Silencing Sarah
M.L. Cordle
ISBN: 9780979572135
Resplendence Publishing
Reviewed By Renee Washburn
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Madison
Owens has had her fair share of issues in life, but she's finally come
of age. Playfully referred to by her family as "the prodigal daughter,"
she returns home after an extended venture into the world at-large.
Among other things, she can now add "bestselling author" as a notch on
her belt of accomplishments, and she begins to look homeward for what
she deems her next greatest achievement: moving into the old family
cabin on the outskirts of town, reinvigorating the blissful memories of
her childhood.
Much to her chagrin, though, she soon discovers
that her parents have long ago sold the family land. What's worse:
they've turned it over to none other than the town pariah himself, Will
McGomery, a tragic figure who long ago removed himself from public view
ever since his wife's suicide closely followed the mysterious death of
Sarah, a young woman he was rumored to have been involved with.
Undaunted, Madison approaches Will in order to convince him to return
the land to her; naturally, she feels it's her duty, as she's convinced
that the property is her birthright.
What Madison doesn't
count on, though, is that she and Will will soon begin a dangerous
affair – dangerous because of the warning signs that continue to emerge
the deeper with him she becomes involved. Despite the objections of her
family and various townfolk, Madison can't help succumbing to her
powerful attraction to Will, and she soon finds herself delving deeper
into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of both Sarah
and his wife, which only fuel her curiosity to learn more…
Everyone
knows the infamous saying about curiosity, though, and it may prove to
be just as instrumental in silencing Madison's inquiries as it was
Sarah's…
An engrossing page-turner, Silencing Sarah
is a taut suspense thriller from a seasoned veteran of the genre. In
it, M.L. Cordle seamlessly weaves an eclectic cast of characters
throughout a tapestry of all-encompassing mystery. Devoid of typically
predictable plot twists and faux surprise, Cordle's narrative truly
engages the reader in the unfolding of a suspenseful tale that does not
have to work hard to hold the interest. Superbly crafted, Silencing Sarah
is an even blend of action and exposition sure to keep the reader at
rapt attention until the final page of this fast-paced thriller is
turned. Highly recommended.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: M.L. Cordle (Silencing Sarah)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, M.L. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
M.L. Cordle: I'm so pleased to be here! You may call me Marla. I'm so excited to be able to talk to you about Silencing Sarah.
AR: The title of the book, Silencing Sarah, is actually quite apropos. What inspired you to craft the novel around that particular concept?
MLC: The editor I was working with on this book actually came up with this title on the same evening that my husband did. It was really quite strange that two people who hadn't been corresponding would do this. The publishing house and I agreed that it was serendipitous, and they included this title in the list of other titles that went out to a panel of readers. Needless to say, when the vote came in, Silencing Sarah was the pick. I wasn't surprised. And I do agree that it is very relevant to the actual story.
The concept of the story was actually inspired by the original title I had for the book, which alluded to the gift of prophecy. Although this first title did inspire me with the paranormal elements in the book, I think the title Silencing Sarah better fits the story line. It's funny how a novel can sometimes grow out of a title, and then actually outgrow a title.
AR: Her family refers to her as the "prodigal daughter," but does Madison truly have a wandering spirit?
MLC: I don't think that Madison has a wandering spirit so much as she has a restless heart. She's been betrayed early on in the story by her husband, has a lifetime of hurts that involve her father, and really just wants to find that special place where she feels safe. She thinks she's found that place when she returns to Virginia but, like so many of us discover in life, there is no true safety in this world and something worth having doesn't come free.
AR: Is the air of mystery that surrounds Will McGomery well-earned or deserved?
MLC: I believe the mystery that surrounds Will McGomery is definitely well-earned. Prior to encountering Madison, who inadvertently brings scrutiny upon him, he lived his life in such an ultra private way that he really had no chance of being anything other than a mystery to his Appalachian community. His reclusive lifestyle paired with a past marred with suicide and murder set the stage for great mystery in regard to his character.
AR: Do you personally believe in ghosts? If so, do you believe they have the ability to influence the thoughts and actions of the living?
MLC: Oh, I love this question! Yes, I do believe in ghosts and happen to very much believe that they have the ability to influence the living. If not for three ghosts that actively play a part in my own life, I wouldn't have written Silencing Sarah. I guess that is really why I write about the supernatural; I have first hand experience with it, am not afraid of it, and actually feel I have a calling for bringing awareness of it to others. With that being said, I do believe in God, and my love for writing about this dark, scary, awe-inspiring supernatural world in which we live has roots in my spiritual quest to enlighten others about the very real and present forces of good and evil in our lives.
AR: Authors of mysteries & suspense thrillers sometimes find it difficult not to give away too much of the storyline too soon. Is that a particular challenge for you?
MLC: Oh, yes. That is why my books undergo numerous drafts in which me and my editor(s) do a lot of cutting and restructuring. I do most of this myself before an editor ever sees my work but you wouldn't believe the things that editors do catch that make me go, "How did I not see that?" My biggest challenge remains keeping my characters in character. In suspense, it is so tricky to weave a great story, keep the tension high, and not have at least one character lose his/her mind a little. LOL Meaning I have him or her do something that makes plot development easier but is not true to their nature. I enjoy the challenges though; they make for a better writer.
AR: Is the mystery/suspense thriller genre your favorite? Do you plan to explore other genres as your writing career progresses?
MLC: I'm one of those people who will tell you to never say never, so I can't say for certain if I will or won't delve into other genres. Right now, I will say that I am drawn only to supernatural suspense. However, I don't consider my work a one trick pony. In Stephenie Meyer's debut adult novel, The Host, she dedicates her story to her mother who taught her 'that love is the best part of any story.' I agree with this, and you will find in all my books a love story. I very much enjoy mixing things up in my books because in doing that a writer best imitates the real human experience, and the human experience is what all fiction emulates in one way or another.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publisher, Resplendence Publishing.
MLC: Resplendence Publishing is a boutique publishing house that specializes in Romantic fiction. They also deal in mainstream and nonfiction at this time. Visit them at www.resplendencepublishing.com.
AR: What's next for you?
MLC: My second supernatural suspense, Breach of Trust, has been picked up by Wild Child Publishing and will release a little later this year. I am hard at work on my third supernatural suspense, The Fifth Number, and am continuing to submit my short work to various literary magazines. My poetry and non-fiction can be viewed in three literary journals at this time, with more work to be published this summer in two other magazines.
AR: How can people learn more about your writings and other efforts?
MLC: Well, I googled myself the other day and was shocked how much was out there! LOL I invite readers and writers alike to visit www.mlcordle.com. This is my official website and features the backlist of my newsletters, as well as my artwork, which, believe it or not, reflects everything that I love about the craft of fiction writing: attention to detail, darkness and light, human complexity.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
MLC: If you're thinking about buying Silencing Sarah, thank you! To give you an idea about the books/work I love, the stuff that impacts my writing and inspires me to keep pushing the envelope with my own stories, I'm crazy about Stephen King, M. Night Shyamalan, Sandra Brown, Stephenie Meyer, and Amanda Stevens.
AR: Thanks again, M.L., and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
MLC: The pleasure has been all mine! Thank you for the well wishes.