Reviewed by London Koffler
About the Book:
Hannah Whitfield is tired of living a lie. She's been so caught up in hiding her affair from her husband, Jeff, and her three children that she cannot remember the last time she was honest with anyone, including her lover, Clint. Telling Jeff the truth is the hardest thing she's ever done, but she expects Clint to understand when she ends the affair. After all, he's the one who said "When it's over, it's over." Instead, he spends months stalking and intimidating Hannah. At last, Hannah believes she has finally convinced him to give up, and she and Jeff go camping. But Clint follows, and his actions alter the course of Hannah's destiny forever.
My Review: 4/5.
While from the synopsis I predicted Bright would simply detail the breakdown of an unfulfilled marriage, it delivers much more. This book supplies an inspirational message as well as some twists that truly took me by surprise. I became immersed in the world Paddock created and felt as if I were a part of the story. Although the narration jumps among several different points of view, I found it to be appropriate for the story. Often multiple narrators can be confusing or disorienting, but Paddock clearly distinguishes each as a separate voice and seamlessly weaves them into a cohesive story. Her characters are dynamic and real, and I found myself becoming invested in their well-being.
I gave Bright a four out of five rating because the story is held back by its pacing. At times I was unable to put it down, but at other times I felt myself wanting to skip over some of the slower passages. The plot and my investment in the story kept me reading, however. I would recommend Bright to fans of crime drama, suspense, the supernatural, and the spiritual. It is a compelling piece by a truly talented storyteller.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
About the Author:
Mary Paddock lives with her family in the Missouri Ozarks. To date, she's written four books, and numerous short stories. Her short work has been published in a variety of venues. Mary's an avid gardener, loves long walks, and good books. In her spare time, she rescues strays, flea market china, and abandoned ideas.
https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Mary-Paddock-ebook/dp/B074ZNT4BH/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1509068450&sr=1-1&keywords=bright+paddock