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The Throwaways #2
Jailbird
Neena Allen's life didn't exactly follow the path she'd anticipated. She couldn't have seen the twists and turns that would lead her to wander the woods, presumed dead by the prison guards. When Neena starts a new life in a little Arkansas town, she finds a contentment she never dreamed possible. The thing about skeletons in your closet is they always come back to haunt you.
262 pages, Nook
First published September 23, 2010
107 people are currently reading
935 people want to read
About the author
Heather Huffman
32 books569 followersHeather Huffman is a multi-genre author with publications in contemporary romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, and even a new cozy mystery line launching summer 2021. Quirky, optimistic, and a bit of a wanderer, Huffman cares deeply about causes pertaining to social justice and women's issues and has spent the past decade working with various charities that fight poverty, empower women, and fight human trafficking. At the center of her world are her three grown sons, her Australian Shepherd, and a spoiled puppy she shares entirely too many pictures of. Learn more at heatherhuffman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
November 4, 2012
Oh man...this is going to be a difficult review to write. Overall, I didn't like this book. BUT, I know that a lot of people will like it and my reasons are more personal than the fault of the author. The only reason I don't rate this book at 1 star is because I liked it (just) enough to finish it.
I think this book should be rated as Christian Fiction...it is WAY too clean; I actually felt as if it were an after school special or network TV movie of the week. Ridiculously clean... I have many peeves but the biggest one was how often the main character was chastised for cursing when in reality all she said was damn. Seriously?!!
Example...the main character says, "I didn't know what to tell her about this whole damn mess." and the response is..."Would you watch your mouth? What is it with you two? Charlie threw his hands up in disgust. That sort of censure happens throughout the book and its distracting.
The characters in this book are either WAY too perfect or WAY too evil. I was literally rolling my eyes and scoffing at how every "good" character in this book was beyond unselfish. Even their flaws were perfect...it drove me crazy. This book is anything but realistic. The story and main character are supposed to be gritty but instead its all like a fairy tale...the pieces fall together WAY too conveniently. The good guy trumps evil in EVERY case. The trust and love between all of the characters is way too unconditional and happens way too quickly.
Another peeve that was very frustrating for me is the voice of a 10 year old main character in the book...She is 10 and although the story makes sure to mention that she is smart and mature for her age...her voice is way too mature. She continually makes comments that fit a teenage girl and it is over the top distracting.
I could go on and on...ripping apart every single character and their stories...but there's no point. If you're the type to enjoy clean, feel good, unrealistic stories that help you see the world in a better light then this book is for you...enjoy.
I think this book should be rated as Christian Fiction...it is WAY too clean; I actually felt as if it were an after school special or network TV movie of the week. Ridiculously clean... I have many peeves but the biggest one was how often the main character was chastised for cursing when in reality all she said was damn. Seriously?!!
Example...the main character says, "I didn't know what to tell her about this whole damn mess." and the response is..."Would you watch your mouth? What is it with you two? Charlie threw his hands up in disgust. That sort of censure happens throughout the book and its distracting.
The characters in this book are either WAY too perfect or WAY too evil. I was literally rolling my eyes and scoffing at how every "good" character in this book was beyond unselfish. Even their flaws were perfect...it drove me crazy. This book is anything but realistic. The story and main character are supposed to be gritty but instead its all like a fairy tale...the pieces fall together WAY too conveniently. The good guy trumps evil in EVERY case. The trust and love between all of the characters is way too unconditional and happens way too quickly.
Another peeve that was very frustrating for me is the voice of a 10 year old main character in the book...She is 10 and although the story makes sure to mention that she is smart and mature for her age...her voice is way too mature. She continually makes comments that fit a teenage girl and it is over the top distracting.
I could go on and on...ripping apart every single character and their stories...but there's no point. If you're the type to enjoy clean, feel good, unrealistic stories that help you see the world in a better light then this book is for you...enjoy.
September 1, 2012
This review does contain some spoilers.......
