{Kregel Blog Tour} Refuge On Crescent Hill by Melanie Dobson

Book Description:  This homecoming wasn't what she expected . . .

Jobless, homeless, and broke, Camden Bristow decides to visit the grandmother she hasn't seen in years. But when Camden arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother has passed away, leaving her the 150-year-old mansion on Crescent Hill. The site of her happiest summers as a child, the run-down mansion is now her only refuge.

When Camden finds evidence that she may not be the mansion's only occupant, memories of Grandma Rosalie's bedtime stories about secret passageways and runaway slaves fuel her imagination. What really happened at Crescent Hill? Who can she turn to for answers in this town full of strangers? And what motivates the handsome local Alex Yates to offer his help? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camden uncovers deep family secrets within the mansion's walls that could change her life--and the entire town--forever.

My Review:  Having read only one other book by Melanie Dobson, Love Finds you In Liberty Indiana, I was anxious to read this book.

The read starts out quite normally.  A young woman loses her job, her apartment and has to move on, simply because she has no one or no other place to go.  She decides to go "home" to her grandmother.  She hasn't seen or visited her sweet grandma in 18 years  and now she knows this is where she belongs.

So, off Camden travels to Crescent Hill only to find that her dearly loved grandmother has gone to her heavenly reward.  But Camden finds out that grandma left her the mansion, such as it is, and a letter.  But "weird" things are going on at the house.  On her first night at the house, Camden falls sound asleep only to wake and find that her purse and letter are gone.

And then people are more than a little curious why Camden shows up only a week after her grandmother was buried.  Is Camden a treasure hunter?  Wanting only what her grandmother left behind?

Jake and his grandfather are Camden's close neighbors but why does Jake give Camden the willies? What are Jake and his grandfather really after?

And Alex?  He's so fine!  Camden truly likes Alex and he's willing to help her find out what is happening on Crescent Hill!
There are twists and turns at every corner of this read!  Just when I thought I had the mystery solved, up popped another twist!

This is an absolute WOW read!  It may begin as an ordinary story but as the reader continues on into the read there is mystery mixed with history.  Melanie Dobson weaves a fascinating tale of the underground railroad with a modern day family who has issues.  These issues all seem to stem from the past.  So interesting and believable!  Felt like I was reading a family journal instead of a fictional book.  Loved this read!

*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

About the Author: 

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; andTogether for Good.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Read the first chapter HERE!