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Falling in Love in Hell! Author James P. Slusser, Sr. takes the reader on a journey through the cold war of Europe, the hot war in the jungles around Vietnam, and a very personal war that eventually becomes a relationship! In his book called “Spooks”, we get a glimpse of a life that few people can understand and even fewer have even heard about. The story is riveting as it draws you into the hearts and minds of the men and women who survived in that surreal hell that was Vietnam of the 1960’s. It is a rare combination to find a character driven story with actual feelings and emotion and yet, still deliver plenty of action.
This book states that it is a fictional story but it also notes that it is based on some actual events. The way the story is presented it is hard to determine which may be factual and what may be the author’s creative imagination. The author does a great job of blurring the line between truth and fiction. The reader is left wondering if perhaps, most of the book is reality based.
This is a love story between two very opposite and unlikely soul mates—an Army nurse named “Dusty” and a Naval Intelligence Black Ops “Spook” Lieutenant Commander James Cooper. She is hell bent on saving lives and he is a stone-cold killer. She is in Nam trying to deal with the death of her unfaithful husband while in search for her own soul. Cooper is in Nam to kill and gather information to make life a living hell for the VC and the NVA. Yet, they are pulled together and fall in love.
The intrigue of the operations in Europe lends another level of interest to the story line. Cooper is sent to track down US military deserters with orders to “retrieve or neutralize” them. Like most readers, I wondered about that concept and, if in fact, something like this ever happened. My inside sources tell me that this is far from fiction—but the author cannot either confirm or deny this. The old saying “If I tell you, then I would have to kill you” might apply here.
In any case, the way it is written leaves one believing that everything is possible. The author uses great phrasing and just enough of a dialog to make the plot move effortlessly along. This book is chuck full of solid energy. Readers of action military novels will embrace this book but it will also appeal to those who enjoy reading books that deal with the deeper emotional impact of war. If you were in Nam you will be able to relate to this book no matter what you did there during that war. For those who never served there, it will paint a mental and emotional picture of what it was like for some of those who did serve there. The author presents a very real and descriptive and factual accounting of actions and people. Totally believable story!
I loved this book and personally recommend it. The Military Writer’s Society of America (MWSA) gives this novel its highest rating of FIVE STARS!
Reviewed by:
W. H. McDonald, Jr.
Founder and former President of the MWSA and the American Authors Association
Author of “The Spiritual Warrior’s Journey”, “Purple Hearts” and other books
Documentary Film Maker, former radio show host, veteran advocate,
Vietnam Veteran 1966-67 - The 128th Assault Helicopter Company
Chaplain for The Veteran’s Village Foundation
This book states that it is a fictional story but it also notes that it is based on some actual events. The way the story is presented it is hard to determine which may be factual and what may be the author’s creative imagination. The author does a great job of blurring the line between truth and fiction. The reader is left wondering if perhaps, most of the book is reality based.
This is a love story between two very opposite and unlikely soul mates—an Army nurse named “Dusty” and a Naval Intelligence Black Ops “Spook” Lieutenant Commander James Cooper. She is hell bent on saving lives and he is a stone-cold killer. She is in Nam trying to deal with the death of her unfaithful husband while in search for her own soul. Cooper is in Nam to kill and gather information to make life a living hell for the VC and the NVA. Yet, they are pulled together and fall in love.
The intrigue of the operations in Europe lends another level of interest to the story line. Cooper is sent to track down US military deserters with orders to “retrieve or neutralize” them. Like most readers, I wondered about that concept and, if in fact, something like this ever happened. My inside sources tell me that this is far from fiction—but the author cannot either confirm or deny this. The old saying “If I tell you, then I would have to kill you” might apply here.
In any case, the way it is written leaves one believing that everything is possible. The author uses great phrasing and just enough of a dialog to make the plot move effortlessly along. This book is chuck full of solid energy. Readers of action military novels will embrace this book but it will also appeal to those who enjoy reading books that deal with the deeper emotional impact of war. If you were in Nam you will be able to relate to this book no matter what you did there during that war. For those who never served there, it will paint a mental and emotional picture of what it was like for some of those who did serve there. The author presents a very real and descriptive and factual accounting of actions and people. Totally believable story!
I loved this book and personally recommend it. The Military Writer’s Society of America (MWSA) gives this novel its highest rating of FIVE STARS!
Reviewed by:
W. H. McDonald, Jr.
Founder and former President of the MWSA and the American Authors Association
Author of “The Spiritual Warrior’s Journey”, “Purple Hearts” and other books
Documentary Film Maker, former radio show host, veteran advocate,
Vietnam Veteran 1966-67 - The 128th Assault Helicopter Company
Chaplain for The Veteran’s Village Foundation
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| Anonymous | Spooks review | 0 | Feb 4 2009, 10:22 AM EST by Anonymous | ||
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Thread started: Feb 4 2009, 10:22 AM EST
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I have now finished reading SPOOKS, and am even more hooked on the book than i was with the first chapter. this books keeps your enterest from page one to the very end. Seldom do i find a book that does not have dull moments. i was most intriged that James captured so many parts of the Nam that i learned about from friends who had servered during that time. I realize James wrote this book with alot of first hand knowledge and i see alot of him in it. Knowing James before reading the book made it all the more interesting to me.
If you want a book that covers everything from love to adventure well you will never find a better one. I truely hope he writes another one . Path, you did good my friend and i am so glad i finally got to read your wonderful book. |
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| heidimayer | spooks | 0 | Jan 25 2009, 1:23 PM EST by heidimayer | ||
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Thread started: Jan 25 2009, 1:23 PM EST
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Like frogib, I was also hooked as I started reading this book and corresponding with the author over the past several years made the reading even more enjoyable. Until I joined this site however I didn't realize his bedmate was so gorgeous! I know theirs is a true partnership.
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| frogib | spooks | 0 | Jan 12 2009, 1:05 PM EST by frogib | ||
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Thread started: Jan 12 2009, 1:05 PM EST
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After reading the first chapter i am hooked!! I KNOW A GOOD BOOK WHEN I START ONE AND THIS IS GOT ME. i will get my dead beat son to send my book to me soon.
i have gotton to know pathfinder so this too adds to the excitement of reading his book. You have done good catching the readers attention right away path. frogi |
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