the case”. That technique works well.
Bring your truth meter to this tale; you’re gonna need it. Subterfuge is everywhere. It’s not until the very last few pages that readers learn what actually happened even tho’ you might fit in a few pieces in advance. Truly, this is a CANYON OF DECEIT 📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks.

Wow, Canyon of Deceit is a thrilling fast-paced ride through background trauma and terrorist activity. Mills is a master of crafting deep characters and complex plots and it shows in this story.
I absolutely love these main characters. Their bravery and strength is second to none, and their determination to help those in need, despite their own pain, wouldn't let me put the book down for a second.
The only thing I don't like about a fantastic Mills book is that she doesn't do sequels, and that's especially true for Canyon of Deceit. If you enjoy fast-paced stories where the setting is as much a character as the villains, you won't want to miss this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Parts of this story were engaging, but I’ll admit to having a hard time following the plot twists. I felt like the dialogue was unrealistic. Real men just Donny talk like that, even when they’re thinking romantic thoughts. I keep trying to like Diann Mills’s books, but oftentimes they fall flat, even with lots of adventure.

DiAnn Mills never fails to deliver suspense packed stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This one was no exception. I love a good book that brings the suspense, but when you then also put those characters out in the wilderness? It only amplified the suspense and makes it that much more page turning and enjoyable. The romance between Therese and Blane was great--- I enjoyed these two together very much... but it was definitely the suspense and sense of danger that took the front seat in this story for me! There were so many twists and turns to keep me guessing and I found myself looking forward to seeing how it was all going to play out in the end. Throughout the story, there were also elements of faith that I thought were blended in beautifully. If you are a fan of romantic Christian suspense that will keep you guessing until the end, this is absolutely one to check out.
**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is really 4 stars for the plot/theme of faith & 3 stars for what felt kind of cheesy to me. There was some dialogue that to me just felt like I’ve not heard people talk like that.
I love a thriller type store & anything set in Texas. The suspense part of the plot I honestly enjoyed with the espionage & trying to find out who was telling the truth. In my opinion she wrote the supense/action well. I also enjoyed the setting of the Guadalupe Mountains.
The dialogue between the main characters was simply hard for me to take seriously. It wasn’t missionary dating exactly, but still felt a little far fetched to me. They were likeable characters, I just couldn’t get over parts of the dialogue.
I did appreciate theme of faith that was clear throughout & how the author acknowledging God’s sovereignty & suffering and how that can be a difficult thing. My only critique is maybe that the gospel wasn’t super clearly articulated but need for Jesus/God was.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!