Female Sniper Targeted For Death in Frantastic Suspense Thriller

Image via Wikipedia

"Blue Two, what is target's position?"
"Zone Two, pacing. He's carrying the girl, a
gun at her head, A Bowie on the southeast
corner table. He's nervous, unpredictable."
..."Jazz's body froze in readiness. He was
coming her way. If Blue Leader ordered the
guys to rush the house, she had to be on her
game. She would protect them. She
wouldn't fail.
The blinds fluttered. Jazz forced her breathing
into a comfortable, familiar pattern. "Blue
Leader, this is Blue Four. I see movement.
..."Target acquired. It's a good shot."
"Can you see the girl?"
"He's got a gun to her head.
Only a second passed before the expected
order came through.
"Take the shot, Blue Four..."

In Her Sights


By Robin Perini




This is the first book for Perini and I was fascinated from the front cover through to the end! The main character was in a first-time role for my reading for a female, one characteristic I especially enjoy! Jasmine "Jazz" Parker was the only female sniper of a SWAT team! Cool, right?! In fact, she had just become a hero, saving the daughter of the governor when she had been captured and held...

But when her picture appeared in the newspaper, Jazz was dismayed--this could become a real problem if someone from her past happened to see that picture! And what was so frustrating was that Luke Montgomery, with whom she had a past, had thought he was helping her by spotlighting her action.

They had never got close enough for her to ever share her secret past with him. Now when he realized that somebody was after her, he would have to learn what had happened, whether she told him or he found out on his own. Luke's brother was Gabe, who was also on the SWAT team, while Luke was now the investigative reporter who had pasted her heroism across the front page but he was also an ex-Army Ranger and, most importantly, had never gotten Jazz out of his system. He was going to help her, whether she was willing or not!

Similar issues in their past had once prevented their relationship, but when Jazz and Luke were together, it was hot and steamy, each both remembering being intimate, but fighting to forget that during the confusion and threats coming toward Jazz, both from within the SWAT team, when Gabe is hurt, as well as those who had never wanted a woman sniper... But it was the fear for Gabe that broke the bonds of restraint and pulled the two of them together...finally...

Slowly details were coming out about Jazz's past and individuals were pinpointed but nothing could be proven as to whether the danger came from the past or from enemies she had made since being selected for the sniper position. And Jazz did not feel she could share her past with anybody.The only thing definite--somebody didn't want Jazz Parker to live...

Not only has Perini presented us with a well-written novel, which includes significant knowledge of weaponry she has that special skill that sets a steady, paced rhythm to sharing the tale so that readers are caught, turning each page to gather another clue, to learn more about the two lovers as the main characters, including meeting a delightful young girl who turns out to be Luke's daughter who sends Jazz into a spin! The suspense keeps us totally involved, while the romance sometimes becomes even more important than the story line. Suspense and thriller readers will be totally satisfied, hopefully as much as I was! Highly recommended!

Book Received Via
Amazon Vine


GABixlerReviews

About the Author


Award-winning author Robin Perini's love of heart-stopping suspense and poignant romance, coupled with her adoration of high-tech weaponry and covert ops, encouraged her secret inner commando to take on the challenge of writing romantic suspense novels. Her mission's motto: "When danger and romance collide, no heart is safe."


Devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts, Robin's strong characters and tightly woven plots have garnered her the prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. By day, she works for an advanced technology corporation, and in her spare time, you might find her giving one of her many nationally acclaimed writing workshops or training in competitive small-bore rifle silhouette shooting. 


Robin loves to interact with readers. You can catch her on her Website and several major social networking sites.


   

Related articles

• Book Review: In Her Sights by Robin Perini (blogcritics.org)

Francis Hamit, Author of The Shenandoah Spy, Publishes Second in Confederate Secret Service Series!

The Queen of Washington


By Francis Hamit






I never enjoyed history in school; however, I have found that learning more about early America, and, especially, about the women involved, has been a wonderfully refreshing experience. Hamit's first book, The Shenandoah Spy (Check out my review!) shared a little known story of Belle Boyd, a Confederate Army spy and scout...

