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An inseparable bond.
An insatiable force.
Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.
But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.
From best-selling author Kristen Heitzmann comes a spellbinding tale of severed connections and the consequences of life lived alone.
Follow Kristen Heitzmann online at www.KristenHeitzmann.net.
One
What therefore God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder.
—MARK 10:9, KING JAMES VERSION
Wrapped in a woolen throw, Jonah stared out through moon-silvered evergreen spires. He drew in the clean, sharp air of the rugged mountains, the piercing stars visible to an amazing depth, the sickle moon casting the clearing in stark relief. He had not expected to sleep—didn’t dare with memories tugging so hard. He shut his eyes and let the night enclose him. The chilled tip of his nose stung as he breathed the piquant scents of wild grasses, earth, and pine, a heady overlay with a hint of moisture condensing in the cold and dark.
The beam above moaned with the motion of the porch swing, a rhythmic counterpart to the rushing creek out of sight in the dark except for flashes of white where water struck rock. He felt something brush against his hand and looked down. A white, powdery moth fluttered at the lighted face of his watch. The fluffy whoosh of an owl passed, a silent shadow in search of a small, beating heart.
His pulse made a low throb in his ears. He moved the breath in and out through his lungs, filling his senses easier than stilling the thoughts. Somewhere in the rocky crags a coyote yipped, one of the few predators that had enlarged its range in spite of human encroachment, a bold and canny cohabiter, bearing ever bolder offspring. A long howl sailed into the night, a territorial declaration, signaling roving males to stay away, any females to come hither. He pressed up from the swing and leaned on the rail, trying to get a bead on the coyote’s location. After a time, he turned and went inside.
Piper loved morning, the brightness, the cleanness of a new day. But morning started with the sunrise, not when the sky was still black and the room shivery. She burrowed her feet deeper beneath the down comforter, avoiding the inevitable for one more moment. It was too brief a moment. She crabbed her hand across the lace-covered bed stand and stopped the alarm on the cell phone before it could nag her. She would do her own nagging, as she had ever since she’d realized no one else intended to. Not that they didn’t care, just that she was on her own when it came to responsibility, reliability, accountability.
She groomed, and dressed without shedding the film of sleep. Just a few years ago she could have slept all day—if she’d let herself. She slipped on her jacket and turned up the collar, switched on the iPod in her pocket and inserted the ear buds. Enya’s “OnlyTime” accompanied her out the door.
The first gasp of cold air pierced her fog. She drew a flashlight from the other pocket and trudged behind the beam down the steep path, weaving through the pines. Even August nights lost the days’ warmth to the thin mountain atmosphere, which the sun would heat once again. Streaks of deep magenta broke through the black tree silhouettes, announcing dawn, but around her, darkness clung. Over the music, she detected the rushing of Kicking Horse Creek, which paralleled the main street through Old Town. Neither dark and muddy nor sluggish and green, the creek ran frothy white and clear down to the rocky bed.
She couldn’t see it from the path even if the sun were up, but its voice carried up the stony crags as she picked her way down the steepest stretch of the path. Her nostrils constricted. She slapped a hand to her mouth and nose to block a putrid scent carried on the sharp air. She swung her light, and the beam caught a furry mound of carnage. She hurried past, gagging. The path ended behind the Half Moon, but she continued on to the next door, unlocked the bakery, and let herself into Sarge’s kitchen. Soon, warm, yeasty aromas tinged with almond, vanilla, and cinnamon banished the dead animal stench in her nostrils. She had memorized the recipes the first week, easy enough as Sarge had served the same eight things since opening the bakery thirty years ago. After twenty years in army kitchens, he saw no need for variety in the mess. She hadn’t baked before, but she’d taken to it, and with a little freedom, the slightest leeway, she might shine. But three weeks into the job, she had yet to sneak a variation by Sarge or convince him to feature anything not indelibly written on the dusty menu board.
She lifted and folded the dough over the plump, rum-soaked raisins, tucking them in like well-fed babies under a fluffy blanket, then put them to bed in the nice warm oven. Down for their nap, just like yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. Sweet little raisin rolls, just the way Sarge liked them.
She closed the oven, moved to the other end of the counter, and checked the measuring cup in which she had sprinkled yeast over warm water and whisked in sour cream and sugar. Cutting together flour, butter, and salt, she glanced quickly toward the door. No Sarge yet.
She combined the ingredients to make a coarse dough that when properly rolled and folded should bake into lovely light croissants—not something Sarge could envision. The back door banged. He came in, hung his red plaid coat on the hook, and turned his head like a vulture’s on the end of his question-mark spine. She did hurt for him. The photo in the front of the store showed a strong, military physique. It couldn’t be easy to curl up like a lemon rind in the sun.
“Good morning, Sarge.”
“Humph.” His sunken eyes peered down his long bulbous nose. Lucky he had rank or his moniker might have been Beak. Or Gonzo. Sarge fit, although he didn’t look capable of any spit-flecked rants today. Lately his pain had been bad enough to reduce the rages to sarcastic skirmishes of parleyed insults she could swear he enjoyed. She’d even imagined a glimmer of relief, once or twice, that she was there.
“Are those the currant scones?”
“Already baking. The rolls too.”
He toddled toward her, hands bent at his chest like a bald eaglet just out of the egg. He scowled. “What is it this time?”
She checked her surprise. “Gruyère and sun-dried tomato croissants.”
“Not in my store.” He pushed through the swinging door to the front. She stared after him. Progress. He’d asked what she was making, not accused her of stealing the ingredients.
Breathing the honey scent of beeswax, Tia lowered the candles into the clear amber liquid, curbing her natural impatience. Any pause or jerk would leave a flaw each ensuing dip would reinforce. She worked hard to keep her hand steady. Dipping tapers had trained her in self-control better than any scolding instructor.
She raised the wooden bar looped with six double wicks. As soon as the air touched the wax, it paled to ocher. She fitted the bar onto the side braces to cool the tapers before lowering them again, each plunge having the potential to reclaim with greedy heat what solidity the cool air had bestowed. The life metaphor struck her again. The destructive power of pain; the strength of endurance. She would give them all they needed to stand strong, even though their fate was to burn away, the glow and aroma of their passing a benediction.
A knock brought her out of her thoughts, and she wended through the dim shop where little by little she had replaced the former knickknacks with candles, scented oils, and hand-thrown melting pots. She looked around, satisfied that nothing she saw was made in China. “Just a sec,” she called through the door, tangling with the keys since she hadn’t opened yet.
“Try this.” Piper raised the drooping croissant. Tia bit into the buttery, melted-cheesy pastry, savoring a chewy tang of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. She leaned her shoulder to the doorjamb and sighed. Not all Piper’s creations worked, but this one…“Mmm.”
“You like it?”
“Oh yeah.”
“You’re not just encouraging me because you hope I’ll get better if I keep trying?”
“No, it’s really—”
Piper snatched the croissant out of her hands, turned the bitten end around in the parchment, and held it out to someone else. “Try something new?”
Tia leaned out far enough to see the person approaching. Lanky in jeans, mountain boots, and brown leather jacket bearing the police department emblem, he looked as ragged as a night spent with Johnny Walker, though she didn’t smell it on him, had not, in fact, for years. Even so, every muscle in her hardened—a visceral reflex as automatic as breathing.
He said, “Excuse me?”
His features were edged, and in an instant she realized what day it was.
“The croissant.” Piper flashed her sunny smile.
“Oh. No. Thanks.”
“One bite,” Piper cajoled, a hypnotic maneuver she had mastered.
“And your honest opinion.”
He took a bite and chewed slowly, the muscles rippling along his jaw.
“What are the red things?”
“Sun-dried tomatoes.” Piper bit her lower lip.
“Taste a little fishy.”
“The gods speak,” Tia muttered.
“Fishy?”
“They’re not fishy, Piper.” Tia folded her arms. “A little tangy maybe.”
His gaze flicked over, weighing, measuring her. He must have been doing something in his official capacity, but she didn't care what. Sometimes they went weeks without crossing paths, but every time the encounter arced between them like a chemical adhesion, the two parts of epoxy that did fine until combined, then interacted toxically.
“People who know sun-dried tomatoes will expect that flavor.” She spoke to Piper, but her eyes were locked with Jonah’s.
“I’m sure you’re right.” He held the pastry out.
“No.” Tia raised her hands. “By all means, finish it.” She backed into the shop and closed and locked the door, returning to complacent tapers that had forgotten the burn of the wax.
