Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Taba Convention

3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 · rating details · 9 ratings · 9 reviews

One of the most exciting breakout action novels of the year, The Taba Convention by Stephen W. Ayers is the first book in the Jordan Kline series. Filled with surprising twists and turns as well as incredible insight into the Middle East, Ayers’ plot confronts the deadly goals of radical Muslims and the mission of right wing Jews. With the future of the Middle East uncerta...more

Paperback, 322 pages

Published June 4th 2011 by Createspace (first published January 1st 2001)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-15 of 15)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Aug 16, 2012 Lynda Coker rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had a few misgivings about reviewing this book since I'm not fond of 'blood-and-guts' style thrillers. And while there is violence in this political thriller, it's not the primary focus. The mystery, intrigue, cat-and-mouse maneuvers, and life-and-death decisions are what makes this story a 'THRILLER'. It's very well written.

The main character, Jordan Kline, is likable but with enough flaws to make him believable. It's an edge of you seat read with an ending that is different than what I expe...more

like · see review

Oct 16, 2011 ABookVacation rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Ayers blew me away in this action packed thriller dealing with the Middle East. I’m not always enamored by novels dealing with terrorism and the peace issues in the Middle East, but Ayers’ beautiful prose and sheer writing abilities thread a very unique and pointed story, making me an instant fan. The vast amount of knowledge Ayers holds, as well as the amount of research he had to do in order to create a convincing piece, is phenomenal, and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 11, 2012 Junying rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Taba Convention, the first of Stephen W Ayers‘s Jordan Kline series set in the Middle East was a fantastic read, from start to finish. I’m glad that I started it on the first day of my holiday when I knew I had plenty of time for reading and not being distracted by other demands in everyday life.

As I sat under the palm trees facing the mighty Atlantic, I indulged in two days of uninterrupted reading, going on an exciting adventure taking in the Red Sea, Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, the Gaza Strip, Jerusa...more Taba Convention, the first of Stephen W Ayers‘s Jordan Kline series set in the Middle East was a fantastic read, from start to finish. I’m glad that I started it on the first day of my holiday when I knew I had plenty of time for reading and not being distracted by other demands in everyday life.

As I sat under the palm trees facing the mighty Atlantic, I indulged in two days of uninterrupted reading, going on an exciting adventure taking in the Red Sea, Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, in a part of the world which sounded familiar but to which I’ve never been before, with only some vague idea about the huge problems which have been created throughout history, the non-stop conflicts of different cultures and religions, the struggles of different world organisations to bring peace to that region, and the seeming futility of it all.

I was hooked from the very beginning, as the author began with a number of killings in different locations but somehow intrinsically related. Packed with action, Mr Ayers tells the story with great characters, convincing plots and at a wonderful pace. It has everything I like in a good book, and it is very well written.

The author delivers a great thriller on different levels. I was highly impressed with his understanding of the background, geography and history of the Middle East and his insider knowledge of the hotel businesses, which made sure that his characters and their actions are believable, and the plot plausible. There is a great combination of necessary information and the progress of plot which is pivotal in a fast-paced action thriller. As a reader, I willingly followed the protagonists and enjoyed the ride as Jordan Kline dove into intrigue, betrayal, and conspiracy, showing sheer determination to find out the truth and stop the disaster brewing.

I would not hesitate recommending this book. It’s a wonderful read beautifully executed. I would love to follow more of Jordan Kline’s other adventures. Excellent job, Stephen Ayers!

For the original review and further info about the author, go to my website: http://www.junyingkirk.com/?p=1317. Thanks!(less)

like 1 like · see review

Sep 12, 2011 Sinn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I need to preface this by saying that political thrillers are usually not my cup of tea. I admit, going with my hubby to see the newest Jason Bourne movie was fun, but I've never felt the overwhelming desire to actually read the Bourne books. Needless to say, I was rather surprised that I was willing to take on this book request. I say this because I am unsure how much my inexperience with political thrillers will cloud my review.

The Taba Convention follows Jordan Kline, a retired Mossad agent,...more I need to preface this by saying that political thrillers are usually not my cup of tea. I admit, going with my hubby to see the newest Jason Bourne movie was fun, but I've never felt the overwhelming desire to actually read the Bourne books. Needless to say, I was rather surprised that I was willing to take on this book request. I say this because I am unsure how much my inexperience with political thrillers will cloud my review.

The Taba Convention follows Jordan Kline, a retired Mossad agent, in his new job as a hotelier. After stumbling on a brutal car accident involving an old fellow Mossad operative, he is drawn into a thick political plot. After some digging, he discovers that this plot is meant to stop the Taba Convention, which would set back the peace treaty in Israel/the Middle East. Feeling responsible, Jordan charges headlong into the action to try and stop the conspiracy.

