The Compound [Paperback]

Gloria Shepherd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2004

The genre is a romantic thriller and is listed both as a suspense/thriller and also as a romance/thriller. In a riveting, fast-paced saga reminiscent of a modern-day Gone With the Wind, American and international politics form the background for this turbulent love affair. Ken Morgan-the "too handsome for his own good" commander of America's most elite, covert military unit-meets his match in the form of fiery redhead Carly Manning. He discovers she has much-too-cozy, personal relationships with people considered "enemies of the state" and pressures her into joining his group. Ken and Carly begin what appears to be a star-crossed love affair, which they can only survive by overcoming rebellion within the Special Forces unit, double dealing on the part of the Defense Department, and a major falling out with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The explosive dispute results in an order for Ken's termination. Carly puts her beloved Ken's welfare before her own and challenges the assassin hired to kill him.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Sensual, world-wind romance entangles a couple in an international web of conspiracy, intrigue, and murder.

About the Author

Gloria Shepherd is an award-winning screenwriter and ghostwriter. She co-wrote and co-produced the independent movie, The Blue Lizard—Winner of the 2003 Long Island International Film Expo’s Best Picture Award. The Blue Lizard is currently under a partnership/distribution agreement with Harve Pierre, Vice President, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment and Frantz Severe, P. Diddy’s Personal Videographer, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment. Watch for her erotic suspense thriller Love, Lust & Terror—Tales from the Compound in 2004, plus her Baxter the Bat Dog children’s series. She resides with her husband outside Denver, Colorado.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Aventine Press (August 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159330224X
• ISBN-13: 978-1593302245
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,518,195 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kept me in suspense!, March 20, 2001

By 

D. Allen Austin (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Compound (Paperback)

Friends who recommended this book to me told me they could not put it down. I have to admit they were right on the money. Not only is it a good read, but the way the author portrays the hero is unique and the plot indeed is a rollercoaster of action, adventure, and at times comedy.

What is most fascinating is the book is fact based. I can only imagine what the author has experienced and would hope she continues writing more.

The characters, Carly and Ken, are entertaining and do remind me of the Thin Man movie characters of Nick and Nora Charles, but a little more sexy. I liked Ken and Carly from the start and soon found myself cheering for them. What happens to them is quite exciting, but I won't give away the ending. As I mentioned previously, this is a book you won't be able to put down. I give it 5 stars *****!. I think you will too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well written thriller and an exciting love story., November 3, 2004

By 

Tyrone V. Banks (Newington, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Compound (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Tyrone Vincent Banks of Betsie's Literary Page.

A well written thriller and an exciting love story.


Carly Manning encounters a group of men on a road after loosing control of her vehicle. She realizes that she has stumbled into the wrong place at the wrong time, but fortunately, she mentions the name of a mutual acquaintance and the group agrees to assist her. She meets Ken Morgan, a charismatic musician and the leader of a group called "The Compound." As Carly and Ken interact with one another you get the distinct impression that they are meant to be together. From that point forward they have begun an adventure that becomes the plot for The Compound.
Most espionage type thrillers consist of two dimensional characters that simply do what you expect them to do. Without conscience or remorse they bed anyone necessary to achieve their objective. Although Carly and Ken are attractive and attracted to each other, they keep a respectable distance from one another. That fact creates a cloak of sexual tension that the reader can detect on any page on which the names Ken and Carly are mentioned together. It is as if they want to put their past "exploits" behind them and experience true love. Both characters have a colorful past in which "love" simply means sexual relations, but that may change as the hero and heroine fall deeply in love.
Ken has become Carly's protector in a sense. From her innermost thoughts you can sense that she can take care of herself but she allows Ken to defend her, mainly from some of the other members of Ken's team. Now, the tables have turned and Carly must fight to save Ken from his destruction. His team, the Compound, has become obsolete and an assassin has been sent to bring Ken down. Carly has decided that she will do what is necessary to save the man that she loves. Will she fail? Will she succeed? Is she more than what she appears to be? Read the book and you will surrender yourself to a literary roller-coaster that you will not be able to put down.
A three dimensional plot has been merged with two three dimensional characters to create a realistic adventure that will entice and entertain the senses. Enter The Compound and sample the work of Gloria Shepherd. Ms. Shepherd is a seasoned, veteran writer with the ability to create believable characters tackling realistic issues. She writes with a romantic edge that will draw multiple audiences into the book with a desire to see how the book ends. Do the two heroes fall in love and stay together? Or, will the covert world of espionage tear them apart? I'm not going to tell...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I hope they make a movie out of this book!, April 13, 2001

By 

Laban Johnson (Woodbridge, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Compound (Paperback)

I received my copy of "The Compound" last night when I got home and thus far I've read the first chapter and a few pages in chapter two and I'm diggin' it! :) I like the way each character is introduced to the reader and into the story, and the very beginning is definitly `sticky', leaving me with questions, wanting to find out what will happen.

Cool music, stars and action/adventure with a twist of comedy - It's definitely a story made for me. Also, the love story which develops should go well with female readers.

I hope they make a movie out of this book! There's NO reason why "The Compound" as a movie, if produced *right*, should not become a blockbuster hit.