Right Behind You By Lisa Gardner Dutton February 2017
“Had a family once. Father. Mother. Sister.”
The father was a vicious boozer and stoner; the mother liked drugs and booze and oblivion. The boy took care of his younger sister, scavenging food, getting her ready for school, and reading “Clifford, the Big Red Dog” to her nightly. One really bad night the father quit beating on the mother and was coming after the children with a knife.
“As I lifted the bat. Had a family. Once.”
Sheriff Shelly Atkin was a colleague of FBI agent Pierce Quincy about ten years ago when she was injured and disfigured by a fire. After recovery and a two year hiatus Shelly is now the county sheriff in Bakersville, Oregon, where the big criminal problem is meth production. She is notified of “shots fired” at a gas station/convenience store on the edge of town. Shelly finds an abandoned pickup, two dead bodies, and a teen-aged shooter with flat, dead eyes staring straight into the security camera before he shoots it out. The killer is identified as the foster child of The Duvall’s’, Telly Ray Nash, a seventeen year old with a series of minor offenses.
Sheriff Atkin calls Pierce Quincy for help. Pierce and his wife Rainie are in the process of adopting their teenaged foster child, Sharlah. Sharlah experienced a horrific trauma at a young age and carries a case history of antisocial tendencies and trust issues with her. With the help and unconditional love from Pierce and Rainie, plus the instant bonding with their dog, Luca, Sharlah now has the faith she can be a good daughter, and she’s ready to join the family. That is, she was until her older brother, Telly, begins his search for her.
Right Behind You is an excellent and sleek thriller imbued with devious shockers. Lisa Gardner is a very gifted wordsmith who excels at developing characters, details, dialogue, and narrative. This is one breathless page-turning tale and a one-sitting read . . . you will not be able to set it down.
Sheriff Joanna Brady is on her way home after making funeral arrangements for her mother, Eleanor, and her step-father, Dr William Morrow September 2016
Sheriff Joanna Brady is on her way home after making funeral arrangements for her mother, Eleanor, and her step-father, Dr. George Winfield, who were victims of a teen-aged binge killer, when she gets a call from her chief deputy, Tom Hadlock, about two female bodies that could possibly be a double homicide or murder/suicide. After a quick trip home to change clothes and eat, the pregnant sheriff is off again and upsetting her husband, Butch, because she’s working too hard.
The victims were either pushed or jumped off of Geronimo, a double humped limestone peak, and are laying one on top of the other. The bodies were discovered by two young boys who slipped out of their house to go climb Geronimo, which is a tradition in Bisbee. The coroner declares the women were dead when their bodies landed on the ground, and pronounces this is a double murder. Investigation shows that the women weren’t acquainted. Desiree Wilburton, a graduate student, had been camping and looking for a rare cactus. Susan Wilson lives and teaches in Sierra Vista and is married. Her husband, the good Reverend Wilson, has nothing good to say about his wife. With little clues here and there, Joanna Brady is able to find the dark and dirty killer that is hiding in plain sight.
As usual, J. A. Jance leads us on a merry pursuit of chasing shadows and red herrings, while enjoying every bit of time spent. Joanna has a lot on her plate, and the fact she hasn’t slowed down is causing some friction in the marriage. She hasn’t grieved properly over the loss of her mom; her daughter, Jenny has just started college; and, Joanna has some strong issues concerning her newly found half-brother, Bob – he and his wife, Marcie, will be coming to Bisbee for the funerals. Add the fact she is taking care of her job and her five-year-old son, Denny, while expecting a baby girl in a few months, and anyone can understand why Butch is exasperated!
Ms. Jance always delivers a superb mystery starring a core of boldly drawn repeating characters readers care about. DOWNFALL delivers the good with the bad situations, and it is also emotionally beautiful. This is a terrific, evenly paced and gratifying read.
