The Fiction Guild

Review: You’ll Think of Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

May 24, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

When a man with a life plan and a woman whose only goal is daily survival for her and her ten-year-old daughter, will their pasts and prejudices ruin a promising future?

In You’ll Think of Me, Robin Lee Hatcher weaves a story of letting go and learning to trust in the beauty and grandeur of southern Idaho.

Brooklyn Myers has known a lot of disappointment in her life. All she’s known is people leaving her. Her mother. Her husband. Even her father has given up on her.

Upon learning of his best friend’s decision to leave the land he’d promised Derek to his wife and child instead, Derek is engulfed by disappointment. He never much cared for Brooklyn, and here she is again. Ruining his best-laid plans.

As a former resident of Idaho, I love reading about the state in stories. And Robin Lee Hatcher is one of the best in describing the beauty and grandeur of the southern portion of that state. But the author’s true gift is in the heart of her stories.

In the struggles of her main characters, and even a couple supporting characters in a small Idaho town. “You’ll Think of Me” touches on so many difficult issues—abandonment, trust, abuse—in a poignant way.

This one is another winner from Robin Lee Hatcher.

My Rating:

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Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Tyndale House Publishers. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

In a small town in Idaho’s idyllic wine country where the past looms large, can two people realize their individual dreams for the future … together?

Abandoned once too often, Brooklyn Myers never intended to return to Thunder Creek, Idaho. Her hometown holds too many memories of heartache and rejection. But when her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies and leaves his family home and acreage to her and their ten-year-old daughter Alycia, it’s an opportunity to change their lives for the better—a chance Brooklyn can’t pass up, for Alycia’s sake if not her own.

Derek Johnson, Chad’s best friend since boyhood, isn’t keen on the return of Brooklyn Myers to Thunder Creek. He still blames her for leading his friend astray. And now she has ruined his chance to buy the neighboring ten acres which would have allowed him to expand his organic farm. To add insult to injury, Chad’s dying request was that Derek become the father to Alycia that Chad never was. How can he keep that promise without also spending time with the girl’s mother?

Brought together by unexpected circumstances, Derek and Brooklyn must both confront challenges to their dreams and expectations. He must overcome long-held misconceptions about Brooklyn while she must learn to trust someone other than herself. And if they can do it, they just might discover that God has something better in mind than either of them ever imagined.

Review: The Memory of You by Catherine West

May 8, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie Mitchell shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. Natalie intends to close the gates, unless he can convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it.

A Respectable Actress by Dorothy Love

December 20, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

This month’s book theme for me seems to be historical fiction with widowers who had less than happy marriages to their first wives. Considering the context and the time period, this probably happened often. I’m just amused how some months my reading seems to have a theme. But really, when you enjoy the books, there’s really nothing to complain about, right?

Famed actress India Hartley is in Savannah, GA to begin a tour of theaters in the southern US. On her second night on stage, a tragedy occurs, and India is accused of murdering her co-star. She so stunned by the accusations and the events, she hardly notices the man who a benefactor hired as her lawyer.

Philip Sinclair’s law practice must succeed so he can restore his plantation home on St. Simon’s Island. In order to escape the public outcry, Philip convinces the judge to let him take India to his home, Indigo Point, until the trial date. Many parts and people of Georgia are struggling after the war, and St. Simon’s is no exception. The people of the island are surviving but Philip wants to create something to bring jobs and money to his island’s economy.

Once ensconced at Indigo Point, India tries to settle in. But mystery seems to follow her. There seems to be a shrine to someone in Philip’s home that India is kept out of, the people of the town have their own opinions of her, and, while she feels comforted in the presence of her lawyer, she’s quickly falling in love with him and fears what the future may bring (whether that be death by gallows or a life without theater or Philip).

Dorothy Love’s tale is told from only India’s perspective so the reader is left guessing at Philip’s thoughts and feelings right along with India. As they mystery weaves together, it’s a little convoluted but in the end, all of the moving parts come together for a satisfying conclusion. And reading about the theater during this time period was interesting and educational. It was enjoyable reading the story from the actress’s eyes.

***The Fiction Guild provided them with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.