Patricia McLinn

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was engaging and the characters were easy to get to know. The mystery itself had many suspects and motives. The author could have easily made the characters stereotypes but actually gave each character assets as well as flaws without making them seem comical or too exaggerated.

Highlights for me was the author showing how a small town can surround itself in a protective shield sometimes versus risking bad light on the community. Coming from a small show more town this is pretty accurate – I also liked the fact that the main character started to rely on her co-workers more throughout the book. It showed growth on both the characters and co-workers part as the relationship developed.

The reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars lies in the main character. She wasn’t naturally likable and her inner monologues brought the story’s pace dragging down at different points in the story. So I just couldn’t give it another star.

The narrator did a fabulous job on the voices and I look forward to the next book in the series. show less

I can't remember why I put this particular book on my 'to read list this month. Probably because it's theme is like others I have recently read, and I wanted to see this author's treatment.
What theme? (I'm sure you just asked). The theme is a female news reporter, divorced from a fellow news reporter/news director/station manager who exiles her from her position; when he can no longer use her to further his career, to a podunk career-ending station.
I was unprepared for an absorbing, show more twisting mystery trying to answer Means, Motive Opportunity.
Well-written with characters that are believable, characters with flaws and personal questions, characters with stoicism and panache. A enjoyable and satisfying read. show less

Kendra has a one-night stand in a hurricane in a South American island with a man who is known locally as a miracle worker but who speaks no English. As she raises her son, the product of that night, she is visited by Daniel who reveals to her that the hurricane is the only thing that she understood about that night which is really true. Kendra has to learn to trust Daniel and they both have to find a place for him in Matthew's life and the community in which they live.

Reasonable standard show more fare, no surprises but well written and entertaining. show less

This was a great story, that made me struggle with my rating. While I enjoyed the atmosphere and the festive emotions, I did not like the romance and I missed out on some of the background stuff about our main characters.

April is a delight. She has only love and kindness in her heart for everybody and seems not to be familiar with hate or any kind of bad emotions. She takes the bad in her life as it comes. Yes, unfortunate things happen, now we have to deal with them and sort everything show more out. Her positive attitude does not pass unnoticed by the grumpier characters and I love the effect she has on them.
Hunter’s professional attitude is visible throughout the book. He never breaches protocol, he never acts in an unprofessional way and definitely he doesn’t let his emotions run free. However, April manages to crack that wall a little bit and slip through it. He will start appreciating the little things more and all thanks to her.

The Christmas spirit is definitely present in the book and the representation is perfectly done. We see all the loved ones around the Christmas tree, with the cooking, the present sharing and all the traditional elements. It felt cozy, like family moments should be. I loved that very much

However, I did not enjoy the romance, especially the intimate moments. They felt forced and out of place. To be honest, I didn’t see the need adding those scenes, especially if the author was not comfortable writing them. The book is much better without that part. Also, I missed some parts in April’s professional background. She didn’t seem to have a stable career and at her age, she still didn’t know where she wanted her career to go to.

Putting in balance the good and the not so good elements, I cannot give more than 3 stars, and that is mainly because I felt the Christmas festivities being so well done. show less