What I’m Reading – Book Reviews

Novelist – Robin Tidwell

I am excited to introduce fellow Helium Writer and

New Author, Robin Tidwell!

Robin lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area with her husband, Dennis, and their youngest son. She has a rather eclectic educational background, and finally finished her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has held a plethora of jobs, appointments, and volunteer positions, and tries very hard to make it through one week at a time without a crisis.

Recently, August 28, 2012, Robin has published her first novel: Reduced.

Back Cover:

“REDUCED is a breath-holding, page-turner! The intense journey that author Robin Tidwell takes the reader on demands us to both care and ache for the characters as they bond together to confront an unsettling future by forging honest, loving, and sometimes painful relationships. This is an exciting tale told with enormous humanity and passion. Do yourself a huge favor and read REDUCED. It will leave you wanting more.”
**– Bart Baker, novelist and screenwriter, author of Honeymoon with Harry.**

Teaser:

A devastating biological agent is about to be released, to be tested in remote areas. Rumor has it, though, that there is more to this than meets the eye. One group makes plans to hide out, and survive, in case that rumor proves to be truth. Meeting at an abandoned summer camp near St. Louis, Missouri, a dozen old friends gather after the alarm is raised. Life becomes more precious, more tenuous, as time passes. Government controls tighten, people are herded into the city…or killed. Towns are obliterated. And soon, the enemy agenda becomes obvious. Abby, like the rest, has special skills – each member of the group was chosen not only because of past ties, but also for their unique training and abilities. She will come face-to-face with death, bear the responsibility for a young girl, and endure the severing of childhood relationships in the most terrible way imaginable. From mere concealment to reconnaissance to aiding a rebellion, where will it end? Will the entire region be decimated, and who will be left alive to know?

Excerpt: [This is where I got hooked – the very beginning!]

She took the phone call out in the hallway.

“No names. It’s time. Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be taking the side roads.”

“Good. Someone needs to be picked up. See you soon. Good luck.”

Abby tapped her Bluetooth and disconnected. She stepped back into the locker room and cautiously peered around the corner. The office at the far end of the room had the curtains pulled shut tightly; she knew what that meant. She closed her eyes for a moment, saying a prayer, but only for a moment. It didn’t pay at all to be unobservant.

She jumped when the curtain in the shower cubicle to her right moved slightly. A scarred, bleeding face looked out, directly into Abby’s eyes, and a pale hand clutched at the curtain.

“Go,” said the dying girl. “You can’t help us.” Abby turned and left.

Hooked right from the beginning the story engages the reader and the characters and scenes are fully fleshed out, ready for the emotional connection that draws the avid reader in! I am loving reading Reduced! ~ Me. 🙂