Pamela Fagan Hutchins

A one-day book (rather, night-to-nearly dawn) reading adventure is rare for me, and proof that I could not pause reading this one until the end. I do recommend reading the previous books in the series to fully appreciate all the characters; familiarity with previous interactions makes it a richer experience.

My initial reaction in the opening chapter was NO WAY is Patrick Flint going to successfully convince any family member to go camping again! After their recent (mis)adventures, I thought show more his wife very wise to stay home. Should have guessed I was wrong in both! This time danger and heart-stopping events became nail-biting on two fronts.

Without spoilers, I can say there are some very annoying characters aside from the true villains, but also events that soften the heart toward them. I hope this series keeps going until the teenage years of angst are tempered by some maturity and better (or at least less impulsive) decisions! Hutchins's talent and care for her characters have created a flawed, passionate family so authentic that they seem to walk off the page and into the reader's world.

This series has mystery, adventure, humor, moments of fear/terror, tender scenes, and striking scenery. It provided many hours of escape from the realities of 2020 and 2021. I recommend spending time with the Flints and you too will be anticipating their next escapade.

This review is from an advance reader's copy provided with a request for an honest review. show less

Bombshell by Pamela Fagan Hutchins is a sexy, sassy, complex romantic mystery – and I’m hooked. The story opens with our first introduction to Ava: “I’m getting too old for this shit”. That line sets the tone for this novel because Ava is no-nonsense. In fact, if you like a flawed heroine, this is the girl for you; she is strong, smart, self-aware and is battling some demons from her childhood. She’s a single mom, a lounge singer by night, office worker by day, determined and NOT show more afraid of her sexuality. She is very real as she faces her insecurities and the prejudices of others. While this is a very plot-driven story, the author has done an amazing job with bringing Ava to life in full Technicolor (and surround sound).

She is a bit larger than life at times, and in others, she is very human – faltering, self-doubting, struggling, and real.
While Ava’s character is intriguing on her own, Bombshell offers a layered storyline with murder, suspense, intrigue, and a few unexpected twists, along with romance (and a few unapologetically sexed-up scenes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.) This is a fast-paced novel and it sucked me in pretty quickly, and the Caribbean vibe was a nice change of setting.

Ava’s story is actually the ninth entry in Hutchins’ What Doesn’t Kill You series, and you definitely don’t need to have read Katie, Michelle or Emily’s stories before you start off with Ava’s. There’s enough back story provided for context – and just enough to make you curious about their stories. I’ll definitely be heading back for more of the What Doesn’t Kill You mysteries – and awaiting what happens next for Ava.

Bombshell surprised me – it was a really fun ride.

I was provided a copy of the book for review purposes; all thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

A blizzard…oh yeah. I love a book that starts out with some natural disaster. And with Patrick Flint, I know there is trouble on the way

Patrick Flint is a doctor that goes above and beyond his duty. Today he is on his way to the Wind River Indian Reservation, while Susanne is having the family in for Christmas and dealing with her teenage daughter’s love life… Brandon plays a part in the first book of the series, Switchback, so I won’t tell you his story. Pamela Fagan Hutchins does show more highlight the events, so you miss nothing, except another wonderful love story with some mystery thrown in. Each book can stand alone.

I do love when an author includes some native mysticism.

A life is taken, a life is born.

Due to the blizzard, Susanne is unable to contact Patrick. He is trapped in town with no phone, no internet, no way to let her know he arrived and is okay. That’s all right, though. Susanne is coming to the rescue…along with the family, mom, dad, son, daughter, and a stowaway.

I love this feisty, courageous wife and mother.

I am loving this series that is loosely based on Pamela Fagan Hutchins personal life. I guess that’s why the characters come through as authentic and real.

There are so many suspects, I can’t find the guilty party. I love when an author keeps me guessing.

Pamela Fagan Hutchins’ writing is easy to read and engrossing, with a mystery that grows on every page and true to life characters that mature and develop throughout each book. I look forward to finding out what will happen next, seeing Patrick Flint’s middle name should be Trouble, with a capital T. LOL

A man is only as strong as the woman behind him. LOL

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Snake Oil by Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

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I love the cover and the location, the Virgin Islands, for Pamela Fagan Hutchins’ Saving Grace. It was all I hoped it would be.

I was relating to Katie quickly, wrapping her napkin neatly around her beer, playing pool and winning, but that’s where the similarities ended. I don’t drink and text and neither should she. I find it terrible that a lawyer would act like she did, especially in a room with all her coworkers. She acts like an obsessively love struck teenager.

The beginning is show more abrupt and I was thrown right into the story and I don’t much like Katie right now. But, let’s see if there is a reason for her being so out of control and sophomoric.

The name dropping got a bit annoying…Dennis the Menace, Bon Jovi, Direct TV, iPhone, Ihop, Hooters, Vaio, Dell, Blackberry…you get the drift.

An intervention sent her to St Marcos in her quest to solve the mystery of her parents death and get her act together. Enter Ava, who in her way introduced Katie to Annalise, Hebrew for Grace, an abandoned mansion that spoke to Katie. Now Pamela has my attention! Who…or what… is really doing the talking?

Katie loved walking on the beach and it cleared her mind. Now, we’re getting together.

Oh man, guess it had to happen, but I’m disappointed how her trip ended. I have a feeling that will change. It was just getting good for me, but I feel there is a lot more to come.

When the news came over the phone after one of the worst days of her life, I got super excited too. My heart beat faster, a smile came to my face, and I began racing through the pages. Oh yeah, now we’re cooking with Caribbean heat.

She got a pick up with a lift kit and cruised off to her new life. I want to be there!! I love to bury my feet in the sand and I have enjoyed a PainKiller or two.

I’m afraid for her and her friends. In the islands anything can happen. The suspense is mounting, the tension building. I can feel it. I see it coming. Does she?

I didn’t like Katie’s whining and sniveling for the longest time, but her growth and development, her willingness to see herself as she really was and make changes, made me like her more and more.

Now…after thinking I wasn’t going to like this so much…I find myself hating for it to end and wanting more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Saving Grace by Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

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