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War Bride Saga #1
War Bride
Trafficked -- Beaten -- Trapped
When eighteen-year-old Stacy Degray sets off to visit Felipe, a charming guy she met on the internet, she has no idea that she is being lured to his home country Malaguay to be auctioned off as a soldier's bride. All too soon, her dream vacation turns into a nightmare when she catches the eye of dictator son Miguel Rizo, a cruel and controlling man who is immediately drawn to her naïve innocence.
Miguel will stop at nothing to add Stacy to his collection of prized possessions. After her own country turns its back on her, Stacy becomes trapped in the small, poverty-riddled nation with no place to run or hide. Her plight to find a way home turns into a struggle of survival.
One wrong move, and she is dead.
Accompany Stacy on her emotional journey, filled with gripping action that will keep you turn the pages until the very end. War Bride is the first book of the War Bride Saga, a thrilling new series of author Sal Mason. Discover what fans have called one of the most anticipated books of the year.
When eighteen-year-old Stacy Degray sets off to visit Felipe, a charming guy she met on the internet, she has no idea that she is being lured to his home country Malaguay to be auctioned off as a soldier's bride. All too soon, her dream vacation turns into a nightmare when she catches the eye of dictator son Miguel Rizo, a cruel and controlling man who is immediately drawn to her naïve innocence.
Miguel will stop at nothing to add Stacy to his collection of prized possessions. After her own country turns its back on her, Stacy becomes trapped in the small, poverty-riddled nation with no place to run or hide. Her plight to find a way home turns into a struggle of survival.
One wrong move, and she is dead.
Accompany Stacy on her emotional journey, filled with gripping action that will keep you turn the pages until the very end. War Bride is the first book of the War Bride Saga, a thrilling new series of author Sal Mason. Discover what fans have called one of the most anticipated books of the year.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2018
35 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Sal Mason
13 books50 followersSal Mason is the author of reality fiction thrillers, often combining dark themes with a good dose of hope and triumph. Writing stories has always been part of her life, but she decided to take it a step further when she discovered Wattpad in 2014.
Mother of two, she lives with her children and pug Einstein in Ireland where she can be found writing at Costa's, taking strolls along the Irish shore, or curled up in front of the fireplace with a good book.
You can learn more about Sal by visiting her website at www.salmasonauthor.com
Mother of two, she lives with her children and pug Einstein in Ireland where she can be found writing at Costa's, taking strolls along the Irish shore, or curled up in front of the fireplace with a good book.
You can learn more about Sal by visiting her website at www.salmasonauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 21, 2017
Young, innocent Stacy meets a handsome young man named Felipe on an internet forum and against her parents' wishes goes to visit him for two weeks in his exotic homeland. Little does she know that Felipe is not who he says he is and this is no simple visit. She finds herself stranded in a South American jungle surrounded by civil unrest, war and danger, especially from Felipe and his family, who just happen to be drug kings and the President of this tiny nation. She catches the eye of the President's son, Miguel, a cruel man, and Tomas, the second-in-command of the military. Throw in the CIA and poor Stacy is in a fight for survival. I read this book on Wattpad in 2 days(finally had to go to sleep!) and it was awesome. There was constant action and suspense, and the plot kept y0u guessing what would happen next. Predictably, there is violence, but it's not glorified or too many details given. There is also rape and domestic violence, so if this is disturbing for you, you may not want to read it. Well written with very few grammatical errors. I highly recommend this if you are a fan of political intrigue or spy thrillers. This is the first book in a trilogy, followed by War Widow and War Child. War Widow is just as good, and War Child is being written right now with chapters posted on Wattpad (first 2 chapters so far). I can't wait to see what happens next!
December 2, 2018
*Received a copy via Net-Galley in exchange for an honest review*
The dark synopsis caught my attention and I was excited to be approved for War Bride. The prologue was strong but I quickly realized this wasn’t going to work for me. I wanted a dark, gritty book about being trafficked and instead I got an unbelievable, insta-lovey story. Stacy was frustrating to read and I have a hard time believing someone could be that clueless. She didn’t have a strong back story, everything was just so rushed and convenient.
The dark synopsis caught my attention and I was excited to be approved for War Bride. The prologue was strong but I quickly realized this wasn’t going to work for me. I wanted a dark, gritty book about being trafficked and instead I got an unbelievable, insta-lovey story. Stacy was frustrating to read and I have a hard time believing someone could be that clueless. She didn’t have a strong back story, everything was just so rushed and convenient.
December 3, 2018
This book had me on the edge of my seat. Every move Stacy made endangered her life; the risks she took to pass on info to Devon. She was damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. I was silently screaming at the pages, beseeching her not to follow through with gathering intel; to hurry before Migel caught her. She didn’t know who was friend or foe. Intense story. Loved it.
August 9, 2018
War Bride tells a story about Stacy living with her conservatief parents. And how she ventures on her one. And the choices she makes on her journey.
This book teaches you about female growth. How strong a person can be and what your environment can do to a young insecure girl.
The story got me so hooked i read in one day!!
This book teaches you about female growth. How strong a person can be and what your environment can do to a young insecure girl.
The story got me so hooked i read in one day!!
August 17, 2018
This book had a very unique story line that immediately drew me in and held me, spellbound, right up until the end. The characters were written so vividly, that they fairly leapt off the pages. And, the scenery was described in such a picturesque manner, that I felt like I was there. This is one book, that you absolutely shouldn't miss out on reading!
August 25, 2018
Stacy does online dating with someone from Malaguay. She accepts an invitation to fly to this location without her parents permission. She is thinking she is on a 2 week vacation. She does not realize she will be staying against her will. This book was an exciting and thrilling. I could not wait to finish the book to see the ending.
January 5, 2019
Dang it!!! SUPER CLIFFHANGER:
***SPOILERS!!!!***
SAL, MY FRIEND! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE US TO WONDER AT TOMÁS' FATE?!? Cruel to an extreme 🤣🤣
Another banger, btw.
Great work
***SPOILERS!!!!***
SAL, MY FRIEND! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE US TO WONDER AT TOMÁS' FATE?!? Cruel to an extreme 🤣🤣
Another banger, btw.
Great work
April 22, 2019
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I will never get back the week of my life it took to read this book. Had I not agreed to read and review it, I would have dropped it long before finishing. And then I realized it had a sequel, so I didn’t even get to have a concrete ending. However, it could have had the world’s worst cliffhanger, and I still wouldn’t pick up the second book.
This book has two types of characters: stupid (Stacy) and out to get her (everyone else). Her parents are controlling, judgmental, and overbearing; they are stereotypes of what I’m sure a lot of people believe is wrong with conservative Christians. Pretty much everyone in Malaguay is evil scum. Stacy is lured there under false pretenses and is sort of passed from one guy to another—really, though, she doesn’t even seem to mind. Except when she’s beaten or raped, but then she gets over it until next time. Lather, rinse, repeat. Even the Americans in Malaguay, like the guy who runs the orphanage (Pearce) and the CIA operative (Devon) are rather unsavory. Devon offers Stacy threat after threat to convince her to help him; he even carelessly says he could rape her without repercussions.
But I think Stacy is my biggest problem in this book. She suffers from extreme Middle Child Syndrome. She is extremely judgmental of everyone. She gives out her home address to strangers on the internet. She decides to leave the country to meet a guy she met online, going into a country that has travel warnings about it. The list goes on. Simply put, Stacy is probably the most idiotic character I have ever encountered. No joke.
She’s in love with Felipe until she’s in love with Miguel until she starts having feelings for Tomás, and then she makes googly eyes at Brody at the end. Let’s focus for a moment on Miguel (whom Stacy believes is at least 10 years older than she is)—he beats her, he rapes her, he cheats on her, he threatens her life multiple times, etc. And yet she still vacillates between wanting him (because he’s so sweet sometimes) and disliking him (not even hate). Tomás is married to a girl he doesn’t like, beats her, likely rapes her, admits to sharing his wife and other girls with his best friend, and is just a stellar guy overall (ha). But Stacy becomes rather fond of him, even feeling passion for him when he kisses her.
Something else that really bothered me throughout the book was the casual attitude toward rape and abuse. It wasn’t just that the abusers acted like it was their right to do those things, either. The women, Stacy included, seemed to accept it as almost normal. Miguel raped her and beat her horribly, but she was jealous when she found him cheating on her. She found comfort snuggling up to him at night. She even enjoyed being intimate with him.
How this book has any good ratings baffles me.
Two other complaints:
- Some incorrect Spanish (one example: “promoter” instead of “prometer”).
- A character has a miscarriage that lasted like two seconds. First, the pregnancy wasn’t even to a point where she could take a pregnancy test, which happens ALL the time without women even knowing it’s more than a period. Second, her bleeding was over after a few painful cramps and a visit to the bathroom. That’s not how a miscarriage works.
How it ends:
Note: Swearing, including uncounted f words. Rape, threatened rape. Physical abuse. An idiot protagonist.
I will never get back the week of my life it took to read this book. Had I not agreed to read and review it, I would have dropped it long before finishing. And then I realized it had a sequel, so I didn’t even get to have a concrete ending. However, it could have had the world’s worst cliffhanger, and I still wouldn’t pick up the second book.
