Customer Reviews

The Chosen (MIRA)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

January DeLena is a journalist is D.C. She has been homeless, and hungry, so she has a special interest in the many homeless people around the city. Now she has heard about a man calling himself the "Sinner" they say he claims to have died and gone to hell, and now he is helping others. But she is having no luck finding him.

Benjamin North is a detective, he knows who January is, and has found himself very attracted to her, but she is media and every cop knows not to get involved with the media. However, his job and hers seem to collide while he works a missing persons case.

Both January and Ben find that some attractions are to much to avoid. When January shares some of her thoughts on the missing men, she and Ben are forced into a unit with his superior and his partner because she has thoughts but no proof. To find the proof they need, she may have to put herself in the line of fire.

Very intriging plot, with a breathtaking ending. I loved it. Sharon Sala is great.

I have read everything Sharon Sala (AKA Dinah McCall) has ever written and this the first book that I am not sure if i'll be rereading. The basic plot of the book was good but I felt the romance was rushed and a bit off and the ending left a few loose ends in my opinion. It was a good read but NOT the great read I have come to expect from Ms. Sala. Hope her next offering in April 2006 written under Dinah McCall is better!

DC TV reporter January DeLena is investigating near death experiences when she uncovers a nasty scenario. Someone using the name Sinner abducts homeless males, but only those whose name is that of an Apostle. She is not sure what this self-anointed preacher has done with THE CHOSEN ones as no major increase in homicides has been reported though Brother John is dead.

January reports her theory to homicide detective Ben North, who in spite of seeing her recent anger and frustration over the murder of a twelve year old girl not related to this case, rejects her assertion as ridiculous. Instead he assumes that she is just another insensitive muckraker trying to get a reputation through a sensational though untrue story. She continues to dig deeper until the Sinner becomes aware of her actions. He plans a special sacrifice for the nosy woman who somewhat persuades Ben to take a chance on her. Ben still has major doubts, but admits to himself that he desires the reporter; she reciprocates but refuses to use her body to convince him that the Sinner exists.

THE CHOSEN is a graphic crime thriller with a touch of the seemingly paranormal and a romantic subplot that plays a back role to the activities of the Sinner. The story line grips the reader as the Sinner's plans start to become known to the audience and January. The lead couple is a likeable pair who is attracted to one another though he does not believe her pleadings as he assumes she is self grandstanding to further her career. Though the biblical references are overkill, fans of dark thrillers will want to read this one, but keep the lights on afterward.

I like mysteries with a touch of romance, and I like most of this author's books. The plot in this book was so lame that I almost stopped reading about a quarter of the way through. The only reason I finished the book was because I had spent money on it! At the beginning of the story, Jay Carpenter, a man with shall we say a less than sterling character, has a near-death experience where he experiences going to hell. Yes, it changes his life, but this is where I gave up on the book. Carpenter comes to believe that he is Jesus, and oh yes don't forget the brain tumor he is suffering from as well, making him delusional. Naturally Carpenter then begins to do what Jesus would do. He starts to gather twelve disciples whom he kidnaps by force and holds captive under terrible conditions. Ooookay- Not just slightly lame, but very lame. Hence, the heroine, January DeLena and the hero, Benjamin North have to find "Jesus the kidnapper" before he strikes again. Groan! As I said, I like Sharon Sala's books, but this is a "must miss".

Sharon Sala is one of my favourite authors as she writes deeply emotional, poignant stories combined with suspense. This book is no exception as we follow the heroine, January DeLena, a journalist, who has been homeless, which gives her a special interest in the homeless people around the city. Having heard about a man calling himself the "Sinner" a homeless man claims to have died and gone to hell and is now "helping" other homeless men, i.e. abducting them, she attempts to find him, albeit without success

She joins forces with detective Benjamin North, who is very attracted to her. However, she is a journalist and cops don't get involved with the media. Still, their jobs seem to collide on a missing persons case, but Ben doesn't believe January's thougths at first.

Ben finally listens to January's theories about the Sinner and the abducted homeless men, while the attraction between them grows until neither can deny it any longer. Then January comes up with a plan to get the Sinner out into the open by putting herself in the line of fire.

The implication of January's full name is the one part of the book that is a bit farfetched - if Ms Sala had come up with something a little more believable, the book would have rated 5 stars. Still, a wonderful read as always.

This book was SO bad I wanted to jump in here and say so. I'd never read this author before. The characters are one-dimensional, if that's possible. The dialogue is SO unbelievable that I found myself laughing out loud at the conversations between the characters.

I'm a mystery reader, and a horror reader, and this book delves into the romance genre a little bit, so it's a little outside of my usual genre. I usually read Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Michael Connelly, Robert B. Parker, Jonathan Kellerman, etc.

I got halfway through this disaster before I couldn't take any more and quit. I can't think of ever having quit a book before.

I think Sala writes at a 3rd grade level, the plot is just plain stupid, and the writing is just so plain bad it is almost an insult to the reader.

Stay away.