I read some amazing books in 2020 and I would like to share them again with you, updated with the authors most recent releases and their biography.
Today I am sharing my review from June 2020 for Wake Robin Ridge: Book One by Marcia Meara
About the book
Marcia Meara, author of Swamp Ghosts and Finding Hunter, has set Book One of her Wake-Robin Ridge series amid the haunting beauty of the North Carolina mountains, where ghosts walk, ancient legends abound, and things still go bump in the night.
“A PHONE RINGING AT 2:00 A.M. never means anything good. Calls at 2:00 A.M. are bad news. Someone has died. Someone is hurt. Or someone needs help.”
On a bitter cold January night in 1965, death came calling at an isolated little cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge. Now, nearly 50 years later, librarian Sarah Gray has quit her job and moved into the same cabin, hoping the peace and quiet of her woodland retreat will allow her to concentrate on writing her first novel. Instead she finds herself distracted by her only neighbor, the enigmatic and reclusive MacKenzie Cole, who lives on top of the mountain with his Irish wolfhound as his sole companion.
As their tentative friendship grows, Sarah learns the truth about the heartbreaking secret causing Mac to hide from the world. But before the two can sort out their feelings for each other, they find themselves plunged into a night of terror neither could have anticipated. Now they must unravel the horrifying events of a murder committed decades earlier. In doing so, they discover that the only thing stronger than a hatred that will not die is a heart willing to sacrifice everything for another.
My review for the book 13th June 2020
A very enjoyable read with elements of romance, paranormal and mystery coming together in a story that will keep you intrigued to the end.
The setting of the story is spectacular, and the author takes us through the year with great visual effect, as the seasons change so dramatically in the North Carolina mountains. The love stories spanning the 50 years, are interconnected through the cabin that Sarah Grey has bought as a writing retreat, and escape from a life that had become far too predictable.
The relationships between the characters are told in parallel, with flashbacks and letters that reveal the truth about the terrible tragedy back in the 1960s that resulted in present day events.
Marcia Meara shows a deep understanding of human nature and takes time to build up the relationship between Mac and Sarah, allowing the reader an opportunity to engage with the characters in a meaningful way. Equally well told is the love story between Ruthie and Frank. Hopes for their future together were blighted by her past and the evil that was looming on the edges of this idyllic spot. The author does a great job in bringing all these strands from past and present together and creating a tense and frightening build up to the climax in the 1960s and the long lasting aftershocks that cause turmoil in the present day.
What is the mystery behind the terrifying events on one particular night every year and how can it be stopped? You will need to read the book to find out. Which I highly recommend that you do.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
A selection of books by Marcia Meara
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Marcia Meara on: Goodreads – Blog:Marcia Meara Writes – Twitter: @MarciaMeara
Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years, four big cats, and one small dachshund.
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to her very favorites, snakes. The exception would be spiders, which she truly loathes, convinced that anything with eight hairy legs is surely up to no good. She does not, however, kill spiders anymore, since she knows they have their place in the world. Besides, her husband now handles her Arachnid Catch and Release Program, and she’s good with that.
Spiders aside, the one thing Marcia would like to tell each of her readers is that it’s never too late to make your dreams come true. If, at the age of 69, she could write and publish a book (and thus fulfill 64 years of longing to do that very thing), you can make your own dreams a reality, too. Go for it! What have you got to lose?
Thanks for dropping by today and I hope you have enjoyed my review and will check out this book and the others by Marcia Meara. Thanks Sally
Congratulations to Marcia, for another great book, and your fantastic review, Sally! Thank you for sharing. I would not miss another great book, and the first of this series too. Michael
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Thanks Michael.. a wonderful series and Marcia tells me more to come which is great. xx
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Great news, Sally! Thank you!
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I know I’m late responding, but I appreciate your thoughts JUST as much as if I’d been able to get here sooner, Michael. When you have a chance to get to this series, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about life and the somewhat shivery things that happen now and then on the Ridge. And I especially hope Rabbit makes you smile. (When he’s not tugging at your heartstrings.) Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I’ll try to respond more quickly next time.) 🙂
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I am sure it will be a very amazing read, Marcia. Dont worry, since month i am on a regularely basis behind reading comments. 😉 Have a great weekend! Michael
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I have this series waiting for me on my Kindle. I just know I’m going to fall in love with Rabbit! Thanks for sharing, Sally!
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I know you are Jan.. he is a keeper..♥
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Sorry to be late getting back here, Jan, but your comment is STILL appreciated greatly. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to meet the Coles, and will find Rabbit a fun character to visit, when he comes along in the series. (Book 2) I’ll be eager to hear what you think. 🙂 ❤
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A lovely review, Sally. I also enjoyed this book.
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Thanks Robbie.. and for adding your recommendation.. hope you have a good weekend.. hugsx
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You too, Sally
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Thanks so much, Robbie. I’m really glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate your taking a moment to let me know. Have a great weekend! 🙂
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A great review of Marcia’s book. She is a wonderful writer.
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She is Darlene. I am well and truly hooked..hugs
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Wow, Darlene! That is such a wonderful thing to say! Thank you so much, and thanks also for stopping by and taking a moment to leave such a kind comment! It’s greatly appreciated. (My day is now ending on as happy a note as it began, when I found this post!) 😀
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Have a lovely weekend Marcia..♥
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I loved this whole series. Rabbit is such an enchanting character. Congrats to Marcia on the excellent review!
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Thanks so much, Mae. I am so pleased that you enjoy the series this much, and especially that you love Rabbit. He seems to have that impact on a lot of readers, and I’m eternally grateful that Sarah told me about him one night. 😉 😀
Thanks for stopping by today and taking a moment to comment, too! 🤗<3
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Thanks Mae.. Rabbit is a darling..xx
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I’m such a fan of this series. I’ve decided they’re my fictional family.
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Errrmmm… I may have to fight you for them, Teri. 😀 😀 😀 But of course, Rabbit has enough love in his heart to go around, so I reckon I can share! 😉 And thanks for such lovely words. I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed these books! 😀
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And you could not find a lovelier one anywhere… hugs Teri..x
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Super review, Sally. Thanks for sharing Marcia’s book today.
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Thanks for stopping by, John. The review really got my day off to a great start! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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😁
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Thanks John.. a fantastic first book in a series..hugsx
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😊
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Great review for Marcia’s wonderful book, Sally! I’ve got more on my kindle and highly recommend this book.
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Thanks for adding your recommendation Bette.. I have to say the whole series is amazing..hugsxx♥
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Music to my old ears, Sally, even the damaged one, which, btw, has FINALLY healed after more than 10 weeks! I’m beyond happy to know you’ve enjoyed the whole series to date, and hope you’ll like where it goes next, too! 😀 ❤
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Glad to hear that your ear is doing well Marcia..and I have do doubts that I will love it..♥♥
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Thank you so much for that, Bette. I’m very happy to know you enjoyed WRR and I hope you’ll also enjoy the rest of the series to date when you have time to check them out. So nice to have you drop by today, especially with such a super comment! 😀 ❤
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Great review. Congratulations to Marcia.
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Thanks Craig.. start of a wonderful series. x
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Thanks so much, Craig. You know, in spite of the romantic bits (not your thing, I realize), you might enjoy the things that go bump in the night in this one. Some creepy stuff, and some fairly scary bits, too, I think. NOT that I’m pushing you toward my book or anything, you understand. Just sayin’ is all. 😀 😀 😀
Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to comment, Craig. VERY much appreciated. 😀
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Wonderful review, Sally, of the start of a series that just gets better and better. I loved this first book, and then Rabbit came along in the second one and I lost my heart to him! xx
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As did we all Alex…I am glad we will be getting some more later…a lovely series..hugsx
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You are so sweet to say so, Trish, and I’m so glad you feel that way! Hopefully, you’ll enjoy what I’m planning next for the good folks who live on the Ridge. 😀 Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to let folks know your thoughts, too. GREATLY appreciated! 🙂 ❤
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Congratulations Marcia! Will have to start the series soon. A wonderful review! From a passionate gardener to a passionate gardener, as i had read now. 😉 Michael
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Thanks Michael and I am sure you will love the series..hugsx
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Oh, I’d love to hear what you think about the goings-on along Wake-Robin Ridge, Michael! Can’t wait to get your thoughts.
And yep, I do love gardening, though right now, you’d be hard pressed to tell it by the sad shape of our yard. We have still not recovered from Hurricane Irma, which smashed the entire back garden beds and all the hedges out front, along with crushing our garage. It pretty much ruined 16 years of hard work, but we ARE making a valiant effort to get it back together again. It just takes a lot longer these days. Backs and knees are less forgiving after a certain age, for sure! But we will NOT give up.
Sitting on our back patio, sipping tea (coffee for Mark) and watching our hummingbirds and cardinals (and the occasional black racer) visiting the garden was SO very good for the soul. Can’t wait to get it back to something beautiful again. (Though I do plan to make it easier maintenance this time around.)
Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to say hello! It’s very appreciated! 🙂
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Great review, Sally. I’m a huge fan of this whole series. Congrats to Marcia!
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Thanks Diana and a whisper of more to come…lovely xx
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Thanks so much, Diana! That’s great to hear, and I hope you’ll enjoy what’s coming up next. But first, it’s back to Riverbend and a whole new adventure, with a new villain in town. *I can say no more!* 😀 😀 😀
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Awesome, my friend. Happy Writing!
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Great review of Marcia’s book, Sally. I really enjoyed it, too. The whole series, actually. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
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Me too Staci, I was delighted to hear we would see the family again…hugs
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OH, yeah. I’m just getting started with Rabbit and his new friends! 😀 Looking forward to getting the next one told and seeing what you think. 😀
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Thank you, Staci! It’s been a pleasure to work on this series, and I’m looking forward to doing some spinoff novellas, next. I think the new format will fit well with where Rabbit and crew are right now. 🙂
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Wonderful review and feature, Sally. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations, Marcia! I’m jumping up and down for you. YAY. ✨🎉✨
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I’d jump right with you, Gwen, but it wouldn’t be a pretty sight! (Especially that part where I’d suddenly keel over! 😀 ) This truly did make my morning, and I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and check out Sally’s thoughts on WRR. Huge thank-yous, my friend! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks Gwen.. careful now .. don’t let’s get carried away lol..♥
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😀 😀 😀
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Thank you so much for featuring my first book today, Sally. Wake-Robin Ridge was meant to be a bucket list item, one and done, but even after all these years, my life is still full of surprises. Once I started reading the reviews, I just had to try another book. And another. Now, I plan to keep on writing until I fall face down on the keyboard, and getting to know wonderful folks like you in the writing community has made it fun every step of the way! You still and always ROCK, Sally! Have a great day and an even greater weekend! 🙂 ❤
Sharing this one! 😀
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My pleasure Marcia.. We have the technology to keep writing even if our fingers get a bit stiff we can croak our books into voice recognition…. lol… Looking forward to the Wake-Robin family reunion soon..hugs and keep rockin’ ♥
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I am working on ideas for the WRR spinoff novellas, even as I plot some new twists for my 4th Riverbend book. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy what the gang gets up to in the future tales! 😀 Doin’ my best to keep on rockin’, too, though I’ll never be able to keep up with you. Still, I’m okay with that. It isn’t a contest. It’s a life style! 😀 ❤
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Lol..not doing a lot of rockin’ at the moment I am afraid.. my dodgy knee dislocated again.. probably too much Status Quo when peeling the carrots.. it takes a couple of weeks to settle down.. I put it back in and give it a good talking too.. I am not doing as much walking as I should as it has been appalling weather… and the treadmill just did not appeal.. have to do better..♥
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