By all accounts, everyone loves Genny. So why does someone want her dead? There’s something special about Genesis Baker, owner of The Sister’s popular New Beginnings Café. With her dimpled smile and twinkling blue eyes, Genny has practically the entire town eating from the palm of her hand. But Genny is hiding a secret. Despite her sunny disposition and golden touch, there is heartache in her … touch, there is heartache in her past, and heartache, they say, comes in threes.
Heartache Number One: An unwelcomed customer shows up at New Beginnings. Apparently, the restraining order against him has lapsed.
Heartache Number Two: Genny’s arch nemesis from high school returns to town. Twenty years has done nothing to mellow the bitter feud between these two women.
Heartache Number Three: As Genny finally acknowledges her feelings for a younger man—sexy firefighter Cutter Montgomery—memories of her first love come back to haunt her.
On top of it all, someone is stalking Genny, determined to make her life miserable.
As it turns out, being kidnapped is only the beginning of her troubles…
Great as a stand-alone, but Book Five of the award winning The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series, voted Best Mystery Series by the Texas Association of Authors, two years in a row!
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I absolutely adore this series by Becki Willis! That being said, there were a few things I would point out about this one in particular. First, the foreshadowing at the beginning of the book was fine. But I was frustrated to read the exact same chapter again in it’s entirety later in the book. Maybe the foreshadowing could have been just a portion of the full scene, a teaser? Secondly, I really missed Maddie and Brash. Don’t get me wrong – I love Genny and Cutter! But I needed more of Maddie at the very least. Third, I don’t get the title. Maybe I’m being dense and someone can explain it to me. What does Genny’s Ballad mean? How does a ballad have anything to do with this story?
I know this all may be coming across as critical and give the impression that I didn’t like the book. But that couldn’t be further from the truth (well, except for the whole repeated foreshadowing stuff). I gave it a very solid four stars and I read it in two days, after all. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and I’m seriously having to pace myself since I can devour these great stories faster than Becki can write them. 😉
Genny’s Ballad #5 – This story concentrates on Genny and Cutter. The past and the present mix and it’s not an all good combination. Well written, intriguing and substantial, this story keeps the reader immersed in the pages. The pace is fast, the action intense and the characters don’t disappoint the reader; a well thought out plot. No cliffhanger, but there’s another book hinted. 5*
Chicken Scratch #1 – This is my first book by this author and I was greatly surprised at how well written, well thought out and laced with humor and intrigue; this little gem is packed. The area is near and dear to my heart since I was born in the area. The people, while not as easily identifiable as in a Jeff Abbott novel, are locals I know. The Texas speak is just as if Ms. Willis and I were at the Creamery (TAMU) sharing milk shakes and local gossip. The kinks and knots in the plot made it hard to put down the book, even to get a tea refill. You can’t help but like the characters and root for them. The story, filled with life stories, is actually pretty substantial, not fluff, and Ms. W is an entertaining storyteller. 5*
When The Stars Fall #2 – This book is better than Chicken Scratch (#1), which is a good book, too. A lot of suspense, along with developing romances amongst several characters, keeps the reader immersed in this substantial story. Like the first book, the baddie is easily figured out, but the story is well worth reading. There are too many of the well rounded, well developed characters to shout out separately, but they’re all interesting, funny, sincere and just plain folk. The Big House becomes a prominent character and helps the family with a huge change to their lives, maybe. Not a cliffhanger, but there’s a tease about the future of Big and Madison. 5*
Stipulations and Complications #3 – This is a heavy, suspense filled book full of dark secrets and mysteries with the past and the present colliding and the darkness is felt by all involved. Yet, there’s plenty of good and love along with the humor. This intriguing, substantial read is hard to put down with its interesting storylines and well thought out characters. This book is on the level with DeMille, Follette, Grisham and Ludlum. 5*
Home Again: Starting Over #4 – Amen Sister to that comment about Texans and wannabes! This series must be read in order; they keep getting better and better. I love the fact that what happens in the earlier books are just slightly mentioned, instead of being retold. All the characters keep growing and their past and secrets coming to light as the books go on. Multiple storylines in this book and the twists and surprises just keep the reader glued to the pages. I’ve chain read the first four books and don’t have the next two available to me. But I’m diving into book seven, the newly released The Lilac Code. 5*
The Lilac Code #7 – Trouble even finds them outside of Texas! I missed the two books before this one, but it was still an interesting read. I was disappointed with the ending – the gun in her hand was forgotten. But the pages were full of intrigue and suspense, and the characters were intense. Again, there were multiple stories occurring, along with the main story. Current events were featured, which isn’t surprising with all that’s happened in Texas and other U.S. locations in the past year alone. While not a cliffhanger, there’s definitely more books in the future. I chain read five books in three days and never once was bored with this series. 5*
Ahh , the heartbreaking story of our sweet Genny. Absolutely love this glimpse into her life both before and after she moves to the Sisters. Her sad childhood, her stalker, her kidnapping and finally her upcoming wedding to Cutter. I laughed with and I cried for her. I was given a free copy by the author. My review is freely and honestly given
love the story, Ginny is Maddie’s best friend, someone is after her to hurt her, Cutter is trying to help her, if you like suspense and romance you have to read this one, he is younger that she is but he has no problem with the age, she does love the series looking forward to next book