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Redemption Road
Marcus Diablo, his wife Annie, and their two young boys go backpacking in the Eastern Sierra. When Marcus claims that Annie has been abducted by a group of homegrown fanatics planning to set fire to the forests in Yosemite National Park and the surrounding wilderness areas, the FBI dismisses his claim as the desperate lies of a guilty man.
But when, from California to Connecticut, the nations forests erupt in flames an attack, no one was prepared for, strikes fear and panic into the hearts of every American. Vindicated, Marcus, following the smallest clues, finds the man who abducted Annie, and uncovers an organization that for thirty years remained hidden, embedded deep in American Society.
Marcus embarks on a mission that takes him from his home and family, to Australia's inhospitable Outback, to the tribal lands of the Hindu Kush, to the harsh expanse of the Syrian Desert, to the freezing waters of the Bering Sea. Marcus will form unlikely alliances, cheat death, receive gifts of priceless value and along way, changes his life and the lives of all he touches.
But when, from California to Connecticut, the nations forests erupt in flames an attack, no one was prepared for, strikes fear and panic into the hearts of every American. Vindicated, Marcus, following the smallest clues, finds the man who abducted Annie, and uncovers an organization that for thirty years remained hidden, embedded deep in American Society.
Marcus embarks on a mission that takes him from his home and family, to Australia's inhospitable Outback, to the tribal lands of the Hindu Kush, to the harsh expanse of the Syrian Desert, to the freezing waters of the Bering Sea. Marcus will form unlikely alliances, cheat death, receive gifts of priceless value and along way, changes his life and the lives of all he touches.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2013
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July 30, 2013
Redemption Road: Mark Shaff
Two young boys find themselves alone, struggling for survival while their father frantically searches for their mother. A simple camping trip turns into a nightmare for one family when the two boys and their father return from fishing and behold a scene right out of a horror movie. Watching their personal belongs being torn apart, rifled through and destroyed they stood helplessly apart from the scene not wanting the intruders to realize they were being overlooked. Mark Diablo refused to buckle under when realizing Anne was gone and his need to find her more than just vital.
Who would take this woman and why? Where was she and how would he begin to search were questions that would have to wait until his two sons were safe. Explaining the plan, because he always had one when things went wrong, the two boys realized that they would have to be quite grown up, do what was asked of them and create the necessary diversion needed for their father to succeed in finding their mother.
Events change; Mark sees Anne and realizes that he can do nothing to rescue her. Able to get in contact with his son, his friends at their lodge and the Sheriff things start to fall into place but just how remains to be seen. Questions asked, the boys and Marcus recording their remembrances on paper and then the FBI arrives and the tenure and tone of the investigation takes on a more sterile and stark atmosphere. Bodie and Garrett do their best to not show that they are afraid as they are taught to within stand a lot, hold their own and man up you might say. As the author switches gears and we learn more about Annie, her fate and why she was taken. But, even with her will to survive and the fact that she is trying to hold it together will it be enough?
Next we meet Ricky, the man who ordered her taken, who is behind what is about to happen and from what one of the men who got caught stated has orchestrated something so horrific that this terrorist attack, which this is, will horror and light up the world in quite a different way. When Marcus captures two of the men, kills one and tortures the other what he learns is just the tip of the iceberg and what he recovers has yet to be revealed. Five cell phones or something that looks like a phone were recovered but he only turns in four to the sheriff holding one battery in order to learn just what this is, how it can cause fires and what the end result might be. Hearing Ricky’s voice, his father’s and then how he became involved is quite chilling.
Within Annie there was strength, determination and the hope that she would survive. On Marcus’s birthday a startling message was received and on hers one that was quite different. As the FBI failed in their attempt to find her and bring her home alive, the rage in Marcus filled after hearing her words and seeing the end result. Deciding that revenge was going to be the answer and finding what he had taken from the other two terrorists the link to those in charge was found and what Marcus decides to do will make the reader question the wisdom in what he was about to do when you read it.
Throughout the entire ordeal his family and his mother held fast and long to supporting him every step of the way. His son, Garrett had some psychic connection with her that allowed him to convey her words to the family that he heard during his dreams. But, the finality of it all and the end result would burn throughout Marcus more than the raging infernos that these terrorists had set all over the forest areas in the United States.
After convincing Agent Reynolds of the FBI that he needed to step up and consider what he wanted, the end result would bring his children and his brother’s family to Australia and relative safety. Finding one of the terrorists vitalized Marcus, what he does to him and his treatment of this person is graphically depicted in such detail and the descriptions so sharp and clear that you might feel part of the scene yourself. Learning what he does reveals something that might send more than chills down the reader’s spine as we learn about a sleeper cell in the United States. Imagine all of these terrorists working right next to any one of us, living next door and planning to destroy our country after reaping the benefits of our services, economic advantages and medical services. Imagine creating a virus so deadly and a vehicle to ignite so horrific fires that millions if not billions of dollars will have to be spent to restore the lands and forests destroyed, the water system that was contaminated and fund and create the medicines needed to save those that are so ill. But, Marcus did not stop at this man he decided to go after those who implemented and orchestrated this plot and what he does will allow the reader to ask this question: Right or Wrong? Would you go to the same lengths to avenge the death of someone you truly loved as he did Annie? Would you be ready to risk it all? Think about what he does and how he carries out his plot and ask yourself: What would you do?
Marcus is more than just resourceful as we learn about a covert group called Force 10, meet them and understand their goals. Hoping to become part of their group, enlist their help to take down those that killed Annie, we meet Colonel Sam Webb, a young tech genius named Jamie and another named Liam expert in arms and explosives. But, it would take much more to pull off what he had in mind. Imagine being able to steal billions if not trillions from the one man who started this all? As Marcus becomes part of this group the author shares the intense physical and mental training required and introduces him to someone that might play more than just a role as doctor in his life.
The vehicle they had to board the Takbir. The method and how they managed to do it will astound the reader. Take the journey with Force 10, Marcus and his brother Glen a financial genius and enter the world of terrorists, Jihads and find out what happens when one man will do anything including risk serious harm and pain to avenge the death of someone so precious as his wife Annie. But, the story takes a different turn when those in charge test Marcus before being allowed to present his plan and become part of the group. Along with his son, Garrett he now has a connection to Annie and is able to communicate with her, see her as a ghostly vision and listen to her words. Annie knows what he has endured and what he will endure and with the help of his younger son he learns even more. Will it be an eye for an eye or a death for a death? Will he kill Adad? What will the final outcome be? Some endings are predictable. Some leave you wondering what is next as this one does. Marcus Diablo: One man determined to find redemption: the act of atoning for a mistake or particular fault. Is Marcus hoping to redeem himself for the guilt he feels for not insisting that Annie accompany them fishing? Would she have been taken anyway? The ending will give you much pause for thought. The final outcome for those that were behind the attack you will have to learn for yourself. Is this over or has it just begun? You won’t know until the author releases: Saint or Sinner: The Next Marcus Diablo Adventure.
In the words of his son Bodie: Make sure you survey the slope. Spot the potential danger zones, plan your exit route and if the whole mountain starts to come down …………” The rest you will have to learn but one plan you need to make right away is to read this exciting, fast paced novel filled with tons of technological research, information and much more.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
Let’s give this book: FIVE WONDERFUL DREAMS
Two young boys find themselves alone, struggling for survival while their father frantically searches for their mother. A simple camping trip turns into a nightmare for one family when the two boys and their father return from fishing and behold a scene right out of a horror movie. Watching their personal belongs being torn apart, rifled through and destroyed they stood helplessly apart from the scene not wanting the intruders to realize they were being overlooked. Mark Diablo refused to buckle under when realizing Anne was gone and his need to find her more than just vital.
Who would take this woman and why? Where was she and how would he begin to search were questions that would have to wait until his two sons were safe. Explaining the plan, because he always had one when things went wrong, the two boys realized that they would have to be quite grown up, do what was asked of them and create the necessary diversion needed for their father to succeed in finding their mother.
Events change; Mark sees Anne and realizes that he can do nothing to rescue her. Able to get in contact with his son, his friends at their lodge and the Sheriff things start to fall into place but just how remains to be seen. Questions asked, the boys and Marcus recording their remembrances on paper and then the FBI arrives and the tenure and tone of the investigation takes on a more sterile and stark atmosphere. Bodie and Garrett do their best to not show that they are afraid as they are taught to within stand a lot, hold their own and man up you might say. As the author switches gears and we learn more about Annie, her fate and why she was taken. But, even with her will to survive and the fact that she is trying to hold it together will it be enough?
Next we meet Ricky, the man who ordered her taken, who is behind what is about to happen and from what one of the men who got caught stated has orchestrated something so horrific that this terrorist attack, which this is, will horror and light up the world in quite a different way. When Marcus captures two of the men, kills one and tortures the other what he learns is just the tip of the iceberg and what he recovers has yet to be revealed. Five cell phones or something that looks like a phone were recovered but he only turns in four to the sheriff holding one battery in order to learn just what this is, how it can cause fires and what the end result might be. Hearing Ricky’s voice, his father’s and then how he became involved is quite chilling.
Within Annie there was strength, determination and the hope that she would survive. On Marcus’s birthday a startling message was received and on hers one that was quite different. As the FBI failed in their attempt to find her and bring her home alive, the rage in Marcus filled after hearing her words and seeing the end result. Deciding that revenge was going to be the answer and finding what he had taken from the other two terrorists the link to those in charge was found and what Marcus decides to do will make the reader question the wisdom in what he was about to do when you read it.
Throughout the entire ordeal his family and his mother held fast and long to supporting him every step of the way. His son, Garrett had some psychic connection with her that allowed him to convey her words to the family that he heard during his dreams. But, the finality of it all and the end result would burn throughout Marcus more than the raging infernos that these terrorists had set all over the forest areas in the United States.
After convincing Agent Reynolds of the FBI that he needed to step up and consider what he wanted, the end result would bring his children and his brother’s family to Australia and relative safety. Finding one of the terrorists vitalized Marcus, what he does to him and his treatment of this person is graphically depicted in such detail and the descriptions so sharp and clear that you might feel part of the scene yourself. Learning what he does reveals something that might send more than chills down the reader’s spine as we learn about a sleeper cell in the United States. Imagine all of these terrorists working right next to any one of us, living next door and planning to destroy our country after reaping the benefits of our services, economic advantages and medical services. Imagine creating a virus so deadly and a vehicle to ignite so horrific fires that millions if not billions of dollars will have to be spent to restore the lands and forests destroyed, the water system that was contaminated and fund and create the medicines needed to save those that are so ill. But, Marcus did not stop at this man he decided to go after those who implemented and orchestrated this plot and what he does will allow the reader to ask this question: Right or Wrong? Would you go to the same lengths to avenge the death of someone you truly loved as he did Annie? Would you be ready to risk it all? Think about what he does and how he carries out his plot and ask yourself: What would you do?
Marcus is more than just resourceful as we learn about a covert group called Force 10, meet them and understand their goals. Hoping to become part of their group, enlist their help to take down those that killed Annie, we meet Colonel Sam Webb, a young tech genius named Jamie and another named Liam expert in arms and explosives. But, it would take much more to pull off what he had in mind. Imagine being able to steal billions if not trillions from the one man who started this all? As Marcus becomes part of this group the author shares the intense physical and mental training required and introduces him to someone that might play more than just a role as doctor in his life.
The vehicle they had to board the Takbir. The method and how they managed to do it will astound the reader. Take the journey with Force 10, Marcus and his brother Glen a financial genius and enter the world of terrorists, Jihads and find out what happens when one man will do anything including risk serious harm and pain to avenge the death of someone so precious as his wife Annie. But, the story takes a different turn when those in charge test Marcus before being allowed to present his plan and become part of the group. Along with his son, Garrett he now has a connection to Annie and is able to communicate with her, see her as a ghostly vision and listen to her words. Annie knows what he has endured and what he will endure and with the help of his younger son he learns even more. Will it be an eye for an eye or a death for a death? Will he kill Adad? What will the final outcome be? Some endings are predictable. Some leave you wondering what is next as this one does. Marcus Diablo: One man determined to find redemption: the act of atoning for a mistake or particular fault. Is Marcus hoping to redeem himself for the guilt he feels for not insisting that Annie accompany them fishing? Would she have been taken anyway? The ending will give you much pause for thought. The final outcome for those that were behind the attack you will have to learn for yourself. Is this over or has it just begun? You won’t know until the author releases: Saint or Sinner: The Next Marcus Diablo Adventure.
In the words of his son Bodie: Make sure you survey the slope. Spot the potential danger zones, plan your exit route and if the whole mountain starts to come down …………” The rest you will have to learn but one plan you need to make right away is to read this exciting, fast paced novel filled with tons of technological research, information and much more.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
Let’s give this book: FIVE WONDERFUL DREAMS
May 23, 2013
Redemption Road is a thriller with action and international intrigue. Underneath the action is a love story. Great character development and plot.
February 25, 2017
Wow! This is indeed a powerful thriller. From a simple family camping trip to horror involving terrorists and so much more.
I neglected jobs in the house, dinner was late and I was sleep deprived while desperately turning the pages.
We are taken on a breath taking ride from the moment Anne went missing. Once Mark Diablo went searching there was no stopping him.
There is so much I could say about this book but I probably wouldn't do it justice.
Will Mark find Anne? What happens next? You really must read it for yourself. Absolutely a book to be strongly recommend. Story telling at it's best. Can't wait to read more by this author.
I neglected jobs in the house, dinner was late and I was sleep deprived while desperately turning the pages.
We are taken on a breath taking ride from the moment Anne went missing. Once Mark Diablo went searching there was no stopping him.
There is so much I could say about this book but I probably wouldn't do it justice.
Will Mark find Anne? What happens next? You really must read it for yourself. Absolutely a book to be strongly recommend. Story telling at it's best. Can't wait to read more by this author.
November 19, 2017
From Revenge to Redemption
Full Disclosure – I was provided a copy of this book by the author however have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
When Marcus and Annie Diablo took their sons on vacation all they were looking for was a little peace and family time in the forest. After Annie disappears under mysterious circumstances Marcus sets out to find her. What he uncovers is a terrorist plot to rival and surpass 9-11. When Annie is used as a pawn in that plot, Marcus vows revenge on those responsible, but his limited resources can only take him so far in his quest for retribution. He seeks out the assistance of an elite team of ex-military not quite mercenaries to assist in his take down of the organization responsible for the murder of his wife. As he unofficially goes through the grueling training needed to accomplish this daunting task, Marcus finds himself with a renewed purpose in his life beyond mere revenge.
Redemption Road is one of those books that will grab you within the first chapter and will keep you on the edge of your seat for the rest of the time. Marcus is a man possessed as he takes the fight directly to the men who kidnapped his wife. As more details are revealed about the scope of this attack and Marcus becomes even more focused on his revenge it is clear that his surname of “Diablo” is well deserved. Once he hooks up with Force Ten, the action is amped up to the extreme as the team goes deep undercover to accomplish their task. I don’t think that there was anything that I didn’t like about this book. I will admit that there were portions of the book that were a bit farfetched, but even those worked together with the rest of the narrative to weave an amazing tale. Mark Shaff has created a protagonist that you can root for – a family man who will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of his children, even at peril of his own health and life. With Redemption Road as his debut, Shaff has made his mark in the literary world as a force to be reckoned with and on par with many other well-known authors of the Thriller genre. If you are looking for a fast paced, well thought out read that’s not quite like anything you’ve read before Redemption Road would be an excellent choice. I know I for one am looking forward to discovering what lies ahead for Marcus in the second novel in this series - Force Ten: Doubling the Penny. If it is anything like Redemption Road was, I will be in for many late-night reading sessions.
Full Disclosure – I was provided a copy of this book by the author however have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
When Marcus and Annie Diablo took their sons on vacation all they were looking for was a little peace and family time in the forest. After Annie disappears under mysterious circumstances Marcus sets out to find her. What he uncovers is a terrorist plot to rival and surpass 9-11. When Annie is used as a pawn in that plot, Marcus vows revenge on those responsible, but his limited resources can only take him so far in his quest for retribution. He seeks out the assistance of an elite team of ex-military not quite mercenaries to assist in his take down of the organization responsible for the murder of his wife. As he unofficially goes through the grueling training needed to accomplish this daunting task, Marcus finds himself with a renewed purpose in his life beyond mere revenge.
Redemption Road is one of those books that will grab you within the first chapter and will keep you on the edge of your seat for the rest of the time. Marcus is a man possessed as he takes the fight directly to the men who kidnapped his wife. As more details are revealed about the scope of this attack and Marcus becomes even more focused on his revenge it is clear that his surname of “Diablo” is well deserved. Once he hooks up with Force Ten, the action is amped up to the extreme as the team goes deep undercover to accomplish their task. I don’t think that there was anything that I didn’t like about this book. I will admit that there were portions of the book that were a bit farfetched, but even those worked together with the rest of the narrative to weave an amazing tale. Mark Shaff has created a protagonist that you can root for – a family man who will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of his children, even at peril of his own health and life. With Redemption Road as his debut, Shaff has made his mark in the literary world as a force to be reckoned with and on par with many other well-known authors of the Thriller genre. If you are looking for a fast paced, well thought out read that’s not quite like anything you’ve read before Redemption Road would be an excellent choice. I know I for one am looking forward to discovering what lies ahead for Marcus in the second novel in this series - Force Ten: Doubling the Penny. If it is anything like Redemption Road was, I will be in for many late-night reading sessions.
July 16, 2017
A thrilling ride that will leave you breathless. I dove right into this book, reading it quickly from cover to cover. It was fast paced and full of action. Although the story kept me entertained throughout the book, I felt that parts of it were flimsy and unrealistic. Like the part where the son was having dreams about talking to his mom, and then his mom was having dreams about the same conversation. I would expect that more in a paranormal, not a thriller. The points of view switched around a lot, and sometimes we connected with the bad guys of the story. I think it would have made the story more intriguing if the bad guys didn't tell you what they were about to do.
All together, this book had lots of potential. I just wish there was more connection with the characters and their surroundings. Three stars for Redemption road.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
All together, this book had lots of potential. I just wish there was more connection with the characters and their surroundings. Three stars for Redemption road.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
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