After being forced out of her job as a school teacher after upwards of 25 years and being on the receiving end of some nasty school politics, Nicola oAfter being forced out of her job as a school teacher after upwards of 25 years and being on the receiving end of some nasty school politics, Nicola opens the cafe she’s always dreamed of and her life begins to turn a corner. That is, apart from having her mother as a permanent houseguest and until her young American waitress, Jessica, doesn’t show up for work one day and is nowhere to be found. As Nicola becomes increasing worried she phones Jessica’s family in the United States. Nicola has no idea how this will impact on her life.
Jessica’s good looking but very uncommunicative and aloof father, Jack Nash, arrives in response to Nicola’s call. The local police aren’t making Jessica’s disappearance a priority so, as he is a detective in Chicago, Jack decides to start his own investigation and search for his missing daughter. Nicola, Jack, Nicola’s mother and her boyfriend, Ron, find themselves embroiled in a situation they could never have envisioned and are drawn into something very threatening and dangerous.
There’s a lot of action and suspense throughout the story which held my attention fully. I can’t make up my mind if Nicola is very brave or very foolish. Maybe I’ll settle for a mixture of both. It’s a nice change for the main protagonist to be an older woman and Nicola is easy to like, and someone who puts others first. She’s also someone to rely on. All the characters are well drawn and easy to picture in the vivid scenes and places running through my mind.
Nicola and her mother have a complex relationship and they exasperate and comfort each other in equal measure. I like the role reversal, Nicola being the one shocked and embarrassed by what she sees as her mother’s irresponsible behaviour. In the end though, Nicola realises family, friends and dependability are everything, finding love is a bonus.
I enjoyed the story, the humour and E.L. Lindley’s writing style, very much.
The story is narrated by Tucker, lately of Beddingfield College, who happens to be a highly skilled Chinese chef, a martial arts practitioner and he aThe story is narrated by Tucker, lately of Beddingfield College, who happens to be a highly skilled Chinese chef, a martial arts practitioner and he also speaks Mandarin. After picking up hitchhiker Corinne Chang, a gemologist from Montreal, on his way to St Louis to hook up with his best friend, Langston Wu, they are entangled in a caper involving criminals, diamonds, murder and the FBI. Each chapter begins with one of Tucker’s rules, of which he seems to have an unending list, relating to unfolding events..
Tucker is a charming protagonist, if a little unconventional, full of quick, witty dialogue, tough yet sensitive. The banter between him and Corinne is fun and their attraction to each other is touching. Original and off-beat characters, Chinese culture in-depth and romance, sometimes it’s a refreshing change to have a more lighthearted mystery without the deep and dark aspect. The action scenes with Tucker using xing-i, his preferred form of martial arts, are well written and very interesting.
The author is unmistakably very knowledgable about Chinese food, it’s preparation and cooking, as well as the workings of a Chinese restaurant kitchen. It was interesting to follow ‘a day in the life’ of a chef and fun to have an insider’s view of the kitchen and what goes on, especially the insults that are thrown back and forth as a matter of course and in a non serious way.
For me, a little more time could have been spent on the plot and the characters, the cookery and food descriptions, although incredibly and deliciously detailed, seemed to take over at times and overshadow the main story. ...more
I was given an Arc which in no way influenced my review
The Deschanels have serious issues to confront and deal with, not least finding Ana and Aidrik I was given an Arc which in no way influenced my review
The Deschanels have serious issues to confront and deal with, not least finding Ana and Aidrik before any harm befalls them. Nicolas has passed on his inheritance to Ana and so to her son. But the baby must be born in wedlock. Will Finn, Anne and Tristan find Ana and Aidrik in time? And will Finn and Aidrik come to terms with the knowledge they both love Ana and she them.
The spectre of the Empyreans’ Eldre Senetat hangs over the Deschanels and their families. They know if the Senetat finds out about them their lives will be in mortal danger. I love the way this story is evolving and the direction it will take is anyone’s guess. I’m looking forward very much to finding out what happens next.
There are some new characters introduced, most notably Tristan who adds to the story and matures quite quickly on this, his first mission for the family.
There’s a lot of character development in Bound. Nicolas is growing up and taking his responsibilities more seriously and even if his self-confidence has suffered a blow there are still flashes of the old Nic. And Ana, in spite of everything that’s happened to her, is finally comfortable with who she is as her emotional tug of war is resolved. I love that Finn is as steadfast as ever and never wavers in his determination to reach Ana.
Although some matters are cleared up this book sets up the excitement and uncertainty of what will happen with the Empyreans. As always, Sarah Cradit’s writing is so evocative and visual and Ana and Finn’s story is quite emotional. The descriptions of Wales are so detailed, I could almost feel as though I were there, shivering in the cold. I love reading or listening and being transported by wonderful writing right into the middle of the story....more
After leaving Maine and Ana, Nicolas has sunk deeply into a depression. So much so that he takes the decision to travel to the fame’s holiday island aAfter leaving Maine and Ana, Nicolas has sunk deeply into a depression. So much so that he takes the decision to travel to the fame’s holiday island and end it all. He can see no way forward and has no will to carry on. The betrayal he feels is all encompassing and he can’t see a way past it.
Believing himself to be alone on the island he’s incredulous and dismayed when he sees a mysterious woman sitting on the beach. Even in the midst of his own despair Nicolas feels obliged to help and with this decision lives are changed forever. Nicolas and Ana learn of their true heritage, finding the reality of it all almost impossible to grasp.
Thoughts
This series just gets better! The inclusion of Mercy, Aidrik and the whole idea of the complex Empyrean race takes this chapter in the lives of the Deschanels to a whole new level and dimension. The fantasy/paranormal aspect deepens significantly and adds a very interesting twist.
I like the intriguing and expanding development of the characters, especially Nicolas. He’s not such a shallow, all for himself person as Mercy works her magic and the story unfolds.
Nothing is as it seems and although each member of the Deschanel family have their own special abilities, they are not always aware of their own power and what it means. A lot is explained when Aidrik appears at Ophélie and valuable lessons are learned.
Fascinating and wonderful storytelling, very well written. Also, as an aside, all the book covers are beautifully designed and very evocative. ...more
I received a digital copy from the author in return for an honest review.
Ana Deschanel flees New Orleans for the family house on Summer Islan4.5 stars
I received a digital copy from the author in return for an honest review.
Ana Deschanel flees New Orleans for the family house on Summer Island, Maine. She can’t forgive herself for something she’s done and, although she’s very close to her cousin, she can’t even confide in Nicolas.
Ana finds the people on Summer Island cold and distant, none more so than Jonathan St Andrews, the island’s vet. The only friendly face is Alex Whitman, the caretaker who it transpires is not at all what he seems. Then Ana meets Jonathan’s brother Finn, the complete opposite of Jonathan. After she and Finn share a dinner there is the beginnings of a friendship. In the midst of a snow storm Ana is injured as she tries to return Finn’s keys.
Some of the Deschanels are gifted with special abilities and Ana’s gift is that of a healer. It is a gift she is going to need very much in the days to come. Ana finds out running away from problems isn’t always the answer and can lead to even worse situations. She is a complex personality, having always felt removed from others and unable to relate emotionally, except to Nicolas.
Thoughts
I enjoyed each chapter being written from the different characters’ point of view, it helped to understand and get t know them. Each was well written and developed.
The story flowed well too and each character had his or her own individual flaws and personality traits, humanizing them and adding to the tension and intrigue.
As in the previous novels Ms Cradit’s style of writing is extremely descriptive, giving a vivid and dramatic picture of the place and events in the story. The story itself is a good combination of murder mystery and suspense with a dash of romance. I’m intrigued to follow the characters and find out what happens next....more
Adrienne Deschanel ‘came back from the dead’ after being missing for three years following the accident which killed all the members of her family excAdrienne Deschanel ‘came back from the dead’ after being missing for three years following the accident which killed all the members of her family except for her brother, Nicolas. Since her return a year ago they have been inundated with calls from people claiming to have been a part of Adrienne’s previous life. Oz Sullivan, now Adrienne’s husband, is also the Deschanel’s lawyer and is dealing with the unwanted attention.
Anne Fontaine was born in a cabin in the bayou. When her mother dies she sets out for New Orleans in the hopes of meeting her sister again and finding out more about her background and the strange power she possesses.
Thoughts
A very interesting and engaging story that gives more of an insight into Anne’s character and her place in the family. I like the introduction of the paranormal aspect and as with the first novel, this one is very well written and beautifully descriptive and has a lot of depth for such a short story....more
Oz Sullivan was 21 and totally infatuated by Adrienne Deschanel despite the fact she was only 16 and the sister of his best friend. They bega3.5 stars
Oz Sullivan was 21 and totally infatuated by Adrienne Deschanel despite the fact she was only 16 and the sister of his best friend. They began a love affair aided by Nicolas, Oz’s friend and Adrienne’s brother, who lets them meet at his home. That is, until they were discovered by Adrienne’s father and she was forbidden to see Oz again.
Adrienne’s parents intervened further and decided to take Adrienne and her sisters away on holiday. Oz and Adrienne made plans to elope. Before they could take their plans further the family lost their lives in a tragic accident. Her father, mother and sisters, all dead, but Adrienne’s body was never found.
Three years pass and Oz is an attorney in the family firm. His life is turned upside down when he learns Adrienne has been found but with no memory of her life before the accident. He’s reluctant to open old wounds but finds himself drawn into the unfolding drama.
Thoughts
The first quarter or so of the book was slightly confusing due to the storyline flashbacks, time frames and different points of view, I think because they were quite long and detailed and, if I’m honest, hard to grasp initially.
The writing is very descriptive and makes New Orleans come alive and the pictures in my head of Oz’s cottage were lovely. I want to live there! Sometimes during the story I found it quite hard to like Adrienne, she came across as quite selfish and childish more so than when she was younger.
It’s a story of love and loss with overlapping aspects of mystery and deception. The threads of the story were woven together well and once I was drawn in I enjoyed it a lot.
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