The McKenna clan is back in this final installment of Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series. SABOTAGED centers on Reef McKenna, a previous troublemaker who has recently had a heart-change and is trying to deepen his relationship with God. Reef is also changing the way he thinks about childhood schoolmate Kirra Jacobs, a girl he used to loathe but is now falling for in a big way.

The book opens with the disappearance of Kirra’s uncle Frank, an experienced musher currently entered in the Iditarod race. When he neglects to arrive at the latest checkpoint, Reef and Kirra head out in a search-and-rescue. They locate him, only to learn that his daughter Meg --- Kirra’s cousin --- has been kidnapped. Meg will not be released until Frank does a “job” for the kidnappers. He refuses to tell them what the job is, but pleads with them to find Meg so he doesn’t have to complete the job at all. He insists, however, that they do not contact the police or Meg will die. Before Reef and Kirra can get any more information, a snowmobiler comes barreling out of the darkness and Frank races off. The snowmobiler stops and demands to know what Frank told them. Reef and Kirra take off running in the snow, and a shot is fired.

"SABOTAGED contains perhaps the most suspenseful and intricate storyline yet, a great way to wrap up this engaging series.... Dani Pettrey has become an even better writer and continues to prove she is worthy of her space on bookstore shelves."

So begins the suspense, action and mystery readers have come to expect from this series. In the chapters that follow, Reef and Kirra, along with the rest of the McKenna siblings, follow clues that hopefully will lead them to Meg and the reason for her abduction. What they discover is a sinister plot with the potential for catastrophe unlike any Alaska has seen before.

Each book in the Alaskan Courage series has been well-received by readers, and this one is no exception. The McKennas are a family you can’t help but fall in love with, and each character is distinctive and remarkable in his or her own right. The previous books have shown glimpses of Reef as the rebellious brother, but readers never really got to know him much. In this story, since he is already well on his way to leaving the old Reef behind, it’s slightly difficult to relate to him. It may have been more realistic to show him still struggling with his old reckless tendencies, but he comes across as an all-around good guy who has totally conquered his weaknesses. On the other hand, Kirra’s character is a little more believable and relatable, as she works to hide a traumatic secret from her past and overcome the shame and anger that’s resulted from it. For romance purposes, this works, as Reef provides Kirra much-needed support and strength. The sparks ignite in the beginning of the book and continue to burn brighter until the final page.

The Christian element is present throughout, and faith is often discussed through dialogue. There are no conversions, per se, but rather a continued growth that comes from an everyday relationship with the Father. The McKennas set a wonderful example of a family living out their faith.

SABOTAGED contains perhaps the most suspenseful and intricate storyline yet, a great way to wrap up this engaging series. While SUBMERGED was an excellent debut novel, throughout the Alaskan Courage series, Dani Pettrey has become an even better writer and continues to prove she is worthy of her space on bookstore shelves.

Fans of romantic suspense will definitely want to add this series to their collection. I, for one, will be eagerly awaiting Pettrey’s next release.