Welcome, friends, to another exciting feature with the lovely DiAnn Mills! For those of you who are unaware, DiAnn shared a guest post on this blog concerning the nature of courage. I highly recommend you check it out, once you finish reading my review (and entering today’s giveaway), of course 😉
I love character-driven stories, and one of DiAnn Mills’ greatest strengths is how she uses exciting plots to explore her characters’ journeys. As much as I love survival stories and thrillers, I think my favorite aspect of this was the internal struggles of our main characters: how they struggle to rise above their pasts and work together. Intrigued yet? Keep reading for my review + the giveaway!
Canyon of Deceit
By DiAnn Mills
Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Tyndale Fiction
Pages: 338
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
A child. A deadly conspiracy. A race against time.
When survival expert Therese Palmer is called to find a kidnapped girl, she quickly realizes the truth is more dangerous than she imagined. Enlisting the help of Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, they track the girl’s last known location deep in the Guadalupe Mountains—where every clue leads to more deception. As Russian organized crime and a deadly assassination plot come to light, Therese and Blane must fight against ruthless enemies and their growing attraction. Will they find the girl before time runs out, or will she become a pawn in a much bigger game?
“Tragedies don’t define us unless we give them permission.”
Therese is haunted by her sister’s death. Blane is haunted by the foolish choices of his youth. Both carry their tragedies in different ways, both chased careers that would allow them to rescue innocents, unlike the ones they failed to save. And both race to save a kidnapped child’s life before the clock runs out. It’s a race against time, against the elements, and against themselves, and the only ones they can rely on are each other.
I wouldn’t call Canyon of Deceit a romance, but there are romantic and inspirational elements woven throughout the story that bring unexpected heart and resonance to what could have been “just another thriller.” I loved the way Mills wove the mystery of who is behind Alina’s kidnapping with Blane and Therese’s struggle to survive in the wilderness. The kidnapper and enemies unknown lead them on a mad chase through dangerous terrain, and often it’s Therese’s knowledge and skills that keep them going. And Blane’s knowledge and inner strength help keep them on the path to finding Alina. There’s also the fact that Blane and Therese have dated in the past, and while they’re working together in a strictly professional capacity, the feelings never fully went away for either of them.
For fans of fantastic storytelling with compelling messages of faith, this is definitely the story for you. That being said, if you’re not a fan of Christian themes, you should know the discussion of God and faith is a recurring theme, and at the crux of Therese and Blane’s relationship. I believe in God, but I’m not religious. So I honestly couldn’t understand Therese’s reasoning for keeping Blane at a distance, and her persistence in urging him to meet her level of faith. Especially when they both were so perfectly compatible professionally, romantically, and emotionally. But Therese’s faith was such an integral part of her character, and it made sense she would want Blane to find the same comfort she did in God. And ultimately, it’s what allows Blane to accept and move forward from the tragedies that have held him back.
Canyon of Deceit is a heart-stopping inspirational thriller, where the characters wrestle with themselves and with each other, as they overcome heart-rending odds. A wonderfully written, clean thriller-romance, DiAnn Mills offers readers a compelling and inspiring adventure for everyone seeking hope in a dark world.
MEET DIANN MILLS
Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is known for her gripping romantic suspense novels where readers can Expect An Adventure. With multiple Christy Awards and numerous bestsellers, her stories captivate readers with their depth and intensity. A passionate storyteller and dedicated mentor, DiAnn is also a coffee connoisseur and proud grandmother living in Houston, Texas.
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Jennifer Silverwood 