Customer Reviews

The Survivors

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

 

 

Surviving the plane crash in the midst of a snowstorm in the Appalachians should have been their biggest problem. Instead, Molly Cifelli and five year old Johnny O'Ryan find themselves fleeing the plane wreckage from a killer. Deborah Sanborn sees their survival in a vision but she'll have to convince Johnny's family of the validity of her vision. Evan, Mike, Thorn, and James O'Ryan will do whatever is necessary to find Johnny, but they are admittedly skeptical of Deborah's visions. Will they be in time to save Johnny and Molly from the killer?

THE SURVIVORS is a quick paced tale full of tense moments. As with any Dinah McCall novel, there are some definite tear jerker moments. Aptly named, THE SURVIVORS vividly portrays Molly and Johnny's struggle against the elements and against a very deranged killer. The killer is admittedly a bit unrealistic but his desperation seems in keeping with the character Ms. McCall has created, particularly for an individual suffering from the cold and his injuries after such a horrific crash.

The real heart of THE SURVIVORS is about the process of surviving despite unspeakable odds. The strength of character required by Johnny and Molly, and yes, even the killer, to overcome such incredible odds is a testament to the human race. THE SURVIVORS is not my favorite Dinah McCall novel by any means, but the powerful impact of the story cannot be denied. THE SURVIVORS is a moving, emotional, and tense story and one can only applaud Ms. McCall for writing this story while dealing with the loss of her fiancé.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I rate this book a 2 1/2- 3 for average. I did like it, and I am a Dinah Mccall/Sharon Sala fan -but I did not think it was one of her best. I found it hard to believe the "evil" senator could survive so long in the cold w/o adequate clothing, food, water or take shelter. he was injured but still managed to tromp all over the mountains to find Johnny and Molly. He should have died from exposure -or The pregnant woman should have had better aim! I also thought Dinah could have scaled back on Johnny's family - what was the need to have that many relatives? I could see Mike and Evan - but the other 2 dads too? It was nice that Mike found Deborah and fell in love. but I would have liked a bit more story and romance between Evan and Molly - afterall SHE is supposed to be the heroine for saving Johnny -but somehow she gets sidelined to a secondary bit character so that was disappointing too.

I have to disagree with the previous reviewer. I did not find this book at all boring. The story was good. I especially liked the multi-generational family and their relationships to each other. Mike's and Deborah's relationship was sweet and the relationship between Evan, Molly, and Johnny was touching.

One the negative side, the villain was campy and that part of the story was just unbelievable. It's hard to believe he would survive in the cold for days with no water or food and being injured over and over. Also, I had a hard time picturing an 85 year old man driving a snowmobile up a snowy, icy mountain.

I would agree this was not Sala's/McCall's best work, but I give her credit and have to wonder at the courage it must have taken to write a romance while grieving for her fiance.

US Senator Patrick Finn begs his colleague Darren Wilson to support his legislation, but the latter says no as his constituency would go berserk. Patrick is irate with Wilson's refusal because failure will mean the mob will kill him as his proposed law pays off his enormous gambling debt to them. Both are on the same plane heading from DC to Atlanta. Also on that flight among other passengers are five year old Johnny O'Ryan accompanied by grandparents Frank and Shirley Pollard and child welfare worker Molly Cifelli.

When the plane crashes in the Appalachian Mountains near Chandler, Kentucky, Johnny's guardians die but he lives. Molly also survives and takes charge of the stunned youngster. However, both are further terrorized when they observe Finn kill Wilson. The two witnesses to the homicide flee while the killer chases after them. Meanwhile local psychic Deborah Sanborn "sees" the plane crash, the murder, and the subsequent cat and mouse game. She helps Johnny's father Evan and his grandfather Mike with the search though she is attracted to the fortyish older O'Ryan, but first they must save the child and his protector.

Though too much chance sets up the opportunity for the murder to occur, fans will appreciate this tense paranormal romantic suspense. After introducing the readers to the key players, the fast-paced story line soars as the plane crashes. Readers will appreciate the O'Ryans coming to Kentucky in search of the missing next generation, but also finding love in the mountains.

Harriet Klausner

WOW! COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! ORDERED A PIZZA (DELIVERED) SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO COOK. STAYED UP ALL NIGHT AND READ THE WHOLE BOOK...

I really liked this book. The only thing that kept it from being 5 stars is that the 2 romances or at least the main romance could have been a bit richer. I'm happy they fell in love, I just wish I could have read more and experienced more about it. I like all the generations of the men being together and supporting each other. I loved the pyschic aspect. I did wonder how the bad guy stayed alive while injured in the weather etc. After all, Molly and Johnny nearly died after only 2 nights. How did exposure not get him? Still all in all a good read.

Interesting and really great characters, but it all felt kind of detached and distant; didn't really draw me in, feel real to me. Also, too many characters and side plots going on; McCall should have stuck with just one or two.

OK, so this was my first Dinah McCall novel and I enjoyed it. Yes, there were some discrepencies vis-a-vis the villian being able to survive in the snowy mountains but the woman and boy are near death within a couple of days. I did however really like the "middle-aged" relationship(YES! they aren't too old for sex!)and that of the men in the O'Ryan family. (Heaven help any of the females...they don't last too long!) But I digress. Read the book, it rolls along at a good clip and the romance is very nice. Enjoy it on the beach...at least YOU will be warm!

This was a dynamic book, characters were vivid and the story was great; I love her as Sharon Sala and she's equally wonderful as Dinah McCall. I was captivated by the storyline and the family interaction between 3 generations. It's worth it!

I totally enjoyed this book. It was the perfect combination of romance and suspense. I had a hard time putting this one down! I enjoyed all of the characters and the pace of the book was non stop. This might be my favorite McCall book yet!