Customer Reviews

Still Waters (The Lakeview Series #1) (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #4)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I read the first pages of this book, I had to buy it. I immediately identified with the heroine, Tiffany, and was compelled to turn the pages to find out what she would do next. The book was a quick read, and a real page turner. This is the first book I have read in a while that made me laugh out loud one moment and be indignant for the heroine the next. I guarantee I'll be one of the first in line to buy Shirlee McCoy's next book.

This is a beautiful romance, although I didn't think the suspense element was very strong. There were very suspenseful moments, well-timed, that kept the pace of the story, but somehow there didn't seem to be that tense aura of danger overshadowing the action. Center stage is the love story of Jake and Tiffany.

The plot draws Jake's change of heart with a very skillful, delicate hand. It was gradual, believable and satisfying to watch as he realizes the flaws in his preconceived notions about marriage for his life. The characters are consistent and realistic. Tiffany's own fears about her singleness and her willingness to "compromise" in order to ensure security in a married relationship are time-worn issues many single women will relate to. I didn't particularly like her snotty boyfriend, but then again, I wasn't meant to.

The author handled the faith element with skill and elegance. Nothing "in your face" or preachy, no "Christian-ese" language or blind, unrealistic belief. It was wonderfully satisfying to see Inspirational fiction written with such natural grace.

In all, a lovely romance, well-written and entertaining. I look forward to more from this author.

STILL WATERS has a great blend of romance, suspense and faith. The characters came alive as I read the story and I really cared about what happened to them. I finished the book in one sit-down, and wished there were more. Can't wait for another book by this author.

this book one that you will not want to put down. I loved it.

Tiffany Anderson, age 33, lives in the small town of Lakeview, VA, has her own successful computer business, and is dating Dr. Brian McMath, one of the town's leading citizens, but she begins to wonder if he really thinks that their relationship is all that important. Jake Reed, a former Washington, D. C., policeman who left the city after his partner Will Banks was killed, is the town's sheriff of one year, and since his first wife Sheila was unfaithful to him, got a divorce, and then was killed as a result of her reckless partying, he has resolved never to become involved in another relationship. However, events seem to keep throwing Tiffany and Jake together.
Tiffany sees a dog thrown from a boat by a group of wannabe-gang kids on Smith Mountain Lake, and when she jumps in to save the dog she gets pulled in and has to be saved by the sheriff. She hires the owner of the dog, a now-contrite boy named Tom Bishop, to help her restore her old Victorian house because she thinks that he deserves a second chance in spite of the warnings of both Brian and Jake. But Tom's old gang friends don't like it and beat him up. Someone breaks into Tiffany's house trying to steal credit card numbers of her customers. When she is working on a gazebo in her backyard, someone knocks the ladder down, breaking her arm. Jake must come to the rescue in both instances. Both he and Tiffany begin to have feelings for each other, but Tiffany knows that Jake doesn't want another relationship, and Jake isn't sure what he wants. Then Tiffany disappears. What will happen?
This book would be called Christian romance-mystery or perhaps romance-suspense. Some might think of it as "chick lit." I would probably never have picked up such a book on my own, but when we recently moved and I was unpacking my books, it was somehow among them. Neither my wife nor I have any idea where it came from, but I decided to go ahead and read it anyway. It is actually quite interesting for those who like this sort of story. There is nothing in it that's objectionable, and, even though one may not agree with all the religious beliefs and practices mentioned it's nice to read a story where sincere religion plays an important part in the lives of the main characters. This is McCoy's debut novel and book number one in her "Lakeview Series." The others are Die Before Nightfall (#2), Even in the Darkness (#3), When Silence Falls (#4), Valley of Shadows (#5), Stranger in the Shadows (#6), and Lakeview Protector (#7). Looking at the synopses of these, I don't know whether Tiffany and Jake appear in any of them, but the plots seem to revolve around other inhabitants of Lakeview.

This is the first Shirlee McCoy book I've read and the first Love-Inspired Suspense novel. It was wonderful! She pulled me in within the first couple of pages and I finished the book in one day. Just enough of everything...love, suspense, and spirituality. I'd recommend this book!

I was not as pleased with this product as I had hoped to be. When I contacted the seller, they were very apologetic, were very helpful about providing good customer service and I will buy from them again based on their speedy, friendly response.