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Alex Hunt #3

The Alpha Strain

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If you enjoy history laced with fast-paced action, conspiracy and adventure in true Indiana Jones style, then you’re going to love The ALPHA STRAIN!


Travel three hundred thousand years back in time as we join Alex and Sam in an adventure that will rewrite history, as we know it!
Recruited by the United Nations, Alex and Sam set off on their most dangerous mission yet. Tasked to find and retrieve the last remaining fossil evidence from a death-defying underground cave system, they soon come face to face with a nation in conflict against each other. Caught between the crossfire of a country plunged into a historically charged political war, keeping their wits about them and allegiance to their mission are the only things keeping them from being killed.
But lurking in the shadows, a narcissistic billionaire with a sinister desire to feed his ego will stop at nothing to steal the fossil. Seeking more than mere power and acclaim his motives drive him to stop at nothing to get his hands on the relic before anyone else does.
Will Alex and Sam successfully complete their mission and escape South Africa unscathed, or will this be their first mission to leave more harm than good in its wake?

The Alpha Strain is Book #3 in the Alex Hunt Adventure Thriller series. Based on real facts, an actual excavation and a true-life fossil discovery.

250 pages, ebook

Published March 14, 2019

225 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Urcelia Teixeira

33 books640 followers
Urcelia Teixeira is an award-winning author of gripping Christian Mystery Thrillers.

You will enjoy her books if you like twisty mysteries tinged with clean action, page-turning suspense, and deep-rooted biblical truths.
All her books are free from profanity and unnecessary sexually suggestive scenes.

She made her writing debut in December 2017, kicking off her newly discovered author journey with her fast-paced archaeological adventure thriller novels that readers have described as ‘Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft with a twist of Bourne.’

But, five novels in, and nearly eighteen months later, she had a spiritual awakening, and she wrote the sixth and final book in her Alex Hunt Adventure Thriller series. She now fondly refers to The Caiaphas Code as her redemption book, her statement of faith.

And although this series has reached multiple Amazon Bestseller lists, she took the bold step of following her true calling and switched to writing what naturally flows from her heart and soul: Christian Suspense.

A committed Christian for nearly twenty years, she now lives by the following mantra:

“I used to be just a writer. Now, I am a writer with a purpose!”

For more on her and her books, please browse these pages or visit her website.

Sign up for updates, cover reveals, sneak peeks, and exclusive VIP reader discounts. https://newsletter.urcelia.com/signup

Never miss a new release! Follow her on BookBub

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5 stars
103 (53%)
4 stars
68 (35%)
3 stars
19 (9%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Shawn.
55 reviews28 followers
April 20, 2019
The book was excellent from the beginning and to the end... in the beginning you have to pay attention to it which I liked and the style of this book was amazing... I’ll definitely recommend this book or any other urculia Teixeria books to any friend that I know in the USA...
320 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2019
I was given this book by urcella
Her best book to date
Fast paced unending action
Totally loved it
Thank you
68 reviews
March 29, 2019
It's a cliche to say a book is a "page turner" but The Alpha Strain really & truly is. The book is full of modern & ancient history; there are subtle tie-ins later in the book to the beginning of the book ... so don't skim too much! Urcelia Teixeira is great story teller. She makes you feel like you're right there with Alex & Sam in the middle of their adventures. I strongly recommend The Alpha Strain & all of Urcelia's other books; you won't be disappointed. Be forewarned though ... once you start it, you won't want to put it down!
120 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2019
Dangerous, fast paced and life changing search that will change theory of evolution for everyone if successful.

Urcelia Teixeira as the author totally did her homework for this story and then added a whole new dimension of excitement and danger.

Alex Hunt is now working for the United Nations but she is forced into a mission to recover a extremely special bone from a very deep and dangerous cave in wartorn Africa. Her only condition is that her partner Sam Quinn accompany her. From the very beginning the trip is fraught with danger and death.
This is a riviting story of a search for the missing bone that can change our theory of evolution. The mission is to search and recover the bone. The catch in all this, the bone is located in the depth of one of the most dangerous caves in Africa. The quest is entwined with danger, war, and duplicity from many directions. Will Alex and Sam both survive and return safely, or can the bone ever be retrived and saved from the ravages of war.

I gave this book 5 Stars and loved it. I started the book and could not put it down, but then this was the case with the first 2 Alex Hunt books I eagerly await the next book.

There is a fantastic National Geographic article regarding the actual finding of the bones.
13 reviews
March 24, 2019
This Is a very thought provoking story about where we came from and what a person might be willing to do to make the world the way they would want it to be. Another great adventure set In the world of Alex Hunt. With thrills and twists all the way.
Profile Image for Paula Howard.
845 reviews11 followers
April 12, 2019
The Alpha Strain deserves more than 5 stars. This is truly a page turner. I was hooked from the very 1st page.

Alex is hired by the UN to go to South Africa to find the molar of an ancient human ancestor. This molar, if found, could change how we view human history. Of course, she wants Sam to go with her. They make quite the archaeological pair.

Before they ever get to their site if South Africa, their plane is shot down by insurgents. Sam and others sent by the UN are injured. They are met by a South African team sent to meet them. They get to a safe spot and begin to reassess the mission. Alex and and a small team set out to find this molar. To say it gets quite rough for Alex is an understatement.

I pride myself in being able to figure out the ending of a mystery or archaeological thriller by the 1/2 way or 3/4 of the book. So didn't happen with this book. Totally had a twist that I had not seen coming.

I stumbled across Urcelia 1st book and so glad that I did. Urcelia Teixeira and the Alex Hunt Adventures has become one of my favorite authors and series.
Profile Image for Wanda.
1,674 reviews16 followers
March 30, 2019
A fast paced, action thriller. Held my attention right from the beginning and read it quickly. An interesting story. Some bones were found in an old cave and are considered 'the missing link' and the story is based on this find. The author includes actual research on this.
In this latest adventure Alex Hunt is asked to go find a tooth from the ancient skeleton. The catch is the tooth is in a war torn country, South Africa. The ancient remains had been found in a dangerous cave and the professor who was working the site had been killed. It is thought he hid the tooth somewhere and Alex has to find it. She is sent in with an experienced commando team to help her but things quickly go bad.
She must rely on her skills and intellect to get her thru this. South Africa has become a violent place with gangs roaming the streets after apartheid ended. There is still a lot of tension. I liked how the author incorporated the story of the day Mandela was released and apartheid supposedly ended. One of the characters witnessed that event and helps out in the present situation.
The bad guy in the story wants the tooth for himself to use it to change the world and mold it to his purposes. An interesting premise on how to use the tooth. Alex must not only battle the thugs in South Africa but him also. She is fighting to potentially save all of mankind.
Very enjoyable read. Looking forward to Alex's next adventure.
Received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
557 reviews5 followers
April 3, 2019
Urcelia Teixeira is most definitely an author to follow! The "Alpha Strain" is a thrilling, action packed, page turner. I literally could not put it down. I can't emphasize enough just how incredible this book is! Our main character and heroine Alex Hunt is a force to be reckoned with. Urcelia grips you from the start and pulls you into the story so that you feel as if you're there, partaking of the adventure with Alex and Sam. she holds your interest with amazing plot twists and turns. The story itself is packed full of suspense, danger, intrigue and betrayal, not to forget the historical element. This story was one nail-biting, heart-stopping roller coaster ride! Thank you so much Urcelia for the pleasure of reading the "Alpha Strain"!
Profile Image for Karen.
34 reviews5 followers
March 30, 2019
Archaeologist Alex Hunt is at it again in the Alpha Strain as she tackles adventure and danger in Africa. The situation is extremely treacherous as she searches for the hidden molar of Homo naledi in order to prove, through DNA, the link of this unique specimen to the human family. If you like action packed adventures you are sure to like this one as Alex battles pursuing enemies who are trying to track down both her and the prized molar.

You can sense Teixeira's passion for South Africa in her writing. It moved me to do some research on the current political situation in that country. I like a book that spurs me on to do my own research of social and political history. Teixeira did a great job of igniting curiosity in me about that subject as well as the actual discovery of Homo naledi in 2013. A novel that encourages me to learn more about the world in which we live is a fine one indeed.
40 reviews
May 8, 2019
Alex and Sam go searching for a missing tooth of an ancient human ancestor. ACTION PACKED!
1,477 reviews25 followers
March 29, 2019
The Alpha Strain. Urcelia Teixeira

Apartheid has ended in South Africa. Mandela has been released from prison. What should have been a joyous occasion has turned into social unrest, rioting. Both sides attacking each other. Chaos reigns. Alex Hunt, now an esteemed archeologist is asked to go to South Africa to recover fossil remnants, actually teeth, from a remarkable discovery in Johannesburg dating back k almost 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. Matt Fletcher from the International Cultural Crimes Recovery unit, ICCRU, has asked her to go and recover the teeth. The initial team leader sent to obtain the remnants has been murdered. Other team members cannot be located. South Africa is in the throngs of a civil war. The plane Alex Hunt is on prior to reaching it's destination comes under attack and crashes. Alex and her team are under constant attack after they regroup. Their mission is a ruse. Betrayal, treachery at every turn. The man who sent them has ulterior motives. His motivation? The oldest motivator in man's history. Money. This is an extremely well written fast paced action thriller from the first to last page. I enjoyed it immensely! My highest recommendation.
Profile Image for Kathy Floyd.
581 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2019
Absolutely riveting story!

Urcelia Teixeira's books never cease to amaze me. The amount of detailed research which she does to transport the reader to each of the locations in the story is absolutely amazing. Added to that are the action sequences which are at a nail biting pace giving enjoyment to the reader on every page.

In this, Urcelia's third book, Alex and Sam have been recruited by the United Nations, and sent on a dangerous mission in war-torn Johannesburg, South Africa to recover the last remaining fossil evidence belonging to Homo naledi, the most unique human ancestral species found to date.

Urcelia has written an amazing story, describing everything in detail, giving us as complete picture as she can of a country in turmoil, with it's citizens fighting in the streets.

The professor who was head of the original archeological team was murdered before telling anyone where he hid the fossil. He had some eccentric methods such as using codes and message. But Alex was recruited for that very reason! She famous at deciphering codes and messages, tracking down relics, and her proven combat skills!

The book is fascinating and you are in for a wild ride!
Profile Image for itchy.
2,940 reviews33 followers
November 12, 2019
some paragraphs are painfully long, haha!

p51: van had alex, sam, the reporters and volunteers hanging on his every word as he shared his views when a group of soldiers banged on the kitchen door to be let it.

p59: the professor discovered bones dating back as little as two hundred thousand years ago making it the youngest human evidence to date.

p105: helpless the commander watched them drag angus and elaine out onto the porch.

p119: with ezra's body only half protected by the shelf, he narrowly missed several bullets.

p127: back on her feet she shone her torchlight, out in front of her face and turned in a three hundred and sixty degree circle.
Profile Image for Henry.
57 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2019
Loved the book! It was a quick fast pace read. It took less than 24 hours to read the entire book.
Lara Croft wishes she was as good as Alex!
I love how the writer adds truth to some fiction. It keeps you on your toes.
I look forward to seeing what happens next in the Alex Hunt adventures!!
Profile Image for Darrell.
502 reviews
March 29, 2019
I always cant wait to start reading an Alex Hunt Adventure as they are always a rollercoaster ride of emotions and thrills , I read this in a few days as I didnt want it to end as I hate to see a book end when its this fun !!
Profile Image for Aviar Savijon.
1,220 reviews19 followers
May 20, 2019
The Alphs Strain

If you crave Adeline this is your book. With the strong female lead character, Alex Hunt, this story unfolds methodical and stunningly. A must read book. I Loved it!!!!!!
61 reviews
May 21, 2019
Loved it

Really good book! It was fast paced, with intersting characters and a lot of thrills. Strong main character and a good story line.
217 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2019
A real page turner

Very suspenseful adventure with two great heroes and two scary villains. Sam and Alex are a great team. I could not put the book down.
Profile Image for Anne-Marie .
967 reviews23 followers
March 29, 2019
Now that the book is officially launched I can do my review...thank you to Urcelia for allowing me a digital copy of this action packed wonder!

This is the closest I will ever get to be an archaeologist...which I have always wanted to do since I was around 12 years old...but my fear of spiders took care of that dream.
The Alpha Strain is an action packed thriller with one of the best heroines in literary books...Alex Hunt. She is an ass kicking heroine who searches for clues and answers. The Alpha Strain has to be one of the hardest adventures to date for Alex and Sam Quinn...will they find what they are looking for or will it be the end? You will have to read the book to find out....
Highly recommend this series!
Profile Image for Margaret.
792 reviews5 followers
March 18, 2019
Just finished reading Urcelia Teixeira's The Alpha Strain ARC. Definitely Urcelia's best book to date. Incredible! Come on launch date! Thrills for all!!!! Will Alex actually survive this unbelievable challenge? Can she possibly find the missing link? Will Alex actually say Yes?

I was given an ARC copy of The Alpha Strain: An Alex Hunt Archaeological Thriller by the author, but am voluntarily posting an honest review
Profile Image for Brian Sewell.
152 reviews
April 1, 2019
Had me riveted to my seat. Another spell binding adventure awaits the reader as Alex Hunt dives into another mystery with her side kick Sam. This will leave you breathless with the dangers and perils Hunt faces in her drive to find the Alpha Strain. Teixeria does it once again having the readers to check their passports before reading commences. A well thought out plot will leave the reader saying "I did not see that coming."
51 reviews
August 17, 2019
It was a great read. Fast pace to jeep you intrested. This was my first book by this author. I plan to read some of her other books.
Profile Image for David Mills.
24 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2019
Great fun!

Easy reading, fast paced action and enough research of factual elements to be plausible. I will be back for more in the near future
Profile Image for Katheyer.
1,557 reviews25 followers
April 27, 2020
„The Alpha Strain“ (Alex Hunt Book 3) by Urcelia Teixeira, brings Alex and Sam to South Africa in a quest to find the remains of a lost human ancestor in a recent discovered fossil depot.

This time Alex is commissioned by the United Missions to find and assess the human remains of homo nadeli, who could potentially change the consensus on of human history. What begins as a unique opportunity for research, turns very fast into the most dangerous and twisted adventure violent South Africa where gangs roam free and everything seems to work against the retrieval of the fossils.

“The Alpha Strain” incorporates actual historical facts, such as the discovery of homo nadeli in the Rising Star Cave in 2013 and the story of apartheid and Mandela, into a fast-paced action adventure thriller which keeps the reader in the edge of his seat, frantically turning the pages to keep with the plot just to be confronted with a new twist. Even with a knowledge of the actual historical background to the book, this adventure is the most surprising and unexpected in Alex career. An absolute must read!
2 reviews
May 17, 2023
Why profanity at all?

This is the third book I’ve read from this author.
The books are good. I, myself, appreciate that these books contain more action than romance. Which is hard to find in most Christian thrillers.
While her books do not contain the amount of profanity as most action books, it appears that she feels the need to include some.
And, I’m confused as to the purpose of any profanity at all.
For, it certainly doesn’t add improvement. I actually find it slightly shocking.
Since, it’s my understanding that the main reason Mrs. Teixteria became a writer (was) because she was discouraged with the profanity included in the majority of secular suspense books. Which is my reason for not offering a five star rating.
Profile Image for Ray McGuire.
11 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2019
Alex Does It Again!!

Well this was another fast paced, hands on the edge of your seat action adventure. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, things totally change direction. Alex is a very determined, never say quit and forward thinking archeologist and that's what I love about her character. Alex and Sam are such a great couple and they are brilliant together. Well another awesome book Urcelia and I can't wait until the next adventure for Alex and Sam!!
796 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2020
Another good one in a series

Alex and Sam are hard to find the molars of prehistoric remains that promise to be from the time of Adam and Eve . But Sam gets injured along the way, but Alex decides to go out on her own to find the prehistoric molars.
by solving more riddles. Just when the story seems to take a lull in the action, danger creeps up again and agin trying to take Alex’s life.
10 reviews
Read
September 2, 2024
Archeologicly Incorrect by Biblical Truth

According to biblical archeologists the Earth is actually 6,500 to 7,000 years old, not 250 million years to 500 million years old. Oldest human relics (skeletal remains) uncovered in True archeological digs disprove evolutionary links between mankind and any ape like creatures. "God created man in His own image, make and female created He them" Genesis 2
777 reviews3 followers
April 2, 2019
The Best of the Series

The story was engaging and moved with a quick urgent pace.The plane crashes and instead of leaving the battle zone Alex decides to stay and finish the job and find the prehistoric molars. Just two soldiers are willing to risk their lives for Alex. A surprise twist ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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