My Soul to Keep

My Soul to Keep by Melanie Wells is the third book in the Dylan Foster series. It's another suspense filled novel filled with demons and hauntings by Peter Terry. Dylan's good friend's son is kidnapped, and her goddaughter Christine seems to have a psychic connection with the boy. Dylan's sarcastic, cynical outlook both serves and hurts her as she hunts down the kidnapper and tries to find out what her personal demon Peter Terry is up to. This is not a book to pick up if you haven't read the rest of the series, so find When the Day of Evil Comes and start there. Dylan is all too human as she waxes and wanes in her relationship with God, always trying to push forward on her own strength rather than trust or rely on the Lord. Sometimes I wanted to strangle her as she rushed headlong into trouble, but the writing is always entertaining and impossible to put down. Wells has created a character that is relatable and enjoyable to read. The ending brings some resolution but leaves several storylines up in the air, so I can't wait for Dylan's next adventure.

Harsh, but true. I am now officially passing judgment on anyone who chooses not to read Melanie Well's "Day of Evil" series. There is simply no excuse. It's one of the best suspense/thriller series I've ever read, and for those of you who like "edgy" in CBA - look no further. Melanie somehow got away with all the things us fledgling authors want to write about but can't because we haven't made our name yet =) I love it, and I'm so proud of her! I owe Melanie a lot (but would love her even if I didn't) She was my first interview on my first blog, when her book #1 came out (When the Day of Evil Comes) and her connections began a spiraly wonder web that got me started in a zillion author interviews, not to mention friendships, encouragement from various writers, and eventually a dream-come-true chat session with one of my favorite authors ever. Long story, but the bottom line is - Melanie rocks, and so do her books. Enough said! Well, I'm a writer, there's really never ENOUGH said. But anyway... To my understanding, these books in the series were Melanie's first attempt at writing. She had an idea and a name (that still makes me shiver! Read the book, you'll understand) and went with the story blooming in her head. She's a musician, writer, and pyschologist, with a heart of gold and some of the quickest wit I've ever come across, that shines through in her heroine, Dylan Foster. (who, now that I think about it, probably has a lot in common with Melanie herself! haha) Here's the excerpt for her newest release "My Soul To Keep" : As nasty as I knew Peter Terry to be, I never expected him to start kidnapping kids. Much less a sweet, funny little boy with nothing to protect him but a few knock-kneed women, two rabbits, and a staple gun... It's psychology professor Dylan Foster's favorite day of the academic year-graduation day. A day of pomp, circumstance, and celebration. And after all the mortar boards are thrown, Dylan and some of her best friends will gather around a strawberry cake to celebrate Christine Zocci's sixth birthday. But the joyful summer afternoon goes south when a little boy is snatched from a neighborhood park, setting off a chain of events that seem to lead exactly nowhere. Police are baffled, but Christine's eerie connection with the kidnapped child sends Dylan on a chilling investigation of her own. Is the pasty, elusive stranger Peter Terry to blame? Exploding light bulbs, the deadly buzz of a Texas rattlesnake, and the vivid, disturbing dreams of a little girl are just pieces in a long trail of tantalizing clues leading Dylan in her dogged search for the truth. Me again - I've never been this impressed with a debut author, and now that Melanie's series has taken off, I hope she does more. In fact, I'm planning on emailing her now and begging her to make a #4 in the series. Even if its just for me =P One word of advice - PLEASE read her books in order. Though they stand alone, its really best that way - you'll get so much

OK be forewarned - once you start this book you can't put it down. I promise, you will be up all night! This author just keeps getting better and better. Combining elements of Stephen King's horror and Dean Koontz paranormal stuff, Wells finds her stride in this page turner. Infused with the author's signature humor this is definitely one on my Top Books in 08. A great cast of characters infuse this spellbinding story. Pick it up...and don't forget her other two novels too!

Professor Dylan Foster teaches psychology at Southern Methodist Universality yet she has no trouble believes in demons and devils since Peter Terry came into her life. He wants souls and he will use whatever means necessary to get them but Dylan temporally defeated him twice. He is the last thing on her mind when her friend Liz Zocci and her daughter Christine are celebrating her birthday in the park with her friend Maria and her son Nicholas. In the blink of an eye, the party ends when a car stops and someone kidnaps Nicholas. The person tries to take Christine too but her touch burns him. Somehow, someway, Christine is psychically connected to Nicholas and she ends up in the hospital with the same illness Nicholas once had. Peter Terry is also in the picture as light bulbs pop in her home; Dylan hears snakes hissing in her home and a gas leek occurs. The demon appears in her dreams but she refuses to give into her fears. Instead she chases every clue including her sleeping subconscious ones that might lead her to Nicholas, even if it means spiritual warfare. Christine has a guardian angel Earl who Dylan sees in the park and she and her mom come to the conclusion there is a spiritual battle taking place in which Christine is the prize. They meet another angel in the hospital who calms Christine; Dylan, a believer, is not surprised. She just wishes they would point her to the location where Nicholas is but she has to apply investigative methods instead like a mortal. Melanie Wells has written an exciting pulse pumping thriller. Harriet Klausner

Psychology professor Dylan Foster is looking forward to her summer vacation and a well deserved break. Her own personal demon named Peter Terry has made her life a living nightmare and the pain he has caused her and those she loves is more than she can bear. Unfortunately for Dylan, Peter Terry is back and this time he has gone too far. Dylan gathers with her closest friends at a park near her Dallas home to celebrate six year old Christine Zocci's birthday. As Christine and her friend Nicholas are playing, out of nowhere a man snatches the boy and disappears. Now Dylan suddenly finds herself in a race against time to locate Nicholas, despite warnings from the authorities to stay off the case. Armed only with her own faith and Christine's unique spiritual insight, Dylan fights her greatest struggle yet. As she gets closer to the truth, she is faced once again with the frightening reality that Peter Terry is indeed back. Melanie Wells has continually proven herself to be a true master of suspense and My Soul to Keep is certainly no exception. Once again we are treated to a well balanced plot that unfurls at a just the right pace, never lagging or losing steam in any way. What I love most about Wells' writing is that you never know where the story is leading you. When you finally arrive it is not only unexpected, but well worth the wait. Dylan Foster is a strong, loveable character that will draw readers in with her humility, imperfections, and comical outlook on life. Dylan's personal spiritual struggles are relevant and her quest for truth is infectious and even inspiring. The excellent use of first person from Dylan's perspective adds another unique layer to an already rich story. Nowhere will you see the first person voice used more effectively. My Soul to Keep is the third book in Well's Dylan Foster Series. Her hardcore fans will be pleased with some questions that are finally answered and the series mysteries that are brought to light. While this book can certainly be enjoyed without reading the previous novels (When the Day of Evil Comes and The Soul Hunter), I would highly recommend going back and starting from the beginning. You will certainly enjoy every moment of this series. Melanie Wells simply gets better and better with each new installment, and it's a shame more people aren't noticing. All three of the books in this series are an absolute joyride that fans of suspense and mystery will love. If you are a fan of Melanie Wells than you already know what a treat you are in for with this one. For those who are late to the game, there is no better time to start than now.