Book Review for: Lost Then Found
Written by: Christina Freeburn
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61252-095-7
Avail as: an ebook only
5 Stars
Reviewed by: S. Burkhart
Freeburn crafts a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat with “Lost Then Found.” Jonas Knight is a skip tracer – a person who is an expert at helping to hide others – so is his ex-wife, Renee, who he still harbors feelings for. When his partner, Peter, asks him to help find someone, Jonas reluctantly agrees knowing the case will pit him against Renee.
Gina Howard has a reason to get lost – she’s a minor and her uncle, Eric, is trying to cheat her out of her inheritance. Eric is a dangerous man and Renee has hidden Gina well. Eric has two weeks to find Gina before she turns of age, and he puts pressure on Peter to find her. Peter involves Jonas.
Jonas still has deep feelings for Renee, yet he knows she’s determined to protect Gina no matter the cost. Renee hasn’t forgiven Jonas for his involvement in her sister’s Melody’s murder, and while Jonas didn’t commit the crime, Renee’s resentment runs deep.
As soon as Jonas starts poking around Renee’s business, trouble follows them. They’re attacked, shot at, and run off the road. The deeper Jonas becomes involved, the more aggressive the hunter is.
Jonas realizes the right thing to do is to ensure Gina’s well-being and keep Renee safe despite the attraction that flares up between them. Can he unlock the secrets that threaten his world before his pursuer catches him?
Freeburn’s penned a taunt romantic suspense that will have the reader turning the pages to find out what will happen next. Her writing is sharp and crisp, engaging the reader with ease.
The characters are complex and interesting. Jonas truly is a “knight” in shining amour, coming to Renee’s rescue over and over again. However, he hides his inner pain behind a stoic mask, rarely letting anyone see his heart.
Renee puts up a strong façade, but her soul is tormented by conflicting emotions regarding Jonas. For her to heal, she must find it in her heart to forgive him.
What I liked best about the novel was how the inspirational message grew organically within the storytelling so I didn’t feel like I was “preached” to. Freeburn does two things well – entwining the “lost” immediacy of Gina’s plight with the “lost” aching between Renee and Jonas over their failed marriage, attacking both issues, then showing the showing the journey for all to be “found,” giving the title a two-fold meaning.
The novel is “sweet” for romance readers with Jonas and Renee sharing a kiss or two. Overall, “Lost Then Found” is a pulse-pounding read that will resonate with the reader long after they’ve finished the story.
About Post Author
