This is the epitome of a realistic, modern-day, apocalyptic, survivalist thriller. It is the perfect blend of two genres that I would not have believed could have been blended: thriller and religious cultism.

This novel kept me on the edge of my seat. I devoured it like a delectable dessert, unable to put it down in fear that it would be gone if I didn't finish it. Not once did I anticipate what was going to happen around the next turn, which is to say that this was an excellent novel indeed. Too often, thrillers fall back on the same old formulas. This one did not, and it was so worth it.

What makes this novel a step above other thrillers in the same apocalyptic genre is that this one is INCREDIBLY believable. In the wake of a wide-spread deadly virus, I could definitely see the nation reacting in such a panic-stricken way. Tosca did a great job in capturing the nuances of survival-preppers as well as the lengths that people will go to when gas and food run thin. Also, it shows how much we rely on gas and electricity. It certainly doesn't hurt to be prepared!

This story follows a brave young woman named Wynter who is cast out (though it is more of an escape) from a controlling cult. In the midst of her re-entry into the world, a terrifying pandemic is sweeping the nation. People are getting sick, going crazy, and people are dying. Through an extraordinary connection, Wynter discovers that she just might have a solution, and she is thrust into the unlikely role of being able to make a difference in the world.

Wynter was forced to leave a doomsday cult that she lived in most of life into a world she didn’t know anything about. On top of that, a pandemic is starting that leave the sick mad before killing them off.

This is an exciting book that hooked me from the first page. The type you are eager to finish, but don’t want to end. It combined the present with flashbacks to explain why Wynter is the way she is. This is definitely my favorite book that I’ve read this year.

The only criticism I could make is that the end seemed a little rushed and some things were not explained. There is a second book that will be coming out in September, so maybe some of these things will be explained.

Tosca Lee’s new thriller isn’t for the faint of heart! A little too close to reality, this deliciously suspenseful read will keep you up all night. “The Line Between” should come with a warning label as I caught myself forgetting to breathe more than once! Lee’s writing is realistic and beautiful, as usual. I found myself rereading lines just so I could enjoy them one more time. I’m already hungry for the sequel, and bacon!

Whoa. There's honestly not much else to say. I've read all of Tosca's published work and this book is one of her best. The Line Between mixes cults and the end of the world in a way only Tosca can. Every time I thought I had it figured out, she threw in a twist I didn't see coming. I can't say I've read another book like it. It's definitely a must read for 2019.

Tosca Lee once again crafts a story that keeps you breathlessly turning pages until the very end. And then it leaves you wanting more.

We meet Wynter Roth in the middle of her story - she's being forcibly removed from The Enclave, the home of the cult known as New Earth. She leaves with one goal in mind - to return and rescue her sister Jaclyn and Jaclyn's daughter Truly. There's just one problem - Jaclyn is married to the leader of New Earth, a man named Magnus. And he's the one kicking Wynter out into the world that he has taught his followers to fear. Thankfully, she's barely past the boundary of New Earth when she is met by an old family friend, Julie, who is determined to help Wynter get her bearings. Julie and her husband Ken let Wynter move into the apartment over their garage and they make arrangements for her to see a therapist when she becomes overwhelmed by all the sudden change in her life.

The outside world is a strange place to Wynter. She's never used a smart phone, watched television, or "surfed" the internet. And the world she's entered is facing a serious problem that is only just becoming apparent. Numerous people are struggling with what seems to be an early-onset form of dementia and the doctors are baffled as to the cause. Especially because it seems to be contagious. To make matters worse, the power is going out and the gas stations are running out of fuel. Outside forces using the health scare to their advantage perhaps?

Beautifully weaving flashbacks together with Wynter's current experiences, Lee takes the reader on an emotional ride through the events that led to Wynter's expulsion from the Enclave and places her squarely at the center of a national health crisis. She reconnects with a former cult member that had supposedly died and even gets a chance to see her sister (outside of the Enclave) who entrusts her with the monumental task of transporting precious cargo that could hold the answer to curing the epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Along the way, she meets Chase, a former Marine who makes it his personal mission to help Wynter make her very important trip (once he forces the truth out of her, that is). And that former cult member? She introduces Wynter and Chase to Noah who has gone to great lengths to provide a safe, secure hideaway for just the type of crisis currently taking place.

