Full circle from twenty years ago, except this time the father is kidnapped instead of the son.
K.J. Howe
The Freedom Broker
Format:
ebook
Publisher’s Synopsis:
At eight years old, Thea Paris watched her brother being snatched from his bed.
Her inability to save him has haunted both their lives ever since.
Twenty years later, the unthinkable happens when her billionaire father is abducted.
But this time, she is prepared.
Now, Thea is at the top of her game as a freedom broker, negotiating for the release of kidnap victims around the world.
And she has only one objective:
Find him or die trying…
Point of view:
3rd Person. Multiple perspectives, always clearly defined.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
I spied K.J. Howe on Twitter when Andrews & Wilson tagged me about my review of Collateral. I was so intrigued by the idea of a female K&R specialist that I rearranged my (insanely long) TBR and jumped right in to The Freedom Broker.
Like all my favorite thrillers, Howe opens this book with action and doesn’t let go. Thea Paris is a fantastic lead character – strong, intelligent, capable, and yet with believable human flaws. By making Thea a Type 1 diabetic, Howe introduced an interesting facet to both Thea’s personal and professional life. (As someone living with a T1, it’s obvious Howe did her research.)
Personally, I’m not a big fan of flashback scenes – and there were quite a few both with internal musings and mysterious letters – but Howe artfully used them to create fantastic pacing and unique suspense aspects.
This is a HUGE cast of characters, geopolitical intrigue, action, suspense, and mystery that I didn’t want to put down. I wish that Gabrielle would have been a bit more dynamic and found her “one-night rule” comments overly repetitive. That said, I found all the other characters well developed – even if hated – and was impressed with how the various events were brought together. Thea’s complicated relationships with her brother, her father, and Rif added realistic depth.
While satisfying, the ending left me wanting to continue reading about this world. I’ve already grabbed a copy of Skyjack and am looking forward to more adventures with Thea, Rif, and the rest of Quantum International Security.
About the author:
Born in Toronto, Canada, KJ enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle during her early years, living in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean, which gave her an insider’s view into many different cultures. While abroad, she read every book she could find, which triggered in her a desire to create her own stories.
She attended Salzburg International Preparatory School, Neuchâtel Junior College, and Albert College before earning a Specialists Degree in Business from the University of Toronto. KJ found success in the corporate world, but her passion for travel, adventure, and stories drew her back to school where she earned a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She is a Thriller and Barry Award nominee, and she has won several writing awards, including three Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellent in Mystery and Suspense.
You can connect with K.J. Howe here:
My Favorite Quotes
Full circle from twenty years ago, except this time the father is kidnapped instead of the son. – The Freedom Broker by @KJHoweAuthor #Thriller #Suspense #KidnapAndRansom #StrongFemale #TheaParis
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I prefer fatigues over fundraising. – The Freedom Broker by @KJHoweAuthor #Thriller #Suspense #KidnapAndRansom #StrongFemale #TheaParis
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Good-luck charms were an operational must. – The Freedom Broker by @KJHoweAuthor #Thriller #Suspense #KidnapAndRansom #StrongFemale #TheaParis
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Good-luck charms were an operational must. – The Freedom Broker by @KJHoweAuthor #Thriller #Suspense #KidnapAndRansom #StrongFemale #TheaParis
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Sleep was a luxury in their business, which had no regular hours and operated in every time zone of the world. – The Freedom Broker by @KJHoweAuthor #Thriller #Suspense #KidnapAndRansom #StrongFemale #TheaParis
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Rellim Reads 