Review of Mandi Tucker Slack's "The Alias"

Mandi Tucker Slack was kind enough to do an interview for me a while back. Now that she's on her blog tour promoting her book, The Alias, I decided to re-run her interview along with a review of her highly-recommended book.

"After a long and difficult divorce, Jacey thinks the worst is over. Little does she know she'll soon be forced to go undercover to protect her family, and in the process, she'll risk losing her identity, her future, and her heart. With a lightning pace, a good dose of humor, and a plot that's full of suspense, this thrilling novel is an edge-of-your-seat read."

I have to say that I love a book that is clean. Anyone who knows me or who has read my own work knows that. Even more than that, I love a book that is clean and GOOD! And Slack's The Alias fits that bill very well.

Jacey Grayson is forced to go into hiding to protect herself and her son from her violent ex-husband. She's not happy about the deception required, especially when she sees her son becoming sullen and withdrawn. But she finds a sense of safety at the ranch in rural Utah with Grant and Helen, two very lovable characters. Of course, the story doesn't end there, and her sense of security is shattered when her ex shows up and takes Blaze, her son.

I don't want to give too much of the story away, but I do want to say that this is an edge-of-your-seat story, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I love that I couldn't figure out which way the story was going from the beginning, as happens many times with books. Never fear, there is also plenty of rmance for our sympathetic, very likeable heroine. Slack handles the abuse, romance, sense of family, suspense and action with a masterful hand, never too heavy handed or preachy, and never glossing over the reality of Jacey's situation. I highly recommend this book.

Read Mandi's INTERVIEW

Buy The Alias

Interview with Author Mandi Tucker Slack

Mandi Tucker Slack is the author of The Alias. 

You can meet Mandi in person, and get your own signed copy of her book this weekend, September 3, at Pioneer Book - 858 South State Street, Orem, Utah from 1-3 pm

The Alias: After a long and difficult divorce, Jacey thinks the worst is over. Little does she know she'll soon be forced to go undercover to protect her family, and in the process, she'll risk losing her identity, her future, and her heart. With a lightning pace, a good dose of humor, and a plot that's full of suspense, this thrilling novel is an edge-of-your-seat read.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a mom of three great kids. I have two boys, ages 6 and 5 and a little girl, who is 2. I’ve been married for 11 years and we love living in Utah. I grew up in Emery County and I feel very blessed for the memories I have. I love the desert and mountains, and I’ve been interested in everything from archeology to paleontology…and I could go on and on. Really, I just love the outdoors. One of my favorite hobbies is collecting and searching for fossils in the desert and surrounding areas. I also grew up frequenting museums and accompanying my parents on archeological digs in the San Rafael, and I love to incorporate my hobbies and interests into my writing. I love spending time with my husband and children and we spend most weekends rock hounding or exploring new places as a family.

When did you first start writing?

As a young woman I loved to read. I devoured books and little-by-little my interest in writing developed. I wrote my first full-length novel when I was 12 years-old. It’s terrible, but I’ve held onto it through the years because, really, I am very proud of that tattered manuscript. Writing my very own adventure story was such a thrill, and since that time, I’ve always aspired to become a published author. Unfortunately, as I grew older, time became scarce and my writing fell to the background. Then, about three years ago, my husband returned to school and in the evenings while he attended classes, I wrote. I finished my first novel, The Alias, during his first semester. Not long after, I decided to take a chance and send my manuscript into a publisher. I had to work hard to see my dreams realized, but I don’t regret a minute of my time spent.

Tell us about The Alias:

Jacey Grayson is a recently divorced mother, who learns some frightening news about her ex-husband, John. Frightened, she and her son Blaze flee to Utah to hide among rural Mormons.

Is there a message or theme that you wanted to convey in this novel?

The main theme in The Alias is Jacey’s attempt to overcome years of abuse and develop a sense of who she really is. As the story progresses we see her desire to change and grow. She struggles with feelings of guilt and remorse for staying with her ex-husband so long and exposing her son to abuse, but as the story progresses we also see how she uses the lessons from her past to move forward into a more promising future.

What is your favorite hobby besides writing?

Rock hounding. I love to search for fossils and minerals. I spend most weekends in the desert or mountains looking for new rocks or fossil locales.



Do you see writing as a career?

I would like nothing more than to become a career author. I love to write novels. I have so much fun developing new characters and creating fun, suspenseful stories. Writing is just a part of who I am. I have several manuscripts, all in various stages of editing, and one day, I’d like to see more of my books on the shelves. Writing is a lot of work and very time-consuming, but it’s worth every minute. One of my greatest rewards has been the feedback from my readers. I’m so touched when someone tells me that they could relate to my characters or that my writing has touched them.  

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

I think the hardest part of writing is simply finding time and…commas. I hate commas. I’m not sure why, but correct comma use is beyond my comprehension at times. I feel bad for my editor.

Get your copy of The Alias today 

Learn more about this amazing author at MandiTuckerSlack.com 

or on her blog Mudrock and Pink Nail Polish

Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads