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06 November 2012

Teresa Mathews Reviews The Yellow Packard by Ace Collins

The Yellow Packard


by Ace Collins
Barbour Publishing, 2012

Reviewed By Teresa Mathews
5 Stars*****

In this winding tale Ace Collins takes us on a strange journey where we find ourselves being driven to read a story of a supposedly cursed yellow Packard.

The year is 1936 and Helen Meeker is a brilliant young lady aspiring to be an FBI agent in the days when women were not allowed in J. Edgar’s men’s club.  So Helen through family connections becomes is an assistant to FDR himself.  While visiting the Packard Manufacturing Plant, Helen watches a bright yellow Packard having the finishing touches added to it, when to her horror she sees the straps that are holding it break and crush one of the workers. If that wasn’t bad enough before the car could make it to the person that special ordered it, it was involved in another accidental death; this is where the rumor gets started of the car being cursed.

Abigail Watling, a sweet elderly philanthanpest bought the beautiful yellow Packard for a song since it seemed no one wanted it after hearing of its history. After a short time of having it she is found dead in her house. Is there more to her death than first thought?

George and Carole Hall have just welcomed their new baby girl Rose into the world. When his car breaks down the night before picking up his girls from the hospital, George visit’s a local auction and he finds a beautiful yellow Packard sitting alone in a corner of the garage where the auction is taking place. Thinking how much he would like to bring his girls home in this beauty, he places a bid on it knowing there is no way he could win. To his surprise he wins! But will the car’s curse follow the Hall family? The day Rose is kidnapped it appears the rumors are true. After the kidnappers take the ransom money and they steal the Packard all without giving Rose back, the Halls are devastated. Will Rose ever be found?

Helen Meeker, who has now been given an experimental position with the FBI, is working with Agent Henry Reese on the kidnapping case of little Rose Hall. During this time there are very few leads as to what happened to Rose but guess what does show up once again? Yes, the infamous yellow Packard, could the rumors really be true, is the car cursed? Or is God using it to uncover another sinister deed long forgotten?

This is the first novel I have read by Ace, it has a good storyline. It has a lot of details that you have to pay close attention to, and a lot of twists and turns, much like sitting in that luxurious Packard, taking some hairpin turns, you know they are coming but you know it’s ok because that’s just part of the ride. It will keep you guessing, just when you think you have figured it out, there’s another hairpin turn! There is also a thread of hope and faith woven throughout the story and all that together makes for an enjoyable read. Great Job Mr. Collins!


*I was given an arc of this by the publisher, Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Giveaway:  Any of of Ace's books in choice of available format. Intenational winners, ebook only.  

Ace's Books Can Be Found At CBD, Amazon and Lifeway and other bookstores. You can also purchase Ace's books at his website www.acecollins.com

30 comments:

  1. Wow, sounds like you need to hold your hat on tight for this ride! Great review Teresa! :)

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  2. Sounds like a mysterious read. Your review makes me want to read the book right away! And I would if I didn't have another book to read for the publisher... Great job on this review, T.!

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  3. NOELA and MARIAN two of my favorite girls! I know you both will like this bbok. Ace is a magnificent writer...I thougth I hadn't read any of his books before until I learned he wrote "Stories Behind the Hymns that Inspire America." Loved that book! :)

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  4. MARIAN and NOELA it's way too early for me...don't you love how I spelled BOOK in my reply to y'all?? LOL! I've been up since 5:15am. Had to go vote this morning! :)

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  5. Great review, Teresa. This book has gotten nothing but accolades since it released! I hope they put it on audiobook!

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  6. I didn't see your spelling error at first, T. :)

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  7. Great review, my gal pal!! This sounds like it would make a really good movie! Hoping for CARRIE'S sake and many others that they put it on audio as well.

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  8. Thanks CARRIE...I hope they put it on Audio too! Everyone should read it or have it read to them. My hubby doesn't like to read but he loves for me to read to him, this might be one I'll do that with.

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  9. MARIAN it helped that I put on my glasses too! LOL Only slept about 3.5 hours before I got up so my eyes were already tired.

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  10. DIANA thanks! It was so exciting it would make a good movie...kinda reminded me of another "killer car" from years ago...except ACE's book is much better. Loved all the twists..kept me on my toes.

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  11. LOL, Teresa ... oh, how I LOVE books that keep us guessing, so this sounds like something I need to read ... uh, as long as there is romance in it, which sounds like there might be.

    On a scale 1-10 ... how much romance because y'all know I gotta have my romance ... ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  12. JULIE YOU LIKE ROMANCE???? LOL!! I've never noticed! hehehe Well this does have a dash of romance thrown in but I would say the focus is more on the history of the car and the various lives that are affected by it. ~Very Suspenseful~
    ~insert the theme from the Twilight Zone here~ :D
    Just when you think it's gone...IT'S BACK!! I have to stop don't want to give anything away! :)

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  13. Thanks so much Julie and I hope each of you enjoys the ride as much as I did when I wrote it. I can honestly say I had never teared up when writing a novel until the end of The Yellow Packard.

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  14. Ace that's so touching. Thanks for following the path God laid out for you...a lot of people have been blessed by it!!

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  15. I have never read an Ace Collins book before. This books looks like its full of suspense. I will have to put this on my list of must reads.
    Katie J. (johnsonk133@yahoo.com)

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  16. KATIE if you love suspense you will love this book. Good Luck in the drawing...you just might win! :)

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  17. Love to win a copy of this book Please !!! Thank you ,Dana "Girl"
    jashbk@earthlink.net

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  18. Enjoyed "Lost Scrolls" by Ace. This one sounds like it has even more twists and turns. Thanks for the review Teresa. Would love to win a copy.
    Sharon
    smoore at tcq dot net

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  19. DANA thanks for stopping by, here's hoping you win a copy. :)

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  20. SHARON I'll have to look that one up..good luck in the drawing.! :)

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  21. This book just keep sounding better and better with each review I read. It's definitely on my "must read" list. I'd love to win a copy.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  22. PAM here's hoping you'll win a copy!! :)

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  23. This sounds like a very interesting story that I would love to read. Please add my name to the contest.

    amccalli(at)gmail(dot)(com)

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  24. SHADOWWOLF we have you entered, good luck in the drawing! :)

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  25. This sounds like a great book and I thank you in advance for the opportunity of the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  26. Two books I would like to read of his! I have not read his books before. Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  27. I love old cars, my husband has 3 Corvairs. I have not read Mr. Collins books before but looking forward to doing so.
    Thanks for entering me in the contest.
    Janet Estridge
    von1janet@gmail.com
    My book of choice would be "The Yellow Packard".

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  28. JO, KATHLEEN & JANET, thanks for dropping by and good luck in the drawing!

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  29. Congrats to GLENDA PARKER FICTION WRITER! You have won your choice of one of ACE'S wonderful books!!

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  30. I would love to win a copy of this book!
    Christy
    discipleofchrist1987@aol.com

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