CHEERS FOR MAEVE TIDEWELL PSYCHIC SUSPENSE!
When I came across this book, I was looking for a light chick-lit read. What I got was a suspense thriller with a chick-lit feel. Instead of a 20 something heroine whose main dilemma is to decide which credit card to use to pay her Jimmy Choos with, I came across a book whose heroine is a kick butt cougar momma who will claw the life out of anyone who dares to mess with her cubs.
The story revolves around the heroine Maeve Tidewell and her attempt to save her children and other innocent lives from the deluded anti-hero Joseph Binyon. Maeve has a "gift" Binyon wants thinking that by "taking" her gift, great power would be bestowed upon him.
The author was able to present her characters in a credible way; the "good guys" had integrity, were endearing and did their best to help while ensuring the ones they loved were kept safe. The author was able to showcase the warped delusional thinking of her antagonists; Binyon and his son Carl are both evil with violent tendencies and total disregard for humanity. These two characters provided the shock appeal necessary for a suspense thriller however I didn't find the details overly gory or sickening.
The conflicts in the story felt like natural turns in the road as oppose to abrupt twists and distracting turns. One of the characters' "gift" was revealed in a way that caught me off guard. I have to say, I did not see that one coming but the scenario was presented in a way that flowed naturally with the story and created that "OMG! It can't be her!" thrill. The ending gave me that "Aw, why can't they be together" sense of longing as Ben, the "leading man", and Maeve do NOT end up together. Their parting did give me warm fuzzies.
This book is a light read; it is entertaining but won't dull your mind.
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I did pay attention and am glad I did. This was a suspense filled slightly mysterious adventure. All the characters came together beautifully and I am that this had an ending but allows for future books. It's becoming harder to find an author who writes clean meaning no language. K. L. Barnes also does not have a bunch of editing issues which makes for easy reading. I just noticed two or three spelling errors. Loved the kids. I'm off to read the next one. Highly recommended.
If you are looking for a great suspense/thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you then! I could not stop reading it. The author has a great writing style and the plot flows flawlessly. I would honestly put this book in the same category as James Patterson and Michael Connelly. It is just that good! I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. Would love to see a second book come out of this story line :)
3 people found this helpful
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Extremely good mystery! The characters are very real with the added bonus of a slight amount of psychic ability. The edge-of-your-seat mystery and suspense made this a real page-turner with a bit of a cliffhanger to boot. Can't wait to read more by K.L. Barnes. Great job!!
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The first book in this trilogy will keep you on ...
The first book in this trilogy will keep you on the edge of your seat and itching to read the next one! The characters come alive in this well-crafted suspense. I can't wait for more from K.L. Barnes!
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​This is a really great book and I'm hoping she writes a sequel. The characters are very believable and likeable.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Barnes does an excellent job of introducing you to the characters and making it feel like you know them. This book is also a very intriguing read. It's great the way the story unfolds and you start to understand the motives and mysteries and all the little nuances of the characters. I look forward to reading more of K.L. Barnes books.
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Can't wait to read the next one!,
I’m an avid reader, mostly of suspense, and I’m always looking for something new and different. I was out of reading material so I picked this up – then blew off a lunch date with my mother! I was so enthralled with Pay Attention that I just couldn’t stop reading. Maeve Tidewell is my kind of heroine for sure. This isn’t my first suspense novel by a long shot, so when I say it’s worth reading, I mean it!
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This book is one you won't be able to put down. Each chapter gets better and more attention grabbing. The story line is well written and the characters are described so you can feel you know them. Hopefully, a follow on book is written to continue reading about the lives of these exciting and mysterious family members and friends. I would definitely recommend this book.
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"Pay Attention" is an exceptional book. Whenever I look for a good book to read I want something that will keep me interested all the way through to the point of never putting it down. This book really does grab your attention, keeps you on your toes and is exciting from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone.
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This book was so good I couldn't put it down. Had a good hook and a few chapters in you just have to see what happens next. Can't wait for the next one.
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~ Rebecca Bussey 3
An interesting premise
I quite enjoyed this book. There were a couple of questions that weren't answered at the end of the book but hopefully will be tied up in a future book in the series
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Enjoyable suspense with a touch of the unexpected
With her suspense novel Barnes brings together the thriller and the mystery with a touch of the unknown. The story is intriguing and enjoyable and works as a good introduction to the series by sparking your interest with suspense and good characters.
Barnes uses her characters well and through their actions and behaviour you are able to get a detailed sense of who they are and which side they are on. Maeve is strong willed and clever, and a fierce protector of her family. She learns to use Binyon's delusions to her advantage to keep herself and other safe, and bides time until help can arrive. When she sees the mysterious man in her dreams she reaches out to him for help, but she also does not rely on him to save her.
Ben on the other hand has integrity and strong sense of doing what is right, no matter what. These traits are also seen in his son, Jason. While starting off bored and uninterested, as their road trip continues Jason learns more about his dad, and grows a bit himself, and becomes stronger in the end. Ben's unexplained connection with Maeve confuses him but he does not let it stop him from trying to help, and what I liked was that he uses proper channels such as going to the police before jumping straight into danger and a rescue mission.
The "villains" of the story are shown to be harsh and cruel, giving a startling contrast to the good nature of the other characters. Binyon and his son Carl add an element of the unexpected and you're never sure of what they will do which brings a wonderful suspense to the story. With Carl you can see there are the makings of a psychopath and serial killer, but his father comes across more as a misguided and delusional person, but still showing signs of being a little psychotic.
There is a gripping, fast-paced conclusion where it seems anything can happen, and does. Barnes brings all the pieces of the puzzle together with a few unexpected surprises along the way but still leaves an air of mystery and the unresolved as well, which will no doubt be uncovered and developed as the series goes on.
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Awesome Book couldn't stop reading
– I’ve been home sick in bed and it’s a good thing. Once I picked up this book I couldn’t put it down! I already loved Barnes’s characters after the first book but, now I am a HUGE Maeve Tidewell fan as of today. Her books are exciting and suspenseful, and at the same time you just connect so closely with her characters. Can’t wait for the weekend so I can start Pay Penance.
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Excellent read, the suspense is chilling
This second book catches you from the get go. The characters are so real and the description is excellent. This one is a keeper and will be read many times.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014
I’m addicted to K.L. Barnes! I didn’t get a chance to start Pay Penance until Sunday and finally forced myself to put it down and go to bed. Problem was, I picked it up again in the morning and ended up calling in late to work!!! The suspense, the commitment these characters have to one another, and the almost psychic connections they share make for one of the best suspense series I’ve read.
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I love this series, Maeve and her girls are real troopers. The suspense keeps you turning the pages. The bit of supernatural keeps you on the edge of your chair.
