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Life First #3
Third Life: Taken
This is an alternate cover edition for ISBN10: 1311789561 / ISBN13: 9781311789563.
When Kelsey Reed fled her country to escape a forced kidney transplant, she was sure she’d never return. However, when her brother-in-law shows up on her doorstep, he commits an act of betrayal by kidnapping Kelsey and Luke's daughter.
Forced to head back to the nation that tried to kill her, Kelsey will need the help of her husband Luke, and friends Susan and Rob to get her daughter back.
When Kelsey Reed fled her country to escape a forced kidney transplant, she was sure she’d never return. However, when her brother-in-law shows up on her doorstep, he commits an act of betrayal by kidnapping Kelsey and Luke's daughter.
Forced to head back to the nation that tried to kill her, Kelsey will need the help of her husband Luke, and friends Susan and Rob to get her daughter back.
ebook
First published September 10, 2014
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249 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Crayton
19 books100 followersRJ Crayton is the author of the three book series. The Prophecy of Light series includes Trapped, Unleashed and the soon to be released Foretold. The Virus series includes Concealed, Exposed, and Contained. The fast-paced dystopian Life First series include Life First, Second Life and Third Life:Taken. She's also author of the paranormal novel Scented and the short-story collection Four Mothers. Prior to becoming an author, Crayton was a journalist. She reported for several publications, including The Kansas City Star and Education Technology News. Crayton lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. When she's not writing, she enjoys eating cupcakes, walking, reading, sewing or watching TV (she's partial to Star Trek, super hero flicks and gripping dramas). To find out more about her, visit her website, www.rjcrayton.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 30, 2017
This was a good ending to a good series. It was good because it offered plenty to think about. When a government can tell a person what they can or can't do with their bodies, where does it end? Can they make you give up a kidney because it can save someone else? And who is held responsible when something goes wrong? And though there are scientists that can prove or disprove as much in the scientific realm as theologians can do the same with the Holy Books who can we trust?
Let's say you decided not to give up your kidney. You feel you need it as much as anyone else. Where does your right to live stand in comparison to someone else's? What if the government decided who should or shouldn't have babies? Can you see what a sticky-wicket of a world it would be?
In this last book, which makes me sad to say as I will miss these characters, there are a wedding, a kidnapping, and healing while running for one's life--or that of another. The action picks up and isn't as slow as book two.
It has been nearly a month since I read this but I feel good reviewing as I feel I remember quite a lot. At least it made a big enough impact for me that I could remember the gist. **SMILE**
Now a quick question for the author: What was the purpose of the hidden room? Did I miss something? Or did I imagine a greater purpose than that given to us? Could there be more in store for us?
Anyway, I highly recommend this series. Sure there is romance but it doesn't take over the main story and sometimes adds to it.
Let's say you decided not to give up your kidney. You feel you need it as much as anyone else. Where does your right to live stand in comparison to someone else's? What if the government decided who should or shouldn't have babies? Can you see what a sticky-wicket of a world it would be?
In this last book, which makes me sad to say as I will miss these characters, there are a wedding, a kidnapping, and healing while running for one's life--or that of another. The action picks up and isn't as slow as book two.
It has been nearly a month since I read this but I feel good reviewing as I feel I remember quite a lot. At least it made a big enough impact for me that I could remember the gist. **SMILE**
Now a quick question for the author: What was the purpose of the hidden room? Did I miss something? Or did I imagine a greater purpose than that given to us? Could there be more in store for us?
Anyway, I highly recommend this series. Sure there is romance but it doesn't take over the main story and sometimes adds to it.
April 17, 2017
Kelsey and Luke are living in safety, thinking that all their problems are behind him after coming to a deal to keep all of them secure. So Kelsey has no reason to be concerned when her brother-in-law comes for a surprise visit-until something terrible happens, putting her entire family at risk. Returning to a country that wants her dead is a huge risk and it will take the combined efforts of Kelsey, her father, Luke, Susan and Rob to find a solution.
This was the best book of the series and the perfect conclusion to the story. It was a stomach churning, tension filled rollercoaster of emotions as you followed the two distinct but intertwined plots. First we had Susan planning her wedding to Rob when her ex boyfriend turns up with information concerning the donor selections of Susan and Kelsey which have some shocking consequences. Then we have Kelsey's tragic story and return to her home where enemies are waiting on all sides to capture and kill her. This book contains all the drama and tension that appeared in the first two in the series but takes it to a whole new level. It's not often that I find myself anxious when I read a book, worrying about the fate of ALL the characters but I did in this case. And there was plenty to worry about!
Kelsey is facing a terrible dilemma thanks to what Greg has done and now she is hiding in Susan's house as the wedding approaches, sick with worry about the fate of her family. You can feel her panic and fear at every stage as she faces the possibility that she could die. Luke is facing the prospect of his family being torn apart and will do anything to save his wife. Kelsey's father again is one of my favourite characters and I like the fact that some of his mistakes are coming back to haunt his daughter. Susan is such a great character through these books and I really feel for her. She is about to get married and is suddenly thrown back into a world of deception, blackmail, kidnapping and the ex who abandoned her when she became paralysed. I really liked the addition of that unhappy link to her past which could ruin her big day.
As the wedding gets closer, the gang come up with a couple of high risk plans which will either save them all or cause them to lose everything. The plot was woven in a clever manner, narrated by Susan and Kelsey in short sharp chapters in turn and I felt that this format added to the rising tension in the book. We would see events develop through Susan's eyes and then see the next event through Kelsey. It felt to me as if the author was drawing the seperate stories of Life First and Second Life slowly together with the wedding as the joining point where it all comes full circle.
It's tough to write a review that does not spoil all the lovely plotlines but I've done my best. I could not find fault with this book at all. The characters are the well loved ones we met in earlier books yet they have been developed further and have more suffering to endure. The plot is exciting, emotional and tense. The writing style is excellent and the author has that ability to mix plot and character in the right way to deliver another dystopian thriller.
I don't know what is next for RJ Crayton but I can tell you that this is an excellent storyteller who draws you in to a story and makes you care about what happens next. I certainly hope to see more from this author in the future.
This was the best book of the series and the perfect conclusion to the story. It was a stomach churning, tension filled rollercoaster of emotions as you followed the two distinct but intertwined plots. First we had Susan planning her wedding to Rob when her ex boyfriend turns up with information concerning the donor selections of Susan and Kelsey which have some shocking consequences. Then we have Kelsey's tragic story and return to her home where enemies are waiting on all sides to capture and kill her. This book contains all the drama and tension that appeared in the first two in the series but takes it to a whole new level. It's not often that I find myself anxious when I read a book, worrying about the fate of ALL the characters but I did in this case. And there was plenty to worry about!
Kelsey is facing a terrible dilemma thanks to what Greg has done and now she is hiding in Susan's house as the wedding approaches, sick with worry about the fate of her family. You can feel her panic and fear at every stage as she faces the possibility that she could die. Luke is facing the prospect of his family being torn apart and will do anything to save his wife. Kelsey's father again is one of my favourite characters and I like the fact that some of his mistakes are coming back to haunt his daughter. Susan is such a great character through these books and I really feel for her. She is about to get married and is suddenly thrown back into a world of deception, blackmail, kidnapping and the ex who abandoned her when she became paralysed. I really liked the addition of that unhappy link to her past which could ruin her big day.
As the wedding gets closer, the gang come up with a couple of high risk plans which will either save them all or cause them to lose everything. The plot was woven in a clever manner, narrated by Susan and Kelsey in short sharp chapters in turn and I felt that this format added to the rising tension in the book. We would see events develop through Susan's eyes and then see the next event through Kelsey. It felt to me as if the author was drawing the seperate stories of Life First and Second Life slowly together with the wedding as the joining point where it all comes full circle.
It's tough to write a review that does not spoil all the lovely plotlines but I've done my best. I could not find fault with this book at all. The characters are the well loved ones we met in earlier books yet they have been developed further and have more suffering to endure. The plot is exciting, emotional and tense. The writing style is excellent and the author has that ability to mix plot and character in the right way to deliver another dystopian thriller.
I don't know what is next for RJ Crayton but I can tell you that this is an excellent storyteller who draws you in to a story and makes you care about what happens next. I certainly hope to see more from this author in the future.
January 7, 2015
Being a fugitive from the Federation of Surviving States (FoSS), is not a problem anymore. There is no more bounty for my capture. The Life 1st policy is to preserve human life. You must donate your organs.
Greg Wilkerson (Kelsey brother, Emmie husband) kidnaps Kelsey (narrator) & is turning her in to the FoSS. Penelope (18 months, Luke/Kelsey daughter) is also in the car.
In return Greg will get Emmie (wife, sister-in-law) back.
Luke (Emmie brother, Kelsey husband, St. Francis Hospital administrator) is at work at the Bradley building (Room 481).
Kelsey awakes at the hospital. Jasper Christensen is there to greet her.
Penelope Geary is nowhere to be found.
Fast forward Susan Harper (Sue, MS Architecture) & Dr. Samuel Robert Rob Donnelly (Susan fiancé, aka Ringo) will soon be married.
Lewis Reed (Kelsey father, Senator Emeritus, Maryland) has made a request to Susan. Kelsey is Susan BFF.
Dr. Rounds is the 1 in charge of the Universal Program to Preserve Life through Citizen Donation. When an individual is born the DNA LMS tracking chip is inserted in their hand & then stored in a data bank. Prominent Dr.’s & PPL have a LMS hand held device.
Who is holding Penelope?
Who is holding Emmie?
What about the human data stored on the drive at the LMS Data Center?
What information will Dr. Stephen Grant (obstetrician) reveal?
Who’s playing who?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written mysterious futuristic dystonia 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 another great futuristic dystonia movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. For me there were lot/lots of what I call excessive chapter fillers (pages of blah, blah, blah). So it was just OK for me & I will rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Goodreads; PDF)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Greg Wilkerson (Kelsey brother, Emmie husband) kidnaps Kelsey (narrator) & is turning her in to the FoSS. Penelope (18 months, Luke/Kelsey daughter) is also in the car.
In return Greg will get Emmie (wife, sister-in-law) back.
Luke (Emmie brother, Kelsey husband, St. Francis Hospital administrator) is at work at the Bradley building (Room 481).
Kelsey awakes at the hospital. Jasper Christensen is there to greet her.
Penelope Geary is nowhere to be found.
Fast forward Susan Harper (Sue, MS Architecture) & Dr. Samuel Robert Rob Donnelly (Susan fiancé, aka Ringo) will soon be married.
Lewis Reed (Kelsey father, Senator Emeritus, Maryland) has made a request to Susan. Kelsey is Susan BFF.
Dr. Rounds is the 1 in charge of the Universal Program to Preserve Life through Citizen Donation. When an individual is born the DNA LMS tracking chip is inserted in their hand & then stored in a data bank. Prominent Dr.’s & PPL have a LMS hand held device.
Who is holding Penelope?
Who is holding Emmie?
What about the human data stored on the drive at the LMS Data Center?
What information will Dr. Stephen Grant (obstetrician) reveal?
Who’s playing who?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written mysterious futuristic dystonia 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 another great futuristic dystonia movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. For me there were lot/lots of what I call excessive chapter fillers (pages of blah, blah, blah). So it was just OK for me & I will rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Goodreads; PDF)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
March 22, 2015
This is the third book in Crayton’s Life First series. As with prior books, it takes place in a dystopian future and revolves around characters who have had conflicts with new laws that are intended to maximize the number of people who live long lives, but in the process they trample many individual rights.
For me, although all of the series thus far have had the elements of a science fiction thriller, the dystopian world, how it worked, and what the repercussions of that were took center stage in the first book. In the second book and now again in the third, the thriller elements were what received most of my focus. In Third Life: Taken, Kelsey and Susan (the two point-of-view characters) uncover some surprising, previously unknown facts from their past, tangle with a character willing to do anything to push his political agenda, and are forced to make some hard, potentially life threatening decisions. An intense, edge of your seat read.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
For me, although all of the series thus far have had the elements of a science fiction thriller, the dystopian world, how it worked, and what the repercussions of that were took center stage in the first book. In the second book and now again in the third, the thriller elements were what received most of my focus. In Third Life: Taken, Kelsey and Susan (the two point-of-view characters) uncover some surprising, previously unknown facts from their past, tangle with a character willing to do anything to push his political agenda, and are forced to make some hard, potentially life threatening decisions. An intense, edge of your seat read.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
February 4, 2015
I was given an electronic copy of this book by the author for an honest review. Considering that this is book three to a series, I was pretty skeptical that I would be able to follow the story. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that the author was skillfully able to weave the essential plot points from the previous two books into this one. There was enough background information given that I was easily able to follow the present story as it related to the past. It did make me wish I had read the previous novels first, as I surmise that I would have found them interesting. Third Life was well crafted, with a believable story and just enough twists to keep you guessing. I look forward to reading more by this author.
August 2, 2015
This book continues the story from Susan and Kelsey's POV's. Trouble continues to follow them even when things seemed to be going so well. As the fight is on to save Penelope, both couples learn to communicate with each other and not continue to act so independently. The ultimate rescue will require all of them to work together, pulling in all their friends to assist.
This book was a little boring TBH. The series as a whole is a much slower-paced plot then I prefer, though it certainly lacks no details. A lot of time is time spent planning for what will eventually ensue. Overall, the author has done a very good job of weaving together a thorough tale of fighting for those you love.
This book was a little boring TBH. The series as a whole is a much slower-paced plot then I prefer, though it certainly lacks no details. A lot of time is time spent planning for what will eventually ensue. Overall, the author has done a very good job of weaving together a thorough tale of fighting for those you love.
July 23, 2019
Third Life, last of this trilogy, is my favorite in this series. It has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as well as lots of tension-filled moments. I recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You should definitely read the books in order or you will be missing a lot of pertinent information even though the author includes some details from the first two books.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
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January 19, 2022Excellent series ending
Great ending to a great series. The only problem I have is that there isn't any more books in this series. Well written book. Truly awesome characters that you will definitely root for.
Great ending to a great series. The only problem I have is that there isn't any more books in this series. Well written book. Truly awesome characters that you will definitely root for.
August 3, 2019
A great new book with more plot twists & excitement from R J Crayton! I really enjoyed this again, so far I think the series is great! Grabbed me from the first book!
September 18, 2016
Great conclusion to the three book series. I wonder if governments will require all peoples to be chipped in the guise of health issues. So many times, changes in procedure or guidelines have began as voluntary or temporary, but soon was made into law, with penalties for non-participation. This novel deals with the consequences of those laws that impinge on an individual's freedom. And it deals with what may happen when there are non-accountable covert units in government who have extremists in key leadership roles. Lots of suspense, and a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews