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Carol A. Spradling

Carol A. Spradling

has 56 followers and is following 70 people

As a youth, I loved reading Trixie Belden books. She was great—smart, witty, and surrounded by good-looking guys. What’s not to like? While in my teens, I discovered the answers to that question when I heard someone mention a romance novel she had read. Her shallow breathing and flushed face was enough to pique my interest. A trip to the... more »
  • member since January 10, 2008

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Displaying 1-10 of 42 reviews
  • Dark Obsession
    • Rated 5 stars

    Forced into a marriage to save her reputation and his estate, Grayson Lowell and Nora Thorngood must trust that the rumors concerning each other are false. When their community refuses to let them reestablish their lives, they move to Blackheath Moor, Lowell's family's estate. Met by a mysterious housekeeper, a mute nephew, and two ghosts, the newlyweds forge into a mystery that has cost Grayson his finances and has his sanity teetering on the edge of an abyss.

    Ms Chase does a fabulous job of weaving her characters together in a story that will keep you glued to the pages. I rooted for Gray and Nora from the minute they entered the scene and held my breath until the end. The secondary characters enrich the story and will keep you offset as to who did the deed. Equally important is how and why it was done. I worried that I would get to the end and it would be an easy finish. Not so. The conclusion was very satisfying.

    I am not a fan of paranormal books, but I do enjoy a good ghost story. In the tradition of JANE EYRE, DARK OBSESSION will satisfy lovers of Gothic novels. This book is a must read.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Saturday, August 30, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • I'm Watching You
    • Rated 1 stars

    I couldn't finish it. The author was much too wordy.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Friday, August 22, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Presence
    • Rated 5 stars

    Wanna spend the afternoon with a good mystery? If so, you gotta read THE PRESENCE. Toni Fraser and a group of friends have rented a Scottish Castle and are giving skitted tours, featuring the ancestral owner. Toni believes she has created the tale but when the descendant of her play arrives, she is made aware that her ghost story is factual on many levels.

    This is my first experience with Heather Graham's writing and I loved her book. Her writing style is easy to follow, she paints the scene with a skilled hand, and her characters are fantastic. She also weaves subplots and red herrings throughout her story that will keep you guessing until the end.

    Although it took me a while to keep all of the characters straight, I was drawn in immediately to the story and found it difficult to stop turning the pages. THE PRESENCE has made me a fan of Ms Graham's work, and I will look for more of her books.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Saturday, August 16, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • At His Command
    • Rated 4 stars

    Part of the Homecoming Heroes series from Steeple Hill, AT HIS COMMAND is a Christian novel featuring Madeline Bright and Jake Hopkins. Jake survived a military helicopter crash and lives with the guilt that his best friend died. Maddie is a constant reminder that although he lived, he will never lead a normal life.

    The characters in this book are very real and and easy to relate to. Jake struggles with a future that he sees only as grim while Maddie tries to get him to see her as something more than his best friend's kid sister. Just when she is ready to give up on him, both of their mothers step in for a few coincidental meetings. God bless meddling moms.

    This book is filled with faith-encouraging scenes that aren't at all preachy. The characters handle adversity with very human responses while relying on Godly wisdom and intervention. AT HIS COMMAND is a must read for anyone who has hungered for an opportunity to peek into other people's lives and see how it is possible to rally when your plans are shattered.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Friday, August 8, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Tumbling Through Time
    • Rated 5 stars

    Seph Pyle is at the Pittsburgh airport with co-worker Tom Fraser when a killer pair of pink stilettos catch her eye in a store window. What better way to fill time while waiting for their flight to be called. The fit, color, feel has never been better. She plunks down her credit card, snaps the last strap in place, and finds herself on board a ship in 1706. The captain is quick to explain her arrival. After all, this is Seph's doing. He is merely a character in her book and he wants spoilers.

    I have to tell you, I loved this book. Yes, there are a few bumps but nothing unforgivable. The characters were likable, fun, and real. When I read the back cover and saw two love interests, I knew whose side I was on. Umm, no. Tom won me over. I loved that he didn't spend all of his time not believing her story. And his little test to see if she had traveled, this is a guy you want to have around.

    The idea that an author ends up in her own unwritten story was a great hook, and I wished this could have been expanded on a little more. With that said, the book did not lack plot.

    Can we talk cover art for a minute? I am not a fan of typical romance covers, but I like this one. I think it is because the artist got it right. The cover depicts the story. Even the shoe's details are there.

    This is not a by-the-book romance or time travel story. YES! (Sorry. Reviewer commentary.) I enjoy both of these genres, but this book had me turning the page because I didn't know what to expect next. My fingers so itched to flip to the last few pages before I was finished. I resisted. :)

    TUMBLING THROUGH TIME is a definite keeper and Gwyn Cready is an 'auto-buy' author.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Saturday, August 2, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Highlander Unmasked
    • Rated 4 stars

    Meg MacKinnon has to marry in order to defend her clan's holdings. Faced with a deadline to achieve marital bliss, she heads to court in search of a husband. Alex MacLeod must keep his identity and purpose hidden. Too bad for him that Meg recognizes him as one of the men who aided her and her mother during a roadside attack.

    Ms McCarty does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. Meg and Alex are both strong, very likable, but not over powering.

    I did feel there were times when the story bogged down with details and I rolled my eyes at a few phrases. But, the author did stay focused on the plot and kept the action moving.

    This is my first read of this author and I have already scribbled a note to myself listing the title of her next book to go in my tbr pile.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Tuesday, July 29, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Dangerous to Know
    • Rated 0 stars

    This book spent most of the time with the characters talking about what they planned to do but never doing it. I couldn't finish it.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Monday, July 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Murder Gets A Life
    • Rated 0 stars

    Couldn't finish

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Friday, July 18, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Master of the Highlands
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 1 stars

    Lily Hamlin has traveled back in time to Scotland, 1654. She meets Ewan Cameron, who isn't at all surprised she is from another time.

    I'm slightly torn on this book. Ms Wolff's writing style leans toward literary. If you prefer books that are filled with narrative and details, you will love this book. If you are looking for a light romp through Scotland, this book isn't for you.

    The book begins with many pages of backstory. Because of the author's overuse of narrative and detailed description, I felt like I was sorting through wrappings in search of the story.

    Lily is introduced to another time traveler in the castle. I expected her to spend a lot of time with him, comparing notes, in search of a way to return home. There isn't even a small amount of curiosity, which I found odd because I thought she had a science background.

    I never warmed up to any of the characters and when Lily and Ewan professed feelings for each other, I was shocked.

    Overall, I was determined to finish, and did, but with a headache.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Thursday, July 3, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Three Nights of Sin
    • Rated 4 stars

    When Marietta Winters' brother is arrested for murder, she discovers there is only one person in town willing to help her prove his innocence. Gabriel Noble's price is steep, but he is willing to work for three favors called due at his discretion. Marietta agrees and discovers that Gabriel has more reason to find the murderer than she does.

    The title and the book blurb really intrigued me (I could do without the cover art), but I found the story dealt more with the events that led up to THE THREE NIGHTS OF SIN opposed to the nights themselves. Although not what I had bargained for, the book still held its own. There were a few places of description that wobbled, but nothing that was irritating.

    Ms Mallory's writing style is very clean and enjoyable. Her characters are fantastic, and I loved the way they were evenly matched. I rooted for them from page one.

    Her plotting is good and easy to follow except for a few 'did I miss something' moments. This was easily forgiven when a major hook, about three fourths into the story, had me turning the pages before I finished the last words. I had to see how this was going to be handled and I was on pins and needles hoping the characters would make me proud.

    Overall, I think this author has a lot to offer and will improve with each book she writes.

    Carol A. Spradling wrote this review Tuesday, July 1, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 42 reviews