Read Nancy's full review at:
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/2011/12/cold-river-this-is-definite-read-by.html
Margot Hovley says: :...I really liked this book. The writing is skillful. I admit, I’m a grammar snob, and adverbs and point-of-view shifts get my knickers in a bunch. None of that stuff here. I was left to enjoy the unfolding of the story without such distractions."
Read Margot's whole review at: http://www.margothovley.com/2011/12/10/cold-river-book-review/
Susan Dayley says: "Cold River captures the reader with suspense, romance, jealousy, prejudice, love, joy and paradigm shifts."
Read Susan's full review at:
http://susandayley.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/cold-river/
Alisha says: "Liz does a great job of describing this small town in the heart of my homeland (I've lived in the Pacific Northwest my whole life). While I've never been to the particular area described in the book, it feels like dozens of tiny towns we've driven through."
Read Alisha's full review at:
http://coopedup.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-cold-river.html
Wendy says: "... Mandy is a very strong character who is complex and riveting as her situation unfolds. The plot is solid, keeping this reader up late turning the pages as the antics of the small town unfold with that creepy feeling lurking in the corner. Liz Adair writes a superb suspense and I can't wait to read more from this very talented author!"
Read Wendy's whole review at:
http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/2011/12/cold-river-by-liz-adair-tour.html
Lynnea says: "I liked this book. Mandy gets a job for a SMALL school district and thinks that everything is going to be great. She has her degree, she worked for a large school district in New Mexico so she knows what she's doing. Right? I loved how not everything works out perfect"
Read Lynnea's whole review at:
http://lalasbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/cold-river-by-liz-adair.html
Rebecca says: "Once I picked this book up, I just didn't want to put it down. I finished this 324 page book in about 3 days. That is amazing considering I have an almost 2 year old that runs around like a crazy mad woman! This is one of those books where you grab your soft blanket, cup of coffee or warm tea, and just read by the fireplace on a cold evening. This book will keep you guessing!"
Read Rebecca's entire review at: http://ifonlylifecouldbethatsimple.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-cold-river-by-liz-adair.html
Eva says: "If you like a good story that will keep you guessing with a bit of romance and mystery thrown in, you are sure to enjoy this book." Read Eva's full review at: http://vampirekiss1967.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-of-cold-river.html
http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-cold-river.html
Queen Autumn says: "Attention grabber for sure! There's no way you're putting this book down unless you're dead tired. At least that's what happened to me. If you like a great mystery novel, like me, you'll want to read this fantastic novel. And not only is a mystery, there's a 'lil bit of romance too, which is always great!"
Read Autumn's whole review at:
Danica Page says: "This book was a cute read that had me laughing out loud in various points. I liked Mandy from the very beginning. She was a character that I could relate to from page one. I liked that the romance and mystery were slowly built up until the finale of the novel."
Read Danica's whole review at: http://danicapage.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-cold-river-by-liz-adair.html
Laurie Lewis says: "Award-winning author, Liz Adair, delivers a crisp, delicious read with her recently released romantic suspense novel, Cold River. Once again, Adair draws from locales and events dear to her heart—this time it’s the northwest timber country—to create intricate, realistic settings and characters with an endearing quirkiness."
Read Laurie's whole review at: http://laurielclewis.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-nook-review_03.html
Jenny Moore says, "Oh honey, if there's one thing I love, it's a good romantic suspense. I love the wondering--will they? Won't they? Come on! Can't you see that he's perfect for you? Lives in peril, Prince Charming coming to her rescue, the smoldering glances, trembling kisses, That sort of thing.... Liz Adair nailed it."
Read Jenny's whole review at: http://shesgotthewritestuff.blogspot.com/2011/12/cold-river.html
Julie Coulter Bellon says: "The thing I liked best about this story is that it was such a slow burn with the mystery and the romance. It all starts out so innocently, but the warmer we get to figuring things out, the hotter the plot seems to burn." Read her whole review at: http://www.ldswritermom.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-book-reviews-cold-river.html
Holly says: "Cold River was an entertaining read, but something was just missing for me and I had a hard time taking the premise seriously. I liked it, I didn't love it. There are some great, quirky characters, but I would have liked to see more depth and back story." Read Holly's complete review at: http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/cold-riverreview.html
From Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, October 24, 2011
By Debbie - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Cold River (Paperback)
This book draws you in right from the first page. The setting is the Pacific Northwest and is described vividly in all its dripping wet, beautiful, verdant glory. The characters are believable and expertly presented, and the plot is well conceived and fast-paced. I couldn't put the book down, and still have images of this eclectic community dancing in my head. Highly recommended.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Writing, Quirky Characters, October 16, 2011
By Wendy A. Jones - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Cold River (Paperback)
The back cover copy reads: Mandy Steenburg thinks her doctorate in education has prepared her to run any school district--until she tangles with the moonshine-making, coon-dog-owning denizens of a tiny district in Pacific Northwest timber country. She's determined to make a difference, but the local populace still looks to the former superintendent for leadership. When Mandy lands in the middle of an old feud and someone keeps trying to kill her, instinct tells her to run. And though she has to literally swim through perilous waters, she finds a reason to stay and chance the odds.
I bought this book and read for an hour one afternoon while my daughters were at piano lessons. When I got home, I couldn't find the book anywhere. It was incredibly annoying. I looked in all the usual places, but it did not reveal itself. I read two other books over the next few days, but in the back of my mind I was gnashing my teeth. "What happens to Mandy? Does she fall in love with Vince? Does Grange get over his grudge?"
I found it that weekend (on the bookshelf, of all places!) and happily plowed through the rest of the book to reach the satisfying conclusion. And then I had to go back and read it slower so I could savor the good parts.
Adair has drawn a large cast of likable, quirky characters. She captured the feel of the Pacific Northwest perfectly (I should know--I live here. So does she!) and kept the mystery going right up until the end.
Cold River is a great read, with wonderful characters and several unique twists (steel drums, for one) in the plot. I enjoyed it very much.
From Deseretbook.com:
Rating: 5 stars
A Clever and Charming Romantic Suspense , November 14, 2011
By Laurie, MD
When life in Albuquerque becomes complicated, twenty-nine year-old Dr. Mandy Steenburg finds escape in her newly earned doctoral degree. Two remote school districts need a new superintendent badly enough to take a chance on this enthusiastic newbie—one is in Alaska, the other is Limestone, Washington. So, Mandy packs up her life and ships it north.
Tossing her doctoral degree on the back seat, she exits the big city in her sassy Miata bound for Washington State and a small town of residents descended from North Carolina depression-era settlers. The only thing smaller than Limestone is the residents’ gene pool. The climate change was expected, but the chilly reception Mandy receives from this community makes it clear she’s unwelcome as the replacement for Grange Timberlane, her beloved, but facially-afflicted predecessor, who is now her frustrated assistant.
Welcome or not, Mandy is determined to make a difference in this seemingly undisciplined school system despite the tangled web of feuding families, suspicions, and secrets. Headway is slow, and friends are hard to come by — that is except for Fran, the manager of the Qwik-E-Market, and her wickedly handsome boss, Vince Lafitte, who just happens to also be the head of the local school board. Tangled as five coon dogs in a fox hole, right? Well, hold on.
Vince and Grange share unpleasant history as well, and the more Mandy comes to care about each of these two men, the more accidents and near-death experiences she seems to have. Toss in some moonshine, some magnificent Bluegrass music, and the unexpected arrival of Mandy’s teenaged sister, and Adair has concocted an intriguing romantic suspense that will leave you smiling, snarling, and page turning until the satisfying end.
It’s no surprise that Adair was the 2009 recipient of the Whitney Award for Romance. She is a master storyteller who does her research, creating books that breathe with realism. Adair spreads enough guilt and motive around to keep the reader nail-biting and guessing about the conclusion until the end, while injecting the read with delicious moments of humor.
Walnut Springs is the fortunate publisher of this charmer. I highly recommend Cold River for readers who love a good suspense novel, a tangled romance, or both.
