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Shared Blood: The Sense of Belonging Series Book 1
Synopsis: As Ashley finishes her senior year of college, she makes a strange and disturbing revelation about her family. She devises a plan to investigate on her own, even though her uncle and guardian are top agents for the FBI. For some reason, she can't yet explain, she feels she needs to do this on her own. She has always felt like something was missing in her life, and despite having a twin sister, she never felt as if she belonged with her uncle. But he took her and her sister in when they had nowhere else to turn at a young age.
Moving to the East Coast to search for information, she uses the excuse of graduate school to convince her uncle and twin sister that she will be fine. Ashley finds herself telling more and more lies to the ones she is closest to while ironically trying to find out the truth about her family.
On her own for the first time in her life, Ashley discovers who she is as an individual but also some things she wished she hadn't ever learned. Join Ashley in her search for her own sense of identity, despite (or maybe because of) her shared blood.
Autobiography: Born and raised in Minnesota, Brenda is a devoted snow and winter lover. She and her family recently relocated to Maryland, where she was able to rekindle her love of writing stories. She earned a Bachelor's in English but strayed from her writing career to get married and raise a family. Her family grew through adoption, which veered her career path even more. She earned a Master's in Social Work and became licensed for family therapy, working exclusively with adoptive families raising children with trauma histories. She continues this work and helps many families find success in their parenting paths. She works with crisis situations, trains seasoned parents, assists agencies with preserving placements, and helps parents learn new skills. Brenda uses writing as her own tool for processing difficult situations within her life and family. Now, she has been able to turn her writing focus back to storytelling and writing for others. She enjoys keeping her readers guessing about what's coming next, as well as bringing happy endings to her characters' stories.
Moving to the East Coast to search for information, she uses the excuse of graduate school to convince her uncle and twin sister that she will be fine. Ashley finds herself telling more and more lies to the ones she is closest to while ironically trying to find out the truth about her family.
On her own for the first time in her life, Ashley discovers who she is as an individual but also some things she wished she hadn't ever learned. Join Ashley in her search for her own sense of identity, despite (or maybe because of) her shared blood.
Autobiography: Born and raised in Minnesota, Brenda is a devoted snow and winter lover. She and her family recently relocated to Maryland, where she was able to rekindle her love of writing stories. She earned a Bachelor's in English but strayed from her writing career to get married and raise a family. Her family grew through adoption, which veered her career path even more. She earned a Master's in Social Work and became licensed for family therapy, working exclusively with adoptive families raising children with trauma histories. She continues this work and helps many families find success in their parenting paths. She works with crisis situations, trains seasoned parents, assists agencies with preserving placements, and helps parents learn new skills. Brenda uses writing as her own tool for processing difficult situations within her life and family. Now, she has been able to turn her writing focus back to storytelling and writing for others. She enjoys keeping her readers guessing about what's coming next, as well as bringing happy endings to her characters' stories.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 6, 2025
Shared Blood in a story of relationships, of family secrets, lies and decipt and of how these things can have profound repercussions on us.
We follow Ashley, who's just finished college, and who's just discovered some skeletons in her family’s cupboard. So she decides to investigate on her own and In order to do so, moves across the country ( East Coast of the U.S ) and finds herself totally alone for the first time in her life.
On her journey, Ashley finds her true, authentic self and discovers she's capable of much more than she first thought.
But will Ashley get to the bottom of the family secrets? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So firstly, I must say, this is not my usual type of read, but i'm glad I gave it a go, as I really did enjoy it.
For me, it was a little slow to start, but the pace did pick up after a while and bobbed along nicely.
At 450 pages, it's quite the hefty tome, but once the pace picked up, the pages were turning easily, and I read this in 3 sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
We follow Ashley, who's just finished college, and who's just discovered some skeletons in her family’s cupboard. So she decides to investigate on her own and In order to do so, moves across the country ( East Coast of the U.S ) and finds herself totally alone for the first time in her life.
On her journey, Ashley finds her true, authentic self and discovers she's capable of much more than she first thought.
But will Ashley get to the bottom of the family secrets? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So firstly, I must say, this is not my usual type of read, but i'm glad I gave it a go, as I really did enjoy it.
For me, it was a little slow to start, but the pace did pick up after a while and bobbed along nicely.
At 450 pages, it's quite the hefty tome, but once the pace picked up, the pages were turning easily, and I read this in 3 sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
June 4, 2025
I really liked this book. It was such an intense journey. I thought the concept was excellent and it was a pleasure to read.
The cover is simple which I like. It's eye catching too which is a big bonus. The documents on the front are done well. Great design job!
The book is well written and flows nicely. The descriptions and visuals are on point. It adds to the cosy vibes.
The characters are great and are excellent in their parts in the book. Ashley is strong and determined. Her story is interesting and it unfolds easily.
The book is in third person from Ashley's point of view. This worked well and is all we needed.
I really recommend this book and can't wait for more in the series.
The cover is simple which I like. It's eye catching too which is a big bonus. The documents on the front are done well. Great design job!
The book is well written and flows nicely. The descriptions and visuals are on point. It adds to the cosy vibes.
The characters are great and are excellent in their parts in the book. Ashley is strong and determined. Her story is interesting and it unfolds easily.
The book is in third person from Ashley's point of view. This worked well and is all we needed.
I really recommend this book and can't wait for more in the series.
June 9, 2025
Shared Blood by Brenda Benning The Sense of Belonging Series book 1.
This was a good read. It was a hefty book. It took me a few days to read it. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. Once I got into the story, I really did enjoy it. I liked how protective Jacob was with Ashley. I liked Aja, Sharon, Sam, Ryan, Damon, and Trish. I did like the writing style. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I definitely recommend this book.
This was a good read. It was a hefty book. It took me a few days to read it. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. Once I got into the story, I really did enjoy it. I liked how protective Jacob was with Ashley. I liked Aja, Sharon, Sam, Ryan, Damon, and Trish. I did like the writing style. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I definitely recommend this book.
June 5, 2025
This is the fourth book that I've read by this author now and having read the Bellbrook Springs series - and loving it - I knew that I had to give this new series a read.
This book forms the start of The Sense Of Belonging series and I couldn't wait to dive into this.
This was another chunky read but I honestly ate this up.
I was hooked from the start and loved the concept that Ash really didn't feel like she belonged.
Despite being one of twins, Ashley knew there was something missing and she heads off to investigate alone and discover the truth about her family.
I loved the concept that whilst fearing that shed been lied to, Ash was also lying to those closest to her.
But as the story gradually unfolds, we see the pieces of Ash's life come together.
This was packed with twists and turns and this had me racing ahead and reading great chunks of book without realising how engrossed I'd become.
I love Brenda's writing style as it just sucks you right in and I was completely invested in finding out the truth along with Ash.
We already know that this is part of a series and so I was expecting to be left on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I'm not sure where book 2 might take us, but I'm wondering about maybe seeing things from a different pov perhaps?
I know that I'll be waiting patiently to find out what lies ahead and will be keeping an eye out for book 2 coming.
This book forms the start of The Sense Of Belonging series and I couldn't wait to dive into this.
This was another chunky read but I honestly ate this up.
I was hooked from the start and loved the concept that Ash really didn't feel like she belonged.
Despite being one of twins, Ashley knew there was something missing and she heads off to investigate alone and discover the truth about her family.
I loved the concept that whilst fearing that shed been lied to, Ash was also lying to those closest to her.
But as the story gradually unfolds, we see the pieces of Ash's life come together.
This was packed with twists and turns and this had me racing ahead and reading great chunks of book without realising how engrossed I'd become.
I love Brenda's writing style as it just sucks you right in and I was completely invested in finding out the truth along with Ash.
We already know that this is part of a series and so I was expecting to be left on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I'm not sure where book 2 might take us, but I'm wondering about maybe seeing things from a different pov perhaps?
I know that I'll be waiting patiently to find out what lies ahead and will be keeping an eye out for book 2 coming.
January 23, 2025
📖 Book Review 📖 Crabcakes and a new cozy mystery…Brenda Benning returns with another heartfelt story set in a little known town in Maryland, where farmland meets the coast. While Shared Blood launches with the familiarity of previous novels, this standalone novel brings a fresh set of characters that draws readers in with a warm welcome. Benning’s poignant and beautiful writing remains steadfast…delivering another powerful read.
After graduating from college, Ashley leaves her twin sister and everything she knows behind in Minnesota. Armed with ancestry DNA results and burning questions, she seeks answers far away from everything -and everyone- she knows on the Eastern shore of Maryland. What Ashley does not realize is that there are a lot more missing pieces than she could have ever imagined, opening old wounds and bringing new truths to the surface. Shared Blood is a compelling novel about emerging from the shadows of the unknown, and letting your own identity shine.
After graduating from college, Ashley leaves her twin sister and everything she knows behind in Minnesota. Armed with ancestry DNA results and burning questions, she seeks answers far away from everything -and everyone- she knows on the Eastern shore of Maryland. What Ashley does not realize is that there are a lot more missing pieces than she could have ever imagined, opening old wounds and bringing new truths to the surface. Shared Blood is a compelling novel about emerging from the shadows of the unknown, and letting your own identity shine.
June 18, 2025
An emotional and gripping read that had me hooked from the very beginning. The story follows Ashley, a recent college graduate who stumbles upon a shocking family secret that turns her world upside down. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a journey that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself, her family and her past.
I really enjoyed the way this book explored themes of identity, family, and self-discovery. Ashley’s struggle to fit in, her curiosity, and her determination to seek answers made her such a compelling character. Her journey was full of twists, and I found myself completely invested in her search for the truth.
The writing was engaging and kept the story moving at a great pace. I appreciated how the author captured the emotional complexity of Ashley’s situation, making each revelation feel significant. The setting and supporting characters made it even more immersive.
I really enjoyed the way this book explored themes of identity, family, and self-discovery. Ashley’s struggle to fit in, her curiosity, and her determination to seek answers made her such a compelling character. Her journey was full of twists, and I found myself completely invested in her search for the truth.
The writing was engaging and kept the story moving at a great pace. I appreciated how the author captured the emotional complexity of Ashley’s situation, making each revelation feel significant. The setting and supporting characters made it even more immersive.
May 27, 2025
Imagine your college elective blows up everything you know about your life.
Upon graduation, as twin sisters that have been raised by their uncle are about to embark on their next chapter, Ashley decides to do some covert investigating into results from a DNA result from her college class while lying to her family about what she’s up to.
In moving east, she soon finds herself questioning everything and everyone around her, second guessing her instincts frequently.
I liked the plot idea and the out east characters, they keep you wondering and I liked the twist they bring to the story.
I found myself distracted at times, it felt repetitive or circular with the FMC questioning everything/one to create suspense and intrigue.
Upon graduation, as twin sisters that have been raised by their uncle are about to embark on their next chapter, Ashley decides to do some covert investigating into results from a DNA result from her college class while lying to her family about what she’s up to.
In moving east, she soon finds herself questioning everything and everyone around her, second guessing her instincts frequently.
I liked the plot idea and the out east characters, they keep you wondering and I liked the twist they bring to the story.
I found myself distracted at times, it felt repetitive or circular with the FMC questioning everything/one to create suspense and intrigue.
June 1, 2025
How far would you go to uncover the truth about your past? One secret. One family. Everything will change.
This book had me from the first chapter. The main character, Ashley, a recent college graduate, comes across a huge family secret, and all of a sudden, her whole world flips upside down.
Imagine you thinking that you know all about your family, and one day you realise there’s more beneath the surface.
The struggle is real: never fitting in and the need to know what happened, even if it means she has to say some lies here and there along the way to discover the truth.
The story has twists. It’s honest, emotional, and I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone who likes a good book.
This book had me from the first chapter. The main character, Ashley, a recent college graduate, comes across a huge family secret, and all of a sudden, her whole world flips upside down.
Imagine you thinking that you know all about your family, and one day you realise there’s more beneath the surface.
The struggle is real: never fitting in and the need to know what happened, even if it means she has to say some lies here and there along the way to discover the truth.
The story has twists. It’s honest, emotional, and I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone who likes a good book.
June 3, 2025
Thank you to Love Books Tours and the author for this ARC.
Despite it being a four hundred and fifty page novel, I raced through this book; it was, for the most part, very easy to read. It took a long time for the story to really get exciting - the last third is where the action happens - but I found it engaging even when it was the setup of a thriller, rather than containing any actual thrills. I liked the characters, and I enjoyed getting to know their lives, especially the details in the black representation.
