Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Val Montague travels back to her childhood home of Hemlock, Oregon, to handle the estate of her dead mother. All she wants to do is follow her mother’s wishes, liquidate the assets, and leave town.

Cam Nelson, a high school dropout and town outcast, has struggled to establish a small business and leave behind her “good-for-nothing” reputation.

When they meet, Val’s rather unpleasant trip becomes much more bearable. Soon, however, peculiar and dangerous events begin to plague her when she begins to suspect her mother didn’t die the way everyone said she did. And soon Val realizes that in this eccentric, woodsy beach town, a chance for romance just might lead to death.

 

Book Review

Ah, do I love a good mystery? Most definitely and this one kept me on the proverbial edge of my seat till nearly its conclusion. This story is set in a jewel-like niche on the northern coast of Oregon. Hemlock's major claim to fame is being set on the 45th parallel, thereby being halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. Oh, but Hemlock has some genuinely dark and squeamishly nasty undercurrents that are amazingly hidden from the seeking eyes of a returning original resident and the supportive assistance from a much maligned local. This is a real treat and I wholeheartedly suggest that it not be missed, passed by, or ignored! Scintillatingly magnificent!

Val Montague is a bit of a tough cookie, but definitely has the stuff to be an outstandingly loyal, steadfast, and worthy friend and lover, too! She returns to her home town after being away for twenty years because of her mother's untimely demise. However, before she even sets foot within the town limits she is subjected to a rather harrowing incident on the road involving a deer and somewhat mysterious other driver. She is not aware initially how this event sets the tone and then some for the balance of her stay in Hemlock. Val is complicated, prickly on occasion, yet fairly committed to get to the bottom of the mystery which rather rapidly envelops her. I was a tad disappointed that Val seemed to lose her solid impression and feelings toward Cam even after these feelings took a while to take root. Plus they seem to be such delightfully, affectionately, and sensuously compatible lovers. The reason for that shift is somewhat hard for me to grasp, but given the threat to Val's life and limb and more importantly to an innocent little boy, I gather it is next to impossible to completely understand how terror and fear might twist one's reality and perception so quickly and thoroughly. Incredibly intense!

Cam Nelson, as an adult, appears to have risen above her tough earlier years, although she is and has been almost universally disliked and distrusted in Hemlock. Nevertheless, we meet her initially as Val pops into *the* candy shop. In fact, this confection emporium may possibly be the finest on the planet. Although I am not immune to the delights and wonders of candy it certainly seems to my less than educated eyes to be not only top of the line, but unique and phenomenal. Cam, owner of said shop, is a bit like one of her amazing creations. She has startling depth and as some treats can turn out to have one astoundingly delightful jolt after another, Cam unraveled before my and Val's eyes as being truly remarkable. However, she does and may still carry the burden and taint which was cruelly and really without solid evidence stamped on her essence. Bottom line for me, however, is that Cam is a treasure. Enigmatic radiance!

If you have even the slimmest interest in stories with fantastic intrigue, plot twists and turns, plus nearly stupefying and bedeviling reversals, you simply cannot pass up on this rather stunning book. Impressively entertaining!

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook and audio
Length	Novel, 240 pages/67200 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-May-2015
Price	$9.99 ebook, $16.95 paperback, $19.99 bundle
Buy Link	http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/9781626393424B.html