Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Secretly Smitten

Book description:  "Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue."

My review:  I enjoyed reading more about the people in Smitten, Vermont.  I think my favorite story was the first one, and I enjoyed the thread of  mystery that ran through all four books.  What I don't like is the stories being so short.  The plot becomes too rushed and events don't seem to be as natural as they would be if the author had taken more time to develop the story.  It helps that the four stories are centered around the same family.  The reader is able to follow each of the characters a little more since they appear in all the stories to some degree.  Of the four authors, my favorite is Colleen Coble.  If she were not one of the authors, I probably would not have bothered to read this book.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.