In Cold Light of Day, Elizabeth Goddard has created a novel that immerses the reader in small town Alaska. From the first page it's a race to stay alive and solve a number of ever spiraling mysteries. From who the hero really is to why one body after another is found, the reader will be sucked into a story that presses forward from page to page at a rapid pace. I highly recommend this novel for readers who love a tightly plotted romantic suspense that immerse them in a fictional community.

Elizabeth Goddard's books keep getting better and better!

I found both Grier and Autumn to be likeable, sympathetic characters. Grier came with a lot of intrigue and a mysterious past that I had to wait some time to find out about. I appreciated Autumn's work ethic and how she cared for her father. Although plenty of action kept me flipping pages, some of the finer details of the plot went a little over my head. But I still got the gist of things. Grier and Autumn worked well together, and their romance added a good element to this story, as did the themes of family and secrets. I enjoyed Elizabeth Goddard's clear, fast-paced writing style, and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the Missing in Alaska series. I appreciated that Elizabeth kept both the romance and the language clean. Overall, I found this novel to be an exciting read and would recommend it to those who love Christian fiction and romantic suspense.

Wow! Talk about an exciting read. Elizabeth Goddard has a sure fire winner with this one. No doubt about it at all.

I knew when I first saw the cover of this book months ago that it would be good.

Godard sets her book in Alaska and the locale is very interesting and beautiful. Add in a small town police force with a woman police chief who suspects someone is watching her, then toss into the mix a stranger who came to town months ago but has become like one of their own, but is oddly secretive and you have all the ingredients for a great read.

‘Sometimes it felt like the bad guys always won.’

I was immediately drawn into the book from the first page. I love when that happens. The characters came alive for me, even secondary ones. Goddard ramps up the suspense from page one and does not let up. The intensity of the suspense was powerful and attention grabbing. I was completely captivated throughout. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about how soon I could get back to my book.

Well written with a mind boggling suspenseful ride, this one is Elizabeth Goddard’s very best! This is a book I am proud to have on my keeper shelf! Well done!

I love reading books set in Alaska, and I really love reading suspense novels set there. Something about its vast remoteness, brutal elements, and stunning beauty just lends itself to the perfect suspense mood – and it certainly doesn’t hurt that a lot of people head there to intentionally disappear. Which brings up all kinds of delightful (to a suspense fan, anyway) plot possibilities. And Cold Light of Day is teeming with all of the above. I was engaged from the very first page and caught up in the story all the way through. (Also… who knew Alaska had a rain forest?!?)

Autumn and Grier are both very likable characters, right off the bat, and the more we get to know them the more we like them as individuals, as a team, and as a potential couple. Both have complex layers that the author peels back for readers a little at a time, tantalizing us with just enough information to whet our curious minds and keep us guessing until all is at last revealed. There are several surprises tucked away in this story, and Grier’s reasons for being in Shadow Gap are just the beginning. For the last several chapters, in fact, I was absolutely spellbound with all the twists and turns, wanting to see how it would all play out and – at the same time – not wanting it to end.

Bottom Line: Cold Light of Day is the perfect kick-off for Elizabeth Goddard’s new Missing in Alaska series and will keep you on your toes from start to finish! I loved the layered characters – the more I learned about them, the more I wanted to know – and the way the author revealed their backstories and core values organically as the story unfolded. Not to mention the way Alaska peeks over their shoulders as a vivid supporting character all its own. The suspense had my heart in my throat with several unexpected twists, and of course I am here for the delicious romance & swoony kisses. This was such a great read & I cannot wait for book two!!!

She's police chief with a city council trying to oust her. He's a newcomer to the small town, ad he's got skills and secrets. When criminal activity uncharacteristically ramps up, there's increasing pressure on her to unravel the mystery, but his secrets and those yet to be revealed, prevent the truth from coming out, until it does.

Here's a suspense story that will keep you guessing, and if you've enjoyed her previous novel, you're sure to enjoy this one as well.

It didn't quite check all the boxes though for me. Their relationship felt forced with a lot of mistrust. that simply evaporated and an ending that just seemed too predictable.