Good basis for a plot, considering all the stuff that has been happening in the Middle East for a long time; however, I felt that the author didn't give Jordan enough incentive to actually throw himself into this conspiracy. A lot of the book, Jordan talks about this retirement from the Mossad and wanting to close that bloody chapter of his life. He is fully content and happy in his life as the Sands GM and with his girlfriend. So, for me, I could not see why Jordan would drop everything to take on this fiasco. I found myself constantly asking myself why he was doing what he was doing. In addition, I wondered by Alex and Shalom were so quick to join Jordan on his crusade. Aside from overriding boredom after leaving their previous jobs, I couldn't come up with a reason. However, I did wonder whether some of Shalom's reasons had to do with his age.

I felt the book started out pretty slow, and I found myself kind of lost and confused at the beginning. For me, it took nearly 100 pages for it to pick up. Usually, if a book takes that long to catch my attention, I'll put it down. However, I admit, I'm glad I read further. When the book finally picked up, it was a thrill ride! I was surprised at the depth of the plot! Okay, I knew full well that it was a big deal, but the big guns involved where a surprise to me.

Now, to address my biggest pet peeve of all: grammar! I found the grammar, as far as quotes lasting over multiple paragraphs and commas when addressing someone, to be a pain in this book. I don't profess to know how the grammar system works in Canada, but please have some consistency! Half the time, in a dialog over multiple paragraphs, each paragraph would have an ending and closing quotation. The other half the time, the ending quotation would be left off. It was really confusing! In addition, on the same page, it wasn't consistent whether the comma before the name of the person addressed would appear or not. It was ridiculous! I cannot blame the author for that, since it is purely an editing issue.

I also felt that the author spent too much time describing things that weren't integral to the plot. This added to the slower feel of the book. This, however, is easily a first-time-writer mistake. It is easily corrected with maturing as a writer.

Aside from those issues, after getting through the first 1/3 rd of the book, it was a lot more enjoyable. It wrapped up a bit too easily, but I still liked Jordan winning in the end! After reading the author's quest post, I am rather curios to see what happens in the next book with the Nazis, and how Jordan is able to convince Irit that getting back into this stuff is a good idea.(less)

like · see review

Sep 01, 2011 Book Him Danno rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-sent-by-author-publisher-for, 2011

2 1/2 stars on my blog. This book started with a bang! But then it went downhill, the writing stalled the action with too many words and too much description of things I couldn’t care less about. Also sentence structure needs some work to make the reading flow better.

I really wanted to like this book, but I only liked parts. The concept was good and I think parts of the book pulled it forward, but the dialog was stilted and fell flat. Jordan is a great character, but he made mistakes that didn’t...more

like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Vicki rated it 4 of 5 stars

When the author asked if I would like a copy of this book for review, my first thought was to decline his offer, because I'm not a fan of political books. But I am a huge fan of thrillers, so I decided to read out of my comfort zone and give it a try. I'm so glad I did!

The book is centered around Jordan Kline, who is thrust back into the life he so desperately wanted to leave behind. He knows he can't stop the enemy from what they are determined to do by himself, so he looks to those he thinks h...more

like · see review

Sep 01, 2011 Tracey rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the beginning of The Taba Convention, Jordan Kline rushes to the aid of a car accident victim, only to hear the dying words of ex-colleague Josh. Jordan served with Josh in the Mossad 10 years ago, but left that life behind him long ago. Jordan Kline is now the General Manager of the Sands Hotel and happily living with his girlfriend Irit in Eilat on the Red Sea.

Kline is troubled by Josh's last words and begins to dig a little into his death and begins to uncover a dangerous and deadly plot t...more

like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Micheal Rivers rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Stephen Ayers political thriller 'The Taba Convention' is a book not to be ignored. The middle-east has always been a hotbed for the gathering of cultures with other agendas. Mr. Ayers conveys this to his audience without holding back. Political intrigue, assasins, terrorist, and the love of a woman, all wrapped into an expansive firsthand knowledge of his territory. If you are looking for some action, take a ride with ex-Mossad agent Jordan Kline through the cities of Isreal. You won't be disap...more

like 1 like · see review

Dec 29, 2012 Sherrisa marked it as to-read

Jan 14, 2012 Lewis Weinstein marked it as to-read

Jan 11, 2012 J.L. Campbell is currently reading it

Dec 25, 2011 Catherine marked it as to-read

Dec 19, 2011 Al Boudreau marked it as to-read

Oct 11, 2011 Alana Wolfgang-duran marked it as to-read

Apr 07, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 2 of 5 stars

currently-reading

1 shelf

kindle-book

1 shelf

books-sent-by-aut...

1 shelf

kindle

-1 shelves

Books by Stephen W. Ayers

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Taba Convention

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Taba Convention
avg rating	preview: The Taba Convention Goodreads rating: 3.78 (9 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12158149-the-taba-convention?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348837963l/12158149.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12158149-the-taba-convention?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Taba Convention by Stephen W. Ayers[/url]

The Taba Convention

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)

Popular Shelves

Books by Stephen W. Ayers

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Taba Convention

The Taba Convention

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (1)

Popular Shelves

Books by Stephen W. Ayers

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Taba Convention

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)