His second novel is an alternative history story leading up to the Civil War! I'll be reading soon and providing my review, but here's some preliminary information:

From Brass Cannon Books
Pine Mountain Club
Frazier Park, CA
Brass Cannon Books.net

Brass Cannon Books Announces the Release of the Second Book in Francis Hamit's Confederate Secret Service Mega-Narrative

Socialite and political operative Rose Greenhow, a "proud Southern woman" was "The Queen of Washington" during the years immediately before the Civil War. As the country split apart, she used her connections to create a very effective spy ring that developed the intelligence that allowed the South to prevail at the first battle of Manassas (or Bull's Run).

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greenhow.gif

The widow of a State Department official and the protege of such power players as John Calhoun and Colley Madison, Rose used her romantic relations with Union government officials to gather information for the South, until her arrest by Allan Pinkerton on August 23, 1861. She was then held under very adverse conditions in her own house and then in the Old Capitol prison until being sent South ten months later. Her ordeal was shared by her eight-year-old daughter.

Hamit's book is an alternative "what-if" history that asks when her spying career actually began. "There are indicators that she may have already been a spy and agent of influence for the French and British legations for years before, perhaps even before the Mexican War," Hamit said. "She was certainly involved in some shady attempts to bring Cuba into the United States as a Slave state through one or more 'filibustering' expeditions, and she was also involved in the Limantour land claims in California, testifying in support of them. These were finally dismissed by the Federal District Court as 'the most audacious fraud in history.'" Her husband's last job was as an Associate Law Counsel for the California Land Commission, and the record seems to indicate that he opposed these claims before he died under mysterious circumstances in San Francisco in 1854.

"This gave me an opportunity to look at the run-up to the Civil War and the geo-political game that was being played out between the forces of Manifest Destiny and the French and the British efforts to divide the Unites States and keep it from becoming a Great Power. This part of the conflict is usually overlooked now, but by starting this novel in 1850 and looking at possible alternative explanations, we can not just provide an entertaining novel but provoke some thoughtful discussions."

Hamit's first novel in this narrative is "The Shenandoah Spy" which examined the early career of Confederate Army spy and scout Belle Boyd, the first woman in American History to be commissioned an army officer. It was published in 2008 to widespread favorable reviews and is still in print.

Related articles

• Heroes of The Civil War: Belle Boyd (socyberty.com)

Children's Illustrated Book Help Parents Talk About Their Love!

Image via WikipediaI Love You More...


 Than Chocolate


Written by Melanie Milburn
 Illustrated by Cindy Coleman




Over the years, whenever I read to one or more of my nieces and nephews, I noticed that, nearly always, it was the colors and illustrations that first got the children interested. Pointing out pictures that, age appropriate,  would interest the individual child would begin that interaction between the reader and the child being entertained. I was therefore impressed when different types but very colorful designs were used as backgrounds on many of the pages. This was done by using relevant scrapbook backgrounds! For me, who had not previously seen scrapbook materials, I was delighted not only with the concept, but the ability to find backgrounds that suitably complemented the story! Kudos for this great idea!

The author is a preschool teacher and songwriter...and her passion for kids and music clearly come through. In fact, the book started out as a song--and a CD of the author singing the song, "I Love You More Than Chocolate, is included inside the back cover--Cool, right?! But her other known passion is one that many others will also have--Chocolate! And if you live with a chocoholic, everybody, including the kids will know this. If you are a child living in a home where a parent loves chocolate, you just might have heard:

I love you...more than...chocolate!

Hey, how about listening to the whole song that is sung by the author!




Many children will ask, "How much do you love me?" and this book provides a poetic story of a mother and child sharing about love and how much the parent does indeed love the child. Introducing the book first so that the child begins to recognize daily things in their lives and then listening to the rhyming words will quickly gain attention. Listening to the song, depending on the child's age, may find your child moving to the music or, if old enough, the song will be easily learned and sung so that the words will soon be memorized. Who knows, your little chocoholic might grab a small piece of candy, a glass of chocolate milk, or a bowl of chocolate-flavored cereal and start singing the song...to YOU!

I won't claim to love chocolate as a favorite, but I will claim that this book is one that will quickly result in a great sharing of love--the cover and inside pages are beautifully done and will entice the child to explore the pages and then ask for you to read the easily spaced words surrounding each picture that complements the story.With the added music, I believe this well-crafted book will quickly become a favorite! Highly recommended!

Book Received Via
Bostick Communications,
To Press and Beyond


GABixlerReviews

Author Melanie Milburn has been teaching preschool for nearly two decades, and has been writing songs for even longer. Melanie is known for her passions--kids, music and...chocolate!!

When Melanie would tuck her children into bed at night, she made sure they knew how much they were loved. She told them she loved them more than anything--even chocolate! Her children knew she was a chocoholic, so they had no doubt, they knew they were loved!

Melanie is an award winning song writer and when she is not teaching preschool, she enjoys sharing her songs at family concerts. Click the title of this article to visit Miss Melanie at her web site.

This is the second children's book for Illustrator Cindy Coleman. Cindy has a BFA in Illustraction from Ringling College of Art and Design. She lives With her husband Ken in Southwest Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, camping, and most of all--eating chocolate. Check out her website!

Related articles

• Review: I Love You More...Than Chocolate by Melanie Milburn (booksintheburbs.com)

Novel Delves Into Important Family Issues... I Loved It!

Image via Wikipedia
"The door opened to reveal a nice looking
woman, small, but soft in a motherly sort
of way...She was dressed in a high-end
coat, and he would bet money that her handbag
cost more than his monthly mortgage. She
offered her hand in greeting. He took it,
pleased to find her handshake firm.
Nothing irritated him more than a weak
handshake, something he equated with
wilting lettuce.
"Hello. Are  you David Lloyd?

Missing Daughter,
  Shattered Family:


  David Lloyd Investigations




By Liz Strange









When I first started to read this novel, I got the feeling of a routine "Mike Hammer" PI investigation. But I was wrong--not because David Lloyd did not have the looks and "smart-ass" personality of Mike as he followed the same investigative procedures, which, for David, had been first learned in his police career. No, it was all of the involved characters and what was revealed through that investigation. I'll just say that potential readers might think Law and Order, Special Victims to get a better feel for what Lloyd found himself involved with!

I enjoyed meeting main character David Lloyd. He was already established as a PI when the book opens, but readers will see much about what he had gone through while he was a cop--especially that he was seriously hurt as a result of a "deliberate and vicious" beating that David and many others who knew what had happened, felt had been done by a group of fellow police officers...supposedly because he was gay. But when you later meet the officer in question, you just know that he was a bully when he was young and remained a bully now! Let's face it, somebody who likes to control others will use any reason to force victims to submit to their power...

David was not only left with physical limitations that had prevented his continued police career, he had been permanently changed by what had happened... And that's what made him the perfect PI to handle this investigation, although readers will have to realize that along the way...LOL

Marjory Barrowman became his client, coming to him to seek assistance in trying to find her daughter, Stella, 23, who had been missing for about two months. They had filed a police report, but Stella had been in and out of trouble quite often and had left town before without letting them know. But Marjory felt this time was different--she had never been away this long and, frankly, they had normally been called in the past to get her out of jail or some other type of trouble. Marjory just had to find out if she was alive, or have her brought back home if she wasn't.

Neither her husband nor son really supported her hiring a private investigator. This had been happening so often and they knew she was an addict and sometime prostitute in order to feed her addiction. This time was really no different...

Stella was a dancer, was very good, and had been in a small company where she had made some friends... She had been in rehab before, had been seen by a counselor and had become close to an art therapist.

From a professional standpoint, David realized that this could be a lengthy and profitable case. There were a number of options--tracking down potential individuals she had met on the streets, or from her drug connections, but also through her dance activities and rehab experience.

