Cover Image: Double Exposure

Double Exposure

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A story about a photojournalist working in Afghanistan who is passionate about the plight of the young girls. The protagonist is blessed to have a young daughter who raises funds for a school to be built there, however there are people who are not happy about this, major obstacles occur in her path. All this happens as there is chaos back home with her ex and daughter. There is chaos within her, and chaos around her, will she survive it all?

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The first book in this series, Behind the Lens, was a great book, and is a good part of the reason why I wanted to read Double Exposure. While it is the second book in the series, it does read very well even if you haven't read the first.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are very relatable, and Annie comes close to being a source of inspiration. The story is fast paced and engaging, making it hard to set the book down. There are multiple mysteries, which adds to the complexity seen in most mystery thrillers. There are perceived dangers for Annie to realize and navigate. All this and there is even some worthwhile education on Afghan culture, which to me was an amazing plus!

I found this book to be an overall very exciting read, but on a couple of occasions, I found myself thinking that either there was a bit too much repetition, or that things didn't flow or fit together as neatly as they could have. Nothing major, and certainly nothing that rose to the point that it took away from the enjoyment of the book.

This book will appeal to a wide range of people, and as such, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to just about anyone looking for their next read.

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Book review :

This is the second novel in the award-winning Annie Hawkins Green series after the first novel, Behind the Lens. This book is a captivating, fast-paced, and unsettling read undoubtedly a story of strength, love, perseverance, and resilience.

Annie Hawkins Green is without a doubt currently my favorite badass woman. She is smart, strong, gutsy, and kind, but at the same time flawed, with emotions (and lingering PTSD) that cause some of her decisions to take her into situations that range from mildly upsetting to life-threateningly dangerous.

A superbly crafted and thrilling sequel with enough twists and turns to keep you riveted right up to the tension-filled finale. The author has artisticly captured the beauty and complexity of Afghanistan through the eyes and lens of Annie Hawkins—always with a tough, yet tender touch.

I liked reading this book and would recommend this book to all mystery and thriller book lovers. I am thankful to @netgalley and the publisher for providing me this book in return of an honest review.

Happy Reading!

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I requested this book from NetGalley not realizing it was a sequel, but the summary interested me enough to track down the first in the series. I made it about 30% of the way but couldn't get interested, and decided to try the sequel anyway. I think these books are right for someone, just not me. Maybe the love interest plotline was too strong for me personally? The setting and the main character's relationship with her daughter was interesting, but unfortunately not enough to keep me reading.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of Double Exposure from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Rating 5/5

Annie Hawkins Green is back in Afghanistan and back in Wad Qol after a devastating six months following the death of her best friend and the disappearance of her niece Seema.

As Annie searches for clues to where Seema might be and helps to rebuild the burned down school she left behind, Annie continues to find that nothing is ever quite what it seems in Afghanistan. Featuring a familiar set of characters with Annie, Cerelli, Sawyer and Mel - the next chapter in Annie’s story is even more off the charts than the first.

An incredible follow up from Jeannée Sacken, I COULD NOT put this one down. I was immediately sucked into the next chapter in Annie’s story and couldn’t wait to find out what the next page had in store. Sacken’s research and commitment to exploring Afghani culture was clear and made the story even more personal. I appreciate the dramatic and personal touches she brought to each of the characters and I can only hope for more of Annie’s adventures. 5/5 stars for me!!

Thank you so much to Jeannée Sacken, Ten16 Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Read if you like:
+ Adventurous female leads
+ You loved The Newsroom or Homeland
+ Middle eastern culture and story telling

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I adored this novel and had to go out and buy the author's first book. A warm, witty and wonderful story that had me hooked from page one. Wonderful intelligent romance!

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Set during the unstable period when the Taliban desperately tried to regain power by launching terrorist attacks against Afghans, Double Exposure is a fast-paced, heart-wrenching tale of the people who stood strong in the face of terrorism.
Jeannee Sacken is a photojournalist just like the main character, Annie, and her experience adds an extra layer of authenticity to this action packed novel. During reading, I marveled at the courage of Annie (and real photojournalists like her).

I really appreciated the way Sacken contrasted the beliefs and actions of extremists in Afghanistan with the beliefs and actions of hospitable Muslims.

In addition, Annie’s interpersonal journey of balancing her (dangerous) career with motherhood and her love life was touching.

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I love any book that immerses me in a world where I don’t live. And traveling through Afghanistan with Annie Hawkins Greene, a badass war photographer, gave me that and more!
After her daughter raises money, Annie travels to Afghanistan to help rebuild a destroyed girls' school. As a reader, once she arrives, we enter a world with danger everywhere. A world that is impossible to correctly navigate.

Double Exposure and Behind the Lens (Sacken's prior novel) are both fast reads with all the pacing of a written thriller. But the story is so much more. Annie has a teenage daughter and a lover who struggles with his own health issues and trauma. Add in that Annie herself has PTSD from her prior time in Afghanistan, and you have a combustible mix.

I loved Annie Hawkins Greene as a real badass woman. She’s courageous, but kind and culturally sensitive. She's filled with the humility. As humans, we need more empathy and openness to worlds unlike our own. Annie Hawkins Greene is a superb model for that.
Double Exposure is tense, dramatic, with engaging characters and meticulous research, and will keep you turning pages!

I was impressed by the diligent research this novel required. I was thrilled to learn about Landays (Afghan poetry), immerse myself in the mix of languages and cultural elements of Afghanistan, while being gripped by a story that held me at the edge of my seat.

I believe those who enjoy thrillers will especially appreciate the fast-paced nature of the novel, but as a lover of women’s fiction, it was ideal for me too because I related and enjoyed following the badass character of Annie Hawkins Greene.

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This is a beautifully complex story that’s skillfully written and touches on so many important issues taken straight from today’s headlines.

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4.5 stars

Goodness, gracious. I didn’t think it was possible, but I love this book as much as I loved the first book in this series, Behind the Lens. This newest book, Double Exposure, picks up where the first book left off.

Annie is home from Afghanistan dealing with a few issues - she and Cerelli have been seeing each other romantically back in the States, Mel is still struggling with living with her dad and evil step mother, and Annie just found out she is the subject in a lawsuit. And while she was in her last assignment elsewhere, Mel befriended an Afghan girl and they decided to raise money for the burned down girls school in Afghanistan - with the hopes of Annie hand delivering the money herself.

This book takes us on this fabulous journey following Annie’s return to Afghanistan. I cannot tell you how wonderful this book is - I absolutely adore it.

After reading two books, I am a huge Jeannee Sacken fan. Not only am I also a photographer, but I really enjoy her story telling abilities. She is truly gifted.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

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The fast-paced, thrilling storyline continues in book two as photojournalist Annie Hawkins is facing trouble on all fronts. While still coming to terms with the tragic events from book one. . . Annie’s job is now in jeopardy, her relationship with her Navy SEAL boyfriend is shaky, and family life is in upheaval as Annie’s teen daughter clashes with her dad/stepmom. The story takes us from the Middle East to the US (D.C./Milwaukee) and back again to Afghanistan where danger is omnipresent for Annie as she tries to honor the legacy of her best friend.

The author seamlessly navigates multiple subplots with a refreshing authenticity—while bringing us into heart-wrenching and hair-raising moments where we aren’t sure anyone, including Annie, will survive. This is a beautifully complex story that’s skillfully written and touches on so many important issues taken straight from today’s headlines.

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Annie is a photojournalist who frequently works in the Middle East. She returns home to trouble with her ex and drama with her daughter. Her daughter has raised money with her friends to raise money for the Wad Qol Secondary School for Girls in Afghanistan and they want Annie to take the money over when she heads back over to cover a story. When Annie goes over to cover her next story and takes the money over, she finds out that there are people who do not want the school build and are willing to sabotage and hurt people to delay it.

When I started reading this book, I could tell there was a backstory, but I just assumed the author would unveil more of it as I read. And I did learn more of it as I went along. But, I learned at the end of the book that this was actually the second book in a two-part series. Sometimes when that happens, I have learned enough that I don't need/want to read the first, but I definitely want to read the first book. The author has captured my attention and I want to learn more about Seema and her boyfriend and I definitely want to know more about Cerelli. I barely knew of him in this book and I was rooting for these two!

I learned a lot in this book that I didn't know previously and I want to thank NetGalley for this ARC!

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I loved this book as much as I loved the first one, and I need book 3 ASAP!! I repeat all of the glowing reviews I gave about book 1 (copied my goodreads review below), behind the lens. But I want to add the following: Sacken also beautifully explores the complexity of female empowerment in various cultures. And her rich descriptions of food had me hungry and searching for middle eastern restaurants. Finally, Cerelli is now up there on my list of favorite book boyfriends!!!

My goodreads review for book 1, Behind the Lens: I was blown away by this book—perfect for a book club (and she includes discussion questions at the end)! Jeannée Sacken puts you straight into the mind of a complex and culturally aware photojournalist during pivotal moments of her experience in war-torn Afghanistan. I first loved how educational the book is. But it’s also a GRIPPING mystery with a bit of romance. I couldn’t put it down. My only qualm is how the book seemed to gloss over the ethics of war, which produces a straightforward theme of glorifying US military initiatives. There was a great opportunity in the book (when she learns about Malalai’s village in the cave) to take a deeper dive into this knotty issue. Altogether, though, I highly recommend. It reignited my craving to learn from other cultures and also to search for knowledge on the current state of war-torn or oppressed countries and how I can help.

Thank you netgalley and Jeanée Sacken for this book—the Litty Ladies are some of your biggest fans!

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When I requested this book, I did not realize it was the second in the series. So obviously I had to get the first one, and when I tell you I was blown away..... The first book, Behind the Lens, and this book are solidly in my top ten books of all time. While I think you could read the second book without the first, the journey is so much more enjoyable and understandable with the first book as a foundation.

We return to Annie's journey and initially get to see more of her maternal side, while also trying to balance a career. I think Annie's view is such a relatable and realistic POV as a female who wants to prioritize both her professional goals and her daughter, and isn't too proud or stubborn to utilize a support system (Bonita is just the best). Her independence and free spiritedness are so perfectly balanced with her relationship with Cerelli (I stan them so hard). I think Annie's PTSD and Cerelli's adjustments were both described so tactfully, while also staying true to the real emotions, confusion, and hardships that those challenges can entail.

This book is definitely a little slower in the middle than the first book, which I think was action packed the entire time. But, it's necessary for the overarching plot, and it certainly wasn't slow to the point of being dull. Rather, I found the details of culture and daily village life interesting and enlightening. Both of these books have provided me with so much education on Middle Eastern countries (and I say that with a degree in a parallel subject), and have inspired me to find ways to become involved in the advocacy and support of female education in the country, especially important during recent months and changes in the country.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jeannée Sacken for this ARC!

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Double Exposure
by Jeannée Sacken
Orange Hat Publishing, Ten16 Press
Pub Date: Sep 27

The second in this intriguing series featuring war photojournalist Annie Hawkins finds her life in chaos. She's being investigated for something that happened in Afghanistan six months ago. Her daughter raises funds with her friends to rebuild the Wad Qol Secondary School for Girls there and wants her to deliver the money in person. A fierce argument with Annie's love, Seal Finn Cerelli, ends in their no longer communicating. Plus, sabotage occurs at the girls' school because the Taliban opposes education for girls.

The well-developed characters, exotic location, thrilling narrative, and hot-off-the-press issues make for one absorbing read. Highly recommended!

Thanks to author Jeannée Sacken, Orange Hat Publishing, Ten16 Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#DoubleExposure
#JeanneeSacken
#OrangeHatPublishingTen16Press
#mysterythrillernovels
#womensfictionnovels
#Afghanistannovel
#femalewarphotojournalists
#booktwoinanniehawkinsgreenseries
#bookstagramcommunity

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Double Exposure
by Jeannée Sacken
Pub Date: 27 Sep 2022
4/5 Stars

This is the second book in a series featuring photojournalist Annie Hawkins. It takes place roughly 6 months after her last assignment in Afghanistan. Annie returns to Afghanistan before her next assignment to bring fundraiser money for the rebuilding of the Wad Qol Secondary School for Girls. Meanwhile, back home in the states, her daughter is feuding with her ex-husband and his wife, and Annie’s love, SEAL Finn Cerelli, has stopped speaking to her. The rebuilding of the school is unwanted by local militants and random acts of violence soon occur.

I hadn’t read the Sacken’s first novel, Behind the Lens, so I was unfamiliar with the characters and backstory. It was so interesting to learn a little about life in Afghanistan and the plight of females who live there. I did feel the story dragged a little until the end where the action really picked up. It was definitely worth reading, though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orange Hat Publishing, Ten16 Press for the opportunity to read this Egalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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