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Desolate Paths
Brooke Hollen’s hurtful past is threatening to swallow her. When rehab is her only chance at redemption, she runs straight to it. But she finds more than a twelve-step-plan. Residents begin to disappear. Is there a killer at the center or are some residents just dropping out? Kyle Reston, a rehab resident, is halfway through his battle with the darkness of addiction. He wants to help Brooke, but would it be a mistake to trust him? His penchant for breaking the rules is a sign that things aren’t safe with him. Yet forbidden love calls Brooke with a whisper she can’t ignore. How will Brooke turn to God—who she once believed to be a myth—when Kyle becomes a suspect? Is she in love with a killer?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2019
26 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 11, 2019
Desolate Paths is a nail-biting debut for Erin Unger. I had a hard-time putting this one down. The heroine, Brooke, enters a rehab program that requires attendees to live as if it's the 1800s. As a historical romance reader/author, I thoroughly enjoyed this twist and the humorous situations that our 21st century heroine struggles with like learning how to wear a corset. As Brooke begins to detox, a fellow rehab participant goes missing and when she thinks someone may be stalking her, everyone becomes a suspect--even her closest friends. Filled with vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue, Desolate Paths is a page-turner you don't want to miss!
March 10, 2019
I enjoyed Unger's unique premise of having characters overcome addiction by living in a museum-type world. Old fashioned hard work can erase a lot of worldly demons. Unger crafts a sympathetic heroine in Brooke. I cheered for her to make the best of her life and find a new life with Kyle. The suspense was enough to cause tension, but it didn't keep me up at night which is a plus. Unger's straight forward narrative will have me searching out future novels to read.
February 28, 2019
Slow-boiled romantic suspense that overflows with rich detail, and twists to tear your heart:
If you love full-on redemption reads, DESOLATE PATHS, is a must. Unger plants readers firmly in another world—a living history museum where addicts of all stripes are cleaned up and put on the right path. Whether they choose to accept the free gift of God’s grace is up to the individual. Not everyone wants saving. Certainly not the undercover killer, hiding out amid his victims. Waiting. Watching. Anticipation alone chills your bones. Breaking rules, sacrificing hearts, and making hard choices. Heroine Brooke Hollen tackles them all. But her venture into romance may be a courtship of death. You don’t want to miss it.
If you love full-on redemption reads, DESOLATE PATHS, is a must. Unger plants readers firmly in another world—a living history museum where addicts of all stripes are cleaned up and put on the right path. Whether they choose to accept the free gift of God’s grace is up to the individual. Not everyone wants saving. Certainly not the undercover killer, hiding out amid his victims. Waiting. Watching. Anticipation alone chills your bones. Breaking rules, sacrificing hearts, and making hard choices. Heroine Brooke Hollen tackles them all. But her venture into romance may be a courtship of death. You don’t want to miss it.
January 17, 2019
Intense story full of mystery and intrigue that captured me from the first sentence. With the setting in a rehab center, events occur that cause concern. I was on the edge of my seat while reading this one. Great read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required.
March 12, 2019
4*
Desolate Paths is an enjoyable a Christian novel for those who like a mix romance and suspense in their fiction.
Desolate Paths is an enjoyable a Christian novel for those who like a mix romance and suspense in their fiction.
January 30, 2019
When rehab is Brooke Hollen’s only chance at redemption, she runs straight to it. But can she survive the serial killer who hides amongst the damaged and healing? And can she trust Kyle Reston, another rehab resident, who wants to take her under his wing? Or is he responsible for the residents who keep disappearing?
Desolate Path is the first Erin Unger book I have read, but it won’t be the last
Desolate Paths is a nail-biting debut for Erin Unger. I had a hard-time putting this one down. The heroine, Brooke, enters a rehab program that requires attendees to live as if it's the 1800s.
Patients and their keepers dress in period costume and go about daily life without modern conveniences. They cook, clean and farm like it's pioneer times.
I can't give much more without giving you too much that will spoil it.
This will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing the mystery behind the rehab and the stalker.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Desolate Path is the first Erin Unger book I have read, but it won’t be the last
Desolate Paths is a nail-biting debut for Erin Unger. I had a hard-time putting this one down. The heroine, Brooke, enters a rehab program that requires attendees to live as if it's the 1800s.
Patients and their keepers dress in period costume and go about daily life without modern conveniences. They cook, clean and farm like it's pioneer times.
I can't give much more without giving you too much that will spoil it.
This will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing the mystery behind the rehab and the stalker.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 11, 2019
Desolate Path is the first Erin Unger book I have read, but it won’t be the last. The setting for Brooke and Kyle’s story is a rehab center unlike any you have ever hear of. Brooke gets off the train and finds she has stepped back into time. Not only does she have to overcome her addiction she must learn how to live a primitive life style. When strange things start happening she blames it on one of the side effect of withdraws, paranoia. Brooke entered rehab looking for a new life, has she found it here or will rehab be the death of her? Will Kyle be able to save her or is he the one staking her? The answers can be found between the pages of Desolate Path.
January 25, 2019
Brooke finds herself checking into the craziest rehab facility on the planet. Patients and their keepers dress in period costume and go about daily life without modern conveniences. They cook, clean and farm like it's pioneer times. Amid this unconventional setting, Brooke sets about to get and stay sober despite temptations on ever side. A handsome fellow patient lures her to an secluded meadow, trying to win her affections. But will she cave to temptation or be swallowed up by a very different kind of danger. I loved this page-turner and highly recommend it for fans of romantic suspense.
March 30, 2019
Very good read with both suspense and romance, along with themes of rehab and finding your future by visiting the past. In this story you’ll meet Brooke who after a wake up call realizes she needs help to overcome her drug addiction. However the rehab center is not quite what she pictured, she has stepped backward into history. Then in her recovery process, she develops a forbidden relationship but then is forced to question whether she can trust him as strange things begin to happen. Additionally there is a serial killer among them, Brooke can’t help but wonder if it’s someone she knows.
January 17, 2019
Erin uses a unique setting to pull the reader into a world where characters are struggling but overcome. Fear and the mind of a not-so-savory individual provide a parallel storyline which moves the reader forward to uncover the truth about the unusual rehab setting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 27, 2019
This is one of those books you can't leave once you began it. The pace is great, and both, the setting and circumstances in which the protagonist is, add to the story sense of strangeness.
There are, of course, lighter moments: when a 21st-century woman is forced to live as one in the 19th one, the struggle to adjust only can lead to some funny moments.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and even when this is my first by this author, it certainly won't be the last.
There are, of course, lighter moments: when a 21st-century woman is forced to live as one in the 19th one, the struggle to adjust only can lead to some funny moments.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and even when this is my first by this author, it certainly won't be the last.
February 27, 2019
Whoa! This book was riveting. Creativity, enchantment and mystery must hold great places in the author’s mind. This book kept me up late at night, as I kept wondering what was going to happen next. The place the story takes place seems so foreign to me, but I am sure there must be something like it somewhere. Great writing! I am so happy I received this as an ARC and could share my honest opinion with you. I can’t wait to purchase more books by Erin Unger. I know I won’t be disappointed.
March 17, 2019
I loved this book. It seemed so simple at first but turned into quite the exciting story. I loved the emotion and drama in the story. The characters are wonderful and interesting. I enjoyed every bit of the book. The author does a wonderful job of showing how God helps us with our trials in life. I will be following this author and looking forward to more books from her too!
August 11, 2019
To be honest, I was unsure about this book. The premise was so unique that getting into the story took several chapters. Plus this one definitely qualifies as suspense as the antagonist was definitely creepy. But the theme was definitely redemptive, and the finish was unexpected. I really ended up enjoying it and am so glad that I read it.
January 18, 2019
Refreshing all around!
This is , for me, a captivating read. I didn't want to stop until I finished it. Mystery, romance, and God's message... Well blended into a unique story line.
This is , for me, a captivating read. I didn't want to stop until I finished it. Mystery, romance, and God's message... Well blended into a unique story line.
March 15, 2019
I love the suspense in this story, wondering if her love interest is worth trusting or is he the one killing off their cohorts in rehab. Characters are fabulous and the drama is engrossing.
I received this book free from authorsxp and am voluntarily providing an honest review.
I received this book free from authorsxp and am voluntarily providing an honest review.
March 23, 2019
An awesome story of a rehabilitation center that is also a Living Museum. While fighting her alcohol addiction, Brooke learns how chores were done in the past. Along with finding love, she also confronts evil. Erin Unger conjured up a terrific read.
June 29, 2019
If you like christian fiction with romance and suspense that grabs you on the first page, get this book. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 17, 2019
This is not an easy book to put down once you start! Seat griping page turner! Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good thrill of a book!
January 16, 2020
Excellent nail biting finish to a perfect suspense story. Brookes' story, her addiction and the events in the rehab was very well written and completely enjoyable. Thoroughly enjoyable book.
May 29, 2019
"He knew how to make her happy. And she’d make him happy one day too … or else."
A serial killer is on the loose at a rehab center and Brooke is the next victim.
Brooke Hollen is in rehab again. Her drinking almost got someone killed and she is determined to get the help she needs, but she isn’t expecting this unusual place. It is the Carrick Living Museum and Rehabilitation Center based in a Colonial village where patients dress and play the part of Colonial settlers for tourists.
The rules are strict with curfews, no fraternization and working hard from the crack of dawn until the day is done. With her roommate and friend Willa to keep her in line, Brooke tries not to break too many rules, but the tall handsome, Kyle, is hard to resist.
"Dad always said the church would collapse if a Hollen stepped foot inside, but there I stood and looked up to the rough-hewn rafters. Everything remained in place."
The premise of using a Colonial village as a rehab facility is genius. I can see how the hard work and no-nonsense way of life with some divine intervention would work for those who had never experienced kindness and self-discipline in their lives.
The characters are interesting and Unger does a good job of digging into the protagonist’s and antagonist’s thoughts. Willa is my favorite character with her forthrightness and reluctance to admit she cares for Brooke as a friend and not just a roommate.
The Christian romance theme with a serial killer twist is a new one for me, and if you had asked me earlier, I would not have thought it would have worked. However, Ms. Unger writes the book in Brooke’s point of view and the killer’s point of view which moves the story along at a quick pace.
This was indeed an unusual storyline that pleasantly surprised this seasoned reader. Give it a try!
Thank you to Ms. Unger and AuthorsXP.com for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given.
More book reviews at The Eclectic Review
A serial killer is on the loose at a rehab center and Brooke is the next victim.
Brooke Hollen is in rehab again. Her drinking almost got someone killed and she is determined to get the help she needs, but she isn’t expecting this unusual place. It is the Carrick Living Museum and Rehabilitation Center based in a Colonial village where patients dress and play the part of Colonial settlers for tourists.
The rules are strict with curfews, no fraternization and working hard from the crack of dawn until the day is done. With her roommate and friend Willa to keep her in line, Brooke tries not to break too many rules, but the tall handsome, Kyle, is hard to resist.
"Dad always said the church would collapse if a Hollen stepped foot inside, but there I stood and looked up to the rough-hewn rafters. Everything remained in place."
The premise of using a Colonial village as a rehab facility is genius. I can see how the hard work and no-nonsense way of life with some divine intervention would work for those who had never experienced kindness and self-discipline in their lives.
The characters are interesting and Unger does a good job of digging into the protagonist’s and antagonist’s thoughts. Willa is my favorite character with her forthrightness and reluctance to admit she cares for Brooke as a friend and not just a roommate.
The Christian romance theme with a serial killer twist is a new one for me, and if you had asked me earlier, I would not have thought it would have worked. However, Ms. Unger writes the book in Brooke’s point of view and the killer’s point of view which moves the story along at a quick pace.
This was indeed an unusual storyline that pleasantly surprised this seasoned reader. Give it a try!
Thank you to Ms. Unger and AuthorsXP.com for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given.
More book reviews at The Eclectic Review
January 17, 2019
I am not usually a mystery reader since I can often figure out 'who done it' well before the conclusion. Desolate Paths kept me guessing and second guessing myself right to the end. The characters were well developed and believable enough to keep me engaged while the plot was unique and interesting. I look forward to reading more books by Erin Unger as her skill in the craft grows.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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March 8, 2019As someone who doesn’t typically read romantic suspense, this read was outside the norm for me. I loved the uniqueness of the concept, though. What a fresh setup!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews