River of Danger by Alexa Verde Review and a ~*GIVEAWAY*~
Reprinted here with permission from the copyrighted author, Alexa Verde:
Dallas reporter River Montenegro returns to her hometown, Rios Azules, in south Texas to aid her father, a constantly recovering alcoholic. After the notorious Smiling Killer strikes close to her home — and her own neck, River grudgingly accepts help from her childhood friend and first love, who unknowingly crushed her heart.
When his formerly awkward school buddy is being stalked and attacked, local newspaper editor and town favorite Jacob Forrester decides to protect River. Falling for River, who blossomed into a confident, beautiful woman, Jacob is also eager to take their friendship to a different level. But River always made it clear she wouldn’t stick around.
Scarred and scared, River has fled to the big city lights once. But she’s stronger now. The homegrown killer better be prepared because not all Rivers run…
Secrets of Rios Azules Series: welcome to Rios Azules, a small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep, and secrets are deadly.
my point of view
This book is actually the prequel to the Secrets of Rios Azules series, and it sure sets the reader up for the suspense that prevails throughout all of the stories I have read in the series so far (as of this writing I am on number 4)! I have mostly been a reader of “just romantic” Christian fiction, and was never a huge fan of the suspense genre….but that has since changed, thanks to Alexa Verde! I am a new reader of a lot of Alexa’s books and up until River of Danger, had only read her Seasons series, both of which take place in this small Southern Texas town, Rios Azules.
The character of River Montenegro is complex in so many ways! She was an awkward teen with a huge crush on Jacob Forrester; she suffered from being abandoned by her mother, and grew up taking care of an alcoholic father who couldn’t take care of himself, on top of being the “gawky” teenager no one wanted to be friends with.
That is, until the Danger Girls come together. A group of ‘misfit’ girls in need of acceptance and a sense of belonging, they band together to become their own family and lifelong friends. I have always enjoyed stories that have ‘friends for family’ theme within them. Having grown up an only child, my cousins and close friends were my closest confidants.
River also lives with the fact she is a teenage victim who was terrorized in her own home, and now she has reason to believe that her attacker has turned into a serial killer that has been striking women down all over Dallas. Could she have been his first victim? The only one that has survived so far? As an investigative reporter, she takes on the responsibility of finding and stopping this killer once and for all. She plans to keep the Danger Girls safe by trying not to involve them and the same goes for Jacob, the boy – now man – she has always loved, but he only ever wanted her friendship.
Jacob has his own issues to deal with, still mourning the loss of his baby sister, and now trying to renew his friendship with River, a girl who was always his best friend. Only now in protecting River, he has discovered deeper feeling for her that he must learn to keep from her since she plans on leaving their hometown as soon as the killer is found. Can Jacob find his faith in God again all the while keeping River safe from harm only to leave him again in the end?
This amazing book has so many twists and turns and unexpected happenings that it is hard to put down! I found myself on the edge of me seat at times and reading as fast as I could to get to the next ‘calmer’ scene! Though I love the reunited love theme, this is more of a reunited friendship that turns into a more serious relationship they could have never have had as teenagers. Throughout the entire book, Alexa Verde always keeps the one true relationship we all crave and need in our lives – faith in God – first, as it should always be. Honestly, I truly enjoyed this start of the Secrets of Rios Azules, and am reading everyone I can get my hands on, so keep them coming, Alexa Verde!
About the author:
Alexa Verde writes sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and murder. She penned her first literary masterpiece, a rhymed poem, at the ripe age of eight, and since has had 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, a master’s in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters with diverse cultures. She can claim her 15 seconds of Amazon fame with her books climbing to the #1 spot in Hispanic American and #3 in Christian Mystery & Suspense. She’s worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer’s hat suits her the best. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in south Texas home. The latter is an inspiration for the fictional setting of her popular series Secrets of Rios Azules. For giveaways (Russian souvenirs are the next), news, and recipes, please sign up for her newsletter at www.alexaverde.com. Twitter: @AlexaVerde3. Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexaverdeauthor.com
Now, how would YOU like to win an ebook copy of River of Danger for yourself, or any one of Alexa Verde’s ebooks? One randomly chosen person that comments on this post will receive the ebook of their choice from Alexa Verde! Ebooks will be gifted via BookFunnel. Giveaway is open for seven days from today and will be notified via email!
I have read the 4th (in a collection)in this series, and really enjoyed it. Still need to get the rest of them and read the rest in order.
They are so good!
Thank you very much, Andrea Byers!
Okay, I might be partial in this case, but I truly love reading your reviews, Paula Marie! They are so honest, refreshing, and fun. Thank you so much for featuring River of Danger on your blog!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I truly love reading your books!!
Very blessed to have a reader like you. 🙂
I feel blessed! Having wonderful authors like yourself to read!!
Wow! It certainly sounds like a great book
It really is!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Brenda! You made my day. 🙂
I would love the chance to win. Thanks for the opportunity.
I am so glad you entered, Charlene!
Happy to see you here, Charlene Burlison! And thank you so much for entering the giveaway!
😀
Would love to be entered into the giveaway. Thanks for the chance!
I appreciate you entering, and the authors who offer these free books!
Truly, my pleasure to offer free books for giveaways! I appreciate you commenting and best wishes in the giveaway! And thank you to Paula Marie for hosting it.
I am honored to do so!
Love your books, this one sounds great too. Thanks
Thanks for commenting, Rose! You have been entered to win an ebook from Alexa Verde now!
Rose, your words made my heart sing! Thank you so much!
☺️
Wow, I had no idea there was a prequel like this. I hope. I win it. I want to read the whole series together. I understand how isolated you can feel sometimes. The need for a support group to cover for each other, look out for each other and to share with, I think, is a real human need and desire.
Looking forward to it
Thanks for sharing
Blessings
I loved this prequel! It really sets the stage for the rest of the books!
So glad you loved the prequel, Paula Marie!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kathy! I totally agree that we all need a group of friends who will always support us and stand by us no matter what. It is truly a real human need and desire. And that’s how adventures of Danger Girls and the Secrets of Rios Azules series started. Best wishes in the giveaway!
Great review! This sounds like an exciting read! I enjoy reading books set in Texas.
You will love Alexa Verde then! Glad you entered!
Thank you so much, Chloe! I love living in Texas and writing books set in Texas. And I’m very grateful to Paula Marie for a great review! Best wishes in the giveaway!
This book sounds wonderful would enjoy a chance to win.
Wonderful! You are entered!
Thank you so much for your kind words about my book, Rory Lemond! Best wishes in the giveaway!
Sounds like another winner from you Alexa! Thanks for writing enjoyable books.
I agree, Shamekka!!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Shamekka! I’m so blessed to have readers like you!
Many thanks to everybody who commented and entered the giveaway!
HUGE thanks to YOU, Alexa – for not just giving away ONE ebook but TWO!! Congratulations to BOTH winners, Brenda and Shamekka!!
Happy to do it, Paula Marie! Emails to the winners were sent. Brenda and Shamekka, I hope you’ll enjoy reading my books!