Carrie Stuart Parks

What drew me in most was how naturally I could see myself in these characters … their struggles, their choices, their prayers. From the first moments, their faith felt familiar, like echoes of my own walk with Christ. This wasn’t a story I observed at a distance; it was one I stepped into, because the faith within it was lived with honesty and strength.

The beauty of Escaping the Wilderness rests in how faith breathes through every page. The characters prayed with urgency, trusted with show more conviction, and leaned on Christ in ways that reminded me what true courage looks like. Their faith was their lifeline. Listening left me both gripped by the suspense and gently called back to deeper trust in the Lord.

Carrie Stuart Parks’ writing and Samantha Desz’s narration came together in a way that felt like a rare gift. The story was strong, the voice was steady, and the pairing was seamless … the kind of audiobook I want more of. I finished with a quiet prayer of thanks for stories this rich in both craft and faith, brought to life with narration that made every moment ring true.

For me, this was more than suspense; it was a reminder of the God who meets us in every trial, holding us fast when the wilderness closes in.

Perfect for listeners longing for high-quality Christian suspense where faith is lived out courageously.

I received a digital audio ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the great writing, engaging narration, and the story’s wonderful content, ensuring transparency and reliability. show less

Carrie Stuart Parks pulled me straight into the danger with Bethany and Joshua, and from there I felt that constant need to know what happened, who could be trusted, why Bethany’s identity had been erased, and how they could possibly survive when the wilderness itself seemed ready to swallow every answer.

I loved the characters. I loved the Idaho mountain setting. Carrie Stuart Parks did not just use the wilderness as a backdrop. She made it feel like part of the danger, part of the show more mystery, and part of the desperate need to trust God for the next step.

I loved the way the suspense kept tightening around what was chasing them and around the questions Bethany could not answer. Amnesia stories can sometimes feel distant, but this one carried urgency. Bethany was trying to live long enough to discover the truth.

Joshua was the kind of hero I enjoy in romantic suspense. Protective, steady, capable, but not invincible. He had to think, move, protect, and trust in the middle of danger that kept shifting.

Christian faith was woven through this story. Not forced. Not decorative. Present in the fear. Present in the uncertainty. Present when there were no easy answers.

Clearly Christian prayers like this meant so much to me: “Lord, you know our situation. You know how this will all end. In Your infinite wisdom, mercy and grace, please help us, guide us, direct us.”

That is the kind of prayer that feels honest in danger and honest in life. The Lord does know the whole story when we can only see the next step. He knows the ending when we are still standing in the smoke, the wreckage, the wilderness, or the dark.

This story felt like running through the wilderness with one hand gripping the truth and the other reaching for prayer.

I also loved this line: “Thank You, Lord, for Your love, grace and mercy, for seeing us through this time.” That gratitude matters to me because this story is about surviving what is chasing you, discovering the truth, and recognizing the One who sees you through.

By the end, I was grateful Bethany and Joshua had answers, but I was even more grateful for the reminder that when everything familiar is stripped away, the Lord still knows exactly who we are.

Survival in the Mountains gave me heart-pounding suspense, characters I cared about, and faith that gave the peril deeper meaning. The relentless pursuit kept me turning pages, but the prayers made this story mean even more to me.

This is wilderness suspense with threats in the trees, secrets in the shadows, and the steady reminder that God is never lost, even when we are.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and was not compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and reflect my honest evaluation of the writing and content. show less

In Woman In Shadow, author Carrie Stuart Parks transports the reader to the remote town of Targhee Falls, Idaho, for an intriguing suspense tale that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

The story centers around Darby Graham, a forensic linguist, who has been sent on an undercover assignment at Mule Deer Ranch, a primitive facility in Targhee Falls, Idaho, to test her progress towards getting back to wholeness after being on a long disability stay at Clan Firinn, a privately show more owned and funded facility located outside of Pullman, Washington, that specializes in offering hope and rehabilitation to law enforcement and first responders suffering from PTSD and other disorders arising from their work. Darby is being sent to Mule Deer Ranch at the request of the ranch owner, Roy Zaring, after a series of incidents that has left him concerned. Darby is to just observe and advise Roy on her findings, and let the authorities take over. But when more incidents begin to occur after her arrival, Darby finds herself teaming up with Sheriff's Deputy Bram White to not only get to the bottom of the incidents at the ranch, but also to find the serial arsonist who has been setting buildings on fire throughout town, and sending taunting letters to the Sheriff after each fire. Can Darby and Bram find out who is trying to run the ranch out of business, while hunting down the serial arsonist, or are both interconnected?

Author Carrie Stuart Parks weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in alternating first (Darby) and third person narrative (Bram) that follows Darby and Bram as their investigation into the incidents at the ranch and the fires throughout town reveals an interconnection that has a threat of danger around every corner, and where everyone is considered a suspect.

The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. It is filled with enough family drama and secrets, motives, possible suspects, action, a touch of unexpected romance, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.

This was a really interesting story to read! The author does a wonderful job of providing enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on trying to figure out who is behind all the incidents at the ranch, and who the serial arsonist could be. I loved how Darby used her expertise as a forensic linguist to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, I was absolutely stunned by the conclusion! I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I also loved reading about Darby and Bram's backstory, both are broken people who have to overcome their traumatic pasts and learn to move forward out of the shadows.

Woman In Shadow will definitely take suspense readers on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/07/woman-in-shadow-by-carrie-stu... show less

Woman in Shadow kept me guessing! This twisting romantic suspense had it all — a mysterious disappearance, earthquakes, dramatic rescues, and dangers around every turn. But the best thing about the novel is the main character, Darby Graham. Most of the story is told through Darby’s first person voice. I loved her perspective on the goings on, complete with wit to lighten all the bad things happening. Darby is a forensic linguist — a fascinating occupation — who has been trying to show more overcome her past and past mistakes. Sent to the remote Idaho ranch, she is tasked with determining why odd and dangerous things seem to be occurring. She gets much more than she expects when the danger ratchets up putting her in harms way. I like that Parks created a vulnerable, yet resourceful character in Darby. Her faith has faltered along the way, but she learns to rely on God, as well as her own instincts. There is also a great love interest for Darby that will have you cheering them on. As I stated, I did not solve this whodunit — to my delight I was completely surprised! Although there is a reference to an organization first mentioned in Relative Silence, Woman in Shadow is a standalone. Good news for all those who want to dive into this book right away. And I highly recommend you do!

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I received an ebook version from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less