BOOK BUZZ for Heat of the Moon
"In Parshall's strong debut, a frightening psychological mystery... the fresh, mesmerizing plot will keep readers turning the pages to the very end."
--Publishers Weekly
"Impressive debut... polished and accomplished--Parshall knows her stuff, and it shows. Readers will thrill to Rachel's journey of discovery, which leads to the book's first 'ending.' But it's the part of the book that follows that crescendo that makes this novel stand out, as Rachel is forced to react to her discoveries. It's here that she, and Parshall, prove themselves worthy of readers' attention and admiration; the book's true climax is touching and memorable."
--Hank Wagner, Mystery Scene Magazine
"I enjoyed this book--the idea that a mother could have so much influence over two young women becomes believable in the light of the fact that the mother is a psychologist well trained in hypnosis. The writing is quite good, with the author revealing a bit at a time, just as Rachel must have done as she searched for answers. Rachel is a very likable character; her mother comes across as controlling but very real, and her sister as totally devoted. Lucas, her boss, is understandably angered by what he sees as manipulation, and is concerned. The dynamics of the relationship are interesting, and Rachel's quest is compelling. Sometimes in this type of novel I find myself not really caring about the outcome -- this was not one of those times. For a first novel, I felt this was quite an impressive piece of work."
--The Mystery News
"A captivating tale of suspense and romance with Gothic twists... Readers will root for Rachel as she fights her cold mother and weak sister for the truth about what happened to her father--and discovers some disturbing truths about herself. A standout debut that effectively crosses subgenres--more psychologically astute than many romantic-suspense tales, yet more romantic than high-end psychological thrillers."
--Booklist
"Fans of Patricia McDonald and Mary Higgins Clark will love this exciting psychological suspense thriller. The sense of foreboding gradually increases as the protagonist begins to question her family relationships... Sandra Parshall's debut novel will gain her award nominations and fan accolades."
--Harriet Klausner, online reviewer
"Sandra Parshall's The Heat of the Moon is a book that is going to go places. It's of the "can't put it down" category."
--Deb Andolino, Aliens & Alibis Books, on DorothyL
"A stunning debut... Tightly written, breathtaking suspense-filled mystery that takes you on a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Memorable characters pull you into the story with skeletons rattling in every closet. As the family's deepest, darkest secrets begin to emerge, the suspense just keeps building until it explodes off the page... Will keep you up late into the night until you have finished every last page."
--A.E. Maloney on DorothyL
"The Heat of the Moon is a haunting tale of the secrets we all keep -- about which we may not really want to know the truth. It had me in its grip from the first page to the last, with suspense so intense I couldn't put the book down... Sandra Parshall is indeed a fresh new voice on the scene, and this book is a masterful debut."
--Gloria Feit on DorothyL
"Memory is a storehouse of the real and imagined and Sandra Parshall ventures into its labyrinthine corridors in The Heat of the Moon with a story so real and intriguing it captures and holds the reader spellbound. All the characters, even the brief appearances of animals and the little girl who sets off the spark that burns slowly and inexorably... are finely drawn and richly realized. The lure of Rachel's search is seductively compelling in a palpable three dimensional world.
Unlike many psychological thrillers, The Heat of the Moon is written with a deft and gentle touch that never veers into sentimentality or melodramatic clichés. Its quiet desperation and Machiavellian twists and turns subtly weave a strong spell that is utterly provocative and insidiously wondrous. There are no clear cut villains or evils, just the seamless tapestry of raw human emotion and reality intricately drawn."
--J.M. Cornwell
(This review reprinted with permission from Authorlink.com, the news, information and marketing site for editors, agents, writers and readers.)
" This is one very compelling, fascinating story that makes the reader dig deep into his own soul to see how they would react if the circumstances were the same. This is a book that you won't want to put down until the last page is read."
-- Claudia VanLydegraf, MyShelf.com
"This is a very suspenseful story from the first page to the last. The phrase 'page turner' might often be used, but with this book it is a truthful description. It's early in the year, but I'm sure this will be on my Top Ten for 2006."
-- Fred Yoder on DorothyL
"The Heat of the Moon is a stylish, original, compulsively readable
debut. Sandra Parshall explores the darkest side of family love and longing with pitch-perfect, highly
engaging characters and
a stunning end-game surprise."
-- Judith Kelman
bestselling author of Summer of Storms and More Than You Know
"Sandra Parshall has come up with a honey of a yarn, a spooky, inverted fairy tale in which the princess ( a plucky, endearing veterinarian) is held captive in her mother's castle,
and nothing is as it seems."
--Barbara Rogan
author of Suspicion
"In The Heat of the Moon, Parshall has created a story and a protagonist not easily forgotten. I loved the book, and the
final chapter haunts me to this day. I can't wait to see what
Parshall brings us next."
-- Judy Clemens
Anthony and Agatha-nominated author of the Stella Crown mystery series.
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