Laura felt that she had been entangled by a sin she committed years ago. Because of it, she felt she could never have a good relationship with God. When Jon came back to town, her worst nightmare seemed to be coming true.

I really liked this novel. Laura and Jon had made an unwise decision when young. Then the two had an abrupt separation over deep hurt on both sides. Laura had married while Jon remained single. Laura's husband had died suddenly on an ice coated road. Left to raise her son alone, she gravitated toward an up and coming attorney.

This novel is a great combination of suspense and character development. Before to far into the novel, there is a murder. Laura comes across the body on the green way between her house and her business. She is so close on the heels of the murder, the murderer even attacks her, but someone comes along the path just in time. The suspense builds when Laura finds that someone is leaving incriminating notes for her. Someone knows about her past.

In the midst of the suspense is the character development. Jon is newly with the Raleigh Police Department. When he is part of the murder investigation, Laura is stunned. Suddenly the past is before her. She and Jon face the love they once had, and still have for each other. Their possible romantic relationship is plagued with misunderstandings and ghosts from the past. Laura's son, Ian, is a great young man. He has an uncanny sense of understanding. What a great character.

Both aspects of the novel combine for a very rewarding novel to read. There are issues like past sins and lies we tell ourselves and others. There is the very important issue of God's mercy.

I like the setting of the novel too, the south. It is a place where appearance is everything so people do lie and hide the truth. But there are great southern characters too, regal women and some catty ones!

A great novel of romantic suspense. I recommend it. There is a discussion guide so it would be great for reading groups too.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

What does an old house with ivy vines embedded into the stones have in common with a woman who seemingly has built her life on lies? Or what about all the vines growing along the back of the property separating the yard from the greenway? For starters, lies develop a life of their own and spread everywhere just like vines. The house was Laura's. The lies were hers as well. Seemingly every aspect of her life was a tangled mess. Does she have the strength of character or even the will to untangle herself from the mess she is in? Or does she have any other choice? When things start to unravel and it looks as though she and her son may become victims of a killer, maybe the time has come to tell the truth. As I play the story back through my mind, several key characters had lies they wanted to keep hidden. Is it really as simple as telling the truth and suddenly being freed of so much that drags one down? I encourage you to read the book to see how things played out for Laura and her son. I believe you may gain some insights, and also enjoy a suspense-filled story.

Vines of Entanglement is my favorite story by Lisa Carter so far. The story flowed freely and it was easy to delve into it. Laura and Jon are real characters with real problems who serve an awesome God. The background on the Lumbee Tribe was very informative and interesting. I enjoyed the story very much. I would like to read a story with Jons work partner, Ana, to get a grasp of why she has such a tough exterior.

If romantic suspense was an art form, Lisa Carter would be one of the Masters. There's just as much suspense in the romance as there is in...well...the suspense. This author knows how to weave a story rich in characterization and plot development. I hung on every single word. And I love the way she teased me with tidbits of information, allowing time for me to come to my own conclusions. Then when that particular plot thread was fully revealed I could cheer with giddy delight because I got it right or sit there slack-jawed, astounded that I could be so wrong.

A solid inspirational thread anchors both the romance and the suspense. Ageless truths so hard to understand and personally apply. I grew and stretched right along with Laura. The triumph of love and friendship along with the complication of messy relationships and way too many hidden lies make this a riveting read that was impossible to put down. A definite must read for the discerning romantic suspense lover.

Jon Locklear has returned to his home stomping grounds after ten years in the Marines. He now is a detective with the local police force, and his first case involves the former love of his life as the star witness. He cant believe his rotten timing as to be the lead investigator and have to deal with Laura Mabry. Though he has never stopped loving her over the past ten years, he is sure he cant trust her. When she omits pertinent information on the case, though she has in her mind a good reason, the old issues of trust again plague their tenuous re-establishment of a relationship. Jon bends his knees to the Lord he found while serving his country and begs for answers.

Laura Mabry cant believe Jon Locklear is back in town! He broke her heart ten years ago then left to join the Marines without a backward look. She now has a secret she cant let him discover or her world will be turned upside down. She has been a widow for 1-1/2 years after the death of her husband in a car accident. As she is the person who found the body of her assistant and was then attacked, she feels she owes it to her assistant to find justice for her. Another body is found and Laura and her son become targets of a killer. Laura soon learns after more interaction with Jon how wrong she was in keeping her secret from him. Can he ever forgive her? Can the God her aunt and mother told her about ever forgive a liar like her? Can He protect her and her son?

In this suspenseful mystery, readers can see the hurt and angst that lies can cost. The lies Laura has told in the past were devastating to the man she loves, and the lies told to her put her in a mood of despair and depression for ten years. Her only bright spot was the love for her son. Readers also can see how God can use any situation, even one that appears to be the complete opposite of what would seem a good thing, for the good of His followers. I absolutely loved the character of Aunt Velma! She was a riot as well as a dependable, loving woman of God who shared her mistakes and how God used them to make her better.