What I Loved: Wow. Just wow. I didn't know what to expect from a new author or this mysterious house but now that I know, I wish I had time to read it all over again.
I enjoy a good mystery and Wright really pulled it off here. This was one of the best mysteries I had read in a long time. I think what made it work so well was that the mystery was unfolding in two different timelines and yet they interconnected as well. This takes some master plotting and uber creativeness, so Wright gets a standing ovation from me.
But this novel will not be for everyone. As for myself, I prefer mystery without suspense, so the House on Foster Hill was a leave-the-lights-on sort of book. But I loved it. I seriously could not put this book down. There are however some darker tones to the novel. The main character has worked with abused women or victims of sex-trafficking so these subject lines are interspersed throughout the story. As a sensitive reader, I felt that Wright handled the tough subjects well but other sensitive readers may like to know that they will brush up against some of the harder realities of life.
Wright is certainly an author to keep an eye on. I, for one, can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving The House on Foster Hill 5 stars and recommending it those who enjoy Christian Mystery/Suspense and those who enjoy dual timelines.

~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

I am a sucker for stories with creepy old houses so I am a bit dissapointed that I didn't get quite that from the book. It was not a bad story but I didn't really get into it. I felt that there was a lot of untapped potential.
For Christian Fiction (which I only realised after the first third of the book) it deals with a lot of heavy themes in an informed and respectful way. The religious aspect didn't bother me until the end when it not only got heavy but also seemed shoved in, not really fitting. Some characters weren't that fleshed out like Joy or Mr. Mason or Kaine's sister. (Btw, she mentions Danny's mother near the end of the story. Are his parents still alive? Wouldn't they be invested in their daughter-in-law's life?)
I was not into the love stories of both protagonists, they seemed clichéd with the misunderstandings and "coincidences" and the whole "Oh, I want to but I shouldn't".
On a side note, I felt that the author dealt okay with the side character Megan, a young woman with Down-syndrome. I come from a Roman Catholic upbringing, and in that social environment special needs people, especially children tend to be idolised as blessed and innocent. This book leaned towards that view but once even acknowledged Megan as a smart person who doesn't have to be protected 24/7 from the evils of the world, that still knows some things that are going on and can handle that without losing her innocence. So, that's a plus in my opinion.
In short, it was an okay story. I know some customers who would really be into that but it was not for me.

I didn't know that this was a Christian fiction book when I requested this from Netgalley. I thought it was a mystery/thriller and I was sucked in by that beautiful cover. But I was wrong. Surprisingly, up until the end, the Christian aspect of it didn't both me so much. It did get to me in the end though, which I will explain further.

The strength of this novel was the dual POV's from Kaine (loved the name for a girl, by the way!) and Ivy. Kaine's POV took place in the present while Ivy's took place in the 1900s. The entire book centers around a house on Foster Hill and the terrible secrets it holds. The dual POVs told the story of this house, with each POV filling in where the other could not.

This was a slow burn mystery, which I found that I liked. And by slow, I mean slooooooooow. It took it's time, building the stories of Ivy and Kaine and how they are connected to each other and the house on Foster Hill. The slow pace might bother some but I felt it was needed for this particular story. It hooked me into the story and I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen next or what those two would find out.

Kaine and Ivy were both really good characters and I liked reading both of their POVs. Each had so much grief in their heart, which was a prominent theme in this book. Each had to deal with their grief in their own and watching them work through it was hard but I felt really proud of them for trying, nonetheless.

As for the Christian fiction thing, it was fine until the end. Then it started to get a little preachy and almost like it was trying to convert the reader or something. I didn't much care for that but I understood, at the same time, that faith was important to these characters. And that leaning on their faith was helping them to deal with their grief. So I could accept it, even it was slightly annoying.

Overall, this was a real solid book. I really enjoyed the slow burn of the mystery of the Foster Hill house. I liked the two characters, Ivy and Kaine, and the growth that they experienced during the course of the book. If you are into slow burn mysteries with Christian based faith, then this is the book for you.

I enjoy a good mystery. Especially a story that takes me for a ride with a number of twists and turn, throwing me for a loop around every corner. With The House on Foster Hill by author Jamie Jo Wright, I definitely received that. Her story kept me on my toes, which is what I like.
The story is a time-slip novel, which means the novel has a story set in the past and a story set in the present that are connected by something. In this instance, it is the house on Foster Hill. The writing is very descriptive. I had no problem picturing the house with its aging appearance and the abandoned eerie feeling. Wright draws me into the mystery surrounding the dead girl in the tree right away and leaves me mystified alongside Ivy.
The plot is definitely unique. I really enjoyed how Wright uses the house as another character in the story. Because of all the horror that happens in the house, Wright uses the outside appearance to capitalize on the turmoil raging through the characters. While the past story focuses in 1906, the present story takes place today. To be honest, when the story started, the plot moved really slow, and I had a hard time getting into the plot. There many internal dialogues and regrets from the past, but Wright wasn't really showing us any action to move the story along. About fifty-two percent into the story, it became really interesting, and the plot started to move a lot faster and more to my taste. I didn't put the book down and finished it in two hours. I enjoyed the last half of the book better than the first.
The characters were different. Kaine, a broken woman from San Diego, who is trying to move away from her past, but learns to find God in the process wasn't my favorite character of the two. I preferred Ivy, the protective and brave woman from 1906. She didn't take the murder of the woman in the tree sitting down. She was determined to find and uncover the secret of what happened to her. I really liked her.
The House on Foster Hill is an original story with an unpredictable ending. I didn't see the bad guy coming. I was glad. I liked to be surprised sometimes too. Since I didn't catch it, it makes me want to re-read the story and see if I could find the clues that somehow I missed.
Overall, The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright is a unique time slip novel that centers around a timely issue that I didn't know occurred about in the early twentieth century. Wright delivers a fascinating cast of characters and a second half to the book that had me flying through the pages. I think fans of Rachel Hauck's time slip novels might enjoy this book, but if the suspense novel is more your taste, than fans of Lynette Eason and Carrie Stuart Parks might enjoy this novel too.
I received a complimentary copy of The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I was surprised to learn that this is the author’s first novel. It’s a fabulous, suspenseful read. It moves back and forth between Ivy in 1906 and Kaine in the present. Kaine, who is still grieving and struggling with her own mystery, soon becomes embroiled in the mystery of a dead woman from 1906. When crazy things start to happen, it’s hard to know which mystery they might be connected to, or are they one and the same? Both parts of the story are interesting which I think is hard to do.

I loved the action and suspense. The story had a good pace and I found it hard to put down. The twists kept on coming and several caught me off guard. I enjoyed the surprises. The house on Foster Hill that Kaine buys, sight unseen, is a creepy, rundown old home. I could easily picture Kaine and Ivy going through the house. There was one thing revealed in the past that wasn’t discovered in the present that makes me hope there will be more books in the series that will look into that more deeply.

If you like mystery and suspense, this would be a great book to check out. I’d highly recommend it.

If the cover of this book doesn't suck you into this story, you might be crazy. I have been anxiously waiting for this book to release ever since I laid eyes on this cover. I know, I know, you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, however I think a fabulous cover can absolutely help entice a reader into grabbing a book and diving in. Another reason for my anticipation is that I love historical fiction and I love mystery. This book ticks all the boxes for me! A split time novel, full of mystery, suspense and so many chilling scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The actual mystery in this book really had me intrigued, guessing, and turning the pages to find the answers. I do have to say that I preferred Ivy's parts of the book, mainly because I love all things historical fiction. Joel was my fave. The backstory between he and Ivy added depth and aunthenticity to their relationship. The conclusion of the mystery was chilling and shocking, I was more than satisfied! I would definitely reccomend this book if you enjoy historical fiction with suspense or mystery!

So I’ve been trying to figure out what to say in my review of The House on Foster Hill. It’s my first Jaime Jo Wright read and I couldn’t wait to open it. But as soon as I did, I closed it because the mood Jaime Jo Wright creates in THOFH was enough to make me afraid of things that go bump in the night. It’s not that it was scary like Stephen King’s IT. There was just a mood and unease in it all. After all this is a mystery and suspense novel. The hairs on my neck raised at the appropriate times as I slipped back and forth between Ivy and Kaine’s story.

I can’t imagine what Kaine has gone through and my heart ached for her and the despair that cloaked her. And the God moments that shined light into her weary heart inspired a meme or two from me.

All in all, I enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed seeing the courage Ivy possessed in overcoming grief. Now that she forgot about it, but that she could embrace life and live one of her own.

I received a free ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

1906-The body of a young unidentified girl is found placed in the hollow of a tree. Her body is covered in bruises; she appears to have suffered unmentionable abuse prior to being strangled to death. While assisting her father with the body, Ivy Thorpe, realizes that the girl has recently given birth and makes it her goal to find the missing baby. In her search for answers, Ivy places herself in danger from someone who doesn't want her to find answers.

Present day- Outrunning the mysterious death of her husband, Kaine Prescott fleas to Wisconsin. The death was filed as an automobile accident but Kaine believes he was murdered and that she has become his new target. She purchases a house unseen on Foster Hill, the same town that her great- great grandmother Ivy once lived. Upon inspection of the run down dwelling she immediately regrets her decision, especially since it appears the killer has followed her.

