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About the Book
“Do Not Return To Texas!” Marti Rushing gets the message, loud and clear. If she returns to Texas, her life is in danger. If she stays in Tennessee, she’s safe. But when she receives a letter telling her that Daniel, her ex-husband and the love of her life, is dying, she knows she has to defy the stalker and return to Texas to see him. Three years ago, Daniel accused her of things she couldn’t remember doing. Without waiting for an explanation and after four wonderful years of marriage, Daniel kicks her off of his family’s Quarter Horse ranch. Now, three years after their separation, he walks into her art reception in Tennessee and acts like he doesn’t remember her. Does the memory loss have anything to do with the letter she received, or is Daniel pretending? Is he the one stalking her, or is it someone with a deadly, sinister motive? Ignoring the deadly warnings, she leaves for Texas, but on the way there, the attempts on her life begin. Will she be able to evade her pursuer’s attacks? Or will Daniel’s face be the last one she sees?
My Review
A Memory Worth Dying
For by Joanie Bruce was a book that I was very interested in after reading
the synopsis. It piqued my interest and left
me wondering what exactly was going on in the story. The first few chapters still left me
wondering what was going on in the story.
I was completely befuddled and simply scratching my head wondering what happened three years ago? You are given a prologue that takes place
those three years ago during the accident that ruined Marti’s life; however, the
facts you are given in the prologue completely contradict the facts that are
given later on in the story. Someone must
have twisted the evidence but who? And
who is Marti’s stalker who is determined that she not return to Texas and will
even go so far as to attempt to kill her if she does?
Marti is the sweetest person ever, if a little fragile after
her husband broke her heart and threw her out of the house because of the
accident that happened three years previous.
Marti does not understand why Daniel threw her out and yelled all those
unkind things to her, because she was suffering short term amnesia from the
accident (that’s right folks, Marti is not the one who holds the answers we oh,
so desperately want.)
Moving on to our next suspect- uh I mean character... Daniel
is Marti’s ex-husband, but he doesn’t even remember being married to
her. After their divorce he enlisted in
the army and was blown up by a bomb. He now
has amnesia as well, and does not remember anything that happened after his
college graduation (seriously who’s
the person who has all the answers then?).
Gerald, Daniel’s father, certainly doesn’t. He only knows what he’s been told. However, Gerald is repentant of the way that
he treated Marti when he encouraged Daniel to throw her out. Now he has come up with a harebrained plan to
bring Marti back to Texas (even though her stalker really doesn’t want her going there) in the hopes that her presence
will help bring back Daniel’s memories before he marries his childhood friend
Veronica who he obviously doesn’t love.
Now if only Gerald could find a way to trick Marti into returning to
Texas before it is too late…
This book was a highly emotional fast paced story that will
have you turning the pages just to figure out all that is going on, and- even
when you realize what is going on- to see how all the characters are going to
get out of this alive…
My thanks go to Celebrate Lit and the author for providing
me with a copy for an honest review. The
opinions are my own.
Reviewed by Nicki
About the Author
Joanie has a strong passion for reading, and her love for books with nail-biting suspense, inspires her to write contemporary suspense books. Thankful that God has given her the ability to write from her home in the country, she strives to use that opportunity to honor Him in all of her writing. Joanie and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia, right in the middle of a pasture full of beef cows. There they raised and homeschooled their three children. She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, painting oil portraits, and caring for their home in the country.
Guest Post from Joanie Bruce
The idea for this book actually started from a simple memory. Years ago, I watched a movie about a woman whose father-in-law ruined her marriage. That thought raised a question in my mind: What would happen if a married woman was kicked out of her home by her father-in-law, and her husband never stood up for her against his father?
Many questions and solutions emerged from that one idea, and the brainstorming began… One answer lead to another problem, and the answer to that problem produced another question. When all was done, the plot for this book emerged.
After adding suspense, mystery, love, and a growing spiritual aspect to that one idea, I was able to combine them to form an interesting plot. Finally, after several months of work, “A Memory Worth Dying For” was born.
I love this story because it shows forgiveness at its highest peak. Marti and Daniel have a wonderful marriage, but because of greed, selfishness, and a colossal misunderstanding, that marriage is dissolved. Even though they are separated, the love they feel for each other never wanes. Marti’s love for Daniel throws her into a dangerous situation, but that same love also gives her the perseverance and determination to stay in Texas and fight for the happiness of the man she loves even though her life is threatened if she does. I’m sure you’ve all read the Bible verse Joel 2:25a. “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” That verse is the one Marti clings to throughout the story.
As I do my writing each day, I pray that God will teach me something. Writing this book taught me so many lessons. Not only did I fall in love with the characters, but with the idea of practicing forgiveness in my own life. It also reinforced the knowledge that I should never jump to conclusions and get the facts before I make decisions. In this book, Daniel jumped to a conclusion and listened to gossip which caused the break-up of his marriage and unnecessary stress in his life.
Years ago, one of my Sunday School students gave me a book for Christmas called “In His Steps.” If you remember, that book started the campaign that encouraged you to ask “what would Jesus do?” before every action. I was convicted while reading that book because I knew I wasn’t doing things in my life for the Lord’s glory. So the next Sunday in church, I dedicated my life back to the Lord, and I began praying He would use me in whatever way He chose.
After those sincere prayers, the Lord began showing me how I could use my life and the talents He gave me for Him. It was shortly after that prayer I found out I had the ability to paint portraits, and not long after starting my art career, my first attempt at writing was accepted for a publishing contract. I realized then that following the Lord’s leading in my life and an attitude of gratefulness and obedience all worked together so the Lord would bless my efforts.
If you take anything away from this post, I hope it will be that the Lord can use anyone who is willing to be used. If you surrender your talents to him, no matter what your age or limitations, God can still use you for His glory.
Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I hope and pray that God blesses each of you in all of your accomplishments.
Blog Stops
August 30: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
August 30: Cassandra M’s Place
August 31: Petra’s Hope
September 1: A Reader’s Brain
September 2: Quiet Quilter
September 2: Splashes of Joy
September 3: History, Mystery & Faith
September 4: Ashley’s Bookshelf
September 5: Carpe Diem
September 6: Pause for Tales
September 7: Blogging with Carol
September 8: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
September 9: A Baker’s Perspective
September 10: bigreadersite
September 11: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
September 11: Daysong Reflections
September 12: just the write escape
September 12: Mary Hake
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Joanie is giving away a Kindle Fire and her books! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a29f
Hey Nikki, Thank you for posting the review. I'm sorry you didn't like the book, but thank you so much for posting an honest review. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome for writing the review Joanie, but I believe you are mistaken in believing that I didn't like the book. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it and I am certain that it is a story that will stay with me for a long time. I do have to admit that I found certain parts of the story frustrating, but it was the good kind if frustrating in which you are feeling for all the characters and just want them to have their happily ever after. I am sorry if my review came across as negative.
ReplyDeleteOh....I understand. Thank you for explaining. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I hope your readers will as well. And thank you so much for reviewing the book. :-)
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