This book has two types of characters: stupid (Stacy) and out to get her (everyone else). Her parents are controlling, judgmental, and overbearing; they are stereotypes of what I’m sure a lot of people believe is wrong with conservative Christians. Pretty much everyone in Malaguay is evil scum. Stacy is lured there under false pretenses and is sort of passed from one guy to another—really, though, she doesn’t even seem to mind. Except when she’s beaten or raped, but then she gets over it until next time. Lather, rinse, repeat. Even the Americans in Malaguay, like the guy who runs the orphanage (Pearce) and the CIA operative (Devon) are rather unsavory. Devon offers Stacy threat after threat to convince her to help him; he even carelessly says he could rape her without repercussions.
But I think Stacy is my biggest problem in this book. She suffers from extreme Middle Child Syndrome. She is extremely judgmental of everyone. She gives out her home address to strangers on the internet. She decides to leave the country to meet a guy she met online, going into a country that has travel warnings about it. The list goes on. Simply put, Stacy is probably the most idiotic character I have ever encountered. No joke.
She’s in love with Felipe until she’s in love with Miguel until she starts having feelings for Tomás, and then she makes googly eyes at Brody at the end. Let’s focus for a moment on Miguel (whom Stacy believes is at least 10 years older than she is)—he beats her, he rapes her, he cheats on her, he threatens her life multiple times, etc. And yet she still vacillates between wanting him (because he’s so sweet sometimes) and disliking him (not even hate). Tomás is married to a girl he doesn’t like, beats her, likely rapes her, admits to sharing his wife and other girls with his best friend, and is just a stellar guy overall (ha). But Stacy becomes rather fond of him, even feeling passion for him when he kisses her.
Something else that really bothered me throughout the book was the casual attitude toward rape and abuse. It wasn’t just that the abusers acted like it was their right to do those things, either. The women, Stacy included, seemed to accept it as almost normal. Miguel raped her and beat her horribly, but she was jealous when she found him cheating on her. She found comfort snuggling up to him at night. She even enjoyed being intimate with him.
How this book has any good ratings baffles me.
Two other complaints:
- Some incorrect Spanish (one example: “promoter” instead of “prometer”).
- A character has a miscarriage that lasted like two seconds. First, the pregnancy wasn’t even to a point where she could take a pregnancy test, which happens ALL the time without women even knowing it’s more than a period. Second, her bleeding was over after a few painful cramps and a visit to the bathroom. That’s not how a miscarriage works.
How it ends:
Note: Swearing, including uncounted f words. Rape, threatened rape. Physical abuse. An idiot protagonist.
December 3, 2018
A gripping story. I was constantly on edge and couldn't stop thinking about Stacy. A complex character and a phenomenal character building process. War Bride is a spectacular read and would truly capture your interest. Malaguay is a country suffering from war; inflicting, war-consequences on its citizens and on Stacy who is stuck in the country. Amazing style of writing, Sal Mason has truly captured the essence of war and its effect expertly.
December 31, 2018
The whole plot is terribly convenient and Stacy is a total moron.
November 27, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for a copy to read and offer my honest opinion.
Stacy is a naïve young girl who leaves America with hopes of young love, with a guy on the internet. I'm going on a limb here but the summary makes the book sound darker than what it really is, in my opinion. I love dark romances but this is just a book about a dumb girl who thinks she is grown.
What did I like? The book does a good job of making her situation look bleak and hopeless. Stacy really is just a stupid girl who has likely bit off more than she can proverbially chew. Her marriage and the pretenses of all the characters is likely to give you whiplash.
Would I buy this book? Not after having read it. Its really not a dark romance even though she is at times treated horribly but what did you really expect.
Thoughts for the author? The summary of this book or synopsis...does not really fit this book. If nothing else the synopsis should downplay the events and then what happens is really a surprise. I hate synopsis that make me hope for darkness only to deflate like a balloon. This is not really a dark book, and I really felt like Stacy was just naïve because of her sheltered upbringing.
Three stars.....
Stacy is a naïve young girl who leaves America with hopes of young love, with a guy on the internet. I'm going on a limb here but the summary makes the book sound darker than what it really is, in my opinion. I love dark romances but this is just a book about a dumb girl who thinks she is grown.
What did I like? The book does a good job of making her situation look bleak and hopeless. Stacy really is just a stupid girl who has likely bit off more than she can proverbially chew. Her marriage and the pretenses of all the characters is likely to give you whiplash.
Would I buy this book? Not after having read it. Its really not a dark romance even though she is at times treated horribly but what did you really expect.
Thoughts for the author? The summary of this book or synopsis...does not really fit this book. If nothing else the synopsis should downplay the events and then what happens is really a surprise. I hate synopsis that make me hope for darkness only to deflate like a balloon. This is not really a dark book, and I really felt like Stacy was just naïve because of her sheltered upbringing.
Three stars.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2019
This is the first book I have read from this author. It was a great book to read first. The book is long, but it gives you so many details. I really feel like I read a complete book.
