Monday, March 22, 2010

Review and Giveaway - Last Snow -Eric Van Lustbader


Last Snow is the sequel to Eric Van Lustbader's bestselling novel First Daughter.

The prologue opens with a scene that sets the stage for the rest of the book. The murder of an American senator on the isle of Capri - when he's supposed to be on a political mission to the Ukraine - sets off a series of events that has far flung consequences.

Jack McClure, a presidential advisor, is asked by the President himself to investigate the murder personally, but quietly. The President's daughter, Allie, insinuates herself into the investigation.

I felt like I was playing a bit of catch up as I had not read First Daughter. A terrifying event has scarred Allie and she looks to Jack as her protector and confidant. I had a hard time warming up to the character of Allie in the beginning - she came across as manipulative and spoiled. The fact that her parents are okay with her going off on a 'mission' with Jack seemed a little far fetched. And I do question Van Lustbader's explanation of Grave's disease to explain Allie's diminutive stature.

Getting past that though, Van Lustbader has crafted an incredibly complex plot involving rogue Russian agents, criminals and crooked politicians. There are twists and turns galore - I had to play close attention to keep all the plot lines straight. Van Lustbader inserts a personal story into all the intrigue as well. Jack is a flawed character, suffering great guilt over the death of his daughter Emma - she appears in visions to him. He is also dsylexic.

Political thriller aficionados will enjoy this series. Fans of Robert Ludlum's Bourne novels will really enjoy this series. With Ludlum's death, Van Lustbader has written the last two Bourne novels.

Read an excerpt of Last Snow.

Want a copy for yourself? Thanks to The Book Report Network, I have a copy to giveaway. Open to US and Canada. Leave a comment to be entered. Closes Saturday, April 17t at 6 pm EST.

79 comments:

Mystica said...

Please count me in for this giveaway.

I am a follower


mystica123athotmaildotcom

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

This book would be so interesting to read, please enter me.

I follow by google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I'd love to be entered. Thanks.
I follow your blog.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Count me in!!!

billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I love thrillers and this sounds like a good one. I'm going to pass on the giveaway since I haven't read First Daughter.

Anonymous said...

I read this author many years ago. Can't even remember the book. In any case, enter me. I haven't read First Daughter but that could be remedied. :-)

janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com

Debbie F said...

Please include me! Thanks

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, babe. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

bookaholic said...

Sad its not international...:(

Kelsey said...

Great giveaway! Count me in.

Thanks,
Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com
www.thedoortowonderland.blogspot.com

Sandy Jay said...

Please enter me in this drawing.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Count me in, please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Jennifer @ Mrs. Q: Book Addict said...

Please count me in!

quirion @ me.com

misskallie2000 said...

Oh WOW!! This has got to be a great book. Pls enter me in the giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

I am a follower via GFC

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Reading said...

Please count me in. I would love to win this.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

nfmgirl said...

Please count me in. Thanks so much!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Martha Lawson said...

Please enter me! Thanks for the giveaway

I follow

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

a real librarian said...

I'd love to win!! I also follow!!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I have enjoyed Van Lustbader's work in the past and would love to win this one.
Mike Draper

Nancye said...

This looks like a great book. Please count me in.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

sweetjudyblue said...

Thank you I would love to win this book.
pineislandjudy@embarqmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book to read. I am always looking for a good story.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

skkorman said...

I would love to read this—please enter me to twin!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Rita M said...

Would love to read this - thanks for the great giveaway!
rmelton[at]homail[dot]com

Debbie said...

I would love to be entered in this contest. I love his books.

debbiej@cfl.rr.com
Thanks so much, Debbie

Ann said...

Yep, count me in...

summergal05 at gmail dot com

linett said...

Love his books, thanks

Steve Barbich IV said...

please please enter me in the drawing! Thank you!


chewie1031 at sbcglobal dot net

mverno said...

i like to read mverno@roadrunner.com

Anonymous said...

I like Lustbader's style of writing. have been reading him for years.gblogax@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I would love to read this. :)

I follow!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Annie1 said...

My dad would love this book! Please count me in!

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)

GALENA said...

always lookin for a new book

holdenj said...

Please count me in, I love a good mystery/thriller! Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

here is my entry

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

SOUNDS LIKE GOOD READING

mindy said...

sounds like a great read thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I really love political thrillers. Thanks!

Freedom express said...

hey... although m new, would love to have this book


thanks

anshika.ag@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good read.

Lisa - leroygladstone@hotmail.com

janeh said...

love thrillers and this one sounds intriguing

Brent said...

Please enter me

Laura said...

I'd love to win. Thanks for the giveaway!

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Count me in on the giveaway.

sksweeps said...

I love Eric Van Lustbader books! Thanks!

sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

suzie said...

would love to win this book

Unknown said...

Count me in!

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Would love to read this book. I am a follower.

Eileen
wiseowlreviews@aol dot com

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Terri Dell said...

He's a great author, haven't had a chance to read anything of his for a while and this one sounds very good.

misskallie2000 said...

I love mystery, suspense, intrigue and of course a little romance is always welcome.

I am a follower

Thanks for the opportunity to enter this awesome giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Francine Anchondo said...

Thanks for the giveaway

fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Enter me please

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

suzie said...

sounds like a great read
9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com

couponmom said...

Please count me in on this one
formycontests@gmail.com
I follow you on GFC as couponmom

Rhonda said...

I love mysteries and thrillers. Please enter me

rhondastruthers at yahoo . ca

kmorghan said...

I've read several of his books and they are always full of action and intrigue.

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Please count me in. Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Jenn S. said...

Sounds like a good one! Thanks for the chance. :)

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

ky2here said...

Please count me in - this sounds like an exciting book.

Jonnie (JB) said...

Count me in

dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

LittleEagle said...

I enjoy political thrillers. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN


mjmeeks5@netscape.net

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

For my neighbor, who loves mysteries!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

tattwo said...

This sounds like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway.

Oneangel said...

This sounds like the perfect book to read at the beach! Thanks!

Aisling said...

I'd like to read this book - it sounds quite good.

cman said...

Please enter me :)

lknott said...

Sorry I missed the first book by this author. This one looks like a good read and even better to win it!! Thanks!


lknott@partnercom.net

Unknown said...

This sounds like an interesting book. I love reading political thrillers. garrettsambo@aol.com

susan1215 said...

Souns like a good book

Roseann K. said...

Sounds like a great read. Thanks!

jessiejaws said...

I do like Eric's books, so count me in for this contest!

Francine Anchondo said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds like a great book.

fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com

dreamcleavers said...

dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
count me in on this one please

Sand said...

Sounds like a great book!

liliesrnice said...

I love mysteries and thrillers so I hope I win!