Silent Sting by Clair M. Poulson {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

Silent Sting by Clair Poulson

Kindle Edition, 188 pages

Published March 1st 2016 by Covenant Communications

Catastrophe is looming over the Central Valley of California. The honeybees, vital to the economy of this agricultural epicenter, are dying at an unprecedented rate. The U.S. government is desperate for answers, and researchers at the University of California–Riverside are tasked with providing them. But when the professors assigned to the investigation seem to be systematically dying under mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that there is something sinister at play. Following the murders of her mentors, it’s up to entomology student Tiana Lambrose to move forward with the research. Special Agent Stu Whiteleather, part of a team of FBI agents assigned to assist in the investigation, is immediately drawn to the lovely entomologist. Together, they discover a breed of bees engineered to be killing machines, which, despite Tiana’s expertise, are like nothing she’s seen before. The question is, who could possibly have the sophisticated technology to engineer these specialized insects and for what motive? The perpetrator will stop at nothing to keep investigators from finding the answer. As threats to Tiana’s life escalate, Stu must battle an unknown foe to protect the woman for whom he has come to care before she becomes the next victim.

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My Review: 3 Stars

Silent Sting starts and ends with an interesting twist--it takes place through the viewpoint of a honeybee. Other than that small twist, this story delivers a suspenseful novel that is typical of Clair Poulson.

Honeybees are dying by the droves and it's up to Tiana, a student research assistant, and her mentor to determine if it's because of a disease or a new pesticide being used by farmers in the area. When people start turning up dead and tiny engineered killers are discovered, danger lurks around every corner and it's up to Special Agent, Stu, and Tiana, to find out what's going on.

I like the characters and the way they each play an intricate part in the story, but I felt a depth to their relationships was lacking. I would've liked a smoother connection between the characters, as well as more thoughts and feelings, but this story isn't driven by relationships--it's driven by the plot and the suspense. The criminals were always about three steps ahead of the investigators, which really leaves the reader on edge, as it's tricky to figure out what's going on and what will happen next. I always enjoy a good suspense that keeps me guessing. 

Content: mild violence (deaths--non-graphic, kidnapping, mention of drugs); very mild romance; mild religious elements (some characters are LDS and things relating to that are mentioned). Clean.

*I received a copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

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Buy Links:

About the Author:

Clair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.

He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.

In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.

Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.

Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.

Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels. 

Blog Tour Giveaway: 

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Tour Schedule:

*March 28th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://www.littlelightdesigncollective.com/ 

*March 29th: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/

*March 30th: http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html, http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/

*March 31st: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*April 1st: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/