The Memory House: A Psychological Thriller by Mary Alford

ABOUT THE BOOK

Some truths aren't buried.

They're hidden inside us.

When grief counselor Elise Warren inherits Coldwater Hollow, the crumbling Victorian estate of her estranged father, she expects to settle his affairs and finally leave the past behind.

Instead, she finds hidden journals, secret recordings, and evidence that her father’s controversial psychological treatments may have harmed more than they healed.

The Memory House is a gripping psychological suspense novel about memory, identity, and the dangerous secrets families bury in the name of protection.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

Wow! I'm a fan of her Amish suspense novels but this new book by author Mary Alford showcases her ability to write contemporary suspense! The Memory House is a taut, psychological thriller that questions how susceptible our minds are to suggestion. Elise Warren has memories of her childhood before she and her mother left Coldwater Hollow, but she wonders if they were real or imagined. Was there another little girl named Ivy who once lived at this house? Was this why her mother took her away from Coldwater Hollow when she was ten years old? How much knowledge did her late father have about her concerns?

Alford kept me turning the pages to find answers to Elise's ever-increasing questions. I found myself enthralled with the gloomy atmosphere, unexplained happenings, and Elise's physical and emotional trauma after she returned to Coldwater Hollow. Thankfully, she had physical protection from local Deputy Reid Carver, but would her training as a counselor help her as she worked to determine truth from fiction?

If you're looking for twists, turns, and an unsettling story with ghostly vibes, grab a copy of this engaging story reminiscent of the gothic novels I've always loved!

I received a copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Alford is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can't put down. Her titles have garnered several awards and nominations. She and her husband live in the middle of 70 acres, in the heart of Texas, with two cats and one dog. 

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Advent Unhurried: Daily Devotions for a Season of Wonder and Stillness by Micha Boyett

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rediscover a More Contemplative Path Toward Christmas

From Sarah Bessey, New York Times bestselling author of A Rhythm of Prayer, on Micha Boyett's previous book: "I absolutely love this book." Now Boyett brings that same tender, unflinching honesty to Advent Unhurried, a collection of twenty-eight daily reflections offering rest, hope, and a slower path to Christmas.

It's no secret that the holiday season arrives overscheduled and oversentimental, pressuring us toward a manufactured cheer long before we're ready for it. Advent has always resisted that pace--a season built for waiting, not rushing, for sitting with longing before we arrive at joy. Honoring that older, slower tradition in daily form, this devotional

● integrates poems, prayers, practices, and prose;

● goes beyond the easy sentimentality of the holiday season; and

● features a beautiful design and custom illustrations throughout.

If you feel caught between sorrow and joy, doubt and faith, this book gives you permission: carrying more questions than certainty is still a faithful way to wait. With warmth and honesty, Boyett explores the witness of Mary, who models what it means to say yes to love even when faith is hard to come by.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

Even though I am always happy learning about a new Advent devotional, I have mixed feelings about Advent Unhurried. I love that its primary focus is Mary, the mother of Jesus, and I like that the four weeks of devotions focus on the traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. I also find it intriguing that author MIcha Boyett uses prose, poetry, reflections, and step-by-step practices to guide us during this time. The poems are enjoyable but I consider some of the devotions very long and wordy. I fear that some readers will find them too time-consuming, even though this book was written to provide a relaxed Advent experience.

Posting a timely review created a need to browse this book quickly but I plan to reread it as the author intended. I want to slow down, savor the mystery, and fully discover the wonders of Advent!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Micha Boyett is a blogger, wife, and mom with a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry degree from Syracuse University. A former youth minister, she's passionate about monasticism and ancient Christian spiritual practices and how they inform the contemporary life of faith. Boyett and her husband live in San Francisco with their two boys.

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