nope, not my cup of tea ( )

58222

Oh please. Not only was this transparent from the get-go, but ridiculous in many aspects of premise. I read it only because it was supposedly set in Charleston and a nearby plantation. I'll give the author credit for getting Hibernian Hall as a conceivable location for an Irish performance, though it's not a theater, and she didn't have John Corless mentioned. She also got that there can be blackwater within 20 miles of Charleston, but not much else realistic about the setting of the "decaying mansion" where Alanna and her new husband reside. My eyeballing was so evident as I was reading the book, that my husband, sitting across the room from me, thought I might be having seizures. I think I actually slammed the book shut when she had a characterstuff his face full of "bennes" (meaning benne cookies, or benne wafers) and come from the kitchen holding two more. The problem is "bennes" are sesame seeds and distinctly different from benne wafers. And let's not even get into some of the medical stuff that happens... full body burns healed completely, enough for final facial reconstruction with no scarring within 6 months? Knife wounds and other miraculous healings? Even a willing suspension of disbelief and a deep faith in powers beyond human couldn't sustain me.

There's a decided difference between a USA Today best selling author and a New York Times bestselling author. Give me my time back, please.

PS Don't feed alligators marshmallows. ( )

I have always loved this authors books. She writes with such depth and makes the stories come to life. This was a bit different from her usually books, but I have to say it was so powerful and intense I couldn't put it down. When I first met Alanna I was thrilled to know she was Irish. She was beautuful with delicate skin and had a sweet spirit around her. I could hear her accent and see the freckles that danced across her face. I loved how the author gave us bits and pieces of the Irish customs. I didn't like how gullible and so trusting she was.

When an unexpected devastating accident happens, Alanna finds out her husband had died, and his best friend Jesse was barely clinging to life. It was a shock for Alanna's manager to step in when Liam's parents threaten Alanna with a lawsuit. Liam and Alanna never got around to telling their family and friends that Alanna was pregnant. So begins the sordid world that Alanna becomes apart of. I thought it was a bit much for Alanna to marry her manager Barry and live in the states to keep the baby away from Liam's parents by in Ireland. I didn't trust Barry at all and found him to be arrogant and very demanding. What has Alanna gotten herself into?

When they return to Barry's estate Alanna senses that something is off. Doors locked with no answer to why , a picture hanging up that resembles Alanna , Barry so possessive that Alanna can't really do anything and we mustn't forget the creature in the swamp. I was worried for Alanna's safety as accidents started happening to her.
When Jesse shows up, he has memory loss that I didn't really believe. For me I could guess right away what was going to be revealed. The story is intense with lots of secrets and a bit of violence that unnerved me. I did not like the part about the kittens and their possible demise. It made me realize how sinister and sick Barry was. Is Barry willing to kill to keep Alanna to himself? Can someone save her before it's to late?

Overall the book was a bit predictable but had enough drama to keep me interested in the story. I liked the theme that things are not always what they appear to be. I rate this four out of five for the predictability and the violence that dealt with animals.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild and publisher. The review is my own opinion. ( )

First, I must confess that I’m already a fan of Colleen Coble’s books. Having said that, Because You’re Mine is one of my favorite Colleen Coble books. It’s packed with mystery, suspense and twists that kept me interested throughout.
The story is set around a Celtic Band, which was fascinating by itself, and the members who are dragged into a sorrowful time when one of their members dies in an accident. The band’s loyalty was admirable.
The storyline of a marriage of convenience is nothing new, but Ms. Coble did a great job of weaving an interesting tale from a popular topic.
I wanted to see Alanna find the truth and of course, see her defeat those so determined to hurt her physically and emotionally. She was a great character with depth and likability.
With so many bad guys to choose from, it was hard to know who was worse. And when I thought I had the story figured out, I was tossed into a twist that I never saw coming.
I loved the way the story’s red herrings were dropped along the way and wrapped up beautifully at the end. I received the book from the Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers. Because You’re Mine is another great read and I give it five out of five stars.

https://wordynerdyblog.wordpress.com/2017-book-reviews/because-youre-mine/ ( )