Donn TaylorRessenyes

A college (no make that a University campus) where a murder takes place forces two professors to ultimately team up to attempt to solve the murder to avoid being arrested themselves. Add in a professor living in an assisted living facility, a law enforcement agency who sets out to make sure one of the professors – Preston Barclay – gets charged with the murder, and this book creates quite the plotline.

Preston, a widower, finds himself caught up in a murder investigation, thanks to Mara Thorn requesting his assistance in dealing with another professor. The two join forces to attempt to stay out of jail by solving the murder. The fact Preston constantly hears music in his head of various varieties and by different composers adds to this story. The ending of the story suits this book perfectly and the plot moves along at a good pace. So if you enjoy mysteries, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this story, but, it has a few things, I'm not a fan of. (CYN)
Favorite Character? Mark???? I know the main character only interacts with him twice.... But the salad joke.
I would hesitate to read this one first. I saw a couple of reviews say it works as a stand alone, but they talk about what happened in the first one.

This small-town murder mystery has a large cast of interesting characters. It wasn't a page-turner for me, but I enjoyed getting to know the people of Beneficent and trying to figure out who was behind all that went on. I also enjoyed the post-World War II setting. Although I'm not a fan of crime novels, I thought it was well-written and entertaining. If you enjoy a good mystery, then you might enjoy getting to know the people in Beneficent, Mississippi.

I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

As I began reading this book, I was not sure what I was going to think about it. However, the more I read, the more I wanted to continue reading. Told from the view of various characters, I wanted to read the book from only one perspective. However, I understand the need in this work of historical fiction to read from several perspectives.

Lisa Kemper, the female protagonist, was a character I found myself slow to warm up to, while Jack Daniels seemed more likable. This suspense novel eventually grabbed my attention and would not let me stop until I finished it.

The story does a realistic job of portraying small-town life while capturing the feelings of the characters. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

Very funny. A little bit wild. Not overly tied up.

Title: Deadly Additive: A Jeb Sledge Mission
Author: Donn Taylor
Pages: 316
Year: 2012
Publisher: Harbourlight Books
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Kristin Halvorsen is in the middle of a remote Colombian village in pursuit of the story of her career. What she finds instead will be the story of her life and may be a life cut short by the guerillas who control the area. She has seen something she wasn’t supposed to and now she has been kidnapped by said guerillas. She and her friend from college, a rich daughter of a powerful businessman, have traveled to Colombia together and now her friend’s father must pay a large ransom to free them. What happens next, they don’t expect and soon they are fleeing for their lives in the dense countryside of remote Colombia where whoever has the most guns wins. Can she make it back to civilization to tell the world her story?
Jeb Sledge is an independent contractor who performs tasks or missions for people with money who can afford his services and need things done quickly. He is a former soldier and is looking to retire after this last mission to listen to soft music, read books and maybe be trained as a PI. He is determined, battle ready and a high success rate on his missions. He thinks this mission is over once he makes a delivery to his current boss, but soon discovers there is much more going on. He is pulled in again to another aspect of his first mission and then thinks he is finished, but he isn’t. Now, he is tasked with tracking down a chemical weapons expert and his deadly cargo before it gets in the hands of terrorists.
This is an action-packed, exciting story with espionage, subterfuge, gun fights, kidnapping and more! I was involved with the characters and their stories throughout the novel and couldn’t wait to turn the next page to see what was going to happen. Kristin is a woman with a lot of guts and determination. Sledge is a protector and mission driven former soldier. Both are trying to fill an emptiness in their lives that can only be filled by the One who made it. Both realize what they are searching for, but will they have time to find it before they lose their lives? I liked the character of Roger Brinkman, the former CIA member, who is still active and going strong at work while in his nineties! I am looking forward to reading more from this author as I like his writing style, story line and plot development. This is one I thoroughly enjoyed!

This book is the first book by this author and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Mr. Taylor has created a mind blowing, thought provoking novel and I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this novel. The writing style of Donn Taylor is unique and refreshing.

I loved Preston Barclay and all the characters within the pages of this book. Mr. Taylor chiseled them all perfectly and they helped to really bring out the best parts of the story. The suspensefulness of the story added to the characters and each page turn kept me up long into the night.

If you love mysteries and well rounded characters, then this is a 4 star book you don’t want to miss. You’ll find yourself completely wrapped up in the whos and whats of the story and sitting on the edge of your seat as you follow Mr. Barclay through the mystery. Mr. Taylor is going on my list of authors who I need to keep on my reading list! Two thumbs up to him!

*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

Professor Preston Barclay is back in Donn Taylor’s third novel featuring murder in academia, Murder in Disguise. In this new mystery, Press is a visiting professor at a state university. His summer plans of low-key teaching and reading are interrupted by the apparent suicide of the head of the History department. Although he adamantly proclaims that he is not investigating what the widow suspects is foul play, everyone from the janitor to the associate professors to the local police are on notice that Press is on the case.

Mysterious doings are the center of Murder in Disguise. Press is confronted with the seedier side of society as he uncovers prostitution and drug-trafficking in his quest to clear his colleague’s reputation. In addition, the novel explores the failure of academia to ensure freedom of ideas is upheld. A good bit of time is spent in discussion of the failure to preserve the right of expression. Press and his love interest, Mara, are the main characters in this novel. There is a lot of backstory for the two that unfolded in the first two books, but the reader doesn’t really need it to read this book. Supporting characters are not as developed as I would have liked, and to be honest I never really engaged with the story or the people involved. For the literary and music minded, there are lots of references to classic works.

A quick read, Murder in Disguise was just an okay read for me. But others would disagree. Be sure to check out their reviews.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine.)

Title: Murder in Disguise (A Preston Barclay Mystery #3)
Author: Donn Taylor
Pages: 301
Year: 2017
Publisher: Lamplighter Mysteries
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Press and Mara have survived two dangerous mystery investigations together, even though Press claims he “just teaches history”. Now, Press has gotten a job at a college to teach a couple of summer classes. One of his good friends from his own college days is a department chairman of the college and was instrumental in Press getting this summer job. Mara has a teaching friend at the same college, so she comes for a visit.
When Press arrives at the college, he first pays a visit to his friend’s wife to offer condolences. It seems his friend recently committed suicide. Press just can’t wrap his mind around his grounded Christian friend taking his own life, but all the evidence points to this being the case. His friend’s wife doesn’t believe he killed himself and has been spreading the word that once Press arrives, he will prove that her husband was murdered. Press doesn’t want to get involved in another murder investigation, but she pleads with him to just meet with the detective in charge of her husband’s case. Press agrees.
Press is not welcomed at the college as the new department chairman wants to create a very liberal curriculum, discarding most traditional and/or Christian values classes. The classes Press teaches are conservative and traditional, just like Press. He notices a couple of minor anomalies in the investigation. He is warned by several people to let things alone and not to stir the pot, but once Press gets his teeth into something, he won’t let go. With Mara’s help, Press seeks to discover the truth.
This is one of my favorite mystery series, and I hope the author has many more to come! The witty remarks and puns put a smile on my face and made me chuckle out loud. The dialogue is snappy and there is enough going on in the story to keep readers thoroughly interested and entertained. I also liked the inclusion of the side story of Press’s daughter and her on-campus fight for her religious freedom rights. These mysteries are definitely ones to check out and ones not to be missed!

The more I read books from this author, the more I notice how detailed and complex his books are. The mystery within a mystery within a mystery in this story is nothing short of brilliance. It takes real talent to weave a tale such as this one and keep the characters all on the right path. I thought Barclay was on top of his game in this book. Coming back to teach for the summer after losing a friend is very hard. When that friend dies in the office you now occupy is even more complicated.

Mara is back with her eye for detail and a sense of protectiveness for Barclay. He does have a way of finding himself in trouble even when he tries to steer clear of it. Mara really compliments Barclay’s personality and it helps the story flow with ease. The story is surrounded with rumors that Barclay’s friend killed himself. What I did find very intriguing was the way Barclay very cleverly inserted himself into investigating not only his friends death, but some very unsavory dealings going on in the town.

This is one book that has everything I love in a mystery such as twists, greed, betrayal, danger, revenge and most of all a determined person to find the truth. I encourage mystery fans to grab a copy of this book and settle in for a thrill ride. . You are going to want to read this action packed book without stopping. Well done Donn Taylor. You have another hit on your hands.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.

BENEFICENT- doing good; generous; actively kind.
Also, the name of the town WW2 veteran Jack Davis comes home to, and where Lisa Kemper has begrudgingly arrived to help out her dad establish a new career. Beneficent is the word townspeople are proud of, well, till a murder occurs, and then the realization that just MAYBE Mayberry RFD / Utopia / Beneficent is not a realistic ideal?
Does it matter what era it is? I think so. Do town like this truly exist? Perhaps in the midwest somewhere with a minimal population. I really do think it was the times. And a town of amazin' folks.
What this book proved to me is that love can flourish anywhere at any time!
" ..we were shocked when evil struck like lightning among us in the form of theft, betrayal, and murder."

Another great book that was so hard to put down! The characters are rich, real, and memorable. As a newcomer to Beneficent, Mississippi, Lisa Kemper seeks to find the good in the citizens who claim to be according to their town's name. The story unfolds and Lisa isn't the only one wondering. The sheriff is questioning the same thing. This quiet, small community is challenged as never before when tragedy hits one of their own. Unusual happenings lead Lisa and her new friend Jack Davis to fear for their lives. Jack grew up in Beneficent and was on the magical, winning basketball high school team of 1942. He struggles with his long held beliefs about his faith and fellow residents. The more the reader discovers the more pages she/he desires to read. A moving, tender, yet traumatic story is a must read!

I highly recommend Lightning on a Quiet Night!

I was given an ebook copy of this book by the publisher and have given my honest review.

History professor Press Barclay and former Wiccan Mara Thorn are back to investigate in the second book in the Preston Barclay Mystery series by Donn Taylor. In Murder Mezzo Forte, the two are on the verge of losing everything — their jobs, their reputations and their lives — as they try to find out who killed friend and colleague Mitra Fortier. This professor seems to have known too much and that’s what got her killed.

Taylor brings back old characters and introduces new in his college community based novel. He does a good job of covering back stories from the previous book, so this one can easily be read as a standalone. It has all the classic elements of a cozy mystery — quirky characters, humor, and intrepid amateur sleuths. But Taylor adds a bit extra as he explores the roles of reality and fantasy in our lives. Many of the characters indulge in the fantastical, making up scenarios that just don’t fit the facts. As Press gets further into his investigation, he recognizes his own lapses as well. Both Press and Mara struggle with faith issues as they deny their growing attraction. In the end, the two make a good team, a fact I hope is explored in future books.

A good choice for fans of cozies, Murder Mezzo Forte combines a puzzling mystery with deeper issues to think about. I’m looking forward to more in the series.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

There is just something about a cozy mystery — I love the witty dialog, the tongue in cheek humor, the quirky characters and the puzzling mystery. You get that and more in Donn Taylor’s novel, Rhapsody in Red. Professors Preston Barclay and Mara Thorne join investigative forces when they are targeted as suspects in a colleague’s murder. As they get closer to finding out just whodunit, the danger from the real murderer increases. Along the way they develop a friendship that just might become something more.

Taylor has created an interesting community in Overton College, er, University. Political correctness and secularization run amok as the church-supported institution strives to attract students. Characters run the gamut of philosophies and ideals with enough oddballs to keep the chuckles coming. There’s also a grudge-holding homicide detective that you’ll love to hate. The two main characters, widower Preston and Wiccan Mara, are oil and water at first, but soon put aside their differences in order to prove their innocence. Suspects are plenty as many people wanted the victim dead. That’s another plus for this cozy — the victim is not mourned by the characters or the reader. A strong faith thread runs throughout the novel as Press and Mara work out their relationships with God. With lots of literary and musical allusions and references, Rhapsody in Red will also appeal to music and literature lovers.

So if you are looking for a mystery to keep you guessing and thinking, check out Rhapsody in Red.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Title: Murder, Mezzo, Forte (A Preston Barclay Mystery #2)
Author: Donn Taylor
Pages: 298
Year: 2016
Publisher: Lamplighter Mysteries
My rating is 4 stars.
This Preston Barclay novel focuses on the man who teaches history at a university and recently solved a murder at the school. Now, after a reception for the staff, trustees and other administrators, Preston and another professor, Mara Torn, find another dead body. Preston knew this female professor because she was a friend of his late wife. Were Professor Preston & Mara set up by some unknown assailant to discover the body and thereby be under suspicion for the murder?
There were a lot of one-liners throughout the novel that made me laugh out loud. The main male character of Preston has a dry wit and sometimes speaks his one-liners at imperfect moments. Mara and Preston became friends as they solved the prior murder on campus. Mara though has kept her heart guarded due to a prior bad marriage.
Throughout the novel there were many references to a variety of music pieces, some classical while others were of other genres. I thought the reference to the murder victim’s name was brilliant as well as the reason behind her nickname. What sometimes disrupted the flow of the story was the amount of musical pieces referenced, even though I understood it was playing inside the head of Preston. The reason the music was playing was to help Preston deal with life as some of the pieces were played when his wife was alive.
The ending was left at a place that leaves me to think the author might be bringing out another novel with the main characters of Preston and Mara. I hope so as I enjoyed watching a possible romance and future with these two characters blossom the further the plot developed. This is a good story that kept me guessing; there were just too many musical pieces referenced for me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Somehow I've missed out on opportunities to read former books by Donn Taylor and much to my disappointment. He writes with a high level of intelligent sarcasm, great wit, and skill that one rarely encounters. His talent at wordsmithing is excellent. With a PhD in Literature, University teaching experience, and utilizing his varied life experiences, he has penned a delightful read.

The main protagonist, Preston Barclay, is a professor of history at Overton College, now Overton University. The world of academia is unsettled by the newly discovered death of a professor. And who discovers the body? Professor Preston Barclay and his side-kick, Professor Mara Thorn, of course. They who in the previous book had locked minds to find another killer on Overton's campus.

The story is a lot of fun to read and the characters well developed. The mystery's solution was kept pretty much under wraps until the last bit of the book. And then it all fell in place.

I think the biggest hit of the book, for me, was the sense of humor Preston Barclay has and how he is twisting words and rattling off puns right and left. Of course, it is all due to the wonderful talent the author, Donn Taylor has as he unleashes his bright mind and shapes the 26 letters of the alphabet into a smattering of words that delight the reader.

I received a complimentary copy from a publicist on behalf of the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are just mine, alone, and without compensation.

We are back with Professor Preston Barclay and his accomplice Mara Thorn, and they are back in the wrong place at the right time, or something like that, as they do find bodies, and they are not alive.
This time the go to meet another member of the faculty at Overton College, make that University, and discover Professor Mitra Fortier’s body. Now what, and as you probably know these two know to get as far as they can from the deceased and any hint that they are involved. There are shady police around, and one has a particular dislike of Pres dating back to their military service time.
What is going on, and who is following them, and when you can’t trust the police, whom can you turn to. This page-turner will answers your questions, and the reasons why the murder has happened.
If you enjoy mysteries, this one will not disappoint. Enjoy!
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

What a treat to read a book from this author. His books are always filled with well written intrigue and characters that cover the pages with incredible emotions that grab your attention right away. Preston Barclay is a very private person. He teaches history at a college, then slips away to his house where he has hallucinations of music playing in his head. Yes, I was already intrigued by this character. He must love his privacy and there is going to be something very significant about the music in this story.

On one particular day Mara Thorn happens to walk into Preston's office looking for help. This was not going to be a quiet day for Preston as he and Mara discover the body of a fellow teacher. Suddenly they find themselves as the prime suspects. How will they prove their innocence? Does the dead teacher have a link to others in the story? As they start to do their own investigation their personalities will clash. Preston doesn't really like to be around women and Mara doesn't trust men. How will they work together? The author has written a mystery that takes you on many twists as characters come to life with intrigue and quirkiness. It is a book that you will find hard to put down. This was a hard mystery for me to figure out, which makes the writing superb. Thank you for a book that was such a joy to read and a mystery that reminds me of a Alfred Hitchcock movie.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

From the very first page , I knew this was going to be a book I couldn't put down. The author writes about a small town much like that of Mayberry from the fifties. It's a quiet friendly town, where everyone knows each other. They are neighborly and watch out for each other. One of the main focus of the town is the sports team at the school. It seems like the whole town rallies around the promising team that almost makes it to the state tournament.

One stormy night a tragedy occurs that rocks the small quiet town. Their secure little quaint town will be tested and no on seems immune from the backlash of this unforgettable act of violence. The author demonstrates his ability to write a fast pace book with many twists and turns. The town has been so rigid in their belief that nothing bad could ever happen in their town, that when the unthinkable happens, they all believe it was an act of violence from an outsider. How could they believe one of their own would harm another?

The characters are well written with each one having to deal with their own acceptance of life in a small town , where violence steps in and takes their security away. I loved the history of an era almost forgotten and how the author writes with a flair of familiarity that gives readers a picture of that time period. The book has mystery, a little romance and people who you come to know by the words that gracefully glide across the pages. I could not put the book down and when I finished, I felt a sense of time traveling to an era that was an important part of history.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Title: Rhapsody in Red (A Preston Barclay Mystery #1)
Author: Donn Taylor
Pages: 364
Year: 2008
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Professor Preston Barclay teaches history at a small Midwestern university. His friends call him Press, but he has few of those. Most faculty shun him as he is not afraid to say what he thinks and stand up for what he feels is right. He is a widower in his mid-fifties with a college age daughter. His wife died about three years ago and he has stopped going to church due to his overwhelming grief, which he still experiences sometimes more deeply than others. He hasn’t lost his faith, but he isn’t practicing it either. He becomes involved in a murder investigation when a fellow colleague, Mara Thorn, asks for his help confronting another teacher. They go to confront this teacher and find her murdered.
Press and Mara soon find themselves among the suspects and begin their own investigation to find the murderer. The captain in charge of the investigation is someone from Preston’s past and has a personal score to settle with Press, so he finds any and every excuse to keep Press as the prime suspect. As Press and Mara continue to ask questions, more and more threats are made against them. Then, they are on the run for their very lives. Mara is in her mid-thirties with an aversion to being touched and is very much in control of herself. She was raised in a very strict religious environment that claimed to be Christian, but in truth didn’t practice what the Bible says, which in turn has soured her on Christianity. She says she is now a Wiccan, but will these beliefs sustain her when she is on the run?
This is an excellent mystery filled with witty dialogue, sarcastic wit; some laugh out loud moments for readers as well as some really awful puns! I loved it and hope there are many more Professor Barclay novels that come from the mind and pen of Donn Taylor. I liked seeing the coming out of the fog of grief to return to an active faith-based life, his fight against political correctness when that violates his religious freedoms and the different songs that play through his mind at various times. I am a big mystery fan and am so excited I’ve found a new author with a great talent for this genre. This one is definitely a book readers will want to buy for their collection. Great job Donn!!
My rating is 5 stars out of 5.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

Title: The Lazarus Files
Author: Donn Taylor
Website: http://www.donntaylor.com/
Pages: 304
Year: 2013
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reading a novel such as The Lazarus File was an adventure! There was nonstop suspense plus it was hard at time to slow down my reading because I was so excited to see what came next! There is an operative who is working undercover and facing some threatening people and situations. He has been thought dead for many years, but is he? Now it appears he may have been resurrected with a new identity. However, the political scene in Washington has changed and the methods once employed to keep agents protected are now compromised with deadly results.
The flip side is a married, rich couple in Columbia who by working hard give the poorest of the poor better avenues to improve their lives. Yet enemies within the family and without are seeking to destroy that idea and bring about change, including a new government in Cuba. Here is where the undercover agent must finish his mission or decide to work for this upstanding family. Or does his mission in some way involve the good people he rarely meets?
I stayed up till I found out the ending as the adventure never ended and the suspense just kept getting wound up. Donn Taylor did a fantastic job of writing a work of fiction that really is most realistic and therefore grabs the reader’s attention and never lets go! Those who enjoy suspense, mystery and thrillers will certainly want to lose themselves in The Lazarus File! Grab a cup of coffee or a soda and prepare to live out an adventure in the creative world within the pages!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

Title: Lightning on a Quiet Night
Author: Donn Taylor
Website: http://www.donntaylor.com/
Pages: 330
Year: 2014
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Donn Taylor brings to his audience a captivating mystery set in a small town named Beneficent in the mid-1940s and early 50s. A widower working for a chemical company moves into town with his grown daughter to oversee the building of plant. Stephen and Lisa Kemper feel like outsiders who work hard to be accepted by the small town. Lisa is still considering what she will choose for her graduate degree while living with her father as he adjusts to a different normal.
Lisa meets Jack who is a farmer and a former serviceman, but instantly forms a dislike for him due to his utopia view of the town. Many other characters living in the town aren’t just unique; they have secrets. While most in the town attend the local church, Lisa senses they aren’t really paying attention to the sermons. The whole town tends is self-sufficient and above others until an unknown receipt is discovered that climactically brings clear and present danger to Jack, Lisa and the small town.
This is a small town whose main challenge is speeding and boot-legging. Now, there is a murder, which everyone believes it is the work of an outsider. Wait until you unearth the reason for such a deep rooted belief by the townspeople. No matter which of the characters sticks out to you, the message for everyone becomes obvious along with the challenge to be authentic. I also came away from Donn’s work of fiction seeing that no one is immune from pain and all have the capability to make choices. The choice I saw was how people could live life on past accomplishments, heartaches and/or failure or they could look up to God who knows them best. So, in a way, the fictional world in the book reaches the real world by reminding us that God loves, knows, forgives and restores anyone willing to draw near to Him. Lightening on a Quiet Night is the second novel of Donn’s that I have read, and if you have not had the pleasure of perusing his work, may I suggest strongly you do! You won’t regret the choice!
My rating is 5+ stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

Title: Deadly Additive
Author: Donn Taylor
Pages: 326
Year: 2012
Publisher: Harborlight Books
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book from www.bookfun.org
The novel piqued my interest with the title, so when I received a copy I wanted to take my time reading it to savor the action and adventure. I am so glad I did too!
The novel starts out slowly with a mystery of why a man has been severely wounded, taking a very long time to recover as the sole survivor. The man is a soldier, who returns after action to face emptiness that nags his insides and isn’t easily shoved aside. Jeb is that soldier. He only wants to begin a new life, yet is constantly pulled back into action and this time by a private billionaire. His goal is to extract this man’s daughter from hostiles in Columbia and return her safely home, but what unfolds is more than Jeb signed up for. Now, along with a reporter named Kristen posing as someone else, they begin to uncover a dangerous plan to murder many around the globe through use of unknown substances.
The trail the suspects leave causes many government agencies to get involved and the tentacles of the operation reach around the world. The author does an excellent job of setting the stage where the characters have to decide which way to proceed with many choices available. However, above all, Jeb and Kristen are forced to face their past hurts along with fighting the evil that threatens to eliminate anyone who even gets close.
Some of the characters are from various countries and have interesting personalities along with some amusing ways of stating a situation. Not only are the characters from various parts of the world, the weather is a factor in how Jeb has to carry out his missions. One time Jeb has to go for days without sleep, but is able to function to the conclusion of the problem. It is really cute the way Jeb is described in the story and yet how inwardly he is a huge teddy bear. Kristen can almost be like a soldier when she has to and all the while hoping Jeb will soon be there to rescue her from the hands of certain death.
I hope the writer crafts a sequel to this novel as the future of the characters wasn’t shared or the capture of the head man who was threatening so many people. I loved how Donn pointed out in Jeb’s character the truth that when all is said and done the deep soul or heart questions can no longer be ignored. This is a great story with much suspense, action, romance and danger. My hope is to see what becomes of the multifaceted problem of capturing the designer with very nefarious intents.
My rating 5 stars.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

By the end of chapter one, a dead body is discovered, a possibility exists for romance, and I've chuckled aloud! What a terrific beginning. The descriptive wording is a delightful change from the clichés of most novels; with allusions sprinkled throughout, English majors are bound to love this one!

Music lovers will appreciate the musical theme playing as pages are turned. Musical terminology and titles of music are referred to as Press goes about investigating the murder. He has musical hallucinations--uncontrollable music-like sounds inside his brain that sometimes makes clear-thinking difficult.

The major characters are both flawed. In addition to his internal music, Press is mourning the death of his wife, struggling to hang on to his university teaching schedule, and his colleague, Mara, a Wiccan, does not tolerate touching or "coloring outside the box." I liked both Press and Mara and look forward to meeting them again in a future work. If you like whodunits, this one's for you.

By the end of chapter one, a dead body is discovered, a possibility exists for romance, and I've chuckled aloud! What a terrific beginning. The descriptive wording is a delightful change from the clichés of most novels; with allusions sprinkled throughout, English majors are bound to love this one!

Music lovers will appreciate the musical theme playing as pages are turned. Musical terminology and titles of music are referred to as Press goes about investigating the murder. He has musical hallucinations--uncontrollable music-like sounds inside his brain that sometimes makes clear-thinking difficult.

The major characters are both flawed. In addition to his internal music, Press is mourning the death of his wife, struggling to hang on to his university teaching schedule, and his colleague, Mara, a Wiccan, does not tolerate touching or "coloring outside the box." I liked both Press and Mara and look forward to meeting them again in a future work. If you like whodunits, this one's for you.