Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
USA Best Book Awards Finalist - USA Book NewsUp until six weeks ago, Sam Reeves, a respected Portland, Oregon police detective, martial artist, and teacher, had a good life. That is until a series of unimaginable events turned it upside down--some good, some very, very bad. Still reeling from this maelstrom of fate, Sam takes a leave of absence and heads to exotic Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam seeking refuge with his family, and to reflect on his deadly past. Sam is captivated by the contrast of beauty and struggle of a country still recovering from war, and by the warmth of his newfound family--his father Samuel, wife Kim, half sisters, and the beautiful enchanting Mai. But the grief-crazed mob boss, Lai Van Tan, seeks revenge against Samuel who he holds responsible for the death of his son. Ever the protector, Sam Reeves joins the fight to thwart Lai Van Tan's deadly attacks on the family. Dealing with a crazed mob boss is difficult enough but when the family learns that Lai Van Tan's people have kidnapped 27 young girls to be sold into the sex trade, and that the corrupt police and government won't help, Sam, Samuel, and Mai, along with a bizarre group of 'seemingly' old and disabled Vietnamese soldiers with unique fighting skills, join forces to rescue the young girls. Enraged, Lai Van Tan strikes back with a fury that tests the mettle of these warriors. Before it's over, the family is forced to defend themselves again and again, including in a warehouse full of life-sized Buddha statues. The results--well, if you're going to fight the bad guys you might as well make them really mad at you.
Synopsis
If you're going to fight bad guys, you might as well make them really mad at you
A few weeks ago, I had a good life--I was a respected Portland police detective and successful martial arts instructor. Then I shot somebody--then I shot two more people. It changed everything. Into this chaos stepped a man and an enchanting Vietnamese woman. Turns out he's my father who I thought was dead, and she's--wow. We got to know each over coffee and, oh yeah, fighting for our lives against Vietnamese gangsters seeking revenge against my father. What a week, glad it's over.
A restful trip abroad, to get acquainted with my 'new' father and the beautiful Mai, sounds like a good idea. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, here I come
What I didn't expect, in this exotic city, was Lai Van Tan, the crazed mob boss and sex trafficker, still raging against my family for an imagined wrong--now he wants me too. With the aid of some unique Vietnamese War veterans, each with a deadly set of skills, the fight is on. My hope for a restful visit is deteriorating fast.