The Blood Gospel

This book is something new for author James Rollins: a collaboration with Rebecca Cantrell to produce The Blood Gospel (#260), the first of The Order of the Sanguines series.  It has the hallmarks of Rollins' books - the diagrams to illustrate the archaeological and historic aspects of the book, the impossible cliff-hanging situations for the trio of protagonists, and a firm grasp on your attention for the time it takes to read the book.  Since I haven't yet read any of Rebecca Cantrell's books, I'm guessing the stronger relational elements and perhaps more of hint of the occult are hers. 

Dr. Erin Granger, an American archaeologist is plucked from her dig in Caesaria by Israeli military forces accompanied by a mysterious priest and transported to Masada.  It has been rocked by earthquakes and a toxic gas leak which have decimated the tourists visiting the site.  There is the possibility that an ancient chamber deep within Masada has been uncovered by the quakes, and the window of opportunity to explore it is closing.  A team of American military specialists has been sent to provide support, headed by Sergeant Jordan Stone, but Father Ruhn Korza makes it clear before they descend that the Church has prior claim to whatever is to be found.  But there are others just as determined to claim what is sought, and they will stop at nothing to get it.

So starts the action that moves swiftly from Israel across Europe before the final showdown, but this first book only foreshadows the battles to come.  Can't wait until the next installment comes out.!  An observation  - in two books  of almost equal length, it seemed that The Blood Gospel took no time at all to read, I was so absorbed in it, plus I knew my husband could hardly wait to get HIS hands on it, yet Cloud Atlas took me forever to plod through.  No question in my mind which I prefer...

In the meantime, I've already put a hold on the Rebecca Cantrell books in my library.  I've got to get to know her writing bette,r and her books set in pre-World War II Berlin are an excellent place to start.