Shadows on the River & The Thanksgiving Target

Two suspense for your reading pleasure



Title: SHADOWS ON THE RIVER
Author: Linda Hall
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-373-44336-9
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Ally was only fourteen when she witnessed a murder on the riverbank. The murder went unpunished because it was a prominent family, and they convinced everyone that Ally couldn’t have seen what she thought she saw—that Ally was crazy and needed help. Ally’s father ended up losing his job and they were forced to move away from the community.

Years later, Ally still wonders if she imagined the whole thing. But when the murderers financial advisor is killed, Ally is out for revenge. This man, Larry, can’t get away with two murders. And when a new employee at the boat design place where Ally works seems to have an agenda against Larry, they team up to prove his guilt.

But soon, some one seems to be targeting Ally and her young daughter Maddy. And when someone else is killed, the solving takes a sense of urgency.

SHADOWS ON THE RIVER is probably the best Love Inspired Suspense I’ve read in a long time. Definitely different than the rest, this one still held my interest to the end. Written in first person, I got to know that main character, Ally, very well, and I also grew to care for her deaf daughter, Maddy, and Ally’s small circle of friends.

If you are looking for a good suspense, then SHADOWS ON THE RIVER is definitely one to consider. While I did figure out who the killer was pretty early, I still wanted to keep reading to see how the story played out. Ms. Hall made me care about the characters in this book. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. Available from www.steeplehill.com. $5.50. 204 pages.

****

Title: THE THANKSGIVING TARGET
Author: Laura Scott
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
November 2009
ISBN: 978-0-373-44364-2
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Army lieutenant Max Forrester is excited to be stateside and able to celebrate Thanksgiving with his sister, Melissa. He’s been in Iraq for some time, and has missed seeing his little sister. But when Max arrives in town, he discovers that Melissa is in the hospital beaten into a coma by her boyfriend, Gary. And now Melissa is fighting for her life.

Tara Carmichael is Melissa’s social worker. She was stunned when the hospital calls to tell her about Melissa’s condition, and horrified to learn that Melissa’s abusive boyfriend has been allowed to do this to her. When Max arrives on the scene, Tara is apprehensive, until she is able to prove that Max is who he says he is.

But it soon becomes apparent that someone is after Tara as well. Max is torn between being at his sister’s side and taking care of the woman who cares for his sister. If only he could find a way to care for both women at once. But Tara and Melissa aren’t the only ones in danger when the stalker’s true target is revealed…

THE THANKSGIVING TARGET is the first book I’ve read by Laura Scott, and since I can’t find any information on previously published books, I believe this is her debut novel. THE THANKSGIVING TARGET is a well-written story, with a voice that is unique in the suspense line.

I enjoyed getting to know Tara and Max. They are both well-developed characters with issues to work through that could hamper their eventual get-together. Ms. Scott did an excellent job writing a formula story, but still one that held my attention from the beginning to the end. I look forward to reading many more books by Ms. Scott in the future. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.

Thank you to the author and The Suspense Zone for providing the copy of these books for review.