Publisher: RidgeRoute Press (November 17, 2014)
Category: International Suspense, Mystery/Thriller
ISBN: 9780991401734
Tour Date: January/February, 2015
Available in: Print & ebook, 314 Pages
A friend's deception. A family's dilemma. While cataloguing looted antiquities in Brussels, archaeologist Grace Madison discovers that her daughter has vanished in France, and her son's bride has been attacked in Switzerland. After the Madisons unearth a relic whose taproot pierces the Ancient Near East, they realize that before they can save themselves, they must rescue an old friend. If he'll let them. They sacrifice hearts and lives in a race against eternity on a four-thousand-year-old trail crossing three continents. Because choosing what's right is all that's left.
Praise for When Camels Fly (Parched Series Book I):
"Page-turning international suspense--this writer is on her way up."-DiAnn Mills, Christie Award winning author "An exciting novel of suspense, intrigue, and mystery. Very nicely done."-Paul Johnson, Readers' Favorites "It's obvious from the writing that the author has spent time here."-Ellis Shuman, Times of Israel "The book was fantastic, and nearly impossible to set down. Highly recommended."-Kathryn Bennett, Readers' Favorites "A unique, totally out in left field, never been told story. I love that."-Every Free Chance BlogAdvance Praise for My Brothers Keepers:
"The Brothers' Keepers, book 2 in the Parched series, delivers masterful international suspense driven by contemporary family dynamics. Light the late-night oil because you won't want to put this book down."-DiAnn Mills, Christy Award Winner
"I thought Horton peaked with her first novel, When Camels Fly. I'll admit, I was wrong. The Brothers' Keepers is magnificent! The main characters from her first novel are beautifully developed in this sequel. This is a more accessible novel than When Camels Fly mainly because of the location -- Europe. She incorporates the history of the places her characters visit, and she weaves an incredibly feasible story around these events. The story is as complex as When Camels Fly, a good thing that requires close reading, but it is well worth the effort. I highly recommend reading When Camels Fly before this one and continuing journeying with the Madison family!-Leigh Bennett, Reader
"I am once again became enthralled by the exploits of an intelligent, older woman and her family whom I first got to meet in When Camels Fly. It's so rare to find a heroine that the more mature amongst us can relate to on some level. I look forward to learning more about Grace, Mark, Maggie, Jeff and Becca as they become embroiled in yet another adventure after Maggie goes missing and an attempt is apparently made on Becca's life whilst she and Jeff are honeymooning in Switzerland."-Anne Rogers, Reader
About NLB Horton:
The Brothers’ Keepers is the second, with the third installment available in fall 2015. Website: http://www.nlbhorton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NLB-Horton/289059931145461
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NLBHorton
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nlbhorton/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121286.N_L_B_Horton
Buy The Brother's Keepers:
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Ein Gedi, Israel
(Archaeologist Grace Madison and her
family are in Israel, having followed the relic there from Venice. They’re
ascending the wadi of Ein Gedi, which Grace has done many times in her work in
the region.)
Grace
Ein
Gedi, the oasis in Israel where David hid from King Saul, contained two
powerful springs, nahals David and Arugot.
Ein Gedi, Israel
Two other springs, the Shulamit and Ein Gedi, also irrigated the wadi
reserve in which we hiked. For a spot in the middle of a desert, it was watery.
When the State of Israel dedicated this verdant park,
they documented every square inch with the detail of a Pharisee.
But we thought they might have missed something.
Temperatures were bearable thirteen hundred feet
below sea level on this early spring day. We climbed a mile to David Falls,
hopped boulder-to-boulder, tight-roped fallen timber, and passed few tourists. Most visitors were in Jerusalem enjoying the
pageant of Ash Wednesday in the Holy City.
We left Dr. Steele in a MOSES reunion at the
Hallelujah Hotel, with Drs. Merritt and Flately.
Steven was still critical in Germany, and I prayed
for him during the last hundred yards of the climb.
The five-hundred-foot waterfall splashed into a
basketball- court-sized rock bowl where swimmers normally recovered from summer
heat exceeding one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.
Plants dangled from dark slashes around the falls, in
spots where slivers of rock had detached to create voids perfect for soil
pockets.
We enjoyed the spectacle alone, in shade from an
olive tree arcing from a crevice high above. Rosemary and fennel, my favorite
wild herbs, found similar footholds. I admired the buds
on an almond tree, the first species to bloom each spring, knowing it would be
a pale-peach pompom in a week or two.
“It should be here.” Maggie pointed at a
cracked wall tucked behind an outcropping the size of a school bus. I knew most
people gazed at the waterfall, never looking from its beauty. But our goal was
in the other, less-observed, direction.
“From Ein Gedi, the Dead Sea."
“What are we looking for?” Matthew asked. Before we
left Jerusalem, where we spent the night, he had announced Cyril searched
furiously in Timna, harassed by representatives of the Israeli Antiquities
Authority and Mekorot, Israel’s National Water Company.
Maggie forcefully stated they deserved each other.
She assured us he wouldn’t find much water there because the scroll indicated
the spring lay several miles northeast. I believed MBM Hydrology would pursue this resource, and was concerned that she would
stay in the Middle East—in danger.
I also believed Matthew had abandoned Mossad to
pursue my daughter. Cliff obviously maintained courteous attention to ensure he
was not forgotten. His lace-trimmed handkerchief never left her pocket.
I received the book from the touring host
for an honest review.
I must admit that I struggled with this
book. There were times that I wanted to just close the book and leave it; just
to pick up again, continuing with the read. The author’s writing style is
difficult to get used to. I cannot remember that I struggled so much with When
Camels fly, the first book in the series. But with this one I had a hard time.
So I am writing this review with mixed
feelings.
On the one hand, at times, I have no idea how things had happened or how we got to a certain place in the book. Why certain things happened? There were these gaps within the story that left me confused and the quirky comments of Grace did not help matters–personally, it didn’t make sense why she would think or even say something that actually has nothing to do with the scene at the time. That threw me from time to time, as well. Maybe if it was written differently it would have been more acceptable.
On the one hand, at times, I have no idea how things had happened or how we got to a certain place in the book. Why certain things happened? There were these gaps within the story that left me confused and the quirky comments of Grace did not help matters–personally, it didn’t make sense why she would think or even say something that actually has nothing to do with the scene at the time. That threw me from time to time, as well. Maybe if it was written differently it would have been more acceptable.
On the other hand the whole set up, as the
story unfolds, kept me reading. The way the author added the biblical history
with modern day was intriguing. Their journey taking them all over Europe in
search for the scrolls; with all the subtle hints that was left by Luther, King
Solomon and the Vatican.
Most of the “old” characters were back
which added a good dimension in the plot. With Grace at the head of everything
as she tries to protect her young from impending danger. At times there were
more questions than answers and you wonder if the group would ever get to the
bottom of the mystery. Lives were in danger, they were kidnapped, shot at,
escaped from tricky situations all while searching for the elusive waters of King
Solomon.
At the end it was a good story, action
packed and adventurous with a beautiful romance that blossomed in the midst of
all the danger.
Please be aware that When Camels Fly will be 99 cents from February 10 - 21. There's also a big campaign on Goodreads during this time, as well as on BookMovement, JustKindleBooks, the Fussy Librarian, BookGorilla, and a few other sites.
Follow the Tour:
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Jan 5 Spotlight & GiveawayCassandra M's Place Jan 6 Review & Giveaway
Victoria Simcox's Blog Jan 6 Excerpt
Confessions Of A Reader Jan 7 Guest Post & Giveaway
Paranormal Romance Jan 8 Review
Pinky's Favorite Reads Jan 9 Interview & Excerpt
Rockin' Book Reviews Jan 14 Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway
Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author Jan 14 Excerpt
Lightning Chronicles Jan 15 Review & Excerpt
Butterfly-o-Meter Books Jan 15 Guest Post, Excerpt, and Giveaway
Back Porchervations Jan 16 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Jan 19 Review
Miki's Hope Jan 20 Review
Devoted Mommy of 3 Jan 21 Review
Totally Addicted to Reading Jan 30 Review, Excerpt, & Giveawa
Reading To Distraction Feb 2 Review & Interview
Open Book Society Feb 5 Review
Inspire to Read Feb 9 Review & Excerpt
Celticlady's Reviews Feb 10 Review & Excerpt
Curling Up By the Fire Feb 11 Review
Bound 4 Escape Feb 12 Review
What U Talking Bout Willis? Feb 13 Review, Excerpt & Giveaway
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Feb 18 Review
My Tangled Skeins Reviews Feb 20 Review
StoreyBook Reviews Feb 23 Review
Reeca's Pieces Feb 25 Review
Lily's Reviews Feb 26 Review & Guest Post
TrulySimplyPink Feb 27 Review
Good morning, Lynelle! Thank you for your gracious review of TBK.
ReplyDeleteOne of the delightful things about readers and reviewers is that I learn from each one, And given that TBK has been so widely reviewed, I have a grand consensus from which to learn as I write book 3. I think you'll be please to know that the third book in the series has a simplified plot and doesn't cover quite so much ground. Grace has grown more into her role as an unwilling participant in mayhem, and her thoughts reflect her "comfortable discomfort." The elements you cite as being difficult for you are being addressed in book 3, while those that you enjoyed in 1 and 2 remain strong and unique.
All in all, there are few literary road maps for international suspense with a middle-aged female protagonist, and Grace and I are learning the ropes together. Fortunately, both books remain above four stars on Amazon, and I'll strive for a five from you in book 3.
I seriously appreciate your thorough review, and the detail with which you present your likes and concerns. It matters to me.
Best to you,
NLBH
It is always good to have you on my blog. You definitely challenge the reader to be more open minded, to be patient with the plot and just go with the flow; Grace do remind me of myself: even with the quirky comments. The fact that you have so many good reviews just confirms that your books are unique and will be appreciated by older readers. The younger ones will not get it, unless they are mature far above their age.
DeleteBut I am really glad that Book 3 is on its way, hopefully it will clarify some of the mysteries hidden within the story.
Happy writing. :)