Reviewed:
Bursting on the SOL scene a few years ago is a new author: Jody Daniel, and this is his first effort. I was hooked by the story’s description…some guy BUYS a teenage girl! I’ve read a few stories on SOL where somebody buys a girl, and they’re usually satisfyingly romantic with some sex thrown in.
I have learned not to start reading a story when it’s only partway posted, because sometimes the author takes forever to update, if at all…I’m not a fan of that! But you could set your watch by how frequently and regularly he gifts his readers with a new chapter.
So, I was ready to read a nice mild story. Instead I was treated to action, adventure, murder, intrigue, conflict, sex trafficking, justice, romance, and an introduction to the country and culture of South Africa. All with a bit of aviation and (minimal) sex thrown in.
Don, the main character, has flown a small jet to Cape Town, and all he's looking for is a place to get some good fish and chips. Instead, he is offered a young Irish lass named Tracy for the low, low price of a thousand “macaronis”. Just what currency that is wasn’t readily apparent, but Don soon strikes a bargain. He realizes the girl is a victim of a sex trafficking ring, and he hustles her out of the area and into his rental car before the sellers realize they may have made a mistake. No fish and chips for Don today!
What follows is a fast-moving tale that I highly recommend to everyone. There are twists and turns, romance, and moments of anxiety and stress. Jody Daniel is not above a cliffhanger or five during the story, either.
Now let me say a few words about the author of this tale. Jody Daniel is, as you might expect, a native of South Africa. Over the course of the last few years he has crafted nearly a dozen stories, many of which are in the “Angels” universe. Those are people who show up here and there during his writings…an interesting group to say the least. I have read each and every one of his stories, and there’s not a clinker in the bunch. I have to say that this one remains my favorite because of the transaction involving paying money for a young girl. I never get a deal like that!
He gets a perfect score for plot and appeal, but I dinged him a bit on technical. That's probably unfair, since English is not his first language.
Do yourself a favor and read this one, and then read all his other stories...preferably in chronological order.