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Fire Storm
“But we have no enemies!”… Why would a young mother, happily married and safely nestled amongst the cornfields of small town Illinois suddenly start finding murder attempts around every corner?
A fireman, Jim thrives on danger, that is until, coming in a different form, it creeps closer than he ever expected – not for him, but for the one he loves more than life itself – his wife. Who and why? How can the “protector” keep his most cherished possession from this unseen killer?
Totally innocent – untouched by evil, Jess cannot explain nor understand the incidents threatening her very existence. Holding on to her husband and clinging to her knowledge of a powerful God, she can only strive to keep trust in her soul and a smile in her heart, as the icy fingers of death lurk, coiled behind every corner. Safe in innocence, secure in love – marked for murder! God bless our home – if it doesn’t blow up!
A fireman, Jim thrives on danger, that is until, coming in a different form, it creeps closer than he ever expected – not for him, but for the one he loves more than life itself – his wife. Who and why? How can the “protector” keep his most cherished possession from this unseen killer?
Totally innocent – untouched by evil, Jess cannot explain nor understand the incidents threatening her very existence. Holding on to her husband and clinging to her knowledge of a powerful God, she can only strive to keep trust in her soul and a smile in her heart, as the icy fingers of death lurk, coiled behind every corner. Safe in innocence, secure in love – marked for murder! God bless our home – if it doesn’t blow up!
308 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
15 people want to read
About the author
Mackenzie Dare
2 books6 followersHi, everyone!
About me... Well, I love to read! I love to write! I love my family, and most of all, I love my Lord!
The printed page can take you on more adventures than you could ever hope to experience! I love books that pump fear and energy into your veins (without gore), books that force you to keep the pages turning when you really should be turnin’ off the lights, books with clean humor that will bring a smile to your face, and nostalgic books with "atmosphere" that will warm your heart and give you a cozy, hot cocoa feeling inside.
I love listening to audio books while running, cooking, or doing chores! Audio books are a busy girl's best friend, and I'll take them with me anywhere I go.
I think, the perfect reading time is sitting in front of a big picture window that’s propped slightly open, on a cool, rainy day, a gentle breeze whisking through it and the soft pattering of water droplets hitting the pane, leaning my shoulder against the glass with a book in my lap and a cup of steamy coffee beside, letting those little black words take the keys and transport me into an exciting adventure!
I just published my first novel “Fire Storm.” I had so much fun writing it! Whenever, I needed a quick adrenaline fix or a good laugh, I could count on my characters to deliver. It was hard for me to get a word in edgewise concerning the outline, sometimes, because the characters would often just take off runnin' in their own direction … without consulting me :). However, we became such good friends I had to keep them alive a little longer. So, I’m working on its sequel right now.
Their setting is in small town Illinois, among cornfields, horse farms, the fire station, ect…. It’s a murder mystery that includes humor, hardships, relationships, romance, action, and struggles that cause some draw closer to their heavenly Father while others pull away.
My ultimate goal is to exalt my Savior, Lord, and King, and to never bring dishonor to my GOD, my friend which 'sticketh closer than a brother.'
I look forward to interacting with ya'll in the great exploration of the wonderful world of literature!
About me... Well, I love to read! I love to write! I love my family, and most of all, I love my Lord!
The printed page can take you on more adventures than you could ever hope to experience! I love books that pump fear and energy into your veins (without gore), books that force you to keep the pages turning when you really should be turnin’ off the lights, books with clean humor that will bring a smile to your face, and nostalgic books with "atmosphere" that will warm your heart and give you a cozy, hot cocoa feeling inside.
I love listening to audio books while running, cooking, or doing chores! Audio books are a busy girl's best friend, and I'll take them with me anywhere I go.
I think, the perfect reading time is sitting in front of a big picture window that’s propped slightly open, on a cool, rainy day, a gentle breeze whisking through it and the soft pattering of water droplets hitting the pane, leaning my shoulder against the glass with a book in my lap and a cup of steamy coffee beside, letting those little black words take the keys and transport me into an exciting adventure!
I just published my first novel “Fire Storm.” I had so much fun writing it! Whenever, I needed a quick adrenaline fix or a good laugh, I could count on my characters to deliver. It was hard for me to get a word in edgewise concerning the outline, sometimes, because the characters would often just take off runnin' in their own direction … without consulting me :). However, we became such good friends I had to keep them alive a little longer. So, I’m working on its sequel right now.
Their setting is in small town Illinois, among cornfields, horse farms, the fire station, ect…. It’s a murder mystery that includes humor, hardships, relationships, romance, action, and struggles that cause some draw closer to their heavenly Father while others pull away.
My ultimate goal is to exalt my Savior, Lord, and King, and to never bring dishonor to my GOD, my friend which 'sticketh closer than a brother.'
I look forward to interacting with ya'll in the great exploration of the wonderful world of literature!
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April 7, 2015
Note, April 7, 2015: At the conclusion of my original review below, I noted that I'd welcome a chance to read a good re-write of this book. The author actually did such a re-write (keeping the same cover, title, and ISBN), taking account of some of the constructive criticisms raised by readers of the original (though she kept the long, detailed Gospel presentation near the end --which some readers liked). I've finally finished my re-read; and the improvements, IMO, justified the fourth star! Hopefully this first novel won't be the author's last.
For various reasons, I'm running behind schedule in reviewing this novel; usually I like to write a review of a book right after finishing it. But better later than never! :-) The author is a Goodreads friend of mine, and donated a copy of the book to the library where I work. (At the time, I hadn't said I'd read the book; so the donation wasn't made with the expectation of getting a review.)
To put the book in its broader literary context, it has features of the mystery genre, but I wouldn't classify it as a "mystery" in that sense; it doesn't have a sleuth as such, and it doesn't follow the usual plot arc nor all the conventions of a typical mystery. Rather, I'd classify it more as a straight action-adventure tale. It also fits solidly into the tradition of "Christian fiction," in the Christian book trade sense; an avowed goal of the author's (which she achieves) is to write a book free of bad language and sexual content, and to share the gospel with non-Christians. (More on that below.) But while much of fiction in this tradition falls into the light romance category (and might be said, at the risk of stereotyping, to appeal more to female than male readers), that's not the case here. We have some loving married couples here, but there's no "boy meets girl" storyline; most of the major characters are male, and the action emphasis would appeal to most males. (As well as to many females; I've got several female family members and friends who like an action read!)
Dare does several things well here, which earned her the three stars. Her prose style is mostly serviceable, despite a few awkward sentences and grammatical slips; it gets you into the story and doesn't turn it into a train wreck of butchered English, unlike some self-published efforts. While her characterizations aren't particularly sharp, at least two of them are memorable; and I came to care about the people in the book and to get invested in what happened to them. The plot is fast moving, and contains some genuine surprises; and she proves to be pretty good at writing dialogue, especially sarcasm and male banter (and husband-and-wife banter). Her action scenes can be edge-of-the-seat, even jaw-dropping in one case; there's no shortage of jeopardies and physical challenges, and she handles the fire-house/paramedic milieu (Jess' husband and other key characters are firemen) with an assurance that suggests she knows about it first-hand or through close family. (Her scenes of suspense and danger in the choking, searingly hot nightmare of a burning building are very gripping.) The same could be said for her knowledge of horses. There's not much texture to the narrative to give it a strong sense of place (it's set primarily in and around a small city or large town in Illinois, but we don't know exactly where in Illinois --it's a big state!); but when she does try to create texture, as with her descriptions of the natural world in autumn, she has good results, and I'd only wish she'd done more along that line.
The main problem here is something that's endemic to self-published first novels which haven't been edited by anybody (either working for a publisher or free-lance): the author hasn't developed the kind of careful craftsmanship and attention to significant detail that would avoid major errors, and with no vetting by anyone else, nobody caught these. (There are a number of simple proofreading issues as well.) In the first chapter, a barn burns to the ground --but the same barn is standing, and used, more than once later in the book, with no notice of the anomaly. (Dare has noted, in a personal message, that she herself never caught the discrepancy, and that a friend who did thought the couple had a second barn; but very few small farmers have multiple barns.) Also on the subject of barns, nobody in real life stores handguns in the barn rather than in the house! At another point, a driver accelerates his car to 90 mph in order to pass a farm vehicle going 10 mph --and the farm vehicle subsequently passes him again, without speeding up. Between Chapters 1 and 2, the town where Jim works changes from Spring Valley to Springbrook. There are various plot developments that aren't, per se, implausible, but which needed more explanation than we get. At times, Dare tells when she should show; and I'd have appreciated more back story on some characters, and earlier introduction of some elements so that they don't come across as much as convenient spur-of-the-moment inventions. All of the characters have the same speaking style, and it varies inconsistently between formal and more colloquial. These aren't all of the editorial issues, but they're the major ones.
The Christian elements in the story are prominent. Two couples who are at the heart of the story are church-going believers; the role of prayer in their lives, and quotation of Scripture, bulks large. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and indeed is realistic in that context. It's also a plus that the Christian characters aren't portrayed as perfect plaster saints; they have their shortcomings, and they wrestle very much with the problem of theodicy here --faith in the face of bad things that happen to good people isn't automatic. But a lot of aspects of evangelical lingo and subculture are taken for granted, whereas for many non-Christian readers they wouldn't be; and this can unnecessarily distance the characters and their world from those same non-Christian readers. If an author wants a book to reach that audience as an evangelistic tool, that's a hindrance. Moreover, the presentation of the gospel near the end of the book is so detailed theologically, and goes on so long, that it would almost certainly come across as "preachy" and off-putting to most non-believers. That kind of discussion, again, is realistic in a context where someone has spiritual questions; but secular readers looking for entertainment don't want to be beaten over the head with those questions when they aren't thinking about them themselves. IMO, a short and pithy planting of a seed that can grow later is a preferable strategy. True, fiction writers as diverse as Evelyn Waugh (in Brideshead Revisited), Sigrid Undset, and Krisi Keley manage more sustained treatment of spiritual searching. But they integrate it into the text of the story better, and don't make it come across as a sermon from somebody who has all the answers to someone whose search has a tacked-on feel. The intent here is good, but the execution lacking.
Overall, though, I think Dare's writing has promise, if she develops discipline with it. I'd like to read a version of this book that had a good re-write, and I think it might earn four stars --or more!
For various reasons, I'm running behind schedule in reviewing this novel; usually I like to write a review of a book right after finishing it. But better later than never! :-) The author is a Goodreads friend of mine, and donated a copy of the book to the library where I work. (At the time, I hadn't said I'd read the book; so the donation wasn't made with the expectation of getting a review.)
To put the book in its broader literary context, it has features of the mystery genre, but I wouldn't classify it as a "mystery" in that sense; it doesn't have a sleuth as such, and it doesn't follow the usual plot arc nor all the conventions of a typical mystery. Rather, I'd classify it more as a straight action-adventure tale. It also fits solidly into the tradition of "Christian fiction," in the Christian book trade sense; an avowed goal of the author's (which she achieves) is to write a book free of bad language and sexual content, and to share the gospel with non-Christians. (More on that below.) But while much of fiction in this tradition falls into the light romance category (and might be said, at the risk of stereotyping, to appeal more to female than male readers), that's not the case here. We have some loving married couples here, but there's no "boy meets girl" storyline; most of the major characters are male, and the action emphasis would appeal to most males. (As well as to many females; I've got several female family members and friends who like an action read!)
Dare does several things well here, which earned her the three stars. Her prose style is mostly serviceable, despite a few awkward sentences and grammatical slips; it gets you into the story and doesn't turn it into a train wreck of butchered English, unlike some self-published efforts. While her characterizations aren't particularly sharp, at least two of them are memorable; and I came to care about the people in the book and to get invested in what happened to them. The plot is fast moving, and contains some genuine surprises; and she proves to be pretty good at writing dialogue, especially sarcasm and male banter (and husband-and-wife banter). Her action scenes can be edge-of-the-seat, even jaw-dropping in one case; there's no shortage of jeopardies and physical challenges, and she handles the fire-house/paramedic milieu (Jess' husband and other key characters are firemen) with an assurance that suggests she knows about it first-hand or through close family. (Her scenes of suspense and danger in the choking, searingly hot nightmare of a burning building are very gripping.) The same could be said for her knowledge of horses. There's not much texture to the narrative to give it a strong sense of place (it's set primarily in and around a small city or large town in Illinois, but we don't know exactly where in Illinois --it's a big state!); but when she does try to create texture, as with her descriptions of the natural world in autumn, she has good results, and I'd only wish she'd done more along that line.
The main problem here is something that's endemic to self-published first novels which haven't been edited by anybody (either working for a publisher or free-lance): the author hasn't developed the kind of careful craftsmanship and attention to significant detail that would avoid major errors, and with no vetting by anyone else, nobody caught these. (There are a number of simple proofreading issues as well.) In the first chapter, a barn burns to the ground --but the same barn is standing, and used, more than once later in the book, with no notice of the anomaly. (Dare has noted, in a personal message, that she herself never caught the discrepancy, and that a friend who did thought the couple had a second barn; but very few small farmers have multiple barns.) Also on the subject of barns, nobody in real life stores handguns in the barn rather than in the house! At another point, a driver accelerates his car to 90 mph in order to pass a farm vehicle going 10 mph --and the farm vehicle subsequently passes him again, without speeding up. Between Chapters 1 and 2, the town where Jim works changes from Spring Valley to Springbrook. There are various plot developments that aren't, per se, implausible, but which needed more explanation than we get. At times, Dare tells when she should show; and I'd have appreciated more back story on some characters, and earlier introduction of some elements so that they don't come across as much as convenient spur-of-the-moment inventions. All of the characters have the same speaking style, and it varies inconsistently between formal and more colloquial. These aren't all of the editorial issues, but they're the major ones.
The Christian elements in the story are prominent. Two couples who are at the heart of the story are church-going believers; the role of prayer in their lives, and quotation of Scripture, bulks large. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and indeed is realistic in that context. It's also a plus that the Christian characters aren't portrayed as perfect plaster saints; they have their shortcomings, and they wrestle very much with the problem of theodicy here --faith in the face of bad things that happen to good people isn't automatic. But a lot of aspects of evangelical lingo and subculture are taken for granted, whereas for many non-Christian readers they wouldn't be; and this can unnecessarily distance the characters and their world from those same non-Christian readers. If an author wants a book to reach that audience as an evangelistic tool, that's a hindrance. Moreover, the presentation of the gospel near the end of the book is so detailed theologically, and goes on so long, that it would almost certainly come across as "preachy" and off-putting to most non-believers. That kind of discussion, again, is realistic in a context where someone has spiritual questions; but secular readers looking for entertainment don't want to be beaten over the head with those questions when they aren't thinking about them themselves. IMO, a short and pithy planting of a seed that can grow later is a preferable strategy. True, fiction writers as diverse as Evelyn Waugh (in Brideshead Revisited), Sigrid Undset, and Krisi Keley manage more sustained treatment of spiritual searching. But they integrate it into the text of the story better, and don't make it come across as a sermon from somebody who has all the answers to someone whose search has a tacked-on feel. The intent here is good, but the execution lacking.
Overall, though, I think Dare's writing has promise, if she develops discipline with it. I'd like to read a version of this book that had a good re-write, and I think it might earn four stars --or more!
April 3, 2013
Fire Storm
Review
I thought that Fire Storm, by Mackenzie Dare, was a very good read. It started out action packed right out of the gate and stayed that way throughout the whole story. As you go through all of these life threatening dramas with these characters, you really learn what they are made of and really grow to love them.
I loved how the characters relied on God to help them through and how they shared God with others who were hurting. There was a great balance between the drama, humor, and romance and I absolutely loved the ending of the book!
The only issues that I had were, just by looking at the cover, I probably would not have chosen the book, though I do like the horse in the corner. Also at the beginning the writing seemed “young”, but as the book went on it was more balanced and experienced. At times the characters would use strange slang words that did not seem to fit them.
Overall, this was a wonderful story that I will more than likely read again. It is obvious that Mackenzie Dare is a very talented writer and I look forward to her next book. Hopefully it will somehow go into the issues that Jim had with hospitals and his past. Thank you so much Mackenzie for such a great read!!!
Review
I thought that Fire Storm, by Mackenzie Dare, was a very good read. It started out action packed right out of the gate and stayed that way throughout the whole story. As you go through all of these life threatening dramas with these characters, you really learn what they are made of and really grow to love them.
I loved how the characters relied on God to help them through and how they shared God with others who were hurting. There was a great balance between the drama, humor, and romance and I absolutely loved the ending of the book!
The only issues that I had were, just by looking at the cover, I probably would not have chosen the book, though I do like the horse in the corner. Also at the beginning the writing seemed “young”, but as the book went on it was more balanced and experienced. At times the characters would use strange slang words that did not seem to fit them.
Overall, this was a wonderful story that I will more than likely read again. It is obvious that Mackenzie Dare is a very talented writer and I look forward to her next book. Hopefully it will somehow go into the issues that Jim had with hospitals and his past. Thank you so much Mackenzie for such a great read!!!
April 8, 2013
I loved the fact that the author, Mackenzie Dare, really kept the reader in suspense until the end of the book. It was a true mystery, which can be rare. I never like a book that is too predictable. That being said, however, it jumped around a bit too much at times--probably in an attempt to keep it unpredictable.
Firestorm was a good clean read and the main characters were godly people without being too preachy. I always appreciate that in a Christian novel. I liked that the Christian characters weren't too goody-two-shoes, they seemed real. On the other hand, I had a hard time relating to many of the characters. I would have liked to read more about what makes them tick. There was plenty of dialogue, but not much about what they were thinking or feeling.
The story was often very exciting and dramatic but it was also a bit unrealistic. Some of the situations were just a bit too far-fetched. But, I guess that's why we read novels, isn't it? To escape reality for a little while, so perhaps that's all right.
All in all, it was a good first novel. I like the overall concepts of forgiveness and love, which of course point us to God, the author of both love and forgiveness. That is the biggest test of all to me of a good Christian read--does it point me to God and with Firestorm the answer is a resounding "yes".
Firestorm was a good clean read and the main characters were godly people without being too preachy. I always appreciate that in a Christian novel. I liked that the Christian characters weren't too goody-two-shoes, they seemed real. On the other hand, I had a hard time relating to many of the characters. I would have liked to read more about what makes them tick. There was plenty of dialogue, but not much about what they were thinking or feeling.
The story was often very exciting and dramatic but it was also a bit unrealistic. Some of the situations were just a bit too far-fetched. But, I guess that's why we read novels, isn't it? To escape reality for a little while, so perhaps that's all right.
All in all, it was a good first novel. I like the overall concepts of forgiveness and love, which of course point us to God, the author of both love and forgiveness. That is the biggest test of all to me of a good Christian read--does it point me to God and with Firestorm the answer is a resounding "yes".
January 15, 2014
When an incident occurs that threatens the life of young, happily married, mother Jess, it's chocked up as an accident. That is until another incident happens right after with no logical explanation why. Jess is now a target in a murderer's sights and no one knows why. She's innocent and untouched by evil but she is marked for murder despite not having any enemies.
Jess's husband, Jim, is a firefighter and loves excitement and danger, that is until that danger creeps closer to the one thing he loves most - his wife. Jim is trying to protect his family, but protecting them from someone unseen is harder than it sounds and Jim begins to feel helpless as more attempts begin to occur and he can't stop them. He's determined to keep his family safe but with an unknown enemy the only thing he can do is pray.
With Jim and Jess struggling to stay alive, their relationships to each other and God begin to grow but their determination to find the killer is just as strong. When one attempt goes too far, both Jim and Jess are pushed to the limit and their faith is tested as they find out just how much they trust God to take care of the ones they love and just how much they're willing to let God have.
Why would a killer come after this family? Who is a secret enemy of the family or do they even know them at all? Will Jim and Jess be able to live through attempt after attempt or will one or both of them succumb to killer's weapons? How will they find a killer that leaves almost no trace that he was there? Will everything work out for this farm grown Illinois family or will their lives be destroyed by the attempts of a killer?
-----------------------------------
I tend to avoid self published books or books published by upstart or little known publishers because the quality of story usually isn't as high as a well known publisher's offerings, not to mention the covers and editing usually isn't up to par. However, I'm very glad to have broken habit here because this book genuinely surprised me with how well it was written. There are some typos and flow issues but in general this book's story was a very well written one and one I'm glad I got to read.
Being a first book by Mackenzie Dare, this book was actually really good. The suspense was actually pretty unpredictable with an unknown enemy, that I didn't guess and was shocked to find out who he actually was, and a surprisingly taut pace. I was pleasantly surprised at the ability of the author to successfully keep me hooked until the very end, particularly after a somewhat slow start to the action. There was some pacing issues and at the end it felt a little forced and had a bit too much action but was still enjoyable and actually was one of the better suspenses that I've read.
The characters in this story were a bit too perfect with absolutely no real doubts about God or anything, but one part of this book stuck with me and I think it deserves a little nod. Without saying too much it's basically a scene where Jess, instead of disregarding same instruction and being a hero, listens to her husband and goes and gets help without second thought. That's usually not something a heroine does in a story and it showed extreme trust for her husband's leadership to me. I felt it was worth noting. I think that detail was a nice addition on the author's part.
There was a touch too little dialogue, a bit too much repetition of thoughts and ideas, and not enough portrayal of the character's feelings so I could connect to them, but as I type this I remember my own failed attempts at a novel and how I struggled with these very same things so I give every new author a little leeway in this area. Another thing worth noting is that this book delves into some deep issues about Christianity and people sensitive to that could possibly did this book a bit preachy but for me I liked all the bible verses and answers to tough questions, I don't get that very often in books so it was refreshing.
I don't know anything about this author but I think I know that she lives around horses, possibly in the Mid-West, maybe even in Illinois herself because her knowledge and love of the area came out through these pages and made me fall for the land and horses too (and I'm a city girl). I also know that this author has amazing talent and with some work, she could easily become a household name in Christian fiction. If she isn't published with a big publishing company in five to ten years I think I'll have take up a petition to get her published. I actually really look forward to Mackenzie Dare's next book and to seeing how she grows as an author.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book particularly for a self-published debut. Fans of complex suspenses will enjoy this one and people who like a book that answers the tough questions will enjoy parts of this book. This book is actually a pretty family friendly read despite the genre it falls in. I'd say be careful of the age range but anyone thirteen and over should enjoy this one. I give this book a three out of five.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
May 24, 2013
Oh. My. Gosh! I absolutely, completely, totally loved this book! I
don't know if I can put into words how much I loved it, but I will try!
As a Christian, small town, horse crazy, farm girl, I was thrilled to
find a Christian suspense book that was set in a small town where the
main characters live on a horse farm, needless to say I found myself
completely relating to so many aspects of this book! The romance, true
love, and devotion between the married couples was so sweet, their were
times that it made my heart swell and my stomach flutter! I loved Jim
and Jessica, Wade and Mellissa, and through the skillful writing of the
author I grew to love Derrick as well! And of course Morgan was just oh
so adorable. Fire Storm grabbed me on page one and didn't release me
until I reached the end! I usually am able to guess who the killer is,
but with this one I had no clue who it was, so it was a big surprise
for me when the killer's identity was revealed! And the suspense, oh my
goodness it was SO amazing, just when I thought it couldn't get any
crazier (In a good way!) it did!!!
There is one thing I would like to point out and that is that Fire
Storm is told from a number of different characters view points, while
this did not bother me and I personally feel that it helped to tell the
story perfectly, I know that there are people who don't like this way
of telling a story, but I would highly recommend that they read it
anyway because it is so worth reading!!!
Fire Storm has touched my life and my heart and I feel truly blessed to
have had the opportunity to read it! It is now on my list of all time
favorite books and I know I will reread it many times in the future!
And I highly anticipate this author's next book!
In closing, Fire Storm is an amazing read, which I highly recommend to
anyone and everyone!!!
It is one of those rare finds that as soon as you finish it, you desire
nothing more than to start it again, it's that good!!! :)
I received this book from the author, in exchange for my honest review.
The above is my honest opinion.
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
don't know if I can put into words how much I loved it, but I will try!
As a Christian, small town, horse crazy, farm girl, I was thrilled to
find a Christian suspense book that was set in a small town where the
main characters live on a horse farm, needless to say I found myself
completely relating to so many aspects of this book! The romance, true
love, and devotion between the married couples was so sweet, their were
times that it made my heart swell and my stomach flutter! I loved Jim
and Jessica, Wade and Mellissa, and through the skillful writing of the
author I grew to love Derrick as well! And of course Morgan was just oh
so adorable. Fire Storm grabbed me on page one and didn't release me
until I reached the end! I usually am able to guess who the killer is,
but with this one I had no clue who it was, so it was a big surprise
for me when the killer's identity was revealed! And the suspense, oh my
goodness it was SO amazing, just when I thought it couldn't get any
crazier (In a good way!) it did!!!
There is one thing I would like to point out and that is that Fire
Storm is told from a number of different characters view points, while
this did not bother me and I personally feel that it helped to tell the
story perfectly, I know that there are people who don't like this way
of telling a story, but I would highly recommend that they read it
anyway because it is so worth reading!!!
Fire Storm has touched my life and my heart and I feel truly blessed to
have had the opportunity to read it! It is now on my list of all time
favorite books and I know I will reread it many times in the future!
And I highly anticipate this author's next book!
In closing, Fire Storm is an amazing read, which I highly recommend to
anyone and everyone!!!
It is one of those rare finds that as soon as you finish it, you desire
nothing more than to start it again, it's that good!!! :)
I received this book from the author, in exchange for my honest review.
The above is my honest opinion.
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
December 2, 2013
Jim and Jess Richards is a young couple who live on a horse farm in Illinois. Jim and his closest friend, Wade, work at the firehouse together, Jim a firefighter and Wade an EMT. When someone attempts to kill Jess the friendships undergo some strain. The threat spreads to more than just Jessica’s life and Jim has to figure out how to protect his wife and friends.
Mackenzie Dare does a fantastic job with the suspense created in this book. The foundation for the friendships and romance between Jim and Jess are set up in the first part of the book, and then the suspense rolls in.
The spiritual aspects are AMAZING! It’s not forced at all and is very real. The spiritual struggle with why God lets bad things happen is something the Christians and others share alike. Then the power of witnessing is strong and shows the importance of being sensitive to God’s voice.
Author Mackenzie Dare has a different writing style than the typical stick- to-the-point-of-view-from-just-a-few-characters type. It took a several chapters for me to get used to, but I did appreciate the way she used this throughout the book. She really makes her style work. It’s not confusing as to whose POV it is at all. And it really creates the fast flowing suspense that makes this a page turner.
I cried! I laughed! And I was on the edge of my seat. Give this new author a try. I really felt like God used her writing to speak to me. She has such a great message to share.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://TMWoodsBooks.com/blog . Also follow me on Twitter @TMWoodsBook, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/TMWoodsBooks .
Mackenzie Dare does a fantastic job with the suspense created in this book. The foundation for the friendships and romance between Jim and Jess are set up in the first part of the book, and then the suspense rolls in.
The spiritual aspects are AMAZING! It’s not forced at all and is very real. The spiritual struggle with why God lets bad things happen is something the Christians and others share alike. Then the power of witnessing is strong and shows the importance of being sensitive to God’s voice.
Author Mackenzie Dare has a different writing style than the typical stick- to-the-point-of-view-from-just-a-few-characters type. It took a several chapters for me to get used to, but I did appreciate the way she used this throughout the book. She really makes her style work. It’s not confusing as to whose POV it is at all. And it really creates the fast flowing suspense that makes this a page turner.
I cried! I laughed! And I was on the edge of my seat. Give this new author a try. I really felt like God used her writing to speak to me. She has such a great message to share.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://TMWoodsBooks.com/blog . Also follow me on Twitter @TMWoodsBook, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/TMWoodsBooks .
April 18, 2013
Fire Storm is 308 pages, but it is so engaging, I assure you it will fly by.I was quite sorry to have it end. :) I must say that I really enjoyed the ending. I am picky about endings. I don't like it to end and there is something that seems like it didn't get resolved and you are left hanging. This story seemed rather complete and wrapped up nicely. ( I hear there is going to be a sequel though, and I am looking forward to it! ) I will also add though, that I did have a bit of a time getting into the story at the first. ( But that may also have something to do with the fact that I was so distracted the first few chapters ) It was enjoyable, but it seemed like the action began too premature, then leaves you in the dust trying to figure out where the story is heading for the next several chapters. As I got further into the story though, and was able to more fully focus on it, I can see how it all pulls together. Ms. Dare has great ability to keep your attention because you are never quite sure what to expect next and it is very exciting! I love the focus on Christ and how the fun, sincere relationships in the story make it seem like you are hanging out with friends. When the story gets intense you are praying for things to turn out okay right along with them. You feel what they are feeling because it is that realistic. There is a depth and detail in how certain parts are written that show that either it is something familiar and dear to the author's heart, or she has done a lot of research and is quite gifted. Perhaps both! Certainly a great story for a first publish.
March 28, 2013
How many bad things can happen in your life within a short period of time before you start questioning if they are on purpose? That is exactly how Jim and Jess feel in this story, Fire Storm, which is written by Mackenzie Dare.
Jim is a fireman who faces dangers every day of his life. Jess is a stay-at-home mom to a sweet baby girl who has a love for nature and the outdoors. She also loves her horses and spends time in her barn. Jim and Jess also have best friends named Wade and Melissa who they spend a lot of time with.
As days go by, more and more bad things keep happening and Jim and Jess begin to piece together that Jess is the target of someone who wants her dead. The story has a happy ending but not before the killer catches up to Jess.
All in all, this was a good story. At times, it seemed like the story was dragging on. There was a couple of places where it could have ended and still been a wonderful story. In the end, salvation comes to those who need it and love and forgiveness are shown.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a contemporary love story. The characters are wonderful and you really begin to fall in love with each one. The story lines are fantastic and well written. I would say, just persevere when it starts to drag on, it picks up toward the end and then you can’t stop reading it. I enjoyed it very much.
Jim is a fireman who faces dangers every day of his life. Jess is a stay-at-home mom to a sweet baby girl who has a love for nature and the outdoors. She also loves her horses and spends time in her barn. Jim and Jess also have best friends named Wade and Melissa who they spend a lot of time with.
As days go by, more and more bad things keep happening and Jim and Jess begin to piece together that Jess is the target of someone who wants her dead. The story has a happy ending but not before the killer catches up to Jess.
All in all, this was a good story. At times, it seemed like the story was dragging on. There was a couple of places where it could have ended and still been a wonderful story. In the end, salvation comes to those who need it and love and forgiveness are shown.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a contemporary love story. The characters are wonderful and you really begin to fall in love with each one. The story lines are fantastic and well written. I would say, just persevere when it starts to drag on, it picks up toward the end and then you can’t stop reading it. I enjoyed it very much.
April 26, 2013
I am very impressed that this is Mackenzie's first book! It started out a little slow, but when it picked up speed, I couldn't wait to finish it! She is definitely on par with Christian suspense authors like Terri Blackstock. It was certainly not one of those cheesy Christian books; the religious aspect had a genuine feel to it and her explanation of the gospel was perfect. I grew to care for and love the characters by the end.
I do have some critiques about the book, though. I noticed three grammatical/spelling errors which is a very minor number. The thing that bothered me most about the book was her use of outdated and truly, not appropriate, terms. She mentioned a "colored girl" and called a boy who was missing an arm "the challenged boy" or "the challenged man." Those terms are considered offensive. She should have said African-American girl and referred to the man in another way or called him a man with a disability. I also think the middle action sequence could have been a little bit shorter- half the book was leading up to discovering who the killer was and the other half was trying to catch him. I thought the "climax" was a little long and drawn out.
Overall, this was a fabulous addition to the Christian fiction suspense world and well worth the money!
I do have some critiques about the book, though. I noticed three grammatical/spelling errors which is a very minor number. The thing that bothered me most about the book was her use of outdated and truly, not appropriate, terms. She mentioned a "colored girl" and called a boy who was missing an arm "the challenged boy" or "the challenged man." Those terms are considered offensive. She should have said African-American girl and referred to the man in another way or called him a man with a disability. I also think the middle action sequence could have been a little bit shorter- half the book was leading up to discovering who the killer was and the other half was trying to catch him. I thought the "climax" was a little long and drawn out.
Overall, this was a fabulous addition to the Christian fiction suspense world and well worth the money!
December 6, 2013
This is Mackenzie's first book, and I think she did a fairly decent job with it. Fire Storm is a light (despite being 308 pages) suspense novel with just a touch of romance and a strong foundation of faith. And the cover makes up for in practicality what it lacks in design, as it gives a pretty good pictorial summary. Except horses don't play a huge role, which I found slightly disappointing.
Although the character development isn't phenomenal it is definitely there, and Mackenzie came up with a rather cleverly designed plot. However, I found the suspense to be a bit lacking, mostly because all of the action scenes were written as if for a comic book--very short and choppy sentences with words like "KABOOM!" (complete with all caps). The book also included a fair amount of grammatical errors, but most of those were minor and would probably be overlooked by the casual reader.
Despite these few shortcomings, I still recommend Fire Storm as a good light Christian read!
(Thanks to Mackenzie Dare for providing a free ebook in exchange for an honest review!)
*Review originally posted on poetree.
Although the character development isn't phenomenal it is definitely there, and Mackenzie came up with a rather cleverly designed plot. However, I found the suspense to be a bit lacking, mostly because all of the action scenes were written as if for a comic book--very short and choppy sentences with words like "KABOOM!" (complete with all caps). The book also included a fair amount of grammatical errors, but most of those were minor and would probably be overlooked by the casual reader.
Despite these few shortcomings, I still recommend Fire Storm as a good light Christian read!
(Thanks to Mackenzie Dare for providing a free ebook in exchange for an honest review!)
*Review originally posted on poetree.
June 5, 2013
I enjoyed this story a great deal. The characters were enjoyable to follow and the story moved at a fast pace. Jess and Jim were a fun loving couple who cared deeply for one another as well as having a strong faith. There was also a realness in their characters. The secondary characters added to the story both in intensity and laughs. Loved the running theme with Wade.
One of the best things about the story is the author kept me guessing on who the antagonist was until she opted to reveal it. This story is action packed from the opening pages. The author also uses multiple points of view that added to my enjoyment of the story. The author also gives us a character who finishes the story a better person than he or she was at the beginning.
There were a couple of scenes in the book that I felt were a little “far-fetched” for me. But overall, it was an enjoyable read and would recommend this book for those who enjoy action, mystery, and a line of redemption.
Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the author, but was under no obligation other than to give my honest opinion.
One of the best things about the story is the author kept me guessing on who the antagonist was until she opted to reveal it. This story is action packed from the opening pages. The author also uses multiple points of view that added to my enjoyment of the story. The author also gives us a character who finishes the story a better person than he or she was at the beginning.
There were a couple of scenes in the book that I felt were a little “far-fetched” for me. But overall, it was an enjoyable read and would recommend this book for those who enjoy action, mystery, and a line of redemption.
Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the author, but was under no obligation other than to give my honest opinion.
April 23, 2013
Fire Storm was a wonderful read. I was immediately drawn into the book by the suspense in the first chapter. I found myself losing track of time, being pulled into the life events of Jim and his wife Jess.
I enjoyed getting to know these characters and those in their lives. I would have enjoyed knowing their more intimate thoughts and feelings, but the wealth of dialog in the book gave me a glimpse into their thoughts. The characters were very believable and I enjoyed seeing them rely in God and drawing on Him in each situation.
Mackenzie Dare held the suspense through to the end and I loved every minute of it.
I am looking forward to the sequel to this book and seeing how Jim and Jess move on in life.
Great suspenseful read.
I enjoyed getting to know these characters and those in their lives. I would have enjoyed knowing their more intimate thoughts and feelings, but the wealth of dialog in the book gave me a glimpse into their thoughts. The characters were very believable and I enjoyed seeing them rely in God and drawing on Him in each situation.
Mackenzie Dare held the suspense through to the end and I loved every minute of it.
I am looking forward to the sequel to this book and seeing how Jim and Jess move on in life.
Great suspenseful read.
May 9, 2013
At first I felt it was moving to slow but I kept reading and I am glad I hung in there because the more I read the more I enjoyed the book! There is a lot of action so I didn't get bored once I got into the book. I feel like there was too much jumping around from character to character BUT it was needed and you will see why when you read the book. Over all I think the book really deserves 4.5 stars and I think Mackenzie Dare has a good start to a writing career. This is a christian book and I do love how Mackenzie is true with that and not just mentioning "God" and calling it a christian book. So if you love a good christian suspense book then this one is for you.
*Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
*Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 26, 2013
Storm Fire is fairly well written, McKenzie certainly has talent.
This is a story of human relationships and the imperfections many have.
It is also a story of love., acceptance and forgiveness.
Although, a cat is said to have nine lives, this was a little excessive.
The author, I am sure, felt the need to have a totally happily ever after
story which was too far-reaching for reality. Several times it felt as though the
story was ending only to continue on. This would have been OK except it
was totally unrealistic for the amount of instances involved.
The ending was very week.
It was a good, clean Christian story.
This is a story of human relationships and the imperfections many have.
It is also a story of love., acceptance and forgiveness.
Although, a cat is said to have nine lives, this was a little excessive.
The author, I am sure, felt the need to have a totally happily ever after
story which was too far-reaching for reality. Several times it felt as though the
story was ending only to continue on. This would have been OK except it
was totally unrealistic for the amount of instances involved.
The ending was very week.
It was a good, clean Christian story.
September 27, 2014
I thought the suspense was really good! It was a little difficult to get used to all the main characters but figured out that Jess and Jim were the heart of the story and I did get attached to them. Firestorm is a story of a group of fire and rescue workers who find their lives in peril and they are find them self fighting against an unknown source. As they are trying to save lives, they also have to save their own and realize that God is the one who is in control. I really love the end of the book with a great talk about how Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins and blessed gift of eternal salvation!
July 3, 2013
This is an action-packed and suspenseful story, with a touch of humor! I liked that it's told from different perspectives and that it's hard to figure out who the bad guy is. I enjoyed the characters, but felt like they seemed a little too perfect. The action and suspense parts had me on the edge of my seat, but the other parts dragged a bit. I was really glad to see a clear and thorough presentation of the gospel. If you're looking for an exciting read, check it out!
I received a pdf copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received a pdf copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2013
Fire Star is Mackenzie Dare’s first book and it was a great beginning for a truly talented author. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page until the end. It is an easy read and it was so suspenseful I read it in an evening. Jim and his wife, Jess finds adventure and intrigue throughout the book. I felt that this book could be added to so I hope that there will be a sequel and I’ll be the first in line to buy it.
May 26, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lots of action, mystery, and suspense. I had to keep reading because about the time I thought I knew who was be hid all the trouble I found out I was wrong. This is a great story with believable characters. I loved the closeness of the married couples and the way they relied on their faith through all the problems. I would recommend this to everyone.
July 11, 2014
This book kept me guessing and intrigued through the entire book. It also left me wondering what could possibly happen to these couples next? There was a killer on the loose & how are all these people connected? Not who you think it is! ! Faith kept them strong & I enjoyed how it was woven throughout the entire book.
I received a gift ebook from the author and am leaving my honest review.
I received a gift ebook from the author and am leaving my honest review.
December 1, 2013
This was a very good first novel. It was an action packed, suspense that kept my interest until the end.
March 28, 2015
A book about Young Sherlock Holmes. A very good read. Well written and kept my interest from start to finish.
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