The Missing Ones
By
Edwin Hill
Hester Thursby has been through a very traumatic event in the first book by Edwin Hill, called Little Comfort. The Missing Ones picks up the story and ties up some loose threads.

What's happened to Daphne? She has left behind her little girl, Kate, with Hester and Morgan. Hester has become an over protective, helicopter mom/aunt to Kate after Daphne has disappeared by choice. Going through the horrific events, with Kate along, Hester has resorted to all kinds of self reasoning to lie to Morgan about where she and Kate are to protect her. "She hadn't realized how much danger lurked in secrets, or that some things-some people-were better left lost." Then one day Hester gets a mysterious message and life takes another turn that she must see it through.

Mr. Hill took me along with Hester to the tourist island of Finisterre, Maine. This island is beautiful and an ideal place to go and spend some time to relax and enjoy the summer. Except this island holds so many secrets and mysteries. Missing children, murders, drug dealing, corrupt cops, and most of all an old abandoned Victorian house that's the center of all the drama. "Here, on the island, in this house, your truth was what you wanted it to be." I was pulled into this underground world with Hester by the very descriptive and detailed writing of Mr. Hill. It was a read that was filled with "hold on tight" suspense and action. It was twists, turns, and drama that I felt I was in the center of. I even had such a vivid experience with walking into the old Victorian and the dilapidated conditions inside with the rottenness, filth and human uncleanliness.

The characters in this book are a wide range of personalities. Each one built up with characteristics that describe them completely. There are some that I connected to and liked. The main character, Hester, is unique and one I want to keep learning about and be with as she lives and learns what it takes to survive the situations and even the personal challenges she faces. Kate is a cute little girl and her personality just drew me in. There are characters I love and then the others who are the creeps and bad guys I can't stand. All this put together makes a novel that needs each one to bring this suspense thriller to a page turning "who done what" ending with twists that are a total surprise.

I am very grateful to Mr. Hill and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. It's one that had me guessing and being surprised through out the pages. Thank you!

Not Again
By
Maria T. Henriksen
Being a teenager is a challenging time in a young person's life. It comes with changes that are sometimes difficult to adjust to and be content with in their lives. This novel takes the reader into the life of Christina De Rosa and her journey through those "teen" years. The social pressures and teenager drama can be very hard to cope with. Add a deep, dark secret that fear of exposure would ruin her life, Christina has to find her way in this emotionally and spiritually filled story.

This story is set in the 1980s and Christina is facing the age old, typical teen challenges of starting high school, hanging out with friends, to date or not to date, finding out just who the person she really is. Christina is a beautiful young lady and she is asked to be a contestant in the local Miss Blue Lagoon beauty pageant which she reluctantly agrees to enter. This is the beginning of a string of events that forms Christina's future. An unimaginable assault that destroys her self worth and the fears that drag her into deep, dark places on the inside but acting like she's just fine on the outside. "Bottling up the pain, the frustration, confusion, sadness, anger, disappointment, and betrayal ate away at my confidence and my joy. Believing I was worthless had become the beginning of the end."

The characters in this book range through a variety of personalities. Just like typical teens are. I connected with Christina. She was written with depth and emotions that most teens would relate to. She wants to be her own self but that's violently taken away. Ms. Henriksen took me on this rugged path with Christina to put the pieces of her life back together. There are characters who are there for Christina, like Avery. "I wanted him to fill the void I felt-the unworthiness, the guilt, the shame. I wanted him to stop the pain, the anguish, the torture I continued to suffer day after day, as I unwillingly and uncontrollably relived that real-life nightmare." He's her rock and support who gives her life value. She has best friends who look out for her. Then there are the characters who challenge her and are a nemesis that also help form the person she becomes.

This book is a story of a spiritual battle within Christina. It's one that isn't easy. Why does God allow things to happen? Where is He when things are falling apart? I appreciate the scripture passages that Ms. Henriksen weaves through the story at the perfect place for the message to come forth. This book delves into issues that are difficult. There are scenes that made me cringe and cry for Christina. There are situations that most teens face and the choices they make that can change their lives drastically. I love the message in this book that each individual can choose their destiny through their faith and belief in God.

I think this book is inspiring in that there is a way to overcome. It's one that I would recommend to older teens particularly because of the subject matter and situations Christina finds herself in. It's a challenge to young women to be true to themselves and be the person God created them to be.

I hope and pray the message Ms. Henriksen shares resonates with many readers. It has spoken to my heart even though it's been many years since I was a teen facing many of the same situations. God's word is eternal. I want to thank Ms. Henriksen for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Magic of the Season
By

Tammy L. Grace

This sweet novella will have you dreaming of the magic of the Christmas season. It's a romantic and adorable celebration with the people of Silver Falls...and a return visit with the characters from the first book in the Christmas in Silver Falls series, A Season of Hope. I am in the mood for Christmas after reading this endearing book.

Madison has been away from her hometown of Silver Falls for 20 years. She's established in her career and has no desire to return. Then an accident happens that requires her to return to Silver Falls and step in to work her mother's candy business right in the middle of its busiest season. Sugar, as Madison is known in her hometown, now faces a task that seem almost impossible. Will she be able to manage the business and fill all the orders that her mother has already received and committed to?

This is where the friendly and hospitable towns people come together in the Christmas spirit. It's a "family" who looks out for each other and they do whatever it takes. The adorable pups in the story add to the hominess and love. This all comes together to bring a cozy read to snuggle down, enjoy and put you into the spirit of the Christmas season.

Ms. Grace brought out all the magic of the season in her detailed descriptions of the town. All the lights, winter scenes and holiday smells of candy, cinnamon, pine and fresh falling snow. It was a winter wonderland I loved wandering into through the pages.

There is happiness, romance, love and joy that made me feel good reading this story. The characters are like family and friends I returned to visit and enjoy the holidays with. It was so wonderful experiencing The Magic of the Season with the people of Silver Falls.

Thank you, Ms. Grace, for the opportunity to read an ARC of your sweet novella. It's a magical five stars!

The Winemaker's Wife
By
Kristin Harmel
Champagne will have a new and special meaning to me after reading this book. "This champagne represents history, my dear. Heroism. Bravery. The people behind these wines helped save France." There's so much history to the craft of winemaking and the winemakers who produce this product. As the author took me back to the 1940's and the invasion by the Nazi's into the vineyards of northern France, I found myself immersed into the story as if I were living it along beside the characters.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre and Ms. Harmel has written a novel that made me take a look at what happened in history through these pages. I became one with the characters living the horror and dread of what was unfolding during the invasion and the rounding up of a people just because of their religion. I felt the fear of never knowing when their lives would be changed. Living in dread day after day. I joined the Resistance Fighters who put their lives on the line to protect the Jews and their beloved country of France. It was as if I were there.

The characters are in complicated situations. The story is written in a dual time line about characters that are related to each other. I enjoyed the way the present day story was intertwined with the past and how as each piece was placed it became a whole picture. There are characters I fought with in my heart and drew the courage to do what they had to in order to protect each other. I hurt, I cried, I felt the betrayals and the dread. I felt the forbidden love and yearning to express that love. I felt the loneliness. There are secrets that can't come out and what the consequences of what that would be. The author has a talent for bringing the story to life in my mind.

The setting the author put this story in had me envisioning the tunnels of the caves where the champagne was kept in the barrels, the lush vineyards and grapes, the beautiful House of Chauveau, and just being in the country of France both in the past and also the present. I am intrigued by this history and how it resulted in the efforts of the French Resistance. It would be frightening to do what they did, but survival and determination would make that strength rise up.

There are so many passages that Ms. Harmel wrote in this book that made the characters have the depth and ability for me to relate to.
"We all make mistakes. But life goes on, and we can always become better. It's not the decisions in your past that matter, but the choices you make about your future."
"So you see," Rene concluded triumphantly, "when you drink a glass of Chauveau, you are really tasting heroism in all those bubbles. The Maison Chauveau helped save France."

That last passage takes me back to the first sentence of my review....I will always appreciate how the author wrote this story to honor the spirit and determination of the French people. I love learning new things from history and this book has taken me to that place. I want to thank Ms. Harmel and Netgalley for the honor of reading this book! A five star read for me.

Going Home

By

Judith Keim
I have been drawn into a brand new series, in this first book of the series, by Judith Keim and I couldn't be more excited! It's a story that introduced me to Lettie (Violet Hawkins) and her determination to find her place in life. I hurt for her in the beginning with the childhood she endured and the foster parents who told her she was never going to be anything in her life. Tired of the life she was in, she strikes out for a new life in the "free love" of California only to find out that it wasn't any kind of life at all. Hungry and homeless, destiny brings her and Kenton Chandler to cross paths. He offers her a job at his family vineyard business and she's more than eager to accept.
The story takes the reader on a lifetime journey with Lettie. There are so many emotions that my heart went through with her. From all consuming love to the most devastating events, I felt the power of Lettie to pull through each and every situation her life brought her to. She stood up for her principles with determination. She has so much love and compassion for those she's loyal to. She loves with an infinite heart. I love the character of Lettie and felt a part of her life throughout the book.
Ms. Keim has a wonderful descriptive gift of writing. The research she put into the grape growing and wine making business is obvious and I learned how much there is that goes into that. I love the setting of the Willamette Valley in Oregon and I would love to visit there but feel like I have from reading this book.
I want to thank Ms. Keim for the honor of reading an ARC copy of this wonderful book. I am very much looking forward to reading the second book in this series, Coming Home, and living the next chapter in the Chandler Hill Inn Series. I definitely give it 5 stars.

Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2
By

Erina Bridget Ring 

Being a caretaker for an elderly parent is a challenge in and of itself. Throw in a group of mean, vindictive women and a crazy sister, you now have an unbelievable story of survival that Mrs. Ring went through.
This story is written from Mrs. Ring's heart. She had my heart yearning to be with her and to be her friend, to encourage, and to let her know how compassionate and caring she was through it all. She has such a caring and fabulous husband, Jack, who was her support, rock and champion.
Caring for her mom was difficult so finding a release in knitting seemed like a great idea....until a group of women knitters she was learning from, were beyond belief.
Not only is Mrs. Ring taking on the challenge of caring for her mom, a jealous and hostile group of women knitters, but in comes a sister who does such crazy and disruptive things, that chaos erupts concerning their mother.
This book took me into feelings and places that made my heart hurt. I had tears for what Mrs. Ring went through. My heart felt every emotional high and low she felt. I admire her for her determination and strength she found to overcome what seemed impossible at times. She says in this passage:
"I've learned a huge lesson, Jack. Bullies do come in the form of sixty-plus-year-old women. And I learned something else, too. I won't stop knitting, and I am not going to let those women destroy me. I've been looking for something, and that something was myself!"
This story is definitely one of survival through what was a very emotional and heart wrenching time. It's not easy to put your life out there like this but I am grateful for Mrs. Ring to write and share her story of coming out the other side better because of it.
This is a memoire of unbelievable events....written by a very caring and giving lady.
Thank you, Mrs. Ring, for the privilege of reading and reviewing your story.
Five stars for me!

Little Comfort
By

  Edwin Hill

"Sam will look right through you. He'll look right into your soul. He'll uncover your dreams, your demons, and your very core.  And he'll use all of it to get whatever he wants."

Crossing paths with Sam Blaine can be the worst thing to happen to a person...unless it's Gabe DiPursio.   It's probably worse than worse.  Then your whole life is linked to Sam.   The two of them have been through  horrific events that bind  them together no matter what.  This book takes the reader on a thrilling investigation of a psychological killer on the run along with his faithful and devoted friend. 

Hester Thursby is a Harvard librarian who also is very good at tracking down missing persons.  She is hired by Lila, Sam's sister, to track him down after he's been missing for years.  Hester has no clue what she's getting herself into.  This is a page turning story that doesn't slow down as the reader is taken along with Hester to locate Sam and Gabe.  There are clues that are sent to Lila by Sam through out the years and Hester starts to piece the puzzle together.  In the meantime, she has a "family" she's trying to hold together and that adds to the depth of the book.

The author has written a deeply suspenseful and page turning book with descriptions that put me in the story.  I wanted to turn and run away from what was happening but I couldn't help but turn the pages to find out what was going to happen next!  The POVs throughout the book switches between the main characters.  There are passages that link the past to the present story and bring it full circle as to why they are at this place in their lives.   The last part of the book is non stop thrilling with hardly any time to breathe.  

This is the first book I've read by this author.  This is out of my usual genre but I found it well written and entices me to see what Hester Thursby's next investigation will be in book two of this series, The Missing Ones.  I want to thank Mr. Hill for the copy of this book and the opportunity to read and review it.