I liked the story line on this book. a prima ballerina, plus Olympic hopeful gymnist, and your tough guy police detective. It all blended together good in this murder mystery.

Someone is looking for something that Sophia's mother had and now her mother is dead and Sophia was left for dead. Now police detective Julian must find out what they were after and protect Sophia in the process as she lays fighting for her life in a hospital. The clues are hard to come by, but between Sophia and her protector Julian, they will finally discover what they were after. In the meantime both will discover a growing attraction to each other in the process. This was a very interesting mystery romance story line and I appreciated how the quilt had all the answers in it. ( )

Robin Caroll is an incredibly talented author.

Unfortunately… for me and my tender heart…

I have to admit, the thing that drew me to this book was the cover. I’ve always loved ballet – never had the balance to even try it but I love watching it and my daughter has immense talent but she has decided it is not something she wants to pursue so we just watch.


But the cover will fool you. This is not a sweet little romance.

At least one other reviewer has touted this book as an “easy read” and my reaction to that is “Are you kidding me!”


“Hidden in the Stars” is an intense, terrifying, emotional journey through humanity’s best… and worst.

If you have anywhere near the tender heart that I do, along with being absolutely riveted, the vivid details will have your stomach in knots and your emotions in a blender… on the first page!

Just when you think things can’t possibly get any worse… they do. And then they do again.

And then they do again.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not saying the book is not worth reading. I’m just warning anyone who has a tender heart – to be prepared.


The fact is, as much as the story churned me up, I could not stop reading! I just kept going and going and going!

This certainly speaks to Robin Caroll’s skill and talent as a writer because usually when a book affects me this way, I DON’T keep reading.

So, read it but be prepared for the emotional turmoil and vivid descriptions of Sophia’s memories of the brutal attack that stole her mother and her career from her.

This is certainly not a book I could write. The dedication and hard work that went into her research… And the skill it took to write something with such depth and realism! WOW!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

A Russian Ballerina is found murdered in Arkansas and her gymnast daughter Sophia has been beaten, tortured and is barely alive. Due to her injuries, Sophia is unable to talk, and can’t help detective Julian Frazier find out who did this and why; but he is determined to solve this case. Not just because it’s his job, but because something about Sophia brings out feelings that he thought were long dead.

Sophia’s mother, besides being a Ballerina, also made beautiful quilts, and one of them may hold the key to solving her murder. This mystery romance is Christian fiction from the Quilts of Love Series. I was a little surprised at the violence, not usually seen in this genre that made it read almost like a television detective plot. The characters each have a concealed back story and emotional baggage from their past. I read Hidden in the Stars as a soft bound ARC, but because it’s a short book it would also be great to read on your Kindle. Overall it is a good 4 star story. ( )

Abingdon has a long list of books in their Quilts of Love series featuring various authors and varied genres. I have read and reviewed several, but Robin Caroll’s Hidden in The Stars is my favorite so far. A veteran romantic suspense author, Caroll has written a taut mystery exploring family secrets and lost dreams. A quick read, I recommend Hidden in The Stars to anyone looking for a well-written mystery with the perfect balance of suspense and romance.

Olympic hopeful Sophia Montgomery is the victim of a horrific attack that leaves her mother dead and more questions than answers. Detective Julian Frazier is drawn to the fragile young woman who has had her hopes for the future destroyed. Through dogged police work and meticulous questioning of Sophia, he is determined to solve the case.

Hidden in The Stars has several unique elements — a victim who cannot speak, a story told through recollections and the almost exclusive setting of a hospital room. Sophia’s injuries include a seriously injured throat, and Caroll ingeniously introduces a lip reader to help with her questioning. Under her guidance a clever device becomes a crucial character. Many of the details of the mystery are told through memories and recollections and serve to create a layered story. The use of Sophia’s hospital room creates a safe place to explore the terrifying scenes of the attack. The faith message of trust in God in the midst of the worst trials is presented naturally.

If you are looking for an intriguing mystery with great characters and fresh writing, then Hidden in the Stars is a good bet.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Older teens to adults.

(Thanks to Abingdon and LitFuse for my review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Title: Hidden in the Stars
Author: Robin Caroll
Pages: 224
Year: 2014
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Stars-Quilts-Robin-Caroll/dp/1426773609/ref=sr_1_1?...
When I began reading the book, I felt as if I had been dropped right into the middle of a scene that reached out and grabbed my full attention. Here is a fictional story about a young woman who dedicates her life towards a solitary goal, being on the Olympic gymnastics team. However, when she wakes up, she hears a beeping noise and finds she cannot speak or move.
Now for the detective to get her statement he brings in a professional lip reader who helps tell her experience of a horrible beating. Julian Frazier is the one man who is deeply affected by this case he is assigned to solve with his partner. The further he probes into what occurred, the more the walls around his heart come tumbling down. Does Sophia, the young woman who miraculously survives her injuries, feel the same way about him as he does about her?
All I want to say is that to read this book is to experience a riveting story that seeks to untangle a web fashioned decades ago. I was totally engrossed the further I got into the story. The suspense was palpable and engaging! Without telling you more of the tale, all I can say is that for those who love mystery, suspense, and family secrets hidden in the making of a quilt, this book is for you! Don’t miss reading it, and perhaps you might consider sharing it with a friend or family member.
My rating is 5+ stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )