ABOUT THE BOOK

Ten seconds may be all she has left …

Kate Edison witnesses her father’s death and, in order to keep his memory alive, decides to follow in his footsteps by joining the CIA. She molds herself into becoming exactly what the CIA is looking for—and captures their interest, both personally and professionally. But before she can finish the CIA process, Kate is offered a position as an espionage agent in another highly secretive government agency, which she accepts.

While completing her agency training, Kate is catapulted into a shadowy world where wealth and power are the ultimate goal, and those in charge will stop at nothing to get it. While on the job, Kate uncovers secrets that, if revealed, would cost her life, but if kept, could bring down a nation. Isolated and unsure of who to trust, she brings in a fellow agent, but pulling him into the web of conspiracy and lies puts a target on both their backs – and it will take every skill they’ve ever learned as agents to stay alive long enough to stop the enemy no one else can see.

MY REVIEW

I chose this book because of the title and the intriguing synopsis. What a ride!  I found my favorite book of 2020.  When a woman finally has a chance at the job she was made for, her life is destined for a deadly alternative.

Kate was sixteen years old when her father died right in front of her. With her photographic memory and excellent instincts, her father knew she was destined to work for the CIA and follow in his footsteps.  After weeks of painstaking mental and physical training as a CIA recruit, encouragement from the very attractive and kind CIA Officer Lyon who recruited her for the agency gives her hope that she got the job. But what she receives is an offer she cannot refuse… or else.

Her fate is in the hands of the Alternative Government Initiative (AGI) which is a highly-classified shadow government where its main purpose is “to take power in the occurrence that our current government becomes incapacitated”.  Only current AGI agents, retired AGI agents, the current president, and past presidents know about AGI.  Though she is angry at how they give her no choice but to accept the job, she is told her father worked for them too so she joins the agency.  But did she do the right thing? She’s finding dead bodies at the AGI facility in Montana and her life is in grave danger if she is caught. She feels so alone and doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Who can she turn to to help her expose AGI and it’s dangerous practices?  If AGI catches her, she has ten seconds to dead.

I loved this fantastic thriller by a debut author!  It had me on the edge of my seat from the first chapter and had me reading well into the night to find out what happened. Kate is an exceptionally intelligent and hardcore agent who is thrown into a whirlwind of espionage and dangerous missions. Her fellow recruits are a great supporting cast and good friends who give Kate some humanity and give the story depth.

The secret behind the “ten seconds to dead” phrase is genius. I can’t say any more than that without giving it away so you’ll just have to read this gripping thriller!  I guarantee it won’t disappoint.  Recommend very highly!

Thank you to Ms. Clayton for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

L.A. Clayton has been an avid reader her entire life, devouring books at an alarming rate. Her husband often jokes that if she didn’t buy so many books they could retire. She went to bed one night a reader and woke up with a fresh memory of a dream she’d had the night before, sat down and became a writer. 

L.A. Clayton lives in St. Louis, MO with her husband and their four young children. She makes time for writing in between wiping noses and packing lunches.

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