Book Review: The Catalyst by Sandra Marshall

Title: The Catalyst
Author: Sandra K. Marshall
Publication: March 6, 2009
Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Rating: 5/5 bottles

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Dark revelations and secret love lead to personal resurrection.

Carolyn Madison didn't kill her husband but didn't mourn him either. The rapist deserved to die, or at least she thought so. Beneath a myriad of family secrets, Carolyn drags the skeletons out of the closet and in the arms of her true love, learns to love again.

Walt Tollhouse has pined for Carolyn since she was a shy seventeen-year-old. Little did he know Robert Dubois would steal her away, and then destroy the beautiful spirit he still loved? Beneath the guise of clean-up man, the martial arts instructor never pushes his battered love but gives her silent support she deserves. 

REVIEW:  Carolyn used to be naive and weak. Because of that she lost sight of herself, but not anymore. Now she is taking the family back. When her father died she vowed not to let his company and everything he worked for be lost and now is the time to keep that promise. The first step? Firing Robert Dubois, her ex-husband. Robert Dubois, rapist and thief, has been working in partnership to steal the casino out from under the family in order to sell it off and run away. 

When Robert is murdered before he can run off, everyone seems to be a suspect, including his own family. His ex-wife, son, and daughter all have reasons to despise the man and yet one daughter clings to the hope that her father was a good man and not the monster her family all seem to think he is.

Can Carolyn keep rising above and regaining her strength or will she ever never be able to escape the demons of the past? Walt Tollhouse, a friend of the family's, and also her first love seems to believe she can, but it's all up to her. Keeping her family afloat, falling into love, and finding Robert's killer are all that matters to Carolyn and she will do anything to keep her loved ones safe and bring them together.

Sandra's book is one of suspense, justice, love, and family. With just the right combination of mystery, romance, and family, Sandra captivates her audience. Her characters are well defined and each individual's personality shines through to the reader allowing them to feel the characters emotions. I loved Carolyn's character and the strength and vulnerability she showed throughout the book. The plot is fresh and the suspense keeps you right on edge. 

I enjoyed The Catalyst tremendously and highly recommend it to others.