"The Far Side of the Desert", by Joanne Leedom-Ackerman

What an exciting mystery this story turned out to be. We are talking about terrorist attack- kidnapping and the ultimate vacation gone wrong.

Sisters Samatha and Monte Walters are vacationing in Spain enjoying a festival waiting for their brother’s arrival but their enjoyment was thwarted when terrorist’s attacks rock the city of Santiago de Compostela and the sisters are separated and one of them vanishes....the story will tell us what happens....enjoy.

This thriller is a family and political drama at its best it incorporates into its lines links to terrorism, crime and financial manipulation. Full of energy, the narrative provides all tension needed to keeps us pushing till the end. Not only are we into fast paced actions and intrigues to keep us on our toes as all good thriller should provide but “The Far Side of the Desert” goes far beyond terrorism and political and financial intrigue by giving us a inspiring tale into a family relationship, romantic matters/affairs and even psychological trauma such as rape. Along the way the Walters sisters takes us globetrotting passing time in Washington DC, Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar...and somewhere in the Sahara where we experience some tense moments and disturbing scenes. Some part of this book may be difficult to read but I loved how smoothly the author has incorporated these moments with care. The story alternates between Monte’s treatment as a captive and Samatha’s determined search for her sister.

The plot is well-written and played out by captivating characters. I hope Ms.Leedom-Ackerman plans a spin off and gives her evil character Safir his own story....I don’t believe this ghost (Safir) died by the end....

This is one of the best stories I read this year. Well-said, well-done

Thank you Oceanview Publishing for the opportunity to read this story

"Cold Fear", by Toni Anderson

Cold Justice #4: A Romantic Thriller

Although I read the previous installments I just plainly did not remember any of the main characters, were they come from and what they did previously. Picking up this book was just like any other standalone I put my teeth into; I smoothly fit in with not troubles.

The story in a few words:

ASAC Lincoln Frazer is the heads the BAU at FBI sets out to investigate a murder he is not usual part of but this random act picked his attention something keeps teasing him, this one seems more sinister and he needs to take charge. At the scene Dr. Isadora Campbell (Izzy) walk into Frazer’s life with all her baggage.......awe.....

My thoughts:

Ms. Anderson has set this one against the background of wind and sand dunes and combined her story with chilly lead characters, a rebellious teen, a murderer on the loose and sand dunes hiding a few grim secrets to discover. The plot is adequate and keeps a steady pace till the very last page. As the investigation goes on, Izzy and Frazer find themselves drawn to one another and by the end of the story we are into a hot romance and language that contains strong sexual terms. Of course, the killer is identified and finding out who he was definitely not a mystery to me I had guessed him a long time before the closing page. In whole “Cold Fear” has a good a story that held my attention but the romantic section.... not so much.....Will I read more from this author...definitely.

"The War Nurse", by R.V. Doon

A WW11 Family Saga

Katarina Stahl is an American Red Cross nurse stationed in the Philippines working with her husband Jack Gallagher, a surgeon. Once their medical mission over they set on their way home to the States when they witnessed bombs falling out of planes....now trapped they needed all their wits to survive.... This drama is an epic war stories of two families the Stahl and the Gallagher. One will depict Manilla in all its horrors and the other will brings us to the U.S.A with the internment of German resident aliens and German- American citizens.

My thoughts in a few words:

I have mixed feeling about this story it starts very slow and seems not to take wings even dwindles at one point. I join those saying the story is a bit contrived and style lack spunk, its narrative is somewhat choppy but I overcame this after a while and went with the flow. At one point and finally the story became very interesting and then it had all of my attention. I enjoyed being taken away from the European conflict which I am an avid reader of and step out of my comfort zone to read a story on the other side of the world.

There is a lot of movement In “The War Nurse”, each chapter alternates from Katarina’s story in the Philippine with the Stahl family in the U.S.A. Multiple characters show up for us to track of it is a bit challenging to place everyone and follow them but eventually all will come into place.

This is another glimpse of what war does to people and highlights the remarkable survival instinct human have....

This story may not have been my favourite nevertheless it left me satisfied.

"Murder in Cuba", by Dianna Hartman

A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery book #8

This cute story brings us to a land of classic car, beautiful beaches, salsa music and the best cigar in the world. Putting my thoughts together I swing my hips to the beat of the music now playing in my head...ok. I will cool it. Jack Trout, his friend Mike and their spouses set off on an exploratory trip to a Cuban island. Their dream of fly fishing the saltwater flats was quickly replace when a local constable ask to help to solve the murder of a British fly fishing guide. Jack fast becomes the main suspect...and the investigation starts...

What a different mystery this turned out to be. I love how the wives went about solving this murder, they used all the assets to discover what they wanted and they succeeded at every turn. Everything is so lively from the characters, the food, the music and Cayo (the cat). Cuba in this story is still frozen in time before the embargo on US citizens. On the streets of Cuba are old 50’s American cars, they only serve Cuban beer and local rum , but the food is out of this world and the people are warm, friendly and beautiful. The murder mystery is a soft one no graphic scenes to make us shiver but enough to leave a picture in our mind. The style is a bit stilted at time so is the narrative but in whole this story is quite captivating and I enjoyed passing time with it.

Ok I want a Mojito please

Fly fishing is the reason this group went to Cuba but this mystery gives us a trip to a beautiful place along with its culture and food and is easy to read, entertaining and unpredictable. Well-done.