A very enthralling and deep story based on actual events, one persons fear of being stalked by someone who had tried to kill them and her friends. This book will really make you think about how much you protect your family and friends from a danger that you cannot see or distinguish. Imagine feeling on edge and nervous not knowing when an attack could happen at any time. The authors writing will have you feeling all of the emotions as you feel that you are in the thick of the plot.

Just when our heroine thinks she has found a new love and the prospect of rebuilding her life she faces problems that she couldn't envisage, Surrounded by friends who share her past experiences and the FBI trying to trace her stalker the story builds to an exciting climax.

An exciting, page turning read about how one persons actions can have a massive and disturbing effect on a persons life and mind set. Excellently written, a very emotive story showing the good in everyone's nature even when they are faced with danger to their own lives. This definitely keeps the reader enrapt from page 1. ( )

The book grabs the reader quickly by introducing the main character Brynn Bancroft and her instability caused by a tortuous near-death experience. Brynn and her ex-husband, Liam, are reeling from the harrowing experience just as they are trying to come to terms with their complicated relationship. The introduction of Isabel, the villain, is done quickly and with clear insight into just how dangerous this character is. Much like the rest of the novel the reader does not have to guess about the characters and what they are capable of. Joyce T. Strand does an excellent job giving life and meaning to each character down to they type of clothes they wear and what their background is.

Immediately the reader can see where this relationship might go with Brynn and Liam, being that they are still on “good terms”. I mean seriously who has a commemoration for the finalization of a 14 yearlong marriage. Brynn even hopes during this honorable event that Liam might still confess is undying love and admiration for her within the first chapter of the book. These plays between loss and acceptance cause the reader to root for the eventual affirmation of their undying loyalty and love for one another. The fact that they co-own a beautiful and thriving winery together, that they care for like a newborn child, creates an underlying story line that adds depth and a personality to this book.

As the story evolves you cannot help but sympathize and become loyal to Brynn’s character as she picks herself up in the face of adversity and overcomes her fears time and time again. Strand takes us on this rollercoaster ride full of intensity and, what seems like, a never ending plight that has so many twists and turns that the reader will begin to sit on the edge of their seat waiting for the next bombshell to drop.

Although the story is rife with love and loss, Strand cleverly weaves together a criminal plot that builds the readers’ desire to see the bad guy caught and the hot executive, Brynn, free of this villain once and for all. Set in the beautiful landscape of Northern California this tale of passion and deceit leaves the reader satisfied knowing that the bad guy did get what they deserved and the brilliant winery owner and business exec Brynn Bancroft manages to overcome all the obstacles thrown in her path. I give this book a four stars and I cannot wait to read more from Strand. ( )

The first several chapters spend a lot of time in Brynn's head rather than actually furthering the story. Although it is billed as a mystery, I found it to be more of a romance novel with a little mystery/suspense thrown in. There's nothing wrong with that, but it just wasn't at all what I was expecting.
Once the mystery part of the story really kicked in, however, it was amazing, and I couldn't read it fast enough. There were several "shady" characters, which made it impossible to tell exactly where the plot was going to go, which is something I LOVE in a mystery!
It was also fascinating to watch Brynn grow as a person as the book progressed. She began to realize what a family is really supposed to be like, and to allow herself to feel emotions she had kept a tight rein on for most of her life.
I am looking forward to the next installment in this series already!
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own. ( )