Twisted Innocence

Written by Terri Blackstock

Narrated by Nan Gurley

From New York Times bestseller Blackstock comes a gripping story of a private investigator whose past choices have finally caught up to her—and are now putting her infant daughter at risk.

Though Holly’s stumbled through most of her adult life as a party girl, she longs to live a more stable life for her daughter. Then police show up to question her about the whereabouts of Creed Kershaw, Lily’s father. She has kept his identity a secret from friends and family—she never even told him about the pregnancy. Now he’s a person of interest in a drug-related murder case.

Determined to keep him out of their lives and turn him over to police, Holly uses her private investigating skills to search for him. But her bravado backfires when he turns the tables and takes her and the baby hostage. As desperate hours tick by, Holly realizes his connection to Leonard Miller—the man who has gunned down several members of her family. Creed claims he’s innocent and that Miller is after him too. His gentleness with Lily moves her, but she can’t trust a man who has held her at gunpoint . . . even if he reminds her so much of herself.

Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.

• Full-length suspense novel
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Part of the Moonlighters series
  • Book One: Truth Stained Lies
  • Book Two: Distortion
  • Book Three: Twisted Innocence

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Feb 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9780310332411

Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock.  

Reviews for Twisted Innocence

[Cheri Bozeman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kept me hanging on every word! Terri Blackstock does it again!

[Carol Kost Oettle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book another best book as farxim concerned thank you Terri b

[snotbottom-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and intriguing

Story kept me glued the entire time. I like that problems weren't an easy fix. I didn't get to read books 2 & 3 but I wasn't left wondering about any plot holes.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors, and this book in the series is more like her usual style with a lot of mystery and suspense along with some good life lessons based on a Christian worldview.

I like seeing her characters grow as the series progresses. I'm glad the one character was cleared and that even before that, his family was beginning to not treat him as "the black sheep" of the family.

[sheiladeeth_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Holly has made mistakes, one of which has left her with bills to pay and a new baby to support. Her sisters rally around to help, but it’s hard to trust they’re not blaming her with every incautious word. Then she gets mugged.So starts Terri Blackstock’s Christian romantic suspense, Twisted Innocence. Holly’s feelings for her child are achingly real – ”Holding her daughter was the biggest endorphin rush Holly had ever known.” Her doubts about her own self-worth will be familiar to anyone who’s ever made mistakes—which must surely be all of us. But her eagerness to load her gun in self-defense is purely American, which might seem odd to an English reader like me. It makes sense though, since this is an American novel set in a world of private investigators, wrongly accused cops, drug gangs and murder.Many of the characters have been introduced in previous novels of the series, but the author brings her readers smoothly up to speed on what they’ve missed, while leaving enough details hidden to entice us to read more. Holly’s family has certainly had more than its fair share of troubles, but everything’s connected, and everything’s heading for an exciting conclusion in this tale. Christians are flawed but believable. Wounds, both spiritual and physical, hurt. And the scene where good sister Juliet declares she can’t sit at a bar—“What if someone from my church sees me?”—is delightfully fun, even as danger draws close.Unexpected love, unwilling trust … perhaps they mirror the love God wants from us. The author makes faith as real as the danger in this tale, and both are tested and well-described, over and over again, before the end’s in sight. As an English Christian reader, I struggle with the unquestioning approach to guns and punishment, but I really enjoyed the story.Disclosure: I won a copy and I offer my honest review.

[robin661_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Twisted InnocenceTerri BlackstockBook Summary: When Holly's secrets backfire, is the mess too big to unravel? Holly Cramer has worked hard to keep the identity of her daughter's father a secret, shamed and embarrassed by the one-night stand. But when the police knock on her door searching for Creed Kershaw, she realizes his identity isn't as hidden as she thought. The fact that Creed is a person of interest in a recent drug-related murder only increases her humiliation. When Holly's and Creed's paths cross, Holly is unsure whether to be terrified of him or trust him. His tenderness with their daughter makes her want to believe his story that he had nothing to do with the murder. Then she discovers that Creed has a connection to Leonard Miller-who killed both her sister's fiancé and her brother-in-law, and kidnapped her nephews-and things only become more complicated. Will Creed lead them to the man who has plagued her family, or become another of his victims?Review: I love Terri Blackstock books and this was no exception. It did take me a couple pages to get into it. But most of it was due to this was the last book of the series and I was going to miss reading about these wonderful characters. The emotion and regret that Holly and Creed had was very realistic and appropriately placed in the story. I liked the honesty that was written into this story. I loved how Creed came from a good home and that he still went his own way. All of the characters had a great and believable depth. That is one of the things that makes reading Terri Blackstock’s books so enjoyable there is no simple answer or resolution. For me this was another winner. I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Fiction for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[judithdcollins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A special thank you to Zondervan Fiction and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Talented Christian and crime writer, Terri Blackstock returns with the thrilling suspense Moonlighter trilogy, with an action filled, fast-paced thriller, TWISTED INNOCENCE (Moonlighters Series #3), focused on sister, Holly and her baby daughter. Of course, the sisters and other familiar characters are back for a novel of family, love, forgiveness and faith. If you read Blackstock's last book Distortion (Moonlighters Series #2), focused on Juliet, and Truth Stained Lies (Moonlighters Series #1), focused on Cathy; you will be familiar with the characters introduced, as we have been anxiously awaiting their fate. In previous books we met Juliet, her husband, children, and sisters Holly and Cathy who all team up with PI Michael Hogan. Set in Panama City, Florida-wild child biker chick-like, Holly is trying to settle down. Now a mother of beautiful daughter Lily. As a single mom, she is working two jobs, trying to make ends meet with the PI business with her sisters, and a cab driver. However, as the book opens, the cab driver job becomes dangerous, when she is robbed by two meth druggies and wrecks her cab. Her sister Juliet is worried about her and wants her off the streets. She decides to get rid of the pink streaks in her hair and cover her tattoos, to be a responsible mother and give up loser boyfriends. However, worst possible timing-- the father of her daughter, is back. Creed has a past and he happened to be a one-night stand (something she is not proud of and has not told anyone the identity). She does not want her family to know, as she is trying to live life on the straight and narrow, and she does not need the complications or a reminder of her past poor choices. To further complicate things, Michael is in jail (on a technicality and the girls are working hard to get him released, before Cathy’s wedding – blogger sister Cats Curious, from Book #1). And their worst nightmares come to life with Leonard Miller. The drug kingpin and murderer responsible for Cathy’s husband’s death, and Michael’s brother, kidnapping, among other horrific acts. He is back in town. Due to a woman’s testimony and the defense attorney’s focus, the jury had reasonable doubt about the police department’s integrity and found Leonard not guilty. After the trial, Michael was convicted of lying under oath. He lost his job at the police department since as a convicted felon, he could no longer carry a weapon. Needless to say, Miller went on to kill other as he climbed the ladder of his deadly drug trafficking ring. When Michael Hogan later took up arms to save Juliet and her children from Miller’s murderous cruelty, he violated probation. The hero did not fight the charges and his marriage proposal to Cathy came as they hauled him off to jail. Of course, due to all this injustice, Cathy quit practicing law. While Cathy and Michael are planning the wedding, they have bigger fears. She is praying Michael will be released as they need him to help track down Miller before he kills again. He lost his police career trying to save them last time. Miller is wanted for drug trafficking, distribution, conspiracy, kidnapping and murder and he would be insane to show his face; however, as Michael’s mentions, these guys are not so smart. Plus Holly has to worry about Creed and now Holly’s baby is caught in the crossfire-a bomb, a shooting, drug dealers, and lives are on the line as the intensity, tensions, and emotions are high. Is Creed connected to Miller? Will Creed save the day? Many twists and turns keeping you guessing the good guys from the bad. For fans of mystery, crime thrillers, suspense, romance, women's and Christian fiction. Even through Terri has been around for quite some time as a successful novelist, I only recently discovered her when I started reading this series. I was amazed how she seamlessly weaves many genres in one book, using flawed characters, highly charged subjects of drugs and crime and strong Christian faith. Well-developed characters and excellent writing, grabbing you from beginning to end. She demonstrates how all of us experience trials and are led astray, and how God uses the hard times for a bigger plan and purpose. God knows where we started and how we got there. Highly recommend this series and cannot wait to read more from Blackstock. As a fellow Floridan, loved the setting!.

[joyanne-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The conclusion is the Moonlighting series is not a disappointment, there's enough suspense to keep you reading, it's fast paced which I like and catching up with the characters is special. Twists and turns ending with a message of hope and faith. Truly a good read. I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Terri Blackstock. Her romantic suspense novels are some of the best in the Christian market. Her latest book in the Moonlighter’s series is no exception. Fast-paced suspense keeps the reader turning the pages, while the message of second chances touches the heart. Twisted Innocence is another winner from Blackstock.Although Twisted Innocence is a standalone novel, each successive book in the series builds on the previous one. The Cramer family is the focus of the novels, and in this one Holly Cramer, a new, single mom, is at the center of the action. She and her sisters Juliet and Cathy are continuing their search for drug kingpin Leonard Miller and their quest of a pardon for Michael, Cathy’s fiance. Along the way, Holly is swept up in a new murder investigation and the criminal activities of her baby’s father, Creed Kershaw. The suspense builds throughout the novel and ends in heart-stopping confrontation.Second chances are definitely the focus of Blackstock’s spiritual message. Most of the characters are embarking on new lives after heartbreaking detours. But God is faithful to renew and redeem those who turn to and trust in Him.The Moonlighter’s series has been a favorite with my book club and Twisted Innocence is our surprise selection for April. We love suspense and always enjoy the points of discussion that Blackstock provides. So while you could read Twisted Innocence without having read the first two books, I recommend you start at the beginning. I am sure you will love this series.Recommended.Audience: adults.Great for Book Clubs.(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[mbarkman_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars ***** out of 5Romantic Suspense I started this book, and was a little disappointed. I expected it to be intense from the first sentence. It was more like a romance, until maybe, the second page. From there the pace got faster until by the middle of the novel the adrenaline was flowing at high speed. If you are like me, and expect this from Terri, do not give up right away and think she has changed genres on you! This book is as fabulous as her others! The twists and turns kept me going until I was finished. Some things caught me by surprise, which is what a good author aims to do, and she succeeded. It was more than a satisfying book, it was a must keep.Holly has matured from the party girl she was before she became pregnant, and the reader is aware of this, but her sisters doubt it because of appearances. This is happening among my friends, where their families assume the worst instead of trusting. Trust is essential in any relationship, but once lost it has to be earned back. How blessed we are that our Father knows our hearts and we can trust Him, too. Thank you to Amy and Chris at Litfuse Publicity Group and TNZfiction for the opportunity to read this book. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great book by Terri Blackstock, and although it is the second book in this series, you can read it alone, but the first is just as wonderful as this one. You won’t be disappointed, especially if you love mystery and suspense this one has it all.As the story unfolds we have sister Holly and her new baby Lily, and she sure seems to be turning her life around. Of course, things can’t stay peaceful, and boring. No way here, poor Holly is robbed and beaten up, and then doubted by her family. I did wonder about her obsession with finding the father of her baby, but not wanting him in her life. Rather I found you, but stay away from me.Creed Kershaw the baby’s Dad comes with his own set of problems, and boy does he, in the end you will wonder if he will even survive.Now we have the nemesis of the first book, does come back to torment all of there lives again, Leonard Miller, a very evil man with no value for human life.Is anyone safe? Who or whom can be trusted? There is evil and threats everywhere, and danger seems to be coming from every corner. There are poisonings, snipers, and bombings, will anyone one survive?Love the faith that many of these characters showed, and the story shows Gods hand on those who are believers.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.