MrsK Books: Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

Friday, July 15, 2016

Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

ISBN: 9781401690281

Publisher's Synopsis:

Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.” Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point. Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago. When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

MrsK's Review:

Mallory is a creative sea-glass jewelry artisan. At the moment, she is taking her twenty pieces around to various store owners in Bangor, Maine. Not only are these pieces delightfully crafted, but her signature mermaid adds just the right uniqueness for all customers. Her daughter, Haylie, is at that age, as a fourteen year old, where all she wants is her mother to just "Chill out." For the past week, she has had that inner feeling that someone has been watching her. Why would anyone care about her or her whereabouts? Was it a bill collector?

"Love you...always.

Find...Mother.

Tell...Haylie. Love her.

Should have...known better."

What was her dad talking about? Was he having a heart attack? Oh, how she wished she could turn the clock back. Warden Kevin O'Connor, dreaded the phone call to Mallory. Not only had Kevin looked up to Edmund, he also knew the depth of assistance that Mallory will need to move beyond her father's death. Will he be able to provide that assistance know that Mallory is heading home? It had been so many years since Mallory had left Breakwater Cottage and Mermaid Point. Aunt Blanche and Haylie were all that is left. What happened?

"I'm here Sadie...

The familiar pang struck him at her sightless eyes...

pulled her on his lap,

relishing the little girl scent of strawberry shampoo."

Kevin wasn't expecting how shaken he would be in seeing Mallory again. Given the agony of today's discovery, all of the emotions and doubts had drained Kevin. Yet, coming home to his eight-year old daughter proved to be the salve that his disquieted heart would need, at least for the time being.

Mallory's life begins a fast-paced unraveling. What begins with her father's death quickly spirals into chaos. Rocks with messages, watchers in the woods, a burglary in her home in Bangor, then a near brush with a fiery death will rekindle a bond with Kevin. Yet, with so many twists and turns in the murder investigation... is it possible to bring down the walls between them?

For me, as a reader, I was hooked the minute I met Mallory. The mystery is so well woven between Mallory's story, her feelings for Kevin, their daughter's friendship that you will find it difficult to put the book down. Characterization is at its best!

The pacing will be like a siren's song... calling you back... until the last page is turned.
MrsK

Entertaining... Perfect blend of mystery and romance... Delightful page turner!

Meet the Author:

USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print. Learn more about Colleen's books...

"I received this book for free from the Fiction Guild for this review."

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)