Beneath

Omar Zagouri #0.5

by H.B. Moore, Heather B. Moore

Chalice Stratford’s hands won’t stop shaking. Since the serial killer who tortured her is still at large, she’s had to enter the witness protection program and give up the medical practice that required her steady hand. Now she is working in a museum in Bordeaux, France, and doing her best to keep a low profile.

On the first day of her new job, the last thing she expects is to be abducted in a theft gone wrong. But Omar Zagouri, the man behind the heist, is more than he appears, and Chalice soon discovers that he might be the one man who can put her demons to rest.

Revised edition: This edition of Beneath includes editorial revisions.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Adventure

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2013

About the author

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than seventy publications. She writes historical novels and thrillers under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact

Blog: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com

Website: HBMoore.com

Twitter: @heatherbmoore

Instagram: @authorhbmoore

Facebook: Heather B. Moore All About Books

Literary awards: 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner

Alternate Goodreads Page: Heather B. Moore

Reviews

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intense introduction to this series. I have previously read Finding Sheba (the first book in this series), but it's been a while. Now I'm curious to know how it all fits together since I can't remember a Chalice (the heroine in this story) in that book and I would like to know the rest of her story. Moore's writing and characterization are always great.

What I was missing in this was that it felt rushed, like the characters connected and moved past friendship rather quickly, too quickly, and that nothing is explained in any way. I also wanted a lot more info, maybe another 30-60 pages worth. It felt more like a prologue to me.

Content: Some violence and attempted rape, but considered clean.
Source: Received a complimentary copy from eBooks for Review, which did not affect my review in any way.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This short story sure packed a punch! It was intense, fast-paced, action-packed, and still introduced the characters in a way that made them easy to visualize and care about. While Chalice's past is somewhat mysterious, there is enough back story shared for the reader to understand how traumatized she still is. I feel like this would be an amazing first chapter and I want to read the rest of the story! I'm definitely going to be reading the other books the author writes in the Omar Zagouri series- as of now Finding Sheba (a full-length novel) is available.

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

[Shash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short story. It's a great introduction to Omar Zagouri and the type of man he is. It's also great at leaving unanswered questions about Chalice and her experiences. Like I said - very short. I love the Omar Zagouri series, so this was fun to read.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chalice Stratford is in the witness protection program, so she can no longer be herself, accomplished plastic surgeon, now she's started her first day as a docent in a French museum. There's a class of children in an hour before the museum opens when there is a disturbance made by three men. The men order everyone, including Chalice to get on the floor. But the teacher of the class cannot seem to comprehend the situation and she just keeps screaming. This focuses the attention of the men on her, and when it becomes obvious they mean to hurt her in front of her class, Chalice intervenes. This only serves to make her the hostage, a situation eerily similar to her prior life. But what she doesn't know is that one of the robbers is Omar Zagouri, undercover agent, will he allow his thugs to hurt Chalice?

This book is super short, it's a novella, and I was able to read it really quickly. I liked Chalice, but I really wished for more of her story. How can you not like the handsome and gallant Omar Zagouri?! I really liked the story, it was fast moving and even a little bit crazy. The only thing I wished for was more, what happens to the two of them? What had happened to Chalice before? If you are looking for a short, action packed story, look no further, you won't be disappointed!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super, super short story~ about 25 pages. It took me a handful of minutes to read but boy was it good! I loved the book Finding Sheba and this novella is a perfect companion to it.

Even though this book is so short, it isn't short on great characters and fast paced suspense. Chalice is an intriguing character. I find myself wanting to know a lot more about her and her back story. More than I got in this teaser.

Of course, Omar is Omar. If you have read Finding Sheba, you know about Omar. He is sort of like a modern day Robin Hood. He has a big heart and some great internal instincts. I love his sense of loyalty to justice and right.

