Threads of Destiny [Paperback]

J. P. Mercer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004

Threads of destiny entwined the emotionally guarded and barren lives of Cara Cipriano Vittore and Jacquelyn Lee Biscayne during the investigation of a serial rapist/murderer and his reign of terror across the Sonoran Desert. Twisted threads tore their lives asunder, leaving each to follow her own isolated path toward an undeniable, inevitable fate.

Threads of Destiny embraces the prestigious coastal paradise of Santa Barbara, California the American Rivera and the beautiful, romantic scenery of its virgin wine country.

It is the story of the powerful Cara Cipriano Vittore, lawyer, vintner, and Padrone of the prestigious Cipriano Vineyards, and Jacquelyn Lee Biscayne, FBI forensic pathologist who goes undercover with the Monsoon Rain task force that is closing in on the Mexican/Colombian cocaine pipeline. Are they destined to cross paths again amidst the world of intrigue, cocaine, and murder, and the relentless search for a ruthless killer?

Product Details

• Paperback: 209 pages
• Publisher: BookEnds Press (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932667121
• ISBN-13: 978-1932667127
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,260,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars the narrative is as smooth as fine wine, June 5, 2007

By 

Queen's Jester (Road Warrior) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Threads of Destiny (Paperback)

I have not read the earlier work so for me, this was a standalone adventure rather than a sequel. As a standalone piece, there is an awkwardness to the first 30 pages -- the pace is way too fast with way too many memories of earlier times. When overused like this, flasbacks lose their magic.

This approach of telling the story, rather than letting the story unfold, continues to be a challenge for the author for most of the book.

Although I found the storyline intriguing, and the characters potentially likable, both lacked real depth -- the kind of depth that pulls you into the story and makes certain scenes linger in your mind weeks after you've finished reading the book.

The biggest challenge for me was the continuous feeling that the author was on a mission to get from point A to point B with the focus being on the end result rather than the adventure of getting there. The story could have easily held another 50+ pages, allowing the reader to savour the moment or "feel" the tension. Instead, it felt as if the tension was being thrust upon me, the reader.

Despite all these concerns, I will continue to read more of this author's works, in hopes that she will learn to control her pace in a way that enables the story to unfold with a more natural feel. For when the author is not rushing the pace, the narrative is as smooth as fine wine.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting adventure/romance novel, March 30, 2005

By 

Mustang - See all my reviews

This review is from: Threads of Destiny (Paperback)

Threads of Destiny is set in the southwestern US and is the story of Jake Biscayne and Cara Ciprano. They are former lovers who were separated by tragic circumstances that Jake has never understood. Jake, who works for the FBI, is sent to work on a case involving drugs being smuggled through a prominent vineyard. What she doesn't know is that Cara is the head of the vineyard. As they are brought back together, different plots interact with each other - Cara wants to try and solve her differences with Jake and give them a second chance, the drug runners have to be stopped, other lovers would like to separate Jake and Cara permanently and there is an evil presence still influencing the course of their lives. The book is fast paced, well written and exciting in the climax. This book is highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Threads, September 28, 2008

By 

B. J. Brown (Waukee, IA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Threads of Destiny (Paperback)

I'm glad we had a sequel to the Cipriano/Biscayne relationship. Lots of action! You won't be able to put it down...a one sitting read.