For David personally, however, he soon became almost obsessive in trying to find this beautiful young girl. Because what he was finding was that nearly all of the people he talked to, including her father and brother, seemed to be lying. Soon, he wasn't even sure about her mother... What he was discovering also brought back his own loss of career because of violence and made him really begin to look hard at his 5-year relationship that was being kept secret...

He was tired of lies and secrets!

And he wasn't going to stop until he resolved his personal life and this case!

But he was getting too close and attempts were made on his life. Then, a street friend of Stella's started sharing, only to be beaten so badly over her entire body that it was amazing she lived--and surely had been left because it was assumed she would not!

The chase is hot and heavy and becomes more and more dangerous as each contact begins to shed more and more light on what happened to Stella. Was she suffering from mental health issues as the doctors stated and which was supported by her family, or was there something that happened to her that caused her personality change. David intended to find out, for he knew what happened to individuals who had been abused--they were changed for life, going in one way or the other! Was Stella still alive?!

The suspense is sustained throughout, now knowing just who and how many were involved! At the same time, the personal lives of each character draws readers to either love or hate them! David's romance is a supporting sub-plot that brings a breath of tenderness amidst much abuse. I believe the more we spotlight the sexual abuse, including harassment, any of us can and have faced, the more people will become aware of how badly this corruption can damage involved individuals. Liz Strange has done an excellent job in delving into the reality of today's world! I loved this one and hope David Lloyd investigations comes back to us soon!

Book Received
From Author


GABixlerReviews

“Of course. Please believe me this is no judgment on you

personally, I wish only to do what I can to help while abiding to

the regulations of my profession. I should start by clarifying that

in addition to the Borderline diagnosis, Stella also had addiction

issues. I understand that Marjory has already spoken to you about

this. She self-medicated for both her physical and emotional pain,

using whatever she could get her hands on. It was a complicated

course of treatment, involving both individual and group therapy.

I felt the best chance for relief of symptoms for Stella was the use

of dialectical behaviour therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy,

combined with medications for her depression and anxiety.”

Whatever that meant. 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

File:Dezs%C5%91_N%C3%A9meth_psychologist.jpg

About the Author:


Liz was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, where she still resides. She is a massive horror fan, vampire enthusiast and self-confessed sci-fi nerd. Some of her favourite things include spicy food, soccer, rainy days, books, movies, and musical theatre.

Mythology and historical mysteries have long enthralled her, and you will often find them touched upon in her works. When not reading, writing or spending time with her family Liz hopes to travel the world. She has her sights set on Greece, Mexico and Easter Island.

You can find out more about Liz at www.lizstrange.com.

Sometimes Your Past Won't Let You Go...

Image via Wikipedia

"With less than five days left in the expiring millennium,
the patrons of Evangeline's were in the mood to celebrate.
They were at the precipice. The promise of a new age was
littered with the apprehension of the unknown where the
religious zealots were having a field day. Vague predictions
combined with a feeling of ambivalence by those who feared
the future and the change it could bring set the stage for an
undertone of repressed hysteria. On a more legitimate scale,
computer experts worldwide warned of a systematic shutdown
at the stroke of midnight..Still, most of the population didn't
take any of these premonitions too seriously. For them,
this was going to be the party of a lifetime..."

Table 21




T. Rafael Cimino






What were you involved with when the year was 1999 and 2000 was just around the corner? I was one of those individuals who were caught up in preparing computer systems for the predicted "crash" that never happened! Surprise! For the characters in Table 21, there was the normal concern of small businesses, but for Roman Sabarese, in particular, a lot more was being planned before the end of the year...

Sabarese, the owner of Evangeline's, the hottest restaurant in Tribeca, is also, according to a regional computer site for mob bosses, now head of a criminal enterprise, covering three states, that was formerly run by his father. That mob kingpin had been indicted and was now in prison. But, in reality, even before his father had been put in prison, Roman Sabarese had willingly taken over Evangeline's and had little to do with anything his father was involved with. Secrets of his past haunted him, while secrets in the present were forcing him to take actions faster than planned.

Because Zoe Greene, a TV and movie star had come to visit Evangeline's and disappeared. She had sat at Table 21 with Roman, but apparently had not been seen since! Zoe was part of the restaurant family since she had worked there to make her way through college, so her mother contacted Roman right away when she never came home. But did that mean that Roman should order his own staff to search for her? Especially when Bones, who had just gotten out of prison, was one of the men searching? With many suspects later turning up dead?

But everything they had tried had not worked in picking up the trail to find Zoe...

Official eyes were on Roman, not only as the owner of the restaurant where she had been last seen, but because recent scandal newspapers had linked Zoe and Roman, with a picture of the two talking at Table 21 on that day she had disappeared...

Strangely enough in this tale of the mob, it is a member of the police force that Roman finally goes to, officially reporting her disappearance and asking for help. That had caught the whole force off guard, for surely a member of the mob family had never willingly visited their building! Captain Stan Fitzgerald had known Roman for many years. While fighting cancer and heading up his unit took up most of his time, he chose to personally go back out on the streets to respond to Roman's request for help.  Which immediately got the Internal Affairs in to investigate what the mob boss had wanted...

Cimino takes readers into the personal life of the heir apparent of a mob leader... Was he in too deep to ask for police help? Or was he simply a local business owner naturally expecting help when someone has apparently disappeared? Can you ever escape your past? This totally unexpected drama grabs you and holds you until the end! For those who enjoy crime novels, You'll also get a large measure of "heart" softening the incidents of crime. This is unique in sharing both sides--both the police perspective and the life within a criminal organization. I had mixed feelings for the ending, since it was somewhat disappointing, but still it proved to be quite satisfactory given the overall story...Highly recommended!

Book Received Via
Akula Media Group




GABixlerReviews

"Roman Sabarest walked the busy sidewalk towards the precinct house. Every fifth or sixth pedestrian
turned back to look at him as though this was Hollywood and he were an A-lister himself. His profile
had been featured on the front page of The Observer and every other underground newspaper that
specialized in celebrity gossip. His image had also maintained a permanent place within the masthead
of the popular mafia website, Mob-boss.com. If Roman was anything in the city, he was now one of its
most mysterious celebrities..."
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tribeca_greenwich2.jpg

About the Author: T. Rafael Cimino is an internationally recognized screenwriter and novelist.

His first book, Mid Ocean, was an instant success and became an overnight bestseller. He lives

in North Carolina with his family.

Debut Novel by Layton Green Thought-Provoking, Fascinating, And So Much More...

http://www.ehow.com/about_6468182_ceremonial-african-mask-information.html

The Summoner:


A Novel of Suspense


By Layton Green


Provocative...
 Fascinating...
   Intriguing...
     stunning...
     
I have to admit upfront that I might not have read this book if I had known more about its content, so I want to point out that there is much explicit violence associated with a "cult" religion that was hard for me to read at times.. Many of the individuals involved may have been Catholics, who had just wanted to explore, "worshipping in a different way. It was an escape, hey? A Diversion.". It was often pointed out that "believing" the possibilities of supernatural events was important to those who got involved with such activities... In fact, the discussions soon became provocative and intriguing as readers are introduced to the beliefs and activities of various characters...

At the same time, it is one of the best written and suspenseful books I've read! It has clearly been well researched and the literary flair of the writing clearly must be recognized. What I did to get through several of the explicit scenes was to stop reading to avoid the images in my mind...but, once started, I just had to continue! Indeed, it is a book of heavy suspense, but it certainly has touches of horror, born out of the reality of the story line as opposed to its being intended.

Zimbabwe had a new leader, one who had begun to be called N'anga, The Summoner... His meetings were in secret, but he was gaining more and more followers, even though he taught a religion that had not previously been there in that country...

And at each meeting, someone disappeared! This had followed animal sacrifices by those who served and then by the babalawo himself. Each of the humans came willingly to the front, but then a circle...of blood...was drawn around that person at the same time he seemed to be snapped out of a trance...

