Countdown

I was lucky enough to be given an advance copy of Countdown by Michelle Maddox . I brought it home from RT, and had to delay reading it as real life work beckoned me back with the pesky lure of grocery money. Little did I know what kind of reading experience I was missing (yes, foreshadowing....bad, bad, bad, lol).

Well, when I finally got a chance to sit and read it, I am lucky that I had a day off because once I started I couldn't stop until the last page was turned. WOW! Non-stop thrill ride from start to finish. For those of us who are familiar with Michelle's work as Michelle Rowen , you may be expecting something similar to her vampire books, or her Angel book. Get that thought outta your head right now. This book is so completely different in style and content that it truly is like another author wrote it. (Michelle, is there something you need to tell us? Perhaps some history of multiple personality disorder?) I am not saying that her other books aren't entertaining, I love them. This book is just so different from her other work that it bears mentioning.

In this book, the world has changed from what it once was. Many humans have abandoned the planet for "Offworld" paradise, but only if they have the money. For those like the heroine Kira, a homeless orphan, they are stuck with life in a desolated, poor, almost lifeless city. Kira finds her world forever changed when she wakes up in a dark room, chained to a wall with serial rapist and murderer, Rogan. They are given the rules of the game, The Countdown, their instructions for completing the first level, then they are off and running.

As I said before this book has action that just doesn't stop, it draws you in and keeps you breathless with anticipation. The story is incredible with awesome twist and turns in the plot that keep you guessing as to what is coming next for Kira and Rogan. A roller coaster ride with loop de loops galore, you won't be able to put this book down. Never fear, the romance is not forgotten in this book, you will find a beautifully crafted love story woven in among the phases of the game as well.

You MUST buy this book, it is a perfect combination of sci-fi, urban fantasy, and romance. Here is the Amazon link for preordering. It will be available on July 29th, 2008.

C'mon, click it. You know ya wanna.