Sunday, November 19, 2023

About the Book

Book: Revenge: The Winslows of Texas

Author: Tamara. G. Cooper

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Christian)

Release Date: May 7, 2023

Aaron’s life shatters in the aftermath of his best friend’s sudden, bizarre death. He firmly believes her demise was no mere accident, as the authorities ruled, but a cold-blooded murder. Driven to the brink of despair by the relentless media shadowing his every move, accusing him of causing her death, he needs a place to hide. Salvation dawns in an unexpected inheritance — the dense, sprawling wilderness of his great aunt’s East Texas estate. There, he discovers another surprise: his first love recently moved back to the area. She intrigued him at fourteen; she completely captivates him at twenty-six.

The discovery of a woman’s body on his property is chillingly timed on the grim anniversary of his friend’s death, shaking Aaron to his core. He realizes the bloodthirsty killer has delivered a disturbingly personal message to him: You cannot hide from me. Suddenly, his secluded sanctuary is exposed, a beacon for the merciless media relentlessly searching for him. He fortifies his estate, transforming it into a fortress against what he understands now is an inevitable attack. The murderer’s tightening noose of fear threatens to ensnare him. Outsmarting this ruthless predator has become a deadly game of chess, where every move could be his last.

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About the Author

Tamara G. Cooper is a Texas-based author who finds inspiration in the simple things in life: hiking, camping, fishing, and long walks with her family that end in a picnic. She lives in a small town in East Texas with her husband, her youngest of five sons, and four dogs. Tamara loves writing suspense/mystery stories with just a touch of romance.

More from Tamara

I’m an East Texan, through and through. You should hear me talk! There is no mistaking that I’m from Texas. So, one day, I was wondering: what would it be like if a New Yorker moved to East Texas? Better yet, let’s make him a billionaire New Yorker who wants nothing to do with “rednecks” but is forced to move to Texas. What would motivate him to move there, especially when he’s made it very clear that he wants nothing to do with Texas or Texans?

Running for his life would work. Suddenly, he needs a place to hide. The people after him know of his other homes and have them staked out. So, where could he go? His great-aunt Dottie dies and wills her 6,000-acre estate in East Texas to him. Perfect! It sets him up nicely where he doesn’t want to be. And to add icing to this Texas cake? His first love at fourteen recently moved back to the area where he’d met her on one of his family’s rare visits with Aunt Dottie.

But life doesn’t settle down for him. Of course, it doesn’t, right?

And that’s how this book came about. I love Aaron. Every day, I couldn’t wait to get back to him and his story. He has so much to give and doesn’t even know it. As one of the “walking wounded,” he’s going to discover what really matters in life, but it’s not going to be easy for him.

One thing that’s somewhat different about me as a writer is that I don’t outline my books. I sit at my computer and let the characters tell me their stories. Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it? But it works for me. They take me in all kinds of directions! When the first draft is finished, I consider it my “outline.” Now, the fun begins with editing!

I love writing. I love storytelling. “Revenge” is one of my favorite stories and, yes, I fell a little bit in love with Aaron. I hope you do, too.

REVIEW

I liked this book because it drew me in right away. The author lays a foundation that intrigued me about Aaron. We get glimpses of what traumatic event he has gone through but we don’t know the depth of how it has tortured him until his life slowly unravels. I can’t imagine having to leave everything you know and live like a recluse. He thought doing this would help him heal but he forgot some important steps.

Aaron blames himself for an accident that took someone he cared about. We slowly start to see the impact this has had on Aaron, but he can’t let it go. He feels that something isn’t right about the accident and won’t rest until he has peace about it. When strange sightings and near fatal accidents start happening to him and people around him, his instincts tell him that he is being stalked by someone.

I loved the suspense in the story and how it continues to build as the story takes twists and turns. For someone who wanted to be alone, Aaron suddenly finds himself with visitors. I loved when Aaron meets a very wise woman who helps him understand what forgiveness means. Oh how this part of the story shines with hope and a new beginning for Aaron. Finding his way back to God was just what he needed. He learns that, “ How can you blame yourself when you trust God?” Now Aaron will have to trust those around him and let God heal him. However he can’t let go of this feeling he has that his friend’s death was not an accident.

The book is full of surprises and unsuspecting twists that I found myself on the edge of the seat. Just when I thought I had figured out the mystery, the author takes us in a new direction. I was shocked by the ending and thought the author did a great job of including greed, jealousy, mistrust and unforgiveness in a story that reminds us to always put God first.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.