My Review of Freeper Jim Macomber's novel, "Bargained for Exchange"

Self | May 24, 2004 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

I have just finished (Freeper) Jim Macomber's first novel, Bargained for Exchange. Even though it was written in 1996, it is spot on regarding today's events. It is also very perceptive, projecting many of today's policies and attitudes towards terror and the Mid-East geo-political situation as a former special forces operative turned lawyer finds himself embroiled in a terror, espionage, legal intrigue story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The intrigue and action come quickly and are sustained throughout the book without being over-done or rendering the book as a single dimensional work.

The characters, their development, the storyline and the attention to detail are exquisite and play together very well indeed. You come to know and care for the protaganists and come to understand the morbid and ideological motivations of the adversaries in a tale that keeps you glued to the pages.

Macomber also sends many great messages through his story. Honor, integrity, loyalty and commitment to truth and to what is right come across clearly while political correctness and expediency, barbarism, deceit and treachory are shown for the true dangers they are.

I believe Macomber's work in this regard to be the equal or better of works by Clancy and Grisham...except Macomber combines both genres into one.

One word of caution...this book should not be considered a family oriented novel. You would not have your younger children or teenagers read it. There is explicit sexual content and language which was a major distraction for me given my own standards regarding having entertainement materiel with such content around the house, regardless of how well it is otherwise put together...and believe me, Macomber's work is otherwise very, very well put together.

Bargained for Exchange
CLICK ON THE IMAGE

Jim has a second novel out in this series about the main character which I am reading now and will review at a later date.

[Jeff Head]

I thought people would be interested in this novel by freeper Jim Macomber. Add another name to the list of notable (and in this case officially published) freeper authors.

Thanks Jim, you are a heck of an author.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...my review of Jim's book.

[SC Swamp Fox]

Thanks for the review...

NOW GET BACK TO WORK ON VOLUME 5!

[Jeff Head]

Aw shucks! Can't a feller even take a little time and have some fun of his own...hehehe.

That being said...work continues on Volume V tonight. Chapter Two almost done. Fans of the series are going to love it.

[Dubya]

Good review
Semper Fi

[Jeff Head]

Thank you my friend...short of the particular shortcoming I mentioned (and for me personally that is a significant issue)...it was a really, really great read.

[hosepipe]

High praise indeed, Jeff. Grisham and Clancy rolled into one..

[Jeff Head]

I believe John does exactly that...only in many ways better.

[Jeff Head]

Here's the review of your book.

I just posted it on Amazon as well...it should show up there in a few days.

[Eastbound]

Bump for great novels. Just finishing Ludlum's "Bourne Ultimatum." Very convoluted plot and badly written, but strangely enough, give or take a few upper echelon characters, it was believable. Heh.

[Jeff Head]

We have a very talented group of authors here on FR.

Jim is published (through the traditional method) as are snake65 and several others.

Lot's of talent here...and this book proves it.

[Badray]

I'm gonna have to take that speed reading course.

Thanks for the ping.

[Jeff Head]

You are very welcome my friend. Hope things are well with you and yours.

[Jeff Head]

FYI to you both...another fine FR author.

[jim macomber]

Jeff:

Thanks so much for what you wrote about "Bargained for Exchange". A positive reception is always welcome but coming from a fellow author whose own work I find so admirable is that much better.
I look forward to sharing views, perspectives, and good reads with you for a long time to come.
And as soon as I finish reading Volume 1 of Dragon's Fury, I'd like to post my own review of it. And it won't be a matter of my saying nice things just because you said nice things about BFE. I've already read enough to know that, if anything, it'll be a matter of my not going too far over the top.
Thanks again.

[Doomonyou]

It looks like a good read, I've got it on the way.

[jim macomber]

Thanks. Let me know what you think.

Jim

[Jeff Head]

Jim, your stories are exciting and intriguing...and the level of detail is astounding.

I wish you continued success with them.

I also look forward to your thoughts regarding the Dragon's Fury Series as you read each novel in the series. What started as an idea for a single book for me, mushroomed when I outlined what I wanted to write about and where I wanted to go with the story. I was faced with either radically cutting back, or turning the whole thing into a series of novels.

Needless to say, I decided to go with the whole thing, even though it has meant a lot more work and now a 3 1/2 year project. By the time Volume V is done, there will be over 2300 pages!

The plus side has been that it was a good marketing decision because the readership increases each time a new volume goes out. On Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at other places, as a new volume is released, it does well enough for several weeks to get noticed on the rankings and then new people see it, find out it is a series, and then buy the first one to get started.

[JulieRNR21]

Jim: I believe I have the distinction of being the first Freeper to read 'Bargained For Exchange'. I agree with Jeff's comment that you combine the best aspects of both Clancy & Grisham in your writing. Also still find it amazing how prescient BFE was in 1996.

PJ: Thought you might find Jeff head's review of my FRiend Jim Macomber's novel of interest.

Jeff: I agree with your caution regarding the explicit content but I would like to add that such details are necessary to the development and reality of the story.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!