Tag Archives: Firemark

Simply a Matter of Time by Kathryn K. Murphy – a Review

Posted on by
10

Simply a Matter of Time by Kathryn Murphy – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Ethan Brooks has led an extremely long double life, one that always felt stable and secure—until he crossed paths with Nora St. Clair. Suddenly, the dogged police lieutenant is invading his office in her quest for answers about the mysterious Brightrock Island he hails from, an idyllic community off the coast of Massachusetts and home to a literal fountain of youth. Sworn to secrecy about his hometown, Ethan must protect the truth about the mysterious island and those who live there at any cost. But that’s easier said than done as Nora captures Ethan’s attention like no one ever has, upending his carefully cultivated life. 

Resident Lizzy Brooks is enjoying her first taste of freedom from Brightrock Island after almost fifty years when Nora’s investigation throws everything into chaos, trashing Lizzy’s dreams when they’ve only just begun. With the clock ticking, Lizzy only has a few short weeks to explore what might’ve been a grand, romantic adventure with Caleb Broussard, her only connection outside the island. But this quiet, kind man whom Lizzy thought she knew has secrets of his own, ones that could impact everything.

Now Ethan and Lizzy are both on borrowed time. But as Nora gets closer to uncovering the truth, Brightrock’s elders deliver an ultimatum: return home or leave the island forever, forcing Lizzy and Ethan to choose between their loves—or their lives. 

 

 

Review:

Simply a Matter of Time by Kathryn Murphy is two stories for the price of one…. 

Ethan is the island’s financial wizard. He’s been doing it for long enough. He’s gotten comfortable with his life, but that’s about to change, and he’s not happy….

Nora is a detective, she’s looking into a case concerning the island and in particular Ethan’s brother. She wants answers and Ethan is the man to give them to her, but he’s being evasive, and now he’s on the move. She’s got no choice but to let it go, but that’s not in her nature…..

Elizabeth “Lizzy” has waited forever to start her degree as a doctor, and now the elders are calling her back, it’s not fair! But Izzy isn’t going down without a fight, she’s going missing, and she knows exactly where she’s going …… 

Caleb met Lizzy briefly, he thinks there is a connection, so when he gets a call from her to meet up, he wants the chance to find out if she feels the same way….. 

And when Ethan finds out Nora has been injured, why does he react the way he does? Is the fact she’s injured in a bomb blast that reminds him of the incident at Brightrock the trigger, or is the lovely lady herself? 

And when Lizzy finds out Caleb’s secret, will she look at him differently? And can they make it work if she has to go back to the island? 

Beautifully written. The book starts not long after the last book, so you could read it without reading the first one, but I feel you’d be missing why Nora is stalking Ethan.  We get to catch up with old characters. You get to feel Izzy’s frustration at being recalled back to Brightrock Island. You understand why she runs away, but is Caleb the right person to run too? He has his own demons to battle, and where will it take them? 

The interaction between Nora and Ethan is great, his reluctance to also return to the island is felt. And I love the banter between Ethan and Nora, it’s had me chuckling a few times through the book. 

I would have liked two books instead of one, as I felt gaps were missing when we jumped to each couple. We have a few twists in the book, we also have a few moments when I thought both couples would walk away from each other. 

Simply a Matter of Time was a really good read. And I totally recommend it. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

 

Share

The Secret About Time by Kathryn K. Murphy – a Review

Posted on by
8

The Secret About Time by Kathryn K. Murphy – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Book Depository / Google Play

Description:
Austin Brooks is almost one hundred-years-old, but he, like all of the residents of Brightrock Island, doesn’t age normally. The tight-knit community off the coast of Massachusetts has a closely-guarded secret—they’ve discovered the fountain of youth. In an effort to escape his painful memories of World War II, Austin has settled into his job at Brightrock’s only school as the funny guy, Mr. Fix It, on track to becoming a principal. Then new teacher Caitlyn Landry arrives from the mainland, throwing all life on Brightrock—especially Austin’s—into chaos. 

After suffering several major losses, Caitlyn is looking for a fresh start. Brightrock doesn’t take kindly to outsiders, but Caitlyn was a necessary hire, and when Austin is tasked with mentoring her, he discovers keeping his lips sealed is easier said than done. With her own regrets and mistakes haunting her, Caitlyn is hardly looking for love, but the more time she spends with Austin, the harder it is for either of them to keep their distance. But what no one on Brightrock knows is that someone is on to their secret, someone who poses a threat to everyone on the island, leaving Austin to decide between his loyalty to Brightrock and his desire to fight for the woman he can’t live without. 

 

 

Review:

A Secret About Time by Kathryn K. Murphy is the first book in her new The Firemark series.

To look at Austin, you wouldn’t think he was nearly one hundred years old!!! Time and the residents of Brightrock are different from “outsiders” it’s a slower pace, and the residents age differently too. 

Austin is a jack of all trades at the school, nothing he can’t turn his hand too, he’s worked hard to forget his past, and becoming principal at the school will keep him pretty occupied. So when members of his community tell Austin they’ve hired an “outsider” to teach at the school, he’s not too keen, he is not keen at all!!! They have too many secrets to keep from the new teacher, it’s going to be tough. Will Austin rise above it? 

Caitlyn needs a break, the death of her beloved parents, and another death after losing them was really hard (she felt guilty about the other death for some reason)

And this seems like too good an opportunity to miss. But on the way over to the island, she’s hit with doubts. And meeting Austin doesn’t help, she gets the distinct impression she’s not welcome!! 

Both settle into the roles they are given, and try to keep out out of each other’s way, but with fate playing its hand, it’s not long till they start bumping into each other. 

Caitlyn still feels like an outsider, the role she’s taken on doesn’t really feel like hers, it feels like she’s only there till the person she’s filling in for comes back!! And her feelings for Austin confuse her too, but she can’t get involved, it hurts to lose someone you love.

Austin is beginning to look at Caitlyn in a different way. She’s smart, fun and totally hot. And after seeing her in a World War II outfit, Austin wants more than a kiss, much more ……

But something or someone has noticed the residents on Brightrock are different. What is in store for Austin and the islanders? And how will it involve Caitlyn? 

I really enjoyed this book. Well written, and very descriptive. Hoping this isn’t that last time we visit Brightrock. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy supplied for review.

 

Share