I was in the mood for a bit of romantic suspense and I have in the past enjoyed Nancy Mehl's series as they are set with a Christian theme as in this case Sanctuary is a modern Mennonite town. The book starts with a robbery happening and six million dollars missing. We learn that one of the criminals who was never caught hightailed it to a small town called Sanctuary. A couple of years later, Tom Ford who was a mutual friend of Sophie's from her hometown Mennonite town contacts her where she is a reporter to tell his story in exchange for a lighter sentence. Sophie heads to the town under pretences and a false name - Emily and in the town, she learns more about the people and we see flashbacks of her life growing up. What happens though when Sophie's past clashes with the present when the guy she had a crush on Jonathon is now one of the Pastors in Sanctuary? As the book goes along, it looks like somebody knows what Sophie is up to and will go to lengths to keep his identity and secret safe and works to drive Sophie from town. Will Sophie pack up and leave Sanctuary or in a way has she finally found somewhere to call home and people who care and love her? Find out in this edgy CF Romantic Suspense "Rising Darkness" - Book #3 in the Finding Sanctuary series by Nancy Mehl.

Sophie Wittenbauer grew up in a conservative Mennonite community. Unlike the good citizens of her town, she lived under the abusive hand of her parents. She made some horrible choices and disappointed a lot of people in the town of Kingdom, but that is all behind her now. She left her old miserable life behind and has started a new life for herself. She is now an aspiring crime reporter and hoping to get a "big story" and make a name for herself. When Sophie receives a tip on an unsolved case, she heads to Sanctuary, Missouri in search of a murderer and $6,000,000 in missing cash.

Once in Sanctuary she goes undercover and uses the name Emily. She is not thrilled to be in a Mennonite town and it seems that more than just memories of her old life are surfacing. When she runs in to Jonathan, the only man she has ever loved, she is taken back. He is now a pastor in Sanctuary. He has a hard time believing Sophie, but chooses to help her anyway. It also seems that someone is on to "Emily". When she begins receiving threats and then is attacked, she is not sure who to trust anymore. As she is trying to find the murderer she begins to find herself and the healing that she so desperately needed.

Rising Darkness is the third book in the Finding Sanctuary series by Nancy Mehl. You do not have to read the series in order, but I do think you would find it more enjoyable. Since each story is set in Sanctuary, MO you get to know and connect with many of the town folk and it is nice to see glimpses of their lives in each book. Sophie's story in Rising Darkness is a story of healing and forgiveness. I love how Nancy Mehl can write a book with a great balance of faith, suspense and romance. One of the things I love most about this author's books is that she is actually located very close to where I live and the towns on the outskirts of Sanctuary are real towns and towns that I am in on a regular basis. That is just a really cool aspect for me.

I did have a little more trouble with this third book than I did the first two. It took me a while to get into and connect with it. I didn't feel like it was as good as the first two, however, it was still enjoyable and by the last half of the book I couldn't put it down. It just took me a while to get to that point.

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with the book in exchange form my honest review.

This is an amazing read! Nancy Mehl has fast become one of my favorite authors. She has a way of creating the best suspense novels that keep you reading because you have to see if you figure out the whodunit before she gives it away at the end. Her writing style is excellent and I always feel like I'm right there inside the book with the characters. Plus the characters draw me in and I either love them or love to hate them.

Rising Darkness is book three in a series. Sophie ran away from an abusive and bad situation in the Mennonite town she grew up in. Now she's in Sanctuary, Missouri with an assumed name trying to solve a mystery without giving away who she really is. And then, of course, she runs into someone she knows. Not just someone she casually knows but the guys she's been in love with forever!

You're going to love this book. It's fast-paced and has plenty of characters to love and hate. I loved the whole series about Kingdom and where we met Sophie and Jonathan. Now I've loved this last novel in the Sanctuary series as well. Definitely read all six!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received Through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I really enjoyed this 3rd book by Nancy Mehl in the Finding Sanctuary series. I had read the first book in the series, but not the second, and I was able to read this one without feeling like I had missed something from the story line. The mystery elements were enough to keep me reading and I enjoyed watching Sophie transform and soften her heart towards God as the story unfolded. I also enjoyed reading more about some of the characters from the first book in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Christian fiction with a bit of mystery and romance woven through.

I was given a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another enthralling read from the Queen of Christian suspense. This book is well written and engaging keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Nancy Mehl’s Rising Darkness, Sophie Bauer is determined to make a name for herself as an investigative reporter. However, in pursuing a story that may lead to her big break, Sophie must confront disturbing memories from her past and put herself in harm’s way. Will she get the recognition she deserves, or will this investigation lead to the exposure of her own secrets?

Rising Darkness has the potential to be an intriguing story with a fascinating setting. The Mennonite way of life depicted in the novel has a warm appeal which, juxtaposed with the promised suspense, draws the reader’s interest.

However, there is nothing excellent about the novel. The plot is predictable, the characters are immature and unsympathetic, and the dialogue is somewhat pedantic and unbelievable in places. Therefore I hesitate to recommend Rising Darkness.


I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.