The
Treasure of Cedar Creek
by
Brenda Stanley
Genre:
Historical Thriller
In
1896, the isolated and vast state of Idaho is a haven for the
polygamous splinter group called The Kingdom of Glory, which is
hiding more than their outlawed practice of plural marriage.
At
the compound called Cedar Creek, the prophet is hoping to increase
his congregation, even if that means marrying off girls to men
decades older. When Peri, who escaped the compound years earlier,
returns to help rescue Grace, a girl betrothed to the prophet
himself, she ends up also saving her own sister Emma. As the three
women make a frantic and deadly escape from the compound, they take
with them both the newborn heir to the church, and their dead
mother’s cryptic journal to the prophet’s hidden treasure. Along
their journey, the women realize to truly be free they must face what
holds them captive, even if those answers are more horrifying than
they ever imagined.
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It was done.
I was now the wife of the prophet and had secured my place on the compound and
in heaven. I would be with my mother again and secure that my children would be
cared for, even if I wasn’t around. These women would accept them as their own
and I would never have to be alone, hungry, or without a place to call home. My
marriage to Uncle Deon made everything in my world secure and stable. It was
right and it was good. That is what I kept repeating in my head like a mantra.
The humble,
gracious demeanor Uncle Deon had always shown changed with our vows. His eyes
were on me every time I looked over at my new husband. I didn’t know how to
respond, so I looked away and tried to push the vision of his lewd stare from
my mind. I was his now and I knew what that meant, but I hadn’t processed the
reality until that moment.
As the rest
of the members of the Kingdom of Glory filed into the chapel to share in our
joy, I tried to smile and accept their kind words and blessings, but I knew as
the time grew closer to the hour we would leave the gathering and I would have
to face him alone and naked in so many ways. I was aware of my role to bear
children and grow our family, but along with my fears of what that meant in our
bedroom, I also feared that my secret would be exposed and he would come to
realize that I was already with child.
When Marty learns that Peri was
once a part of a polygamous group known as The Kingdom of Glory and lived in one
of the compounds in Cedar Creek, the same compound where his sister lives he
enlist Peri’s help to rescue his sister after he finds out that the compound is
not the place he thought it was. Peri escaped from there many years ago with no
plans of ever returning but how can she tell the man she loves no.
Peri returns to the compound to rescue
Grace, Marty’s sister but ends up rescuing another girl from the compound, Emma
her sister as well. When Peri escaped from the compound she wanted Emma to come
with her but for whatever reason Emma chose not to. This hurt Peri very much so she has
been upset and mad at Emma ever since so needless to say Peri and Emma’s reunion
was not a happy one.
The two girls are not the only
ones that Peri helped to escape that night no she had another passenger that
she never counted on and that was the heir to the kingdom so to speak. Unbeknown
to the girls they also had taken another treasure that belongs to the compound. The
people of the compound wanted their treasure and the heir back so they gave
chase to Peri and the girls. These men
will do whatever it takes to get back them back and will run down anyone gets in their way.
The Treasure of Cedar Creek
grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end and even now it
is still lingering on and doesn't seem to want to let go. The Treasure of Cedar
Creek has mystery and suspense around every corner that will keep you glued to
your seat wanting more.
I really enjoyed taking a step
back into the past with Peri, Grace, Emma, Cooper, Sam and Ben. I loved following them
on their adventures and would love to know more about these characters and
where they are going next.
If you like historical books with
lots of suspense and mystery then The Treasure of Cedar Creek is the book for
you. Pick up your copy today!
Brenda
Stanley is a former television news anchor and investigative reporter
for the NBC affiliate in Eastern Idaho. She has been recognized for
her writing by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Hearst Journalism
Awards, The Idaho Press Club and the Society for Professional
Journalists. She is a graduate of Dixie College in St. George, Utah
and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is the mother of 5
children, including two sets of twins. Brenda and her husband Dave, a
veterinarian, live on a small ranch near the Snake River with their
horses and dogs.
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1 comments:
I love reading about great books we had not heard of previously so thank you and also for the great giveaway as well.
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