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63rd out of 207 books
—
137 voters
The Edge of Recall
Landscape architect Tessa Young is searching for God and hoping to make sense of the nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. When she and colleague Smith Chandler are attacked one evening, her nightmare begins again.
Paperback, 412 pages
Published
July 1st 2008
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published January 1st 2008)
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This was the first book of Kristen's I've read. Which is actually really silly, because I own at least three others written by her. They caught my interest in the bookstore, whispered to me that I couldn't possibly walk out without them. They came home and joined my massive library and the giant To Be Read stack that seems to grow all of it's own accord. And despite the fact that they spoke to me in the store, I haven't read them yet. Maybe it's because I have so many TBR now, that the whispers...more
THE EDGE OF RECALL by Kristen Heitzmann has twists and turns that resemble the very Labyrinths Tessa Young creates.
Tessa Young is a landscape architect whose specialty is Labyrinths. When she is called on by Smith Chandler, a former colleague and love interest to help him with the project of a lifetime, she can’t refuse. But Tessa has more problems than trying to deny her inner feelings for Smith. Haunted her entire life by nightmares of mazes, monsters, and desertion, this new project has her...more
Tessa Young is a landscape architect whose specialty is Labyrinths. When she is called on by Smith Chandler, a former colleague and love interest to help him with the project of a lifetime, she can’t refuse. But Tessa has more problems than trying to deny her inner feelings for Smith. Haunted her entire life by nightmares of mazes, monsters, and desertion, this new project has her...more
"The Edge of Recall" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. Both men and women will enjoy it. The pacing was very good. The suspense built as the mysterious intruder on the work site progressed from vandalism to violence and as the truth about Tessa's nightmares came closer to being revealed. Tension was also provided by the various strained relationships. The characters were interesting and complex. The world-building was good, with vivid setting details and some details about the jobs.
Tessa b...more
Tessa b...more
Tessa Young, an up-and-coming landscape architect who specializes in the design and creation of labyrinths, has immersed herself in the mythological, spiritual, and healing aspects of the elaborate structures. She also is searching for God and hoping to make sense of the nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. When Smith Chandler, an estranged colleague--with whom she'd half fallen in love a dozen times before catching herself every time--calls to propose a project he claims is the opp...more
I think I enjoyed this one...maybe not as much as some of Heitzman's other books (like Freefall) but by the end it worked fairly well for me.
The early section felt very fragmented; the internal monologue skipped around a lot, and sometimes I felt that Tessa's thoughts all sounded like her recycled therapy sessions. Like she wasn't thinking for herself really. That made it hard for me to understand her character apart from the tortured nightmares and confusion.
The labyrinth concept was very coo...more
The early section felt very fragmented; the internal monologue skipped around a lot, and sometimes I felt that Tessa's thoughts all sounded like her recycled therapy sessions. Like she wasn't thinking for herself really. That made it hard for me to understand her character apart from the tortured nightmares and confusion.
The labyrinth concept was very coo...more
I read everyone's reviews, and decided to read it anyway. :)
I am a fan of Heitzmann. I like her mysteries,and the romance in her books is never overly sappy. Nor are they hopping into bed. I feel like I can trust her to write a good PG rated book, (adult subject matter) and I'll never flip the page to find myself in the middle of an R-rated scene. I'm choosy with my movies, so I love that I can trust her books. (And in'Secrets'--my fav of all her books--the dialog is great. Like I said in my rev...more
I am a fan of Heitzmann. I like her mysteries,and the romance in her books is never overly sappy. Nor are they hopping into bed. I feel like I can trust her to write a good PG rated book, (adult subject matter) and I'll never flip the page to find myself in the middle of an R-rated scene. I'm choosy with my movies, so I love that I can trust her books. (And in'Secrets'--my fav of all her books--the dialog is great. Like I said in my rev...more
An unusual profession stands at the center of this suspense novel, Tessa is an landscaper who specializes in labyrinths, an obsession she has had since a little girl. So it is no surprise that her former boyfriend contacts her when he has a construction project that involves the restoration of a labyrinth. But she is still disturbed since her relationship with this boyfriend was rocky and he hurt her badly and her own emotional health has always been turbulent. She can't resist the pull of the l...more
Mysteries of the past keep interfering with Tessa's future, but Smith is determined to see her have the wonderful life she deserves. Circumstances and Tessa's fears make Smith's mission more difficult than he thought. When they're attacked in a secluded field, Tessa believes Smith is lost to her forever.
This is an amazing book, full of intrigue and personal challenges. Kristen Heitzmann brings her characters to life through descriptions, internal dialogue, and their interaction with the other ch...more
This is an amazing book, full of intrigue and personal challenges. Kristen Heitzmann brings her characters to life through descriptions, internal dialogue, and their interaction with the other ch...more
I haven't picked up a Kristen Heitzmann book in awhile, so I thought I'd try this one. Overall, Edge of Recall has an interesting and unique plot.
Tessa Young, an architect landscape artist who specializes in labyrinths, is summoned by an old flame to a historic site. There, she finds a once scared labyrinth path that convinces her to stay, despite advice from her longtime therapist and her feelings of unease around Smith Chandler, a man she's never quite gotten over. As work on the grounds comme...more
Tessa Young, an architect landscape artist who specializes in labyrinths, is summoned by an old flame to a historic site. There, she finds a once scared labyrinth path that convinces her to stay, despite advice from her longtime therapist and her feelings of unease around Smith Chandler, a man she's never quite gotten over. As work on the grounds comme...more
I am somewhat of a novice of novels in the suspense category, but I really enjoyed this one! There was a lot of tension and suspense, and the story really held and kept my attention, so much so that I fairly flew threw the pages.
The main character, Tessa, has to overcome a traumatic childhood event--I really liked how Heitzmann drew out the mystery of what happened to Tessa as a child. I felt like I was learning the truth along the way with her. I must say that Tessa was a bit annoying at first,...more
The main character, Tessa, has to overcome a traumatic childhood event--I really liked how Heitzmann drew out the mystery of what happened to Tessa as a child. I felt like I was learning the truth along the way with her. I must say that Tessa was a bit annoying at first,...more
I don't know why I took this book, other than I've been reading so much on the train, that I grab a stack from the library shelf & don't filter carefully. It says right on the back cover that the protagonist is searching for God, which holds less than no interest for me - particularly since I'm not Christian & don't understand that culture. That said, it's also about labyrinths, which are cool, even though I didn't previously know they are a Christian artifact. And there's a mystery &...more
Jul 29, 2011
Marika
added it
WOW! It was really good, but again not as good a Freefall. I loved how she started this novel off with taking us to a key point in the story. The beginning was a little slow, but most of her books are like that. I thought that this book was a lot more suspenseful then other books I have read by her and a bit creepy at some points. And as Michelle put it I would not read this book when you are home alone! I totally recommend this book as a weekend read (trust me you will not be able to put it dow...more
I'm not sure what exactly I was looking for in this book. I saw it at the library sale shelf, then on the new-reads shelf at the new library. I figured, it's free, so I'll try it. While the beginning started off decently well, I didn't realize it'd turn out to be a bantering romance-style book with a weepy FMC and a sometimes clueless MMC. The plots wrapped up before I knew it while the underlying theme dragged on. I found myself pushing through it just so I'd get done with it. I guess just not...more
I was anxious to read a book by Kristen as well as a romantic suspense. I truly was not disappointed by the suspenseful elements that were there. At times the characters though were a bit disappointing, esp the heroine. For someone who saw something at age six and yet is riddled by nightmares and emotional distraught 20 years later, I don't know, but it seemed hard to comprehend. The hero was good as was the romance, though he did find himself a victim more than I would have liked. I also could...more
I have enjoyed a number of Heitzmann's books. They are always clean, hard to put down, and portray good, Christian values. This one had a definite gothic feel about it that I quite enjoyed. A great way to relax. My only criticism would be that Heitzmann, along with many Cristian authors, can get a little preachy upon occasion with the result that a character may feel unnatural or overdone sometimes. That said, her books have never made me feel like I've taken taken a walk through the mire of im...more
I LOVED this book! I thought the characters were fabulous ~ the romance was wonderful ~ and she kept the surprises coming as to who you could trust.
I especially liked that the romance was something that built over the course of the book. I think it is one of the more realistic books I've read as far as that goes. They did have chemistry - and it didn't wait until two pages before the end before they kissed or talked about it.
I also loved the originality of the characters. Tessa was a truly haunt...more
I especially liked that the romance was something that built over the course of the book. I think it is one of the more realistic books I've read as far as that goes. They did have chemistry - and it didn't wait until two pages before the end before they kissed or talked about it.
I also loved the originality of the characters. Tessa was a truly haunt...more
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I wasn’t sure what kind of suspense to expect with Kristen, having never read any books by her before, but I was pleasantly surprised with The Edge of Recall. Filled with tense scenes, puzzling dilemmas, and strange happenings, this book completely pulled me in! The whole mystery surrounding the labyrinths was really interesting and added a different twist to this book.
The people in The Edge of Recall were very fleshed out and believable. Tessa was fun, but also intricately complex as the reader...more
The people in The Edge of Recall were very fleshed out and believable. Tessa was fun, but also intricately complex as the reader...more
This is one terrible book. Is Heitzmann as poor a writer as Jerry B. Jenkins? No -- but then that isn't saying much. Jenkins is a hack; Heitzmann is not. (When I get around to reading the remaining Left Behind novels, it'll be as research.) The Edge of Recall intrigued me -- labyrinths, emotional turmoil, an attractive wispy young woman on the cover (I have a thing for aesthetics) -- but its first half is a bloated mess, its latter half an escalating exercise in the ludicrous. To her credit, Hei...more
The Edge of Recall
By Kristen Heitzmann
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN#9780764228315
412 pages
Back Cover: She locked up the vision like a monster in her mind’s maze, but it lurked there, on the edge of recall.
Tess Young is a landscape architect who specializes in the design and creation of labyrinths. For years she has immersed herself in the healing aspects of these elaborate structures, searching for God and hoping to make sense of the nightmares that have plagues her since childhood.
When Sm...more
By Kristen Heitzmann
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN#9780764228315
412 pages
Back Cover: She locked up the vision like a monster in her mind’s maze, but it lurked there, on the edge of recall.
Tess Young is a landscape architect who specializes in the design and creation of labyrinths. For years she has immersed herself in the healing aspects of these elaborate structures, searching for God and hoping to make sense of the nightmares that have plagues her since childhood.
When Sm...more
I like Heitzman's writing, although starting out I was not sure I would like this book. As I read on, it I started to enjoy it more and more. The way things play out, everything comes to a pretty much satisfying conclusion.
Tessa just finished up working on a labyrinth, when she gets a call from Smith. She hadn't heard from Smith since college and there was still some residual hurt from that time in her life. Smith has an offer that intrigues her and Tessa figures she can bring conclusion to tha...more
Tessa just finished up working on a labyrinth, when she gets a call from Smith. She hadn't heard from Smith since college and there was still some residual hurt from that time in her life. Smith has an offer that intrigues her and Tessa figures she can bring conclusion to tha...more
Jul 09, 2008
Margaret
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone, mystery, adventure, and various kinds of love
Recommended to Margaret by:
CFBA
Without a doubt, this book and Kristen Heitzmann are two of my favorite things now. From the first chapter, I was thrown into a whirl asking a thousand silent questions trying to understand and just comprehend what was going on. The more I read, the more I needed to read to find out even more.
The plot is fabulous. The characters are amazing. It is a story that is so real that it bridges on imagination and reality. (Trust me if you read it, that comment makes sense). The Edge of Recall is someth...more
The plot is fabulous. The characters are amazing. It is a story that is so real that it bridges on imagination and reality. (Trust me if you read it, that comment makes sense). The Edge of Recall is someth...more
A gripping tale! I love the way Heitzmann writes! Her broken characters touch our hearts, and have us championing their battles. I particularly admire the way she incorporates the need for a Savior with a gentle hand that does not detract from the suspense of the plot. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading romantic suspense!Second Chance
I think it was pretty good overall.
I think the main character, Tessa, was developed quite well. Smith was too.
However, I think that the sudden breakdown of Tessa's block was a bit too sudden. I had no idea why she was breaking down, or at least, it wasn't made very clear to me.
That was the only thing, and I really liked the whole plot as a whole.
The architecture info in the book was honestly inspired. Sounded pretty professional. Good job on the research!
I think the main character, Tessa, was developed quite well. Smith was too.
However, I think that the sudden breakdown of Tessa's block was a bit too sudden. I had no idea why she was breaking down, or at least, it wasn't made very clear to me.
That was the only thing, and I really liked the whole plot as a whole.
The architecture info in the book was honestly inspired. Sounded pretty professional. Good job on the research!
Ohh, so it's a Romance genre. I was wondering what this was.....obviously a formula driven novel. I found it in a search for books about labyrinths, and it is tenuously about a landscape architect's attempt to restore a stone labyrinth, along with falling in love with the handsome and wealthy architect, plus dealing with shrinks, childhood mysteries, old boyfriends, issues of self-esteem, and dreams of monsters. I wouldn't recommend it.
Not a bad book. I like the suspense. This woman is confused. Some parts were a little boring, especially when they went into the characters minds, I supose it was good to know what they were thinking but it did go on too much. Good mystery, I just didn't want as many words. I admit to being shocked by one of the characters, i thought this person was one way but found out they were another. Good suprise.
Picked up this author because she was next to another one of my faves and so glad I did. She writes romance with suspense stories intermingled. I couldn't stop reading this book today. A woman with a mysterious past who loves labrynths even though they haunt her nightmares, an old love with a job offer she can't resist, and 2 mysteries to solve. I will definitely read more of her books.
I like this author, and this book is similar to the others of hers I've read in that it deals with dreams/lost memories/haunting images in the life of the main character(s). The writing is engaging, just suspenseful enough to keep you wanting to read, and not so predictable as to be ho-hum. I liked learning more about labyrinths, too.
Somewhat predictable, as most Christian mysteries are. Also, the author uses a lot of repetitious phrases - her characters are always "dragging ragged breaths". But a clean read, mildly entertaining, and the information on labyrinths (while only scratching the surface of what could be said) was interesting.
I haven't picked up a Kristen Heitzmann book in awhile, so I thought I'd try this one. Overall, Edge of Recall has an interesting and unique plot.
Tessa Young, an architect landscape artist who specializes in labyrinths, is summoned by an old flame to a historic site. There, she finds a once scared labyrinth path that convinces her to stay, despite advice from her longtime therapist and her feelings of unease around Smith Chandler, a man she's never quite gotten over. As work on the grounds comm...more
Tessa Young, an architect landscape artist who specializes in labyrinths, is summoned by an old flame to a historic site. There, she finds a once scared labyrinth path that convinces her to stay, despite advice from her longtime therapist and her feelings of unease around Smith Chandler, a man she's never quite gotten over. As work on the grounds comm...more
I enjoyed this story but felt like I would have liked it much more had the story been told in a different order. I understand the author's decision to choose the ending but felt that Tessa's "problems" went on and on and on.......we don't find out why until the end of the story.
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Kristen learned to read at age four in the sit-on-the-floor school her father taught at home. That was the start of her love affair with stories. Skipping kindergarten, she went to first grade at five and dove into learning with a passion. In elementary school, she wrote and illustrated her own miniature books and the highlight of the week was the mile and a half walk to the book mobile.
A bit of a...more
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