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Van Doren:
Tyranny starts with family. Tragedy is felt by its legacy…
When the Van Dorens relocate to a quaint and tranquil suburb of Portland, Oregon, their mystique and indomitable presence immediately captures the attention of their neighbourhood.
Duke Van Doren, ruthless patriarch to his family, didn’t envision the shift in lifestyle or position. But a shadowy past and dangerous business dealings forces him to fly under the radar.
With his focus shifted, he devotes himself to rebuilding his name and influence. And with time, he aims to secure its survival through fatherhood.
But are his sons destined to suffer the sins of their father?
Twin brothers, Cory and Joshua, endure life differently under the misguided hubris of their father. Indoctrinated by the ideals of grit and manhood, the brothers become near opposites despite their similarities.
Cory rides the tide of popularity, while Joshua is left in the wake of society’s toxic expectations.
Years pass, and a deep divide is created between the brothers. Under the haunting influence of their father, their brotherly bond remains broken.
But, as they finally discover themselves, will they be able to bridge the conflict that has kept them apart throughout their young lives?
With the scars of a sinister past still marking their hearts, one brother soon learns just how terrible it is to force old wounds to bleed when they were never really healed…
When the Van Dorens relocate to a quaint and tranquil suburb of Portland, Oregon, their mystique and indomitable presence immediately captures the attention of their neighbourhood.
Duke Van Doren, ruthless patriarch to his family, didn’t envision the shift in lifestyle or position. But a shadowy past and dangerous business dealings forces him to fly under the radar.
With his focus shifted, he devotes himself to rebuilding his name and influence. And with time, he aims to secure its survival through fatherhood.
But are his sons destined to suffer the sins of their father?
Twin brothers, Cory and Joshua, endure life differently under the misguided hubris of their father. Indoctrinated by the ideals of grit and manhood, the brothers become near opposites despite their similarities.
Cory rides the tide of popularity, while Joshua is left in the wake of society’s toxic expectations.
Years pass, and a deep divide is created between the brothers. Under the haunting influence of their father, their brotherly bond remains broken.
But, as they finally discover themselves, will they be able to bridge the conflict that has kept them apart throughout their young lives?
With the scars of a sinister past still marking their hearts, one brother soon learns just how terrible it is to force old wounds to bleed when they were never really healed…
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2022
6 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 13, 2022
Where do I even begin?
First, thank you for writing this.
Second, I am VERY stingy with my 5-star ratings and I doubt I’ve EVER given one for a prequel, let alone a non-fiction thriller.
Putting aside:
… that this is an AWESOME set-up for the series (probably the best prequel I’ve ever read). The only thing close was years ago – hearing the modified Star Wars theme as the camera pans over the clones of what will become the Storm Troopers.
… the intensity of the writing style (I’m already a fan of this author) that had me reading slowly (neurological speed-reader since childhood) so that I wouldn’t miss one phrase or one nuance.
… that this non-fiction thriller has more truth to it than what people are willing to admit. The family dynamics and how it affects these twins is so spot on that I almost want to label this under Horror. Parents need to be aware of how their own ‘baggage’ gets passed down the generations then adjust their behavior so that they themselves do not damage their kids.
… that this non-fiction thriller prequel has an important message about toxic masculinity and the consequences of same. We NEED to raise our boys to emote and communicate. As a keynote speaker at a domestic violence prevention event said, “If boys aren’t taught that their feelings matter, then they will not allow other people’s feelings to matter”.
… that it IS our business to stand up for kids when we see they are being abused. Yes, even if they are not yours or not related. How much better would the world be if we actively involved ourselves in breaking the cycles?
WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
You literally could be saving a life.
************************************************************
SEMI-SPOILER (possible triggers, plus I don’t want to give away any details):
This book touched me personally in many ways.
A junior-high school friend of mine moved to another state (yet again) after someone found out that the father had started molesting the younger daughter. Nobody had bothered to ask my friend (including me) why she was always so sad and didn’t want to be at home. We later found out the mother knew about all three of her children’s being molested by their father – and so did some of the school parents.
How do you think my friend felt about her mother? Her school acquaintances who didn’t want her around because we thought she was weird? The school parents who pitied her, but wouldn’t get involved?
A college friend of mine confronted his own father after he found out that the youngest child was also being the molested. The mother and older siblings were so upset that this was being called out and my friend was told to ‘leave it be’. The youngest child was 8 years-old at the time.
How do you think my friend felt about finding out that his mother and older siblings had already known that he was being molested – by his own father, no less – but they did nothing?
How do you think this incestuous childhood molestation – without intervention and counseling – affected the younger daughter with regards to choices she made (and is still making) in her life?
A bowling league teammate was in the adjacent hotel room while I was going through a situation similar to one in this story. She kept turning up the TV volume then left to go to the bar, where she told other members of our league. A couple came to our door to check, but decided not to knock since my then-husband and I were always fighting anyway.
A neighbor walking past the open window kept going and didn’t call the police, as I had asked when yelling for help.
How do you think I felt knowing that people KNEW what was going on while it was happening then chose to walk away? And three of them were friends, not only with that husband but also with my next one.
How do you think this abuse affected me with regards to choices I made as a young adult? Oh, I could make a list that would encircle the globe however many times over.
WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
You literally could be saving a life.
First, thank you for writing this.
Second, I am VERY stingy with my 5-star ratings and I doubt I’ve EVER given one for a prequel, let alone a non-fiction thriller.
Putting aside:
… that this is an AWESOME set-up for the series (probably the best prequel I’ve ever read). The only thing close was years ago – hearing the modified Star Wars theme as the camera pans over the clones of what will become the Storm Troopers.
… the intensity of the writing style (I’m already a fan of this author) that had me reading slowly (neurological speed-reader since childhood) so that I wouldn’t miss one phrase or one nuance.
… that this non-fiction thriller has more truth to it than what people are willing to admit. The family dynamics and how it affects these twins is so spot on that I almost want to label this under Horror. Parents need to be aware of how their own ‘baggage’ gets passed down the generations then adjust their behavior so that they themselves do not damage their kids.
… that this non-fiction thriller prequel has an important message about toxic masculinity and the consequences of same. We NEED to raise our boys to emote and communicate. As a keynote speaker at a domestic violence prevention event said, “If boys aren’t taught that their feelings matter, then they will not allow other people’s feelings to matter”.
… that it IS our business to stand up for kids when we see they are being abused. Yes, even if they are not yours or not related. How much better would the world be if we actively involved ourselves in breaking the cycles?
WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
You literally could be saving a life.
************************************************************
SEMI-SPOILER (possible triggers, plus I don’t want to give away any details):
This book touched me personally in many ways.
A junior-high school friend of mine moved to another state (yet again) after someone found out that the father had started molesting the younger daughter. Nobody had bothered to ask my friend (including me) why she was always so sad and didn’t want to be at home. We later found out the mother knew about all three of her children’s being molested by their father – and so did some of the school parents.
How do you think my friend felt about her mother? Her school acquaintances who didn’t want her around because we thought she was weird? The school parents who pitied her, but wouldn’t get involved?
A college friend of mine confronted his own father after he found out that the youngest child was also being the molested. The mother and older siblings were so upset that this was being called out and my friend was told to ‘leave it be’. The youngest child was 8 years-old at the time.
How do you think my friend felt about finding out that his mother and older siblings had already known that he was being molested – by his own father, no less – but they did nothing?
How do you think this incestuous childhood molestation – without intervention and counseling – affected the younger daughter with regards to choices she made (and is still making) in her life?
A bowling league teammate was in the adjacent hotel room while I was going through a situation similar to one in this story. She kept turning up the TV volume then left to go to the bar, where she told other members of our league. A couple came to our door to check, but decided not to knock since my then-husband and I were always fighting anyway.
A neighbor walking past the open window kept going and didn’t call the police, as I had asked when yelling for help.
How do you think I felt knowing that people KNEW what was going on while it was happening then chose to walk away? And three of them were friends, not only with that husband but also with my next one.
How do you think this abuse affected me with regards to choices I made as a young adult? Oh, I could make a list that would encircle the globe however many times over.
WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
You literally could be saving a life.
August 21, 2022
A story about twins and how both form to adulthood. Under a dominant father, the two quickly battle for their father's approval. Whatever Joshua does, he never receives his father's approval, feels like a failure in the family. Cory becomes more like the good son, the son who does everything right. He goes to look at Joshua as his father does, too small to handle. Even at high school, the distance between the two brothers is clear. Cory is the popular kid, Joshua the odd one. And even when Joshua is bullied terribly, Cody doesn't intervene.
After the death of their parents, Cody tries in vain to contact his brother. A weekend camping ends in a terrible way....
This book is the prequel to a series of books. It's a glimpse into the upbringing and experiences that shaped Cody into the detective he is. I think important to understand the series better.
Heartbreaking but beautiful display
After the death of their parents, Cody tries in vain to contact his brother. A weekend camping ends in a terrible way....
This book is the prequel to a series of books. It's a glimpse into the upbringing and experiences that shaped Cody into the detective he is. I think important to understand the series better.
Heartbreaking but beautiful display
July 22, 2022
Man, oh man! This prequel was the one of the best prequels I’ve read in a long time. Stars 5/5 + Suspense 2/5.
•
We open by the story being set in Portland, Oregon in the 1990s/early 2000s. I thought it was going to delve deep into the seedy inner workings of Duke & how that broke down & backfired on the twins, Cory & Joshua, over time. Instead, what we find out is the differences between twins can be astronomical & volatile beyond belief. Even when their career paths converge occasionally, everything isn’t peachy keen like you’d hope for. The ending shocked me & I cannot wait to read the next book! Be watching for that one to join the fray of my feed as well.
•
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
•
We open by the story being set in Portland, Oregon in the 1990s/early 2000s. I thought it was going to delve deep into the seedy inner workings of Duke & how that broke down & backfired on the twins, Cory & Joshua, over time. Instead, what we find out is the differences between twins can be astronomical & volatile beyond belief. Even when their career paths converge occasionally, everything isn’t peachy keen like you’d hope for. The ending shocked me & I cannot wait to read the next book! Be watching for that one to join the fray of my feed as well.
•
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
July 18, 2022
What an emotional roller coaster ride. This is my first Charles Elliot book. It is a prequel so it's pretty short. I couldn't put it down. I was so wrapped in emotion for thr twins. I loved the story, the characters and was saddened by the ending. I can't wait to read book 1 in the series. Cory and Joshua are twins. Cory was the strong baby and Joshua was sick at birth and weak. Their father chose Cory as his favorite and pushed Joshua aside. Needless to say their childhood was hard in different ways but left it's scars. The outcome later in life is shocking. This is a must read book and I'm sure the series will be equally as good.
July 12, 2022
I received this novel as an ARC. This is my review. Twin boys are raised by parents that didn't strive for family love, pitting the two boys at odds from the get-go. Cory, the shining star of his father, Joshua mothers her boy. Different paths through their formative years, One a star, popular and a leader; the other an invisable soul, bullied by the other and his peers. An interesting start to what appears as a smash series. I will be reading more!
July 13, 2022
Short but not sweet. The prequel describes the trials and tribulations of the twins.
Dominant father who comes across as a bully, loving mother taken too soon.
The lack of brotherly love is clearly a burden for both brothers but neither truly understands what to do to resolve the situation.
Looking forward to the next episode.
Dominant father who comes across as a bully, loving mother taken too soon.
The lack of brotherly love is clearly a burden for both brothers but neither truly understands what to do to resolve the situation.
Looking forward to the next episode.
July 15, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Read
July 24, 2022This prequel was very well done, setting the stage for what I hope to be the beginning of an enjoyable series. How do twins who are raised in the same environment respond to what they're faced with day in and day out? How deep do emotions go, and how do people change over time? Amd what really happened to Joshua?
August 10, 2022
OMG!!!
This is a truly great introduction to why Corey Van Doren is who and what he is.. an interesting and innovative detective or a very conflicted and haunted twin. The question is...is Corey van Doren existing, surviving or evolving into something better that his forming years?
This sets the stage for Double Deception!!!!
This is a truly great introduction to why Corey Van Doren is who and what he is.. an interesting and innovative detective or a very conflicted and haunted twin. The question is...is Corey van Doren existing, surviving or evolving into something better that his forming years?
This sets the stage for Double Deception!!!!
September 23, 2022
I've read a lot of books written by Charles Elliot; he is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of his books.
This is the prequel of the Double Deception Series; the story is about twin brothers Cory & Joshua and the issues between them.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the prequel of the Double Deception Series; the story is about twin brothers Cory & Joshua and the issues between them.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2022
A glimpse at how influences and upbringing can mold 2 twins into 2 very different people. I'm looking forward to more of the series. This is a novella that easily grabs your attention and keeps you turning pages. I recommend it highly.
July 19, 2022
A great read about the Von Doran twins. Duke Von Doran beimg a dominating father and favouring his elder son Cory . Corys younger twin was abused in.school and being more timid had a harder time in life . A very enjoyable read. I leave a honest review. I also recommend this book to other readers.
September 30, 2023
Sharp, contrasting, and sad.
A story of twins in birth only. Different lives, different stories. Usually the lives of twins are as one and inseparable. But not these twins. Can't wait to see what comes next.
A story of twins in birth only. Different lives, different stories. Usually the lives of twins are as one and inseparable. But not these twins. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews