Customer Reviews

Forget Me Not (Center Point Christian Mystery (Large Print))

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When she awoke in the middle of a field, beaten and with a head injury, she had little memory of her identity or her life. She remembered being in New Orleans and she remembered being car jacked, but she couldn't remember her name, where she came from, or other details of her life. She only had two items in her possession, a card from Crossroads Crisis Center with the name Susan written on the back and a gold cross necklace. Assuming she must be a resident or at least known by people at the center, that is where she decided to begin searching for her identity. When she reached the center, she saw a picture of the founder of the center, Susan, who looks remarkably like herself. Can she really be this Susan, who people believe died three years earlier? With few memories of her past, she's forced to rely on the only certainty she has, her faith in God.

Since Susan died, her husband Ben has struggled with not only his faith, but with consuming guilt. When he meets this mysterious woman, who looks remarkably similar to his deceased wife, he immediately suspects she's a con artist. However, as he spends time with her and pieces of her memory returns, he begins to see how Susan and this woman's lives intersected. Perhaps after three years of searching for answers, he'll finally understand why his wife and son were killed and by whom. With a cast of influential, double crossing villains, Forget Me Not is an entertaining story that is both touching and uplifting.

I normally avoid books with an obvious romantic storyline. Usually they come across as a bit cheesy and unrealistic. There are times, though, when I'm in the mood for a sweet story that's more in the vein of a typical Christian novel with a love story as a portion of the plot. Forget Me Not was a nice fit for my current mood. While parts of it were somewhat unrealistic and idealistic, the main storyline was extremely interesting and presented a bit of a challenge to untangle the web of deceit the villains had spun.

I really enjoyed Hinze's main plot. It was complex, well thought out and developed. How each character's life intersected with another was written superbly and enhanced the intrigue. Good attention to detail was given to make sure that each villain, though plotting only for their best interest, was challenged by another villain plotting for their own best interest. This total consumption with self was not only fun to read, but contrasted nicely with the heroes in the story. The scheming among individuals and the deceit between allies was the best part of this story.

An interesting part of the story was the three philanthropists and how their background affected their work. All three people were independently wealthy and worked hard to help others, but their motivations were different. One used charity as a front for his illegal activities. Another person used their wealth to help others due to a difficult childhood and deep faith in God. While another person began helping others because of their faith, but due to tragedy was struggling to continue. It was a subtle glimpse into how faith and background affects actions and the benefits of properly used wealth. I really enjoyed this portion of the story and Hinze did a nice job of integrating it into the story without it being a focal point.

I read a lot of Christian fiction and I'm a fan of suspenseful books with subtle Christian themes. I like the characters to live their faith more than to tell me or others about their faith. Forget Me Not is much more in the vein of traditional Christian fiction, with overt Christian elements, than the books I normally read. The leading character is a devout Christian and she's partnered with someone struggling with their faith. As expected the interaction and character development of these two characters is pretty typical of most Christian novels. I would love to have this character's faith and I would love for God to always provide calm in the way this woman received it. However, it's not particularly realistic. As I said earlier, I was in the mood for this type of book, so I was prepared for and expected to get some pretty strong dialog and moments of faith lessons, but it is more idealistic than what I usually enjoy.

Forget Me Not is similar in many ways to Teri Blackstock and Dee Henderson's novels. Fans of their books will enjoy this one as well. It has a really good storyline and was a perfect choice when I wanted something on the lighter, more encouraging side. With a gentle touch and a sweet romantic angle, they reader is left with great affirmation of God's omnipotence and a reminder that even when we don't know where God is, He has not forgotten us.

I loved this book. I received a copy from Waterbrook Multinomah for review and what a fun book to review.
Seriously, I got so engrossed in this novel, I literally forget to fix dinner for the family.

The faith lessons in this book: believable without being preachy.
The adventure: enthralling
The characters: believable and entertaining

At the end, I really wondered "Hey, what happens next?"

This is the perfect beach-read. Grab a sand chair, a cold glass of water and enjoy.

WOW. What a page turner! I loved this book. I've never read anything by Vicki Hinze before this, but I'll be looking for more. This book starts you off on the edge of your seat and won't let you up until the end. I couldn't stop reading, even when I wanted to. When forced to do it, I went to bed and dreamed up scenarios.

The main character's faith is wonderful. She has that kind of faith that all of us want, need, and respect. She also, thankfully, is real. She's not perfect, she has her moments, but she's CHARACTERIZED by a complete and abiding faith in the goodness of God. Oh, and I didn't mind having my theory that a person with memory loss would still have the Holy Spirit in them and they'd know that they knew the Lord. My own character, Ella, was just validated by this book.

This isn't an easy book to read. There are several subplots going on at one time and she literally drops you into them all almost at once. As you read, you peel back the layers of this story until, at the end, you see the whole picture. I found myself rereading portions to be sure I understood what I read and to find out who someone was again. There are a lot of characters. There are a lot of plots. She does a great job of juggling it and keeping the book moving forward, but this is not a lazy read for a hot summer afternoon. Save it for a day when you're ready to engage your thought process as well as your heart.

I loved how the relationships developed, but I'll admit, it did feel awfully sudden. It's a personal pet peeve of mine to read about people falling for each other within hours/days of meeting... particularly when there are murder attempts, amnesia, and deep grief in play. Just sayin'. That part seemed a bit implausible to me, but I'm not a natural romantic, so what do I know? Aside from that little quibble, and a few places where the writing was awkward (minor minor quibble but I tend to tell all), Ms. Hinze did a masterful job of telling this story in a way that kept you reading... long after you should have been sleeping.

Would I recommend it? OH YES! I definitely do. Without caveat. Buy. The. Book. Period. If you don't like tension and suspense, well then maybe not, but otherwise, you'll be entertained, your mind engaged, your sympathy alerted, and your soul nourished by the example of Susan/Kelly/Karen's faith.

This book is not lighthearted. It is filled with suspense and keeps your attention. The book is not for young eyes. It does have mature intense material all through out the book.

At times, I even had to put the book down and try to remember who was who. There were a lot of characters who each had their own story.

I liked how the author tied in all the events at the very end. It kept me in wonder how the story would fold out.

I wouldn't mind a second book to further explanation of the characters and how the future folded.

All in all, I would recommend this book for a reader who likes suspense and an action packed novel. Again, for mature eyes only.


Blessings to you! You are loved!

Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Benjamin Brandt's life went spinning out of control the day his wife and son were murdered. Grief-stricken, revenge became his constant companion; he vowed to find and punish the one responsible for his misery.

Three years past and Benjamin has yet to locate the one responsible for his family's murders. He questions why God would allow him to live when all that he loved had been destroyed.

At Crossroads Crisis Center, an amnesia victim appears. The only clue she has to her identity is a card from Crossroads Crisis Center with the name Susan on it and a necklace. She hopes that someone at the Crisis Center will recognize her and be able to fill in the blanks of her missing past.

When Benjamin meets the mysterious women he is stunned at how much this woman resembles his deceased wife, Susan. He is determined to help her find the answers to her lost memories. Will he be able to accept what he uncovers, or will be putting his own life in jeopardy?

Vicki Hinze has written a high adrenaline rush in Forget Me Not. As the title suggests, you will have a hard time forgetting this high action packed novel. Those that crave roller coaster ride thrillers will definitely be pleased when they discover Forget Me Not. This is one book that will keep you on your edge of your seat.

Forget Me Not is a fantastic name for this book about "a woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith..."! I thought that Ben's struggle to understand God's purpose in the loss of his wife and daughter was very authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed the verbal sparring between him and the heroine too. I also loved the sound of the plot idea for this suspense novel...

...however, in my opinion, this novel was more of a mystery-genre rather than suspense...it begins like any good roller-coaster with an upward climb, but the tension of it didn't build intensely for me. Part of the reason for this, I think, was that the characters figure out each other's motives very accurately and consistently. It didn't leave me asking questions and guessing about the characters' next moves...although I still didn't know the answers to the "big questions" of the plot - and it is an amazing web of a plot! Also, although there was plenty of good writing in this novel, it seems like there was a lot of "telling" for me.

This was book was provided for review and giveaway by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Forget Me Not, by Vicki Hinze, involves a woman abducted by criminals and then released near a crisis center in Florida. She can't remember who she is, but her faith in God makes her think she's there for a purpose. Since she looks just like the murdered wife of the crisis center founder, Benjamin Brandt, he becomes involved in helping her figure out her past.

The whole story takes place within a few days. In that time, Ben and the woman fall in love while hunting down her identity and encountering bad guys. There are several subplots and lots of characters to keep track of, so it isn't an easy story to follow.

There were two main things that kept me from enjoying this book:

First, the thugs who abducted her were portrayed as incompetent, low-level criminals but supposedly they knew the drug they used in the abduction, similar to ones used in surgeries, would cause her to forget who she was. They planted clues that would make her think she was Susan Brandt. I never figured out how they could know she'd forget her own name, or why they didn't just tell her the connection she had with the murdered woman.

Second, Brandt hadn't quit grieving for his murdered wife in 3 years, but in less than a week he was in love with a woman that looked just like her. To me, that's not realistic--or at least I hope it's not the way love works.

This is a book with faith as a central theme, and it is not at all subtle. At times it's quite preachy, and some readers may not enjoy that.

If you go into it knowing there are some inconsistencies in behavior and extreme coincidences, the book won't disappoint you as it's full of action and plot twists. It has some good points to offset the things I didn't like, such as a few memorable characters and a strong emphasis on faith, but I can't personally recommend this one.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

A woman is painting a picture on her patio when Gregory appears and states he knows what she wants but will not give it to her. He kills her; walking away knowing he accomplished his mission and that Nina will be pleased.

In New Orleans, another female is working on a plan to help disenfranchised teens, but before she can complete her concept, she falls into the trap of the man she has run away from. She overheard him and others discuss bioterrorism and she realizes who two of them are. The woman knows that Nina a terrorist group is after her. They car jack her vehicle and take her unconscious to the Crossroads Crisis Center in Seagrove Village, Florida; there she sees a picture of one of the founders; a picture that looks exactly like her.

Three years ago Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt lost his wife and son to a murderer; his faith was a victim too. He lives to die after he finds his family's killer. He had no clues until this woman arrived, who looks like his Susan, but suffers from amnesia. Finally he has interest in someone who breaths, they talk as she try to explain her predicament, but a bomb explodes inside the Crossroads facility. Benjamin obsesses over keeping Karen, as they call her safe from whoever wants her dead.

Vicki Hinze has written a superb thriller about a woman whose faith sustains her and a man whose faith died along with his wife and son. There is plenty of action throughout this fast-paced tale but Forget Me Not is a character driven by Benjamin and Karen ( and her real name) . Even with knowing who the villains are, fans will feel the stratospheric tension as double crosses and identity issues make for a powerful novel.

Harriet Klausner

Vicki Hinze's Forget Me Not is a fast paced compelling novel. She plops us down in the middle of a murder, then fade to... Three years later. A young woman is talking on her cell phone to her financial adviser as she rides through the hurricane devastated city of New Orleans. She is trying to find a site to build a children's center for the impoverished youth in the area. Her adviser gives her the news that her whereabouts is known by her nemeses and they are a part of an international bio-terrorist group known as NINA. She's been on the run for some time, now she must run again. But, before she can get to her hotel, she is carjacked, beaten, drugged and dumped in a Florida woods.

An elderly farmer, Clyde Parker, goes out to investigate the lights he sees in the woods and discovers the young woman bleeding and unaware of who she is. Something in her pocket jabs her in the side and when she pulls it out it is a cross on a chain. Sight of the cross gives her comfort so she puts it around her neck. There is also a business card with the establishment, Crossroads Crisis Center on the front and on the back someone has written the name Susan. She remembers one of the carjackers called her Susan. Does she work at Crossroads or is she a patient?

Clyde helps her to his car and tells her he'll take her into Seagrove Village to the hospital. Though she can't remember Seagrove, she is terrified of it. She convinces Clyde to take her to the crisis center where she discovers a huge picture with a name plate that reads Susan Brandt and is a mirror image of her, minus the bruises. But the woman in the picture died three years earlier.

When Benjamin Brandt, owner of Crossroads is called to talk to this woman who bears a striking resemblance to his late wife, he will only do so as a computer conference. He believes this woman to be some kind of con trying to get money. His wife and son were both murdered and he has separated himself from his work as a counselor, from the clinic, and from God.

There are many characters in this book, all connecting in one way or another. There are plots and subplots. But at the center is this "Susan" with a Swiss cheese memory. There are several attempts on her life and through it all she maintains her faith in God.

"Susan" is a victim, but she is a strong woman of faith and that faith drives her to find out who it is that wants her dead. Ben is a man who has lost his faith and carries guilt for not protecting his family. Together they try to solve the mystery. Good and evil battle and not everyone is who they appear to be.

Forget Me Not: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center)

We begin with an unidentified (her name changes three times through the story) main character who loses her identity. She was carjacked, beaten, kidnapped and dumped. She's left with a spotty memory, gut feelings and her faith in God.

She was dumped in a town with plenty of drama. She looks a lot like Ben Brandt's late wife. Three years and he's still not over it. Mayor John Green and local philanthropist Gregory Chessman aren't who they seem. And Vickie Hinze's main character is still being followed, shot at, and hit. She doesn't know who she is or why anyone would want to hurt her. She does believe God loves her and will take care of her through it all.

Hinze does a great job of building suspense and creating mystery. She knows how to create cliff hangers that make the reader keep turning pages. However, the romantic and Christian dialogue seemed forced and a bit preachy. Sometimes the point of view jumped around so quickly I didn't know who was thinking, speaking, or where I was supposed to be in the scene.

Overall, it wasn't bad. In fact it was good except for a few parts that dragged (the romantic and Christian dialogue, but I'm not much of a romantic).