Thursday, September 23, 2010

Defensive Tactics


Paul Stephens has it all--a wonderful job at the FBI, a new girlfriend, and a great apartment. Even when Jimmy, a friend from his past, unexpectedly ends up on his couch, Paul has no worries. But when arresting a corrupt judge puts his girlfriend's life in danger, Paul and Jimmy will do anything to save her. How far will Paul go to protect the ones he loves? Filled with suspense and action, Defensive Tactics shows just how much the bonds of friendship can endure.

Defensive Tactics is a LDS based suspense thriller. It is the debut novel by Steve Westover.

The book had several well placed hooks at the end of chapters that compelled me to turn the page and keep reading. Steve’s book has it all. Good and bad FBI agents, good and bad cops, bad judges mingling with mobsters, and likeable protagonists.

Interwoven into the suspense/thriller motif is a character struggling with his faith. Even the “true to the faith” characters make judgment calls that bring their ethics into question as they strive to accomplish the greater good by breaking a few rules. The story was very enjoyable, and devoid of overt sexuality and profane language that is very prevalent in much of today’s literature.

The book did contain a few point of view (POV) shifts that many writers would disapprove of; but since I frequently disapprove of writers that have conniptions over POV shifts, I don’t consider it a huge deal.

Defensive Tactics is a solid novel by an up and coming writer. I have no doubts Steve’s writing will get even better as he continues to hone his craft. You can purchase a copy of Defensive Tactics by clicking here.

Note: I did receive a free copy of the book so I could review it. However, the free book in no way influenced my write up.

5 comments:

Steve Westover said...

Dan,

Thank you for taking the time to review Defensive Tactics.

Unknown said...

Funny I didn't even notice the point of view shifts.

I really enjoyed the book also.

Debbie Davis said...

Dan, I loved your review on this book, I really loved your comments on pov shifts. I laughed out loud, it was great! I thought that this book was really a great first book, and well developed too. I really like how you talk about the faith of the characters and the tried and true ones who make judgement calls. I hadn't really paid much attention to it until you pointed it out, and thought, oh ya, that did happen! I like your blog and what it is about in general as well!
=0)

Debbie Davis said...

oh and how do you get those little icons at the bottom of your blogs with the labels and twitter and facebook? just wondering =0)

Dan Olsen said...

Hi Debbie,

I'm a tad bit ashamed to say I don't know why those icons are at the bottom of my postings...they just are.

If you go into Blogger.com and then into the settings for your blog, there might be something. Good luck.