The Rook by Steven James

STEVEN JAMES RELEASES ADRENALINE-LACED BLOCKBUSTER

Publishers Weekly Hails “caffeinated plot twists and intriguing characterizations”

The Rook
Steven James
978-0-8007-3269-1
$13.99, tradepaper Revell Everywhere August 2008

(NASHVILLE, TN) Following up his breakout hit, The Pawn, Steven James gives his fans another story about FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers. And this time, his readers won’t know who to trust.

James offers another intricately plotted thriller in The Rook with his in-depth study of geographic profiling, strategic crime analysis, and environmental criminology methods. Real-life retired FBI agent E. Cleon Glaze says, “Steven James’s ability to use modern, up-to-date investigative techniques to solve his criminal mysteries places him at the forefront of current mystery writers.”

Full of fast-paced action and mind-bending plot twists, The Rook is an adrenaline laced page-turner that will keep readers up all night. Book 2 in The Bowers Files, this riveting look into the darkness that lies in every soul is the perfect follow-up to James’s critically acclaimed bestselling thriller The Pawn.

The description from the back cover of the book:

"While investigating a series of baffling fires in San
Diego, Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where
nothing is as it appears to be. With a killer on the loose and one of the
world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught in a race against time to
stop a criminal mastermind's trap before it closes around the people he
loves."

“Sophomore slump? Fuhgeddaboutit. In his second thriller about FBI criminologist Patrick Bowers, James delivers the caffeinated plot twists and intriguing characterizations that made The Pawn a welcome addition to the suspense genre…”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Steven James hooked me with his debut, The Pawn. Now in this explosive sequel he has absolutely blown me away…”

Bookshelf Review.com

WHO IS STEVEN JAMES?

Steven James is one of the nation’s most innovative storytellers and a bestselling author. He has written more than twenty books and is a full-time speaker, having appeared more than 1,500 times throughout North America, Europe and Asia since 1996.


His first mystery thriller, The Pawn, has already hit the bestseller lists and is a finalist for the 2008 Christy Awards. On August 1, 008, his second book, The Rook, joins the high-octane thriller series, the Bowers Files. A third book, The Knight, is set to join the expanding series in Summer 2009.

James has had many outlets for his creativity. He holds a Master of Arts in Storytelling. In 1997, when he completed this degree, he was one of only a hundred people in the world with such a degree.

For years, James has focused on crafting nonfiction books that explore and broaden the connections of story, imagination, and Christian spirituality. He has recently contracted several more titles with Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. His recent nonfiction books include Sailing Between the Stars and the critically acclaimed Story: Recapture the Mystery, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. He has been honored with six national awards for his writing and storytelling, including a nomination for an ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award.

In addition to his books, James has written hundreds of articles and stories that have appeared in over eighty different magazines and publications, including Writer’s Digest and Guideposts for Teens.

James lives and writes in eastern Tennessee near the town of Jonesborough, the heart of the modern storytelling revival. He likes rock climbing and science fiction movies. When he’s not writing or speaking, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Glass Road Public Relations, LLC ph (615) 986-9516 fax (615) 986-9517 www.GlassRoadPR.com

Intense suspense. The Rook reminds me of a John Grisham or Michael Crichton novel. I'm terrible when it comes to Suspense novels, whether they're murder mysteries, spy novels, who-done-its, etc. I can NEVER figure them out. Well, that's not completely true. I figured out a Teen mystery recently. Hey, at least I figured it out for a change.

Steven James' novel starts out immediately with the reader trying to figure out the players and how they are all connected or will be at some point. At times while reading this book, I felt like I was watching an episode of CSI or Law & Order. As the reader, we get to see things as they're happening on the bad and good side. There are some seriously bizaar twists, which makes for even better reading, especially if you love suspense.

I haven't had a lot of time to read, but I hope to finish tonight or tomorrow. I'm not typically a fan of this type of reading because my life is intense enough as it is. I mean, the writing and story are fantastic, but it sends my brain into overload. I have a feeling I have to go back and read The Pawn by Steven James since this has been a good read!

If you'd like to win this book, I'm asking you to:

1. leave a question on here about yourself that someone you know can answer about you.
2. ask that person to visit my blog and answer the question. :)
3. Make sure they tell me who's mystery question they're answering so I can give you both credit.

I know, it's an itty bitty mystery that can be solved easily. When the question has been answered, I will enter you 5 times and that person once, if they want to be entered. So, put your thinking cap on, post a question, and have a friend answer it for you. I know this can be simple, but I don't like to have every contest easy or uneventful. :) Contest open to US residents only. Please, please leave me a way to contact you if you win. Thanks for visiting!