Not My Mother's Son
Author: R.K. Avery
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC (November 20, 2012)
Amazon Link
Kindle Edition
File Size: 396 KB
Print Length: 215 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC; 1st edition (May 30, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link
Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, R.K. Avery. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.
Ratings: ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
The story picks up months after Bea Miller was sent to prison. The story now focuses on David. When his Aunt Benita died and left him money, he started a foundation he called, Never Give Up. This foundation is dedicated to finding kidnapped/lost kids.
While the plot and set of characters have improved, still there's some stuff in the book that I found not convincing. Never Give Up foundation is working on some kidnapping/lost kids cases and they were written in a way like I was just reading it on a newspaper. I mean, some scenes felt rushed. Like this one case where a child got kidnapped in Portugal. I was just starting to imagine the scene and then the bad guy became too obvious after getting into just a few paragraphs. And then when the bad guy was caught, the foundation interrogated him and so surprised that he didn't deny the allegations. Overall, this book/story had so much potential but it was not executed well. To read 5-star book reviews, click HERE.
About the book:
NOT MY MOTHER'S SON Back Cover Blurb R. K. Avery Devious. Conniving. Deceitful. Insidious. David Miller thought he knew his mother. He thought kidnapping three children was the most appalling and horrendous thing any human being could do and she couldn't possibly do anything more monstrous. He thought there was nothing else she could do or say that would astound him. How wrong he was. After Beatrice Miller, David's serial-kidnapping mother, is sentenced to thirty years, David moves to Phoenix, Arizona; and with the help of a trust fund and an old friend, he starts the Never Give Up foundation, an organization dedicated to finding and returning exploited and missing children safely to their families. With all the wicked things his mother had done, David feels it is his unspoken duty to do something worthwhile. Hesitant at first, but after reading his mother's journal, David is determined to mend their dysfunctional relationship. Every time David visits Bea in prison, she seems deranged, insisting that people are trying to kill her. She ends each brief encounter with the chilling statement, "Remember David, things aren't always what they seem." As word about the foundation spreads, the services of Never Give Up are requested time-and-time-again to help where other agencies have failed. That is, until the police come knocking on David's door and arrest him, taking him back to Bunting Valley, North Dakota, for the murder of a newborn baby boy. Forced to shut down Never Give Up, David is amazed at how quickly the entire world turns their backs on him. The trial begins and his mother's testimony is the only thing that can save him. Telling the truth is as foreign to Beatrice Miller as giving up drugs is to an addict. As everyone in the courtroom holds their breath, you will, too. Remember, things aren't always what they seem.
About the author:
R. K. Avery was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and after taking a writing course at the Institute of Children's Literature, she fell in love with the entire writing process; from creating an outline to developing characters and plot. Being able to make someone laugh or cry simply by using the written language is something she finds so powerful and hopes one day her name will be mentioned among the authors that possess it. Her first novel, Be Careful What You Wish For, reached Best Seller status at Brighton Publishing and was quickly followed up by her second novel, Not My Mother's Son. R. K. Avery lives in Macedonia, Ohio, with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.
Please visit her at www.rkaverybooks.com
Be Careful What You Wish For
Author: R.K. Avery
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC (September 3, 2011)
Amazon Link
Kindle Edition
File Size: 405 KB
Print Length: 236 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC; 1 edition (April 28, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link
Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, R.K. Avery. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.
Ratings: ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Bea Miller is a widow with four boys. She believes having a little girl will definitely complete her life. Since she cannot produce her own baby girl, she decides to take one from Lake Gerber.
The first quarter of the story immediately grabbed my attention. Maggie Taylor was abducted just in front of her parents. I can imagine how they must have felt during the time they found Maggie missing. It was such an intense kidnapping incident, it was surprising to know how Bea was able to take Maggie away from the beach resort. When the police got involve with the investigation, it was that intense that I couldn't take breaks. I was reminded of this famous kidnapping case involving a two-year old baby girl in Portugal.
However, it slowed down once I reached more than half of the story. When Bea was apprehended and the police found her journal, I began to skim the book. I just didn't find Bea's life stimulating, Bea isn't a likeable character. Probably because she's been a bad mom throughout the whole story. The only thing that made me want to finish the book was David. Even though there's too much negativity in that boy, I still found myself connecting with him.
Overall, it was just an okay book. I have just started reading book #2, Not My Mother's Son - about David putting up a foundation called Never Give up, dedicated to finding and returning exploited and missing children safely to their families. Review to follow shortly.
5-star Amazon book reviews, click here.
About the book:
Bunting Valley, North Dakota-a scenic and picturesque town where nothing dreadful ever happens-is a place where people feel safe leaving their front doors unlocked and their cars running in the driveways. So when beautiful, blue-eyed, three-year-old Maggie Taylor mysteriously vanishes, the Bunting Valley Police Department begins a kidnapping investigation that uncovers crimes spanning many years-not only in Bunting Valley, but also in surrounding states and jurisdictions. Bea Miller is a penniless widow, living a meager existence among the town's residents with her four young, rambunctious boys. Unable to have any more biological children, she is haunted by her wishes and dreams of having a little girl of her own. Bea takes matters into her own hands and follows the chilling advice of her estranged father, "If you want something, take it." Through the handwritten journals of Bea Miller, you will venture into the mind of an individual who believes you can make your own wishes come true-at any expense; and sadly, also at the expense of others.
About the author:
R. K. Avery was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and after taking a writing course at the Institute of Children's Literature, she fell in love with the entire writing process; from creating an outline to developing characters and plot. Being able to make someone laugh or cry simply by using the written language is something she finds so powerful and hopes one day her name will be mentioned among the authors that possess it. Her first novel, Be Careful What You Wish For, reached Best Seller status at Brighton Publishing and was quickly followed up by her second novel, Not My Mother's Son. R. K. Avery lives in Macedonia, Ohio, with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.
