26 Below By Kimberley Woodhouse

26 Below

by Kimberley Woodhouse

Publisher: Kregel

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters

ISBN: 9780825447723

My interest was so piqued knowing that the author is usually writing historical fiction. When I learned she was writing a suspense series, I had to know more! She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

A curse. 
A killer. 
A chill in the air. 
Temps are dropping and time is running out.

In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips prevents disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming. 

As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends. 

When an old woman's wild prediction--widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below--hits national headlines, neither Darcie nor Jason sees a real risk to anything but tourism. Then the bodies start dropping. 

Darcie is relying on her experience and intelligence to stop a killer; Jason is relying on God to guide the way. But they'll have to work together to find the truth and prevent their Alaskan town from becoming a city of nightmares. 

My Review:

My interest was so piqued knowing that the author is usually writing historical fiction, but was stepping into a suspense series. If an author can write well in more than one genre, more power to them (and more reading for me)!

The premise of the book is one that freaks me out because of the possible reality of it, while also making me want to learn what I need to do in case I want to be prepared for widespread power outage. When we look at the threats in the cyber world, this story hits close to home. It's a powerful reminder of how reliant we are on power, internet, and instant communication.

First there's Darcie who is the new director for the Emergency Operations Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Governor has given her a year to get things operational in her department, but she doesn't have that long. The story begins with her first press conference which is a disaster! Things continue to go downhill from there. She has the most amazing assistant, Misty. I loved her character! Darcie, though, I kind of struggled with her. She has a hard history with her parents and best friend from when she was younger. She just seemed, a bit emotionally unstable for the job she needs to do. She was often closing herself away and treating her team rather unkindly.

Almost right away we also meet Jason, who is all about cybersecurity! He's the perfect guy, in the right place, at the right time! Thank goodness for that! I really liked his character. He was kind and knowledgeable, as well as protective. His brother, who we also meet, not so much like Jason. He ends up really liking Darcie and I actually thought he and Misty would make a better couple. lol Darcie seemed to abrasive in any personal interactions so I struggled to understand why he would have warm, fuzzy feelings towards her. There was also one quick section where he's talking with his parents, about something REALLY important, but then we never have any clue how Jason responded or what his parents learned. It was never brought up again.

There's complete chaos going on in Fairbanks! Someone is staying one step ahead of the EOC as well as every other government office and safety department. People are dying left and right. An old woman shows up out of the blue with what seems like crazy ramblings. It's just pandemonium. But seriously, you can totally picture it as the author is describing the story. I couldn't figure out who might be involved. And of course, the story ends on a cliffhanger so now I have to wait for the next one. This is definitely one series you do NOT want to read out of order.

I really loved how faith was fleshed out in this story in lots of different ways. There were quite a few moments I could really relate to the characters with how they were dealing with faith overall, but also with their own relationship with God and others. It was very heartwarming for it to be so central to the story.

About the Author:

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now makes her home in the Pennsylvania Poconos. Visit her at kimberleywoodhouse.com.