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Border Crimes Series #1
Saving Zoe: How Far Would You Go For Love
Vanessa's life has been tainted by secrets and the scars of a past she can't forget. When that past forces itself into her present life, she is faced with unspeakable truths and undeniable danger.
Damaged Goods. Victim. Slave. Whore.
Vanessa promised herself that none of those labels would ever touch her again. She’s on a new path, from darkness into light, and there’s no looking back. That is, until her niece Zoe kidnapped by the same ruthless sex trafficking organization that shattered her young life and left nothing but destruction in its wake. Now, she must dare commit to going underground to root out the sadistic thugs and rescue her niece.
Getting in isn’t the problem though – it’s getting out that will take everything she’s got and more. Her love and strength are tested to the limit as she’s forced to revisit a past she thought she had left behind and discover a future ahead of her like one she never imagined.
Good vs Evil
Ian Kelly has been working undercover for too long, and lines are starting to blur. He’s been living in a world filled with malice and corruption. When a woman from his past suddenly falls prey to trafficking, he’s put in an impossible situation: blow his cover and risk the lives of those he loves, or watch the woman of his dreams destroyed right before his eyes.
Can these two souls with so much at stake right undeniable wrongs and not only save the ones they love, but to also save each other?
Genre: Romantic Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense-Crime Fiction- Kidnapping, Fiction For Women Standalone Novel With Interconnected Characters. (Romance Thriller Series)
WARNING: This book contains emotional triggers, strong sexual content, explicit situations, adult Language and disturbing scenes.
It is intended for an adult audience 18+
Damaged Goods. Victim. Slave. Whore.
Vanessa promised herself that none of those labels would ever touch her again. She’s on a new path, from darkness into light, and there’s no looking back. That is, until her niece Zoe kidnapped by the same ruthless sex trafficking organization that shattered her young life and left nothing but destruction in its wake. Now, she must dare commit to going underground to root out the sadistic thugs and rescue her niece.
Getting in isn’t the problem though – it’s getting out that will take everything she’s got and more. Her love and strength are tested to the limit as she’s forced to revisit a past she thought she had left behind and discover a future ahead of her like one she never imagined.
Good vs Evil
Ian Kelly has been working undercover for too long, and lines are starting to blur. He’s been living in a world filled with malice and corruption. When a woman from his past suddenly falls prey to trafficking, he’s put in an impossible situation: blow his cover and risk the lives of those he loves, or watch the woman of his dreams destroyed right before his eyes.
Can these two souls with so much at stake right undeniable wrongs and not only save the ones they love, but to also save each other?
Genre: Romantic Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense-Crime Fiction- Kidnapping, Fiction For Women Standalone Novel With Interconnected Characters. (Romance Thriller Series)
WARNING: This book contains emotional triggers, strong sexual content, explicit situations, adult Language and disturbing scenes.
It is intended for an adult audience 18+
- GenresDark
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2015
12 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Eva Winters
25 books846 followersEva lives in a small town outside of Houston Texas with her family.
She more than enjoys writing and staying in touch with each of her characters as their lives progress (even behind the scenes). She spends a great deal of time developing her characters, including the ones who seem to go in their own direction.
She loves creating complex characters who whose lives are filled with drama. Although her works are fiction, many of the stories she tell are based on actual events, each containing suspense, romance, humor and action.
She has a BA in Management and worked as an independent business owner for years before giving it up to pursue her passion of writing fulltime. She's never looked back.
Keep in touch with Eva!
She more than enjoys writing and staying in touch with each of her characters as their lives progress (even behind the scenes). She spends a great deal of time developing her characters, including the ones who seem to go in their own direction.
She loves creating complex characters who whose lives are filled with drama. Although her works are fiction, many of the stories she tell are based on actual events, each containing suspense, romance, humor and action.
She has a BA in Management and worked as an independent business owner for years before giving it up to pursue her passion of writing fulltime. She's never looked back.
Keep in touch with Eva!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 30, 2018
This is a hard book to review - it deals with the very real issues of human trafficking.
It starts with a flash back of Vanessa and her sister Ana having been abducted, held captive and repeatedly raped.
All grown up - Vanessa is a border patrol agent. Ana has committed suicide - leaving behind a daughter, Zoe (a result of the above mentioned events)
What follows is a story that encompasses so much - Love, loss, betrayal, courage, determination, survival and learning to live again.
