They took his peace and quiet. He’ll pay them back in fists and bullets…
Charlotte, North Carolina. Ex-Special Forces Captain Orlando Black is long overdue for some peace and quiet. So when cops arrest him on the quiet city streets, he struggles to keep his cool against the blatant racial profiling. And after the FBI infiltrates his case, he gets entangled in a criminal conspiracy that could force him to dodge bullets all over again.
Managing to exonerate himself and team up with a local police officer, Black taps into his martial arts skills to fend off an attack by armed killers. With innocent citizens caught up in the violent mayhem, the captain makes a promise to a victim’s terrified wife. And if he has to spill blood to keep his word, then so be it…
Can Black take down the brutal mastermind before his city suffers more death and destruction?
Carolina Dance is the first book in the thrilling Orlando Black action adventure series. If you like diehard heroes, adrenaline-fueled fight scenes, and non-stop action, then you’ll love Alex Cage’s page-turning tale.
Assessment:
Plot: Orlando Black, an African-American former special ops and fighting expert, is drawn into a case involving kidnapped girls, a missing cop, and a coffee shop chain/money laundry. When he makes a promise to the cop’s wife, he’ll have to stay on the case until the end – a familiar trope of the genre, but executed with much energy and intrigue here.
Prose/Style: Fast-paced and filled with witty dialogue, the first installment in the Orlando Black series is off to a captivating start. Concise and visual language keeps the pages turning.
Originality: The story could perhaps use more originality, as it is similar to the Jack Reacher series as a lone ex-military man righting wrongs. The refreshing twist here comes from discovering leaks in both the police department and FBI, and the little romance with a special agent.
Character Development: Readers will really love Black, but the supporting women are wonderfully strong and active. Detective Pete Daniels makes a nice buddy character for Black in the beginning, and then becomes another reason to get the bad guys.
Date Submitted: July 25, 2019
