J. P. Lane Takes Us to the Caribbean - Murder, Drugs...and Love...

"Still gazing out the window of his plane, Armstrong could see the
island now, or rather he could sense it. Though lit by brilliant
moonlight, only lights twinkling down the mountains to the harbor
were visible from the air. It always amazed him how much
subliminal energy this island had. He could almost hear it rising
from the earth like the distant beat of rasta drums. It had been more
that twenty years since it had been his permanent home, but now,
as his plane prepared to land, he had that familiar feeling of coming
home. It always felt good to be back, though this time would be
different..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean

The Tangled Web


By J. P. Lane




Ahhh, the beautiful Caribbean...it is enticingly beautiful and welcoming. J. P. Lane spends some time sharing that beauty in her narrative, but I noticed right away that she writes with that edgy tension that makes me realize that I'm going to be fast pulled into the action and adventure she's providing. And I wasn't disappointed!

Two main characters--Logan Armstrong and Lauren... are attracted to each other when they meet. Lauren is an investigative reporter; Logan is...a very rich man...more on him later. Lauren had made her own reputation on the local newspaper, so much so that, when she interacted with people, they weren't quite sure they were not being "investigated" for some criminal act. In fact, she was quite vocal about the corruption of the local government...Not always a safe thing to do...

Logan Armstrong was originally from the island and still had a deep love for his homeland, although he worked in New York owning a variety of businesses. Because he maintained a home interest, he was upset when he learned that five people had been murdered while out on their boat. They thought they were headed for the rarely visited Fisherman's Key on the south coast of the island. But as they had got closer they had seen there were cigarette boats already docked and then a seaplane appeared. The sea had welcomed them; but, that day, those already there and in the plane did not. They had turned to escape, but it was already too late...

Logan knew, as did most other people, that those five people had more than likely been in the wrong place at the wrong time and that they had died because of that. Some type of drug transaction had doubtless been taking place. Lauren was quick to start working on the case and report the details, but there was not much evidence that was found.

Logan was on his way to the island, but for a secret meeting. There were still honest government officials there and he was going to talk with three of them. And, at the meeting they had decided. Something must be done...

At the same time, in Columbia, the head of the drug cartel was fuming over what she had just been told. The Prime Minister of the most important entry into the US was demanding 50% of the profit from the drugs that were, in essence, being transferred on the island. She had depended on her representative, but he had not been able to persuade him to take a lower cut. But, having the head of the local government be willing to allow their drugs through was highly unusual! Still, she knew what must be done...

The Prime Minister must die...

I must say that I enjoy the almost farcical humor of parts of this novel...especially the decisions of the "second" assassin... And then there is the less than smooth switch to the romance between Logan and Lauren toward the end--almost saying, in effect, well, the political intrigue, drugs, murder--they'll all continue and we know that! One intrigue will be stopped; a new one will start... What's important is that we've decided we've got to clarify what happened as it affects us--after all, we're in love!

And even then the author left another tangled web as she closed, announcing another assassination was being planned...

Lane, as mentioned in her bio, has traveled extensively and her novel certainly reflects that experience. I enjoyed that, as a former, newspaper woman, she created her main character as an investigative reporter--perhaps the role she once played or wanted to play. But Lauren, her character, is a strong, opinionated, and aggressive individual who wants to know the truth and is not afraid of "getting dirty" to dig into what is actually happening. Her nosiness got her into some trouble, but it also got her married...I loved it! It would be nice to meet Lauren and Lance again in the future. What say you, J.P.?


GABixlerReviews

It isn't surprising J.P. Lane's point of view is global. From an early age, she was trekking from Jamaica (where she was born and raised) to Europe with her family. During her adult years, Lane has blazed a trail across the world, following her star and gathering the international experience that is reflected in her writing. She has lived in London, Southeast Asia, Puerto Rico, and Miami where she was an award-winning writer for The Miami Herald's marketing team. She has been published in other leading Florida publications, including "Florida Design Magazine." Lane now resides in north Florida where she's currently working on her second novel.

Website: www.jp-lane
Blog: http://jplanewrites.blogspot.com
Twitter: @jpLANEauthor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jplane

Review: Best Alternative History Thriller I've Read So Far!

Image by emptyhighway via FlickrPoint of Entry

Peter Schechter

HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780060843304
323 Pages


I'm not much into politics; however, if our politicians did what was done in Point of Entry by Peter Schechter, I'd be full of praise and involvement. Alternative History is an interesting genre that allows authors to use current or past historical events and create a thriller or suspense novel that reveals either their imagination or, I believe in this case, what the author would have done or what should have occurred by the involved people. I must say that this book was not only the best alternative history book I've read, but I totally agreed with every word--if I were the individual that should be making those decisions! That's saying a lot for me...What would you choose if these events were really happening!?!

The major countries involved are the United States, Columbia, Cuba and Syria...

If something was to be smuggled into a country, anything and everything has been used. One of the methods for drugs has been for women to be the carriers, coming through airport security with bags they have swallowed! Indeed Juan Francisco Abdoul had a whole group of "mules" that routinely took drugs from Columbia into the United States. Abdoul's family had been major players for many years, but Juan had also gotten into politics to gain more power. He had just attempted to have his brother elected as the new president, while he, already, was president of the Senate.

But they had lost the election. A former Miss Universe, Marta Pradilla, who had been able to gain visibility as she toured the world had just won the election as the first female Presidente!

And she was prepared to move quickly! She already had Manual Saldivar, her friend and now chief of staff and press secretary working to figure out how to remove Adboul and other criminals from Columbia. In fact, during her inauguration celebration, she accomplished both goals she had set for herself: to spend private time with the United States president and to speak to him and Castro in one room at one time!

She also maneuvered and succeeded in a one-on-one email connection with U.S. President John Stockman.

John Stockman admitted to himself that he was attracted to Ms. Pradilla, but it was much more than her beauty. It was her open, honest approach to getting what she felt was the right thing. And she was the first major world player who was willing to challenge the president of the United States and make him see how people on the "other side" saw the actions of the United States. It was perhaps the first time that a president was given counsel and advice not based upon the critical evaluation of how it would affect his presidency, but how our actions would affect the world and its people!

And then the United States learned that Syria had been working to obtain materials for a nuclear bomb. The CIA assumed it would be used to prevent the U.S. from taking action against their country. But the CIA was wrong...

And Presidente Pradilla learned what was really going to happen. But to forewarn the United States would put her own life and Columbia in extreme danger!

I loved this book! I'm ready to vote for Peter Schechter as our next president! Look, how many times do we read about our own president making the "right" decisions rather than what is the most politically correct or based upon advice only from his own support staff! If you have a need to see the Unites States in an entirely new and different and...humane role in this world...this book MUST BE A Must-Read!

Book Purchased


G. A. Bixler

Review: My Life, For Her by Robert J Saniscalchi Great First Thriller!

My Life,

For Her


By Robert J Saniscalchi






 
Don't be confused by the slow family life atmosphere that starts My Life, For Her by Robert J Saniscalchi. Because before long you will be caught up in the real-life thriller that Rob Marrino faces. Many of you will remember him as the medic in Saniscalchi's first novel, Bullets and Bandages that was based upon a true story. My Life, For Her takes us into a suspenseful real-life drama similar to those found in D. H. Brown's Citizen Warrior Series.

Rob Marrino is happy to be back home from Vietnam. Although it doesn't actually say, there are references to symptoms that he had and sometimes still is suffering from PTSD. So enjoying family, coaching baseball with his son on the team is just fine. He had become a cop in Pikesville, but there was not much happening in the area, and that was good too!

Until one day he found himself in the midst of a high-speed pursuit. A black sports sedan zoomed by with state police closely behind. Instantly calling it in, Rob joined the pursuit. A major bust for drugs was the result, but one brother of a top South American kingpin of a major drug cartel in Columbia was killed. Another brother was jailed.

And Rob Marrino had made the kill...

And he would be the one to pay...

Rob and Robby were due at the game. Beth Ann had ensured her son that she would get off work and come straight to the ballpark. But she never showed up. Like the wind, she was gone and there was little trace of what had happened!

The FBI had become involved because of the drugs case and fortunately, one of the agents personally took an interest in Beth Ann's disappearance, especially when they discovered that Beth Ann had been flown out of the country and had been seen being imprisoned at the cartel's "hidden" site. Seeing how Rob had reacted when he discovered where she had been taken and heard him cry, "My life for her!" the agent called him privately and gave him the information he needed to go and find his wife.

And then Rob called Tex, his long-time friend from Vietnam, who, he discovered, was still involved in handling secret situations from time to time--and he had all the connections necessary to get them in and out of Columbia! Rob had been the medic, but he had also been a soldier. It didn't matter that his hands still trembled in a stressful situation...he and Tex left immediately for Columbia!

Of course, plans can quickly be destroyed and improvisation begins... Once again, a praying man takes on the enemy and fights for his family and country.

I thoroughly enjoyed My Life, For Her by Robert J. Saniscalchi. As his first fiction thriller, Saniscalchi is showing his creative abilities in action-packed suspense that strikes where it most hurts--in the family. An author to watch in the future. Highly recommended...

 GABixler
 
 
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