Erica Sparks is a beautiful and ambitious reporter who has just landed her dream job at Global News Network in New York. And while it was hard to leave Jenny, her cherished eight-year-old daughter, in the custody of her ex-husband, Erica is determined to succeed in the cutthroat world of big-time broadcasting. She can only hope her troubled past won’t come back to sabotage her dreams.
Although the wounds from her divorce are still fresh, Erica can’t deny the chemistry between her and her new producer, the handsome and empathic Greg Underwood. But a relationship is the last thing she wants right now.
On her very first assignment, Erica inadvertently witnesses—and films—a
horrific tragedy, scooping all the other networks. Mere weeks later, another tragedy strikes—again, right in front of Erica and her cameras. Her career skyrockets overnight, but Erica is troubled. Deeply. This can’t just be coincidence. But what is it?
horrific tragedy, scooping all the other networks. Mere weeks later, another tragedy strikes—again, right in front of Erica and her cameras. Her career skyrockets overnight, but Erica is troubled. Deeply. This can’t just be coincidence. But what is it?
Erica will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. But she has to make sure disaster—and her troubled past—don’t catch up with her first.
Available on Amazon
About the Author(s):
Lis Wiehl is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels. She is a Harvard Law School graduate and has served as a federal prosecutor in the state of Washington and as a tenured faculty member at The University Washington School of Law. She is currently a popular legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel.
Visit her online at liswiehlbooks.com
Facebook: Lis Wiehl, Fox News Legal Analyst and Author
Twitter: @LisWiehl
Sebastian Stuart has published four novels under his own name, including The Hour Between, winner of the Ferro-Grumley Award and an NPR Season’s Readings selection. He has also co-written national and New York Times bestselling books. As senior editor of e-book publisher New Word City, Stuart has written over two dozen original non-fiction e-books.
My Take:
Erica is a reporter, recently hired by GNN, the up and coming Global News Network. She is being groomed to be the next sensation. Coincidentally, things are actually going her way. She goes from the bottom to the top in a matter of just a couple of weeks. She has access to the most viewed, highest ranked, stories first hand. She just happens to be in the right place at the right time, more often than not. But this coincidence along with some other strange things that have happened to her, is becoming a bit disturbing. She knows there are some people who love power, and are control freaks, and yet how far would they go to gain what they desire? Before she realizes it, she is deep in the middle of a dangerous web and not sure there is any way out but forward.
I have a bit of mixed emotions on this one. I felt like this book was extremely interesting. I read it in roughly 24 hours. I honestly just couldn't put it down for long. The writing style, which I have heard some complain about, actually didn't bother me at all. Maybe it is just because I am a simple country gal, not too sophisticated and I enjoy reading books without an extreme amount of detail. I enjoyed the plot which moved quickly; the characters were engaging, and the set up was entertaining.
As far as the villain goes, honestly, I knew from the beginning who it was, but I don't think that's the point of this book. I think it is more about keeping you wondering what he will do next and whether Erica will endure whatever is coming. On those aspects of the book, I would give it close to five stars. When I read a book, I don't want to put down, it is good!
BUT... There's always a but... you know? This book is put out by Thomas Nelson, a publisher I have always considered as a Christian fiction marketer. And personally, I would not consider this book a Christian fiction. There is no reference in the book to faith, or really even God. (Erica does often repeat the serenity prayer as sort of a self-soothing routine) She is a recovering alcoholic and has been clean for over a year, but there are secrets in her past she does not want revealed to the public. Yet, from a Christian standpoint, this book in no way addresses her recovery as anything other than her own hard work. (no faith or God involved there) She is also quick to give herself away, so no purity going on. Another thing that bothered me was the use of some foul language. I personally do not use or usually select book that include such. It wasn't extreme, but I prefer clean fiction. And there were a few other innuendos of a sexual nature that I just felt the book itself could have done without.
So how to rate this book is a bit complicated.... I do not know if it is promoted as a Christian fiction even though the publisher is supposed to be. The back simply says fiction, suspense. So I am going to give the book four stars. If you read enough reviews, you will be able to discern for yourself if this book is for you or not.
I received this book from the Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to review positively and no other compensation has been provided.
About the Author(s):
Lis Wiehl is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels. She is a Harvard Law School graduate and has served as a federal prosecutor in the state of Washington and as a tenured faculty member at The University Washington School of Law. She is currently a popular legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel.
Visit her online at liswiehlbooks.com
Facebook: Lis Wiehl, Fox News Legal Analyst and Author
Twitter: @LisWiehl
Sebastian Stuart has published four novels under his own name, including The Hour Between, winner of the Ferro-Grumley Award and an NPR Season’s Readings selection. He has also co-written national and New York Times bestselling books. As senior editor of e-book publisher New Word City, Stuart has written over two dozen original non-fiction e-books.
My Take:
Erica is a reporter, recently hired by GNN, the up and coming Global News Network. She is being groomed to be the next sensation. Coincidentally, things are actually going her way. She goes from the bottom to the top in a matter of just a couple of weeks. She has access to the most viewed, highest ranked, stories first hand. She just happens to be in the right place at the right time, more often than not. But this coincidence along with some other strange things that have happened to her, is becoming a bit disturbing. She knows there are some people who love power, and are control freaks, and yet how far would they go to gain what they desire? Before she realizes it, she is deep in the middle of a dangerous web and not sure there is any way out but forward.
