Tag: Terrorism

BONUS REVIEW: Mistaken Reality by Traci Hunter Abramson

BONUS REVIEW: Mistaken Reality by Traci Hunter Abramson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Covenant Communications in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Hadley had been looking forward to dinner out with her boyfriend, Spencer. But the evening didn’t go at all how she planned.

First it was dinner with Spencer’s boss and a couple work associates. Not very romantic. Then Spencer had gotten all weird. One minute he’s going on about how he wants to spend the rest of his life with Hadley. The next he says he never wants kids and if she disagrees, they should just break up right now. Hadley keeps asking herself, “What just happened?!”

As Hadley stands in the ladies room wiping off her dripping mascara, trying to figure out what to do next, the fire alarm goes off in the restaurant. Then a man barges into the bathroom and says they are evacuating the building. Before his statement really even registers for Hadley, he scoops her up and hustles her out of the building.

Just before it explodes.

FBI agent JD Byers has no idea who planted the bomb, why it was there, or how Hadley fits into his case, but he’s determined to keep her safe while they find answers to all of their questions.

Review

I didn’t realize the Mormon Church had their own publishing group until I stumbled across this book. This came up in my regular research, and I was so intrigued by the premise, I had to track it down to read.  I am so glad I did! This was highly suspenseful and engaging.

It took me a little while to catch on to the different characters in the side stories – the ones aside from Hadley, JD, JD’s partner Noah, and Noah’s wife, Kelsey. I was also distracted by the undercover mission in Abolstan. I had a hard time focusing on the early chapters that focused on that mission, but as the connections between the various threads became more clear, I became more and more engaged.

The mystery and suspense in this is excellent. Once the story was really clipping along, I didn’t put it down until the end.

While this is published by the Mormon Church, there aren’t a ton of faith references in the story – several references to prayer, a special blessing is performed in a scene, and there are references to missions work. I had an awareness of the faith pieces, but they were not a major factor to the story. If you are a fan of suspense stories, check out this author. Her books routinely receive strong reviews.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

REVIEW: Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Maddie and Logan were only ten the night their lives completely changed. One minute they are dressed up and excited for a White House party. The next there are bullets, blood and Secret Service agents.

Before the reality of their experience can sink in, Maddie’s dad, former head of the Secret Service, whisks her off to  Alaska. They live in a remote area in a home that is essentially a shack. She’s homeschooled and trained for the dangers of the wilderness she now calls home. To keep her sanity in this new reality, Maddie writes letters to her best friend, Logan.

Every day.

For two years.

With no response.

When Logan shows up out of the blue six years after the White House party, tall, broad-shouldered and handsome, Maddie’s fury defies expression. He abandoned her when she needed a friend most. But her anger is cut short when they are attacked and Logan is kidnapped right before a big storm moves in. While Maddie would love to wring Logan’s neck herself, she’s going to have to save him from the kidnapper first.

Review

I devoured this book in one sitting. It was too suspenseful – and too fun – to put down. The story was engrossing. Maddie and Logan have great chemistry. The writing is smart and fun (exactly what I have come to expect from Ally Carter).

One of my favorite parts was the letter from young Maddie to Logan that kicked off each chapter. The reader could “hear” how Maddie’s voice changed in the six years from her arrival in Alaska to Logan’s arrival. And that reflected the changes in her personality over that time.

My only complaint was that it ended too soon. I wanted more!! Well, not more suspense because that was tense. But I loved spending time with these characters. Maddie is so sharp and capable. She fits in with so many of my favorite female protagonists.

One of the factors I love most, though, is that I can recommend this to anyone. There’s no foul language or anything else that would make me hesitant to recommend this to middle grade readers ready for something more suspenseful or to teens (and parents) who don’t want the distraction of mature content. One of my former students, who was hit-and-miss with reading when she was younger, has discovered Ally Carter and it has changed her outlook about reading. I love that I can recommend this to her and not have to worry about content that is too mature for her at 11 or 12 years old. Yet the book also stands as a strong, enjoyable story for teens as well on the merits of the plot and outstanding characters. This may be my favorite Ally Carter book yet! I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