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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Best Things about the Book Mind Games

by Challice Neipp · 11 Comments

I remember the books clearly; although, I suspect I did a lot of page flipping.  It seems to me that half of what I read as a young teen had stuff in it that I just skipped over.  But they were my first introduction into suspense—good suspense.

They also always had some sort of supernatural element, and as I grew older, I didn’t like that.  What you accept as fictional when you’re younger you realize can be occult-like when you’re older.  It just seemed prudent not to risk becoming enamored with anything related to the occult.

But I missed the suspense.

A decade or so later, a friend introduced me to Dee Henderson. Other Christian fiction suspense authors followed.  Brandilyn Collins, Colleen Coble, Lynette Eason.

This week, I was introduced to a suspense author I’ve never read before.  Nancy Mehl and her new series and release, Mind Games.

I have to admit… the cover sucked me in.  That misty faded typography and my favorite colors… I’m a sucker for a good cover.

But it’s only the wrapping, right?  How about the rest of the book?

Note: links are probably affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book and chose to review it.

The Best Things about the Book, Mind Games

I did have a few quibbles with the book.  A few.  In fact, through three-quarters of the way through it, I felt it rated a solid four stars. I liked it.  A lot.  I just couldn’t say that I loved it.

Then she did it.  She made me doubt myself.  I’d decided who did it almost from the first, but something made me doubt myself so much that I actually switched to someone else.  Twice.

The best mysteries and suspense books always have one thing in common—they keep me guessing, even after I’ve probably fingered the right guy.  Mind Games totally nailed that.

Quibble? 

I actually wanted to throw the book across the room when one explanation of why one of those red herrings wasn’t what it seemed came out.  However, it ties in with another problem I had, so I’ll get to that later.

Another excellent element of the book would be the character of Kaely.  I often praise characters or plots that have many layers, but in Kaely, I see facets. Just as you think you have her figured out, the light hits another cut and you see more reflections and colors. I’m not sure I’ve ever read such a beautifully broken person before.

It isn’t easy to do, but Nancy Mehl took someone with incredible skill and kept her from becoming too perfect.

Okay, if I’m not careful, I’ll keep coming up with one after the other after the other and we’ll be here all day.  And I do have a couple of problems with the book to deal with, too.

So, I’m just going to mention two more things.  First, the plot.  This was one of those can’t-put-it-down, don’t-bother-me-I’m-reading books.  When I was forced to take a nap, I almost cried.  I plowed through this thing in just over three hours, but it felt like six… and one.   The six is probably caused by that nap thing.

Finally, the very last few lines.  Genius.  I’ve never seen such a fabulous cliffhanger… that isn’t.  The entire story is wrapped up. You know it all.  A new case isn’t started. Not at all. But she gives you this shove off the cliff anyway and says, “Can you handle knowing THIS?”

Genius.

So, what were those problems? The first three to four chapters of the book contain a lot of backstory/info-dumping.  She does a good job of pulling back just about the time you want to go, “Do I have to keep reading?” but I couldn’t help but feel like the suspense would have been even stronger if we didn’t have all that back stuff brought up.

For one thing, it weighs down the story… slows momentum. That’s especially problematic when you’re dealing with trying to get that momentum going in the first place.

For another, it lost some of the punch that it would have had if we learned it when we needed it.  Still, once you got past that part, the info-dumping stuff disappeared.

Finally, I have read a lot of books dealing with law enforcement and the FBI.  However, this book has a lot of acronyms that I kept having to try to remember what they stood for.  She didn’t always give you a connected point of reference.  I found myself checking and double checking online when I wasn’t sure if I remembered what CIRG or something similar stood for.

Also, occasionally, it got old.  I get that UNSUB is unknown subject, but “suspect” or “murderer” would have worked and it would have been nice not to have “words” I had to translate. Especially since for email lists, that also stands for “unsubscribers” so basically, I had to double translate.

Not fun.

For the picky, this isn’t marked as an Advance Readers Copy, so I think it might be a final, and I found a few typos.  One was “targer” instead of target. I remember that much.  But seriously, it didn’t bother me.

Okay, that quibble?  I can’t say what happened without giving away a huge plot twist, but here’s what it’s connected to.  In addition to that quibble with a convenient solution to a problem, there’s a theology issue that I can’t ignore.

My problem is that I can’t tell if it is related to the rest of the book’s plot or if Ms. Mehl really does believe something her characters say.  It’s not unheard of. It’s actually quite common in today’s Christian culture, but I disagree with it.  So, was it a plot device or the author’s personal theology?  I suppose the rest of the series will tell.  Regardless, the use of it in this particular novel was another stroke of genius!

Despite a couple of problems, I’m giving it an Amazon 5 stars and a Goodreads 4 because I am frustrated that I have to wait for book 2.  It’s that good.

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Comments

  1. James Robert says

    December 20, 2018 at 2:14 am

    I am enjoying these tours and finding all the terrific books my family is enjoying reading. Thanks for bringing them to us and keep up the good work.

    Reply
  2. DK Stevens says

    December 19, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    I really liked this one too! Guessed wrong too! Great in depth review, thank you..

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 19, 2018 at 8:23 pm

      IT really was great. I know better than to switch my guess.

      Reply
  3. realworldbiblestudy says

    December 18, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    The end. Oh my word. I almost had to go back and re-read stuff when I got to the end. And we really do have to wait for the next one.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 19, 2018 at 12:00 pm

      I’m so not happy about that waiting thing. sigh.

      Reply
  4. Amelia says

    December 18, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    I love suspense books! This one is on my To Read list.

    Reply
  5. Lela White says

    December 18, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    I’m in the middle of this book right now and it’s a great read. I hate putting it down to actually work. How dare work interrupt my reading! 😉

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 18, 2018 at 3:09 pm

      RIGHT? That’s how I felt about that sleep thing. I was so mad that my eyes wouldn’t stay open!

      Reply
      • realworldbiblestudy says

        December 18, 2018 at 8:44 pm

        In case you wonder, that is how I have felt reading The Matchmakers of Holly Circle…I love that you write for “long book readers” like me! But these nights where I keep staying up too late because I don’t want to put it down? This is why I couldn’t start novels when grad school was in session. I went through the entire Hunger Games series in a weekend.

        Reply
        • Chautona Havig says

          December 19, 2018 at 11:59 am

          It’s a good series, too. I love Matchmakers. It makes me smile.

          Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
byChautona Havig

Last fall, I talked with several authors about their novella collection (Episode 177) and learned about a new series they’d planned for 2023. Well, of course, I wanted to talk with them about it, and last week I “sat down” (I stand while recording, but you get my drift) with Heather Greer to talk about her book in the Stained Glass Legacy Series, Window of Opportunity.  I’ve been reading her book and am really enjoying it, so I was excited to talk about this 1920s story of friendship, romance, corruption, and more!  Listen in to find out what to expect from Heather Greer’s first historical romance!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you!

Why Doing the Right Thing at the Wrong Time Is No Picnic!

Okay, you have to read the book to “get” that title, for the post, but I figured it’d make Heather smile.

Heather and I talked about the differences in writing contemporary versus historical fiction–including all the work that goes into research!  Did they have this thing or that then? Are we assuming too advanced or not advanced enough?  Did people actually use this word or that? It’s a complicated process, and it slows down the writing when you have to figure out if a train even went through that area and if so, which direction did it go?!  Not that this has ever happened to me!

But first, Heather told the story of how she met the other authors in this series at a writer’s retreat, and the idea for this entire four-book series (all releasing THIS YEAR) sparked conversations until they couldn’t not write it.  With each book being written in a different era (1920s, 1970s, contemporary, and future dystopian) AND with not only this stained-glass window but also the family of the young men we’ll meet in Heather’s book, Window of Opportunity.

Stay tuned for more interviews with other Stained-Glass Legacy authors. I hope to chat with all of them!

Window of Opportunity by Heather Greer

Faith and duty drive Evangeline Moore to protect her father’s pristine image as a judge in Harrisburg, Illinois. Her resolve’s biggest test? Dot, her childhood friend. With Evangeline beside her, Dot’s desire for the Roaring Twenties’ glitz and glamor leads the pair into questionable situations.

Born into a Chicago mob family, Brendan Dunne understands duty, but faith puts him at odds with his father’s demands. Even when his brother James’s propensity for trouble lands them in Harrisburg, the truth is undeniable. To their father, the lines he won’t cross mean Brendan will never measure up.

When circumstances push Brendan and Evangeline together, unexpected events create opportunities to break free of family expectations. Will they be brave enough to forge their own path before the window closes on their chance to change?

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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
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Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

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Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit t Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit to our newest set of islands – The Suamalie Islands! These islands are very different from the Independence Islands because they are touristy. Another way this series is different is we have added more authors. You will see some familiar Independence Islands authors but will also see some brand-new ones. Just like with our Independence Islands, each author will follow a type of business that goes across all the different islands.

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#giveaway #suamalieislands #celebratelit
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
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Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
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Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally have been run into by a limb or two...

#funny #tree #blind #visuallyimpaired #blindauthor #authorsofinstagram #christianauthor #fictionauthor #historicalfictionauthor #romanticfiction #romancenovel
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutore Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutoread for this fun graphic!! #thecairocurse #freddieandgrace4ever @barbourbooks #historicalromance
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