The Election by Jerome Teel

Reviewed by C.J. Darlington

"Teel is a face to watch in Christian fiction."

Vice president Ed Burke’s life goal is to be President of the United States. He’d sell his soul to reach it, and in a way he has. Aligning himself with a trio of businessmen who call themselves The Federalists, he’s been promised the presidency . . . if his policies agree with theirs. This isn’t a pie-in-the sky promise. The three men have sufficient resources to control the world’s financial markets and communications. All that stands between them and their one-world government is the election.

Mac Foster also has dreams of reaching the White House, only he believes God’s called him to the job. But his biggest problem isn’t his stand on issues like abortion (he’s pro-life, Burke isn’t), it’s money. The vice president has it. He doesn’t. Where is Ed Burke getting all his campaign money? It’s a troubling question, one Mac’s chief campaign strategist intends to answer. Even if it means going behind his boss’ back and hiring a private investigator.

Jake Reed is a small-town attorney who only wants to provide a good life for his family . . . and maybe buy a car and take a vacation. But when a local man is accused of murder, Jake takes on the case with no idea he’s about to become a pawn in a game more deadly than even his lawyer’s mind can imagine. The fate of America, and possibly the world, is in Jake’s hands---but he doesn’t know it. Yet. Will the truth be revealed before it’s too late?

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in a political race, this novel will open your eyes in many ways. From dirty campaigning to the pressure of the constant limelight, it’s clear political office is a pill only a few can swallow. The Election reveals the devastating effects of the lust for power and just how far men will go to satisfy it.

Teel ambitiously covers many theaters in The Election. Part political suspense, legal thriller, and global conspiracy novel, this first-time fiction offering introduces us to a vast array of characters and situations. Yet through all the plot turns and locale switches, Teel skillfully holds together all the intricate threads. I did experience some minor confusion at the similarity of the key character names Jed, Jake, and Jesse, and there were a few times when the ensemble cast felt a little too large. But a high concept story like this needs to be covered from many angles, and Teel explores them all.

A strong debut novel, The Election tackles many complex issues but ties them all up into a satisfying, slam-bang finale. An author with much promise, Teel is a face to watch in Christian fiction.

C.J. Darlington's first novel, Thicker Than Blood, was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest. Her second novel, Bound by Guilt, has recently released from Tyndale, and you can watch that trailer today! When she's not writing, she's reading. Her hobbies include horseback riding, oil painting, and book collecting. She is also a contributing editor at Family Fiction Magazine. Visit her online at her author website and at her blog where she talks about books, writing, and publishing. You can also look her up at Twitter and Facebook.