Review and Giveaway: The Breakthrough

The Breakthrough by Jerry Jenkins

 Precinct 11 #3

Tyndale Fiction – August 17, 2012

387 Pages – Adult, Christian Fiction

http://jerry-jenkins.com/

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Twitter: @JerryBJenkins

Source: Publisher

 Read what this book is about here.

I received a copy of this book, free, in exchange for me honest opinion.I am not sure how Jenkins manages to drag me to the edge of my seat time and again, but her does. He does it in such a way that I didn’t realize how close to the edge I was –until I almost fell (figuratively not literally ;)). It’s not the writing, while it is well- written, it’s simple. Sometimes it’s the patterns of the words. Adjectives and the scenery can cause you to get lost in a book. But that’s not what pulls you in The Breakthrough; it goes straight for the heart. It’s that moment you release a breath not realizing that you’ve been holding it.
                Boone Drake is back and one again tragedy strikes. This time he faces something I’m sure he never thought he would have to –human trafficking. At this point, I have to say this is where mixed feelings begin to develop. Human trafficking is a very real issue that is occurring right now all over the United States, as well as in other countries. I don’t like the way that this issue was dealt with in this book.  It was glossed over, looking back it feels that human trafficking was only a vehicle to get Boone from point A to point B. (It is the vehicle, but anything could have been the vehicle. But I guess what I’m saying is that kid gloves were used when adult gloves were necessary. ) I am not sure if I’m saying this correctly, so let’s just say the human trafficking part didn’t sit well with me. Also, Boone’s ability to just pick up and go after wasn’t very realistic. Other than these bits, I did enjoy this book.
                The scariest thing for a parent is to realize that a strangers has taken their kid. What are the odds that this would happen when one parent is fighting for their life? I’m not sure, but it seems to me that catastrophic tragedies find their way to Boone.  How much can a person take? Boone faces both tragedies head on and puts his head in the game. He pushes his emotions aside so that he can do what he does best – focus on the details.  Yep, Boone goes after the bad guys and all the while he still leans on his faith.  Out of the three books in the Precinct 11 series, this is the most unrealistic one. But I still enjoyed it and still think it’s worth checking out. The beginning, not knowing what was going to happen, the point before everything started unraveling are my favorite moments.
                After it started unfolding, I was drawn more to Boone’s support system. Co-workers coming together. Friends stepping up. I was really interested in Jack Keller this time around. I am relieved that Jenkins didn’t do a clichéd “bow-on-top” ending. Recommendation: I still believe that this book is worth checking out, especially for those who are already fans.

3 Stars ***

The Giveaway: 

I have a voucher from Tyndale for one copy of the Breakthrough

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Always Shine,

Starr K.

cover art

Review: The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins

The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins

Precinct 11 Book 2

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc – August 17, 2011

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http://www.jerryjenkins.com

Next book in series: The Breakthrough

Source: Tyndale Blog Network

From Goodreads: Detective Boone Drake has just masterminded the most massive sting in Chicago history, bringing down the heads of not only the biggest street gangs in the city but also the old crime syndicate. The story is the biggest in decades, and the Chicago Police Department must protect the key witness at all costs. Despite top secret plans to transfer the witness ahead of his testimony before the grand jury, an attempt is made on his life. And the person suspected of leaking this information may be one of the CPD’s own

                What do you do when the person that you respect and look up to betrays you deeply? Boone Drake is back and this is that he has to deal with. Because of the way that book 1 ended, I don’t want to ruin it by mentioning the ending here. (Go read it!) Drake also has to decide whether he stands by the person he is beginning to love or believe what the people he’s known the longest are telling him. I have to say that I like the second book a lot better than the first. After reading both there is a marked difference in how faith is approached in the story. But that could simply be because Drake is in different place than he was in the first book.

                While I felt that things were a little rushed in Book1 , I think that there was an even pace with this second installment.  The Betrayal was something that cut deeply both professionally and personally for the characters. It was nice to see the determination back when Drake faced another obstacle in his life. Though his faith was still a work in progress, it was much more a part of who Drake was. The characters had obviously grown and they were digging deeper than before.

                To be honest I have to admit that I was more interested in the workings of the police department then Drake’s faith.  Maybe this was expected because it was not as much as a character (as it kind of was in The Brotherhood) as it was an aspect of a character (as it was in The Betrayal).  I wanted to believe that she was innocent, but the evidence was compelling and if not her, the truth was much more devastating. 

This book was given to me, free, in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating:

Always Shine, 

Starr K