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Uneven Exchange
Like fire and ice, Alexandra Callet’s life runs hot and cold.
At the age of thirty-three, Alexandra owns a stunning home and a successful interior design company. But she is in love with her business partner, Jake Taylor, and he doesn’t even seem to realize she’s a woman. She should be on top of the world, but instead she feels dragged down by the void in her heart. Hoping for answers, she decides a trip to Mexico might soothe her soul.
Jake Taylor only pretends to be a confirmed bachelor.
Jake has been entranced by Alexandra’s determination and exotic beauty since the moment they met, but she has no idea how he feels. He considers confessing his love, but fears jeopardizing their friendship and business. He’s caught in a web of pretending he doesn’t care, and doesn’t see a way out of it.
Alexandra is recruited for a dangerous mission.
Following her trip to Mexico, her resemblance to a member of an assassin’s family leads Alexandra to be recruited by the DEA. Her training leaves her distracted, and her business begins to suffer. Jake notices her sudden change, and feels her slipping both personally and professionally beyond his reach. Should he finally take the chance…before it’s too late? After all, he has nothing to lose.
However, when Alexandra returns to Mexico for her mission, things go terribly wrong. Will she be able find the strength to fight and escape the peaceful haven that has now become her prison? Or will Jake lose Alexandra forever…
At the age of thirty-three, Alexandra owns a stunning home and a successful interior design company. But she is in love with her business partner, Jake Taylor, and he doesn’t even seem to realize she’s a woman. She should be on top of the world, but instead she feels dragged down by the void in her heart. Hoping for answers, she decides a trip to Mexico might soothe her soul.
Jake Taylor only pretends to be a confirmed bachelor.
Jake has been entranced by Alexandra’s determination and exotic beauty since the moment they met, but she has no idea how he feels. He considers confessing his love, but fears jeopardizing their friendship and business. He’s caught in a web of pretending he doesn’t care, and doesn’t see a way out of it.
Alexandra is recruited for a dangerous mission.
Following her trip to Mexico, her resemblance to a member of an assassin’s family leads Alexandra to be recruited by the DEA. Her training leaves her distracted, and her business begins to suffer. Jake notices her sudden change, and feels her slipping both personally and professionally beyond his reach. Should he finally take the chance…before it’s too late? After all, he has nothing to lose.
However, when Alexandra returns to Mexico for her mission, things go terribly wrong. Will she be able find the strength to fight and escape the peaceful haven that has now become her prison? Or will Jake lose Alexandra forever…
Unknown Binding
First published September 1, 2015
75 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
S.K. Derban
6 books205 followersBorn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, S.K. Derban moved to London within the first three months, and remained in England until the age of five. Her father, an American citizen, was a decorated veteran of the second world war. Derban's mother, born and raised in the United Kingdom, was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts. Even after returning to the United States, Derban's life was filled with a love of the theatre and a passion for British murder mysteries.
S.K. Derban has always remained passionate about writing, and is thrilled to finally share her work with others. Her personal travel and missionary adventures also help to transport readers virtually across the globe. When writing, Derban relies on all aspects of her life, from her faith in the Lord, to her love and knowledge of the arts.
Special note from S.K. Derban... Be sure and sign up for my author newsletter if you would like to receive book updates. My newsletters are short and to the point. Your email address is safe with me, and I promise not to bombard you! Blessings! S.K. Derban
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S.K. Derban has always remained passionate about writing, and is thrilled to finally share her work with others. Her personal travel and missionary adventures also help to transport readers virtually across the globe. When writing, Derban relies on all aspects of her life, from her faith in the Lord, to her love and knowledge of the arts.
Special note from S.K. Derban... Be sure and sign up for my author newsletter if you would like to receive book updates. My newsletters are short and to the point. Your email address is safe with me, and I promise not to bombard you! Blessings! S.K. Derban
Sign up for my Newsletter here
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 27, 2016
3.5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about Alexandra who is an interior designer and just happens to be an exact lookalike for a criminal's sister. She gets recruited by the DEA to take the sister's place and become Daniela. While she struggles to adapt to the challenges of the job she distances herself from Jake, her partner and man that she loves. Jake notices and panics thinking he is loosing her even though he's never told her how he feels.
Before he gets a chance she is sent undercover to Mexico under the guise of a last minute client in England. She leaves nervous, but determined. AS the saying goes: The best laid plans....
The story continues in Mexico as Alex takes over Daniela's life in order to get to Santiago. Her life is in Peril and her backup/partners are determined to keep her alive. Through in a few surprises that were hinted at and its a well rounded book.
I really struggled with how to rate this book. From the description I approached it as a romance/action, thinking heavy on the romance. It was more Action with a smattering of romance. That does not mean its not a great story, but I had to put in context. All the character in this book were well rounded and had their own personalities. The author was great at capturing the scenes and emotions. The plot was engaging and suspenseful. Over all it was easy to stay interested in it.
One thing I did have a problem with was how pat Jake/Alex summed up their relationship. While It wasn't the complete focus, I did feel they disserved more. It seemed to easy, if that makes sense and because of that feeling, it didn't feel genuine as opposed to Kevin and his wife who had several discussions and closure.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about Alexandra who is an interior designer and just happens to be an exact lookalike for a criminal's sister. She gets recruited by the DEA to take the sister's place and become Daniela. While she struggles to adapt to the challenges of the job she distances herself from Jake, her partner and man that she loves. Jake notices and panics thinking he is loosing her even though he's never told her how he feels.
Before he gets a chance she is sent undercover to Mexico under the guise of a last minute client in England. She leaves nervous, but determined. AS the saying goes: The best laid plans....
The story continues in Mexico as Alex takes over Daniela's life in order to get to Santiago. Her life is in Peril and her backup/partners are determined to keep her alive. Through in a few surprises that were hinted at and its a well rounded book.
I really struggled with how to rate this book. From the description I approached it as a romance/action, thinking heavy on the romance. It was more Action with a smattering of romance. That does not mean its not a great story, but I had to put in context. All the character in this book were well rounded and had their own personalities. The author was great at capturing the scenes and emotions. The plot was engaging and suspenseful. Over all it was easy to stay interested in it.
One thing I did have a problem with was how pat Jake/Alex summed up their relationship. While It wasn't the complete focus, I did feel they disserved more. It seemed to easy, if that makes sense and because of that feeling, it didn't feel genuine as opposed to Kevin and his wife who had several discussions and closure.
January 8, 2016
Inspiring, Witty & Engrossing! A Charming Read! An Exciting Read! I Loved It!
September 20, 2016
A bit of intrigue
Alex is an interior designer, lives in Coronado, CA, has her own company, Daniel Cole Company with her business partner Jake Taylor - who she just happens to be in love with (really a side part of the story that didn't flush out for me) - who just happens to be a dead ringer for the sister of an assassin that the DEA wants to put away.
Kevin - is a Special Agent in Charge of a DEA task force working to put away Miguel Santiago who is a paid assassin working for one of the drug cartels in Mexico. He is married with two kids (a side story of this plot that did work for me.)
Two members of Kevin's team happen across Alex as she spends some down time in Mexico. Notifying their Boss, Kevin who then investigates and meets with Alex and asks her to work for the DEA - undercover.
Alex agrees and is put through a training program and learns all about Miguel's sister, Daniela. She learns to walk, talk, and even think like her with the coaching of the DEA team. Kevin is hoping to sub - Alex in for Daniela in Cancun - but nothing happens to draw Miguel to his sister there and they discover she is going to see him in a week or so...
And this is where it gets interesting... and not everything goes as planned.
I enjoyed the character of Alex - she was smart and quick - even though she was put in a very strange situation for a civilian. She was endearing to all those she came contact with and I really pulled for her to come out of the situations she was put in safely.
I think the side stories of love - this story had three of them were done well. Although, it did add some to the story I felt - a bit scattered and didn't feel the connection between Alex & Jake.
This is written by a Christian author - and the threads were there throughout the story, only at one point did it feel "preachy". So well done!
Alex is an interior designer, lives in Coronado, CA, has her own company, Daniel Cole Company with her business partner Jake Taylor - who she just happens to be in love with (really a side part of the story that didn't flush out for me) - who just happens to be a dead ringer for the sister of an assassin that the DEA wants to put away.
Kevin - is a Special Agent in Charge of a DEA task force working to put away Miguel Santiago who is a paid assassin working for one of the drug cartels in Mexico. He is married with two kids (a side story of this plot that did work for me.)
Two members of Kevin's team happen across Alex as she spends some down time in Mexico. Notifying their Boss, Kevin who then investigates and meets with Alex and asks her to work for the DEA - undercover.
Alex agrees and is put through a training program and learns all about Miguel's sister, Daniela. She learns to walk, talk, and even think like her with the coaching of the DEA team. Kevin is hoping to sub - Alex in for Daniela in Cancun - but nothing happens to draw Miguel to his sister there and they discover she is going to see him in a week or so...
And this is where it gets interesting... and not everything goes as planned.
I enjoyed the character of Alex - she was smart and quick - even though she was put in a very strange situation for a civilian. She was endearing to all those she came contact with and I really pulled for her to come out of the situations she was put in safely.
I think the side stories of love - this story had three of them were done well. Although, it did add some to the story I felt - a bit scattered and didn't feel the connection between Alex & Jake.
This is written by a Christian author - and the threads were there throughout the story, only at one point did it feel "preachy". So well done!
April 19, 2016
I received Uneven Exchange in return for an honest review.
It’s while on vacation in that Alexandra catches the attention of the DEA because she looks just like the sister of an assassin they are trying to catch. When the DEA out to her they give her an offer she can’t pass up and agrees to help them up. The only challenge she is worried about is how to keep her business partner and long-time crush from finding out what she is doing. With the help of the DEA agent they come up with a story that she is taking a photography class which gives her an excuse to get out of the office.
While waiting for the chance to send her in she works on learning the mannerisms of the girl she is going to assume when the time comes. The more time Alexandra spends working the DEA agents she finds a whole new group of friends divulging her attraction of Jake her business partner. When the time comes for Alexandra to take the place of Daniela it’s not what they had planned for since her brother won’t leave his guarded home. She will be pushed and tested as she tries to pretend to be his sister but the hardest part will be getting him out of the compound. Will she survive her trip or will it be her last?
I like Alexandra she’s a sweet girl who has a good heart willing who didn’t think twice about helping the DEA when they needed her. She a smart strong character who when faces with challenges she doesn’t give up she keeps fighting till the very end. While Alexandra is the main character we also had Kevin the head DEA guy who recruited Alexandra. We see his encounters with work as well as with his life at home. Last we have Jake who happens to be Alexandra’s love but he doesn’t really know it yet.
I’ve had this one sitting on my shelf for a while with anticipation of reading it closer to the tour spot. I’ve been craving a mystery so Uneven Exchange was exactly what I needed to pull me out of my funk. A fast paced suspense thriller that keeps you guessing at each stop of the way. The concept is unique I found it intriguing to read about what Alexandra’s had to go through to get ready to take Daniela’s place. The author has created a thrilling novel that pulls on your heart strings, captures your heart and leaves you smiling. The characters are great I found myself connecting with Alexandra and cheering her on as the book progressed. I enjoyed the author’s writing style it’s smooth transiting from starting to finish a truly beautifully written novel. I high recommend that if you’re a fan of mystery thrillers that you check out Uneven Exchange.
It’s while on vacation in that Alexandra catches the attention of the DEA because she looks just like the sister of an assassin they are trying to catch. When the DEA out to her they give her an offer she can’t pass up and agrees to help them up. The only challenge she is worried about is how to keep her business partner and long-time crush from finding out what she is doing. With the help of the DEA agent they come up with a story that she is taking a photography class which gives her an excuse to get out of the office.
While waiting for the chance to send her in she works on learning the mannerisms of the girl she is going to assume when the time comes. The more time Alexandra spends working the DEA agents she finds a whole new group of friends divulging her attraction of Jake her business partner. When the time comes for Alexandra to take the place of Daniela it’s not what they had planned for since her brother won’t leave his guarded home. She will be pushed and tested as she tries to pretend to be his sister but the hardest part will be getting him out of the compound. Will she survive her trip or will it be her last?
I like Alexandra she’s a sweet girl who has a good heart willing who didn’t think twice about helping the DEA when they needed her. She a smart strong character who when faces with challenges she doesn’t give up she keeps fighting till the very end. While Alexandra is the main character we also had Kevin the head DEA guy who recruited Alexandra. We see his encounters with work as well as with his life at home. Last we have Jake who happens to be Alexandra’s love but he doesn’t really know it yet.
I’ve had this one sitting on my shelf for a while with anticipation of reading it closer to the tour spot. I’ve been craving a mystery so Uneven Exchange was exactly what I needed to pull me out of my funk. A fast paced suspense thriller that keeps you guessing at each stop of the way. The concept is unique I found it intriguing to read about what Alexandra’s had to go through to get ready to take Daniela’s place. The author has created a thrilling novel that pulls on your heart strings, captures your heart and leaves you smiling. The characters are great I found myself connecting with Alexandra and cheering her on as the book progressed. I enjoyed the author’s writing style it’s smooth transiting from starting to finish a truly beautifully written novel. I high recommend that if you’re a fan of mystery thrillers that you check out Uneven Exchange.
June 30, 2016
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
The book starts with an awkward first introduction to the characters. The way it is written with different POVs between like 20 of the different characters was so confusing... One or two or even three different POVs is, like, enough for me - unless it of course adds to the story in any significant type of way. Anyways, we get to know our main character, Alex, and her business partner (who are already in love - cue big sigh). If you know me, I need the love to be believable in any romance I read - and just throwing me straight into a romance book with the couple already pining for each other is one sure-fire way to make me a not-so-happy camper.
