Jeannée Sacken

I loved “Behind the Lens,” the first book in this series, and was thrilled to get to visit the memorable characters once again. Annie, Cerelli, and Sawyer had lingered in my memory. Annie Hawkins Green is smart and tenacious but also has her flaws. She at times lets her heart rule her head. Cerelli is the “knight in shining armor.” And Sawyer is the loyal, trustworthy sidekick.

There were some strings left dangling from the first book that I wanted to be resolved. So, I am happy to say that I also loved “Double Exposure.”

I was immediately drawn into the story as Annie awaits her flight home. She has been in Saudi Arabia and Yemen on a three-month assignment. She is eager to get home to her teenage daughter Mel and her lover Captain Finn Cerelli. But when she arrives in the US, she finds she is under investigation for an incident that happened five months previously.

The flashbacks Sacken wove into the present-day story refreshed my memory of the incident, and the emotions I felt from that first book came flooding back into me.

The pace was a bit slower this time around, but the plot was still complex and suspenseful. Annie must juggle her responsibility as a single mother, demands from her ex-husband, and the needs of Afghan women and children. She also works to maintain her independence in her relationship with Cerelli, which isn’t that easy since they are both hardheaded and Cerelli is very protective of her. I love this quote from Cerelli regarding Annie: “You’re so fearless it terrifies me.”

Sacken’s incredible writing and career as a photojournalist bring a realistic look into the lives of the Afghan people, especially the women. I love the rays of sunshine that come through because of courageous women standing their ground.

It is not often that I hope for another book in a series when it seems all is resolved. But there was one issue that might still be unresolved so there is hope for another book. I would also love to have Sawyer in a bigger role.

“Double Exposure” has a lot to offer: amazing writing, family drama, strong friendships, a tender love story, memorable characters, set in a foreign land, and political intrigue. What more could one want?

In my opinion, you really should read “Behind the Lens” first. You won’t get the full emotions of the story without it.

Thank you to The Book Club Cookbook for the complimentary copy.… (plus d'informations)

I was immediately drawn into this story. And as I read the last page, I could finally release the breath I did not know I had been holding. I got little done yesterday as I just could not put the book down. It is hard to believe this is Sacken’s debut novel.

That aside, “Behind the Lens” is primarily a book about family and relationships. Annie Hawkins Green, a war photojournalist, has known Daria, her best friend since college days. They tell each other everything. But Annie is hiding a secret from Daria. When Annie is on assignment, her 15-year-old daughter Mel lives with Mel’s father and his wife. Mel is good friends with Daria’s daughter Seema. Just like with Annie and Mel, Daria is also going through the teen angst with Seema. And finally, there is Annie and Cerelli, a US Navy Seal. Is he her knight in shining armor who rescued her from a Taliban ambush eight years earlier? Or does he distrust her and thinks she was in on the ambush?

Annie is returning to Afghanistan to teach a photography workshop at the girls' school that Daria runs. Upon her return, Annie begins experiencing nightmares and hallucinations. Is it PTSD or could those hallucinations be real? Wherever she goes, she feels someone is watching her, following her. She also suspects Seema is slipping out at night to meet her boyfriend. In Afghanistan, this act could have shocking consequences. Annie is torn between telling Daria or waiting until she has more proof.

Sacken masterfully embeds flashbacks from the ambush eight years earlier into the present day. She also does a phenomenal job of weaving all the storylines together. She seamlessly takes us from the little village of Wad Qol during her visit with Daria back to Wisconsin where her daughter is currently in a power struggle with her stepmother.

This powerful story felt so real; the characters were so well developed that they seemed like real people that I came to care about. The descriptions throughout the book are vivid and I could easily envision it as the story played out. The insights into Afghan culture were educational especially when it comes to the life of Afghan women. It is obvious that the author is enamored with the Afghan people and their culture and is heart-broken with the sufferings inflicted upon them by the terrorist groups there.

This is one of the best books I have read this year. The complex and intriguing plot kept me in suspense throughout. I will definitely be watching for her next book.… (plus d'informations)