A Reader's Review
VALKYRIE
by LINDSAY McKENNA
Hard Shell Word Factory
ISBN: 0-7599-0005-1
Reader Alert! This is the best time in the world to read a military novel and VALKYRIE, the superb romantic suspense and more by the talented Lindsay McKenna, is one you'll never forget. I was on this book like a pit bull simply because I couldn't put it down from the minute I started it. If you want to see how two innocent decent people are placed between a rock and a hard place by politicians, power seeking military personnel and cruelty - then this book is an eye opener. I was on the edge of my seat, and sometimes felt like I was in the damn war myself that's how real the story became to me. I was scared, exhausted, in danger, depressed, in love, and then impressed as the devil at the courage and spirit of Cat Fremont and Jim Boland, the extraordinary heroine and hero of VALKYRIE.
Corporal Cathy Fremont is in a special Women's Liberation Forces unit working with the U.S. Marine Corps in Thailand in 2003 after Congress has approved that they try it for one year to see if women are capable of being in combat - a hot bed of political activity. Delta company run by Major Louise Lane, a woman with a mission to see her company be the best fighting force women can be. Captain Jim Boland is training Marine recon teams and is very good at his job - he inspires love and loyalty from his men. Jim is honest and upstanding and loyal and has excellent instincts about people however, he is trapped by his Colonel into trying to use Cathy Freemont to bring down Major Lane, and after he gains Cathy's trust and falls in love with her disaster strikes and all hell breaks loose.
Cathy Freemont makes sure she looks out for her squad members and does whatever she can to do so. She has earned the nickname Valkyrie because of her excellence in her military skills. She is an orphan and feels she's never had a real family, never belonged, never really had anyone to care about her, that is until she meets the handsome and compassionate Jim Boland, and man whose honesty and caring turn her world upside down. The women all love her and trust her except for Major Lane and her second in command, who want to get rid of her anyway they can. The suspense is electrifying. The conflict between the men's and the women's groups, the politicians, and the detail of what goes on in the armed forces is mesmerizing and keeps you glued to the book. The love story between Jim and Cathy is sensual and tender and so beautiful.
When Ms. McKenna told me this was the book of her heart I can truly believe it. This is powerful writing from both heart and soul. She has created a firestorm of emotions in this military blockbuster that belongs on your keeper shelf. Very powerful, very explosive.
Review by Suzanne ColeburnOctober 2001
Romantic Times Magazine, November, 2001 issue, just announced their yearly award winners. Lindsay McKenna was chosen with her entry, VALKYRIE, as the best Electronic Book of the year!
She will be at the Romantic Times Conference, Orlando, Florida, in November, to accept her award. Her publisher, Hard Shell, is ecstatic over this win. Hard Shell was chosen by Lindsay because of the strength of its authors and ability to produce excellent quality e-books and POD's (pocketbook editions of the e-books).
November, 2000
Mainstream military suspense e-book about U.S. women in ground combat; national, best-selling author releases page turner December 1.
Valkyrie is a mainstream women's suspense book that intertwines action, adventure, politics, and a love story -- all centered around a hot-button topic of women in ground combat.
Author Lindsay McKenna releases this highly anticipated page turner December 1 exclusively through an electronic medium: e-books and paperback version. The book is expected to promote public debate about U.S. women in combat roles.
Already movie optioned, Valkyrie sets up a ground combat trial for women, along with other U.S. Forces, into an erupting Southeast Asia hot-spot crisis. The all-woman task force tests political odds and physical danger in all-out ground combat.
The word Valkyrie comes from Norse mythology. Valkyries were warrior maidens who worked with the Norse God, Odin, in risking their own lives to save a warrior from sure death during war. The book plays along the theme of strong women characters and real-life situations in a combat setting. The book is available through Hard Shell Word Factory in two formats: electronic or print-on-demand paperback version. Local bookstores can also make special paperback orders for customers that do not have computer or Internet access.
Absolutely fantastic" - Harriet Klausner, #1 Reviewer, Amazon.com
