About the Book

 

Book:  Breaking Point

Author: Marji Laine

Genre: Psychological suspense, romance

Release Date: September, 2019

The mere rumor of treasure can change lives, destroy friendships… even kill?

Alynne’s Stone’s planned out and predictable life ended when she hurried to her mother’s side to support her during a family tragedy. So why would she now have a target on her back? Her father’s death had nothing to do with her, but suddenly she’s having these “accidents”? How can she stay and support her mom when someone is intent on eliminating her?

Police Lieutenant Jason Danvers believes her father was murdered. How, he can’t fathom, but he also can’t ignore the details that don’t add up. Attempts on Alynne’s life must be somehow connected. Still dealing with the pain of his own wife’s death, he can’t allow an innocent woman to die on his watch. Especially one as scintillating as Alynne Stone.

Even in a small town, things—and people—aren’t always what they appear to be.


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About the Author

 

Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling, but with her publishing business, her various volunteer activities, and her large family, she will likely never live a life of leisure. And that suits her just fine! When she does find spare time, she enjoys watching sports and Hallmark movies and mysteries, loves having game night with her family and friends, and enjoys talking “shop” with other authors. You can usually find her in her favorite recliner, plucking away at her keyboard with her rescue fur-babies at her feet or at www.MarjiLaine.com.  

 

More from Marji

 

It Started with a Dream

 

You know how just before you actually wake up, you sometimes have dreams that stay with you? I’ve recently chatted with a lady who had a dream about her husband and woke up mad at the man without realizing that her discontent was from a dream. Dreams are powerful, amplified thoughts that can move us to unexpected emotions and actions.

 

Such was the case with me. My latest release, BREAKING POINT, actually stemmed from a dream.

 

I had a scene in my sleep of a woman trapped on the roof of a beautiful, three-story, Victorian house, having crept out the window of one of the second floor gables. A storm whirled around her, slapping her brunette hair across her eyes and into her mouth. She was afraid of something.

 

Then I saw the something… or rather the someone. A hand raised above the eave of the roof. A man’s gravelly voice, “I know you’re up here.”

 

Lightning flashed revealing the top of his head as he climbed onto the window sill from which she had escaped. His left hand gripped the eave of the roof, likely holding onto the gingerbread décor that laced the edging.

 

The woman had nowhere to go, no other place to hide. Thunder jarred the air and rumbled across the ground. The woman stiffened, but not from the explosive sound.

 

The man’s eyes appeared over the rooftop. “There you are.”

 

This was it. She had no hope of survival. After all she’d done to avoid this moment.

 

He leaned to his left to pull his right hand over the edge of the roof. A murderous glint filled his dark eyes as a smile stretched his lips. The barrel of a gun appeared, cresting the roof.

 

Then a loud crack split the night. Not thunder. The man’s smile disappeared as his mouth fell open and his eyes widened. He dropped the gun and grabbed at the surface of the shingles with both hands.

 

The woman had climbed up the side of the gable up to the top of it. The surface didn’t offer a finger grip anywhere. The gingerbread must have broken, giving the man no handhold.

 

With a prolonged yell, the man’s face and hands disappeared from view. A close lightning strike and the thunderous result covered the sound of the man hitting the ground below.

 

This scene, from a dream, was where the story BREAKING POINT began. It was actually the very first novel I ever completed. However, after no less than five total rewrites where I changed every aspect of the story except the hero, heroine, and the setting – the beautiful Victorian house – that scene didn’t make it to the book at all. Maybe it will find itself in a new story someday!

 

My Review

 

“Had she even been conscious these past ten years? The loss of Pop had forced her to stop and look back over the decade. She didn’t like the pride and futility that stared back at her.”

The Heath’s Point Suspense series by Marji Laine is one that needs to be read sequentially. I admittedly have a dreadful memory and could not recall all of the characters from book one who appeared in this sequel, but I was able to identify more than one would-be spoiler, and the story overall will be much more cohesive if you read book one first. “Breaking Point” follows a similar pattern to that of its predecessor, in terms of both character and plot. In both books, the female lead character has recently lost her father, who was a businessman and a strong Christian. The romantic threads bear similarities as well, as do the numerous assassination attempts. I appreciate how Laine conveys unpleasant situations with limited violence and no lurid details, again proving that the genres of Christian fiction and suspense can be blended together without compromising integrity.

“Breaking Point”, book two in this series and sequel to “Counter Point”, illustrates what results when people reach the threshold of their ability to endure on their own. Alynne (pronounced the same way as Allen) must face regret and the fact that she has more or less shut herself off from everyone. Her own lack of faith is relatable because so often we are the same; we give in to fear and allow it drown out the voice of the only One who can truly rescue us, Jesus. We make decisions based, far too often, on the ways of the world rather than on God’s will, as Alynne realizes: “Why was it the only time she thought about speaking to God was when her worries overwhelmed her?” Thankfully, however, neither Alynne nor we need be caught in the enemy’s lies, whether they are past, present, or future. Lieutenant Jason Danvers, caught in his own storm of emotion and reaction, relates to her something that we all happily need to remember and share with others: “Your family cares about you, Alynne. Those who want to believe the worst about people will. But your family won’t want to assume such because they love you.” Likewise, the Lord feels the same way toward us, except that there is no doubt of our guilt, which makes the gift of salvation all the sweeter!

In some ways, I enjoyed “Breaking Point” more than book one. I personally found the plot of this sequel more engaging and more interesting. While I still did not feel a strong connection with the characters, I do think that they were more well-developed here. Strangely, for her seeming independence and intelligence, Alynne repeatedly goes against what she is instructed to do, a carry-over behavior from one of the characters in the first book. Even the non-endearing characters are entertaining in their own nefarious ways. Unrelenting action, grace, and faith make this a suitable book for readers of Christian suspense, mysteries, and forgiveness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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