The latest to disappear was a U.S. diplomat. Dominic Grey, a Diplomatic Security special agent was assigned to investigate.. However, although there was much political pressure to find the missing man, Grey was not head of the investigation and thus found roadblocks in doing what he needed to do. This was compounded by the mandate that he must always be escorted by Nya Mashumba, liaison to the local government. After hearing from the woman who had accompanied the diplomat to the ceremony, at least, they both realized that in order to start, they would have to actually attend one of the gatherings where the he had last been seen.

One other individual thankfully was assigned to help--Professor Viktor Radek, religious phenomenologist and expert on cults. This character is one cool dude and plays a major role in sharing important information about the differences of this particular priest as well as in the actual investigation. All they knew at this point, since he always wore robes and a mask was that he was African, since his hands had been visible... Through the character Victor, readers learn much about religious phenomena differentiated by the specific groups or activities encountered, as he explains various aspects as if he were in his classroom.

Aside from the actual story, Green provides much about the political climate as well as the beauty and people living there. The setting is both heart-breaking and thrilling as readers go deep into the bush itself as well as the culture there. Dominic Grey is clearly worthy of being the center of this series, here in its debut, and I loved watching his internal thoughts as he struggled with his attraction to Nya... The back stories for both Dominic and Nya add greatly to the novel, as each deals with the personal issues brought to mind, resulting from this case.

I can't say I loved this book, but I must say that it was more stimulating, both intellectually and emotionally, than I've experienced in a long time. I'm certainly glad I had the opportunity to read it, though some parts are truly hard to read and visualize. Unfortunately, it is reality in our world and the author has done a fantastic presentation of that reality in creating his story. The suspense is long, initiated almost from the beginning, and is skillfully woven to keep readers on constant edge, wondering not only who was doing what...but how. Because certainly, the magic and rituals of the juju priests had been handed down for many, many generations and we all become in awe as we witness them!

I've highlighted a reader warning...now I must say that I must also present this novel by Layton Green as a must-read. The explosive ending will surprise--but should it? Certainly one of the most thought-provoking novels you will ever read!

Book Received from

Author

GABixlerReviews

"Professor Radek sat patiently on the rocky outcropping, his massive frame hidden from view by the boulders and Masai trees...He had arrived hours ago to procure his position, and he felt secure...This promised to be an extraordinary event. His intellectual side--his professional side--was excited at the prospect... But he wondered if his other side, the side he knew from long experience lurked dormant or otherwise, inside everyone, was anticipating the event as well: grinning lasciviously, waiting to shake its craven thirst on the coming depravity. The side of him that he feared, after witnessing too many senseless monstrosities, had caused him to grow not just indifferent to the horror, but on some level beholden to its unholy fix...Victor found it captivating. Religion is the ultimate anthropological palette, a fascinating arena where each culture's concept of the divine manifests into intricate social constructs. Perhaps, he thought, we'll never know who has it right, if anyone. And that's the damnable wonder and terror of it all...

More men carried in a sheep, and the N'anga performed the two hundred cuts. Victor watched, enthralled. He'd never seen this ritual performed live. It was quite chilling...
Victor would never forget what he saw next...
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/poco_bw/poco_bw0701/poco_bw070100095/733801-traditional-zulu-african-mask-wood.jpg

About the Author:

In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade (even though  he still resents having cut his hair for that first interview). He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer, and the list goes downhill from there.

He has traveled to more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung dot on the map. Religion and cults, as well as all things spiritual and supernatural, have also been a lifelong interest. Combine the travel and the religion with fifteen years of Japanese Jujitsu training, and the Dominic Grey series was born.

Layton lives with his wife and son in Miami.

Related articles

• Review: The Egyptian (Dominic Grey, #2) by Layton Green (fullmoonbites.wordpress.com)
• Review: The Egyptian {Dominic Grey #2} by Layton Green (bookdout.wordpress.com)
• http://bookdout.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/review-the-summoner-by-layton-green/ (bookdout.wordpress.com)