This book has the foundation for a good story but it missed several opportunities to pull me in emotionally. Neena has a very powerful story to tell. She's an escaped convict who was wrongfully jailed for murdering her rapist. The problem is that she never really tells it. The reader gets the gist of it through bits and pieces of conversations that she has with other characters but we never hear her full story from her.
This is also one of those books where unrealistic things magically happen that conveniently wrap up the story in a neat little package. For example, she's an escaped convict and while on the run she meets a family that take her in with absolutely no questions asked. She also meets a lawyer in town, a single father raising a young daughter, who also accepts her with no questions asked. Not only that, he marries her after a whirlwind romance. When she tells them the truth, it doesn't matter to any of them. Her 10 yr old daughter, who was born in prison and then raised by her uncle, has never seen or known her real mother. When she is reunited with her, the girl accepts her and even runs off with her to hide from the authorities. These people are a little too good to be true, in my opinion.
Then there is also the notion of how a person who is wanted is able to live such a public life for so long without being caught. I can understand being able to hide out in a small town, but she is also in constant contact with her loved ones (by cell phone and in person) and she even goes out in public to dine. I found it hard to believe that the authorities were not watching her brother and therefore would not have been led straight to her very quickly. I like the idea of redemption and love with no strings attached...but it has to be within a believable context. This was more like a fantasy. Having said all of that, one thing that I think that the book does do well is suspense. The parts where she was on the run were suspenseful and very well written. I just couldn't get past the unbelievability of the rest of the story.
This book has the foundation for a good story but it missed several opportunities to pull me in emotionally. Neena has a very powerful story to tell. She's an escaped convict who was wrongfully jailed for murdering her rapist. The problem is that she never really tells it. The reader gets the gist of it through bits and pieces of conversations that she has with other characters but we never hear her full story from her.
This is also one of those books where unrealistic things magically happen that conveniently wrap up the story in a neat little package. For example, she's an escaped convict and while on the run she meets a family that take her in with absolutely no questions asked. She also meets a lawyer in town, a single father raising a young daughter, who also accepts her with no questions asked. Not only that, he marries her after a whirlwind romance. When she tells them the truth, it doesn't matter to any of them. Her 10 yr old daughter, who was born in prison and then raised by her uncle, has never seen or known her real mother. When she is reunited with her, the girl accepts her and even runs off with her to hide from the authorities. These people are a little too good to be true, in my opinion.
Then there is also the notion of how a person who is wanted is able to live such a public life for so long without being caught. I can understand being able to hide out in a small town, but she is also in constant contact with her loved ones (by cell phone and in person) and she even goes out in public to dine. I found it hard to believe that the authorities were not watching her brother and therefore would not have been led straight to her very quickly. I like the idea of redemption and love with no strings attached...but it has to be within a believable context. This was more like a fantasy. Having said all of that, one thing that I think that the book does do well is suspense. The parts where she was on the run were suspenseful and very well written. I just couldn't get past the unbelievability of the rest of the story.
June 24, 2012
Neena escaped from prison where she spent almost ten years. Officially, she was dead, eaten by the gators. Unofficially, she ran into a family of “angels”. The Torres family accepted her as a part of their own without asking any questions. In the small town, she meets Charlie and his daughter Cara, and soon they become a family. Life couldn’t be more happier for Neena.
But her happiness couldn’t last forever. She has skeletons in the closet. Ten years ago, she was ordinary girl in a reservation. Until one day she was raped by someone who was member of a wealthy and influential family. She murdered her rapist, and sent to prison. There, she found out that she was pregnant. She couldn’t raise her daughter in prison, so she gave her to her brother to raise her as his own.
Now, her past is after her. Police is after her, reporters are after her, her nine years old daughter wants to meet her, the baby is on the way. She has to survive and fight for her life and happiness.
Jailbird is a warm story for survival. A story for hope, for family and friends. For people who stand by your side no matter what. Remember that saying: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”? Your friends and family are always there for you when you need them most. Neena was all alone in that wood. She found friends and a family when she needed them most. She fought her past, for her children, all three of them, for her family, for her right for happiness.