Jonah winced at the sharp report of the door. Tia Turning, he caught the look of surprise on the young blonde. He had no intention of explaining. “Here.” He tried to return the croissant, but Piper shook her head.
“Do you like it? Would you buy it?”
“You can’t sell—”
“If you like it, you could tell Sarge. Maybe he’d let me try a different thing or two.”
Now he placed her—Sarge’s new baker. No wonder she had the look of a puppy afraid of getting her nose swatted but wanting to please all the same. “Okay.” He started past.
“So, hey. Are you a cop?”
“Chief of police. Can I help you?”
“Who’s responsible for dead things?”
Caught unprepared, his adrenaline surged.
“There’s something on the path between Tia’s house and shop. Who’s responsible for cleaning it up?”
Something, not someone. His chest eased. “I’ll take a look.”
Most days he battled the boredom of policing Redford. This wasn’t most days. He turned off the street and cut over to the path. Realizing he still held the croissant, he folded the tissue around it and shoved it into his jacket pocket, then turned upslope until he found what she was talking about by smell before sight.
A raucous white and iridescent blue-black magpie flew up as he stopped several feet from the carcass. A raccoon. But then he realized there were two, only…they weren’t.
Annoyed when Piper tapped once more, Tia opened the door less magnanimously.
“Oh…my…gosh.” Piper all but quivered. “Who is he?”
“Jonah Westfall.”
Piper searched her face. “What—did he arrest you or something?” “Don’t be silly.” No surprise Piper had picked up on it. His mere presence had curdled her mood.
“There are cute guys in town, but he’s smokin’.”
No way was she having this discussion. “Does Sarge know you’re out here? I can’t give you the room for free, so I suggest you don’t get fired.”
Tia started back to her candles. “Oh, he threatens, but he won’t do it.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. Sarge has never allowed anyone in his kitchen before.”
“I know.” Piper followed her. “He’s told me about a thousand times. But about Jonah—”
“I have four orders to fill before I open shop.”
“Come on, Tia. Tell me.”
Tia felt the tapers, then lowered and lifted them once more. “This is a delicate process.” One she had done so often she could do it comatose. A bachelor of science and a master’s degree, and here she was dipping candles. Piper watched, then surveyed the workshop as she always did, her gaze roving over the shelves of glass bottles with herbs in oils, dried fruits and berries, blocks of wax and bolts of wick. “This is great. You must love what you do.”
“I enjoy it. I wouldn’t say love.”
“Well, what do you love?” Piper peaked her eyebrows like an imp. “A certain rugged lawman?”
Once again it surprised her how freely Piper barged in. They’d known each other what, three weeks? “You’ve gone from silly to ridiculous.”
Piper leaned her palms on the table. “Why? Is he married?”
Tia slid her a dark glance. “Did he look married?”
“Good point.”
Tia straightened. “Now I need to work. And you need to get back before Sarge declares you AWOL.”
“I’m going.” Piper pressed open the back door but called, “To be continued.”
“Or not,” Tia called after her.
This book is a MUST read if you enjoy suspense and romance all wrapped up in a wonderful novel. Police Chief Jonah Westfall, a 31 year old alcoholic is battling his own personal demons, when a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado.Tia Manning, a childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history which causes friction between the two of them. And Piper who is the new girl at Sarge's bakery and she befriends Tia whom is also her landlord, I found her to be rather funny and charming, you can't help but love her. Then comes Liz Rainer who reopens the animal hospital and begins to help the Police Chief with the cult like activity which is going on in their small town. Liz starts to imagine a life with Jonah, but Jonah is not on the same page at all with Liz.With a rising drug threat and the gruesome act of the mutilation of the raccoons, Jonah knows things could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. And his never-ending conflict with Tia keeps getting in the way of the investigation, and he finds himself not able to keep his mind on his work to get to the bottom of this crime. I could not put the book down, it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. You can download chapter one here: http://j.mp/cmf2YR
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.eLouise_M_sRay
Posted June 1, 2012
Enjoyable read! Kristen kept me intrigued and guessing. I enjoyed each character and their stories of healing and forgivness. The mystery and romance are well balanced throughout the book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 1, 2012
Individible by Kristen Heitzmann is an AWESOME book!! I could barely put it down. There is suspense, drama, romance....this book has a little bit of everything. You won't be disappointed by reading this book. The author keeps your attention and makes you want to continously read to find out what happens next. This is an awesome book and well worth the read!!
Waterbook Press provided me a free copy of this book to review.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.beth68
Posted June 9, 2011
This is the first book that I have read of Kristen Heittzmann. I really liked reading a mystery and having a Christian side to it. Police Chief Jonah Westfall has experienced some things in life, but you are not quite sure what they are until later in the book. He is also dealing with a bazaar crime of mutilated animals that are sewn together. I was sure I had figured out this mystery, but there was a little twist and at the end and I ended up being wrong. I had figured it partially, but not totally. Jonah seems to be liked by all of the women, but there is only one woman for him. Can Jonah have her? Will the animal cruelty cause harm? I suggest reading this book. I couldn't wait to finish it.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cash8907
Posted April 25, 2011
The books plot centers around a small town Police Chief (Jonah Wesfall) and his struggles with his own personal demons (alcoholism and trust), as well as a recent rash of cult like murders of animals in their area. I found the story to be fast paced and an easy read. One of my favorite things about the author! I also love how she draws you in to the characters lives until you feel that you truly know them and their little quirks and idiosyncrasies. The relationship between the "lead" female character (Tia Manning) and the Police Chief is thought provoking (how we needlessly hold onto the past) and encouraging.
Overall, I loved the plot and basic story line and as always enjoyed Ms. Heitzman's ability to "flesh out" a character until you feel like you are wrapped up in their world with them and can't wait to find out what happens next.
I give this book 5 stars and would recommend it to any of my suspense or romance fans.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 16, 2011
Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann is a fast paced story circling around Jonah Westfall a police chief that is seeking answers to two mutilated raccoons that have his town in a fury; hoping that the crime doesn't escalate into something more serious. He battles through some deep personal issues that are slowly revealed throughout the story, and a love interest that runs a little bit deeper than water. It's a book worth checking out as each page leaved you wanting to know what happens next!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.For several years now, I have been a fan of Nicholas Sparks. So much so that I didn't even know of another fiction author I would enjoy reading. In my blogging for books quest, I took a leap and requested Kristen Heitzmann's book Indivisible. This book did not disappoint! I began reading it much like I do with my others, a couple chapters before bed and then I set it aside until the next night. On about the third night or so, I began reading around page 80...and didn't put it down until page 236, leaving me another 90 pages which I was anxious to finish the following morning. This book had so many elements of suspense and romance, I found myself trying to predict what would happen next. The first few chapters set the scene with a variety of characters and glimpses of their history together. The history continued to unfold throughout the book, leading me deeper into the lives and struggles of each character. The back cover of this book accurately refers to it as "a spell-binding tale of severed connections and the consequences of life lived alone." Indivisible is well written by a Christian author and a pleasure to read and recommend to friends and family. I look forward to reading more of her works in the future.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is the very first book I have ever read from author Kristen Heitzmann and I have to say that I loved it. When I began reading this book, it was kind of hard for me to get into it, but it was my fault and not the book. In this book, we meet Jonah Westfall, who is the current police chief in Redford, Colorado. Redford, like all small pretty towns has it share of gossips, secrets, and lies.
Jonah's character is one that has been bruised and beaten. He is a recovering alcoholic and finds that his sobriety is being tested at every turn. When someone finds two raccoons sewed together, it begins a case of uncertainty for both Jonah and the town.
Tia Manning has secrets of her own and is tied to Jonah because of a past event that she can not let go of no matter how hard she tries and accomplishes. She has been backed into a corner and is trying to live with the fallout of the past and her choices.
All in all, a wonderful book and a well told story. I loved that you don't really know what exactly is going on until the end of the book and it seems kind of incredible! It is very hard to write this review and not give spoilers to the story, but trust me this is one must read book in my mind.
I received this book for free from WalterBrook Multnomah for the purpose of this review
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is a good read if you enjoy suspense and romance all wrapped up in a novel. Police Chief Jonah Westfall, a 31 year old alcoholic is battling his own personal demons, when a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado. Tia Manning, a childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history which causes friction between the two of them. And Piper who is the new girl at Sarge's bakery, she befriends Tia whom is also her landlord, I found her to be rather funny and charming, you can't help but love her. Then comes Liz Rainer who reopens the animal hospital and begins to help the Police Chief with the cult like activity which is going on in their small town. Liz starts to imagine a life with Jonah, but Jonah is not on the same page at all with Liz.With a rising drug threat and the gruesome act of the mutilation of the raccoons, Jonah knows things could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. And his never-ending conflict with Tia keeps getting in the way of the investigation, and he finds himself not able to keep his mind on his work to get to the bottom of it. I could not put the book down. The deeper I got into reading the book, I was sitting on the edge of my seat with the suspense of who and why. This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. You can download and read chapter one here: http://j.mp/cmf2YR
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I chose this book from a list on the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Site. A Christian based mystery/thriller with a small amount of romance thrown in for good measure. How could I pick anything else?
I liked this book, it kept my interest but took a bit to really get started. Meeting the characters and getting a feeling for them seemed to take a bit of time. When I got to know them better I cared what happened to them and I tried to figure out who was causing all the problems. I didn't come up with the answer much before the characters did themselves.
It is a good mystery and I loved the romance that wove though the relationships. Sad yet true the way the family relationships gave so much pain to the members. It always seems that our mistakes should only punish us, but they punish so many more while we process through our redemption.
I think just about anyone would enjoy this story, it was a good way to spend a few afternoons.
read_more_bks
Posted March 14, 2011
Indivisible by Kristen Heitzman is a well-written mystery which centers around a handful of broken relationships, taking place in Redford, Colorado. As Police Chief Jonah Westfall begins investigating a series of drug and animal-cruelty crimes in his town, the reader simultaneously follows the path all of these relationships take. There is the tension between the angry, and ruggedly handsome Chief Westfall and Tia Manning, the candle-shop proprietor. While this tension is eventually resolved, I found myself being both frustrated with their miss-steps and rooting for them all the way. Then there is the relationship between the town's new veterinarian Liz Rainer and her sister Lucy; while their bond is obviously strong, I immediately thought it strange that Lucy seemed to waft in and out of Liz's environment and that Lucy never left the veterinary clinic even though she was apparently mobile. The initially antagonistic interaction between Piper, Tia's housemate, and Sarge, owner of the town bakery, centers around Sarge's failing health and Piper's emerging talents for both baking and running the bakery while Sarge is in the hospital. As Piper forges on with her goal of keeping her job at the bakery, helping Sarge, and updating the bakery menu, she begins a friendship with Miles Standish, a likable, appealing character who struggles with germaphobia.
As Chief Westfall tries to both find out who is leaving pairs of mutilated animals around the town, and also pin down a potential drug-trafficking ring, we see that this group of people manages to gradually solve the most difficult mystery of all - that of how to let the past go, forgive old mistakes, and choose love instead of anger and bitterness. Indivisible is not only a very good book with a gripping plot, it also tells good stories about likable characters and the way they solve their challenges.
pitchingpencils
Posted March 8, 2011
In Kristen Heitzmann's Indivisible, Police Chief Jonah Westfall struggles with his own personal issues even as he faces a series of animal mutilations which threaten the tranquility of the small mountain town of Redford, Colorado. Westfall must deal with more than these awful occurrences, however. As the town has grown in stature, it has gained its own rising drug problem. There is also Westfall's long and difficult relationship with his childhood friend, Tia Manning. Despite all of his personal difficulties, he must focus on solving the animal mutilations before the unknown perpetrator escalates their crimes. Love and insanity have produced a formidable foe for Westfall, and he must overcome his own personal issues in order to save the town that is his home.
Heitzmann's latest book, Indivisible, is an extremely engaging and terrifying mystery, not only because of the grotesque acts involved but also the depth of madness that is its origin. While many similar books might feature a criminal that is a caricature, Heitzmann's is one who is well rounded, providing a glimpse into a love that has been contorted over time. In fact, each of the characters must work to redefine their own concept of love so that their own lives can be filled with healthy relationships, not ones that have been weighed down by their own personal baggage. Of course, God's love is what truly defines a healthy love for others, and it enables Heitzmann's characters to love as well. As they realize this, their own lives become less twisted by misconceptions, allowing them to find truly fulfilling lives. Thus, Indivisible is more than a mystery; it is also a character drama that provides a unique insight into love, along with its true origin, the Creator.
I was provided with a free copy of this book for review. All of the opinions in this review are my own.
coloradocathy
Posted March 5, 2011
I started reading Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann with a bit of hesitation. I knew it was a Christian suspense novel so I had no idea what to expect. The beginning started out a bit flowery for me, but once the plot got going, I was intrigued. The mysteries are developed pretty well, although she gives away too much as I had figured it out about half way through. I think the best part was the lack of a "come to Jesus" moment that many Christian novels have that are so cheesy. It really was just a suspenseful book with out the language, sex or gore that many mainstream novels have. I will probably pick up another one of her novels to see if I like it a little bit better. Overall, this was a good mystery that kept me intrigued but not awake all night.
Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
Anonymous
Posted March 4, 2011
MY REVIEW: Indivisible touches the many problems people have in their lives and the secrets they may be hiding. We all have something we necessarily may not want to share with the world. Kristen Heitzmann writes about the families in small town Redford. As in most small towns their is gossip and innuendo, stares and guilt. Characters Tia and Jonah must deal with their past before they can ever have a future. Heitzmann touches on the many secrets families may have (abuse, addiction, affairs, betrayal). It keeps you looking for more. Indivisible began a little slow for my taste. However, once I got into it I found it to be an intriguing story from a small town much like my own. A little bit of a love story and a little bit of a mystery made for a very good read. It definitely picks up the pace after the first chapter or so. Piper the quirky young baker is my favorite character. She is young and naive and cares about her friends and those who are unique. If you read the book you will see what I mean by unique. It takes a special person to reach out to someone who is bullied and stands out as odd. Piper is working to succeed at her own and overcome the many obstacles from her family , boss, and the Redford crazies along the way. Jonah Westfall chief of police is investigating a string of unexplained animal cruelty. The mystery behind this cruelty will lead him down an interesting road that is much unexpected and keep you looking for more clues to why someone would perform such hideous acts. He is full of masculinity and a man of distinction. No wonder so many women have their eye on him. Makes for an entertaining journey as he tries to rekindle his lost romance with Tia. I would gladly recommend Invisible to anyone looking for an engaging entertaining mystery romance. . About the Author: Kristen Heitzmann wrote her first novel while homeschooling her four kids. This grew into a fie book historical series. Since then she has written historical , contemporary romantic, and psychological suspense novels. "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review" Thanks for taking the time to read my review on this great book. Receiving this free book did not influence my opinion in any way.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.McDawg81
Posted March 1, 2011
Indivisible, by Kristen Heitzmann, is an intriguing adventure into the world of severed connections and secrets. Turns and twists on every side add to the thrilling suspense of the plot, weaving in along the way the truth that Christ is the only solution to all of our issues. Make sure you have the time to give to this book before you pick it up - it is a page turning read and you will not want to stop until you have devoured the entire book!
There are some dark parts to this book and it is not overly religious by any standard. And yes, the word 'hell' is in the book twice as a curse word. However, the story is very well-written, interesting, suspenseful, and, it has a good wrap-up at the end.
The characters in this book are realistic, identifiable, and well-developed. Piper, Sarge, Sue Donelly, the supporting characters to Tia and Jonah, were very much a part of the overall story, and you get deep character development with them all. Miles, Liz, and Lucy, the more mysterious characters, you find out more at the very end. My only thoughts against this book are that if you are extremely sensitive to gruesomeness, then either skim those sections like i did, or perhaps this wouldn't be a good read for you. Otherwise, it is intriguing and ultimately does point to Christ as the only solution, in spite of the fact that there are the 2 curse words and non-Christian characters. For anyone who has ever felt hopeless, this book can be a source that points to hope.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.
"Indivisible", by Kristen Heitzmann was riveting. Heitzmann's breathtaking imagery, deep characters, and intriguing plot made this a book I couldn't put down. I especially appreciated the appropriate quotations at the beginning of each chapter...great literary touch.
This story is set in a small mountain town, where everyone has an inescapable history. Some characters have moved to this town to forget their past, others have been unable to leave because of it. We see glimpses of a painful story between Police Chief, Jonah Westfall and candle-maker/prayerline counselor, Tia Manning. The tension between the two is palpable, yet the reasons for it are slow to unfold.
In the midst of their personal struggles, a mysterious and sickening crime occurs...repeatedly. As Chief Westfall tries to understand the motivation behind the act and hopefully catch the person responsible, his time and energy are pulled in many directions, leaving him with little strength to maintain his fragile sobriety.
A powerful story of life...how we can most hurt the ones we should treasure, how the actions of others can irrevocably affect our lives, and how some people can overcome while others give in to darkness.
Thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah for providing this book for review.
~Karina Harris; author of "Second Chance", a Summers Saga novel
SpasticNotPlastic
Posted February 4, 2011
I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Kristen Heitzmann does a fairly decent job with Indivisible. She made me feel like I was with the main character, Jonah, every step of the way as he fights crime and his personal fights.
The suspense and thrills along the way made me want to read more. There are many authors that cannot do that the correct way. It is about a man's thoughts and feelings which were good considered the author is a woman.
Some parts for uncalled for, so just to warn you guys there are parts of the book containing animal cruelty, and yeah, it was kinda totally gross. Just to give you a heads up....
Overall, it was a good book about finding yourself.
Anonymous
Posted January 20, 2011
Every once in a while I am extremely grateful for these Advanced Reader's copies of books because they bring to my attention an author I was unfamiliar with. This is one of those times I want to give a big Thank You to WaterBrook Multnomah for the free book!. Actually, it may be more correct to say that the program finally got me off the fence about reading an author whose name I was familiar with but whose work I was not. Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann was a very pleasant surprise, a book in my "go-to" genre of Christian suspense, but a step above.
*An inseparable bond.
An insatiable force.
Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers-and his fragile sobriety.
But he can't penetrate every wound or secret-especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.
From best-selling author Kristen Heitzmann comes a spellbinding tale of severed connections and the consequences of life lived alone.*
Heitzmann does a masterful job bridging the gap between those books that are pure, escapist fun and those that edify. On the surface this is a great mystery with characters you feel you get to know and want to know better, with a healthy dose of romance thrown in the mix. But you don't have to search deep to see how the interactions among these characters reflect not only one another's, but our own lives, in multiple ways.
Police Chief Jonah Westfall has a few problems on his hands. Someone is torturing and killing animals, then leaving them where they will be found. His past with Tia Manning looms over everything, and not necessarily in a good way. The owner of the coffee shop, Sarge, has a major health problem that Jonah and Piper try to help with. Then, there is "Lego" man with his interesting set of circumstances. Each of these contributes to his unsettledness, yet he is able to keep away from alcohol. But, how long will that last? Kristen Heitzmann weaves a fantastic story filled with mystery, suspense, friendship, and love. Come meet her characters and let them tell you their stories.
This is the first novel I have read by Ms. Heitzmann, but it won't be my last! I really enjoyed the story and her characters. They kept me reading from beginning to end. I also enjoyed the thoughts at the beginning of each chapter as they gave me some foreshadowing of what that chapter contained. Now I look forward to reading more of Ms. Heitzmann's work. This is a great book for anyone who loves suspense and works for any kind of reading time. I received this free book from the Book Blogger program and thank them for the opportunity to read it.
LilRedHen
Posted January 10, 2011
This book is very complex, winding through the lives of all the characters, delving into their phobias and issues. I think anyone who enjoy a good mystery, romance, or a little scare, in their books, will enjoy this book, it held my interest from page one, down to the last paragraph.
Jonah Westfall is the police chief of a small town, where his father had been police chief before him.
He's trying to overcome the memories of a very bad childhood, at the hands of that same father.
And he's also trying to get past the mess he and Tia, the sister of his former fiance, had made of
things, several years ago.
Tia runs her mother's candle shop, and lives in the family home, that the rest of the family abandoned 9 years previous, to go with her sister, Reba, to Arizona. Tia has never understood her parent's disinterest in her, and her life, treating her as something unwanted.
Piper rents Tia's extra room, and works for Sarge at the bakery. She's tired of the vagabond life her family lives, and is looking to put down roots.
Liz is a vet, and has bought the local clinic, which had been closed for awhile.
Miles, an inventor, has many issues, concerning hi size and fear of touching.
These are the main characters in the book, which has several other characters and sub plots.
This is an author that I'll be reading more of her writing, very soon.
Overview
An inseparable bond.
An insatiable force.
Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a...