A century apart, two women's tales intertwine as mysteries surrounding both of their lives unfold and lead them into danger. Their love and faith will be tested as they discover the secrets of Foster Hill. Although I enjoyed this novel it was hard for me to get into both story lines and relate to the characters. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys both Christian historical and contemporary mystery.

I've read a few books featuring dual timelines and, I've gotta say, The House on Foster Hill is the best by far! With the others, I'd find myself favoring one time period over the other. But not with this book. Both times were immensely compelling. The way they connected was fascinating.

I was completely drawn into this atmospheric tale from the very beginning and was held captive until the end. I was always eager to find out what would happen next. The mystery kept me guessing and I didn't figure it out until the reveal. This story stayed with me even when I wasn't reading it, even invading my dreams. Wright painted such a vivid picture that I could perfectly see the scene and, at times, felt as if I was right in the middle of the story with these characters.

All of the characters came to life. My favorite was probably Ivy. She was an completely unique woman who was ahead of the times and breaking boundaries in 1906 of what was proper for a young lady to do.

The House on Foster Hill was a superbly written mystery. I can't wait to see what Jaime Jo Wright will come up with next! If you're looking for a great, spooky tale, I highly recommend this novel!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

It’s a bit hard to believe that this multi-layered, intricately crafted tale is Jamie Jo Wright’s debut novel. She did a marvelous job of building tension and creating that perfectly eerie atmosphere that a good mystery needs. I found my eyes flitting across the page (against my will!) to see what was coming up—that, to me, is a great sign of a well-written mystery.
And it’s almost like you get two complete novels in one, because of the historical story running alongside and intertwining with Kaine’s story. Bonus! The House on Foster Hill is a terrific read! I’d recommend you pre-order it or grab your copy as soon as it is released on December 5, 2017.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this novel. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

I love discovering new authors and this debut novel from Jaime Jo Wright is just excellent all around!
When I first saw the cover, it drew my eye in and then I read the synopsis and knew I wanted to read it. I was not one bit disappointed. I am eager to read more from Wright now.

Told in dual times, the novel goes between 1906 and the present day. Ivy Thorpe, in 1906, assists her doctor father with his cases and keeps a death journal. Viewed as an oddity by most of the townspeople, Ivy has lost her spark since her brother died 12 years earlier accidentally. Then a murdered young woman is found stuffed in a hollow tree. Ivy is determined that this woman will find justice.

In the present day, Kaine Prescott moves to the town and buys the house on Foster Hill, which has been abandoned for quite some years, is totally creepy and strange things have been reported as going on there. Kaine is trying to leave behind her fears that her husband's accidental death was indeed murder when she leaves San Diego to move to Wisconsin. Then things start happening to her here.

Both Ivy and Kaine are strong women, determined to follow their own path and seek justice for those they love.

The dual story line was not at all confusing. The book was very well written, tight, compelling and completely intriguing. The mystery was top-notch! Jaime Jo Wright has now been added to my list of authors to follow. She knows what she's doing. She has created quite a cast of characters here, not just the main protagonists. She digs deep into their emotions as well, involving the reader in their lives. I had a very difficult time putting this book down. The spiritual theme here is quite moving as well. I am now looking forward to her next book! This one well deserves the 5 allowed stars.

*I was given a preview copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley. My opinion is entirely my own.

This book just didn't grab me. The dual storylines were interesting but the author failed to draw me in to the story, to make me care about the characters. I guess I judge a good book by how well I feel involved and want to keep reading. This one just didn't do it for me.

Riveting! With its dual storyline connected by a single house and the women it touched, Jaime Jo Wright delivers double the suspense, double the romance, and double the reasons to keep turning the pages far into the night. The House on Foster Hill has it all: robust characters, twists I didn’t predict, sky-high stakes, and a strong thread of hope hemming it all together. An outstanding novel from an author to watch.

This book will pull you everywhich way so much buried history.
I was glad it was fiction and not real life. A big change from most of Bethany house books, but not a bad genre to head toward.
I was on heavy meds while recovering from a knee replacement so I won't try to fill in too much of the storyline. The publishers summary will give you a better background than I can now. But well worth the time and dollars to read it. Don't miss this one!
I was provided a promotional ecopy of this book through NetGalley and Bethany House. I was not required to write a review and this did not affect my opinions which are my own.

