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The Sisters, Texas #3
Stipulations and Complications
Life comes with stipulations.
If you want to fit into last year’s swimsuit, you can’t eat ice cream and a Gennydoodle cookie after every meal.
If you want to go to Heaven, you can’t raise Hell on Saturday night and show up in the church pew on Sunday morning, hungover and reeking of cheap perfume.
And if you want your hundred-year-old mansion completely updated and remodeled for free, you have to sacrifice.
Stipulations, my child.
-Granny Bert Cessna
If you want to fit into last year’s swimsuit, you can’t eat ice cream and a Gennydoodle cookie after every meal.
If you want to go to Heaven, you can’t raise Hell on Saturday night and show up in the church pew on Sunday morning, hungover and reeking of cheap perfume.
And if you want your hundred-year-old mansion completely updated and remodeled for free, you have to sacrifice.
Stipulations, my child.
-Granny Bert Cessna
Now that Madison Reynolds has agreed to be part of a reality-television home remodeling show, she barely recognizes her own life. The show is an instant success, bringing cameras and reporters right to her doorstep, eager to chronicle her every move in the small Texas town.
With In a Pinch Temporary Services hovering on the thin line between prosperity and extinction, Madison takes on another quirky case, this one concerning a property dispute. Complications turn a simple mission into all-out danger, and once again Madison finds herself embroiled in an intriguing mystery.
Between her cantankerous grandmother, a moody teenage daughter, an ever-starving son, townspeople eager to grab their fifteen minutes of fame at her expense, and a mother-in-law appalled by her undignified foray into the public eye, Madison had her hands full, long before the skeleton was discovered. Now work is interrupted at the Big House, ghost stories abound, more secret passages have been unearthed, and someone is trying to scare her away from her new home.
What she needs is another session of Brash deCordova’s unique ‘river therapy’… not to mention the kiss that eludes them with frustrating regularity.
What she gets is another round of stipulations and complications.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2016
691 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Becki Willis
44 books541 followersBest-selling indie and hybrid author Becki Willis loves crafting stories with believable characters in believable situations. Many of her stories stem from her own personal experiences. (No worries; she's never actually murdered anyone).
When she’s not plotting danger and adventure for her imaginary friends, Becki enjoys reading, spending time with her family, unraveling a good mystery (real or imagined), dark chocolate, and a good cup of coffee.
A professed history geek, Becki often weaves pieces of the past into her novels. Family is a central theme in her stories and in her life. She and her husband enjoy traveling but believe coming home to their Texas ranch is the best part of any trip.
Becki has won numerous awards—including two Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards, InD’Tale’s coveted RONE, and been named Finalist for two Claymore Awards—but feels the real compliments come from her readers. Drop in for an e-visit anytime at beckiwillis.ccp@gmail.com, or www.beckiwillis.com.
When she’s not plotting danger and adventure for her imaginary friends, Becki enjoys reading, spending time with her family, unraveling a good mystery (real or imagined), dark chocolate, and a good cup of coffee.
A professed history geek, Becki often weaves pieces of the past into her novels. Family is a central theme in her stories and in her life. She and her husband enjoy traveling but believe coming home to their Texas ranch is the best part of any trip.
Becki has won numerous awards—including two Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards, InD’Tale’s coveted RONE, and been named Finalist for two Claymore Awards—but feels the real compliments come from her readers. Drop in for an e-visit anytime at beckiwillis.ccp@gmail.com, or www.beckiwillis.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 2, 2016
I love this The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series and Stipulations and Complications is my favorite book so far! The people feel real even if some of the situations are seriously out of the norm. When the TV crew arrives to start filming the home design reality show that is going to give Madison and her kids a place of their own the who town is turned upside down. She knew when she gave in and agreed to let them renovate the Victorian that her grandmother has made available that her life would be crazy, those stipulations might includes some concessions the network gave but most of them would affect her and her family the most. Surprises turn up during the work that leads to questions, harassment and eventually danger for Maddy and her family. Lucky for her, she has a hot chief of police more than ready to keep a close eye on her.
June 25, 2019
It takes a gifted writer to create characters, a setting, and a story line that spans eight novels, and keeps the reader invested in each new book in the series. Author Becki Willis has done just that!
The third book in the Texas Series – The Sisters, STIPULATIONS and Complications, uses elements of romance, mystery, and even the paranormal to continue the story of Madison (Maddy) Reynolds and a cast of homegrown characters that live in The Sisters (the twin small towns of Juliet and Naomi, Texas.)
Maddy’s arrangement to finance the renovation of a 100 year old mansion has turned her life completely upside down. “It is out of control, under a microscope, and scrutinized by everyone.” There’s the television crew, the townspeople, and even her own children, all affecting her ability to make the right decisions.
Romantically, she is attracted to the star of the popular television show Home Again, Nick Vilardi, but her feelings for her teenage crush Brash deCordova go much deeper. However, it’s only been a few months since the death of her husband. Should she act on her feelings? And, if so, how will that be perceived by the public, or more importantly her daughter Bethani, who adored her late father? Believing Brash to be the perfect man for her, she proceeds cautiously. But she also knows that… “Perfect never lasts. Perfect’s not real.”
To complicate matters, Brash is the chief of police, who must now solve the mystery of a decomposed body found in the Big House. Who is it and was foul play involved? There are rumors of ghosts and disgruntled spirits haunting the old mansion, and it is apparent that something or someone doesn’t want its secrets revealed. How far are they willing to go to prevent their discovery?
Maddy also has ongoing sleuthing of her own unrelated to the Big House. In a Pinch Temporary Services, the company she founded, currently has two ongoing inquiries. Lisa Redmond has hired Maddy to find out if her husband is having an affair, while simultaneously she also is looking into an acrimonious property dispute between the Wynn and Adams families. The property in question is unusable, so why is there a contentious fight over ownership of the land?
All of these plots and many more play out in Becki Willis’ engaging and entertaining book. In fact, STIPULATIONS and Complications could easily describe the challenges of writing an entry into an ongoing series like The Sisters. Not every author can pull it off!
In many ways the book reminds me of the cinema matinees of years gone bye. They were always cliff-hangers inviting you… no, compelling you to return to find out what happens next. I certainly recommend that you acquaint yourself with Madison Reynolds and don’t just pick up a copy of The Sisters, STIPULATIONS and Complications. Read the entire series. What better way to while away to the summer or relax at the beach!
The third book in the Texas Series – The Sisters, STIPULATIONS and Complications, uses elements of romance, mystery, and even the paranormal to continue the story of Madison (Maddy) Reynolds and a cast of homegrown characters that live in The Sisters (the twin small towns of Juliet and Naomi, Texas.)
Maddy’s arrangement to finance the renovation of a 100 year old mansion has turned her life completely upside down. “It is out of control, under a microscope, and scrutinized by everyone.” There’s the television crew, the townspeople, and even her own children, all affecting her ability to make the right decisions.
Romantically, she is attracted to the star of the popular television show Home Again, Nick Vilardi, but her feelings for her teenage crush Brash deCordova go much deeper. However, it’s only been a few months since the death of her husband. Should she act on her feelings? And, if so, how will that be perceived by the public, or more importantly her daughter Bethani, who adored her late father? Believing Brash to be the perfect man for her, she proceeds cautiously. But she also knows that… “Perfect never lasts. Perfect’s not real.”
To complicate matters, Brash is the chief of police, who must now solve the mystery of a decomposed body found in the Big House. Who is it and was foul play involved? There are rumors of ghosts and disgruntled spirits haunting the old mansion, and it is apparent that something or someone doesn’t want its secrets revealed. How far are they willing to go to prevent their discovery?
Maddy also has ongoing sleuthing of her own unrelated to the Big House. In a Pinch Temporary Services, the company she founded, currently has two ongoing inquiries. Lisa Redmond has hired Maddy to find out if her husband is having an affair, while simultaneously she also is looking into an acrimonious property dispute between the Wynn and Adams families. The property in question is unusable, so why is there a contentious fight over ownership of the land?
All of these plots and many more play out in Becki Willis’ engaging and entertaining book. In fact, STIPULATIONS and Complications could easily describe the challenges of writing an entry into an ongoing series like The Sisters. Not every author can pull it off!
In many ways the book reminds me of the cinema matinees of years gone bye. They were always cliff-hangers inviting you… no, compelling you to return to find out what happens next. I certainly recommend that you acquaint yourself with Madison Reynolds and don’t just pick up a copy of The Sisters, STIPULATIONS and Complications. Read the entire series. What better way to while away to the summer or relax at the beach!
October 11, 2016
Another dependably entertaining mystery in the Sisters, Texas series by Beckie Willis. The plot is well-conceived, the characters are fully realized and the narrative flows in easily readable style.
On the negative side, this book falls into a trap that many "romantic" cozy mysteries succumb to; the romantic part of the story is drawn out so tortuously, with the would-be lovers refusing to acknowledge the feelings they have for each other, to the point that the story suffers for it. This would be a four-star book except for this extremely annoying sub-plot.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
On the negative side, this book falls into a trap that many "romantic" cozy mysteries succumb to; the romantic part of the story is drawn out so tortuously, with the would-be lovers refusing to acknowledge the feelings they have for each other, to the point that the story suffers for it. This would be a four-star book except for this extremely annoying sub-plot.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2017
Another fun and interesting story about The Sisters, Texas. Of coarse, a dead body was found in the house that Maddy is remodeling. The clues are given at appropriate times, but I felt that Maddy was just too trusting with people in general. Even though she knew that they had used video of her home life that she had opted out of, she thought that no one would ever listen to it if she stated that she opted out of the sequence. It was well written with plenty of tension to keep you interested. Granny Bert continues to be my favorite character. On to the next story.
May 17, 2017
Great sory
I read the first book and couldn't stop myself from immediately working my way through 4 books in a row. I enjoyed the character development as well as the mystery. Love that house.
I read the first book and couldn't stop myself from immediately working my way through 4 books in a row. I enjoyed the character development as well as the mystery. Love that house.
