Blind Trust: A Novel (Port Aster Secrets)

Present Day - Niagara Peninsula, Canada

"Wow, thanks. Hmm, what other compliment could I fish for?" His gaze tangled with hers in a playful tug-of-war. He tapped his fingers on his lips. "You don't like the way I kiss?"
"I wouldn't know." She smirked, forgetting for a moment that he was a cop and she was involved in two too many of his cases.
"I could remedy that." He brushed his thumb along her bottom lip, releasing a flurry of butterflies.
She held her breath as his smoldering gaze drifted to her lips.
With a bittersweet smile, he dropped his hand to his side.
"Except...you're still not sure you can trust me. What can we do about that?"

Blind Trust is the second book in the Port Aster series that follows the lives of Kate Adams, a research show more scientist, and Detective Tom Parker. It seems their lives keep crossing when Kate is implicated in two of Tom's investigations, this one involving counterfeiting. The book goes on to include more complicated parts of the storyline involving Kate's past. Kate is a very strong and determined woman who knows how to fight her own battles but can also be very vulnerable. Tom is my favorite character. He is a teddy bear in private and away from work but he is a tenacious bulldog when it comes to protecting those he loves. He is often in full detective mode but can shift into with a moments notice when needed. He is the essence of the perfect detective.

I loved the characters because they are so life-like and the storyline flows so well. It's full of suspense and drama. The romance blooming between Kate and Tom is sweet and endearing and I can't wait to read the next installment in the series to see where their relationship leads. The religious overtones were subtle and didn't feel like it was being shoved at you. A perfect compliment to the story. The area of Port Aster is a beautiful back drop for the story. I haven't read book one in this series but, even though I think it would be beneficial and add to the story, I really didn't need to read it in order to follow what was happening in this book. Sandra does a great job of filling the reader in on what happened previously. The storyline was engaging and on-the-edge-of-your-seat good. I was drawn in from the very beginning and held captivated until the last page. I can't wait to go back and read the first book and I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. I compare Sandra's writing to Colleen Coble's so if you love Colleen's books you will certainly love Sandra's. I can't recommend this book enough!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review and no monetary compensation was received. show less

Oh my word, I loved this one so much! Things are definitely heating up as this trilogy continues.

Kate's continuing character arc is so, so good. I just love her innocence and naivete! She's just the sweetest and so relatable. Tom is also fabulous . . . These two characters compliment each other so well. The secondary characters like Julie and Hank were also great. Also, KATE"S DAD!!!! *squeals* I was skeptical at first, but I quickly grew to love him.

The story line . . . wow! While a few times the "false alarms" drove me a bit crazy, there was definitely more action in this one than the first one, which I liked. That plot twist midway through completely caught me off guard. Wow! Wasn't expecting that at all, and I questioned it, but I show more ended up loving it.

All in all, I really enjoyed this second installment to the Port Aster Secrets trilogy! These characters have completely captured my heart!

Recommended for ages 15 for romance and mild violence. There are a few barely-described kisses and attraction between the MCs, but overall, it's kept very light. Also some very mild non-descriptive violence. show less

The mystery continues in Port Aster with this 2nd book in Sandra Orchard's series. I really enjoyed how an entirely new plot captured my attention right away, but also that there were enough threads carried over from book 1 to keep me engaged in the overall arc. Loved watching the romance between Tom and Kate blossom ... but wanted to shake some sense into Kate by the end!!! Also, the twists in Blind Trust totally caught me off guard - very good suspense!

I would recommend reading the first book, Deadly Devotion in this series, Port Aster Secrets before this one. I didn't but still enjoyed it. There is mystery, terror, humor, blooming love, and intrigue involved in Blind Trust. The main character Kate goes through every emotion possible as she struggles to stay alive, to finish her research, and explore a possible romance. Her caring sensitivity, strong imagination, and painful past lead her on in solving crimes that she keeps falling into innocently. Does her past have anything to do with her current situation? So many questions come into your mind as you read Blind Trust that you have to travel to the last page. The ups and downs, secrets and truths will drive you to finish and want to show more read the next book in the Port Aster Secrets series by Sandra Orchard, show less

Blind Trust
Sandra Orchard

Book Summary: Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can't believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

Review: Very suspenseful and well written. Even though this was a sequel to Deadly Devotion show more it was still readable as a stand alone. There was some spoilers throughout the book, but not enough to keep me from reading the first in the series someday. I found the storyline to be interesting. There was a lot going on throughout the story but I never felt like things were so scattered that they couldn't be resolve in the last 30 minutes of reading the book. It is nice to see the immediate things resolved. There were times that I was on the edge of my seat and a bit jumpy due to the events occurring in the book. I love the thrill of the suspense and the characters were original and likable. The secondary characters and some surprises kept me going to the end. I am looking forward to the next book in the Port Aster Secrets series.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Revell for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. show less

5stars ***** out of 5
A contemporary Mystery/Suspense Novel

This is a whopper of a mystery and suspense from Sandra Orchard, and yes, it had my heart thumping and my adrenaline soaring. This is what I would call a true series, where the mystery is not completely solved in this book, but there are enough answers to the questions posed, that I would still buy it and even read it before the next one comes out. So far, Sandra has always finished a series. (I say this because there is at least one author who does not). This is the second one in the series, following Deadly Devotion. As always Sandra delivers. I love Sandra's mystery novels, and often read them multiple times...once when they are first published, and then again as the series is show more completed. The twists and turns the story takes keeps the reader involved, and guessing and often wrong in their guesses. She has a way with words that effortlessly draws the reader into the setting.

I received this book free from Revell and Emily Davies-Robinson through their Nuts About Books program in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own show less

Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard
Kate Adams finds herself in the middle of a two-bit counterfeiting ring when she is caught passing counterfeit bills from her elderly neighbor. Detective Tom Parker is sent yet again to investigate Kate. They fight a growing attraction as they try to prove her innocence and save her beloved neighbor from her greedy son. As if that was not enough she is being followed, a big corporation is endangering her research, she is falsely accused and being deceived. This is the first book I have read from author Sandra Orchard but it surly will not be the last. Blind Trust is book two in the Port Aster Secrets series. I have to wonder what I missed by not reading book one, Deadly Devotion. I was somewhat upset with show more the cliff hanger ending but will be sure to pick up book three. I found the characters to be well thought out and developed. The story line is fast paced, full of suspense and a hint of romance. I give Blind Trust five stars and have added Sandra Orchard to my list of great authors that I look forward to reading from.
I want to give a high-five to the author Sandra Orchard and publisher Revell for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and give hope to the reader with stories of faith. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for the authors and publishers generosity. show less