A trip to Jamaica during spring break changes the lives of Geneva Leighton and her daughter. When the cybersecurity expert discovers that her child is the victim of a violent crime, she uses the first recourse open to her—the law—to find out what happened. When that doesn’t work, Geneva takes her own route to finding out the truth.
While thrillers are mainly plot-driven, the characters inside the pages can make or break the story for me. In most cases, I’m all about the people between the covers—what sets them on their hero’s journey, what makes them do what they do, and how they manage their situation.
The best thrillers have compelling characters that readers can relate to, or empathize with. The protagonist faces intense challenges, and their development throughout the story can be both inspiring or not, depending on where their adventure takes them and how the book is written. Peeling back the layers of each character helps me relate to them and makes the journey more personal. I can root for them if I know what’s driving their actions.
The human psyche is a source of endless fascination and these books dive into the depths of human motivations, fears, and desires. These lead to psychological games between characters, which work well alongside the dangers they encounter on their story journey. This exploration of the human mind is thought-provoking, and readers enjoy delving into the darker aspects of human behavior. I should know ‘cause I’m one of those readers, too.
Learning about other cultures and seeing how people live is another interesting aspect of cracking open a good thriller. I’ve read books that have taken me to various places in the world and shown me unique snapshots of other cultures that I would not have otherwise had a clue about. When these snippets are built into the fabric of the storyline and the unexpected plot twists, I’m left with a lasting impression of the people I’ve been journeying with and the why of their behavior patterns.
Yes, the thrill of the chase and the unrelenting pace are what grab many readers, but for me a story is top-notch when I can relate to the characters, their motivation, and the fact that I’m still thinking about them days after I’ve finished the book. Of course, I hope I’ve created these kinds of individuals in Flames of Wrath.
About Flames of Wrath
The need to right a wrong against an innocent victim triggers a hailstorm of revenge!
In less than twenty-four hours—before Alexia Leighton is scheduled to return to Miami from spring break in Jamaica—a group of friends betray her in a grisly assault that stops a heartbeat away from murder. The seventeen-year-old prays for the mercy of death. She survives. While on the road to recovery, Alexia’s attackers become victims of mysterious acts of violence, leaving authorities confounded and racing against time to prevent another deadly attack. Concern looms, as the perpetrator has proven to be two steps ahead of them at every turn.
When the attention swings to Alexia’s mother, a cyber-security expert, the family closes ranks. Geneva Leighton must quickly eliminate herself as a suspect, but not without handing down more punishment. The offenders fear for their own safety and the secrets that plague them. Can they trust the police to find the killer before someone else dies, or has their fate been sealed—leaving them with no place to run, and no place to hide…
Buy link: https://books2read.com/FlamesOfWrath
About the Author
National Bestselling Author, J.L. Campbell writes in a range of genres. Campbell, who hails from Jamaica, has penned over forty books. She is a certified editor, and book coach. When she’s not writing, Campbell adds to her extensive collection of photos detailing Jamaica’s natural beauty.
Visit her on the web at www.joylcampbell.com
Connect with her on social media via Sociatap. https://sociatap.com/JL_Campbell
