Susan Clayton-Goldner

A River of Silence by Susan Clayton-Goldner
A Winston Radhauser Mystery #3

Excellent in all ways!

Imagine being imprisoned for something you did not do.
Imagine being hearing impaired in prison.
Imagine being beaten physically and mentally for the crime they say you committed.
Imagine being the detective who believes the criminal innocent.
Imagine being the public defender preparing to defend and innocent man.

And…imagine reading a book that brought life to every nuance of the characters and show more supporting characters as they fought for justice throughout the book. Sensational story that appealed to all of my senses and to my heart – I felt for Caleb Bryce as his story unfolded and understood Kendra as she fought for his life. I believed in Detective Radhauser and felt his pain as he dealt with issues in his life that were on the sidelines but oh so very present as he worked to ensure the truth would be revealed about the death of an innocent toddler.

Every emotion, feeling and scene resonated within me as I read into the wee hours of the morning to find out how this mystery would be resolved…and have to say this book will stay with me for some time because it was oh so very good in all ways.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars show less

Lake of Bad Dreams by Susan Clayton-Goldner
A Winston Radhuaser Mystery #8

High School Massacre - Teens dead
Broadcasted via police radia
Detective Radhauser first on scene and he sees
Teens in disarray with dead and dying visible
Does he go in – or does he wait?
He is a lawman, husband and father – he cares, he could die

Will Radhauser find the culprit?
Will justice be served?
Will it ever make sense and if so…how and why?

I was lucky enough to come into this author’s writing journey early on show more and have loved every book I have been blessed with since our journey together has progressed. I have been beta-reader and reviewer and have enjoyed every moment of the journey. I love her stories because they draw me in, make me think, make me scramble as the story unfolds…and I FEEL throughout not only as the good guy but also as the bad. I applaud this author and gladly recommend her work to any who want to dip their toes into a story that has substance, makes the reader feel and provides more than just a “who done it”

This book deals with a high school shooting but it has more threads to weave than just teens dealing with what might seem simple issues. No, this brings in so many people and facets that impact those people that then interweave and coalesce to create a story that leaves the reader…gasping…and yet…understanding while wanting to pound people and shake them and make things other than what actually happened on the pages. I really cannot get into the mind of this author because her portrayal of killer and casualty and then those on the sidelines is exquisite. And the way she crafts her stories sometimes boggles my mind BUT I applaud her for not making it and easy read – I always come away wanting to read Radhuaser’s next book though hate to think of the emotional trauma he will endure.

Was this book worth reading? Definitely
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars show less

A Bend in the Willow by Susan Clayton-Goldner

Beautifully bittersweet – this is the story of Robin Lee’s childhood, the events that formed and tested her, and what she did to finally move on and become the woman known as Catherine Henry. As Catherine her life is everything she dreamed it would be but it is based on lies and she fears that one day she will be exposed. When her five year old son is diagnosed with leukemia and a bone marrow transplant is all that can save him Catherine has show more to face people and places she has not seen in twenty years. What she finds is an astounding story of giving, living and love.

This is a novel that kept me reading, made me think, made me feel and left me with hope at the end. One phrase hit me so I highlighted it: …she (Catherine) remained certain there were some truths that needed to stay hidden. Perhaps that was the crucial difference. Not whether you always told the absolute truth, but what you knew in your heart was worth lying for…

I loved the characters, the story and the writing. I am thankful to Tirgearr Publishing and the author for the copy of this book. I have never read anything by this author before but will look for her in the future. I rate it at five or more stars but since five is the limit will leave it at that and tell you that if you like a great story then this one might be for you.

5 Stars show less

Superb. Goldner's writing is poetic and flavorful without being too showy for itself. You melt into the story with the choice of her words.
The story itself is heart wrenching, thoughtful and compassionate. The characters are multidimensional and I felt as if I knew them. I can't remember the last time a book brought me to tears, and Robin Lee's tale did that more than once. That's not to say this book is a downer, it's not. It deals with some major life altering situations, but the humanity show more and love that glows throughout it will move you like no other. A definite for your shelf this year.
*I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review show less