Nicole Baart crafts wholly compelling stories ripe with complex emotion and vivid prose. Her novels, spanning literary to domestic suspense, draw heavily from her personal experiences and life in the Midwest. Baart's work explores themes of adoption, social justice, and bringing people together, infusing her writing with authentic passion and a distinctive voice.
Set against the backdrop of a snowy Christmas Eve, the story explores themes of resilience and hope as Rachel Price reflects on her troubled life. Haunted by an abusive marriage, she finds solace in her daughter, Lily, who represents the possibility of a brighter future. The narrative emphasizes the importance of confronting fears and the transformative power of love, suggesting that it’s never too late to seek a new beginning.
Advance Praise for YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE by Nicole Baart: Tense, emotionally- charged, and at times frightening, You Were Always Mine opened my eyes to the dark side of adoption. With characters that are true to life and a tremendous depth of knowledge into a shocking subject matter, this is Baart's best book yet. Completely engrossing! -Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl Mothers everywhere will recognize and celebrate the fierce, imperfect strength of Jessica Chamberlain as she tries to parent her sons-one birthed and one adopted-in the wake of her estranged husband's death. A startlingly authentic mix of suspense, grief, and family drama, You Were Always Mine reconstructs the pieces of a shattered life to reveal the darkness that destroyed it. You will never look at adoption the same way again. -Mindy Mejia, author of Everything You Want Me To Be and Leave No Trace Rarely, a book comes along that feels like destiny: a certain story that could only be written by a certain author. Nicole Baart rips from the zeitgeist a novel that is heartfelt and honest, told by characters who are forthright and fragile. This twisting tale about the dark side of adoption has all the suspense of a domestic thriller. But Baart digs deeper, reflecting every parent's innermost insecurities and one of modern society's most crucial questions: what is family? -Jo Furniss, author of The Trailing Spouse and All The Little Children Equal parts tear-jerker and page-turner . . . Entwines the heartbreak of a mother's struggle with the urgency of a mystery that won't let her (or you) go. Compelling, heartfelt, and satisfying to the breathless finish. -Jessica Strawser, author of Not That I Could Tell Baart brilliantly weaves mystery into family drama...The clues are left in plain sight, leaving the reader on edge trying to solve the puzzle before it's too late. The conclusion is both sinister, and shocking. This is domestic suspense at its best. -Sandra Block, author of What Happened That Night Original, chilling, and frighteningly realistic. With a mother we adore and children we root for, this sinister and heartbreaking family drama will have you turning pages as fast as you can. Clear your schedule and prepare to be wowed! -Hank Phillippi Ryan, nationally best-selling author of Trust Me
"Juniper Baker had just graduated from high school and was deep in the throes of a summer romance when Cal and Beth Murphy, a childless couple who lived on a neighboring farm, were brutally murdered. When her younger brother became the prime suspect, June's world collapsed and everything she loved that summer fell away. She left, promising never to return to tiny Jericho, Iowa. Until now. Officially, she's back in town to help an ill friend manage the local library. But really, she's returned to repair her relationship with her teenage daughter, who's been raised by Juniper's mother and step-father since birth--and to solve the infamous Murphy murders once and for all"-- Provided by publisher
When her daughter goes missing right before her high school graduation, social media star Charlie, suspected of foul play by their fans, the police and the FBI, realizes the rosy façade they portrayed online hid a dangerous reality as she searches for the daughter she thought she knew.
"When Quinn Cruz receives a cryptic text message from her older sister, Nora, she doesn't think much of it. They haven't seen each other in nearly a year, and their relationship consists mostly of infrequent phone calls and the occasional e-mail. But when a haunted-looking Nora shows up just hours later, a chain reaction is set into motion that will change both of their lives forever. It's a matter of life and death, of family and freedom, and the lengths a woman will go to protect the ones she loves"--Page 4 of cover.
Exploring themes of intimacy and the impact of deception, the narrative delves into the complexities of love and loss. As characters navigate their relationships, they confront the consequences of seemingly harmless lies, ultimately leading to a journey of starting over. This poignant story highlights the fragility of connections and the resilience required to rebuild after heartache.