TEARS ON STONE, Book 2 of the Falcon's Bend Series [Paperback]

Karen Wiesner (Author), Chris Spindler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2009

Is murder ever justifiable? Falcon's Bend Police Department Investigator Pete Shasta's brother Jordan is recently divorced and intent on putting his life back together for himself and his daughter. Jordan discovers that people have moved into the house next door to him and one of them is MaryEmma Gold, who'd lived in the house he now owns when he was a boy. Jordan soon finds that his shy "Marigold" has become an even more withdrawn woman. MaryEmma's sister Shelley sleeps all day and parties all night. Seeing bruises all over MaryEmma's arms, Jordan asks his brother to check into her past. Pete and his partner Danny Vincent discover that Shelley's husband died in a fire only a week before they came to Falcon's Bend. The women left their jobs and lives behind abruptly. Meanwhile, Shelley's new boyfriend is found near the dam, bludgeoned to death. As they uncover murder in the form of a conspiracy, Pete and Danny can't help noticing that Shelley Wilson leaves a trail of dead men behind her wherever she goes...and Jordan may be next.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ms. Wiesner and Ms. Spindler have generated a most thrilling novel that has the reader wishing to ride shotgun with Pete and Danny. With more entertaining characters, these two talented authors have penned a well-developed plot and captivating story that is a winner. Ms. Wiesner and Ms. Spindler are so brilliantly ingenious that they have again created another masterpiece. This book is definitely a top-notch winner and that is why I rate it a 5.  ~ Linda, Lighthouse Literary Reviews

Karen Wiesner and Chris Spindler revisit Pete Shasta and the Falcon’s Bend Police Department as they solve a string of murders that seem to involve female members of the community. Someone killed abusive men from Falcon's Bend. Is the same killer responsible for all of the deaths or is something much darker infecting the people of Falcon’s Bend? This story is a mystery lover’s dream. It also has all of the elements of a good love story. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!  ~ Candy, Ecataromance

4 Stars! Detectives Pete Shasta and Danny Vincent investigate a murder that has surprising twists. The authors have done a terrific job of creating fully dimensional characters. While the expert detective work of Pete and Danny is highlighted, we also get a look at their off-duty life in the small Wisconsin town of Falcon's Bend. ~ Sandra Garcia, Romantic Times Book Club

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Swimming Kangaroo Books (February 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934041890
• ISBN-13: 978-1934041895
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,030,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Creating realistic, unforgettable characters one story at a time...

Karen Wiesner is an accomplished author with 86 books published in the past 14 years, which have been nominated for and/or won 123 awards, and has 16 more titles under contract. Karen's books cover such genres as women's fiction, romance, mystery/police procedural/cozy, suspense, paranormal, futuristic, gothic, inspirational, thriller, horror, chick-lit, and action/adventure. She also writes children's books, poetry, and writing reference titles such as her bestsellers, First Draft in 30 Days and From First Draft to Finished Novel {A Writer's Guide to Cohesive Story Building}, available from Writer's Digest Books. Her previous writing reference titles focused on non-subsidy, royalty-paying electronic publishing, author promotion, and setting up a promotional group like her own, the award-winning Jewels of the Quill, which she founded in 2003. Jewels of the Quill produced two award-winning group anthologies per year published by Whiskey Creek Press from 2005-2011. All were edited by Karen and others. Additionally, Karen is a member of Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors and World Romance Writers. Along with her writing, Karen enjoys designing Web sites, graphics, and cover art.

For more information about Karen and her work, visit her Web sites at http://www.karenwiesner.com, http://www.firstdraftin30days.com, http://www.falconsbend.com and http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com. If you would like to receive Karen's free e-mail newsletter, Karen's Quill, and become eligible to win her monthly book giveaways, send a blank e-mail to
[e-mail].

To see Karen's upcoming appearances, visit
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/appear.html

To see Karen's WIP's, visit:
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/WIP.html

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars! Falcon's Bend series #2, June 12, 2009

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TEARS ON STONE, Book 2 of the Falcon's Bend Series (Paperback)

Twenty-nine years ago Dorothy Hawks killed her abusive husband in self defense. The law took away her two young children and placed her in jail. When released, Dorothy began "S.O.S." (Society of Survivors) to help teach other women how they could protect themselves and their children.

Forty-nine year old Pam Garland is an abuse counselor and a major member of S.O.S. She often refers women to the organization. She has also been the legal guardian for MaryEmma and Shelley Gold since their abusive stepfather died years ago. Shelley had married an abusive man, Jack Wilson, and has a four-year-old daughter, Ariel. Ever since Jack died in a fire last year Shelley has been in depression. MaryEmma has taken over the role of caregiver to Ariel, hoping Shelley will get better. When disaster strikes, Pam has MaryEmma, Shelley, and Ariel pack quickly. They leave Springvale, Minnesota, without any notice to anyone. At MaryEmma's suggestion, they go to Falcon's Bend, Wisconsin, where MaryEmma spent the happiest time of her childhood (unknown to Pam).

