The Witnesses by Stephanie Black

The Witnesses

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant

Published: October 1st, 2013

Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN13: 9781621085232

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to New America, where patriots are traitors and religion is a crime. After government agent Daniel Lansbury fakes the executions of three believers on national television, he and the fugitives--Alisa Kent, Ian Roshek, and Ian's sister, Jill--face the perilous task of outwitting President Amanda Ryce and her power-hungry Council long enough to escape to freedom. While a government reformer is on their side, rigorous new security measures thwart any chance of aid. And Daniel's estranged father, Marcus, an underground terrorist leader, is hatching plans to sabotage the breakable trust between Daniel and Ian and put himself in power at the head of the nation. As faith and loyalties come under fire, the fugitives struggle to stop Marcus and his zealous terrorists and bring to light the wrongs committed against the citizens of this fragile, fledgling nation.

Mindy's Review

WOW!  WOW!  WOW!  The Witnesses by Stephanie Black, grabs you fast at the beginning and doesn't let you go until you've read the last sentence.  Every turn of the page brings more suspense and questions as to who you can trust.  The Witnesses picks up immediately after The Believer ends.  Having just finished The Believer a few days ago, I was very eager to see what happened to Ian, Jill, Daniel and Alisa.  (I feel bad for those who had to wait so long in between books:)  It isn't all good news and happy endings for the four.  Alisa is really struggling with reversions and is having hallucinations.  Daniel is having troubles of his own, while he and Ian are at each other's throats.  There are suspicions everywhere and many problems that come up.  Where to place the three believers is first priority, but there really isn't anywhere safe to put them.  Even for a short time.  I loved the POV changes to different characters, even to some characters I didn't like.  It really added to the severity and drama of the situations, that our heros were in a lot more trouble than they realize.  It was also a great way to move the story along without having the main characters figure everything out.  

5 out of 5 stars.   Stephanie does a brilliant job of ending paragraphs and/or chapters in a way that made me keep reading until the end.  She is so good at what she does.  Stephanie also contributed to the Autumn Timeless Romance Anthology.  Check it out!

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

The Believer by Stephanie Black -- Review/Giveaway

The Believer

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Originally published: 2005

Genre: speculative fiction

Kindle: 337 pages

FTC FYI: Received a Kindle copy from the author in exchange for an 

honest review

Amazon Summary

There is a place where the threat of foreign terrorism is nonexistent, where there are no arguments about religion, and no battles over politics. Welcome to New America—a place where reading the wrong book can cost you your life!

Ian Roshek finally believes in something. The young history professor has studied a contraband copy of the Book of Mormon—and he knows what it says is true. But now his newfound convictions will be put to the test as he struggles to listen to the still, small voice, while society screams in his ear.

Ian’s sister Jill and her influential boyfriend, Daniel, only see Ian as a man with religious delusions--a man who needs help. And though her facade of brutality hides it, police interrogator Alisa Kent feels a trace of compassion toward this flawed, but courageous man who stays true to his faith--despite the fact that it’s contrary to both logic and public opinion. If only for selfish reasons, she wants to know more. But soon Ian’s choices will ignite a chain of events that he, and those around him, cannot escape.

A taut, must-read thriller, The Believer will cast a lingering shadow and leave you asking what you would give up in order to feel “safe.”

My Review

Words can not describe what a crazy-good author Stephanie Black is.  Her books take you to another place, a place that you are reluctant to return from.  Well, in the case of The Believer, that world was a pretty tough place to be, but you know what I mean.  When we first meet Ian Roshek, he is coming to the aid of a student being wrongly accused of having contraband.  He is taken into custody and tortured (don't worry, it's not graphic) by police interrogator Alisa Kent.  After the agonizing time spent in custody, Kent lets him go.  It takes time for Ian to feel safe again.  The only problem is, Ian really was guilty.  He is a believer, and he can't figure why Kent lets him go.  What happens next sets off a chain of events that will send your mind spinning and keep you reading this awesome book until you turn the last page.

Stephanie is a gifted author.  Her books are so well-written you feel as though you watching a movie instead of reading.  These characters go through a lot.  And by the end, you aren't sure who to trust.  There is so much going on, and not just for Ian, all the characters.  All their decisions affect each other in some way.  The character I found most intriguing was Daniel.  Without giving much away, he has a VERY though choice to make, and on top of that is given life-changing news that will/can affect so many.  Including, his chance to make himself happy.  Alisa Kent was fascinating too.  Every character was so well-written.  The last sentence of this book brought tears to my eyes.  

5 out of 5 stars.  This book made me grateful for freedom of religion.  The sequel to The Believer, The Witnesses, was just released last month.  I will be reviewing The Witnesses next week!

Stephanie is the author of many fast-paced thrillers.  She won the Whitney Award for her books Rearview Mirror, Cold as Ice, Methods of Madness, and Fool me Twice.  I told you she was amazing!

Author Links

Blog / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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