The Cruise FBI Thriller Series Book #1
This was one of those books lost in a huge pile of books to read that finally got at the top of my reading list…why did I take so long to get to it? This was one spellbinding story I simply couldn’t put down. Although this author has written numerous novels this is my first experience reading her and she is definitely on my radar from now on.
In “Ocean of Fear” we meet Baxter Cruise, a spammer and loner with a six figure income. When he becomes an easy target for blackmail and falls into the hands of a notorious cartel boss wanting his expertise in programming… is life takes a drastic turn for the worst. Murders and mayhem takes center stage and all hell breaks out. Soon we meet FBI agent Claudia Seagal sent to investigate but as she digs deeper all angles points to Baxter. What did he got himself into?.... That is when the excitement begins and this story becomes a nail biting drama.
This story takes numerous of unexpected directions and brings enough geek factors about robotics forward to make not only the story captivating but also interesting. The author did an excellent job with the technical details without over doing it. The narration and dialog are good and each character has a clever voice. Of course we can always fine faults. If any I definitely overlooked them and enjoyed every bit of this fast pace and exciting page turner.
This is one cool adventure I enjoyed passing time with.
Book # 7 in the Arkane series
This story is a novella and stands well on its own. We have a religious aspect to this story but put that aside this is one great storyline. Ms. Penn knows how to bring her readers into the heart of her stories and gives us a thrilling ride with a supernatural edge. Her stories are fast-paced and weave together some ancient secrets, mystical possibilities and globetrotting protagonists beautifully.
We are in New York with Jake Timber back from his convalescence and eager to jump into action. In the Big Apple and assisted with Naomi Locasto they are sent to look into a case of a woman burned to a cross in downtown Manhattan. What follows is an adventure through the Big Apple’s underbelly where the duo face varied situations all more gripping than the previous one. The action is ceaseless and the thrills spellbinding. Ms. Penn excels in combining religious history into a compelling thriller.
This brilliant story is reasonably simple and provides us with a number of different layers giving it depth. At the heart of this story is the need to possess a magic vial, cure-all, a miracle potion sought after by a sick man trying to cure his ailment through the misuse of artifact and by the Arkane agents that want to stop him. Great characterisation as always and a warm narration only Ms. Penn can write.
Installment 7 is another wonderful thriller showing how Ms. Penn’s is a master in religious history and one accomplished storyteller.
Alex Troutt thriller #12
Redemption Thriller #24
I join those saying “Wow, what a way to end a series”.
Mr. Mefford brings to a close his series with all the impact of all the previous books put together. Murders in at least three different cities, how many will die before the killer is caught?
What a thrilling ride and a fitting end to a wonderful series. Ivy, Alex and Ozzie can never get a break and people close to them are being murdered some attacked. The action and suspense never let’s go and I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. They are so many possibilities; it is hard to know who can be trusted even which direction to turn. The story literally sends chills through you….. The full series is one huge emotional rollercoaster and the finale takes it all.
Alex Troutt, Ivy Nash and Ozzie Novak Thrillers are under the same Redemption Series umbrella and through each sub-series these characters appear in the other novels. We become familiar with them as they experience their fair share of murder and carnage. It is nice to know they play a part in each other series.
I am sad to see the end of this series but happy to move onto the Ivy Nash series and see how Mr. Mefford will entertaining me next….definitely expecting once again to be completely enthralled into a heart-pumping action suspense.
Thank you, Mr. Mefford for providing a copy of the 12 books in the Alex Troutt series for my honest opinions. In simple words I loved them all.
Global Search and Rescue #1
Set in the cold and brutal Alaska this odyssey brings a group of ice climbers to Mount Denali, North American highest mountain. Extreme challenge is their way of escape and nature provides the toughest of grounds to satisfy them. Even with all the skills and experience the climbers will need rescuing. The adventure brings together former pararescue jumper Orion Starr and former CIA profiler Jenny Calhoun, the two main characters, to face their demons….
I have mixed feeling about this book. Some parts I loved and others not so much.
Before springing into action and all through its narrative, “The Way of the Brave” bombards us with intricate climbing techniques and the tools needed for a safe excursion. I am not familiar with the sport so the constant jargon became a slight irritant, although in many ways, it is nice to learn something new. Once the adventure gets its needed fuel, the action starts to be much more interesting and seeing the characters belaying and rappelling and falling into crevasses is exciting. Being trap with only hope on their side, the climbers turn to god and we have a good share of praying. I guess most of us would do so if we were stuck between ice walls. To some the Christian content may be frustrating maybe even annoying but I find the author let her characters speak freely with all the emotions the situation imposed on them. This is well-done.
Jenny and Orion are the main characters; we also find secondary ones scaling the mountain alongside them. Ham, Jake, Sasha and Aria play chilling roles in this survival adventure. Of course we have the needed romance but this is subdued, definitely not graphic.
“The Way of the Brave” is a heart pounding novel that sets up a good series.
I received a copy from the Publisher Revell via First Reviewer Program for my thoughts
A saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz
From newly available sources, declassified files and personal diaries, Erik Larson chronicles Winston Churchill’s life during his first year as prime minister and during the London Blitz. This compelling portrait shows in a cinematic way how Churchill taught the British people the art of being fearless. The story is more than a political one it also tells us the domestic drama and the day to day experience of Churchill, his family and his inner circle.
We are taken in a time of unrelenting horror with eloquence. Mr. Larson artfully weaves a tapestry of events, speeches, daily routines and tells us how the Prime Minister was determined in his pursuit to obtain aide from the USA and how it was up to him to hold his country together during Hitler’s relentless bombing campaign. Mr. Larson is definitely a master of narrative non-fiction work.
Although the Battle of Britain has been told many times there are always new discoveries and some omissions. This book ninety-some chapter tackles in depths the experience of the Battle as well as describing Churchill’s eccentric behaviour. For those who are fan of historical events, we learn a bit more, and for the die hard definitely this book is an added bonus.
Whether a non-fiction or historical fiction I love reading war time accounts. Mr. Larson did not disappoint, his vivid details brought the era alive with all the screeching, whistling and hissing sound that bombs do to scare the population and to obliterate everything. With the resiliency of the population and good leadership Britain survived and with the contribution of allies, the Axis defeated. ……..”Never forget”……..
I received the Arc from Crown Publishing via NetGalleys in exchange for an honest review.
An Oliver Steele Thriller
Oliver is a very capable accountant/investigator who works for a rich client this time he is sent to South Africa to trace fifty million stolen dollars by a gang of blackmailers that targets government ministers. His investigation brings him on a lethal path through the streets of Protea City, into the Kruger game reserve and to Dubai.
This thriller works well as a stand-alone so no worry if you pick it up at this point.
Kidnapping, murder and corruption is at the heart of this fast-paced thriller. Mayhem is what propels the narrative forward in a very captivating way. Mr. Tempest is relentless on pacing, vivid description of locales and peppers his storyline with ruthless characters. I love Oliver’s trials and triumphs and Mr. Tempest gives us a truck load of action to follow. His main player is a well-define, a no –nonsense and loveable character. Rebekka Moran plays an important part as his sidekick and follows him down the lethal path where gunmen will stop at nothing.
This tale is quite interesting and very entertaining. It also gives us an insight onto financial crimes and into the mindset of corrupted individuals. What a fast and fun read “Joburg Steele” turned out to be. Smooth sailing from start to finish. I loved it.
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Robert Langdon Book # 4
If you want some kind of escapism you will find it in “Inferno”, Dan Brown’s very modern threat which was inspired on The Divine Comedy (a long Italian narrative poem by Dante Alighieri). This thriller comes with a truckload of information and anecdotes of places. It is also overloaded with history and trivia. In order to enjoy passing time with this story, you will need to leave your beliefs behind and go with the flow. Don’t let the sheer size of the book intimidate you, once into it you may not want to put it aside.
The plot is jam-packed with tricks and opens with Robert, the tweedy symbologist in hospital with a case of amnesia that dulls his showy wits. Then, Mr. Browns begins with his crazily grandiose narrative with Robert’s beautiful doctor pulling him out of bed so they can race relentlessly through the streets of Florence.
The story is a sinister scheme involving overpopulation and a doomsday plot only Mr. Brown can pen. The story itself involves Transhumanism, genetic manipulation and pandemics. The effect is Dante’s nightmare….and a scavenger hunt to save most humans…. “Inferno” is written in a way that your mind makes assumptions about the story and the characters and throughout we are given ample opportunity to guess and judge but of course we are also proven wrong in the next scene.
The principal characters with important roles alongside Robert Langdon are Sienna Brooks, a doctor, who will help him find the virus Zobrist created, Bertrand Zobrist, a genius scientist who is obsessed with Dante’s Inferno, Elizabet Sinskey, the head of WHO, who hires Langdon to find Zobrist virus, the Provost, head of the Consortium, at first helps Zobrist in securing the virus then the WHO to find the deadly weapon and Vayentha, a Consortium agent, which mission is to follow Langdon. There are also more players with clever roles.
“Inferno” is pretty fast- fetched in many ways but if you do not look too close to details you should find this to be an interesting read.
