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Friday, May 8, 2015

Book Review: Extreme Measures by Michele Ashman Bell



Book Description:

Following the trauma of her estranged husband's untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She's engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma's life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell's elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret s twisted puzzle . . .

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Rorie's Review:

This story got its hooks in me almost from the very beginning. I was able to finish it in two days and found myself looking for any time that I could find to read some more. Whenever I read suspense books, I tend to put myself in the main character's shoes and think about how I would have done this or that differently. This book was no different and I found myself getting frustrated with Emma at times due to her actions. However, if she had done things "the right way" (i.e. my way) there wouldn't have been much of a story at all. :)

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and plan on reading more books from this author.

Andrea's Review:

The book blurb for Extreme Measures grabbed my attention. Sadly, I never did get fully pulled into the story. The idea was interesting, but I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. I was curious about how everything would end up, so I kept picking the story back up, but I did a lot of skimming. Margret's scheming was way over the top for me, and it kept coming in waves. The dialogue didn't really grab me either.

Readers who enjoy Bell's writing style seem to really like Extreme Measures, so if you're a fan of Bell's other books, you might want to give this one a try.

Tarah's Review:

This isn't a typical book for me to read. I like suspense novels, but I like a dash of romance on the side :) This was just the "suspense" part, and I missed having something to look forward to. I will say that I was surprised when I realized who the author was. I've read a number of her other novels and I have to admit that this novel felt like a first novel, not something from someone who has written multiple ones.

The best written character was Margret, the crazy mother-in-law. She had depth and dimensions, all of the other characters seemed over the top and not believable at all.

I really wanted to like this book, but I kept putting it down and starting something else.

About the Author:

Michele Ashman Bell grew up in St. George, Utah, where she met her husband, Gary, at Dixie College. They are the proud parents of four children: Weston, Kendyl, Andrea, and Rachel.

A favorite pastime of Michele’s is supporting her children in all of their activities, traveling both in and outside the United States with her husband and family, and doing research for her books. She also scuba dives. Aside from being a busy wife and mother, Michele is an aerobics instructor at the Life Centre Athletic Club near her home. Michele is the best-selling author of several books and a Christmas booklet and has also written children’s stories for the Friend magazine.

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http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81LHI5YVz%2BL._SL1500_.jpg
Title: Extreme Measures
Author: Michele Ashman Bell
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Published: May 2015
ISBN: 1680471651
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Purchase: Amazon | Deseret Book

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