Despite it being a four hundred and fifty page novel, I raced through this book; it was, for the most part, very easy to read. It took a long time for the story to really get exciting - the last third is where the action happens - but I found it engaging even when it was the setup of a thriller, rather than containing any actual thrills. I liked the characters, and I enjoyed getting to know their lives, especially the details in the black representation.
June 4, 2025
This book was slow paced, but engrossing for me... I felt Ash and her emotion throughout, her compulsion to uncover family secrets, the secrecy she has to sustain, the discomfort of being in a place with nobody to trust...
The author's descriptions were detailed, resulting in a long book, that did not feel like it was too much because Ash kept finding things out, like the pieces of a puzzle that gave the reader the whole picture at the end, when key pieces were revealed... And I can't stress just how much I love a good jigsaw puzzle...
The author's descriptions were detailed, resulting in a long book, that did not feel like it was too much because Ash kept finding things out, like the pieces of a puzzle that gave the reader the whole picture at the end, when key pieces were revealed... And I can't stress just how much I love a good jigsaw puzzle...
June 7, 2025
A nice chunky book this one, a journey of discovery and finding yourself.
I really enjoyed this book, a cosy mystery that has a good flow to the story. I loved the descriptive way of writing it really pulled you into Ashley’s story.
Book 1 so I’m really looking forward to reading more.
The cover is intriguing too, with a plethora of documents that draws your eyes to it.
A great read thank you for having me on this tour
@brendabenningauthor
@lovebookstours
#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #freebookreview
I really enjoyed this book, a cosy mystery that has a good flow to the story. I loved the descriptive way of writing it really pulled you into Ashley’s story.
Book 1 so I’m really looking forward to reading more.
The cover is intriguing too, with a plethora of documents that draws your eyes to it.
A great read thank you for having me on this tour
@brendabenningauthor
@lovebookstours
#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #freebookreview
July 3, 2025
This book follows Ashley who goes to Maryland to investigate a DNA test result that shows she has family she didn't know about. Ashley's. Mom died when she was very young and her and her twin sister have both lived with her uncle since then. With her father in prison she was not aware of any other family that she has. This is a slow burn mystery where you get little details throughout the entire story, which makes it feel like you are trying to piece together the mystery in real time with Ashley.
May 30, 2025
This book is so detailed! It’s like me repeating a story with everything confirmed!
It felt like you were part of their family and included in all the twists and turns of their life!
Ashley moves across the country to start school, or does she! Ashley’s motive is different but while there she finds a whole new world of friends and secrets!
A great family crime story!
It felt like you were part of their family and included in all the twists and turns of their life!
Ashley moves across the country to start school, or does she! Ashley’s motive is different but while there she finds a whole new world of friends and secrets!
A great family crime story!
June 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It had me intrigued from the beginning. We meet Ash who is hiding something from her twin sister Aja, whilst she says she’s found a university to go to it’s not quite what it seems.
I liked how we found out little bits at a time so that we can piece the story together. There were times where I was begging Ash to call Sam and tell him what was really going on as it seemed like there was no one in her new city that she could trust!
I loved the ending, it all came together with some twists and turns as it raced into the final parts I just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen.
I love the fact that I know that this is part of a series so there will be more to come!
I liked how we found out little bits at a time so that we can piece the story together. There were times where I was begging Ash to call Sam and tell him what was really going on as it seemed like there was no one in her new city that she could trust!
I loved the ending, it all came together with some twists and turns as it raced into the final parts I just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen.
I love the fact that I know that this is part of a series so there will be more to come!
June 4, 2025
3.5 stars
My review:
Absolutely devoured this cosy mystery set in a cute costal town Maryland farmland. After graduating twin sisters embark on their next chapter! secrets discovered upon DNA results burning questions brought to the surface,
I did find this emotional at times.
I really loved the concept of this book, the writing is really detailed and interesting and you really get a feel for the FMC as she questions things along her journey of discovery.
A really good book to read if your into family mystery/crime genre. I cannot wait to continue the series!
My review:
Absolutely devoured this cosy mystery set in a cute costal town Maryland farmland. After graduating twin sisters embark on their next chapter! secrets discovered upon DNA results burning questions brought to the surface,
I did find this emotional at times.
I really loved the concept of this book, the writing is really detailed and interesting and you really get a feel for the FMC as she questions things along her journey of discovery.
A really good book to read if your into family mystery/crime genre. I cannot wait to continue the series!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews