4/5 Review: After She's Gone by Lisa Jackson

Cassie Kramer and her younger sister, Allie, learned the hazards of fame long ago. Together, they’d survived the horror of a crazed fan who nearly killed their mother, former Hollywood actress Jenna Hughes. Still, Cassie moved to L.A., urging Allie to follow. As a team, they’d take the town by storm. But Allie, finally free of small-town Oregon, and just that little bit more beautiful, also proved to be more talented—and driven. Where Cassie got bit parts, Allie rose to stardom. But now her body double has been shot on the set of her latest movie—and Allie is missing.

Police discover that the last call to Allie’s phone came from Cassie, though she has no recollection of making it. Instead of looking like a concerned relative, Cassie is starting to look like a suspect—the jealous sister who finally grew sick of playing a supporting role. As the tabloids go into a frenzy, Cassie ends up on a Portland psych ward. Is she just imagining the sinister figure who comes to her bedside, whispering about Allie—a visitor of whom there is no record? Is someone trying to help—or drive her mad?

Convinced she’s the only one who can find Allie, Cassie checks herself out of the hospital. But a sudden slew of macabre murders— each victim masked with a likeness of a member of Cassie’s family—makes Cassie fear for her safety and her sanity. The only way to end the nightmare is to find out what really happened to Allie. And with each discovery, Cassie realizes that no one can be trusted to keep her safe—least of all herself…

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This was truly a strong suspense novel. I realize that it's billed as a "romantic suspense" but trust me there is hardly any romance to be found in these pages so those of you that are scared off by the idea of romance will be safe in picking up this title. There were a lot of character's but I don't think there were so many that one could not keep track of what was going on. Really I feel that each character did play it's part in the telling of the story. The story line was excellent and the characters carried with them enough baggage to help you understand their actions. The suspense was awesome and kept me guessing until the very end.

This novel is everything I enjoy about reading: characters who act their age, romance that seems natural and realistic, a mystery that makes you change you mind about "whodunnit" a dozen times before it is revealed, high stakes, I could go on and on.

I like that the characters had a past. It sounds complicated, but it helps the reader follow the story, rather than complicate everything by throwing in flash backs. I have read plenty of novels by this author, and she has a definite style. Even the novels she writes with her equally talented sister, Nancy Bush, there is a definite difference, although it does not distract from the story. I think I only notice because I have read novels by both sisters. On a related note, HUSH by Nancy Bush is awesome. The genre is the same, and it's a great novel.

Lisa Jackson writes lengthy books, so you get a lot for the price. The only drawback is that some of her books can drag in places, but never for long, and it always goes somewhere. She had a few series that I recommend, although my all time favorite books of hers are the ones set in Oregon.

The twists and turns in this book are hard to predict and keep things very unsettling. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, you’re wrong. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. It’s been awhile since I have read a suspense novel this good. The characters are very well written and I was truly invested in what happens to them. Leah portrays a strong woman that fights very hard to regain her footing after spending the past 4 years still looking over her shoulder. Cassie Kramer is our heroine, who is the daughter of former well known Hollywood actress. Cassie and her sister, Allie tried to follow in their mother’s footsteps, with Allie becoming a star. Cassie  decides that she is the only one able to find her sister. I just may have to go back and read the other books in the series to get to know them better.



4/5 Review: Hearth Song (Home In The Hills) by Lois Greiman

Bravura Lambert has a daughter to raise, a tumbledown house to restore, and a struggling business to run. She doesn't have time to cry over a husband who only shows up when he needs money. She also doesn't need Tonk Redhawk, a Native American artist and wild horse jockey, interfering in her life. So what if he's charming and helpful and makes her autistic five-year-old giggle until she can't stand up? Bravura's husband, Dane, was once all those things too.

When Dane returns to find Tonk's horses in Bravura's pasture and his tools in her shed, he insists on moving back home. Despite his faults, Bravura longs to make her marriage work--after all, she took a vow. But then Dane does the unthinkable, forcing Bravura to finally face the truth about her choices--and about how deeply Tonk cares for her. Once she opens her eyes, she just may be able to open her heart. . .

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As a first-time reader of Ms.Greiman, I have to say I really enjoyed it. It's quick, light reading but yet has enough meat and substance to keep the reader from feeling they just consumed massive amounts of fluff. There are a couple of plot twists that keep this story from being all starlight and sunshine plus the writing is good enough to be competitive with other writers. Also this book is #2 in a series.

This story is beautifully written. The author does a great job in writing the characters....Bravura Lambert has a five year old autistic daughter Lily and a husband Dane, who she has not seen since he left for a job out of town a year ago. Without telling her Dane decides to just come back home and Bravura is not happy about it but he is her husband and so tries to make the best of it.You truly feel for Vura and want her to stand up to Dane, who is truly an evil man. My favorite character in the story is Tonk Redhawk, a man who is fighting against demons of his own and still manages to be a good man.


Based upon this book, I will be looking to read more from this author. My only issue is that the overall story has to many details of his misdeeds and of his need to lie her time after time.From my perspective, I really didn't like that he was so willing to not be honest with the woman he is supposed to love. There was enough romance to keep it interesting, but the relationships and struggles of the characters are what made it - she did a great job of getting inside the characters and making the reader feel what the characters were feeling.Books like this often have plot twists - sometimes the author gets it right - sometimes not. In this case, not only does Lois Greiman get's it right, she turns it up a notch. I don't want to give away the surprise at the end, because it really create a very creative and powerful ending; but if you like a story that twists you in a dozen turns before arriving at a satisfying conclusion, this is a book for you.