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She’s been living a lie that could just get her killed…

Widowed former Hollywood actress Devynne Lang has been living a quiet life in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. For years, she's hoped her fabricated death would keep her identity safe from the public, and more to the point, from the stalker who forced her into hiding. But strange things have been happening around her place and this time, with a daughter to protect, she can’t afford one mistake – even if it means letting Carcen Lang get close enough to help.

Carcen would do anything to protect his brother’s widow and her daughter. So when he discovers Devynne may be in danger, he vows to find the man responsible. But dead lead after dead lead frustrates and baffles. Until the unthinkable happens and he realizes the danger has been closer than either of them could have imagined.

…because lies always have a way of coming back to bite you.

The San Juan Islands: Mysterious Harbors, Dangerous Shores, and Tides of Love.

325 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

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About the author

Lynnette Bonner

39 books291 followers
LYNNETTE BONNER, the daughter of missionaries, was born and raised in Malawi, Africa, graduated high school from Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school in Kenya, and attended Northwest University in Washington, where she met her husband, Marty. A few years after their marriage, they moved to Pierce, Idaho. While studying the history of their little town, Lynnette was inspired to begin The Shepherd’s Heart Series with Rocky Mountain Oasis.
Marty and Lynnette have four children and currently live in Washington, where Marty pastors a church.

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5 stars
86 (48%)
4 stars
56 (31%)
3 stars
26 (14%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Janalyn Voigt.
Author 15 books370 followers
May 28, 2013
Lynnette Bonner outdoes herself with her new romantic suspense title. I enjoyed the story and connected with the well-drawn characters. Good job!
Profile Image for Teresa Snyder.
678 reviews25 followers
May 12, 2013
This may be Lynette's best book to date. I would classify it as as contemporary romance mystery.

Dev Lang, a former Hollywood actress, has been living in hiding for four years, under an assumed name. After fabricating her death and moving to San Juan she thought she would be safe from her stalker. Her husband was killed shortly after moving to San Juan, leaving her to raise her infant daughter alone. Well, alone except for his twin brother, Carcen. The only way to keep him safe was to keep her feelings for him hidden.

Sheriff Carcen Lang has been looking after his sister-n-law and niece for the past four years. He was unaware of her true identity until the stalker reappeared, and she required his assistance to protect her and her daughter. He didn't mean to fall in love with her, but he did.

Although the stalker, in my mind, could have been one of three possibilities, I did not know who he was until it was revealed in the story. I had somewhat ruled out one of the possibilities, but wasn't completely sure. The one I really thought it was going to be, turned out to be one of the good guys.

Lynette did a great job keeping the story moving, keeping me guessing, and providing chemistry between Carcen and Dev. There were several laugh-out-loud moments through out the book - the bathroom scene at the ice cream shop being the best. And the ending - sigh - so sweet!

I can't wait to see what Lynette has in store for us next. She gets better with each book.
Profile Image for Michelle.
Author 22 books45 followers
May 18, 2013
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I usually add that statement at the end of my reviews, but this is one of the few free review copies that have prompted me to actually go out and purchase additional books from an author.

When I opened the review copy, I scanned it to get a taste of what I would be reading. Instead, I found myself curled up on the couch for hours, entrenched in the world of Devynne Lang, a former actress on the run from her stalker. Bonner does a wonderful job of balancing the suspense and romance elements in the story. You are just as compelled to keep reading to find out watch the couple’s relationship unfold, as well as trying to figure out who Dev’s stalker is. Though I figured it out early on, Bonner had me second-guessing myself throughout the book, and I love when that happens. After finishing this wonderful book, I knew I had to check out what else she had written.
11 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2013
I enjoyed this book quite a bit; frankly, more than I expected to. I am always wary of books that promote themselves as romance, because I enjoy romance but I tire of reading intimate details over and over again, as happens in so many romance or romantic suspense novels. Consequently, I am very happy to recommend The Unrelenting Tide because it allows the reader to enjoy a romance, some mystery, a bit of danger, and has a great twist in the plot, all without debasing itself with sensational sex or violence. (Yes it does have violence, but it is vital to the plot and the development of one character). The characters are engaging, positive, and even though the heroine eventually must be rescued as happens in many romances, she is not a helpless mess, just very cautious, especially in the beginning of the story. 5 Stars. I will read the rest of the series. And kudos to the author for getting the Pacific NW right!
Profile Image for Debbie Chatley.
496 reviews22 followers
March 24, 2018
So good. If you love suspense, you will love this book. In this story you will meet a former actress who had to relocate and change her name due to a stalker who will stop at nothing. Now years later, he’s back. Can the cops figure out who it is this time around or will she be forced to run again, just when she had found happiness again. I loved how the story kept dropping hints to keep you guessing but at least for me I had several suspects before the final reveal but wasn’t sure who it was. Will keep you guessing and you will be rooting for her and her daughters happiness.
Profile Image for Deb Brammer.
Author 13 books28 followers
April 9, 2018
This Christian romantic suspense novel kept you turning pages. Lots of twists and turns. Devynne Lang is an ex-movie star running from an unknown fan who is out to ruin her relationships in order to keep her for himself. Very suspenseful.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,287 reviews12 followers
February 14, 2018
Loved this thriller. Edge of my seat suspense throughout the entire story.
Profile Image for Deeann Zessin.
171 reviews
November 9, 2017
THE UNRELENTING TIDE by LYNNETTE BONNER:

