When The Bough Breaks

by Miss Mae

Late 1960's. Time of the Vietnam War, hippies, fishnet hose, and mini-skirts. Add a flirtatious wink from the baby blues of 'love'em and leave 'em' Parker Shane and sixteen-year-old Darlene Moore wonders if she'll ever be the same.

Winner of the 2009 P&E Readers Poll in the YA category, When the Bough Breaks is more than a romance tale. Combining suspense, intrigue, and danger, Miss Mae pens a riveting story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats and gasping, "What's next?"

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

All of Miss Mae’s romantic mysteries, “Said the Spider to the Fly”, “When the Bough Breaks”, “Dove Island”, “It’s Extraordinary, My Dear Winifred” and “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” are award winning best sellers. Her latest, “Catch Me If You Can” has already received top rated five-star reviews. Tantalizing trailers, and more information, is readily available at her website: http://www.themissmaesite.com

Miss Mae also enjoys writing humor and non-fiction articles. Some of her publications can be found in The Front Porch Magazine, Good Old Days, and WritersWeekly.

Autographed print books can be purchased via PM here at GR.

Reviews

[Jaimey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis: 16-year-old Darlene Moore is not allowed to date until she turns 18. Despite her mother's rule, she finds herself drawn to Parker Shane, a young man newly returned from Vietnam who has the reputation of a playboy. Through betrayals by more than one person in whom Darlene once placed her trust, these two struggle to find a way to be together.

My two cents: This book started out with the feel of a typical young adult book. The heroine, Darlene, is 16 and in high school. Set in the late '60s with all the trappings of the period, it was an interesting journey into recent history. As the story progresses, however, the initial fluffy feel of the story is lost in a barrage of tragedy that left this reader in tears more than once.

I was surprised that this short novel managed to wring so many differing emotions from me. I chuckled, I cried and at one point, my jaw dropped. It is well-written, flows well, and has believable characters. This was a book that was hard to walk away from. If my copy hadn't been an e-book, I would have taken this book with me everywhere until I was done!

While the first few chapters were a little slow, getting to know who was who and what was what, the story quickly picked up pace. The author let tantalizing bits of mystery drop until all the pieces fell into place. In my opinion, it was very well done.

In conclusion, this is the first by this author that I have had the pleasure to read. It won't be the last.

*Review based on ARC.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 of 5 - a NEED to read at YGR.
This is another winning book from Miss Mae! Lots of intrigue with a sweet romance!
....
Miss Mae has developed believable personalities in her characters and wonderful mystery twists that I love about her books! As with the other wonderful books I have read by Miss Mae, she provides several suspects for the danger and trouble that abounds. This makes her books so much fun as you try to figure out the true villain because it isn’t always whom you first suspect! There are hints but some of them are hidden!

There was a point midway that was a bit slow for me, but do not worry! Soon the action starts up and the mystery gets moving full force. Then the book just flies by as you read to find out what happens! Miss Mae writes wonderfully sweet mysteries that can be enjoyed by everyone. Pick this up for a good mystery read!

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