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Queen of Hearts

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Queen of Hearts
By K. Dawn Byrd

Daphne Dean is a news reporter and photographer in New York during World War II. Her boss has convinced her to join up with the Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the CIA, to help with secret wartime intelligence activities. Fiercely patriotic, Daphne is eager to serve her country, but has no idea the danger in which she is being placed, not only in the OSS, but in her job as well. When she is assigned a murder scene to photograph, she quickly gets tangled up with the mafia. It seems nothing, and no one, in her life is what or who they seem, and Daphne struggles to know who to trust. The story takes a dramatic turn when Daphne enters hiding in a troubling location with Vito, the most mysterious and handsome man she has ever met. But can Daphne trust Vito? And can Daphne trust her own heart?

This best seller by K. Dawn Byrd grew from her 2009 National Novel Writers Month commitment. I am flabbergasted that such an amazing book was written in 30 days, because K. Dawn does not take a single short cut. Her characters are well developed, her plot well developed and fast moving, and her setting descriptions so vivid you can hear, see, and smell them.

I loved the fact that the protagonist is a strong, woman of faith. Strong women were not exactly common in during this time setting, but they did exist, so to hear about one is very satisfying. There are many instances where she fights conventional female stereotypes, and avoids pitfalls that women are prey to during that time in history, and her strength is commendable. I love Daphne's character, because she shows that one can be feminine, and emotional, and a woman of extreme faith, and still be a strong woman.

I am also pleased to see such variety in the male characters of the book. The characters of Kenneth and Vito are so different, not only from each other, but from what you expect them to be. I love when, as a reader, I am surprised to find out who the good guys are and are not. K. Dawn does an excellent job of keeping the story full of interesting twists and turns.

This book had me hooked, I read it in about thirteen hours, and it only took me that long because I had to get some sleep in the middle of it, since I started reading it at night. The story moved so swiftly, I just did not want to stop. I became emotionally invested in these characters. I wanted to know what happened to Daphne, and I wanted to learn if my gut instincts were correct about whom the good guys were or were not. The story made me happy, and at times made me shiver, but it never ever let me down.

The story is a romance, but completely chaste, with emphasis on faith, so it would be a suitable book for a young adult reader. There are some themes that can be a little darker, because the setting for the latter part of the book is an old mental institution, and there are lots of ties to the mafia and black market, but any violence or darkness is minimal, not gratuitous, and absolutely necessary for the storyline. Because the action scenes are so well developed, and the story so suspenseful, the book appeals to males; because there is a romantic element, the book appeals to females. In short, I would recommend this book to anyone, and everyone, who enjoys a good mystery, suspense, romance, or World War II book. And that pretty much covers everyone. Which is why this is a best seller.

What a great read! K. Dawn Byrd has crafted a story that blends romance, suspence,and history into an entertaining experience called, Queen of Hearts. The story begins with ambitious reporter, Daphne Dean, deciding to add a little more adventure to her life by joining the O.S.S. during WWII. She's suddenly thrust into a situation she's ill-prepared for, and isn't sure who to trust. There's her ex-boyfriend, Kenneth, who still holds her heart. By all reason she should trust him since she's known him her whole life, but war has brought out a different side to him that makes Daphne leery. Then there's the new guy, mysterious Vito, with shady family connections and secrets he's unwilling to divulge, yet something about him engenders trust. Should Daphne give it?

As the situation escalates, Daphne finds herself in hiding in an abandoned mental hospital. Both men insist they want to protect her, but is that really the case?

Is it terrible that I really want to find this institution to explore? Seriously, K. Dawn's description was so vivid and intriguing that this fictional setting is now listed in my top ten places I "must see" before I die. (Not sure how that's going to work out.) The whole story was great, but the last part was a major page turner, that kept me guessing until the very end. And I loved the growth of the characters shown in the book's conclusion. Most satisfying indeed. K. Dawn Byrd is a masterful suspense writer, and I look forward to her next title, Killing Time, in August, 2010.

Queen of Hearts, written by K. Dawn Byrd, is full of mystery, suspense, surprise, romance with a flirt of intimacy, murder, and a character that reminds us of the power of prayer. It is as well written as any best seller currently available. You will be on edge, as relationships unfold and the truth from the past surfaces. I look forward to future works of K. Dawn Byrd.

This was a great book full of many twists, turns and lots of intrigue. Just when you think you have it all figured out. . . you don't! Aside from the general plot twists, I also enjoyed the setting of the old asylum. I could see the sharp contrasts in the old building with its beautiful decor and its dark hallways and creepy basement. The author also went out of her way to make the details of the book historically accurate with references to the homefront experience during WWII (e.g. rationing and the black market). I highly recommend this book and look forward to more books to come from K. Dawn Byrd.

Queen of Hearts is a blend of so many things that it really held my interest. It had elements of Dick Tracy, Psycho, The Godfather, and more recently, Shutter Island. If you enjoy suspenseful stories set during WWII (stateside) that have moments where you'll feel like you're as scared as the heroine is, then you'll love this story. I personally prefer romantic elements in romantic suspense, and this story had a lot of that, too. It was tasty enough to keep me reading.

I was seriously torn and unsure for quite a while about who the bad guy was. At different times I liked them both. The author did a fabulous job of making you want her to run from both of them on occasion since each man told her the other guy was dangerous. It wasn't super-obvious who the real enemy was, and I loved that. It had me guessing for most of the story and I was terrified along with her.

Those elements in this novel that reminded me of Shutter Island were eerie, but so well done that I couldn't stop reading. It is obvious that the author understands mental institutions and their histories. That made the setting even more authentic to me. Did I mention the mob involvement and dead bodies? Oy, this story had it all. It was a great read and highly entertaining, but also contained a faith element that was impossible to miss. I highly recommend this story. It's a terrific debut.

Daphne Dean is a newspaper editor. She has no idea the trouble she is about to get into when her boss sends her to take pictures of a murder. A man comes up to her and warns her that her life is in danger if she does not throw the pictures away.She has not idea who the man is and here the suspense really starts for the reader. WHO IS THIS INTERESTING MAN? He only tells her his last name! Her former boyfriend warns her, but she doesn't believe him...You just have to read this and find out who this mysterious man is... VERY EXCITING!! Once I started to read I could not put this book down.The author goes into very great detail explaining situations. She has a way of putting you in the places she describes. And believe me....some of them are very, very scarry. I like the book, as she bring God into the story, and as Daphne is in danger for her life, her special friend is at home kneeling by her bed praying for her. Anya feels the trouble Daphne is in and spends lots of time with God, asking Him to protect her friend. It is a very good book and I am looking forward to other books this author has written

Queen of Hearts contains all the elements of a gripping romantic suspense novel. Daphne's desire to help the war effort endears her to us. Anya is a prayer warrior and mentor. Vito and Kenneth are both heartthrob heroes, and the reader is never sure which one Daphne is going to end up with. The WWII setting is exciting, and then the reader is swept into an entirely different setting when Daphne is taken to hide out in a deserted mental institution. From that point on the book's tone feels almost like a classic gothic romance. I was reminded many times of one my favorites, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

It's World War II in America, and yes, there were spies, black marketers and the mob all in action. K Dawn Byrd's debut novel from Desert Breeze is a sweet and dramatic shivery story about a young woman in over her head when she goes on assignment for the newspaper to photograph a mob murder...and ends up on a hit list. But that's not the worst of it. Daphne Dean was also recruited by the O.S.S. as a message carrier, code sign Queen of Hearts, and learns some unsavory information about her one-time love. But will her new love be her complete undoing?

In order to hide from the mob, Daphne ends up sharing a former mental asylum with its owner, a young doctor who also has secrets that Daphne may not be able to handle. Special friend and one-time spy herself, Daphne's friend Anya offers advice and prayers when Daphne needs them most. A fierce storm, a creepy maid and a run-in with the mob create a spooky tale of war-time intrigue that will keep you scrolling to escape from screaming.

I read and enjoyed this eBook in pdf format.

Queen of Hearts by K. Dawn Byrd kept me turning pages so quickly, I rested my finger on the page-turning button the whole time! All the characters are clearly drawn, as are the settings. The main character, Daphne, is very likable and capable, but has her foibles. She's a cub reporter during WWII, gets in over her head in a spy situation stateside, and fights her way past adversity to triumph in the end. This first novel is amazingly well done and could compete with all veteran writers of suspense for quality of plot and structure. The message of faith underlying the story gently reminds readers that faith and prayer are the guiding forces to survival in any and all circumstances. Watch out, suspense writers. K. Dawn has burst on the scene and I believe she is here to stay and to rise as a bright and talented star in the realm of Christian fiction writers!

Wow, what an interesting book! As a history major, this book was a perfect read for me. It has such a well developed story of WWII. Queen of Hearts has everything, in my opinion, that a good book should have. The suspense of the story kept me guessing until the very end, and the romantic elements kept me turning the pages. I just couldn't put this book down until I was completely done with it and knew how the story turned out. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense and romance. It is also a great book for young women who are strong in their faith.