Survival Instinct

Title: SURVIVAL INSTINCT
Author: Rachelle McCalla
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
February 2010
ISBN: 978-0-373-444383-3
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Abby Caldwell is forced to return to Devil’s Island to retrieve her engagement ring from an ex-boyfriend, given to her five years prior. Her ex-boyfriend has threatened her with bodily harm if she doesn’t return the ring. Scared, Abby finds a ride on a ferry to the island, but is shocked when the ferry driver leaves her, and the three members of the Frazier family stranded on the island.

Scott Frazier remembers Abby as a former classmate and someone he was interested in getting to know better—but she had a boyfriend back then. He is glad to see Abby again, but worried more about his frail mother, stranded on the island. He doesn’t know how she’ll react. Scott and Abby search the entire island for a way off, finally finding a canoe that is hardly sea-worthy. But they decide to brave the elements on Lake Superior, and canoe to the next nearest island where there is a park ranger on duty all year around.

When Scott and Abby finally get help, the Coast Guard rescues Scott’s step-dad, but his mother is missing. With bad weather coming in, the Coast Guard performs a search and rescue, but no sign of her is found. And it soon becomes apparent that someone doesn’t want her to be found—or to leave Devil’s Island alive.

SURVIVAL INSTINCT is the first book I’ve read by Rachel McCalla, but it won’t be the last. This author has breathed fresh live into this genre, and I couldn’t put this book down. I enjoyed seeing Devil’s Island, a real life part of the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior.

Abby and Scott were both realistic characters, and Scott’s mother is a real trooper, I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. I enjoyed reading this family’s adventure, and can’t wait to read more books set in and around Devil’s Island. This is one of the best Love Inspired Suspense I’ve read this year. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 212 pages.