Book Review: Beguiled by Deanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Deanne Gist, the author of two previous books, and J. Mark Bertrand, awaiting publication of his first, met in a writer's critique group and jokingly spoke of collaborating on a book. Having sprung the idea of a joint book on Mark, Deanne fully expected him to resist the idea. But he jumped on the chance, and Beguiled was born.

This is the story of Rylee Monroe, a young woman who was raised by her now-senile grandmother after her father disappeared and her mother died suddenly of an overdose of sleeping pills. Desiring to give her "Nonie" the best care possible, Rylee starts her own business walking dogs and caring for the pets of the well-to-do, animals she loves and are who give her the only sense of "family" that she has.

When a thief, dubbed the Robin Hood burglar by the media, begins to target the homes of Rylee's clients, she becomes the prime suspect in the robberies. And it seems the only ones on her side are her attorney, a long-time family friend, and a reporter, Logan Woods... and she's not so sure about Logan. Does he really care, or is he just looking for a scoop?

Beguiled is exactly my kind of book! It has suspense, intrigue, romance, a strong yet vulnerable heroine and hero... all the things my favorite books contain. And while I received this book from Bethany House to review, it's exactly the kind I search for when I purchase a new book (which is often).

I've read every book by both Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock—my two favorite authors—and I can only hope that the team of Gist and Bertrand become as prolific in their writing. I can assure you, I'll be buying every one of theirs as well.

This one gets Five Stars, hands down!

Purchase Beguiled.

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