Forsaken

I've read many first novels from different authors. Initially I was skeptical about FORSAKEN from reading the back cover. A man, James David Jordan is writing through the first-person eyes of former Secret Service agent Taylor Pasbury (a woman). From the first page, I forgot about my skepticism and plunged into a fascinating story. Other reviews have described the plot but it's filled with plenty of twists and unexpected turns to keep you turning the pages. FORSAKEN is a winner and recommended.

James David Jordan's FORSAKEN is hands down the best book I've read this year. On a day filled with my own projects and deadlines, when I had to be disciplined with my time, I found myself picking it up again and again, rationalizing the time I was sacrificing to read more about Taylor and Simon. FORSAKEN introduces us to Taylor Pasbury, a former Secret Service agent that has been hired by Simon Mason, a dynamic televangelist when he receives threats from Muslim extremists. Taylor has had her own share of publicity, some good and some bad. She's had a difficult past and a somewhat checkered reputation. When she is contacted by Simon Mason, she gets the sense that she's not the right fit for the job, but is willing to at least meet with him. From there, the pace of the story never once lets down. When Simon Mason's world is turned upside down by the kidnapping of his 20-year old daughter, renouncing his faith is all that is needed to insure her release. But how can he? How can he forsake the God he serves with his whole heart? Taylor sees the demand as an easy one and can't understand the struggle Mason is facing. But soon, she learns there is more to Simon then the media hype around him. She finds him human, a man with faults, a man with past sins. She even wishes for possibly something more than friendship between them, even though she knows that will never happen. The way Simon lives his life out in front of her, challenges her to reevaluate her own life. James David Jordan has created two totally captivating characters in Taylor and Simon. I loved Taylor's tough-as-nails attitude, and the way Jordan wrote her with such sensitivity. And Simon's even-keel personality makes for an intriguing duo. The highs and lows of the story drew such emotion from me as a reader, at times I had to put it down just so I could take a breath. But I needed to read on. I needed to know how things would end. The secondary characters Jordan created enhance the story without taking the focus away from Taylor and Simon. The symmetry of the story is what keeps you reading on. I could say so much more about FORSAKEN but I fear I would give too much of the story away. I will be picking up SOMETHING THAT LASTS, Jordan's first book immediately. And I will be waiting anxiously for the release of DOUBLE CROSS, the sequel to FORSAKEN next fall.

While Forsaken sounds at first glance like a typical terrorist/suspense novel, it is so much more than what it seems. Well deserving of the suspense genre label, it moves at an intense and engrossing pace through the first two-thirds of the book, only to slow into a more thoughtful, reflective later portion. Readers are treated to what amounts to two stories within one cover, skillfully blended. A tale of nerve-wracking uncertainty and action combined with the story of one man's faith and spiritual journey. Jordan's novel enthralled me. Forsaken possesses a special quality that refuses to let the reader set the book down for long. Far from being rote, the story of Kacey's capture and the difficult decision her father faced were captivating. The characters are realistic, flawed and uncommonly personable. Mason is true to life in his vulnerability, failings and foibles. Pasbury, a woman with a difficult, tainted past is gritty, wounded, and loveable. The author has succeeded in writing both male and female characters that resonate in the heart of the reader. Exploring far more than the themes of inter-religious tensions and terrorism, Jordan dips his characters into loneliness, evangelism, love, the bonds of family and God's grace. A surprising depth is created through the drawing together of seemingly disparate threads of story - the lines between past and present. Jordan does introduce some threads that are left dangling by this story's end. Readers looking for a single title read may feel disappointed that these avenues have been left open. Those looking forward to future adventures with Taylor Pasbury will be delighted by the prospect of a sequel. Double-Cross is scheduled for release in October 2009. A balanced perspective on the actions of Muslim terrorist groups is also woven into this novel. Far from condemning all followers of Islam as dangerous radicals, it is made clear that the purpose of such radicals is rarely religious, but more often power based. Moderate followers of Islam are treated with respect and dignity without minimizing the need to share the gospel with them. Certainly a well-written suspense novel, Forsaken is so much more than I expected; deeper, truer, touching and surprising. Come for the thrill, adrenaline and addictive compulsion to keep reading. Stay for the lingering reflection, insight and first steps on the path to healing.

Raised by her father, a Special Forces veteran, Taylor always knew she was different. Practical rather than perfect, beautiful yet unaffected with a plethora of survival skills most adults never master, Taylor's soul is still scarred when evil comes calling on her. As a result, Taylor throws herself in to her studies and into a career protecting others, with a tenacity and ferocity rarely seen in a woman. Taylor serves her country well, despite controversy, in the Secret Service before opening her own Security company, Pasbury Security. Under pressure from his devoted staff, following threats from Muslim extremists, Simon Mason, the world's most revered televangelist reluctantly agrees to a security detail and hand picks Taylor Pasbury. Fighting an attraction to this surprisingly understated man, Taylor implements security changes but is unable to prevent Simon's daughter Kacey from kidnappers who demand Simon make an unthinkable choice if he wants to see Kacey again. Simon, Taylor and Kacey find themselves caught up in life threatening events that may exact a price higher than death. I have read many enthralling suspense novels, enjoyed meaningful love stories and delved into books that challenge my thinking and purpose but never has a novel combined all three elements, and with such adeptness, as Forsaken. James David Jordan's Taylor Pasbury is a complex woman with burdens from her past, unimaginable to most, yet is genuinely intriguing. Simon Mason is a man who wields great power yet is grounded in his beliefs and compassion, but still has demons from his past to battle. When the unbearable testing of his soul and spirit occurs, you will not be left untouched and as I did, will contemplate the choice you might make in Simon's shoes. Although the conclusion is satisfying, I was left feeling there was a depth to the characters that remained unexplored so I was thrilled to learn Taylor's story does not end with this book. A fascinating and emotional read, Forsaken will keep you up late, even when the last page is read, pondering your faith, the intricacies of love in all its forms and God's unforeseen purposes in this world. Truth be told, regardless of the challenging thoughts it leaves you with, Forsaken is one excellent ride, complete with unexpected twists and turns, that neither men or women should miss!

Taylor is a former secret service agent who's been called to protect the world's most famous televangelist. She's had a past that calls for her to take this job very seriously. Simon has received threats from terrorists telling him to step down from his ministry or else him and his family will be in harm's way. When the unthinkable happens, Simon has to make a choice that will change everyone who has been affected by him forever. Reading this book was like watching an episode of 24 in book format. This book was heart thumping non stop action from the first page. It's very gritty, not for the faint hearted. I love how the main character is a female who doesn't need to rely on others to take care of herself. Reading about Taylor's past and how it affected her life and career choice was great buildup for the story. This is honestly one of the best suspense novels I have ever read, in both secular and Christian fiction. With plot twists and good character development, this book was hard to put down. The story is very realistic, one could easily see the news headlines actually happening. It's actually scary to think that there could be someone out there who is plotting this exact scenario. The choice that Simon had to make was extremely difficult. It is a situation that one hopes NEVER to have to be in. It really makes you think about what is the most important thing in your life and exactly how strong your faith really is. The ending is rather interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing how that storyline is played out. I'm highly anticipating the next book in the series. This is one book that you could easily pass on to guys who claim to hate reading. It will definitely grab their attention. HIGHLY recommended.