Review: Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens

by Colleen Coble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 352

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads: “I need you to keep these girls safe . . .”

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.

The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Kritters Thoughts:  The third in a series and while this book centers around a different character than the first two, I would still read these in a row, so pause what you are doing and go grab the first one - The Inn at Ocean's Edge.  

This book centers around Kate Mason who has forgone her own dreams in order to put her family first.  Her sister lives close by and plays a big part in the book and she was the main character in book one, again go read that one!!  Kate is living on her family's property and wondering what is next for herself when Drake Newham shows up with his two nieces in tow.  Drake is trying to keep his nieces safe and also take a much-needed break from work and Kate's guest house and attention for his nieces is exactly what they all need.  

As we all know from the beginning that we will end up with a happily ever after but the twists and turns to get there will be worth it completely.  At one point, I may have felt as though there was just a little too much mystery, but because it all resolved in the end, I could keep it straight and enjoy the ride.  

I was already a Colleen Coble fan before starting this book and was excited to complete the series, so grab this one if you have already read book one and two and feel the joy of completion.    

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

True Crime Story

by Joseph Knox

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Pages: 400

Format: eARC and audiobook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The thrilling story of a university student's sudden disappearance, the woman who became obsessed with her case, and the crime writer who uncovered the chilling truth about what happened...

In 2011, Zoe Nolan walked out of her dormitory in Manchester and was never seen or heard from again. Her case went cold. Her story was sad, certainly, but hardly sensational, crime writer Joseph Knox thought. He wouldn't have given her any more thought were it not for his friend, Evelyn Mitchell. Another writer struggling to come up with a new idea, Evelyn was wondering just what happened to all the girls who go missing. What happened to the Zoe Nolan's of the world?

Evelyn began investigating herself, interviewing Zoe's family and friends, and emailing Joseph with chapters of the book she was writing with her findings. Uneasy with the corkscrew twists and turns, Joseph Knox embedded himself in the case, ultimately discovering a truth more tragic and shocking than he could have possibly imagined...

Kritters Thoughts:  A book that throughout felt like a piece of non-fiction as the twists and turns of this "case" unfolded and I tried to find out who would want this young woman with a bright future to be gone - there were many likely suspects!  Zoe Nolan went missing one night from her apartment building in Manchester and there are many people who could be involved with her disappearance.  An author Evelyn Mitchell is interested in investigating and writing a book and along with Joseph Knox they bring this story to life, but some of that is fiction and some non fiction!  

I knew very little before going into this book and I hope to keep that way for you as I loved my reading experience going in blind and not knowing where this book will go.  I read this book mostly via audiobook and I completely recommend reading this one that way as they had a great cast of characters that really made this book come alive.  And also, reading in this form made it feel as though this book was a series of podcasts episodes and for me that was a big plus.  I have a hard time with audiobooks and listening to it as if each chapter was a podcast worked so well for me!

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.