COLD SHOT by Dani Pettrey

Griffen McCray and his close friends in college, Declan Grey, Parker Mitchell and Luke Gallagher, had high hopes for the future, all working together in some area of law enforcement, that is until Luke disappeared leaving a gaping hole in the friends circle.  After years of working as a SWAT team sniper and trying to forget a case gone wrong, Griffen appreciates his non-stressful job of park ranger at Gettysburg.  Then he catches a couple of grave vandals and realizes that they have uncovered a modern grave.  Finley Scott is a forensic anthropologist currently working a dig at Little Round Top in Gettysburg.  Griffen calls her to the scene to get her take on the situation.  He also calls Declan (now FBI) and Parker (now a crime scene analyst) to help with the case.  After Finley examines the body, she finds evidence that point to the work of a sniper and Griffen's experience will definitely be called upon.  But working with Finley has stirred up feelings inside Griffen that he's not sure he wants deal with.  Finley has some fears where men are concerned because of a past experience, but for some reason Griffen makes her feel safe. When the case takes a dangerous turn, Griffen finds that his feelings for Finely are more than protectiveness.  The case also brings to the surface some long suppressed tension between Griffen and Parker that has never been resolved.  Will the team be able to put the pieces together and solve the mystery before it's too late?  Can a strained friendship be restored and whatever happened to Luke?

WOW!  I absolutely loved this first book in Dani Pettrey's new Chesapeake Valor series.  Cold Shot is the perfect title for this hard to put down thriller.  Not only will you find lots of twists and turns but you'll be on the edge of your seat and anxious to solve the mystery.  The characters were so true to life that you're just sure if you went to the Gettysburg area you would find them.  The interaction and dynamics between all the friends was very realistic.  I appreciated not only the strong bond between them but also their faith; a faith that sustained them through difficult issues.  Griffen was my kind of hero; tough yet tender and protective of those he loves.  Finley was someone I truly admired.  She was such an endearing person, one I would love to have as a friend.  Parker and Declan (along with Kate and Avery) were such well drawn characters that it makes me anxious to know more about them.  There is a part of the story that's left unsolved but main part of the story has a very satisfying conclusion and I must say I can't wait to read the next book in the series.  This author just keeps getting better and better.  If you enjoy a romantic suspense that keeps you guessing, has some great romantic tension and has you reading way past your bed time, then I highly recommend Cold Shot.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Dani Pettrey I encourage you to visit her website at www.danipettrey.com/

A few favorite quotes:

"She loved sun catchers. I didn't understand it.  Her love for them.  I mean it's colored glass, but she said when the sun flooded in and the colorful rays bounced off the dim interior, it reminded her how God brings beauty and light to the darkest places.  And that all the broken pieces of different and uniquely shaped glass making up one beautiful image reminded her how God brings beauty out of brokenness and uses the smallest of pieces to make up a whole."

"Whenever the panic surged, she reminded herself that God was with her in the darkest places and that she would pass through.”

“Cupping her face, he swooped in.  Her lips parted, and he pressed his to hers - tender at first, then growing passionate in intensity."