Elizabeth Goddard is one of my go-to authors when I want to read a good suspense story and Cold Light of Day did not disappoint. The main characters, Autumn, the police chief in small-town Alaska, and Grier, a newcomer trying to stay under the radar, are likable and relatable. They each have troubles to resolve and their collaborative efforts may be the answer or will it bring danger instead? I like how the author reveals the background of the characters, layer by layer. Edge-of-the-seat action, as situation after situation arises in the story, kept my attention from the first page to the last. And what is a good suspense story without a bit of romance blended in? Goddard has given readers a great romantic suspense story in this first book in the Missing in Alaska series. I can't wait to read the next book.

A well done romantic suspense that is a must read for fans of the genre. Set is majestic Alaska, it is a fast paced suspense novel filled with twist and turns of trying to figure out who you can trust or not trust.
Alaska

“People went missing all over the world, but Alaska set records when it came to missing people...However , some people went missing by choice, and others were forced into hiding to survive.”

Grier Brenner is a newcomer to Shadow Gap and is keeping a low profile. But he cannot help coming to the rescue. “Grier had never been good at following the rules, even when those rules were the ones he had personally set in stone.”

Autumn Long is the sheriff fighting for her job against the city council. When multiple crimes are committed in this sleepy town, they cause more questions than answers.

Ms. Goddard brings us a determined heroine and a hero with a background he will not divulge. She releases clues, slowly, tantalizingly, to keep your interest. Romance is sizzling beneath the surface, too. The action accelerates at breakneck speed and comes to a surprising conclusion. With twists and turns in abundance, this is one of the most interesting and best suspense stories I have read.

Goddard kicks off her new Alaskan series with a fast-paced thrill ride you can’t put down! Highly recommend!

This first installment set in Alaska weaves a gripping mystery dealing with a wave of murders. Autumn Long, Police chief of Shadow Gap, is the one to deal with all what went on in the town but her leadership is in question making her work more difficult. Then, Grier Brennan, a handsome stranger with an evasive past stepped into her life and soon they join force to track down the killer. Along the way an attraction builds between them.....awe the story tells all...

This story in under the umbrella of Revell Publishing and has all the marking of a Hallmark movie: smoothly said with a clean narrative and exciting dialogue. This is a tightly plotted romance mystery that knows how to tease us and keep us pin to the story and moving along till the final moment...the obligatory kiss ..This is so familiar to those who love this kind of stories and movies.

I was sucked into this drama from the start and couldn’t help flipping pages to know how Autumn would do with solving the murders, saving her job and of course with Grier. But with all the twists and turns thrown in I was kept guessing and flipping pages till I reached the last one. I was definitely held captive by the story...well-said and done. Another winner for Ms. Goddard

Elizabeth Goddard is on my short list of favorite romantic suspense writers for a reason. With Cold Light of Day, she once again provides a captivating story with root-worthy characters that kept me up late reading.

Autumn’s tenacity paired with Grier’s protectiveness make them a delightful duo. I enjoyed reading their exchanges. Grier’s secrets added intrigue to the tale, as well as Autumn’s uncertainty when it came to trusting him.

Autumn and Grier’s relationship was well-developed. I loved seeing the romantic tension grow throughout the book, especially knowing Grier had a secret. Grier might very well be my favorite hero from Goddard’s books. I haven’t read her whole backlist yet, though, so I may change my mind. He’ll stay high on the list, though. The way he looks out for Autumn and supports her made me fall in love with him.

But the suspense really made this book a winner. With a mix of small town drama and law enforcement-related danger, there’s plenty that kept me turning pages. There are several surprises and plot twists I didn’t see coming.

Overall, Cold Light of Day is gripping suspense with an engaging romance. Romantic suspense fans will not only love the action but also the sweet relationship between the main characters.

This is a riveting, gripping page-turner! If you are a fan of Christian romantic suspense, this is the book for you! From the first page, you will be hooked on this facet-paced, action- packed thrilling story.

Police Chief Autumn Long took over the job of Chief when her father, the former, long-time Chief of Shadow Gap, a small town in the Inside Passage of the Alaska panhandle, retired. Returning from an overnight trip to Anchorage for a meeting, she was now on the last leg of her trip home on a bush plane, piloted by a local pilot, Carrie James. As they flew over a body of water, Carrie points out that someone is in the water frantically waving. As they fly in closer, they notice someone else is swimming out toward the person. The woman is saved and Grier, a newcomer to Shadow Gap, becomes a hero.

Grier Brenner moved to the remote area to hide out while clearing his name of a serious crime he was wrongly accused of. According to the locals, he arrived in Shadow Gap a few months earlier to fish in the Salmon Derby and as occasionally happens, he was one of the tourists who decided to stay in their friendly, welcoming little town.

Rescuing a drowning woman wasn’t the last heroic endeavor as several other criminal activities surfaced in this small, peaceful town, including murder and kidnapping. Grier can’t help but get involved with offering help to the Chief in solving the onslaught of unexpected criminal activity that is occurring in this generally peaceful town.

The strong cast of characters are well developed including the intriguing locals, to felons’ intent on their devious acts. This is a book that is difficult to put down until the last page is turned.

Peaceful remote Shadow Gap, Alaska, a beautiful setting for Elizabeth Goddard's new book, and if your familiar with her writing, yes, your in for an adventure of non-stop action, and this one does not disappoint.

I love that there is some sweet romance, but there is also some town drama, but then there is the body count. Autumn Long is the Chief of Police and this quiet town is about to become very busy! Enter mysterious Grier Brenner, and now there is more danger most you won't see coming!

Keep reading, there are lots of surprises coming, and you will wonder whom is going to survive.

Now I can't wait for the next book in this series!

When beleaguered police chief Autumn Long faces a series of unsolved crimes in her small Alaskan town of Shadow Gap, she has no idea each case could connect to the others. A missing hiker, a drowning woman, a body anchored in a wrecked ship, and a police shooting. But despite a certain town council member who wants her fired, Autumn will do anything to protect the people who call Shadow Gap home.

As she and town newcomer Grier Brenner investigate, Autumn can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching her. Even worse, her first sight of the man triggers a memory of the worst day of her life—the day her mother drowned.

Grier Brenner disappeared to Shadow Gap to escape false accusations while his friend and fellow agent promised to find the evidence to exonerate him. Only Krueger hasn’t checked in for two weeks, and Grier doesn’t know what to do next. Despite Grier’s plan to stay under the radar, when he sees a woman struggling to swim in the frigid waters of Lewis Inlet, he swims to her rescue.

When the chief asks him to dive the scene with her the following day, they find a body anchored to an old shipwreck instead of the alleged boat of the woman who nearly drowned.

Grier knows God has placed him in Shadow Gap, but he doesn’t know who’s threatening the peace of the town or the safety of the police force. Will the beautiful police chief become the next victim?

What I Loved About this Book

Goddard creates a cast of quirky characters with relatable problems to people the fictional town along Alaska’s southeast shoreline. Readers will identify with Autumn, a woman seeking to honor her father despite his choices, and Grier, a man who doesn’t understand why someone framed him but who knows with certainty that God has him where he wants him.

Fans of inspirational suspense from authors such as Kelly Irvin and Cara Putman will enjoy Cold Light of Day and other books by Elizabeth Goddard.

What an exciting, page-turner!! Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard is a wonderful romantic suspense set in a small town in Alaska. With the police chief Autumn Long who is being edged out by the town's council and Grier Brenner, a man who came to Alaska to hide, this heart-pounding story fleshes out each of their complicated stories as they team up to solve a recent and unusual crime wave in this small town.

The chief doesn't know who to trust, given that one of her deputies has ties to the council trying to get rid of her. Grier Brenner rescues a woman from the frigid waters, and the chief and her pilot happen to rescue them. Grier has become a hero despite his needing to maintain a low profile. "The man had a sturdy presence about him, one to which she found herself inexplicably drawn." Chief finds herself trusting Grier more and more, despite not knowing his story. He is drawn to her, despite knowing he shouldn't get close to anyone here. "Chief Autumn Long with her striking multicolored eyes and dark, curly hair, possessed the fiery spirit of a survivor. Yeah....he recognized a kindred spirit when he saw one."

Grier frequently had meals at the local restaurant, and "these men had become Grier's fast friends when he'd wanted none, but they were characters with colorful histories and he related to them." "Otis nodded. "I knew the first time we met that God brought you here for a purpose greater than your own."

"To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8" is a plaque on the wall in the police station that is a good reminder to the chief of her purpose here, and not to dwell on the forces outside her control who are working against her.

I highly recommend "Cold Light of Day". Lovers of romantic suspense will absolutely enjoy this engaging, page-turning, stay-up-too-late-reading, story!

Thank you to the author, publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.