When the author approached me with the invitation to read her romance book I was quite hesitant. I am not a fan of romance but to my delight the story was not a mushy romance but more of a psychological fiction, a story were the narrative emphasized on the spiritual, emotional and mental life of the main character.
This is a story that encourages dreaming…..
Monica is an unstable individual, looking for love and happiness, not able to get emotional involved for long even married and having a child was not fulfilling. Boy friends in and out of her life although her female friends seemed to last a little longer. The main character tells how she goes about her life, how she feels and what she does. We follow her through different stages of her life. Monica struggles with life and her narrative is filled with emotions. This is very well-done.
At first, it is hard to sympathize with the main character but she slowly creeps up on you….We also have a good mix of supporting characters, each given a broad background and a significant role to play. Some I love and others not so….They do play an important role in the life of Monica. To change the tone the author injected a bit of suspense, two murders and more family drama.
For a good part of the book I really was captivated. I love how Monica pulled me into her dilemma but unfortunately my interest wavered in the last few chapters went the story got a bit preachy and fell into the occult: crystal balls, spiritual dimension, phenomena, magical beliefs, afterlife, transmigration of souls etc….I tuned out from then on. The ending left me with mixed feelings…..Oh well.
This is definitely a chilling thriller and one that kept my attention from start to finish. The story is intensive and I devoured it in no time. What a thrill ride this book offers.
It opens with a bang and then on it never lets up. Mainly told in first person narration and by giving us third person perspective not only Mr. Gross shows us how he is a maestro in balancing different point of views and also how his writing can masterful orchestrates sequenced leaps in time and able to manage revelation and indirection beautifully. I was glued to each page as the suspense mounts and the stakes grow larger and larger.
Now that I piqued your curiosity time to meet the protagonist. Dr. Henry Streadman, a famous Boca Raton plastic surgeon and owner of several pain- management clinics is on his way to a medical conference in Jacksonville FLA. Soon after leaving the airport and on his drive to the hotel he is stopped by a sheriff’s deputy for a minor road infraction. Bullied by the officer who threaten him as a major criminal he flees for his life after gun shots are heard and Henry only sees a dead police officer hunched in his patrol car…….Suddenly he is a wanted man…
Now that you have an idea where this story is heading I will let you read and enjoy it without saying more.
This is a great read that hooks you right from the start and moves at a frenetic pace. The chase is a reminder of that other innocent but hunted doctor in “The Fugitive”. Henry also has help in proving his innocence, Carrie Holmes who works at the Sheriff’s office makes his life on the run easier. But first they have to find who is behind all this and by the end they eventually acknowledge they clearly are dealing with an insane person….
There are lots of players in this game of cat and mouse and lots of chilling twists to entertain us. This plot is not overly complex but is very captivating. Some may say we have a stereotypical nice guy as a protagonist who at time does hilariously stupid moves, but he is very likeable. Carrie is an innocent young woman eager to help an innocent man and get to the bottom of the mystery. The crazy murderer is adamant to dishing out his own justice and finally we have a few insignificant minor players added to the mix.
“15 Seconds” is a spine chilling thriller I enjoyed passing time with.
“Children of the Stars” set in 1942 is the story of Jacob and Moses Stein, two Jewish brothers ages 12 and 8, who cross Nazi-occupied France in the hope of reuniting with their parents. It opens with the boys being caught in a raid and taken to the Vel’d’Hiv velodrome, a repurposed detention camp housing thousands of Jews. They manage to escape and thus begin their life on the run. This is their story.….
This fictional tale highlights the value, courage and decision making of the two children as well as the kindness and humanity amid the perils of the Second World War. Although, the brothers are a figment of the author’s imagination, they represent thousands of children who travel across Europe as refugees during WW11. This is about their journey and the people they meet along the way. Many risked their life to help the boys.
With a simple and poetic style, Mario Escobar leaves small pearls for each chapter that make us reflect on the wonderful and brave people who fight against invaders and help those fleeing by welcoming them at the risk of their own life.
But, this tender and sad story seemed so unreal. The boys are too mature for their ages, they think like adults. Parents abandoning children for a better life in Argentina does not resonate well with me. How can they leave their little ones behind during the Nazi occupation? If so, it must have been heartbreaking for the parents….
Although based on historical facts, this story was unlikely because of the age of the protagonists and the very difficult course they take. This novel reads as if segments of different young lives are played out by these two young boys.
This story is all about hope, heart and faith in humanity.
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
