Sealed Up: The Course of Fate--Book One

by Steve Dunn Hanson

This book is no longer available. It has been succeeded by the new The Course of Fate trilogy.
The Course of Fate trilogy is grounded on scriptural prophecy. Following that guide, Steve Dunn Hanson gives us a maybe this isn’t all fiction compelling look at the future. Gary Lawrence, author of The Magnificent Gift of Agency says this about The Course of Fate: “I would not be surprised if at some future date, when we see how the puzzle pieces of foretold events actually came together, we say to ourselves, ‘How did Steve Hanson know this?’”
The three volumes in this series, FIND, SHATTER, and GATHER will be available on Amazon the latter part of September

Genres: Thriller, Suspense

403 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2016

About the author

Steve Dunn Hanson grew up in a small Idaho farm town and a ragged neighborhood in St. Louis. He and his wife, Joyce, raised their family in Orange County, California, and they currently live on a scenic hill in northeast Washington.
Steve graduated from BYU in economics and received an MA degree in political behavior from Arizona State. He served a Church mission as a young man to Australia and with his wife many years later to Romania. Steve has been a stake president and member of a temple presidency in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is a landscape photographer, blogger, and the author of several published works including articles, poetry, hymns, novels, and self-help books. He and his wife are the parents of eight children, 28 grandchildren, and great grandchildren keep coming.
He has a hopper full of "reality" including having served for 15 years as a volunteer jail chaplain and flew with a former major U.S. presidential candidate in his small plane when an engine conked out. All of this is fodder for his writings.
You can find his blogs and poetry on his website: stevedunnhanson.com
His published books include:
The Mission
Joy, the Other Side of Sorrow
10 Principles of Love—To Help You Parent Your Adult Children
Observations: The Book of Mormon
The Course of Fate trilogy: FIND, SHATTER, and GATHER
Thanks for visiting, and as you read my books, if you feel so inclined, I'd appreciate a review.

Reviews

[Megalion · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy thrillers that explore the origin stories of one or more religions, this is a book for you. Not quite at the level of Dan Brown but it takes you on a very different journey from his books.

This time, we go to Guatemala in search of mystical records that may potentially have drastic effect in the modern world.

The pacing of the story had a few wobbles. The action was in several distinct segments. It sometimes slowed down period.

It's still worth the read if you don't mind exercising a little extra suspension of disbelief.

The reveal at the end was definitely one I've not seen before. Yet, I felt that the ending itself was not handled well. Since this book is marked as the first in a series, I presume it was done so in an attempt to set the stage for the next book. To be clear though, it did not end on a cliffhanger.

Thank you to the author for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Steve Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea for this book came to me some 7 or 8 years ago, and it has been 5 years--hit and miss--in the writing. Much of this time was spent in research. I wanted every aspect to be completely authentic--from language, to people and customs, to settings, to clothes, to technology, to historicity, etc. Even the days and times of the heavenly phenomena (solar and lunar eclipses and the Venus transit of the sun) are spot-on. And I wrote it because in one way or another and at some future time, I believe that what I have portrayed as happening, will, in fact, happen. Prophetic? I guess we'll see.

Reader responses include: "This is not like any other book I have ever read!" "Believable!" "The ending is a shocker!" "Sealed Up trumps The Da Vinci Code in its disruptive ramifications." "I literally couldn't put this book down."

One of my key characters, quadriplegic, Hyrum Bentley, is patterned after my dear late friend, Jack Rushton. His wife, JoAnne, not only gave her permission for me to duplicate Jack's mannerisms and personality, but coached me along the way. That's why the book is dedicated to these two extraordinary people. I think you will love, Hyrum Bentley!

I invite you to take a look at the book's page on Amazon: http://amzn.to/29pL22i -- and check out the trailer: http://bit.ly/29p9rrt

Needless to say, the conclusion begs a sequel . . . and there will be one.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sealed Up: The Course of Fate--Book One by Steve Dunn Hanson is a very interesting book with lots of the elements I love in a book. Adventure, looking for a lost treasure, magic shaman, bad guys looking for the same thing, twists and turns, rich guy funding project that may be a little off, and more. Good plot and characters and great surprises but the book dragged in some areas. I did enjoy the book, don't get me wrong, it is worth reading. Just think it could be condensed about a hundred pages to make it flow faster and smoother. Just my opinion. I received a review copy of this book, a review was not required, all opinions are my own.

[Dave · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review originally published at Book of Bogan

On the face of it, Sealed Up looks like it could actually be a halfway decent archeology based thriller... until you realise it is "christian fiction".written by an author whose previous works largely seem to consist of Christian Self-Help books. Well, everyone deserves a fair go I guess.

This novel is problematic, and stereotypical, putting aside the issue of the underlying sunday school punchline which the entire novel is a set up for. The 'main character' early on is a corrupt, over-the-top televangelist who is blatantly taking money from a Mexican cartel to fund his lavish lifestyle, under the pretext of helping some poor Mayans in Mexico. What's not to like about him?

After some mediocre-sounding money-laundering trip across the border, he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to uncover some mysterious mcguffin which is the ultimate key to an even bigger archeological mcguffin. He needs to enlist the assistance of a (probably) atheist university professor who can lend some much-needed gravitas to the whole affair. Along for the ride is the swinging (in terms of loyalty) DEA agent Audra who is embedded in the Televangelist's organisations for reasons which are never really made apparent. Every conversation with her superiors seem to indicate that she's just "you know, investigatin stuff.

One of my other dislikes about this book is that the story just drags. I would say that this is about average length for a novel of this type, but there is a significant portion - about the middle third - where nothing really happens, and there is a lot of mysterious stuff going on. What makes this kind of book for me is the fast-paced action and the dramatic tension which ramps up over the course of the novel... unfortunately Sealed Up has chosen to ignore this model in favour of biblical exposition.

There are many authors out there in this space, from Matthew Reilly, to Andy McDermott... and they're doing it so much better than Steve Dunn Hanson. This is not so much a thriller novel as a sunday sermon wrapped in an enigma, tied with a mcguffin. If that's your thing, have at it hoss.

I received a review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lenore Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exociting read!

A very entertaining and hard to put down book. I really enjoyed the setting in Mexico and the possibilities involving Mayan history. It is well written and I highly recommend it. I also appreciated the fact that the author did not feel he had to use bad language to keep his book exciting to the reader. A good writer can make his points without that! Hats off to you!

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a rock your world kinda Indiana Jones adventure. Set in Mesoamerica. The cast consists of: Dr. Nathan Hill (PhD, professor, anthropology, archeologist, epigrapher, Mesoamerican scholar, Tulane, UCLA), Dr. Hyrum Bentley (PhD, Anthropology, Tulane U, U of Texas, Mormon) & his wife & health care worker Gabriella, Dr. Luke Melvin Clinton (52, PhD, Benson Theological Seminary, Hermano Luke), Audra Chang (37, Sino-Caucasian, Luke’s executive assistant, aka DEA Special Agent, accounting, UC Berkley), & last but not least Kish the next shaman. It plot/mystery all revolves around finding themysterious Chilam Balam (1535 CE, book).

Is there a romance in the air?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wo ,a very well written historical fiction adventurous book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Top 25 list for 2016. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Gayle Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS

This book is really different. You have an anthropologist professor and a televangelist as the main characters. The story is about a treasure in the Guatemalian jungle. I got the anthropologist but the televangelist.? That just didn't make sense. The book seems like history in the making, the events about the happen. Then to make the plot even more strange, a Mayan shaman, a guru, a minister's ex-wife, drug lords and I could go on and on. I felt like there were too many characters in the mix. True, they each had their own personalities and added a small amount to the story, but way too many characters for me. I did like that the author added the mystic Edgar Cayce who was known as the Sleeping Prophet. I could relate to that.The secret that lies in the Guatemala jungles is some kind of documents that could connect with Cayce's prophecies. The journey brings human sacrifices, mystic abilities and a few surprises along the way. I did enjoy the folklore, the cultures and the geography. The title does seem appropriate, Course of Fate. We never know what will happen nor when. Only Fate has that answer. There is lots of action, lots of anticipation on the part of the reader and it does make the reader think. History that hasn't even happened yet! Grab a copy and go on the journey to the jungles along with all the other characters in the book. You may like this book that seemed to me to be similar to Indiana Jones but with a lot deeper plot.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.

[Michelline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I gave 3 stars to this book was because the action and adventure didn’t start until I was almost half way into the novel. I am the type of person who, if not absorbed right away into what I’m reading, can tend to lose interest.

Looking at the cover and reading the book description has you expecting a major thrill ride of the drug business and bad people, coupled with the adventure that Nathan Hill and his followers take through the jungle to find these chronicles. There was barley a touch on the surroundings once they were actually in the Guatemala countryside. Everything was focused solely on their mission and Kish’s turn on events.

I would have liked to see more major events and action. Some parts of the book where the characters just talk and communicate with one another about their findings or upcoming events was a little dry. Although without those scenes you wouldn’t have the full picture/story.

It is a good novel for someone looking to read a mystery about Mayan prophesies and culture.

I received this book from I am a Reader - Inspired Kathy ebooks to rate and review. It's my first book request from them and I am impressed with how quickly they respond.

Check them out! :) Free Ebooks in return for an honest review.

http://www.iamareader.com/inspired-kathy

[Zippergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An over-the-top televangelist who believes he is the right hand of God is in hot pursuit of hidden prophesies dating to a lost pre-Mayan society, and he will do anything to get his hands on them. His dirty money supports both a remnant Mayan village and an anthropology expedition in Central America. This is where two worlds collide.

Touchstones like the sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce, sacrificial altars, Mormon missionaries, and a native shaman heighten this adventure into the companion worlds of theology, spiritualism and ancient mysticism. Breathtaking scenery and authentic characters, both academic and indigenous, will spirit you away from your humdrum existence and hold you captive until the final pages which will both reveal the unexpected, and leave you anticipating the second book in the series.

Wilbur Smith couldn't have written it better himself.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank NetGalley and the author Steve Dunn Hanson for my advanced copy for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel right from the beginning. The characters were well developed and storyline was interesting and kept me coming back for more. There are a few things in the story that could of been covered in more detail, but the author did stay true to his characters and tidied up most of his loose ends, leaving enough detail out to have you come back for more. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy! A great storyline and book! Keep up the good work and can't wait to read the next instalment!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love archaeology and mystery so the idea of this book intrigued me very much.
A renowned anthropologist is lured back to a Mesoamerica cliff where he found tragedy because of the lure of a possible ancient manuscript that has the potential to change the world.
I found the lead up to the main action a bit slow and I intensely disliked the character of Brother Luke (no one in their right mind would like him) who funds the expedition. I did enjoy the other characters very much and found the research to be well done and very accurate.
All in all, I enjoyed the book and am curious about book two.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[Lara Daines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Beautiful imagery, complex characters, and intriguing plot!

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sealed Up” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by Steve Dunn Hanson (http://stevedunnhanson.com). Mr. Hanson has published three books.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is mostly set in Mexico. The primary characters are Dr. Nathan Hill, an anthropologist at UCLA and Audra Chang, a DEA agent working undercover.

A popular televangelist, Luke Clinton is under surveilance by the DEA. He has a mission in rural Mexico and it is thought that he has some ties to a drug cartel. Chang has been placed in his employment to discover if there are any irregularities.

A shaman in Mexico, Kish, is passed a box with secrets by his mentor. The contents causes Kish to set in motion a plan to get Hill and a few select others to his remote village. He offers them, through intermediary Clinton, something ancient that is worth the risks they might endure. Chang gets involved when Clinton asks her to accompany the expedition as his representative.

Hill, along with Chang and a couple of others head to Mexico on a quick expedition guided by Kish to search for hidden secrets. There are hidden motives for the trip and before long all of their plans are disrupted. Complicating all of this is interest by the drug cartel that has indeed been working with Clinton.

I thought that this was an interesting 8.5 hour read of 404 pages. This is more of an Adventure story than anything, with the pursuit of ancient artifacts interwoven with intrigue. I liked the characters and the plot, though it was a little dull at times. There was a bit of action, but certainly nothing ‘edge-of-your-seat’. I liked the cover art for the book. It does a good job at hinting at what is to come. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[Dave Vito · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Goodreads Making Connections.

I think I should point out that this is not the kind of book I would normally read. The synopsis does it justice: it's a kind of Indiana Jones thriller/adventure that takes place in the States, Mexico and Guatemala and there are stretches of the story that are engaging and enjoyable.

The author does a good job in realistically bringing those places to life, and has a very ambitious and unique story to tell, but I felt a little let down by the dialogues and characters which left that story feeling a little predictable.

Steve has created some interesting characters but they basically balance the stereotypical ones that otherwise dominate the book. I found for example that the relationship and dialogues between Dr. Hill and Hayrum were engaging whereas elsewhere the dialogues were a bit sketched in as if you're reading a blockbuster film and that's that.

Having been a student of archaeology myself, there was a lot of attention to detail that Steve managed to relate that was commendable, but it's also in the details that I felt the story often got bogged down by. I found the first part of the book to be pretty dense and full of information that you have to wade through before the pace picks up. The book is full of a lot of detail and the unnecessary repetition of dialogues (when the reader has just read the dialogue and then must read it again as the character recounts the events to another character) just slows down whatever pace was achieved, so I would hope that Steve considers this if/when he writes the second book.

Some people might find the latter part of the story a bit uncomfortable for its religious tones. I think he has every right to take the story line into the territory he did simply because he did it in such a detailed way that ultimately fits into the overall plot.

Overall I think Sealed Up is a commendable take on the kind of thriller/adventure it is described as. It has all the elements of a thriller and I'm sure there will be people who will enjoy it.

[ralph davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, scary and probably prophetic

Science today puts centuries of sacred cows out to pasture, every day. Science fiction is the easiest way to indulge in a kind of creative, what if. This leads a curious mind towards science, which if melted down to its essential components is the study of the knowledge of everything. Good science is able to accept that what appears to be fact today can become, tomorrow's "ooops we must have missed that".

In well over 70 years on this planet many years of higher education there are lots of things I believe, but only one I feel certain of. That is "there are no absolutes" . After finally wrapping my head around that I find it's actually comfortable (for me anyway)! This book is not only well written, well researched, it gives a person such as myself hope he may live long enough to see many more of the world's sacred cows (absolutes), put to pasture. Who knows academic suicide may become a thing of the past. Loved this book, when a book ends with you imagining where it could go next, and wanting to know what the author is imagining you have a good book in your hand.

[Barbara Hutsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn’t great literature. I only give 5 stars to books that have writing that in itself is beautiful, carefully constructed and meets the criteria for positive literary criticism. But it is entertaining and posits a fascinating idea about hidden “treasure “ in archeological searches. I’m interested to see where the author takes his tale in the future books. The plot is complex and in some ways it’s made like a jigsaw puzzle, making sure that every piece is in place by the last page. If you like your suspense stories tied up neatly with just a single story line to lead you forward to the sequel, this is a book for you.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do an anthropologist, a televangelist, a beautiful young woman, a shaman, and a drug lord have in common? Rumors of ancient chronicles somewhere in Mesoamerica draw them all into a race to uncover the secrets. Whether for the thrill of discovery, money, power, they will all be put to the test. The jungle is unforgiving and reluctant to give up it’s secrets.

It took a while for the plot to thicken. The beginning had a lot of detail that slowed the pace, though it’s well researched. Once it got going, it was a thrilling adventure. Lots of intrigue and plotting to keep you turning the pages.

There’s a mixed bag of character’s. Some good. Some bad. The one that drew the most emotions out of me was the man that funded the expedition, Brother Luke. What a warped excuse for a human being and holy man. And the shaman had some surprises for me too.

This is a suspenseful adventure with an exciting ending. I’d recommend this to fans of treasure hunting, anthropology, and plenty of characters with their own agendas.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Carolann Hiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bumpy ride.

A secret archeological expedition leads to a stepping stone to a mind blowing final discovery. Lots of intrigue, a evangical church front illegally transporting billions worth of drug money to Mexico. Money supposedly for church mission. DEA is involve as well as legitimate archeologists and drug lords.. What a blast

[Joan M. Mabrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5star read

As a lover of mystery, anthropology and intrigue, I was drawn to this book. It did not disappoint...kept me reading until the end. I look forward to the continuation of the series.

[Nicole Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights into cultures I've never thought too much of (both Mesoamerican and archaeological). Surprise religious tie-ins. Just a general fun read.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

This was an interesting book with multiple perspectives that come together to give the narrative greater depth. Personally, I think I would have preferred it if there was a bit more space in between the switches between perspectives. That being said, the vast differences between perspectives were sometimes surprising in a way that added some excitement.

[Kassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do a shaman, an evangelical preacher, and an anthropologist have in common? Sounds like it could be the beginning of a bad joke, but they’re players in a disquieting tale of a peculiar nature. Sealed Up: The Course of Fate--Book One is a disconcerting Suspense - Thriller by Steve Dunn Hanson that will have the reader wondering if the events are a matter of divine intervention or a cleverly devised millennia old plan. Even the man of science, UCLA anthropologist Nathan Hill isn’t sure. Still reeling from the death of his wife and the accident that left his fellow anthropologist, Dr. Bentley, a quadriplegic, Nathan has lost direction. Then he receives an intriguing call from no other than an evangelical preacher, Luke Melvin Clinton.

Luke Clinton is self-centered individual with a belief that he is destined for greatness and the trek he’s about to embark upon may establish his elevated place in this world. For several years his church has sponsored the Poder en el Cordero, the Power in the Lamb, mission in southern Mexico, with the help from mysterious donations that have made him an overnight success. His acquaintance, the Shaman Kish, shares a long kept secret of hidden mystical chronicles in Mesoamerica. Kish needs Luke to fund the project, but he must enlist the aid of Nathan Hill and all must remain clandestine. Brother Luke believes these chronicles are a key to a prophecy. He sends his assistant, Audra Chang, along with Nathan Hill to ensure success. While Audra finds Nathan enticing, she harbors secrets that may interfere with their relationship and affect the outcome of this compelling expedition.

Steve Dunn Hanson writes a compelling tale with several storylines that are neatly woven into a thrilling web of intrigue, deception, greed and narcissism. What should have been an unpretentious excavation turns complicated with intricate characters playing their parts on the surface, while harboring secrets and motivations that are far-reaching. Hanson combines the mystique of Mesoamerican culture with the spiritual goals of a flawed Brother Luke, while luring the woes of the underworld that attract too much attention. The reader will find the pace and plot twists in this excellent tale of suspense captivating and gratifying.

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

[iamnotabookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Dunn Hanson is on the rise to be in the same league as the famous historical thriller writers like Clive Cussler, Steve Berry and Dan Brown (All three are my favorites).Though, not quite as intense yet as the writings of the three mentioned, but pointing to be in that direction. The plot is very fascinating. It has all the premise of an engaging and astounding archaeological search. A find that will prove a lot of legends to be true. These are the kind of books I live for. With disaster and mishaps lurking in the edges, enough to make you root for the protagonist to keep his eyes peeled for danger. Not one, but two really selfish and self-righteous villains. One driven by a mad search for a self-fulfilled prophecy. The other an evangelical fanatic obsessed with an artifact that is supposedly a source of power. Add in an ambiguous character, one who does good deeds with his right hand while the left hand is immersed in the drug trade. It's a story of multiple facets, with really interesting characters bound to make you wonder how they will culminate in one event.

This book is very well-written. Enough suspense that will make you hang on and itch with anticipation as to the next chapters. You will want to read this book in one sitting for you don't want to miss what happens next. I enjoyed this adventure and this has fortified my wish to visit the Mayan ruins.

It is obvious that a lot of effort is done on the research of the historical aspect of the novel which makes it more believable. I give this novel four gold bars. It has almost all the aspects of an engrossing read. I enjoyed it and would love to read more historical thrillers from Steve Dunn Hanson. I would like to find out if he is the next historical adventure writer to watch out for. This is my favorite genre so I am always on the lookout for very talented writers who have a gift for making historical events as alive as the early morning news. I am looking forward to the next book of The Course of Fate series. Hopefully, I get to have the copy for free also. The same way I got this ebook for review.

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author and the publisher for allowing me to read and review Sealed Up. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is quite unique and the author has a gift for keeping the reader interested and turning pages. In some ways it's similar to an Indiana Jones type scenario, but there is so much more to this book and the plot is much more intricate. I'm not certain that many readers could identify with Indiana Jones, but the characters in this book are much more "human" with frailties and misgivings.

I thoroughly enjoyed the scientific information presented about archeology (something I know very little about and have never really understood the complexities of). I learned quite a bit about it as well as which agencies monitor artifacts and their discovery. The international intrigue added to the book as well as the hint at cartel involvement. Overall there was a great deal of information to absorb and it was easy to relate to the characters and become interested in their lives.

I admit that the beginning of the book seemed a bit slow and it took me a few chapters to really become interested but once I did, I couldn't stop reading. I think that we all look for books like that! Books where we like the characters, learn something new, care what is happening to the characters, and want to know what happens.

I appreciate that the author ended the book well rather than leaving the reader hanging (with the series these days too many authors stop on a cliff-hanger trying to get you to read the next book). For me, I find that very annoying and for the most part never go back to read another book by the same author. I also appreciate that the publisher and author did a great job with proofreading which is another thing that is lacking in so many of the books today.

Overall, I highly recommend that you take the time to read this book! It's absorbing and you will keep turning those pages to see what happens next!

[Wanda Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready for a wonderful trip through an amazing jungle that will take you to an out of the way place that you have never been before? Let us follow Dr. Nathan Hill, Audra Chang, Paul Olsen, Itzel Soto, and Kish, as they head deep into an archeological dig in Piedras Negras. I could actually hear the screeching of the birds and the loud yelling of the monkeys, along with the screams and growls of other animals, and saw a small glance of yellow sparkle as the jaguar glared through the cage. What will this little expedition unearth that the antagonist would give anything to have? The title and the key element of the story go together to form a smoother plot.
SEALED UP reminded me, in a way of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark." I was expecting to see a booby-trap pop up at any given moment. But, it was also like going backward into the past. It was like a story within a story. Remarkable. There was also this deep suspense that kept me wondering, what were they after?
Dr. Nathan Hill seemed so sad through the first part of the novel. He loved his job, but he loved his wife Karen even more. He would try to capture the sun, moon, and stars for her if he could. Then one day he lost the love of his life to cancer. His reason for living. Everywhere he turned her beautiful face popped up before him. Just when he thought he couldn't take it any longer, he began to bury himself in his work to keep the sorrow at bay. It seemed to help him some. But he still had to face the loneliness. Then Luke Melvin Clinton wanted Nathan to head an expedition. Then Audra Chang comes along and joins the expedition. What could go wrong? Will there be accidents along the way? I loved the title page and cover image, and the characterization of the book, and the ending was stupendous.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

Sealed Up is an adventure novel that mixes history with mystery and an Indiana Jones plotline. Mysterious ancient records are hidden in a cliff somewhere in the jungles of Mesoamerica. Nathan Hill, a UCLA anthropologist, is commissioned to find them by Brother Luke, a popular American televangelist, who believes he's the right hand of God. There is also Kish, a shaman, who would do anything his God asks of him. While the main action is focused on the mission itself, in the background we have a look at a drug trafficking market who use the money Brother Luke sends their way.

There are a lot of aspects that make this book a great read. The characters were diverse and wel-developed. By alternating the characters just talking to each other with passages that advance the story, the reader is left with a bigger picture of the whole. The plot is intriguing and makes you yearn for more. I do feel like the action didn't really start until I was about a hundred pages in though. The storyline was slow at times and things suddenly picked up only to slow down again. The ending was a bit abrupt and felt weaker compared to the character of the whole book. Maybe this is a way of creating a starting point for book two?

I'm looking forward to reading book two in the series. Although a bit slow at times, I enjoyed the story in a whole.

[Anne V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke, the dynamic evangelist, not only believes in the prophesies of Edgar Cayce but in his own secret personal role in them. Nathan Hill, the anthropologist specializing in Mayan culture Luke has enlisted to help discover the truth has only one chance to uncover artifacts that may change the future world-- if they really exist. In the meantime, the DEA has an ongoing investigation that crosses national borders and places undercover agent Audra Chang in danger in two worlds.

Four stars for the execution, three and a half stars for the content.

This book is well edited. The writing style is tight, mature, and professional. The story is well-written, except for minor pacing issues here and there. The setting is detailed and carefully rendered. The characters are interesting, though a little stereotypical and overplayed now and then. The research is obviously very thorough, and the topic of religious prophesy is one Hanson must know very well. Though the religious aspects are not overwhelming, they do exist in ways fundamental to the plot. I found myself wishing that religious beliefs were not so central to such an interesting story, (Indiana Jones found the Arc of the Covenant, but no one thinks of that as a Christian story) but that is just me. It just felt a little forced.

All in all, I enjoyed the book. Thanks to the author for the copy through Netgalley in exchange for this honest review. This review and more at annevolmering.com.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tele-evangelist, a drug lord, a Mayan witch doctor, archaeologists and a DEA agent all collide in a race to find the centuries-old mystical Mayan records hidden somewhere in the Guatemalan mountains!

Sealed Up is an archaeological adventure book filled with a cast of characters who all have a part to play in the finding of the ancient Mayan records.

I really do enjoy a good adventure thriller, so the intro for this book really intrigued me. The variety of interesting characters, with Luke Clinton, a very successful tele-evangelist, being the most intriguing, and the great detail and descriptive landscapes had me page-turning, wanting to know how it would all end.

I was slightly disappointed with the actual adventure and tomb-finding in the book as the cover was so good. It felt to me like the two big adventure scenes were almost duplicated, not much was added in the scene-setting following the first archaeological dig.

With that said, the level of knowledge and detail that the author conveyed throughout the book made it both believable and interesting. The characters were also very relatable, with some unexpected character arcs, which definitely keeps things interesting.

Anyone who enjoys learning about other cultures and archaeological adventures should definitely put this on their reading list. And I will be looking out for the next installment to this series. It’s an archaeological adventure with some action and a touch of thriller thrown-in.

[Clabe Polk · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hermano” Luke Clinton is a television evangelist, leader of The Power In the Lamb ministry, with a large following now that donations had increased radically over the recent past giving him an opportunity…more of a mandate really…to create a mission to the Mayan descendents living near Palenque, Mexico. “Mandate” because the ministry’s increase donations is a business gambit by Abran de la Cruz, head of a local drug cartel. The cash donations ensured a continual stream of donated clothes and shoes bound for the Palenque mission in which large bundles of cash could be smuggled from the United States to Palenque without excessive scrutiny. This smuggled money is essential to Abran de la Cruz’s dream of retiring and disappearing into anonymity in Europe.

Kish, a Mayan shaman, has other plans. His plans include re-interesting UCLA Professor Hill in leading another archaeological expedition to Palenque and bring with him, Itzel Soto, his graduate student…as a human sacrifice.

However, no plan survives its execution, especially when many different parties have many different agendas, most of them driven by greed. Sealed Up is a novel with as many twists and turns as the Usumacinta River on the banks of which some of those twists and turns play out. The book is fast paced and entertaining and although somewhat predictable, it does contain many surprises. A great read for those who like good action adventure stories with a mysterious, even supernatural, twist.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a tough one for me to give a rating to. The obvious knowledge of the author about archaeology is impressive, but this story reads a little more like than encyclopedia than a novel. There were brief parts of the story I really enjoyed, but felt like I was plugging through a lot of build up for what seemed like little pay off. So, for the technical details of the story I would give it a 5, but for the story part I would give it a 3. There were a couple of swear words that popped up out of the blue that I thought felt out of place in this story. There were two characters in particular that I can think of that you feel like were left at such loose ends that it felt too abrupt, even if the threads were left there to lead into another story. I also thought the relationship development between a couple of the characters was weak. And, even though some of the story threads are tied up dramatically and completely, others were left open ended in a way that felt like a let down. So, I don't think this story is for everyone, but for those deeply interested in archaeology, history, and intrigue it could be a good choice. I almost gave this a 3, but because of the mastery of the subject matter, I couldn't, even though it wasn't one of my personal favorite reads.

I was given a review copy of this book by Ebooks for Review, and this is my honest opinion.