Breaking Out

by Mary Flinn

Dr. Susannah Brody, Magnolia Village's only dermatologist, has treated every third person in the quaint little community. Still dealing with the loss of her second husband, with whom she converses on a daily basis, she dreads the upcoming separation she will face when her only child, eighteen-year-old Myers, will follow his dreams by attending a prestigious music school in Nashville, Tennessee in the fall. Her loneliness is not helped by her sister dating her ex-husband and Myers's father, Kent. After their marriage ended because Kent cheated on her, Susannah was lucky to find the love of her life in Stan Brody, only to lose him to a heart attack. Terrified at the prospect of dating and averse to being "fixed up" with undesirable men her age, introverted Susannah reminds her friends that she is not broken and does not need fixing. Susannah's attention quickly shifts away from herself when her best friend's daughter, Casey French, goes missing. Casey is also Myers's best friend, so Susannah wonders what he knows about the disappearance. Myers is a master at covering up his feelings after his parents' traumatic divorce and his beloved stepfather's death, so what is he not telling Susannah? When Susannah's neighbor, Detective Andrew Chase, becomes involved in the case, Susannah finds herself awkwardly thrown together with him. Chase is mired in the loss of his own spouse-Susannah's former patient. While Susannah and Chase find some comfort in sharing their mutual grief with each other, will they be able to put their feelings aside in time to find Casey French? And could this potential tragedy be just what Susannah needs to break out of the ties that bind her?

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

A native of North Carolina, award-winning author Mary Flinn long ago fell in love with her state’s mountains and its coast, creating the backdrops for her series of novels, The One, Second Time’s a Charm, Three Gifts, and A Forever Man. With degrees from both the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and East Carolina University, Flinn has retired from her first career as a speech pathologist in the NC public schools since 1981. Writing a novel had always been a dream for Flinn, who began crafting the pages of The One, when her younger daughter left for college at Appalachian State University in 2009. The characters in this book have continued to call to her, wanting more of their story told, which bred the next three books in the series.
Flinn has recently been the recipient of the Reviewers’ Choice First Place Award for Romance Novel in the Reader Views 2011 Literary Book Awards, as well as the Pacific Book Review Best Romance Novel of 2011 for Three Gifts. Second Time’s a Charm, also released in 2011, won an Honorable Mention in the Reader Views Reviewers’ Choice Awards. The Nest, a stand-alone from the Kyle and Chelsea series, won a B.R.A.G. Medallion book award in 2015. Breaking Out, Flinn's second stand-alone was published in 2014. A Girl Like That, released in 2015 is the winner of the Reader Views Literary Book Award, as well as the B.R.A.G. Medallion.
Mary Flinn lives with her husband in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she is at work on her next novel. They have two adult daughters.

Reviews

[A.W. Hammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read! The conversations between the characters make you feel like you're in the room with them. The scene descriptions do exactly what they should; they take you from your couch, to the beautiful neighborhood and surrounding areas in the story. I especially enjoyed trying to figure out Casey's secret. The story actually teaches you a lot about yourself and your own perspectives. Also, I enjoyed the complex emotional battles being fought by Susannah and Chase. A very well written story by an intuitive and advanced writer. Mary Flinn has written a wonderful story. I encourage anyone interested in a "Good Read" to take a look at Breaking Out!!

A.W. Hammock.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I could not put it down.
It was entertaining, and true to life.
I would recommend it to everyone.
I have also found a new author I enjoy reading, thank you Mary Flinn, for the giveaway.
Intend to read more of her books as soon as I can.

[Debbie Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and really kept my interest. First I've read of this local author. Look forward to reading other books of hers.