This is the second book by this author on this subject and I truly applaud her & her efforts to expose these crimes and deal with the issues that cone from it.
It starts with a flash back of Vanessa and her sister Ana having been abducted, held captive and repeatedly raped.
All grown up - Vanessa is a border patrol agent. Ana has committed suicide - leaving behind a daughter, Zoe (a result of the above mentioned events)
What follows is a story that encompasses so much - Love, loss, betrayal, courage, determination, survival and learning to live again.
This is the second book by this author on this subject and I truly applaud her & her efforts to expose these crimes and deal with the issues that cone from it.
October 26, 2016
I got an ARC copy of Escaping Trouble, which is a sort of prequel to this book and which I struggled to get into. It contained the first chapter of so of this book which from that snippet seemed better and at 99p I thought it worth taking a punt on and buying.
Weeeelllll I didn't hate this book, the heroine was likeable, the story was quite good AND I did finish the book. I'm not sure Vanessa would ever have been allowed to go in undercover, but it's a book and I'm always willing to let a few 'as if's' go by.
The characters were better crafted in this book than I felt they were in Escaping Zoe (even though this was written first) but for me there is not enough thought/emotion expressed by the characters. Most feelings are expressed through the dialogue, which often is quite stilted and unnatural. Sometimes the story doesn't flow too well, and I realised this is when Ms Winters uses lots of very short sentences and it feels as though details have been left out. An example would be -
"Leaving the location, Michael had mixed thoughts" OK but what mixed thoughts exactly, and how did this make him feel/react, what did he want to do?
There is also too little description of the scene/location and the physical actions of the characters - you know, those type of lines like 'she pulled her hair into a pony tail, checked in the mirror and took a deep breath' type of thing. Just a general lack of adjectives and adverbs (usually I get irritated that there are too many!) and limited information on how what was happening made the hero and heroine feel/react etc.
On the few occasions when thoughts were expressed it was written in dialogue form eg "She thought, god this man smells good." Just a personal preference but I would have preferred something more along the lines of 'Inhaling his scent, Vanessa couldn't help but notice/think how good he smelled'. Just flows better in my head.
Despite all the negatives the story had lots of action, was fairly believable and the interactions between the H/h were quite well written. If you like the authors style of writing then you'd probably rate this more highly as it isn't a bland run of the mill romance. I don't regret paying for this book, but I won't be buying any more.
Weeeelllll I didn't hate this book, the heroine was likeable, the story was quite good AND I did finish the book. I'm not sure Vanessa would ever have been allowed to go in undercover, but it's a book and I'm always willing to let a few 'as if's' go by.
The characters were better crafted in this book than I felt they were in Escaping Zoe (even though this was written first) but for me there is not enough thought/emotion expressed by the characters. Most feelings are expressed through the dialogue, which often is quite stilted and unnatural. Sometimes the story doesn't flow too well, and I realised this is when Ms Winters uses lots of very short sentences and it feels as though details have been left out. An example would be -
"Leaving the location, Michael had mixed thoughts" OK but what mixed thoughts exactly, and how did this make him feel/react, what did he want to do?
There is also too little description of the scene/location and the physical actions of the characters - you know, those type of lines like 'she pulled her hair into a pony tail, checked in the mirror and took a deep breath' type of thing. Just a general lack of adjectives and adverbs (usually I get irritated that there are too many!) and limited information on how what was happening made the hero and heroine feel/react etc.
On the few occasions when thoughts were expressed it was written in dialogue form eg "She thought, god this man smells good." Just a personal preference but I would have preferred something more along the lines of 'Inhaling his scent, Vanessa couldn't help but notice/think how good he smelled'. Just flows better in my head.
Despite all the negatives the story had lots of action, was fairly believable and the interactions between the H/h were quite well written. If you like the authors style of writing then you'd probably rate this more highly as it isn't a bland run of the mill romance. I don't regret paying for this book, but I won't be buying any more.
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December 12, 2016I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This was a great follow up to Escaping Trouble. It is about the children of characters from Escaping Trouble. There is rape and drug use/abuse in this story. Things have not been good for Vanessa and Ana. Isabel became a drug abuser and alcoholic. Her daughters were taken as sex slaves by one of her boyfriends, resulting in Ana having Zoe. They were rescued and put into foster care. Ana has now ended her life due to depression. Vanessa, now a border patrol agent, has been Zoe's guardian and now Zoe, a college student, has gone missing. Vanessa will do anything to get her back, including going undercover as one of the women being trafficked.. Throw in Vanessa's inability to have relationships with men and it makes for an interesting story. She knows there is an undercover agent somewhere in the organization she has to go into, but doesn't know who it is. I had one issue with this whole story--what happened to CJ? I don't remember seeing it anywhere. I don't like that.
This was a great follow up to Escaping Trouble. It is about the children of characters from Escaping Trouble. There is rape and drug use/abuse in this story. Things have not been good for Vanessa and Ana. Isabel became a drug abuser and alcoholic. Her daughters were taken as sex slaves by one of her boyfriends, resulting in Ana having Zoe. They were rescued and put into foster care. Ana has now ended her life due to depression. Vanessa, now a border patrol agent, has been Zoe's guardian and now Zoe, a college student, has gone missing. Vanessa will do anything to get her back, including going undercover as one of the women being trafficked.. Throw in Vanessa's inability to have relationships with men and it makes for an interesting story. She knows there is an undercover agent somewhere in the organization she has to go into, but doesn't know who it is. I had one issue with this whole story--what happened to CJ? I don't remember seeing it anywhere. I don't like that.
October 28, 2016
Vanessa and her sister Ana were kidnapped by sex traffickers as teens. During the abuse all Nessa could think about was Ana and her best friend Ian, her first lover, who tried to stop the kidnapper. Ian was smashed in the head with a gun, and the girls mother did nothing to help them, it was her boyfriend who grabbed them. The girls were eventually rescued because of Ian.
17 years later and Ana is dead. Nessa and their foster parents are taking care of Zoe, the baby Ana conceived by one of her rapists.
Nessa and her boyfriend Mitch are Border Patrol Guards. They had a tip that a sex trafficker was coming through and they stopped a truck to search it. Nessa speaks with one of the occupants and calls him Ian, but he says his name is Michael and wouldn't mind spending time with her.
Nessa gets a call from the college telling her Zoe has been gone for a week.
Nessa knows sex traffickers have got Zoe, and she is willing to risk her life to save her.
Who can Nessa trust, when there are so many strange circumstances surrounding the trafficking ring and members of the border patrol and ICE? Will they survive?
17 years later and Ana is dead. Nessa and their foster parents are taking care of Zoe, the baby Ana conceived by one of her rapists.
Nessa and her boyfriend Mitch are Border Patrol Guards. They had a tip that a sex trafficker was coming through and they stopped a truck to search it. Nessa speaks with one of the occupants and calls him Ian, but he says his name is Michael and wouldn't mind spending time with her.
Nessa gets a call from the college telling her Zoe has been gone for a week.
Nessa knows sex traffickers have got Zoe, and she is willing to risk her life to save her.
Who can Nessa trust, when there are so many strange circumstances surrounding the trafficking ring and members of the border patrol and ICE? Will they survive?
October 27, 2016
I was offered a free copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. Three and a half stars would be my pick for this book. It is pretty dark, considering it starts with the main character, Vanessa, and her sister, Ana, being held and abused by human traffickers. It deals with rape, violence, and suicide. All of these may be triggers for some readers. The story was for the most part well developed and detailed as Vanessa attempts to find her niece, Zoe, who has gone missing and is believed to be kidnapped by the same people that had taken Vanessa and her sister. My only real complaint was that the ending seemed a little rushed after the detail of the search and rescue. It was as if the author didn't feel the same need for developing the happy parts as she did for the gloomier aspects of the story. But that may just be because I finished the book late and the happy ending didn't overshadow the sadder aspects of the story. If you like your stories on the darker side, you will probably enjoy this book.
February 19, 2024
Saving Zoe is the story of a young girl who is unwillingly involved in the sex trafficking business. She is rescued and tries to get on with her life, becoming a border guard to try and help prevent more girls from going through the same experiences she had. When her niece is taken, the nightmare she lived through becomes once again the life she is living.
The story behind this book is a good one, a dark horrible one without question, but still a good one. However, the execution of the story left something to be desired for me. The writing style is quite clipped and almost clinical, so there was nothing really to connect to. Instead of losing myself in the book, I 'knew' that I was reading a story. Whilst I finished - and mainly enjoyed - this book, it is not a series that I will be continuing with.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 29, 2016
The story behind this book is a good one, a dark horrible one without question, but still a good one. However, the execution of the story left something to be desired for me. The writing style is quite clipped and almost clinical, so there was nothing really to connect to. Instead of losing myself in the book, I 'knew' that I was reading a story. Whilst I finished - and mainly enjoyed - this book, it is not a series that I will be continuing with.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 29, 2016
December 7, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of the book. I have mixed feelings about Saving Zoe. First and foremost, I appreciated the focus on human trafficking. Slavery, the sex trade, is a huge industry on a level most people don't realize. Millions of lives are ruined every year, millions of dollars made off of exploitation. Any attention given to this matters. I also liked the characters, Vanessa and Michael. However I did think that the writing was uneven. There were a few jumps and the dialogue was choppy. The first chapter started off as strong as any book I've read, but by the end it seemed rushed to wrap everything up neatly. It diminishes the seriousness of the events and the impacts they would have on the survivors to gloss over everything so quickly.
November 13, 2016
Wow! It's dark, suspenseful, action-packed, and romantic. I literally couldn't put it down. Vanessa has already been through so much and she has to endure so much more when her niece goes missing. As I said, this story is dark and the things these women endure is nothing short of tragic, but underneath the darkness and tragedy, there's hope. When a book stirs as many emotions as this one, the author has more than done her job. So, job well done, Ms. Winters, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.
Saving Zoe enters the world of human trafficking and does contain triggers for some.
Saving Zoe enters the world of human trafficking and does contain triggers for some.
November 26, 2016
Make sure you read the info and authors notes...
I read the intro to this book and wasn't sure I wanted to read it because of the setting, but I like Eva Winters' writing. I'm so glad I read it and it shows how great of a writer Eva is. I felt like I was right there with them through everything. It does have human trafficking and drugs throughout but with the way it was written it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I was ready to put the book into my "couldn't get into" collection on my Kindle but instead I did t stop until I finished it. I pray for those involved in these situations in real life.
I read the intro to this book and wasn't sure I wanted to read it because of the setting, but I like Eva Winters' writing. I'm so glad I read it and it shows how great of a writer Eva is. I felt like I was right there with them through everything. It does have human trafficking and drugs throughout but with the way it was written it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I was ready to put the book into my "couldn't get into" collection on my Kindle but instead I did t stop until I finished it. I pray for those involved in these situations in real life.
December 15, 2016
What can I say - Wow! This was a bit of a scary roller coaster - such an exciting read. I really enjoyed it but parts were tough. I wasn't sure this was going to be my kinda book but boy, was I wrong. This is an excellent book, so well written and the characters jump right out and feel so real and genuine. It will keep you page turning til the end. This book is not just a great romance, but a thrilling suspense mystery as well. Very compelling. I appreciated the author's warning as there is some graphic violence and well brutal is the right word I think, brutal sexual situations. I hope to see another book maybe or epilogue
November 25, 2016
Emotional roller coaster, great book.
I was given an ARC book for a honest voluntary review. The book was an emotional roller coaster, but it was worth the read. The characters were strong and well developed. They made me want to cry, laugh, and yell at them. The writing was well done, she created a vivid visual image with her words that made it unable to put the book down. The storyline was well done and I was unable to guess what would happen ahead of time. The story was unique and well thought out. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given an ARC book for a honest voluntary review. The book was an emotional roller coaster, but it was worth the read. The characters were strong and well developed. They made me want to cry, laugh, and yell at them. The writing was well done, she created a vivid visual image with her words that made it unable to put the book down. The storyline was well done and I was unable to guess what would happen ahead of time. The story was unique and well thought out. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 15, 2016
Edge of your seat amazing
Vanessa and Ian had a love like no other. Even after all that Vanessa and her sister Ana went through, Vanessa stayed strong, but couldn't make herself go see Ian, Ana became pregnant with Zoe during their ordeal, but never could fight off the depression that surrounded her. Zoe has been taken by the same people that took Vanessa and Ana and Vanessa will do all she can to save her. Never realizing that Ian would end up back in her life as a result. This book was amazing and I was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't put it down.
Vanessa and Ian had a love like no other. Even after all that Vanessa and her sister Ana went through, Vanessa stayed strong, but couldn't make herself go see Ian, Ana became pregnant with Zoe during their ordeal, but never could fight off the depression that surrounded her. Zoe has been taken by the same people that took Vanessa and Ana and Vanessa will do all she can to save her. Never realizing that Ian would end up back in her life as a result. This book was amazing and I was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't put it down.
November 19, 2016
I ᐯOᒪᑌᑎTᗩᖇIᒪY ᖇEᗩᗪ ᗩᑎ ᗩᗪᐯᗩᑎᑕE ᖇEᐯIEᗯ ᑕOᑭY Oᖴ TᕼIᔕ ᗷOOK.
Plot is very predictable. Connections between the characters are very stiff including their conversations. Plot gotten boring in the middle when the conversations are so stiff between the main characters. Glad to have a happy ending.
Plot is very predictable. Connections between the characters are very stiff including their conversations. Plot gotten boring in the middle when the conversations are so stiff between the main characters. Glad to have a happy ending.
December 5, 2016
This is the first book I read by Eva Winters and she managed to get me caught all over the story.
The suspense kept me tense throughout the book, and the author's writing is great.
Great story with a very current subject.
I loved the author's approach to the subject.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
The suspense kept me tense throughout the book, and the author's writing is great.
Great story with a very current subject.
I loved the author's approach to the subject.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
December 6, 2016
This book takes us to some very dark places and is not for the faint of heart. There is graphic violence and brutal sexual situations. The story itself is an intensely gripping thriller that I was unable to put down. To balance out the darkness of the main story line, there are themes of reunion, redemption, love, and hope tying it all together.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
December 6, 2016
Border Crimes - not for faint hearted.
The trafficking is unfortunately true. Eva Winters does her best to show what happens without going into complete detail. The main heroine is extremely strong, and Eva ends with HEA. I feel the book could have been longer with more in depth resolution. But a great read I recommend.
The trafficking is unfortunately true. Eva Winters does her best to show what happens without going into complete detail. The main heroine is extremely strong, and Eva ends with HEA. I feel the book could have been longer with more in depth resolution. But a great read I recommend.
December 3, 2016
Good
I received this ARC for an honest review. It does contain situations and subject matters that are often hard to read. I had a hard time relating to Zoe. It felt rushed at times and lagged in others. However, it is a good storyline and good book.
I received this ARC for an honest review. It does contain situations and subject matters that are often hard to read. I had a hard time relating to Zoe. It felt rushed at times and lagged in others. However, it is a good storyline and good book.
December 4, 2016
Second book I have read by this Author and she knows how to keep you turning pages the suspense, there is crime ,some really bad people, it was a very intense well written book. This is Vanessa , her sister, Ana, Niece Zoe and Ian's story.
December 5, 2016
This is a well written book that has a little something for every reader. There is romance and mystery, action and suspense. It does have some triggers that may bother some readers, but overall, I would definitely recommend this book.
December 7, 2016
Suspense with an adult theme.
This book was okay. I don't typically read these types of books. It was a little to violent for me. This book is for an adult audience since it evolve violence against women.
This book was okay. I don't typically read these types of books. It was a little to violent for me. This book is for an adult audience since it evolve violence against women.
December 27, 2016
i really enjoyed the storyline and plot and characters.. there were spots that were a bit alll over the place for me.. it got confusing at spots but overall it was a good read. I am glad i got to review it
November 27, 2016
aving Zoe by Eva Winters is a truly moving story. How far would you go for someone you love?!?
Be prepared to not be able to put down. I think this might be the best Eva Winters story yet.
Be prepared to not be able to put down. I think this might be the best Eva Winters story yet.
November 27, 2016
Great story
The plot twists kept me totally enthralled, I could not wait to see what happened next. I liked the main characters, they were very real people I would like to meet.
The plot twists kept me totally enthralled, I could not wait to see what happened next. I liked the main characters, they were very real people I would like to meet.
April 15, 2017
I loved it
I loved it it's so amazing how you'll do anything for true love. These characters sure did. What happened to Isabel, from the prequel?
I loved it it's so amazing how you'll do anything for true love. These characters sure did. What happened to Isabel, from the prequel?
May 27, 2017
This review is for all 3 books in the Border Crime Series. Very well written. Gosh I couldn’t put down the books. It read like episodes of CSI. This is a human & sex traffic mess and all the people got involved in this lives changed forever. This is also part of our daily reality, which many people go through. It was brought to us in a great way. No one got on the other side unchanged…. Keeps u to the edge of your seat with nail biting stressful moments but with the tender romance still intact. If you did not read this books yet. You should get them soon. Take the journey wit Isabel. Awesome work.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews