Lilac Lane (Stutter Creek Book 2)
By Ann Swann
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing
Published: July 22 2014
ASIN: B00M22CWP0
Amazon Synopsis:
Ella and her son survived her ex-husband's drunken wrath.
They are starting a new life in a new town, Stutter Creek. She's even met a
real man. A gentle wild life biologist named Chet Boone. But now, her ex has
been released from prison early. Is that him driving past their new house late
at night? Is he the one causing the strange sounds and flickering
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My Thoughts:
Ella
Webb and her 10-year-old son Danny have just moved to Stutter Creek from
Albuquerque to begin a new life after leaving leaving her ex-husband Anson in
prison for threats and abuse. Only her mother knows where she has moved to
because she is afraid if Anson ever found out he might hunt them down as he
threatened to do that last day in the courthouse.
Settling
in at Stutter Creek as the new owner of the Drugstore Cafe was easier than she
had hoped for with all the friendly people of Stutter Creek and the helpful
past owner's handy training. Danny even enjoyed taking part bussing tables and
doing some other chores around the cafe.
At
home things didn't go so well. There were noises in the attic at night like
someone was walking around. Even after a call to the police and after the local
wildlife biologist had been out to repair the holes some raccoons had made in
the wall the noises didn't stop. Then things appeared and disappeared. Lights
and power shut off and come back on. They began to think the house was haunted
or perhaps Ella was just being paranoid. It couldn't have been Anson. He was
still in prison.
Lilac
Lane was
a wonderfully well written novel about a woman's resiliency after an abusive
relationship. It was an exciting suspenseful tale that was hard to put down. I
enjoyed learning about the town of Stutter Creek. It really sounded like a
place I would like to visit.
The
relationship between Danny and his mother was a lovely, close one; one that I
think most mothers wish they had with their sons. Danny seemed like the perfect
child - he never did anything to get in trouble, he was always helpful and
kind. Mind you, the book took place over about two weeks, though it seemed like
more time than that had passed because so many things had happened.
The
rest of the characters are realistic and believable. The dialogue is smooth and
natural. I found it a bit frightening what the main characters found themselves
doing at one point in the book. I'm not sure if I could ever do such a thing,
but I guess when your life is at stake, or the life of a loved one, we all can
surprise ourselves at what we would be willing to do. I just hope I never have
to find out.
The
book was fast-paced, with never a dull moment. There was even time for some
clean romance (I love clean romance!) it did seem a little too soon to get
involved with someone after just coming out of such a bad relationship. On the
other hand, she did try to resist it... Some things are just meant to be.
There
was some profanity in Lilac Lane. I thought it was unnecessary, but
thankfully there was not enough to turn me away from reading this book because
it truly was an enjoyable read. I definitely hope to read more by this author!
I gave Lilac Lane 5 stars out of 5. I highly recommend it to all lovers
of suspense books.
Thank
you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and
honest review. A positive opinion was
not required. All thoughts are my own.
About the Author:
Ann Swann was born in the small West Texas town of Lamesa.
She grew up much like Stevie-girl in The Phantom Pilot, though she never got up
the nerve to enter the haunted house. Ann has done everything from answering
911 Emergency calls to teaching elementary school. She still lives in West
Texas with her husband, Dude, two rescue dogs, and one rescue cat who rules the
roost.
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Thank you, Kathryn.
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