Review – The Justice by Boakyewaa Glover

Title:         The Justice
Author:     Boakyewaa Glover
Genre:       Political Thriller
Publisher:  Minds on Fire Group
Pages:       390
Publication Date: 2013

Reason for reading: Reasons for reading: Bought the book after it came highly recommended by a friend.

BLURB 

For his entire life, former Chief Justice Joseph Annan has his eyes on his country’s top prize: the presidency of Ghana. And this time, he will stop at nothing to ensure the title is his alone. But can he stop his world from falling apart in the process? The Justice: God. Country. Family. is Boakyewaa Glover’s searing political thriller that follows a career politician in his last gasp for the highest honor, as friends, foes, and family are embroiled is his relentless, no-holds-barred play for power. It’s a gripping contemporary look at Ghana culture that is sure to enthrall political enthusiasts, as well as fans of romantic fiction and mystery thrillers.

After four years in semi-retirement, the esteemed justice has put in his bid to be the next president of Ghana. Beloved throughout the country, Annan is widely celebrated as a principled, strong leader, who is intensely dedicated to his country. However, the long-adored icon harbors secrets that begin to surface soon after his bid, and that he must utterly suppress if he is to land the top position. At his side is his razor-sharp Chief of Staff Caleb Osei, whose commitment to the cause is unflappable, and the most powerful advocate of all, his best friend and former President Samuel Yara.

However, friends and allies withstanding, the justice faces challenges are equally formidable. His wife Adubea is emotionally unhinged after finding her twin sister murdered, and must be managed with constant medication and a close watch. His daughter Abby presents her own thick brew of problems. She has become entangled in a scandalous affair with the married Reyn Proctor, the scion of a wealthy corporation. Abby’s ties with him would no doubt point the finger at government corruption, and erupt in a media flap that would upend the campaign. And, there are past deeds involving the justice himself that have never been fully explained.

As the stakes rise ever higher, the justice finds his carefully woven public persona unraveling before his own eyes. With a high-octane pace and page-turning intrigue, The Justice: God. Country. Family. provides a rare view of the forces at play in contemporary Ghana that will leave readers hungry to piece together the fragments of deception. It’s riveting reading packed with spellbinding action, steamy romance, and a sizable dose of drama, Ghana-style.

REVIEW

The blurb above highlights quite a lot to be expected in the book, in my opinion. But it does not mention how volatile the plot is. Boakyewaa Glover’s novel, The Justice, set in Ghana and the US, has all the ingredients present in a fast paced, gripping, tense and explosive thriller, and a political one at that; power, money, sex, corruption, murder, love, hatred, jealousy and revenge. And these ingredients are well mixed, a veritable salad. Sensational.

If I had read The Justice about ten years back or more, I would very much have doubted  the plausibility of the plot. Not today, in this present-day Ghana. Politics has become exciting, dangerous, full of adrenaline and scandals involving sexual escapades of politicians, blackmail and counter blackmail and very much lately, the adventurism of some Chinese nationals in our oil and mining ventures, as well as in the bedrooms of the power brokers. Boakyewaa Glover has written a blockbuster!

Ms Glover’s characters are powerful and passionate, believing in the causes that drive them. Whether those causes are justified is left for the reader to find out. They are also flawed, with dark sides to their nature that will make your jaw drop. And they are human too. Love these characters or hate them; the reader can’t help but feel empathy. The twist at the end of the novel is so mind-blowing it has me reeling for days.

My only beef with the The Justice is I don’t particularly like Abby, daughter of former Chief Justice Joseph Annan. Abby is one of the main characters in the novel and I find myself gasping at some of her decisions and behaviour wishing she would just grow up. Did she?

Ms Glover’s novel The Justice is a must read for all. A very well-researched novel, with settings clearly described and real. An honest and punchy novel dealing with the powerful forces of politics and the passions and greed that drive the human being, even at the highest levels of government. How far can a human being go to achieve his aim of serving God, Country and Family? Please, read The Justice available at Amazon

 

AUTHOR’S BIO

Boakyewaa Glover is the author of three novels: Circles (2009), The Justice (2013), and Tendai (2013). She also maintains a blog that features her short stories, poems, articles, and movie reviews. The author’s love of writing began as early as the age of six, when she collected scraps of paper on which to write down her stories. Professionally, she is currently the regional change management manager for Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. She also serves as the group director for Minds on Fire Group, a publishing, entertainment, and creative lounge company. Glover has previously worked as a news anchor and presenter for TV3 and Metro TV, and as an organizational psychologist and consultant for various consulting firms in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Atlanta. She is a graduate of the University of Ghana and earned a master’s degree in psychology from New York University.

Review: A Time To Part by Ama Pomma

Tags

A Time To Kill, Ama Pomma, Fiction, Ghana, Literature

Title:          A Time To Part
Author:      Ama Pomaa
Genre:       Inspirational Fiction/Inspirational Romance/Romantic Suspense
Publisher:  Hetura books
Pages:       300
Publication Date: 29th July, 2017

Reason for reading: Reasons for reading: Received this book as an advanced review copy for a candid review. (Note: a small fee was charged for this service)

BLURB 

When the pain is all you have, letting go is not an option.

Seven years ago, Jasmine left everything she knew behind. Her mother had killed herself, her father was terminally ill, and she had broken off with Hagan, the only man who ever loved her. It was the perfect time to start over. Except she never did part with any of it!

When a tragic incident forces her back into the past, she’ll have to decide if letting go is too high a price to pay for everything she wants.

REVIEW

Ama Pomaa’s debut book, A Time To Part, is fast paced, griping and full of suspense. The plot unfolds as you read along, with the suspense and intrigue building up and sustained very well till the end. The story telling is crisp, sharp and witty so much so that the pathos, poignant and profound sentiments running through the book appear somewhat subdued. Reading the book, I find myself equally angry, disbelieving, sad, and yes redeemed at the end. A family’s dysfunctional tendencies, with far-reaching consequences on its members seem to suggest that evil does not pay; this also underpins the book’s Christian or inspirational message.

The main plot evolves round Jasmine and Hagan, whose budding relationship is torn apart by hatred, jealousy, deceit, and familial betrayal. A subplot or a story within a story, involves Kojo, Jasmine’s brother and Doris, their houshelp. But the author skilfully weaves the subplot into the major plot and any awkwardness in the development of the full story is eased away by the seamless cohesion.

Jasmine is hurting bad. So bad to forget what has been done to her when she was a child. And she has secrets too, secrets that push her into the dingy hole of a brothel to satisfy the craving in her for expiation. She thinks her only redemption is in saving Selase, Hagan’s 12-year-old sister, from a fate that is worse than her own, for she has been there and knows the score. Will Hagan be able to forgive Jasmine, who has destroyed his life in a most unimaginable way and now comes back into his life at a time when he least expects? Will Jasmine even want to set aside her prejudice and receive his forgiveness? Will the two forgive each other in time to save Selase?

Kojo’s  inaction, cowardice and inability to stand up for the truth in defence of his sister leads to a rift between him and Jasmine. He goes through a hard time to find redemption. Again his  irresponsible behaviour as a youth and careless ill-treatment of Doris the house help, haunts him, with far-reaching repercussions on his life.

Hagan and Doris believe in the goodness and forgiving power of God. Hagan, a medical doctor is conflicted about his feelings for Jasmine and the pain of her betrayal which keeps haunting him. When Jasmine’s quest to save his sister Selase goes awry he relies on his communion with God to forgive her and move on with his life.

Doris comes across as a saint in the book. Do saints really exist? Perhaps so as the author seems to suggest that the healing touch of Christ can have such impact on a person who has been dehumanised just like Kojo does to Doris.

Jasmine and Kojo coming from the same background of wealth and deceit find it difficult, in their own way, to let go of their past. Kojo, haunted by his misdeeds, feels he does not deserve anything good. He is also out for blood to avenge the death of his wife, even though he thinks her death is karma working against him.

Jasmine has lots of scars that drive her life. And as she continues to make one mistake after the other in her education and career choices, and even in her new mission of saving Selase, it takes grace and the love of the one man she has hurt to make her confront her demons and to reconcile with her past.

Ama Pomaa’s characters are well-rounded and authentic and yet flawed with human foibles, as they go though tribulations that define their actions and decisions, which shape them into finding redemption. The main heroine, Jasmine is a strong woman, determined to forge her own path, whether good or bad. Despite her past tribulations, she does not crumble. Perhaps it is this singular strength and sense of purpose that sustains her throughout the novel as she finds herself ultimately.

Through riveting and yet crisp narrative and dialogue, the author is able to portray the effects and far-reaching repercussion  incest, rape, adultery, lies, deceit, and dishonesty can have on a family. The reader is carried along throughout the novel, on a suspenseful journey of self discovery of the major characters. The reader would also be shocked into realising that not all the characters seem to be what they are. As the author seems to suggest, one cannot be certain of anything in this world, except the love of Christ.

Ama Pomma’s ability to dissect thorny themes of murder, rape and incest in her book without sounding raw and weepy should be commended.  Not a mean feat. Though a Christian or inspirational novel, A Time To Part can also be classified under the Christian Romance genre. The author strivers not to sound preachy and didactic and she achieves this very nicely.

A Time To Part is well researched book, the author knows her characters and settings so well. I also find the cover to be stunning. 🙂 My only issue with the book is why Hagan delays in taking his sister from the home of her guardian when he is in a position to do so. That does not make sense to me. I must add that this does not detract from the story in any way. It is just a minor issue with me.

I recommend A Time To Part for all lovers of suspense, romance and inspirational books, and indeed lover of literature.

PURCHASE LINK

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Part-Ama-Pomaa-ebook/dp/B071P2K18G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498800685&sr=8-1&keywords=a+time+to+part

AUTHOR BIO

Ama Pomaa is a writer by night and an Engineer by day. She lives in Accra with her three sisters, managing an addiction to novels and writing stories that touch on God’s love and societal issues she’s passionate about. A Time to Part is her first novel.

 

Of Annual Leave and Readings for 2017

Tags

African Literature, Annual Leave, Reading List, suspense, thriller

I enjoy reading; well, who doesn’t for crying out loud. But of late, and it’s been a long of late, I’ve shelved my reading to the back bench and pushed poetry, in particular, haiku to the forefront. I’m so behind with my readings, that it’s almost an embarrassment. So this year, my annual leave or vacation days accruing to me is more than welcome.

I’m enjoying my almost three months annual leave with this book haul from my TBR pile.

Assorted books l should say so wish me luck so l can complete the reading. 🙂

I will try to review some of them but not all. 🙂 I may also review some books I’ve already read but which I couldn’t capture for this post. (my poor attempt at photography. (Lol) so please stay tuned. 🙂

 

 

Author Interview: Deadly Odds by Allen Wyler

Tags

Allen Wyler, author interview, cyber thriller, sci-fi, thriller suspense

Hi wonderful folks, today I’m honoured to have on this blog, my guest, Allen Wyler, a renowned suspense, sci-fi/cyber thriller writer. Please read the interview below to get a feel of him and his works. 🙂

Book Title: Deadly Odds

Author: Allen Wyler

Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions

Date of Publication: September 2014

Genre: Thriller / Suspense / Cyber-Thriller

Pages: 284

 

 

 

Q: How did you come up with the idea of the story?
A: The first novel I ever wrote was based on this story’s kernel: a geek who develops a strategy to successful gamble draws unwanted attention to himself. But that novel turned out to be a disaster and was rejected by every agent I queried. However, the idea of being able to beat the odds remained intriguing yet elusive. Then one day I read about Nate Silver and his uncannily ability to accurately predict various phenomenon based on statistics. After all, this was what the 2011 Brad Pitt movie Moneyball was based on. Once I read about Silver, I knew the plot was much more believable.

Q: What influenced you to create a computer hacker protagonist than the usual medical professional?
A: There are several reasons. First, I don’t like being pigeonholed into the sub-genre of “medical thriller.” In addition, it’s unbelievable to believe that a healthcare professional would have the computer expertise—or time—to pull off something like Arnold Gold does. More importantly, in doing my research for this story, I became fascinated with the Darknet and Internet security. I really wanted a way to weave this interesting information into a compelling story. So… a likeable computer hacker seemed to be a much more interesting character to develop than another neurosurgeon’s. I love Arnold Gold’s character and am really glad I settled on him.

Q: Why Vegas? Have you always wanted to write a book with Sin City as the setting?
A: When first developing the story I didn’t have any city in mind other than I knew Arnold lived in Seattle. (I love the city as a backdrop to stories.) I also knew Arnold wanted to get laid but was so uneasy about seeing an “escort” for this purpose, that it made sense for him to go someplace far from home where he’d be unlikely to run into anyone he knew. Given the reputation of Sin City, it just felt right to send him there.

Q: Do you plan on writing more thriller books outside of the medical thriller genre?
A: You bet. I like exploring topics dealing with computers and the Internet. I’m especially intrigued with hacking and the Darknet. My next book, Cutter’s Trial, however, is not a thriller and lands me right back in the medical arena because it explores the issue of physician assisted suicide. Having been involved in a couple of start-up companies, I’m also toying with using that subject as a basis for a book, but I have nothing in development along these lines at the present time. We’ll see what happens.

Q: Would you ever consider a sequel to this book?
A: Glad you asked the question. Both Arnold Gold and Palmer Davidson are such wonderfully rich characters that Robert Astle (my agent) and I agree they are well-suited for a sequel. At the moment I’m busy writing Deadly Odds 2.0.

Q: Do you think this book could be a movie? Who could you picture playing Arnold?
A: Of all my prior thrillers, I think this one has the most cinematic potential. I’m lousy at casting, so if it were ever made into a movie (my wildest dream), I’d leave that choice to the producers.

Synopsis

Twenty-three year old Arnold Gold is a Seattle-based odds-maker and local computer genius. Described as a “part-time hacker and full-time virgin” by his friends, the awkward young shut-in flies to Vegas to try to get lucky–in more ways than one. But his high stakes activity on the Net inadvertently thrusts him into a vortex of international terrorism. Dark Net Hacking has resulted in murder, and now it will take every last bit of Arnold’s genius intellect and legendary hacking skill to stay one step ahead of the murderous terrorists, the FBI, the local cops and his lawyer. Gold’s only chance to save himself is to find a deadly bomb hidden somewhere in Vegas, and somehow prevent the explosion that will turn Sin City into the scene of the deadliest terror attacks since 9/11.

Wyler’s wild new thriller is as horrifyingly plausible as it is darkly funny and enjoyable. Deadly Odds is not only a page-turner, it’s a terrific character-driven story about a young man who lives life through a computer and discovers its dark side. Edgy, twitchy, and filled with enough tech-savvy detail to keep both the techno-thriller and classic suspense fan enthralled, Deadly Odds is a new generation’s thrill ride.

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xh54PS

B&N: http://bit.ly/1sZrIy1

Astor+Blue: http://bit.ly/1uspcim

About the Author

Allen Wyler is a renowned neurosurgeon who earned an international reputation for pioneering surgical techniques to record brain activity.  He has served on the faculties of both the University of Washington and the University of Tennessee, and in 1992 was recruited by the prestigious Swedish Medical Center to develop a neuroscience institute.

In 2002, he left active practice to become Medical Director for a startup med-tech company (that went public in 2006) and he now chairs the Institutional Review Board of a major medical center in the Pacific Northwest.

Leveraging a love for thrillers since the early 70’s, Wyler devoted himself to fiction writing in earnest, eventually serving as Vice President of the International Thriller Writers organization for several years. After publishing his first two medical thrillers Deadly Errors (2005) and Dead Head (2007), he officially retired from medicine to devote himself to writing full-time.

He and his wife, Lily, divide their time between Seattle and the San Juan Islands.

www.allenwyler.com

Review: Reverb by J Cafesin

Tags

abuse, mental sickness, psychological, Reverb, suspense, trauma

Title:    Reverb

Author: J. Cafesin

Genre:  Psychological Suspense

Format: eBook

Publisher: Entropy Press

Pages:    328

Publication date: January, 2013

Reasons for reading: Received this book from the author for a candid review.

 

Blurb

James Whren is brilliant, beautiful, rich, and taken—with himself, or more precisely, his genius for creating music. Desired by many, committing to no one but his muse, on the eve of his brother’s funeral, his father inadvertently turns his life into a living nightmare, and James is left abandoned in hell with no one real to save him.

His odyssey to freedom takes him beyond the looking-glass, to the reflection of friends and lovers. Humbled and alone, James escapes to the Greek island of Corfu. But instead of finding solace there, loneliness almost consumes him.

Until Elisabeth, and her son, Cameron.

My Thoughts

I must first of all start by admitting or confessing that the  review of this book is long overdue. And for that I do apologise.  With that out of the way I plunge straight in.

How far will a parent’ meddle’ or’ interfere in the life of his child to ensure his will or what he thinks is best for his child is carried out? James Whren is a physically beautiful, rich, self-absorbed but extremely talented musician so wrapped up in his music that he has no time for anyone. He feels alone and unloved by his father whose actions later set in motion series of events that plunge James into unimagined horror and personal torture. Particularly disturbing and intense, I couldn’t put Reverb down once I started reading. Initially I found James, selfish and unyielding in his thoughts towards his father; having lost his mother at a tender age, he is unwilling to overcome his grief over his mother’s death. But my feelings change as I realised that his is a soul in torment.  Does his father Edward Charles Whren XXI have any acceptable justification for the course of action he takes? And does his remorse erase what brutalities and suffering his son goes through and the effects?

Jerri Cafesin has written a powerfully complex, compelling novel with characters that bring the hard-hitting story alive in a deeply profound way. Both story and characters linger long after the read. I was shaken by Reverb and for days, I lay awake, thinking of the role I play in my sons’ lives as a mother.

Adequate words fail me here to express how deeply I was touched by this novel. Reverb  touches on a lot of issues, drug abuse, parenting,  prison systems, mental sickness. Reverb also focuses on the darkness within the human being and the terrible things humans can do to each other. Reverb is not all gloomy; there is love, a beautiful romance that blooms slowly between James and Elisabeth, a young widow, which encompasses Elisabeth’s child, Cameron. Elisabeth and her son provide a much-needed anchor to James; they provide hope for James himself and I dare say for humanity too. 🙂 And there is redemption. And forgiveness.

Jerri Cafesin skilfully weaves the plot to inculcate the psychological and the romantic, creating this powerful novel that is at once moving, shocking, gripping and profound. My only snags are that some parts of the novel dragged a bit. But that in no way detracted from the overall effect. Secondly, the narrative is in the present tense. I guess that is more of a personal thing.

Reverb comes highly recommended for all lovers of good psychological suspense novels.

For copies of Reverb please visit here: