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Trigger
Jordan Shaw knows the only way to stop the man hunting her is to kill him. She also knows the other men who came after her are dead, some of their blood is on her hands, and she wouldn’t have survived this long without the help of the intriguing and secretive Chase Hudson. Even though she isn’t sure she can trust Chase, she believes she needs him to discover the truth.
Two days before, life was pretty good as she backpacked around Europe with her best friend. Now, everything has changed and she may not even live through the night. What started as a summer trip of self-discovery has become a dangerous journey across three countries as Jordan is forced into a world few know exist and even fewer survive. A clandestine international organization that will let nothing stand in their way has put a price on her head. Despite all the uncertainty, there are two things that she is absolutely sure of; she has one chance to out-maneuver a world class killer, and she has to make that move right now.
Two days before, life was pretty good as she backpacked around Europe with her best friend. Now, everything has changed and she may not even live through the night. What started as a summer trip of self-discovery has become a dangerous journey across three countries as Jordan is forced into a world few know exist and even fewer survive. A clandestine international organization that will let nothing stand in their way has put a price on her head. Despite all the uncertainty, there are two things that she is absolutely sure of; she has one chance to out-maneuver a world class killer, and she has to make that move right now.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2015
9 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 30, 2021
In the beginning, I was hoping that this book would've a sequence, but the plot was not interesting enough and I was relieved when it ended. The protagonist it's not someone likable or in any level relatable, I know giving the year this book was published, people were obsessed with "chosen" and "unique" heroines but she felt really boring
The insta-love also wasn't for me. And the fact that chase revealed everything about his mission at the first time they asked about it, really bothered me.
Another thing it's that, even though the main characters are already in their twenties, they seemed to be written as teenages to me.
The insta-love also wasn't for me. And the fact that chase revealed everything about his mission at the first time they asked about it, really bothered me.
Another thing it's that, even though the main characters are already in their twenties, they seemed to be written as teenages to me.
December 24, 2017
There are the makings of a much better book in here but they are somewhat lost amongst unlikely plot twists, some rather dull and cliched romance storylines and the doesn't-make-any-sense starting premise of the main character being so ashamed of her photographic memory that she hides it at all costs. On the other hand, the writing itself is good, the pacing fast and exciting and one can suspend disbelief enough to finish the story.
January 1, 2015
I was provided an advance copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
"Trigger" is certainly not going to do European tourism any favors. Unsettled from her daily life, Jordan Shaw seeks to clear her head and make some decisions about her future while visiting Europe with a friend. From Paris to Rome to Barcelona, however, Jordan and her friend, along with a mysterious stranger, find themselves stalked, chased, and shot at.
This is a great premise for a fairly exciting novel, and at times the book, by new author Jill Meengs, is just that - - the action is intense, the stakes life and death, and the body count high. The descriptions of the various locales are rich and detail, and Meengs is a talented writer who knows how to bring these European locales to life, along with the characters and culture that fill them.
At other times, however, these great, well-developed characters and a riveting plot are stalled, due to plot developments that unnecessary and even detrimental to the plot.
Chief among these is the subplot regarding Jordan's infatuation with the mysterious (and decidedly dangerous) stranger who comes to help her, and an Italian detective who follows her all over Europe, presumably because he spent one night at dinner with her and is now hopelessly in love. These characters, I will admit, are essential to the story and need to be included at some level (well, maybe not the Italian cop), but here is my issue: to have such a strong female lead, and such an action-packed, adventurous plot, and then to derail it by having Jordan weak at the knees wondering which boy likes her the most seems like an editorial decision that I wish would have been made differently. Perhaps I am not the target audience for the book.
On a lesser note, I never really bought into the red herring that dominates much of Jordan Shaw's motivations. She has a photographic memory, but is ashamed of it because of grief it has caused her in the past. Now, if I was a kid, and I had a friend with a photographic memory, I would think it was the greatest thing ever; but for Jordan it is a "dirty little secret" that she protects at all cost, even when revealing it could help save her and her friend's lives.
What I would have gladly spent more time reading about was the relationship with Jordan and her trip-mate, Anne. These two best friends, in their too-brief scenes together before Anne is swept out of the book by events, are perfectly contrasting personalities. With Jordan's determination, photographic memory, and wakening talents, there is an awesome novel in how these two would cope without the strong-jawed hero or quasi-romantic side trips.
Hopefully that's for the sequel.
"Trigger" is certainly not going to do European tourism any favors. Unsettled from her daily life, Jordan Shaw seeks to clear her head and make some decisions about her future while visiting Europe with a friend. From Paris to Rome to Barcelona, however, Jordan and her friend, along with a mysterious stranger, find themselves stalked, chased, and shot at.
This is a great premise for a fairly exciting novel, and at times the book, by new author Jill Meengs, is just that - - the action is intense, the stakes life and death, and the body count high. The descriptions of the various locales are rich and detail, and Meengs is a talented writer who knows how to bring these European locales to life, along with the characters and culture that fill them.
At other times, however, these great, well-developed characters and a riveting plot are stalled, due to plot developments that unnecessary and even detrimental to the plot.
Chief among these is the subplot regarding Jordan's infatuation with the mysterious (and decidedly dangerous) stranger who comes to help her, and an Italian detective who follows her all over Europe, presumably because he spent one night at dinner with her and is now hopelessly in love. These characters, I will admit, are essential to the story and need to be included at some level (well, maybe not the Italian cop), but here is my issue: to have such a strong female lead, and such an action-packed, adventurous plot, and then to derail it by having Jordan weak at the knees wondering which boy likes her the most seems like an editorial decision that I wish would have been made differently. Perhaps I am not the target audience for the book.
On a lesser note, I never really bought into the red herring that dominates much of Jordan Shaw's motivations. She has a photographic memory, but is ashamed of it because of grief it has caused her in the past. Now, if I was a kid, and I had a friend with a photographic memory, I would think it was the greatest thing ever; but for Jordan it is a "dirty little secret" that she protects at all cost, even when revealing it could help save her and her friend's lives.
What I would have gladly spent more time reading about was the relationship with Jordan and her trip-mate, Anne. These two best friends, in their too-brief scenes together before Anne is swept out of the book by events, are perfectly contrasting personalities. With Jordan's determination, photographic memory, and wakening talents, there is an awesome novel in how these two would cope without the strong-jawed hero or quasi-romantic side trips.
Hopefully that's for the sequel.
January 26, 2015
Trigger by Jill Meengs
3 Stars
Jordan and her friend Anna are spending the summer back-packing around Europe, and it isn’t far into the trip before Jordan has the strange sensation they are being followed. Moving from town to town and country to country, Jordan keeps seeing people she has seen before and becomes increasingly wary of the coincidences.
Hiding a secret that gave her nothing but problems in school, we soon learn that remembering things is not Jordan’s only skill, and when a stranger helps her escape trouble, more than once, these instincts become increasingly apparent.
Right from the start I wanted to know who was chasing them and why they wanted Jordan, and my curiosity grew with each new development. I did however soon become bored with having only questions and no answers. The action wasn’t quite gripping enough on its own to hold my attention, I needed more just to keep me interested and to want to continue reading.
Jordan was a strong female lead, but for all her skills and her ability to remember everything she was a little slow on the uptake. She constantly talks about ‘her gift/curse’, and even after Chase explains how ‘gifted’ people are sought out by his company, and others like it, she still didn’t connect the dots that it was her gift they were after until right near the end of the book. I suspected that was the case quite early on, but as it took so long for the cast to work it out I was beginning to doubt myself!
The relationship that formed between Chase and Jordan didn’t work for me. I can understand that being on the run with someone, dodging bullets and being saved by them etc can be the basis for a romance to develop but I found it difficult to see this pair together as a couple, for some reason they didn’t gel for me in that way.
Trigger ambles along at a steady pace, with fairly good but not perfect editing. Personally I would have preferred a few answers fed to me throughout the book to make me feel I was actually getting somewhere and that the story was moving, but I’m sure it will suit many readers just as it is.
Copy supplied for review
3 Stars
Jordan and her friend Anna are spending the summer back-packing around Europe, and it isn’t far into the trip before Jordan has the strange sensation they are being followed. Moving from town to town and country to country, Jordan keeps seeing people she has seen before and becomes increasingly wary of the coincidences.
Hiding a secret that gave her nothing but problems in school, we soon learn that remembering things is not Jordan’s only skill, and when a stranger helps her escape trouble, more than once, these instincts become increasingly apparent.
Right from the start I wanted to know who was chasing them and why they wanted Jordan, and my curiosity grew with each new development. I did however soon become bored with having only questions and no answers. The action wasn’t quite gripping enough on its own to hold my attention, I needed more just to keep me interested and to want to continue reading.
Jordan was a strong female lead, but for all her skills and her ability to remember everything she was a little slow on the uptake. She constantly talks about ‘her gift/curse’, and even after Chase explains how ‘gifted’ people are sought out by his company, and others like it, she still didn’t connect the dots that it was her gift they were after until right near the end of the book. I suspected that was the case quite early on, but as it took so long for the cast to work it out I was beginning to doubt myself!
The relationship that formed between Chase and Jordan didn’t work for me. I can understand that being on the run with someone, dodging bullets and being saved by them etc can be the basis for a romance to develop but I found it difficult to see this pair together as a couple, for some reason they didn’t gel for me in that way.
Trigger ambles along at a steady pace, with fairly good but not perfect editing. Personally I would have preferred a few answers fed to me throughout the book to make me feel I was actually getting somewhere and that the story was moving, but I’m sure it will suit many readers just as it is.
Copy supplied for review
March 12, 2015
I rec'd an ARC of this amazing mystery from the author Jill Meengs in exchange for an honest opinion. This is Miss Mousey's very honest opinion of her book "TRIGGER".
When opening the book and start reading it Ms Meengs has you on your toes from the very beginning. In the center of a mystery. Why are they after 2 young women?? Every where they go they are being followed both bad guy and cops.
Ms Meengs writing style is very creative as she is able to bring the reader not only into different cities over seas. But also make you live the scenes as characters do and see them as they see them. This is the first book that I have read of this author. I look forward to reading more of her works. I love a good mystery and she has written a excellent one with this book.
Jordan know that the only way to stay safe is she has to trust Chase but she knows nothing about him. The only thing she knows for certain is that her gut says to trust. She runs with him and she takes her bff with her as she is endanger too. Chase meets up with partner Max the only he really trust - they decide to only sage way to arrive at their destination is to spit up. Chase and Jordan go one way and then Max and Anna.
Will they ever find out who is trying to get Jordan??
This book is written for everyone especially for those that love mystery. Miss Mousey gives it a 45 out of 5 stars- the writing, cover design , story line, believability of the story.
NOW WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ??? HOP THE TRAIN AND GET YOURS TODAY!!!
Looking forward to More of of Chase of and Jordan.. Sure hope their is another book in the works!!
When opening the book and start reading it Ms Meengs has you on your toes from the very beginning. In the center of a mystery. Why are they after 2 young women?? Every where they go they are being followed both bad guy and cops.
Ms Meengs writing style is very creative as she is able to bring the reader not only into different cities over seas. But also make you live the scenes as characters do and see them as they see them. This is the first book that I have read of this author. I look forward to reading more of her works. I love a good mystery and she has written a excellent one with this book.
Jordan know that the only way to stay safe is she has to trust Chase but she knows nothing about him. The only thing she knows for certain is that her gut says to trust. She runs with him and she takes her bff with her as she is endanger too. Chase meets up with partner Max the only he really trust - they decide to only sage way to arrive at their destination is to spit up. Chase and Jordan go one way and then Max and Anna.
Will they ever find out who is trying to get Jordan??
This book is written for everyone especially for those that love mystery. Miss Mousey gives it a 45 out of 5 stars- the writing, cover design , story line, believability of the story.
NOW WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ??? HOP THE TRAIN AND GET YOURS TODAY!!!
Looking forward to More of of Chase of and Jordan.. Sure hope their is another book in the works!!
December 23, 2014
Jordan Shaw (narrator, college student) & Anna Richards (BFF, college student, veterinarian) left Portland, Oregon landed at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris & were going to spend 12 weeks seeing various countries of Europe.
Next stop Venice, Florence, Assisi & then catch a train to Rome.
The 2 were going to stay at the Hotel Cristina.
Who are Spiky, Tattoo Man & Blue Eyes?
What role does Chase Hudson play in the 2 girls Jordan & Anna life?
Who is Max?
Stairway to Heaven my favorite song in my Hippie days, OK still is.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written International adventurous crime caper book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great adventurous crime movie, or mini TV series. It was just OK for me but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Booktrope Publishing, PDF)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Next stop Venice, Florence, Assisi & then catch a train to Rome.
The 2 were going to stay at the Hotel Cristina.
Who are Spiky, Tattoo Man & Blue Eyes?
What role does Chase Hudson play in the 2 girls Jordan & Anna life?
Who is Max?
Stairway to Heaven my favorite song in my Hippie days, OK still is.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written International adventurous crime caper book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great adventurous crime movie, or mini TV series. It was just OK for me but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Booktrope Publishing, PDF)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 30, 2015
Advanced Reader's Copy was provided for review
I found the first quarter of the novel intriguing. I was eager to know why Jordan was being pursued, what Chase’s and the Guardia di Finanza’s role in all of this was. The next two quarters seemed to drag on. I was almost done with the book but nothing seems to have escalated. They were still evading the chasers, hiding, and trying to figure why. It goes on for some time and everything gets into a plateau you begin to wonder when it will ever end. When the climax finally came, it was not as grand a revelation as I expected it to be. I was vying for some fancy revelations but it was not what I was expecting it to be.
Overall, the book tended to have a lot to offer but that was not the case. It started great but lost its excitement along the way. If a sequel is on its way, I am hoping that it be more mysterious that ends with a bang.
