Lynette Eason Presents A Silent Pursuit (High Stakes) - A Love Inspired Suspense

 

“Stop!” The voice shouted behind her, spurring speed to her already-flying feet. Stop? Not if she wanted to live. Rasping breaths escaped Gina Santino’s throat as her bare feet pounded hard sand. She squinted into the inky darkness and her heart drummed in her ears, drowning out the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach. She could almost imagine the breath of her pursuer on the nape of her neck. A hand reaching out to spin her around… Goose bumps puckered her skin, but fear and adrenaline heated her body; sweat beaded her forehead. The waves pulsed beside her as she stayed near the edge of the water, desperate to stay out of reach of the lights along the upper end of the sand. Multicolored lights announcing the fast-approaching Christmas season were strung from the roof of the public beach–access restroom and briefly illuminated part of her path. Long dark hair whipped into her eyes, blinding her as terror threatened to knock the strength from her legs. Her large antique locket bounced against her throat, matching the frantic beat of her pulse beneath it. How had they found her? She’d been so careful. Yes, she’d left her house in a rush, but she’d driven a crazy route that had her arriving at the beach house two hours later than the direct approach would have. And they’d still found her. Her mind cramped at the possibilities as she flung a frantic look over her shoulder. Was that a shadow? Were they still chasing her? Of course they were. Fear-induced adrenaline added wings to her fleeing bare feet. Oh, Mario, I need you! But Mario, her fiancé, was dead. Killed six months ago when a bomb exploded during a routine army training exercise. Or so she’d been told. Who knew what the real story was? And now she was facing the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, without him. Of course, that was the least of her worries right now. Driftwood crowded her path, and she jumped over another fallen piece of debris that had washed in at high tide. Stumbling, she went to one knee, her momentum propelling her into the sand, rolling her over twice before she could push herself back up. Ignoring her screaming, sand-burned knee and oxygen-deprived lungs, she regained her balance, pumping her legs back up to full speed. She couldn’t keep running, not at this pace. But she sure couldn’t slow down. He—they?—would kill her this time. Please, God. Her eyes darted, desperately seeking a hiding place. Shivers danced on her overheated skin as the freezing wind blew. Up ahead, a light flickered. Someone walking toward her? She skidded to a halt, gasping, panting, sucking in much-needed oxygen; her knee throbbing a reminder that she needed to find a place to hide. The light bobbed closer. Friend or foe? Had they surrounded her? Surely they couldn’t have gotten in front of her. But then she wouldn’t have guessed they would have been able to show up on her doorstep either. What do I do, God? What do I do? The safety of her little cottage lay approximately two miles behind her. Thank goodness she’d taken up running every morning for the last year. If not, she’d never have made it this far. The light flickered, then disappeared. A split-second decision had her making a sharp right to trudge through the softer sand. She didn’t even have a cell phone. But the little diner just up the road would have a phone and she could call for help. If she could get there. A gunshot rang out, and Gina flinched when it hit the ground in front of her. A warning shot. That told her one thing. They wanted her alive. And that scared her more than the thought that they might want her dead. She double-timed her struggle through the sand, praying that whoever was chasing her was having the same problems. Finally, her feet hit asphalt. Another gunshot. She cringed, expecting at any moment to feel the pain of a bullet entering her body. She pressed on. She needed a phone. She needed help. Where was Ian?

Ian Masterson pressed his foot to the gas pedal. He’d promised Gina he’d be there at 9:00 p.m. It was now 11:45 p.m. and the darkness pressed in on his windshield like dirt on top of a coffin. She’d called him yesterday and asked him to meet her at the beach house. He didn’t have to ask for directions. Gina’s cousin, Antonio Santino; her late fiancé, Mario Anthony; and he, Ian Masterson, had been the Three Musketeers. Best friends and fellow U.S. Army Rangers—no three men had a tighter friendship. Until Ian moved away. Then Mario had died and Antonio had flown off to Iraq on a mission. Ian was home for the moment and would be until Gina’s troubles were resolved. But he’d been held up on the way to meet her. He’d had to request emergency personal leave to get out of a last-minute assignment in Pakistan. Fortunately, a buddy with another unit had volunteered to go in his place. Ian owed him big time. Only now he was almost three hours later than he’d said he’d be, and Gina wasn’t answering her phone. He didn’t like the thoughts crowding his mind. Punching her speed dial button one more time, he offered up a prayer on her behalf. Her voice mail clicked on again. He hung up and clenched his teeth. What were you working on, Mario, that’s put Gina in danger? She hadn’t told him much when she’d called yesterday morning asking him to meet her. Just that some men had tried to kill her when she’d walked in on them tearing her house apart in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Now, she’d fled to the coast and trouble had followed her. His gut clenched as he pictured her face. Dark hair, with upturned black eyes that hinted at Asian ancestry somewhere back in the Italian family line. He clearly remembered those eyes, which hid her innermost thoughts but could flash with compassion or laughter at the drop of a hat. The next-to-the-last time he’d seen her had been about eight months ago, when he’d stopped in to see his old commanding officer and had overheard her in the hallway. She’d been moaning about losing weight so she could fit into the wedding dress she wanted. She hadn’t known he was there. He’d left as quietly as he’d arrived. The last time he’d seen her had been at Mario’s funeral. She’d lost the weight. Ian’s fingers clenched the steering wheel. His molars ground together as he remembered Gina’s devastation at the funeral. He’d gone to her and offered her a hug, but her stares were like daggers cutting through him, the accusation clear in her liquid-chocolate eyes. She might as well have shouted the words, “If you’d been here, he wouldn’t have died.” But she didn’t, just hunched her shoulders against her grief and walked away. And caused Ian a fresh bout of crippling pain. Ian had envied Mario for a long time but finally had given up fighting his feelings and had requested a transfer to a different base so he wouldn’t run into the two of them together. Not Not that he begrudged his friend’s happiness; Ian just had a hard time controlling the ache in his heart every time he saw Gina’s smile. The way she tilted her head to the left when she really listened to what you were saying. Or the way she pulled her hair back into a long ponytail that revealed her slender neck. He’d watched her pulse beat there one time and had to leave the restaurant they were in because of his overwhelming feelings for her. He’d done the unthinkable. He’d fallen in love with a committed woman. His best friend’s future wife.

~~~

While I was reading this book by an author I had never read, I began to enjoy how the writer pulled her faith into the book--a book that was very violent... I began to think about the fact that I love this type of good versus evil book, where at least 99% of the time result in the good guys winning. Yay! At first I thought about asking for a book interview, but then found that I found and could share several already available. Even if no book would compare, in storyline, to another...

So, as you have already read above, I share the first scenes in the book... In a few words, Gina Santino is running for her life and she has no idea why. The only conclusion she can make is that it has something to do with her fiancée Mario who had recently died while on the job. In a training accident, supposedly, which Gina has a hard time believing giving his job...

But she had done exactly what Mario had told her to do if something happened to him and she herself got into trouble, she was to call Ian... The thing is that Ian had earlier left their unit of Rangers suddenly and it seemed that everybody was upset that he had abandoned all of them, including Mario. Gina found it hard to trust Ian since nobody had known why he had suddenly transferred. The only thing Gina could do is trust in what Mario had wanted her to do... And Ian, when she had called, said he would immediately come.

Albeit later than he'd said--and Gina was literally on the run!

It had started when she came home and found that her home had been broken into. She had seen a little of what had happened, called the police and immediately left. This will be happening over and over throughout the book, with Ian catching up and immediately taking over to plan how to deal with keeping Gina safe while at the same time working to discover what was happening--and why?

The author takes the opportunity to quickly alert her readers just how bad things are when Ian takes Gina to one of his friends, a judge, who has built an extreme security-controlled home, together with escape methods... And, yes, whoever the group who was chasing Gina, found them and were forced to go on the run again...

Ian started by calling only one of his former friends in the earlier ranger unit, who, with hesitation, did then agree to provide him needed equipment, such an encrypted cell phone, so he could begin to ensure at least a layer of security cover immediately. But even before Ian had left the unit, for purely personal integrity reasons, there has been rumors of a possible mole in the unit... But, thankfully, Gina's family could also offer some assistance, once Ian and Gina had talked about how to keep her family safe, while she continued to be on the run... Finally, Gina called her brother, an FBI Agent and his wife, a homicide detective! 

So, at this point it is appropriate to spotlight that the suspense is kept tight, because of the skill of the writer in creating excellent characters in both good and bad guy roles that simply cannot be assumed to be what will be later discovered... There were a few hints that help me foresee the "possible" who and what will happening...which I appreciated, LOL...

Now, I had to admire how the writer took her faith into account as to how Gina and Ian would be able to work closely and yet hold true to the emotional feelings of each that had resulted in the choice Ian made to break from his unit... In fact, I don't think I've seen another writer do this minute-by-minute thoughtful decisions made by each as two people, both afraid for their lives, are able to... still... come... to... trust! That goes especially for Gina, who still felt a major loss with the death of her fiancée...

I loved it and highly recommend...

GABixlerReviews

A Heartwarming Christian Romantic Suspense Novel From T. E. Killian...

 

God has a plan for each of us, and those plans tend to overlap quite a bit sometimes. But the problem is, what’s good for one person may not be good for the next person. See what I mean?” Hunter only nodded. “Well then, does Karrie seem to be permanently damaged by being away from you?” Hunter frowned and thought about that for a moment before shaking his head. “But now you and Karrie are together and maybe even for the long haul this time. Do you see how God has prepared each of you for this very time?” Hunter’s mind was suddenly on overload. He stood and walked around his desk. “Enough! I appreciate you two coming over here and helping but right now, I’ve got to get somewhere alone so I can let loose and empty my mind. But I promise you I’ll think about all the things you’ve told me, just later. Okay?”

~

They entered the foyer of the church and, after greeting Pastor Howell, who met them at the door, Sabrina stood off to the side so she could watch for Hunter. She sure hoped she wouldn’t have to wait long. Already, people were giving her strange looks. Finally, about five minutes later, she saw Hunter’s truck pull into the parking lot. But he didn’t get out right away. Was he going to leave now without even coming in? She was trying to decide if she should go out there or not when his door opened and he stepped out. At first, he just stood there, looking toward the entrance. Then he started walking toward it, but very slowly. Again, she wondered if she should go out to meet him or not. That was when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Pastor Howell standing there. “He has to do this completely on his own, Sabrina. It’s the only way it’ll work for him.” When she gave him an incredulous look, he chuckled. “I’ve known Hunter for twenty years. He’ll always follow through with what he says he’ll do.” He held up a hand with the palm up to her. “That is as long as no one else interferes with those plans.” He smiled and added. “Just be patient and all of your plans will come about too.” Before she could react in any way to that bomb, he walked to the other end of the foyer just as Hunter stood hesitating on the other side of the door...

~

So, he took a deep breath and stepped past Karrie, out into the aisle. That first step forward was the hardest step he’d ever taken. He’d jumped out of airplanes in the Army and that first step that took him out into the open air had been a scary one, but this one at least rivaled that one. He had only taken one step when he felt movement to his left and looked down to see Karrie at his side, grinning up at him. She mouthed, “Me too!” They took another step, then he felt movement on his right, and there was Sabrina, also grinning up at him. Wow! When they made it up to the preacher, who seemed to know what was going on, Hunter looked at Sabrina and she gave him a sheepish grin. He knew then she must have told the preacher ahead of time. Well, that was good. Maybe this way he wouldn’t have to do so much explaining to the preacher. The preacher held out both hands to Karrie, who took them, and he talked softly to her for a moment, then turned to Hunter. “Are you coming up here to proclaim that you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior Hunter?” Hunter could barely manage a choked ‘yes’ past his clogged throat. He couldn’t take his eyes off his little girl who was so grown up now. The preacher prayed quietly with all of them, then turned his mic back on to address the church. “Brothers and sisters, I would like to introduce to you a new brother and sister in Christ. I’m sure most of you know Hunter Billingsley, our chief of police, but you may not know his daughter Karrie, who has recently come to live with him.” After that, the preacher told everyone about him and Sabrina getting married, then he prayed again, and the service was over. But just as he thought he could breathe a sigh of relief, the whole church descended upon them. Hunter was glad that Sabrina had prepared him for this. The first ones to make it to Hunter were Ryan and Chase, and they were both grinning and pounding him on the back. Finally, it was over and the whole group was sitting down to dinner at Ryan and Candy’s house. As usual, the teenagers were all eating in the living room, leaving the dining room for the adults. Hunter looked around that table and couldn’t keep the grin off his face. Just a year ago, the three men, no make that four men at the table, were all single and planning to stay that way. Now, even Pete and his office manager, Beverly, had just announced a few minutes ago that they were getting married, too. He had quickly looked at Sabrina’s face and knew that she had already known. Her face was simply beaming with joy.

~~~

When someone decides to hear about Jesus and his possible role in their lives, many are as confused about it as was Hunter Billingsley, the police chief of Clear Creek. He was a good man and had been in the position for twenty years. In fact, he had come to Clear Creek to join the police force. Only to have his wife soon take his daughter and leave, divorcing him at some point. It was a difficult time because his ex-wife refused to allow Hunter to have much interaction with his daughter. And, he learned later, that she had filled Karrie's mind with lies about her father, telling her that he had not wanted either of them...

Hunter was in the midst of stopping a bank robbery and dealing with the aftermath while at the local library, a young girl, obviously in distress, came in looking around... Sabrina, the head librarian came and talked with her, taking her into her private office. At that time, she wouldn't say her name and Sabrina quietly talked with her, asking if she was hungry and then providing for her needs. Ultimately, she was to learn that Karrie was Hunter's daughter.

Sabrina had had a few squabbles with Hunter over the years, but she really had never had the chance to get to know him. She could tell, however, that Karrie was not ready to be turned over to her father, even if he was the sheriff. Actually Hunter was relieved. Although he had been thinking more and more about Karrie, he had known that his ex-wife had placed many obstacles between he and Karrie. Surely, he needed to learn more before he could even start to interact with a young teen who he barely knew... 

Sabrina is an interesting character, one that readers will find, little by little, to be an extraordinary woman. She had never married, at 41, and had thought she was content with her life, until her two best friends had both married within a short period of time. It was through those events that Sabrina had gotten to know a little about Hunter, since the two men her best friends married were best friends of Hunter...

Karrie had remember Sabrina from the short time she had been in Clear Creek when she was little. She agreed to go home to stay with her, at least until she could deal with her past and possible future. When her mother's newest husband started touching Karrie inappropriately, she knew she had to leave. On the other hand, from what her mother had told of her father, he was mean and would likely not be willing to have her stay. But she had no place else to go. She had hitchhiked 300 miles and Sabrina knew she needed time to just relax and start to feel better. It was quite some time before she was able to tell Sabrina about what her stepfather had done...

When she did, she was so upset that she called Hunter who then made calls to his lawyer to start action for him to have custody, immediately.

While the family drama is moving forward, Hunter is threatened with a rock thrown through his window with a message "You Will Die..." Hunter had chills going down his back, wondering who and why somebody wanted him dead... Suddenly there was an important reason for Karrie to continue to stay with Sabrina--to ensure her safety... But even that didn't stop the villain as the next rock was thrown where Sabrina and her father, along with Karrie, worked to restore Mustangs. Now Hunter's women were being targeted!

The majority of the book relates to the developing relationships among Hunter, Sabrina, and Karrie and their lives... Reading about Karrie's growth as she lived with those who loved her was truly wonderful. And, once she was more secure, she started being the young teen who she was supposed to be... Truly heartwarming as she helped in molding a new family now based in Christian love. With less than 5% of the book dealing with villain action, the development of a new life for those who fell in love with each other, including Karrie, with her father and her new Mom, Sabrina, is simply too good a book to miss. Do check it out!

GABixlerReviews

The Babel Conspiracy by Sylvia Bambola - First Personal Favorite for 2018!

WHY God?!!!

Another Riot. 

Trisha Callahan knew something had happened when she woke up to the smell of smoke drifting over her apartment complex. And between gobbling down a piece of buttered toast, and showering and dressing, she gleaned the details of last night’s siege from KFOM. Now, she stood brushing her long, black hair that fell in waves over her slender shoulders and wondered how this could happen. 
Impatiently, she tossed the brush onto the rattan tray holding an assortment of toiletries then fastened her blue blazer, leaving the top buttons open to reveal a stylish silk blouse. Riots had been popping out all over the country like pox, but she never thought it could happen here. Not in Everman—a city known for its low crime and friendly inhabitants. 
Where are you God? 
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray . . . . 
Hadn’t her pastor predicted this? That America would fall unless believers prayed? She couldn’t get it out of her mind. It was the reason she rose an hour early every morning before work. So she could pray. 
Well, she had been praying for months now and where was God? Everyday another car bomb; another random killing by a terrorist. This was not the America she knew. The America she had grown up in. It broke her heart to see what was happening to the country she loved. 
She fingered the buffalo-horn cross by her throat. What more could she do? She grabbed her purse and keys. She had to stop thinking about it and get her mind on work. The boss’s secretary had called even before her alarm went off and told her to come in for an early meeting. And Michael Patterson was not a man to be kept waiting. 
Even so, she’d try getting more news in the car. She snatched the remote to click off the TV, but not before hearing the anchor rattle off the riot’s toll: three confirmed dead, more than twenty injured, eighteen arrests, ten cars torched, two entire buildings destroyed, with five others partially fire damaged. She took a deep breath as she fingered the cross one last time then bolted out the door.

~~~

The Babel Conspiracy

By Sylvia Bambola

The first chapter of this book sets the tone for many of us these days... We see the violence on the streets of America and raise our hands, asking, Why? Does this violence in some way have a part of God's plan? Which is very hard to believe given God's great Love... Or do we continue living in today's world, trusting and praying that we can find our way to His plan for each of us... This book is extremely intriguing. It hits us deep in the stomach with a punch that points our the seeming futility of today's political world. At the same time, readers enter into the lives of main characters as they face both their personal and professional desires, while trying to know God's plan. I both hated it and loved it... It's my first favorite for 2018...

Reader Alert: This is a rewrite of a novel previously published under the title A Vessel of Honor. The author tells us that there is enough changed that earlier readers should still enjoy this version.

I was intrigued by the title of this novel. At first I didn't understand and am still unsure that I am correct...

“Let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name.” Genesis 11:4

My thought, was whether the tower could perhaps represent another building--maybe even the White House... as some may use... Maybe the author will explain her thoughts for us...

Yes, this is definitely a political thriller, but one that both scares you with similar activities as is going on now and/or scares you for the "possibility" of it happening... Nevertheless, the overall story is quite fascinating and wonderfully written and told. The religious aspect is perfectly inserted at appropriate times and reflects the reason for the actions by the various characters. The author notes that she had wanted to have both of the female characters responds to God's calling, but the story itself could only allow for free will of even her characters. Not everybody chooses to accept God's love, through Jesus... This reveals to me a depth of experience in both writing as well as today's world by the author. I was impressed with this first reading of Sylvia Bambola's skill in telling her stories...

There are two concurrent themes running through the story. That of a company working to create a new aircraft, the first that would use nuclear fusion. The second is the criminal desire to either stop the project or steal the plans to be sold for profit... Having the two of the three main designers as women was pleasantly surprising. Indeed, the level of expertise about project design was outstandingly done, although I would admit to not knowing the meaning of technical words...but the way it is written does not require that, given the way it is presented to readers.

Especially impressive for me was Bambola's placing the main character, Trisha, the main creator and designer, into the position of, first, being attracted to her boss, and slowly falling in love with him as they worked on their new project. While, Mike, her boss, is married, he is in an "open marriage" arrangement, so does not shy away from his attraction to Trisha...

Trisha’s stiletto heels clicked against the concrete pavement of the underground garage. In the distance, the shriek of an ambulance broke the morning silence. 
Oh God, where are you? 
Millions of Christians were praying. Why have things gotten worse? 
If my people will . . . turn from their wicked ways . . . then will I forgive their sin, and heal their land. 
As she walked toward her car she thought of Michael Patterson and felt her stomach knot. Michael Patterson, her boss. Her married boss. Humbling oneself and praying was only part of it. It was that other part, that part of turning from our wicked ways that was so difficult. But what did she have to feel guilty about? She had crossed no line. 
Except in her heart, and didn’t God see the heart?

Bambola allows readers to both see Trisha's angst about the world, as well as her own relationship to God as she struggles with her own will versus striving to follow God's guidance. And if readers are currently concerned about the world, we may find that Trisha's faith will help us learn...

Of course, the criminal/political aspect of the book adds the intrigue, the danger and suspense for us. Basically, there are two presidential candidates now campaigning for the next election. One is clearly ahead--and must be dealt with... The brilliant twist in the book to allow the somewhat disheartening conclusion still created the tension, the emotional outrage that many are now experiencing in today's Capitol. 

Provocative yet highly fascinating in the scope and unusual detail revealed, I found this book a page-turner, wondering and hoping that the good guys win... Some do, but sometimes the convoluted world continues...and many continue praying... You'll know if you want to read this book...but I'll add my high recommendation and possibly even a must-read for many of you!
By the way, the book includes final reader questions for further study...


GABixlerReviews

Sylvia Bambola is the award winning author of eight novels. Her novel, Rebekah’s Treasure, won the 2014 Readers Favorite Bronze Award for Christian Historical Fiction and the 2015 Book of the Year Award, Christian Small Press Association, for Historical Fiction. The Salt Covenants was the 2015 Readers Favorite Bronze Award winner for Christina Historical Fiction. She has two grown children, and teaches women’s Bible studies.