Unforeseen Fears - H.W. Gruchow

Publisher:  Xlibris

Pages:  240

Source: Review copy from author

Genre:  Adult, Mystery

My thoughts:

I love mysteries.  It is even better when the mystery has the reader so involved they are walking right alongside the characters.  In this book, Jake and Armis have always competed to figure out murders.  A creepy hobby in my opinion, but to each his own.  Something has changed in their little game.  A murder form the past seems to have some sort of connections to a recent disappearance.  AT first  the book felt a little disjointed.  Some many different characters.  I was not really sure who to trust, who was believable.  Suddenly, everything was brought together in a nice neat packet.  All of the loose ends and characters were brought together and the reader says, “Oh, I didn’t see that coming.”  That in my opinion is the making of a great book!

It is for these reasons that I would recommend this book, especially to those who love mysteries.  This was my first reading of any work by this author.  I will definitely look for more work by him.

About the Author:

H. William Gruchow began writing fiction after an academic career spanning nearly forty years, during which he published numerous scientific papers, articles and books, and enjoyed teaching thousands of students.  “writing good fiction requires the same level of creative energy and attention to detail as good scientific writing and good teaching.  At their best they are valuable learning experiences for the author, as well as being informative and entertaining learning experiences for the audience.”

Summer Shack: A Killer Vacation - Kelli Sue Landon

Publisher:  CreateSpace

Pages:  269

Source: Review copy from author

Genre:  Young Adult, Mystery

From Amazon:

It’s summer vacation and Deborah Walker invites childhood friend Kimberly Foster to stay in her parents’ cottage retreat in Wisconsin.  High School graduation is behind them and now it’s time to let their hair down.  Besides partying and being on their own for a month, Deb’s goal is to film a documentary of the area as a pre college project.  Shortly after arriving, news spreads around town that a serial killer has just been arrested.  Deb’s plans for her film soon change as curiosity takes over.  She wants to be the first person to film inside of the killer’s old beach house, which is where he stashed the bodies.  Deb and Kim are successful in making their way into the shack on the beach, but will they make it out?

My Thoughts:

Kelli Sue Landon has done it once again.  She has created a young adult novel that will hold its readers on the edge of their seat to finish it.  Most teens will be able to identify with these characters.  We’ve all had friends who moved on without us because we no longer fit into their mold.  It may have been due to finances as in this case.  When Deb started hanging out with a richer class of kids, Kim no longer fit in.  She was a good old stand-by when Deb’s wealthy friends were unavailable.  Maybe that is why Kim was invited to spend the summer with Deb at her parents Wisconsin retreat.

Both girls have great plans for their futures.  Kim wants to be a famous chef.  She has known this ever since her mother ran out on them when they were younger and she had to take over the household duties.  Deb has always wanted to be a journalist.  In years past Kim was the one behind the camera filming Deb doing the “reporting”. 

Upon arriving in Wisconsin the girls go to eat at a local diner and learn of the arrest of a local serial killer.  This is when  Deb’s plans to make a documentary about the area changes.  She wants to film inside the killers beach cottage and maybe get inside his head.  Her decisions put not only herself and Kim’s lives in danger but also the lives of two of her local friends.

Like all of her books, you think you have it all figured out and then the twists and turns take you some place else.  I can’t wait to put this on my shelves at school.  This is another great book that many of my students will be able to relate to.

I will recommend this book and will look forward to reading whatever she comes out with next.

Highland Crossings – Pamela Griffin, Laurie Alice Eakes, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Gina Welborn

Publisher:  Barbour Publishing

Pages:  352

Source:  Won a copy

Genre:  Adult Romance

From Goodreads:

Head to historic North Carolina where a brooch unites the lives and loves of four women.  Dangerous accusations force Seona to leave Scotland with the brooch in tow, but will she find peace before her past is revealed?  Years later, Fiona hopes to recover the brooch only to wind up on the whipping block.  Can she trust the man who comes to her rescue?  Seren sells the brooch to open a confectionery, but will the precious heirloom be lost to a hopeless dream?  When the brooch is stolen, can Brynna reclaim it before she lose something even more valuable?

My Thoughts:

I love historical fiction. If you can wrap romance up in it, all the better.  Highland Crossings is actually 4 stories that follows a brooch through four different generations from Scotland to America.  The brooch ties all three stories together nicely.  In “Healer of My Heart” Serena is accused of being a thief.  She sneaks aboard the Thistle, a ship headed for America.  She is caught by Colin Campbell who recognizes her healing abilities.  He saves her because she uses her skills to help a family member.  When they reach North Carolina his cousin Isabel welcomes her.  Although she and Colin are attracted to each other, can she trust him with not only her life but her heart?

In “Printed on My Heart” we meet Seona’s cousin Fiona.  She finds herself being punished for being unemployed.  In my opinion, whipping someone for not having a job was absolutely sadistic.  She was rescued by Owain.  She becomes their indentured servant.  She begins to find love with Owain and with God. 

In “Sugarplum Hearts” Seren Cardew has come to possess the brooch. She sells it to open a candy shop.  Finley Sinclair thinks he is God’s gift to women.  He wants a simple life and he wants it with Seren.  He proposes a deal with her to promote her confectioneries and benefit himself.  First he has to win over Seren who doesn’t see him as God’s gift to women.

The last story “Hearts Inheritance” we find Brynna Sinclair, lover of all things historical.  She wants to open a museum.  Her sister is currently in possession of the brooch.  It doesn’t seem fair since she is the one who loves history.   Enter Niall Cameron who has received an inheritance from his uncle.  When his plans clash with Brynna’s, a woman he is falling for he decides he must find a way to get on her good side.  When the brooch is stolen, he decides this might be the opportunity he was looking for.

All four of these stories were wonderfully told.  They carry with them lessons of healing, trust, love, relationships with people and God.  I had not read anything by any of these authors before this book.  It was a wonderful way to be introduced to four wonderful authors.  This book along with others they have written are a must read.