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Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
Counterstrike III: A Shining Blade by T.L. Salisbury and J.C. Smyth is the final book of the trilogy. The story opens with Kate, Gladys, and Drew in Scotland searching for clues to Vogle’s location. Drew takes Kate on a picnic to watch the sunset. When they return to the car, Drew shows Kate a shining sword with jewels on the handle. As he replaces the sword in the trunk, Kate sees three men standing behind them in the reflection. In a flash, Drew uses the sword to end their threat. Kate is stunned that Drew seems unaffected by killing the men. Leaving Scotland, they land in New York, and four police officers arrest Drew. Despite Drew being released the following morning, Kate refuses to stay with him. Therefore, she has to make some decisions that could jeopardize her life.
T.L. Salisbury and J.C. Smyth increase the suspense with Kate's questions. Drew’s actions and confession of love don’t assuage Kate’s inner turmoil. This was intensely frustrating for me. It was easy to see he was genuinely affected by her silence or words. The odds are against Drew, and his unwavering determination to avenge his friends and their families was admirable. Kate’s innocent naivete begins to change. I was surprised by the unexpected plot twists. There were times when I felt that Kate’s depression was relatable, especially when Drew wasn’t present. Ray Carlisle, Drew’s boss, appears in the final few chapters, which adds intrigue. The transitions from one event to the next were seamless, and the timeline was easy to follow. The end of the story was executed with amazing perfection. I recommend A Shining Blade to fans of intriguing suspense stories with realistic character development.
