Chasing Eden

Eden Thrillers #1

by Sharon L. Linnea

Modern-day During a raging sandstorm in a war zone, army chaplain Jaime Richards is shocked to be reunited with her old friend Adara Dunbar--and devastated when, in the midst of an ambush, a black-robed man murders Adara in cold blood. But not before she delivers a final message to Jaime--one important enough to die for...and obviously to kill for. Why Adara? And how did her assassin know Jaime's name?

Jaime's quest for answers will lead her into danger beyond anything she's experienced on the battlefield. At an ancient site, she meets a stranger who reveals astounding truths about Adara's mission--and the war itself--that are impossible to ignore. For the roots of this war reach back to a time and place fixed in the history of civilization. Many have searched for the Garden of Eden before, because to find it is to unlock a power beyond human comprehension. Now, for Jaime, the chase is on--and the fate of the world hangs in the balance...

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Ebooks, Christian Fiction, Mystery Thriller

332 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Bodosika Bodosika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though an interesting piece but not too real however I will give it 3 Star

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So a U.S. Army chaplain is kidnapped by a mysterious stranger in Iraq and goes on a deadly adventure to find the Garden of Eden. Now I remember why I don't like to read fiction. It's too tempting for me to argue with the author about how realistic or improbable the events of the story are. I was bored and ready to drop the book for about the first 200 pages. Finally it started to get interesting and I felt committed to see it through to the end. While it was mostly okay, I was dissapointed that a lot of things still were not resolved by the end (it is a series though, so maybe the next book makes up for it). The author's attempts at witty dialogue often seemed out of place with the actual events of the story. The mysterious stranger was a little TOO mysterious. But there was some good action, and an interesting intertwining of characters. So while not exactly my cup of tea, other people (who actually enjoy fiction) may like it. I do however think it would make a good movie- not a great movie- but a good one. I think the events of the story would play out better on screen than they did in print.

[Mariah Greeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how biblical references are in here. Amazing story

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. The action was well-paced, the world small enough to not lose track, the main character was relatable, and I liked that the main female and male character had some potential but they didn't rush to make it happen. The bad guys were a bit contrived and I didn't feel like I could relate to their reasons for what they were doing - I like when I can at least put myself in their shoes, but I'm weird like that. Either way I got to the end wanting to know more, and I think I will hunt down the next book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting spin on the Elites and the War in the Middle East. I can see how this could be a high plausibility on why we are over seas. Well, all except the end. The beginning of this book sounded extremely computerized to me, but towards the middle sounded a lot better. I will definitely be listening to the second book in this series

[Wayne Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dissapponting

I thought the story was shallow and disconnected. The villain's characters were poorly developed and therefore difficult to associate within the overall story. Even the action scenes lacked sufficient descriptions to be at all realistic.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much potential -- too many POVs that slowed down the read. I wish they'd found ways to tell us what we needed to know more focused.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure where it was leading. The real world war issues were an interesting backdrop. Biblical history always draws me in.

[Dorothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a few chapters and just did not like the religious aspects of the story line.

[Lutz Barz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writer but gung ho given the time and the place and the ending which really made this book part one.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free audio version of this book for an honest review.

Chasing Eden is full of suspense as well as history including Biblical history. In fact, although the history was interesting, it was a little more in depth than I liked but that's just a personal preference. I found myself having to rewind a few times because my mind started drifting.

The characters are interesting. Poor Jamie has had a lot of loss in her life but she has done a good job of moving on and dedicating her life to helping others. As she thought at one point in the book, she is her job. Adara's brother is one of those characters who is larger than life but it fits in this story. Everyone in this book is either good or evil. The main characters are truly good souls and the villains are truly evil.

I definitely recommend Chasing Eden especially if you like suspense. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Cherei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read the story as the authors have started a Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/EdenThrillers

Fell in love all over again with the Eden Thriller series! The best part.. I will not have to wait for books II & III! lol I have them in paperback. It is still amazing to me that one of the authors really served in the US military as a Chaplain! The timeline follows the real timeline of events in Iraq. Of course.. now as years have passed.. one is more familiar with the names of the groups and we have much more insight to the region. If you've not read the series.. I HIGHLY recommend reading it!

[Tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty bad. Disconnected narration. Flat characters. Completely unrealistic responses by characters to given situations. An occasional swear word or sexual reference thrown in to remind you this is an adult novel, not a junior high fantasy novel. Then the liberal Christian propaganda rant that is completely inaccurate. But even without that I would have no interest in recommending this book. And I have no desire to continue the series, I don't have a lot of reading time and would rather spend it elsewhere.

[Greg D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a decent read, but not great. Interesting just enough to keep me engaged through the whole book. Although, it got a little slow moving toward the end. The premise of the story is quite fascinating. Discovering the Garden of Eden, finding that it still exists, but not in the way that we imagine. Good vs evil vying for world power through the mysteries of what exists at the Garden of Eden. May try to read the second novel in the series later on. Good book. Decent read. Full of mystery and intrigue. But, nothing that will win any prizes.

[Temaris · Rating 2 out of 5]

One True Bloodline can unlock the secrets of returning to the Garden of Eden, blah blah, aryan-cakes, Abraham, knife, hidden families, teutonic knights, Hitler's mystical army, blah blah, US army chaplain is Woman of Destiny (okay, that one was new), lost her husband tragically, orphan, blah blah, mother's dying message, bad interpretations of bible, yadda yadda, smug deconstruction of misconceptions in other novels koffdavincicodekoff.

I do wonder why I bother, really I do.

[Martin Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based in Iraq during the 2003 War a U.S. Army Chaplain becomes embroiled in the chase to obtain The Sword which could lead it's owner to wealth, power and the untold knowledge of the ancients. This is a well told romp through Iraq's known and not so well known history and landscape during the War on an Indian Jones type journey to obtain the ancient artifacts that will possibly lead to the doorway to The Garden of Eden.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as an Advance Reader's Copy a few years ago when I still worked at Borders, and I just now finally got around to reading it. I expected typical substandard junk-food-lit, but was surprised to find this was well-written and fairly well conceived . . . I liked it more than I expected; I rate it as average. I'll probably be Bookcrossing it . . .

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a painful read. The plot was so dumb and the characters were not believable and no matter how you look at it, there was no real ending. Having books available instantly is a good thing, but I think it can lead to poor choices, it's too easy to hit the buy button without giving it enough thought.

[Matt Ream · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up on Amazon for my Kindle because it was free of $0.99, I can't remember. However, it turned out better than I expected. The story line was interesting, characters well developed, and the pacing and plot were entertaining. It's the first of a trilogy, and I've just started number 2.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read modern war books, but this is so much more. Set in 2003 in Iraq, it's the story of an army chaplain who gets embroiled in a behind the scenes hunt for the existence of the Garden of Eden. Oh, and there are also 3 bad guys (not counting Saddam Hussein) who are after it as well, following their own agenda. Intrigue, history, religion all wrapped up into one novel.

[Dell Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mediocre (at best) offering. The whole premise of a "secret" Eden still existing to which the door opens only once in so many years was just too much of a fantasy for me. There was just too much going on as the author threw in the evil assassin with a wish to reestablish a pure Aryan race. Just NOT my cup of tea!

[Aspasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Richards is an Army chaplain who is also an expert on religious history and cuneiform. Her best friend is killed and her convoy is attacked all in one day. Someone evil wants Jamie for her skills. Skills that could uncover the real reason behind the Iraq war.

[Judi]

An interesting, well written book. The author is in my book group and told us about how she gathered all the info for the book. The co-author/friend, who is not mentioned, is in the military and was supplying first hand (authorized) information.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Action thriller featuring a woman army chaplain who find herself involved in a desperate attempt to stop the forces of evil taking over the world, set against the backdrop of Iraq during the last Gulf war

[Darla Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, more like 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the concept, but the execution wasn't quite up to it. A little too convoluted in spots, a little uneven characterization. Still, if I remember to look for it, I'll check out the next one.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book started out a little hard to follow because there are a bunch of short chapters and each was introducing a different character, but once the story gets going it was really great! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would like this book but i was pleasantly suprised. It just goes to show that istening to your friends is always a good idea when looking for a good read.

[Nikki Behlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I just picked it up for something to read and it was an interesting story. It's face-paced and I like that.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

better than expected; eden exists in bubble under gulf, good mythol thruout

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into for some reason, can't really put my finger on why.