The Gray Zone

by Daphna Edwards Ziman

A seductive young woman chooses the dangerous path of confronting the justice system and corporate power for the sake of her children, her passion for life, and her desire to be loved. Kelly Jensen was only six years old when she witnessed her mother's murder, for which her father was wrongfully convicted. Moved from foster home to foster home, Kelly was exposed to abuse, neglect, and human trafficking. By age fifteen she was a runaway, combining her innate intelligence with street smarts to become a chameleon capable of losing herself in every character she impersonated. Beautiful and bewitching, Kelly used her talents to become the most notorious identity thief in the country. Ruggedly handsome defense attorney Jake Brooks finds the enigmatic Kelly Jensen irresistible despite suspecting her of murdering his best friend from law school. His obsession leads him to risk his own illustrious career in Los Angeles to see that justice is served. Kelly finds him addictive. Together, the two uncover a sordid link among immoral foster care parents, high rollers in Vegas, politicians, and the legal system itself. Kelly ultimately takes fate into her own hands behind closed doors in the gray zone.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

324 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Daphna Ziman is a filmmaker, founder of a music label, philanthropist and author living in Beverly Hills, CA. She is known internationally and in the Halls of Power in Washington, DC, for her creative and unusually successful work on behalf of saving abandoned children.

President of Edwards Entertainment International, an independent film and television production company, Ziman works as a writer, producer and director. Her latest film Footsteps debuted on Showtime. There is pre-release buzz that her new book The Gray Zone (Greenleaf Book Group, 2011) is going into production as a motion picture that will be starring one of the top five leading men in Hollywood.

Ziman’s passion outside of her day job is helping at-risk and foster youth. Her first-hand experience, having adopted her daughter after rescuing her from a homeless shelter, inspired her debut novel The Gray Zone. As the founder and chairperson of Children Uniting Nations, a 501(c)3 charity that provides foster children with devoted, non-paid mentors, she successfully lobbied to amend the Family Preservation Act, ensuring safety of children returning home after foster care.

The authenticity of The Gray Zone came from Ziman’s interaction working on behalf and directly with a number of girls in foster homes over the years. She has worked and traveled tirelessly to fix the flaws of the child protective system.

Ziman, who also serves on the Board of Trustees of Children’s Institute International and is a Chairperson of ABC LOVE (Adoption Brings Children Love), has been recognized with these honorable awards, among many others:
• Jacqueline Kennedy Award by JFK University
• Women of Achievement Award by North American Council for Adoptable Children
• Uniting Children of the World Award by the Child Welfare League of America
• Peace & Tolerance Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Advocacy
• Spirit of Compassion Award presented by the Aviva Family and Children Services
• Spirit of Life Award by L.A.’s City of Hope
• Blue Skies Award by Penny Lane Center

This movie mogul turned author is currently working on her second book, The Final Punch.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Jensen had a horrible life growing up. Her mother was murdered when she was little and Kelly was bounced around from foster home to foster home. When she was fifteen, Kelly was a runaway. It was on the streets that she met her husband. She thought, he would e her knight in shining armor and she would live happily ever after. She was quick to learn, he was her worst nightmare.

Jake Brooks is an attorney. He was also friends with Porter. So when Porter is found murdered in a hotel room, he will do anything to find justice for his friend. Though, Jake will soon learn that he may not have known Porter as well as he thought he did. What happens when Kelly and Jake’s world collide together?

I would say that The Gray Zone is more of a psychological thriller than a suspense/mystery. This book was just what the doctor ordered. I needed to read something like this. The last few books I have read have been fair but nothing that got me overly excited. I was wondering if I would find a book that could do that for me again. I did in the Gray Zone. Don’t let the title fool you as this book is not gray but a vivid splash of color! I am raving about this book because it deserves it. I was pulled into Kelly’s world. She was the star, though Jake did a good job holding his own as well. I liked Kelly a little more, only because she was intriguing and I wanted to know more about. Which I got to discover who she really was as the story line moved along.

[Dianna Shimizu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating mystery/thriller that I had a hard time putting down. It really brings home the problems with foster care and what needs to be done.

[Jamie Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you would like to see more of my reviews, check out my book review blog, Bookerella

I received this book as an ARC from the publicist (thank you so much!); I found out about it from Shelf Awareness. The mystery/thriller genre was my first love as far as books go, so I was really excited to start reading this.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Kelly was so dynamic and mysterious. Her knowledge of stage make-up leads her to become a master of disguise, easily transforming herself into other people in order to get information or execute part of her plan. It's obvious to see how her rough childhood shaped her into the person she became. The death of her mother, for which her father was imprisoned, the abuse of her foster family, and her marriage to a man that she thought would save her from it all, but who only dragged her farther into her own personal hell. As a result she puts up walls and trusts only a few. She is such a strong individual, choosing to escape her powerful husband to keep her and her children safe. I really liked Jake Brooks too. He comes off as a blood thirsty defense attorney, but underneath it all he's also kind and caring. He also had good instincts, somehow convinced that Kelly did not kill Porter, his best friend, even though she made a pretty good suspect.
I thought the story was very well written, the author got me hooked in just a few chapters. There was a lot of suspense and mystery that had me trying to guess what would happen next. A few parts made my heart pound, wondering what direction the book would take. I really enjoy books that don't have obvious major plot points, I like the element of surprise and the shock when I wrongly guess the twists and turns.
The only thing that didn't really work for me in this book was the romance between Jake and Kelly. Porter, who happened to be Kelly's lover and Jake's best friend, had just been brutally murdered and yet they seem to move on pretty quick. On Jake's end, I would think your best friend's lover would be off limits, especially since he just passed away. Kelly makes a comment that she didn't expect to fall in love with Porter, but she had; I don't think I would be getting over the death of someone I loved so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I really wanted Jake and Kelly to get together - eventually. In my opinion though, they didn't even spend enough time together to really get to know each other well enough, to be able to say they loved each other.
I thought the issue of abuse of foster children was handled really well. It's horrifying to think that anyone could harm a child, especially to foster children who have already been dealt an unfortunate card in life. To think that people take the so called "bad kids" just so the government will give them more money is appalling, and I imagine a lot of these kids are abused when the foster parents don't know how to handle them or don't want to try. This book makes me want to do something, to help out these kids that have been through so much. It would be amazing to become a foster parent, but even something as simple as participating in Big Brothers/Big Sisters (you can request to be paired with a foster child if you wish) would do a lot of good.
Overall this was a great read, very well written and kept me on my toes the whole way. If you like a good mystery, some suspense, and a little romance thrown in for good measure then you will definitely enjoy this book. So make sure you add it to you list of books to read this year, you won't want to miss this one!

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Jensen is one tough cookie, hiding her childhood and young adult abusive background and pain. She's fleeing with her two children but the reader won't know for sure precisely what she's attempting to escape for quite some time. It's well worth the wait!

At the same time, an aspiring State Senator, Congressman Porter Garrett has been found dead. It doesn't take very long for the police, FBI, and attorney, Jake Brooks, to link Kelly and another young woman to the grisly death. But now that evidence and private investigator activities are revealing even deeper connections among politicians, bankers, foster parents, and birth parents, Kelly disappears off the radar. It seems she has a much larger plan that will free her, if she can carry it out. However, luck isn't with her and the Court orders her placed under the supervision of Jake. Should she trust him with some or everything of what she knows? Is he truly trying to do the right thing by her or is he just pursuing something he can't have, a pattern he always followed in his younger years as a peer of the murdered congressman?

Kelly is an amazingly intriguing character. She elicits profuse sympathy, but that just as quickly turns to admiration and wonder about her intelligence and nerves of steel! The reader remains totally enthralled as Kelly carries out the ultimate plan to convict the guilty, remove the final chains blocking a free future, and embrace a different way of life that promises hope and perhaps even joy!

Daphna Edwards Ziman has penned an amazingly gripping, mysterious, and superb crime thriller that is a must read for anyone loving this genre!!!

[Claudia Mosey · Rating 3 out of 5]

well,the story was intriguing,a child loses her mother through murder,supposedly by her father,who goes to prison.She is put into the foster care program,and her life of hell begins.Flash forward.She,Kelly, is a teen on the streets,literally living hand to mouth,when a man,rich,older,picks her off the streets,leading her to thoughts of love and safety and later marries her.She has 2 children with this man,and all the terror and abuse,that she thought she got away from. She finds a way to get her children and herself away from this manipulating abusive ruthless husband but he is hot on her trail. Enter a murdered politician, a handsome lawyer and our girl Kelly,is out of the frying pan and into the fire. I liked the story,had alot of twists and turns,and Kelly ,herself was quite a character,a "bewitching master of disguise and identity theft". I thought some of the story was"OH, come on now",I could hear the theme to "Mission Inpossible" in my head.I did like that the author was known for her successful work on behalf of saving abandoned children and is chairperson of ABC Love among others.To bring the plight of foster care to the public eye is a good thing,and hopefully,Ms.Ziman will continue to be a voice. This was a free book,ARC,through GOODREADS and I thank "Marissa" for sending it to me.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't think I would like this one at first. It took me a bit to get into it, but once I was about 40 pages in, I couldn't put it down. The interactions between Kelly and Jake are not those of star crossed lovers or even those of attorney and client with a mutual attraction, but they somehow come to life and are all the more believable for it. Ziman does a wonderful job crafting a story so intense and so intricate that you can't help but be amazed as each twist of the story unfolds.

There are a lot of stories that I want to end a certain way, not everything has to be a happy-happy ending. Ziman, while I did wonder along the way how it would all turn out, does her story justice with its ending. Like how I didn't tell you just how it turns out? Maybe it ends happily, maybe not. Either way, you should pick this up if you like a good mystery/crime drama as this story will definitely tickle your fancy.

Reading her website after I finished the book, I learned that she is an active advocate for the foster children of this world. Clearly she knows something about this as she portrays how a foster home childhood can go terribly wrong and one woman's struggle to avoid that for her children even at the height of her struggles.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gray Zone by Daphna Edwards Ziman is an exciting mystery/thriller novel. The action is smooth and the story line riveting. The characters are developed so well that you become a part of their story. I was captivated by chapter 2 and couldn't put it down.

Daphna Edwards Ziman's passion for correcting the atrocities in the foster care system are evident with The Gray Zone. She has been active in legislation for changing the system and her book portrays the worst side of our foster care system.

The Gray Zone is a well written book that will keep you on your seat. It portrays the basic human condition of survival. I recommend this book for any mystery/thriller lover. I give this book 5 stars. I enjoyed reading this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160832110X
ISBN-13: 978-1608321100
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches

[William Bentrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gray Zone by Daphna Edwards Ziman

This was a sobering story about the corruption of the foster care system.

Ms. Ziman is a foster care improvement advocate. This does not in anyway decrease the power of her story. The protagonist is a chameleon like victim of a corrupt and morally bankrupt program of victimizing the most defenseless members of our society. Foster children frequently bear the brunt of budget cuts and foster “parents” whose goal is to game the system to enrich their pockets as opposed to enriching the life of a child.

The story is bracing in it’s description of the futility of opposing deep pockets and the inequity of justice in a profit driven system. There are a lot of messages in a story that remains a good mystery with provocative overtones.

I recommend the book.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this quite a while ago. The author wrote this book purposefully to highlight problems with the foster care system. Given this, foster parents are portrayed as abusive, exploitative, and in it for the money. Abuse certainly does occur in foster care, which is a serious problem. But this book doesn't acknowledge shades of gray or variation at all: everything is black-and-white; foster parents are bad.

The writing style was comparable to Dan Brown's (i.e., sometimes the awkwardness of the writing style made me self-conscious of the act of reading, which interfered with getting engrossed in the story).

[Kitty Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAPHNA EDWARDS ZIMAN'S "THE GRAY ZONE" (REVIEW)

This book shows you just how horrible and corrupt the foster care system can be. You feel sorry for the children left behind, but this book goes further with a story of murder and even a budding romance. Daphna has definitely written a whirlwind of a book that will take you on an adventure you'll never forget.

There is such emotion in this book and you can't help but feel the anger as Kelly goes through her ordeal with her husband. It's plain scary!

-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club

[Deb Novack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that puts the whole foster care system on display. It shows the abuse of the foster children within the system by the foster parents that are supposed to be helping them and the corruption of certain public servants. Kelly is such a strong ,brave and determined woman whose life has been filled with hurt and hatred.

The foster care system is lucky to have such an advocate as Daphna Edwards Ziman. She does an excellent job with the storyline and characters. Please keep up the good work.

[Kimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story with some unexpected twists and turns but I felt that the author was a little heavy-handed in portraying foster care as an evil thing. I like things to be presented in a more subtile way. I liked the main character Kelly. I thought that she showed a lot of grit and intellect but also found her somewhat unbelievable. However, my main problem with the book was the language. I can't stand the f-word and find it hard to read books that feature it as heavily as this one did.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the author certainly brings to the forefront very serious issues within the foster care system (specifically the mindblowing statistic that nearly 80% of current prison inmates were at one time foster children), the book itself is poorly written and at times melodramatic.

The characters were flat and the story was unevenly paced. Sometimes there was too much detail and other times, not enough. Could have been a great book in a more talented author's hands.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former foster-parent this story of a woman shaped by the foster-care system until she becomes a chameleon rang so true for me. It's a page turning thriller. The author Daphna Edwards Ziman knows from which she writes - she adopted two daughters from a tough situation and I admire her tremendously.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ziman weaves together several plot lines, each tautly written with enough suspense to keep the reader engaged until the very end."...My full review may be read on my book review blog Rundpinne.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads first reads.

The book started off really interesting and fizzled out towards the middle. At first I couldn't put it down, I liked the characters and wanted to know what would happen next. But as it went along it got boring and slightly melodramatic and the characters became slightly flat.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a ARC. The book is a thriller that engages the reader in an interesting story with a likable main character who is haunted by the past, hunted by a villainous husband and aided by a lawyer/romantic interest. What moves this novel to 4 stars is the back story about the foster care system, which raises the reader's awareness about the state of foster care in the US.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book at BEA because there was no one in the woman's line and she caught my eye and I felt kind of bad for her. It was actually not bad though. A decent thriller with some good twists and turns. The author is heavily into foster care causes, though, and I felt the foster care stuff in the book was a bit heavy-handed.

[W.H.]

This book seems to paralel my life in certain instances. Interesting.

[Rena]

I won this book from First Reads Giveaway. Thank you. Looks good. Can’t wait to read it.

[Nedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

love it

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my thoughts here.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

No plot development, very little character development. By and far one of the worst books I've read.