Wednesday, September 17, 2014

[Pat's Review]: "Virtue Falls"

Virtue Falls by Christina Dodd
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (September 9, 2014)
Series: Virtue Falls, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Twenty-three years ago, Misty Banner was brutally slashed to death in her home in Virtue Falls, Washington. Her husband was convicted of the murder. Their four year old daughter Elizabeth witnessed the crime, but has no memory of the killing. Now, two decades later, Elizabeth is back in Virtue Falls. She soon discovers her father is innocent. The real killer is still out there. And her investigation has stirred dark and deadly resentments that could provoke in another bloody murder—her own—in this riveting novel from bestselling author Christina Dodd.



Where to Buy*:
More Info:

Reviews of  Dodd's Previous Books:

Scent of Darkness (#1) -- TBQ
Touch of Darkness (#2) -- TBQ
Into the Shadow (#3) --TBQ


Pat's Review:

This novel by Christina Dodd is overflowing with wonderful characters, exciting details and murder and mayhem.  I loved it!



The  story starts with a murder that I at first questioned it's connection to the story. But, eventually it becomes a very important clue.


Virtue Falls is a small town on the Washington coast, usually crowded with tourists. Ms. Dodd introduces some of the landmarks and colorful characters.  Elizabeth Banner is a geologist widely known, unfortunately, for her family history. Her father, Charles, a renowned scientist, was convicted of murdering and mutilating her mother Misty, with a pair of scissors while Elizabeth, then age four, was in the house. She was severely traumatized and did not speak for over a year. That episode is locked away somewhere in her mind and she doesn't remember details at all.  After twenty-three years, suffering from repeated abuse and beatings in prison, Charles has been released to a care facility in Virtue Falls, suffering from Alzheimer's.  Elizabeth is back in Virtue Falls to try and reconnect somehow, if possible, with her Dad and study an area rich with geological finds. She hasn't been back since the murder.



Garik Jacobsen, Elizabeth's ex-husband is a FBI agent on disciplinary leave. He is despondent about what happened to put him on leave, trying to understand what he didi wrong with his marriage and close to ending his life in despair.



In the middle of an ordinary day, the ground starts rolling, and an earthquake reading an 8 on the Richter Scale rocks this small town. Devastation is everywhere, but Elizabeth rushes without concern for her own safety to the cliff to watch for the inevitable tsunami.  She is able to video it and knows this is a once in a lifetime happening. Virtue Falls is without power, water, or food and the after shocks are tearing down what little is left.  Garik races from Las Vegas to be with Elizabeth and they are staying at the Virtue Falls Resort, owned by his foster mom.  He is not leaving Elizabeth again.



Beware, once you start this novel, it's difficult to put down!  You learn a lot about earthquake/tsunamis, meet a lot of people who might have murderous intentions and enjoy a very sexy second chance romance.  It's very hard to put into words the impact of this story.  I can only recommend you read and enjoy it.


5 STARS! 

~ * ~ * ~

Pat received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for her honest opinion.

~ * ~ * ~



Thanks for the review, Pat! :) I haven't read one of Dodd's books in a long time, and I don't believe I have read a contemporary from her. I love when an author is so diverse -- paranormal, historical, and contemporary romances all under their belt! 

Have you read Christina Dodd? Do you have a favorite of hers? How about a favorite genre that she writes?



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


Photobucket

  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

4 comments :

Christina Dodd said...

Thank you for the great review of VIRTUE FALLS! :)

Anna@herding cats&burning soup said...

That sounds so good Pat! I've been wanting to try hers for a long time and remember seeing this cover when it was first revealed and loving it. Thanks for the reminder :)

Pat Egan Fordyce said...

Glad you liked my review, especially Christina Dodd! It was a pleasure to read !

Christina Dodd said...

Thank you so much, Pat! I'm glad you enjoyed VIRTUE FALLS.