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Small Town Storm
Nineteen years after a devastating crime almost killed her, Erica Lawrence has returned home. In the small mountain town of Olinda, her story is legend. And now everyone knows she's back, including top cop and childhood best friend, Jordan Hill, the first and only person to ever touch her guarded heart.
When a woman goes missing and her body is found brutally murdered, fear swallows the town. And suspicion soon turns on Olinda's newest resident: Erica. As the cop in charge of the murder investigation, Jordan has to face the awful truth that the prime suspect is the woman he always swore to protect. While Jordan and Erica struggle with their feelings for one another, the murders mount up and the tension grows. Not only that, but Erica has a dark secret that she'll do anything to stop Jordan from finding out…
Small Town Storm is a gripping read that captures the intensity and passion of first love and the terror of a town where trust has broken down. This is the unforgettable story of a lifelong romance, and of an innocent childhood tainted by evil that won't let go.
When a woman goes missing and her body is found brutally murdered, fear swallows the town. And suspicion soon turns on Olinda's newest resident: Erica. As the cop in charge of the murder investigation, Jordan has to face the awful truth that the prime suspect is the woman he always swore to protect. While Jordan and Erica struggle with their feelings for one another, the murders mount up and the tension grows. Not only that, but Erica has a dark secret that she'll do anything to stop Jordan from finding out…
Small Town Storm is a gripping read that captures the intensity and passion of first love and the terror of a town where trust has broken down. This is the unforgettable story of a lifelong romance, and of an innocent childhood tainted by evil that won't let go.
456 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2012
1 person is currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Elise K. Ackers
18 books30 followersElise K. Ackers is a freelance editor and a fiction author published with Harlequin’s Escape Publishing and Penguin Random House, and indie published across multiple platforms.
She's a magnet for unusual accidents, way too competitive about laser tag, and an enthusiastic couch commentator. She tends to end up on a plane when she's bored and owing to a broken internal compass, she needs to factor getting lost into her travel time.
Spend long enough talking to her and she’ll want to know your MBIT type. Spend too long talking to her and she’ll convince you to adopt from an animal shelter.
You can find more of her work at elisekackers.net or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive content, giveaways and more: http://alturl.com/gub48
Elise was a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year and Romantic Novella of the Year awards, and winner of the Chanticleer CLUE Awards for Mystery, Thriller and Suspense.
She's a magnet for unusual accidents, way too competitive about laser tag, and an enthusiastic couch commentator. She tends to end up on a plane when she's bored and owing to a broken internal compass, she needs to factor getting lost into her travel time.
Spend long enough talking to her and she’ll want to know your MBIT type. Spend too long talking to her and she’ll convince you to adopt from an animal shelter.
You can find more of her work at elisekackers.net or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive content, giveaways and more: http://alturl.com/gub48
Elise was a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year and Romantic Novella of the Year awards, and winner of the Chanticleer CLUE Awards for Mystery, Thriller and Suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 22, 2015
The prologue sets the scene of menace for this novel. It reads,’ The world was in a bad mood. Thunderclouds bruised the twilit sky, covering the mountains in a premature darkness. The scent of ozone rode on the rising wind, which rolled down the street and through the second –storey window of a suburban house.’ The setting is a town called Olinda in Australia, Victoria to be more precise, near the Dandenongs. We are then introduced to inseparable childhood friends, Erica Lawrence and Jordan Hill. Flashing lights and shouts pierce the night and police take away Erica’s mother. Erica’s father then whisks her away.
After years away from Olinda Erica returns as an adult to try and make sense of her past. Her arrival co-coincides with the brutal murder of a young woman. What part does Erica play in events?
Jordan Hill has also returned to the town and is Olinda’s new leading senior constable. He also wants answers to the past, as well as the present murder. Could Erica, whose mother tried to poison her, have inherited her mother’s murderous tendencies? That doesn’t fit with what Jordan knows of the child Erica was. But then he hasn’t seen her since that fateful night. Once they meet up again sparks fly in more ways than one.
I liked both main characters and most of the interaction between them was good. Just occasionally it got a bit too cutesy. I could also have done without the descriptions of the murders. Thankfully they were fairly short. I was at the doctors reading the last pages of this and was annoyed when I was called for my appointment. I was quick to get back to it once I came out. The ending seemed just a bit over the top with the description of events. I picked the serial killer early on and never wavered from it, despite the author’s attempts at a couple of red herrings. This is a very readable and exciting first novel. Despite my couple of quibbles, I will definitely read another from this author.
After years away from Olinda Erica returns as an adult to try and make sense of her past. Her arrival co-coincides with the brutal murder of a young woman. What part does Erica play in events?
Jordan Hill has also returned to the town and is Olinda’s new leading senior constable. He also wants answers to the past, as well as the present murder. Could Erica, whose mother tried to poison her, have inherited her mother’s murderous tendencies? That doesn’t fit with what Jordan knows of the child Erica was. But then he hasn’t seen her since that fateful night. Once they meet up again sparks fly in more ways than one.
I liked both main characters and most of the interaction between them was good. Just occasionally it got a bit too cutesy. I could also have done without the descriptions of the murders. Thankfully they were fairly short. I was at the doctors reading the last pages of this and was annoyed when I was called for my appointment. I was quick to get back to it once I came out. The ending seemed just a bit over the top with the description of events. I picked the serial killer early on and never wavered from it, despite the author’s attempts at a couple of red herrings. This is a very readable and exciting first novel. Despite my couple of quibbles, I will definitely read another from this author.
November 29, 2012
Did you enjoy that movie "The Sixth Sense" ? In a way this book first reminded me of the movie as we learn that the main character's mother tried to kill her overtime by posioning her food and lacing it with arsenic . Nineteen years ago Erica's mother Alicia was convicted of trying to kill her daughter, that night Erica left behind the one person in the world that she cared about - best friend Jordie Hill. Now flash forward nineteen years, the pair of them have somehow found their ways back to their hometown and are both again in their own ways wanting answers about what happened that fateful night. Jordan has grown up to become the Chief of Police and Erica a Veternarian. Though it seems that trouble cannot stay away from Erica as members of the community and her past start to turn up dead and Erica ends up looking like Murder Suspect #1. With the help of Jordan , can the two move past their history and work together to find out who is framing Erica ? Can the duo solve the crime before the pair of them end uo being next on the murder list ? Unlike the first one of Destiny's collection "Wish by Kelly Hunter" - Small Town Storm though they both have a mystery angle , does read a bit more darker and if serial killers and chopped limbs aren't your cup of tea then you might be suited more towards something else but me , I just love my serial killer books, putting Small Town Storm as a Five P Read.
October 25, 2012
This book tell the story of Erica and Jordan who was separated nineteen years ago found their way back to the town where both are trying to find answer for the thing had happened then. What irony was that Jordan thought that Erica has died from the bout of sickness then. Hence, seeing her again has a great impact on him. They are trying to get to terms with what has happened before. Meanwhile, murders seem to be taken place in the town soon after Erica arrived and soon, she found herself to be the suspect but soon after that, she is the target of the murder. Jordan strived to protect her even if it involve his own life.
Initially from the cover of the book, i thought this is a young adult fiction but after reading the synopsis of the book, i decided to give it a try and how glad i am to do that because this book is really very good both in terms of characters and the story plot. The story is very engaging and it make me wonder who is the murderer and the relationship that link it to Erica. It is endearing just reading about the feeling that both Jordan and Erica have for each other since young and as a reader, one could feel the tension and the fine line that they are walking by the lines in the book. Overall, i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!
Initially from the cover of the book, i thought this is a young adult fiction but after reading the synopsis of the book, i decided to give it a try and how glad i am to do that because this book is really very good both in terms of characters and the story plot. The story is very engaging and it make me wonder who is the murderer and the relationship that link it to Erica. It is endearing just reading about the feeling that both Jordan and Erica have for each other since young and as a reader, one could feel the tension and the fine line that they are walking by the lines in the book. Overall, i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!
February 3, 2013
This is one of my favourite books.
The author writes in such a familiar way where you feel like you know the characters so well, and by the end of it you miss their company.
Living in Victoria, knowing the locations made it all the more real, and quite chilling to think of the murders taking place. The suspense built steadily throughout the book, to the point where you feel you can trust anyone.
I would love to see this book made into a movie! 5 stars.
The author writes in such a familiar way where you feel like you know the characters so well, and by the end of it you miss their company.
Living in Victoria, knowing the locations made it all the more real, and quite chilling to think of the murders taking place. The suspense built steadily throughout the book, to the point where you feel you can trust anyone.
I would love to see this book made into a movie! 5 stars.
December 29, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I even stayed up to finish it when everyone else was in bed!! Can't wait to read some more from this author.
October 15, 2012
Small Town Storm is one of the first romantic suspense titles to be published by Destiny Romance, the new digital-first imprint from Penguin. It’s very encouraging that Australian publishers are beginning to appreciate the popularity of romance novels in Australia and are committed to publishing stories about Aussies in local settings. Small Town Storm is set in the suburb of Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria.
Erica Lawrence returns to her Olinda, her hometown after a long stint in Sydney. She hopes to find answers to her past and the reason why her mother tried to kill her nineteen years prior. She doesn’t expect to recruit her childhood best friend Jordan Hill in her inquiry who claims he too needs closure from the traumatic events that led to their separation nearly two decades prior. She also doesn’t expect to become prime suspect in a murder investigation led by the one and only Leading Senior Constable Jordan Hill.
Erica and Jordan have a rocky start, both are flooded with memories of the past and intense emotions they struggle to contain. They both find the past keeps dragging them back and it gets in the way of their ability to have a friendship in the present. They are both quite complex and interesting characters. I empathised immediately with Jordan and I think it was easier to connect with him because his emotions were far more palpable and exposed. He’s really hurt and cannot understand why Erica had not made contact with him after she left Olinda, he had presumed her dead. Understandably, he is angry and Erica doesn’t offer answers readily. She is closed off and has many emotional defences to keep her safe from perceived threats. From a secret eating disorder to a severe distrust of people, Erica’s early childhood trauma is impacting on her daily functioning.
Jordan’s ‘hero complex’ gets in the way of Erica’s desire to be independent and even though he really wants to help her through her issues, she doesn’t want to become one of his projects. Most of the time he follows her around like a love-sick puppy, but I liked this sensitive, caring aspect of his tough cop persona. Erica became more likeable as her story unravels and she begins to open up to Jordan and allow him to break through some of her defences.
The murder plot kept me on my toes and I was questioning who the perpetrator was throughout the novel. The disturbances in the small town unsettle the past which both Erica and Jordan hope to put behind them. Though I did feel the motive for the murders was a little far-fetched, it did make sense on one level.
Small Town Storm is a compelling romantic suspense novel by an Australian author with fascinating, well-developed characters and set in a disquieting little town in the Dandenong Ranges.
Erica Lawrence returns to her Olinda, her hometown after a long stint in Sydney. She hopes to find answers to her past and the reason why her mother tried to kill her nineteen years prior. She doesn’t expect to recruit her childhood best friend Jordan Hill in her inquiry who claims he too needs closure from the traumatic events that led to their separation nearly two decades prior. She also doesn’t expect to become prime suspect in a murder investigation led by the one and only Leading Senior Constable Jordan Hill.
Erica and Jordan have a rocky start, both are flooded with memories of the past and intense emotions they struggle to contain. They both find the past keeps dragging them back and it gets in the way of their ability to have a friendship in the present. They are both quite complex and interesting characters. I empathised immediately with Jordan and I think it was easier to connect with him because his emotions were far more palpable and exposed. He’s really hurt and cannot understand why Erica had not made contact with him after she left Olinda, he had presumed her dead. Understandably, he is angry and Erica doesn’t offer answers readily. She is closed off and has many emotional defences to keep her safe from perceived threats. From a secret eating disorder to a severe distrust of people, Erica’s early childhood trauma is impacting on her daily functioning.
Jordan’s ‘hero complex’ gets in the way of Erica’s desire to be independent and even though he really wants to help her through her issues, she doesn’t want to become one of his projects. Most of the time he follows her around like a love-sick puppy, but I liked this sensitive, caring aspect of his tough cop persona. Erica became more likeable as her story unravels and she begins to open up to Jordan and allow him to break through some of her defences.
The murder plot kept me on my toes and I was questioning who the perpetrator was throughout the novel. The disturbances in the small town unsettle the past which both Erica and Jordan hope to put behind them. Though I did feel the motive for the murders was a little far-fetched, it did make sense on one level.
Small Town Storm is a compelling romantic suspense novel by an Australian author with fascinating, well-developed characters and set in a disquieting little town in the Dandenong Ranges.
August 11, 2013
* The book is a modern twist of fairy tale; a beautiful damsel in distress and a prince charming who is more than willing to catch her when she falls.
* The heroine's vulnerabilities are alluring and make me empathise with her.
* The hero is any woman's dream man. He's protective, goofy (in a good way), compassionate, and he adores his family.
* The twist in the story was unexpected. The murder and mystery left me sitting on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to turn the pages to find out what would happen next.
* The characters and the places are very well described, I could imagine what the characters look like, the scenery and places.
* I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I was very into it that I carried it everywhere I went, just so I could read it when I have spare time.
* If you love a mixture of romance, thriller and mystery, this is the book for you.
* Minor thing that I dislike is how everyone keep on gushing over how beautiful or "hot" the heroine is. I get that she is a beautiful woman with troubled past that just adds to the mystery but having various characters keep on mentioning her beauty gets old pretty quickly. Don't let this minor thing prevent you from reading this book though. You'll forget those lines as the story progresses.
* The heroine's vulnerabilities are alluring and make me empathise with her.
* The hero is any woman's dream man. He's protective, goofy (in a good way), compassionate, and he adores his family.
* The twist in the story was unexpected. The murder and mystery left me sitting on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to turn the pages to find out what would happen next.
* The characters and the places are very well described, I could imagine what the characters look like, the scenery and places.
* I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I was very into it that I carried it everywhere I went, just so I could read it when I have spare time.
* If you love a mixture of romance, thriller and mystery, this is the book for you.
* Minor thing that I dislike is how everyone keep on gushing over how beautiful or "hot" the heroine is. I get that she is a beautiful woman with troubled past that just adds to the mystery but having various characters keep on mentioning her beauty gets old pretty quickly. Don't let this minor thing prevent you from reading this book though. You'll forget those lines as the story progresses.
May 10, 2019
This is my first goodreads review, so I’m going to keep it simple.
I was hooked on the story and main characters by the end of page 7, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book to completion. i wouldn’t have minded a couple twists and turns and maybe some shadows cast from other possible murder suspects; still, despite solving the mystery from the start, I appreciated the effort Ackers made in staying true to her chosen method, not reshaping the entire story into a steamy romance. Truth be told, I could read more of Erica and Jordan!
Also it couldn’t go unnoticed the nostalgia I felt upon reading of the beautiful setting near the Dandenong ranges as it was the location of my very first, albeit brief, residence upon moving my life to Australia 7.5 years ago. Thank you, Elise, for this wonderful read!
I was hooked on the story and main characters by the end of page 7, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book to completion. i wouldn’t have minded a couple twists and turns and maybe some shadows cast from other possible murder suspects; still, despite solving the mystery from the start, I appreciated the effort Ackers made in staying true to her chosen method, not reshaping the entire story into a steamy romance. Truth be told, I could read more of Erica and Jordan!
Also it couldn’t go unnoticed the nostalgia I felt upon reading of the beautiful setting near the Dandenong ranges as it was the location of my very first, albeit brief, residence upon moving my life to Australia 7.5 years ago. Thank you, Elise, for this wonderful read!
April 26, 2020
I ended up skimming through this. There were a few scenes I enjoyed and found engaging, but for the most part this felt busy and was far too heavy on telling rather than showing. I also felt the conflict between the hero and heroine about her 'disappearance' from his life was a bit weak given he's a police officer and, I would assume, more understanding of how these types of things can impact people. I also feel like the heroine's eating issues were a bit neglected in the second half; this was one of the most interesting elements of her character but it wasn't explored enough. Overall, I've given this 2 stars because it did keep me reading (and it took me longer than usual to work out who the killer was, though I did work it out before the big reveal) but it is definitely not a book I will revisit.
January 11, 2018
Another one i remember writing a review of but then couldnt find. As i read this one a couple of years ago i dont remember it well enough to redo the review but i do know i liked it alot. In no small part because it was set in Olinda which it a delightful little town 15 mins drive from where I live.
December 12, 2013
Erica Lawrence has returned to her home town in country Victoria, nineteen years after a shocking crime almost killed her. She’s been searching for answers about it her whole life and with her father never volunteering any information and having been absent most of her life, she’s decided that the answers must lie in the place where it all happened.
Now everyone knows she has returned and the whispers have started. And then people start dying. And all of them are connected in some way, to Erica. Many of the townspeople are suspicious, but not Jordan Hill. The local police officer and Erica’s childhood best friend has his own issues stemming from that night when he and Erica were separated, kicking and screaming but he knows she’s not a murderer. However, it’s likely that the murders are being deliberately organised and arranged to cause Erica the most amount of distress and to frighten her. And it seems likely that she’ll be the final target.
The old childhood connection between Jordan and Erica hasn’t gone anywhere. Beneath the hurts and the disappointments and the issues about what happened when Erica was a child and their subsequent separation, is the same bond that’s always been there and it’s maturing into something else, a grown up kind of connection and attraction. Jordan would do anything to protect her and give her the happiness she deserves….but to do that, he first has to catch a killer. Before they get to Erica.
Small Town Storm is a romantic suspense release from Destiny Romance. Originally released in eBook format, the publisher has chosen to release some titles as paperbacks and this one is a good choice. It’s a read that delivers far more than it promises and proves that Ackers has a real understanding of how to build tension and sustain it over a period of time. She delivers us a very damaged heroine, who is still crippled by issues arising from the crime that was committed upon her when she was just a child – it was a long crime and it caused her to suffer but the psychological damage has been far more long lasting than the physical. It also has an effect on her social life because she cannot be upfront about her peculiarities and it severely limits the amount of invitations she is able to accept and the type of social get together she feels comfortable in.
When they were children, Erica and Jordan were almost inseparable and he’s never forgotten her. When he never heard from her, he thought she was dead and when she turns up alive and well in Olinda and oblivious as to how her lack of communication towards him has affected him, he’s furious. And he lets her know it. To be honest, Jordan drove me up the wall at the beginning of the novel – he was borderline bullying towards Erica and finally someone lets him have it about how over the years, he’s twisted everything that happened into being all about him. After he is made to see that realisation, he calmed down a lot and he was more likable and I could relax into reading their interactions without getting frustrated at him and wanting Erica to tell him off. I think their childhood bond is shown as being very strong but it’s been close to twenty years since they saw each other and it’s expected that there should be some issues with getting to know each other again and catching up on each other’s lives. Jordan has a deadset hero complex (has had one ever since he was a child, possibly because of Erica to begin with) and he at times means well, but he goes in way too over the top and too hard and can’t seem to read Erica’s cues when she’s uncomfortable or really unhappy with what he’s doing or saying. He wants to help her but he can’t magically fix her issues just by telling her that he can and he needs to come to understand that. Thankfully, he does.
