The author does an astounding job of plopping readers into a suspenseful and mysterious situation, much like in a video game. I was on high alert as both main characters run for their lives. This was an action paced adventure I could not put down. I was captivated by the situation and the bond Lucy and Olivia had. The innocence of Lucy and by Olivia’s determination to save this young girl’s life. Lucy was told to run, she was scared, “…Her pulse pounded violently inside her head and for a moment blocked out everything but the vibrations of her feet slamming against the forest floor.”

Soon, Lucy finds herself in a dinner. Zoe works there sees the girl and senses there is something about Lucy that reminds her of her younger brother. She wants to help but Zoe has made some rules to live by. Taking in stray children is not on her list of life’s goals.

Things change when Zoe hands the girl a menu and Lucy say, “What’s this? What do I do with it?” Zoe looked at her waiting for the punch line. The girl just starred waiting for Zoe to answer. It’s a menu. You order food from it.” Zoe didn’t know how to act. She asks Lucy,..”Have you never used a menu before?” Zoe still expected the girl to look up, laugh, and say, “Of course I have. Who hasn’t used a menu?” But that reply never came.”

Zoe knew this world would destroy innocent girls like Lucy. She could not leave her alone even though her “spiddy” senses were telling her to run far away from this girl. Then she thought of her younger brother. She ran from him and things did not work out too good for either of them.
This reminded me of the animated movie titled, Iron Giant. A giant meets a young boy named Hogarth Hughes in the woods. They become fast friends. The boy teaches the giant all he knows, and the giant learns about himself along the way. Near the end the giant must make hard choices to be the person he wants to be. Other parts of this remined me of The Matrix, too! With the mind-altering events, places and martial arts fighting and all the bullets.

Lucy remembers what Olivia told her…”The only thing that will ever limit you is the belief that you can be limited. Do you understand?”…”You will, and then you decide if you want to be a Lucy or not.”

If you are looking for a fast-paced, gripping, heart pounding adventure with complex characters and plot you’ve come to the right place. I liked how the author had the characters and you learn about situations and information at the same time. There was violence because of the nature of the story. Bullets fly often and a few times people are tortured which made me uncomfortable – it didn’t last long (so I read on) This is a nail-biting adventure I couldn’t put down. It will make for a good book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

“The only thing that will ever limit you is the belief that you can be limited.”

Nine by Rachelle Dekker drops readers into the middle of the action. A woman and a teenager are being chased through the woods by men with guns. The girl barely escapes but has no memories of who she is and only a vague idea of who she can trust. Zoe Johnson finds the lost girl, Lucy, and takes her in. But Zoe doesn’t realize that Lucy is no ordinary girl and the entire government will stop at nothing to bring Lucy back into their custody.

I’d classify this story as sci-fi/dystopian. The suspense is intense from start to finish as readers try to put the pieces together. Who is Lucy? What happened in Zoe’s complicated pass? Tom Seeley heads up the hunt for Lucy, and he’s an interesting character. I loved trying to figure out if he was a good guy, a bad guy, or both. The action is pretty intense and a few torture scenes might be over the top for some readers.

I found the overarching theme of the book surprising and engaging. Several characters had allowed past circumstances to dictate their present selves. They never seemed to escape their past. The story addresses the age old question: can a person really ever change? Can someone overwrite his or her past to become someone new? Several characters transformed throughout the story, dealing with past burdens and a realization that they were made for more. I was surprised that the author could take an action-driven story and bring out such poignant themes of hope and change.

All in all, this is an intriguing read, chock full of suspense. I’d put this on your TBR list if you like futuristic stories with intricate themes that really make you think.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“Nine” is an entertaining book about possibilities. What could happen if we decide to let go of the chains in our past and rewrite our story? What could happen if we take a chance on people and choose to trust them? What happens if we embrace love? Rachelle Dekker introduces these questions and more in “Nine,” a book that entertained me and prompted me to think about my life and my reality.
Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows and trusting no one. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Now, against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up to them.
Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that asks “Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more?”
I appreciated the theme of rewriting our story. At one point, Zoe realizes that she is two people at once - a 24-year-old woman who knew the coldness of the world and a 10-year-old girl who believed the world could be good. She asks herself, “Who says the world gets to claim the right to shape my identity? What if I want a different story? Who says I can’t have that?”
Lucy also realizes that she has a small light of recovery. She must nurture that light and keep her new identity and story in the forefront of her mind as she changes her identity. Our recovery is similar. We may need to take extra time in the beginning - and as memories of our past pop up - to remain committed to change.
And the key to change is love. Together, Zoe and Lucy realize that “it takes love to break chains of past. Our past is like programming that makes us who we are, but we can tell ourselves a new story as we learn and embrace a new normal.”As Lucy realizes, “I was more than a weapon because I had love. Deep love, the kind that was powerful enough to change the world.” This theme resonates with me as I strive to be a more loving person and watch God’s love change me and the people in my circle.
I enjoyed reading this book. It prompted me to think about my own story and the story I am helping my children and friends write.
The book is filled with action but also quite a bit of violence and murder, which I did not like.
Also, the women in this book are thin, trim and fit, and the author describes women three times as having a pretty voice. I wonder if it’s possible to not be thin and still be a heroine.
“Nine” is a sequel of sorts to “The Girl Behind The Red Rope,” but it can be read alone. I didn't make the connection until over halfway through the book when Zoe mentions her childhood in Haven Valley.
Overall, this book is one I would recommend to readers who enjoy action and entertainment. “Nine” is also a beneficial book for readers who want an opportunity to think deeper about how our past affects our present and how we can make meaningful changes that allow us to love ourselves and rewrite our story.

Rachelle Dekker is so talented to write thought provoking novels. Her newest release, Nine, is no different. This one is by far my favorite I have read by her to date. What a fabulous read. I loved every single page. I often left setting on the edge of my seat as I wondered what was going to happen next. Such a great piece of suspense filled mystery. I loved it.
I am giving Nine a very well deserved five plus stars. It should not be one to be missed.
I received Nine from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

In the book Nine, author Rachelle Dekker tells the story of Lucy who does not know who she is. She stumbles into a diner where Zoe is working as a waitress. Because of Zoe’s past she wants to help Lucy and they are on the run! Enter agent Seeley who is chasing Lucy or maybe he is helping Lucy. This is a plot twisting book that I would highly recommend. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the book I have been waiting for Rachelle Dekker to write: her own voice, her own story and one readers will not want to miss!

For the past several years, Zoe Johnson has done her best to stay in the shadows and not draw attention to herself. She has stayed to herself and not let anyone get close to her for fear of what it might mean. While working at a diner to support herself on the edge of a small town, a strange teenager makes her way in and has no memory of her past or anything other than she needs to find a woman in Corpus Christi. From that moment on, Zoe’s world changes and she finds herself on an adventure to steer clear of her past while helping this girl known as Lucy discover what has happened to her and stay one step ahead of those out to find Lucy and keep her secrets from the rest of the world.

Ever since I heard Rachelle Dekker was going to be writing like her father, Ted Dekker, I was super excited to see how her writing would compare to his. With her first few books, I noticed the writing style and voice were very much influenced by Ted, so much so that I thought I was reading one of his books, just not quite as good. I felt the one they wrote together was just a Ted Dekker book, there was no distinction as to who wrote what part. In each of her books I haven’t heard a solid voice from Rachelle Dekker until now. This book is 100% hers! I love the story, the style and everything about it. The one thing I didn’t love was not having enough time to sit and read it all at once.

Each character is perfectly crafted and has a beautiful arc throughout the story. Zoe grows up quickly taking on Lucy and helping her on her mission. At the beginning, readers don’t have a clear idea of how old Zoe is but I would say mid-twenties, not old enough to be the mother of a teenager but she quickly fills that roll and has to come to terms with her own issues as she is trying to help Lucy with hers. Seeley is the character we see change the most. It could be said that his change was too abrupt, but Dekker did a really great job of showing why he changed and giving readers a trail to follow to believe in this character. The way she wrote Lucy and Zoe and their relationship pulled me into the story and kept me glued to my seat wanting to know if they would come out okay and how they would get to that point. I felt such a deep connection to these characters and loved the way I was so absorbed into the story.

Again, this is the book I have been waiting for from Rachelle Dekker! She has finally found her voice and I hope she keeps it and continues to churn out amazing stories. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a great suspense thriller that will keep them guessing and give them a solid connection to the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Rachelle Dekker has done it again, another high intensity, compelling read! If you loved The Girl Behind the Red Rope, you will be wild about Nine. The theme of Rachelle Dekker's latest work revolves around a human's ability to live beyond their past, to decide who they truly want to be, and to make gains in becoming that person. We don't have to be the product of our past, no matter how strong the programming. Dekker's writing is unique and on-point. Nine is a book that will appeal to both genders. I am grateful to have received a copy from Revell via NetGalley with no obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Nine is a difficult book to review. It contains far more graphic violence than I would want in a book I would normally read. In addition, coming from a Christian publisher, it has little direct connection to the Christian faith.

Yet it serves as a good parable of how one can change when they receive undeserved love. Three protagonists, coming from three different places, will need to experience that undeserved love before they can experience the freedom they each desperately need.

It would take all 350+ pages of the book to convince me that this book, this parable, would have something to teach us about that love. In that the book has value.

In some ways the story might fit better into a graphic novel or a Marvel movie spectacular - yet it still remains a valuable parable that can reach deep into the heart. I would give the book 3-½ stars if I could, instead it gets a 4-star review.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The name Dekker makes you expect good Christian suspense literature. Rachelle Dekker provides suspense for sure - from the first pages to the last. The Christian part though is not as clear.

Who are we? Are we defined by our past or can we choose who we want to be?

The answer given here is too easy. It's not true that we can decide on our own to change and that love alone will change the way you are. In order to start anew we need the help of the Holy Spirit.

"Nine" by Rachelle Dekker jumps right into the story and gets more and more intense as it goes! I couldn't put it down.
Thrilling story with characters that are relatable.

Olivia and Lucy were running away from armed mercenaries - Olivia didn't make it but Lucy did, but she lost her memory.
Zoe was a waitress at a tiny diner in Texas who noticed a wet, sad eyed teenager walk in the diner who looked terrified when she came in. Zoe offered her some napkins to dry off with, and offered her a menu, but the girl acted like a menu was foreign to her so Zoe ordered her a strawberry milkshake. Then, a while later, a man tried to pick her up, but Zoe saved her.
After learning she had no home, Zoe invited her home, but her friend Jessie called and said the FBI wanted Lucy, that she was dangerous. Zoe knew about danger, her mother had lied to her and her brother and their lives had been affected severely after escaping their home.
Lucy and Zoe crawled out of the bathroom window after Lucy used her phenomenal strength to open the latch.
Then, Lucy and Zoe had to find a hiding place, Lucy said she could smell a fox digging a hole yards away, and hear frogs croaking, Zoe heard and saw nothing.
Hammond and Seeley needed to find Lucy, she was the secret to changing the world...

Rachelle Dekker is the oldest daughter of best selling author Ted Dekker. I have read several books by her, and have enjoyed the original plots she comes with up.

In this book, she brings together an unlikely trio as the main characters: There is Zoe, who begins the story as a waitress in a diner; Lucy a young teenager running away from we know not what and Seeley, who appears a bit later. Zoe has trust issues which are exacerbated as the story begins to take some very odd turns. Lucy doesn’t have any memory of anything about her life, displays astonishing physical strength and is being chased by men who appear to be very dangerous. Zoe, who felt an instant connection to her is on the run with this odd stranger.

The characters are well thought out down to their mannerisms; Rachelle did an excellent job of bringing them to life. The book brings up the intriguing and thought producing question of how much does our upbringing influence our lives and is it difficult to get away from that early programming.

This is another great book by this author.

Characters were very interesting. I really liked the premise of the book. It was written very well other than a few slow spots. I liked the whole idea of being able to change who we are. We don’t have to be content with or circumstances or situations we are in.

Wow. I have heard of Rachelle and her father Ted Dekker for many years, but this is the first book I have read from either of them. But it will not be the last! This book sucked me in and I didn’t want to stop reading. The premise of this book is Zoe, who has a past she would rather not deal with, is working at a diner when a teenage girl walks in and has no memory. Against Zoe’s better judgement, the girls end up on the run from the government and have to piece together why along the way. I loved how the story unfolded amidst some pretty intense action scenes. Girl power is strong in this one. I also loved the character arcs and the message about choosing whether you want to give into the light or dark parts of yourself.

Note: This book is very violent in many scenes. If you are sensitive to violence, this is not the book for you.

Nine is an action packed book. At first the reader is introduced to Lucy a teenage girl who knows nothing about anything, she is lost and yet looking for someone. She happens to befriend Zoe who has a past that she does remember but is working hard to forget. Along the way these girls befriend unsavory people that lead them one step closer to unlocking Lucy’s memories and who in essence she really is. If you love action and suspense with a bit of redemption this book is for you.

This story was very well done and interesting. You definitely had to pay attention as you read. I would recommend it to others.

This is a good book. It's full of action and hard to put down. Couldn't wait to see what the next page would say and how the ending would be. I recommend this this book to those who love mysteries.

Olivia and Lucy are running for their lives. I like the name Olivia. I liked the action from the beginning. Olivia trys to draw the people after Lucy away so that Lucy can run. The plan is for Lucy to go to Texas.Lucys memories have been erased. Zoe works at a restaurant Lucy comes to. Some of the dialogue at the restaurant was boring. Zoe is meant to help Lucy on her journey.

Nine by Rachelle Dekker is a disturbing thriller. Zoe wants to live a quiet simple life after having been subject to abusive treatment when she was a child. Her life is going along until she tries to help a young girl who comes into the cafe. Zoe feels compassion for the girl who seems to be suffering from memory loss. Zoe takes Lucy to her small apartment and now the trouble begins!
As I read the history of Lucy/Number Nine's life it gave me chills! The mental abuse that was experienced by Number Nine as she was in training as a child was horrible. It was difficult to continue reading, but I did want to know if Seeley would prove to be trust-worthy.
The overall theme of "who we really are and can we change the way our lives have been programmed' was very interesting. As intriguing as the storyline happened to be, the overall mental child abuse was disturbing.
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Rachelle Dekker has crafted a compelling thriller that (thankfully) lacks many of the weird supernatural elements usually associated with the Dekker name/brand. I would say that the more fantastical elements found in Nine are more along the lines of the simulations in Divergent, instead of something from the demonic realm. So I appreciated that.

The character of Seeley was well-done. I can't say a lot more without giving away spoilers, but if you like dark, conflicted, 'yearning for the light, yet entrenched in the darkness' character, you'll probably love Seeley. Lucy was also an interesting character, with the pull between her human side and her 'trained weapon' side. I didn't like Zoe so much, mainly for two reasons. 1) I found her absolute devotion to Lucy a tad unbelievable. 2) She's twenty-four, but seems much older. Couldn't relate. :P

I didn't know that Nine was connected to one of Rachelle Dekker's previous books, The Girl Behind the Red Rope (with Ted Dekker). Again, I won't say much more for the sake of spoilers, but that connection was interesting. However, just so you're aware, I wouldn't say Nine is a straight-up sequel to Girl (so you could probably read the one without reading the other).

The plot itself was tense and twisty. Nine is definitely a win for fans of thrillers!

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Revell, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.