My friend, Amanda Hardin, is our guest blogger today and shares one of her favorite books…
If you’re ready for an adventure that spans time and where science and religion intersect, then I definitely recommend Judas Strain by James Rollins. Judas Strain is the 4th book in the Sigma Series installment that boast a group of exemplary ex-military operatives. Judas Strain begins with the intriguing and perplexing legend of Marco Polo and his missing fleet, a fascinating account in itself. However, the story doesn’t end with the mysterious explorer. Rollins weaves together the story of Polo with a prehistoric catastrophic plague, an ancient angelic language, and the spectacular and terrifying migration of the Christmas Island crabs. To make matters worse for our group of heroes, Rollins adds in the threat of bio terrorism. Judas Stain is scientific thriller that is nearly impossible to put down. Warning: This book does contain profanity.
ju·das strain, n. A scientific term for an organism that drives an entire species to extinction
New York Times bestselling author James Rollins returns with a terrifying story of an ancient menace reborn to plague the modern world . . . and of an impossible hope that lies hidden in the most shocking place imaginable: within the language of angels.
From the depths of the Indian Ocean, a horrific plague has arisen to devastate humankind–a disease that’s unknown, unstoppable . . . and deadly. But it is merely a harbinger of the doom that is to follow. Aboard a cruise liner transformed into a makeshift hospital, Dr. Lisa Cummings and Monk Kokkalis–operatives of SIGMA Force–search for answers to the bizarre affliction. But there are others with far less altruistic intentions. In a savage and sudden coup, terrorists hijack the vessel, turning a mercy ship into a floating bio-weapons lab.
A world away, SIGMA’s Commander Gray Pierce thwarts the murderous schemes of a beautiful would-be killer who holds the first clue to the discovery of a possible cure. Pierce joins forces with the woman who wanted him dead, and together they embark upon an astonishing quest following the trail of the most fabled explorer in history: Marco Polo. But time is an enemy as a worldwide pandemic grows rapidly out of control. As a relentless madman dogs their every step, Gray and his unlikely ally are being pulled into an astonishing mystery buried deep in antiquity and in humanity’s genetic code. And as the seconds tick closer to doomsday, Gray Pierce will realize he can truly trust no one, for any one of them could be . . . a Judas.
With reading being a passion since childhood, Amanda Hardin knew creating stories was what she was meant to do. That comes hard being a stay-at-home mom of three. In other words, she is a housekeeper, chef, event planner, teacher, chauffeur, domestic engineer and household COO and CFO. A job she has made easier by creating her own budgeting forms and daily planner.
She is a member of the Lawrence County Writer’s Guild. She loves hiking, firearms, and running. She has completed the Stoney Lonesome 5k Mud Run twice and is preparing to do the 2018 Warrior Dash. In her spare time, she likes to read. Two of her favorite authors are James Rollins and Dean Koontz. She enjoys sharing some of her favorite childhood books with her children.
James Rollins is a personal favorite! Great review, Amanda.