Downfall - Terri Blackstock

Emily Covington has been sober for two years and life for the Covingtons is almost back to normal; but Barbara is still afraid that her daughter will relapse. Emily is still dealing with the rumors about her past; and what she wants most is just to be out of the spotlight. But when she finds a bomb under her car and people start being murdered, Emily exposes a connection that has all eyes on her once again. After hearing a conversation about an Alfred Hitchcock movie and a plan for double murder, Emily is now a suspect. Will she be able to prove her innocence? Or will these events lead to her downfall?

“Downfall” is the much-anticipated ending to Terri Blackstock’s Intervention series. In Intervention, we were introduced to the Covingtons. The intensity of the story, Terri’s fast-paced writing style, and the realistic characters made the first two novels impossible to put down; so I was sure “Downfall” would be great. It definitely did not disappoint! Once again, Terri has written a novel that can be classified as “up-all-night fiction”. “Downfall” has all of the intensity of “Intervention” and “Vicious Cycle” and more. I hung on every word and had already guessed one of the twists, only to be surprised by yet another twist!

On top of that intensity, Terri has an exceptional writing style that has just enough detail to put the reader into the story, but does not go into unnecessary detail that takes up space. This makes the novel very fast-paced and intense and never lets go of the reader’s attention.

Terri did an excellent job at continuing to develop the characters that had already become so real to the readers. Emily has made a complete turn-around and has managed to stay sober for two years; so the Emily that we see in “Downfall” is completely different than the Emily from the first two books. Tension arises as the reader wonders if Emily will eventually relapse—especially since she is being accused of murder.

Fans of Terri Blackstock will be very pleased with her ending to the “Intervention” series; and with the whole series now available, it is a great time for new readers to begin this great series!

A Walk Across the Sun - Corban Addison

Seventeen-year-old Ahalya and fifteen-year-old Sita have known only the privileged and sheltered life that their father has given them in India; but when a tsunami destroys everything they’ve ever known and claims the lives of their parents, the girls are forced to seek shelter. When they ask an old friend of their father’s for help, they are sold from one man to another in the sex and drug trades; and soon they can’t help but believe there is no way to survive.

Thomas Clarke’s entire world consists of his ex-wife and his recently deceased infant daughter. When his career begins to go downhill, Thomas makes a last-minute decision to join a non-profit organization. Thomas is shocked to discover the hidden reality of girls being sold for sex. When he learns of Ahalya and Sita, he makes it his personal mission to rescue him. But Thomas will soon realize that he is about to encounter the most gruesome and heartbreaking of crimes and the most evil of men; and once he starts this mission, there’s no turning back.

“A Walk Across the Sun” is a beautiful story that casts a light on the evils of human trafficking. This novel is another step to the sex trade not being hidden in the shadows. Throughout the novel, your heart will break for the girls who must endure such torment every day. Tears will wet the pages as you see a cop pass by a truck full of girls or when a passerby glances and ignores what he has just seen because he believes it isn’t his business. “A Walk Across the Sun” will make you angry at an evil ignored.

With a truth that shines through the story, the characters become so much more than just characters to the reader. They seem real as the reader turns page after page in hopes for their survival.

"A Walk Across the Sun" is Corban Addison's first novel; so I was amazed at the beautiful way the story flowed. From the first word, I was hooked; and it was the exceptional prose that grabbed my attention and refused to let go. There was just enough detail to put me in the novel and make the characters seem real, without being excessive.

Corban Addison has penned a masterpiece of fiction. With a beautiful writing style that immediately catches your attention, characters that steal your heart, a story that is not easily forgotten, and a message that will get the attention of a comfortable world, “A Walk Across the Sun” will not disappoint. Fiction readers will love the story and the truth that shines through; and non-fiction readers are sure to view this book differently from any other fiction book they may have read as they encounter the reality that the story depicts. I highly recommend this book to every reader!

*SilverOak Publishing provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.