Jordan Shasta was eleven when MaryEmma moved away from Falcon's Bend. He never forgot her or the stone garden she loved. Now the stone garden in his back yard is an overgrown mess. Jordan's wife, Kaitlyn, walked out last year without a backward glance and moved to Dallas, Texas. Jordan has sole custody of their eight-year-old daughter, Nicole. When MaryEmma moves in next door, Jordan hopes to get to know her again. Nicole hopes Ariel will become her new best friend. MaryEmma now seems withdrawn and keeps to herself, but Jordan is not above using the excuse of wanting to revive the stone garden to draw her out and spend some time with her. Shelley sleeps all day and parties most nights with numerous men. All the while, Pam is setting up a new S.O.S chapter in town and keeping her wards on short leashes. It soon becomes obvious that, unknown to Jordan when he was childhood friends with her, MaryEmma's life has been one long nightmare ... and it is not over yet.

***** FOUR AND A HALF STARS! Let me warn readers in advance that there two scenes of rape flash-backs. They are short, but I understand that some readers prefer to pass on books with any scenes at all. There is a lot of physical abuse throughout the story as well, but most are just mentioned in passing. I do not believe anything in this story will trigger anything for those who have physical abuse in their (real life) backgrounds.

That said, let me get to how much I enjoyed this story! Though there are two authors, I could never tell which parts were written by either. The duo must have the exact same writing style. There are a few sub-plots to keep things moving along at a brisk pace. I never found myself getting bored. The characters are well developed and I came to care for many of them. I look forward to more stories in Falcon's Bend. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

3.0 out of 5 stars Totally Dysfunctional, December 31, 2009

By 

ienjoyagoodbook (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TEARS ON STONE, Book 2 of the Falcon's Bend Series (Paperback)

I understand that there is a problem with physical abuse in the family, and it is a problem that needs addressed. Yet, this book has virtually everyone in it being physically abused, and the victims all deal with the abuse in non-healthy ways. No one learns to stop the abuse. While it's true that victims do attract other abusers, I would have liked to see these women become strong emotionally and refuse to continue to be victims. MaryEmma was physically and sexually abused by a brother-in-law, yet the only way that was resolved was when he died. Then she learned to depend on Jordan to help her feel worthy of being loved. MaryEmma's sister Shelley had a physically abusive boyfriend, and this problem was only solved when he too died. Danny emotionally abuses his wife for being attractive to other men. Wow, that's the way it is all through the book!
I would not recommend this book to anyone. There's nothing redeeming or upbeat about the characters at all. I gave it 3 stars because the author IS a good writer, but all the people in the book are sick, and stay sick.

4.0 out of 5 stars A very intense story that deals with the very personal and touchy subject of abuse., December 6, 2007

By 

Tammy "Reviewer - fallenangelreviews.com" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tears on Stone (Falcon's Bend Series, Book 2) (Paperback)

When MaryEmma Gold, her sister Shelly and their childhood guardian, Pam Garland, need to move again, MaryEmma can't help but remember the house she lived in as a child and the great garden it had in the back. When she discovers that the house next door is for sale she decides that it would be the perfect place to move to.

As the three women settle into their new house and new life, MaryEmma is saddened to see the once beautiful garden next door over run with weeds and itches to restore it to its former glory. She gets her chance when she learns that her childhood crush Jordan owns the house and he offers her the chance to reform it. While ignoring the advice from Pam to stay away from Jordan before they become to close, MaryEmma is also dealing with her sister's wild ways and her niece Ariel.

When Shelly's new boyfriend is found dead, the police start looking into the three women's past and discovering that they all have secrets they want to protect. Can Jordan and MaryEmma get past everything that is standing in their way or will the past keep them apart?

Tears On Stone is the second book in the Falcon's Bend Series and can be read as a stand alone book.

Authors Karen Wiesner and Chris Spindler have written a very intense story that deals with the very personal and touchy subject of abuse. I think these ladies did a fantastic job of bringing the subject to the forefront and dealt with it extremly well. I could feel the fear, pain and confusion coming off MaryEmma in waves and wanted her to have the warmth and safety she so deserved. The pain of Pam's past also came through with her advice to MaryEmma and Shelly and at times I just wanted to jump into the pages and shake her! I really love a book that can make me feel that wide range of emotions and I have to give Tears On Stone 4 Angels and say well done ladies!

By Tammy
Fallen Angel Reviews