As I told you in a recent blogpost (here), I've joined the lovely Camy Tang's street team and I've been loving the opportunity of getting to discover her books. Having just read and reviewed (here) the award-winning Sushi For One?, I went straight on to her latest novel Protection For Hire.
Reading the two novels back to back, I couldn't help but draw a lot of parallels between them. They both have sporty, tomboyish, tough as nails on the outside but vulnerable underneath, female lead characters and both offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of Japanese and Chinese culture. While being categorised as Christian literature, both novels offer stories that, while certainly having a strong message of faith, deliver it in such a way that it will not be offputting to non-believers. Camy gives you food for thought, she doesn't ram it down your throat !
Protection For Hire follows the story of Tessa Lancaster, former enforcer and niece to the Japanese mafia's big boss who, after going to prison for a crime she didn't commit,has come out with a new found faith and set of morals, hoping for a second chance. Like the cartoon characters with a devil and an angel on opposite shoulders, Tessa can either take the easy option and go back to the fold, accepting her uncle's job offer in the Mafia, or listen to her heart and try to find a respectable job and lifestyle.
It's a fast-paced thriller with a hint of romance and a generous dose of girl-power ! The supporting cast of characters are interesting and I'm hoping they will be further developed in the following books in the series. The opening excerpts of book 2, included at the end of the first tome, promise another soul-searching and adrenalin-fuelled novel.
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £8.99
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (1 Nov 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 031032033X
ISBN-13: 978-0310320333
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Thanks so much for the review, Cheryl!
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