‘High-Stakes Inheritance’ by Susan Sleeman – Book Review

One genre that I really like that I don’t read often enough is suspense. ‘High-Stakes Inheritance’ by Susan Sleeman is in that genre, and it is very well done!

Here is the synopsis of this book:

“Leave Logan Lake Now or You Will Pay!” Despite the threatening warning, Mia Blackburn won’t let anyone scare her from the rustic resort she inherits from her beloved uncle. But when a fire traps her in a burning barn, she fears that she won’t get out alive. Just in time her ex-boyfriend volunteer fireman Ryan Morgan rescues her from the deadly blaze. He had once broken her heart, yet she still has feelings for him. With Ryan insisting on keeping a close eye on her, Mia feels safer – and closer to Ryan than ever before. Yet the threats haven’t stopped, and soon Mia’s high-stakes inheritance includes a murder – and Mia could be the next victim.

Here is the biography of this author:

Susan Sleeman grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today she channels this enthusiasm into hosting the popular Internet website The Suspense Zone and writing suspense and mystery novels.

Much to her husband’s chagrin, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turns them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you’ve met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it.

Susan currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson.

I found the main character of Mia Blackburn to be very true to life. She harbored a lot of bitterness against several people, and had a thick wall around her heart. Ultimately, she allowed the Lord to heal those hurts and soften that stone cold heart. That is always a joy to see when that happens.

The other main character, Ryan Morgan, has grown very close to the Lord since the last time he saw Mia, when they were high school sweethearts. Ten years later, he has a close relationship with the Lord, and wants to share that love of God with everyone with whom he encounters. That is a very attractive quality in a man, and Mia notices! Here is an example of a prayer that Ryan offers up to God for Mia:

Lord, please keep Mia safe. And if it is your will, let her see my sincere desire to apologize for how I hurt her and help her to forgive me for what I did. (p. 13)

Here is Mia’s interpretation of God:

Please, I can’t handle this right now. Coming back here is all I can manage. This is too much.

Why was she calling out to God? He’d never helped before. No-she was on her own again the way God seemed to like it. Well, she wouldn’t just lie down and die. (p. 17)

Ryan explained to Mia how he views God’s place in our lives:

“…God has a perfect understanding of what’s good for us so He knows what to allow. We, on the other hand, don’t have a clue what’s in our best interest, just what our feelings feel us we want.” He paused as if waiting for her to stop him, but she was actually interested in hearing a logical explanation.”

“I’m listening.”

“One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in Proverbs. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. If you can trust that everything will ultimately be good for you and not let your feelings color a situation, life will be a lot simpler. Letting God be in charge of my life makr the living so much easier.”

“But I like to be in charge so people can’t step all over me ever again.” The vehemence in her tone shocked her. Was she that bitter about her past?

His lips tipped in a gentle smile meant to comfort. “And how’s that working for you? Are you happy? Everything going your way?” (p. 158)

This book is fast paced and full of action. There is also some romance included! And most importantly, God is glorified in word and deed. I was really satisfied with how the story ended. I commend Susan on her effort, and urge readers to read this one!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Steeple Hill Books and generously provided by the author for review purposes.