Underlying all of this is Wynter's own personal struggle to figure out just what or who is worth believing in. As a child, Wynter's faith in Magnus and his teaching was firm and unwavering. In her adult years, she learns things about Magnus that cause her to question everything she once believed. So is she really sorry to be leaving when Magnus casts her out? And just exactly how does Jaclyn, the wife of The Prophet, come into possession of items that could prove invaluable to the CDC in treating and stopping what is shaping up to be a pandemic?

Tosca Lee has offered up an incredible tale with "The Line Between", a novel that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. She blends an end of the world type scenario with a twisted cult, and the result is like nothing I've ever read before. Wynter's journey, both her time in the cult and her exit, is mesmerising and chilling in equal parts. Her determination to save those she loves will earn her instant sympathy with readers, and the addition of Chase Miller and his military history adds a new twist to her efforts. Chase scenes, a life and death scenario, a world on the brink of chaos, and of course a hint of romance (handled just right, in my opinion), all add together to make for quite a ride! Now, we are dealing with an end of the world type scenario, so readers will have to suspend their sense of disbelief at some of the plot scenes. But really, this may rather be a case of us HOPING that a story like this never pans out. With the crazy headlines that emerge in the news nowadays, it does feel like anything is possible, and Lee has captured that kind of societal angst to perfection.

When the ending came, I felt like I just didn't want to step away from these characters, and I'm pleased to see that a follow-up novel is already in the works to be released in September 2019. Thank goodness we don't have to wait too long to see what is going to happen next! I for one feel that this may be one of Tosca Lee's best efforts to date, and I award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

An egalley of this book was provided by the publisher, Howard Books and netgalley, for the purposes of this unbiased review.

The latest book from Tosca Lee just goes to prove why she is one of the best Christian Fiction writers of our time. The Line Between is amazing! Combing the story of a cult along the lines of Jim Jones, with one of the greatest worries of our time, a pandemic. Strap on your seatbelt as you join this fast pace ride. Tosca's characters are very relatable and likable. And her villain is despicable. I can not wait for the sequel to come out. Keep up the great job Tosca!

What do you get when you mix a doomsday cult with a pandemic of epic proportions? You get a pretty edgy dystopian thriller with a heck of a punch.

Tosca Lee managed to keep me interested and engaged throughout her story. Wynter is a smart, strong and fearless protagonist, while still being naive and vulnerable. The author does a fine job of moving the story along, and although initially it took a minute to grasp if the narration took place in present day or in the past, eventually you will get in the swing of it. This is an action packed story, full of twists and suspense.

Thanks to NetGalley and Howard Books for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for an honest review.

*I WAS PROVIDED A PHYSICAL ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW*

There's a reason I've been wanting to read Tosca Lee's books, and this is one of them!

When The Line Between showed up on my doorstep, I got so excited. Immediately after I finished reading my last book, I picked this one up and flipped to the first page. Lee has been one of my most anticipated authors for the past two years, and I am so thankful to the publisher for sending this ARC my way.

This book started off with a serious introduction, taking me a bit by surprise. Then, we were introduced to the happenings of Wynter's new life out of her cult. Now, this is only the second book I've read involving a quote, but I'm already seeing a common trend between them: the people that are being kicked out are struggling to adjust to life outside their familiar walls.

"You shall not take the sick to the sick to be healed, but they will live among the well, and be restored."

This quote is eerie—which is why I chose it for this review. This quote is like telling someone with melanoma to sit out in the sun (the cause of their cancer) for longer, and then they'll be healed.

Lee managed to not only take my feelings but also managed to scare the living crap out of me and make me worry for each of the characters. By the time I reached the final pages of this book, I was on the edge of my desk seat, silently screaming inside.

Tosca Lee is a new favorite author of mine, and I can't express how much I loved this book. The characters went through multiple stages of development, the plot had right turns and left turns, and everything was well written. For this, I rate this book 5/5 stars.

By the way, y'all should definitely check this book out soon. There will be a sequel releasing next year.

One intriguing and nail biting book!! This thriller will keep you up all night just trying to reach it's end. I love that there will be a sequel and that while there was a cliffhanger, it wasn't one that will leave the reader agonizing over it. Ms. Lee is a masterful painter of words!! Her detailed plotting of Wynter's tale was breathtaking! One plot twist after another reaches out to smack you! Wynter was such an interesting main character. My heart really felt so strongly about the events, both past and present, that she was trying to deal with. She's so much stronger then when we first meet her adult self. I'm left with so many questions that it will seem like forever until the next book releases. I loved Chase, what a dynamic guy who you just want to learn so much more about! The cover is just phenomenal and most definitely makes a statement! I'm so very excited to share this book with everyone I know because this truly does transcend genre and age.

The Line Between is a seamless marriage of dystopia meets thriller that will have you on the edge of seat from start to end which, if you’re like me, will be a day of non-stop reading! Tosca Lee is a masterful story-teller. At no point throughout the book did I doubt the plausibility of the characters or their actions.

Wow! Rarely would I begin a review with just “wow” but rarely have I read a book this amazing! Wow! The Line Between is a seamless marriage of dystopia meets thriller that will have you on the edge of seat from start to end which, if you’re like me, will be a day of non-stop reading!

Wynter Roth had lived in a doomsday cult since her mother entered New World when Wynter was 7 years old. It was a cross between apocalyptic fear mongering meets vegan preppers with a lot of male chauvinism thrown into the mix. The cult leader was “Magnus,” a former scientific researcher who developed seeds. Now Magnus is attempting to bring about the end of the world to prove his prophecies are true. Wynter, for reasons you have to read to know, is kicked out of the cult shortly before a pandemic begins sweeping across America. Only she knows who is behind the deadly disease and only she can stop it.

Wynter is one of the best written characters I have read in ages. She’s vulnerable, yet strong; naïve but keenly intelligent. Most of all, she is fearless. All of these qualities will be needed in order for her to trek across America in an attempt to bring the knowledge that she has in her possession to a researcher who can find a prevention or antidote for a virus that is creating madness in the human race.

Tosca Lee is a masterful story-teller. At no point throughout the book did I doubt the plausibility of the characters or their actions. Lee takes time in the beginning of the book and through a “flashback” dual timeline, to allow readers to truly know Wynter, the cult members and their lifestyles and, through her eyes, we are able to watch as her disbelief begins to grow as well as her struggle with her faith as doubt creeps into her thoughts. I also thought that way Lee described Wynter’s post-cult re-integration was deftly written. However, the writing toward the end of the book was brilliant and breath-taking! The ending itself is nothing short of perfection – except, I WANT MORE!!

The Line Between is an amazing thriller, an even better dystopian novel and an absolute must read for 2019! You can pre-order your copy today for a January publication.

A million thanks to #Netgalley, #ToscaLee and #HowardBooks for my advanced copy of The Line Between.

I am always amazed at how charismatic cult leaders are able to take a small amount of truth and turn this truth into a huge buffet of twisted lies. They then feed these lies to selected and preyed upon starved, wounded individuals and families who are searching for answers, healing, and a place to belong and matter.

As I was reading this book, I wanted to reach in and rescue Wynter and her family from the cult leader, Magnus, who was teaching his followers that the world was coming to an end.

Meanwhile, it appears that the world really might be coming to an end. Each day, horrific, sad, and mysterious news stories flood the media. A seemingly contagious strain of rapid, early onset dementia is most disturbing, and, it is spreading.

As researchers began to put clues together, their evidence would disappear. Was this some sort of conspiracy? If so, who was in charge?

Part of this story takes place in the suburbs of Chicago. Since I live in the suburbs of Chicago, the storyline really came alive for me. I just so happened to read chapter thirteen, which takes place on December 4th , on DECEMBER 4th! I was so drawn into the storyline and my anxiety level rose along with the characters as the mysterious disease spread like wildfire. As the incidents of crazed dementia increased, so did the panic levels of many people all over the world.

A pandemic of epic proportions took shape and spread amazingly fast. A perfect storm of unfortunate events and intentional harm came together with cataclysmic ramifications. Add to this...cyber attacks and power grid sabotage with subsequent widespread power failures.

Imagine all of the implications...the United States had become a dangerous place to live.

What will happen and who will survive?

I received a complimentary copy of this excellent book from Howard Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is hauntingly surreal! It sure give you a lot to think about in the time that we are in! I have never read this author before but I would read a book written by them again.

Tosca Lee is my guest on my radio show tomorrow and I'm so grateful to NetGalley for letting me read this book. I'm prepared but also enchanted by Tosca's writing. A solid story about a cult of doomsday followers who seem in some way to be related to a widespread onset of some type of dementia, Wynter Roth, turned out from the cult must figure out what is happening and how to stop the epidemic.

An engrossingly amazing tale of survival gone wild, I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Howard Books for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for the following honest review;

This is an unusual book about a young woman whose mother has died in mysterious circumstances whilst part of an American cult. Her daughter, Wynta, escapes and becomes embroiled in the mystery of a pandemic. The chapters are alternately written in both past and present which can be Confusing at times, but, it’s a well written tale with a difference and I’m sure it will have a wide appeal.

