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    Contingency Plan
    Contingency Plan
    Contingency Plan
    Ebook76 pages2 hours

    Contingency Plan

    By Lou Allin

    3.5/5

    ()

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    About this ebook

    When Sandra Sinclair, recently widowed and the mother of twelve-year-old Jane, meets wealthy lawyer Joe Gillette, he wins her over with his kind and conscientious attitude. Falling in love faster than she ever thought possible, Sandra agrees to marry. But soon after they move into their new home, things begin to change, and Joe's controlling behavior causes her to question her decision. When her new husband becomes seriously abusive, Sandra decides that she and Jane must leave.

    When Joe makes it clear that he will not just let her walk away, Sandra discovers that it's quite likely that he arranged his first wife's death, and that she is now part of his "contingency plan." She soon realizes that even the law is no defense against this meticulous and egotistical man. Fleeing to an old family cabin on a remote lake, mother and daughter prepare to live off the grid. And when Joe tracks them down, Sandra must come up with a contingency plan of her own.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOrca Book Publishers
    Release dateOct 1, 2012
    ISBN9781459801165
    Contingency Plan
    Author

    Lou Allin

    Lou Allin is the author of two series, the Holly Martin Mysteries and the Belle Palmer Mysteries. After teaching for many years at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, she now lives near Sooke on Vancouver Island.

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    Reviews for Contingency Plan

    3.5/5

    10 ratings10 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I have never read a Rapid Read book before so I was curious to see how much detail would be included. It is kind of like reading the Coles/Cliff notes version so you get the storyline but not a lot of detail or character development. I can see the appeal if you need an interesting story to read while riding the bus or waiting at the doctors office but I don't think this type of book is for me. I liked the story but wanted more from it. The story was good. It's about a young widower who meets Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome and within months they are married. He is rich and gives her everything she could ever want but there is something not-quite-right in paradise and soon she is fleeing for her life. It was a little predictable and I must say, little pet-peeve of mine... if the book takes place in Canada and is published by a Canadian publisher, I would expect proper spelling. It is an uncorrect proof so perhaps it will be fixed before publication.
    • 4/5
      Now this is the way to write a Rapid Reads book. The story has characters you can empathize with and care about, there is lots of suspense, and a great ending. Definitely recommended for adult reluctant or beginning readers, but also for anyone who likes an exciting shorter story, well told.
    • 3/5
      Well written and engaging, this book suffered from the Rapid Reads structure- everything wrapped up way to fast and with too little development. Had the book been 2 hundred pages longer, I think it could have been an excellent offering. As it was, I enjoyed the premise but felt like the characters and the plot were just not well developed enough to sink into the story.
    • 4/5
      Not bad at all. Very quick read - kept my interest all the way through. Writing was fine (I probably would have worded things a bit differently, here and there, but...), the premise was good, nice characterization, sound ending. I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to read an early copy of this, and another, "Rapid Reads" book, and I will look for more in my local bookstore. They would make a great stocking stuffer for my book club pals this holiday season.
    • 3/5
      I liked Lou Allin's style of writing; I'd like to see how it plays out in a longer format. While I was intrigued by the "rapid reads" style, I would have loved to delve more into the characters and plot. I felt like I just skimmed the surface of this story.
    • 5/5
      While this was a quick read it was still a very good book. Lou Allin spins a tale of domestic violence that is not only very believable but also very close to the truth of what domestic violence victims go through, the fabulous start to the relationship and the slow descent to total controll and eventual violence. The characters are well developed and you find yourself routing for Sandra to overcome her terror and find away to get out. When she finally does all you can think about is what if he finds her and then he does....
    • 5/5
      Having been in a very bad domestic violence relationship this book was uncomfortable for me to read but only due to my own past experiences. Lou Allin has chillingly captured the manipulative essence of Joe and how a fairy tale beginning can turn into a fairy tale nightmare. This could definitely be a primer for readers who have never had to deal with domestic violence and always wonder about how someone could get involved with an abuser, or for readers who may have a family member involved with a DV abuser. I have to give it five stars for what it can do and, since I am a DV survivor and speak on the topic, I will be passing this along to the groups I work with. Thank you Lou Allin for bringing it so aptly into words.
    • 4/5
      Review based on Advance Reading CopyManipulation. No matter what type, it is all too prevalent. Lou Allin, in this fiction mystery, has described it well. This is a "Rapid Read" book, an entire novel condensed into a book you can read in a day. I've now read several and enjoy them when I have less time to read.I thought the book had a bit of a slow but mesmerizing start which through its gradual build-up emphasized the terror to come. A chance meeting of a wonderfully considerate man after losing the love of her life, Sandra Sinclair finally agrees to going out with him. She wonders if young widows should allow themselves to love again, especially when a child is involved. This man is so incredibly courteous and interacts with her daughter well, too, including her sometimes when they go out, but is he what he seems? This book although fiction, gives a lot of pointers to watch for. The tense build up to horror brings unsettling images to Sandra. Once she realizes what she has become, she fears for her daughter. A flight into terror follows to a sensational ending. I really got into the book as the tension built. Always have a contingency plan, it might save a life or two. A solid thriller well executed.
    • 3/5
      This book is intended for adults who are learning to read, so the vocabulary and sentence structure is somewhat simplified. The plot is very good though and it is definitely an adult book. As a librarian, I know how hard these kind of books are to find...books that are easier to read but still have adult interest. I would definitely recommend this book if that's what you are looking for and based on this book I would recommend the whole Rapid Reads collection.
    • 3/5
      I have never read a Rapid Read book before so I was curious to see how much detail would be included. It is kind of like reading the Coles/Cliff notes version so you get the storyline but not a lot of detail or character development. I can see the appeal if you need an interesting story to read while riding the bus or waiting at the doctors office but I don't think this type of book is for me. I liked the story but wanted more from it. The story was good. It's about a young widower who meets Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome and within months they are married. He is rich and gives her everything she could ever want but there is something not-quite-right in paradise and soon she is fleeing for her life. It was a little predictable and I must say, little pet-peeve of mine... if the book takes place in Canada and is published by a Canadian publisher, I would expect proper spelling. It is an uncorrect proof so perhaps it will be fixed before publication.

    Book preview

    Contingency Plan - Lou Allin

    CONTINGENCY

    PLAN

    LOU ALLIN

    Copyright © 2012 Lou Allin

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced

    or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

    including photocopying, recording or by any information storage

    and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission

    in writing from the publisher.

    Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

    Allin, Lou, 1945-

    Contingency plan [electronic resource] / Lou Allin.

    (Rapid reads)

    Electronic monograph issued in multiple formats.

    Also issued in print format

    ISBN 978-1-4598-0115-8 (PDF).--ISBN 978-1-4598-0116-5 (EPUB)

    1. Readers for new literates. I. Title. II. Series: Rapid reads (Online)

    PS8551.L5564C65 2012             428.6’2             C2012-902564-X

    First published in the United States, 2012

    Library of Congress Control Number: 2012938192

    Summary: Sandra Sinclair realizes she’s made a terrible mistake in

    marrying into an abusive relationship, putting herself and her

    twelve-year-old daughter in grave danger. (RL 3.8)

    Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for

    its publishing programs provided by the following agencies:

    the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and the

    Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia

    through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

    Design by Teresa Bubela

    Cover photography by Getty Images

    Orca Book Publishers

    PO Box 5626, Station B

    Victoria, BC Canada

    V8R 6S4

    Orca Book Publishers

    PO Box 468

    Custer, WA USA

    98240-0468

    www.orcabook.com

    15   14   13   12   •   4   3   2   1

    With many thanks to Carolanne Papoutsis,

    Vancouver Island’s best eagle-eyed reader.

    CONTENTS

    CHAPTER ONE

    CHAPTER TWO

    CHAPTER THREE

    CHAPTER FOUR

    CHAPTER FIVE

    CHAPTER SIX

    CHAPTER SEVEN

    CHAPTER EIGHT

    CHAPTER NINE

    CHAPTER TEN

    CHAPTER ONE

    Nothing attracts attention like a dead whale.

    A dozen people peered at a huge black carcass beached at low tide. Seagulls shrieked and dipped. Andy and I had loved picnicking at Aylard Farm Park. From here we would gaze across the glorious Strait of Juan de Fuca. Only two years ago. It seemed like ten.

    Shortly after retiring early and moving to Vancouver Island, Andy was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Never a complainer, he’d been ignoring the symptoms. Half a year later he was ashes for our climbing red rose. The way he’d suffered, I was glad for his release. Let go, love, I’d said, holding his hand on that last morning. Jane and I will be fine. He squeezed back until my fingers ached. Then he was gone.

    The mighty whale, collapsed under its own weight, lay on the exposed tidal shelf. People were circling, even touching it. One teen was using a sharp rock to cut off pieces of skin. What the hell was wrong with some people?

    I headed back through the bushes to the main path. Why had I thought coming here would cheer me up? Tears blurred my vision. I shoved my chilly hands into my pockets. One foot caught on a gnarly root. I would have gone sprawling, but a hand grabbed my arm.

    Whoa! Watch that first step. It’s a killer, a deep male voice said.

    I’d ripped my tights, nothing worse. Still kneeling awkwardly in the weeds, I looked up at my Good Samaritan. The sun backlit his head like a halo. By his side was a border collie pup that began licking my face. It had a heart-shaped black mark on its white muzzle.

    Scout, watch your manners. Not every lady likes doggy kisses. Up we go, he said, pulling me to my feet. I braced myself against a gigantic Sitka spruce. Anything sprained? Can you stand?

    I cleared my throat, feeling like a fool. Then I noticed a burning, prickly feeling on my hand. Ouch, I said. I shook it to relieve the discomfort. What did I land in? A spindly plant surrounded me.

    Stinging nettle. Let’s see, he said, taking my palm and examining it. Wash it well with soap and water. It’ll only bother you for a day or so. Not like poison ivy.

    Lucky me then, I said. I frowned. Acting crabby in front of a complete stranger.

    My name’s Joe Gillette. There are some moist wipes in my car. I always plan ahead. Coffee too, if you take it black.

    His brown eyes sparkled, honest as a calf ’s. A stranger looking at me like this was a new experience. I felt girlish and shy, despite my age. I’d been married for the last fifteen years. The last time I’d dated before that…one pathetic, forgettable evening with a friend’s brother. All he could talk about was his mother’s pot roast.

    Five different answers raced through my mind. None of them sounded right. An eyebrow arched and Joe looked off at Scout chasing a seagull. If you’re okay, then…

    Sorry, I said, blushing. Coffee would be super. I almost added kind sir. Soon I’d be curtsying. Wet wipes? Did he have a child? Was he divorced? Few people came here alone. The coastal trail was a place for serious hikers, while the park attracted families.

    I followed him to his shiny black X-6 with a 1-LGL-EGL plate (one legal eagle?), parked near my rusty Neon. Given the soothing towelette, I wiped my hand. The prickly sensations eased.

    Feel better? he asked. A corner of his expressive mouth rose.

    I nodded and looked around. There’s a place we can sit.

    At a nearby picnic table, we talked over the excellent Kona coffee he’d had shipped from Hawaii. Joe was a lawyer, he said, working with the elderly. "I’m no hot-shot criminal attorney

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