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Echoes
One day Tess Carson gets the call she's always feared. Her sister has vanished. And so Tess rushes to a small town in California to look for answers. While the police follow evidence that connects her sister to a brutal murder, Tess is drawn into a danger that seems to reach back to the town's tortured past. Two enigmatic brothers offer Tess their help but the more she learns, the more they draw her in, the more she realizes that one of them is responsible for her sister’s disappearance. But which one? As Tess searches for clues about her sister, she begins to experience strange and terrifying visions. Not simply hallucinations, they are flashbacks to a past life where Tess relives the heartbreak of another woman—one who is also torn by violence and love. Tess can’t deny the connection she feels to this woman, nor can she deny the sense that history is bent on repeating. Two men. Two brothers. One woman. A deadly combination. As the echoes of a long forgotten tragedy reverberate through her life, Tess realizes she must face her deepest fears before she can escape the terrifying cycle of vengeance and at last find the love denied her in a time gone by.
466 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Erin Grady
4 books6 followersErin Grady is the author of WEB OF SMOKE, ECHOES and WHISPERS. She is also Erin Quinn, author of HAUNTING BEAUTY and, coming in 2010, HAUNTING WARRIOR.
Erin is just the average girl next door in Gilbert, Arizona where she lives with her husband, two daughters and three dogs (all of whom have made debuts in her stories--the dogs, that is, not the husband and kids.) In HAUNTING BEAUTY, Danni Smith's little dog is based on Erin's devoted mutt who lays at her feet every morning when she writes.
Sign up for Erin Quinn's newsletter or enter Erin's monthly contest to be automatically added and eligible for free books at www.erinquinn.info
Erin is just the average girl next door in Gilbert, Arizona where she lives with her husband, two daughters and three dogs (all of whom have made debuts in her stories--the dogs, that is, not the husband and kids.) In HAUNTING BEAUTY, Danni Smith's little dog is based on Erin's devoted mutt who lays at her feet every morning when she writes.
Sign up for Erin Quinn's newsletter or enter Erin's monthly contest to be automatically added and eligible for free books at www.erinquinn.info
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 28, 2012
Erin Grady aka Erin Quinn has written an interesting multi-layered romance. Slow in the beginning, be sure and give it some time. You will be glad you did.
Tess Carson, a single New York City businesswoman, lives in the present. She receives a phone call from the principal of an elementary school in California telling her that her sister is missing and she needs to pick up her niece, Caitlin. Tori has had problems in the past but Tess has always been there for her. Their childhood was rough but, with the exception of Caitlin, they only had each other left. Taking a leave, she heads to this small town in hopes of finding out what has happened.
Upon arriving, everything is not what it seems. Too soon, she thinks she has hallucinated and gone back in time to become another person, Molly. Hours, days and weeks can go by in the past but when she returns to the present only moments have transpired. Her alternate identity has a story to relay and time seems to be of the essence. When Tess has taken on this other body she feels in tune with Molly's growing love for Adam Weston, her brother-in-law. But who is he and what has happened?
The Westons are still very much active participants in the community of present-day California. You'll find both jealousy and love within this family. Some might consider this a different type of time travel romance. There are two separate realities with one woman taking on the personality of another. What makes this different then most is Ms. Grady continually shifts the heroine back and forth between times but she blends the stories well. You will have to pay attention to details because our heroine's past history holds the key to the present.
What did Tori discover before she went missing? Is she still alive? What really happened to Molly's sister? Do Adam and Molly eventually find happiness? Should Tess be leery of Craig and Grant Weston and, if so, why? There are many questions but if you read the book you'll find all the answers.
Tess Carson, a single New York City businesswoman, lives in the present. She receives a phone call from the principal of an elementary school in California telling her that her sister is missing and she needs to pick up her niece, Caitlin. Tori has had problems in the past but Tess has always been there for her. Their childhood was rough but, with the exception of Caitlin, they only had each other left. Taking a leave, she heads to this small town in hopes of finding out what has happened.
Upon arriving, everything is not what it seems. Too soon, she thinks she has hallucinated and gone back in time to become another person, Molly. Hours, days and weeks can go by in the past but when she returns to the present only moments have transpired. Her alternate identity has a story to relay and time seems to be of the essence. When Tess has taken on this other body she feels in tune with Molly's growing love for Adam Weston, her brother-in-law. But who is he and what has happened?
The Westons are still very much active participants in the community of present-day California. You'll find both jealousy and love within this family. Some might consider this a different type of time travel romance. There are two separate realities with one woman taking on the personality of another. What makes this different then most is Ms. Grady continually shifts the heroine back and forth between times but she blends the stories well. You will have to pay attention to details because our heroine's past history holds the key to the present.
What did Tori discover before she went missing? Is she still alive? What really happened to Molly's sister? Do Adam and Molly eventually find happiness? Should Tess be leery of Craig and Grant Weston and, if so, why? There are many questions but if you read the book you'll find all the answers.
January 29, 2009
This book was a delightful surprise; Erin Grady aka Erin Quinn has written a fascinating, multi-layered, mystical romance. Time shifting through earlier lives, the two stories blend to a final destination. Each character has a counterpart in both levels, and the shift to past history holds the key to the main story.
Tess Carson, a successful businesswoman in New York City, receives a call from the tiny rural community of Mountain Bend, California from the principal of the elementary school. Feeling very confused it takes time for her to realize that this must be the school her niece Caitlin attends. The caller informs her that Caitlin’s mother, Tess’ sister Tori France, did not pick her daughter up from school that day and seems to have “disappeared”, and as the emergency contact, Tess finds herself winging her way to a remote location in California “...a couple of hours east of Sacramento or several hours west of Salt Lake”. Tess knows that her sister is not particularly reliable, but when it comes to Caitlin she would never desert her.
Stories abound in this small town, much as they do in all small towns, but Tori appears to be in the middle of everything. However, it is not many hours before Tess becomes a reluctant witness to something very strange, is it hallucination or reality? That becomes her mantra as time shifts again and again, but always to the same period. Though sometimes spending days in the past, she always arrives back moments after she “leaves”.
The town is full of secrets, and yet they apparently are all related to one family, the Westons, the very family Tori was working for. Is it coincidence? Did she discover something hidden? Did she kill someone? Only the story will tell but the answer will be found buried in the past. A great read, passionate, mysterious, steadily building; a story of love, deceit, and jealousy through the ages. The characters are strong and full-fledged within both levels. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more.
Tess Carson, a successful businesswoman in New York City, receives a call from the tiny rural community of Mountain Bend, California from the principal of the elementary school. Feeling very confused it takes time for her to realize that this must be the school her niece Caitlin attends. The caller informs her that Caitlin’s mother, Tess’ sister Tori France, did not pick her daughter up from school that day and seems to have “disappeared”, and as the emergency contact, Tess finds herself winging her way to a remote location in California “...a couple of hours east of Sacramento or several hours west of Salt Lake”. Tess knows that her sister is not particularly reliable, but when it comes to Caitlin she would never desert her.
Stories abound in this small town, much as they do in all small towns, but Tori appears to be in the middle of everything. However, it is not many hours before Tess becomes a reluctant witness to something very strange, is it hallucination or reality? That becomes her mantra as time shifts again and again, but always to the same period. Though sometimes spending days in the past, she always arrives back moments after she “leaves”.
The town is full of secrets, and yet they apparently are all related to one family, the Westons, the very family Tori was working for. Is it coincidence? Did she discover something hidden? Did she kill someone? Only the story will tell but the answer will be found buried in the past. A great read, passionate, mysterious, steadily building; a story of love, deceit, and jealousy through the ages. The characters are strong and full-fledged within both levels. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more.
February 26, 2009
Read this not long after having read The Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.
I love 'parallel lives' stories, but the difficulty is in doing it well, but this authors skilful weaving of the tapestry of two lives, and the mystery within, made the reading enjoyable.
I love 'parallel lives' stories, but the difficulty is in doing it well, but this authors skilful weaving of the tapestry of two lives, and the mystery within, made the reading enjoyable.
May 4, 2021
There are some things wrong with this book. The author had a good idea what she wanted, but didn’t follow through very well.
Firstly, while the idea of a past lives story is intriguing, she didn’t quite pull it off I think. She should’ve continued on with the story of Molly and Adam. I thought their story was more intriguing. Those chapters with them were more detailed. Being the past and present characters are essentially the same, you knew that Brodie was rotten, and Craig was too. I knew way in the beginning that Craig was the killer because Brodie was in the past. Why bother telling the same story twice? I don’t like that molly died either and that Adam truly didn’t know who his brother was.
Secondly, the writing bothered me. If you’re going to say that Tess’s mother was in “the looney bin”, just say “mental hospital” for goodness sake.
I finished it because I was curious what happened to everyone, which left me with a disappointment There wasn’t enough of Tess’s story to really find a connection to them and the ending seemed a bit rushed and I felt like Molly’s death was a cop out Like the author didn’t REALLY know what to do with them.
Firstly, while the idea of a past lives story is intriguing, she didn’t quite pull it off I think. She should’ve continued on with the story of Molly and Adam. I thought their story was more intriguing. Those chapters with them were more detailed. Being the past and present characters are essentially the same, you knew that Brodie was rotten, and Craig was too. I knew way in the beginning that Craig was the killer because Brodie was in the past. Why bother telling the same story twice? I don’t like that molly died either and that Adam truly didn’t know who his brother was.
Secondly, the writing bothered me. If you’re going to say that Tess’s mother was in “the looney bin”, just say “mental hospital” for goodness sake.
I finished it because I was curious what happened to everyone, which left me with a disappointment There wasn’t enough of Tess’s story to really find a connection to them and the ending seemed a bit rushed and I felt like Molly’s death was a cop out Like the author didn’t REALLY know what to do with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2023
This was such an awesome book! I’ve reread it so many times and this story sticks with me after all these years. Highly recommend!
February 28, 2012
Erin Grady aka Erin Quinn has written an interesting multi-layered romance. Slow in the beginning, be sure and give it some time. You will be glad you did.
Tess Carson, a single New York City businesswoman, lives in the present. She receives a phone call from the principal of an elementary school in California telling her that her sister is missing and she needs to pick up her niece, Caitlin. Tori has had problems in the past but Tess has always been there for her. Their childhood was rough but, with the exception of Caitlin, they only had each other left. Taking a leave, she heads to this small town in hopes of finding out what has happened.
Upon arriving, everything is not what it seems. Too soon, she thinks she has hallucinated and gone back in time to become another person, Molly. Hours, days and weeks can go by in the past but when she returns to the present only moments have transpired. Her alternate identity has a story to relay and time seems to be of the essence. When Tess has taken on this other body she feels in tune with Molly's growing love for Adam Weston, her brother-in-law. But who is he and what has happened?
The Westons are still very much active participants in the community of present-day California. You'll find both jealousy and love within this family. Some might consider this a different type of time travel romance. There are two separate realities with one woman taking on the personality of another. What makes this different then most is Ms. Grady continually shifts the heroine back and forth between times but she blends the stories well. You will have to pay attention to details because our heroine's past history holds the key to the present.
What did Tori discover before she went missing? Is she still alive? What really happened to Molly's sister? Do Adam and Molly eventually find happiness? Should Tess be leery of Craig and Grant Weston and, if so, why? There are many questions but if you read the book you'll find all the answers.
Tess Carson, a single New York City businesswoman, lives in the present. She receives a phone call from the principal of an elementary school in California telling her that her sister is missing and she needs to pick up her niece, Caitlin. Tori has had problems in the past but Tess has always been there for her. Their childhood was rough but, with the exception of Caitlin, they only had each other left. Taking a leave, she heads to this small town in hopes of finding out what has happened.
Upon arriving, everything is not what it seems. Too soon, she thinks she has hallucinated and gone back in time to become another person, Molly. Hours, days and weeks can go by in the past but when she returns to the present only moments have transpired. Her alternate identity has a story to relay and time seems to be of the essence. When Tess has taken on this other body she feels in tune with Molly's growing love for Adam Weston, her brother-in-law. But who is he and what has happened?
The Westons are still very much active participants in the community of present-day California. You'll find both jealousy and love within this family. Some might consider this a different type of time travel romance. There are two separate realities with one woman taking on the personality of another. What makes this different then most is Ms. Grady continually shifts the heroine back and forth between times but she blends the stories well. You will have to pay attention to details because our heroine's past history holds the key to the present.
What did Tori discover before she went missing? Is she still alive? What really happened to Molly's sister? Do Adam and Molly eventually find happiness? Should Tess be leery of Craig and Grant Weston and, if so, why? There are many questions but if you read the book you'll find all the answers.
August 30, 2009
I had a hard time really getting into this book at first, but once it sucked me in I was hooked. I loved it! I haven't strayed from my usual genres in ages, but I have to admit that this excursion was well worth it. It's part modern, part old west romance. Tess rushes to California to take care of her niece when her sister turns up missing. While there, she is somehow transported to the past as another girl named Molly who rushes to be with her nephew when an accident claims her sister's life. The parallels between the two women surface throughout the story and served to pique my interest all the more. I found that the love scenes were bordering on young adult which I found to be refreshing in an adult romance. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.
July 11, 2008
I wrote this book too so naturally I think it's grand. :) Romantic Times BOOKclub gave WHISPERS 4 1/2 Stars and said:
"As [the] story unfolds, a parallel tale, which took place in the 1890s and has significant relevance to the present, is told as well. These two narrative strands are woven together skillfully and, once united, lead to the story's suspenseful climax and to the dramatic resolution of both plots.
Grady is an author to watch. Her beautifully descriptive prose, masterful characterization and tightly knit story structure will make readers happy to follow her wherever she leads."
"As [the] story unfolds, a parallel tale, which took place in the 1890s and has significant relevance to the present, is told as well. These two narrative strands are woven together skillfully and, once united, lead to the story's suspenseful climax and to the dramatic resolution of both plots.
Grady is an author to watch. Her beautifully descriptive prose, masterful characterization and tightly knit story structure will make readers happy to follow her wherever she leads."
March 20, 2016
I'm not sure what to think about this book. The author adeptly handled two simultaneous story lines; one involving Tess who had come from her home in New York to care for her niece who was seemingly abandoned by Tess's sister and a girl from the past named Molly who had embarked on a trip west with her brother-in-law during the period of the Gold Rush to care for her nephew. The two story lines made it tough to get invested in either one. I found myself thinking that it was more historical fiction than romantic suspense as it was labeled. However, the book was very well written and hard to put down. A read worth the time, just now sure how I feel about it after completing the story.
February 25, 2015
Tess Carson has to leave her life in NYC to travel to a small town in California when her sister, Tori, disappears leaving a daughter behind. Not long after arriving in Mountain Bend, she begins to have hallucinations or visions about a woman named Molly from the past who also traveled west when something has spends to her sister. Tess's current situation seems similar to Molly's. Both are dealing with two brothers, one of whom is lying about the other. I found Tess to be a very likeable character. I had the mystery partially figured out, but the story still kept my interest. I would enjoy reading other books by this author.
March 7, 2010
This story pulled me in from the first right until the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the parallel story line and thought the author did an excellent job intertwining the past with the present. The plot kept me guessing until the end.
November 28, 2011
I won this in a contest. I really enjoyed the story. It was set for today with echoes from the past intruding. It was quite different.
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December 31, 2011Free Kindle Book 12/31/11.
October 24, 2013
Interesting book full of mystery & suspense. Couldn't quite connect with the characters or the romance, though. Also felt the story dragged out a bit more than necessary.
January 13, 2014
2.5 stars. This book confused me through most of it. It's an interesting story once all the puzzle pieces are fit together but took me a while to read because I couldn't completely get hooked to it.
November 22, 2010
loved it!
April 14, 2017
Different, with an unexpected twist. Quite readable.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews