About the Book
Book: Buried Cold Case Secrets
Author: Sami A. Abrams
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release date: December 28, 2021
Recovering her missing memories…
Could be the key to solving a murder…
Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?
Click HERE to get your copy!
About the Author
More from Sami
What writer doesn’t grow up reading every chance they get? That would be me.
Until my thirties, I hated to read. Then someone told me about Terri Blackstock, and I decided to give her books a try. I was hooked. I guess there’s something to finding the right genre. Romantic Suspense is it for me. Of course, that makes sense. I love CSI, NCIS, and Criminal Minds. Over the years, I have expanded my taste, but there’s just something about suspense that keeps me coming back.
A little over five years ago, I decided to start checking off some of the items on my bucket list. I learned how to rock climb and got my scuba certification, among other things. When I got to the item, writing a novel, I sat down and pounded it out. Check the box; I was done. Wrong. God had other plans and placed some amazing people in my life.
One of those plans was attending MurderCon, a conference for writers where they learn from experts about, you guessed it…murder. Actually, it’s about police procedures, crime scene analysis…the list goes on and on. One of the workshops I attended was with a forensic anthropologist, and the idea for Melanie Hutton and Buried Cold Case Secrets was born.
I loved writing Melanie’s story. She’s a fighter and refuses to let anything stand in her way, including the man, Jason Cooper, who blames her for her best friend’s death. Jason holds on to the past and his hatred toward Melanie, but he soon learns that if he puts aside his assumptions and listens, he’ll discover the truth about the day his sister died. Letting go of his anger and blame is tough for Jason, but when he does, he finds the life he’s always wanted.
I hope you enjoy reading Melanie and Jason’s story as much as I did writing it.
I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my website at samiaabrams.com and sign up for my newsletter.
My Review
Forensic anthropology, and forensics in general, has fascinated me for two decades. It may not be as glamorous as Hollywood would have us believe (it rarely, if ever, is), but using remains to piece together the story of a person’s death and aspects of their life in order to provide some closure seems like a unique calling. I wanted to read this book based on the title and cover alone! One major benefit of the Love Inspired Suspense series is the tacit understanding that the stories will be clean, providing the mysterious and thrilling elements without the profanity and immorality. As this particular story attests, the series does not shy away from the uncomfortable realities of life, but instead presents them through a Christian lens.
A contemporary union of suspense and romance, Buried Cold Case Secrets by debut novelist Sami Abrams offers both to readers from the very first chapter. The pacing is quite intense, with no breaks in the action, and as a result, I had a difficult time putting this one down! Despite the heroine Melanie Hutton’s profession, no foreknowledge of forensic anthropology is necessary; Abrams smoothly works the science into the plot without pulling readers out of the story. Furthermore, Melanie’s plight evokes sympathy for the feelings of rejection she has endured: “Stuck in a town that pitied her, working with a man who hated her, and in pain because someone tried to hurt her—what a mess. Why had God brought her back here? No matter the reason, she trusted Him, but it didn’t mean that it wasn’t hard.” All of us have felt similarly at one time or another, regardless of our backgrounds, and as Abrams demonstrates, God goes with us through it all, promising to never leave or forsake us.
Being a former kidnapping victim and survivor, Melanie has an ongoing conflict between her past and her present that stands in the way of her hope for the future. Buried Cold Case Secrets explores the long-term effects of trauma, a topic that is sadly ever more relevant in today’s secularized society. Detective Jason Cooper, whose sister was Melanie’s best friend and who was kidnapped with her but with a worse outcome, harbors unforgiveness toward Melanie for what happened that day, especially because Melanie claims to have no memory of the details. Abrams uses dissociative amnesia and PTSD to inform the story as Melanie again finds her life in danger. Melanie is forced to acknowledge that “Someone had painted a target on her back, and she was clinging to reality by a thread,” highlighting the psychological impact of unresolved trauma compounded by new attacks. On a lighter note and because she was my favorite minor character, everyone needs a Miss Judith Evans in their lives to boost them into gear and get the wheels turning toward the Lord and His plan!
Sami Abrams has written a solid debut with Buried Cold Case Secrets. The story is intriguing and the rhythm unremitting. I did find Jason annoying in that he continued to make the same mistakes with regard to his approach to situations, to the point that it seemed a bit overdone. Some of the elements could have been more subtle, in my opinion, including the identity of the perpetrator, but I still think that this is a very well-done debut and am truly looking forward to reading more inspirational suspense from this author! Fans of Investigation Discovery, the popular TV series Bones, or the romantic suspense genre will doubtless enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
My rating: 4 stars ♥♥♥♥
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 8
The Avid Reader, January 8
Bigreadersite, January 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9
Bizwings Blog, January 9
Texas Book-aholic, January 10
The Sacred Line, January 10
Inklings and notions, January 11
Labor Not in Vain, January 11
Betti Mace, January 11
For Him and My Family, January 12
For the Love of Literature, January 12
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 13 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, January 13
Lights in a Dark World, January 13
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 14
Elly Gilbert, January 14
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 15
Mary Hake, January 15
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 16
Kayem Reads, January 16
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 17 (Spotlight)
Through the Fire Blogs, January 17
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 18
Britt Reads Fiction, January 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 19
Blogging With Carol, January 19
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 20
Simple Harvest Reads, January 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 21
Pause for Tales, January 21
Blossoms and Blessings, January 21
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Sami is giving away the grand prize package of a book, a coffee mug, a notebook, a pen!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/17198/buried-cold-case-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway
For the Love of Literature 
Pingback: Twin Murder Mix-Up Review and GIVEAWAY! | For the Love of Literature