Deliver Us from Evil: A Novel

I received a review copy of Robin Caroll's exciting debut novel. Warning: reading this book will keep you up late--compelled to discover the final, exciting conclusion to this wonderful book. Robin Caroll's characters were strong, brassy and real. Roark reminded me of the U.S. Marshall in the movie The Fugitive. He liked to be in control of everything. His motto, "Don't let them see your weakness." Brannon reminded me of the female character in G.I. Jane. She's a rough and tough girl you don't want to mess with when she's working. Here's a peak at how Brannon snaps at Roark, " Let me tell you something, Mr. Marshall. I don't care how big and important you think you are--you will not make it out of these mountains without our guidance. So you can stop with the arrogance and know-it-all, take-charge attitude. We must work together to survive." I felt like I was in the middle of an action adventure movie with fighting, shooting, chase scenes, fires, helicopters and police drama. This is an intriguing story filled with suspense, hope, forgiveness and justice. I enjoyed the comradery among the characters and how they chased down the bad guys. But, I especially enjoyed how this author wove a believable spiritual thread into the story; keeping the main thing the main thing even in the middle of war - I like that. There's a race to set little girls free from brothels in the USA, before they're shipped to another location. I think Robin handled the topic of sex-trafficking with grace. I'm sure conditions in brothels are worse than described. The author notes she hadn't realized how serious this problem was before doing research. It's horrific. I enjoyed every second of this book. Can't wait to read the sequel called Fear No Evil. Way to go, Robin Caroll, on writing such a great and exciting debut novel. Nora St.Laurent ACFW Book Club Coordinator

Roark Holland is a U.S. Marshall that has been assigned to travel with and guard a donor heart from North Carolina to Tennessee. Everything hinges on delivering the heart in time for federally protected comatose witness. On the way to the hospital, the helicopter flies into a blizzard and goes down. Just before crashing, Brannon Callahan, a search and rescue pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, makes contact with them, and goes out with her partner to find them. She knows everything hinges on getting this heart to the witness as quickly as possible. He holds the key to a huge child trafficking, and if he dies, so does the hope of breaking up the ring. My comments: Although Robin Caroll has authored eight books before "Deliver Us From Evil", this is the first I have read by her, and I promise you, it certainly won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story line. It was filled with suspense that kept me up way into the night reading, making it nearly impossible to put down. I enjoyed the characters. Roark was every bit what I would have expected from a Marshall, and I adored Brannon and her partner, Lincoln. They are a fantastic team and their way of keeping themselves grounded in bad situations was brilliant. Their messages of faith, love and courage, woven throughout the story were well done and meaningful. I was very pleased with way the child trafficking was handled. You were made to realized the horror of of the situation, and the description was just enough, without too much information - giving it realism without being too graphic. Because of this, I did rate the book for older teens. "Deliver Us From Evil" should be on everyone's reading list. This powerful story of the horrors of human trafficking packs a punch that will leave you looking at your comfortable and quite world in a whole new light.

Heads up readers, there's a new kid on the block writing stellar romantic suspense with grit, authenticity and heartfelt emotion. Robin Caroll hits it out of the park in Deliver Us From Evil as Search and Rescue helicopter pilot, Brannon Callahan comes face to face with US Marshal Roark Holland in a wild blizzard. Sparks and bullets fly with equal abandon in this action packed novel! Tackling the despicable evil that is child trafficking, Robin brings awareness to this hidden trade in humans and the frightening toll on young lives. Tempering the painful truths in the story is the burgeoning relationship between Brannon and Roark that is simply a delight to read. Robin's talent for building romantic tension is second to none, her plot twists intriguing and her faith elements quite uniquely woven into the tale. I am now a devoted follower of Robin's books and am eagerly awaiting Lincoln's story, Brannon's SAR partner, in Fear No Evil releasing in August!

This was the first book of Robin Caroll's I'd read and I certainly will be buying more of hers. This book was exciting from the first page to the last. It had suspense, danger, exciting, romance, inspiration, the works. Her characters are real and her description of places and things makes you feel as if you are there. The child trafficking element is very informative and scary as well. I loved the interaction between Brannon and Roark. And there is going to be a sequel!! Yeah!!! I've found a new author whom I love and I am excited to be reading more from her. Don't hesitate to get this book.

Robin Caroll has got a real page turner here. I don't often stay up late to finish a book, but I had to with this one. Aside from the great writing and excellent plot, she brings to light the tragedy of child trafficking in the U.S., a problem that has gone largely unreported by the mainstream media. Knowing that there is that element of truth behind her fiction makes you even more desperate to get through the chapters and find out the fate of these poor girls. Robin's passion for this tragedy shines through her writing.