Customer Reviews

Widow's Tale

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I too read about this book in a Kindle forum.... now keeping in mind I purchased the Kindle because I love to read, but don't have time.

I have numerous books on my shelves, and I chose this book to read. It took me longer to read than I wanted, but that was NOT because of the story line, but time I had to read. This book kept me stealing moments here and there, I LOVED it!! Yes, the mystery and impending romance kept me coming back. Well written, I could not figure it out too early and I can't say there were any slow parts either, this whole book kept my interest.

I gave it 5 stars because I finished it with a satiated feeling. I will definitely be looking up more titles from Maureen!

I read the book because I read about it in the Kindle Forums - I am glad I bought it. It was a good read, although not 100% in my preferred genre (thus my inability to go the full 5 stars).

The plot was interesting to follow, I liked following the characters - and indeed, the characters were a wee bit devious and a wee bit convoluted, which made me want to discover what they were up to all the more. I am one of those who tries to figure out who the villain is, and I thought I pretty much had it figured out - but not very early in my reading, which was good (I HATE it when you have it figured out too early in the reading!).

Well done Ms. Miller - I hope many more will pick it up on a whim and read it!

Plot/Storyline: 4.00

I really enjoyed the plot when it came to the mystery. It was interesting and attention holding.

The storyline contained some good foreshadowing.

I did think that the author 'cheated' a little early on when the guy didn't follow the perpetrator because he didn't want to leave the woman alone. I mean, if he's following the bad guy, wouldn't she be safe at that point? Just a little iffy there.

This book did have the usual 'characters slobbering on each other' at inappropriate moments that I have come to expect from a 'romance'. While I didn't like it, I didn't downgrade for it as it was genre appropriate.

Character Development: 3.5

Now, I will admit in advance that I do not enjoy Romance novels due to the way that women tend to be protrayed as weak.

Unfortunately, that is exactly how the main character was portrayed: A weak, simmering, hot-house flower. And, the man came in and saved the day.

However, I will add that the development of each character was well-done as it did protray their motivations.


Writing Style: 5 Stars

The descriptions were very good. The writing style was wonderful. I will be interested in seeing more from this author, especially if she turns her pen away from romance. :-)

Editing/Formatting: 4.5 Stars

The editing of this book was wonderful with little or no errors.

The Kindle formatting was a bit odd with about an inch of left indentation throughout the entire book. It wasn't a huge deal, but if you read on the largest font, it could probably be very annoying to only have a couple of words per line.

Overall: Great book for romance novel enthusiasts with a good plot.

Rating: PG-13 for sexual innuendos and adult situations, mild language

It's been a while since I felt compelled to stay up late with a book. I read until I just couldn't keep my eyes open. Then I picked it up as soon as I woke up, and finally finished it about 30 seconds before work! Great plot, characters I could really get into, and the ocean to boot. I'm almost finished with her next book, and can't wait until she's got more out.

This book is perfect if you like Harlequin Romance books. There's lots of heavy breathing - "will he kiss me/will I kiss her". The mystery in this one is decent, but hard to find it in page after page of "romance". I gave it 2 stars because I was looking for a mystery as the primary focus of the book, not the secondary, which none of the other reviews brought out.

Grab a cup of clam chowder, settle down by a warm fire, and put on the fuzzy slippers for this one. Hauntingly beautiful, each scene is set with simple surety. You feel like you know each character within moments of reading about them, and they're comfortably consistent. The plot pulls you gently from your comfort zone into the danger zone. I was ready to move into the quaint little Maine town and grab a beer at the bar. Even the editing was spot-on.

What I liked most, though, was the fact that this author can turn a scene on with so few words that the setting never interferes with the engaging plot.

Widow's Tale has so much going for it that it's hard to speak of it all. It's a beautifully written romance that has a fantastic murder mystery mixed in. The author will pull you right in from the first chapter and doesn't let go. The setting in Maine makes you want to go there, visit the pub and have a drink with those characters. It's like you can see and small the ocean or the storm when it blows in. Very realistic descriptions.

The characters are also so well written that you feel as if you've known them. Serena and Brett will soon become your favorite romance couple and you feel for each of them as the book goes along. There's romance, mystery, excitement and so much more in this book that it's a must read.

I'm so glad to finally see this author in print. The story is involving and the characters well-developed. I yearn to see more from this author.

I'm picky. I hate reading too much description and you'd think from the reviews that maybe some of those descriptions are long. No. In one sentence, Ms. Miller can make you feel the scene so that it fills your imagination.

The heroine is not insipid, but she's not an alpha female either. She believes in herself without having to have others pat on her the back for it. She's prideful, but exceedingly kind and loyal, even to those who betray her. If she has a fault, it is that she might be slightly over-understanding, or maybe I just can't imagine putting up with some of the abuse she gets from her co-workers. Still, it fits with her character as she's gentle and a little broken inside.

The hero is protective, strong, and yummy, just as he should be. He's also loyal, brave and a little pushy. He's smart, calm, and yet willing to let her come out of her shell in her own time.

The plot is interesting with danger, mystery, a political subject of Indian rights, twists, and a villain who is sufficiently twisted.

The grammar is spot-on, and I know that the Kindle formatting is now perfect.

Storyline: Our hero, Brett Murphy, is every girl's dream, but he has a problem with our heroine, Serena Murphy. Besides the fact that they are related by marriage, there is more between them than first meets the eye. Serena's deteriorating state is lost on him at first when he comes to town asking questions about his brother's mysterious disappearance. In his eyes, the residents of Victory Cove are all suspects including Serena. Serena, on the other hand, seems to have a death wish regarding her brother-in-law, which appears to be insurmountable. She has her own ideas about her husband's disappearance which leads the reader to assume that she is either deranged or at the very least deserving of Brett's suspicions. As the story develops and the mystery unfolds, so does their on again, off again relationship. In the end, it was not what either of them expected. Her warm descriptions of O'Flanagan's Tavern has me yearning for a trip up the eastern seaboard and a bottle of Allagash beer.

Grammar/Spelling:

I found very few typos and/or grammatical errors in Widow's Tale. Maureen put together an excellently edited work with no more errors than a reader might expect to find in a Danielle Steele novel.

Character Development:

The characters are very well developed over the course of the novel with emphasis on the two main characters, Serena and Brett. Her descriptions of them paint wonderful pictures of two very real persons with real issues and real emotions.

Two secondary, but very distinct personalities were also well portrayed. My personal favorite was Harriett, who ran a local fishing tackle and charter boat operation. She is a very colorful character that added a touch of humor to the situation.

Writing Style:

Ms. Miller's writing style is fresh and clean with little if any distraction from the storyline. The action flows as smooth as melted chocolate. Mmmm. And is just as sweet. She draws the reader into a frenzied state of anticipation and then backs off (I would say just like a good lover, but that might offend someone.) She knows how to bring her characters and scenes to life without exaggeration or graphic displays of affection. Certainly, she is able to turn out a grand romance with style, mystery and adventure woven into the tapestry.

The dialog is realistic and believable and quite colorful according the coastal folks in the area.

Continuity:I did not notice any problems with time-lines other than the fact that it seemed we would never get to the nitty-gritty and that just keeps the reader interested.

Overall Rating:

5- Overall, I gave the book good marks in everything from plot to grammar and spelling. Widow's Tale does justice to the romantic suspense genre and is well worth the reader's time. I would recommend it to everyone who likes romance stories tied into quaint settings, mysteries, thriller and just a bit of ghost suspense thrown in for a very pleasing experience.

Maureen A. Miller has caught me hook, line and sinker.

I saw this bookWidow's Tale mentioned in a Kindle author forum and I must say that I am thrilled as this author caught my attention from the beginning to the end of her mystery and I had a hard time putting this story down. Maureen has a great way of describing each character and I love Hariette and her pronounciation of N.H./ Maine twang. I also love her vivid descriptions of the ocean, the descritpions of where she lived and the 2nd floor over O'Flanagans Tavern were great. I felt like I was walking through every scene with Serena. The lighthouse entrance was like you were right there touching the walls etc. I found myself gasping at a few scenes.Which is a good thing.

Love Maine and N.H. and mysteries are my genre so it was a win win for me.

I thought the formatting was great along with the editing and no typos. Great job Ms.Miller please keep these mysteries coming I also bought Victory Cove and Rogue Wave and can't wait to read them

I highly recommend this book !!