Chris Kuzneski - My Top 10 Favourite Author

ABOUT CHRIS

He's not my friend nor do i have his contacts. But this dude makes me stick to all of his books wherever i go. To Shopping, on the trains, to the loo and malaysia trips. I read them during my lunch, sneak peep during my work. Man, his works are all so evil tempting. He might not be the best and the most love for everyone. But because i spent 5 months reading his works, hence i feel i got to know him at least better.

for your everyone information, here is his web.
Chris Kuzneski -

His Books review from his web and my comments :
1) The Plantation : Reviews
2) Sign Of The Cross : Reviews
3) Sword Of God : Reviews
4) The Lost Throne : Reviews
5) The Prophecy : Reviews

Author : Chris Kuzneski (THE PROPHECY)

THE PROPHECY


Personal rating : N/A
Borrowed it from the library, in process of reading it, finishing soon!
The newest book from Chris Kuzneski. Just by looking at the cool blue cover and the Title of the book already keeps me in suspense. Read the following review to find out more! You wont regret reading it, well, definitely not me.

When the writings of 16th-century visionary Nostradamus
ring alarmingly true, Jonathon Payne and David Jones find
themselves in a life-or-death race to stop those who would
use the French seer’s predictions for their own dark purposes.

Prologue


June 17, 1566
Salon-de-Provence, France


The letter was written by an apothecary who had gained his notoriety in another field. Knowing the uproar it would cause, Michel sealed it and several documents inside a wooden box. He gave the box to his lawyer on the same day he signed his last will and testament.

The year was 1566. He was sixty-two years old.

He died fifteen days later.

When his possessions were divided amongst his heirs, the box was not mentioned. If it had been, the rest of his estate would have seemed inconsequential, for the contents of the box were far more valuable than gold or jewels or anything that he owned. Knowing this, he added a secret codicil to his will that only his lawyer knew about. The four-page appendix described in very specific terms what was to be done with the mysterious box and, more importantly, when.

To ensure that his wishes were followed, Michel established a trust fund that compensated the guardians of his secret from one generation to the next. None of these men knew who their benefactor was—otherwise curiosity would have overwhelmed them, tempting them to open the box. Instead, all they were given was a date and a simple set of instructions.

If they completed their task, they would be paid handsomely for their efforts.

If they didn’t, they wouldn’t see a cent.

Amazingly, the chain remained unbroken for over four hundred years. Decade after decade, century after century, they followed their orders like scripture and were rewarded as promised. Wars raged throughout Europe, but somehow the box survived. Cities burned to the ground, but somehow the box survived. No matter what happened, no matter where it was stored, the box always survived—as if it had a guardian angel. Or was protected by magic.

Those familiar with Michel might have suspected the latter, since he had been publicly accused of practicing “the dark arts” on more than one occasion. But those charges never stuck. Partially because of his connection to the queen of France, a loyal patron who believed in his special powers, and partially because of his cunning. Nearly everything he had written was hidden in plain sight, published for the world to see, but purposely ambiguous. This was his way of avoiding prosecution. Authorities couldn’t convict him of witchcraft or wizardry because his writings could be interpreted in a variety of ways, most of which were benign.

Yet most scholars knew his work was anything but innocuous. They realized it was complex, and layered, and intentionally cryptic. The proverbial enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in mystery. Just like the man himself. Of course, Michel knew how he was perceived, which was why he penned his final letter in straightforward language and sealed it inside the box.

This was his last chance to explain himself to the world.

His last chance to warn the human race.

_____________________________________


Reviews



Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author—
“Kuzneski has hit his stride. He's writing at full throttle, with unparalleled acceleration and expert control. Hop aboard for a great ride.”


Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling author—
“THE PROPHECY is a page-turner extraordinaire, rippling with dark legends, violence, and pulse-pounding excitement. Payne and Jones are fabulous!"


Brett Battles, Barry Award-winning author—
“Once you start THE PROPHECY, don’t plan on sleeping. Chris Kuzneski really knows how to tell a story. Action, adventure, humor, THE PROPHECY has it all. Find someplace comfortable and settle in for a great time!”

Author : Chris Kuzneski (THE PLANTATION)

THE PLANTATION

Personal rating : N/A
In process of reading it. Bought it just yesterday on 6th Dec 09 for S$5.00 only!

Yes,i skipped his first book but that's because the library didn't have it. It gets borrowed by other readers whenever i tried to borrow it. Thus, i was so happy that i managed to buy it yesterday. Judging from the reviews, it was worth every penny (even though it was only 5 bucks, hehe)

THE PLANTATION

A ski instructor disappears in the mountains of Colorado.
Hours later, a pregnant woman is grabbed in a crowded
hospital and smuggled past security without a hitch.
Two places, two incidents, a single motive. And so it begins….

One by one, in cities across America, people of all ages are
taken from their homes, their cars, their lives. But these
aren’t random kidnappings. They’re crimes of passion,
planned and researched several months in advance, then
executed with a singular objective in mind. Revenge.

Ariane Walker is one of the victims, dragged from her
apartment with few clues to follow. The police said
there’s little they can do for her, but that isn’t good
enough for her boyfriend, Jonathon Payne.

With the help of his best friend, Payne gives chase,
hoping that a tip about New Orleans somehow pays off.
Together, they uncover the mystery of Ariane’s abduction
and the truth behind the South’s most violent secret.


To read an excerpt: Chapter One

_____________________________________


Reviews


James Patterson, #1 national bestselling author—
“THE PLANTATION is a rip-roaring page-turner with an ingenious idea. No reader will easily forget it.”

Nelson DeMille, #1 national bestselling author—
“Wear your running shoes when you read THE PLANTATION. This is the most action-packed, swiftly paced, and tightly plotted novel I’ve read in a long time.”

Lee Child, #1 national bestselling author—
“Excellent! High stakes, fast action, vibrant characters, and a very, very original plot concept. Not to be missed!”

From Midwest Book Review—
“Kuzneski is a talented and passionate writer whose tightly paced plots, intense characters, and excruciating detail produces a book guaranteed to make the reader squirm even as it mesmerizes us. His action is nonstop; his love story is tender and fresh; and the moral circumstances of the story are accurate and educational, no matter how painful it is for us to take in . . . THE PLANTATION is not only a smash beginning for this versatile and knowledgeable wordsmith; it is the advent of a career that will rival the masters who helped put him on the map.”

James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski displays a remarkable sense of suspense and action in THE PLANTATION. A riveting ride from start to finish as an ex-Special Forces soldier searches for the kidnappers of his girlfriend, leading to an international man-hunt that will leave readers breathless and up much too late. Don’t miss it!”

Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling author—
“THE PLANTATION is a powerful read with a great plot twist. Right from the opening scenes the book takes off, and all I can say is, hang on for the ride. This is quite a first novel. I'll be very curious to read the next one.”

Ridley Pearson, New York Times bestselling author—
“THE PLANTATION works! Chris Kuzneski has what it takes. Read it and reap.”

From Pohla Smith, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette—
“The concept is chilling . . . The book has what it takes to be optioned by Hollywood.”

Martin J. Smith, national bestselling author—
“THE PLANTATION is scary good, and Chris Kuzneski is a writer to watch. The chase starts on page one and doesn’t stop until Kuzneski has wrung you dry.”

John Westermann, national bestselling author—
“THE PLANTATION is a smartly plotted thriller by a fresh new voice.”

From Regis Behe, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review—
“THE PLANTATION is at heart an old-fashioned thriller. Kuzneski’s lead characters, Jon Payne and D.J. Jones, are updates on buddy teams such as Starsky and Hutch, or detectives Riggs and Murtaugh of Lethal Weapon fame.”

Molly Martin, national bestselling author—
“Kuzneski has a certifiable talent for blending together crisp dialogue, credible characters, and scenes of immense depth. Combine the twists and turns of a Stephen King chiller with William Manchee’s flowing dialogue and eye for detail, and you will have some idea of the scope of Kuzneski’s writing power . . . This action-packed thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as you race from opening paragraph to the last page of the book.”

Thom Racina, USA Today bestselling author—
“THE PLANTATION is powerful stuff. It's a gripping novel that smells of gunpowder and reeks of heroism, with a beautiful girl, some crazed characters, and lots of sadistic revenge . . . Wow! Chris Kuzneski has written a sick, sensational yarn. I can't wait for the next one.”

From M.S.C. Book Review—
“I have to start off by saying that I loved THE PLANTATION. I was breathless wanting to read every last word slowly so I wouldn’t miss a single thing. When I reached the ending, it was phenomenal, everything was all tied up into a nice tight bow. This is one of those books that I couldn’t stop thinking about how awesome that it was. Thank goodness that Mr. Kuzneski is working on another Jonathon Payne novel. Three cheers.”

Phillip Tomasso III, national bestselling author—
“Gripping and frightening. Chris Kuzneski’s first novel, THE PLANTATION, is thrilling from beginning until the end. His smooth and easy writing style, his crisp and witty dialogue, and his genuine talent for setting and pace blend together to create one of the most unnerving books I’ve read in a long time.”

Lee Meadows, national bestselling author—
“A mile-a-minute page-turner . . . Chris Kuzneski clearly joins the ranks of Nelson DeMille, James Patterson, and Tom Clancy as authors who define the ‘thrill’ in thriller!”

From Fred Phillips, The News Star (Monroe, LA)—
“THE PLANTATION is a well-paced novel that flows easily from scene to scene. Kuzneski has gotten his career off to a promising start. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.”

James Tucker, national bestselling author—
“A graphic tale of revenge and torture that becomes more sinister with each turn of the page.”

From Luke Croll, Murder Express (England)—
“I am rarely so effusive about a first novel, but THE PLANTATION is undoubtedly deserving of my praise. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I feel that all thriller fans will do so too. Jack Higgins look out, there is a new kid on the block!”

Sarah Lovett, national bestselling author—
“Mr. Kuzneski is a talented new writer . . . THE PLANTATION hits the mark!”

From Robyn Glazer, reviewer for Mystery News—
“THE PLANTATION is the kind of book that can skyrocket an author’s career. The writing is crisp and never falters . . . I absolutely loved this book!”

From the Bastulli Mystery Library (Rome, Italy)—
“THE PLANTATION is an exciting and interesting book. We are looking forward to the new Jonathon Payne novel.”

Author : Chris Kuzneski (THE LOST THRONE)

THE LOST THRONE


Personal rating : 4/5
Read it , and bought it for collection.
The 4th book in his Jonathon Payne and David Jones series. This time they are up against Spartens! Yes, Spartens! they have yet to die out and they are alive and kicking in this suspense thriller. As with all the review by famous writers and Publishers, books by Chris Kuzneski is a must read!.

THE LOST THRONE

Carved into the towering cliffs of central Greece, the Metéora
monasteries are all but inaccessible. Holy Trinity is the
most isolated, its sacred brotherhood the guardians of
a secret that has been protected for centuries.

In the dead of night, the holy retreat is attacked by an
elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons. One by
one, they hurl the silent monks from the cliff-top to the rocks
below ― the holy men taking their secret to their graves….

Halfway across Europe, Richard Byrd fears for his life. He
has uncovered the location of a magnificent treasure. But
there are those who are dedicated to protecting it,
and they will stop at nothing to prevent its discovery.

Hoping to save himself, Byrd contacts two colleagues,
Jonathon Payne and David Jones, and begs for their help.
The duo rushes to his aid and quickly find themselves caught
in an adventure that will change their lives forever.


To read an excerpt: Chapter One

_____________________________________


Reviews


Vince Flynn, #1 national bestselling author—
“THE LOST THRONE is one hell of a thrill ride, mixing the intensity of 300 and the adventure of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not to be missed!”


Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author—
“THE LOST THRONE is a reader's delight from beginning to end. Tautly written, expertly told, smart and exhilarating.”


Jay MacDonald, The News-Press (Fort Myers, FL)—
“Though he’s not a household name like Dan Brown or Tom Clancy yet, Kuzneski has been touted as the genre's next big thing by the likes of Clive Cussler, James Patterson, and Nelson DeMille.”


David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author—
“A gripping, fantastic read that guarantees chills, laughs, and pulse-pounding action!”


Colette Bancroft, St. Petersburg Times (Florida)—
“THE LOST THRONE takes readers on a globetrotting hunt. . . Blood is shed, secrets are revealed, conspiracies are checked, and a fine time is had by all.”


Jon Land, national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski's THE LOST THRONE is a lightning-paced tale that seamlessly stitches threads from the past into the fabric of the present. Genre giants Steve Berry, James Rollins and Brad Thor may soon find themselves looking over their shoulders as Kuzneski stakes his claim as the Next Big Thing. A smoothly layered, serpentine and scintillating thriller.”


Raymond Khoury, New York Times bestselling author—
“A fast and furious thrill ride with the perfect amount of history and humor blended in."


W.E.B. Griffin, #1 national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski is a fresh new voice you won’t forget.”


Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale)—
“Chris Kuzneski continues the theme he does best: melding a plot full of history and da Vinci-like icons with W.E.B. Griffin-esque adventure and a bit of the spy novel thrown in for good measure. The result is THE LOST THRONE, which pays homage to historical symbols and myths while delivering an action-packed story.”


Kirkus Reviews—
“A well plotted thriller that would do Indiana Jones proud. . . Good for late summer at the beach.”


John Case, New York Times bestselling author—
“THE LOST THRONE reads like an AK-47 on laughing-gas, as Kuzneski runs a gauntlet of mystery and mayhem, wisecracking all the way.”


Joe Moore, international bestselling author—
“Hidden treasure, secret chambers, exotic locations, mysterious deaths, and ancient warriors all come together in THE LOST THRONE, a dynamic novel with parallel threads that collide in a breathtaking conclusion. Once again, Chris Kuzneski proves his skills as a craftsman with captivating characters, quick-paced action, and precision plotting. THE LOST THRONE is a suspenseful thriller from first page to last!”


James O. Born, national bestselling author—
“Part Tom Clancy, part Dan Brown, THE LOST THRONE is fast, fun, and exciting!"


The Daily Sport (UK)—
“THE LOST THRONE is a frantic-paced thriller…. Think Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code, and you’re in Kuzneski-land.”


James Swain, New York Times bestselling author—
“THE LOST THRONE kept me turning pages all night long. Kuzneski has written a superb thriller that you won’t be able to put down.”

Author : Chris Kuzneski (SIGN OF THE CROSS)

SIGN OF THE CROSS


Personal rating : 4.5/5
Read it , and bought it for collection.
The suspense just keeps building up pages by pages. But christians might not like it. Y? reason being the plot revolves around murder, crucifications and finding out if Jesus is all but faked by the ancient Romans. Murders and orders for assassination are sent out to deter the investigation. Love it or hate it. This is one of the best thriller around to keep you glue to your seat. A must have, glad i got it into my collection for just 5 bucks. I can re-read it many times more without getting bored.

The first victim is abducted in Italy then crucified over a
thousand miles away. The next day, the same crime
is repeated — this time in Asia and Africa.
Three different continents but one brutal pattern:
someone is reenacting the execution of Christ.

While visiting Spain, Jonathon Payne and David Jones
are arrested for crimes they committed during their
military careers. Fortunately, the CIA brokers a deal on
their behalf: all charges will be dropped if they help
catch Dr. Charles Boyd, a master thief who has stolen
some of the finest treasures in Europe.

With little choice, the duo begins their pursuit, only to
realize that Boyd is more than a criminal. He is one
of the world’s top experts on Ancient Rome and is
close to making a discovery that threatens to rewrite
the basic foundations of Christianity.

From its breathtaking beginning to its mind-blowing
conclusion, expect the unexpected with Sign of the Cross.

Reviews


Clive Cussler, #1 national bestselling author—
“Harrowing, but always suspenseful, SIGN OF THE CROSS makes you wish it would never end.”

Nelson DeMille, #1 national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski is a remarkable new writer, who completely understands what makes for a good story: action, sex, suspense, humor, and great characters.”

James Patterson, #1 national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski’s writing has the same raw power as the early Stephen King.”

Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author—
“A fast-moving adventure of sins and secrets loaded with atmosphere, intrigue, and suspense.”

James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski writes with an energy that is contagious! Action, suspense, mystery, and a biting thread of humor…what more can you ask from a novel?”

Crime Squad (United Kingdom)—
“In SIGN OF THE CROSS, Chris Kuzneski has created an entirely original world-view and tells us an extraordinary tale with one hell of a sting to it. He writes like a dream and his thriller style is nigh on flawless. Indeed, the author has created a page-turning style that older thriller pros would give up serious appendages to perfect.”

Claudia VanLydegraf, MyShelf.com—
“I could say Kuzneski is the next Dan Brown but then that would be simply lumping him into a category and leaving him there. Kuzneski doesn’t deserve that lumping and leaving. He has so much going for him that it is really difficult to say how impressed I am with this young author. . . This book is too good to put down and too interesting to want to finish. I have reviewed several of this type of book lately, and sincerely found this one to be the one that I will remember and look back on.”

Publishers Weekly—
“Kuzneski knows what fans of the genre want: compelling and well-researched history, high-tech 21st-century sleuthing, and a lot of action.”

Robert Liparulo, national bestselling author—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS is one of those rare finds: a chilling tale told by a true craftsman. Whether for the superb writing or the nonstop, what-was-that-noise-in-the-other-room suspense, this one will keep you up at night. Daring in both plot and style, Sign of the Cross is a winner!”

Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS has several chilling scenes and a lightning pace. This story really flies!”

Lewis Perdue, New York Times bestselling author—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS is an immensely inventive and rewarding thriller packed with enough fascinating information and international intrigue to keep the reader's brain cells spinning long after the last page is read.”

John Gilstrap, national bestselling author—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS is one of those perfect bookstore finds. I was hooked at the first sentence—literally—and from then on, it was one continuous wild ride. Chris Kuzneski flawlessly and seamlessly combines truth and fiction to create a wonderfully entertaining story. He's the real deal.”

Thom Racina, USA Today bestselling author—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS is like The Da Vinci Code on steroids. Wow! What a great book!”

Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS starts with a bang and twists masterfully through a maze of truth, lies, betrayal, and hope. An intriguing blend of fact, fiction, and theory propel this unique story to a tense and exciting conclusion.”

Harriet Klausner, #1 Reviewer on Amazon.com—
“SIGN OF THE CROSS is an action-packed Christian conspiracy thriller that goes full speed from the onset and never slows down until the final explanation . . .

Author : Chis Kuzneski (SWORD OF GOD)

SWORD OF GOD



Personal rating : 4/5
Read it , and bought it for collection.
Comments : Worth reading , worth buying. I first borrowed it from the library , attracted by its fancy cover. Didn't even know who Chris Kuzneski was and was never hopeful about getting hook to it. The title makes me think that it was all about GOD and some legendary sword, but after going through the first few pages, i knew i was damn wrong.

It's his third book and it revolves around 2 guys from ex special forces going around solving mysteries, saving damsel in distress and wacking some really bad guys. It involves a good deal of plot and action which never gets bored. They don't go looking for trouble, but trouble comes knocking at their door.

About the book. -

Off the coast of South Korea, a young boy discovers a
cave that is coated in human blood. Less than a week
later, everyone in his village disappears….

In Saudi Arabia, a female archaeologist unearths an artifact
that threatens the historical foundation of Islam. To some
Muslims, it is a discovery that must be silenced at all costs.

Meanwhile, in a secret bunker run by U.S. intelligence,
the unthinkable has happened. While interrogating one
of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, the unthinkable has
happened: an American soldier is brutally executed.

Jonathon Payne and David Jones, his former commanders,
offer to spearhead the investigation. They quickly realize
that there is more to this atrocity than terrorist reprisal —
there is a plot in motion that will burn the world in the
fires of a holy war. And it's up to them to stop it.

Reviews


Vince Flynn, #1 national bestselling author—
“A non-stop locomotive of a thriller. Combines labyrinthine plot twists, global terrorism, and the darkest depths of psychological warfare in a thriller that had me burning the midnight oil 'til breakfast.”

Clive Cussler, #1 national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski writes as forcefully as his tough characters act.”

James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author—
“SWORD OF GOD is as convincing as it is terrifying. Riveting and relentlessly paced, here is novel that will be consumed in one sitting. Chris Kuzneski proves again that he is a thriller writer for the new millennium.”

Nelson DeMille, #1 national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski is a remarkable new writer… I can’t wait for the next Payne & Jones novel!”

Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling author—
“Reading SWORD OF GOD is like jumping on a runaway freight train hurtling toward disaster, with the fate of the world in the balance… A fabulous premise, great characters, rich settings, and mach-5 pacing. Explosive!”

James Patterson, #1 national bestselling author—
“Chris Kuzneski’s writing has the same raw power as the early Stephen King.”

Publishers Weekly—
“This globe-crossing action thriller, like its predecessor, evokes the spirit of Dan Brown with welcome doses of Lee Child’s ex-military tough-guy grit.”

Raymond Khoury, New York Times bestselling author—
“A fast and furious, rip-roaring action-adventure, infused with a welcome dose of Chris Kuzneski's spirited humor.”

Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author—
“Action-packed and full of taut suspense, SWORD OF GOD crosses continents in a world-class adventure that will keep you guessing, chuckling, terrified, and utterly riveted. Go into lock-down mode. You won't want to leave your chair until you've finished this terrific tale.”

Jennifer Akers, reviewer at MyShelf.com—
“Chris Kuzneski starts with a bang and captures his readers in a race to a breathless ending… Read SWORD OF GOD and brag to your friends that you read Kuzneski before he became a household name. Highly recommended.”

1st post ! - Book fair !

About me - Loves novels that covers mystery, thrillers, or non stop heart stopping suspense and mind blogging plots.

Had went to the mph book fair last month. Bought lots of books at S$4.00 each! and just yesterday, me and Pinky went to the Penguin book fair at expo, this time the purchase was S$ 5.00 per paperback!. Kinda disappointed that it was S$1.00 more then the MPH fair, but i was still hyped up with all the savings i enjoyed compared to buying from the usual book stores.

Well, this blog is especially for me to keep track what i had read or bought and to recommand whats interesting to read!

Will be listing and updating them in order of authors name.

HoHoHO! had such a great weekend.