The Freedom Broker

This is an intense, fast paced book, full of action on every page. Gunfights, explosions, fires, lots of helicopters and a race against the clock to rescue a hostage... this book definitely couldn't be classed as boring! There are some interesting insights into the job of Hostage negotiators along the way, and the various geographical locations are played out vividly in my mind. As the book progresses, we get answers to our questions in the form of yet more questions, the story creating layer upon layer of intrigue and giving plenty to think about in the rare breaks I had while reading.

Great read with plenty of action and twists and turn with every new page.

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read The Freedom Broker in advance for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. When Thea Paris's was just 8 years old she watched helplessly as her brother Nikos was abducted, he was returned 9 months later but Thea was never the same afterwards and now she is all grown up and is now a top kidnap negotiator. Now 20 years later her father, Christos has been kidnapped but there is no ransom request and it is up to Thea with the help of her childhood friend Rif Asker to find out what the kidnapper wants and bring Christos home. This is an excellent read that you just won't be able to put down full of twists hope it won't be too long for the next book!

PACKED WITH ACTION & THRILL - SET AMIDST INTERNATIONAL K & R:
This is a remarkable debut novel by K J Howe. The storyline is based around the rapidly expanding crime of International Kidnap and Ransom (K & R). Specialists in this field are few and the major character in the novel, Thea Paris, is one. Little does she know that her expertise will be tested to the full when a close member of her family is abducted. The subject matter has been excellently researched by Ms Howe and is educational as well as containing an intriguing and original plot. Action abounds and the reader is kept guessing right till the end as to who the perpetrator of the abduction is.
Thea Paris is a diabetic: a medical problem which she has kept secret from her employer Hakan, owner of Quantum, the world's largest private company specialising in K & R. The novel points out some of the daily problems faced by diabetics (Thea has Type 1) which as a fellow sufferer I could readily identify with.
Intelligently plotted and containing realistic characters, The Freedom Broker is a must read when it hits the bookshelves. An excellent debut thriller packed with action and intrigue.

Prepare yourselves for a lot of Eeeeeeek’s and OMFG’s peeps as this book has me sooooooo excited, you may actually hear me squeal!

Set in various parts of the world, such as Nigeria, Columbia, Greece and the main HQ in London, The Freedom Broker has the reader facing kidnapping, survival, guilt, anger, revenge, denial, betrayal and family relationships – of a semi dysfunctional sort!

The plot was unrelenting, riveting and kept me hooked from the get go. I love it when a book has my heart racing and adrenaline pumping all the way throughout! You know those kind of books where the storyline has you racing through the pages, where you forget to breathe until you reach those points that completely throw you into a meltdown ….yeah…THAT! The narrative, research and descriptions were believeable and so well written, I felt like I was right there in the thick of it all with Thea. A-MAZE-ING!

Those one or two of you that follow my blog, will know how much I just love my characters! Whether I like or dislike them, if they are well written and manage to get themselves under my skin, leaving an imprint that makes them unforgettable…well, I will follow their journey. Thea Paris is one of those characters! Thea has her own battles and secrets, but is a strong, kick-ass female lead. LOVE that! She is a negotiator – intelligent, loyal, courageous and totally badass; resilient, fierce and also vulnerable – this is one lady who can “have my six” any time! (google it)

Rif Asker was another great character. A childhood family friend, he sees things others might miss. Objective but extremely protective of those who he cares about. At first, I didn’t really know what to make of him, but as the story progressed, his character really came into its own.

Nikos, Nikos…Nikos. Wow! Now this character fascinated me. I was completely torn between loving and loathing him. The revelations were mind blowing and his devotion to his sister unquestionable…but OMFG…I would NOT want to tick this guy off!

The final character I want to mention (but let me be clear, there are oh so many I could have mentioned) is Gabrielle Farrah. Initially I didn’t find her memorable at all- a government agent, I thought she was a bit…well…typical, I guess. But the author worked her magic and turned this character into one that really made me root for her.

Although this is a fast-paced, kickass thriller, there is also just a hint….a tease…of romance wafting in the air, which to me added just one more exceptional dimension to the characters, the theme(s) and the storyline overall. It was clear that KJ Howe did her research making this debut one of my #TopReadsof2017!

So do I recommend this book? OMFG….did you read my review? I absolutely, unequivocally and most definitely am saying HELL YEAH! If you are looking for a debut novel that reads like a pro wrote it – I suggest you head over to amazon and grab a copy of The Freedom Broker now! Oh, I also had the pleasure of meeting KJ Howe and her awesome husband at Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Festival this past weekend. We talked books, writing and Thrillerfest- I loved that she spent the time chatting with me – an inspiration – and an experience I won’t forget!

An utterly enthralling book from start to finish. If you like action adventure, but fancy a little something different, this is definitely for you.