HERE AND GONE: A Fossil, Colorado Book (#1)

Fossil, Colorado #1

by Ann Simas

Truth + Consequences = Murder Hannah Clarke, a wife and mom one day, is a widow without a child the next. Two years later, living as H.L. Mason in Fossil, Colorado, her safe new world explodes with a revelation so shocking and horrifying she can hardly grasp it. By chance, she meets Sheriff Noah Ward, and though she’s leery of cops after being accused of killing her family, she needs help. Noah, a former Navy SEAL, agrees to do what he can, but he soon discovers the case is far more insidious than parental abduction.

451 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2018

About the author

Ann Simas lives in Oregon, but she is a Colorado girl at heart, having grown up in the Rocky Mountains. An avid word-lover since childhood, she penned her first fiction “book” in high school. She particularly likes to write a mix of mystery-thriller-suspense with a love story and paranormal/supernatural elements. Simas currently has 25 books in print. Both are available in paperback and in ebook format.

An award-winning watercolorist and a budding photographer, Ann also enjoys needlework and gardening in her spare time. She is her family’s “genealogist” and has been blessed with the opportunity to conduct first-hand research in Italy for both her writing and her family tree. The genealogy research from century’s old documents, written in Italian, has been a supreme but gratifying and exciting challenge for her.

Reviews

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Ann Simas for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Here & Gone the Truth Is Not Always True by Ann Simas by far is the best book I have ever read by her. I have been a fan of her Christmas books for a few years now. However, mystery suspense genre is my favorite genres to read. So, when she came out with this book, I knew I had read it. Ann exceeded my expectations in this book. Keep writing mystery-thriller-suspense with a love story thrown in. I should mention that Ann does write paranormal too (not a genre I am a fan of).

The book cover has a dark and eerie vibe to it and you wonder what the book is about. Looking at it you would think the genre was something for a horror book and not a mystery.

I love books that suck me in right at the beginning of the book and that is just how Here & Gone started for me!! Immediately, my heart ached for Hannah when you learned her husband and her 5-year-old son that he capsized on the boat. However, did they really? Many times, in the book I wanted to reach in and give her a hug.

Ann did an incredible job with this story! It had something for everyone! It had a budding romance, death, twists and turns galore, sexual tension, grieving widow, investigation, thinking you know someone but you are dead wrong.

I smiled when I saw the dogs name was Bowie. I couldn’t help think of David Bowie. Wondered if Ann named him after the late singer.

One of my favorite lines that made me crack up in the book was “Your life has turned into a Mary Higgins Clark Novel.”

I always love at the end of the book when the author talks about themselves. You can get a better sense of who they are as a person behind the book. For example she is an award-winning watercolorist and a budding photographer. Maybe one day she can incorporate her photography or watercolor painting as her book covers. I think her fans at least this one would love to.

At the end of the book Ann provides a way for you to contact her to let you know how you enjoyed the book by email or by Facebook. I thought this was very cute she is asking for fun if you would like to submit of picture of you reading the book to send it to her. She will post it on her FAN page.
At the end of this book she throws in a little surprise for you all. A sneak preview of her sexy paranormal thriller Black Moon Rising.

My one negative of the book is that it was a tad long to be a single book. I think it could have been made into two books for a series instead of just one. Maybe had a really big cliffhanger at the end of the first book.

[Isis Ray-sisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Hannah's story. There was a lot I loved about the story. There were a few things I didn't like though. It wasn't enough for me to give a lower rating. I thought it was quite disturbing how many people said they almost called the police when they encountered how bad her son was being treated. I just don't get that. I think Hannah was a very strong character. I am not sure I would of held up under all of what she went through. I liked Noah and Hannah's relationship a lot. I liked that they set boundaries and didn't cross them (even when it was hard). I liked their chemistry. I also liked what he brought out in her. I would highly recommend this book to others. I enjoy this author and will continue to read her books.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read this author before I do enjoy delving into her novels on occasion. This one proves to be stuffed with danger and drama.
Hannah and Noah take you on this tale with first her tragedy to lay the foundation. Suspense and mystery soon follow with my favorite former navy seal catching my attention big time. When it unravels with the tension growing slowly we can not take our eyes on what is going on.
I think I find that she has given her finest in this one keeping us engaged through every bit. I also liked that this one had some meat to it and was not something that disappeared quickly. Hold on too to the seat you are in for she will twist and turn you also. Very satisfied read from beginning to end.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author and she is definitely one I will read more of!! This book grabbed me from page one until the very last page. I can't remember the last book that did that. This book has 2 strong main characters with several characters that are just as important to the storyline. One of the things that I was most impressed with was that when a decision was made, it was.stuck with! The intensity just kept building and building until you can't stand it and then boom it's done. I highly recommend this book if you want to be on the edge of your seat.the entire time!! I will definitely be reading more Ann Simas!!

[Jessica Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her stories. When you want a romance, adventure murder mystery mixed into a very long story with deep characters. This would be my go to books.
Life was some what okay for Hannah until tragedy struck her life hard. Losing her husband and child in one day was one thing, but having the whole city after her for something she didn't do. She hopes that moving into the middle of no where will help her out. But she will soon learn that not all is what it seems and moving will not help her....

[Misty Roule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense, suspense, suspense...

This is one of the most suspenseful romance stories I've read yet. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The unexpected twists and turns, and overwhelming chemistry grabs a hold of you and doesn't turn you loose until the very end.
Happy reading : )

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good story..t wists and turns.. things i didnt see coming.. heartbreak and love.. it was so many emotions all over the place.. made me feel as if i was a part of their lives and story and i felt what they felt. it was wonderfully written and vry good characters. i enjoyed it a lot

[Christine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

This book will keep you on your toes so to speak. I loved reading this book. She is very strong and she is trying to get her son back. It was a lot to take in but wow it was great loved the ending alot.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will keep you wondering what is going to happen as you keep turning pages. A well written Romance suspense about a woman that wants her son back and will keep you guessing until the end. I know I will be reading this story again at some point in time.

[Beachbaby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the plot but I found myself skimming several paragraphs due to so much description of the minute details. DNF @ 25%.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow so many twists and turns in this book I had no idea what was coming. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

[Lillie rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Can't wait for more. Just the right amount of everything, and enough suspense to keep you guessing. I'm hooked on Fossil