Book Review: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren

This book has an exciting, roller coaster plot and challenging characters.

Severed Threads

by Kaylin McFarren

Paperback: 349 pages
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing (July 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1467526711
ISBN-13: 978-1467526715

Genre:  Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2012

Romantic Suspense Novel by Kaylin McFarren: Believing herself responsible for her father s fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons has withdrawn from the world and assumed a safe position at a foundation office. When called upon by a museum director to assist her former love interest with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship, she has no intention of cooperating until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that lead to her father s death. *WARNING* This book includes mature and sexual content that is not appropriate for young ages.

Review:
Rachel Lyons was once head over heals for Chase Cohen. Then her fathered died in a diving accident when Chase was partnering him. The death of her dad was hard enough, especially since they had quarreled that morning.  Then Chase skipped town and didn’t even show for the funeral leaving Rachel to shoulder her grief and her father’s debt all on her own.

Rachel has focused on her work and trying to keep her brother, Devon, out of trouble.  Devon convinced Rachel that Chase was a scoundrel, and Devon should know since that tends to be his role.

Suddenly Chase is in town looking for funding through the foundation Kaylin works for. Chase has returned to the wreck where her father was killed.  Kaylin’s initial reaction is to shut the door in Chase’s face. But Chase and Kaylin’s boss, Dr. Ying, believe the site holds treasures from a sunken Chinese merchant ship. Dr. Ying wants to pursue the salvage to stop a family curse and also to devote a display in memory of Kaylin’s father.

Just as the funding is about to be approved and Chase brings up treasure to establish the claim someone sets a fire and his boat and dreams appear to go up in smoke. Kaylin is able to come to the rescue but she has secret reasons for helping the expedition as she has promised treasure to mobsters who have kidnapped Devon. As Chase tries to figure a way back into Kaylin’s heart, she is trying to find a way to hide treasure.

The action in this story just keeps flowing with diving adventure, kidnappings, crooked cops, salvage pirates, sharks in the water too and watery ghosts. Just as I was catching my breath from one scene there would be another twist, or misadventure on the next page with another villain popping out of the shadows. It was hard to put the book down as I wanted to know what would happen next.

Rachel and Chase tended to be secretive, insecure and untrusting in their feelings and relationship. At times they were downright annoying but they eventually pull together. Devon was a bit of a jerk but even he gains sympathy along the way.

I really enjoyed the legend and mystery of the treasure and I especially liked the action. The romance between Rachel and Chase was slow and warmly developed. There was a bit more sexual activity with Devon but none of it was really graphic by today’s standards.

The writing is direct and flows well. The dialogue is particularly natural, even when the scenarios are a little stretched. If you enjoy dive stories and steady action, with a nice reunited lovers story blended in I recommend this book.

I received a galley copy of this book from the author to review as part of a Pump up Your Book Blog tour.

This story takes place on the Pacific coast of south California for my Where are You Reading list. I will also add it to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.

Guest Post: Knowing Your Story by Kaylin McFarren

Knowing Your Story

Guest Post shared by Kayling McFarren

I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to write effectively about a subject matter you know very little about is to hit the stacks in the library, conduct interviews, read articles, watch documentaries and utilize the internet for pertinent information.  However, I’ve also discovered the best resource for creating dialogue, drama and memorable places is the environment we live in or just happen to visit. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate in being able to travel and have encountered multitudes of diverse personalities from all walks of life. Some of my vacations have taken me to third world countries where the distinct separation of classes ranged from waterway slums to block-long mansions. I’ve witnessed the birth of a child, the death of a parent and brother, missed opportunities and devastation resulting from unforeseen bankruptcy.In my lifetime, I’ve stood at graves, next to hospital beds, had many close calls and nearly drowned as a child. This is the stuff that makes great stories come to life – that turns them into real, compelling novels.

Recently it’s become my practice to keep a notebook handy as the best conversations occur in the most unlikely places. I might be traveling in a mass transit train, drinking in a pub or or standing in line at Safeway when aremarkable phrase or clever line is dropped, and I realize what a great addition it would make to that story percolating in my brain. When the moment finally presents itself, the scribbled note is right there at the end of my fingertips, begging for the right character to utter those words.  So the best piece of advice for knowing your story is simply to keep your thoughts in books, your ears peeled and your options always open.

About the Author:
As many people know, Kaylin McFarren wasn’t born with a pen in hand like so many of her talented fellow authors. However, she has been involved with business and personal writing projects for many years. Her careers have taken her in all directions, ranging from fashion modeling and interior design to office manager and art gallery director. Yet her love of reading and interest in creative writing has remained ever present. As a result of her tapping into her imagination and utilizing her own life experiences, she has earned more than a dozen literary awards. Her first novel, Flaherty’s Crossing was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest and her second book, Severed Threads, has already garnered two first place awards.
Kaylin is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College, which originally sparked her passion for writing. In her free time, she also enjoys giving back to the community through participation and support of various educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and is currently the president of the Soulful Giving Foundation – a non-profit she and her husband formed to fund expanded research, and the care and treatment of cancer patients and their families.
Her latest book is a romantic suspense titled Severed Threads.
You can visit Kaylin online at www.KaylinMcFarren.com.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/4kaylin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaylin.mcfarren
Blog: http://kaylinmcfarren.wordpress.com/
About the Book:
Believing herself responsible for her father’s fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons has withdrawn from the world and assumed a safe position at a foundation office. When called upon by a museum director to assist her former love interest with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship, she has no intention of cooperating – until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that lead to her father’s death.