Fault Lines

GIVEAWAY

LOCKE, THOMAS
FAULT LINES

What if reality is only the edge of possibility?

There isn't much that can throw Charlie Hazard off balance. But the mystery woman with the striking eyes and the intense request to follow her -- now -- is about to shake his world. Knowing little more than her name, Charlie leaves his post as a guard at the Satellite Beach community center for what he thinks is just another risk-containment job. But Gabriella, an experimental psychologist, has far more in store for him than protection duty -- if the two of them survive the test.

Reese Clawson relishes her work at the Combine and all the perks and power that come with it -- including the ability to manipulate perceptions. But the Combine never anticipated this mind-shifting technology. If Gabriella's experiments succeed, the Combine would be destroyed. And Reese will never allow that to happen.

MY REVIEW:

Charlie Hazard is Jason Bourne on steroids. A serious action hero right down to his awesomely appropriate name. Love his cryptic occupation too -- "risk containment." Multiply what that conjures up by 1000 and you pretty much have an idea of what Fault Lines reads like -- a complex plot with plenty of action including exquisitely choreographed fight scenes. But all that is peppered with surprising pockets of humour too, usually courtesy of Irma and Julio, Charlie's civilian recruits. In fact, there are a host of engaging secondary characters that contribute to the page-turnability of this enthralling read.

Labeled as a 'techno-thriller', be prepared for some detailed 'techno-babble' -- most of which went over my head. I'd recommend not fretting over trying to understand everything right from the start, rather embrace the essence of the story and things will become clearer as the tale progresses. Also Fault Lines is the prequel to previously published, Trial Run (2015) and Flash Point (2016) and I can't help but feel that readers familiar with those stories might get a better grasp of the 'sciency' stuff in this prequel.

The only thing I found lacking was the absence of an inspirational thread and there was such potential for one. It doesn't ruin the story, but I read Christian Fiction (the publisher is Revell) for a reason and I appreciate when a faith thread, no matter how light, is woven into a plot.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read copy of Fault Lines

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of Fault Lines leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 27 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Recruits

GIVEAWAY

LOCKE, THOMAS
RECRUITS

It's a world they've seen only in their dreams -- until now.

Twins Sean and Dillon Kirrel have dreamed about a world beyond their own since they were children, but it has always been a fantasy. Not long before their eighteenth birthday, however, the arrival of a mysterious new neighbor and the revelations he shares bring that far-off world within reach.

When Sean and Dillon learn they share a unique gift -- the ability to transfer instantly between worlds -- they are offered an opportunity to prove themselves as recruits to the planetary Assembly. But unlocking their abilities awakens an enemy beyond anything they ever imagined, thrusting them into an interplanetary conflict that could consume the entire human race.

My Review:

I'm cautious when it comes to reading speculative fiction because I either love it or hate it. Never anything in between. I'm not sure that I can articulate what connects me with this type of story but I could rattle off a list of what I hate. Luckily I don't have to do that in this review because I loved Recruits. Enough to devour it one sitting! And it kind of reminds me of my all time favourite YA author, Madeleine L'Engle (think A Wrinkle in Time).

A complex plot with plenty of action makes this a real page-turner. Sean and Dillon are typical teens going through the motions of attending classes two weeks before graduation. What they don't realize is that they are on the cusp of something so grand and fantastical that even their collective imaginations can't prepare them for what's to come. Love the dynamics between these two. Their twin connection is strong, but they both have unique strengths and talents that set them apart as well. And they really stretch and grow through the course of the novel.

There's a great cast of secondary characters that really flesh out the story and help the twins shine, including a couple of love interests which came as a surprise. And while a lot of the story takes place on Earth there's some intriguing planet hopping for an extra reader thrill. Locke's imagination knows no bounds and he successfully delivers a compelling tale of good versus evil and all the nuances in between.

Book provided by Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Recruits please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!