Granite & Gloss by LR Strong Book Review

About the Book:

Everyone has secrets they never want uncovered.

Successful private criminal investigator Jake Granite is driven by deep torment he can never escape. One miscalculation permanently ruined his life—a secret he’ll take to the grave. Hardened and jaded, he trusts no one. He lives for revenge.

Tarina Gloss works hard creating elaborate sculptures and enthralling paintings, secretly influenced by synesthesia. She is elated when a famous billionaire wants her to design a sculpture for his international company. Maybe she can finally make a name for herself!

Jake is after the same man for very different reasons. His team and a multistate network have been tracking the billionaire for criminal activity. When intel says he will be somewhere nearby, Jake is one of many rushing to locate the evil man.

When Jake, Tarina, and the billionaire collide, everyone’s plans are thrown into chaos. What was hidden is now revealed—including a sex trafficking op about to go down. Can a hardcore atheist with street smarts and a devout Christian with spiritual gifts trust each other in every possible way? Jake and Tarina must face deadly situations, overcome past traumas, and find a way to escape. If not, sixty innocent children will disappear forever.

My Review:

This novel is not your typical inspirational romantic suspense. It is a survival story but much more than that. The focus of the novel is on psychological and spiritual transformation, the suspenseful survival story forming a framework for it. There is a strong Christian message in this novel with a clear presentation of the gospel.

The heroine, Tarina, is a Christian who truly lives out her faith and dependence upon God. While a small woman, she is strong in believing God will direct her when she prays for guidance and does so. She also believes in the authority she has over evil and uses it. Jake is an ex-cop, tainted by all the evil he has seen. In between scenes of suspense, the two have many discussions, she helping him work through his pain, he helping her see her gifts in a new way.

Serious issues are discussed in this novel, such as child trafficking. Tarina and Jake have a good discussion as to why an all powerful God allows evil to happen. Another issue is that Tarina has synesthesia. Strong herself has it and writes from her own experiences. It is very interesting to read about it. Another interesting aspect of the novel is that Jake practices parkour. I liked learning about that too.

This is a very entertaining novel that combines suspense with serious Christianity and includes psychological and spiritual growth and the gospel message. I recommend it.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

LR Strong lives in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona and enjoys all four seasons in the stunning forest. She loves to spend time with people, do fun outside activities, and discover God’s beauty everywhere. She’s also extremely organized and cerebral. Her first career for many years was computer programming. Now that she’s far away from the big cities, she savors relaxing in nature and spending quality time with loved ones. She also enjoys reading, writing, editing, playing piano, photography, and oil painting. Learn more about her inspiration, synesthesia, and spiritual gifts at her website (LRStrong.com).

LR Strong, LLC, 538 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)