It's safe to say that starting out, I was skeptical of the book, but was pleasantly surprised that the plot of the book somewhat compensated for the relationship background that was so utterly lacking. I'm not going to spoil it more than the blurb above might, but I will acknowledge that there is quite a bit of original material in there.
In addition, it was neat to see the parts of the book that threw some religion in there, too, though it is slightly unbelievable that everyone (that I noticed) in the book shared the same exact religion as Alex. Not so believable there...
But all in all it was a good, quick read. If the romance doesn't bother you as much as it does me, then you'll enjoy this book quite a bit. The writing is well done, the plot is well-paced, and although I was a little disappointed where some of the other relationships with the other characters and Alex went [and how some relationships time-jumped... For example: 'they spent so much time together over the next few months, they are now inseparable BFFs!!!], it was an easy read with little to no loose ends needing to be tied up.
The book starts with an awkward first introduction to the characters. The way it is written with different POVs between like 20 of the different characters was so confusing... One or two or even three different POVs is, like, enough for me - unless it of course adds to the story in any significant type of way. Anyways, we get to know our main character, Alex, and her business partner (who are already in love - cue big sigh). If you know me, I need the love to be believable in any romance I read - and just throwing me straight into a romance book with the couple already pining for each other is one sure-fire way to make me a not-so-happy camper.
It's safe to say that starting out, I was skeptical of the book, but was pleasantly surprised that the plot of the book somewhat compensated for the relationship background that was so utterly lacking. I'm not going to spoil it more than the blurb above might, but I will acknowledge that there is quite a bit of original material in there.
In addition, it was neat to see the parts of the book that threw some religion in there, too, though it is slightly unbelievable that everyone (that I noticed) in the book shared the same exact religion as Alex. Not so believable there...
But all in all it was a good, quick read. If the romance doesn't bother you
August 1, 2017
So I started this book months ago and finally decided to finish it off yesterday evening. This is the story of Alexandra and Jake. Alexandra and Jake have a business together in interior designing. They also have deep feelings for each other but neither decides to let the other know, for fear of losing their friendship. When Alexandra realizes that she can no longer hold her feelings back for Jake, she decides to take a trip to Mexico. Little did she know that her visit would lead her down a different and dangerous path. When she gets back to the US she is recruited by the DEA, all because she closely resembles a mobster's sister, whom they need to take down. Alexandra is trained in looking and sounding like Daniela, the mobster's sister and then she is off to aid the DEA in apprehending Miguel. This was a good read, can't even remember why I initially put this away, as I was caught up in the story until I finished it late last night. A great thriller, filled with action, suspense and romance. I really liked it. 4 stars
****Book provided thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest review****
****Book provided thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest review****
July 4, 2016
I would like to thank Limitless Publishing LLC for publishing this book and also to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book.
I absolutely loved this book and had read the whole thing in a matter of hours. It had me completely hooked from beginning to end.
Alexandra is a completely lovable and fiery main character. She's completely and utterly head over heels in love with her business partner Jake Taylor. Unbeknownst to her, he feels the same way. I kind of felt sorry for them both as they have been partners for years and had never told each other how they really feel.
I thought that something was going to happen between Alexandra and possibly a few other characters, but that's just the way her character and others come across.
It was very well written and I would very happily read more by S.K. Derban. I'm going to give this book a rating of 5/5 (my very first).
I absolutely loved this book and had read the whole thing in a matter of hours. It had me completely hooked from beginning to end.
Alexandra is a completely lovable and fiery main character. She's completely and utterly head over heels in love with her business partner Jake Taylor. Unbeknownst to her, he feels the same way. I kind of felt sorry for them both as they have been partners for years and had never told each other how they really feel.
I thought that something was going to happen between Alexandra and possibly a few other characters, but that's just the way her character and others come across.
It was very well written and I would very happily read more by S.K. Derban. I'm going to give this book a rating of 5/5 (my very first).
April 14, 2019
If you want action, you might get bored.
(Unlike almost all the other Amazon reviews, I did NOT receive a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Positives: Alex relies on her faith and we see Jake develop his. The expected happy ending. Glad to see Kevin's marriage in a good place.
Negatives: Kindle version has way too many errors. I needed to know Jake more to be rooting for them; I was left to wonder if Alex would choose someone else. Really only one scene of action, mostly dialogue and preparation and not much to the mission. Some intimate scenes make this book not suitable for younger readers. Not too many twists and turns in this book, but I like cozy mystery genre too, and this may fit. What happenned with Rico and Daniella????
(Unlike almost all the other Amazon reviews, I did NOT receive a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Positives: Alex relies on her faith and we see Jake develop his. The expected happy ending. Glad to see Kevin's marriage in a good place.
Negatives: Kindle version has way too many errors. I needed to know Jake more to be rooting for them; I was left to wonder if Alex would choose someone else. Really only one scene of action, mostly dialogue and preparation and not much to the mission. Some intimate scenes make this book not suitable for younger readers. Not too many twists and turns in this book, but I like cozy mystery genre too, and this may fit. What happenned with Rico and Daniella????
October 14, 2015
Alexandra is recruited by the DEA to help bring an
assasin, Miguel Santiago, to justice. Alexandra, a
successful interior designer, is a twin to Miguel's
sister, Daniela. The DEA agents believe that they
can substitute Alex for Daniela and somehow
manage to get Miguel back to the States so they
can prosecute him for killing a fellow DEA agent.
Their adventures in training Alex and then on her
assignment are very interesting. The action moves
along quickly, the characters are well developed
and the dialogue is witty. All in all a very good read.
assasin, Miguel Santiago, to justice. Alexandra, a
successful interior designer, is a twin to Miguel's
sister, Daniela. The DEA agents believe that they
can substitute Alex for Daniela and somehow
manage to get Miguel back to the States so they
can prosecute him for killing a fellow DEA agent.
Their adventures in training Alex and then on her
assignment are very interesting. The action moves
along quickly, the characters are well developed
and the dialogue is witty. All in all a very good read.
December 1, 2015
Every now and then I come across a book that truly intrigues me and keeps me hooked up until the very end. And that was the case with Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban. I mean, the level of excitement in this book kept me turning the pages! Loved the adventure in the plot, the romance aspect (kept me hoping!), and especially the way the story was written. This book flowed easily for me, which is yet another plus. This was my first book by this author, and it won't certainly be the last! Pick this one up!
Reviewed for MBMB: http://bit.ly/1PrO2v0
Reviewed for MBMB: http://bit.ly/1PrO2v0
October 16, 2015
This book intrigued me from the start. I like that the story doesn't solely focus on Alexandra and , but shows the relationship between Kevin and Casey as well as other key characters in the book. The suspense in this book was intense. I was shocked, happy and impatient all at once. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I would recommend everyone read this book! It has a good mix of romance and suspense.
January 6, 2016
**SPOILER FREE**
Intriguing page turner! Loved the story as well as the characters! This is a keeper to say the least and will have you questioning just what the author has coming next! A great book!
*Received for an honest review*
Intriguing page turner! Loved the story as well as the characters! This is a keeper to say the least and will have you questioning just what the author has coming next! A great book!
*Received for an honest review*
May 30, 2017
This is a good suspenseful romance story. Alex, an interior designer, loves Jake … but can’t risk telling him. Jake, Alex’s business partner, is in love with Alex … but can’t risk telling her. Alex also looks just like a criminal’s sister, Daniela. Alex is asked to go undercover and work for the DEA to lure Miguel, the criminal, to Mexico. It doesn’t work out as planned and Jake feels Alex slipping. She is just trying to keep a safe distance but it is enough for things to get muddled. This story is much more suspense than romance but it is also very good. I enjoyed it.
August 31, 2016
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
_____________________________________________________________________
Publisher Description
Like fire and ice, reality for Alexandra Callet runs hot and cold. Most would assume life is nearly perfect for the exotic looking beauty. At the age of thirty-three, Alexandra owns a stunning home, and has a successful interior design career. Yet, she is left unfulfilled. Alexandra yearns for a serious relationship, and feels haunted by an extreme void.
For a long time, Alexandra has been desperately in love with her business partner, Jake Taylor. Although they work together, Alexandra wonders if Jake even realizes she is a woman. Finally as a soul searching escape, Alexandra takes a week off and gravitates to the serenity Mexico offers. Instead she is recruited to work with the DEA. Alexandra knew her decision to help would separate her from the man she loves. She never thought it would mean life or death.
UNEVEN EXCHANGE celebrates the many facets of a woman. As she fights for her survival, Alexandra’s faith in God gives her the strength to make a difference.
_____________________________________________________________________
Story Notes
S. K. Derban’s latest thriller is a story that grabs the attention so completely that the reader will be hard pressed to put it down before finishing.
Uneven Exchange is one of the best written mystery thrillers I have read in quite a while. The precision of the law enforcement information and the carefully crafted characters made for an exceptional read that kept me turning the pages quickly to discover how this adventure would turn out. Alexandra Callet is the 33 year old Interior designer and co-owner of the San Diego based Daniel Cole Company. She has been in love with her business partner Jake Taylor but cannot seem to make him realize her feelings. In an effort to sort out what to do next Alex heads to Cozumel, Mexico for a week long vacation at her beach-side condo. While there she is spotted by DEA agents working a case to capture The Magician – an well- known cartel assassin named Miguel Santiago who has recently killed one of their fellow agents. Her resemblance to the sister of the assassin they are seeking is incredible and after convening with their boss, Special Agent in Charge Kevin O’Neil, they come up with a plan that might finally allow them to close the case. When Alex returns to her home to San Diego, Kevin contacts her and requests her help with the case. And upon receiving her okay they begin their plan: Alexandra, who already greatly resembles Santiago’s sister Daniela, will take Daniela’s place when she goes to visit Santiago to discuss the finances of her new business. What follows is a great adventure through emulation and danger as Alex helps the DEA take custody of one of the most feared drug cartel assassins. The way in which Ms. Derban wrote the book was extremely effective in helping me keep all the characters and their roles in the story straight. It is always hard to jump into an ongoing-situation-type story and ensure that your readers don’t get lost in the barrage of information, but Ms. Derban did exactly that.Further, Ms. Derban created wonderfully human main characters in Alexandra, Kevin, Rico and Jake. I found myself truly interested in what happened to each of them throughout the story and loved how real each person was – expressing fears, depressing anger with sarcasm and learning to share and accept the love of those around them. And, speaking of sarcasm, there were some really great quips and zings traded throughout the whole story – making it a fun and enjoyable ride through a dark and dangerous quest for justice. I also liked the depth of faith that the main characters exuded, from the personal prayers to their candid conversations with others. I would have preferred to have a better and more fully described conclusion for Alex and Jake. I was glad to see they ended up together but felt the ending was rushed a bit and wished there was more conversation between them after Alex returned from her mission.
My only two issues with this book were the insertion of swear words and an almost too descriptive scene of love between Kevin and his wife. I wanted so very badly to give this book 5 out of 5 stars but just couldn’t be okay with those inclusions in an otherwise fantastic story. I know of many authors who simply put in “so-and-so cursed under his breath” and this would have been preferable to the actual words. I also was a little embarrassed while reading the love scene between Kevin and his wife. It wasn’t graphic but just more descriptive than I would care to read. For this reason I would be careful in my recommendation of this book without giving a word of warning to the reader. I would not recommend this book be read by anyone who is younger than 16 with these themes included. But for a mature person I do believe this story can be an enjoyable and thrilling story to read.
This e-book was provided to me at no cost by Limitless Publishing and Net Galley in exchanged for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.
_____________________________________________________________________
Publisher Description
Like fire and ice, reality for Alexandra Callet runs hot and cold. Most would assume life is nearly perfect for the exotic looking beauty. At the age of thirty-three, Alexandra owns a stunning home, and has a successful interior design career. Yet, she is left unfulfilled. Alexandra yearns for a serious relationship, and feels haunted by an extreme void.
For a long time, Alexandra has been desperately in love with her business partner, Jake Taylor. Although they work together, Alexandra wonders if Jake even realizes she is a woman. Finally as a soul searching escape, Alexandra takes a week off and gravitates to the serenity Mexico offers. Instead she is recruited to work with the DEA. Alexandra knew her decision to help would separate her from the man she loves. She never thought it would mean life or death.
UNEVEN EXCHANGE celebrates the many facets of a woman. As she fights for her survival, Alexandra’s faith in God gives her the strength to make a difference.
_____________________________________________________________________
Story Notes
S. K. Derban’s latest thriller is a story that grabs the attention so completely that the reader will be hard pressed to put it down before finishing.
Uneven Exchange is one of the best written mystery thrillers I have read in quite a while. The precision of the law enforcement information and the carefully crafted characters made for an exceptional read that kept me turning the pages quickly to discover how this adventure would turn out. Alexandra Callet is the 33 year old Interior designer and co-owner of the San Diego based Daniel Cole Company. She has been in love with her business partner Jake Taylor but cannot seem to make him realize her feelings. In an effort to sort out what to do next Alex heads to Cozumel, Mexico for a week long vacation at her beach-side condo. While there she is spotted by DEA agents working a case to capture The Magician – an well- known cartel assassin named Miguel Santiago who has recently killed one of their fellow agents. Her resemblance to the sister of the assassin they are seeking is incredible and after convening with their boss, Special Agent in Charge Kevin O’Neil, they come up with a plan that might finally allow them to close the case. When Alex returns to her home to San Diego, Kevin contacts her and requests her help with the case. And upon receiving her okay they begin their plan: Alexandra, who already greatly resembles Santiago’s sister Daniela, will take Daniela’s place when she goes to visit Santiago to discuss the finances of her new business. What follows is a great adventure through emulation and danger as Alex helps the DEA take custody of one of the most feared drug cartel assassins. The way in which Ms. Derban wrote the book was extremely effective in helping me keep all the characters and their roles in the story straight. It is always hard to jump into an ongoing-situation-type story and ensure that your readers don’t get lost in the barrage of information, but Ms. Derban did exactly that.Further, Ms. Derban created wonderfully human main characters in Alexandra, Kevin, Rico and Jake. I found myself truly interested in what happened to each of them throughout the story and loved how real each person was – expressing fears, depressing anger with sarcasm and learning to share and accept the love of those around them. And, speaking of sarcasm, there were some really great quips and zings traded throughout the whole story – making it a fun and enjoyable ride through a dark and dangerous quest for justice. I also liked the depth of faith that the main characters exuded, from the personal prayers to their candid conversations with others. I would have preferred to have a better and more fully described conclusion for Alex and Jake. I was glad to see they ended up together but felt the ending was rushed a bit and wished there was more conversation between them after Alex returned from her mission.
My only two issues with this book were the insertion of swear words and an almost too descriptive scene of love between Kevin and his wife. I wanted so very badly to give this book 5 out of 5 stars but just couldn’t be okay with those inclusions in an otherwise fantastic story. I know of many authors who simply put in “so-and-so cursed under his breath” and this would have been preferable to the actual words. I also was a little embarrassed while reading the love scene between Kevin and his wife. It wasn’t graphic but just more descriptive than I would care to read. For this reason I would be careful in my recommendation of this book without giving a word of warning to the reader. I would not recommend this book be read by anyone who is younger than 16 with these themes included. But for a mature person I do believe this story can be an enjoyable and thrilling story to read.
This e-book was provided to me at no cost by Limitless Publishing and Net Galley in exchanged for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.
August 4, 2024
Great story
This story has danger,suspence, undercover work,adventure and a little romace, keeps you turning the pages to read what happens next until the end looking forward to reading more books from this author
This story has danger,suspence, undercover work,adventure and a little romace, keeps you turning the pages to read what happens next until the end looking forward to reading more books from this author
January 29, 2016
DEA OPS, Miscommunications, and Faith . . .
Books intertwining faith are always a welcomed surprise for me, but also make me leary too as the stories sometimes fall flat. However, this story was filled with great dialogue and a story which was suspenseful, but lacked a real sense of romance and complete plot development.
Trying to relax, clear her mind, and feelings about her business partner, Alexandra 'Alex' Callet, hopes that her time in Mexico will help refocus her life. Little did Alex know that her time in Mexico would be more fruitful than just rejuvenating. While out and about Alex is spotted by undercover DEA agents and later approached back home in San Diego by Senior Officer Kevin O'Neil. Alex is give the opportunity to help the DEA in a special operation to catch a killer by posing as his sister, Daniela, whom Alex just so happens to be a mirror image of. But to be put into play as a new agent for the DEA and focus on the mission, Alex will have to distance herself from Jake Taylor, the man she can't help but love. The only problem is Alex may not be able to completely pass as Daniela or there might be leaks in the DEA, with all the 'IF's that could go wrong Alex knows she has one thing to rely on her faith.
Overall, this book has great characters, witty banter and dialogue, but the chemistry infused lacked and some plot points were left unfinished. Alex is definitely a strong beautiful lead character, perhaps too strong, which bugged me a little bit only because she transitioned from civilian to agent so easily; When I'd assume Alex would have been used as an asset, but what do I know I'm not a DEA agent. The chemistry was kinda dull, probably because it was secondary, which is okay in the sense the book was about the mission. But I really didn't need a HEA with Alex and Jack, probably because they were both so clueless about their feelings for one another. Truly I enjoyed the dialogue it was easy going and even the usage of Spanish was well placed; My only wish was the transition into the faith moment would have been smoother and not so placed. Oh and there was one sex scene that felt completely random despite it being a married couple, it didn't feel necessary, I liked their flirtations. So if you are up for a story about a woman going from decoration to DEA undercover agent with beauty and faith all to help her country and herself in the end, then this book would be good to try.
**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**
------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
Books intertwining faith are always a welcomed surprise for me, but also make me leary too as the stories sometimes fall flat. However, this story was filled with great dialogue and a story which was suspenseful, but lacked a real sense of romance and complete plot development.
Trying to relax, clear her mind, and feelings about her business partner, Alexandra 'Alex' Callet, hopes that her time in Mexico will help refocus her life. Little did Alex know that her time in Mexico would be more fruitful than just rejuvenating. While out and about Alex is spotted by undercover DEA agents and later approached back home in San Diego by Senior Officer Kevin O'Neil. Alex is give the opportunity to help the DEA in a special operation to catch a killer by posing as his sister, Daniela, whom Alex just so happens to be a mirror image of. But to be put into play as a new agent for the DEA and focus on the mission, Alex will have to distance herself from Jake Taylor, the man she can't help but love. The only problem is Alex may not be able to completely pass as Daniela or there might be leaks in the DEA, with all the 'IF's that could go wrong Alex knows she has one thing to rely on her faith.
Overall, this book has great characters, witty banter and dialogue, but the chemistry infused lacked and some plot points were left unfinished. Alex is definitely a strong beautiful lead character, perhaps too strong, which bugged me a little bit only because she transitioned from civilian to agent so easily; When I'd assume Alex would have been used as an asset, but what do I know I'm not a DEA agent. The chemistry was kinda dull, probably because it was secondary, which is okay in the sense the book was about the mission. But I really didn't need a HEA with Alex and Jack, probably because they were both so clueless about their feelings for one another. Truly I enjoyed the dialogue it was easy going and even the usage of Spanish was well placed; My only wish was the transition into the faith moment would have been smoother and not so placed. Oh and there was one sex scene that felt completely random despite it being a married couple, it didn't feel necessary, I liked their flirtations. So if you are up for a story about a woman going from decoration to DEA undercover agent with beauty and faith all to help her country and herself in the end, then this book would be good to try.
**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**
------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
January 25, 2016
Title:Uneven Exchange
Author: S.K. Derban
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC
Release Date: 9/1/15
Genre(s): Thriller
Page Count:269
Heat Level: 2 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...
Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban was a thrilling 5 star read.
Suspense, Hot Alpha’s, Hint of Romance
What a thrilling read, I couldn’t put it down until the end.
There were several key characters in Uneven Exchange, however the biggest ones were Alexendra and Jake. The story is told in several POV’s.
Alexandra is on vacation in Mexico, while she is at the market she is spotted by DEA agents and her resemblance to an assassin's sister is uncanny.
This is where we meet Kevin who contacts Alexandra and talks her into working with the DEA on a dangerous mission.
While everyone around Alexandra and Jake can clearly see how much they each care for each other, they have not realized how the other feels. Will Jake finally get to tell Alexandra how he feels? Will Alexandra return safely from the mission?
This was a great read, very different than what I am used to and I loved it. I had some heart stopping moments worrying about Alexandra, there were a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming. The book doesn’t have a cliffhanger however I can’t help but wonder if Rico gets his happily ever after. Could we possibly see Rico’s story soon?(she asks hopefully).
Thank you S.K. Derban for a great read.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
AMAZON ASIN:http://www.amazon.com/Uneven-Exchange...
June 8, 2016
Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban is the perfect combination of intrigue, suspense and romance...a perfect read for a weekend get-away!
This book captures the reader's attention from the first chapter and spins a tale of love, strength and perseverance from that point forward. The main character, Alexandra Callet is an independent business woman who, due to her resemblance to an assassin's sister, is asked by the Drug Enforcement Agency to help with a case. As the story unfolds, additional vibrant characters emerge to sufficiently entertain and engage the reader. The training that Alexandra goes through to go undercover is actually very informative, as I had no idea of the involvement behind the scenes of such an assignment. While I am sure this only touched the surface of what it would really be like to take on such work, there is enough detail to seem realistic and hold your attention.
What I like most about this book is the continual line-up of interesting and unique characters with enough development of each one to feel a level of connection that goes beyond the surface. That is difficult to pull off in a short novel like this, but Derban does it. The sense of "what will happen next" is a dominating feeling throughout the read and therefore another excellent job by the author.
Finally, while this is not officially labeled a "Christian" genre book, the author has definitely utilized her platform to point to Christ through some of the thoughts and actions of the main characters. There are several times in the book where they pray, read the Bible and reference their reliance on Christ for strength and wisdom. It's not overbearing...just a hint of grace and wisdom poking through...I loved that.
Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban is a wonderful book to throw in your suitcase and read on a weekend get-away or.....simply step outside into the shade of your own backyard and travel with the crew to Mexico! You will definitely enjoy this read!!
This book captures the reader's attention from the first chapter and spins a tale of love, strength and perseverance from that point forward. The main character, Alexandra Callet is an independent business woman who, due to her resemblance to an assassin's sister, is asked by the Drug Enforcement Agency to help with a case. As the story unfolds, additional vibrant characters emerge to sufficiently entertain and engage the reader. The training that Alexandra goes through to go undercover is actually very informative, as I had no idea of the involvement behind the scenes of such an assignment. While I am sure this only touched the surface of what it would really be like to take on such work, there is enough detail to seem realistic and hold your attention.
What I like most about this book is the continual line-up of interesting and unique characters with enough development of each one to feel a level of connection that goes beyond the surface. That is difficult to pull off in a short novel like this, but Derban does it. The sense of "what will happen next" is a dominating feeling throughout the read and therefore another excellent job by the author.
Finally, while this is not officially labeled a "Christian" genre book, the author has definitely utilized her platform to point to Christ through some of the thoughts and actions of the main characters. There are several times in the book where they pray, read the Bible and reference their reliance on Christ for strength and wisdom. It's not overbearing...just a hint of grace and wisdom poking through...I loved that.
Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban is a wonderful book to throw in your suitcase and read on a weekend get-away or.....simply step outside into the shade of your own backyard and travel with the crew to Mexico! You will definitely enjoy this read!!
August 11, 2016
I received this book to read and review from NetGalley.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I had read the synopsis about the book and requested to read and review it but I was not able to start is immediately after I had received the approval. Needless to say I had forgotten what the book was about but I think that made it all the more enjoyable for me to read! I started reading this book at around 7pm today, well, yesterday technically, and just finished it about 12am. I can guarantee you, however, that I would have been done much sooner had it not been for that pesky thing called Life interrupting me!
"Uneven Exchange" is about an interior designer named Alexandra whose life takes an interesting and adventurous turn when she is spotted on vacation by a couple DEA agents who are completely taken aback by her appearance. To them, she is a doppelgänger for a wanted hitman's sister and therefore, the chance the opportunity they need to bring him to justice. Reeling her in and trying to convincer her to portray Daniela, the sister, is no easy feat for Special Agent Kevin O'Neil as Alexandra is not one to just go along but with her faith in God firm and her prayer life strong, she has peace enough about it to agree. Relying on her training, surveillance, study of Daniela and most importantly God, Alexandra is finally about to enter the snake pit.
I love how the author has a strong central character that is not only a female but is a believer in God and does not hide her faith but rather uses it to get her through something not many ordinary people could do, but then again, God's children are hardly ordinary! S.K. Derban has done a magnificent job telling a harrowing story of love, faith and strength, mixed with suspense, adventure, humor and some good old "cloak and dagger!" This was my first time reading the work of this author but you can bet it will not be the last!
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I had read the synopsis about the book and requested to read and review it but I was not able to start is immediately after I had received the approval. Needless to say I had forgotten what the book was about but I think that made it all the more enjoyable for me to read! I started reading this book at around 7pm today, well, yesterday technically, and just finished it about 12am. I can guarantee you, however, that I would have been done much sooner had it not been for that pesky thing called Life interrupting me!
"Uneven Exchange" is about an interior designer named Alexandra whose life takes an interesting and adventurous turn when she is spotted on vacation by a couple DEA agents who are completely taken aback by her appearance. To them, she is a doppelgänger for a wanted hitman's sister and therefore, the chance the opportunity they need to bring him to justice. Reeling her in and trying to convincer her to portray Daniela, the sister, is no easy feat for Special Agent Kevin O'Neil as Alexandra is not one to just go along but with her faith in God firm and her prayer life strong, she has peace enough about it to agree. Relying on her training, surveillance, study of Daniela and most importantly God, Alexandra is finally about to enter the snake pit.
I love how the author has a strong central character that is not only a female but is a believer in God and does not hide her faith but rather uses it to get her through something not many ordinary people could do, but then again, God's children are hardly ordinary! S.K. Derban has done a magnificent job telling a harrowing story of love, faith and strength, mixed with suspense, adventure, humor and some good old "cloak and dagger!" This was my first time reading the work of this author but you can bet it will not be the last!
April 4, 2016
Uneven Exchange really takes a reader on an experience of suspense, romance, and adventure. I love reading books about people going undercover, but I know for sure that I wouldn't last in a situation where I had to do it. Alexandra is noticed in Mexico as a dead-ringer for Daniela, the sister of a wanted assassin. She is approached by the DEA to go undercover to help them catch this guy...and she agrees to help.
The characters are written in a realistic way, but I wondered at times why Alex wasn't more scared or nervous. She did display those emotions, but I would be a complete wreck--she has more composure than I would, especially when she was caught in a very intense situation. I like how she immerses herself into everything she does--no halfway with her. I liked how normal Kevin, the DEA SAC, is. He's married with a family, but has struggled with an emotional connection in the past. He's not the perfect leader, husband, or father, but he strives to do his best. Jake, Alex's business partner, doesn't realize what he has until it's gone and I loved watching him do what it takes to find it again.
The suspense is really intense at times, but I felt a little disappointed with the climax of the story--it was a bit of a letdown after such a strong purpose. I liked the ending, but felt that a few strings were left unraveled--I'm not sure if it's open for a follow-up story or not. All in all, I really enjoyed it.
Content: mild religious elements (one character likes to pray and study scriptures, but it's not preachy); mild violence (an attempted rape, kidnapping, etc--not graphic); mild romance (kissing, vague talk of sex and a fade to black scene between a married couple).
*I received a copy through iReads Book Tours in exchange for an honest review*
The characters are written in a realistic way, but I wondered at times why Alex wasn't more scared or nervous. She did display those emotions, but I would be a complete wreck--she has more composure than I would, especially when she was caught in a very intense situation. I like how she immerses herself into everything she does--no halfway with her. I liked how normal Kevin, the DEA SAC, is. He's married with a family, but has struggled with an emotional connection in the past. He's not the perfect leader, husband, or father, but he strives to do his best. Jake, Alex's business partner, doesn't realize what he has until it's gone and I loved watching him do what it takes to find it again.
The suspense is really intense at times, but I felt a little disappointed with the climax of the story--it was a bit of a letdown after such a strong purpose. I liked the ending, but felt that a few strings were left unraveled--I'm not sure if it's open for a follow-up story or not. All in all, I really enjoyed it.
Content: mild religious elements (one character likes to pray and study scriptures, but it's not preachy); mild violence (an attempted rape, kidnapping, etc--not graphic); mild romance (kissing, vague talk of sex and a fade to black scene between a married couple).
*I received a copy through iReads Book Tours in exchange for an honest review*
February 7, 2017
While on vacation in Mexico, DEA agents see Alexandra and immediately note her uncanny resemblance to a woman who is sister to a notorious killer nicknamed 'The Magician'.
Back in the US she is recruited for an undercover mission to help capture the killer, a very different task than her usual interior design. She feels God is nudging her to accept and so her life suddenly becomes very complicated.
I'm not sure how to classify this book. It bills itself as a thriller, but there isn't all that much suspense and it continues on past where I'd expect the thriller to end. It could be seen as a love story, but again there are elements of a romance which are missing. Faith is a major aspect of the story, almost all the good guys continually pray, but I don't get much sense of God being active other than as a name being dropped. Nobody changes or is significantly tested in their faith.
Having said all that, I did find the book to be an enjoyable read. None of the issues above were enough to break the flow of the narrative. A few times I wished for a situation to be more developed, but it didn't push me out of the story. The villain of the piece is nicely complex and human.
If you aren't concerned with pigeon-holing the genre of a book, you will enjoy reading Uneven Exchange. It has a bit of thriller and romance with some faith thrown in as a garnish.
Back in the US she is recruited for an undercover mission to help capture the killer, a very different task than her usual interior design. She feels God is nudging her to accept and so her life suddenly becomes very complicated.
I'm not sure how to classify this book. It bills itself as a thriller, but there isn't all that much suspense and it continues on past where I'd expect the thriller to end. It could be seen as a love story, but again there are elements of a romance which are missing. Faith is a major aspect of the story, almost all the good guys continually pray, but I don't get much sense of God being active other than as a name being dropped. Nobody changes or is significantly tested in their faith.
Having said all that, I did find the book to be an enjoyable read. None of the issues above were enough to break the flow of the narrative. A few times I wished for a situation to be more developed, but it didn't push me out of the story. The villain of the piece is nicely complex and human.
If you aren't concerned with pigeon-holing the genre of a book, you will enjoy reading Uneven Exchange. It has a bit of thriller and romance with some faith thrown in as a garnish.
August 8, 2016
Although this book was not exactly what I thought it would be, it was a well-written Christian suspense story with a hint of romance.
I found Alexandra to be a very strong female heroine, who relied instinctively on her faith to guide her decisions. Alexandra is a successful entrepreneur who is at a crossroads in her life, because she has an unrequited attraction to her business partner Jake, when the DEA approaches her to help them capture a notorious assassin and drug lord in Mexico. The story describes Alexandra's dangerous mission. For me, the most compelling part of the story was Alexandra's faith and subsequent peace in tense moments of her dangerous mission.
The challenges of the story for me came in the structure of the story and the romantic angle. The story shares the perspective of multiple members of the DEA team as well as Alexandra's perspective. For me, this was a distraction rather than an enhancement. I did not understand how the team leader's family moments and other personal elements of team members related in any significant way to Alexandra's story with the exception of Danielle and Ricardo and would have preferred that they would have been omitted and more of the story focused on Alexandra. Additionally, the romance with Jake was quickly glossed over. This would have been a nice addition to the story and helped clarify Alexandra beyond the mission.
Overall, it was a nice story with reminders of how faithful God is to us!
I found Alexandra to be a very strong female heroine, who relied instinctively on her faith to guide her decisions. Alexandra is a successful entrepreneur who is at a crossroads in her life, because she has an unrequited attraction to her business partner Jake, when the DEA approaches her to help them capture a notorious assassin and drug lord in Mexico. The story describes Alexandra's dangerous mission. For me, the most compelling part of the story was Alexandra's faith and subsequent peace in tense moments of her dangerous mission.
The challenges of the story for me came in the structure of the story and the romantic angle. The story shares the perspective of multiple members of the DEA team as well as Alexandra's perspective. For me, this was a distraction rather than an enhancement. I did not understand how the team leader's family moments and other personal elements of team members related in any significant way to Alexandra's story with the exception of Danielle and Ricardo and would have preferred that they would have been omitted and more of the story focused on Alexandra. Additionally, the romance with Jake was quickly glossed over. This would have been a nice addition to the story and helped clarify Alexandra beyond the mission.
Overall, it was a nice story with reminders of how faithful God is to us!
April 12, 2016
As a woman, I always love when the main character in a book I am reading is a smart, independent and strong female. The character of Alexandra Callet is just that - someone I would love to know. Here is a single woman running a successful business who is approached to be a DEA operative in Mexico. They want her to help take down a really evil bad guy by pretending to be his sister. Wow! More wow is that she says yes and begins training! Would I have the courage to step into that role? Probably not.
Another story line travels through this story - that of unrequited love. Both she and her business partner Jake Taylor are head over heels drawn to each other, but both think the other is not interested. Neither wants to risk their business relationship by declaring their feelings. It could ruin everything. Her growing secrecy as she first trains and then heads off on this mission leads Jake to feel he is losing her completely. When he discovers she did not travel to the location her cover story indicated, he relentlessly pursues the truth.
This is a great story to escape into. It has intrigue, life-threatening scary moments and romance swirling through it. As an added bonus you get to learn a little about how the DEA works when it recruits and manages an operative.
