Desperate to meet the father she's never known, Jill Shepherd accepts an invitation to spend the holidays at his home, Gates Mansion. Upon Jill's arrival, she's met with hostility from the other family members and finds her father, John Taylor, gravely ill.
Alice, John's private nurse, secretly shares her suspicions that someone is trying to kill Jill's father. Jill believes Alice is the only one who can be trusted and attempts to find out who in the home is capable of murder.
When her father's condition worsens, Jill is accused of poisoning him and ordered to leave the house. Jill suddenly finds herself—along with her boyfriend Clay Merrick—embroiled in a race to outwit a mysterious killer and unmask a bitter plot that has been years in the making. With the life of her father hanging in the balance, can Jill prove her innocence and stop the killer before it's too late?
Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations or strong language. May also contain content of an inspirational nature. Amazon customers who purchase the print version have the option to purchase the Kindle eBook at no charge.
A long-time fan of romantic suspense, Beth Ann Ziarnik offers her first novel with all the twists and turns, cliffhangers and romantic tension she and readers have come to love. She is a co-founder of Word & Pen Christian Writers in Northeast Wisconsin and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. In addition to her 450 published pieces (several included in anthologies), she is the author of Love With Shoes On, her ten-year devotional column about love in action and based on 1 Corinthians 13.
Just finished book 1 in this 2 book series and couldn't wait to read book 2. Once again Jill Shepherd and her boyfriend Clay Merrick are featured as the main characters. Jill has spent her adult years trying to find her biological father when she unexpectedly receives a note from him to come spend the Christmas holidays with him. But when Jill arrives she is not expected , he is very ill; and no one, even his nurse, knows what is causing him his illness. Jill has no one to turn to as Clay has to leave suddenly to go to Puerto Rico to finalize a deal for his construction company.
Ziarnik included as many twists, turns, and red herrings in this book as in the first. Overall, an excellent 2 book series
Her Deadly Reunion is a great read. I honestly did not know how I would like it. I was surprised at how quick I was pulled into the suspense and wanting to find out who is the one causing harm to Jill's newly found father. I did not want to put the book down until I was done. Great read. Five plus stars. I borrowed this book from the Kindle Unlimited program. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
This was your typical almost murder mystery that gets broken up by the new comer type story, and while I found the story itself to be fairly decent, I didn't understand why the author kept throwing in the whole religious thing. Here and there, it's fine, and could have enhanced the story nicely, but I found the religious aspect to be way overdone, and it kind of killed the enjoyment of the story and it's floe for me. I'm sure some will enjoy it as is, and that's fine, but for me, it was just a bit too hard on the preachy side of things, but otherwise, a good story.
If all the references to God and God's will were removed the book would be a third of the length it is. The overly religious content aside, the story moves way too slow. I had to force myself to stay with it.
Milwaukee, WI. Christmas. Clay Merrick (building contractor, former Special Forces) was taking Jill Ashley Shepherd to meet her biological father. Change of plans. Milwaukee, WI. Mitchell Field International. Jill Ashley Shepherd (daughter, genealogist) saw Clay Merrick (Jill’s BF, Merrick Restoration & Construction, retired Special Forces) off. He was headed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for his next historic restoration building project. Francesca Camil the financier, & Clay were ready to discuss the hotel’s business. Milwaukee, WI. Christmas Eve. Mader’s German restaurant Brian, & Jill were out to get a drink/eat. After that they were going shopping for Kathryn “Kat”, & Lillie (1/2-younger sister, horticulturist, mental illness).
Wisconsin Ave. Gates 3 story Mansion. Christmas. Alice (John's private nurse) greeted Jill but claimed John Ashley Taylor (widower/father) was too ill to see anyone. With a little reluctance she finally let Jill in. Dora Gates (30+, Hannah’s Grandmother, housekeeper), & Hannah cook) were introduced. Jill finally met Lillian “Lillie” (Jill’ ½ sister, spinster), & Kathryn “Kat” (Jill’s older ½ sister, divorced, fitness centers owner).
Mr. John Ashley Taylor (father, attorney, retired US Army Major) shared a lot of personal info with Jill. Hannah was ready to serve the Christmas dinner to everyone. Kat (fitness chain center owner), Jill, Mrs. Dora Gates (sisters’ grandmother), Lillie (housekeeper), Alice, John, & Brian Caldwell (lawyer, John’s business asst./Jill’s ex-fiancé) were enjoying their meal. Clay Merrick (building contractor) later showed up. Someone had tried to kill John. He was in the hospital recovering. Jill, & Clay went to visit him. Lillie had names for all her plants. They were her friends even the poisonous kind. John was slowly deteriorating. What did he say to Jill, & Clay? Nurse Alice Donovan came to see how John was doing.
What did Sergeant Kalbus (Milwaukee PD) go see Nurse Alice Donovan at the hospital about? What was Clay asking Jill?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; BookFunnel; Lamplighter suspense; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery was very good and I loved Jill & Clay. I didn't feel that it was preachy. The main characters are Christians who pray but I didn't feel that they tried to force their religion on the others. Jill definitely wanted her father to be saved before he died but she didn't hound him over it. All in all a very good read! I received a free copy of this book from LPC and voluntarily chose to review it.
This story is the reason we should leave things to the police. Jill risked everything to save her father. This story is suspenseful, but the killer is obvious, even though Jill is oblivious to the goings on in this house. The only reasonable character is her boyfriend, Clay. And he proves how sensible he is at the end of this story. There is a lot of conflicting things with no reasonable explanation at the end of the story.
As with the first book (Her Deadly Inheritance), this book did not disappoint. Beth Ziarnik keeps things moving with lots twists and turns throughout this face-paced thriller. This is an excellent Christian mystery that will keep you wanting more from this author. Can't wait for the next book she has coming out for us.
Ziarnik has crafted a fast-paced mystery. I was immediately immersed into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. The Gospel message is strongly conveyed throughout this novel. I read this novel in one sitting.
Recommend to readers who enjoy mysteries.
I borrowed a copy from KU. I have expressed my honest view.
This is a wonderful mystery /love story with characters that are as mysterious as the mystery itself. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great mystery/love story.
One of the top 3 books I've read lately! Great themes, characters, suspense and romance.
Great characters,writing,suspense. and romance! Highly recommend this book especially. around the holidays. Well written and deep characterization. A surprise ending!
I enjoyed reading this book. It totally told a story about lost family and found New on ed s in its place sad center .Lots of drama frenzy and conflict among each one. New beginning s for all .
She goes to met her Father but her step siblings and their Grandmother aren’t welcoming. The nurse, her Dads ward, seems nice but soon Clay and Jill realize she’s trying to kill Jill’s dad. How to stop her?
I loved this fast paced book. A lot of twists and turns. Is Jill going to save her father? Will her family ever accept her? Will Clay or Brian win her heart?
Jill Shepherd has finally found her father, but when she arrives at his home for Christmas she is not welcomed. Filled with mystery and intrigue, Her Deadly Reunion is fast paced and easy to read.
Jill Shepherd has never met her father, so when she received an invitation to spend Christmas with him and her two half-sisters, she excitedly accepts. But when she arrives, she is met with suspicion and outright antagonism. What's more, it seems that someone is poisoning her dad, and everyone seems to have a motive -- including her. She and her boyfriend race the clock, struggling against the mistrust of the rest of the household to find the guilty party before her long-sought reunion comes to a tragic end.
This sequel is as well done as the first in the series (Her Deadly Inheritance). I recommend both to anyone who enjoys a cozy suspense. Personally, I'm really hoping for more books in the series!