"Rio", by Ty Patterson

Zeb Carter, book # 13

The story in a few words parts I have copied from the overview.

Zeb and his team are unwinding in Rio during the carnival. Their vacation is upended when the parades are disrupted by a deadly shooting. What was a well-deserved R&R in the most welcoming city in the world turns into a deadly race for survival against the deadliest assassins in the world.

My thoughts:

Although the suspense could have pulled me through the streets of Rio with its beautiful sceneries, this story if there was one lack in depth, apart from endless action and the presence of powerful criminal gangs, Cartels and Bondes and gloom and core with endless shooting, kidnapping and wild action scenes such as leaping from branches and off roof top, we have total nonsense. After 12 thrillers of action packed Zeb Carter and his team doing extraordinary tasks I think enough is enough time to put more efforts into a plot with less action and more diversity and give us a story that won’t be forgotten the moment we reach the last page.

Yes I am harsh in my assessment but I do give the author high marks for the action scenes he knows how to pen them with aplomb and doesn’t hesitate to shock us at every pages. So to be fair I will stay on the fence with this one and hope that the next Zeb carter will be more to my taste.

Some story are meant to please and other not so much.

"Fatal Witness", by Patricia Bradley

Pearl River #2

Hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years Dani Bennett has no recollection of her past. As a child she had witnessed the brutal murder of her parents and has no memory of the incident or her true identity. After receiving a call from Officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs who track her down telling that Mae Richmond, her grandmother, was looking for her. Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the truth.

I like this soft romantic suspense and enjoyed the cold case this story spins and particularly how it teases us to guess the whodunit from the time Dani reaches Pearl Springs till we finally have the answer at the closing page. What a surprise finding out. The characterization is well done and the romance is very clean, no graphic sex. The language is polished and the smooth prose moves along with a steady stroke. Mixed with the suspense and romance is a message of faith as well. Of course why not please animal lovers; we have 2 loveable K9 to entertain us: one a police dog and the other a loveable mutt. Every page is filled with exciting action

Of course my thoughts are only a snippet of the activities going on. The experience is entertaining and passing time with this story enjoyable. It’s a page turner and not a taxing read. Well-said and well-done.

This ARC was provided by Revell via Netgalley

"The Woman", by Kristin Hannah

In Vietnam and in the USA in late 1960s and beyond

In vivid details this drama brings to life aspects rarely discussed of the Vietnam War: The experiences of those brave women who joined the Army Nurse Corps and serve their tours of duty in Vietnam, in the public eyes they were never there and their service to the nation never recognised.

After her brother’s death, Frankie McGrath enlists as an Army nurse and sets off for Vietnam and this turn of events was just the beginning of a roller coaster ride. The first part of the book is set in gore-drenched hospital wards, terrible housing conditions and boozy officer’s clubs. Frankie fast turns into a crack of a surgical nurse and was highly regarded. Inevitable a lone woman among thousands of men Frankie started a platonic romance with a married man but it was not to be and all ended when his helicopter was shut down and he returned in a body bag. Soon her passion brings her into a wild affair with her brother’s best friend. In the background is a war raging and men returning to camp mangled or dying. In the second part Frankie is home where the population is rioting and war vets are spit and yield at. USA is against the war and wants its men back...forget about the women they were never there. Home is not fun, her father is ashamed of her service, her mother is a pill- popping individual and Frankie’s passion brings various love interests.....But most of all Frankie will discover the true value of female friendship and the heartbreak that love can cause....

The is a masterfully constructed story that will trigger memories of the time and place in all its sadness....what were the Americans doing in Vietnam, why were they treated badly on their return and why insist women were never there. Finally in March 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial honored the service members of the US armed forces.

This novel hooked my attention from start to finish. It is well said and the events vividly described. I loved it...

Thank you St- Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC

"Margot"s Secret", by Roberta Kagan

Margot’s Secret book #3

Warning:

Before you pick up this book you need to have read the previous books, “The Secret They Hid” and “An Innocent Child” first to enjoy this one at its fullest. “Margot’s Secret” continues where book #2 finishes and gives us only snippets of what happened previously letting our imagination roam in order to piece things together.

The story in a few words:

Margot, now a fugitive and grieving a lost pregnancy, is hiding both from the Nazis and her own sister who is threatening to expose her as a Jew. She seeks solace with Ben, a Jewish man she has always loved. As the war peaks, the characters face critical choices between love, loyalty and survival.....

My thoughts:

This book was engaging although I found it to be repetitive in many ways. I mostly dislike the abrupt ending that leaves us hanging...so many questions are unanswered.... The story is a real melodrama set during war time with some murders, family squabbles, sexual hanky-panky, and some atrocities. Ok soap opera it is but set this aside and let your imagination be transported into the lives of the well- drawn characters some good, bad and very evil we inevitably cross path with. They do entertain us from the opening sentence telling us from their own perspective what is going on. The pacing is steady and smoothly moves along with no dull moments to let our mind get off the track....

In all, the story appealed to me and I enjoyed the many hours I spent reading it. I almost did not accept the invitation to read this novel from Book Whisperer, the publisher, in retrospect I am happy I did. Thank you.

"A Promise" , by Amelia Martin

Germany:

This historical fiction opens in years leading to WW11 and moves along during the war and some years later. It tells us the story of three friends: Elizabeth, Adam and Hannah who sought comfort in each other as they grew up during these turbulent times. They lives will ever by changed with the rise of Adolf Hitler.

In alternate chapters, the voice of each character brings to life their experience as they try to survive the horrors imposed by the Nazi to the German population. This story is very touching but very predictable I read multiple books from that time so imagining the outcome was easy. Of course it still a difficult read, the story through the characters dabbles in a multitude known evens such as the ocean liner that was denied entry to Central and North America to its Jewish passengers and the organization that took Jewish children to safety as examples, you will find more cringing accounts as the story moves towards its conclusion. Not all outcomes were good, not everyone survived. Years later, some of the survivors found each other and “A Promise” to stay in touch was made. Their friendship will last for ever....

Although this subject is one of my favourite I admit to have struggled staying with it. The writing style and presentation somewhat choppy: short and disjointed paragraphs at time, some even read like a chopping list. It did not flow smoothly and this distracted me. As for the characters Ms. Martin penned them with a solid stroke, they are we well rounded, charismatic and brilliantly represent those who were present during this terrible time. So I can’t say I love this novel but I also can’t say I hated it, so I stand on the fence and will let you enjoy it. Don’t take my words for it judge for yourselves.

My thanks to the publisher Book Whisperer and Netgalley for this ARC

"His Heart of Darkness", by Melinda Woodhall

Frankie Dawson, P.I Mystery book #2

Has Frankie begins his new life in Memphis, he takes a cold case of a young reporter who had vanished decades earlier and soon finds himself at the heart of a serial murder and he needs to take him into custody before he strikes again.

This prolific writer knows how to spins a tale that keeps her reader riveting to the plot. Her stories are well-written, exciting and hard to put down. In this latest we have Frankie discovered a link between his present investigation and past crimes and the disappearance his father many years ago. While he investigates he jumps through hoops to get his answers and while he does that we are kept entertained. Along the way, Frankie crosses paths with FBI task force and the local police and soon rekindles with Peyton, his estranged wife. Josie, his biological daughter plays a good part in this mystery and adds a touch only a teenager can do. The pacing is steady and more intense than some of her books but this only had to the excitement the story provides. I also like the characterization: the players are well defined and have good roles.

In a few words: the plot is solid and entertaining. The action packed and filled with drama, twists and turns...

Well-done as usual.

I received a free copy of this book and I leave a voluntary review, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.