West of Famous is the third book in Joni M. Fisher’s suspenseful, crime series and I really enjoyed it!

The author packs her absorbing drama with captivating characters and a well-developed plot that had me beholden and committed from the first sentence to the last. West of Famous can be read as a stand-alone or in sequence and for me Fisher has established herself as another great crime writer. I adored her writing which I found to be wonderfully fast-paced and crisp. A truly exciting and suspenseful read!

This could have been a book that I allowed to pass me by but I'm so glad I didn't. Complete with a stunning story-line, tonnes of action and suspense and twists throughout, this was a superb read. Very worthwhile and recommended to all!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Ingram via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This book pulls you into the story very quickly. You can follow each characters' thoughts as their actions put them into dangerous situations. Joni Fisher has given us some very original characters as she puts them in tense situations that will require each of them to decide the fate of our pop star's double. How she gets all of the pieces to fit together in the end will have you looking for other works by this author.

West of Famous by Joni M. Fisher is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

This is the first book in this series that I have read and I had no problem following the story or getting familiar with the characters.

Protagonist is Martina, a young student who decides to play double for a famous singer during her break in order to earn some money. However, things quickly change for the worse when she is kidnapped and ransom is asked for.
The only thing keeping her alive is that the kidnappers don't realize that she is not who she claims to be.
The other thing kidnappers don't realize that she has a brother and friends in law enforcement who will stop at nothing to get her back.
This is how this thrilling and fast paced novel starts. When young woman delivers a Morse code message by blinking while she reads the ransom demand.

Well written it reads quickly and simply can't be put down. Action packed with so many twist and turns to keep readers on the edge of the seat. Well rounded and developed characters, with a fabulously strong and great willed lead character, a perfect role model.
Great suspense read.

West of Famous by Joni M. Fisher is the 3rd book in a series, however the books can be read alone and fully understood. I do recommend reading the entire series, since like most series books, they build on each other and background information is gained that makes story deeper. It has been a while since I read books 1 and 2 and at this point I do not remember the details but I remember the character’s relationships and the major situations from the previous stories.
This story is about a young women that takes a job as a stand-in for a famous singer. While playing this role, she is kidnapped. The kidnappers have no idea they have the wrong woman. They think they have a spoiled celebrity, but what they really have a spiritual woman that will use her mind and her inner strength to try to overcome the situation she finds herself in.
Her kidnappers are focused only the money they plan to get for the kidnapping. They think they have a watertight plan, but by kidnapping the wrong person, they did not execute the plan very well. They have Martina on a boat in an isolated area waiting for the deadline to arrive to pick up the money.
Martina is the youngest sibling in a large family. She is used to having others come to her rescue when he gets herself in situations that she cannot handle. She did not tell anyone that she took this job as a stand-in, so she knows no one will be looking for her and she will have to try to save herself.
Martina’s father, a retired Navy admiral, tried to teach her many things while on boats in her youth. While she had no interest to learn at that time, now she pulls all that knowledge that she learned only to please her father from her mind. Will she have enough knowledge to escape these men and have a future?
The plot is so intense and believable. I was deeply involved in the story and would have read the entire book in one sitting, if that had been possible. When I was not reading, the story was always on my mind. Will Martina get away? Will the kidnapper come to justice? Will her family, especially her ex-SEAL brother, Ruis, ever see her again?
I encourage everyone to read this book about a strong women, strong family bonds (blood family and the family that you chose) and the strength that having a relationship with God can pull you through difficult situations.

I encourage everyone to read this fantastic book, also the entire series!

Martina is not Ruby, but she impersonates her with reality and flair. Unfortunately for Martina, she is so convincing in her role that she is kidnapped by men who think she is Ruby and kidnap her to demand a huge ransom from her agents. Martina does not dare tell the kidnappers she is not Ruby, because she is then worthless to them. The agents do not want to say she is not Ruby, because they would put Martina’s life in danger and at the same time they may be forced to admit that Ruby is in drug rehab. The people trying to rescue Ruby are all sworn to secrecy and must not let any part of the kidnapping get out to the press.

Meanwhile, a monumental effort is being waged to track down the kidnappers and the location where Martina is being held. But Martina doesn’t know any of this, she thinks she is on her own and no one cares she has been kidnapped because the real Ruby is safe. Even Martina’s own parents don’t know.

This story is an exceptionally well written and emotional suspense novel that has you rooting for Martina as she struggles with the fear that she has to find a way to save herself. At the same time, you feel the emotions of the dozens of people who are trying desperately to find a clue, any clue, that will lead them to Martina’s whereabouts. I highly recommend you take a chance on this book, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you, Net Galley, for offering me a free advance copy of this novel for my honest review.

West of Famous was an intense, fast paced novel of 2010 Florida that compels you to finish before you stop. Our lead protagonist is fiesty, spiritual, and smart. It is strictly circumstance that anyone knows she is in trouble as she lied to most in order to take a little job over summer break at Oxford. We involve the Florida State Police, a couple of county cops, the FBI, and several other initial agencies in hopes of rescuing our girl, but she has a lot going for her - if they can't find her, could she save herself? And who are the Loopers?

I received a free electronic copy of this novel on February 22, 2019 from Netgalley, Joni M. Fisher, and Ingram Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

My first Fisher novel, and it was a good one. Good twists, and well-written characters made this a fun read. Recommended.

A truly exciting and suspenseful read!

Ruby is a famous pop singer who is currently in rehab. Martina is a dead ringer for her. So as to keep Ruby's hospitalization away from the public, Martina occasionally stands in for Ruby. Only this time Martina is in for a bit more than she bargains for! She is kidnapped and taken on a boat - the kidnappers are allowing 5 days for the 6 million dollar ransom they demand.

Vincent (FBI) is engaged to Martina's best friend, Nefi. He does not feel that he can emotionally do this on site but definitely will work from the main office. Ruis, Martina's brother, is a US Marshal who also is good friends with Vincent. Regardless, if Ruiz can or cannot do this officially, Ruis is going to Florida where Martina has been taken. He brings with him Blake (ex-FBI) and Blake's wife, a pilot and sharp-shooter. Also, Tapper, a pilot and ex-military, joins in the search for Martina.

Martina is very frightened. She is afraid that if the two men who kidnapped her find out that she is not the pop star, Ruby, she will be killed. Martina also has no idea where the boat is since she was unconscious for the better part of the first day. Regardless, she has no way to communicate with her brother or her father, a former US Admiral.

Generally, this may have been a book I may have passed up. But - WOW! That would have been a mistake! Lots of action, suspense and twists throughout this read. Superb character development and a fast-paced read!

Recommend to all!!!

Many Thanks to NetGalley and Joni M. Fisher for a wonderful story!

An excellent plot and a very well written story with very strong characters. This book is also a very good example of suspense with very little violence.

Good story with a somewhat large cast of characters but I did enjoy reading it. A one sitting reading