I rarely blog about the reviews my books have received. This week I received great reviews on both of my books. In fact, as I looked back over the past few months, I realized I have a lot of very good reviews. The reader’s who have read my books have kindly taken the time to tell others what they thought. I would like to return the favor and tell these generous supporters how much I appreciate them.
In addition to posting some of the reviews, I am also offering signed paperback copies of Riddle for $15.00 (US) plus Shipping and Handling payable through PayPal. This offer is good through March 18, 2016. https://www.facebook.com/Riddlenovel/
View From the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale Book Blurb:
This romantic thriller takes a fictional “what if” look at the JFK assassination. Suppose accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald had lived to defend himself. Imagine if 50 years after the assassination someone stepped forward to reveal the truth of what happened that day. What if the assassination was a conspiracy and the impact of those revelations reached into the 21st century? This is the story of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. You’ll never look at your neighbors the same way.
Recent Reviews for View From the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale
5 Stars By Regina on February 27, 2016
A beautiful story of love, loss, and redemption. I loved this story and was hooked right from the beginning. The characters were wonderfully done and the story line was engaging with a thread of suspense woven into it. I would recommend it to anyone.
4 Stars By Xkoqueen on February 18, 2016
View from the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale by Elizabeth Horton-Newton is an alternate-history, romantic, thriller. I know that sounds like a lot to throw into one book, but Newton did it, and she did it well.
View from the Sixth Floor takes place in 2013, the fiftieth anniversary of Kennedy’s death. The story is told in a first-person narrative by recent widow, Oliva Roberts. The tone has a chatty feel like that of a cozy mystery. She becomes obsessed with the idea of traveling to Dallas to learn more about President Kennedy’s assassination. She convinces Bill, her next door neighbor and late husband’s good friend, to accompany her on this road trip (Bill had promised Oliva’s husband he would take care of her after his death, and he is currently her best male friend and confidante.).
Once these two hit the road, the story really takes off! The other thing that takes off is Oliva and Bill’s relationship. They quickly grow from friends to lovers while on the road to Dallas. It was refreshing to read a story about a second- chance-at-love romance between two senior citizens. As their relationship heats up, so does the intrigue when Bill reveals a dark secret about himself. I won’t spoil the read by offering any more details!
I liked how Olivia blossomed from sad, tentative widow into a passionate, plucky, independent woman. What I didn’t like about Olivia was her attitude about spending time with other women. During her weekend away with two girlfriends, it becomes clear that she is one of those women who don’t enjoy the company of other women.
Secondary character, Judy, was a delightful and funny addition to the story. Her role is very small, but I enjoyed this character immensely.
Like a cozy mystery, the plot is slow at the start as the characters are introduced and the story premise is defined, but the pace does pick up. Olivia’s repeated proclamation that she loves Bill regardless of his past made me feel she was desperate for a man in her life.
View from the Sixth Floor is not your typical JKF conspiracy theory story. Newton has tastefully and compassionately written a story that focuses many of the people impacted by the events that took place in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. More romance than mystery or a thriller, View from the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale is creative and well-written. I would recommend it to those who enjoy conspiracy theories, alternative history, mature romance or suspense.
5 Stars By Pygmy Amazon Reviews on February 12, 2016
This book grabbed me and didn’t let go. I was completely immersed into an intriguing plot and interesting characters. The first person narrative was superbly executed. This “what if” fiction surrounding the conspiracy theories about the assassination of JFK. Fifty years after the assassination someone knows what really happened that day and it isn’t what anyone else thinks. Well done! Good plot, good character development and an over all good read. Appropriate for ages 16 plus.
Riddle Book Blurb:
Seven years ago Kort Eriksen went to prison for killing his girlfriend Desiree. Now he’s back in Riddle and some people think he got off easy. Others, including long time friend Norma, think he was railroaded because he’s the only Native American in town. Grace Donahue is running away from her past. Trapped in Riddle until her car is repaired she develops a friendship with Kort. Suddenly accidents are happening and people are dying. Is Kort adding to his list of victims or has someone else taken the reins? As mysteries from the past rise to the surface, more questions will be raised. The suspect file grows as victims fall. Is Desiree’s killer back for more or is someone trying to avenge her death? The riddle of Riddle will be solved, but how many bodies will it take to find the answers?
Recent Reviews for Riddle
5 Stars I wish the late great Alfred Hitchcock could make RIDDLE into a movie! By Mark Fine on February 27, 2016
They say judge a book by its cover. No kidding! The sumptuously designed cover for “Riddle” sucked me right in. And boy, this romantic thriller did not disappoint. In fact it had me truly committed to carve out time in my busy days in order to read it.
