Kiss

After a devastating car accident, Shauna McAllister wakes from a coma with no memory of the crash or the months before it. Her brother lies injured, her relationship with her senator father is strained, and she faces accusations that threaten to destroy her family's reputation as her father campaigns for the presidency. With help from Wayne Spade, a boyfriend she can't remember, Shauna begins searching for the truth behind her missing memories. She discovers she has developed an unexplained ability that complicates her investigation and raises new questions about those closest to her. As Shauna digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding the accident, she uncovers a web of secrets and realizes powerful forces are working to prevent her from recovering her memories. She must determine who to trust while navigating family loyalty, political ambition, and personal relationships. The novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the complex intersection of truth and power through a supernatural lens. It raises questions about whether painful memories shape who we are and if forgetting can sometimes be a blessing rather than a curse.

Readers found this supernatural thriller engaging but uneven. The premise and suspense kept many turning pages, though some felt the plot became convoluted in the final third. Readers appreciated: - Fast pacing and short chapters - The unique memory-transfer concept - Christian themes that weren't heavy-handed - The father-daughter relationship dynamics Common criticisms: - Character development felt rushed - Too many loose plot threads by the ending - The romantic subplot seemed forced - Some found the memory-sharing mechanics confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (240+ ratings) ChristianBook.com: 4/5 (90+ ratings) One reader noted: "The first half had me completely hooked, but the ending left too many questions." Another mentioned: "Strong start that lost focus as it went along." The book appears to resonate more with readers who enjoy supernatural elements in their suspense fiction rather than traditional thriller fans.

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🔍 The novel marks the first collaboration between Ted Dekker and Erin Healy, who would later team up again for "Burn" in 2010. 💊 The pharmaceutical research plot element was inspired by real controversies surrounding memory-altering drug experiments conducted in the early 2000s. 🧠 Shauna's unique ability to steal memories through physical touch explores the emerging scientific field of memory manipulation, which has seen significant breakthroughs in neuroscience. 📚 Ted Dekker drew from his own experiences growing up as a missionary's child in Indonesia to craft complex spiritual themes within the thriller framework. 🏆 The book spent several weeks on the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) bestseller list and helped establish both authors in the Christian thriller genre.