“You absolutely must read Dani Pettrey’s books!” I can’t tell you how many people have said this to me. This five-book series, set in the wilds of Alaska, has clearly grabbed readers’s hearts. And what’s not to love? Wilderness, danger, dashing heroes, and strong female protagonists–it’s a perfect combination. I’ve been fascinated by Alaska since my days watching the quirky Northern Exposure back in the 80s, but I’ve never been able to travel there. So reading the Alaska Courage series was something that had been on my radar for quite some time.
It’s unfortunate that I waited until the last book to jump on board! Sabotaged was a thrilling read, even though I sometimes found myself a little lost among the large family of characters. Former bad boy, Reef McKenna and the deeply wounded Kirra Jacobs are thrown together while working to expose a threat that surfaces during the Iditarod. I was completely drawn into their story, guessing about the true nature of the mystery up until the end. It’s clear I’ll need to go back and read the first four novels to discover the secrets of the other characters (the extended McKenna family), but I enjoyed reading this installment, regardless. Pettrey’s descriptions of the search and rescue teams supporting the Iditarod chilled me, even as I sat reading in my sunny backyard. Even without the Alaska angle, I know I would have enjoyed her writing anyway, because Pettrey nailed one of my favorite features in suspense fiction–a heroine who can take care of herself. Don’t get me wrong–I like dashing, protective heroes, too, but my pet peeve is when female characters sit around waiting for the hero to save them. To me, the best suspense stories (or any romance story, really) feature two characters who–relying on God’s strength–rescue each other. Sabotaged is a fantastic example of that.
Here is the official back-cover description, courtesy of AuthorDaniPettrey.com.
Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey’s search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light.
Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits. Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank’s daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper’s bidding or she will die.
Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.
You should definitely seek out the Alaskan Courage series, including the final installment, Sabotaged. I can’t wait to backtrack and read the rest of the series!
