Outback Reckoning
by
R. P. Bonasso
R.P. Bonasso
Synopsis & Reviews
ISBN: 1-932695-10-9
Rated [M]  Mature
$14.99
Tradesize
Paperback
Rachel Gaen is fed up, fed up with wise guys who have no respect for Aboriginal heritage, culture or life itself.  Skilled in Martial and Aboriginal Arts, Rachel can cold-cock an escaping thief at fifty meters with a hunting boomerang in a rainstorm.  Her knowledge of the barren stretches of the outback beyond Australia's cities and suburbs make her more skilled than the local police at sniffing out criminals and tracking them down.  And she is more than a match for them, be they lone psychos or the local mafia.
    Driven by a painful past, Rachel is compelled to rectify wrongs to preserve the legacy of the land and its people.  Or is it something more?  Does she thrill to the chase, at her mastery over incompetent low-lifes?  Is that what gets her in over her head?  Her home is invaded, loved ones are threatened and suddenly she finds herself fighting for her life.
WhoooDoo Mysteries
Action/Adventure
REVIEWS
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A couragous woman on a roller coaster action adventure that will keep you turning the pages until its heartstopping conclusion
She had followed the kidnapper to his hideout, and been shot in the
process, but she had not run out of strength or determination. Face to
face with her target, she did not back down.

Rachel Gaen is a beautiful and powerful woman with a deep spiritual
connection with the Aboriginal culture and the land. Her life has
already been full of losses and struggles, but has given her a valuable
obsession with justice, and the perseverance to obtain the skills to
make her a formidable enemy. One night, while helping her very-indebted
brother make the money to pay off his debtors, Rachel meets Rodney, a
talented artist. From the first moment, there is a strong and powerful
connection and both want and need a relationship with each other.
Unfortunately, Rachel’s vigilante lifestyle and independent nature clash
with Rodney’s deep devotion and desire to marry. When Rachel kills the
thieving and murderous brother of an even more dangerous criminal,
revenge is sought, and soon the lovers find themselves in extreme danger.

A wonderful writer in all respects, R. P. Bonasso shines when it comes
to descriptions of non-stop action. From the first paragraph, he
captures the reader, who will immediately be convinced they are in for
an exciting and unpredictable adventure. The love story within is also
beautiful described, without exaggerations or over embellishment. The
characters are realistic and varied and the heroine, Rachel, is a
fantastic example of a strong and intelligent woman: it is refreshing to
see a female character as the dominant force in an adventure novel.
Although at moments graphic, the story rivals any motion picture for its
exhilarating action and its visual appeal.

Pete Bonasso works as a robotics programmer for NASA, and although this
is his first novel, I very much hope it is not his last.

Highly recommended for an exciting and not-easily-forgotten read.
Reviewer: Nancy Morris, Allbooks Reviews.

The Aborigine call her Suralu—defender of the land. Rachel Gaen can single-handedly take down the worst the Australian Outback throws at her. She knows the land well and has the respect of the Aboriginal tribes.

Here in the everyday world, she’s haunted by the deaths of her parents. Her father was killed at sea and her mother in the air. Rachel feels she should have been able to save them somehow—even though both deaths were clear-cut accidents. Unable to find peace with a painful past, she’s driven to save as many innocents as she can by killing lone psychos and society’s other less-than-desirables. But is that the only reason? Or does she love the hunt, the danger, and the thrill of taking down a criminal?

The first time Rod Evans meets Rachel, he can think of nothing else from that point on. But as he gets to know her, he’s not sure he can build a relationship with a woman who kills and doesn’t believe in God. Making his living in the bush demands he believe in a higher power, and he can’t understand how Rachel does what she does without that belief. But Rachel is a pagan who believes that when you die your spirit goes back to the land. She believes her mother and father are watching out for her from the rocks and trees and water. I enjoyed this fast-paced tale set in Australia. Courageous and skilled, Rachel reminded me a little of Lara Croft—except Rachel is more cold-blooded, which can be a bit of a turnoff at times. I loved the unique setting and the local lingo, though I found some of it hard to decipher, leaving the meaning of the moment lost on me. Mr. Bonasso brought out the mystery and intrigue of Australia, a place I would dearly love to visit someday. That alone made the novel worth reading.

Outback Reckoning sets you on the high road of adventure with lots of kick-ass action and a heroine you can’t quite figure out. One minute Rachel is sleeping next to Rod, and the next she’s hunting a criminal in a rainstorm—which makes one heck of a dizzy ride, so hold on to your seats for this one.

---Margaret Marr
Nights&Weekends.com
R.P. Bonasso nailed every essential element in this first novel.  Australian locales
become integral to the story and this writer transports readers to the land down under
with apparent ease.  Australian politics, cultures – outlander and aboriginal – and
the destructive power of human greed are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding subtle
touches that enhance readers' interest.  Bonasso's protagonist is strong, intriguing,
with endearing foibles to round out her character.  Supporting characters are well
developed and believable.  In short, Mr. Bonasso created this story with skill and
maintains the excitement and tension from first page to last.

Outback Reckoning has action adventure movie written all over it.  Bonasso's writing
style is powerful and his characters first rate.  In fact, Rachel Gaen is purely
unforgettable.  He maintains the heart pounding action and excitement throughout.  If
you weren't fascinated with all things Australian before reading this book, you will
be afterwards.  As a novel, it has my highest recommendation.

Laurel Johnson, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review


Outstanding!