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Sara
On a lonely two-lane highway through the foothills of Northern Colorado, Sara Jean Haller has disappeared. Her father, a rural county deputy, battles his own demons and a despotic sheriff in a desperate search to find his only child. Mike Haller must untangle a web of lies and secrets woven into the fabric of this small mountain town to discover the road that leads to his missing daughter. Tony Hayden has laced together a story of struggle, hope and the untethered brutality of men without boundary that forces the reader up a dark mountain path to the edge of a shallow grave that hides no secrets.
258 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 27, 2016
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 5 Never Give Up On Life Stars ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
This book was ♡♡ AWESOME ♡♡!!!!!
"‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’”
~ Maya Angelo
Sara's life is just starting to get fun. Graduated from high school and setting off to college, Sara is excited to finally be on her own and out from her overprotective father.
The drive to college was to be uneventful and simple until she gets a flat tire. Nothing to fret about, daddy has a car service programmed and ready in case of anything. Only this car service leads Sara right into the hands of darkness and the fight to survive is on.
Sara is abducted by two men, locked in a truck box, raped, throat cut, stabbed and lucky for Sara hardly buried alive.
When she awakes from potential dealth, the real struggle to survive this hell will be Sara's next obstacle.
Sara is on her own and everything she was ever taught will be her only savior in escaping the hands of true evil.
While Sara fights to escape, her dad is hell bent on finding his baby girl.
Mike's occupation as a cop helps him to no avail when he comes face to face with a dark resistance that is trying to hide the secrets of his town and hold back Mike from finding his daughter.
When things are looking like a dead end, Mike gets the break he needs to find his daughter.
Surviving will come at the ultimate price for everyone.
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I absolutely LOVED this book! The author had me addicted page 1. Tony Hayden.....NICELY DONE!!!
This book was ♡♡ AWESOME ♡♡!!!!!
"‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’”
~ Maya Angelo
Sara's life is just starting to get fun. Graduated from high school and setting off to college, Sara is excited to finally be on her own and out from her overprotective father.
The drive to college was to be uneventful and simple until she gets a flat tire. Nothing to fret about, daddy has a car service programmed and ready in case of anything. Only this car service leads Sara right into the hands of darkness and the fight to survive is on.
Sara is abducted by two men, locked in a truck box, raped, throat cut, stabbed and lucky for Sara hardly buried alive.
When she awakes from potential dealth, the real struggle to survive this hell will be Sara's next obstacle.
Sara is on her own and everything she was ever taught will be her only savior in escaping the hands of true evil.
While Sara fights to escape, her dad is hell bent on finding his baby girl.
Mike's occupation as a cop helps him to no avail when he comes face to face with a dark resistance that is trying to hide the secrets of his town and hold back Mike from finding his daughter.
When things are looking like a dead end, Mike gets the break he needs to find his daughter.
Surviving will come at the ultimate price for everyone.
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
I absolutely LOVED this book! The author had me addicted page 1. Tony Hayden.....NICELY DONE!!!
August 31, 2014
**4 INTENSE STARS**
So I decided to stray away from my typical "kidnapping romance" type books and saw this book on amazon. As soon as I read the "about this book" blurb, I was hooked. This book book held me from the first to last page. I brought my iPad (kindle app) EVERYWHERE with me while reading- even while I was eating (I still say I am SO not to blame for the lo-mein stains all over my iPad...)
This book was INTENSE. From start to finish. There were times in the book where I found myself going:
and
what I loved ♡
-the pace of the book was pretty good. Like I said, it was a real page turner.
-loved the father/daughter relationship. Sara's father was amazing from start to finish. Mike (Sara's father) was KICK ASS! Very Taken-esque.
-I always enjoy books taking place in a small town where people are not who they seem to be.
-Sara was awesome. She had a will to live that was unlike most of the heroines I have read about in books.
-there wasn't much attention paid to her physical features in the book. In a lot of kidnapping-type books, the females' beauty is the reason she stays alive, but this book was raw and brutal and her appearance made no difference to the men who took her. I feel like this created more of a 'realistic' feel to the book. MOST kidnappers in real life aren't going to spare a girls life just because she has a nice set of boobs...lets be honest...
what I didn't love
would have liked to see certain evil individuals in the book suffer for their sins against Sara...I just felt like the end was a bit rushed with it. I feel like their deaths should have been drawn out and they should have been made to suffer as Sara suffered.
OVerall, great book! so glad I strayed away from my typical reads to read this book!