Romantic suspense is a very difficult genre I think, because you have to balance a lot of things in order to please the reader. You need to give the romance time to simmer and flesh out and you also need to build the suspense, keep the reader guessing and also give the ending credibility. I think Elise Ackers succeeded in several of these very well. As I mentioned earlier, the suspense is well built throughout the novel and each community member that disappeared had me drawn further and further into the story, especially with how well chosen the third victim was. I could believe Erica and Jordan’s feelings for each other, even if they were a bit too intense at times, however I have to say that I wasn’t entirely convinced by the murderer. I also can’t really articulate why either, unless I spoil the ending and a bunch of the plot but it just seemed a little out of nowhere and a bit far fetched for me personally. The reason just felt a little bit (well ok, a lot for me) flimsy and perhaps needed a little more word count to make it seem a bit more credible.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed this book and ended up reading pretty much all of it in one sitting. I found Erica’s issues fascinating, even more so because they couldn’t be cured by the hero telling her he could, which made a lovely change from many other issues in many other romance novels.
Now everyone knows she has returned and the whispers have started. And then people start dying. And all of them are connected in some way, to Erica. Many of the townspeople are suspicious, but not Jordan Hill. The local police officer and Erica’s childhood best friend has his own issues stemming from that night when he and Erica were separated, kicking and screaming but he knows she’s not a murderer. However, it’s likely that the murders are being deliberately organised and arranged to cause Erica the most amount of distress and to frighten her. And it seems likely that she’ll be the final target.
The old childhood connection between Jordan and Erica hasn’t gone anywhere. Beneath the hurts and the disappointments and the issues about what happened when Erica was a child and their subsequent separation, is the same bond that’s always been there and it’s maturing into something else, a grown up kind of connection and attraction. Jordan would do anything to protect her and give her the happiness she deserves….but to do that, he first has to catch a killer. Before they get to Erica.
Small Town Storm is a romantic suspense release from Destiny Romance. Originally released in eBook format, the publisher has chosen to release some titles as paperbacks and this one is a good choice. It’s a read that delivers far more than it promises and proves that Ackers has a real understanding of how to build tension and sustain it over a period of time. She delivers us a very damaged heroine, who is still crippled by issues arising from the crime that was committed upon her when she was just a child – it was a long crime and it caused her to suffer but the psychological damage has been far more long lasting than the physical. It also has an effect on her social life because she cannot be upfront about her peculiarities and it severely limits the amount of invitations she is able to accept and the type of social get together she feels comfortable in.
When they were children, Erica and Jordan were almost inseparable and he’s never forgotten her. When he never heard from her, he thought she was dead and when she turns up alive and well in Olinda and oblivious as to how her lack of communication towards him has affected him, he’s furious. And he lets her know it. To be honest, Jordan drove me up the wall at the beginning of the novel – he was borderline bullying towards Erica and finally someone lets him have it about how over the years, he’s twisted everything that happened into being all about him. After he is made to see that realisation, he calmed down a lot and he was more likable and I could relax into reading their interactions without getting frustrated at him and wanting Erica to tell him off. I think their childhood bond is shown as being very strong but it’s been close to twenty years since they saw each other and it’s expected that there should be some issues with getting to know each other again and catching up on each other’s lives. Jordan has a deadset hero complex (has had one ever since he was a child, possibly because of Erica to begin with) and he at times means well, but he goes in way too over the top and too hard and can’t seem to read Erica’s cues when she’s uncomfortable or really unhappy with what he’s doing or saying. He wants to help her but he can’t magically fix her issues just by telling her that he can and he needs to come to understand that. Thankfully, he does.
Romantic suspense is a very difficult genre I think, because you have to balance a lot of things in order to please the reader. You need to give the romance time to simmer and flesh out and you also need to build the suspense, keep the reader guessing and also give the ending credibility. I think Elise Ackers succeeded in several of these very well. As I mentioned earlier, the suspense is well built throughout the novel and each community member that disappeared had me drawn further and further into the story, especially with how well chosen the third victim was. I could believe Erica and Jordan’s feelings for each other, even if they were a bit too intense at times, however I have to say that I wasn’t entirely convinced by the murderer. I also can’t really articulate why either, unless I spoil the ending and a bunch of the plot but it just seemed a little out of nowhere and a bit far fetched for me personally. The reason just felt a little bit (well ok, a lot for me) flimsy and perhaps needed a little more word count to make it seem a bit more credible.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed this book and ended up reading pretty much all of it in one sitting. I found Erica’s issues fascinating, even more so because they couldn’t be cured by the hero telling her he could, which made a lovely change from many other issues in many other romance novels.
July 12, 2018
A solid, predictable cop show book. Twice, she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
May 7, 2021
I liked this book. Being set in Olinda was nice because I've been there before and could picture the landscape. The story was good and while I picked the murderer, it was a good plot.
September 22, 2024
Short and snappy read which was fast paced, great characters
March 26, 2020
Small Town Storm - A masterpiece that I finished in just over 24 hours. It’s so amazing, and it’s the first of its kind I’ve read so far. Long story short, I loved it with all my heart (as you can probably tell from my 5 star rating).
I loved the romance in this, two people brought together again by an unimaginable fate. They survived many horrors due to the bravery of the other. The mental health issues intertwined into the plot are so good and very well thought out. An eating disorder and severe munchousins syndrome by proxy are illnesses that are sometimes not displayed or written well in some instances and to me this was perfect.
I had my suspicions of who the murderer was from the beginning (like anyone else would), suspect number one on my list was Elliot until the second murder occurred, from then on I had the culprit nailed.
I highly recommend this book. It's for lovers of love and anyone who likes murder mysteries.
I loved the romance in this, two people brought together again by an unimaginable fate. They survived many horrors due to the bravery of the other. The mental health issues intertwined into the plot are so good and very well thought out. An eating disorder and severe munchousins syndrome by proxy are illnesses that are sometimes not displayed or written well in some instances and to me this was perfect.
I had my suspicions of who the murderer was from the beginning (like anyone else would), suspect number one on my list was Elliot until the second murder occurred, from then on I had the culprit nailed.
I highly recommend this book. It's for lovers of love and anyone who likes murder mysteries.
May 29, 2014
“Small town storm” is a captivating read. Erica returns home after an long absence. What happened to her when she was last home is shocking and slightly disturbing. Erica shows fortitude and inner strength by returning home to obtain some closure.
I really admired Erica. Even though she went through some pretty horrible things, she never became a victim and is the perfect embodiment of the phrase “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”.
Erica's past comes back to haunt her when no sooner has she arrived home, a woman is murder and all fingers point to her. The sense of a community becoming unravelled and all trust breaking down slowly adds menace to the situation.
As well as being an unparalleled mystery thriller, "Small town Storm" also explores the relationship between Erica and Jordan. Their tender romance asks the question “Does true love ever die or just waits for the right moment again?”
What I can't understand about this books, is why I haven't heard of it until now. This beautifully crafted novel should be up there with the likes of Nora Roberts and Heather Graham. “Small Town Storm” is Australian noir at its best . It is truly undiscovered gem that blends mystery, thriller and romance together to make the perfect novel. If you only buy one book this summer- then make this the one. Five stars is not enough to express how much I enjoyed this book.
I really admired Erica. Even though she went through some pretty horrible things, she never became a victim and is the perfect embodiment of the phrase “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”.
Erica's past comes back to haunt her when no sooner has she arrived home, a woman is murder and all fingers point to her. The sense of a community becoming unravelled and all trust breaking down slowly adds menace to the situation.
As well as being an unparalleled mystery thriller, "Small town Storm" also explores the relationship between Erica and Jordan. Their tender romance asks the question “Does true love ever die or just waits for the right moment again?”
What I can't understand about this books, is why I haven't heard of it until now. This beautifully crafted novel should be up there with the likes of Nora Roberts and Heather Graham. “Small Town Storm” is Australian noir at its best . It is truly undiscovered gem that blends mystery, thriller and romance together to make the perfect novel. If you only buy one book this summer- then make this the one. Five stars is not enough to express how much I enjoyed this book.
November 7, 2014
3.5 stars.
I have decided, with these romantic suspense type of stories, I prefer the suspense with a hint of romance, not romance with a hint of suspense. This book felt more like the latter. There was a major horrific crime spree happening, but that felt like the side storyline, with the friendship-turning-to-romance the main storyline.
That said, I still enjoyed the book. It's set in Australia which usually I LOVE, however, I actually began to forget that aspect ... it felt all too much like a story set overseas. Torches became flashlights at one point! Noooo!!!
So, only small issues really, I would still read more from this author.
I have decided, with these romantic suspense type of stories, I prefer the suspense with a hint of romance, not romance with a hint of suspense. This book felt more like the latter. There was a major horrific crime spree happening, but that felt like the side storyline, with the friendship-turning-to-romance the main storyline.
That said, I still enjoyed the book. It's set in Australia which usually I LOVE, however, I actually began to forget that aspect ... it felt all too much like a story set overseas. Torches became flashlights at one point! Noooo!!!
So, only small issues really, I would still read more from this author.
November 4, 2013
I love it when a novel can keep you reading throughout the night. This one did that and more. I wanted to keep reading, I couldn't put it down. Loved the romance between Jordan and Erica.
The opening scene was well constructed, and led smoothly until the end where the circle was closed. A great read. If you love simple, well not that simple, romances, where you fall in love and barrack for the characters, this novel will certainly do that.
The opening scene was well constructed, and led smoothly until the end where the circle was closed. A great read. If you love simple, well not that simple, romances, where you fall in love and barrack for the characters, this novel will certainly do that.
April 22, 2015
I did like this book, more mystery than romance (and I love my romance)
This was a good solid read, quite a good mystery and story line, I did like the Australian setting and the characters - Jordan was a believable hero but very real and I think I like more fiction in my men:) Erica
was a great heroine lots of issues there, that were really well written.
The romance was sweet and understandable but not really memorable.
This was a good solid read, quite a good mystery and story line, I did like the Australian setting and the characters - Jordan was a believable hero but very real and I think I like more fiction in my men:) Erica
was a great heroine lots of issues there, that were really well written.
The romance was sweet and understandable but not really memorable.
October 27, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Once I'd read the prologue, there was just no putting this book down.
Anything with heartbreaking emotions of being parted from those we love and feel safe with gets under my skin and Small Town Storm had me wanting Erica and Jordan to find happiness.
Great suspense plot.
Anything with heartbreaking emotions of being parted from those we love and feel safe with gets under my skin and Small Town Storm had me wanting Erica and Jordan to find happiness.
Great suspense plot.
May 7, 2014
This book was an excellent book that will lead you through the story about a woman who goes back home to find closure, it takes you on a trip of finding courage, strength, and letting fate give you a helping hand. It's a book that will have you reading through the night so you can find out what happens and when you do it will shock you. Check out my full review at allnightbooks.com/?p=106
September 19, 2013
I loved it Elise! Kept me guessing until the end. :)
August 9, 2016
Great Australian Suspense novel. Highly recommend.
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