Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Captured Lies Review Tour!

Title: Captured Lies 
Author: Maggie Thom
Series: N/A
Pages: 273
Publisher: Quadessence Solutions
Date Published: October 17th 2012
Format: ebook
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours

Synopsis:

She was kidnapped not once but twice and now someone wants her dead because of it....Her life was a lie!

Bailey knew her upbringing wasn’t normal but she’s worked hard to stabilize her life. At 29, she finally has a good business, a stable home; her life is miles from that of her childhood. Then suddenly her mother dies, leaving a gaping hole and a discovery that they may not even be related. If Guy, the private investigator is to be believed, her life is a lie. Using the skills she learned on the streets, Bailey travels back through a sketchy and dangerous past, to find answers. Dodging bullets, staying ahead of those who want her dead and convincing Guy she can do it alone, are making it difficult to discover not only the secrets of her mother’s past but that of a family claiming she is theirs. 

Everyone seems to have a story... but who’s telling the truth? And who wants her dead? Is Guy part of the solution? Or part of the problem? To discover the facts, she’ll have to untangle a web of deceit, lies, and secrets, dating back over thirty years.
~~~My Thoughts~~~
What would you do if you found out that everything you knew about yourself and your family was a lie? Returning home to bury an estranged mother after many years, Bailey's emotions are already in turmoil. She regrets not being able to fix things with her mom, but regret and guilt turns to shock and confusion as she attempts to solve the mystery of the two envelopes that her mother has left behind. Not to mention strange men watching her at the funeral and breaking into her mom's house. 
Bailey was an interesting character you get a really good sense of her emotions, though not too much of her thought process. I liked her struggle to deal with things, but I felt that she could have picked up on the trail a bit quicker. The book was a bit slow to start, but quickly turned into one of those books that you don't want to put down, and when you do-say to eat or go to the bathroom-you can't stop thinking about it! Captured Lies is a thrilling read!
~~~Try an Excerpt!~~~
“Excuse me, Miss Saunders?”

It took a moment for Bailey to realize the Minister was talking to her. She blinked at him. Genuine concern was etched in his features and it pulled at Bailey with the deepest yearnings of an emotionally starved child. She barely caught herself from leaning against him. Just for a moment she wanted someone to take this away.

Stand on your own two feet, Bails. I didn’t raise a weakling. Bailey snapped upright as her mom’s words popped into her mind.

“The service is done. Your mom will be laid to rest in the ground later today….”

Bailey blinked several times. Too numb to talk or to really understand what he was saying, she nodded. Squeezing her hand, he said, “may God be with you.”

“Thank you Reverend,” she mumbled in return. He moved off towards a waiting car. The funeral was finally over. Could she finally go home and…. and….

“Hello. We’re Mr. and Mrs. Prichard.” They grasped Bailey’s limp hand. “We’re so sorry for your loss.”

Bailey turned and smiled wanly at them.

“We were regulars at your mom’s store. She found some of the most exotic candies I’ve ever tasted. That Delafee Chocolate she imported was very expensive but it was to die for.” The woman’s eyes opened wide as what she said registered. She turned a bright shade of red. “She’d never give away her secrets as to where she got her stuff. She was a very mysterious lady but such a pleasure. I’m really sorry she’s gone.”

Bailey nodded, not sure what else to do. “Thank you. Mom would be happy you’re here.” The middle-aged couple moved off towards a beautiful red convertible.

“Ooooohhhhh. My dear–”

“How tragic. This is just so wrong–”

“Your mom was in the prime of her life. I’m so sorry.”

Two stooped, cane-carrying ladies moved right into her face and talked over top of each other. Bailey looked from one to another and then gave up trying to figure out who was saying what.

“It’s never the right time. But she’s with God now–”

“She’s walking in the hands of the Lord…”

It dawned on her that these two might just be professional funeral goers. Her mom didn’t have any best friends. Or real friends, for that matter. Everyone was just an acquaintance. That was one of the things they’d argued about over the years. Her mom had taught her from a young age, don’t make friends, they’ll just hurt you or you’ll hurt them.

Her friends Tina and Deb immediately came to mind. Isn’t that what she’d done to them? Again. And again. She’d tried to make them friends, thinking it would solve everything but it only created headaches. She sucked at it. As she felt she did at most things in her life.

“Thank you. Excuse me.” Bailey moved back from the two women who were openly bawling like they’d lost their very own child. Sidestepping them, Bailey made her way around the gravesite. A couple and a young girl of about twelve stepped in front of her. Bailey tried to hide her annoyance.

“Hi. We’re sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” Bailey tried to go around the threesome but the woman put her hand on her arm, detaining her. Bailey looked at them blankly.

“Your mom was so good to Taylor.” The woman smiled at her daughter. “She used to come watch Taylor dance. She taught her more about ballet then I think the instructors did. Our Taylor blossomed under your mom’s teachings.”


Bailey nodded. It wouldn’t do any good to tell them they were at the wrong funeral. She’d begged her mom to put her in dance but her mom had said it was a waste of time. And it was expensive. Who’d pay for it? She doubted her mom even knew what a plié was. The woman gave her a quick hug before they moved off.
~~~Meet Maggie!~~~
Maggie Thom made the hard decision to freefall, leaving her successful, twenty year career in management, to follow her dream and passion to write full time. The leap has been adventurous and very enlightening. A long-time reader and writer, she was thrilled with the release of her first novel, Captured Lies in the fall of 2012 and her second novel, Tainted Waters released April 30th, 2013. She is busy writing her third novel, Deceitful Truths to be published late 2013 or early 2014. Having married her best friend, she is learning that humor, love and patience, help her navigate her way through her twins’ teen years.

Maggie will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

13 comments:

  1. Thank you Andra for not only hosting Captured Lies but reading and reviewing it. I'm so glad you found it a thrilling read. :)

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  2. What a thoughtful, balanced review Andra. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. It is a nice review. Thank you for stopping by Cathy.

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  3. Great review!
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

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    1. I liked the review too Natasha, especially that she couldn't stop thinking about it. :) Thank you for stopping by.

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  4. Thank you for the chance to win :)
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Lisa.

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  5. This does sound wonderful.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thank you Mary. I'm glad you think it sounds wonderful. I hope you'll take a chance and read it. :) Thank you for stopping by.

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  6. Congratulations, Maggie! You deserve all this great acclaim! Can't wait to read it myself!

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    1. Thank you so much Susan. That means a lot. I do hope you get a chance to read it, I'd love your thoughts on it. Thank you for stopping by.

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  7. Loved this book. I read it early last year and I STILL remember scenes from it. It's a REALLY good book.
    readyourwrites(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you Kim. When a book stay with a reader that is one of the best compliments to an author. :) Thank you for stopping by.

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