I have a bit of mixed emotions on this one. I felt like this book was extremely interesting. I read it in roughly 24 hours. I honestly just couldn't put it down for long. The writing style, which I have heard some complain about, actually didn't bother me at all. Maybe it is just because I am a simple country gal, not too sophisticated and I enjoy reading books without an extreme amount of detail. I enjoyed the plot which moved quickly; the characters were engaging, and the set up was entertaining.
As far as the villain goes, honestly, I knew from the beginning who it was, but I don't think that's the point of this book. I think it is more about keeping you wondering what he will do next and whether Erica will endure whatever is coming. On those aspects of the book, I would give it close to five stars. When I read a book, I don't want to put down, it is good!
BUT... There's always a but... you know? This book is put out by Thomas Nelson, a publisher I have always considered as a Christian fiction marketer. And personally, I would not consider this book a Christian fiction. There is no reference in the book to faith, or really even God. (Erica does often repeat the serenity prayer as sort of a self-soothing routine) She is a recovering alcoholic and has been clean for over a year, but there are secrets in her past she does not want revealed to the public. Yet, from a Christian standpoint, this book in no way addresses her recovery as anything other than her own hard work. (no faith or God involved there) She is also quick to give herself away, so no purity going on. Another thing that bothered me was the use of some foul language. I personally do not use or usually select book that include such. It wasn't extreme, but I prefer clean fiction. And there were a few other innuendos of a sexual nature that I just felt the book itself could have done without.
So how to rate this book is a bit complicated.... I do not know if it is promoted as a Christian fiction even though the publisher is supposed to be. The back simply says fiction, suspense. So I am going to give the book four stars. If you read enough reviews, you will be able to discern for yourself if this book is for you or not.
I received this book from the Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to review positively and no other compensation has been provided.
GIVEAWAY
One print copy of Lis Wiehl's book The Newsmakers
To enter:
Leave a comment answering one of the questions below:
How do you as a reader feel about reading a book with some bad language in it, as long as the story is well written and engaging?
or
Have you read any of Lis Wiehl's books? If so, which ones, and did you like them?
Please leave your email in safe format so I can contact you if you are the winner.
Winner will be notified by email and be expected to acknowledge receipt of notification within 48 hours. Winner will be selected on April 11th.
U.S. entries only please. Must be 18 to enter.
This giveaway is not associated with any social media group.
So glad you brought out the lack of faith content, Amy! I've heard others make the same complaint about some of Thomas Nelson's releases and I hate to see this trend. Otherwise, why label it as Christian fiction? I'm sure it's an effort to reach readers in the general market, but Christian fiction isn't the same as clean fiction. Okay, enough said. Well, one more thought. You should post the link to your review on Thomas Nelson's Facebook page and express that particular thought when you do. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI understand this is becoming a trend with them. I kind of wish they would give warning, then I would just choose not to read the book. Thanks Carole for stopping by.
DeleteI would be willing to read a book with some bad language if it is in the context of the story. But if I read another book by the same author and saw this was a pattern in their writing style, then I probably would not be interested in reading any more books by this author unless they changed their style in the future.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
I understand, and occasionally, I get the point of including them, but sometimes I feel like it is just not necessary and can be expressed without actually including it in true form.
Deleteread all books liz has written never saw a bad word... stop reading a authors books because every other word in her new books was a bad word
ReplyDeleteI hope this is not necessarily a trend she will continue. I read the Snapshot and it was so good, which made me want to read this one. But I was a little disappointed.
DeleteI would have assumed it was Christian being that it came from a Christian publishing house but it sounds lacking in that way. Glad the story was still good.
ReplyDeleteDiane
dianemestrella at gmail dot com
Diane, Thank you for entering. You are the winner!!
DeleteGreat review! Thanks for your insight. I get frustrated when stories are sprinkled with bad language, as the story likely could be told just as well with no foul words. I guess I've come to tolerate some bad language when it's an integral part of the story, but it is surprising from a Christian publisher.
ReplyDeletePamela, I agree, it is just frustrating when you don't expect it. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI've never read her books but I've seen her on Fox News.
ReplyDeleteIf you like a good suspense Julie, you would enjoy her books. I have read others and they were very good. Thanks for entering
DeleteForgot to post my email farmermomwife at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any before.
ReplyDeleteLeela, thanks for stopping by. You should try her books if you enjoy some suspense.
DeleteIf the using of bad language is necessary to tell the story, I am okay with a small amount, but I so prefer a clean book! I read Lis Wiehl's Snapshot, & I really enjoyed it! Thanks for a great review & giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAndysavi.Mom@gmail.com
I read Snapshot too! I really liked it, which is one reason I wanted to read this one. Thank you for stopping by
Deletehaven't had the chance to read any of her work as of yet..
ReplyDeletelisavanhook@aol.com
I hope you get a chance to check out her books one day. She really is a good author. This one was just a bit disappointing to me, but her book Snapshot was really good. I would recommend it for sure.
Delete