New Release Review: VIOLATION OF FAITH by Jeannie Hall

Violation of Faith by Jeannie Hall
Published March 2016 by The Wild Rose Press

About the Book:

Lynea Kreig has spent the past three years being invisible. After running with her little sister halfway across the country–away from her abusive cult leader husband–she seeks nothing but safety and anonymity.

When she’s offered a job which would keep her close to her sister, Lynea can’t refuse. But the job puts her in close quarters with Professor Brennan Gage, a man bent on exposing cult leaders to the public. If he discovers her secret, he could destroy the life she’s worked so hard to build. Over time, she finds herself drawn to Brennan’s klutzy kindness. He tells her he loves her, but happiness for Lynea could never be so simple–especially once her husband appears at the front door…

My Take:
Jeannie Hall's debut novel takes readers on a chilling thrill ride, detailing one woman's harrowing escape from the clutches of a megalomaniacal cult leader.

The book begins with Lynea and her sister Cori literally running for their lives to escape the Oklahoma cult they were raised in, but the story starts three years later in Virginia. The girls have settled in a college town and made friends with their elderly neighbors, but Lynea still fears repercussions. After all, the crazed cult leader claimed her for his wife, and doesn't give up easily.

She's determined to keep alert for danger, so falling for the professor she works with is totally a bad idea and not in her game plan. Especially a professor who specializes in debunking cult mythology. How could he ever understand that she'd been an unwilling participant in it all? And what if her husband ever finds her? Because judging by the cover, he's not happy and he's gonna find her!

Jeannie Hall kept me on the edge of my seat through some gripping scenes, staying up way too late while trying and find a break in the tension where I could safely put the book down to get some rest.

Engaging writing and believable characters make this a thoroughly interesting read, with a ton of insight into the minds of both cult followers and former victims. My heart ached for Lynea, hoping against hope that she'd be able to find peace and happiness, but the author kept me guessing right up until the end whether this was a romance or a tragedy.

Want to know which? Read it for yourself.

If you like edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense, you won't be disappointed.

Grab your copy on AMAZON

Writing Wednesday: Chatting with debut author Jeannie Hall

Hi, Jeannie, and welcome to my blog! Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and what kind of books you like to read and write?

I’m a Southern girl originally from Arkansas, but I now live in Virginia. I’m married to my soulmate and have two extremely spoiled cats. I love to read anything with an edge to it as long as it has a happy ending. I write Romantic Suspense that’s dark, gritty, and full of intensity.

What's your favorite part of being an author?

The ability to share stories with others and see their reactions. One time I wrote something a friend of mine hated so much she tossed my chapter – on typing paper – across her table. I loved that! I loved that she had such a visceral response to some words I wrote. Then I changed the scene to something much better.

What's your approach to writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?

I’m a mixture of plotter and pantser. I have to have some idea where I’m going – I use the notecard feature on Scrivener – but I don’t do a 20 page outline or anything. I know the beginning and how I want it to end, but writing it always provides surprises.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

To heal others of disease and injury. I like everyone happy, healthy and whole.

Tell us about your new release!

Violation of Faith is my debut novel and the first in my Cult Wife series. It’s a romantic suspense about a young woman who travels with her sister across the country to escape her psychopathic cult leader husband. She meets and falls for a professor who just happens to moonlight as a public speaker against cults. There’s immediate attraction, but my heroine has grown up in horrible isolation and fear, so she’s cautious. She fears the professor will hate her if he finds out who she used to be. The story is full of intensity, darkness, and even a little heartbreak, but I promise a happy ending.

I've already read this book and LOVED it, and you're right. It gets pretty dark at times. But onto something lighter - Okay, you’re casting the movie version of your novel – who would you choose for the main characters?

A younger version of Bradley Cooper for my hero with his hair just a little long, and Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) for my heroine with auburn highlights.

I love Bradley Cooper! Great choice for the professor! Where can readers find your book and where can they find you online?

Violation of Faith will be available on The Wild Rose Press website and Amazon March 2, 2016. I’m online at JeannieHallSuspense.com, SistersofSuspense.com, Facebook.com/JeannieHallAuthor, and Twitter.com/JeannieHallAuth

Thank you so much, Katie, for hosting me!

Thank You for being my guest, Jeannie! Best of luck with your debut, and I'll be posting my review very soon! Grab a copy of VIOLATION OF FAITH on AMAZON