So I decided to stray away from my typical "kidnapping romance" type books and saw this book on amazon. As soon as I read the "about this book" blurb, I was hooked. This book book held me from the first to last page. I brought my iPad (kindle app) EVERYWHERE with me while reading- even while I was eating (I still say I am SO not to blame for the lo-mein stains all over my iPad...)
This book was INTENSE. From start to finish. There were times in the book where I found myself going:
and
what I loved ♡
-the pace of the book was pretty good. Like I said, it was a real page turner.
-loved the father/daughter relationship. Sara's father was amazing from start to finish. Mike (Sara's father) was KICK ASS! Very Taken-esque.
-I always enjoy books taking place in a small town where people are not who they seem to be.
-Sara was awesome. She had a will to live that was unlike most of the heroines I have read about in books.
-there wasn't much attention paid to her physical features in the book. In a lot of kidnapping-type books, the females' beauty is the reason she stays alive, but this book was raw and brutal and her appearance made no difference to the men who took her. I feel like this created more of a 'realistic' feel to the book. MOST kidnappers in real life aren't going to spare a girls life just because she has a nice set of boobs...lets be honest...
what I didn't love
would have liked to see certain evil individuals in the book suffer for their sins against Sara...I just felt like the end was a bit rushed with it. I feel like their deaths should have been drawn out and they should have been made to suffer as Sara suffered.
OVerall, great book! so glad I strayed away from my typical reads to read this book!
May 17, 2022
Sara unfolds like a Criminal Minds episode…a young college girl, a small town, a flat tire, a corrupt and dangerous police chief, a dad looking…
I was drawn in so quickly, with shivers running up and down my spine, rapidly turning pages…
At 20% my fears ramped up, the tension and pacing was off the charts and I couldn’t read fast enough. I could see this really happening, the events and characters could be real, the writing made the story come to life.
I found myself checking how much of the book was left because I had a really bad feeling…
I love this quote: “…we concentrate on finding the bad guys after the fact to ensure the cycle is broken.”
As the pieces came together, I knew my spidey senses hadn’t failed me, but I didn’t realize how bad these monsters were…and how many there were in one small town.
Tony Hayden took a twist I didn’t see coming and I love when an author can spin a twist to a story that I have read over and over…missing girl…in the woods…and make me unable to put the book down until I found all the answers.
I had two problems, which I won’t detail, one with the dad and one with Sara, but it kept the story going to the place Tony Hayden wanted it to be. That happens to me a lot in suspense novels, and I totally understand why it has to go that way. And, who knows how people will react until they are put in that position. Still, it kept nagging me, so a solid four stars it is.
I was drawn in so quickly, with shivers running up and down my spine, rapidly turning pages…
At 20% my fears ramped up, the tension and pacing was off the charts and I couldn’t read fast enough. I could see this really happening, the events and characters could be real, the writing made the story come to life.
I found myself checking how much of the book was left because I had a really bad feeling…
I love this quote: “…we concentrate on finding the bad guys after the fact to ensure the cycle is broken.”
As the pieces came together, I knew my spidey senses hadn’t failed me, but I didn’t realize how bad these monsters were…and how many there were in one small town.
Tony Hayden took a twist I didn’t see coming and I love when an author can spin a twist to a story that I have read over and over…missing girl…in the woods…and make me unable to put the book down until I found all the answers.
I had two problems, which I won’t detail, one with the dad and one with Sara, but it kept the story going to the place Tony Hayden wanted it to be. That happens to me a lot in suspense novels, and I totally understand why it has to go that way. And, who knows how people will react until they are put in that position. Still, it kept nagging me, so a solid four stars it is.
February 4, 2013
A terrifying opening to a novel will always get me in and "Sara" is no exception. The plot is simple - a young woman goes missing from her car outside a small rural town and her father comes to look for her. From the first moment the reader is privy to Sara's fate and the tension never eases.
The characters of Sara and her father are totally believable, which invites the reader to invest care in the outcome of their futures.
We share the frustration of Sara's father, Mike, as he is stymied at every turn, harassed, beaten up and had a shotgun pulled on him because he is trying to find his daughter and well aware that he is being diverted from the truth. Sara's mother, Jean, needed a good boot up the bum, which I for one would have been happy to give her.
The fast-pace and tight plot had me actually in a state of fear, skimming pages sometimes, not there was anything amiss with them, but because I HAD to find out what happened and fast. I found myself muttering "Hurry hurry!" and my heart was actually pounding. The twist at the end (NO PEEPING, readers!) was totally unexpected and very, very satisfying.
Brilliant read, well done Tony Hayden. I will be buying your next two novels for sure!
The characters of Sara and her father are totally believable, which invites the reader to invest care in the outcome of their futures.
We share the frustration of Sara's father, Mike, as he is stymied at every turn, harassed, beaten up and had a shotgun pulled on him because he is trying to find his daughter and well aware that he is being diverted from the truth. Sara's mother, Jean, needed a good boot up the bum, which I for one would have been happy to give her.
The fast-pace and tight plot had me actually in a state of fear, skimming pages sometimes, not there was anything amiss with them, but because I HAD to find out what happened and fast. I found myself muttering "Hurry hurry!" and my heart was actually pounding. The twist at the end (NO PEEPING, readers!) was totally unexpected and very, very satisfying.
Brilliant read, well done Tony Hayden. I will be buying your next two novels for sure!
September 10, 2012
A tense novel about the abduction, rape and attempted murder of Deputy Sheriff Mike Haller's daughter Sara, and the effects that trying to find the missing girl have on him.
The author clearly has a bit of a twisted imagination, which leaves the reader screaming at the characters mentally when they know something that is going to happen that the character that most needs to know doesn't. It's very frustrating, but works well to the effect of having you turn the pages faster in order to find out what happens and if the characters realise in time or even survive!
The idea of corrupt law enforcement covering up more crimes than just this one, that those in authority who you'd normally implicitly trust are rotten to the core and the hope that the righteous will triumph over them make this an excellent little read.
I particularly enjoyed what I saw to be a fitting and calculated ending, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a somewhat quick, thrilling read.
The author clearly has a bit of a twisted imagination, which leaves the reader screaming at the characters mentally when they know something that is going to happen that the character that most needs to know doesn't. It's very frustrating, but works well to the effect of having you turn the pages faster in order to find out what happens and if the characters realise in time or even survive!
The idea of corrupt law enforcement covering up more crimes than just this one, that those in authority who you'd normally implicitly trust are rotten to the core and the hope that the righteous will triumph over them make this an excellent little read.
I particularly enjoyed what I saw to be a fitting and calculated ending, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a somewhat quick, thrilling read.
March 13, 2013
The author makes writing appear as easy as breathing with the use of admirably descriptive language. Every page is filled with such detail that the reader is consistently engaged at every turn of the page. This is a book that must be started early in the morning, once picked up the reader will not put it down till the last page is reached. If started late, consider it a night void of sleep. The book is filled with thoughts, actions, memories, and feelings that press the reader forward. The story is well thought out in every detail, to extent that it appears to be the actual recollection of ones real life personal experience. This is a truly amazing and well written story. The author, Tony Hayden, is truly talented and blessed with a silver tongue.
“So, your optimism and your aspiration and your expectation endured?” Sondra.
“They did, but their definitions certainly changed.” Sara
“Our definitions change with time….And as we grow, we come to realize that it is our individual obligation to define our own lives. To let others define us is to relinquish authority over our very existence.”Sondra.
~ Sara by Tony Hayden
“So, your optimism and your aspiration and your expectation endured?” Sondra.
“They did, but their definitions certainly changed.” Sara
“Our definitions change with time….And as we grow, we come to realize that it is our individual obligation to define our own lives. To let others define us is to relinquish authority over our very existence.”Sondra.
~ Sara by Tony Hayden
January 15, 2013
My favorite book ever!!!! It really never once lost my interest, I read it in under two days which is weird but it obvious why after reading the book
March 9, 2013
This book is an heart felt book. And will bring tears to your eye's. I will defiantly be recommending this to everyone I know!!
March 6, 2013
Like the others who wrote a review I was immediately drawn in. I couldn't put it down until I was finished and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Outstanding!
May 22, 2013
I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. I am recommending this book to all my fellow readers. Great book.
June 30, 2013
***Two printings of this novel--the one with the GREEN cover (not the one on my profile), is the re-edited and most current edition. ***
YES!~ My husband wrote this book, but I am not exaggerating when I say it is easily one of the top three books I have EVER read. Ever! Who would know it would take 20 years of marriage to convince him that he needed to share his talent. The River's Edge weaves a dynamic, intriguing, suspensful, intelligent story filled with characters you wish you knew and then don't want to let go of when the book ends.
And no, Tony did NOT travel to Mexico for research on this Novel, but he has been complimented by readers telling him that it seems that he must have, as the details and accurancy are amazing.
For those who have not entered the world of The River's Edge:
Carol Iverson is obtaining an advanced degree in Mayan Culture and is awarded a grant to travel to Southern Mexico in order to study modern Mayan life. She receives permission to bring her husband, a Gulf War Veteran, and son (named Taylor, sound familar?) with her, for a life-changing, year long stay in Chiapas. Within a short time, the family is suddenly caught in the political turmoil among the government and the local rebels. The Iverson's become the target of a kidnapping plot and are seperated in the fierce jungles of Southern Mexico.
The novel explores the good and bad in ALL of us, as the mother and father, desperately, and seperated, search for their 10 year old son. Tony makes his readers FEEL their anguish and despair and even makes you question your own morality in such circumstances.
A Must Read!
YES!~ My husband wrote this book, but I am not exaggerating when I say it is easily one of the top three books I have EVER read. Ever! Who would know it would take 20 years of marriage to convince him that he needed to share his talent. The River's Edge weaves a dynamic, intriguing, suspensful, intelligent story filled with characters you wish you knew and then don't want to let go of when the book ends.
And no, Tony did NOT travel to Mexico for research on this Novel, but he has been complimented by readers telling him that it seems that he must have, as the details and accurancy are amazing.
For those who have not entered the world of The River's Edge:
Carol Iverson is obtaining an advanced degree in Mayan Culture and is awarded a grant to travel to Southern Mexico in order to study modern Mayan life. She receives permission to bring her husband, a Gulf War Veteran, and son (named Taylor, sound familar?) with her, for a life-changing, year long stay in Chiapas. Within a short time, the family is suddenly caught in the political turmoil among the government and the local rebels. The Iverson's become the target of a kidnapping plot and are seperated in the fierce jungles of Southern Mexico.
The novel explores the good and bad in ALL of us, as the mother and father, desperately, and seperated, search for their 10 year old son. Tony makes his readers FEEL their anguish and despair and even makes you question your own morality in such circumstances.
A Must Read!
January 29, 2015
Wow. 'Jaded Honor' is one of those books that pull you in from the very first paragraph and doesn't let go. I couldn't put it down. The storyline was well written and full of suspense, action, drama and thrilling scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. The characters were a great cast of personalities and professions. I will definitely read more of Tony Hayden's work. A must add to your tbr list. Highly recommended read.
March 13, 2013
I won this through Goodreads. The moment I started reading it, I couldn't put it down as the story, plot, and characters came to life and pulled me in. Great plot twist I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this book!
April 13, 2015
What a great book. What poor Sara went through with abduction rape and other horrible
things she had to endure. Her fathers attempt to find her and what
he went through. The outcome of the story was?? Read the book to see.
Hope you liked it as much as I did.
things she had to endure. Her fathers attempt to find her and what
he went through. The outcome of the story was?? Read the book to see.
Hope you liked it as much as I did.
February 5, 2013
Absolutely Amazing!
January 22, 2015
Wow
This book is a sure page turner!!!! I couldn't put it down! You think you know who did it but you don't and the end will blow your mind!!!
This book is a sure page turner!!!! I couldn't put it down! You think you know who did it but you don't and the end will blow your mind!!!
October 27, 2022
I couldn't stop reading
This is a tragic and sad story that I'm sure actually occurs somewhere in this world. I was "fondled" by a "Christian" friend of my parents. I never told them but I never stayed at our house when he was there. 😞
This is a tragic and sad story that I'm sure actually occurs somewhere in this world. I was "fondled" by a "Christian" friend of my parents. I never told them but I never stayed at our house when he was there. 😞
October 22, 2018
Sara
The book was awesome very interesting and very sad I could not put it down it really held my attention
The book was awesome very interesting and very sad I could not put it down it really held my attention
April 29, 2021
Fantastic read! I read the whole book in a few hours, I couldn't put it down!
August 21, 2022
Trigger warning ⚠️ has violence and rape in it. Wouldn't recommend you read if you are sensitive to these subjects.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2013
Well, I won this book from the Goodread's giveaways. I thought it sounded interesting. It was exciting to win a book! And Tony Hayden wrote me a letter explaining why he wrote this book, so it was cool to have a little background on the story. The story was very fast paced and easy to read. I read it in only a few days time, and that having a busy schedule. I was really wrapped up in the story. It made my skin crawl in places. And the story was good, but he had the F word in it a lot, and I'm not a big fan of that. I know people use that word in real life and especially in stressful situations, but I don't use language like that so I didn't appreciate it. I am not a big fan of how the book just ended. I felt I needed a bit more closure. However, I can see how others would really like this story. Thank you Tony Hayden for letting me read your book!
August 18, 2012
I love when I read something, and it surprises me. In a "I thought I knew what I was getting into, but this is even better" kind of way. The language and style of writing in The River's Edge left spectacular visuals in my head, and a strong sense of empathy with the characters. Well, most of them anyway... :)
I think what I enjoyed most is that, throughout all the trauma and chaos this family is put through, there is still a sense of strength, and love, and HOPE. The genre of writing that this book fits in is not usually my first choice, because they are frequently so DARK and depressing. Despite its first impression of "blood and guts" (of which there is plenty!) this book has a heart.
Darn it! ...now I'm going to have to track down a copy of the sequel... ;)
I think what I enjoyed most is that, throughout all the trauma and chaos this family is put through, there is still a sense of strength, and love, and HOPE. The genre of writing that this book fits in is not usually my first choice, because they are frequently so DARK and depressing. Despite its first impression of "blood and guts" (of which there is plenty!) this book has a heart.
Darn it! ...now I'm going to have to track down a copy of the sequel... ;)
September 3, 2013
**1/2 stars
It took some time for me to get used to the writing. Overall, I did find the story emotional and suspenseful. There seems to be something missing to make it a great read. Maybe more depth or better flow or less imageries (it was a bit distracting). The plot and characters felt a bit disconnected in some parts, therefore, I wasn't entirely gripped by the story. The flashbacks were beautifully written and essential to the storyline. I got quite tearful from it and from other certain scenes. It got harder to put down near the end. I loved the twist and the conclusion was very well done.
A big thank you to Tony Hayden(!) for my free autographed copy in exchange for an honest review.
It took some time for me to get used to the writing. Overall, I did find the story emotional and suspenseful. There seems to be something missing to make it a great read. Maybe more depth or better flow or less imageries (it was a bit distracting). The plot and characters felt a bit disconnected in some parts, therefore, I wasn't entirely gripped by the story. The flashbacks were beautifully written and essential to the storyline. I got quite tearful from it and from other certain scenes. It got harder to put down near the end. I loved the twist and the conclusion was very well done.
A big thank you to Tony Hayden(!) for my free autographed copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2014
Jaded Honor follows Harry Pennington, a rough around the edges CIA operative, as he tries to save his niece Carol from the same fate as her late husband Jim Iverson. Harry must battle his own demons and wrestle with his conscious along his journey. Before he can save Carol he must save himself. Riveting and suspenseful, Tony Hayden provides a thoroughly engrossing follow up to his first novel. Guaranteed to keep you guessing what will come until the very last second. Add it to your must read list.
February 27, 2014
The beginning of this book brought on an array of emotions that ranged the spectrum of anger and hope. Very few books have made me feel the emotions that this book brought on. Tony Hayden kept the momentum going to the very end of the book. Every page kept me wanting more, needing to read till I had finished every last word. Hayden puts Dan Brown to shame when it comes to page turning thrillers. I can’t wait to read his next novel.
September 8, 2015
This was a fascinating, suspenseful novel with lots of action. I highly recommend it. The characters, especially Jim Iverson, and plot were excellent. I liked Jim's flashbacks to his time as a soldier in Iraq. It gave insight into who he was and why he did some of the things he did. The descriptions of Mexico, especially Chiapas, were great. I felt as if I was there experiencing each event in the story.
September 8, 2015
Excellent mystery; excellent suspense; excellent writing style. This book was very exciting to read--the action was almost non-stop. I really liked that for several scenes, the events were told by two different participants. It was very effective. Tony Hayden is an author to watch. My favorite mystery writer is Robert B Parker and Mr. Hayden gives him a run for his money. If you like mysteries, you need to read this book.
September 8, 2015
Excellent mystery. Usually, I give a book five chapters before deciding to keep reading or to give up on it. This one had me in the first paragraph. Mr. Hayden's writing style is so smooth, sometimes almost lyrical. The characters seemed real and the plot was excellent. I just purchased two more of his books. I wasn't ready to finish reading this author.
October 20, 2015
Worth the time
Well even knowing very early into this book didn't spoil it for me. The getting to the end was just very well done. The story moves very quickly and is well edited (I found only two errors and they were at the end). I've never read this author before but will look for more.
Well even knowing very early into this book didn't spoil it for me. The getting to the end was just very well done. The story moves very quickly and is well edited (I found only two errors and they were at the end). I've never read this author before but will look for more.
February 27, 2014
A great book by a new author. You'll grow attached to the Iverson's in a heart beat. Go on their journey as they try to rescue their son from the hands of an unknown fate. Every twist will send your heart racing and your mind reeling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews