Francis Guenette

I wasn't pleased with this book. It didn't have an interesting plot, and there were too many sexually dysfunctional characters. Also, there was a little too much (for my taste) of in depth descriptions of the house, the lake, the landscaping etc. I kept reading though because the author does do a good job of building characters. The underlying message I get from the book is the power of forgiveness and friends that don't judge.

The reason for a single star: I did not appreciate how "sex with a emotionally unstable minor" was handled. While some readers may read it and think "wow, the power of forgiveness, we don't have to make everything traumatic" others may read it and feel empowered to ignore the drastic and life changing consequences of such actions for both parties involved. If you want to show the power of forgiveness, write the man as facing the music, getting registered as a sex offender, successfully moving on with his life and finding out that he only loses the fair-weather friends. I also did not appreciate how the teen was depicted as being "undamaged" and the book even insinuated that the event was a positive turning point for her.… (mere)

I wasn't pleased with this book. It didn't have an interesting plot, and there were too many sexually dysfunctional characters. Also, there was a little too much (for my taste) of in depth descriptions of the house, the lake, the landscaping etc. I kept reading though because the author does do a good job of building characters. The underlying message I get from the book is the power of forgiveness and friends that don't judge.

The reason for a single star: I did not appreciate how "sex with a emotionally unstable minor" was handled. While some readers may read it and think "wow, the power of forgiveness, we don't have to make everything traumatic" others may read it and feel empowered to ignore the drastic and life changing consequences of such actions for both parties involved. If you want to show the power of forgiveness, write the man as facing the music, getting registered as a sex offender, successfully moving on with his life and finding out that he only loses the fair-weather friends. I also did not appreciate how the teen was depicted as being "undamaged" and the book even insinuated that the event was a positive turning point for her.… (mere)

“Maelstrom,” is a novel rich with multidimensional characters who grapple with the turbulence of power, evil, and control in the small town of Haddon, somewhere in North American. Fear controls everyone in this novel to some degree with a darkness that I found intriguing. This is one of those novels that sucks you into the whirlwind of events from page one onward! I literally could not put this book down. The characters got into my head!

Sheriff Bert Calder is the consummate study of evil and the detrimental effects of an out of control ego and an overabundance of power. His character was one of the cruelest and most demented I have read in a long while. The wickedness of the man was just mind-boggling. Calder had no scruples. Rules did not bind him to family or to those of his elected office. At times, he came across to me as an omnipotent being which made for an even more exciting read. Calder is simply sinfully wicked.

In fact, all of the characters seemed to possess a multifaceted humanness which blurred the lines between good and evil. The protagonist, Myhetta fights the demons of his blood inheritance right along with the good fortune he inherited from his adopted father. Myhetta’s entire life balances between good and evil as he struggles with his past and his future. It is this deep struggle to find a balance within his own family that made me like Myhetta so much.

Myhetta’s half brother, Casey possesses a supernatural ability to feel and see what his brother experiences. A trait that ran through the Destino family once again emphasizes the strong connection to family and blood that remains as the central theme to this novel. To me, Francis Guenette is a master at depicting “family intrigue.” All the novels she has penned, that I have read, always have strong family connections portrayed by her characters.

It was no great surprise then when I learned that this story was the original creation of her mother, June Guenette. After her mother passed away in 1997, the unfinished manuscript disappeared within the confines of Francis’ family, remaining as only typewritten notes, and passages. Once rediscovered, the manuscript began a maelstrom transformation of its own with Francis reconstructing the story. I think June Guenette would have loved the resulting collaboration between mother and daughter sharing another link in the family chain.

If you are looking for a book that will take your breath away and leave you on the edge of your seat, look no further! Maelstrom will propel you into a vortex filled with hate and prejudices where the only way out is to find trust and love within your own family.

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars… (mere)

The Crater Lake gang is back! This time the book mimics life and the changes and consequences of human decisions. The central message for me emphasized the idea that life isn’t simple or defined in black and white terms. No Compass to Right deals with those gray areas where lessons are learned. Meanwhile, the reader gets a sneak peek into the characters as they grow into multi-dimensional individuals, with problems to solve and learn from.

There were many storylines to follow from characters I had waited for closure on. Lisa Marie and Justin are still trying to come to grips with their feelings and emotions. Izzy and Liam have settled into raising Sophie; Lisa Marie, and Liam’s daughter. Sophie comes across as a typical young girl, blessed with the love of a large family. When the child is forced to learn the meaning of love and loss, it was a poignant moment, raw and unfiltered.

Robby and Tabby’s friendship increases and the two have become inseparable. Robby’s power to see “light” around people seems to be mounting as he grows older. I am hopeful that subsequent stories will pursue his gifts in greater detail. That boy is a story all by himself.

As with any real-life situation, Micah Camp expands to include new people into the fold. With them, they bring their stories, hopes, dreams, and issues. As with all the books in the series, the family is shown to be the guiding compass in the lives of these individuals. It made sense for that theme to resonate since Micah Camp helps troubled teens. It’s all about making connections and understanding others while realizing that forgiveness is a huge part of life.

I have read the Crater Lake Series in its entirety and feel like the characters have become my friends. Francis Guenette has once again transported me to a part of the world with descriptions so rich, you feel like you can reach out and touch the flora and fauna around Crater Lake. I know the characters have touched my heart. If you love family oriented literature, you will love this books and the rest in the series.

MY RATING:
Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

… (mere)