The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl & Sebastian Stuart

About the Book:

TV reporter Erica Sparks has become a superstar overnight. Is it due to her hard work and talent, or is she at the center of a spiraling conspiracy?Erica Sparks is a beautiful and ambitious reporter who has just landed her dream job at Global News Network in New York. And while it was hard to leave Jenny, her cherished eight-year-old daughter, in the custody of her ex-husband, Erica is determined to succeed in the cutthroat world of big-time broadcasting. She can only hope her troubled past won’t come back to sabotage her dreams.Although the wounds from her divorce are still fresh, Erica can’t deny the chemistry between her and her new producer, the handsome and empathic Greg Underwood. But a relationship is the last thing she wants right now.On her very first assignment, Erica inadvertently witnesses—and films—a horrific tragedy, scooping all the other networks. Mere weeks later, another tragedy strikes—again, right in front of Erica and her cameras. Her career skyrockets overnight, but Erica is troubled. Deeply. This can’t just be coincidence. But what is it?Erica will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. But she has to make sure disaster—and her troubled past—don’t catch up with her first.

My Thoughts:

This was a real disappointment.  I've read Lis's previous novels and enjoyed them.  This had a great premise, but the way the book was written was very distracting. I can handle novels written in first person, but this was a style I've never been able to enjoy.

Here's a tiny sample from the first page of chapter one:

"ERICA SPARKS STRIDES DOWN NINTH Avenue on her way to the Global News Network headquarters on Sixth Avenue. It's her first day on her new job as a field reporter, her first job in New York City. And, if things go well, the first step toward scaling the heights of television news. She feels a little shiver of pinch-me excitement race up her spine."

Believe it or not, the style kept getting in the way of the story for me.  I pushed through, but I only made it 2/3 of my way through before I surrendered and skipped to the end.  The concept is excellent and very timely: how many times have you wondered if the big news events are orchestrated for just such a time as this?

Yes, I realize this may get me branded as a conspiracy nut, but even today's election has me scratching my head and wondering what's going on behind the scenes with someone of the unusual stories in the headlines. 

But that's just me.  Don't take my word for it.  You might thoroughly enjoy "The Newsmakers".  I tried to, but it just isn't the book for me.  My thanks to my friends at Thomas Nelson for my advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very mildly recommended.

Happy Reading!





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