The Goodbye Lie

by Jane Marie Malcolm

Where Little House on the Prairie meets Gone With The Wind ...        HIS FACE DARKENED. "HAS HE KISSED YOU YET?"
Men will die for Breelan Dunnigan. The heart-wrenching romance and unexpected drama don't stop until the last page of  The Goodbye Lie , Jane Marie Malcolm's first installment in her mystery-romance series, set in 1882 on Florida's Amelia Island. An aspiring writer, Breelan is literally swept away, first by a tornado at the beach and then a handsome stranger, who steps into her life and into her soul. Escape to New York City brings new love, but when Breelan returns to her small town island home in the deep South, her existence has turned upside down. Strong Irish bonds and values are soon pitted against passion, jealousy and murder in this richly ripe saga. Readers will rejoice in the clever twists of plot. Abundantly layered personalities, late Victorian conventions and gentle humor flavor up this mix of epic romance, treachery and glory. This is only the beginning of  The Goodbye Lie series as it continues with Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow  and Amelia Island's Mark of a Man, more Fernandina fancies ...

252 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2004

Reviews

[Fredrika Nitoub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently purchased The Goodbye Lie Trilogy from the author during my trip to Amelia Island Florida. I finished the first novel (The Goodbye Lie) after staying up past 3 am. It was one of those books you can't put down. I've seen some lukewarm reviews, and, honestly, I don't agree with them. For me, it covered all the bases. It's much more than a romance novel. Completely reccomend!

[John Corrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read

Loved the book felt like I was there in 1880s Amelia island. Great read about love family and community. Makes me want to move to the island

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book from the author one day when I was strolling down Centre Street in Fernandina. I had never done that before, but I was tempted to buy a book that was set in a town that is so special to me.

I thought it would have more history but it was more of a romance novel set in the late 1800's. I am not very much of a fan of romance novels. However, I do have to admit that the romance is very different from what passes as romance in modern times.

At first, I really didn't like the style in which it was written. Lots of dialogue. However, after about 40 or 50 pages, I did get accustomed to it. What I did like was the exciting climax of the book and the characterization. I did care about what happened to Breelan. When the characters become real, then it is more enjoyable and the reader just wants to keep on reading.

I suppose I wanted it to be a little more of a historical fiction and less of a romance.

I

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Known to her admirers as "Gracious" Jane Marie, the author has written a delightful story with THE GOODBYE LIE. Set in the late 1800's amid the backdrop of Fernandina, Florida, the story takes off to far away shores-and far away desires, lies, and deceit.

For Breelan Dunnigan, growing up with a strict mother, a father incapable of saying no, and the requisite older sister and younger siblings has been far from a trial. But the time is nearing when soon she'll be married, with a family of her own, and her childhood will be behind her.

Then, while riding her horse upon the shore of the small island of Amelia, twisters arrive out of nowhere, and she's tossed unceremoniously into the ocean. Her rescuer comes in the form of a handsome and mysterious stranger-but is he really there to rescue her from the salty water, or take advantage of her precarious position?

When Breelan and her cousin Norah embark upon a trip aboard the Gentle Comfort and meet its captain, who is to oversee their voyage, she realizes that Captain Waite Taylor is the very man who rescued her from a watery grave. But soon Breelan is shining under the attention of a member of the crew, Trip Clelland, and a marriage is imminent.

What follows, however, is the way that love sometimes fails to follow its intended path. Treachery, deceit, lies, and jealousy all threaten Bree, her cousin, and even her entire family. Love, it seems, has a mind of its own, and will not be denied.

THE GOODBYE LIE, the first of a series, is an engaging story from Jane Marie. I look forward to the next, VELVET UNDERTOW, which will revolve around Breelan's sister, Carolena.

[Scalacpa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was visiting Fernandina Beach and this author sold me her book. I was not expecting much in that books I have purchased peddled by the authors on the street have typically been disappointing. This was surprisingly good. The writing was good and the story line kepted my interest.
This is not the type of book I typically read. It was a love story from the late 1800's taking place in Fernandina Beach. It was short and kepted my interest. I would have preferred if it had historical events and history in the book in that is what I was expecting.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because I like to read books that are set in places that I've visited. However, I didn't know it was a romance novel. Not that that's bad, but I just didn't like the way it was written.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the setting and the story for the most part. Some parts were a little too explicit for me. Also it seemed like chicklit and I am not really into that. I wanted to read it because we spent time on Amelia Island.