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Wired
by Julie Garwood has the relationship dominant to the story.
This novel has much more romance than suspense along with
humorous scenes, a welcome relief from the tension of thrillers.
The book features a computer nerd, Allison Trent who gives
geeks a good name. She is beautiful, painfully shy, models
on the side, and is not a phony; yet, relaxes by writing computer
codes and working out puzzles. Determined to make a name for
herself in a male dominated field she uses her intellectual
ability to see patterns that no one else can decipher. Her
dream is to create a program that could revolutionize the
tech industry.
Garwood’s writing process begins with “the visualization
of a scene and then I am able to write the rest of the story.
In Wired I had a vision of this young girl watching TV and
saw that hackers had stolen the money of nursing home patients.
Allison can relate because she grew up totally powerless and
now wants to become their champion. I want her to be in more
books since I like how her mind works. What I enjoy doing
is bringing back my characters in future books in a reunion
of sort.”
While contemplating her options after she graduates college
Allison is offered a position in the FBI to track down a leaker,
a traitor. Able to focus and believing in her own capability
she accepts the job on one condition, receiving immunity.
Never keeping a penny for herself Allison has hacked into
accounts of bad guys who steal money and she returns it to
the victims anonymously. In a sense she has become a modern
day Robin Hood.
Having been a history major the author sees similarities between
that and computer coding. “I loved the medieval period
because it was so disciplined just like computers where progression
is important. I came to this technology late because I was
not computer savvy. In fact, I still use a typewriter for
my books, but now use a computer for everything else. I think
all young girls should be exposed to computer codes and I
find it fascinating myself.”
A sub-plot will remind readers of the Cinderella story. Allison
seems unable to stand up to her Aunt Jane and Uncle Russell.
If she did not follow their demands they would go into an
angry rage. To avoid confrontation she would agree to do what
was asked of her. A quote from the book hammers this point
home, “It was so much easier to get along and do what
was demanded than to argue.”
The male lead is FBI Agent Liam Scott, first introduced in
Fast Track. Working closely with Allison he becomes attracted
to her, but understands he has the power to crush her. Liam
is sophisticated and worldly, the ultimate alpha-male, while
she is inexperienced and naive.
Wired is an excellent escape novel. This story blends humor,
romance, and likeable characters that are wired in
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