Fallout - by Carrie Stuart Parks (Paperback)

4.5 stars "Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin And in need of a place to live, clothes to wear, a car to drive and answers to more questions that she could possibly ask. What in the world just happened? "A black Suburban was barreling across the parking lot directly at my classroom." . . . was what just happened. Art instructor Samantha Williams' quick thinking saved the lives of her students, but her own life became a muddled mess of destroyed property, a dead driver, and loss of immediate employment. Befriended by virtual strangers, Samantha seeks refuge in a local rehabilitation center, Clan Firinn, being offered a stay in their finely furnished guest cottage. Dr. Dustin "Dutch" Van Seters, the passenger who survived the crash, was a staff member, and Dr. Brun, the director, seemed eager to assist. Samantha cautiously hoped that life would go back to a semblance of normalcy . . . but with reoccurring nightmares about her parents' untimely deaths, dead bodies showing up on the center's construction site, and several attempts on her life, Samantha is forced to re-think everything she knows about her past, while desperately trying to decide who to trust with her future. Honestly, this story line was impossible to fully comprehend up until the very end, when the characters themselves (or rather Samantha) connected its impressive, albeit dizzying, array of dots. Befuddlement quickly transformed into admiration for an author who could take so many elements of historical fact, and with seemingly effortless finesse, weave them into an amazing display of suspenseful fiction. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. " Matthew 6:34

Intriguing and suspenseful throughout. The story takes place near the Hanford Nuclear Power Plant in Washington state and plays an important role in the plot. The characters were all great even though I didn't believe one of them was telling the truth. Samantha is one of the main characters in the story and the plot revolves around her and the trauma from her past. Dutch is another main character who joins up with Samantha to discover why a lady named Beatrice was killed. The story has lots of twists and turns, interesting characters, inspirational aspect, a touch of romance, and a history lesson. I truly enjoyed it.

This is a great book filled with intense suspense and intrigue! There are unexpected twists and turns that keep the interest of the reader. This story is about hope and redemption, faith and truth. Samantha Williams, the heroine is quirky but intelligent and interesting. Dutch Dustin Van Seters, the hero is intelligent, focused and struggling with his past. The two of them must work together to find out who is targeting Samantha and why. Carrie Stuart Parks weaves the story together in a well balanced book that leaves the reader wanting to turn the pages quickly to find out what might happen next. Thank you to the publisher, Thomas Nelson Publishing and the author for an ARC of this book. I was only asked to give an honest review. The opinions stated here are mine alone.

I love mystery/suspense novels and I'm usually pretty good at figuring out the clues, but this book kept me guessing until the very end! Author Carrie Stuart Parks has crafted a fascinating tale filled with intriguing characters, page-turning action, and several red herrings. The prologue to Fallout begins with a 1988 incident that is troubling, to say the least, and then, we progress to 2015, when the mind-boggling, spine-tingling adventure begins. Art instructor Samantha Williams is nearly killed by a supposedly random accident, but it doesn't take long for the doubts to arise. Could she have been a target after all? Parks adds intricate clues and multi-layers to this fascinating story, and she also shares a strong faith message. A light romance is included but the suspense and intrigue are the main focus. There's also a historical element that left me wanting to learn more about the Hanford Site at Hanford, Washington. Fallout is a captivating thriller, and I can't wait to read more of this author's work! I received a digital copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

What would you do if the life you had carefully crafted suddenly was taken away from you through a series of complex, perplexing, circumstances? This is the situation that author Carrie Stuart Parks has created for her main character, Samantha Williams, in her newest release, FALLOUT. Samantha thrives on living a simple, organized life learned from living on her Aunt’s farm where she moved after the deaths of her parents when she was very young. As she is in the midst of an ordinary day, one single moment begins the perplexing game of cat and mouse that changes her life forever. If you enjoy a novel filled with intense intrigue, buried secrets, and hidden connections, one that will keep your heart rate up, and one that will keep you up past your bedtime reading then look no further than Carrie Stuart Park’s FALLOUT. In my opinion, you will not be disappointed!

Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think - Christopher Robin Samantha did not always manage to remember that saying. This story brings out the best in her, teaches her many things and helps her realize why she is who she is. Orphaned as a young child, her life has been anything but ordinary. An SUV careening into her school room opens a whole new set of problems. An accident or was someone the target? This incredible book was impossible to set down before I finished it, making dinner quite late that day. A mystery that turns into a thriller with more intrigue than you can possibly imagine sets this book aside as one to remember! An early copy of this book was received through Thomas Nelson and HarperCollins Publishing. These thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.