"The Line between" By Tosca Lee appears as two book in one. We have the story of the young woman, Wynter, escaping the oppressive doomsday cult and the unfolding story of the biological apocalypses caused by ancient virus accidentally uncovered by a pig in Alaska.
The story will definitely appeal to a young reader audiences , as they can relate to the main protagonist going through serious life issues and getting matured as the process.
The science fiction and scientific story is rather weaker compared to the escape from the cult story and does not stand very strong along with the other line. The escape from the cult story shows some emotions and feelings much stronger than the other line. The obsession and power of love, effects of the brainwashing by the cult leaders and the Enclave structures and elders are very convincing. It gives more power and will to Wynter to allow her to escape and set herself free, to accomplish her mission of delivering samples of the virus to the scientist who can try to invent a vaccine.
The plot has some gaps and seems to be missing peaces, especially describing how sisters met after the escape. The description of life after pandemics seems to be scarce.
I had the feeling that possibly author interned that as the first book in a series, as the ending is rather left open. For the beginning of the series it make sense and as the first book it is very good.
I would lkle to thank publisher and Net Galley for the free e-copy of the book.

Be warned, once you pick this book up, it is hard to put down! I enjoyed the fast pace to the story and the twists and turns that kept me guessing.

Tosca Lee is a wonderful writer who captures the unusual and writes a wonderful, captivating story. With her newest thriller, The Line Between, she does definitely that. At first, I was a little confused by the beginning of the novel, but after getting into the story, it begins to make sense. A good thriller shows a world in dire need of some type of help from some type of threat either man-made or biochemical. In The Line Between, Lee gave us a story wrapped around a biochemical agent.
Lee's writing is clear and concise. Like I mentioned earlier, when the story starts, it jumps around from about three points of views, and I don't know whose story I was supposed to be following, then Lee leads us to two points of view and that took me a while to sort out too. It was a little confusing. But trust me, stick with it. It eventually makes complete sense why Lee wrote the story the way she did.
The plot was original and unpredictable too. I didn't see the cult twist when I read the synopsis, but I think it worked really well for the story Lee was trying to tell. I can't imagine the amount of research and horror stories she had to wade through to come up with a realistic background for New Earth and for Wynter. I liked the biochemical agent element too. I was wrapped up in the chase through the countryside, hoping Wynter met her goal.
There is a hint of a romance toward the end of the novel, but nothing like a contemporary romance or a romantic suspense. Nothing too touchy feely. Just the way I like my thrillers or suspense novels.
As a word of caution, there are a number of cuss words written in the text. I read them and kept moving on with the story. Yes, they were a little shocking to see, but I enjoy Lee's writing, so I just kept reading.
Overall, The Line Between by Tosca Lee is a unique story from an accomplished thriller writer who takes the unknown and makes it known. I really got wrapped up in the story and finished it one day. Can't wait to see what Lee comes up with next. Fans of Ted Dekker, Amanda G. Stevens, and James Rubart might want to pick up this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of The Line Between by Tosca Lee from Howard Books, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Book Review: The Line Between by Tosca Lee

Tosca Lee takes the reader on a tour de force exploring the thin line between genius and insanity; fantasy and reality; love and obsession; illumination and brainwashing; a safe haven and a slave camp; abundance and need; death and survival.

In her elegant prose, the master storyteller weaves a complex, fast-paced tale of deceit, desperation, dystopia - and perhaps salvation? We are introduced to scientific facts, natural curiosities - abnormal proteins known as prions - always fatal, ancient seeds (1,000+ year old crapaudine beet, Methuselah Judean date), the mangalitsa pig, obviously the product of the author's trademark of painstaking research for her novels.

The protagonist, Wynter Roth, is an outcast of a present-day version of a Branch Davidian doomsday religious cult, in a world beset with a mysterious pandemic of rapid early onset dementia, shootings, avalanches, hurricanes, and an attack on the power grid of the U.S.A. in what appears to be the outbreak of world war 3.

Is Magnus Theisen, a former GMO-based seed company founder and collector of ancient seeds, an inspirational spiritual leader and founder of a safe haven for the masses from the turmoils of the "outside world", or a blasphemous, greedy messiah giving up all to sate his lust for sex, power and money, and to solely possess the purported catalyst for the fountain of youth.

With overwhelming odds stacked against Roth, the only choice in the end is between a rock and a hard place. Or is there a line between - some hidden sanctuary?

Review based on an advance reading copy presented by NetGalley and Howard Books.