Sophie just wants to settle down with her unusual family—but a powerful presence sweeps in to steal her joy. At her most vulnerable physically and emotionally, Sophie must rise up to hunt down those who would take what’s most precious to her. The boundaries of love and friendship are tested as the men in her life grapple with their roles, each trying to help—but in the end, it’s Sophie who must face the darkness from her past and vanquish it.
Toby Neal was raised on Kauai in Hawaii. She wrote and illustrated her first story at age 5. After initially majoring in journalism, she eventually settled on mental health as a career and loves her work, saying, “I’m endlessly fascinated with people’s stories.”
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
Toby Neal is an amazing author! Her characters are so human! Strong yet vulnerable, happy yet depressed at times, nice but can be mean when necessary, just totally human. Sophie is one of these. Depression can get her in its grip yet she is strong and can throw it off, especially when it is so important. Her newborn daughter, her insane mother, her three loves. She has the tenacity to persevere and continues to do so in this book. Characters you both love and love to hate. I love all of them and the messes they get into, and then out of. Gripping reads!
Amazingly, but not at all for the first time ever (!), we find ourselves quite the contrarians regarding “Courage”, ninth (albeit our first) in Neal’s currently 11-book “Paradise Crimes” series. Despite the absolute tsunami of 4- and 5-star ratings, we found this thriller, mostly set in Thailand, to be violent and unpleasant, despite the modicum of suspense sustained in the recovery of a kidnapped newborn. The adventures of Sophie (the mother), a protagonist of sorts unknown to us despite two readings in Neal’s “Lei Crime” series, were virtually all difficult to swallow, from the seaworthiness of her watercrafts and escapades at sea to the exploits in her early childhood housing units. The bit with the “Master” and CEO of the security firm seemed ridiculous as well – and disappointedly unresolved.
Maybe it was just the overall storyline, but somehow this novel just did little or nothing to engage or appeal, apparently reducing us to a lonely minority!
Wired Courage by Toby Neal is a gripping and absorbing tale that held my heart tightly as I shadowed Sophie through this latest episode of her turbulent life.
Evil continues to pursue Sophie, coming at a time when it seems she will finally have her happily ever after. Sophie is filled with love and soft emotions until evil steals her happiness, resulting in unleashing fiercely primal and protective instincts. Determined to end this danger to herself and her blended family, Sophie rises to the challenge, seeking to regain what evil has taken. In the difficult position of needing to make deals with those she least wants to work with, Sophie forges ahead with danger and deception surrounding her. The people she has counted on for help in the past are unable to be the help she needs, leaving her to look to her own capabilities, strength of character and intelligence.
From the first book in the Wired series, author Toby Neal has progressively developed Sophie, the principal character, whose heritage is Thai and American. Initially a gawky I.T. nerd that swears creatively in Thai and periodically suffers with severe depression; Sophie matures from a woman that has experienced so much heartache and betrayal, and through these trials learned not only to overcome but to forge on with friendship and love. More importantly, Sophie learns to accept and love herself.
The Wired series are worth every minute of your time!
Wow, just Wow! Just when you think things are in place, a surprise comes along. Sophie's life is one continuous challenge. Dealing with the role of being a new mother, to her uncaring, erratic mother, to her love life, it seems like she can't catch a break! Toby continues to keeps us questioning what direction Sophie's life will take next. I'm never disappointed in Toby's storyline & where she takes us in her characters lives. This definitely a must read & if you haven't already jumped on the "Wired" train, you need to do so immediately. I promise you won't be disappointed!
I just finished Wired Courage book 9 and Toby Neal has out done herself yet again. I loved this whole series and if you haven't read it be prepared for a wild ride. Sophie ,as a mother ,has a whole new set of challenges to deal with , along with her mothers craziness and the men in her life . Sophie knows that she is a strong women and needs to be ready for whatever comes her way and in Wired Courage Sophie demonstrates her strength to the fullest!
Oh be still my beating heart! Toby, I love you I really do, I wasn’t sure how much more I could take! This one really put me through the ringer. I’ve followed Sophie from day one back when I met her in the Lei Crime series. She has grown so exponentially! Through all her pain, loss, and sheer determination, she has been able to grab the reins in her chaotic life and take back control. I look forward to following Sophie on her journey to a new life.
Sophie has come so far on her journey. She was born the daughter of ambassador and her mother feigned an illness to appear weak in order to gain intel while serving as an agent for a foreign government. In reality, her mother Pim Wat, was one of the most feared assassins in the world. Pim Wat is the evil one who arranged Sophie’s nightmarish marriage to the sadistic Assan Aang who came close to killing her on more than one occasion. She has reinvented herself to become a brilliant tech specialist for an independent security specialist and formerly with law enforcement. She still consults for/with law enforcement agencies when she asked.
Sophie is doing her best to find happiness. She has finally reached the point where she is able to have relationships that she never envisioned having. In fact, she never allowed herself to think of the happiness she was experiencing at this moment. She just gave birth to a beautiful daughter. The father of the baby is a very special old friend who is somewhat out of the picture. Her hopes and dreams are tied up in someone else - her heart belongs to someone that everyone thinks is a great match for her. Then a horrible incident takes place that will change all of their lives forever!
Sophie’s wakes up to discover her beautiful newborn baby girl is MISSING! The reader will find themselves on the edge of their seat as Sophie goes on the attack to discover who kidnapped her newborn daughter and MAKE THEM PAY! She soon discovers who is responsible and along with her partner/lover Jake, their boss Sheldon Hamilton they develop a plan. The two men leave an exhausted Sophie asleep and join others from their team to infiltrate the compound. Disaster strikes and there is no information for several weeks. Meanwhile, Sophie comes up with her own plan to rescue her daughter. Sophie soon discovers who she can truly trust, who are her true friends and family and who in the entire world really does love her and support her without expecting ANYTHING from her in return. Sophie sees REAL LOVE in action and it is life-changing! I was provided an ARC of this book by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Wired Courage is the ninth book in Toby Neal‘s Paradise Crime series featuring Sophie Ang, who we first met in the Lei Crime series. Wired Courage picks up soon after Wired Fear, right after Sophie has given birth to her daughter. She, Alika, and Jake are working out the dynamics of their new lives. Unfortunately, their joy is cut short when baby Momi disappears twelve hours after being born. Sophie knows right away who is behind the kidnapping – her mother, Pim Wat. Sophie and Jake, accompanied by Connor and a select team from Security Solutions, go to Thailand to get Momi back and deal with Pim Wat once and for all.
This book was such an emotional rollercoaster from the very first page. And just when you think you know what is going to happen, you really don’t. Nothing is as expected. So much happens in this book, too. Not just action but character growth. In Wired Fear, Sophie was on a journey to learn who she was outside of her job or her past. In this book, she grows even more. She is really coming into her own and I cannot wait to meet the Sophie of book 10.
What I liked: I love Sophie. She was my favorite supporting character in the Lei Crime series and I love these books centered around her. She has so much depth, more than she even knows. I liked so much that I can’t talk about because spoilers! Sophie’s aunt – we’ve heard about her in other books but we finally meet her here. She is fantastic. Sophie’s strength and determination to save her daughter no matter what. I also really liked the ending. It’s exactly where Sophie should be right now and this will be very good for her.
What I didn’t like: Again, a spoiler! But it’s a minor spoiler involving Ginger – who doesn’t die thank goodness, but I don’t like what happened with her at all.
Overall: Get this book. Read this whole series! It’s fantastic. Each book is full of page-turning captivation and watching Sophie change and grow over the years is fascinating.
Toby Neal has written another page-turner chronicling Sophie’s search for love, resolution, and inner peace. As soon as I downloaded my copy of Wired Courage, I set aside the other book I was reading and proceeded to devour this book. It was well worth the anticipation.
Although you could read Wired Courage by Toby Neal as a stand-alone, I strongly urge you to start at the beginning and read the series sequentially to have the greatest impact. Sophie is a strong, intelligent, fit, and capable woman doing her best to survive and thrive under difficult circumstances. Sophie’s story picks up with the birth of her daughter, Momi, and her daughter's immediate kidnapping. Two of the men in her life immediately set out to try and retrieve her. The international intrigue just builds from there. Set in lush Hawaii and Thailand, Wired Courage spans two worlds to bring resolution to a number of the recurring themes in the Wired series.
Toby Neal is an accomplished storyteller. All her series are well written with complex, but relatable characters, who face the challenges of their lives with courage, resilience, and creativity. The plots pull you in and keep you riveted from the first paragraph to the last word. You care about the characters and want the good guys to win and the bad guys to lose.
I am eagerly anticipating the next installment due in 2019.
When I read the first WIRED book I never imagined Sophie as a mom. Knowing her from the Lei series, she was always this super-smart-super-athletic woman with an incredible strong character yet so vulnerable in many ways. She has grown and evolved (if that was even possibly imaginable) with every book and is one of my favorites (if not the most favorite)...I almost said "person" but I think I wouldn't be wrong because they all seem very real to me. Wired Courage is #9 in the series and we witness another wonderful side of Sophie. Her life seems to finally get to an equilibrium when suddenly her world is shattered in an unexpected way. Even more she is somehow left behind, or so it seems, but in fact she is just in the right place at the right time and that's what helps her get some peace and happiness back into her life in the end. Most of the other characters we love are there too. It's their love for Sophie that drives their final decisions and their story takes a turn I did not see coming but it's very intriguing! I am looking forward to her next adventure.
After 9 installments, the Sophie Ang turned Sophie Smithson story reaches a resolution. At the end of book 8, Sophie found herself committed to Jake, avoiding her mother’s mysterious spy recruitment quest, and pregnant with Alika’s baby. At the beginning of this installment, Sophie has given birth and her young daughter has vanished....police and briefly Alika and Jake suspect her, but Connor and Sophie know it’s Sophie’s mother. The story leads to meeting the Master, an attempted rescue, a resolution to Sophie’s trio of love interests, and her mom���s duplicity. Why they wanted to recruit Sophie was a surprise and rather unconvincing. The behaviors of Sophie’s mom, the Master are confusing. The resolution for Jake and Connor unsatisfying. Only for Alika does it make sense. I know Toby Neal lets the characters speak and isn’t in control of the outcomes, but this was my least favorite WIRED installment plot and character-wise. But I see why Sophie, Jake, and Connor chose the paths they did. It was still a well-written, suspenseful adventure, and the position Sophie is in at the end of the novel is perfect for a return to the powerful Sophie I know and love. I’ll be back in March with another review of the 10th novel.
I have just been on quite an adventure! I can't say much because it will spoil the book for you the future reader. This book # 9 of Sophie's Story was both exciting and scary, and had me on the edge of my seat at times. Sophie has so much turmoil to deal with, and that changes her relationships with many other characters in her life. I loved this book and absolutely can't wait for the next one. She is my favorite heroine. I recommend this book for an exciting read with many surprises. It takes place in Hawaii and Thailand. I was very emotional while reading this, and felt I was there with her the entire time.
This book has a hold of you from the very start and doesn't let go of you until the end. Love the Badass Sophie and the triangle she has gotten herself into with three men. The story continues in this book and it is one heck of a ride. The book made me laugh, cry, get angry and happy. You name the emotion and you will feel it when reading this book. This book has action, suspense, mystery and romance. Its an "edge of your seat" thrill ride! I loved every minute of it. But, be prepared to do absolutely nothing from the time you read the first words till the end of the book. You will have a book hangover after reading this book. Toby's writing grabs you and doesn't let go! You will be wanting more when you are done with this book. I, myself, can't wait for the next book in the adventures of Sophie! Love it!
Another exciting page-turner in the life of Sophie Ang...
Wired Courage was a wild ride in the next chapter of Sophie Ang's complicated life. She has become such a strong person and it was so exciting to see her become a mother and an even stronger woman in this book. In the back of my mind as I was reading was the song "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" from Lilo and Stitch. So many twists and turns, ups and downs, and surprises as well. If you haven't read any of the books in the Wired series by Toby Neal, you should get going on them, they are well written and worth reading. Thanks Toby for another great story. Anxiously waiting for Wired Truth, the next in the series!
I loved this book. Sophie has her baby with the baby daddy Alikia, and boyfriend Jake in attendance but 12 hours later Sophie awakes to find her daughter had been kidnapped. The police of course assume Sophie had something to do with it but she gets her boss Collin who just happens to own the best agency to deal with this sort of thing. Sophie is left stranded on a private island while Jake, Collin and 10 agents go off to Thailand to try to get her baby back. It had me by the 1st chapter and didn't let me off the hook until the last and even then I had lots of questions. If you haven't read any of the "Wired" series by Toby Neal I do believe you can still download the first one "Wired In" for free. Don't miss out
A kidnapping immediately interrupts Sophie’s role as a new mom. Even with Jake and Alika nearby, baby Momi disappears. Until friend Lei Texeira reassures the Kaua’i police, everyone suspects Sophie. Thus begins Sophie’s recovery from childbirth and the hunt for her daughter. Toby Neal further exposes the evilness of Sophie’s mother who had arranged her marriage to her abusive ex-husband. Sophie has moved on, dropped his surname and is again Sophie Smithson. The interplay between Jake and Connor, the two men in Sophie’s life, develops throughout the book. Sophie’s childhood maid, Armita, appears again. Join Sophie as she travels to Thailand to find her daughter and strength she did not know she possessed. I love the woman Sophie has become and look forward to her next adventure!
Sophie has just given birth early to a beautiful baby girl when someone comes in as she sleeps and takes her away. At first, those around her thought maybe she had an episode and had done something to the baby while in her sleep, but soon they find out that is not the case. Now it is time for Security Solutions to do what they do best.....get Sophie's baby back from Sophie's own mother! This is easier said than done, Sophie is in no shape to go on this operation, but she will show them what a real mother will do to protect her own! A very gripping, tightly wound thriller! You won't want to put it down once you start it, so get comfy and read on! I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.
Have you ever read a story that was so intense you had to put it down for a moment? But that same story is so compelling and well written, you can’t walk away for too long? “Wired Courage” is that book for me.
Toby Neal’s next edition in the Wired series has us following Sophie’s latest and most personal case that she has ever faced. We witness what a mother and her friends would do to protect the most innocent of lives against what appears to be pure evil. Sophie grows in ways she didn’t realize were possible. This novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat, sometimes yelling out lout at the action I was reading.
Sophie has just given birth and everything's happy... But life isn't that simple for Sophie.
Two of the men in her life go hunting to undo the actions of Sophie's evil mother but then...
In the meantime, Sophie heads in another direction only to find...
Toby Neal keeps all the characters in her books twisting and turning. The book can stand alone - but you know that there's more to come and that's a good thing to know.
Another page turner from my favorite author, Toby Neal. This one is so intense that you will not only be able to not put it down, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is emotionally charged, full of twists and turns, and questionable endings. Will Sophie ever find love, peace, or family? Hopefully #10 will give us some answers. I love this series and can’t wait for the next one!
Wired Courage had me hooked immediately! Sophie’s continuing saga takes us on a whirlwind of events and gives up a deeper look into some of the characters we’d previously met. Sophie’s strength and tenacity are a remarkable, and she is tested to the limit in Wired Courage. A must read in the ongoing Wired series. Toby Neal at her best!
This entire series of books following Sophie's progress from "computer geek" to date has held me spellbound. The author has shown how a "damaged" woman cam turn her life around, becoming a strong personality and an avid avenger of wrongs. This book in the series had me reading it in one night as I couldn't wait for the final outcome! Now I NEED the next one!
I received ARC of this book. Here are the thoughts I jotted down just after I finished it. Highly emotional. Full range of emotions. From deep devastation to giddy happiness, from full-on shock and horror to almost tearful relief. Emotionally drained. Had to put it aside a few times, but not for long! A wild sleigh ride of emotions. Not for the faint of heart!
I won't go into the story; others have done that. This is a book I WILL read again, when I'm more prepared to ride the roller coaster!
From the word go this book has you gripped. A total roller coaster of a book. A new mums worst nightmare takes Sophie on a journey filled with terror, adventure & self discovery. I was unable to put this book down for long, desperate to know how it would end but at the same time not wanting it to end. If you've not read the other books in the series you'll defiantly want to after this. I would recommend you read the others in the series 1st though you won't be disappointed.
Toby O’Neal writes beautifully. I have read every one of her books and look forward to more. Wired Courage, however, was a shock! It develops Sophie’s character brilliantly. I don’t want to give this away, so I will urge you to read it for yourself. You won’t be disappointed. Wired Courage can be read as a stand alone. I recommend you read the entire Paradise Crime series.
Somehow another I missed book 9 in the series. But I’m glad I got a chance to catch up. Ms. Neal is probably one of the best writers I read this kind of book. I always look forward to new ones coming out. You can’t go wrong by reading any of her books in order or out of order they are standalone.
Okay, I don't know how Toby does it. But, as you pick up this book and start in on the first couple of pages you are instantly thrown back into Sophie's rollercoaster ride called life. After giving birth, all she wants is to settle down and figure out her life but, life has other plans for her as she is faced with a mother's ultimate nightmare. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and was shocked and surprised with ever page that I turned. This is an emotionally charged fast paced book that will have you craving more.
Each new Sophie book gives me new feelings for her and the men in her life. She's changing with each addition, now she's a mom, and pushing through those struggles. I respect her choices but it's tough to like them. I am jealous of her confidence and intelligence but not her social issues. After all she's been through she survives as a more powerful woman. This series must be read in order or it won't work. I wrote my review voluntarily after reading an early copy.
I was privileged to get an advanced readers copy of the book and here is my honest opinion. I have enjoyed this book as much as all the previous in the series, even more. Book is packed with action and suspense, it was easy to read. There are also some rather unexpected (at least for me) plot twists. However as always all works out in the end while also leaving a sense that there is so much more to this story in books to come. I know I have mentioned this somewhere already but this series would definitelly look good on TV or even big screen. Looking forward to Sophies next adventure!
I liked that this book went in a lot of different directions many twists and turns. We learn more about Sophie's nanny and aunt. Sophie becomes a mother and CEO. Her life goes in many directions that are not expected. I started it the day I got the book and had a hard time putting it down. If you have read the other Wired books you will find this one exciting.