Author: Babbling Becky L

Convenient Lies (Hidden Truths #1)
by Robin Patchen
From back cover:
What happens when a woman marries her greatest enemy?

When investigative journalist Reagan McAdams discovers her new husband Julien is part of a powerful international crime family, she flees Paris with their newborn, returning to her childhood home in Nutfield, New Hampshire. She plans to gather her inheritance, collect her beloved grandmother, and disappear forever. She’ll do whatever it takes to protect her son from his criminal father.

But when Reagan arrives home, her heart breaks at the news of her grandmother’s death. Finding her missing inheritance—hidden somewhere on the property—is as impossible as a second chance with her former boyfriend, Brady. Reagan’s feelings for Brady are stronger than ever, but when Julien’s people harm innocents to smoke her out, Reagan must make a choice.

What—and who—will she have to sacrifice to save her son?

MY REVIEW:
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***** 5 stars

One woman’s desperate need for love and acceptance, coupled with her intense need to expose the truth, lands her in the middle of her worst nightmare. Running for her life, with her young son, Rae McAdams hopes for safety against all odds. Rae has just discovered what her husband’s real occupation is, and “no one leaves the family.”

I downloaded this complimentary copy of Convenient Lies and accidentally opened it. I had no intention of reading it right now, but I was sucked into the story as I perused the first few sentences. This title, Convenient Lies, is the first book of the series, Hidden Truth by Robin Patchen. Though a series opener, it stands alone well. I am anxious to read the next novel in the series. I am sure it will be just as thrilling and mesmerizing.

I received a complimentary copy of this eBook from the author. No positive review was required and all opinions are solely my own.

From the back cover:

David Galloway can’t die.

How many lifetimes can God expect one man to live? Over a century old, David Galloway isolates himself from the mortal humans who die or desert him by making a quiet life as a used bookstore owner in Northern Michigan. But then he spots a news article about a man who, like him, should be dead.

Daredevil celebrity Zachary Wilson walked away unscathed from what should have been a deadly fall. David tracks the man down, needing answers. Soon David discovers a close-knit group of individuals as old as he is who offer the sort of kinship and community he hasn’t experienced for decades—but at what cost?

David finds himself keeping secrets other than his own. . .protecting more than himself alone. He’ll have to decide what’s worth the most to him—security or community. When crimes come to light that are older than any mortal, he fears the pressure is more than he can stand. What does God require of him, and is David strong enough to see it through?

MY REVIEW:
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***** 5 stars

As we meet him in Amanda Stevens’s No Less Days, David Galloway is a reclusive bookstore owner in northern Michigan. His life seems quiet until he visits the Grand Canyon to see what happened to the body of teen idol Zachary Wilson. Wilson fell while attempting to cross the Grand Canyon.

David discovers he is not alone in his uniqueness on earth. There are at least four others like him, and they have been looking for David for some time. Instantly, David has a community that he has been lacking many years.

There is a phrase that is very applicable to this book. “The author needs to be able to cause the reader to suspend disbelief.” I would have had less trouble doing this if this were a secular book. However, since there are strong Christian elements, I had a hard time understanding how David’s group is then unaffected by the Fall.

I liked that David is so generous and kind and also begins to realize his need for others. He treats Tiana’s friend very kindly and goes beyond to be sure she has her needs met. He also realizes his need for physical love, and Tiana herself is very convincing as she tells David he needs the church again.

I finished the book with many unanswered questions. Maybe that’s just me. Or maybe we’re being set up for a sequel. No Less Days is worth checking out. It might be your next favorite book, especially if you love speculative fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This in no way affected my opinion, which is freely given, and for which I am solely responsible.