Customer Reviews

Deliver Us from Evil: A Novel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Robin Caroll and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Deliver Us From Evil" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me.

I am completely enthralled by Robin Caroll's novel, "Deliver Us From Evil". My initial attraction to the book description was a mention of the Great Smoky Mountains, a place I spent a bit of time exploring as a child. I looked forward to reliving some memories about the places I visited while in North Carolina and Tennessee. And, although the setting fills my mind with beauty, the underlying subject matter taints that beauty completely. The horrifying topic of child trafficking is at the heart of this novel. A race against time to get a donor heart to a recipient who has the knowledge to bust a Tennessee child trafficking ring wide open is how this book begins and builds in suspense. The crash of the helicopter carrying the heart that is being escorted to its North Carolina destination by U.S. Marshall Roark Holland, leads to the rescue of this group by Ranger-Pilot Brannon Callahan.

This novel truly has every element imaginable for a work of romantic suspense. But what impressed me most about this novel is how incredibly it shows how something horrifying can be surrounded by something incredibly breathtaking, and vice versa. It makes me wonder how much we don't see because we either don't look or we refuse to acknowledge a thing. This has led me to pray for eyes open to truth, for the collapse of this horrible industry, and for the physical and emotional healing and restoration of the victims of human trafficking. Thank you, Robin Caroll, for not allowing this subject matter to go unnoticed.

In Deliver Us from Evil, Robin Caroll has created a fast-paced, riveting story that is both compelling and horrifying. Compelling because of the well-honed skill Caroll expertly uses to draw us into the lives and mission of Brannon and Roark. Horrifying when we realize that the business of kidnapping children and forcing them into sexual slavery is very real, and thrives even in our so-called `enlightened' society. With the same skill Caroll uses to bring Brannon and Roark to life, she gives us a vivid glimpse into the life of Mai, one of the kidnapped girls who is desperate to escape the brutality that has become a way of life. This little girl's plight will break your heart. I was highly impressed with Caroll's skill in portraying the horrors she endured without once resorting to relaying the graphic details.


The suspense plot is undergirded with spiritual strength, and I loved the way the characters quote scripture to each other. It demonstrated seamlessly how scripture is an integral part of the lives of believers. Also entwined with the suspense is the romance that grows between Brannon and Roark, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Thanks so much to the B&H Publishing Group for sending me this copy to review. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. I pray this story touches hearts, and spurs many to action on behalf of the thousands of children who pray daily Deliver Us from Evil.

Robin's novel, Deliver Us From Evil, has death-defying moments, along with some romance, that keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. A helicopter crash has stranded U.S. Marshall Roark, haunted by a recent tragedy, who is delivering a donor heart to a Federal witness who can decipher information of a major child trafficking ring. Brannon, who is the search and rescue (SAR) helicopter pilot who is out to find the U.S. Marshall in the Smokey Mountains National Park, has her own set of issues that keep popping up. The tension between them is palpitating throughout all the plot twists in the book, even in places you don't expect!

The storyline brings out the drama of SAR and the horrors of child trafficking, along with the travesty of justice, in a way that opens your eyes to the plight of this horrific dilemma. It will give you a more healthy respect for the law enforcement and government officials who risk their lives for our safety and the children caught up in child trafficking.

This is a powerful book that opened my eyes to the vastness of child trafficking today! Here are some sites the author used for facts, but can also be used if you want to become involved. One could `Google' child trafficking to find others, but use caution on all the sites.

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I couldn't put this book down and stayed up way too late reading two nights in a row. It's a suspenseful page turner with tension that never lets up. Robin did a great job with the technical details and research, so that I really felt like I was a part of the story and the characters were real. I also liked how the spiritual thread was woven in as a natural response to the characters' life experience. Very realistic.

My only caveat is that the subject matter isn't for the faint of heart. The opening scene has a body count, including children, and a big part of the plot has to do with child trafficking. While the most heinous acts occur "off stage" Robin pulls you right in with the emotions. So be aware, not every book is for every reader.

Can't wait to read her next one!

This book was EXCELLENT! I loved everything about this book. It's emotional, romantic, suspenseful and full of Christian beliefs. An awesome combination!

One of the things I liked about this book is, while I have heard nothing but awesome reviews on this book, it is by an author who is totally new to me. And, now that I have read Deliver Us From Evil, I will definitely be checking out more of the talented Robin Caroll's books! She has a talent to write a book that has the ability to leave you with a white knuckle grip on the book, turning page after page, flowing with the roller coaster twists and turns, to get to the end of the book for that long awaited reveal,all the while, showing us the wonderful mercy of God!

I'm not going to say that just one character tugged at me the most. I enjoyed all the characters(except the bad guys, of course!), from Roark to Brannon to Lincoln. They all had a magnificent part in Robin's heart wrenching story of child trafficking. Robin created this child trafficking story by pulling fact into the fiction. It's amazing how real this book seems. I think it would make a perfect movie(not all books turn out to be great movies but this one has the pontential). I think the only down side to this entire book is the ending.....Robin makes me wonder if this is the start of a series. And guess what? It is! The release of Fear No Evil is August 2010 and I absolutely CAN NOT wait until that time! I want to read more of these fantastic characters by this wonderful author!

All of those things said, I rate this book with 5 stars! There is no question abou it! FIVE STARS! When you read this book, you are sure to feel the same way!

I'm one of those weird men who loves Braveheart and Gladiator, but will rewatch You've Got Mail just as often. It's not often you get a mix of both in a movie or a book. With Caroll's Deliver Us From Evil, you do. Intriguing, tense, but also romantic, this book wins on every level. Can't wait for the next book from Caroll.

I always like to learn about the life of the author of the books I read. I have been following Robin Caroll on Twitter ([...]) and Facebook ([...]) for a while; one gets a pretty accurate (albeit not complete) portrait of people that way. I also took a peek at her website ([...]). On the top right hand corner is Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That verse has special significance for me, being an ambassador to the Christian ministry geared to elite athletes, Team 413 ([...]). So I was very excited about the prospect of reading her latest novel, `Deliver Us From Evil'!

[...]

The main character in the novel is Brannon Callahan, a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot based in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I absolutely love that part of the country, so that is another reason for loving this novel! And I did.

The story revolves around a very difficult topic - child trafficking. Thai children are the victims of this particular ring. Brannon's mission is to rescue a donor heart and get it to its recipient, the main witness in the case against the child traffickers. Another helicopter carrying U.S. Marshall Roark Holland and the donor heart had gone down in a severe snow storm. The first half of the novel covers Brannon and her partner Lincoln's attempt to recover the survivors of the crash and the donor heart.

Robin's writing brought to my awareness an actual organization called the Coalition to Fight Against Child Exploitation (FACE) ([...]), a non-governmental organization (NGO) which was founded in 1995 to monitor the legal/justice mechanism in Thailand. I appreciate the fact that organizations of this kind exist, and that Mrs.
Caroll brought it to the attention of her readers.

Brannon and Lincoln are both strong Christ-followers, and they make Him a part of their everyday lives. On a regular basis, they quiz each other on Bible verses. One of them will quote one, and the other will have to recite the `address' of the verse. I thought that was a unique way to introduce scripture in a non-fiction work. Their back-and-forth had an impact on U.S. Marshall Holland, whose faith had been shaken by a tragic event in a previous case. He was reminded that the Lord is with us always and is always in pursuit in His gentlemanly manner.

Here is a passage in which Roark makes that very point:

Roark chose to ignore the praying comment Demott had spit out so second naturedly. He was accustomed to his boss's religious statements and normally ignored them. But after being around Brannon and Lincoln, the comments seemed to jump out and smack him between the eyes. Was somebody trying to make a point? Was there a message he was supposed to get? (p. 168)

I found this story to be very engaging - both in its many action sequences and in its human interactions. Mrs. Caroll does a wonderful job in bringing her readers right into the action. In fact, I think this book would make a thrilling movie!
Robin is the author of eight previous books, including `Bayou Justice' and `Blackmail.' The next novel in her portfolio is called `Fear No Evil.' It will feature Brannon's partner, Lincoln Vailes, who will be relocated to become a police officer in a small bayou town. That compelling story will be available on August 1, 2010. I look forward to continue to follow the characters in this novel - and hope Brannon and Roark show up again!

This book was provided to me by B&H Fiction for review purposes.

Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea - [...]

If you're a fan of the suspense genre and are looking for a gritty read minus the sex, profanity and gore - this book may be your answer.

Deliver Us From Evil is a fast-paced story centered around Brannon Callahan, a female search and rescue pilot whose path collides with U. S. Marshall, Roark Holland.

When a government witness comes forth and attempts to provide evidence to the FBI regarding an ongoing child-trafficking ring, he is mysteriously shot on the grounds of the FBI office. With a failing heart, the witness lies in a coma at the brink of death waiting on a heart transplant that is his last hope. As a donor heart becomes available, U.S. Marshall Roark Holland is responsible for escorting the heart to the hospital, but is waylaid when the Life Flight helicopter he is on, crashes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Brannon and her partner, Lincoln, begin the search and rescue process, locating the downed helicopter and Roark - only to find themselves running for their lives as they are pursued and shot at by an unseen enemy. This story is the perfect combination of suspense, tension and romance as the trio attempts to stay alive.

I also thought that Robin Caroll handled the delicate subject matter very well and yet kept the story interesting and real to life. I look forward to reading more of Robin's books.

Brannon Callahan takes her job as a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Smokey Mountains National Park seriously. When she hears on the news that a helicopter transporting a live heart is heading their direction straight into a blizzard, her and her partner Lincoln, spring into action. When the helicopter does go down Brannon & Lincoln help the survivors into her aircraft. Just as they are about the leave the ground shots ring out. Who is shooting at them and why? With the helicopter disabled they set out for a safer place to be rescued themselves. Will they be able to make it in time?

U.S. Marshal Roark Holland is trying for a successful conclusion to this assignment. His last assignment left him with a gaping whole in his soul. No one would get in his way especially the arrogant feisty woman pilot. He knew what women were like and the fact was he couldn't trust them or could he? As he gets to know Brannon will she change his opinion?

This was an excellent read! The story kept me engaged from start to finish and was a balanced blend of action, suspense and romance. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. Brannon Callahan was a strong woman but was also insecure. Lincoln was her partner, best friend, and her rock. He got Brannon through a very difficult time in her life. I absolutely loved the scripture game they played together. Roark was a good solid man whose heart was hurting. The slow build of Roark and Brannon's relationship was natural and fun to watch. The subject of child trafficking was handled very well. It's not an easy subject to write about or read about actually. I highly recommend this story and look forward to Lincoln's story in Fear No Evil.

Roark Holland is a U.S. Marshall that has been assigned to travel with and guard a donor heart from North Carolina to Tennessee. Everything hinges on delivering the heart in time for federally protected comatose witness. On the way to the hospital, the helicopter flies into a blizzard and goes down. Just before crashing, Brannon Callahan, a search and rescue pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, makes contact with them, and goes out with her partner to find them. She knows everything hinges on getting this heart to the witness as quickly as possible. He holds the key to a huge child trafficking, and if he dies, so does the hope of breaking up the ring.

My comments:

Although Robin Caroll has authored eight books before "Deliver Us From Evil", this is the first I have read by her, and I promise you, it certainly won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story line. It was filled with suspense that kept me up way into the night reading, making it nearly impossible to put down.

I enjoyed the characters. Roark was every bit what I would have expected from a Marshall, and I adored Brannon and her partner, Lincoln. They are a fantastic team and their way of keeping themselves grounded in bad situations was brilliant. Their messages of faith, love and courage, woven throughout the story were well done and meaningful.

I was very pleased with way the child trafficking was handled. You were made to realized the horror of of the situation, and the description was just enough, without too much information - giving it realism without being too graphic. Because of this, I did rate the book for older teens.

"Deliver Us From Evil" should be on everyone's reading list. This powerful story of the horrors of human trafficking packs a punch that will leave you looking at your comfortable and quite world in a whole new light.