Tag: Espionage

Net Impact by DOnald J. Bingle

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Net Impact by Donald J. Bingle is a thriller plays on emotions and connections of Dick Thornby.  Thornby is a spy and works for the Subsidiary, a secret agency. The book is action-packed, full of unexpected twists and turns, humor and an ending that is surprising.

Bingle gives his listeners a look into the man, he has a family, everyday issues and a life.  While Thornby comes off at times as hardened and cunning, Bingle allows the listeners to witness a deeper depth to the spy.  We see him struggle with moral issues, his relationships and his fears as a parent.  Most spy novels do not allow the main character to have any distractions.  That is what I like about this audiobook.

Bruce Pilkenton, the narrator, did a very good job.  In the beginning, he sounded like he struggled to find the rhythm to the story but quickly caught on.  I thought he did a fine job of narration.  His voice was solid and his characters’ voices were noticeable and strong.  I would enjoy hearing another read by him.

The production and quality of this audiobook were excellent.

 

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Caged Minds by David Pyle

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Five people, all trapped in a five-star hotel doing the bidding of an anonymous host. Threats of blackmail, physical harm to family and promises of success keep these five participating in a deadly game. The five are key figures in the journalism world; different levels but nonetheless, important in their own right.  Toss in some secret agencies, a hostile take-over by men in ski masks and suits and you have the beginning of one roller coaster thriller ride.  Not everyone gets to leave alive!

Trust does not come easy but the ticking clock helps to build some bonds while exposing others.  There is more going on than meets the eye!

A cleverly crafted thriller, David Pyle, takes his readers deep into the underbelly of terrorism, greed and secrecy.  Nothing is left to chance, each step a character takes is choreographed with precision, each word has a meaning … Pyle has woven an engrossing book that prevents the reader from putting it down.  A long but exciting read.  There is not a dull moment – if there’s no action going on, then there is intrigue that begs full disclosure.

The characters are well developed and from the first moment you don’t know who to trust but Pyle leads you to the truth.  The characters are perfectly constructed fitting expertly into the story.  Each step of the storyline and character involvement is thorough and intensely intriguing.

A must read for all lovers of thrillers and mysteries.

Pyle has a true knack for laying the groundwork for long, detailed and intense thrillers.  WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for suspense and uniqueness.

 

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Poison Heartbeats by Temple Emmet Williams

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In the war plagued Afghanistan, there are two twins – a girl and a boy who must come to terms with their destiny.  One is a holy warrior or better known as a terrorist of ISIL while the other is removed and adopted into an American family.

Ahmed Khan sets about to poison the well of America; Holly Smolkes (his sister) has some unsavory connections with a “mob boss” and a romantic link with Mac McKlane the team leader within Homeland Security as well as a sibling link to her terrorist brother.

The careful weaving of the story in and around the twins, Homeland Security and the intricate methods of ISIL to recruit American ‘infidels’ into their ranks is gripping.

Temple Emmett Williams’ writing style is clear and masterful.  He has the ability to weave the story and history into a captivating tale in a compelling manner that is both powerful and entertaining.  While I enjoy thrillers, this was beyond that.  This brought the “war on terrorism” home in a realistic and terrifying manner.

His plot was well developed and executed with twists.  His characters were also developed and complex but not overly confusing – rather intricate and more evolved.  I found I could not put the book down and kept reading it during my free moments and well into the night.

I enjoy reading Williams’ books as they are refreshing.  All too often books in this genre become confusing and utilizing words that mean nothing until you look them up.  It is refreshing to have an exciting book such as this maintain its excitement and clarity because of the writing style as well as the plot.  Williams is a strong and commanding story teller.

I understand this is book two in a series; while I prefer to read books in order, this is truly written to be a stand-alone as well as one in a series. Not reading book 1 did not add any confusion to the story.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5-star rating for its refreshing writing style and intriguing plot.

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The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife by Ellie Midwood

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WordsAPlenty was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Annalise Meissner, a young woman living in Berlin had it all:  wealth, loving family, a career as a Ballerina and a sheltered and protected life.  That is until the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht) when violence against Jews broke out across Germany.  Then she discovers a secret her parents have kept from her, one that will change her life.

Alongside her husband, Standartenfuhrer Heinrich Friedmann, they must survive the development of the Third Reich and all its political traps.  Will her secret come out?  Can she continue to love her husband knowing he is a Nazi?

Everyone has a secret but for Annalise witnessing the oppression against the Jewish begin, she cannot sit idly by and let the innocent die or suffer.  She must do something!

Then he finally said, “You just came back from the Gestapo jail. You’re lucky to be alive.  Don’t you understand that you would be taking a risk and may go there again?”

Single-minded and single-handed, Annalise becomes a force that may just take down the Third Reich!

A historical novel, The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife is spellbinding and told from a woman’s persepective.  I found that once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.  Ellie Midwood weaves an intricate storyline in and out of the historical information smoothly and expertly.  She completely develops each character through dialog, description and emotion.  Midwood skillfully wrenches your heart and plays your emotions like a virtuoso, pulling every ounce of emotion from her readers.

Readers cannot help but become pulled into the action packed story with romance and thrilling espionage.

If you enjoy historical novels, this is a wonderfully written book.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its flawless blending of history and creative story.

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When The Tide Turned by M. L. Eaton

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WordsAPlenty received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

When The Tide Turned written by M. L. Eaton is a page turning thriller that hooks it’s audience with historical accuracy while adding in a touch of the supernatural, cloak and dagger mystery bringing them all together in a riveting thriller.

Hazel Dawkins, new mother and wife as well as a solicitor is asked to fill in for a colleague of hers at the firm prompting her to return from maternity leave earlier than planned.  Hazel gladly accepts since she is able to bring her child to work with her.  And thus begins Hazel’s journey into the supernatural and facing deadly threats to her and her daughter.  The moment she agrees to return to work, a dark evilness invades her home, her husband and others.  She begins to dream of a man tied, lying-face down in a cove waiting for the tide to turn and torture him with a slow painful death of drowning.  He is a man of the past but whose past she is not sure.

The colleague hands over a very complex and barely legal case surrounding a painting of a storm at sea of the night Napoleon prepares to invade England.   The mystery surrounding the painting, the pegged man on the cove, and weird experiences Hazel faces daily has her fearful but determined to solve the ever growing mystery.

Eaton provides detailed historical information woven skillfully around the mystery and supernatural thus providing one with a nail biting read.  Hazel’s character demonstrates how strong a woman can be and how she handles the stereotype of women being perceived as weak to her advantage.

Combining the three genres into one was interesting and entertaining.    Eaton provides a well-executed plot written clearly and methodically. The character development was well done although in an almost teasing fashion – once you decided you didn’t like a character, Eaton would confound you with adding a twist making you like them.

This was a good solid book, one I would highly recommend especially if you enjoy historical mysteries and the supernatural.  Read her other books, you will equally enjoy them as well!

A five star rating!

 

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Fly the Storm by James Stevenson

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

A pacifist by heart, Blanche Longhurst aids Britain by delivering Spitfires from “Point A to Point B” during the war.  However, one fateful trip to “Point B” and to see her fiancé, she finds herself behind enemy lines in France.   In order to survive she must become embroiled in espionage.  A beautiful woman, she finds herself in the middle of the French Resistance aiding stranded and wounded airmen to heal and return home to England as well as having to learning secrets from the Luftwaffe.

The French Resistance Cell led by Madame Cazalet and Dadan, beautiful Blanche (now a French nurse named Lucette) manages to attract the attention of several top-ranking members of the Luftwaffe.

Blanche is not the only one struggling with her life, Otto is as well:  “Lowering his voice he said, ‘Victory means the extermination of all who don’t fit the plan – Jews, gypsies, homosexuals.  Sometimes I wish I were back in Oxford.”

Among her complications are her missing and presumed dead fiancé; Eric, a wounded soldier; and Otto a high ranking pilot of the Luftwaffe.   Blanche wants to confirm her fiancé is alive and steal the documentation for the German plane – Butcher Bird.  All goes smoothly until she has to make a decision between her wants and desires and England.  Her decisions leave Blanche destined to relive this night’s activities in her nightmares and every single day she breathes.  Eleven years later Blanche is on another fateful journey to conquer her fears and put some of her demons to rest.

This was not a slow moving book but rather one that is action-packed with espionage and romance. This is an excellent example of historic fiction.  With each twist, Stevenson surprises and successfully ties up each piece of the story at the end.  His character development is such that the reader will begin to find themselves lost in the story, feeling the pain and gaiety of each.  One might even find themselves rooting for the German pilot and his friends.  Stevenson knows how to play on reader’s heart strings and makes one evaluate how war affects everyone.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.   We expect more exciting reads from Mr. Stevenson.

To purchase this book go to http://www.amazon.com/Fly-Storm-James-Stevenson-ebook/dp/B004XRC4ZA/

 

 

 

 

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