Destiny Jones has been estranged from her father, Tony Award winning Broadway actor Albert Jones, for twe BROKEN PIECES Kathleen Long
Lake Union July 2016
Destiny Jones has been estranged from her father, Tony Award winning Broadway actor Albert Jones, for twenty years – except for his annual Christmas visits, which lasted fifteen minutes last year. When he and his luggage show up on her front porch in Paris, New Jersey, in the middle of August Destiny tries to deny him entrance, but he reminds her it is legally his house, even though he has not slept under its roof for the last twenty years. He pleads for “just a visit”, and she grants him “one night”.
When Destiny’s mother died twenty years ago, next-door neighbor Marguerite Devine and Destiny’s grandmother took care of her, and after her grandmother passed on, it was team Destiny and Marguerite, and neither is a fan of Albert. Destiny is a skilled and gifted craftsman who designs and installs custom cabinetry. The lady is scheduled to make a presentation the next morning to bid on renovations of the Paris Opera House. Destiny wants this job very much as she feels that this restoration is what she has been waiting on all of her career; she will not let Albert’s untimely appearance disrupt her preparations.
Albert does have reasons for his homecoming, but they can’t be revealed until he feels he has laid the necessary groundwork. Destiny plays a starring role in the most important production of his life.
WOW! I should know by now that I need a box of tissues handy when I’m losing myself in a story by Kathleen Long. BROKEN PIECES is a beautiful and emotional story of flawed characters and dysfunctional families working together to find a happy ending. Ms. Long’s narrative is truly a work of art and she is firmly in control of her characters, their dialogue, and especially their emotions. BROKEN PIECES is, undoubtedly, one of the best books this reviewer has ever read, and it comes to you, the reader, recommended highly.
Ace Thompson, the preacher’s son, owns the most popular bar in Copper Ridge, Oregon. The once bad boy leONE NIGHT CHARMER
Maisie Yates
Harlequin May 2016
Ace Thompson, the preacher’s son, owns the most popular bar in Copper Ridge, Oregon. The once bad boy left town after high school, did the rodeo circuit and other things before he decided to come back to his home town. His bar has made him a good living, and he wants to expand his business opportunities. He is buying an old empty flour mill with a view of the Pacific Ocean and plans to turn it into an upscale restaurant and micro-brewery. He asks his best friends, Jack Monaghan and Eli Garrett, if they would like to go into business venture with him. They both say yes and Jack has a favor to ask of Ace; would he please give Sierra West a job.
Sierra West is from a very wealthy family and Ace met her a few nights ago when she was very inebriated and had been left to her own devices at his bar by her so called friends. Ace ends up taking her to her brother’s home in the early hours of the morning. He has Ms. West pegged as a spoiled, do nothing young woman, and he really doesn’t want to offer her a job, but Jack has asked as a personal favor. Over the next few weeks, Sierra proves herself to be more than just a pretty face. The lady has some excellent suggestions for his new project and is also a very hard worker at the bar. Ace is fighting a losing battle with his standing rule: Don’t get personally involved with the hired help!
The amazing Maisie Yates gifts her readers with a superb tale focusing on family heartbreaks and separations. When Ace and Sierra get together, it seems that all their familial problems work themselves out. ONE NIGHT CHARMER is a terrific romantic tale that also brings many of our favorite characters into the mix.
After losing her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment Mia has no other options than to leave the Big Ap
SUDDENLY IN LOVE
Julia London
Montrose April 2016
After losing her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment Mia has no other options than to leave the Big Apple and return to East Beach and live with her parents. She works in her Uncle John and Aunt Beverly’s home interior shop as a “gofer”, and is making sure things are going right on a large renovation project.
Brennan Yates – aka Everett Alden, lead singer of the successful musical group Tuesday’s End – wants out of the limelight after his friend Trey dies. He is hiding out at Ross House, the historic mansion he bought for his mom in East Beach, staying drunk and smelling rank. Mia is helping her aunt the decorator by taking pictures and measurements at the mansion, while it is undergoing a complete renovation; Aunt Bev will be putting in a bid for the decoration. When she sees Brennan on the property she tells security that a bum is on the premises. She is unaware that the new owner, Nancy Yates, has a son, much less that he is a famous entertainer.
Mia and Brennan develop a tenuous relationship. He enjoys the fact she is unaware of his fame. Brennan encourages Mia’s art aspirations, and honestly likes the fact that she dances to her own tune when it comes to opinions of her lifestyle. Mia seems to stabilize Brennan, and he is doing wonders for her poor self image. When Brennan is offered to personally write the score for an upcoming movie, Mia’s faith in him is just what the doctor orders. The bad news is that he will have to live on the West Coast while the film is in production, and Mia refuses to relocate.
Julia London can add another touching story to her outstanding repertoire. The protagonists are strong, but flawed, and complement each other in every way. SUDDENLY IN LOVE has just the right amount of humor, conflict, and romance to satisfy every reader of this genre.
Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan feels like she is going to break into a million pieces due to all the personal problems she has encountered and her hecti
Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan feels like she is going to break into a million pieces due to all the personal problems she has encountered and her hectic surgical schedule. She takes a leave of absence and goes to visit her father, Sully, at Sullivan’s Crossing, his campground and country store for hikers located outside of Denver and on the Continental Divide trails. Sully has kept his daughter’s room ready for her since she was a child visiting during the summers; Maggie lived with her mom, Phoebe, and new husband, Walter, in Chicago the rest of the year. Before his retirement Walter, was a very prominent neurosurgeon in Chicago, but now he and Phoebe live in Denver to be near their daughter.
Since it is March now and too early for the hikers, Cal is the only person on the grounds and lives in his camper. He helps Sully out when necessary and seems to be just passing time until hiking season starts. Maggie isn’t sure she trusts him, but Sully does. Just a few days after Maggie’s arrival Sully suffers a major heart attack and Maggie insists on staying by his bedside during his hospital stay. Cal has volunteered to keep Sullivan’s Crossing going, and does a commendable job. After Sully’s release, Cal and Maggie develop a good and very comfortable rapport that eventually turns into a physical relationship. They share their doubts and fears, and their unhappy pasts.
When the weather finally clears enough to start hiking, Cal takes off for an indeterminate length of time, but promises Maggie he will return. This time apart gives them both time for introspection about the future. Maggie must decide whether to wait at the Crossing or return to her practice in Denver.
WHAT WE FIND is an exquisitely written tale about two wounded souls that find each other and eventually share feelings of tranquility and healing with a deep and abiding love. Robyn Carr is a true genius with a talent for an engaging style, credible characters and extraordinary narratives.
Slater Carson, award winning documentarian, is at home on the family’s ranch in Mustang Creek, Wyoming putting the finishing touches on his latest fil Slater Carson, award winning documentarian, is at home on the family’s ranch in Mustang Creek, Wyoming putting the finishing touches on his latest film. Slater loves his career, but it’s really good to be back at the ranch. As he is winding up an exhausting day he gets a visit from an unknown woman that is insisting she must see him immediately. His energy level perks up when a beautiful redhead – and he has a fondness for redheads – walks into his office with a teenage boy in tow. It seems that Grace Emery’s mutinous stepson, Ryder, has stolen some property belonging to Slater, and she has dragged him in to return it.
Grace is divorced from Ryder’s father, Hank, who is career military. The young man had no one else when his dad was deployed again so Grace left her job in Seattle as a cop and accepted the job in Mustang Creek as manager of the Bliss River Resort and Spa. She is crazy about the teenager, and is willing to help him in any way possible, but his attitude is wearing her down. Slater is so impressed by Ryder’s admission of stealing that he offers him a job at the ranch mucking out the stalls and anything else that needs to be done.
ONCE A RANCHER is the launch of a new series, the Carsons of Mustang Creek, starring brothers Slater, Deke, ranch manager, and Mace, vineyard and winery, and costarring Blythe Carson, the matriarch; Raine, Slater’s ex-girlfriend and Daisy, their nine-year-old daughter. It doesn’t take Slater long to woo and win Grace and Ryder. However, Grace has a stalker that is making things dangerous for anyone Grace gives her attention.
Linda Lael Miller is an award winning author and fan favorite. ONCE A RANCHER is a beautiful romantic tale that is chock full of appealing characters, witty repartee, and family dynamics. Hurry and get your copy of this one because it truly is “Miller Time.”