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Chelsea Adams #2
Dread Champion
Chelsea Adams has visions. But they have no place in a courtroom. As a juror for a murder trial, Chelsea must rely only on the evidence. And this circumstantial evidence is strong--Darren Welk killed his wife. Or did he?
The trial is a nightmare for Chelsea. The other jurors belittle her Christian faith. As testimony unfolds, truth and secrets blur. Chelsea's visiting niece stumbles into peril surrounding the case, and Chelsea cannot protect her. God sends visions--frightening, vivid. But what do they mean?
Even as Chelsea finds out, what can she do? She is helpless, and danger is closing in. . . .
Masterfully crafted, Dread Champion is a novel in which appearances can deceive and the unknown can transform the meaning of known facts. One man's guilt or innocence is just a single link in a chain of hidden evil . . . and God uses the unlikeliest of people to accomplish His purposes.
The trial is a nightmare for Chelsea. The other jurors belittle her Christian faith. As testimony unfolds, truth and secrets blur. Chelsea's visiting niece stumbles into peril surrounding the case, and Chelsea cannot protect her. God sends visions--frightening, vivid. But what do they mean?
Even as Chelsea finds out, what can she do? She is helpless, and danger is closing in. . . .
Masterfully crafted, Dread Champion is a novel in which appearances can deceive and the unknown can transform the meaning of known facts. One man's guilt or innocence is just a single link in a chain of hidden evil . . . and God uses the unlikeliest of people to accomplish His purposes.
413 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
36 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Brandilyn Collins
62 books633 followersBrandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 6, 2014
Brandilyn Collins had created a great sequel to Eyes of Elisha. Chelsea is once again involved in another murder mystery. This time though, she is on the jury. This book does a wonderful job bringing in the court aspects, mixed with mystery, intrigue and several unexpected twists and turns.
No one wants Chesea in the courtroom. Not the lawyers, her fellow jury members and especially not herself. Yet stuck there she is. Most think she is crazy with her visions. And this time, not even she knows what to make of them. The evidence is all there, pointing it's ugly finger at famed Darren Welk. Yet her visions do not match up. She wonders what God is trying to show her and what can she legally do about it. A wonderful mix of faith and the walking the line of man's laws.
I loved hoe the courtroom plays out and how the jury experience goes. After being stuck on a two-week case myself recently I can say it is very accurate. Things are going smooth on the case, until the threats roll in. Chelsea is pulled away from her home and visiting niece who starts to get a bit to close to the accused son for Chelsea's comfort.
The intrigue in this book is very well played, slowly adding layer by layer to the plot. And the end result is such a wonderful twist! I highly enjoyed this novel! This is Christian Fiction/mystery-suspense the way it should be!
No one wants Chesea in the courtroom. Not the lawyers, her fellow jury members and especially not herself. Yet stuck there she is. Most think she is crazy with her visions. And this time, not even she knows what to make of them. The evidence is all there, pointing it's ugly finger at famed Darren Welk. Yet her visions do not match up. She wonders what God is trying to show her and what can she legally do about it. A wonderful mix of faith and the walking the line of man's laws.
I loved hoe the courtroom plays out and how the jury experience goes. After being stuck on a two-week case myself recently I can say it is very accurate. Things are going smooth on the case, until the threats roll in. Chelsea is pulled away from her home and visiting niece who starts to get a bit to close to the accused son for Chelsea's comfort.
The intrigue in this book is very well played, slowly adding layer by layer to the plot. And the end result is such a wonderful twist! I highly enjoyed this novel! This is Christian Fiction/mystery-suspense the way it should be!
April 7, 2018
Brandilyn Collins writes another great one with this sequel to Eyes of Elisha, Dread Champion.
Chelsea Adams is back again, but this time instead of ‘creating’ the drama of a new trial, she’s a part of it on the jury. Now, I liked Eyes of Elisha a little better than this one. I felt that book was more suspenseful and moved a lot quicker, which kept me turning the pages. Dread Champion seemed to drag in spots, especially toward the end when you knew everything was about to unravel. When I know something big is coming I don’t like when a bunch of unnecessary added details are thrown in. It tends to make me rush ‘to the good part’ instead of taking the time to read the authors words carefully.
Anyway, this book was a great sequel in my opinion and I definitely enjoyed the read! Also, I never saw the ending coming and I love when a book catches me off guard like that!
As always, I’m looking forward to the next Brandilyn Collins novel I get my hands on, because she never fails to disappoint me!
Chelsea Adams is back again, but this time instead of ‘creating’ the drama of a new trial, she’s a part of it on the jury. Now, I liked Eyes of Elisha a little better than this one. I felt that book was more suspenseful and moved a lot quicker, which kept me turning the pages. Dread Champion seemed to drag in spots, especially toward the end when you knew everything was about to unravel. When I know something big is coming I don’t like when a bunch of unnecessary added details are thrown in. It tends to make me rush ‘to the good part’ instead of taking the time to read the authors words carefully.
Anyway, this book was a great sequel in my opinion and I definitely enjoyed the read! Also, I never saw the ending coming and I love when a book catches me off guard like that!
As always, I’m looking forward to the next Brandilyn Collins novel I get my hands on, because she never fails to disappoint me!
September 16, 2020
3.75⭐️
Tracy gets a frantic call from her mother in the middle of the night. Her mom and stepdad, Darren, are down at the beach and her stepdad has become drunk and violent.
Tracy races down to the beach but when she gets there, the scene she stumbles upon is disturbing; Darren is passed out by the camp fire, there is blood on her mother’s discarded blouse and 2 sets of footprints go into the water, while only one set come out.
This entire book follows the court case of Darren on trial for first degree murder...however, they have yet to find a body or any body parts.
There are a lot of characters in this story. Too many in my opinion, and also too many side plots with side characters...
It was decently entertaining though!
Also, a description that made me laugh “rolling hills of flesh” to describe a chubby woman 🤣
Tracy gets a frantic call from her mother in the middle of the night. Her mom and stepdad, Darren, are down at the beach and her stepdad has become drunk and violent.
Tracy races down to the beach but when she gets there, the scene she stumbles upon is disturbing; Darren is passed out by the camp fire, there is blood on her mother’s discarded blouse and 2 sets of footprints go into the water, while only one set come out.
This entire book follows the court case of Darren on trial for first degree murder...however, they have yet to find a body or any body parts.
There are a lot of characters in this story. Too many in my opinion, and also too many side plots with side characters...
It was decently entertaining though!
Also, a description that made me laugh “rolling hills of flesh” to describe a chubby woman 🤣
June 10, 2019
Suspense taking place in a courtroom.
February 23, 2025
I liked Chelsea better in the first book. I didn’t like the constant martyr complex, how she’s singled out and made to suffer for her faith, and she has dismal amounts of discernment. She’s also abrasive and shares her opinions far too easily, but instead of learning to be more winsome, she stays to herself and thinks she’s alone because of her faith. God tells her things but never the whole picture and she has to muddle through on her own. I also dislike the plot device of characters discovering things that aren’t shared with the reader in order to make a dramatic reveal at the end…I did figure out the secret but it annoyed me and distanced me from the story that the characters were seeing something I wasn’t. Third, it’s implied that it was OK for a certain character to bargain with God to get something he wants.
However, I did enjoy the characters of Brett and Kerra, and I liked seeing the questions Milt got challenged with through the story.
However, I did enjoy the characters of Brett and Kerra, and I liked seeing the questions Milt got challenged with through the story.
August 14, 2017
?Wow----like, wow---This was a fantastic read! I love courtroom dramas, and this story definitely delivers!!! You are on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book, and cheering for the main character who relys on God so much! Love reading that in a book!
Brandilynn Collins draws you into the story, and slowly reveals more and more about what is happening...I just really enjoyed it!! Thanks for writing such a great and uplifting book!!
Brandilynn Collins draws you into the story, and slowly reveals more and more about what is happening...I just really enjoyed it!! Thanks for writing such a great and uplifting book!!
June 2, 2018
Excellent Story
Brandilyn Collins never fails to weave a twisting suspenseful story. Chelsea Adams is an excellently developed character in this series. Add to that the strongwilled inexperienced young Kerra and the calculating repoter, Milt; the alcoholic driven blackout prone Darren, the confused terror filled Brett; and you have a fast paced mystery you won't want to put down!
Brandilyn Collins never fails to weave a twisting suspenseful story. Chelsea Adams is an excellently developed character in this series. Add to that the strongwilled inexperienced young Kerra and the calculating repoter, Milt; the alcoholic driven blackout prone Darren, the confused terror filled Brett; and you have a fast paced mystery you won't want to put down!
February 20, 2021
Another page turner
Chelsea Adams faces another long journey through heart- wrenching prayer. Did God arrange for the 2 jurors to receive phone calls telling them how to vote, then making it necessary for Chelsea as an alternate, to be put on the jury. Then, what did an illegally adopted baby have to do with it all? Can God use an unbeliever to ferret out the truth, and will it be in time?
Who really killed Shawna Welk?
Chelsea Adams faces another long journey through heart- wrenching prayer. Did God arrange for the 2 jurors to receive phone calls telling them how to vote, then making it necessary for Chelsea as an alternate, to be put on the jury. Then, what did an illegally adopted baby have to do with it all? Can God use an unbeliever to ferret out the truth, and will it be in time?
Who really killed Shawna Welk?
June 11, 2018
What an intriguing story that keeps you guessing and analyzing the entire story. Wow, the ending caught me totally by surprise!! I'm usually good at figuring out "whodunit" in mystery or crime stories, but Brandilyn Collins stumps me every time!! I wish SO much there were more stories in the Chelsea Adams novels.
September 21, 2021
This was no 2 in the series. I enjoy a good court drama and trying to find the solution. I somewhat guessed it. Some characters were more believable than others. Christian theme throughout and a bit predictable that Brett would come to faith,
January 19, 2018
This a great story. Sequel to 'Eyes of Elisha' but a great stand alone!
February 25, 2020
I found this sequel a bit mundane, boring and predictable for a suspense-thriller! I thought the first book: Eyes of Elisha was much better.
December 29, 2024
good book
August 3, 2022
Not a review, just a question; why did Shawna show up in the end?Milt says he arranged it, but how?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2016
Chelsea Adams is back in the sequel to Eyes of Elisha.
This time, she has been picked for jury duty! Family responsibilities weigh heavily on her, but she is confirmed as an alternate. She does not have direct visions about the case this time, but merely visions of a particular man.
The case involves a rich "Salad King" who is accused of murdering his wife. The prosecution does an excellent job of presenting their case: That the husband was drunk when he killed his wife and her body drifted off with the current.
During the trial, Chelsea's niece Karra begins a relationship with the defendant's son.
While the murder case is going on, the reader is introduced to Rogelio and his grandmother. Rogelio gave up his parental rights to his baby - but the paperwork wasn't completed correctly. So there was an illegal adoption, performed by the wife, now presumed deceased, and the baby went to a man who has been accused of various crimes but never been convicted.
Milt is a reporter, who caught wind of the adoption, and while following it up - brought up something that could make his career and exonerate the Salad King.
The author does an excellent job of bringing all the threads together for an explosive climax, along with a denouement which resolves all the questions brought up by the author.
This time, she has been picked for jury duty! Family responsibilities weigh heavily on her, but she is confirmed as an alternate. She does not have direct visions about the case this time, but merely visions of a particular man.
The case involves a rich "Salad King" who is accused of murdering his wife. The prosecution does an excellent job of presenting their case: That the husband was drunk when he killed his wife and her body drifted off with the current.
During the trial, Chelsea's niece Karra begins a relationship with the defendant's son.
While the murder case is going on, the reader is introduced to Rogelio and his grandmother. Rogelio gave up his parental rights to his baby - but the paperwork wasn't completed correctly. So there was an illegal adoption, performed by the wife, now presumed deceased, and the baby went to a man who has been accused of various crimes but never been convicted.
Milt is a reporter, who caught wind of the adoption, and while following it up - brought up something that could make his career and exonerate the Salad King.
The author does an excellent job of bringing all the threads together for an explosive climax, along with a denouement which resolves all the questions brought up by the author.
January 30, 2023
Read via Kindle. Four stars.
Fabulous book! Enjoy this author immensely.
Fabulous book! Enjoy this author immensely.
August 17, 2007
WOW!!!!!!
just like the previous ones of her's, i couldn't put it down! i even carried it to the bathroom w/ me a few times!! and, you are SO sure you know how it's going to end, and then ...
ZAP, TWISSTTTT ... NOT!!! a WHOLE other MAJOR thing happens near then end, and ...
a completely different matter, and ending, and ...
i waited about a whole 2 minutes, just long enough to use the bathroom and refill my cup, before grabbing the next one of her books and starting it!!! aren't i SO patient and restrained?!
just like the previous ones of her's, i couldn't put it down! i even carried it to the bathroom w/ me a few times!! and, you are SO sure you know how it's going to end, and then ...
ZAP, TWISSTTTT ... NOT!!! a WHOLE other MAJOR thing happens near then end, and ...
a completely different matter, and ending, and ...
i waited about a whole 2 minutes, just long enough to use the bathroom and refill my cup, before grabbing the next one of her books and starting it!!! aren't i SO patient and restrained?!
August 28, 2014
This is a series that may be quite controversial, seeing that the main character, Chelsea Adams has "visions" from God. Being a Christian, I know with certainty that God can send visions to a receptive soul. Other people may not agree. God sending visions to people in this day and age is quite rare, but possible. It is also true that Satan can send visions as well; however, I read nothing that would point to that in this series thus far. As always, Brandilyn Collins has put together another masterful series!
January 3, 2016
I liked the book very much. It’s a typical Brandilyn Collins Christian suspense novel with many different twists and plots coming in the end together and solid characters.
I just was disappointed by the extremely fast end of Rosalio’s issues according Roselita and Kristin. One moment it's all drama and next thing you read it's all as well as it can be - not very realistic or there seems to be missing a time frame reference - I can't imagine it all happened within one day.
I just was disappointed by the extremely fast end of Rosalio’s issues according Roselita and Kristin. One moment it's all drama and next thing you read it's all as well as it can be - not very realistic or there seems to be missing a time frame reference - I can't imagine it all happened within one day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2009
This was a pretty good book. It was the sequel to Eyes of Elisha. I liked the first book better but this was a wonderful book too. I loved the drama between Kerra and Brett. Overall it was a pretty good book. I can't wait to read more of Brandilyn Collins books.
September 19, 2010
This was the second book in the Chelsea Adams series, however, it could be read as a standalone novel, if you haven't read Eyes of Elisha. The storyline is good, as usual its hard to out guess the author. Ms. Collins can really throw in the twists in the story.
December 21, 2015
I loved this book! It was better than the first one, and as hard to guess what was happening. I like the new characters. I must say, I was sadly suspicious of Brett. I'm so glad I was wrong! Again, nice bit of romance. I also liked how I had to guess how the baby and it's parents came into it.
March 11, 2012
I loved this book! It was better than the first one, and as hard to guess what was happening. I like the new characters. I must say, I was sadly suspicious of Brett. I'm so glad I was wrong! Again, nice bit of romance. I also liked how I had to guess how the baby and it's parents came into it.
December 27, 2018
Great story of murder, deceit and money. Lots of great detail and surprising twists and turns. And amid it all, Chelsea Adams is used by God even though she was hated for it. This book shows that behind it all, God is in control. When I finished reading it I was encouraged by this!
April 26, 2009
Very clever; well done.
January 14, 2014
Loved this book! Definitely the best Brandilyn Collins book I've read! :) Kept me guessing right to the end!
January 24, 2013
Fabulous book!
August 4, 2014
Great, clean, who done it
December 6, 2014
Everything I've read by this author is awesome! This one is no exception!
April 15, 2015
Another really good book by Brandilyn Collins!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews