Last Breath (The Rayne Tour, Book 2) [Paperback]

Brandilyn Collins (Author), Amberly Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2009

The suspenseful and emotion-filled second book in the Rayne series begins where the first book ended...with a dying man whispering four stunning words into Shaley O'Connor's ear. Should she believe him? After two murders on the Rayne concert tour, Shaley is reeling. But she has no time to rest. If the dying man's claim is right, the danger is far from over. Shaley's quest for the truth leads to the mysterious and wrenching past of her mother and father. Could what happened to them so many years ago threaten Shaley's life now?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–10—Shaley is on tour with her mom, rock star Rayne. Just hours after being rescued from a kidnapping, and following three deaths on the tour that might be connected to the father Shaley has never met, her mother is attacked and danger could still be around the corner. While the authors set up a thrilling tale, the story is contrived and the secondary characters remain undeveloped.—Richard Winters, Wasco High School, CA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From the Back Cover

The suspenseful and emotion-filled second book in the Rayne series begins where the first book ended...with a dying man whispering four stunning words into Shaley O'Connor's ear. Should she believe him? After two murders on the Rayne concert tour, Shaley is reeling. But she has no time to rest. If the dying man's claim is right, the danger is far from over. Shaley's quest for the truth leads to the mysterious and wrenching past of her mother and father. Could what happened to them so many years ago threaten Shaley's life now? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1st edition (September 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310715407
• ISBN-13: 978-0310715405
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist, writing her trademarked Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. She also has written the distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons).

You can read excerpts from all her books at her Web site: www.brandilyncollins.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good to the Last Breath, October 25, 2009

By 

Tamela Mccann "taminator40" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Last Breath (The Rayne Tour, Book 2) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

With his last breath, the man who had attacked Shaley O'Connor in the previous book, Always Watching, left her with a scary yet tantalizing comment: "Your father sent me." For this rock star's daughter who has never known anything about her father, these words send her into a tailspin on top of the chaos that has already plagued her in the past few days. But before she can share this information, her mother Rayne is injured and Shaley must focus on her healing. It is while Rayne is confined to her hospital bed that Shaley is finally, finally able to hear the story of her father and why she's never known him. But how can she come to terms with everything while there is a fiendish member of the paparazzi following her every move?

Last Breath picks up almost immediately after Always Watching, with Shaley's world taking a major shift after the recent murders on tour and her mother's injuries. The story shifts between Shaley in the present and her mother's story set in 1991-1992. Both points of view are equally enthralling, and Shaley comes to understand why her mother has kept the story from her for so long.

Last Breath is a short novel but a page turner. Shaley is entirely believable as a young woman desperate to know her own story, even if she is a bit headstrong in thinking she can take on anyone. There is a religious bent to the novel, but it is definitely woven well into the story and doesn't pull you out of the storyline itself. My only problem was the actual story of Rayne's past; it seemed to set the father up as a bit of a hero, which made me feel as though the author was trying to make him too sympathetic. But as the story progressed, I could see that in fact the author had plans for him that would take time to mature, so I can forgive that one minor fault. Last Breath is a good mystery that should capture anyone who enjoys watching the past revealed one layer at a time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wanted to be suprised, October 29, 2009

By 

Embrace Life - See all my reviews

This review is from: Last Breath (The Rayne Tour, Book 2) (Paperback)

As much as I respect these authors, this book didn't draw me in. I seem to have become too cynical in fiction reading these days. Maybe it is the writer in me that is watchful of sentences I can guess what happens next. With that said, I want to support Christian authors whether their work appeals to me personally or not.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tight Suspense and Mystery, October 9, 2009

By 

Jake Chism (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Last Breath (The Rayne Tour, Book 2) (Paperback)

Shaley O'Connor has always longed for the father she never knew. Being the teenage daughter of a rock star certainly has its perks, but Shaley would gladly trade all the glamour and spotlight for a chance to meet her dad. However, two of her friends have recently been murdered and it seems like her father may be behind it all. Shaley and her mom, Rayne, delve into the past looking for answers unaware that someone is coming for them both.

Last Breath takes up right where Always Watching left off and immediately we're pulled in by the tight suspense and mystery surrounding Shaley. We're treated to a great storytelling device this time around that gives us a glimpse into the past and propels the story ahead. The suspense and mystery elements are strong throughout and Shaley's spiritual journey never seems forced or manufactured. Rather the questions and doubts come across as a natural reaction to the fear and turmoil she is facing.

Brandilyn and Amberly Collins continue to shine in a young adult market that so desperately needs quality stories laced with positive messages. Though geared towards teen girls, this series can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone who loves great suspense. Give the Rayne Tour a try and see for yourself. You'll be glad you did.