Lilac Lane

Stutter Creek, Book 2

By: Ann Swann

Narrated by: Mindy Grall

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Ella and her son survived her ex-husband's drunken wrath. They are starting a new life in a new town, Stutter Creek. She's even met a real man. A gentle wildlife biologist named Chet Boone. But now, her ex has been released from prison early. Is that him driving past their new house late at night? Is he the one causing the strange sounds and flickering lights? Can they survive a second round with a madman?

©2014 Ann Swann (P)2016 Ann Swann

Five Star Read

Lilac Lane: Stutter Creek by Ann Swain

5 Star Read!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I listened to this book on Audible and enjoyed it. I enjoyed both the story line and the narrator! This book tells a story of a woman starting over, the mysteries of her new house, the chance of a new romance and an ex she doesn't want anywhere near here. The story line is creative and keeps the readers guessing! I expected a different ending only to be surprised and thrilled at the way it ends.


Reviewed by Prisca's Promo Group

Cozy Town with Suspenseful Story

I loved all the characters. Well some I loved to hated. Lol. But they were all well developed. And who wouldn't love to live in this nice cozy little Town? This wasn't an action packed read but more of getting to know the town and about all the things going on. It was nice and peaceful feeling to listen to. The things going on at night in the heroine's house were scary. At times I would get so mad at her. I felt like she should've tried to do more by involving the police further. But maybe that's just because my hubby is in law enforcement. I guess moving somewhere and not knowing anyone would make me hesitant. Especially with what this poor lady has been through. Omg, the ending was superb! I thought I would have to pull off the road my knuckles were turning white from my grip on steering wheel. I liked the narrator but the way she pronounced certain words drove me crazy lol. She has a really nice voice though.

Creepy!

What made the experience of listening to Lilac Lane the most enjoyable?

I really enjoy a good scare, but I don't always like to be inundated with gore. This series is spooky, but not too terrifying, and not at all bloody.

What other book might you compare Lilac Lane to and why?

Scarier than Poe, but not nearly as terrifying as King, a nice happy medium. If you could qualify a book as a "cozy thriller", this would be an apt description.

What about Mindy Grall’s performance did you like?

She's a very talented voice actress. None of her characters seemed forced, and the rhythm and cadence of her voice is easy to fall into.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Sometimes a fresh start ends badly....

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free, from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Another wild heartstopping ride with suspense

This story just tore me up from the abuse to the emotions the author brings to the table as well as the romance of a new love and learning to trust all over again. There are many ways to abuse someone and this family has them all. I wanted so much to reach in and pull mother and child out of this book just to give them a breather from the hateful man they called husband and father. There is so much chilling suspense my heart stopped a few times. There is also lots of humor, smiles and laughs but don’t let that fool you danger is all around with bumps in the nights and no explanation to be found. Could it be animals building a nest or is there much more that could lead to death, deduction and fear. A compelling listen that leaves you holding on to the edge.

Ms. Grall is a very talented narrator grabbing your attention and keeping it as she uses her voice to tell a story of death, confusion and danger. She kept me spellbound from the first page giving an audio that sucked me. You can hear the sorrow, fear, humor, excitement and danger in her voice as she uses tones to really give you the layout of everything that is going on around you. She truly made me feel like I was there as each scene unfolds keeping me on the edge waiting to see what was in store for me. Her characters voices are outstanding her performance even better. You have no trouble knowing who is talking or just what they are feeling. Her female and male voices are wonderful from sexy, loving, sad, fear, excited to downright evil tones that you have no trouble feeling. I had no trouble picturing the scenes in my mind and feeling the fear of the unknown as the narrator takes me on a ride that holds my attention. There were no background noises or any place where the volume was higher or lower , there are no repeating of words just a wonderful clear audio I got lost in. Each chapter was full of danger, thrills and even a few chills that the narrator pulled off with no problem along with humor, love, caring as this family starts over. I could not tell if any breaks were taken it was just one highly entertaining audio that I truly got lost in. This is one narrator that knows how to pull you in letting your mind take over feeling all the emotions the author wants you to feel. I just loved this audio and plan to listen to it again.

The author really knows how to pull the reader in giving an exciting, thrilling, dangerous read that holds your attention. She sucked me in from the first page until the last. Her writing style is different as she lays out the hurt and pain along with a new budding romance with just the right amount of uncertainly that really hits you right in the heart. There were times my heart broke, others when I smiled and even chuckled as well as times I held my breath and started talking to the characters. There is a little mystery as well as things that are overlooked by the characters which really add to the story. I had no trouble feeling the characters doubts, uneasiness, fears and joys. Ella and Chet each carries baggy that gets in the way of a budding would be romance. Both are caught in the past for good reason and both will have to deal with these issues and learn to trust again.

The hanging on the edge suspense is outstanding as well as the chilling plot of a mad man that feels he was wrong. There is mystery of a past no one would ever have dreamed of as well as a wonderful buildup of fear that you the read will feel. Heart stopping thrilling that sucks you in as well as humor, laughs and wonderful surprises that keep you smiling. This is an author that has no trouble taking you away making the scenes play over and over in your head making you jump at every noise you might hear. I was hooked from the first page until the end. I can’t wait until the next one in this series comes out. What a wonderful suspenseful thrilling ride I could not put down. You are so going to love this.

Women we are stronger than we think.

Where does Lilac Lane rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 75% of the books I have listened to so far.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No it did not I kind of figured it out as I read along. But it was exciting.

What does Mindy Grall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings excitement and questioning as to what will happen next.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Ella's son becomes the man of the house.

Strong Female Lead Who Doesn't Wait for Rescue

Where does Lilac Lane rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#1

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, the suspense is built slowly before exploding into a series of dangerous events.

What does Mindy Grall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good inflection and emotion behind the words, just didn't care much for Chet's voice--personal preference.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Nick came to his mother's aid

Any additional comments?

I listened to Lilac Lane on the way home from a book conference on audiobook, and the story made the drive home seem much shorter.This is the second book in the series, and although I hadn't listened to the first book, Stutter Creek, this book stood on its own. The narrative chronicles the lives of characters Ella and her ten-year-old son, Nick, as they move from Albuquerque, New Mexico to the town of Stutter Creek--specifically ending up in a rented house on Lilac Lane. As Ella flees her mother's house, escaping the continued threat of abuse from her ex-husband, Anson, and also the overbearing parental advice of her well-meaning mother, she struggles to come to terms with her newfound independence and focus on repairing the damage little Nick has suffered emotionally and physically at the hands, and voice, of his former stepfather. On the first night, in the aging house, both Ella and Nick hear strange noises coming from the attic. After calling the police, she discovers a raccoon party has been taking place overhead. Chet, the locale wildlife officer, arrives on the scene the next day, sparking an emotional connection with both Ella and Nick as he completes repairs on the house to keep the little bandits from invading again.Loathe to start another relationship, Ella struggles with her commitment to her son, helping him heal and become more confident and happy, as well as the new business venture she has embarked on--the purchase of her very own drugstore/diner in town--while she fights to keep her attraction to Chet on the backburner. Strange noises and the movement and appearance of items inside the house persist even after Ella's new hero completes his repairs. Has Ella discovered a group of the most sophisticated and intelligent raccoons on Earth...or does something far more sinister lurk about her attic?

I really did enjoy the story. I loved the strong female lead and admired her dedication to her young son. I'm not a fan of cookie-cutter romances or graphic details of sex, so this book was perfect for me (I believe some things are best left to the imagination, but that's just my opinion and preference). It was refreshing to find a story about a woman who didn't fall victim to her hormones and rush into a man's arms--especially when her son needed her most. She tried to be smart about starting a new relationship, focusing on her new business and her little Nick, which I loved. Her strong will and justified caution when it came to matters of the heart really appealed to me. The romance was light and sweet, and I enjoyed that part of the book as well. The danger was heart-pounding and the action scenes well written. Some authors fall down when it comes time to write a high-action scene, but Miss Swann definitely delivered in that respect. The relationships between Ella and the other characters were well executed, especially between Ella and Nick, which prompts the reader to form a bond with them and care about their well-being. The sprinkling of supporting characters did a good job playing their role without becoming intrusive on the primary focus of the narrative--the interactions between Ella, Nick and Chet.This is a spoiler-free review, so I won't reveal any of the dark details about the latter half of the book, but will only say I was impressed in a big way with Ella's efforts to come to her own rescue, avoiding the crumple into a helpless heap when faced with danger and possible death.

As far as constructive criticism, I'll have to say the narrator did a good job, but I didn't like the way she did Chet's voice. Something about it grated on my nerves, which I know can be chalked up to personal preference yet again. There were some elements of the story I found to be unbelievable, such as the cluelessness expressed by Ella regarding an item she finds in her house. I just cannot believe she wouldn't see the truth behind that incident immediately. Ella's mother also misses the disappearance of a major clue, one which I would've thought she'd put to use before the consequences are discovered later, given the nature of past events. Characters/events from the first book were introduced in a way that initially confused me, but I attribute this to my start with the second book in the series. There were also a few feats of strength I would think might be beyond human capability, but must remind myself of the fictional element of the story, a world in which the author gains license to stretch the limits of the everyday and mundane. These are small issues, though, which did not detract from the pacing or storytelling elements of the book, making this an emotionally-stirring and suspense-inspiring work I would definitely recommend! A stellar job by Miss Swann, earning her 4.6 stars from this reader :)

fairly clean, almost 'cozy'

Lilac Lane is the second book in the Stutter Creek series, but the third I have read, as I ended up reading these in the wrong order. But that didn't really matter, as each book works fine as a standalone and focuses on one couple in particular. Characters from the other books in the series make appearances, which is quite nice because after a couple of Stutter Creek books it feels like you are returning to a place you know which is inhabited by very likable characters. This one has been my favorite of the three I've now read/listened to.

It concentrates on Ella and her son, Nick, who are hoping for a fresh start in Stutter Creek after escaping the abusive behavior of husband and stepdad, Anson. The relationship between Ella and her son was touching and a very enjoyable element of the story. The romantic relationship between Ella and the local wildlife biologist, Chet, was believable and nicely done. The romantic elements remained very 'mild'. Lilac Lane was heavier on the suspense than on the romance. But there wasn't any overly bloody or gory violence either. Ann Swann did a good job of creating a creepy atmosphere and building up the suspense.

The narration by Mindy Grall was excellent. She had a very pleasant voice, nice intonation, and good tempo to make this into an enjoyable listening experience. All her characters sounded credible, including the 10-year-old child and the male characters. This was the first time I listened to Mindy Grall. I would definitely listen to more books narrated by her, and I'm pleased there was a change of narrator from book 1 to book 2. There were no issues with the quality of the production.

Overall, an easy and enjoyable listen which should particularly appeal to listeners who like fairly clean, almost 'cozy', romantic suspense stories.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Great Listen

I truly enjoyed this listen. The story was good and so was the narrator. Looking forward to listening to more from this author and narrator.

very enjoyable.

it reminds me of a hallmark movie. it was well written. I connected with the characters. the narration was great, I loved her voice. she did a great job for the different voices.