Passionate, chilling and extremely fast-moving, this was a thrilling read, which I would highly recommend...
When I first read the synopsis of Axel and Linda Hansen’s “The Vengeance Trap,” I had to shake my head. “A gun delivery on a freezing beach of the Irish Sea, a fire bombing, a botched bank robbery, delivery of stolen diamonds in Taiwan, an unexpected great inheritance, saving a dying village in Zimbabwe…” was just the beginning of what that synopsis promised. “Oh sure,” I thought, “and Peter Pan, pirates and a ticking crocodile as well…”
While Omar, the Arab who is not an Arab, might not be quite a Peter Pan, he has a lot of Peter’s endearing qualities; Kathleen is not a ticking crocodile, but certainly a ticking bomb and pirates you will find aplenty in this utterly charming and engrossing book. All of the promises from the synopsis are well and truly fulfilled and there is plenty more, in fact so much more that it is hard to believe that the authors did such a great job keeping all the wonderfully convoluted and exciting plots straight enough for the reader to be able to follow them.
“The Vengeance Trap” is a marvelously complex book, dealing with the world where violence is all too often a way of life and where terrorists could easily be your beloved neighbors. Axel and Linda Hansen invite us into a world of international espionage, modern day pirates, renegades, freedom fighters and an assorted lineup of baddies from every walk of life. Fast cars, fast ships, private helicopters, international travel, exotic locales, tempting women, attractive men, weapons of every kind and villains of every hue… all the gore and the violence well balanced by the vulnerability and the emotional side of the heroes.
Omar is most endearing when he shows how much he cares for his family, but it is Kathleen who really touched my heart. Is she steel-coated velvet or is it silk? She is so tightly coiled that the reader is never sure what will come next. The Hansens make us understand very well what it is that drives both Omar and Kathleen – and they also show how easy it would be for that desire for revenge to destroy the fragile fabric of their love and their family. In this book, the first of the promised trilogy, they come to the edge more than once.
I have to admit I enjoyed both the adventure and the romance sides of this book equally, which truly surprised me, since I generally do not enjoy violent books. I guess it was the inclusion of all the large and small acts of human kindness throughout the book, even in some of the most violent scenes, that made the violence at the same time more real, but also more palatable to me.
Passionate, chilling and extremely fast-moving, this was a thrilling read, which I would highly recommend to a wide array of readers. If you enjoy adventure, this is a book for you. If you are into political thrillers, you will enjoy it greatly. If you are looking for a good modern romance, they do not get much better than “The Vengeance Trap.” I hope the sequel will be published soon!
Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views
buy this book now
back to top
The Vengeance Trap is an action-filled, entertaining novel with an interesting twists and controversial protagonists.
The story revolves around two main characters. IRA munitions-buyer Kathleen O'Toole and modern-day pirate Omar Jabri. In spite of their cultural differences, several elements bond them - their painful pasts filled with family tragedy, their dreams of revenge, and their passion for dangerous adventure.
The story encompasses over a decade as we see Kathleen and Omar trying to maintain a 'normal' family life while dealing with their secret and very deadly careers, and see their sons grow into two very different individuals one close to his Irish origins, the other to his Muslim ones. Bank robberies, stolen diamonds, secret arms deals gone wrong, bombings, and crossing the Zimbabwe forests are some of the struggles endured by the protagonists. But how far will they go to achieve their goals, and at what expense? Will love conquer in the end?
Because of its mainstream elements and controversial protagonists, this is not your usual James Bond story. The book offers strong characterizations and brings to the surface issues of prejudice and terrorism. At its core, it's an ambitious attempt to portray people as they really are in their full complexity, making it difficult for the reader to come to terms with some of the scenarios in the story.
For instance, is a loving mother capable of killing a teenager and shooting a pregnant woman for the sake of an ideal? Are goodness and justice subjective or ultimate realities? Ultimately, this is not a work which glorifies crime; it is an honest portrayal of the grim and often contradictory realities of life. The novel offers readers some interesting topics for group discussions.
Authors Axel & Linda Hansen are donating the royalties from all sales of this book to Cuidar for Veterans, a non-profit organization that helps America's most wounded war heroes receive bedside visits from their families across the US.
The Vengeance Trap is the first book in The Vengeance Trilogy. The story leaves enough unanswered questions to leave you hungering for the sequel. Highly recommended.
Midwest Book Review
buy this book now
back to top
The first of a trilogy, this book has it all: thriller elements that have you on the edge of your chair; adventure as it take place all over the world; and romance, involving couples committed to each other - some terrorism; others anti-terrorism.
The story is very, very good, however as the first in this trilogy, there is no final resolution - so for people like me who likes concreteness, I'll be impatiently waiting for book 2 and 3. I gotta know what happens!
The story takes place in 1983, starting with United States' military intelligence, and in Ireland when the IRA was still fighting the Brits, and in Africa and other places where money bought anything, and thieves had their own code of security and of payback.
Kathleen O'Toole is an IRA procurer. Her job is to find, purchase and get guns, bombs, and whatever else is needed to keep the British off balance in occupied Ireland. Someone ratted her family as IRA, and the house bomb killed everyone at home. Kathleen's vengeance starts that day and goes through her love of a gunrunner, her two children, and her adventures and more than anything, her misadventures. Her love is Omar, whose family also was murdered-and he too has vengeance in his heart and head. He lives at the jumping off edge of danger with every illegal job he does (he also has legal business, but that bores him).
Ivy and Capper are a young idolized American couple who meet at the military academy, fall in love and marry--after they are recruited by the CIA. They are a small but important part of this book, so I expect them to be deep in the action in book 2 or 3.
It's a good story, no doubt, with twists and turns, backstabbing and amazing human acts of kindness. I most like that the authors also educate us about the times, the places and the customs of each area, describing food, drink, locations, people, smells, sounds and everything else with great storytelling attention to detail.
Wow, I feel like I got a history and culture lesson along with a darn good read.
Armchair Interviews says: Find a soft easy chair because you'll be there reading well into the night.
Armchair Interviews
buy this book now
back to top
This story cuts to the bone with its politically-charged, masterfully written plot of love, hate, and the ability to overcome the most heart-wrenching obstacles. Kathleen O'Toole is the most complex and believable heroine I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and her lover, Omar, is perfect as the dashing, modern reincarnation of the swashbuckling pirate.
For fans of romance, what better pairing could you ask for? The pacing is taut and the globe-trotting, roller-coaster action is not to be missed! A wonderful beginning to a new trilogy...
Bookfetish
buy this book now
back to top
She had an unfinished commitment to keep, like a soldier who must leave his loved ones, pick up his rifle, and return to the battlefield where his buddies died, the Hansen's write.
Kathleen O'Toole of Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Army is a petite mother of two boys. She believes in the nationalist cause deeply enough to become its ace procurer of armaments, from Kalashnikov assault rifles to fighter jets. She cannot make peace with the fire-bombing murders of her brother and parents. Walking away from the struggle for Northern Ireland isn't possible, yet her man and children demand exactly that. Black market weapons dealing is hazardous work, and pursuit by British law enforcement is a constant worry, but the true divide is a conflict inside Kathleen.
The heroine meets the menacing, deep-voiced Omar Jabri in a botched Irish seacoast gun-buy, running from the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Love blossoms quickly, at first aided by the urge to avenge - all of Omar's relatives suffered political deaths at the hands of the Shah of Iran. They establish a family, but do not marry. He is a shipping magnate with enterprises on both sides of the law, reluctant to let drop the high seas piracy which built his first fortune. The urbane, affable Omar has key politicians in his pocket, although Kathleen refuses to enlist his help for IRA missions. While she prefers the partial protection of emotional distance, Omar is a surprisingly gentle father. He counsels his sons against violent solutions, while profiting by the millions from a network of brutality. When Kathleen is sexually assaulted by a rogue policeman, Omar's extreme retribution involves surgical scissors and heavy duty tattoo needles.
The couple's boys, one of predominately Persian appearance, the other with Gaelic features, experience lessons in comparative prejudice. Schoolmates encourage the whiter boy, but beat on his brother. The couple maintains residences in three countries. Northern Ireland is portrayed as intolerantly hostile compared to the immigrant hub of live-and-let-live London or the Mediterranean unconcern evident in Florenza, Spain. Brief historical lessons cover far-flung places connected by arms trade and privateering. The rightly condemned abuses of the Catholic church-run Magdalene Laundries against girls and women receive another healthy dose of sunlight.
This leadoff to The Vengeance trilogy reveals character, establishes setting, and produces the seeds of larger conflict. Billed as romance-adventure, the structure includes genre hallmarks - boy meets girl, and a definite obstacle. Rather than wallowing in love-match angst to the verge of melodrama, the book is a fresh examination of the effects undeclared wars can have on families. The heroine's occupation makes full sympathy difficult; however, it affords an intimate view of an under-investigated group. The strength of blood and romantic ties versus commitment to a cause the outcome is anything but certain.
ForeWord Magazine
buy this book now
back to top
It fits the description, "pot boiler. Just imagine every plot twist you can think of and you will know what The Vengeance Trap has in store for you. Imagine two people whose families have been murdered by people with differing political agendas, drawn together in marriage.
One is an Irish lass, Kathleen, who, in 1983, joins the IRA for revenge and the other is an Iranian, Omar, carrying on his family's legacy as a pirate, gun runner, and swindler on the high seas. The Shah killed his family. Both want revenge for the loss of their loved ones.
This action-packed, odd family story is just out this month, but has already garnered kudos for its combination of romance and intrigue. This is, we're told, the first of a trilogy of novels based on these characters.
The authors, Axel & Linda Hansen are donating the royalties from this novel to help America's wounded war heroes get a bedside visit from their families and that is reason enough to purchase a copy.
Bookviews.com
buy this book now
back to top
Guns, explosions, one bad-ass heroine, and pirates? Yes. Throw in some tight writing, flashbacks, and plot twists, and you've got yourself the furthest thing from a run-of-the-mill romance/adventure story. Axel & Linda Hansen delight with language that is anything but ordinary -readers will find themselves thoroughly immersed in a story you won't want to end.
Playgirl Magazine
buy this book now
back to top
The Vengeance Trap is a rollercoaster ride of action and duplicity with just enough sensuality to smooth the edges of harsh realism. The author's military experience is evident throughout and lends the plot authenticity.
The News Chief (Winter Haven, FL)
buy this book now
back to top
A professionally written, fast-moving edge-of-your-seat romantic/adventure thriller. A pirate and a woman warrior, deeply in love, must overcome the separation sword of vengeance.
It’s 1983, a turbulent political time in Northern Ireland. The action moves swiftly, keeping the reader glued to the pages. The excellent plot reveals that the heroine and the hero both lost their families to political murder, and their desire for revenge interferes with their love relationship. The ongoing global action, the negativity of coping with family tragedy, and the secrets of healing are artfully revealed.
All royalties will go to a special VA fund that helps families pay expenses for making a bedside visit to their own wounded war hero in hospital. For each book sold, a free book will be sent to a soldier.
- The Mindquest Review of Books
This thriller/family saga begins with a young lady who is a gun buyer for the IRA and her common-law husband, a wealthy modern pirate from off the coast of Iran. Between them they build a family, an empire, and the basis for a future laced with tragedy and revenge. This is a very fast-paced romantic adventure involving settings from around the world.
The author is donating the royalties from this book to help some of America’s wounded war heroes get a bedside visit from their families. The money is going to the VA. They have promised to use it to help pay the travel cost for families who live far from the hospitals and can’t afford the trip. For every paperback copy of this book someone buys, the publisher will send a second paperback free either to a soldier on duty or a vet in the hospital. Contact the publisher for more information. We rated this book a very high four hearts.
- Heartland Reviews
buy this book now
back to top
From a freezing beach in Ireland to a dying village in Africa, The Vengeance Trap is a tale of love, politics and guns! Kathleen O’Toole joined the IRA after the murder of her family; rising through the ranks at the tender age of twenty one, she becomes the number one buyer of guns for the group. As fate would have it, her job puts her in the path of Omar Jabri - a merchant shipman of legal, and not so legal, means. This is, at heart, the story of the two passionate lovers set on the global stage.
As Kathleen and Omar allow themselves to fall in love, they must work through the thing that brought them into the other’s life - a need for icy vengeance. Can they work through their need for vengeance and escape into the freedom of love?
It isn’t often an epic book containing a strong romance element hits the shelves. The Vengeance Trap, the first part in a trilogy whose royalties are being donated to help veterans, is that epic book. I could not put it down! Kathleen is a kick ass heroine, a perfect partner for the strong willed Omar. The characterization is extremely well written and although the plot sizzles with guns, explosions and politics, at the heart of the story lies the analysis of relationships between characters. Although based around highly political events such as the IRA ceasefire and the situation in Zimbabwe, the politics never override the path to love.
If you are looking for a fast paced, action packed, rip roaring adventure that spans numerous continents, then this is the book for you! What makes The Vengeance Trap an explosive read is the love between Kathleen and Omar. One of the most amazing books of the year! A pure must read for everyone!
- A Romance Review
The Vengeance Trilogy is a family-saga told in three books.
In the first book, titled The Vengeance Trap, it’s 1983 when we meet Kathleen O’Toole, a fifteen-year old lass of Northern Ireland who knows crushing grief: her family was murdered by a firebomb as part of ‘The Troubles.’ in a rage for vengeance, Kathleen joins the Irish Republican Army, and as an IRA commando she meets Omar, who also knows heartbreaking loss: his family was slaughtered when the shah of Iran stole the clan’s island home in the Persian Gulf. Also lusting for revenge, Omar becomes a modern-day pirate and skipper of a mysterious warship that’s invisible to radar and is three times faster than a destroyer of the British Royal Navy.
Kathleen and Omar fiercely manage to hold on to their love, and have two sons, even as the circumstances of their lives would seem to prevent forever any normalcy.
Book two of The Vengeance Trilogy sees this family start to come apart as they are threatened by their own foibles and by an enemy who sometimes behaves like a mix of ‘The Italian Job’ and ‘The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.’
In book three of the trilogy Kathleen and Omar start to find a way to free themselves and their children from the lust for vengeance and the violence that has held them all captive for so many years. Read this fast-paced adventure/thriller trilogy. You won’t be disappointed.
- Rainbo Reviews