Widowed former-Hollywood-actress Devynne Lang has been living a quiet life in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. For years, she's hoped her fabricated death would keep her identity safe from the public, and more to the point, from the stalker who forced her into hiding. But strange things have been happening around her place and this time, with a daughter to protect, she can’t afford one mistake – even if it means letting Carcen Lang get close enough to help.

5 Stars
Likable characters, fast paced, mystery, the right amount of angst and a bit of faith. So who is this mysterious and dangerous stalker? There are so many suspects. My only con of this story was the portrayal of the nurse in the Seattle hospital; it felt as though she was stereotyped. I don’t believe people speak like that in Seattle, Alabama maybe but not Seattle. Otherwise, I look forward to checking out more of her books.
7,560 reviews42 followers
August 24, 2018
Dev was an actress, until a stalker entered her life. Then losing her sister, seemed to.be the last straw, Faking her death she moved, found a man to love her, then he was taken. Feeling she is living a lie, she retreats, with her daughter. Closer to her husband family. Till the stalker has found her again, would the nightmare ever end, and why did he pick her. A mystery, with a love between her husband twin, that isn’t spoken of till the end. Good plot, and figuring out why, and who it was.
Profile Image for Sandra.
1,025 reviews36 followers
October 7, 2022
An interesting, intriguing, clean, fast-moving mystery/suspense/romance novel with lots of twists and turns to keep you reading to the end.

I purchased this book as part of the Pursued boxset, but I am reviewing each book individually where I am able.
Profile Image for Nana.
384 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2023
Her past catches up with her.

Hiding from her past finally catches up with her. Can she figure out who her stalker is and go on with her future? Can she overcome her fear of falling in love again?
May 5, 2020
This book had me guessing until close to the end. I hope there is more coming from this author.
1 review
January 16, 2015
Quality writing yet misses the mark of 'Christian fiction'

The author did a good job of telling a story. I enjoyed the two main characters and the outcome wasn't too predictable. Yet, Christian fiction should only be categorized as such when it meets certain biblical standards. Citing a verse and telling a story with it mind without talking of Christ, takes away the truth of being a Christian.
Christian fiction needs to address the issues of sin, repentance and salvation. Ultimately, God wants a relationship with each and every one of us, yet we must come to Him. We must believe that God loves us. We must know that there is nothing we can do here on this earth to earn His approval. We must believe Christ died for us. Christ's death being an atonement for our sin. When we come to this and only this understanding, may we humble ourselves in prayer to God to forgive us our sins through Christ. From that moment, we are cleansed of all unrighteousness. God forgets everything we have ever done wrong. We become a new creature in Christ and now the Holy Spirit dwells in us to help guide our path.
A book claiming to be Christian fiction must put Christ at the center. The bible teaches that we are to be Christ-like. So go read your bible, make sure you're attending a good bible believing/preaching church. A church that may step on your toes to convict you change to be more Christ-like.
Mrs. Lynnette, I hope your toes aren't too sore. You do well at story telling and hope to see more books by you that belong in the Christian fiction category. Thank you and love in Christ, Linnie
Profile Image for Linda Walters.
2,709 reviews23 followers
October 5, 2013
Widowed former Hollywood actress Devynne Lang is hiding out in the San Juan Islands, from a stalker. She's an actress who pretended to die in a plane crash so that she could escape and hopefully become so invisible that she and her daughter would be safe. Because of the stalkers obsession with her, people she loved kept dying around her. Carcen Lang, is not only a handsome man, but also her late husband's brother AND a sheriff. The sheriff in him, begins to put it together that there's more to her secretiveness than grief. Slowly he begins to pull the information out of her about the danger she is in. Because some really strange and scary things have begun to happen...again. No one could ever find her stalker before, is it going to be the same nightmare all over again?

Twists and turns, this story had them. I love that when a good mystery story is written with plenty of those. Its got to keep me guessing because I've read a far share of mystery stories and seen a bunch on T.V. too. I don't care for the ones that are so complicated that you just want to give up; this story just kept me totally involved. The people in the story were written so that I cared what happened to them, a sign of a good story-teller. So good that I read it in one day; almost sorry its over. I was HIGHLY annoyed when anyone around me, asked me a question (sorry just telling the truth here) because it pulled me out of the story. I don't know what anyone else thinks about it, but I give it a Big Thumbs Up!!!
I'd like to read more by this author.
Profile Image for Lesley McDaniel.
Author 31 books84 followers
June 3, 2014
In spite of her hope to build a quiet, safe life for her daughter Marissa, widowed former movie actress Devynne hasn't managed to escape a dreadful secret. Forced by a stalker to fake her own death and go into hiding on beautiful San Juan Island, just north of Seattle, Devynne thought she had forged a new identity for herself. She had met and married Kent Lang, a police officer, and they'd had Marissa. Then tragedy struck, leaving her to raise her daughter alone.

Now, four years after Kent's death, Devynne's past is catching up with her.

Carcen Lang will stop at nothing to keep his brother's widow and his young niece safe. When he discovers the truth about Devynne- a secret that might have something to do with his brother's death- he vows to find the man responsible. But falling in love with Devynne was more than he planned on. Can he convince her to let her guard down, and to risk loving again?

This book kept me turning the virtual pages and wondering who Devynne should trust. Lynnette does a great job of interweaving the suspense with the tentative romance that slowly blossoms between Devynne and Carcen. This is a couple with much at stake, and the uncertainty of their relationship adds to the tension of Devynne's precarious situation. She doesn't know the identity of her stalker. Who can she really trust?
Profile Image for June.
1,540 reviews17 followers
May 13, 2015
Lynnette Bonner is such an amazing author with great stories to tell.

She had me from the first sentence and kept me until the last. "Yes, darling girl, it does. It surely does."

If you're in the mood for a little romance, funny things kids say and do, mystery, and adrenalin rushes, this is the story for you. Lynnette Bonner provides for all these needs in her latest release, The Unrelenting Tide. I loved the main characters, Carcen, Devynne, and Marissa. The story kept my attention without any problem. It was fast paced and kept me trying to figure out who the bad guy was, or if there might even be a couple working together. Just when I thought I knew who it was someone else did something to cast suspicion on themselves. In the end, I was not disappointed. There was plenty of humor in the story too. Little Marissa was quite the character. But I loved Carcen and Devynne's sense of humor too. Lots of laughs.

Lynnette Bonner has a God given talent that I am glad she shares with us, the readers.

I paid for my copy and would gladly pay much more, it was that amazing! :)
Profile Image for Jasmine.
1,230 reviews40 followers
May 12, 2016
Her past may destroy their future...

I knew Lynnette Bonner could write some pretty good westerns, I knew she could do contemporary romance, and she does well in historical romances with intrigue. But I can now definitely say she is one of the most versatile authors I've read as she does romantic suspense very well.

The Unrelenting Tide was a real edge-of-your-seat story filled with twists and turns. I always enjoy trying to figure out the villain in books but Lynnette Bonner sure had me going and I got totally off track for quite awhile. The Unrelenting Tide is a great romantic suspense novel and well worth the time spent reading or, like I did, listening.

I listened to an Audible audiobook version and I have to say that it was one of the best ones I've listened to. The narrator was very good, and I enjoyed the enthusiasm and emotion she put into the story and characters.

Great story, great audiobook, don't miss The Unrelenting Tide by Lynnette Bonner.
Profile Image for Suzanne Williams.
Author 141 books93 followers
October 10, 2013
The best, best, best part of this book was Sheriff Carcen Lang, hero, hunk extraordinaire. The worst part, unfortunately for me, was the little girl, Marissa. I know she was supposed to be cute, but I was intensely annoyed. Shania/Devynne I was only maybe half fond of. I think her constant denial of what was right before her eyes (that being Sheriff Lang) bugged me.

Setting was very well done. Action was swift. And it kept me guessing as to whodunit. I was genuinely surprised. It had great supporting characters, Randy and the inlaws, and some emotional moments.

A few grammar issues in too much use of "as" but that may be a personal thing. Overall, a great book to read that I'd recommend to anyone wanting Christian contemporary romance.

I was given this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Sereina.
30 reviews11 followers
April 12, 2014
I was looking forward to this book, partially because of all the great reviews and because it's set in the San Juan Island's, a beautiful place that I've been many times. Sadly, it wasn't my cup of tea.

While I didn't dislike the characters, I didn't love any of them. Carcen was my favorite; I liked his fun, somewhat goofy personality. I never feel really connected to anyone, even though I felt like I knew them fairly well. I also found it hard to remember who was who when it came to all the cops.

Part of my reason for not liking it might have been partly due to the genre. Although I've read plenty of mysteries in the past, I'd never read a suspense/stalker type one. If you enjoy that type of story, I'm sure you'd enjoy The Unrelenting Tide much more than I did.
54 reviews
June 26, 2014
Suspenseful Love Story

I was hooked from the first sentence and couldn’t put this book down! I love mysteries and suspense books and can usually figure out “who done it,” but that was not the case with this first book in the Islands of Intrigue: San Juans series. It kept me guessing until the very end! The characters are well written and the story line is intriguing. I also liked the fact that his book was a clean and enjoyable love story. What a talented author Lynnette Bonner is! If you enjoy this book you will also enjoy the second book in this series, Tide Will Tell, by Leslie Ann McDaniel. I am eagerly awaiting the third book, Deceptive Tide which won’t be out until the summer of 2015.
Profile Image for Dianne Sidebottom.
1,337 reviews13 followers
October 14, 2013
Certainly a suspense story right the way through the pages..... poor Marissa is 4 years old when she encountered the man that had been stalking her mum for 6 years, when asked to describe him one of her comments was he smelt strange but the same as Uncle Carcen. when do you know its time to move on with your life when grieving over your spouse's death and made worse when you feel you may have been the reason (because of a secret)why they were killed. Big questions. Wanting to feel safe but fear holds you captive for even the home was target for someone playing with her sanity of mind. Surprises are install for who some people really are when looking for the stalker.
Profile Image for Bethany Marks.
343 reviews12 followers
May 30, 2017
I so enjoyed that this story was set in our beautiful San Juan Islands. A tastefully written story about stalking that would be appropriate for younger readers to learn from. And, of course, a beautiful love story. Thank you for another well-written novel Lynnette Bonner. She has an easy flow, suspense style which will keeps you reading and wanting to know more.
Profile Image for Steve.
Author 2 books15 followers
August 1, 2013
This book was one surprise after another, from beginning to end. Lynette Bonner knows how to rachet up the tension on both the suspense and romance sides of this wonderful book, and she does it with almost every scene. I recommend this book highly for both suspense and romance fans because it has both in large doses.
Profile Image for Lisa.
295 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2014
I really enjoyed my first book written by Lynnette Bonner. Devynne Lang and her daughter, Marissa, have really been through it. The stalker that killed her husband and sister, that she thought she left in the past, has resurfaced. Carcen Lang vows to protect his sister in law and niece. No matter what.
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,347 reviews20 followers
June 6, 2016
Devynne, a widow and Sheriff Carcen, her brother in law race to find a stalker that followed her from California.
The suspense grabs at you throughout the book.
I loved the characters and the setting of the San Juan Islands and the Lord's protection.
This book was part of .Beyond the Shadows: A Christian Romantic Suspense Boxed Set .
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
1,822 reviews
November 27, 2013
amazing book! I have read Lynette' s other books and this ranks right up there with them. This book kept me guessing who was causing all the problems The storyline and the characters were wonderful!
Profile Image for Deb.
160 reviews8 followers
September 9, 2016
Have not read this author before so did not know what to expect. It took me a little bit to get into the story line but once invested, I could hardly put the book down. Definitely a good mystery/suspense writer and the bit of clean romance was nice too. I will read more of this author's work.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 6 books35 followers
January 28, 2017
This is a story of an actress who went into hiding to save her daughter and herself from a stalker. She moved to the San Juan Islands. Since I like this area and live fairly close, this story intrigued me. Then, as I read it, I was glued. Yay, Lynnette! Good job! Wonderful story! I loved it!
601 reviews
November 3, 2016
As far as Christian romance this was ok.... Not too cheesy or preachy.... But it was a bit boring.... I wanted more??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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