Book Review
Selected: A Thriller by J. Allen Wolfrum
Publisher: Independent Publisher
Publication Date: December 28, 2017
Format: Paperback - 326 pages
Format: Paperback - 326 pages
Kindle - 1040 KB
ISBN: 978-1981498970
ASIN: B078P8T5R2BNID: 978-1981498970
Genre: Political Thriller
Buy The Book:
Amazon $.99 eBook or Free on Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
Book Description:
Former Army helicopter pilot, Susan Turner is Selected as the next President of the United States. In order to avoid a nuclear war, she must overcome personal demons and learn to navigate the murky waters of international diplomacy.
Five years ago, the Dove Revolution changed the political structure of the United States. The President, Senate, and Congress are no longer elected by the public, they are Selected at random every two years. A shadow organization known only as The Board, advances their sinister agenda by taking advantage of their anonymity and Susan’s tendency to make brash decisions. Blackmail, espionage, and murder are all in play as The Board manipulates geopolitical events to spark a war between the Soviet Union and the United States.
With the help of her former Squadron Commander, General LeMae, Susan Turner attempts to lead the nation through these turbulent times while battling her own internal demons. Susan is a battle-hardened war veteran but she must learn what it takes to be a world leader. Nuclear war and the future of the human race hang in the balance.
Book Excerpt:
Susan Turner looked up through a haze of white dust and saw a group of men in black suits huddled around her body. The muffled ringing in her ears overpowered their voices. The men helped her to her feet and they ran as a group toward the entrance to the underground tunnel. Her hearing slowly returned, screams of panic in the hallway replacing the ringing. As they ran, she recognized the men surrounding her were Secret Service agents.
Four agents surrounded Susan as they jogged through the underground tunnel together. Ten yards into the tunnel, she slowed down. In mid-stride, she took off one heel at a time and returned to the pace of the group. There were no words exchanged; they moved together in focused silence. Four hundred yards down the tunnel, the group stopped at two large steel doors. The lead agent opened the doors and light from the helicopter pad above burst into the tunnel.
Before moving toward the helicopter, the agent standing behind Susan shouted into his headset, “Checkpoint Bravo. Waiting for clearance.” He nodded as the response came through and relayed the message to the group: “Let’s move.” They ran from the tunnel into the daylight and across the tarmac to the open doors of the helicopter.
The agent sitting across from Susan handed her a communications headset. “Ma’am, are you okay? Any injuries?” Susan wiped the sweat and dust from her face. “No, I’m fine. My family?”
“They’re safe. Your children were brought to a safe location under the Pentagon, and your parents are there with them.”
She nodded. “Is it over?”
He pursed his lips before responding, “I don’t know. I only heard snippets of radio chatter while we were on the way to the helipad.”
Susan leaned back in her seat, cupping her hands over her face and replaying the events in her mind. The group stayed in radio silence for the remainder of the brief flight. The helicopter landed at Andrews Air Force Base and the doors immediately opened. Susan and her security detail rushed across the tarmac and boarded the Boeing 747. She walked onto the plane in her bare feet. Jogging on concrete caused the pinky toe on her left foot to bleed. She left a trail of blood down the center aisle of Air Force One.
***
Excerpt from Selected by J. Allen Wolfrum. Copyright © 2018 by J. Allen Wolfrum. Reproduced with permission from J. Allen Wolfrum. All rights reserved.
Four agents surrounded Susan as they jogged through the underground tunnel together. Ten yards into the tunnel, she slowed down. In mid-stride, she took off one heel at a time and returned to the pace of the group. There were no words exchanged; they moved together in focused silence. Four hundred yards down the tunnel, the group stopped at two large steel doors. The lead agent opened the doors and light from the helicopter pad above burst into the tunnel.
Before moving toward the helicopter, the agent standing behind Susan shouted into his headset, “Checkpoint Bravo. Waiting for clearance.” He nodded as the response came through and relayed the message to the group: “Let’s move.” They ran from the tunnel into the daylight and across the tarmac to the open doors of the helicopter.
The agent sitting across from Susan handed her a communications headset. “Ma’am, are you okay? Any injuries?” Susan wiped the sweat and dust from her face. “No, I’m fine. My family?”
“They’re safe. Your children were brought to a safe location under the Pentagon, and your parents are there with them.”
She nodded. “Is it over?”
He pursed his lips before responding, “I don’t know. I only heard snippets of radio chatter while we were on the way to the helipad.”
Susan leaned back in her seat, cupping her hands over her face and replaying the events in her mind. The group stayed in radio silence for the remainder of the brief flight. The helicopter landed at Andrews Air Force Base and the doors immediately opened. Susan and her security detail rushed across the tarmac and boarded the Boeing 747. She walked onto the plane in her bare feet. Jogging on concrete caused the pinky toe on her left foot to bleed. She left a trail of blood down the center aisle of Air Force One.
***
Excerpt from Selected by J. Allen Wolfrum. Copyright © 2018 by J. Allen Wolfrum. Reproduced with permission from J. Allen Wolfrum. All rights reserved.
My Book Review:
In his debut novel, Selected, author J. Allen Wolfrum weaves a riveting political thriller that will captivate the reader's attention, and keep them sitting on the edge of their seats.
Selected is a multi-layered fast-paced tale that is masterfully interwoven with domestic and international intrigue; secrets, deception, and hidden agendas; political posturing, plots, threats, and enough surprising twists and turns that transports the reader into the fascinating world of politics and terrorism. The author easily engages the reader to follow former Army helicopter pilot, Lt. Colonel and newly selected United State President Susan Turner and her former Squadron Commander, General Curtis LeMae, as they uncover a dangerous and serious plot by The Board, a shadow organization, and the Soviet Union to manipulate foreign relations.
The reader follows along as Susan and Curtis get caught up in the middle of a dangerous web of domestic and international political threats, deceit, and sinister agendas as this realistic story unfold. This is an exciting and dramatic story that will keep the reader guessing who is behind the domestic and foreign political plots until all the puzzle pieces are put together, and the explosive truth is unveiled in this dangerous international cat and mouse game.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
J. Allen Wolfrum is a fiction author and former Marine. He served four years as a Marine Corps Infantryman in the most decorated Regiment in Marine Corps history. During Operation Iraqi Freedom he led an infantry squad on missions spanning from the oil fields of Southern Iraq to the streets of Baghdad.
After the Marine Corps, he spent the next fifteen years exploring life from several perspectives: press operator in a plastics factory, warehouse stocker, confused college student, Certified Public Accountant, bearded graduate student, management consultant, and data analyst.
J. Allen Wolfrum’s writing career began in 2017 with his debut novel, Selected. He uses the unique combination of his Marine Corps, professional and life experience to create a realistic perspective on the political thriller genre. He lives in Southern California with his beautiful wife and two cats.
Contest Giveaway
Win $10 Amazon Gift Card
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for J. Allen Wolfrum. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. The giveaway begins on July 1, 2018 and runs through September 1, 2018. Open to U.S. addresses only. Void where prohibited.
Virtual Book Tour
Tour Schedule:
07/01 Showcase @ Brooke Blogs
07/02 Showcase @ Bound 2 Escape
07/03 Guest Post @ Aurora Bs Book Blog
07/04 Showcase @ BooksChatter
07/05 Review @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
07/06 Interview @ The Reading Frenzy
07/08 Showcase @ 3 Partners in Shopping Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
07/09 Guest Post @ Mythical Books
07/10 Showcase @ The Pulp and Mystery Shelf
07/11 Showcase @ tfaulcbookreviews
07/12 Interview @ Quiet Fury Books
07/13 Review @ Tome Tender
07/17 Guest Post @ Loris Reading Corner
07/17 Review @ CMash Reads
07/18 Interview @ CMash Reads
07/23 Guest Post @ Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
07/25 Showcase @ Celticladys Reviews
07/26 Showcase @ What Is That Book About
07/30 Review @ Buried Under Books
08/01 Interview @ A Blue Million Books
08/24 Review @ Jersey Girl Book Reviews
08/27 Review @ jbronderbookreviews
08/28 Blog Talk Radio w/Fran Lewis
08/28 Review @ Stacking My Book Shelves!
08/29 Review @ Just Reviews
08/30 Review @ A Room Without Books is Empty
08/31 Showcase @ Teatime and Books
I agree with your review. I could not put this book down, so much so, that I read it in one sitting!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl! Thank you for allowing me to host the VBT. This was a really intriguing story, I hated putting the book down! :)
DeleteI already liked the cover, but the second paragraph of your review hooked me.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Hi Sherry! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it. Hope you add the book to your TBR list. :)
Delete