I read some amazing books in 2020 and I would like to share them again with you, updated with the authors most recent releases and their biography.
This was my review from November 2020 for Vanished the debut thriller set in Haiti by Mark Bierman.
About the book
Tragedy . . . heartache . . . how much more can Tyler Montgomery and John Webster take? This missions trip, the “healing” one, has only added fresh layers of pain. Construction of an orphanage in Haiti’s northwest . . . yes. But a doomed rescue operation, human traffickers, human anomalies, extreme personal danger . . . risk of death? They hadn’t signed up for those.
Turning their backs on the crisis, however, is unthinkable, it’s just not who they are.
My review for the book 28th November 2020
This book is a challenging read, not because of how it is written, but the subject matter. We tend to picture islands in the Caribbean as having sun swept sandy beaches, luxury accommodation and smiling faces of the inhabitants, happy to see tourists pouring into their paradise. However Haiti has had centuries of political, economic and social unrest and suffered devastating natural disasters. Following one such event, the earthquake in 2010, thousands of men, women and children were killed and many more thousands were left homeless. The population is left reliant on assistance from the outside world, including volunteers to help them rebuild. However, as well as the suffering caused by this natural disaster, there is an underlying evil that thrives on misery, and manipulates parents in dire straits, to offer up their children under the pretense of a better life.
Two Americans Tyler and his father-in-law John Webster arrive on the island following a tragedy of their own, with the loss of Joy, Tyler’s wife and John’s daughter from cancer. Hopeful that the physical labour of helping to construct an orphanage, will bring them both a measure of peace, they find themselves caught up in the violent world of the human traffickers preying on children in particular. From mines to plantations the trade in cheap slave labour is thriving, and it is manned by thugs with money the motivator.
In a desperate search across the mountainous interior of the country, and forced to form alliances with those they cannot trust, and in some cases with those wishing them violence, the two men seek one child among thousands. Their story runs in parallel with heartrending accounts of others who have been caught up in the trafficking, who seek to escape, often at the expense of their lives.
The author has created strong characters across the spectrum of good vs. evil, and the story maintains its pace throughout the book. The mission Tyler and John have undertaken hurtles towards a violent climax, and consequences that will need to be faced. A thought provoking thriller that serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a kinder world.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US– And: Amazon UK
50% of the proceeds from Vanished go to an organization that helps victims of human trafficking.
About Mark Bierman
Born and raised on a farm near Brockville, Ontario, Mark Bierman’s childhood consisted of chores, riding horses, snowmobile races across open fields, fishing trips to a local lake, and many other outdoor adventures. He was also an avid reader of both fiction and non.
Transitioning towards adulthood also meant moving from the farm and into large urban areas that introduced this “country boy” to life in the big cities.
After a short stint as a private investigator, he moved into the role of Correctional Officer, working at both Millhaven Institution and Kingston Penitentiary, until it closed.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Follow Mark: Goodreads – Blog: Mark Bierman WordPress – Twitter: @mbiermanauthor
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you have enjoyed my review of Vanished by Mark Bierman… thanks Sally.
A lovely review of this book, Sally.
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Thanks Robbie…hugsx
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Thank you, Robbie. 🙂
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I remember this wonderful review Sal. That’s when I bought this book, which I’m still looking forward to reading – whenever ‘regular’ reading resumes ❤ Congrats to Mark! 🙂 xx
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Thanks Debby.. that’s the good thing about books.. they don’t go stale..♥
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So true! ❤
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Thank you Debby. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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I know I will Mark 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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Always terrific to see Mark featured. Happy weekend, Sally. Hugs!
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Thanks Teagan.. you too..hugsx
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Thank you, Teagan. 🙂
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Thanks for the review and for reposting it, Sally! Sorry for the delay in responding.
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No problem Mark and it deserved another spotlight. x
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This is a great review, Sally. Mark’s chosen a powerful topic and placed it in an unusual setting. xx
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Thanks Alex.. an excellent thriller and looking forward to more from Mark..hugs
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🙂
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Thank you, Alex.
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Great review and read, Sally:)
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Thanks Denise..Looking forward to Mark’s next book. x
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Thanks, Sally. I’m getting close to ‘The End.’ It has nothing to do with human trafficking. 🙂
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I am sure it will be an excellent read Mark.. look forward to showcasing it. x
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Thanks, Sally. 🙂
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Thanks, Denise. 🙂
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A great review, Sally – this sounds like a very dramatic read. Toni x
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Very much so Toni.. a challenging subject to write about..xx
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Thank you, Toni.
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This was a terrific read. There’s no getting around the challenges of writing a story that involves human trafficking, as a writer can’t just gloss over an unpleasant topic. I thought Mark did that well without being too graphic.
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I agree Pete.. Mark got it across very well. x
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Thank you, Pete. I appreciate your support. 🙂
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Also missed you review in the past, Sally! Thank you! Its a great one, for a great book! Michael xx
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Thanks Michael.. definitely worth reading…hugs
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Thank you, Michael!
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You are welcome, Mark! Thank you, and enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx
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Excellent review, Sally. Kudos, Mark! Sharing…
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Thanks very much Bette..have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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Thank you, Bette.
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Excellent review, Sally. Thank you. Congratulations to Mark.
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Thanks John…hugsx
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Thanks, John.
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What a fantastic and poignant review for a really good book. I had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction as I was reading it. It hit home more like a true story. Congrats to Mark for the feature! Thank you, Sally!
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Thank you, Jan. I’m glad it had an impact. The book was designed for that.
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Lovely review, Sally. Thanks. I’m sure this book is terrific.
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Thanks Elizabeth.. definitely worth reading..xx
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Thank you. 🙂
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The book was challenging for me as well, Sally, because of the difficult content. The current mess at the U.S. southern border makes Mark’s book even more critical for folks to read. Goodwill is one thing, who doesn’t want to help? But if “helping” translates to enabling horrific behavior by traffickers, it must stop. I hope Mark’s book opens minds and hearts. Thank you for sharing your great review. 💗
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Thank you Gwen sometimes I think the veneer of civilisation is very thin. As you say kind-hearted good people are sometimes not equipped to deal with the evil they confront.. hugsx♥
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Thanks, Gwen. If it opens a few eyes and creates awareness, then Vanished has accomplished its mission.
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I also enjoyed this book, Sally. It’s a tragic topic which made the read all the more riveting. Great review and congrats to Mark!
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Thanks for adding your boost for the book Diana…hugsx
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Thank you so much, Diana. 🙂
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I missed your review of Vanished in November, so I’m glad you repeated it today. I just ordered the book.
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Fantastic thanks Janet.. enjoy..hugs
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Thank you, Janet. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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Great review for Mark’s book. And a worthy cause. Wishing Mark all the best. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs xx 🙂
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Thanks Harmony.. hugsx
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Thank you, Harmony. 🙂
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