Requiem For An Assassin

Title: Requiem For An Assassin
Author: Barry Eisler
Publisher: Onyx
ISBN: 978-0-451-41257-7
Genre: Action, Thriller
Website: http://www.barryeisler.com/

Requiem For An Assassin is a fast-paced, thrill-a-minute novel with modern day happenings all woven together to produce one hell of a book. The book is about assassin-extraordinaire, John Rain, and his tug-of-war battle within himself regarding his profession and the role his friends play in his life. In the beginning of the book, Rain is living a somewhat quiet life in semi-retirement in Paris, not far from his girlfriend, Delilah. As Rain is starting to accept his new life, his best friend Dox (a sniper colleague) is kidnapped. The kidnapper, an old enemy of Rain, tells him that he has to kill three targets, and then Dox will be set free. Rain knows he is lying, but he has to buy time to help his friend. Rain slips back into the life without any problems, and he goes about doing whatever is necessary to help his friend, even though he knows he might be being set up to be eliminated. Will Rain and Dox survive, and if Rain survives, will he forever be lost to himself and the darkness that is within?

This book has it all: romance, action, adventure, cool gadgets and great characters. The plot is tight and the dialogue is excellent – funny in one scene, and cold/ruthless in another. Rain’s emotional, internal struggle is palpable. If you want intense, pulse-pounding action mixed with a fair share of angst, this is the book to buy. I’ve read quite a few books this year, and this is definitely one of my favorites. I give Requiem For An Assassin my highest recommendation.

Devil's Bridge

Title: Devil’s Bridge
Author: Greg Lilly
Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-932300-78-9
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Gay Fiction

Devil’s Bridge is an intricately woven tale of suspense that will keep the reader wanting to read more. It is a story of two thirty-something people who have been friends since high school. Myra and Topher became friends in high school – she being the slightly unattractive girl, and he being the ostracized gay boy. Their friendship grew deeper and finally into a deeply platonic love which saved them from themselves and the bad choices they made in their romantic partners.

In the span of a few months, they both come to the conclusion that they need a new start. Topher is running from an indifferent lover who wouldn’t reciprocate Topher’s love, and Myra is fleeing from her abusive, and possibly murderous, husband Gil. They decide to run away and start a new life together, but Myra’s husband is not willing to let her go so easily. Vengeance is found at a place called Devil’s Bridge.

This is truly a wonderful book. It is a page-turner that builds to a suspenseful climax, with the reader encouraging and cheering on the battered woman and her best friend (who would do anything to keep her safe.) The plot is tight, the characters believable, and the dialogue is modern. I honestly couldn’t put this book down, and therefore I give it my highest recommendation. You won’t be disappointed with Devil’s Bridge.