Another story line travels through this story - that of unrequited love. Both she and her business partner Jake Taylor are head over heels drawn to each other, but both think the other is not interested. Neither wants to risk their business relationship by declaring their feelings. It could ruin everything. Her growing secrecy as she first trains and then heads off on this mission leads Jake to feel he is losing her completely. When he discovers she did not travel to the location her cover story indicated, he relentlessly pursues the truth.
This is a great story to escape into. It has intrigue, life-threatening scary moments and romance swirling through it. As an added bonus you get to learn a little about how the DEA works when it recruits and manages an operative.
April 4, 2016
One of my favorite things in a book is a strong female character. Alex certainly fit that. Not only was she strong in her faith in God, she was strong in her belief that she could infiltrate a known terrorist with only a short time of training. While there were times she questioned what was going to happen to her, she never faltered in doing what she felt was right. I did feel like her ties to some of the other characters was off. They were supposed to be close friends and yet the chemistry seemed off in some way.
The mission was the main storyline. I felt like there were parts left unfinished, maybe that was the plan. There were also times that I found the storyline jumping from point to point. There were a few characters I felt got a little more page time than needed and they just dragged the story on. There was a couple romance storylines also but I felt like they were added to the book just so that it would fit into a broader list of genres.
I enjoyed reading Uneven Exchange. If you are looking for a book about a strong in faith woman going from interior decorator to DEA agent this is the book for you.
The mission was the main storyline. I felt like there were parts left unfinished, maybe that was the plan. There were also times that I found the storyline jumping from point to point. There were a few characters I felt got a little more page time than needed and they just dragged the story on. There was a couple romance storylines also but I felt like they were added to the book just so that it would fit into a broader list of genres.
I enjoyed reading Uneven Exchange. If you are looking for a book about a strong in faith woman going from interior decorator to DEA agent this is the book for you.
January 22, 2016
Very good read. Alex is completely in love with Jake, and the reverse is true. Only problem is neither knows the other feels the way that they do. Alex goes on a vacation and gets recruited by the DEA because she looks like an assassin's sister. As she trains and begins to get into her role, her design company begins to suffer. Jake notices he is losing his business partner and friend, but doesn't understand what is going on.
I liked both of the main characters. They were great. I also liked that the book while they were the main characters, had other wonderfully developed characters that you get attached to. Alex is an awesome lady and I love her spirit. Jake is a bachelor and yet he doesn't want to be what he is intentionally portraying. Either way, Alex is in danger and the story goes full throttle to the end.
Great suspense in this. Absolute 4/5.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via PUYB). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
I liked both of the main characters. They were great. I also liked that the book while they were the main characters, had other wonderfully developed characters that you get attached to. Alex is an awesome lady and I love her spirit. Jake is a bachelor and yet he doesn't want to be what he is intentionally portraying. Either way, Alex is in danger and the story goes full throttle to the end.
Great suspense in this. Absolute 4/5.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via PUYB). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
November 8, 2016
I was given this book free. I am voluntarily reviewing it. Alex, an interior designer, is recruited by the DEA because she looks exactly like Miguel's sister, Daniela. Miguel, an assassin, is wanted by the DEA and the DEA wants Alex to help capture him. Alex is trained to go undercover, learning all she can about Daniela and her mannerisms and life, and also how to protect herself. It was very interesting to read about all the training that Alex had to go through. There was a lot of good information given that made the story even more thrilling. Being a christian romance, it was interesting to see how blended the action and romance were going to be. There was certainly plenty of suspense and action with a little romance included. I thought faith came in at the right moments when needed. the characters were very smart, well-rounded people that you learned quite a bit about, so you weren't left wondering. All-in-all, this was a very good thriller that I certainly enjoyed and look forward to more from this author.
October 15, 2015
A Great Adventure!
This is my first time reading anything from this author so I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I read the synopsis, I was immediately interested. I dove headlong into the book and am so glad that i did. I really love the authors writing style and voice. This book has everything that you could possibly want in an Action/Adventure/Romance. The plot of the book is so intriguing and it really pulls you right into the story. I definitely did not want to put this book down. I loved all of the action, and suspense and drama, and the touches of romance, it really kept me turning the pages. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but the main characters are very well developed and the whole story is very well fleshed out. I definitely recommend if you are into this genre.
This is my first time reading anything from this author so I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I read the synopsis, I was immediately interested. I dove headlong into the book and am so glad that i did. I really love the authors writing style and voice. This book has everything that you could possibly want in an Action/Adventure/Romance. The plot of the book is so intriguing and it really pulls you right into the story. I definitely did not want to put this book down. I loved all of the action, and suspense and drama, and the touches of romance, it really kept me turning the pages. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but the main characters are very well developed and the whole story is very well fleshed out. I definitely recommend if you are into this genre.
December 14, 2016
How long can you want for the one person that you love? Alex can't do it anymore she knows that her partner Jake is never going to love her so it is time to let him go and to move on. She gets offered a job by the DEA as she looks like a mobster sister and they need to take the man down. Will Alex agree to this and will she be able to pull it off? She lies to get away from Jake as she is off to Mexico and to hopefully bring the magician to justice. But Jake knows that there is something wrong when he can't get hold of her so he does some digs and finds out more than he bargained for.
Alex is in danger and she hopes that she can get out of it alive and that she will be able to get back to the US with the help of a fellow DEA agent Rico? A great story lots of ups and downs.
Alex is in danger and she hopes that she can get out of it alive and that she will be able to get back to the US with the help of a fellow DEA agent Rico? A great story lots of ups and downs.
September 22, 2015
S.K. Derban does it again!
My anticipation in waiting for the release of “Uneven Exchange” was not in vain! Again, the characters, story plot, action, suspense, mystery, and romance had me captivated at every turn...Alexandra’s Faith and strength of character were such an inspiration! Such an enjoyable book to read…Being a native of (very) Southern California, I was delighted to have been familiar with the settings and events intertwined throughout the book…I appreciate wholeheartedly that any book written by S.K. Derban will be decent and in good taste; Always reflecting Christ’s truth in love…
My anticipation in waiting for the release of “Uneven Exchange” was not in vain! Again, the characters, story plot, action, suspense, mystery, and romance had me captivated at every turn...Alexandra’s Faith and strength of character were such an inspiration! Such an enjoyable book to read…Being a native of (very) Southern California, I was delighted to have been familiar with the settings and events intertwined throughout the book…I appreciate wholeheartedly that any book written by S.K. Derban will be decent and in good taste; Always reflecting Christ’s truth in love…
January 24, 2016
If a book doesn’t catch my attention right away, I tend to get bored and move on to something else. This book, however, caught my interest from Chapter one and held me in its clutches until the very last! I found the main heroine, Alexandra, extremely relatable, especially because of her tendency to rely on her faith when everything in her life was chaotic and seemingly out of her control. Very interesting and refreshing to say the least! Can’t wait to see what the author has in store for her fans next.
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