This book is set before Finding Sheba but Chalice and her story doesn't come into play at all in that book. (I don't think. I can't remember it if it does!) Perhaps it will be a part of the next book? I really, really hope so. I'm loving this series! Short stories and all!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beneath is a fantastic companion story to the amazing Finding Sheba. This short story takes place before Finding Sheba, and gives us a glimpse of Omar. I was immediately pulled into the story and was once again reminded what a fantastic character Omar is. He's enough to keep the pages turning and your heart pounding. I loved how he took control of a situation that could have been even worse for Chalice. She suffered a lot from someone else's hand and couldn't handle much more. His take-charge attitude and sweet bedside manor are evidence to what a great character he is. I loved how the author ended this story, it had me wanting more! I love it when authors don't necessarily tell you everything, and keep you on your toes. Perfect way to draw the reader in and keep them reading.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is just enough to capture your attention and get you excited to read Moore's new novel "Finding Sheba." I was a little surprised because I had thought it might take place after "Finding Sheba" chronologically. Perhaps because it was released slightly later. This was not the case, but I understand completely. I was completely sucked in by the quick action in the story and the strength of Omar's character. Of course I wanted more. But I guess that is the point. It is a teaser to get us ready for the full length novel. I would like to know what happens to Chalice and how her story resolves.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Omar Zagouri and I'm so glad the author is putting out short stories to get to know the character a bit better. This one is fast-paced and really draws you into the action right away. The only thing I had a harder time with was that at the end, we're just about to find out what happened to Chalice, and see where she's going to go from here, when it ends. It just felt a bit unfinished to me and I hope her story is continued in the future. Great prequel to Finding Sheba, though, and insight into Omar.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story packs a lot of action for only 8 chapters. It starts right into it and I automatically loved the characters. I already knew Omar from Finding Sheba,but the new heroine and the adventure made me curious for more. The only thing that I didn't like about it was that it was really short(I guess that's why it's a short story, but I just expected it to be a little bit longer than a 12 minute read.)It was a great read with an exciting cliff hanger ending though.

[Rachel DeVaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Finding Sheba" back in August so I was thrilled to read this short story this month by the same author. I was so enthralled with the story that when it ended I thought my kindle had make a mistake and not downloaded the entire story!! ;-) I kept forgetting it was a short story. I loved that "Beneath" introduced the two main characters that were in "Finding Sheba". This book is 8 chapters long. I loved it!! Thanks Heather!!

[old account (rl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beneath was a fast paced short story about a girl in Witness Protection. The story itself was very well written but it was just so short. The plot was jam-packed with action but rushed and anticlimactic. I liked the protagonist well enough but she was rather gullible and a bit of sheep. There was some romance attempted - which seems pretty ridiculous when you think about it. How can you develop a relationship in thirty pages? I thought they were cute together but I just didn't believe it would have worked out for Anna so easily.

Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was but it could have vastly benefited from some development.

Review copy provided by Ebooks for Review for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a nibble

I really enjoy Heather Moore's book no matter which pen name she uses. I was intrigued by the premise of this series when I read a short blurb one of Heather's bios. This little novella was a delicious bite that has me anxious and excited to read more.

[Penny Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story

I understood that this was a short story, but I"ve never read a story this short!! Sorry, I prefer that even a short story be a complete story. This one was not! Reading this book is frustrating!

[Michael Wojciehoski · Rating 3 out of 5]

partial

Quick easy read. Interesting. But left you hanging, what happened? Omar up to his old tricks, minus Mia. Recovery and redemption.

[KaleidoscopicCasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, but an interesting introduction of characters.

I have not read Finding Sheba or any of the other shorts with the Omar Zagouri character so I went into this story with zero background or preconceived notions. This is a very short (like around 15-ish pages short) story that is intended to give us a little more perspective on the main character of the series, but that character is not the MC of this story.

Our main character, Chalice has been relocated through a witness protection program but on the first day of her newly assigned job at a museum, there is an art heist and she is taken hostage.

I mean, really? Of all the rotten luck.

But despite two of the three criminals being disgusting, the third is clearly different and even manages to keep the other two baddies from further scarring a woman who has previously been on the receiving end of horrific torture.

I am assuming that both of these primary characters play a role in the main series so that you get to see more of them and this short was more of a "hey remember how we mentioned that we met under unusual circumstances, well, here's that story" kind of thing. I don’t know if I am able to get much of a feel for what the writing style of the books in the series will be like based strictly off of this short, but it’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination. A little unbelievable maybe, but not at all bad.

This short was actually released AFTER the first book in the series so I’m not sure if I would recommend starting with this one or saving it and following the publication order rather than chronological order.

I will likely be downloading a sample of Finding Sheba after reading this because I love mysteries, historical fiction, and I'm a sucker for an unusual MC. I feel like an undercover Israeli agent assigned to the recovery of ancient artifacts could fulfill all of those interests for me. If I get a chance to read and review Finding Sheba, I will come back and update this review with the recommended reading order.

I received a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.

[M R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beneath was a fast-paced, short work of fiction that introduces the character Omar, which is featured in H.B. Moore's larger novel, Finding Sheba. The characters hooked me from the very beginning. I wanted to know what had happened to Chalice that had forced her to go from successful surgeon to a woman working in a French art museum. Also, she has the worst luck ever! She is still dealing with emotional trauma from her own harrowing torture, only to be held at gunpoint by three men stealing a famous painting. I loved her guts as she stood up to them to protect a teacher and group of children, even though it was clear her physical and emotional scars ran deep. I deeply cared about her character for such a short story.
However, I found some of her actions to be a little unbelievable considering her history. I didn't see how she could trust a man who'd held her at gunpoint, especially after her previous horrible experience that put her in protective custody. I also didn't believe her opening up to spill her woeful tale to a man, and wanting to escape with someone she didn't know rather than talk to the police.
I also was disappointed in the lack of resolution in the story. Chalice tells her story, but not in great detail so there are many questions left unanswered, and then we see nothing after that. Omar promises to help, but then it just ends. I wanted to see her problem, which the story had teased about the whole time, get resolved. Her confronting the man, or testifying against him, something to wrap up the conflict built in the fabric of the story. Other than that. I thought, the characters and story line were very engaging.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

She used to be Chalice Stratford, a plastic surgeon in London. Now, however, she is in the witness protection program, traumatized by her past, trying to remember her new name, and starting a job as a docent at a French museum. However, her job has barely started when three men rob the museum--and take her hostage.

Two of the thieves are eager to have their way with her; the third, Omar Zagouri, however, knocks them out, and tries to explain that he's actually "one of the good guys." As he's about to leave the other thieves for the police, Chalice, knowing that the police will just compromise her safety in the witness protection program, asks to escape with him instead--and starts to find that maybe the healing that has been so elusive.

Although this is a short story, which of course means there's a limit to how much character development there can be, the author does a good job of showing important parts of who both characters are--Omar is strong, mysterious, determined, and yet, gentle and sensitive; Chalice is wounded and scared but also brave enough to stand up for another woman being threatened in the museum. I definitely want to find out more about what happens to both of them. While this story wraps up enough to be complete, it definitely leaves you wanting to know what the future holds for these characters. This is a fun, quick read, and I'm looking forward to reading the books in the series.

While this story follows Finding Sheba, it stands alone; I haven't actually read the book but could completely follow this story.

I received a free e-copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Vavala · Rating 5 out of 5]

BENEATH
Intriguing, mysterious, captivating and more are wrapped up in this 30 page short story by H. B. Moore!
Writing a short story can be just as difficult to write as a 300 page novel, sometimes even more. What this author has created in just a few pages is truly a work of art…writing at its best! The story immediately brings the reader in to moments of intensity and leaves the reader wanting more. To do this in such a small space is incredible.
Chalice Stratford is under a witness protection program due to being involved in some type of horrible crime where she was tortured and scarred for life. The idea of this serial killer still being alive is haunting. She escapes to Bordeux, France and is working in a museum where her body is still aching from reconstruction surgery. It’s her first day and she helps open the doors to children on a field trip. What happens next is a series of frightful events. The museum is burglarized and she is taken hostage. The leader, Omar Zagouri, is intriguing, good looking and watching her in his rearview mirror. Who is this man and why does she find him attractive after all that she has been through? Can he help her, guide her and keep her safe? Trust?
This author did a great job of leaving the reader wanting more….more suspense, more intrigue, more Omar and Chalice!
Disclaimer: I was gifted this E-book in exchange for and honest review and I honestly liked it very much!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chalice is in the witness protection program and starting her first day as a tour guide at a museum in France. Of course, her first day of work is the day that three men steal a tapestry, and take her hostage. The man in charge, Omar Zagouri, doesn't act like his low-life counterparts, and when he defends her, she really starts to wonder if there's more to him than meets the eye.
Although Beneath is only 30 pages long, it was action-packed. Chalice was recovering from physical and psychological wounds, yet still brave enough to defend another woman. Omar was charming and mysterious. I wanted more! I know we will see more of Omar Zagori in Finding Sheba set to come out in February 2015, I hope we see more of Chalice by his side.
Mystery, action, and a little bit of romance, a perfect teaser that has me wanting to start a countdown until Finding Sheba's release date.

Content: one swear, the threat of rape, and a little clothing removal (in a non-sexual way)

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for writing an honest review.

[Doreen Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a short story, "Beneath" was a great taste of a new writer to me, H. B. Moore. Without very much introduction, the story plunged into action within the first hundred words. Chalice Stratford, a woman with a haunted background, is working at an art museum when she is taken hostage with a group of children by men stealing a priceless tapestry. Through various circumstances, she becomes protected by Omar Zagouri, the main thief, who may be more than he seems.

One key issue I had with the story was the need for a serious suspension of disbelief. I found it a little unrealistic that a woman who has been through major trauma in her past would trust a stranger as quickly as Chalice does, particularly when that stranger abducts her. However, the story emphasizes Omar’s characteristics and actions that support Chalice’s trust, and I went along for the ride.

The story ended much too quickly, before the reader is able to find out the history behind Chalice’s damaged psyche or whether Omar really should be trusted. However, the fast-paced action make this a quick read, and I found it interesting enough that I want to follow up and read more about Omar in Moore’s "Finding Sheba."

[Rumeur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story-30 pages

It's classified as an Omar Zagouri story

Ms Boucher is in witness protection. She used to be a plastic surgeon in London & is now in France working in a museum as a tourist guide

She is hiding scars on her body by buttoning her shirt as high as it goes & wearing a sweater but her pain, more emotional than physical it appears in reading. I'm not familiar with this "series" and with only 30 pages, it's a bit hard to piece together everything but the author ends the story wanting the reader to continue to find out what happens between her & the curator of this museum, Omar Zagouri as he's known as when traveling to Middle East & Arab countries

He can tell she's holding something back. He tells her a story about how he just lost his girlfriend to his boss, & she opens up about her "sob story". We are given the mans name & Omar is shown the welts she's hiding, & he lets her know he's good at finding hard to find things. This is how the story ends , leaving the reader wanting to know more about these two people

I received a digital copy in return for an honest review

[Kika · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't anything so egregiously wrong with this story that made me rate it only three stars -- it is, in fact, quite a good little story. The characters are pretty quickly captivating, the action plays out well, if a little too rapidly (perhaps a by-product of brevity), and I was left with a feeling of wanting more. I'd certainly pick up an Omar Zagouri book now having read this little introduction into his world.

My problem with this story, however, is this: it's not a short story. It doesn't feel like a complete, cohesive story of its own -- it feels like a chapter outtake of a book I haven't read. I might feel differently with another book by the author under my reading belt, but since I have none, I had a hard time relaying these characters I enjoyed into a setting that felt ultimately satisfying. I suppose, in that way, my feeling of "wanting more" has really nothing to do with brevity, but of being out of context with a world I'm not familiar with. There is, for me, definitely such a thing as being too brief, and this story definitely falls under that mantle.

***I received this story for free in exchange for an honest review.***

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Anne” is in the witness protection program after having been kidnapped and tortured. Previously a plastic surgeon working in London, she is now starting a new life and a new job as a tour guide in a French museum. On her first day on the job, a group of school children comes to tour the museum. Just as “Anne” begins the tour, two masked men, dressed in black storm into the room with guns. The teacher becomes hysterical as they are all ordered to drop to the ground. One robber hits the teacher rendering her unconscious. Anne tries to stay calm and inconspicuous as the robbers delicately fold a precious tapestry. When the teacher regains consciousness, she again becomes hysterical so Anne tries to save her from being taken by the robbers and is taken hostage in her place. Her worst nightmare has come true. She is now in the custody of horrible men and she vows she will not endure such horrors again. Although this book is only 30 pages, the characters are likable and it ended with me longing to find out more about them.
***I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

[Karen Bainbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

H.B. Moore's Beneath novella is an excellent mystery/suspense thrill ride!
Fascinating read that tells a great amount about how two people met in a most unconventional way at a museum heist where Anna/Chalice a museum guide is threatened by two masked men, while a third steals a tapestry.. she gets kidnapped, rescued and the third man, Omar takes her away to a new life! There is a connectional chemistry between Anna/Chalice and Omar, they have so much charisma.. I just have to read more about this couple in 30 short pages they have me fascinated and intrigued.. I hope that H.B. Moore turns this novella into a full length book it tells so much in this piece I cannot wait for more about this couple.
Beneath is a great introduction to two fascinating characters whose lives I want to find out more about.
It is an excellent piece of writing, well developed plot, great charismatic main characters and it is a great marketing tool, I absolutely loved it

Received as a review copy for free in exchange for an honest review, this is it!

