N.L.B. Horton

Tuesday, February 24, 2015
When Camels Fly: A Novel of Suspense by NLB Horton, © 2014
Parched series, Book 1
international suspense novel

After a harrowing rescue escape in the desert, archaeologist Grace Madison and her daughter, Maggie, arrive at The American Colony Hotel, and a time to catch their breath. I am taking in the scents of aromatic blooms wavering in the air, as Grace and Maggie travel about Jerusalem discussing Maggie's finds as a hydrologist. Beautiful sights and sounds assault my senses, as they continue on their way incognizant of me. Intent on an evening meal, as I barely began enjoying mint tea, they are jaggedly dodging a bar-mitzvah party and fireworks jubilees to escape yet another turmoil. Can't these ladies stay out of harm's way?

Grace's husband and son are coming from uttermost regions to find their fair ladies. They seem to locate action too. Readily there is a group of compatriots who are looking out for them in the undercurrent of political and economical unrest. Who do you trust? Those you seemingly know, even though you have been family for years, or those sent to protect you without introduction?

Grace and Maggie are quite agile themselves ~ well, maybe Grace could use some daily exercise with all of the exertion she commands to stay up with Maggie. They become separated with agendas of their own will, it seems.

An undermined water rights claim has a major role; either by the lack of or its transference. I certainly was treading, trying not to get swooped under so compelling a current. A fast-moving story, each member of the Madison family in search of their goal, fully equipped to stand in their own right.

I liked how the chapters are broken up in small sections individualizing point of view and action. The author is well-versed in the subject. This is a strong story of espionage, ...and love clinging together amid all odds. Book 2 of the Parched series is entitled The Brothers' Keepers.

***Thank you to author NLB Horton for this review copy of When Camels Fly. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***… (más)

"Grace Madison, PhD.
Four A.M.
The ringing phone interrupted my first good night's sleep in two weeks. My heart raced, and the Sixth Commandment echoed through my groggy brain.

I am archaeologist Grace Madison and I do not typically kill people.

The shot shattered the window inches from her head" ..chapter one, page 1.

Thus starts the second book in the Parched series The Brother's Keepers by NLB Horton, the first being When Camel's Fly. Grace's daughter Maggie once again finds herself abducted and Grace, Grace's husband Mark, their son Jeff and his wife Becca set off to rescue her. What ensues is a harrowing adventure, with a lot of different characters and government agencies, the Mossad, MOSES, the CIA, and the FBI. Once Maggie is found the excitement is not over, the group find themselves searching for proof that there is an underground water system that once fueled the biblical King Solomon's mines. They are not the only ones searching for the proof though. There is danger aplenty along the way and the story takes all of them different locations, Venice, Rome, Germany and Switzerland, on a race to find the information they seek.

This story is full of suspense, mystery, great family dynamics and enough bullets flying around to keep the reader on the edge of their seats. I do have to say that I found this second book in the series to be better than the first, When Camel's Fly. Not sure why but I think the story got more involved and more exciting. I loved the chemistry between Grace and her daughter Maggie, you could tell that they loved each other immensely and would lay down their lives for each other, not that Mark and Jeff wouldn't, but I think I could feel the same thing I feel for my children. You will do what you can to protect them, just like a mother bear and her cubs.

I think this book was fast paced, very descriptive and had believable characters with a lot of biblical and historical references. The author does know her middle eastern history and it shows in the skillful writing of this book.I look forward to reading the third book in the series and want to see what other escapades the Madison family can up to.… (más)

I read this book awhile back, not sure why I never wrote a review..This is a story about a family who all have different lives, Grace, is an archaeologist, her daughter Maggie is a hydrologist, husband Mark is a retired CIA agent and their son Jeff is a newscaster for the BBC. Maggie is kidnapped and Grace rescues her only to be on the run from some not so very nice characters. Mark and Jeff travel to the Middle East to rescue them and there the adventure begins for the whole family.

This tale is full of family values, which to me is important in a story. This is a family that is very close to each other. Grace is middle aged but still yearning for adventure, her husband is perfectly happy to stay at home. Maggie is young and idealistic and has not yet fully understood her vulnerability to life's dangers. The author skillfully weaves suspense, intrigue and very strong women in the lead roles. The descriptions of the Middle East are so real that you almost feel like you are there. The dangers abound, will Grace and Maggie get rescued in time?? You will have to read the book to find out. I look forward to reading and reviewing The Brother's Keepers, the next book in the series from this wonderful storyteller!… (más)

When Camels Fly was a fabulous book! Had I not picked it up during the holiday season, I’m sure I’d have finished it much quicker than I did. I loved getting to know the characters and traveling across the Middle East with them. The novel was written perfectly, with enough suspense to keep you reading, but completely leaving out all of the “questionable content” that most suspense authors think have to be in their book. There were absolutely no sexual scenes, no language (not even taking God’s name in vain), and the action was hardly detailed at all (but enough to still give you the “thrill” of reading suspense). The characters were, for the most part, all Christians and portrayed it, but, they we not the “perfect Christians” that you tend to find in Historical Fiction. These characters messed up, asked God to forgive them, and then tried to do better, only to do worse, and I liked that about them. They seemed more real. I also enjoyed the simple family quarreling and the siblings picking on each other even adulthood, it lightened up the book!

I look forward to re-reading The Brothers’ Keepers now that I am familiar with the characters and their pasts and can almost promise that I will be finishing the series as they are published!

“I received this book directly from the author of her own accord, of which she also autographed(!). All comments and opinions are entirely my own.”

You can read this review, as well as many others, at http://acceleratethejesusmovement.wordpress.com… (más)