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Recommend this book:
The Girl Who Lived
Christopher Greyson
2018 Silver Medal
295 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
In The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson, the protagonist, young Faith Winters, finds herself living in a nightmare once she is released from the mental institution to which she was committed after witnessing a real nightmare many years prior: the bloody murders of her beloved sister, her father and several others who had come to celebrate her birthday in the family cabin in the woods.
Now trying to settle back into an apartment in her home town where it all happened, and where she is regarded as a crazy alcoholic, she just wants her physical body to die: she is already dead inside despite therapy and AA rehab. But she is haunted by the face of the man she believes was the killer. When she spots him in a car, she goes berserk trying to get police and others to believe her but it seems no one does. Strange, inexplicable events start to happen around Faith. Again, her sanity is questioned. She knows she’s right and can’t find anyone to help her. And when she finds someone she thinks she can trust, something they say or do unnerves her. As she runs from one horrid situation to another, and more people get their throats slashed, readers will hold their breaths as, like her, they try to find out who is really terrorizing her and why. The answer comes as a complete shock. If you figure out who hates Faith enough to put her through all this and why, you should write psychological thrillers yourself.
It feels good to read a book that lives up to the promise of its cover, the accuracy of the genre in which one finds it, and delivers what the jacket blurb describes. The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson does all that. What a great read for fans of psychological thrillers. Christopher Greyson is a true master of intricate plotting and suspense-filled events. Realistic dialogue, smooth scene transitions, and interesting characters make The Girl Who Lived a must-read!
In The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson, the protagonist, young Faith Winters, finds herself living in a nightmare once she is released from the mental institution to which she was committed after witnessing a real nightmare many years prior: the bloody murders of her beloved sister, her father and several others who had come to celebrate her birthday in the family cabin in the woods.
Now trying to settle back into an apartment in her home town where it all happened, and where she is regarded as a crazy alcoholic, she just wants her physical body to die: she is already dead inside despite therapy and AA rehab. But she is haunted by the face of the man she believes was the killer. When she spots him in a car, she goes berserk trying to get police and others to believe her but it seems no one does. Strange, inexplicable events start to happen around Faith. Again, her sanity is questioned. She knows she’s right and can’t find anyone to help her. And when she finds someone she thinks she can trust, something they say or do unnerves her. As she runs from one horrid situation to another, and more people get their throats slashed, readers will hold their breaths as, like her, they try to find out who is really terrorizing her and why. The answer comes as a complete shock. If you figure out who hates Faith enough to put her through all this and why, you should write psychological thrillers yourself.
It feels good to read a book that lives up to the promise of its cover, the accuracy of the genre in which one finds it, and delivers what the jacket blurb describes. The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson does all that. What a great read for fans of psychological thrillers. Christopher Greyson is a true master of intricate plotting and suspense-filled events. Realistic dialogue, smooth scene transitions, and interesting characters make The Girl Who Lived a must-read!
Recommend this book:
Broken Circle
A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1
Amy McKinley
2018 Gold Medal
260 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1 is a suspense novel written by Amy McKinley. Liv’s life had been just about perfect, despite the tragic loss of her parents some months before. Her marriage to Alex, a police detective, who was on the verge of running for the Senate with the backing of the right people, was a fairytale affair; their romance still hot and heady, but lately she’d noticed some tension in him, things he seemed to be hiding from her. Liv was, herself, hiding something, something that engendered mixed feelings of excitement and dread. She was pregnant. She knew Alex was against their starting a family at least at this point in time, but it had happened, and she was determined to have this child. When she finally did tell him, Alex was furious, leaving her stunned by the ferocity of his reaction to her news. And while he did manage to get hold of his emotions and seemed willing to embrace their future as a family, Liv couldn’t help but wonder how she’d not seen this darker side of him before. His impromptu decision to take her on their long-postponed honeymoon so she could finally meet his mother was an exciting and unexpected development, but Liv was still cautious after his reaction to her news.
