Customer Reviews

Threads of Destiny

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is the sequel to the terrific 'Incommunicado', however there is enough back story included that it is not required to read it first - but I highly recommend you do as that too is a great story.

Your heart just breaks for the terrible things that have occurred in the lives of Cara and Jake. So many twists and turns occur that I didn't know how the book would end. Would Cara and Jake reunite? Would they be able to overcome all the miscommunication? Would Cara isolate herself forever. Would Cara find love with her former love Maggie. Would Jake find happiness with someone new?

Among all this angst there is corruption and illegal drugs and attempted murder set against a back drop of a gorgeous winery.

I was a little disappointed in 'Incommunicado' by Nancy Hill and J.P. Mercer, and was leery of the sequel. However, I had already bought both and decided to plow ahead. You'll never know how glad I am that I did. I'm not sure why, but this sequel is many times better than the original. As far as I could see, it would also be enjoyable on its own (i.e, not necessary to read 'Incommunicado.')

The premise of this book follows the first in that it centers around the investigation of drug running and murder across the US/Mexico border, but that's where it ends. Cara has left Jake because of medical issues related to her rape, but Jake doesn't even know about the rape. Jake is devestated by the loss of her lover, especially since she doesn't know why things ended.

After leaving Jake, Cara returns to her family's vineyard and takes over operations there. She finds herself facing her first love, Maggie, Maggie's daughter, and her dispicable brothers. On top of it all, she finds cocaine and discrepancies in the vineyard's books. Cara contacts the authorities to get help. In the meantime, the heartbroken Jake runs into McKenzie -- one of Cara's former lovers -- and reluctantly begins at least a physical relationship with the woman. Jake is called in for an undercover assignment, only to find out she will once again see Cara.

The investigation is a minor part of this book and the love story is much more out front than in 'Incommunicado.' The characters have feelings and depth. This reader could imagine sitting along the wall during the party and participating in the winery tour. 'Destiny' is many times better than 'Incommunicado' and comes highly recommended. Curl up in your favorite chair with a nice glass of wine and enjoy. You won't be sorry.

SNIPPET FROM REVIEW of FIRST EDITION
This book is the sequel to Incommunicado by Mercer and Nancy Hill. That was a good book, this is even better. This book ties together the strings left dangling in the first book. It's full of adventure, emotion and tension. A great read.

REVIEW OF SECOND EDITION

The idea of reading the second edition of a book I was already familiar with never made much sense in the past. If you already know the story, what is the point? However, word was that there were significant changes in this new edition, both through new words and a thorough editing, so I decided I should read it and I learned a valuable lesson. When an author revisits her work and teams up with a talented editor, a good book can be made even better and show more depth than before.

Threads of Destiny is the story of Cara Cipriano, a lawyer and vintner in Santa Barbara, and Jake Biscayne, a leading FBI forensic pathologist and profiler. Mercer and Nancy Hill first introduced their story in Incommunicado; however, through a skillful use of flashbacks and inventive dialogue, Mercer provides enough of the original story in this volume that it is not necessary to have read the first book to follow the action. The women fell in love while they were working together to solve a string of brutal murders along the Mexican border, only to have their relationship ripped apart by a tragedy that Cara could not cope with and Jake knew nothing about. Threads reunites them a year later when Cara returns to take over as padrone of the family vineyard and discovers that someone is using the business to smuggle drugs across the border. When she asks the government for help, she and Jake are brought together in an uncomfortable situation while they try to solve the crime. Two stories then unfold in the book. One is a mystery and adventure story about the drug running that eventually includes kidnapping and a dramatic conclusion. Simultaneously, Cara and Jake struggle to deal with their emotions and whether or not they can rebuild the relationship they once had. Not until the very last page is that question answered and the reader cannot be certain of the answer until then.

There are a number of things to like about Mercer's writing. Even though it is fiction, the characters ring true as actual people. Women usually don't fall in love immediately in life and they sometimes hurt each other. Jake can't forgive Cara immediately for deserting her even after she learns the reason for Cara's actions and she shouldn't. You almost find yourself hoping that Jake will fall for a new interest McKenzie, even though you know the pain that Cara suffers because of her actions. The frustration of Jake, the despair of Cara and the pure evil of Sandro the drug runner/murderer come off of the pages powerfully. Mercer is very deft at keeping you on the edge of just not being sure how these stories will resolve themselves until they are finished. The dialogue from other languages, with no translations, shows the respect that Mercer has for her reader being able to infer the meaning from the story. The knowledge of the wine making process, forensic details, and the inside dealing of the cocaine trade indicate a book that was thoroughly researched. Mercer's writing is very tight. There are no wasted scenes or words to distract the reader from the action and emotion that drive the stories. There are secondary characters who add color and dimension to the book, like Cara's childhood friend and would be lover Maggie, Matt Peyson, the Federal agent who loves Jake, but knows he has to look elsewhere for happiness, McKenzie the alluring woman who has feelings for both Cara and Jake, and Sandro, evil incarnate, the childhood friend of Jake and Matt who has betrayed their love for him and who is the killer determined to make Cara pay for interfering in his business. They combine to create a world that feels all too real. Mercer has created one of those books that is hard to put down once you have started it.

The original version of Threads of Destiny had a very short life in the bookstores, so P.D. Publishing has done readers a service in bringing it back in an improved form. Now readers will have the chance to discover the book that it deserves.

I was actually quite disappointed in this sequel. Inncomunicato was full of life & intrigue. This fell short of that same quality. The writing lacks what I expected & is not on the same level as the first book. The story line, which is very cliche, lacks imagination & simply borrows situations & ideas from other works. I've read it all before & much better written.