[Heather Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this intense short story and only wish it was longer because the kind of relationship that will last isn't made in a museum heist not knowing anything about your "captor". For that reason I have a hard time with shorts because I like more depth and background to a relationship. I would enjoy reading more in this series especially if it continues the two characters relationship, broadening their background and base for being together. There was mention of groping a breast, unbuttoning a woman's shirt, and one swear word. That is the only thing I didn't like about this story. I always expect more from this author moral wise and have been disappointed lately with the more mainstream material being written. I hope for books from her that I wouldn't be embarrassed if my children happen upon them, but unfortunately I have to be careful now. It's disappointing. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcia Galovits · Rating 5 out of 5]

H.B. Moore's short story, Beneath, ended too soon; I wanted to keep reading about the main character, Chalice Stratford. She is in the witness protection program and fears the serial killer who tortured her and is still on the loose. She can't get the ordeal out of her mind and at times her hands shake uncontrollably; reason enough for her to give up her medical practice even if she was not forced to leave behind everything that had previously defined her. Now living in Bordeaux, France, Chalice has started a job at a museum. Though she knows not to draw attention to herself, her personality betrays her. She is caught in the middle of a robbery gone wrong and tries to protect someone from one of the thieves. She is thrown into a van, abducted and her only hope is that the men who took her will release her when they are far enough away from the museum.

I liked the story and the rapid pace of the action. I hope to read more of Ms. Moore's work.

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Mild Spoilers*

"Beneath" is a little difficult for me to critique. On the one hand, I didn’t really like it. Chalice Stratford, a victim of a brutal crime, had been relocated in a witness protection program. She ended up mixed up in the theft of a tapestry at a museum she was working in and was quickly soothed by the thief, Omar Zagouri.

Omar claimed to be a good guy. Now, I can buy a good guy stealing something; I thought that the motive behind Nicolas Cage’s character stealing the Declaration of Independence in "National Treasure" was justified. But Omar’s explanation of his actions wasn’t sufficient to convince me he was wholly in the right. And so we come to the other hand; I’m interested in knowing what his story is—I’m interested in reading more to be able to give him the chance to be the good guy he says he is. So I’d say this short story is an effective hook to get you to want to read more about him.

Disclaimer: I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story immediately pulled me in -- some pretty intense situations right at the beginning! However, it felt like just the tip of the iceberg - I wanted lots more. After reading it, I couldn't remember if we were ever even told the main character's real name, since the story was told from her point of view and she never actually gave anyone her real name. I haven't read "Finding Sheba" yet, but I kept wondering if this story would be connected to it at all through the heroine (I do know that Omar Zagouri is the main character in "Finding Sheba"). I wanted to know more of her history, as well as more of what happened to her afterward.
Such an intense, action-packed story for so few pages! I loved the glimpse into Omar's character -- I'm looking forward to learning lots more about him in "Finding Sheba."
I received an e-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donald Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided a copy of this (very) short story in return for my honest review. This is an introduction to one of the characters in Moore's new books, Finding Sheba. It is in itself a short story; in that it has exposition, complication, crisis, and climax. What is missing is the essential part of any story, resolution. The characters are there, the plot thickens (somewhat), the hero(?) rescues the damsel, they come to an understanding...but then, poof, the story ends. A few more pages and it would have been perfect, the hero could have avenged the wrong and we would be anxious for his next adventure. Even a mention of a blossoming relationship between them might be worth further reading. As a lead into the next novel, it left me wondering if it would be worth the effort.

[Donald Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided a copy of this (very) short story in return for my honest review. This is an introduction to one of the characters in Moore's new books, Finding Sheba. It is in itself a short story; in that it has exposition, complication, crisis, and climax. What is missing is the essential part of any story, resolution. The characters are there, the plot thickens (somewhat), the hero(?) rescues the damsel, they come to an understanding...but then, poof, the story ends. A few more pages and it would have been perfect, the hero could have avenged the wrong and we would be anxious for his next adventure. Even a mention of a blossoming relationship between them might be worth further reading. As a lead into the next novel, it left me wondering if it would be worth the effort.