Falcon's Bend Series, Book 2: Tears on Stone (Falcon's Bend Mystery/Police Procedural)

Pam Garland is an abuse counselor. She is the guardians of Mary Emma and Shelley Gold. Their stepfather was abusive and died a few years ago. Shelley married Jack Wilson and has a 4 year old daughter, Ariel. Her husband was abusive. His death a year ago left Shelley very depressed. Mary Emma took over as Ariel's caregiver. Pam, Mary Emma, Shelley and Ariel move. They pack up and head to Falcon's Bend, Wisconsin where they had lived as children. Jordan Shasta remembered Mary Emma from their childhood. His wife had left him the year before. He was left to raise his eight year old daughter, Nicole, alone. When Mary Emma moves in next door he hopes to get reacquainted. Mary Emma is withdrawn but Jordan slowly brings her out of her shell as they rebuild the old stone garden together. Shelley parties all night with a variety of men and spends her days sleeping. Pam sets up a new S.O.S. chapter. Shelley's new boyfriend is found dead. The police begin to look deep into the women's past. All three have secrets they want kept hidden. I've come to expect a high standard from Karen Wiesner and Chris Spindler. Once again they live up to my expectations. Their book Tears on Stone is the second book in the Falcon's Bend Series. The emotions run high as the authors focus on abuse. The dynamic duo does it again.

Twenty-nine years ago Dorothy Hawks killed her abusive husband in self defense. The law took away her two young children and placed her in jail. When released, Dorothy began "S.O.S." (Society of Survivors) to help teach other women how they could protect themselves and their children. Forty-nine year old Pam Garland is an abuse counselor and a major member of S.O.S. She often refers women to the organization. She has also been the legal guardian for MaryEmma and Shelley Gold since their abusive stepfather died years ago. Shelley had married an abusive man, Jack Wilson, and has a four-year-old daughter, Ariel. Ever since Jack died in a fire last year Shelley has been in depression. MaryEmma has taken over the role of caregiver to Ariel, hoping Shelley will get better. When disaster strikes, Pam has MaryEmma, Shelley, and Ariel pack quickly. They leave Springvale, Minnesota, without any notice to anyone. At MaryEmma's suggestion, they go to Falcon's Bend, Wisconsin, where MaryEmma spent the happiest time of her childhood (unknown to Pam). Jordan Shasta was eleven when MaryEmma moved away from Falcon's Bend. He never forgot her or the stone garden she loved. Now the stone garden in his back yard is an overgrown mess. Jordan's wife, Kaitlyn, walked out last year without a backward glance and moved to Dallas, Texas. Jordan has sole custody of their eight-year-old daughter, Nicole. When MaryEmma moves in next door, Jordan hopes to get to know her again. Nicole hopes Ariel will become her new best friend. MaryEmma now seems withdrawn and keeps to herself, but Jordan is not above using the excuse of wanting to revive the stone garden to draw her out and spend some time with her. Shelley sleeps all day and parties most nights with numerous men. All the while, Pam is setting up a new S.O.S chapter in town and keeping her wards on short leashes. It soon becomes obvious that, unknown to Jordan when he was childhood friends with her, MaryEmma's life has been one long nightmare ... and it is not over yet. ***** FOUR AND A HALF STARS! Let me warn readers in advance that there two scenes of rape flash-backs. They are short, but I understand that some readers prefer to pass on books with any scenes at all. There is a lot of physical abuse throughout the story as well, but most are just mentioned in passing. I do not believe anything in this story will trigger anything for those who have physical abuse in their (real life) backgrounds. That said, let me get to how much I enjoyed this story! Though there are two authors, I could never tell which parts were written by either. The duo must have the exact same writing style. There are a few sub-plots to keep things moving along at a brisk pace. I never found myself getting bored. The characters are well developed and I came to care for many of them. I look forward to more stories in Falcon's Bend. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

When MaryEmma Gold, her sister Shelly and their childhood guardian, Pam Garland, need to move again, MaryEmma can't help but remember the house she lived in as a child and the great garden it had in the back. When she discovers that the house next door is for sale she decides that it would be the perfect place to move to. As the three women settle into their new house and new life, MaryEmma is saddened to see the once beautiful garden next door over run with weeds and itches to restore it to its former glory. She gets her chance when she learns that her childhood crush Jordan owns the house and he offers her the chance to reform it. While ignoring the advice from Pam to stay away from Jordan before they become to close, MaryEmma is also dealing with her sister's wild ways and her niece Ariel. When Shelly's new boyfriend is found dead, the police start looking into the three women's past and discovering that they all have secrets they want to protect. Can Jordan and MaryEmma get past everything that is standing in their way or will the past keep them apart? Tears On Stone is the second book in the Falcon's Bend Series and can be read as a stand alone book. Authors Karen Wiesner and Chris Spindler have written a very intense story that deals with the very personal and touchy subject of abuse. I think these ladies did a fantastic job of bringing the subject to the forefront and dealt with it extremly well. I could feel the fear, pain and confusion coming off MaryEmma in waves and wanted her to have the warmth and safety she so deserved. The pain of Pam's past also came through with her advice to MaryEmma and Shelly and at times I just wanted to jump into the pages and shake her! I really love a book that can make me feel that wide range of emotions and I have to give Tears On Stone 4 Angels and say well done ladies! By Tammy Fallen Angel Reviews