Author Bio:

A native New Yorker, RITA-winning author Annie Solomon has been dreaming up stories since she was ten. After a twelve-year career in advertising, where she rose to Vice President and Head Writer at a mid-size agency, she abandoned the air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps of her professional life for her first love—romance. An avid knitter, she now lives in Nashville with her husband and daughter.

My Review:

Edie Swan has returned to her small hometown of Redbud, dead set on revenge. When she was a child, her father committed suicide after being involved in scandal and soon after her mother had a breakdown. Her possessions consist of her motorcycle, a few pieces of clothing, and a list of names. The individuals on the list were the last people her father spoke to before killing himself. She wants to scare these men into turning themselves in, admitting their deceipt. So, she sends them small, plastic black angels. A black angel decorates her father’s grave and Edie is certain the small trinkets will send a message the guilty will not misinterpret.

But then the recipients of the black angels start dying, one by one. Redbud’s Sheriff Holt Drennan is certain Edie is involved somehow. When he and Edie become romantically involved, Holt is torn between protecting his town or protecting the life of the woman he has grown to love.

ONE DEADLY SIN is an amazing character-driven romantic thriller. The romantic aspect isn’t overwhelming, which is one of the many reasons I enjoyed this book. While there are a few steamy moments, the suspense can hold it’s own. I can typically figure out most “whodunits” but ONE DEADLY SIN kept me guessing, literally, to the very end.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group, I have five copies to give away!

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Contest ends Friday, May 22nd. Good luck!

When August Wilte learns his wife is pregnant, he’s terrified. His own father, London, was less than perfect. To make things worse, his mother died when he was very young, so he’s never been exposed to “good” parenting.

August confronts his father, demanding an explanation for his failures. Instead, London suggests that meet once a month for a round of golf. Both men get what they want: London gets the chance to reintroduce his son to the game of golf, and August receives tidbits of memories of his mother on golf score cards that London used as a sort of diary.

August soon learns that his father’s motive isn’t just golf. Each golf lesson is actually a life lesson. By the time his wife has reached the end of her pregnancy, August has received nine lessons in life from his father.

I’ll have to admit, I was apprehensive about reading THE NINE LESSONS when I read the description. However, I enjoyed Milne’s other book THE PAPER BAG CHRISTMAS I thought I’d give him another chance. I’m glad I did. Milne’s characters are genuine and experience emotions we’ve all experienced. The messages relayed in THE NINE LESSONS are messages that we can all take to heart.

Here is just a sampling of some of the wisdom London passes on to August:

“Some days we play the game of life in the bloody rain. Not all days can be sunny skies and fair weather. But sooner or later the dark clouds dissipate…and the light shines through.”

“If your child happens to wonder out of bounds, stick by his side, let him know you’re there to help, and encourage him to get back on the fairway as quickly as possible.”

“Mind your own score…get rid of the mental tallies of who is doing what, and just work as a team to get everything done that needs to be done.”

“You’ve got to follow through. Even if it seems hard, you’ve got to force your body to do it.”

THE NINE LESSONS would be the perfect gift for a father-to-be, or any person attempting to overcome a obstacle or challenge in life. Don’t discount the book because on the surface it appears to be about golf, because after all, Golf IS life!