FROM CHAOS by Karen Randau
SERIES: Peach Blossom Romantic Suspense #2
GENRE: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2023
PAGES: 274
An exciting and suspenseful thrill ride wrapped up in a heartwarming love story!
After Kelsey White is forced to flee from her ex-husband’s family with soul-crushing secrets she can’t risk revealing, she hides in the small farming community of Peach Blossom, Oklahoma, but she finds herself in a situation more dangerous than ever before. Gregorio Moreno uses extreme sports and shallow relationships to shield his heart from the pain of his wife disappearing with no explanation. His only contact with her in two years are the divorce papers he received shortly after she left. The second Greg meets Kelsey, he knows she’s the blonde of his dreams.
But for eight months of a platonic friendship, the mysterious Kelsey only agrees to see Greg in groups. He finally convinces to join him for a solo dinner date, and their lives are turned upside down by witnessing a murder. The killers are now stalking them, seeming to anticipating Kelsey and Greg’s every move. With no one else to turn to, Kelsey and Greg must outwit their pursuers or risk becoming victims themselves.
Follow the riveting story of two friends with very different backgrounds whose traumas convince them they aren’t good enough for a second chance at love. But will the murderers let them have their happily ever after they crave?
Other Books In This Series
I first ‘met’ Gregorio and Kelsey in Into the Fog – book one in Randau’s Peach Blossom Romantic Suspense series. (more on that in a moment) The end of that book hinted at the beginnings of a potential romance between them, and readers will get to see how that has progressed as From Chaos starts. Their first solo date, however, takes a different turn than Greg was hoping for… and I’m not talking about Kelsey’s attempts to introduce the concept of being unequally yoked (which I appreciated the author including). Instead of a heart-to-heart talk, they end up on the run after witnessing a murder… and the victim has ties to Greg’s past.
Kelsey’s past also has its own pitfalls, as readers of Into the Fog will already know, and that kept me on edge throughout From Chaos, afraid her abusive ex-husband would pop back up again (especially since his threat wasn’t really resolved in book one). You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out whether or not he does contribute to the titular chaos, but just the realization that he could made an already tense situation even more nail-biting for me as a reader. The author did a great job building on all the various layers of suspense and weaving them together into a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat and waiting for the next shoe to drop. I don’t think I truly relaxed until I read the last word.
While it’s not strictly necessary to read the first book before beginning From Chaos, it will give you a better understanding of Kelsey’s backstory in particular. This second book is my fave of the two though, and the stronger book of the series so far, in my opinion. Because Randau gives you the pertinent info to catch you up as the story progresses, it is possible to start with this book and then go back and read Into the Fog to see how they got to where they ended up.
Bottom Line: If you like the ‘always on the move, dodging danger’ feel of Love Inspired Suspense books, then you’ll also enjoy From Chaos by Karen Randau. Greg & Kelsey are likable characters who will have readers rooting for not only their survival but also their happily-ever-after. A sweet faith thread adds further dimension to these protagonists and fits organically with the plot so it’s not preachy or a distraction. Some unexpected twists kept me engaged in the story and entertained from start to finish.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!
KissingBook Level: 3 / may forget to breathe on occasion
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A native of the southwestern U.S., Karen Randau has been writing and telling stories since elementary school. She holds a degree in journalism/public relations from The University of Texas at Austin and has enjoyed a long career in marketing communications.
After a short stint working in a psychiatric hospital, when she wrote three self-help books, Karen joined an international relief and development organization to use her skills to help people struggling with extreme poverty. She has traveled to numerous developing countries, witnessing famines, violence, and hopeful people working to overcome a generational cycle of poverty.
She loves to read and write fast-paced mysteries and thrillers, especially those with intricate plots, lots of action, and rollercoaster-like twists and turns.
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What about you? What makes you want to read From Chaos by Karen Randau?
Excellent review! I’ve read a efw Love Inspired books and enjoyed them, but I haven’t read this one yet.