Mad River Road

Without a doubt my FAVORITE one so far...and I've read almost everyone of Joy Fielding's novels....this one has it all Suspense, Romance, Courage, Friendship, Motherhood....everything wrapped up in one fantastic book! WILL KEEP YOU AT THE VERY EDGE OF YOUR SEAT....

Joy Fielding has written some exceptional novels that were page-turning suspenseful rides. Some clunkers have appeared to, but in the vein of the one of a kind SEE JANE RUN and the Hitchcockian thriller WHISPERS & LIES, MAD RIVER ROAD has engrossing characters and a story that builds suspense till the satisfying conclusion. These are women you can care about. The characterizations are strong which makes the thrilling story that much more captivating. Joy Fielding writes of the basic fears we all have and uses them to great effect. This book is about 3 women but is not just for women. Men as well will find this novel an A++ read. Plan on not sleeping for a couple of nights as you dive into this great read.

I have been a fan of Joy Fielding since Grand Avenue but her last two books have been a let down to me. Since I was able to get Mad River Road from the library, I figured I would give her another chance to redeem herself and all I can say is Wow. I read this one in a day. Mad River Road opens with a man in Florida breaking into a womans house for two reasons. One to get even with her for being an intrical part of him being sent to jail, and two, to find out where is wife is hiding with his son. We then meet Jamie. A 29 year old woman who hates her job and has always been put down by her mother and sister. She has an ex husband in GA and a married lover. When she meets a handsom stranger at a bar and falls into bed with him she thinks her life is about to change. On an impulse, this new man invites her to take a road trip to Ohio so he can see his son. They pack up the car and head to Mad River Road. Finally we have two single mothers, Emma and Lily, living on Mad River Road. A haven for woman who had a past and whos futures were unclear. As the story unfolds, Jamie and the man of her dreams begin to head to Ohio and we slowly begin to learn what the connections are between these 4 people and the secrets that they are hiding. Mad River Road is a page turner with an ending that you wont want to miss.

Joy Fielding has a knack. Once you start one of her novels it's impossible to put it down or, in this case, once you hear the opening words of her story you don't want to stop listening. With Ralph Fisher she has created one of the most rapacious, goosebump raising psychos in fiction. This author is known for starting off with grabbers, and she does it again as we hear that Fisher has just been released from prison and the only thing on his mind is vengeance. It doesn't take him long: "He lowered the knife to her cheek, drew a line in her flesh starting just beneath her eye, then dragged it toward her chin. "No!" She was screaming now, thrashing from side to side, the blood flowing from the cut on her face onto the white of her pillowcase as he positioned himself between her legs. "I'll tell you the truth. I swear, I'll tell you the truth." And with that "truth" Ralph heads for Ohio and Mad River Road where his former wife is now living. He's not the only one traveling to that street by the river, just north of Dayton. Jamie Kellogg is an attractive almost thirty young woman who has been suffering nightmares since her mother's death. Her professional life is heading nowhere, and her lover is in the hospital. It seems Jamie's life might change for the better with the appearance of a stranger. She finds him irresistible and agrees to go with him to visit his son who lives with his mother on Mad River Road. Other residents of that same road are two young mothers, very different women indeed. Before long these character will find their lives enmeshed in a way none of them ever dreamed possible. Judith West delivers a fine-spoken, compelling reading of this story which is equal parts romance and revenge. - Gail Cooke

Lilly Rodgers and Emma Frost are single mothers and neighbors on Mad River Road. Both live in fear that their secrets will be discovered one day. The prologue captures the reader's attention and does not let go. Jamie Kellogg hits a low point in her life when she discovers a secret about her lover. She hates her job and decides to leave Florida with her new and exciting lover Brad Fisher. Jamie has never meant anyone like Brad. As Jamie slowly questions and discovers the details of his life he has told her are false; his behavior becomes more erratic. All three stories are on a collision course as Brad and Jamie reach Ohio. Not to the very end will you know all the answers. Mad River Road is a thrilling work of fiction!