A Heartbeat Away - Review and Giveaway

Shortly after finishing Delirious, by Daniel Palmer, I had the opportunity to read A Heartbeat Away, the soon to be released thriller from Michael Palmer (he's Daniel's dad).

Since I had just finished reading a book, I was back in the groove of reading a few chapters each night. It was working well for me until one night when I just couldn't put the book down and started doing the just one more chapter approach. Next thing I knew, it was midnight but I still had 100 pages to go. I knew that I had to get up for work the next morning, and recognized that 100 pages was going to keep me up much longer than I should have been (not that I wasn't already up too late!). I turned off my light and went to sleep. I took my book to work with me the next day. I wasn't exactly sure when I was going to read - perhaps I could sneak in a few minutes at lunch. I only read about 5 pages during the day, so at the end of the day, I couldn't wait to sit down and read. I even put off cleaning up dinner dishes so that I could readfinish the book. I knew that I wasn't going to do anything until I was done.

Wow! That's all I could say after finishing the book. (That's not all I will say about the book, but when I finished reading the book earlier this week, that was my response.)

A Heartbeat Away is a "medical/political thriller" that takes place in part in the House and opens during the State of the Union Address, when a domestic terrorist group coordinates the release of a virus that is deadly and highly contagious. The President of the United States is a doctor and is very familiar with the virus and its dangers, as his administration had been the one developing it. As is required at any political event, where essentially everyone is present, there was a designated survivor, someone in the chain of Presidential succession - the one who was "a heartbeat away" from presidency.

As the book progresses, we meet some of the researchers that had been working on the development of the virus, as well as a treatment for the virus. The book also develops the back story on how Genesis, the domestic terrorist group, was able to pull off the release of the virus, as well as manipulate the process of trying to save those that were present at the State of the Union Address.

As I read, I found myself cheering for some characters and wanting to shake others, who I just couldn't believe were being so dumb - couldn't they see that they were being played? or were they part of the plot to wipe out the government?

The book definitely hooked me early and I really didn't want to put it down. My reaction in reading this book, was similar to that which I have had with most of his books - the story seems so plausible, that it gave me that strange sense of wonder, that thought - could this really happen?. If you've read any of his books, you know that this is a truly unnerving thought. I also like how there seems to be a thread of romance woven loosely into the storyline of many of Michael's books. It isn't a major component of the story, but certainly puts a certain softness to the otherwise heart-pounding thriller and perhaps helps lend to the believability of the story.

You'll have to read the book to find out what happens, it wouldn't be fair to spoil the read for others. The book is scheduled to be released on 2/15. You can pre-order A Heartbeat Away now.

Want to learn more?

Michael’s Official Website
Like Michael Palmer on Facebook
Follow Michael Palmer on Twitter
Listen to the first chapter here:

Giveaway!
Courtesy of Michael Palmer, one A Busy Mom of Two reader has the chance to receive an autographed, copy of A Heartbeat Away, upon it's release.

To enter, leave a comment with an answer to this question: If you have read Michael Palmer, which book is your favorite? If you haven't, who is your favorite thriller/mystery writer?

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Giveaway will remain open until February 14th at 6 pm. Giveaway is opened to residents of the United States and Canada. One winner will be selected using a random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (be sure to leave one!) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

I received no compensation for this post. I received an autographed advanced readers' copy of A Heartbeat Away from Michael Palmer to read and review. In addition, he also will be providing an autographed copy of the book for the giveaway.