Wonderful debut work that kept me engaged and interested all the way through

The House on Foster Hill is a great debut novel by Jaime Jo Wright. It has all of the characteristics of a great mystery-- creepiness, murder, abduction, suspense and fear. Another aspect that made this such an interesting novel was the plot of timelines of two women one hundred years apart and tied to each other by family and to the house on Foster Hill in Wisconsin. Both women are drawn to helping others that has put their lives in danger. They have had a tough life and question where God is when the bad things happen.
Ivy Thorpe lost her brother when he fell through the ice on a pond as a teenager. She, Andrew and a friend, Joel Cunningham, who lived in a local orphanage spent a lot of time together. When Joel left town right after, Ivy was left to mourn her loss without her friend. Her life has not been the same since Andrew's death. She helps her father, the local doctor and medical examiner, and keeps a record of his findings and the life of the deceased. When an unknown woman is killed and left in a tree at the abandoned house on Foster Hill, her father determines that she had recently given birth. Ivy gets involved in the investigation trying to find the missing baby and her life is in danger because someone doesn't want her near the house. Joel returns to town to help with the investigation but he finds that Ivy harbors anger for his desertion when Andrew died. He has a strong faith and wants to mend their friendship.
Kaine Prescott has spent her life helping abused women get out of their situations. But the last two years she has been mourning the death of her husband killed in an auto accident that the police believe was caused because he had drugs in his system. He never took drugs and Kaine thinks he was murdered. She feels that someone is stalking her but the police don't see any evidence of that. She needs a new break so she buys a house in the hometown of her grandfather and her great great grandmother, Ivy Thorpe. The house is the house on Foster Hill. She does not realize the connection with Ivy. Unfortunately, it appears that her stalker has followed her. With the help of two new friends in town to keep her safe, she keeps trying to find answers.
Jaime Jo Wright does a great job tying the events of both women together in a surprising and unexpected way. Both women had friends of faith helping them work through their trials. This is a great read and I look forward to reading more by this author. Her storytelling is detailed and strong with realistic characters and an interesting plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time with this book. The main characters are sub par and while Ivy was interesting Kaine was annoying.

This is a Christian Fiction novel, which I didn't know when I started reading it. At first this isn't a big deal, but as the time goes by I honestly expected some sort of divine intervention to help Kaine out. The Christian aspect was forced and the novel could have done without the mention of any faith to be honest.

The sub plots involving romance were dreary and not very compelling, some insta love (or lust). Most of the secondary characters needed top be fleshed out as well.

The mystery and "ghost" story was decent, the writing was very pretty in many instances, like when she's describing the house. I also love a family drama and this book lends in that direction.

The chapters in Ivy's POV were my favorite part, she really cares about the dead people she helps her father with.

It wasn't scary and the best word I can use is mediocre. I'm not sure I would read any more by this author.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you, Jaime Jo Wright, the publisher, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide. A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives--including her own--are lost?

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright is a thrilling read with a fantastic mystery plot weaved throughout. It is exquisitely spooky for a brisk, autumn day and completely captivating enough to read in just one sitting. I quite enjoyed that it was told in dual points of view (between Ivy and Kaine) AND dual timelines (1900s and present day), and I had no trouble keeping up with the changes. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with creepy undertones.

Kaine and Ivy both are trying to learn more about themselves through Foster House! Great characterizations --really interesting people with real problems! The suspense in each century overlap and the reader just had to keep reading! Outstanding book!

Wow! This book has countless mysteries, tons of suspense, some romance, history and much more!

I couldn't believe how much was packed into this book - especially a debut novel! I have to admit I was a little unsure about it since I had heard it was a little darker than I usually read (and it was...) but it was so good. I couldn't stop reading and flew through it because I just had to know the answers to the million questions that came up. And it wasn't like they were easy answers either. I was really impressed with the depth of the historical value in this book. It was clear Wright put in many hours of research to write this well thought out book.

I'd love to tell you who I loved more. Ivy or Kaine but I think that would be impossible. I loved both of their lives in this dual time story. I loved the parallels in their lives as much as I loved their uniqueness. I also loved how in both of their stories I wasn't able to figure everything out. In fact, by the end I think I only figured out one small detail out of the many others.

I have to admit I do like romance in my books or at least some love so I was glad that this book included a little love. I really liked Joel and Grant. I was amazed at the trials that Joel went through but admired him for his perseverance. And i loved Grant's willingness to be there for someone he barely knew. Both had excellent qualities.

In the end what I think I loved most about this book was how it brought to light current day problems that actually started long ago in history but most of us haven't read about. I love how a fiction book can expose terrible atrocities that occurred long ago in the United States that to this day most people don't want to believe ever happened let alone that happen now. It was also a good book for the ramifications of what social workers and counselors deal with everyday. I appreciated that the trials they witness were depicted honestly. I also liked how orphanages were depicted in a less than perfect light. So often in novels they are romanticized and shouldn't be.

I really don't even know how to classify this book! It has elements of historical, contemporary, mystery, suspense, and even a little romance. I truly think it is a novel for everyone! I loved reading a book with so many deep emotional and difficult moments from Bethany House. I love seeing Christian Fiction branch out into deeper and difficult themes. I'm pretty sure that if I read this book again right now I'd discover even more things I loved about it because it had so many layers.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Bethany House. This review is my honest opinion.