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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Will This Book Be a Direct Threat to Your Weekend?

by Chautona Havig · 8 Comments

We all love a good book that holds us fast and won't let us go, right? Well, Direct Threat has that potential. It all depends on a few things... via @chautonahavig

You’ve got a TBR pile the size of Mt. Everest or at least Mt. Whitney (for those of us in the continental US).  It’s threatening to turn you into that Facebook cartoon about how the guy dies crushed by all the books on his nightstand.  But, some sicko who does not understand the value of losing yourself in four or five books over a couple of days says, “Pick one.  Only one.”

I don’t know about you, but if that happens to me, I want a book that will hold me hostage and keep me riveted to every word on every page.

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Will This Book Be a Direct Threat to Your Weekend?

Maaaybeee…

Here’s the thing.  This book has a lot of things going for it and a few that made me frustrated.  All in all, I liked it. But first, I’ll tell you what didn’t do it for me.

Repetition. There’s a lot of it.  In fact, I suspect ten percent of the book at least could be cut without actually cutting anything. You’d never miss it.

Instant attraction. Thank goodness we didn’t get treated to “instalove” but I think the story would have been a whole lot stronger if the relationship aspect didn’t begin almost from the moment the couple meet.  After all, they’re trapped together in the same place for quite a while.  And it’s not just a preference of mine, it’s actually a problem for me in the story because how quickly things jumped in and back out and all around just didn’t ring true.  Had it had some sort of a build, the personal issues wouldn’t have felt like we were getting jerked back and forth like that.

Convenience.  Okay, this one might not be fair of me.  Here’s the thing.  The author did a good job of setting up a history of behavior that made certain events plausible–even understandable. So, kudos for not just throwing that convenience in there and letting us have to choke it down.  The problem was for me that it still was a convenience instead of a real problem followed by a real solution.  Can’t say more without giving away spoilers, but it’s a thing.

One generalized thing… they keep calling the little girl a “drama queen” but seriously, she wasn’t half as dramatic as the whole protection team.

But with all that, there were serious strengths, too.

The suspense.  Spot on.  Seriously. Tension, conflict, uncertainty.  You name it, she’s got it and it’s done well. If there had been a bit more tightening of the narrative, this would have been on par with some of my favorite suspense authors.  I kept turning the page, even when I needed to do other things instead.

The plot. The primary storyline–protecting someone from the bad guys, figuring out who the bad guys are, and getting the job done–excellent. Seriously, the author did a great job of keeping me guessing and second-guessing.  The whats and whys, the red herrings… it’s all great because you CAN figure it all out if you pay attention, but for those who like to be surprised, you won’t be slapped upside the head with every little nuance until you’ve lost the joy of the story.

The faith.  At first, this was going to be a negative.  Initially, it felt as though faith were tacked on here and there to make it “Christian.”  But then somewhere in the middle, it began weaving in, and the preachiness and awkwardness factors went away.  I’m not sure why it made a big difference, but it did.

In the end, I’m not sorry I requested and received a free review copy, and I do look forward to seeing what else this author has to offer.

Recommended for…

Readers who love clean fiction with characters who either live their faith or begin to grow in their faith will enjoy Direct Threat.  Additionally, if you enjoy suspense that follows logical storylines and don’t mind a bit of repetition, you’ll probably also enjoy the book.  Looking forward to the next. I’m curious if this is an author style or unique to this book.

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Comments

  1. Julie Waldron says

    August 9, 2020 at 7:37 am

    Thanks for sharing, this sounds like a wonderful book that would keep me busy reading.

    Reply
  2. Debbie P says

    August 8, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    This sounds like a good read and a great page turner.

    Reply
  3. James Robert says

    August 8, 2020 at 12:42 am

    Thank you for sharing your book with us. I always look forward to finding out about another great read.

    Reply
  4. Amelia says

    August 7, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks for the review! I will probably give this one a try at some point.

    Reply
  5. Rita Wray says

    August 7, 2020 at 8:30 am

    Sounds like a great book.

    Reply
  6. Linda Palmer says

    August 7, 2020 at 7:47 am

    The book sounds interesting. Christian romantic suspense is a fun genre to read.

    Reply
  7. Andrea Stoeckel says

    August 7, 2020 at 6:31 am

    Kimberly is a new author to me, this looks great

    Reply
  8. Caryl Kane says

    August 7, 2020 at 6:14 am

    Thank you for your honest review! “Direct Threat’ sounds like a page-turner.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
byChautona Havig

I had another lovely conversation with Toni Shiloh last month. Her latest book, The Love Script released and boy does it promise to be another #BookTouchdown!  Listen in to what you’ll find in this Love in the Spotlight series and especially in The Love Script.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How Many Lies Does It Take to Expose the Truth That Love Brings?

Authors tell me over and over that they experience the same things I do when I’m writing. You start helping your characters work through their problems, and as you do, the Lord starts exposing your own.  He helps you understand where you need growth and helps pull weeds that try to choke out that growth.

The Love Script has a great twist of someone trying to use a lie to smooth over the gossipy ripples of false reporting (genius way to handle it, eh?) and oh the fall out.

Toni promises we’ll see some great wisdom from Lamont’s mother and some deep truths that Neveah discovers.

The Love Truth by Toni Shiloh

A Hollywood hair stylist.

Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

The silver screen’s latest heartthrob.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

A love that goes off script.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

You can find out more about Toni on her WEBSITE.  Follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And don’t forget that you can get 30% off the book with free shipping at BakerBookHouse.com. And you can get You Make It Feel Like Christmas, too!

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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
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I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "A I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "Anne" story without Gilbert and Diana... meet Gage. He's not quite Gilbert, but he's got everything a Gilbert should have--including the ability to completely annoy Anne when he doesn't mean to. She's speaking to him here... barely.
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I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "A I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "Anne" story without Gilbert and Diana... meet Gage. He's not quite Gilbert, but he's got everything a Gilbert should have--including the ability to completely annoy Anne when he doesn't mean to. She's speaking to him here... barely.
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