Monday, August 22, 2011

Double Deceit Blog Tour

  If you enjoy clean Romantic Suspense, get your hands on a copy of Stephanie Humphrey's Double Deceit. My review is below, and you can Win my gently used copy through a random drawing from all appropriate comments this week who are followers. It's that easy! Leave a comment and make sure you're a follower between now and midnight Saturday. I'll post the winner Monday August 29. Stephanie Humphreys is also having an easy contest (see below). Her book kept me intrigued and guessing throughout the plot turns.
Back Cover Blurb:
  Someone is watching . . .
  As a young widow, all Elaina Bryant wants is a fresh start. Determined to put ten painful years behind her, she returns to her hometown and moves in with her sister, Natalie. Elaina soon accepts a job working at a small bookstore owned by the handsome Ryan Hill and his mother. Despite her reluctance to become romantically involved with anyone, she is drawn to Ryan and finds herself falling in love.
  But someone isn’t happy with Elaina’s new life and is watching her every move. Her tormenter seems determined to destroy her sanity and her future, but Elaina can’t convince anyone the threat is real. Natalie is preoccupied with her own blossoming romance, and their friend Peter, a police officer, seems to believe the threat has been manufactured in Elaina’s own mind as a result of her guilt and grief.
  Now Elaina’s plans for a new start are crashing down around her. She knows she will have to find the answers before she can overcome the past and enjoy love and happiness again. But how can she protect those she loves when she doesn’t know whom to trust?

My Review:
  Looking at the book, I first thought it had a great title and intriguing cover and back blurb. I was wary of the too perfect main character with excessive makeup but quickly warmed to her as I started reading.
  Elaina, the MC, comes with her own set of insecurities and flaws, including a failed marriage. There were interesting supporting characters with their own stories. I liked how Humphreys simultaneously showed Elania's character growth while trying to fight becoming crazy. Contrasting this was a likeable sister, Natalie, who became insensitive and self-absorbed due to a new boyfriend's attention. I knew not to like Chad though Elaina struggled to lend sisterly support. That was good tension. Friend Peter made me angry when he showed his spineless side, but there were reasons for it. Nearly-perfect love interest, Ryan, played it right most of the time. Ryan's mother possessed a quirkiness that was refreshing. These characters elicited reader emotions that pulled me into the story.
  The plot developed nicely. There were places of tension and rest from it, all building to a suspenseful climax. Non-LDS readers should have no trouble understanding content or enjoying this book. Humphreys' managed to hold my interest and keep me guessing.
  Visit Humphreys at http://shumphreys.blogspot.com and enter the great contest she has going on.

7 comments:

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Thanks for the great review Renae!

Angie said...

It looks like a great book. I am following!

kbrebes said...

Nice review, Renae. Sorry to hear DB didn't pick up your novel after five months, but have my fingers crossed for your next book! Glad you're letting optimism rule!

Vivien said...

This does sound great!

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Yes, and somebody is going to get it sent to them! Keep the comments flowing.

Amydee Mackley Fawcett said...

Sounds interesting, I would love to read it, but my reading list is pretty long. However, I think my girls would enjoy it.

Donna K. Weaver said...

*heads over*