Amy McKinley’s contemporary suspense novel, Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1, is a taut and well-written tale that takes the reader down to Barbados, Venezuela and Colombia as Liv and Alex finally go on their honeymoon. Liv is a fascinating character, whose love of art is a joy to read about. I enjoyed following as she went through the creative process when sculpting, and I particularly appreciated how she grows strong and self-reliant in response to the threats and perils that come her way. It’s a grand contrast from when we first meet her; a woman who seems sheltered, a product of her privileged background. Broken Circle is a steamy novel containing poignant and moving erotic scenes, which may be a bit too intense for readers who prefer sweet romance. That said, McKinley’s plot is suspenseful, and her story is fast-paced and exciting. Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1 is most highly recommended.
Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1 is a suspense novel written by Amy McKinley. Liv’s life had been just about perfect, despite the tragic loss of her parents some months before. Her marriage to Alex, a police detective, who was on the verge of running for the Senate with the backing of the right people, was a fairytale affair; their romance still hot and heady, but lately she’d noticed some tension in him, things he seemed to be hiding from her. Liv was, herself, hiding something, something that engendered mixed feelings of excitement and dread. She was pregnant. She knew Alex was against their starting a family at least at this point in time, but it had happened, and she was determined to have this child. When she finally did tell him, Alex was furious, leaving her stunned by the ferocity of his reaction to her news. And while he did manage to get hold of his emotions and seemed willing to embrace their future as a family, Liv couldn’t help but wonder how she’d not seen this darker side of him before. His impromptu decision to take her on their long-postponed honeymoon so she could finally meet his mother was an exciting and unexpected development, but Liv was still cautious after his reaction to her news.
Amy McKinley’s contemporary suspense novel, Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1, is a taut and well-written tale that takes the reader down to Barbados, Venezuela and Colombia as Liv and Alex finally go on their honeymoon. Liv is a fascinating character, whose love of art is a joy to read about. I enjoyed following as she went through the creative process when sculpting, and I particularly appreciated how she grows strong and self-reliant in response to the threats and perils that come her way. It’s a grand contrast from when we first meet her; a woman who seems sheltered, a product of her privileged background. Broken Circle is a steamy novel containing poignant and moving erotic scenes, which may be a bit too intense for readers who prefer sweet romance. That said, McKinley’s plot is suspenseful, and her story is fast-paced and exciting. Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Moscow Venture
A. K. Celer
2017 Silver Medal
312 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite
In an exciting and highly engaging new read by author A.K. Celer, Moscow Venture is a true thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and obsessively turning the pages from the start all the way through until the very end. Follow the story of John Baran, a man determined to find out the truth behind the death of his best friend. John is convinced he didn't die from a stroke caused by natural causes, but from something much more nefarious. He heads to Moscow to find answers, and gets much more than he bargained for, including espionage, a bio-terror plot, and the middle of hard-line communists' attempt to reverse history, plus the opportunity to save countless American lives and help derail a second Bolshevik revolution. But he'll only be able to do that if he can stay alive. Will he? You'll need to read the book to find out!
I very much enjoyed Moscow Venture. Author A.K. Celer has done an amazing job in creating a real roller coaster of a read, as well as in creating characters that his readers will relate to, connect with, and truly come to care about. If those aren't hallmarks of a great author, I'm not sure what are. Any reader that loves spy thrillers with realistic drama and action adventure should absolutely read this book. I am so pleased to be able to highly recommend Moscow Venture and look forward to reading more from author A.K. Celer as soon as I possibly can!
In an exciting and highly engaging new read by author A.K. Celer, Moscow Venture is a true thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and obsessively turning the pages from the start all the way through until the very end. Follow the story of John Baran, a man determined to find out the truth behind the death of his best friend. John is convinced he didn't die from a stroke caused by natural causes, but from something much more nefarious. He heads to Moscow to find answers, and gets much more than he bargained for, including espionage, a bio-terror plot, and the middle of hard-line communists' attempt to reverse history, plus the opportunity to save countless American lives and help derail a second Bolshevik revolution. But he'll only be able to do that if he can stay alive. Will he? You'll need to read the book to find out!
I very much enjoyed Moscow Venture. Author A.K. Celer has done an amazing job in creating a real roller coaster of a read, as well as in creating characters that his readers will relate to, connect with, and truly come to care about. If those aren't hallmarks of a great author, I'm not sure what are. Any reader that loves spy thrillers with realistic drama and action adventure should absolutely read this book. I am so pleased to be able to highly recommend Moscow Venture and look forward to reading more from author A.K. Celer as soon as I possibly can!
Recommend this book:
Pink Slips
Beth Aldrich
2017 Gold Medal
266 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Pink Slips by Beth Aldrich is a suspense thriller. Betsy is expecting her third child and has suddenly started receiving threatening notes, notes that force her to go back to the past and face memories she would rather forget. Betsy joins forces with her dog, Barney, to help her find out who is behind the notes. When her husband has to go out of town, Betsy must keep her cool as the notes continue and she must keep her sons safe. The only people she trusts are her best friend Misty, her parents and, of course, Barney. Who is the stalker? How do they know so much information about Betsy? Is it the person who changed her life forever with one vile act ten years before? Betsy must stay strong and she must face her fears if she is to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Pink Slips by Beth Aldrich is a gripping tale of suspense. Packed with action, this is a rollercoaster story; once it reaches the top, which is very quick, it is full scream ahead on an unstoppable journey of suspense and terror, a journey that has plenty of twists and unexpected turns in it so that you simply won’t guess the ending until it hits you right in the face. The psychological aspect of this story is incredibly well written; Beth Aldrich will have you gasping in terror, and examining your own mind as you wind your way through this incredibly well-written novel, a masterpiece that is up there with many of the big authors of the day. She has developed the characters so well that you really can identify with them and you feel as though you are living their lives through them, especially the main character, Betsy. I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who wants a gripping read that they simply won’t be able to put down.
Pink Slips by Beth Aldrich is a suspense thriller. Betsy is expecting her third child and has suddenly started receiving threatening notes, notes that force her to go back to the past and face memories she would rather forget. Betsy joins forces with her dog, Barney, to help her find out who is behind the notes. When her husband has to go out of town, Betsy must keep her cool as the notes continue and she must keep her sons safe. The only people she trusts are her best friend Misty, her parents and, of course, Barney. Who is the stalker? How do they know so much information about Betsy? Is it the person who changed her life forever with one vile act ten years before? Betsy must stay strong and she must face her fears if she is to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Pink Slips by Beth Aldrich is a gripping tale of suspense. Packed with action, this is a rollercoaster story; once it reaches the top, which is very quick, it is full scream ahead on an unstoppable journey of suspense and terror, a journey that has plenty of twists and unexpected turns in it so that you simply won’t guess the ending until it hits you right in the face. The psychological aspect of this story is incredibly well written; Beth Aldrich will have you gasping in terror, and examining your own mind as you wind your way through this incredibly well-written novel, a masterpiece that is up there with many of the big authors of the day. She has developed the characters so well that you really can identify with them and you feel as though you are living their lives through them, especially the main character, Betsy. I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who wants a gripping read that they simply won’t be able to put down.
Recommend this book:
Cachibache
Book two of the Director series
Zach Fortier
2017 Bronze Medal
192 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite
Cachibache is the second book in the Director series by Zach Fortier, a quick, suspenseful story that is as entertaining as it is intense, a story with a setting that excites readers as much as the exhilarating plot. After admitting that Camp Baroota has been a failed project, the Director gets back to work, masterminding the creation of Camp Cachibache, strategically located and hidden. But before things get exciting for the camp, a dangerous enemy resurfaces from the Director’s past, the psychotic known as the Wild Card, who is poised for revenge and will stop at nothing to see to it that the Director is completely destroyed. Will Nick Hudson and his accomplice from Camp Baroota, Nõnkos Zia, get their revenge on the Director or could things work out differently? It is interesting to follow these compelling characters as they engage in a powerful conflict, taking readers on a rollercoaster, pulsating ride that will get them emotionally involved and utterly intrigued.
The story starts with Nick, bored and irritated, waiting at the bus stop, and the reader quickly gets an idea of the kind of character he is: sick and unstable. He is a person with zero tolerance for tardiness and the reader already knows that it will be easy to get this character to reveal “his surly personality.” The plot is fast, unpredictable, and readers will be thrilled by the surprises that come as exquisite treats for them. The writing is great, and the balance between dialogue and descriptive prose is measured and masterfully accomplished. Cachibache is a breezy read, the kind of book readers complete in few hours, but one of those rare thrillers whose characters stay in the reader’s mind long after the book is shelved. Zach Fortier may be a master of the genre for he has created a thriller that readers will find hard to put down.
Cachibache is the second book in the Director series by Zach Fortier, a quick, suspenseful story that is as entertaining as it is intense, a story with a setting that excites readers as much as the exhilarating plot. After admitting that Camp Baroota has been a failed project, the Director gets back to work, masterminding the creation of Camp Cachibache, strategically located and hidden. But before things get exciting for the camp, a dangerous enemy resurfaces from the Director’s past, the psychotic known as the Wild Card, who is poised for revenge and will stop at nothing to see to it that the Director is completely destroyed. Will Nick Hudson and his accomplice from Camp Baroota, Nõnkos Zia, get their revenge on the Director or could things work out differently? It is interesting to follow these compelling characters as they engage in a powerful conflict, taking readers on a rollercoaster, pulsating ride that will get them emotionally involved and utterly intrigued.
The story starts with Nick, bored and irritated, waiting at the bus stop, and the reader quickly gets an idea of the kind of character he is: sick and unstable. He is a person with zero tolerance for tardiness and the reader already knows that it will be easy to get this character to reveal “his surly personality.” The plot is fast, unpredictable, and readers will be thrilled by the surprises that come as exquisite treats for them. The writing is great, and the balance between dialogue and descriptive prose is measured and masterfully accomplished. Cachibache is a breezy read, the kind of book readers complete in few hours, but one of those rare thrillers whose characters stay in the reader’s mind long after the book is shelved. Zach Fortier may be a master of the genre for he has created a thriller that readers will find hard to put down.
Recommend this book:
Broken Dolls
Tyrolin Puxty
2017 Honorable Mention
176 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Dinah Roseberry for Readers' Favorite
I loved Broken Dolls by Tyrolin Puxty! I was first drawn by the strange cover; it had a sci fi-ish look, yet an innocence hidden in the form of a partial ballerina—a broken doll. Hmm, I thought. What could this be about? I was very excited to find that the doll was a real doll with a real human part to her. The action went from page to page quickly with a sweet pull, and I had difficulty putting it down. Ella is the heroine in this bizarre treatment of a seemingly nice but unusual “professor” taking care of dolls that were somehow really human. How does that happen? Why does it happen? This can’t be right. It's unfortunate that Ella, with significant memory loss, can’t figure out the mystery, and she’s not sure she wants to know the answers anyway. She only wants to dance and to be unbroken. More and more obstacles (in the way of other dolls and even a human child) come to her home in the unkempt attic, deepening the secrecy that seems to be clouding the truth. Can she be saved? Can any of them escape? Do they even want to? Well, there’s more than meets the eye here—or doll, in this case.
Tyrolin Puxty has a comfortable style of writing that makes you cozy right into the plot from page one and especially connect to the characters. Suddenly, it doesn’t matter that Ella and Lisa are dolls—they are so much more. There are layers and layers of mystery, and I didn’t see the creative outcome arriving. It’s a good one. Broken Dolls can also have a deeper psychological meaning if you care to ponder it once you’re done reading. I didn’t expect that either. I was compelled to learn more about the author and visited her site and read the couple-page offering at the back of the book as a sample for the next doll book. Yay! A next one! You may ask yourself once you’ve completed Puxty’s Broken Dolls what you would do if you found yourself in such a circumstance. Trust me, it won’t be an easy answer. Of course, not everyone can pull off wearing a tutu anyway! An excellent read and the layout of the book is fabulous!
I loved Broken Dolls by Tyrolin Puxty! I was first drawn by the strange cover; it had a sci fi-ish look, yet an innocence hidden in the form of a partial ballerina—a broken doll. Hmm, I thought. What could this be about? I was very excited to find that the doll was a real doll with a real human part to her. The action went from page to page quickly with a sweet pull, and I had difficulty putting it down. Ella is the heroine in this bizarre treatment of a seemingly nice but unusual “professor” taking care of dolls that were somehow really human. How does that happen? Why does it happen? This can’t be right. It's unfortunate that Ella, with significant memory loss, can’t figure out the mystery, and she’s not sure she wants to know the answers anyway. She only wants to dance and to be unbroken. More and more obstacles (in the way of other dolls and even a human child) come to her home in the unkempt attic, deepening the secrecy that seems to be clouding the truth. Can she be saved? Can any of them escape? Do they even want to? Well, there’s more than meets the eye here—or doll, in this case.
Tyrolin Puxty has a comfortable style of writing that makes you cozy right into the plot from page one and especially connect to the characters. Suddenly, it doesn’t matter that Ella and Lisa are dolls—they are so much more. There are layers and layers of mystery, and I didn’t see the creative outcome arriving. It’s a good one. Broken Dolls can also have a deeper psychological meaning if you care to ponder it once you’re done reading. I didn’t expect that either. I was compelled to learn more about the author and visited her site and read the couple-page offering at the back of the book as a sample for the next doll book. Yay! A next one! You may ask yourself once you’ve completed Puxty’s Broken Dolls what you would do if you found yourself in such a circumstance. Trust me, it won’t be an easy answer. Of course, not everyone can pull off wearing a tutu anyway! An excellent read and the layout of the book is fabulous!
Recommend this book:
Pigeon-Blood Red
Thrilogy
Ed Duncan
2017 Finalist
250 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Pigeon-Blood Red by Ed Duncan is a suspenseful and thrilling story of a hit man, Richard Sanders, who receives a simple assignment from his gangster boss to retrieve a necklace of rubies and bring it back to him. It’s a simple job for the likes of Rico, indeed. But things get quickly complicated when he loses the gems to a double-dealing cheater. Now he finds himself pursuing the gambler and his estranged wife through the dirty Chicago streets to Honolulu. Watch as Rico grows to respect the gambler and his wife. But when he finally hits his target, the necklace is nowhere to be found and the worse thing is that the local cops are after him. As time runs out, Rico is faced with a dilemma and his life hangs in the balance. Can he locate the necklace fast enough to avoid a more sinister outcome?
Ed Duncan’s writing is entertaining and readers, especially fans of dark thrillers, will enjoy this. Rico is a well-developed character and the reader will enjoy watching him through sticky situations. The prose is tight and crisp, and it offers vivid descriptions of prolific scenes, intense action, and the characters. The dialogues are created to read naturally and they constitute a great element of entertainment for the reader. Pigeon-Blood Red has its unique twists and surprises and readers will enjoy the pace, which is fast with complex moments. Overall, this was a splendid and an exhilarating ride for me, a novel I’d gladly recommend to anyone looking for an interesting read.
Pigeon-Blood Red by Ed Duncan is a suspenseful and thrilling story of a hit man, Richard Sanders, who receives a simple assignment from his gangster boss to retrieve a necklace of rubies and bring it back to him. It’s a simple job for the likes of Rico, indeed. But things get quickly complicated when he loses the gems to a double-dealing cheater. Now he finds himself pursuing the gambler and his estranged wife through the dirty Chicago streets to Honolulu. Watch as Rico grows to respect the gambler and his wife. But when he finally hits his target, the necklace is nowhere to be found and the worse thing is that the local cops are after him. As time runs out, Rico is faced with a dilemma and his life hangs in the balance. Can he locate the necklace fast enough to avoid a more sinister outcome?
Ed Duncan’s writing is entertaining and readers, especially fans of dark thrillers, will enjoy this. Rico is a well-developed character and the reader will enjoy watching him through sticky situations. The prose is tight and crisp, and it offers vivid descriptions of prolific scenes, intense action, and the characters. The dialogues are created to read naturally and they constitute a great element of entertainment for the reader. Pigeon-Blood Red has its unique twists and surprises and readers will enjoy the pace, which is fast with complex moments. Overall, this was a splendid and an exhilarating ride for me, a novel I’d gladly recommend to anyone looking for an interesting read.
Recommend this book:
 by Jill Amy Rosenblatt is a tale of suspense. Katerina Mills needs to find $14,000 in two weeks, otherwise she will lose everything – her home, her place in school, and the last of her luck. Then she gets an offer she should refuse but can’t. New York is full of rich, privileged men w...){kind=link}
The Fixer
The Naked Man (The Fixer - Katerina Mills Book 1)
Jill Amy Rosenblatt
2017 Finalist
180 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Fixer: The Naked Man (The Fixer - Katerina Mills Book 1) by Jill Amy Rosenblatt is a tale of suspense. Katerina Mills needs to find $14,000 in two weeks, otherwise she will lose everything – her home, her place in school, and the last of her luck. Then she gets an offer she should refuse but can’t. New York is full of rich, privileged men who have problems that need to be fixed. Katerina’s new job is The Fixer, and all she has to do is get the money and fix their problems – easy, right? Her first job is easy, but the next one isn’t. She needs some help and turns to the handsome thief, Alexander Winter. But things aren’t quite so straightforward and Kat is heading for danger. There are no rules for Fixers and, as Kat is about to learn, there is no getting out. Can Katerina escape with her life intact? Can she fix her own problems or is it all about to go very wrong for her?
The Fixer: The Naked Man (The Fixer - Katerina Mills Book 1) by Jill Amy Rosenblatt is a book that I would recommend to anyone who wants a good juicy tale of suspense with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure. This is a fast book, moving at a steady pace with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down. The story is an original idea with a well-written plot, one that has been well developed and, with the addition of the obligatory romance, a winning story. The characters have been written perfectly for the story and the development is such that it is easy to identify with them, to feel as though you know them personally, especially Kat, the main protagonist. This has been written in an incredibly engaging style, hard to put down and with an ending that leads neatly on to the second book in the series.
The Fixer: The Naked Man (The Fixer - Katerina Mills Book 1) by Jill Amy Rosenblatt is a tale of suspense. Katerina Mills needs to find $14,000 in two weeks, otherwise she will lose everything – her home, her place in school, and the last of her luck. Then she gets an offer she should refuse but can’t. New York is full of rich, privileged men who have problems that need to be fixed. Katerina’s new job is The Fixer, and all she has to do is get the money and fix their problems – easy, right? Her first job is easy, but the next one isn’t. She needs some help and turns to the handsome thief, Alexander Winter. But things aren’t quite so straightforward and Kat is heading for danger. There are no rules for Fixers and, as Kat is about to learn, there is no getting out. Can Katerina escape with her life intact? Can she fix her own problems or is it all about to go very wrong for her?
The Fixer: The Naked Man (The Fixer - Katerina Mills Book 1) by Jill Amy Rosenblatt is a book that I would recommend to anyone who wants a good juicy tale of suspense with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure. This is a fast book, moving at a steady pace with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down. The story is an original idea with a well-written plot, one that has been well developed and, with the addition of the obligatory romance, a winning story. The characters have been written perfectly for the story and the development is such that it is easy to identify with them, to feel as though you know them personally, especially Kat, the main protagonist. This has been written in an incredibly engaging style, hard to put down and with an ending that leads neatly on to the second book in the series.
Recommend this book:
Girl Soldier
T.R. Horne
2016 Finalist
304 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Tshombye K. Ware for Readers' Favorite
Girl Soldier by T.R. Horne is a plot driven story about a young girl’s discovery of her parents’ true identity. An unplanned meeting with federal agents sparked an inner curiosity within Rain, only to be squashed when she found out that her parents were agents. After a brief meeting at the CIA headquarters, Rain and her father were informed that her mother had gone missing from duty; no communication whatsoever. A mission to locate her for briefing was under way. Her father’s refusal to get back in the line of duty left a gap — an opportunity for Rain to prove she’s able to perform the required tasks at hand, while holding onto the fact that she’d get to see her mother. After a tug of war with her father, Chief of Staff Christopher Dalton agreed to put Rain through rigorous training to see if she’d pass sniper training. As Rain absorbed everything, one persistent thought pulsated within her - if she could make it through everything, she’d get a chance to see her mother. As of now, it had been ten years since Rain had last seen her.
The author has the art of storytelling in a wonderful tale that I enjoyed thoroughly. I found myself reading past my breaking point because of the gripping plot. The author did a wonderful job of creating the scenes to really pull you into the plot. I loved the format of the story and the descriptions really painted a vivid picture. One thing that jumps right out is the courage of the protagonist as she is compelled by a burning desire. The story is woven with a complex plot that is unpredictable and leaves you with a satisfying ending — a hunt turns into a family rescue mission.
Girl Soldier by T.R. Horne is a plot driven story about a young girl’s discovery of her parents’ true identity. An unplanned meeting with federal agents sparked an inner curiosity within Rain, only to be squashed when she found out that her parents were agents. After a brief meeting at the CIA headquarters, Rain and her father were informed that her mother had gone missing from duty; no communication whatsoever. A mission to locate her for briefing was under way. Her father’s refusal to get back in the line of duty left a gap — an opportunity for Rain to prove she’s able to perform the required tasks at hand, while holding onto the fact that she’d get to see her mother. After a tug of war with her father, Chief of Staff Christopher Dalton agreed to put Rain through rigorous training to see if she’d pass sniper training. As Rain absorbed everything, one persistent thought pulsated within her - if she could make it through everything, she’d get a chance to see her mother. As of now, it had been ten years since Rain had last seen her.
The author has the art of storytelling in a wonderful tale that I enjoyed thoroughly. I found myself reading past my breaking point because of the gripping plot. The author did a wonderful job of creating the scenes to really pull you into the plot. I loved the format of the story and the descriptions really painted a vivid picture. One thing that jumps right out is the courage of the protagonist as she is compelled by a burning desire. The story is woven with a complex plot that is unpredictable and leaves you with a satisfying ending — a hunt turns into a family rescue mission.
Recommend this book:
Captured Lies
Book One of The Caspian Wine Series
Maggie Thom
2016 Finalist
346 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Patricia Day for Readers' Favorite
In Captured Lies: Book One of The Caspian Wine Series written by Maggie Thom, Bailey was successful in her adult life. This was a far cry from her pitiful childhood, which mostly consisted of constantly moving from house to house, town to town. All her memories are of running, hiding, begging, and being fearful. She does not recall too much joy in her younger days, and prefers not to dwell on those painfully difficult memories. Now she has control of her own destiny and success has not been easily attained.
When her mother dies, Bailey’s life is completely turned upside-down and she finds herself under the scrutiny of someone intent on ending her life. Why?Geoffrey and Mr. Lund, as well as Guy, are the obvious protagonists and Bailey is placed in the unenviable position of having to trust one or all, but is that wise? A photograph appears to hold the key to discovering her identity and her elusive past. When she is informed that her real name is Cassidy, it begins an exploration into who she really is, and why her life is filled with secrets. Murderous intent and kidnapping turn her life into a nightmare.
Questions grow and so does the pace of this excellent story. Discovering her mysterious past, and why she grew up under an assumed identity, blow her relatively quiet life into complete disarray and horror. Join Bailey, or is it Cassidy, on her quest to solve the puzzle. You’ll find yourself turning pages quickly to keep up with the race against time. Excellent read. I highly recommend it.
In Captured Lies: Book One of The Caspian Wine Series written by Maggie Thom, Bailey was successful in her adult life. This was a far cry from her pitiful childhood, which mostly consisted of constantly moving from house to house, town to town. All her memories are of running, hiding, begging, and being fearful. She does not recall too much joy in her younger days, and prefers not to dwell on those painfully difficult memories. Now she has control of her own destiny and success has not been easily attained.
When her mother dies, Bailey’s life is completely turned upside-down and she finds herself under the scrutiny of someone intent on ending her life. Why?Geoffrey and Mr. Lund, as well as Guy, are the obvious protagonists and Bailey is placed in the unenviable position of having to trust one or all, but is that wise? A photograph appears to hold the key to discovering her identity and her elusive past. When she is informed that her real name is Cassidy, it begins an exploration into who she really is, and why her life is filled with secrets. Murderous intent and kidnapping turn her life into a nightmare.
Questions grow and so does the pace of this excellent story. Discovering her mysterious past, and why she grew up under an assumed identity, blow her relatively quiet life into complete disarray and horror. Join Bailey, or is it Cassidy, on her quest to solve the puzzle. You’ll find yourself turning pages quickly to keep up with the race against time. Excellent read. I highly recommend it.
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