Challenge Corner discussion

“She stood in the deep, dark woods, breath shallow and cold prickling over her skin despite the hot, heavy air. She took a step back, then two, as the urge to run fell over her.”

Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods. In freeing the girl trapped in the root cellar, Naomi revealed the horrible extent of her father’s crimes and made him infamous. No matter how close she gets to happiness, she can’t outrun the sins of Thomas David Bowes.

Now a successful photographer living under the name Naomi Carson, she has found a place that calls to her, a rambling old house in need of repair, thousands of miles away from everything she’s ever known. Naomi wants to embrace the solitude, but the kindly residents of Sunrise Cove keep forcing her to open up—especially the determined Xander Keaton.

Naomi can feel her defenses failing, and knows that the connection her new life offers is something she’s always secretly craved. But the sins of her father can become an obsession, and, as she’s learned time and again, her past is never more than a nightmare away.

Exposure: (view spoiler)[Wow, I loved that beginning. It captured me right from the start and I am enjoying the book so much. Naomi went through something very traumatic and I am loving watching her grow into this beautiful and strong person. Her mom's loss didn't break her although it was so very terrifying and I was apalled by Anson trying to blackmail her for the story, no one is really your friend it seems (hide spoiler)]

Depth of Filed: (view spoiler)[This part took me a moment to get into, there were so many new characters and a new place to get familiar with but I am now so glad that Naomi seems to have gained a few genuine friends moving to Sunrise Cove. Xander is so persistent about what he wants, I am not sure whether I like it or not but I do absolutely love the dog. She finally surrendered and gave him a name too, it was very sweet (hide spoiler)]

Panorama: (view spoiler)[I felt like Xander was just a bit too pushy and self absorbed in this one with evaluating Naomi based on the fact that he can have a conversation with her and she even cooks! Then he went ahead and did all that work for his yard, I don't know I just personally don't like such invasion of boundary but clearly Naomi was ok with it so meh. He figured out her true identity too but thankfully hasn't breached the topic with her. Marla now going missing has me so frustrated though. Naomi needs a break! (hide spoiler)]

Light and shadow: (view spoiler)[There is another serial killer on the loose now and right where Naomi shifted? Yeah something smells fishy here to me. I really hope it's not someone she personally knows, that would crush her. Xander giving her the space and time to let her be comfortable sharing her past was actually kinda nice and the way he tells her to move on though could be interpreted as somewhat insensitive, what made it good was that his intention was to not give too much importance to her father's crimes in Naomi's life (hide spoiler)]

Focus: (view spoiler)[WTH?? This is so very creepy, I hadn't even made the connection that the crime scenes were the same ones Naomi used for her photographs. I am loving her brother Mason though, he's such a great sibling and an even better investigator. I am hoping no harm comes to Naomi and the killer is caught soon. I am trying to come up for who it might be and the only one who comes to mind is the one who wanted her to give him an interview. It would be interesting to find out if I am thinking in the right direction. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[OMG I was right!! That person was obsessed and he was so damn sick. The dog really scared him and I am betting Naomi is thanking the day she found him. I found Xander to be a bit cocky overall and definitely not someone I'd personally choose but him and Naomi were better together so it's all good. I liked the whole family together at the end and her uncles sure deserve a callout for being such amazing caregivers. (hide spoiler)]

Started this one tonight.

Exposure: Chapters 1-5
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Damn, what a way to open the book. Naomi finding that and exposing her father had to be so hard for her. But it's definitely helped her become stronger. I like that she kept in touch with Ashley. Her "friend" trying to blackmail her like that is super crappy. I like that way Naomi pulled one over on him.
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Depth of Field: Chapters 6-10
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I'm really enjoying this. The house renovations are interesting. I like Xander's character, him and Naomi have great chemistry. The dog is adorable and I loved that she slowly fell for him and finally gave him a name.
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Panorama: Chapters 11-15
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I'm really enjoying Xander and Naomi together. I wonder what he'll do now that he knows her identity. He hasn't brought it up yet, so I'm hoping he just waits for her to.

Marla going missing is an interesting development. I wonder if she did run off or if it's something more sinister.
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Finished this one tonight.

Light and Shadow: Chapters 16-20
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Poor Marla, it's terrible what happened to her. And for Naomi to be the one to find her after what happened when she was a kid? That's rough.

I liked that Xander didn't push for her to share her past. And Naomi definitely needed some sense talked into her after how she tried to push everything away.

Who is the person killing women now? Is he somehow connected to Naomi's father? Or someone entirely new?
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Focus: Chapters 21-25
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And he's killed another one. This guy is sick. I wonder who he is? Is he a character we've met yet?

I really like Mason. His and Naomi's relationship is great, I love how close they are.

Naomi needs to stop trying to run when things get tough. I like that Xander pushes back on that behavior.
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Balance: Chapters 26-30
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I had totally forgotten about the high school kid from the beginning. Damn, he was obsessed with Naomi. I'm glad they stopped him. Also glad the dog was ok after getting shot.
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I really enjoyed this one.