Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder?
Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder? Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her. When an unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning,
Sam, a city girl at heart, is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice. Making a decision that will forever change her life she flees to the small fishing town of Big Fork Lake, Alabama and soon finds herself in the arms of Noah Frye.
A tumultuous relationship with Noah sparks buried desires of the heart, even if he is a Christian, surely, she can get around that little problem. As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect.
Will she have to run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man she’s ever found? And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can she truly trust in Him?
Excerpt
Sam’s eyes popped open. She heaved a rapid breath.
A rough, sweaty hand rubbed her head. Hungry fingers clumsily caressed her hair and brushed against her cheek.
The air filled with an odd stench and assaulted her nose. Sam’s stomach churned. She swallowed back the nausea that stirred from the pungent reek of liquor.
With a quick breath, she squelched the panic that bolted through her like lightening and concentrated on the eerie shadow that lurked above her head.
The light from a moonbeam shined across the room and created a spotlight on the staggering silhouette.
Immediately, she recognized Rob.
She jerked her body up in an instant.
Quickly, her head hit the couch hard as her body slammed down tight with the cushions. Rob lashed out and grabbed the front of her blouse. The gold-colored shiny circles popped off as the cotton material ripped.
Sam clawed his face, managing to pull away and scramble to her feet.
She forged the strength from somewhere deep within and gave him a quick shove. His body fell backward.
Her heart leapt as she raced toward the simmering glow coming from the nightlight in the hallway. Rob dashed after her like a dog snapping at her heels.
As Sam approached her front door, her peripheral vision glimpsed the statue made of metal perched on the shelf over her coat rack. She knew the little figurine wouldn’t offer much defense because it was small and hollow, but what other choice did she have?
Quickly, she snatched up the horse. She whacked Rob, hitting him hard, then another time, until he staggered and fell.
Sam ran as fast as she could and left Rob lying on the hallway floor. A moan escaped his lips as a trickle of blood oozed from his head.
She scurried down the steps as remorse hit her. Of all the stupid things she could’ve done! Why had she forgotten to lock her door?
Sam dashed down the sidewalk. She was aware, vaguely, of the passing city blocks.
The sting of the air in her eyes, on her cheeks, slowly revealed the brutal chill. The February night embraced her entire body. Her skin tingled as the wintry air swirled inside her torn garment.
With shivering hands, Sam grabbed the fabric and held tight. She blinked and fought against tears as they trickled down her cheek. This was no time to cry—she needed to stay strong.
Blurred with emotion, she was grateful for living in the city. The streetlights shined on the sidewalk and gave her a clear path in the night.
After a few blocks, she slowed down to a jog, finally able to stop running. Sam’s heart beat in rapid succession as she leaned against a building and heaved, barely aware of the frosty concrete pressed against her back.
Sam concentrated on inhaling slow breaths in and out, until her lungs felt normal again.
She slid down the rough surface and landed flat on the icy sidewalk. Crouched down, Sam held her ribs as they throbbed.
Rubbing her cheeks, she swiped away the moisture that flowed over her face.
No, she wouldn’t give in to despair. Now she could go back to the police and get help. Maybe, with a court order, she could keep Rob away. She could concentrate on getting her life back on the right track.
Sam sat there in the dismal hour of darkness and focused on calming her shaky nerves.
Her emotions drained her. Hunkered down on the sidewalk mindlessly, Sam watched the nightlife across the street.
After what seemed like hours, pins and needles pricked her frigid, stiff body. She clutched at her torn top and shivered once more. How could she have nowhere to go? How did she manage to lose connections to all her friends? They had all married or moved away.
Totally alone, she knew there was no other choice but to return home.
Professional Reviews
Fantastic, easy read!,
This book held my attention from the beginning to the end. It left me guessing on whether I was correct or not on who it was. It was a great, easy read that flowed together nicely.
Good read.,
I purchased the book for myself and I thought it was great! It's suspenseful and romantic. Several of my co-workers and family members want to read it now!
Escape Presents New Opportunities
Young Sam (Samantha) Blacker has plenty of challenges tossed in her direction and plenty of reasons to abandon Atlanta, Georgia. Her job in a bookstore has disappeared, leaving her nearly broke and eager to find new prospects. A close friend (emotionally, if not a frequent visitor) seems to have disappeared with no forwarding address. And to top off her predicament, a particularly persistent and threatening neighbor meets her rejection of his overtures with violence.
What's an enterprising woman to do? Inclination and opportunity meet and merge when Sam discovers her old friend Bo has passed away and left her his picturesque inn near Big Fork Lake, Alabama. She seizes on the occasion to flee her neighbor's attentions and buy herself some time to consider her future. When she arrives, she meets Noah Frye who becomes a promising suitor as well as her stalwart supporter as she learns the inn-keeping business. Still, threats a-plenty keep readers on their mental toes: a mysterious murder, struggles to keep the inn financially viable, doubts about people's motives and characters.
In addition to romance and mayhem, Escape to Big Fork Mountain shows how faith can be a support in times of trouble. This theme underlies the plot like a strong bedrock for life. The novel is a satisfying blend of entertainment and integrity, as Sam discovers herself and uncovers valuable relationships, one romantic, others personal.
Six straight men in the cast plus free Tex-Mex food? My friend Lida Rose sure knew how to persuade me. I signed on the dotted line and dusted off my dance shoes. I knew Bad Business on the Brazos would have them rolling in the aisles and standing up
Jerry Lowenstein, an octogenarian and a nice guy, has written a fantastic mystery/ suspense novel that takes place just after WW2 on and near Bikini Atoll. He actually witnessed an atomic bomb test. Can you imagine that?
