*thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

1.5 stars.

Ohhh yes unfortunately this was definitely not for me. It was boring and it took me forever to get through. I absolutely LOVE the cover for this though and that is what drew me to wanting to check this book out. The description also sounded good but it was a left down. The idea of the story had promise but did not deliver. Still, its obvious that some people found this to be really enjoyable so it definitely comes down to personal preferences and not bad writing or anything. I would pass it along to others to give a go.

Set in small town Wisconsin, this novel is told via dual timelines with a decrepit old house as the linking factor.

March 1906 - Ivy's story

Ivy Thorpe, the daughter of a doctor, keeps a 'death journal'. She records facts and feelings about the deceased so as to keep their memory alive. Recently a young woman's body was found in the hollowed out trunk of an old oak tree. Ivy feels great empathy toward the girl and after she learns that the young woman had recently given birth, Ivy is determined to learn the baby's fate. Ivy finds some diary entries written in the margins of an old copy of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. Could these be the writings of the young dead woman? Her investigations lead her to be viciously attacked - in Foster Hill House...

Ivy suffers a crisis of faith. How could He allow tragedy to strike such innocent victims?

Present day - Kaine's story

Kaine Prescott, a young widowed social worker, has just arrived in Oakwood, Wisconsin. She has purchased an old house, sight unseen, and is attempting to start over after her husband's death and the subsequent traumatic events. She learns that the house she bought is much more rundown than she was led to believe. She also learns that her great-great-grandmother Ivy had ties to the old place.

Kaine meets some new friends in Wisconsin, but soon finds that her former stalker has followed her here. It begins with innocuous things like some daffodils left on her front step. Then things turn more nasty when her dead husband's name is written on the window in red paint.

The townspeople have never liked Foster Hill House. For centuries there have been sightings of strange lights in the house as well as many testimonies of piano music emanating from the place.

Kaine finds some pages from "Great Expectations" beneath the floorboards in the bedroom.

As traumatic events in Kaine's new life escalate, she too suffers from a a loss of faith.

"Foster Hill House is holding secrets..."

MY THOUGHTS

I'm not even a little bit ashamed that I chose this book for the cover. It's great isn't it? The title resonated with me as well because 'Foster' is a family name on my mother's side. The cover makes you assume a creepy suspenseful read - maybe even a ghost story. You'd be wrong. This book is essentially a romantic suspense story with a Christian bent. For those reasons it wasn't totally to my taste, so fans of romantic suspense will have to take my personal opinions with a grain of salt. As Bethany House is a publisher of Christian fiction, I should have been more cognizant of that fact when I requested this title.

I read the entire novel, so it did hold my interest. I liked the dual timelines. Blending historical fiction with a modern day story is done a lot and it is a favourite plot device of mine. In this case, contrary to my usual choice, I liked the modern day part of the story more. Kaine's plight seemed more genuine to me than that of Ivy whose story seemed more contrived somehow. The old house was a character onto itself as it held so many dark secrets.

This is the author's first novel and as such was quite well written. I did find it formulaic at times. The emphasis on physical beauty of the protagonists. The strong male protector and the vulnerable female... typical of romantic suspense. I tire easily of mentions of smoldering glances, broad shoulders, muscular arms, etc. All in all, I would recommend this to fans of Christian romantic suspense, but to readers like myself, it fell short of expectations.

If I was asked to use one word to describe this book it would be WOW! I was given access to read this book.by Netgalley and I have to.apologise that it slipped.through the net but I found it a few days ago and how glad I am that I did. Each chapter alternates between 2 periods of time but have common links - the house and two strong women. When Kaine buys the house to try to escape a personal tragedy she discovers the house has a dark past and finds hidden pages of a book with worrying notes scrawled inside. Strange things begin to happen which makes Kaine think the past she left behind has followed her. Delving into.the mysteries surrounding the house she begins to uncover it's secrets as did Ivy a hundred years before. An extremely well written book that held my attention from.start to finish.

How does a reader categorize this book? Mystery, suspense, psychological thriller, dual-timeline, a hint of romance, or perhaps it's a bit of all of these combined? Whatever you want to call it, Wright is brilliant in the telling of it! Her descriptions are crisp, fresh, and snap with life. Phrases I don't often see authors use to describe things painted a vivid picture in my mind. For a debut novel, it reads as a seasoned best seller! Each chapter hooked me on a high until I was breathless to find out what happens next. I could not turn pages fast enough.

The House on Foster Hill connects two women a hundred years apart as they strive to unravel the mystery surrounding it. Will it give up its secrets easily, or will it want to keep them buried like the women Ivy writes about in her “death diary”? Each clue found seems random at first, but the pieces slowly knit together like a crochet needle fashioning a scarf. But someone or something fights to keep playing mind games with Ivy & Kaine. Creepy much? Definitely sent shivers tickling up my spine and made me wonder why exactly it mattered to find the history buried deep within it walls. When swirling script is found written on a copy of Great Escapes within the house, it fleshes out a woman named Gabreilla—murdered at the hands of a madman. Ivy follows clues with the help of an old childhood friend while Kaine digs deeper in her family history to fill in the holes left centuries ago. There's also the underlying desire for hope in both women's hearts, hope that seems much too far away to grasp. But is it?? Through her death, Gabreilla teaches that hope doesn't come from within but without, as witnessed by this line:

“My eyes see beyond today, beyond my circumstances in a world jaded and scarred by sin. I see into Heaven. And it is beautiful. And it is good. It is my future. There is no despair in eternity, in God's presence, in His perfection. There is only hope. He is my hope. “

When I read that it slammed into me, temporarily taking my breath away! What a brilliant way to describe how to keep our eyes on the One who can give us hope beyond where we are. Beyond anything we will encounter in this life. Authors who remind me of God's promises in the pages of their stories are those who I love the most. Not only will they provide an escape from life in printed words, but who satiate our souls with Truth. I found many such lines that deeply touched me and still linger well after I've finished. Wright is now on my automatic-read authors and I will highly endorse her books to others. Her next novels are already on my “must-read-now” list!

Other favorite lines:

“That was why Gabriella was so compelling. Her story had sucked Kaine in. Gabriella was someone who truly grabbed hold of God's hand when life threw curveballs. No. Not even curveballs. Fireballs, really. What life attempted to destroy, God only made stronger. Gabriella's strength reflected her story. “

“Someday I will see His face and all of this will wash away. What will I leave behind? What will my legacy leave? I choose hope. ~Gabriella”

“Gabriella was definitely held at that house against her will, based on what we've read in her writings that we found at the house,” Grant finished. “The amazing thing is, whoever she was, she had faith that could move mountains. She saw hope where most women would see abandonment.”

“See?” Joy poked her fork in Kaine's direction. “Hope isn't a waste of time, sweetie. You've got to cling to those promises, and the Lord will provide the rest.”

*I received a digital copy via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. “

I am not a big fiction reader, especially Christian fiction. I promised my late wife that I would try new things though and there were a lot of positive pre-reviews of this book so I figured "Why not?" Trying new things is definitely overrated and so are positive reviews. The book wasn't the worst I've read but it certainly wasn't worth the time. The dual time mystery of the story was not done well and the modern day character was a real bore. And not being a Christian, by the end of the book, I was definitely rolling my eyes with the way that religion was pushed more and more as the main plot point. The author has a bit of talent since the early 20th century portion was somewhat well-done but not enough to bring me to read another of her books.

This is one of the best dual timeline books that I have ver read! I was equally invested in both stories, which hardly ever happens for me, so the story flew by. I could not put this book down, something new was always happening and kept me glued to the pages. I highly recommend this mystery. I think everyone can enjoy this book since it has both a contemporary and historical story. I can't wait for more books by this author, I have found a new favorite author!

This one was just okay for me. All the elements of a good story were here, but it all moved too slowly. Ivy was easy to like, Kaine was not. There were enough plots in this story for two books. The writing was okay. This isn't one I will remember.

Author - Jaime Jo Wright

Published - 2017

Genre – Historical fiction

This is a novel told over two timelines, connecting two women through Foster Hill House. In the present day Kaine is hoping for a new start by moving to an old house, sight unseen, in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. Two years ago her husband died in a car accident and her pleas for the death to be treated as something more serious fell on deaf ears, since then she's believed that she has been tormented by his killer. When she arrives at the house she finds that it's long-neglected and needs a lot of work, which she is ill-equipped to do on her own. Feeling very fragile she is quickly befriended by a local woman and through her meets a 'knight in shining armour' (who also just happens to be a grief counsellor).

In 1906 Ivy Thorpe is the daughter of the local doctor (who also carries out postmortems) and helps him with the examination of the body of a young woman who has been found dead, her body hidden in the trunk of a tree. Ivy is a bit of an amateur sleuth and is drawn to help in the investigation into the woman's death which becomes more urgent when it's discovered that there may be a missing baby. The two timelines connect when Ivy's search for the baby leads her to the abandoned and menacing Foster Hill House.

The two timelines are told in alternating sections, both with their own mix of tension and conflict. As Kaine's story develops it becomes clear that there is a stronger connection to Ivy's story than just the building she is renovating.

One of the first indications that this wasn't for me was early on when Ivy insists that the unidentified corpse is given a name and she calls her 'Gabriella' on the basis that she was now an angel... And that was probably the first sign that religion was going to be a strong theme in this book (I later saw someone describe it as 'Christian historical and contemporary suspense'). I've no problem reading any genre of book where one or some of the characters have a faith and find it important to them but the religious aspects of this book were much stronger than that. This, combined with some quite predictable turns and character developments made for a disappointing read.

This review was published at All About Romance on March 4, 2018. The review can be found at: https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/the-house-on-foster-hill-by-jamie-jo-wright/

Loved this gentle but riveting mystery! The twining of two lives is brilliant and the characters are believable. You never know the truth until the end. . . unfortunately we deal with this horrific crime today.

The House On Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright is a fabulous Christian historical and contemporary suspense that had me consumed from the start.
Two parallel tales surrounding the old house on Foster Hill have the reader trying to join all the dots. Action is set in present day and 1906. Both leading ladies are recovering from loss. They feel guilty and tormented and need to make peace with God. They have pushed Him away in their pain. "Wishing she had reconciled enough with God to pray."
Hardship will cause us to move away from God or closer to Him. We need to cling to Him, especially when all looks hopeless. "God, please bring me hope." God is the God of hope. When we know Him, we can have hope. "I need to find hope to live again." When we lose hope, we lose the will to live. Sometimes we just need to cling on to God and trust Him in the dark. "I can't see God's light... I believe. In Jesus... but I can't see His promise of a future."
The novel is about roots. We want to find out who we are and where we belong. We want to preserve memories of those who have gone before.
We need to learn to trust God and others. In our hurt and pain, we push others away.
There are crimes and mysteries to solve. The reader is hooked and guessing.
Using women is an age old game. Where there are unscrupulous men, women will be manipulated. It need strong characters to fight for women.
The characters were wonderfully drawn. I loved them all. There were strong women in both time periods who championed the cause of others. A thinking woman in 1906 showed herself to be ahead of her time.
Jaime Jo Wright is a new author to me but I certainly intend to read many more of her books.
I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I highly enjoyed this book! It got off to a slow start. The first 3 to 4 chapters didnt pull me in right away, but once I got used to the back and forth of the modern character and the flashbacks to years before I could not put the book down! There was one point midway through the book when I was laying in bed reading it and I had to keep reading before I could go to sleep because Ivy had just been kidnapped and I knew I could not sleep until I kew she was safe!! My only disapointment with this book is that I wished there was of an epilogue at the end. Once the mystery was revealed I would have liked to know a bit more about ivy and her life and just some details of what transpired right after. I can't wait for jamie jo Wright's next book!!

I LOVED this book! There was so much to the story and it was so well written. I always enjoy stories that are twofold...present day and past...Jaime Jo Wright does it beautifully! I was lucky enough to be on Jaime's early reader team and have found yet another fabulous author to follow. Currently reading her second title in the series and can't wait for the 3rd.

Not my normal genre but I couldn't help but to fall in love with this novel, Kudos to the author for hooking me in.
I found the book to be well written. There was no scramble between the time periods and it wasn't difficult to keep up with like I usually have when reading dual plot lines.

Oh, goodness this is so a 5 star book. I stayed up way too late to finish this book . . . and it has been a LONG time since I have read 250+ pages in one day. This book was just enough suspense, mystery, and romance to capture my little heart.

The story follows Kaine Prescott whose husband was killed two years earlier, whom she thinks was murdered, whom the police think is a little crazy, and has a stalker in San Diego. She buys the old Foster Hill House in Wisconsin, the town her Great-great-grandmother is from, to fulfil her late husband’s bucket list. Because it’s the least she can do. Then enter a new stalker, one who doesn’t want her there and doesn’t want her to have Foster Hill. But she has Grant Jesse, the town’s handsome eligible bachelor/grief counselor who has taken interest not just in her, but in the mystery of Foster Hill House. Not to mention the quirky Joy (whose grandmother knew Kaine’s great-great-grandmother) and her daughter Megan.

Ivy Thorpe was Kaine’s great-great-grandmother who lived in 1906 Oakwood. The daughter of the town doctor and mortician, she journals about the lives of the dead. After her brother died, Ivy had a hard time living, especially after her best friend, Joel, leaves without even saying goodbye. Some even saying she was crazy. With the discovery of a dead girl in a tree on the property of Foster Hill House, Ivy makes it her mission to find the killer, and the girl’s baby. When Ivy herself comes in danger with the killer, Joel makes it very clear why he came home and what it means to be really home.

I obviously really enjoyed this book, otherwise I would not have read over 250+ pages in one day. I could not put it down! Oh, the twists and turns, and mystery of who this girl was, where is her baby, and who keeps following poor Kaine kept me to the very bitter end. I would highly recommend this book to those that like a little mystery, suspense, with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

I received this book from NetGalley, Bethany House publisher, and author Jaime Jo Wright in exchange for my honest review.

I was thrilled when I received this book through NetGalley and I must admit I took much longer to get to it than I originally wanted to. The first half of the book was great but and overall there were aspects of the story I really liked but felt there were too many things happening and the plot lost direction a bit in my opinion. I love the idea of the house holding painful memories and Kaine racing to unravel the mystery of the house and what went on there…
I think this story could have been stronger and less things going on but I will say the setting is atmospheric and there is great character development.
I rated this book three stars.
I obtained a copy of this book through NetGalley from the publishers.
Stephanie M. Hopkins

When I requested this book I thought the author was one I read before, so I was excited to start it. Turns out I remembered a different author. This is Jamie Jo Wright's debut novel, but now I am a super fan. Clean, mysterious, kept me on my toes and wanting more. The storyline wasn't perfect, but it was a story I really enjoyed...although at night was a little tougher just because it could get a little scary. :) I highly recommend this one!

If you've ever made a rash decision out of fear you'll be able to relate to Kaine Prescott. She's experienced a series of events that have led up to her choice to flee to a new start. Her husband recently died and Kaine is convinced he was murdered and the murderer is now stalking her.

Sight unseen she buy a house in her grandfathers hometown. She should have done a little more homework before writing the check. The term money pit it an understatement. The house is in such pitiful shape that she can't even stay there until she does some repairs . . . starting with adding a front door.

Running from her problems doesn't seem to be working. She thinks her husband's killer has followed her and the house itself holds a mystery from the past.

I enjoyed this debut novel from Jaime Jo Wright. It is a romantic suspense so there's a hunky guy involved but that relationship doesn't take anything away from the mystery and intrigue. I loved Kaine's tenacity in the face of mounting adversity. Most women would pack their bags but Kaine put on her big girl panties and faced it. If The House on Foster Hill is any indication of Ms. Wright's skill we're in for a treat with her forthcoming novels.

I recommend this book to anyone that's ever been in over their head with a home improvement project, scared out of their wits by something out of their control, or just plain loves a suspenseful story. This one is a delight with two different storylines that converge into one.

A great mystery spanning between two time periods. Well plotted, great and relatable characters.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into, with the spooky tones, but I really, really loved the mystery that is strewn through the story, parallel in the two time frames as each character (Ivy and Kaine) probes into the mysterious secrets surrounding the deserted Foster Hill house. There are quite a number of creepy passages, melodies from an abandoned house, "ghosts" in the halls...but it's not sensationalized. The focus remains on the house's mysterious past rather than the creepy phenomenons. I liked having an engaging mystery with a touch of the shiver-y to keep it compelling, and I actually enjoyed both timelines equally.

Thanks to the publisher for a free ebook for review.