by Steve Westover
In a world of corruption and moral relativism, how far will you go to protect the ones you love?
Paul Stephens has it all-- a wonderful job at the FBI, a potential new girlfriend, Emily, and a great apartment. Even when Jimmy, a friend from his past, unexpectedly ends up on his couch, Paul manages to keep it together, despite Jimmy's eccentric ways and sudden interest in Emily. But when a plan to arrest a corrupt judge puts Emily's life in danger, Paul is forced tomake decisions that put everything on the line. And with Jimmy along for the ride, anything can happen as they race to save Emily.
Defensive Tactics is the first novel for Steve Westover and he was able to tell a great story with all the things one could want in a suspense novel- corrupt officials, mob guys, chase scenes, sabatoge, narrow escapes, unexpected developments. What else could you ask for?
There was one thing that disappointed me in Defensive Tactics. One of the characters has a change of heart. I felt that the change was a bit abrupt- too fast. I would have liked to see the change and development as it happened to the character. I felt that on one page the character was thinking and feeling one way and then on the next page the character was thinking and feeling completely opposite.
There were also a few places that I was pulled out of the story because Steve began telling us the story instead of showing, but over all I enjoyed the story and liked the characters I was supposed to like and didn't like the ones I was supposed to dislike. I flet that the overall story was well developed and believable. Given how well written this first novel is, I am sure that Steve will only improve and give us many more wonderful stories to fill out our spare time.
I do need to tell you that the main characters in this story are of the LDS faith and talk about doctrine and read scriptures, so if you are not a fan of that type of book, then you have been told. However if that doesn' bother you in a story here is how to get your own copy of the book, just in time to sit out in the sun for the last few days of summer weather and enjoy a good book:
Purchase book here.
Product Details:
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (August 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599554453
ISBN-13: 978-1599554457
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
*Full disclosure- I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review
Indeed.
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3 comments:
Sandra,
Thank you for taking the time to read and review Defensive Tactics.
I appreciate the nice things you wrote but also the criticisms. It is through honest criticism that I can learn and improve.
I also think you raise a good question about a change of heart. Admittedly, Jimmy's change was quick. When the circumstances are right and a person has been humbled, how long does it take for someone's heart to change?
I think many readers will agree with you that the story could use a little more development in this area. The book is fast, and so is Jimmy's personal development.
Thank you.
Steve
I personally like the change of character being that dramatic. I think that people can change that quickly when they have a change of heart.
I appreciate your review. I wish I knew more about writing that I could actually feel comfortable critiquing it.
I liked your review I thought it was good, I thought that Jimmy should have fought a bit more for Emily in the end. I really like the way you present the story too.
I loved reading the book and felt it draw me in also! =0)
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