Distant Cousin: Reincarnation

by Al Past

Who is trying to kill an ordinary New Mexican housewife? It's true that Ana Darcy M ndez has secrets even her husband and adorable twins don't know. One is that her countrymen have accidentally given terrorists a deadly new weapon which they are about to use.

As she risks her life to prevent a massacre, the Russian Mafia, the American Mafia, the U.S. Special Forces, the F.B.I., and the C.I.A. learn one more of her secrets: she is no ordinary...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595453112
• ISBN13: 9780595453115
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Distant Cousin #3 - Darcy gets Mad...

This is third in the Al Past series, Distant Cousin. I really enjoyed #1 & #2 but was really surprised with Reincarnation. Reincarnation is filled with adventure, suspense, and action. Character developement continues in this book bringing you closer to the ever growing Darcy. A new character is introduced in this novel, Rob Combs. Rob is an ex-Navy SEAL. Darcy hires Rob to help her with a little problem, the rest is all action. This is an excellent read for you science fiction, action fans.

Simply Outstanding!

Just when you think it can't get any better out comes Reincarnation. I just wish you could give more than 5 stars. As someone else said this deserves 10. The kids are now seven years old and Darcy has discovered that her brother-in-law has made several shady deals in pursuit of riches, one that could have devastating consequences for the entire world. Lots of action, incredible story. I just hope that this is not the end of the saga. Please, Al Past, give us more!!

What happens when Darcy gets mad? You gotta see it to believe it!

Well, we knew it was going to happen. There were hints in the second novel of the Distant Cousin series, and so it is no surprise that in the third novel, Darcy's greatest fears are realized. Her cold and greedy brother-in-law, Herecyn Cymred, has sold the wrong sort of Thoman technology to the wrong sort of person and a weapon of devastating destruction has resulted. Herecyn denies it, of course, but when the Russian mafia tries to eliminate Ana Darcy, the only person who has made the connection, the truth of the matter is obvious. Author Al Past revs up the action in this third installment of the Distant Cousin series. After seven years of quiet family bliss on the secluded Mendez homestead, hidden in the heart of New Mexico, Darcy once again sacrifices her retirement from public life in order to guard against disaster. As the very first representative from another planet on Earth, Darcy takes it personally to think that technology from her homeworld might be used against mankind. While dodging assassination attempts from hired mercenaries, Darcy plies a little detective work to identify the source of the threat: A Russian oligarch has developed the Thoman technology into a weapon which was promptly tested on remote villages in the tiny territory of Sedlakia, with horrifying results. The US government is loath to interfere, but that doesn't stop one little firebrand of a woman from planning a 2-man mission to save Sedlakia--and possibly the world. Reincarnation reprises a multitude of characters from the first two books, including government agents, high-powered lawyers, an investigative reporter, and a certain Sicilian "businessman" who once saved Darcy's life. It also introduces a few new characters, such as the Navy SEAL recruited by Darcy for the Sedlaki mission and her own precocious twins, Clio and Julio. Readers get a glimpse inside the personal relationships of the Thoman delegation, which include Darcy's sister and uncle, as well as a thrilling and dangerous adventure in the frozen wilds of Russia. Interspersed with the fast-paced action, we find Darcy's husband Matt holding down the fort at home, supervising the education of his amazing, half-Thoman children, and working out wily plans to preserve their anonymity in the face of Darcy's increasingly public image. And if this is not enough, readers can ponder the significance of the close connection between the Thoman and Sedlaki languages, as well as a certain Sedlaki legend of an ancient queen named Anina Khralovna, who left her people long ago with the promise to return when she was needed ... Highly recommended, but you need to start with Book One!

Down-to-Earth Science Fiction

In this latest installment of Al Past's Distant Cousin saga, Ana Darcy's greed-driven uncle brings about a deplorable international situation that only she can set aright. To do so, she must make use of all her unique talents and abilities while placing her life in great peril. To aid her on her mission, she enlists the support of individuals from varied backgrounds, and as usual, brings out the best in all concerned. Her character is so dynamic as to cause her to be mistaken for the reincarnation of an ancient queen, sent to save the people of Sedlakia from impending destruction." This isn't just another action novel. By now Ana is married, and the author cleverly juxtapositions her Thoman adventures with the family life she longs to share with her husband, Matt Mendez, and their twins. He and the kids manage to find a little adventure of their own, which regularly serves as a refreshing aside from the main story line. As usual, Past serves up delectable portraits of the cuisine in the various parts of the country where Ana finds herself, and his depiction of the landscape in diverse regions of the world gives the reader a genuine sense of presence. Flashbacks and unnecessary references to the two preceding Distant Cousin novels are kept to a minimum; thus, even readers who are unfamiliar with those works will find Distant Cousin: Reincarnation to be intriguing and captivating. Whether you are new to the universe of Ana Darcy and her friends, or are fortunate enough to have read Distant Cousin and Distant Cousin: Repatriation, this work holds a great deal of enjoyment in store for you.

What'd I Say?

Due to a technical glitch, the posting of this review has been delayed for several weeks, but it's finally here, folks. The short version is that Reincarnation is approximately as good as the first book in the Distant Cousin series. The first book earned ten stars and so does this second sequel. Repatriation, the first sequel, was a tightly edited action-adventure, somewhat lacking the emotional slow-burn of the other two books. Reincarnation brings back the E. T. emotion and lodges it in your throat, right where it belongs. If adults could experience a close encounter with an extraterrestrial, Ana Darcy is exactly the alien they would like to meet. What'd I say about the Distant Cousin books in my other reviews? If you haven't read the first two books, get busy. You need to read them first to receive the full effect of Ana Darcy and Matt Mendez. The wild lynx of Sedlakia is waiting for you to get out your handkerchief. Al Past has accomplished his mission once again. When is a movie production company going to bang down his door in Nowhere, South Texas, to make him an offer for the option on the whole Distant Cousin Series? There is no doubt that the series has a Spielbergian feel to it that cannot be denied. What'd I say? It's the feel good movie of the year and all those other movie trailer clichés. Distant Cousin: Reincarnation is one of those books whose plot and characters are so magically vivid that you cannot help but envision the movie in your head as you read. As a book reviewer, I have read a lot of books. Just put my name in Google and you'll find many other reviews of Al Past's books, as well as those of other deserving authors. You can even read an interview with Mr. Past on one of my sites. When I review a book, I put it through the ringer. I call it strip-searching the book, and there is no contraband on Al Past. The Distant Cousin books, particularly the first and third ones in the series, are the best light entertainment books I have read in a long time! What'd I say? Distant Cousin (Reincarnation) will stamp its wonderful magic on your soul.