Hidden in the Stars

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO RE-READ DAY!

CAROLL, ROBIN

HIDDEN IN THE STARS

Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept help from her estranged grandmother. Once an Olympic hopeful, Sophia's future is now uncertain, and her inability to share her eyewitness account frustrates police detectives looking for answers. What were the criminals after? Why did they attack Sophie and her mother?

Detective Julian Frazier is determined to solve the case. Distracted by the pull Sophia has on his heart and his own questions about why God could allow this senseless violence, Julian doesn't realize that an important clue could be right in front of him. As he gets closer to solving the case, Julian wonders if his efforts will be enough to save Sophia. Or will the murderer be back to silence her forever?

My Review:

published in 2014

So, this was a reread for me and whoa -- I'd forgotten just how intense that opening scene was! This time round I listened to the audible edition and Lesa Wilson's narration added to the frenetic pace of this suspenseful page-turner (or rabid listen.)

Things I didn't mention in my original review but struck me as significant this listen through: 1) The wonderful faith message that deals with that all too  common complaint about how God can let bad things happen to good people. Julian's faith has slipped as he wrestles with the complexities of this question and I love the way Caroll surrounds this hero with Christians who are living out their faith despite not having all the answers. 2) I love the way the author has managed to maintain the intensity of the suspense without using multiple attacks and hot pursuits that are so common in romantic suspense novels. (Not that I don't enjoy those kind of reads too!) She's managed to convey the menace lurking 'off page' which actually kind of amps up the nail-biting vibes even more.

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Original review:

Fast paced action and an intriguing mystery had me riveted from the very first page. I barely had time to catch my breath. And what an innovative way to incorporate a the quilt theme into the story! Not to mention the clever title tie-in! Love that attention to detail. The complex plot is steeped in suspense and romance and kept me on tenterhooks as I tried to stay a step ahead of the brutal killers stalking Sophia. Thrilling to the very last word.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a very gently read paperback copy. (Since I now own the audible edition of this novel, I'm giving away my paperback copy which has been carefully shelved in a glass fronted bookcase for seven years! It actually still has that new book smell! And the edges of the pages haven't yellowed at all. Someday I'll have my whole book collection stored in glass fronted bookcases!)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hidden in the Stars, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 8 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

To Write a Wrong

GIVEAWAY

CAROLL, ROBIN
TO WRITE A WRONG

In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen, and vows to help prove her father’s innocence.

At the same time, Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping his little sister in line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing the lid off his emotional bucket. But when Riley Baxter storms into his life, struggling to understand why God would let bad things happen to good people, Hayden has no choice but to follow his heart.

Now, Riley and Hayden must work together to uncover the truth of the past . . . before someone shuts Riley up for good.

My Review:

First off -- kudos on the title's brilliant tie-in. Love the play on words and the way it fits so well with the story. Yes, I notice those kinds of things. :-) 

Caroll seized me within her writer's grasp and I didn't escape her clutches until the very last word...not that I wanted to. An engrossing plot kept me riveted as I tried to solve the mystery before the characters did. And I succeeded  just in time to read on in  horror when the heroine...well I don't want to give anything away but you can imagine my anguish when Riley didn't heed my panicked "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" and proceeded to do just what I didn't want her to do. It's a miracle I lived to write this review, my heart was under that much stress!

Thankfully Caroll soothed my heart palpitations with Hayden and Riley's romance. Talk about a calm before the storm! I loved the balance the author achieved between romance and suspense while still driving the gritty plot forward at a breathless pace.

Of note to gentle would-be readers -- I did find a bit of offensive language in this book. Nothing earth-shattering by worldly comparisons, but one word in particular took me off guard. It actually broke the rhythm of the read for me. Some might argue that in context, the word is acceptable, but I'm finding the trend of adding questionable language into Christian fiction disconcerting. Now it may be a cultural thing too -- perhaps this word is acceptable slang in the southern states (I'm from Canada), but I personally feel that the hero, who is portrayed as such a respectful, protective, southern gentleman just wouldn't say that word in front of a lady (in this case the heroine). Now that's strictly my personal opinion and I will admit to being extremely conservative where language is concerned. 

That being said, I wouldn't skip this or any of Robin Caroll's other works because of the above issue. She's a superb writer and with an imagination and attention to detail that just can't be beat! If you love suspense, you'll be thrilled with To Write a Wrong.


Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of To Write a Wrong, 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 September 23 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

In the Shadow of Evil



Giveaway!

CARROLL, ROBIN
IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL

Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy plus devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil casts the modern day story of a building rebound scam exposed. It begins when the body of a property inspector is found among the ashes of a burnt out Homes of Hope house. Wrapped up in this mounting case of unethical practices, supply shortages, and murder, top Louisiana homicide detective Maddox Bishop is losing his heart to a charitable contractor, Layla Taylor, whose own sister is under suspicion. He's also about to discover a deep secret about his tragic past.

My Review:

In a word -- riveting. I LOVE romantic suspense and I've just found a new-to-me author! The suspense is solid, believable and cleverly plotted out. Caroll plants clues that eventually give the reader a slight edge over Maddox and Layla which totally revs up the angst! I was screaming "Nooooooooo!!!!!" just a few pages before the characters caught up with me. LOL. Of course they didn't listen and that led to a few more tense pages before I could breathe a whooshing sigh of relief...or could I? Carroll adds a surprising twist at the very end of the book which left me reeling.

In the Shadow of Evil is a great example of how a romance can be developed in a suspense novel. From the very beginning Maddox and Layla dance around each other -- both suspicious and reluctant to acknowledge that frisson of awareness that won't go away. The romantic development was as much of a suspense as the mystery! In fact, it enhanced it. Brilliantly written by Caroll.

In short, if you love romantic suspense, In the Shadow of Evil is definitely a book that belongs on your TBR pile -- preferably teetering on the top!

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of In the Shadow of Evil, leave a comment below, including your email address. (Using AT and DOT to save you from your inbox being inundated with spam.) Or you can email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the book title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 11. Open internationally. Good luck!