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Centrifugal Force
Former lovers attempt to rectify the past to save their children and preserve the fragile world in crisis.
Rachel Michels made a poor choice which resulted in her biggest blessing, her daughter, Maeve. When the father of that blessing returns decades later, she knows he wants something she'd taken from him. Rachel has lived in near seclusion and mistrust, fearful of losing the one person who's kept her life from coming unglued.
Professor Gervas Friedemann returns to Wisconsin, seeking a missing ancient artifact, along with help for his oldest daughter who is suffering from a rare genetic blood disorder. With the European Union at stake, blackmail could negatively impact a crucial vote in the German Parliament unless Gervas recovers an irreplaceable relic he left in the United States on a lecture tour a lifetime ago. He knows who took the piece of history he once flaunted--the woman who had stolen his soul. He only hopes she still has the ring
Rachel Michels made a poor choice which resulted in her biggest blessing, her daughter, Maeve. When the father of that blessing returns decades later, she knows he wants something she'd taken from him. Rachel has lived in near seclusion and mistrust, fearful of losing the one person who's kept her life from coming unglued.
Professor Gervas Friedemann returns to Wisconsin, seeking a missing ancient artifact, along with help for his oldest daughter who is suffering from a rare genetic blood disorder. With the European Union at stake, blackmail could negatively impact a crucial vote in the German Parliament unless Gervas recovers an irreplaceable relic he left in the United States on a lecture tour a lifetime ago. He knows who took the piece of history he once flaunted--the woman who had stolen his soul. He only hopes she still has the ring
316 pages, Paperback
Published December 11, 2017
About the author
Lisa J. Lickel
31 books174 followersLisa Lickel is a writer and editor who lives with her husband in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. A complete list of her novels: mysteries, award-winning romance and children’s books, and contemporary fiction can be found on her website. She writes newspaper features, short stories, magazine articles and radio theater. An avid book reviewer and blogger, freelance editor, and writing mentor, she loves to encourage new authors. She has two grown and married sons. Find more at LisaLickel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 9, 2018
A missing artifact, two former lovers, a cure for a rare blood disorder and global conspiracy powerful enough to bring down the European Union.
Several years ago, Rachel had a love affair with her college professor and while he broke her heart, he gave her a daughter who’s been Rachel’s world for the past two decades. Living in seclusion, Rachel’s wary of any man, let alone her ex, Gervas Friedemann. When Gervas and her daughter meet, she’s deathly afraid of losing her daughter.
Gervas hasn’t been back to Wisconsin since he left twenty years ago. He’s back for two reasons: to retrieve an ancient artifact stolen by Rachel and to seek help to save his eldest daughter from death by a rare blood disorder. He tracks down Rachel and pleads with her to help him. Sparks fly as he reconnects with Rachel and meets his now adult daughter. Can he save his eldest daughter through the help of Rachel and their daughter and more importantly, can they return the ancient artifact before the conspiracy to bring down the European Union is successful?
Centrifugal Force grabbed me from the first page. I connected with Rachel right away and that was even before I got deep into the plot. As the mystery unfolded, so did the stakes. Political intrigue, blackmail, an ancient artifact, dark secrets, and a second change at love combine to make this an irresistible read. Lickel’s historical research is evident which just added a depth to the story. The characters were crafted so beautifully that I forgot I was reading fiction and got caught up in the story. The ending was surprising but totally satisfying.
If you’re looking for an original mystery with a love story as well as pulse-pounding global intrigue, grab this book right now! Trust me, you’ll love it.
My Rating: 5 stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Several years ago, Rachel had a love affair with her college professor and while he broke her heart, he gave her a daughter who’s been Rachel’s world for the past two decades. Living in seclusion, Rachel’s wary of any man, let alone her ex, Gervas Friedemann. When Gervas and her daughter meet, she’s deathly afraid of losing her daughter.
Gervas hasn’t been back to Wisconsin since he left twenty years ago. He’s back for two reasons: to retrieve an ancient artifact stolen by Rachel and to seek help to save his eldest daughter from death by a rare blood disorder. He tracks down Rachel and pleads with her to help him. Sparks fly as he reconnects with Rachel and meets his now adult daughter. Can he save his eldest daughter through the help of Rachel and their daughter and more importantly, can they return the ancient artifact before the conspiracy to bring down the European Union is successful?
Centrifugal Force grabbed me from the first page. I connected with Rachel right away and that was even before I got deep into the plot. As the mystery unfolded, so did the stakes. Political intrigue, blackmail, an ancient artifact, dark secrets, and a second change at love combine to make this an irresistible read. Lickel’s historical research is evident which just added a depth to the story. The characters were crafted so beautifully that I forgot I was reading fiction and got caught up in the story. The ending was surprising but totally satisfying.
If you’re looking for an original mystery with a love story as well as pulse-pounding global intrigue, grab this book right now! Trust me, you’ll love it.
My Rating: 5 stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
January 16, 2018
Loved the complexity of this story. The main plot is layered with multiple sub-plots leaving no room for idle pages.
Rachel Michels has a past she’d rather forget except for her daughter that came from it.
Yet, we all know the past catches up with us and isn’t always what it seems.
Rachel’s daughter left the house for college and her own life not far away. Rachel dabbles in the idea of dating again and doesn’t truly trust her own intuition, but gives it a shot.
Between a date with a colleague, Scott, and the arrival of her former lover and father to her daughter, Rachel finds herself in the middle of a global political battle.
Gervas Friedemann has several reasons for traveling from his home in Germany to Wisconsin. He wants his daughter from one of his wives to undergo experimental medicine, intends to see Rachel to get back an historic heirloom, and promised his brother who’s running for a high governmental position to help with an alleged blackmail scam.
The story keeps us in suspense as to what’s really true, what’s most important, and who Scott and Gervas really are.
Rachel is thrown into the mix of political espionage along with a heart swelling and breaking along the way. Rachel needs to play the game and find out what is truly right for her and her daughter, never leaving love behind because happily ever after is the most important component.
Rachel Michels has a past she’d rather forget except for her daughter that came from it.
Yet, we all know the past catches up with us and isn’t always what it seems.
Rachel’s daughter left the house for college and her own life not far away. Rachel dabbles in the idea of dating again and doesn’t truly trust her own intuition, but gives it a shot.
Between a date with a colleague, Scott, and the arrival of her former lover and father to her daughter, Rachel finds herself in the middle of a global political battle.
Gervas Friedemann has several reasons for traveling from his home in Germany to Wisconsin. He wants his daughter from one of his wives to undergo experimental medicine, intends to see Rachel to get back an historic heirloom, and promised his brother who’s running for a high governmental position to help with an alleged blackmail scam.
The story keeps us in suspense as to what’s really true, what’s most important, and who Scott and Gervas really are.
Rachel is thrown into the mix of political espionage along with a heart swelling and breaking along the way. Rachel needs to play the game and find out what is truly right for her and her daughter, never leaving love behind because happily ever after is the most important component.
November 18, 2018
Centrifugal Force is the second in a three-book series by Lisa J. Lickel. I first met the character Ann Ballard, who fell in love with Mark Roth, in the first book, Meander Scar. I loved their story right then and there and wanted to read more.
In Centrifugal Force readers are reintroduced to Rachel Michels, Ann's sister, and her daughter Maeve, now a young adult. The story reaches back in history to World War II when jewels were hidden away and now when the survival of the European Union is at stake. These events come together in Madison, Wisconsin, where Rachel is a college administrator and meets a German socio-economics man she falls head over heels for. Professor Gervas Friedemann returns years later seeking medical help for his oldest daughter, but also to reclaim a missing jewel.
Centrifugal Force is a love story dabbled with an adventure to Germany and spies. Readers will be busy in this adventure you will not want to put down. I highly recommend this book by Lisa J. Lickel.
In Centrifugal Force readers are reintroduced to Rachel Michels, Ann's sister, and her daughter Maeve, now a young adult. The story reaches back in history to World War II when jewels were hidden away and now when the survival of the European Union is at stake. These events come together in Madison, Wisconsin, where Rachel is a college administrator and meets a German socio-economics man she falls head over heels for. Professor Gervas Friedemann returns years later seeking medical help for his oldest daughter, but also to reclaim a missing jewel.
Centrifugal Force is a love story dabbled with an adventure to Germany and spies. Readers will be busy in this adventure you will not want to put down. I highly recommend this book by Lisa J. Lickel.
December 31, 2017
Two broken people, harboring their own secrets, entangled in a love affair spanning decades reconnect in the town where they met years prior. The theft of a priceless ring creates an international plot of intrigue and suspense. The conspiracy to tear apart the European Union, blackmail, and espionage leave them racing for their lives.
Ms. Lickel writes a profound and compelling story which is hard to put down. I thoroughly recommend this novel which is slightly different from the author’s other endeavors. The plot is well thought out with underlying stories and a tremendous amount of political and historical research. Centrifugal Force is the best of the best.
Ms. Lickel writes a profound and compelling story which is hard to put down. I thoroughly recommend this novel which is slightly different from the author’s other endeavors. The plot is well thought out with underlying stories and a tremendous amount of political and historical research. Centrifugal Force is the best of the best.
April 25, 2018
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time! The main characters - a college administrator who is a single mom, her daughter, and a German professor - are interesting people and well developed. With lots of fast-paced action, secrets and intrigue take you through exciting drama from Madison, Wisconsin to Germany and back. You will also find romance, a stolen relic, and lessons in forgiveness.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews