Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: contemporary women’s fiction

  • An Editorial Review of “Swamp Secret” by Eleanor Tatum

    An Editorial Review of “Swamp Secret” by Eleanor Tatum

    With a cast of quirky, lovable characters and a unique, small-town setting of southeastern North Carolina country, Swamp Secret, by Eleanor Tatum, delivers an engaging tale of mystery, suspense, and romance. Readers will enjoy revisiting old friends and meeting new ones in this delightful sequel to Swamp Run.

    Suspecting that trouble might be brewing, Sheriff Earl Cunningham orders Deputy Alex Turner to be present at a local town hall meeting. Alex, who had been planning a relaxing evening watching sports on his friend’s large-screen television, is not amused—until he meets Councilman Eugene McLaurin’s niece from Chapel Hill, the lovely Dr. Jillian Royal. Jillian, a medical researcher working on a groundbreaking study into childhood obesity, is instantly attracted to the handsome deputy.

    As it turns out, Sheriff Cunningham was right to be concerned: The locals are up in arms over the exorbitant water bills for the properties surrounding the local lake that is the area’s most popular tourist attraction. Ex-Marine Stephen Kinney has organized a protest at the town meeting, which he disrupts by hinting at corruption and graft by the local council members and demanding answers about missing county revenues from the local liquor store chain. Jillian’s uncle becomes uncharacteristically belligerent—so angry, in fact, that he drops dead of a heart attack.

    A grieving Jillian and Alex both suspect that something was indeed troubling her normally level headed, ethical uncle. When they question her Aunt Muriel, she admits that her husband had brushed aside similar questions about the water bills from her sister Mildred who lives at the lake, saying that she “not concern herself” and that he “would take care of the problem.” Are the lake residents’ suspicions well-founded? Are liquor store revenues lining the pockets of council members and others in their sleepy  town? Or are they just troublemakers?

    The mystery deepens when Police Chief Joseph Sutton from Swamp Run fame breaks up a meeting at Mildred’s house on the lake to discuss the water bills, citing an obscure crowd-control ordinance that forbids more than four cars to be parked at one house on the lake without a permit. He wonders if the sheriff is merely concerned about his re-election, or is he a party to rampant graft? And what—if anything—does his connection to the mysterious Mr. Malacouti have to do with recent events? As more lives are put at risk, Jillian must use her medical investigative skills to help Alex unravel the mystery.

    Clever dialogue, humor, and a healthy dose of romance between Alex and Jillian will surely delight romance readers. Providing a deft balance of romance and mystery, Tatum plants intriguing clues and steadily builds suspense in a way that had this reviewer eagerly turning the pages to discover who is embezzling town funds and endangering the lives of its citizens.

    Swamp Secret by Eleanor Tatum earned First Place for Southern Romance Category, the 2013 Chatelaine Awards, a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions. We look forward to reading the sequel!

  • An Editorial Review of “Home Fires” by Judith Kirscht

    An Editorial Review of “Home Fires” by Judith Kirscht

    Home Fires by Judith Kirscht is a deeply emotional and dramatic story that unearths buried secrets kept by a family that spans three generations. The author unflinchingly faces the darker and often concealed sides of families and marriages and the dysfunctions that surface in a myriad of unexpected ways.

    Kirscht takes the reader to sunny Goleta, California, where her protagonist, Myra, takes her morning ritual of a walk by the tide pools. Then, immediately we learn the need for the ritual. Myra is fighting to keep troubled feelings about her marriage at bay.  The story takes off at breakneck speed when Myra can no longer deny her suspicions that her husband, Derek, has recently had an affair. When Myra confronts Derek, their conversation opens a Pandora’s Box of pent up feelings in her. Realizing this is not the first, nor likely will this be the last time he will cheat on her, Myra falls into a depression.

    Myra finds herself on the receiving end of several differing opinions as to what she should do about Derek’s infidelity. Derek’s mother tells Myra that in Derek’s profession, that of college professor, his behavior is to be expected, but more than that, it doesn’t make their relationship less important. She tells Myra that their men will always come back home to them after they become bored with their latest dalliance.

    Despite these reassurances Myra cannot bring herself to forgive Derek for what he has done. Myra decides to stay with Derek for the time being for the sake of their two teenage children, Peter and Susan.

    Late one night though, dark fears arise in Myra’s mind. Accusations and suspicion abound when Myra hears her daughter cry out and catches Derek coming out of her room. He tries to convince Myra that their daughter was merely having one of her many nightmares, but she is unable to believe him.

    Myra divorces Derek and begins a new life for herself. But when Derek makes a sudden reappearance, her world is turned upside down with new doubts, fears, and suspicions.

    Although this novel masterfully renders the emotional hardships and tragedies that are sometimes part of dysfunctional relationships, it is not depressing to read. It is an evocative story that does not force opinions or an agenda.

    Home Fires is an intelligently written, fast-paced family drama that unfolds into a suspenseful page-turner. With spot-on dialog and believable characters, Kirscht explores the complexities of human nature and family bonds that sometimes lurk beneath seemingly idyllic veneers of normalcy.

  • An Editorial Review of “Granddad’s House” by Kate Vale

    An Editorial Review of “Granddad’s House” by Kate Vale

    Granddad’s House is a contemporary romance that will captivate you and have you wanting more.

    While Granddad’s House stands on its own, you will find Vale’s characters so engaging that you will want to know more about them. Good thing that author Kate Vale has written (so far) four books in the On Geneva Shores series, which take place in the small Pacific Northwest town of Evergreen, Wash.

    The story begins as we meet attractive redheaded Olivia Brown, of Brown Family Realty, conducting an open house. The handsome Southern architect named Beauregard Elias James is touring it on behalf of a client who wants to turn it into a B&B.  Of course, Olivia knows not to reveal to him that the historic house is her family home, but, she does!  Why, she asks herself, did she break one of her own rules with this incorrigible man with awesome green eyes?  The family real estate business is central to the story line and that is where the author Vale’s real life expertise as a realtor along with the many awkward situations that they find themselves is seamlessly integrated into the adept writing.

    Granddad’s House  is an engaging read from page one that will make you laugh and cry as author Kate Vale portrays life’s struggles and conundrums with poignancy and touching honesty that rings true.

    Vale’s writing captures germane issues that women face in today’s world:  being torn about decisions made between life for oneself and the caring for a beloved elder who has dementia, the strife of feeling the need to be in at least three places at one time, the far reaching effects of the Middle East Conflict, along with the emotional bonds of family and friends, and the myriad of tugs that women must face as they navigate modern life’s complexities.

    If you want to get to know characters who embrace contemporary challenges with integrity and passion, then look no further than Kate Vale’s novels for a book about love and loss, friendship and family ties, and finding happiness.  Granddad’s House is an exemplary example of Vale’s encouraging and fortifying stories. While her writing is inspiriting, it does cross over to sensuousness in order for readers to identify with the issues we deal with in confronting our own sexuality in our daily lives.

    Kate Vale’s relevant women’s fiction story lines, believable characters and spot-on romantic flair assure that we will be hearing great things about this talented up-and-coming contemporary women’s fiction romance author.

    On Geneva Shores series by Kate Vale

    • Family Bonds starts the Geneva Shores series with Book 1. How can a couple overcome their families’ dark secrets and disparate backgrounds?
    • Granddad’s House is Book 2 of Geneva Shores.  Love transcends and gives hope.
    • Just Friends, Book 3 we follow the blossoming love of Olivia’s best friend, Sally, and Beau’s brother, Paul, a returning wounded soldier from Afghanistan.
    • Choices, Book 4 — look for our review! Can Sam, a long-time bachelor, commit himself to marriage and kids –especially when the kids propose the idea?