June 27, 2018
Chicken Scratch #1 - This is my first book by this author and I was greatly surprised at how well written, well thought out and laced with humor and intrigue; this little gem is packed. The area is near and dear to my heart since I was born in the area. The people, while not as easily identifiable as in a Jeff Abbott novel, are locals I know. The Texas speak is just as if Ms. Willis and I were at the Creamery (TAMU) sharing milk shakes and local gossip. The kinks and knots in the plot made it hard to put down the book, even to get a tea refill. You can't help but like the characters and root for them. The story, filled with life stories, is actually pretty substantial, not fluff, and Ms. W is an entertaining storyteller. 5*
When The Stars Fall #2 - This book is better than Chicken Scratch (#1), which is a good book, too. A lot of suspense, along with developing romances amongst several characters, keeps the reader immersed in this substantial story. Like the first book, the baddie is easily figured out, but the story is well worth reading. There are too many of the well rounded, well developed characters to shout out separately, but they're all interesting, funny, sincere and just plain folk. The Big House becomes a prominent character and helps the family with a huge change to their lives, maybe. Not a cliffhanger, but there's a tease about the future of Big and Madison. 5*
Stipulations and Complications #3 - This is a heavy, suspense filled book full of dark secrets and mysteries with the past and the present colliding and the darkness is felt by all involved. Yet, there's plenty of good and love along with the humor. This intriguing, substantial read is hard to put down with its interesting storylines and well thought out characters. This book is on the level with DeMille, Follette, Grisham and Ludlum. 5*
Home Again: Starting Over #4 - Amen Sister to that comment about Texans and wannabes! This series must be read in order; they keep getting better and better. I love the fact that what happens in the earlier books are just slightly mentioned, instead of being retold. All the characters keep growing and their past and secrets coming to light as the books go on. Multiple storylines in this book and the twists and surprises just keep the reader glued to the pages. I've chain read the first four books and don't have the next two available to me. But I'm diving into book seven, the newly released The Lilac Code. 5*
The Lilac Code #7 - Trouble even finds them outside of Texas! I missed the two books before this one, but it was still an interesting read. I was disappointed with the ending - the gun in her hand was forgotten. But the pages were full of intrigue and suspense, and the characters were intense. Again, there were multiple stories occurring, along with the main story. Current events were featured, which isn't surprising with all that's happened in Texas and other U.S. locations in the past year alone. While not a cliffhanger, there's definitely more books in the future. I chain read five books in three days and never once was bored with this series. 5*
When The Stars Fall #2 - This book is better than Chicken Scratch (#1), which is a good book, too. A lot of suspense, along with developing romances amongst several characters, keeps the reader immersed in this substantial story. Like the first book, the baddie is easily figured out, but the story is well worth reading. There are too many of the well rounded, well developed characters to shout out separately, but they're all interesting, funny, sincere and just plain folk. The Big House becomes a prominent character and helps the family with a huge change to their lives, maybe. Not a cliffhanger, but there's a tease about the future of Big and Madison. 5*
Stipulations and Complications #3 - This is a heavy, suspense filled book full of dark secrets and mysteries with the past and the present colliding and the darkness is felt by all involved. Yet, there's plenty of good and love along with the humor. This intriguing, substantial read is hard to put down with its interesting storylines and well thought out characters. This book is on the level with DeMille, Follette, Grisham and Ludlum. 5*
Home Again: Starting Over #4 - Amen Sister to that comment about Texans and wannabes! This series must be read in order; they keep getting better and better. I love the fact that what happens in the earlier books are just slightly mentioned, instead of being retold. All the characters keep growing and their past and secrets coming to light as the books go on. Multiple storylines in this book and the twists and surprises just keep the reader glued to the pages. I've chain read the first four books and don't have the next two available to me. But I'm diving into book seven, the newly released The Lilac Code. 5*
The Lilac Code #7 - Trouble even finds them outside of Texas! I missed the two books before this one, but it was still an interesting read. I was disappointed with the ending - the gun in her hand was forgotten. But the pages were full of intrigue and suspense, and the characters were intense. Again, there were multiple stories occurring, along with the main story. Current events were featured, which isn't surprising with all that's happened in Texas and other U.S. locations in the past year alone. While not a cliffhanger, there's definitely more books in the future. I chain read five books in three days and never once was bored with this series. 5*
October 28, 2018
Chicken Scratch #1 - This is my first book by this author and I was greatly surprised at how well written, well thought out and laced with humor and intrigue; this little gem is packed. The area is near and dear to my heart since I was born in the area. The people, while not as easily identifiable as in a Jeff Abbott novel, are locals I know. The Texas speak is just as if Ms. Willis and I were at the Creamery (TAMU) sharing milk shakes and local gossip. The kinks and knots in the plot made it hard to put down the book, even to get a tea refill. You can't help but like the characters and root for them. The story, filled with life stories, is actually pretty substantial, not fluff, and Ms. W is an entertaining storyteller. 5*
When The Stars Fall #2 - This book is better than Chicken Scratch (#1), which is a good book, too. A lot of suspense, along with developing romances amongst several characters, keeps the reader immersed in this substantial story. Like the first book, the baddie is easily figured out, but the story is well worth reading. There are too many of the well rounded, well developed characters to shout out separately, but they're all interesting, funny, sincere and just plain folk. The Big House becomes a prominent character and helps the family with a huge change to their lives, maybe. Not a cliffhanger, but there's a tease about the future of Big and Madison. 5*
Stipulations and Complications #3 - This is a heavy, suspense filled book full of dark secrets and mysteries with the past and the present colliding and the darkness is felt by all involved. Yet, there's plenty of good and love along with the humor. This intriguing, substantial read is hard to put down with its interesting storylines and well thought out characters. This book is on the level with DeMille, Follette, Grisham and Ludlum. 5*
Home Again: Starting Over #4 - Amen Sister to that comment about Texans and wannabes! This series must be read in order; they keep getting better and better. I love the fact that what happens in the earlier books are just slightly mentioned, instead of being retold. All the characters keep growing and their past and secrets coming to light as the books go on. Multiple storylines in this book and the twists and surprises just keep the reader glued to the pages. I've chain read the first four books and don't have the next two available to me. But I'm diving into book seven, the newly released The Lilac Code. 5*
When The Stars Fall #2 - This book is better than Chicken Scratch (#1), which is a good book, too. A lot of suspense, along with developing romances amongst several characters, keeps the reader immersed in this substantial story. Like the first book, the baddie is easily figured out, but the story is well worth reading. There are too many of the well rounded, well developed characters to shout out separately, but they're all interesting, funny, sincere and just plain folk. The Big House becomes a prominent character and helps the family with a huge change to their lives, maybe. Not a cliffhanger, but there's a tease about the future of Big and Madison. 5*
Stipulations and Complications #3 - This is a heavy, suspense filled book full of dark secrets and mysteries with the past and the present colliding and the darkness is felt by all involved. Yet, there's plenty of good and love along with the humor. This intriguing, substantial read is hard to put down with its interesting storylines and well thought out characters. This book is on the level with DeMille, Follette, Grisham and Ludlum. 5*
Home Again: Starting Over #4 - Amen Sister to that comment about Texans and wannabes! This series must be read in order; they keep getting better and better. I love the fact that what happens in the earlier books are just slightly mentioned, instead of being retold. All the characters keep growing and their past and secrets coming to light as the books go on. Multiple storylines in this book and the twists and surprises just keep the reader glued to the pages. I've chain read the first four books and don't have the next two available to me. But I'm diving into book seven, the newly released The Lilac Code. 5*
June 28, 2019
Books 1 and 2 in this series are completely fabulous, but book 3, Stipulations and Complications, by Becki Willis has the added element of an old mansion with hidden staircases, reminiscent of those beloved Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene and Hardy Boys books by Franklin W Dixon. Who doesn't love a haunted house with secret passageways and hidden cubbyholes?
The Big House, which Granny Bert inherited from Juliet (the town's namesake), needs extensive and expensive renovations before Maddy can move in with her twin teens. Having the reality show "Home Again: Starting Over" do all the work and hopefully (maybe) pay for it all seems like a great idea, but only if Maddy agrees to have her personal life turned into a weekly show. Is it worth having cameras all over the place and practically no privacy? Only time will tell.
With Derron Mullins as her full-time employee at In a Pinch Professional Services, Maddy has broadened the company's scope of expertise, including investigating a property dispute that eventually unearths a crazy web of lies and secrets and a modern-day version of bootlegging. Maddy and Derron thoroughly kick that proverbial nest of hornets, and let me tell you, Derron quickly proves his worth as Maddy's trusty sidekick, friend, employee, and snappy dresser.
Becki Willis expertly builds the tension and suspense to a fever pitch and knows how to make the reader wonder how in the world the protagonist is going to once again extract herself from such a dangerous situation.
But what about murder and all the romances and Granny Bert? Well, why don't you dive into Stipulations and Complications and find out for yourself. You definitely won't be disappointed.
The Big House, which Granny Bert inherited from Juliet (the town's namesake), needs extensive and expensive renovations before Maddy can move in with her twin teens. Having the reality show "Home Again: Starting Over" do all the work and hopefully (maybe) pay for it all seems like a great idea, but only if Maddy agrees to have her personal life turned into a weekly show. Is it worth having cameras all over the place and practically no privacy? Only time will tell.
With Derron Mullins as her full-time employee at In a Pinch Professional Services, Maddy has broadened the company's scope of expertise, including investigating a property dispute that eventually unearths a crazy web of lies and secrets and a modern-day version of bootlegging. Maddy and Derron thoroughly kick that proverbial nest of hornets, and let me tell you, Derron quickly proves his worth as Maddy's trusty sidekick, friend, employee, and snappy dresser.
Becki Willis expertly builds the tension and suspense to a fever pitch and knows how to make the reader wonder how in the world the protagonist is going to once again extract herself from such a dangerous situation.
But what about murder and all the romances and Granny Bert? Well, why don't you dive into Stipulations and Complications and find out for yourself. You definitely won't be disappointed.
September 12, 2020
The small communities of Juliet and Naomi (The Sisters), Texas are atwitter since the home improvement show came to work on Maddy Reynolds house an she had the good sense to say yes to a companion 24x7 reality show. She made the entire town a star and having those well-built TV construction workers could never be a bad thing.
As Maddy and her best friend Genesis’ discuss Maddy’s struggling ‘In A Pinch Temporary Services’ business and their love lives they’re interrupted by a worker running into the yard, screaming he’d found a dead body! Maddy and the crew hurry to look, followed by Brash. It’s not a dead body, it’s an obviously decades old, desiccated skeleton.
Maddy gets two new contracts for her services, one for a property dispute and one to catch a cheating spouse. Working her land dispute case, Maddy finds herself caught in a bear trap. While Granny Bert tends Maddy’s injury she says Miss Juliet’s journal may have clues about the skeleton, Maddy enlists family and friends to help her search.
Brash divides his time working an influx of drugs in the area and annoys the film crew by vigorously investigating the skeleton in the basement, closing semi-remodeled rooms as he works but hears someone searching one of them just before mysterious things start to happen to the crew’s equipment and in the house when it’s supposed to be empty.
Frustrated by cameras 24x7 among other things, Maddy is ambushed by reporters who not only ask about the house, they ask about her husband’s embezzlement and is caught by the film crew having a stress breakdown, prompting a call from her late husband’s embarrassed mother, berating Maddy’s behavior and demanding custody of the twins. Just another good time in The Sisters.
Rating: 4stars
As Maddy and her best friend Genesis’ discuss Maddy’s struggling ‘In A Pinch Temporary Services’ business and their love lives they’re interrupted by a worker running into the yard, screaming he’d found a dead body! Maddy and the crew hurry to look, followed by Brash. It’s not a dead body, it’s an obviously decades old, desiccated skeleton.
Maddy gets two new contracts for her services, one for a property dispute and one to catch a cheating spouse. Working her land dispute case, Maddy finds herself caught in a bear trap. While Granny Bert tends Maddy’s injury she says Miss Juliet’s journal may have clues about the skeleton, Maddy enlists family and friends to help her search.
Brash divides his time working an influx of drugs in the area and annoys the film crew by vigorously investigating the skeleton in the basement, closing semi-remodeled rooms as he works but hears someone searching one of them just before mysterious things start to happen to the crew’s equipment and in the house when it’s supposed to be empty.
Frustrated by cameras 24x7 among other things, Maddy is ambushed by reporters who not only ask about the house, they ask about her husband’s embezzlement and is caught by the film crew having a stress breakdown, prompting a call from her late husband’s embarrassed mother, berating Maddy’s behavior and demanding custody of the twins. Just another good time in The Sisters.
Rating: 4stars
December 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It's fun to watch, okay read how a series grows and all the changes it goes through while doing it and with this series there is a lot going on. The series is set in a small town, so many of the characters are recurring ones and they are a big part of why I am loving the series and would recommend you start from the beginning and work your way through the series. Reality tv shows are very popular on tv but there is nothing quite like the one in this book, which is a lot more entertaining. The mystery did take a back seat to the romance side of the story (which I don't normally like) but they make such a cute couple that I didn't actually mind and things did heat up, for both the investigation and love life. Off to start the next book.
The only way Madison can afford the house of her dreams for her and twin teenagers is to let a tv show do the work. This means there lives and the lives of the town get turned upside down, as the tv crew follow them everywhere with cameras rolling. The show has already sparked great interest and that's before a Skelton in found and teenage vandals keep breaking in disrupting the filming. Madison also has her day job to contend with, following around a cheating husband and mediating a property dispute. Will things prove to much for Madison? Or can she work out why the previous owner would have a Skelton in her basement? Or more importantly who the skelton was? Especially as someone is trying really hard to stop her from finding out.
I liked the narrator. She has a way of sucking you into the story and making the characters come to life.
The only way Madison can afford the house of her dreams for her and twin teenagers is to let a tv show do the work. This means there lives and the lives of the town get turned upside down, as the tv crew follow them everywhere with cameras rolling. The show has already sparked great interest and that's before a Skelton in found and teenage vandals keep breaking in disrupting the filming. Madison also has her day job to contend with, following around a cheating husband and mediating a property dispute. Will things prove to much for Madison? Or can she work out why the previous owner would have a Skelton in her basement? Or more importantly who the skelton was? Especially as someone is trying really hard to stop her from finding out.
I liked the narrator. She has a way of sucking you into the story and making the characters come to life.
July 5, 2021
𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, The Sisters, Texas #3
by Becki Willis.
I purchased a 3-in-1 set when it showed up on a free/low cost list. I'd never heard of the series or the author. To be truthful, I wasn't at all sure I'd like the series when I started it, and it really wasn't until the second in the series that I was 100% gung ho on it. However, I confess that I am now a convert and will be looking up the next books in the series yet this summer. I always love finding a new author and series to follow, especially, when the first book or two are discounted or free to give the reader a chance to try out the series before beginning to pay full price.
So, in this third in the series, we delve deeper into the secrets of the residents of Naomi and Juliet, Texas. Long forgotten grudges mix with modern problems that see all of the recurring characters doing the Mother-May-I game of one step forward and two steps back. Reality TV, illegal activities, home reno, and romance are in the air!
The book was fun to read, alternately funny and sad, with danger around every corner (or Big House nook!). Willis displays great plotting and pacing, nice flow, good proofing and editing, and no real cliffhanger ending. Are there some loose ends to tie up? Of course there are, but the issue that forms the storyline is resolved, and the rest just leaves the reader wondering which of the possible obstacles presented in this book will Maddy find thrown her way.
Great summer read.
by Becki Willis.
I purchased a 3-in-1 set when it showed up on a free/low cost list. I'd never heard of the series or the author. To be truthful, I wasn't at all sure I'd like the series when I started it, and it really wasn't until the second in the series that I was 100% gung ho on it. However, I confess that I am now a convert and will be looking up the next books in the series yet this summer. I always love finding a new author and series to follow, especially, when the first book or two are discounted or free to give the reader a chance to try out the series before beginning to pay full price.
So, in this third in the series, we delve deeper into the secrets of the residents of Naomi and Juliet, Texas. Long forgotten grudges mix with modern problems that see all of the recurring characters doing the Mother-May-I game of one step forward and two steps back. Reality TV, illegal activities, home reno, and romance are in the air!
The book was fun to read, alternately funny and sad, with danger around every corner (or Big House nook!). Willis displays great plotting and pacing, nice flow, good proofing and editing, and no real cliffhanger ending. Are there some loose ends to tie up? Of course there are, but the issue that forms the storyline is resolved, and the rest just leaves the reader wondering which of the possible obstacles presented in this book will Maddy find thrown her way.
Great summer read.
May 5, 2019
Perfect Continuation to this Riveting Mystery Series
I'm loving the way Maddy and Brash are finally past that high school crap especially dealing with an adult series. The nuances of how Bethani is taking her mother's moving on is understandable and I have fallen in love with Benny and Cutter too. I'm anticipating that there will be more on their relationship coming up and I'll be interested in finding out the twists that mother inn law Annette had in Site to throw in and screw things up for Maddy and the kids. I'm also wondering when the he'll Maddy it's going to get her fitting firmly planted on the ground. She's going through some petty serious shit and I'm trying not to put spoilers in this review and it's very hard not to. This series is worth the purchase everyone. Becki had now become one of my favorite authors and I appreciate her feedback and responses. Such a real person like you and me with a spark of writing genius that helps my bedtime routine each night. Thank you Becki if you get the chance to read this. Living every page
I'm loving the way Maddy and Brash are finally past that high school crap especially dealing with an adult series. The nuances of how Bethani is taking her mother's moving on is understandable and I have fallen in love with Benny and Cutter too. I'm anticipating that there will be more on their relationship coming up and I'll be interested in finding out the twists that mother inn law Annette had in Site to throw in and screw things up for Maddy and the kids. I'm also wondering when the he'll Maddy it's going to get her fitting firmly planted on the ground. She's going through some petty serious shit and I'm trying not to put spoilers in this review and it's very hard not to. This series is worth the purchase everyone. Becki had now become one of my favorite authors and I appreciate her feedback and responses. Such a real person like you and me with a spark of writing genius that helps my bedtime routine each night. Thank you Becki if you get the chance to read this. Living every page
August 22, 2020
Love this series, don't like the characters
Twists and turns, suspense and great descriptive writing make these books fun to read. In this book, the discovery of a secret room and a decades old skeleton stir up some serious trouble for Maddy as she tries to hold her life together and protect her kids.
I do have to say, though, that I didn't particularly some of the characters. Bethany is a whiny, self centered 15 year old that doesn't give a rat's patootie about her mother's happiness. Her twin brother acted like a five year old when he didn't get ice cream, Maddy's grandmother created a scene by pretending she might have contracted a deadly and decidedly not funny disease overseas, scaring people into leaving a line into a restaurant just so she and the others wouldn't have to wait. Maddy lets people walk all over her and won't stand up to the bratty teenaged girl in her house, or the grandmother that brow beats her about her love life. I just love the story lines but I really don't like most of the main characters.
Twists and turns, suspense and great descriptive writing make these books fun to read. In this book, the discovery of a secret room and a decades old skeleton stir up some serious trouble for Maddy as she tries to hold her life together and protect her kids.
I do have to say, though, that I didn't particularly some of the characters. Bethany is a whiny, self centered 15 year old that doesn't give a rat's patootie about her mother's happiness. Her twin brother acted like a five year old when he didn't get ice cream, Maddy's grandmother created a scene by pretending she might have contracted a deadly and decidedly not funny disease overseas, scaring people into leaving a line into a restaurant just so she and the others wouldn't have to wait. Maddy lets people walk all over her and won't stand up to the bratty teenaged girl in her house, or the grandmother that brow beats her about her love life. I just love the story lines but I really don't like most of the main characters.
August 28, 2018
It just keeps getting better
I'll be honest, when I read the first book, I didn't realize it was part of a series until I finished it. Chicken Scratch was, seemingly, a self-contained mystery, and I'm still not even sure if I liked it all that much. When I saw the second book, I gave it a shot purely because the first was - even if not my specific taste - very well written. By the end, I was hooked, not only on Becki Willis' writing style, but also the quirky sister towns and their inhabitants.
There is such wonderful attention to detail (down to an impeccable timeline), it's hard not to want more. More backstory for the slowly unfurling characters, more mystery, more romance. I'm grateful that The Sisters ended up being a series instead of the one-off I assumed, and I'm grateful I gave it a chance.
I'll be honest, when I read the first book, I didn't realize it was part of a series until I finished it. Chicken Scratch was, seemingly, a self-contained mystery, and I'm still not even sure if I liked it all that much. When I saw the second book, I gave it a shot purely because the first was - even if not my specific taste - very well written. By the end, I was hooked, not only on Becki Willis' writing style, but also the quirky sister towns and their inhabitants.
There is such wonderful attention to detail (down to an impeccable timeline), it's hard not to want more. More backstory for the slowly unfurling characters, more mystery, more romance. I'm grateful that The Sisters ended up being a series instead of the one-off I assumed, and I'm grateful I gave it a chance.
December 28, 2022
Another case of Madison, aka Maddy, getting involved in an old mystery. This time she really has to dig deep to get any clues. Also, her romantic relationship with Brash, the town's chief of police, takes on a more serious tone. Of course there are complications with all of Maddy's relationships...with Brash, her children Bethani and Blake, and with the producer and carpenter who are giving the old mansion a complete update.
There are many dimensions to this story, but one thing that frustrated me to no end is the naiveite of Maddy. She has no real sense of the danger she is in, and of course she needs Brash many times to come to her rescue. I guess that makes this as much a love story as a mystery. There are many new twists and turns in the book, and overall it was very enjoyable to read.
There are many dimensions to this story, but one thing that frustrated me to no end is the naiveite of Maddy. She has no real sense of the danger she is in, and of course she needs Brash many times to come to her rescue. I guess that makes this as much a love story as a mystery. There are many new twists and turns in the book, and overall it was very enjoyable to read.
November 10, 2017
This series gets better and more intense with each book. You can read this as an exciting stand alone but I enjoyed watching Maddy grow as a character in each successive novel.
We watch as she and Brash acknowledge the feelings between them and I am enjoying the attraction Miss Genny isn't ready to admit has potential.
A house with hidden niches and passages always adds interest to a storyline. Secret journal entries telling true tales of the times are fascinating to discover. Who is the skeleton in the basement?
The Sisters have always had secrets but now someone is working overtime to convince Maddy that maybe she should never have moved home. Can she protect her family and build a future in this place so rooted in her past?
We watch as she and Brash acknowledge the feelings between them and I am enjoying the attraction Miss Genny isn't ready to admit has potential.
A house with hidden niches and passages always adds interest to a storyline. Secret journal entries telling true tales of the times are fascinating to discover. Who is the skeleton in the basement?
The Sisters have always had secrets but now someone is working overtime to convince Maddy that maybe she should never have moved home. Can she protect her family and build a future in this place so rooted in her past?
February 26, 2020
Almost
I really like this series - the characters are nicely developed and the plot twists keep you on your toes. I'm getting slightly tired of Maddy's weak and whiny nature. If the rumor of her dead husband and their business being under investigation by the IRS is true then the truth about Gray will eventually come out. Possibly told to the children by a classmate or someone in town. Maddy letting them believe a lie can not only hurt them further but is getting annoying to read. And for someone that hasn't been happy in years she sure is pushing away her current chance for love and happiness because she hasn't been truthful with her kids or herself. Hopefully she finds a backbone in the next book or I'll have to stop reading.
I really like this series - the characters are nicely developed and the plot twists keep you on your toes. I'm getting slightly tired of Maddy's weak and whiny nature. If the rumor of her dead husband and their business being under investigation by the IRS is true then the truth about Gray will eventually come out. Possibly told to the children by a classmate or someone in town. Maddy letting them believe a lie can not only hurt them further but is getting annoying to read. And for someone that hasn't been happy in years she sure is pushing away her current chance for love and happiness because she hasn't been truthful with her kids or herself. Hopefully she finds a backbone in the next book or I'll have to stop reading.
May 6, 2023
When I read Chicken Shack and enjoyed it so thoroughly, I immediately set off on the second. It was terrific, too (When the Stars Fall). Unfortunately, however, this third book pivoted from being a great mystery to taking time to develop Jenny and Cutter (for a future book). As a result, the storyline got crowded between the reality show about The Big House, problems with the in-laws, ghosts, and secret passages, a growing relationship between Madison and Brash, and a bizarre mystery. Unfortunately, keeping all these subplots going also diluted the story's punch.
Sisters, Texas Mystery – Total of 16
1. Chicken Scratch (2015)
2. When the Stars Fall (2015)
** 3. Stipulations and Complications (2016)
4. Home Again: Starting Over (2016)
Sisters, Texas Mystery – Total of 16
1. Chicken Scratch (2015)
2. When the Stars Fall (2015)
** 3. Stipulations and Complications (2016)
4. Home Again: Starting Over (2016)
September 1, 2019
Maddy owns the Big House now, but in order to update it she decides to participate in a home renovation TV show. Cameras are everywhere putting her and her family under a microscope. Then the ghosts start to appear again in the Big House and the events are starting to escalate. What is going on? Will Chief Brash be able to figure this out so the renovations on the house can be finished allowing Madison and her family to move in?
Fun read that keeps readers in a good mood as we traipse along with Maddy on her adventures solving this case.
Fun read that keeps readers in a good mood as we traipse along with Maddy on her adventures solving this case.
September 15, 2022
Hot water doesn’t even start to describe it.
This series is so incredibly written and absolutely on the mark for small town Texas. Being from Texas, I was wary but this author has the characters so perfectly written and the comments and phrases just make my heart glow they are so perfect.
I love all these characters, they are written so well they could be people I know and the places are described so well, that I can taste the dust and smell the lines. The twists and turns happening are cementing my fascination for this series.
This series is so incredibly written and absolutely on the mark for small town Texas. Being from Texas, I was wary but this author has the characters so perfectly written and the comments and phrases just make my heart glow they are so perfect.
I love all these characters, they are written so well they could be people I know and the places are described so well, that I can taste the dust and smell the lines. The twists and turns happening are cementing my fascination for this series.
November 22, 2019
A mom's dilemna
What a good book! I enjoyed my reading time and relaxed with the humor, felt the fear and as the suspense built, looked forward to finding out what is going on at The Big House. There were some surprises for me as the plot took a few twists. Becki Willis does a great job managing all the characters and side stories that make Sisters, Texas such a great place to visit.
What a good book! I enjoyed my reading time and relaxed with the humor, felt the fear and as the suspense built, looked forward to finding out what is going on at The Big House. There were some surprises for me as the plot took a few twists. Becki Willis does a great job managing all the characters and side stories that make Sisters, Texas such a great place to visit.
August 5, 2025
Now That's a Home Renovation Show I Would Watch
Every book is better than the last. Madison finally agrees to buy The Big House from Granny Bert and all he'll breaks loose! A home improvement show wants to work on the house and finally agree that Maddie won't pay for the work at all. But she does have to agree to a reality show while the job is being done. Hidden passages, along with staircases and possibly tunnels cause problems every day.
Every book is better than the last. Madison finally agrees to buy The Big House from Granny Bert and all he'll breaks loose! A home improvement show wants to work on the house and finally agree that Maddie won't pay for the work at all. But she does have to agree to a reality show while the job is being done. Hidden passages, along with staircases and possibly tunnels cause problems every day.
June 12, 2020
Best book yet!
Things really heat up in this third book. Maddy's life gets more complicated. A skeleton is found in the cellar, cameras and mics are everywhere as the show is filmed, Maddy & Brash heat up only to have to hit pause because of Maddy's daughter. Oh yes, let's not forget Maddy's former mother-in-law is threatening to sue for custody of the twins! Best book yet.
Things really heat up in this third book. Maddy's life gets more complicated. A skeleton is found in the cellar, cameras and mics are everywhere as the show is filmed, Maddy & Brash heat up only to have to hit pause because of Maddy's daughter. Oh yes, let's not forget Maddy's former mother-in-law is threatening to sue for custody of the twins! Best book yet.
October 25, 2020
Moving on up
the adventures of Madison continue...She really gets in trouble this time will brash be in time time to.pull her out of danger again? Blake & Bethene play a bigger part in this book. can hardly wait to begin next book. Still a quick read,, but there is enough mystery to keep one's interest in finishingthe book quickly.
the adventures of Madison continue...She really gets in trouble this time will brash be in time time to.pull her out of danger again? Blake & Bethene play a bigger part in this book. can hardly wait to begin next book. Still a quick read,, but there is enough mystery to keep one's interest in finishingthe book quickly.
December 31, 2021
Complicated
This series just get better with each book. Ghosts? What’s going on with this house and who is trying to drive Madison away. Who thinks they have more right to be there and wants to own the house. Whose skeleton was found in the basement? What’s with all the secret passages and caves. What’s going on! Are Brash and Maddie ever going to be able to get together. Jo
This series just get better with each book. Ghosts? What’s going on with this house and who is trying to drive Madison away. Who thinks they have more right to be there and wants to own the house. Whose skeleton was found in the basement? What’s with all the secret passages and caves. What’s going on! Are Brash and Maddie ever going to be able to get together. Jo
May 7, 2023
Great novel
This was a real twist and turn read full of mystery and encounters. Small towns hold their own secrets and family history. Love the friendship between Madison and Ginny but the love story beginning with Brash and Madison is sweet and sexy. When they finally get to be “us” the fireworks will fly and be sweet and beautiful.
This was a real twist and turn read full of mystery and encounters. Small towns hold their own secrets and family history. Love the friendship between Madison and Ginny but the love story beginning with Brash and Madison is sweet and sexy. When they finally get to be “us” the fireworks will fly and be sweet and beautiful.
August 24, 2018
Stipulations and complications
Liked this even more than the first one I read. Just love Granny Bert, fiesty old gal that she is. This is a well written series of books. A hint of sex with a dose of romance thrown in. Mostly mystery and a bit of comedy to keep your interest.
Liked this even more than the first one I read. Just love Granny Bert, fiesty old gal that she is. This is a well written series of books. A hint of sex with a dose of romance thrown in. Mostly mystery and a bit of comedy to keep your interest.
September 30, 2019
Better and better
Another day, another Becki Willis The Sisters book! You have to know nothing is getting done at my house. It is a very good thing I bought the rest of the series yesterday. I can't seem to get enough of her characters as their antics.
Another day, another Becki Willis The Sisters book! You have to know nothing is getting done at my house. It is a very good thing I bought the rest of the series yesterday. I can't seem to get enough of her characters as their antics.
October 11, 2019
Stipulations and Complications
I really enjoyed reading this next book in The Sisters series. The ending was not as surprising and it felt not completeed. However, it still was very well written.
I really enjoyed reading this next book in The Sisters series. The ending was not as surprising and it felt not completeed. However, it still was very well written.
February 2, 2020
A solid, relationship driven cozy series - not too cute - doesn't try too hard to be funny. A bit too much diving into the thesaurus for obscure/archaic words - but, with a built in dictionary on my kindle, it's not too annoying. Recommended!
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