Down to the Wire (The Specialists)

My 12-year old daughter raced through this series like there was no tomorrow. The key attraction seemed to be: Teen Vogue-like heroine who kicks you-know-what. I liked the fact they were color-coded so I could say stupid dad things like, "Have you read the purple one yet?" That always got an eye roll. Now if someone would just write a four-volume spy series based on The Secret Garden. Great literature AND you-know-what kicking.

Model Spy (The Specialists)Shannon Greenland has done it again. "Down to the Wire" has everything a reader could want, action, adventure, mystery, and even romance. Greenland's deft ability to draw the reader into the story right away and keep them intrigued is natural, nearly flawless. She weaves an intricate web of deception, betrayal, and emotion while keeping you teetering on the brink. This adventure featuring the GiGi and Wirenut is even better than the first. When we meet Wirenut and discover his abilities, it isn't immediately obvious how he will fit into the specialists, but before long, things start to fall into place. But as is the case with Shannon Greenland's style, things aren't always what they appear and we find ourselves swept into yet another mission that will have a tremendous effect on the lives of all those involved, including the reader. Shannon Greenland doesn't just let you read, she makes you ride along, and I for one love it! And can this author write a cliffhanger!! Karen Syed, President, Echelon Press Publishing

On a ranch in San Belden, California, unbeknownst to local residents, there is a camp full of teens known as The Specialists. Each one of these teens has an ability that makes them a criminal mastermind. But, after being brought to this camp, they have begun to use their smarts for good. Helping to stop terrorism, and the evil of the world from committing all sorts of wrongdoing. The camp is viewed as a wayward home for orphan boys and girls, of sorts. That's what they'd like you to believe; but the training they receive on a daily basis proves that you'd be wrong, very wrong. Frankie aka Wirenut, has been breaking into elaborate security systems since he could tie his shoes. He has a knack for electronics, and cracking the code for just about any location that the average person has no business being in. The media knows him as "The Ghost," an individual who enters high-security locations, such as museums, and, instead of stealing any of the priceless artifacts, "The Ghost" simply leaves a yellow ribbon in his wake - his own, personal calling card. When TL picks him up, Frankie agrees to turn good, and help The Specialists get their job done. After all, he could use a steady home, and frequent hot meals. Which is how Wirenut lands his first mission. After months of training with the organization, TL believes that it's time to put Wirenut's smarts to good use. When a wealthy entrepreneur known as Octavias Zorba hires The Specialists to locate a stolen neurotoxin that could kill countless innocents, TL immediately enlists Wirenut to locate the stolen goods. But things aren't so simple. As always, there's a catch. There are computer-coded hints that will lead The Specialists to the neurotoxin. Unfortunately, these hints are hidden in museum artifacts, which means that they'll need to enter the museums undetected, to find the clues. Even worse, there's a limited time to decode the clues before they completely...disappear. Enter GiGi. After completing her first mission just a short time ago, the computer-coding genius isn't ready to get started on a new project, but duty calls. Together, Wirenut and GiGi must begin their task. However, as they find themselves embedded deeper and deeper into the mission, they come face-to-face with a few glitches - namely, a copycat who shows up in each and every location. Things aren't looking good; but they'll have to keep their wits about them, otherwise it could mean danger for thousands of people. Shannon Greenland kept me on the edge-of-my-seat during MODEL SPY, so I was thrilled when DOWN TO THE WIRE hit bookstores. Luckily, my excitement was not short-lived, for Greenland's sequel packs even more punch than the first, and certainly doesn't disappoint. While GiGi was predominately the main character in MODEL SPY, DOWN TO THE WIRE brings her in as a large part of the story; but provides quite a bit of info about Frankie. Frankie is one of the more rugged of The Specialists. He doesn't seem to deal well with aut