Clickhere for the full review.
I found the first quarter of the novel intriguing. I was eager to know why Jordan was being pursued, what Chase’s and the Guardia di Finanza’s role in all of this was. The next two quarters seemed to drag on. I was almost done with the book but nothing seems to have escalated. They were still evading the chasers, hiding, and trying to figure why. It goes on for some time and everything gets into a plateau you begin to wonder when it will ever end. When the climax finally came, it was not as grand a revelation as I expected it to be. I was vying for some fancy revelations but it was not what I was expecting it to be.
Overall, the book tended to have a lot to offer but that was not the case. It started great but lost its excitement along the way. If a sequel is on its way, I am hoping that it be more mysterious that ends with a bang.
Clickhere for the full review.
January 21, 2015
I would like to thank Booktrope Publishing for contacting me with an offer to read an electronic copy of this book for an honest review. I am a big fan of thrillers, so I jumped at the chance to read Trigger. The book revolves around Jordan, a young woman backpacking through Europe with her best friend Anna. This ends up being no ordinary trip, as chaos and intrigue rule the day. Jordan reminds me a lot of Sydney Bristow, from the television series Alias, because of her instincts, strength, and ability to adapt to ever changing situations. The story was well paced and left me wanting more - the sign of a great read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and recommend this book to those who like reading thrillers or books with strong female characters.
July 4, 2015
A suspenseful page turner with interesting and well-developed characters, one (Chase) who is mysterious and intriguing until almost halfway through the book, when you finally know who and what he is. Engaging dialog. The suspense ratchets up with each page, making the reader anxious to know what twist and turn the story will next take. Chock full of dangerous and narrow escapes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The physical attraction between the two main characters is perceptible but not rushed. You're really rooting for things to work out for them and to find out the reason that the main character (Jordan) is being pursued. Does it have something to do with her "dirty little secret?" Great read!
March 4, 2015
A fascinating novel!
Trigger by Jill Meengs is a fascinating novel with a fast paced, interesting plot, exciting characters, and amazing locations.
Jordan Shaw is a strong, independent young woman, with a special “gift”. Her story of becoming the target of a dangerous, international organization while traveling around Europe with her best friend grabbed my attention right from the start.
While in this mess, the only one she could turn to for help was intriguing Chase Hudson. However, trusting Chase was another story.
I enjoyed every page of this novel, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Trigger by Jill Meengs is a fascinating novel with a fast paced, interesting plot, exciting characters, and amazing locations.
Jordan Shaw is a strong, independent young woman, with a special “gift”. Her story of becoming the target of a dangerous, international organization while traveling around Europe with her best friend grabbed my attention right from the start.
While in this mess, the only one she could turn to for help was intriguing Chase Hudson. However, trusting Chase was another story.
I enjoyed every page of this novel, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 21, 2014
Trigger by Meengs is a great read with adventures abounding. I can relate to travelling round Europe and her descriptions added to my memories. The baddies are introduced early on but their identities are not revealed until near the end. Jordan is the main protagonist who is trying to hide one of her talents but more are revealed as the story progresses. Very much a page turner as the reader is dragged into the melee, waiting to see if she escapes.
April 16, 2015
What a fun read! I loved the Eurpoean locations; the descriptions evoked my own travels around Europe and gave me some ideas for new travel destinations. Thank goodness my trips weren't as exciting as Jordan's! The book has a great pace and kept me on the edge of my seat. The introspection of the main character helped me get to know her and her motivations and I look forward to reading more installments in the future.
July 11, 2015
Jordan is being followed and some one is trying to kill her. Why? She has no clue. Take a trip through out Europe as she and he friend backpack to amazing sites. The action NEVER stops as she makes friends, including Chase, and tries to stay one step ahead. Excellent story, fun characters. Can't wait to see what happens next
Reviewed by Jenni
Reviewed by Jenni
January 1, 2015
Great read. I love Jordan, it's refreshing to have a female character in an action novel who isn't a pushover. Beware, this is impossible to put down once the action starts. Please write a sequel, I need more Jordan!
July 13, 2016
A thriller shouldn't leave the reader putting it down for long periods of time. I like ones that are fast moving with surprises. This one felt like it should have been a short story instead of a novel.
July 22, 2015
4.5/5.0
From the opening pages, one is immediately drawn into a roller-coaster ride of action and suspense!
Read full review in the 2015 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
From the opening pages, one is immediately drawn into a roller-coaster ride of action and suspense!
Read full review in the 2015 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 10, 2016
Dialogue was fairly wooden and the protagonist utterly clueless.
June 2, 2016
Eh. It was a book. Characters were ok I guess, and the writing wasn't bad. It just didn't stand out to me as anything special.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews