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Star Flight Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

A Little Bit of Romance and a Whole Lot of Suspense

Star Flight, an intriguing suspense novel from Phyllis A. Whitney was published thirty years ago. Somehow, I missed it then and in all the years since.  Because Whitney penned seventy novels in her lifetime, there may be others I have yet to discover. She is a master in the genre of romantic suspense.

Setting of Star Flight

Chimney Rock in North Carolina is the setting for the novel. The area is beautiful, yet the rugged outcropping adds a sense of danger, at least for those with a fear of heights. Whitney’s description of the land and waters around this popular Appalachian destination will stir memories of past visitors and ignite interest in those who have yet to visit.

The history of the area serves as fictional background. A sensational setting for modern day movies could easily have attracted long ago Hollywood magnates. Reality gives plausibility to all novels.

Protagonist

Lauren Castle travels to Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area for closure. Deaths of both her husband and maternal grandmother occurred in the vicinity separated by generations. She discovers neither one was accidental. And her quest to find the truth places her in danger.

But another draw to the area is a long-ago love, Gordon Heath. Years ago, she chose the safe path and still regrets the decision. Lauren seeks a second chance.

A further complication is the aging grandfather who chose to remain with his wife instead of leaving with the mistress pregnant with his child. The complexities of the various relationships play a large part in complicating Lauren’s search for the truth.

Plot of Star Flight

Star Flight is the story of a long-ago Lover’s Triangle, two beautiful women vying for the attention of a Hollywood Star. Adulation, from secondary characters, complicates untangling the past as memories are compromised by loyalties. The author throws in otherworldly occurrences adding mystery and pushing the readers suspension of disbelief. Recent stirrings of alien life in the press gives the novel a timeliness often lost in modern fiction.

Recommendation

Star Flight is the title of several novels, so including Phyllis Whitney is imperative in an online search. The book is still available in ebook form as well as on sites such as Etsy and Amazon. Perhaps libraries still have copies as well. I found this copy as I was inventorying the personal library of my late parents. Still puzzled as to how I could have missed it for the last thirty years, I enjoyed a few hours of escape from reality with a favorite author not read in a long time.

The Last Second Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Authors Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison writing the Brit in the FBI series have released a good summer read in The Last Second. Even though the plot leads us to the far corners of the world, the story line is easier to accept than that of The Devil’s Triangle also written by the duo. You can read that review by clicking here.

Familiar Characters

FBI agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine (Mike) are on vacation. Shortly after a visit with old friends Grant Thornton and his wife Kitsune, they spring into action.  Drummond and Caine leave their European vacation to go to the rescue of Grant.

Thornton is acting as bodyguard to Jean-Pierre Broussard founder of Galactus Space Industries. Broussard’s hobby is finding treasures lost at sea. He has just found the Holy Grail when he is betrayed. The Holy Grail is stolen and the ship’s passengers are left for dead.

New Villains

Ellison and Coulter believe in equal opportunity. Once again the bad guys are bad gals. Ex-astronaut Navaeh Patel believes she was rescued in space by aliens called Numen. Her henchwoman is Kiera Byrne. A formidable bodyguard with an IRA background.

The two women must be stopped. Not an easy task when one is a brilliant scientist bent on contacting the aliens who saved her life.

The Last Second

This action adventure novel would make a great movie. The twists and turns and subplots keep you turning the pages. Naturally, Drummond and Caine manage to solve each problem they encounter at the last second. Since there are multiple scenes leading to the apex, the duo have plenty of opportunity to display their skills.

There are a few subplots that touch on current events. First is the commercial space race. Second is the concern of an EMP. This type of weapon would send current civilization backward in time. New characters include a terrorist who in reality is an agent deep undercover. Thus, the authors stretch the imagination.

The Last Second is an easy read. The book is a great way to escape on a summer afternoon. The fast paced action dovetails with the two main themes. Saving an innocent life with the Holy Grail and the halting of space junk with the EMP are ideas with multiple layers. Coulter and Ellison give the reader something to ponder after the tale is told.