I was sucked in to Stacy's story from the first page. She goes from sheltered to thrown to the wolves. She is a strong female character who fights her all. Her whole time in Malaguay was spent fighting for survival. Miguel is horrible. Even though we catch glimpses of his charm at the beginning, he really is horrible. Along Stacy's journey, we meet lots of characters including Tomas. Each character adds to the story, but Tomas seems to be trying to tell Stacy something.
I loved the setting and it was described perfectly. I could clearly picture everywhere she went. This book does have two more after, but I feel like this book resolved itself. I know Stacy's story continues in the next book, and I can't wait to read it!
I was sucked in to Stacy's story from the first page. She goes from sheltered to thrown to the wolves. She is a strong female character who fights her all. Her whole time in Malaguay was spent fighting for survival. Miguel is horrible. Even though we catch glimpses of his charm at the beginning, he really is horrible. Along Stacy's journey, we meet lots of characters including Tomas. Each character adds to the story, but Tomas seems to be trying to tell Stacy something.
I loved the setting and it was described perfectly. I could clearly picture everywhere she went. This book does have two more after, but I feel like this book resolved itself. I know Stacy's story continues in the next book, and I can't wait to read it!
Read
February 12, 2020OMG! I Loved It!
“War Bride” is an amazing first story in this saga. It is very well-written with attention to the details. I did not expect to be this interested in this tale, but it actually grabbed me and held on. This seems like a long story, but like most good sagas this one is well worth your time. The main character Stacy goes from a sheltered existence to learning to be a scrapper to survive. As you follow Stacy’s journey, you witness her begin to blossom into a strong, beautiful woman. The scenes are vivid and authentic. This is a journey you will not regret taking and look forward to the next book in this saga.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“War Bride” is an amazing first story in this saga. It is very well-written with attention to the details. I did not expect to be this interested in this tale, but it actually grabbed me and held on. This seems like a long story, but like most good sagas this one is well worth your time. The main character Stacy goes from a sheltered existence to learning to be a scrapper to survive. As you follow Stacy’s journey, you witness her begin to blossom into a strong, beautiful woman. The scenes are vivid and authentic. This is a journey you will not regret taking and look forward to the next book in this saga.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 2, 2018
This was an okay read. Stacy's lack of common sense, irrational thinking, and inconsistent emotions were the only negatives. Every guy that lays eyes on her finds her attractive so the instant love between her and three other guys at three separate times in the novel is pretty ridiculous. From a psychological viewpoint, this story is a great example of Stockholm syndrome and manipulation from someone older. None of the characters were developed since each only showed up a handful of times, but the plot was strong and differed away from the typical teen suspense plot. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
March 4, 2020
This is the first book in the War Bride Sage series. This is a story is an eye opener to the world of human trafficking. This is not a book for sensitive readers as it contains a realistic, in my opinion, view of how one can get lured in and the experience of what it could be like as you are shuffled around until your are sold. I found the story captivating and had a hard time putting it down. I lost some sleep on this one as I was always reading 'just one more page'. Looking forward to book two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 25, 2018
She is off to meet the man she met online but she is soon in trouble. She is then put up for action for a solider but she catches the eye of the dictators son. Soon she is in trouble. What will happen? Will she be able to get away? See if she will be able
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 28, 2018
shocking and terrifying
this book sounds so close to truthful its scarry. that my own daughters could be this nieve and fall for some foreign internet romance who holds them prisoner, rapes and beats them is trully horrifying. a well written novel
this book sounds so close to truthful its scarry. that my own daughters could be this nieve and fall for some foreign internet romance who holds them prisoner, rapes and beats them is trully horrifying. a well written novel
February 9, 2019
My Review: I really wanted to love this one. I gave it all the chance in the world but it just wasn't for me at all. This book is so bogged down with abuse and then on the next page it downplays that abuse and I just could not go any further. DNF
Go Into This One Knowing: Rape, Abuse
Go Into This One Knowing: Rape, Abuse
March 4, 2019
I'm pretty torn about this book.
It is a very fast read (I read it in one evening)
It is interesting, but its not really good.
Its the kind of book you start, and want to know what happens, but don't overly enjoy.
There was a cliffhanger as I assume there will be more books. However I have no real desire to read the other book.
The characters were not likable, the protagonist frustrated me and I just could not get behind the story.
It is a very fast read (I read it in one evening)
It is interesting, but its not really good.
Its the kind of book you start, and want to know what happens, but don't overly enjoy.
There was a cliffhanger as I assume there will be more books. However I have no real desire to read the other book.
The characters were not likable, the protagonist frustrated me and I just could not get behind the story.
March 23, 2019
This subject matter was hard to read. Although from the description I thought I would enjoy reading this one the language and mindset of Miguel was just not something I wanted to endure.
This one just wasn't for me!
This one just wasn't for me!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews