The Vengeance Squad Goes to Germany--Description

Chris McCowan believed his wife Angela had been abducted, but he had no way of being sure. She was an MI6 agent and routinely didn't check in with him for weeks. His intuition told him something was different this time.

 He was an American computer scientist living in Angela's home in Bath, England. He worked on cyber security for the FBI, and he'd had investigated missing people before. While illegally analyzing FBI computer communications with MI6, he found a reference to an agent missing and per the faintly encrypted description, the missing person could only be Angela.

What to do? She'd made him promise to never go looking for her if she was missing. A promise he couldn't keep. Chris activated the Vengeance Squad. Tex, one of his students who understood the seedier side of the world and Liz, the retired librarian who could find the resources needed to carry out a search anywhere in the world. They'd worked together before and had successfully completed the missions.

A clue that takes them to a refugee camp in Berlin where they are joined by Heinz, a German translator. Liz's financial backers provide a bookmobile outfitted with the latest technology to help find Angela. When they finally find her, they must convince her to leave her captors.

Four Bookmobile Books Discounted

I scheduled four of my popular Bookmobile books for the Kindle discount promotion. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell anyone. Although there is still time to send out announcements, I didn't want you to have to go to four different places to find them all. So, they're all listed below with dates and savings. Pick any or all.

Books	Regular Price	Discount Price	Discount End Date
Murder in Sun City US: http://amzn.to/1RTDAIH UK: http://amzn.to/1ZoZol1	$3.99	$0.99	12/31/2016
The Vengeance Squad US: http://amzn.to/22oQUzC UK: http://amzn.to/1LEsFWB	$3.99	$0.99	11/20/2016
The Vengeance Squad Goes to England US: http://amzn.to/1RTEk0g UK: http://amzn.to/1ZoZKYH	$3.99	$0.99	11/21/2016
Where Love Once Lived US: http://amzn.to/1RTEJ2P UK: http://amzn.to/1LEs1bF	$3.99	$0.99	11/20/2016

Celebrating the 60th Amazon Review for THE VENGEANCE SQUAD

In celebration of the 60th Amazon review for THE VENGEANCE SQUAD, I've lowered the price for the Kindle edition from $2.99 to $1.99.

This is temporary, so get your copy soon!

When Chris McCowan's fiancée, 24-year-old Sarah Eason, is killed during a bizarre robbery near Austin, Texas, an unlikely trio teams up to find those responsible for her death. The trio, Chris, a 31-year-old computer science professor, Percy "Tex" Thompson, a 40-year-old wheelchair bound ex-con student of Chris', and 65-year-old head librarian Liz Siedo, pool their talents to find the criminals after local law enforcement agencies have given up.

Chris wants an eye for an eye even if it means giving up God and the church where he and Sarah were to be married. He sets out to learn the tricks of the trade from his ex-con student, all while continuing to teach and coming to terms with his grief. Angela, who claims to be an FBI agent, joins the Vengeance Squad to help the three find the killers.

Sidney W. Frost is a former computer science professor, ex-marine, and author of Where Love Once Lived, a prize winning inspirational novel.

Beginnings that Grab the Reader and Carry Her Along to the Last Page.

I gave a talk in Mexia, Texas about my writing journey. It seems everywhere I go there are people who want to write a book. In this group of 12-15, three were writing. I told them how I got started, the classes I took, the organizations I belong to, and the importance of joining a critique group.

I also talked about ways to organize a novel to keep the reader interested from start to finish. This lead to a discussion of the importance of the first scene. Writers tend to start the book a few pages, sometimes chapters, before the action begins. In my first book, Where Love Once Lived, I stripped off page after page of the beginning while at the Yosemite Writers' Conference preparing to read from my work in process the next day.

I did more stripping and editing when I got home. Here's what I ended up with:

Karen felt loved on Tuesdays. She was fifty-three and divorced with a college-aged daughter at home who’d probably flee the nest soon, leaving Karen to live alone. She’d missed her chance for happiness. Still, she wasn’t sad. Teaching and her volunteer work as a lay minister, hospital chaplain, and member of her church choir fulfilled her. To be honest, she wanted more. She wanted the special kind of love she felt on Tuesdays.

This is not great, but it's not bad for a first novel. Readers should want to know why Karen felt loved on Tuesdays and, perhaps, wonder how she'd missed her chance for happiness. She seems to have a good life, but something is missing. They learn a little about her, age, family, job, church, etc., without getting bogged down in too much backstory.

My second novel, The Vengeance Squad, is written in first person with a young male protagonist. There is a prologue, too short to warrant chapter formatting, which I placed above the Chapter One beginning. See how this grabs you. Would you want to read more?

I’ll never forget the look on her face. It sustained me for months afterward. Without the memories, I wouldn’t have survived. Chapter One Sometimes it worried me because I thought I must be wrong, but there were times I could read her mind. I’d heard stories about couples who had been married for years who experienced a level of silent communication, but Sarah and I had known each other for only two years. Perhaps it was the intensity of love for one another rather than the length of time together that made the difference. Quite honestly, the love we shared was stronger than I believed possible. It was as if God brought us together and blessed the joining of two faithful servants of the Lord. I thanked Him daily for that.

The prologue gives us a glimpse into the future and, hopefully, a desire to know what happens. The first paragraph of Chapter One gives the reader an understanding of how in love the narrator is.

Love Lives On, my third novel, is a sequel to Where Love Once Lived. It also ties in some of the characters from The Vengeance Squad. I don't call them sequels because each will stand alone. However, I think readers would enjoy them more if the books are read in chronological order.

Here's how Love Lives On begins:

Karen Williams was fifty-four and divorced for so long she'd given up hope for that special marriage everyone talked about, but few probably had experienced. Then, a year ago, her life changed. Her college sweetheart charged back into her life, acting as if he'd never stopped loving her. He was waiting for her at the altar now as she touched up her makeup in the bride's room of her church. She hurried to apply mascara, but her right hand wouldn't be still. The pencil hit the table with a soft clunk. Tears followed. Tears from nowhere. A glance into the mirror showed mascara running down both cheeks. What was happening? Was it that feeling of unworthiness that crept in when she least expected it? Couldn't be. God had forgiven her long ago, but she would never forget what had happened. Second thoughts? Definitely not. She loved Brian and he loved her. He would never do anything to hurt her. Not again.

This excerpt is a little longer because the backstory was necessary to remind readers of the last book or to introduce Karen to new readers. It was her wedding day. Why was she crying? What did she do that caused her to need God's forgiveness? What had Brian done before to hurt her? Will the wedding go on as scheduled?

Presenting questions at the beginning will cause the reader to seek answers by continuing to read.

My fourth novel, The Vengeance Squad Goes to England begins this way:

Tex removed his ten-gallon cowboy hat, swiped his brow and leaned back in his wheelchair to get his hug. I stood behind him knowing I'd be next. But nothing happened. Liz sat at the end of the conference table with her head in her hands. My friend and former computer science student, Tex Thompson, locked his eyes on mine and I stared back at him in disbelief. Something was wrong. Liz Siedo, the happiest librarian in the world, the person who accepted God's will in every situation and hugged everyone who came within five feet of her, was either sick or depressed.

When I give talks, I tell people not to try to write the perfect beginning before finishing the rest of chapter one. If you do, you'll never finish the book. Write the whole thing and then come back and rewrite the first chapter. Often, my characters have something to say about the endings and the results lead to the need to make changes to the beginning. For example, when I wrote Murder in Sun City I didn't know who the killer was until I was halfway through the book. This caused a need to change the beginning. Here's the original opening:

"Liz! Are you okay?" I looked up at Margie and wondered if I was. I wiggled around before I answered. "Nothing seems to be broken. I guess I'm lucky I landed on my God-made cushion." I could tell Margie was amused by my comment because she was clearly trying not to make light of my mishap. So I laughed to let her know it was okay. I'd never been embarrassed by my ample bottom and was rather pleased with the way it broke my fall today. I wished I hadn't left my coat in the bookmobile, but it was such a short walk to Sharon's house. Margie laughed. "Well that's good to hear. When I saw you slipping and sliding on that iced driveway, I knew you'd end up falling. "Watching you throw books into the air like that was the funniest thing I've seen in some time. Then she sobered. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be laughing at your fall." "That's okay. Glad to brighten your day. Besides, I'm not hurt. Just not sure how to get up."

Besides the unexpected turn of events as I got into the book, there were other reasons to change this beginning. It just didn't grab me.

I should explain that this is the first in the so-called bookmobile series where the reader sees things through Liz's eyes. If you've read the other books, you know she is large, but happy and confident. So this beginning is to let you know she sees herself the same way other people see her. It's okay, but it is irrelevant to the story. It doesn't ask questions. It doesn't cause the reader to want to keep reading. Hopefully, the revision below does:

Margie was waiting on the icy driveway as I parked the bookmobile in front of Sharon's house. Had she been crying? I climbed out and gave her a hug. "Are you okay?" She held on a little longer than usual. "I'm okay." I pushed away and looked into her eyes. "Something's wrong. You've been crying." "No." She brushed at her eyes with a gloved hand. "Must be from the cold." I knew she needed to talk. "Why don't you wait in the bookmobile and get warm? I brought those books you asked for." "Okay." Margie didn't look at me as she spoke. "I guess you should see Sharon first." I stepped into the library and picked up the five books I'd brought for Sharon and a white paper bag. Margie moved back to give me space. "What's in the bag?" "Some scones for Sharon. I got them at the library coffee shop while I was loading books this morning." "Scones?" "Hey. Come with me." I held up the bag. "Carry this for me. I've got enough for all of us."

I will probably change this more before it is published, but I think this works better. What do you think?

If you are a reader only or a writer and reader, check some of your favorite books and see if the magic began on page one.

I talked about this in a previous post where I included the openings of some Pulitzer Prize winners. See Pulitzer Prize First Sentences. Some are better than others. What do you think? Would you read the books based on beginnings, or only because it won the Pulitzer Prize?

Thanks to Google, I spent the day in London—without leaving my office.

That's me having coffee atop St. Paul's Cathedral in London

In The Vengeance Squad Goes to England the gang is looking for the man who stole Liz's bookmobile fund. Chris goes over to England to visit Angela, but he's joined soon by the rest of the group.

The first day in London, I wanted Angela to show Chris around some and keep him awake so he could adjust his inner clock to London time. I decided on a bus ride from her flat near Victoria Station to St. Paul's Cathedral because I had done that once or twice myself, for the same reason.

To make the trip more interesting, I wanted to point out the sights along the way. That's where Google comes in. I plotted a trip from Angela's flat to the church using Google Maps. Then, as I viewed the route, I switched to the photo view and looked for interesting landmarks along the way. Big Ben, London Eye, etc. But, I also saw other bits of information that I felt might be interesting to readers. I saw lots of black cabs, for example. Cars and busses driving down the wrong side of the road. Red double-decker buses everywhere. This gave me scenery, but also an idea for Liz to buy a double-decker bus that had been converted into a bookmobile.

Google Maps Takes the Fun Out of Research

In The Vengeance Squad, the protagonists travel a lot. To make it easier for me, I only let him go to places I've been. That way I can create better descriptions of the locations. As I was writing,however, I wished I was in Albuquerque again to get a bit a detail I needed for a scene. I wanted there to be a house close to the Petroglyph National Monument, but I didn't know if there was or not. In the old days, such research might require a tax-deductible trip to look around first hand. But, no longer.

I opened Google Maps in my browser and typed in Petroglyph National Monument. Then I clicked on the little orange Google man and moved him to the streets around the park. I found just what I needed. There was a whole neighborhood near the park's parking lot. Close enough to serve my needs.

From Albuquerque, my characters went to Rowe, a small town in Massachusetts I know quite well, but had not been there in the winter. Also, I had not been to a private airport in nearby North Adams that I wanted to use in my story. With Google Maps I was able to start at the airport and follow the road to Rowe. I learned there are many turns along the way. I looked for photos as I made my virtual trip in hopes of finding a winter scene but there were none. Luckily, a friend there sent me some photos taken while there was snow on the ground.

So, no longer must we go to a villa in France or spend time on a barge in the Netherlands to absorb details enough for a realistic description. All we have to do is turn on the computer.

The Vengeance Squad Goes to England

Chris knows he's going to help Liz. What he doesn't know is what to tell Angela. She expects him to spend his semester break in Bath, England with her. He isn't sure he is ready for a deeper relationship so soon after his fiancée was murdered two years earlier.

Tex, the wheelchair-bound ex-con and part-time student, plans to spend time at home during the school break. He only has one more semester to go to get his degree, and his part-time job at the library plus the criminal investigations he does with Chris and Liz has kept him away from his family too much. Can he say no to Liz? She'd been like a mother to him.

Liz Siedo, the director of library services, has saved enough money to buy a bookmobile, mostly donations from patrons with little to give. At least she thought she had. She learns a hundred grand disappeared around the same time her boyfriend Virgil did. She is known as the hugger and cheer leader, and is often outspoken about her Christian beliefs. Now she is angry and calls Chris and Tex in to help her find Virgil and get revenge.

With the help of Cloris, another woman Virgil has bilked out of a large sum of money, the vengeance squad tracks him to London, Stratford, St. Andrews in Scotland, and Seaford until soon he's chasing them. The closer they get, the more dangerous he becomes. Concern for money becomes a concern for life.

They all but give up before Chris's idea to use the Internet to recruit librarians and bookmobile drivers in the United Kingdom to help catch Virgil.

More Reviews in for The Vengeance Squad Goes to England

4.0 out of 5 stars LOVEABLE LIZ, January 30, 2014
By Joyce C. Joiner
This review is from: The Vengeance Squad Goes to England (Paperback)
Loveable Liz, introduced to readers in the author's first novel LOVE LONG LOST, remains steadfast in her faith, living out Christian principles in the midst of intrigue and injustice. –Joy

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, January 29, 2014

By Christina Granville "thriller fan"
This review is from: The Vengeance Squad Goes To England (Kindle Edition)
Bad guys, Money thief, People after them, Falling in love, A double decker bus Book Mobile, Beautiful scenes in Jolly England. A very fast moving adventure. And a wonderful Falling in love story when they arent separated. And a wonderful Christmas in February Dinner Read it. Enjoy it. God bless you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another exciting Sid Frost story that begs for more!, January 23, 2014

By James L. Chapman "Jim"   
This review is from: The Vengeance Squad Goes to England (Paperback)
Just like Sid Frost's prior books, TVSGtE ends with the reader wanting to know how does ...work out? What happens to....? The main characters and the bookmobile which are present in all Mr. Frost's books are now welcome old friends. I am sure that I am joined by many other readers who hope that we have not heard the last of the Vengeance Squad. Perhaps VS will end up on a mission to Germany or a choral adventure in Oregon or .....?

Thanks Sid for this enjoyable series of books. I hope there will be more.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hurrah for The Vengeance Squad, January 23, 2014

By Longtime Scribbler
This review is from: The Vengeance Squad Goes To England (Kindle Edition)
Author Sid Frost has sent his Vengeance Squad to the U.K. on their quest to find the bad guys and bring them to justice. Back are Chris with his compulsion for orderly objects, Tex in his ubiquitous Stetson, and Liz, the Austin librarian who hugs everybody. This adventure takes them in search of Virgil, who had cheated Liz out of her bookmobile funds. The trail leads to London, giving Chris the opportunity to develop his relationship with Angela, the English beauty with a mysterious career.

Frost writes convincingly of London and the British countryside. His characters, both British and American, jump off the pages as real people. Liz, always outgoing and accepting in previous Frost novels, shows a new side to her character, becoming the most vengeful of the squad. Her efforts often end in laughable disasters, adding comic relief to a fast-paced read.

For the reader who is catching the Squad for the first time, Frost does a credible job of filling in the back story. In my view, Chris agonizes too much about his feelings for Angela, but he leaves us with a teaser for Vengeance Squad #3.

 

 

The Vengeance Squad Goes to England -- Now Available

The Vengeance Squad Goes to England is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

 

By Sidney W. Frost, author of Where Love Once Lived, The Vengeance Squad and Love Lives On.

 

Three reviews have been posted:

5.0 out of 5 stars--Another Great Read, January 14, 2014

By Dr. Rollo K. Newsom (Austin, Texas United States)

In this the most recent outing of the Vengeance Squad, Frost continues to use real places and times to lend credibility to the story. The reference to and use of real locations, existing institutions and restaurants as well as airplanes, trains and rental vehicles and schedules that are so obviously real practices in the real world that the story line itself becomes plausible. The main characters from an earlier case again make up the “squad” and their highly variable backgrounds, skills and weaknesses meld again to sustain them through seemingly unsurmountable and often very surprising difficulties and emergencies. The unexpected twists and rapid pace of the plot make this book a real “page turner.” These traits, real places, believable, interdependent characters and fast moving plots have become both trademarks and most desirable characteristics of all of Sid Frost’s fiction.

I can’t say much more without compromising the tension reader should feel reading this book (I’ll not be a spoiler.) but I do want to comment on a couple of others aspects. The villain(s) are appropriately deceptive and despicable. They may well get justice in the end but somehow I wish we could hurt them more. And the love interest that was hinted at in The Vengeance Squad advances and becomes enigmatic. Just who does this women work for? In this Christian novel the “love” is not physically consummated, well there are a couple of kisses that go beyond a peck on the cheek. The book then ends before we know when, if or how the impediments to this courtship and romance can be resolved. This is an important point to me because it gives me some assurance that we will be reading about these folks again.

 

***

4.0 out of 5 stars--Good read, January 18, 2014

By Joelle Teague (MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, US)

I enjoyed the book, but felt like I would have known more of what was going on had I read the others. For a standalone book, I kept asking myself questions about the characters that I'm sure were answered in other books. That being said, this one was very entertaining as the crew and their antics were kind of crazy at times. I found myself disliking Virgil as much as they did and really rooting for the romance between Chris and Angela. I also enjoyed seeing what might be in store for Liz if there is another one after this. Overall, definitely something I would recommend!

 

***

5.0 out of 5 stars--Chris and crew strike again! January 15, 2014

By Malia

In this latest book, the Vengeance Squad travels to England to help track down villains from a previous book. While it utilizes the story line from the previous Vengeance Squad book, it easily stands alone as a Christian mystery/thriller. Once again, you will follow Chris and his adventures, along with his fellow squad members.

I love how Mr. Frost uses place names so accurately. I am from central Texas, and know many of the places he mentions in his books. I've been to some of those places he mentions. He also researched the locations in Great Britain, which lends a great deal of credibility to the story and plot line. You are drawn into the images he creates, and it makes me want to visit the locations in Great Britain.

As you read the book, you are drawn into the story, wanting vengeance for the villains. You are also drawn to the budding relationship between Chris and Angela. Will things work out between them? What will happen next? You will just need to read the story yourself to see what happens.

 

***

 

318 pages
Paperback: $12.95
ISBN: 978-0983070887
Click Here to Purchase

Kindle Edition: $2.99
Click Here to Purchase

More Reader Mail

Wanda A. -- I loved the book (Where Love Once Lived). It made me cry. I have been in a relationship for twenty one years and we are still not married. It gave me hope that everything is possible with God's help. We just need to be reminded. Thanks for reminding me. Please keep writing. Send me an email at xxx with any of your other books. Thanks again! Wanda

Sent from my Kindle Fire

Facebook – I just finished your book "Where Love Once Lived", it drew my interest because my husband and I me on the bookmobile – He was the driver and I was the patron. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. I met him 33 years ago in Pasadena, TX it was love at first sight and still going.

Email from Reader – I am reading The Vengeance Squad now and am enjoying it. Having lived in Austin/Pflugerville/RR 26 for years, I can picture the scenes. As a cradle Episcopalian now Anglican, I relate as well.

Good job, Sid.

Email from Reader – I really enjoyed your book (Where Love Once Lived). Very inspirational.

Thank you.

Faye H -- Mr. Frost I just finished reading your book.  I have to say it was WONDERFUL!  I loved it so much and I am so glad I chose it.  There were so many things in the book, passages, scripture, prayers, and good clear thinking that it helped me so much.  I love books that are romantic and Christian.  I also love sci fi books, magic, fairy tales etc. 

You did an amazing job on this book and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone.  Thanks again for making my day!!!

Pat C. – Just wanted you to know that I read your new book "Love Lives On" and really enjoyed it. Didn't know so much could happen to one couple! Thanks for letting me know about it.

Peg C. – (re Love Lives On) A quick read and a real page turner!  I enjoyed the ongoing suspense and the way everything was resolved. 

Love Lives On – The Reviews Are In!

I am always surprised when I read book reviews and see what readers have to say. Many see things that I hadn't thought about or, at least, hadn't verbalized. I wish I could hire some of the reviewers to write publicity for the book. I also wish I'd had some of the reviews to use for the back cover blurb.

There are 54 reviews for the prequel, Where Love Once Lived, and they are still coming in. Those are much more varied than the eight five-star reviews received so far for Love Lives On. However, I'm sure we'll see a variety of reviews for the new book as time goes by.

Here's what we have so far on Amazon.com:

===========

Jim C. -- My reading had pretty much been confined to books about investing, computers, or medical science. That all changed when I learned about the books written by Sid Frost. I have just completed reading his most recent work Love Lives On. The story is quite interesting and I really enjoy the way that he uses real places from the Austin area and his use of characters that we have gotten to know from his previous books. The mystery and surprises keep coming, right up to the final page.

Lisa L. -- What I love about Sid's work is that he explores relationships between older people. How do those of us experience life from the point of having "been there and done that"? We approach life with certain expectations and experiences, and when we embark on a new relationship, how do we meld what we are with another person? And when crises hit, as they inevitably do, how do we chose to allow our spouse to help us, or can we learn to respond in a new way?

Love Lives On pulls together characters from Sid's other series to help Karen and Brian when she's sued in an emotionally and financially-draining frivolous lawsuit immediately after the wedding ceremony. Karen and Brian must figure out how to work together when aspects of the lawsuit become threatening to their physical welfare, as well as when an unexpected health crisis strikes Brian's family. I loved their honeymoon in Europe - I felt like I was there with them. Sid allows both Karen and Brian to tell the story from their perspectives. There's drama, there's romance, there's barbecue, there's danger and excitement...what's not to love?

Sid's story-telling comes from his personal experiences which he lovingly transfers to his characters. Karen and Brian are real people who learn to rely on each other besides the God whom they both trust. Don't we all want a piece of that?

Laura N. -- A sequel to Where Love Once Lived was highly anticipated by me. Being curious as I am, I simply had to know what would be happening in the characters' lives. Love Lives On answered the questions in my mind, with humor, a bit of romance and much mystery. Sidney blended the stories and characters into an exciting novel.

The occurrences in Love Lives On are very "real to life", and I am sure most readers will find themselves somewhere in the book; most could happen to anyone in one form or another. Yet, the manner which Sidney wrote this story, had me sitting on the "edge of my chair" at times. The characters blended so well; some the reader will like, dislike or plain "yell out loud" at the nasty things they may do or say.

Love Lives On brings hope, love, forgiveness and faith to the reader. I highly recommend this book, and anticipate the continuing adventure of Karen and Brian in the next novel.

B.J. -- You'll want to read both novels Where Love Once Lived and Love Lives On. Though both books can be read alone, if you're like me, you'll want to know more about what happens to the characters. I love series. You first meet Karen in Where Love Once Lived along with other characters who show up in Love Lives On as friends who help her in her time of need.

Love Lives On evoked emotions and made me laugh and cry at times. About midway, I didn't want to stop reading because I wanted to see what happened, and I had to make myself put down the book and go to bed with only five remaining chapters, which I quickly finished at my next opportunity. Karen's life becomes endangered and so do others as they try to help her, especially her friend, Cathy.

I loved the way the ending wove together for a surprise with forgiveness and God's purpose, as Karen insisted on discovering. While she could have chosen to throw money at problems to make them disappear as her new husband Brian offered to do more than once, she refused to do so because she wanted to know the whys and God's purpose. Why did God allow her to be sued? What possible good could come out of it? I won't include spoilers, but I'll just say that much good overcame evil.

I also loved how the author illustrated how easy it sometimes is to con trusting or vulnerable women. There's more than one surprise in this work of art. There is foreshadowing along the way.

This novel takes you on an adventure and a journey. I've never read one about Germany, a place I've never been. I found the places visited on their honeymoon interesting. To describe Love Lives On in a sentence, I'd say Love Lives On is a novel of love, learning to trust, and forgiveness. The ending was touching, and I loved it. There are some page-turning exciting incidents along the way as well. Grab both reads and enjoy them as I did.

Chris G. -- Love Lives On is a very surprising book with many unexpected twists in it. And of course it has the bookmobile in it, and the Squad in it. And a very unusual love story.
In a few places the story got confusing to me. The overall story was fast paced, suspenseful, and a great read.

Rollo N. -- Although this book is clearly a continuation of Frost's earlier Where Love Once Lived and brings back some characters from The Vengeance Squad it is a fully complete stand-alone novel. In the first few episodes of Love Lives On the story itself quickly and thoroughly introduces main characters, establishes the setting and sets the tone and pace (fast) for the novel. But, for anyone who enjoyed the first two this new one will be an absolute delight.

To avoid giving anything away I'm not going to comment on the plot's twists, turns and surprises but I do want to observe that the writing is solid throughout and the dialogs are exceptionally effective. Character's fears, aspirations, intentions, attractions and feelings are often revealed by what the characters do and say. Rarely does the narrator tell us what the actors' motivations or expectations are. In general the verbal interactions are natural, believable and totally in character. A consequence of this is a tendency for the reader to forget they are reading and to just absorb the story. Speaking as a reader that is great fun.

Carol B. -- I loved this book! What a fun combination to put romance and thriller together!

The romance part was very sweet. I thought Sid did a wonderful job of dealing with the real life reactions and issues a couple in their "mature years" would encounter--aging parents, children on their own, crazy ex-partners all while trying to have a honeymoon! He skillfully helps the reader feel the tension of the main characters as they put their college romance back together after a 30 year separation. A separation that was unnecessary if they had only talked to each other at the time!

You worry with them over things not said that should have been--an old pattern they both want not to follow them into this relationship. You feel the angst of trying to protect each other. Both main characters are aware of their knee jerk reactions and the effects on the other and yet, it still happens. Sid effortlessly weaves their faith into the dialogue so that it adds to the overall story. I appreciated that forgiveness, kindness, thoughtfulness and faith was consistent throughout their daily lives; it wasn't just a Sunday thing or turned to only in an emergency.

The thriller part? It kept me coming back. :) Just when you think life is going to settle and they can major on the romance another curve ball! And isn't that life? You can't leave Karen hanging upside down in her seatbelt! You have to know how all this crazy stalking ends so these people can have their honeymoon!

The writing -- It is a good writer who can put you in his characters shoes so that you feel their experiences! The action kept going. Secondary characters received adequate development so that you felt you knew them as well, and maybe even understood them in a way. I didn't feel the story line ever went flat and the editing was excellent. You pulled for the good guys and wanted to put the bad guys away! A nice ending leaves you wondering if there is one more coming.

It's an excellent read for those who like thrillers, or romance or both! I will be recommending Sid as an author. Everything he has written has been well done. I give it 5 stars!

L. Scribbler -- In Love Lives On, the second in the Christian Bookmobiles series, Sidney W. Frost continues to develop the story of star-crossed lovers Brian Donelson and Karen Williams introduced in Where Love Once Lived. Problems arise in the opening pages at Brian and Karen's wedding. An unexpected lawsuit awakens unhappy memories in Karen's past, and dealing with it causes conflict in their new marriage. A mysterious photographer trails them on their honeymoon; the driver of a black pickup terrorizes Karen. The suspense continues to build to a satisfying climax. Frost has the knack of moving the plot along with both mysterious and humorous incidents. His characters leap from the pages as real people with distinct personalities. Brian and Karen, two intelligent, loving, devoutly Christian, yet flawed individuals, have the maddening propensity for failing to share vital information in a professed effort to "protect" each other. Brian must come to accept Karen's desire to be independent, to follow her sense of what God is telling her. Members of the Combine and Liz, the lovable librarian, are back, along with Liz's team from Frost's The Vengeance Squad. Though written as a sequel, Love Lives On stands alone as a thoroughly entertaining read.

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Thanks everyone. These review were all five stars and all warmed my heart and gave me new insights into the story. I've also received a number of emails praising the book. I'll post those later.

 

What Readers Say About the Bookmobile Series

There are three Christian Bookmobile books now: Where Love Once Lived (2010), The Vengeance Squad (2011) and Love Lives On (2013). Although some of the same characters appear in each book, I tried to write each one to be complete within itself.

However, if you want to keep a strict timeline, read them in the order shown above. Where Love Once Lived and Love Lives On have the same main characters. The second book begins where the first one ended. The Vengeance Squad has a different main character. However, Liz, the librarian is prominent in all three books. Love Lives On has some scenes with Chris and Tex from The Vengeance Squad.

Based on early reviews of Love Lives On, readers seem to like to read more about the characters from the first two bookmobile books.

Laura: A sequel to Where Love Once Lived was highly anticipated by me. Being curious as I am, I simply had to know what would be happening in the characters' lives. Love Lives On answered the questions in my mind, with humor, a bit of romance and much mystery. Sidney blended the stories and characters into an exciting novel.

B.J.: You'll want to read both novels Where Love Once Lived and Love Lives on. Though both books can be read alone, if you're like me, you'll want to know more about what happens to the characters. I love series. You first meet Karen in Where Love Once Lived along with other characters who show up in Love Lives on as friends who help her in her time of need.

Christina: Love Lives On is a very surprising book with many unexpected twists in it, And of course it has the bookmobile in it, and the Squad in it.

Rollo: Although this book is clearly a continuation of Frost's earlier Where Love Once Lived and brings back some characters from The Vengeance Squad it is a fully complete stand-alone novel.

Longtime Scribbler: In "Love Lives On", the second in the Christian Bookmobiles series, Sidney W. Frost continues to develop the story of star-crossed lovers Brian Donelson and Karen Williams introduced in "Where Love Once Lived"…Members of the Combine and Liz, the lovable librarian, are back, along with Liz's team from Frost's "The Vengeance Squad." Though written as a sequel, "Love Lives On" stands alone as a thoroughly entertaining read.

By Joy: Readers who appreciate characters who live by Christian values will enjoy this love story that follows the author's first novel WHERE LOVE ONCE LIVED, and its unfolding mystery. Women may be surprised by this male author's apparent understanding of the female perspective. Men may gain insight into that which has long been found puzzling to their gender.  I enjoyed reading a proof copy of this novel and even more the published one with its beautiful and intriguing cover.

I hope you will all read Love Lives On.