Review - A Thousand Suns

Switzerland-based author Jim Haberkorn’s “A Thousand Suns” is the sequel to 2011′s “Einstein’s Trunk” and features Rulon Hurt, a laid-off spy you don’t want to mess with.

About this book:

Every six months a Russian agent arrives at the Rockin’ Rooster saloon in Twin Falls, Idaho to fight local cowboy and laid-off spy Rulon Hurt. To the locals it’s great fun and even to Rulon and his punk wife Yohaba, it’s not a bad way to spend a Wednesday night. But when Rulon saves Boris, the latest Russian, from a gang of local skinheads, a feud ignites that quickly escalates out of control. Eventually an assassin is brought in from Germany, and Rulon is shot and left in a coma. Yohaba and Boris are now alone together. Great minds think alike. They back track the assassin to Zurich with the intent of settling the score.

My Review:

I tried to think of one word to describe this book but couldn’t. It’s impossible. This book is full of action, adventure, unforseen twists, originality, and is surprisingly clean for a thriller novel.

What I liked most about this book was the relationship between the husband, Rulon, and his wife, Yohaba. It was actually quite funny how she was always trying to get him into trouble, but only for his own good. I laughed several times at the dialogue between them.

This book had so much going on, but in a good way. I mean, you have Russians, Nazi’s, skin heads, a cowboy, and parts of Twin Falls, Idaho. All of that might sound strange, but it wasn’t. The author did an amazing job of tying it all together.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. First it was fun to read about certain locations in Idaho, being from there and all. I also liked how the author controlled the flow of the story. When things began to slow, Bam! Mike Tyson punch to the face, and the book was moving again. There wasn’t a single dull moment.

There was one negative to this book – I didn’t start with the first one: Einstien’s Trunk. But it is officially on my book list and I am looking forward to reading it.

About the Author:

Jim has lived on three continents and conducted business in over 40 countries. Brooklyn is his birthplace, but he has lived in California, North Carolina, Washington, Idaho, South Africa, and Switzerland. He still has a home in Boise and loves both Idaho and Switzerland. No wonder his hero, Rulon Hurt, had roots in Idaho, graduated from Boise State University, and lives in Zurich - very similar to his history. Jim currently lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland with his encouraging and ever-resourceful wife, Kim.

Where to buy A Thousand Suns:

Amazon    |     Barnes and Noble     

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Why I Challenge Myself

I did it.

I didn't even hesitate above the "purchase" button because I knew if I did, I wouldn't go through with it. And now I'm terrified!

I signed up to run the New England Spartan Race in August. For those of you who have never heard of it, I'll introduce it with a few pictures.

Basically it's a military-like race over three to four miles of rough terrain, which includes over twenty obstacles. If you screw up on any of the challenges, they make you do 30 burpees. And if any of you know what burpees are, you will know that this exercise was invented in hell by the devil himself.

Believe me when I say that I am scared out of my mind mainly because this is what I feel like: 

I am so out of shape. Not to mention I'm terrified to see how the heat will affect me since I'm an awesome MSer now. 

So why did I do it?

To see if I can. I always write about tough girl characters because that's what I want to become. Now's my chance. Time to feel the pain.

Are there any hard challenges you deliberately put yourself through?

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Y & Z - "You can't help her, Dr. Zahl"

I left my sister behind, standing alone in the forest, calling my name. I'll be right back, I said, though the words never left my mouth. My arm was still bleeding from the excessive scratching.

I ran fast, the pain in my ankle gone, until I reached the abandoned beach village. Moonlight illuminated their ruined state. I darted into the closest one, careful to avoid the partially collapsed porch roof. There was something familiar about the home, but I couldn't place why.

It was dark inside. I fumbled around, tripping over who knew what in the dark. What I needed was some lotion. Something to calm the itch.

I searched every draw I could find in both the kitchen and bathroom but found nothing but layers of dust and mouse droppings. I was about to leave and search another home, when a door creaked open in front of me. A draft from the basement must've blown it open.

I peeked into the stairwell. 

"You don't have to go down there."

I turned around. The man was standing a few feet away, wearing his doctor's coat. "I have to," I said. "I need to stop the itch."

"But you can stop it."

"Maybe if I had some lotion--"

"Your sister's waiting for you. Your family. Leave this place."

"I can't. Not yet." I stepped onto the first stair.

"You can't keep doing this."

I glanced at him over my shoulder. The woman with the torn cuticles was with him. She was wearing a nurse's uniform. "I'm not doing anything wrong," I said. "I just want to stop the itch."

"You can't help her, Dr. Zahl," the woman said.

I ignored her and hurried down the stairs to search for the lotion. The basement was empty, all except for a single chair and a box in the corner. I sat on the chair, feeling sad and tired.

But then I remembered my purpose. I was here for my family, to complete the deal with the People.

And so I will wait...

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P.S. I am so freaking glad the A to Z challenge is over!!!!! Thanks to everyone who followed this story. I hoped it provided a little "creep" to your lives.

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