Thursday, March 5, 2015

Deadly Echoes

GIVEAWAY

MEHL, NANCY
DEADLY ECHOES

After years of upheaval, Sarah Miller’s life is finally settled with all echoes of the past stilled and silent at last. She spends her time teaching the children of Sanctuary, a town she is happy to call home.

When the sister Sarah hasn’t seen in years reappears, it stirs up hard memories of the past and their parents’ murder. Even so, Sarah’s joy at being reunited with Hannah and meeting the niece she didn’t know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As Sarah learns more about Hannah’s death, the circumstances seem eerily similar to her parents’ death. She enlists Paul’s help in digging deeper into these murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul’s concern encourages Sarah’s growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one man will do anything to hide–even if he must do away with the last remaining members of the Miller family.

My Review:

The kind of read that will leave you breathless. Mehl is such a skilled master of her craft. She's a 'don't think twice' author purchase for me. I don't even bother reading the back description because I know the quality and enjoyment that will be in each book. And Deadly Echoes is no exception.

The read was made all the more intimate because Mehl tells the story through Sarah's viewpoint in first person narrative. I was immediately immersed in her world, felt her pain and fear and insecurity. There's a steel rod of strength buried deep within Sarah though, and she begins to discover it over the course of the story.

Once again Mehl captured my suspense loving attention -- that woman sure knows how to spin a compelling mystery!. The foreshadowing was ominous in places. I caught on right away, sometimes even before Sarah did but other times I had my light bulb moment after the fact. Made for a page-turning read.

This author's other strength is the way she creates a community of characters you love -- or love to hate. :-) She humanizes them all until they come to life and become part of yours. Love the balance between the Old Order Mennonites and the rest of the town. And I love how everyone rallies around Sarah and her niece. Mehl doesn't 'pretty up' the aftermath of Hannah's murder and it's effect on both Sarah and Cicely. The dynamics between aunt and niece are complicated. They struggle to find their way into relationship with each other. Such a raw and tender story of renewal and hope in the aftermath of tragedy.

And lets not forget the friendship turned romance between Sarah and Paul. So fragile and hesitant. Their halting steps forward brought some gentle relief from all the murder and mayhem. Over all, an astounding book from an equally astounding author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deadly Echoes please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

27 comments:

  1. thanks for the chance to read this novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  2. I just finished reading Gathering Shadows which also took place in Sanctuary so count me in, please, Kav!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. You'll meet a few familiar faces then, Cheryl. Good luck.

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  3. I've enjoyed reading other books by Nancy Mehl so I have no doubt that Deadly Echoes is another terrific book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I just love the way she spins a story. Good luck, Pam.

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  4. I've enjoyed other books by Nancy Mehl and this one looks like a must to read.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I definitely think it . Good luck, rubynreba.

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  5. Hello Kav. Another exciting review. Sounds like another edge of the seat suspense. I would love to have it. Please put my name in. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  6. Deadly Echoes sounds sinister, shadowy (is that a word? :) and beckoning. I love Nancy's books, please include me. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. If shadowy isn't a word, it should be and it's a great descriptor for this book. Good luck, Merry.

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  7. I am intrigued!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. And well you should be, Melanie. Good luck.

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  8. Ah, my kind of book. Good thriller and fragile romance. Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You summed it up well, Janka. Good luck.

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  9. We have this series in the church library. I would love to win, "Deadly Echoes" to add to it.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Sounds like an interesting book that can really draw you in.
    melissa(dot)snoopy(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  11. Sounds very intriguing!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. KAV, I remember you waiting for this one as I was promoing my review of it. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and your review is absolutely stunning! I almost started reading the book again. Lol Now we BOTH have to wait for the next one which doesn't come out until Octoberish, I'm thinking. Wahhh.... Please don't enter me; just wanted to talk some book talk. :)

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    1. Yikes. November is a long way off. I try not to miss out on present day reading pleasures by yearning for future reading day pleasures. LOL. Yes, this book was everything you said it would and more, Diana.

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    2. I can't yearn for this next one, bc when it releases that means winter will be right around the corner! (gasp!) Got some good summer reading coming up! :) Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen for example. yeah!

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    3. Ooooh.... excited about that new Klassen book...and yes, wishing winter upon us prematurely is plain crazy. LOL

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