There were also some humorous moments. Neena’s daughter had to teach her how to silent the cell phone. Nine-year-olds are really smart. There were moments of laugh and joy, but also moment of fear, fear for the future, fear from the past.
I loved the narration of the story. Easy to read, floating. Characters were very well described. You can connect with everyone of them. I loved Charlie, and Conrad, and Cara and Gabrielle. It was so easy to love them all.
I’ve found Neena’s story very touching and inspirational. I will recommend this story for everyone. It’s a heart-warming story for all ages.
But her happiness couldn’t last forever. She has skeletons in the closet. Ten years ago, she was ordinary girl in a reservation. Until one day she was raped by someone who was member of a wealthy and influential family. She murdered her rapist, and sent to prison. There, she found out that she was pregnant. She couldn’t raise her daughter in prison, so she gave her to her brother to raise her as his own.
Now, her past is after her. Police is after her, reporters are after her, her nine years old daughter wants to meet her, the baby is on the way. She has to survive and fight for her life and happiness.
Jailbird is a warm story for survival. A story for hope, for family and friends. For people who stand by your side no matter what. Remember that saying: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”? Your friends and family are always there for you when you need them most. Neena was all alone in that wood. She found friends and a family when she needed them most. She fought her past, for her children, all three of them, for her family, for her right for happiness.
There were also some humorous moments. Neena’s daughter had to teach her how to silent the cell phone. Nine-year-olds are really smart. There were moments of laugh and joy, but also moment of fear, fear for the future, fear from the past.
I loved the narration of the story. Easy to read, floating. Characters were very well described. You can connect with everyone of them. I loved Charlie, and Conrad, and Cara and Gabrielle. It was so easy to love them all.
I’ve found Neena’s story very touching and inspirational. I will recommend this story for everyone. It’s a heart-warming story for all ages.
October 29, 2012
First I will say I have sort of an author crush on Heather. I bought all of her other books because when I read two of her books I new I had to read the rest.
This story was a thriller! It opens with Neena escaping from jail. She is on the run, climbing through the forest, swimming the swamps in the bayou and scaring the crap out of me.It takes a while to find out why she was in prison. That is a BIG part of the mystery, it makes you turn the pages faster. At the end of her journey you will live through her heartache and fear again. It is very emotional. As far as the cops and jail is concerned she was dead, eaten by the gators. Unofficially, she ran into a wonderful family the Torres family took her in after she worked picking vegetable beside them. They all accepted her as a part of their own without asking any questions. It turns out everyone has a past that is just that past. In the small town, she meets Charlie the hot lawyer in the small town. Immediately he is taken by her. He is surprised too because his wife left him and his daughter Cara so he didn't think romance for a long time. Right away Cara and Neena become a family.
Life couldn’t be more happier for Neena. Of course she is always haunted and her past catches up to her. The thriller starts again. The truth about Neena and her past come to surface. It was a great book. It showed a lot of history between the reservation, American Indians and how they live separated from a lot of American life.
Jailbird is thriller, suspense, and a great romance all wrapped up. I was drawn by Neena and her survival instincts. The best part was the strong families she encountered on the way through her journey.
Please read it!! Get Heather and stalk her, let her know she is great!!
Twitter:
@Heathers_Mark
Buy the book here:http://www.amazon.com/Jailbird-Heathe...
Follow on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
This story was a thriller! It opens with Neena escaping from jail. She is on the run, climbing through the forest, swimming the swamps in the bayou and scaring the crap out of me.It takes a while to find out why she was in prison. That is a BIG part of the mystery, it makes you turn the pages faster. At the end of her journey you will live through her heartache and fear again. It is very emotional. As far as the cops and jail is concerned she was dead, eaten by the gators. Unofficially, she ran into a wonderful family the Torres family took her in after she worked picking vegetable beside them. They all accepted her as a part of their own without asking any questions. It turns out everyone has a past that is just that past. In the small town, she meets Charlie the hot lawyer in the small town. Immediately he is taken by her. He is surprised too because his wife left him and his daughter Cara so he didn't think romance for a long time. Right away Cara and Neena become a family.
Life couldn’t be more happier for Neena. Of course she is always haunted and her past catches up to her. The thriller starts again. The truth about Neena and her past come to surface. It was a great book. It showed a lot of history between the reservation, American Indians and how they live separated from a lot of American life.
Jailbird is thriller, suspense, and a great romance all wrapped up. I was drawn by Neena and her survival instincts. The best part was the strong families she encountered on the way through her journey.
Please read it!! Get Heather and stalk her, let her know she is great!!
Twitter:
@Heathers_Mark
Buy the book here:http://www.amazon.com/Jailbird-Heathe...
Follow on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
April 5, 2017
The first line of this novel made it a hard one to resist. “Of all the things I dreamed of being when I grew up, a convicted felon certainly wasn’t one of them.” This began a chapter that is scattered with so many bits of foreshadowing, I found that I couldn’t help but pick up each shiny piece with an increasing anticipation for the next.
One of the things I enjoyed most about Heather Huffman’s writing style was that she didn’t explain everything in minute detail. This was a surprise for me. At first I wanted a more thorough description of the storyline, but as I read, I realized that the author was creating a visual picture of her tale for me in a way I never expected. I was shown the events that made up Neena’s life. I understood how her past affected her, and there was no doubt just how much trepidation she felt about her future. What I found so interesting was what wasn’t written into the story—those intimate details Neena didn’t express about the things that had happened to her— spoke just as loudly as the words that were spelled out on the page. The more I read, the more I felt like the style in which the story was being told was much like Neena herself; open but guarded, emotional but hesitant.
Jailbird is at times light-hearted and sweet, but it’s dark and sad as well. While Neena’s story is a difficult one, it is impossible not to become attached to this brave and resourceful heroine. Huffman has created very genuine characters in this novel. She reminds readers with this story that bad things sometimes happen to good people, but that we all have the ability and the strength to rise above them, and that we can live the kinds of lives we all want most.
One of the things I enjoyed most about Heather Huffman’s writing style was that she didn’t explain everything in minute detail. This was a surprise for me. At first I wanted a more thorough description of the storyline, but as I read, I realized that the author was creating a visual picture of her tale for me in a way I never expected. I was shown the events that made up Neena’s life. I understood how her past affected her, and there was no doubt just how much trepidation she felt about her future. What I found so interesting was what wasn’t written into the story—those intimate details Neena didn’t express about the things that had happened to her— spoke just as loudly as the words that were spelled out on the page. The more I read, the more I felt like the style in which the story was being told was much like Neena herself; open but guarded, emotional but hesitant.
Jailbird is at times light-hearted and sweet, but it’s dark and sad as well. While Neena’s story is a difficult one, it is impossible not to become attached to this brave and resourceful heroine. Huffman has created very genuine characters in this novel. She reminds readers with this story that bad things sometimes happen to good people, but that we all have the ability and the strength to rise above them, and that we can live the kinds of lives we all want most.
May 21, 2021
Another exciting and informative book by Heather Huffman. I am in awe of her knowledge and desire to make a difference on important social justice issues. I'm on to the next book in this series.
January 10, 2012
The reader will find him/herself right in the gritty portion of the novel from the start. Neena is in jail and breaking out. Her story will have a myriad of reactions from the reader. Neena has a very good reason for being in jail-she killed a man, not just any man either, but a prominent, wealthy one. However, before she committed the act of murder, he raped and tried to kill her. When she escapes she runs to a small town where she has a chance at starting over. She does not expect to find love and a potentially ready-made family.
Neena's character is very likable. She is brave, resourceful, and overall just happy to be alive. The reader will love the love interest who eventually becomes her husband. He is understanding, successful, and her ready-made hero. Can Neena accept her current luck and happiness and leave her past behind her?
The events in this book begin with a bang and continue with a dark undertone as Neena worries about being caught and placed back in prison. The climax is towards the end of the book, leaving the reader with about 3/4 of the book to anticipate the ending! The author writes fluidly and emotionally, the reader will form an emotional attachment to Neena early on in the story. This book would be great for adult readers.
Neena's character is very likable. She is brave, resourceful, and overall just happy to be alive. The reader will love the love interest who eventually becomes her husband. He is understanding, successful, and her ready-made hero. Can Neena accept her current luck and happiness and leave her past behind her?
The events in this book begin with a bang and continue with a dark undertone as Neena worries about being caught and placed back in prison. The climax is towards the end of the book, leaving the reader with about 3/4 of the book to anticipate the ending! The author writes fluidly and emotionally, the reader will form an emotional attachment to Neena early on in the story. This book would be great for adult readers.
August 29, 2012
Another great book by Heather Huffman. Great and smooth-flowing storyline with realistic characters you can't help but want to get to know more. Great suspense with the right amount of romance (since I am NOT a romance reader, I like that she keeps it light in that category). I love page-turners and she is notorious for writing them. I am looking forward to starting the next book, Devil In Disguise, today!
April 20, 2012
I enjoyed this tale of injustice versus goodness and the will to survive. It wasn't of great depth and it wrapped up quite quickly, and a little too neatly to be entirely believable, but I enjoyed the characters and story.
October 3, 2011
Kept me interested enough, but not really a stellar book. I enjoyed it, but it seemed uneven. Parts were over-detailed while others seemed like it was just thrown in.
February 5, 2013
Another excellent by Heather Huffman.
August 8, 2011
Boring, rediculous - skip this one.
November 10, 2018
I wish I could say I found something good in this book but definitely not for me. Totally unrealistic storyline, bad dialogue, and THE absolute worst girl prison gang name. It's Las Chicas, seriously, the girls in Spanish. How was that a good idea? That is just one little tiny bit if silliness among many in this book.
May 27, 2018
Love it
This book was awesome. When I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. You will fall in love with all the characters.
This book was awesome. When I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. You will fall in love with all the characters.
May 27, 2018
It was enjoyable but completely implausible. I just kept thinking “this would never work out this way”.
September 29, 2022
Excellent! Really like this author
December 22, 2024
I felt that the characters could have had a bit more substance and the 10 year old was way more mature than you would expect.
September 28, 2016
Jailbird
Loved this book from the very first chapter! Wished there was a sequel to it! I plan on reading many more of Heather's books!
Loved this book from the very first chapter! Wished there was a sequel to it! I plan on reading many more of Heather's books!
March 5, 2015
Neena aka Kali is in prison because she killed someone. That someone took her into the woods and attacked her, raped her and would have fed her to the gators if she hadn't hit him over the head with a tire iron which sent him to the fiery place he belongs. Unfortunately, he was the son of a very rich and very prominent mayor and Neena/Kali is a half-breed. Apparently, that is sufficient to send her to prison for murder. (insert heavy sarcasm here)
The book starts with Neena/Kali escaping from prison and presumed dead. She ends up in a small Arkansas town and slowly builds a new life for herself, falling in love with the town's attorney along the way and marrying him.
But the skeletons from her past and his will not be content staying in the closet. Neena has to run again and figure out how to clear her name and reclaim the life that was stolen from her. Thankfully, she has her new husband plus friends and family on her side to help her.
This is one of the most courageous, strong and tenacious line-up of main characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. Ms. Huffman delivers another story of likable, believable and realistic characters in a plot that has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader invested in this book, turning the pages with bated breath until the end.
There's romance, there's intrigue, there's family, love, adversity and overcoming it, evil - the list goes on. Strong dialogue, never sappy or contrived, but written with much emotion and gusto. The writing is so perfectly descriptive that you can almost smell the scents of the woods, the bayous, so descriptive that you feel like you're right there in the middle of things.
And it's a free book to boost. Ms. Huffman gives them away and only asks that you support her favorite charity, World Vision, which uses its funding to fight against slavery and human trafficking and provides ways to help women and girls after they have been freed from their captors. If you have downloaded this book, please consider donating. You can find more information on Ms. Huffman's website at www.heatherhuffman.blogspot.com.
Kudos to you, ma'am.
The book starts with Neena/Kali escaping from prison and presumed dead. She ends up in a small Arkansas town and slowly builds a new life for herself, falling in love with the town's attorney along the way and marrying him.
But the skeletons from her past and his will not be content staying in the closet. Neena has to run again and figure out how to clear her name and reclaim the life that was stolen from her. Thankfully, she has her new husband plus friends and family on her side to help her.
This is one of the most courageous, strong and tenacious line-up of main characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. Ms. Huffman delivers another story of likable, believable and realistic characters in a plot that has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader invested in this book, turning the pages with bated breath until the end.
There's romance, there's intrigue, there's family, love, adversity and overcoming it, evil - the list goes on. Strong dialogue, never sappy or contrived, but written with much emotion and gusto. The writing is so perfectly descriptive that you can almost smell the scents of the woods, the bayous, so descriptive that you feel like you're right there in the middle of things.
And it's a free book to boost. Ms. Huffman gives them away and only asks that you support her favorite charity, World Vision, which uses its funding to fight against slavery and human trafficking and provides ways to help women and girls after they have been freed from their captors. If you have downloaded this book, please consider donating. You can find more information on Ms. Huffman's website at www.heatherhuffman.blogspot.com.
Kudos to you, ma'am.
April 10, 2012
I really loved this.
Kali/Neena is my kind of gal. She's not just daring and resourceful and tough, though, she's also very tender and endearing.
And the story is one of those that you are always eager to get back to, because you really want to see it working out.
It's far from a perfect book. Ms. Huffman has some grammar quirks and falls into a lot of cliches. The plot, which races along very nicely until the "third act" kind of ravels at that point. Lots of sitting around talking and lovey-dovey, lots of uncanny co-incidences drawing in big name people and ignoring logical consequences. And some early questions like how do you just start running and run out of a Louisiana prison and who got buried they thought was her, never get dealt with. But not as bad as Harlen Coben, where it turns out everybody is everybody else's love child or serial incest freak.
And she avoids some traps other writers might fall into. For instance, Neena is a reservation girl. But she wisely doesn't wallow around in Native American rez-lit homilies: she sticks to her story. She either never heard, or was wise enough to ignore, the "Show Don't Tell" thing. She just tells the story,and it works just fine. Like it does if you have a good style and good story. She avoids painting grim pictures of Neena's life before escaping from prison. A few words, Neena's reaction, and your own imagination fill it in just fine. Havin a rapist's child in prison then having to give it up doesn't really need a lot of schmaltz slapped on it to make it hurt.
But don't let anything I say about the writing take the shine off this book. Any writing glitches are outweighed by her very live, natural, unstudied style. You believe Neena telling her own story, even when it gets so complicated you want to tear your hair and buy that poor girl a drink.
Ms. Huffman is obviously a writer who has no urge to put on literary airs or be anything else than somebody telling stories about young women coping with bad ugly trouble. And she does a bang-up job.
Kali/Neena is my kind of gal. She's not just daring and resourceful and tough, though, she's also very tender and endearing.
And the story is one of those that you are always eager to get back to, because you really want to see it working out.
It's far from a perfect book. Ms. Huffman has some grammar quirks and falls into a lot of cliches. The plot, which races along very nicely until the "third act" kind of ravels at that point. Lots of sitting around talking and lovey-dovey, lots of uncanny co-incidences drawing in big name people and ignoring logical consequences. And some early questions like how do you just start running and run out of a Louisiana prison and who got buried they thought was her, never get dealt with. But not as bad as Harlen Coben, where it turns out everybody is everybody else's love child or serial incest freak.
And she avoids some traps other writers might fall into. For instance, Neena is a reservation girl. But she wisely doesn't wallow around in Native American rez-lit homilies: she sticks to her story. She either never heard, or was wise enough to ignore, the "Show Don't Tell" thing. She just tells the story,and it works just fine. Like it does if you have a good style and good story. She avoids painting grim pictures of Neena's life before escaping from prison. A few words, Neena's reaction, and your own imagination fill it in just fine. Havin a rapist's child in prison then having to give it up doesn't really need a lot of schmaltz slapped on it to make it hurt.
But don't let anything I say about the writing take the shine off this book. Any writing glitches are outweighed by her very live, natural, unstudied style. You believe Neena telling her own story, even when it gets so complicated you want to tear your hair and buy that poor girl a drink.
Ms. Huffman is obviously a writer who has no urge to put on literary airs or be anything else than somebody telling stories about young women coping with bad ugly trouble. And she does a bang-up job.
July 26, 2016
Really entertaining story! What I loved about this book is the characters. They were very realistic to me. Neena is a bit prison-hardened resulting from her experiences, but in a good way. Through her experiences she has come from being a quiet and reserved girl, to a phenomenal woman. She can handle stress, homelessness, harsh circumstances without falling apart, while still managing to take care of others! Her character embodies the the modern women we are now - strength perfectly blended with compassion as we struggle to overcome life's hardships while taking care of those with whose lives we are intertwined.
The primary male character is gentle, kind, and the two make a bit of an unlikely, but perfect, pair.
I love the family she befriends, and the other people with whom she crosses paths on her journey.
The style of writing flows very well, and held my attention from beginning to end.
Some of the experiences seem a bit fantastic, but maybe they could happen, who knows? Overall, this is one of the best books I've read. I highly recommend this book and will definitely read more by this author.
The primary male character is gentle, kind, and the two make a bit of an unlikely, but perfect, pair.
I love the family she befriends, and the other people with whom she crosses paths on her journey.
The style of writing flows very well, and held my attention from beginning to end.
Some of the experiences seem a bit fantastic, but maybe they could happen, who knows? Overall, this is one of the best books I've read. I highly recommend this book and will definitely read more by this author.
March 15, 2015
I don't read many romance novels so my review is more about the writing and the characters than it is about holding true to any romance "rules." Ms. Huffman is a very good writer. Her prose is easy to read, which takes a lot of work. The story led to a conclusion that I was pretty sure was going to happen, which is one of the reasons I took a star off. Now, this may be the mode for a classic romance novel, but I like to be surprised and to have some discord with characters. There seemed to be perfection in the imperfection of the characters and that left me a with a sense of disbelief. On the other hand, maybe I am too jaded by reading thrillers where everyone is capable of turning blood thirsty. What was communicated well in this novel was the indelible nature of the human spirit. Regardless of race or creed, people are fundamentally good, even if they have moments of bad. For the most part. And those that aren't will get their just rewards. All in all a very nice read and one that I recommend.
March 9, 2012
I really enjoyed this book from the start when a young native american woman escaped from jail where she had been wrongly imprisoned for 10 years. She works her way north from Louisiana and finds herself in a small town with small town drama. She falls in love with a local lawyer and begins such a tender romance that it is touching. Then of course things heat up in an expected way. She is found out and has to run but the bond between the two characters is strong. Won't tell too much so you must read it. The writing, while occasionally slow (or it could be I was impatient) is good and there are touches of humor, romance, tears, drama that make this a good read. I liked the characters and the story line. I'll try another of this author's work. And it was an Amazon FREE book! I am the perfect reader for this strategy since I usually buy the next book. Clever they are.
October 10, 2012
It starts with a jailbreak that is completely unexplained and unbelievable, with the heroine running from dogs (and not being caught) until she gets to the edge of a swamp in Louisiana and there are gators, but in spite of the running/panting and dog barking, a deer just happens to wander up - oblivious to dogs, escapee, and gator - to get a drink from the... swamp?... and *SNAP!* gets eaten by the gator... so it's her chance to swim away to the conveniently place chain link prison fence that happens to be strung across the swamp and has an equally convenient gap under it.
And it just gets more and more unbelievable from there. Which is why I stopped not even halfway thru. Wow, what a stupid, stupid book. Her 'Ties that Bind' was slightly better - I actually made it to the end of that one. But... wha.
And it just gets more and more unbelievable from there. Which is why I stopped not even halfway thru. Wow, what a stupid, stupid book. Her 'Ties that Bind' was slightly better - I actually made it to the end of that one. But... wha.
December 20, 2015
This was a foray into fiction I would not normally read. Fortunately, it was a fun, enjoyable experience--but sometimes a little uncomfortable for me. I'm male and the story is from a female perspective. An honest, emotional, and definitely female perspective. I like action-adventure, SF, and some other
genres. Getting into a female head is hard.
But, I did like this read very much. I had no idea what to expect when I got it and it took a bit to figure out where Heather was going with the character. But that is a good thing. You should discover as you go along.
My primary reason for getting this and reading it is to see how a female lead is written by an expert. I'm glad I did. I now know how to approach my main character in the next sequel to Sudden Mission. Thanks, Heather. Good read and fun. I may even have the courage to read more of your books. ;-)
genres. Getting into a female head is hard.
But, I did like this read very much. I had no idea what to expect when I got it and it took a bit to figure out where Heather was going with the character. But that is a good thing. You should discover as you go along.
My primary reason for getting this and reading it is to see how a female lead is written by an expert. I'm glad I did. I now know how to approach my main character in the next sequel to Sudden Mission. Thanks, Heather. Good read and fun. I may even have the courage to read more of your books. ;-)
February 27, 2012
This book was surprisingly addicting. The characters were very strong and likeable and it was hard to put down. If I had to compare it to a movie, it would be Taken. In the moment, I was really into the storyline...after it ended I found myself thinking "Why did she do that? That wasn't really explained. Why is she going there? how is that possible?" The ending also felt really rushed and too simple. This had the potential to be a deeper, complex novel but the author chose to keep it in the shallow end.
Still, I enjoyed this book more than others I paid 3 times more for. That earns it an extra star. :-)
Still, I enjoyed this book more than others I paid 3 times more for. That earns it an extra star. :-)
August 21, 2012
This book started out so well. It was suspenseful and intriguing in the beginning. I was excited because it was one of the free Kindle books on Amazon, so I thought I had lucked out. As the story went on it just got more and more cheesy and unrealistic.
This is another example of a "no consequence" book. Everything worked out in favor of the protagonist, no matter how many people she hurt, laws she broke, lies she told, etc.
Then add an unrealistic love story that got annoying because she physically ached when she wasn't with him.
I finished the book, but it got harder to pick it up and read it the further I got into it. It was just not that great.
This is another example of a "no consequence" book. Everything worked out in favor of the protagonist, no matter how many people she hurt, laws she broke, lies she told, etc.
Then add an unrealistic love story that got annoying because she physically ached when she wasn't with him.
I finished the book, but it got harder to pick it up and read it the further I got into it. It was just not that great.
March 12, 2011
Interesting story, although somewhat far-fetched such as when she supposedly runs away from a max security prison and lives alone in the woods for 40 days. No clothes, no food, nothing for 40 days? Anyway, as long as you can put these little things aside, it was a quick, fun read that was easy with a happily-ever-after ending. I enjoyed it enough that I'm now reading another book by Huffman called "Throwaway". I like her writing style and wit. Also, both of these books were free at the sony estore for the ereader!
February 27, 2012
This was a quick read and I am thankful that I got it for free on my Kindle. This story had a great baseline to it, but was poorly written. It jumped around quite a bit and lacks a lot of detail. The ending was almost as if the author got sick of writing and just said "I'm done, end of story" without any real closure. Had there been more time taken to write the story with the detail it needed, this could have been a great book. It was like someone was in a race to write a book and ran out of time. I hope not all free books are this poor. :(
April 8, 2012
I liked this book - it starts with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. My only criticism is that I felt like the history the main character's wasn't fully explained - just vague references to what had happened. It didn't detail the event that put her in jail, only gives a passing explanation as to how she escaped from prison, and her very strong relationship with her cellmate isn't explored or explained. That said, the storyline is interesting and while the supporting characters might be a little "too good to be true", it makes for an enjoyable read.
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