There is a degree of intrigue to discovering something you didn’t expect to find, isn’t there? Whether opening a brightly wrapped Christmas gift or revealing the long forgotten contents of a dust-covered box tucked away in the back of a closet, the thrill of anticipation is captivating.

Suspense writers manifest their storytelling skill when they pique our curiosity, send chills up our spine, and startle us with stunning circumstances. A main character pushes the front door open only to discover her house has been vandalized. A teen walking his dog follows his pet’s frantic pull on the leash into the brush, where a dead body lies.

These unforseen occurrences spark questions in the reader. Why was this person vandalized? Is the dead person a victim of an accident or murder? Who else was involved? What led up to this? How will the characters handle the consequences of what happened?

A good suspense author entices readers deeper into the story and doesn’t answer the obvious questions right away. Page after page brings new dilemmas, new facts, and new puzzles that demand a resolution. Each obstacle presents a different perspective on the original questions, challenging the commitment and competency of the character striving to solve the crime.

I am not an avid suspense reader, but I do enjoy the genre from time to time. Below is my review of a suspense novel I recently read, whose author I have grown to admire.

Review of The Kidnapping of Cody Moss by Sara Foust

The Kidnapping of Cody Moss is another engaging novel by author Sara Foust. The suspense and tension she packs into this story kept me up reading late into the night.

As Police Officer Annalise Baker races against time to find a young teen who has been kidnapped, the emotional stakes rise for her and the victim’s mother. The challenge she is facing professionally and the personal turmoil she is hurled into by her unappreciative husband adds dimension to her character and tests her faith.

Her best friend, Zach Leebow, plays an important role in helping Annalise navigate the difficult trail of evidence she must follow when a case he is working on proves to be tied with the missing teen. These two characters come together as long-time friends and professionals.

Sara Foust’s vivid descriptions of the crime scenes, the ensuing investigations, and the surrounding terrain where searches for clues take place paralleled watching a favorite crime show on television. Her dialogue gives readers insight into the professional and personal relationship between these two main characters.

The plot works well as it connects two crimes and skillfully links them together. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys suspense with non-stop action and great characterization.

The Kidnapping of Cody Moss is the first in Sara Foust’s Smoky Mountain Suspense Series.I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion of this book.

Patti Shene Gonzales maintains two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer and is working on a novel. She hosts Step Into the Light, a podcast that strives to lead others out of darkness and back to light. When not writing, reading, or broadcasting, she is spending time with friends or attending her only granddaughter’s sports activities. Patti lives in Colorado with her devoted feline companion, Duncan.

I have learned a lot about prayer over the past six decades. I recall reciting the very popular “Now I lay me down to sleep…” when I was a child, before crawling into bed at night. In my teen years, I can remember uttering frantic prayers, petitioning God for good results on a major test at school or seeking help with a family situation. My before bed prayers grew from the rote four-line recitation to thanks for all the good things in my life and asking for blessings for all of my friends and relatives. The relatives comprised a rather lengthy list since my dad came from a big family. The naming of grandparents, aunts and uncles, including “greats” and especially cousins, took what seemed like a long time

I like to think I have matured in my prayer life since those childhood days. I no longer hold to the belief that, should I fail to mention one of my friends or family members in my morning prayers, that person will simply have to go without blessings for the day! I truly doubt that, should I inadvertently omit the name of a person on my prayer list who needs healing or comforting, that God withdraws His attention to those needs.

Prayer has become a deeper experience for me. It is a precious gift to know there is One who understands my every thought, feeling, emotion, and desire. I can share my joy and my sorrow with my Heavenly Father, my times of triumph and of trouble, my elation and my anger with the assurance that He will never stop loving me. Communication with Him is sacred, and has no limits.

I can pray in church, in the car, over coffee, with a companion, in private, and when in conflict with myself or others. I can pray when I’m happy, healthy, hopeful, or discouraged, disheartened, and defeated. I can pray through my deepest sentiments, from elation and eagerness to fear and frustration.

The Bible is full of prayers, from those of Hannah, David, and Solomon in the Old Testament to Jesus’ teaching of The Lord’s Prayer in the gospels. The Psalms reflect prayers for deliverance from enemies, persecutors, and grave illness, prayers for wisdom, forgiveness, and help, and prayers of thanksgiving.

The question ‘does prayer really work’ runs through the minds and hearts of many of us, especially during times of trial or stress. We often speak of ‘answered prayers.’ Then there are those who say a particular outcome would have occurred without prayer. How do we truly know? We are aware of the times when we pray, but we don’t know how many others of our friends, relatives, and church families may be sending up prayers for us at any given time.

A friend recently experienced an illness that caused a great deal of pain, physical discomfort, doubt, and took several days to diagnose. The condition required surgery with temporary lifestyle restrictions to follow. She said the nurses and doctors were surprised to see her so calm just before the surgery. She responded that she was ‘held up on a cloud of prayer.’

Prayer really does work, and it’s packed with power.

Share a time when prayer has worked for you.

Patti Shene Gonzales maintains two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer and is working on a novel. She hosts Step Into the Light, a podcast that strives to lead others out of darkness and back to light. When not writing, reading, or broadcasting, she is spending time with friends or attending her only granddaughter’s sports activities. Patti lives in Colorado with her devoted feline companion, Duncan.