Wired by Douglas E. Richards

     This was the number one bestselling Kindle book for all of 2011 in two major categories: technothrillers and science fiction, so I thought I would give it a try. I thought my son and grandson might enjoy it, if nothing else.  I read it in eight hours.

     Once a member of special forces, David Desh is asked by the Colonel, his friend and former commanding officer, to find Kira Miller. Kira is a brilliant genetic engineer who has made amazing breakthroughs in mental enhancements that can give a person seemingly unlimited intelligence and perception.  Problem is, she has disappeared and left the dead bodies of many, including her own family, as she went.  The Colonel is convinced she is now working with terrorists.

     Desh and a computer hacking genius named Matt begin tracking her down.  But before they can do much of anything, Kira contacts them, and tries to convince Desh that she is not a killer or a terrorist.  It soon becomes unclear who can and cannot be trusted.  There is  a lot of excitement and twists in the plot and Kira is a very interesting character. I can see 'Wired' as an action movie with Angelina Jolie.

     This was not the most well written of books, though nothing glaringly bad about it.  I found Desh a little naive for a man of his profession and experience, but somehow the story still worked and was enjoyable. In fact, I have ordered the sequel, 'Amped.'

     'Wired' kindle edition is only $3.95. Well worth the price.

The Witness by Nora Roberts

    Elizabeth Fitch has lived her entire life doing everything her mother, a gifted doctor, told her to do. How she dressed, what she studied, her spare time - all as she was told. Even her conception was planned with only the best genetic artificial insemination.  But at 16, Elizabeth decides to break the rules.  When her mother leaves for a medical conference, she rebels.  This one time act of rebellion results in the death of her first and only friend and Elizabeth being targeted by the Russian Mafia.  She is placed in the witness protection program and then finds herself on the run alone.

    Twelve years later she is still hiding.  In a small town in Arkansas she is known as the reclusive Abigail Lowery, who lives with her dog just outside of town on a well guarded piece of land.  But Sheriff Brooks Gleason has taken an interest in her, as has his Hippie mother. And that interest is growing - and personal. But her cover is about to be blown . . .

     Elizabeth/Abigail will remind you of TV's Bones.  The story is good, sometimes touching and romantic. All things Nora Roberts is good at.  This was another well done romantic-suspense novel by the author.  I enjoyed it, as always.