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Refuge from Danger #1

Lethal Deception

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Who wanted her dead?Having rescued Cassidy McKnight from kidnappers in South America, Gabe Sinclair thought his job was done. Not that the former Navy SEAL could ever forget the brave, beautiful single mother. But when the danger followed her home, Gabe promised to protect her. Why anyone would want to kill Cassidy was a mystery. Was the motive related to the orphaned toddler Cassidy was raising, a sweet little girl who brought out the father fi gure in maverick Gabe? Or did a newly revealed family secret have killer consequences?

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2008

403 people are currently reading
732 people want to read

About the author

Lynette Eason

189 books3,725 followers
Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice

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5 stars
495 (47%)
4 stars
371 (35%)
3 stars
146 (13%)
2 stars
29 (2%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda Tero.
Author 28 books543 followers
August 25, 2021
Listened to audiobook.

This isn’t quite the same caliber as Lynette Eason’s other suspense novels. It took me a while to get into it and some of the descriptions were a little stilted. But it was still an in-depth and twisted plot with puzzle pieces that didn’t quite make sense until the end. Good for a shorter suspense read.
Profile Image for Sarah Grace Grzy.
634 reviews934 followers
February 2, 2018
Well, that was better than I expected!

I loved how this short novel was both suspense story and survival story. The beginning chapters in the jungle were a fun twist.

The characters were very sweet and realistic, and I especially loved Alexa. Her and Gabe were so adorable! The suspense and action was spot on.

There were a few jerky sentences and badly edited scenes that detracted some enjoyment of the story, but overall, I did enjoy it.

Recommended for ages 16+ for mature themes.
Profile Image for Teri-K.
2,481 reviews53 followers
March 22, 2016
Romantic Suspense requires the author to balance two sometimes very different elements - thrilling adventure and heart-warming romance. I used to read a lot of it, but it's been a while. So when I was in the mood recently I grabbed this book. I hoped to get my RomSus fix without all the sex that is in most of the books I've read recently.

The beginning scenes in the jungle really required me to suspend my disbelief. I didn't get the feeling that the author knew anything about rain forests, Navy Seals, or anything else she was writing about. But I went along, expecting it to get better once our MC's hit the US. Unfortunately I didn't like the romance part, either. Unexplainable attraction, weird outbursts that separated them for no reason, and family problems that had me rolling my eyes made me give up at the half way point. I can't recommend this for either the romance or the suspense, unfortunately.
Profile Image for Jenny Jo Weir.
1,552 reviews81 followers
January 1, 2022
Action! A bit of mystery, a bit of romance, a bit of baggage, what's not to like? I would have enjoyed it even more if they would have gotten over their whole hang up sooner. I personally need something a little more complex if you are going to drag it out that long.
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,210 reviews599 followers
December 6, 2024
Lethal Deception was just okay. I found too many things unbelievable and the romance just made me roll my eyes too many times. I found it silly that she basically told him to leave her alone until he could tell her about what happened to Micah, but then seems like she is upset that he didn't see her for a long time.
All in all, this was okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Joy Gerbode.
2,017 reviews17 followers
June 9, 2019
While the mystery is a bit more intense and suspenseful than I enjoy, this is a good story, with a quite surprising resolution. I appreciated some of the reminders of God's love for me, and stayed up way too late to finish the book.
Profile Image for Kay.
1,906 reviews125 followers
June 21, 2012
4 Stars! ~ As U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Cassidy's father is an influential man and also one under constant threat from the human traffickers he is determined to put out of business. After the murder of her missionary friends, Cassidy travels to Brazil to assume her role as guardian to their two year old daughter, Alexis. At the orphanage Cassidy is kidnapped by rebels who hate her father. Gabe is an ex-Navy SEAL, who two years before had been in command of the mission that took Cassidy's brother's life. When Cassidy's father asks him to go to Brazil to save her, his guilt over Micah's death won't allow him to refuse. After a perilous escape, Gabe and Cassidy make it safely back to the U.S. with Alexis. Their attraction to each other is strong, but Cassidy still holds anger towards Gabe for refusing to divulge the details of her brother's death. When further attempts are made on Cassidy's life, Gabe aids the police in finding out who wishes her dead.

This debut from Ms. Eason had me hooked from the first pages. I adore Navy SEAL heroes and Gabe filled his role deliciously. Cassidy is a very strong heroine, one easy to relate to. There's a lot going on in this story, but Ms. Eason balanced the action-suspense and the developing relationship very well. The elements of faith are very well done and appropriate to the storyline. The child, Alexis, was a lovely way to bring out Gabe's tender side, and to aid Cassidy to see him more completely. While Gabe was a hero-in-charge in Navy SEAL mode, he was also a man struggling with his own demons from the past, and fears for a future without Cassidy in it. Ms. Eason very cleverly added a tiny cliff hanger to the close of this story that has me very eager to read the next in this trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed this love story
Profile Image for Sherrill.
160 reviews
March 22, 2017
Suspense in Many Layers

Who's trying to kill Cassidy McKnight and why? Is it because of her young ward, or her efforts to stop human trafficking in Brazil, or is someone jealous of her jet-setting lifestyle? Ms. Eason delivers many twists and turns along the way as Cassidy and former SEAL turned ER doctor, Gabe Sinclair, try to unravel the mystery before anyone else dies.
Profile Image for Beverly Warembourg.
19 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2011
Nice and easy read with lots of suspense and action. I enjoyed it and it kept my interest the whole time.

Looking forward to the sequel.
Profile Image for Anna Hurtt.
Author 2 books123 followers
May 24, 2013
A powerfully written romantic suspense novel. The mystery was very well-written, with intricate details layered in. I was very impressed with the author's storytelling abilities.
Profile Image for Katie Easley.
1 review
March 20, 2014
really good book. kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.
Profile Image for Kay Defreese.
659 reviews37 followers
January 17, 2018
A suspenseful read. Now I need to read the next in the series!
Profile Image for Marla Tognoli.
16 reviews7 followers
August 13, 2018
Lightweight

wish I hadn't spent money on this. Typical, predictable. Fast read. Good for mind numbing,time wasting. Disappointing. Check it out from the library.
Profile Image for Debbie.
3,610 reviews84 followers
September 27, 2024
"Lethal Deception" is a Christian romantic suspense. Cassidy went to South America to retrieve an orphaned child that a friend wanted her to raise. The child's relatives question if she's up to raising a toddler due to her past party-girl behavior, but a recent conversion to Christ has changed her. After arriving in South America, she's kidnapped by criminals living in the jungle. Her father asks Gabe to rescue her. Gabe once lead Cassidy's brother on a military mission that ended with him left behind, presumed dead. Cassidy wants to know what happened, but Gabe isn't allowed to explain the mission.

The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. Though Gabe was judgmental of Cassidy at first, he quickly realized he didn't actually know her and he liked the woman he was getting to know. They came to care for each other as Gabe helped protect her. The suspense came from the danger from the attacks, from the jungle, and from not knowing who was trying to kill her and why.

There was no sex or bad language.
940 reviews9 followers
November 4, 2022
Another on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspenseful book by Ms. Eason. The book starts out suspenseful as Cassidy is kidnapped in Brazil while picking up her adopted daughter. As Cassidy escapes with Gabe's assist, we learn that the two were once romantically connected, until Cassidy's brother was killed while on a SEAL mission. Gabe was in charge of that mission, and Cassidy blames him for her brother's death since he can't divulge the circumstances which are top secret. Lots of mystery surrounding them, and as Gabe and Cassidy struggle to figure out who's out to kill her and kidnap the baby, secrets are revealed. I like the statement Cassidy makes, "I don't understand God all the time. If I did, I wouldn't need faith." Can the two ever build a relationship? Great mystery, romance, and suspense as always!
Profile Image for Aletha.
984 reviews5 followers
May 6, 2018
An engaging and suspension read!

Surrounding the topic of human trafficking in Brazil and how it impacts the rest of the world, this book not only takes place in the Brazilian Amazon, but also back in the US with the political powers at play.

The writing was engaging and flowed smoothly, even if some of the explicit discussion surrounding Brazil and the Portuguese terms used felt ridiculously simple or uncommon. (That is just me and my own background knowledge having a conflict with it. I understand that it wouldn’t impact most readers’ experience.)

The characters were strong and complex. There were twists and turns, most that I saw coming part way through the story. Some that snuck up on me. I have some pretty strong predictions for the second book in the series.
Profile Image for Teresa.
272 reviews
August 31, 2017
Lethal Deception by Lynette Eason deals with human trafficking to a point but it mainly focuses on regret, guilt, betrayal, forgiveness and God's never ending love. Cassidy and Gabe find themselves thrown together when he rescues her from the jungles of Brazil. Gabe was Cassidy's brother's best friend and feels responsible for his death. Cassidy can't get over the fact Gabe was with her brother when he died on a mission but can not discuss the details. Will the struggle to stay alive in the jungles of Brazil bring them together or just cause more resentment to build?
1,046 reviews
April 25, 2025
This definitely had mystery and suspense along with Christian romance. The ending was a total surprise and not something I came close to resolving.

I’m glad I found authors who write Christian romance books because there are so many books loaded down with sex scenes that addd nothing to the story. I want a good solid story and this author delivers.

I loved Gabe and Cassidy and Alexis was a sweetheart.

I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Elly.
327 reviews
May 7, 2021
I am not sure how this 1 rated higher for others but to each their own
Cassidy was a character who was supposed to be Christian and yet she felt the least Christian character going by how the character acted.
Also to state that bc her father wasnt Christian at the time of the affair that it was that to blame on the affair... not as good of a book by the author compared to other to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
436 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2023
This book surprised me! I think I definitely enjoyed it more than I expected to. The action definitely had me hooked, which I think is the biggest reason I gave it 4 stars. I think I enjoyed it more and more the farther I went along too. The romance was sweet too. I would definitely love to read the rest of the series too!
14 reviews
July 26, 2025
A lot of things seemed far fetched. She got shot in the shoulder, which, her lover was a NAVY SEAL and an emergency room DOCTOR, but he “almost passed out” bc of it, and the surgeon says they almost lost her a couple of times and on and on and on.

The story was interesting and the twists were unexpected. I loved Alexis and the way she softened Gabe’s heart. I could visualize that. So sweet.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,329 reviews37 followers
September 19, 2017
This book's story line was good. I really liked the action in this story. I really liked the suspense in this story. I really liked Cassidy's character. I really liked Cassidy's toughness in this story. I really liked Gabe's character. I thought Alexis was adorable. I really liked the ending.
1,135 reviews16 followers
August 20, 2018
LETHAL DECEPTION

This book has a bit of everything, it's a suspense thriller with a sweet romance and a story of God's love. Loved the characters- by the end of the book they feel like friends.
666 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2020
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

This is a fantastic book. It has so much mystery intriqu e deception, betrayal but it also has huge doses of faith in God!!! It is or of the better books I've read lately!!!
56 reviews
July 18, 2021
Lacks

I have always enjoyed books by Lynette Eason, however this book does not compare with her other series. There is action and peril in every chapter, but it lacks a certain believability.
18 reviews
August 10, 2024
Oh boy!

Well, this one was great. Had me guessing for awhile. So many nuances, and scenarios. Then one part at the end, of course, I was bawling my head off. Really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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