From the first page I found myself channeling “The Master of Suspense” himself, Sir Alfred Hitchcock. I’m convinced he would have reveled in the psychological twist and turns, portrayed by the gifted Elizabeth Horton-Newton, in her small town of Riddle she so tellingly created.
I know the fiery sanguine-haired Norma would have delighted the great director (she certainly fascinated me). He also would have appreciated the ratcheting drama of Grace, trapped in Riddle by a car that betrayed her, by breaking down at the least opportune time.
But her car’s betrayal is nothing compared to the questionable justice meted out against Kort. Mr. Erikson had been jailed for the alleged killing of his girlfriend. Or, was he a victim of crude prejudice being the only Native American in bucolic Riddle?
As I read, the layers peeled back page-by-page revealing a narrative as engrossing as anything created by Alfred Hitchcock. I really wish the late great Master of Suspense was still alive, as I would have liked to see Riddle come alive as a quality motion picture. I strongly recommend this book!
4 Stars By Pygmy Amazon Reviews on February 11, 2016
I enjoyed this story. A good mystery/thriller romance. A young man released from prison on parole, a young woman from out of town both stuck in a small town. Mysterious events begin to occur as these two strangers become friends and a romantic relationship develops between them. With a town full of suspicious residents, some who hold grudges makes life difficult for the couple. The plot development was great and most of the characters were developed well enough to be believable. The main characters were easy to sympathize with as they face various trials and obstacles in their lives and relationship. The ending was quite satisfying with a revelation at the end neatly wrapping everything up.
5 Stars By Mrs. Michelle Nora Medhat on January 31, 2016
Riddle is an incredible book and one that should not be missed. When I started reading, it seemed like a superb dramatic romance. But the more I was swallowed into the story, the more I was aware of an undercurrent of something else. Written with sweet charm, Riddle is a story that appears to be a chocolate pudding, but dig deeper and the maggots start to crawl out. Think David Lynch and then some. Mrs Newton has created a literary sleight of hand with stunning deftness. Startling graphic imagery is juxtaposed with cupcake, little town sensibilities. The fatherly owner of the diner, the tough but kind proprietor of the local Inn and the pragmatic but caring garage mechanic, give a light feeling to this story, but don’t be fooled. There’s the town’s bad boy Kort just out of jail for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Is he lying or just misunderstood? The town’s split between supporters of Kort – those who believed him innocent of the heinous crime – and those who’d like to see him six foot under. Unfortunately, his mother falls into the latter team. And amongst it all a girl named Grace arrives. Her car’s broken down, so she stays in Riddle until it’s fixed. Who is she? Why is she running? Does she intend to stay? Questions circle in your mind as you read, and Mrs Newton’s writing holds you captivated with intrigue demanding you read further. Each page furnishes a further titbit of insight into the lives of those players on Riddle’s stage, but no conclusions are forthcoming until the final pages. Don’t try to second guess, just sit back and enjoy the thrilling journey Mrs Newton has crafted for you.
The characters in Riddle are deep and complex. Their intricacies and foibles give way to a multitude of enthralling considerations. However, what makes the book truly stand out is Mrs Newton’s ability to address such big themes as prejudice, revenge, obsession and pride in a way that forces a reappraisal of perspective. The distrust that naturally occurs when meeting those not conforming to a stereotype of our predetermined design, and the faith to find the strength to use our intelligence to observe and interpret instead of accepting and believing the judgement of others. Riddle is a book not to be missed and one that I highly recommend.
5 Stars By Overon January 28, 2016
Riddle is a story based in a small town and the author does an excellent job of adjusting her characters to this setting without making them stereotypical. Although there are difficult subjects such as racism that are dealt with throughout the book, this is overall not a book that is meant to deal with those topics and that are woven into the background more than the forefront of the story. This is most certainly a mystery with some romance and a few adult scenes and the twists the story takes are both enjoyable and slightly scary at the same time. A book worth a read if you’re into mystery and suspense with a bit of flash.
5 Stars By Ronnie on November 24, 2015
I am a lover of mysteries and read them very often. Riddle was different. You THINK you know who killed Desiree very early on. I was convinced. This book has so many twists and turns that your head spins, trying to put all the pieces together. Grace and Kort are likeable characters, meeting at a crossroads in both of their lives. I was on their side from the beginning. Solving this mystery was complicated, and as a reader, it was a very enjoyable challenge. Elizabeth Horton-Newton is a wonderful writer. Her words flow easily, grabbing the reader’s attention from the first page. I couldn’t wait to see what happened, so I just kept reading. I finished the book in two days! I’m still amazed at the outcome of Riddle. Elizabeth, my friend, you amaze me! Keep writing and I’ll keep reading.
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