No Greater Sacrifice

5 Stars for No Greater Sacrifice!

I have always been one for great jigsaw puzzles. I started off small when I was young and as I got older, gradually worked my way up to more intricate and difficult creations. I would spend hours in my basement putting them together bit by bit, sitting on top of our pool table because that was the only place they would fit by then.

The lure of the jigsaw puzzle, at least for me, was finding that one piece I was looking for to eventually bring me to the final design. I always knew what the final design was, of course, because it was right on the box that I had bought. But what if I didn't know what the final construction was? Wouldn't they be that much more exciting?

John C. Stipa has provided me with my greatest puzzle adventure to date. No Greater Sacrifice is packed with intricately woven clues that are so fantastically put together, I'm left in awe from how John was able to piece it all together so smoothly.

The use of ancient artifacts, famous heroes and heroines, moving tombstones that uncover secret caverns, and codes used to unlock mysteries, made me feel that I was in an Indiana Jones or National Treasure movie. No Greater Sacrifice was filled with non-stop action as each clue that was uncovered led to another, until reaching the exhilarating climax, finally allowing you to release your pent-up breath.

The characters in the book were absolutely perfect. The main characters, Renee and David, were hilarious with their witty dialogue. The heated attraction for each other was timed and detailed flawlessly throughout the book. Renee was my favorite type of strong-willed female character. Finally, the evil antagonists carried the perfect opposing muscle to make Renee and David's adventures treacherous.

No Greater Sacrifice was by far, one of my favorite reads of 2010. I highly recommend this book to all of you adventure lovers.

LJ or Reader Recommended

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a mystical adventure

When Renee d' Arcadia, archaeologist learns that she is terminally ill, she decides it's time to take any chances she can get. Grasping at straws, she starts a quest to learn the secrets of the legendary Eleusinian Mysteries, a purification rite that might just provide her with the lifeline she needs. Never did she think that a trip to Greece would place her at the center of a dangerous plot, or bring her closer to sexy David Arturo.

Part adventure, part rollicking romance, and part ancient history lesson, Stipa's novel is a sort of Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones with a dash of mysticism.

I don't read much in the adventure/thriller genre, but when I do, I like to be absorbed by the story. This was a quick-paced and engaging read. I especially appreciated that Renee was not the sort of damsel-in-distress female sidekick that is so often introduced in such novels, but a strong, determined woman capable to getting herself in and out of scrapes.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Real Page Turner! You'll be hooked!

No Greater Sacrifice by John C. Stipa is a novel that combines many different genres in one book - history, romance, archeology, mystery, thriller, and religion. It is a rollicking ride from start to finish. With a complicated and densely written plot, the book is quite long -- almost 400 pages, but Stipa maintains interest until the end. This book is not superficial -- the main characters are carefully drawn, and giving real-life quirks and passions all their own, and there is lots of detail. The book begins with the murder of a priest in 1917 in France. The murder has remained an unsolved mystery. Fast forward to the present day. The main protagonist, Renee d'Arcadia, is an archeologist who is running out of time -- she's been diagnosed with a fatal case of leukemia. Renee is already quite fearless, but this diagnosis gives urgency to everything she does. She meets David Arturo, a troubled history professor, and soon they are embarked on a wild adventure involving archeological finds, tombs and literature in various European cities. There is a whole evil network racing to destroy them. David is troubled by his past as a helicopter pilot, and thinks about his own character: Not that most people cared about character. Outward appearance was what society emphasized. It wasn't right. Character should be tantamount -- integrity, bravery, and compassion are the things by which all men should be judged. David is immediately fascinated by Renee. and knows that she is a kindred spirit in addition to acknowledging the strong physical attraction between them. The fact that they don't immediately act on that attraction is also interesting. David and Renee are pursued all over Europe by the "bad guys" who want precious artifacts. This evil network of criminals will do anything to destroy Renee and David. If you enjoy romance, adventure, or mysteries, you will enjoy this book. The book doesn't just entertain, it makes you really think about such diverse topics as archaeology, religion, and literature. You become completely involved in Renee and David's world, and you are rooting for them to triumph over the evil forces against them.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

No Greater Sacrifice was BEYOND amazing!

No Greater Sacrifice is a cross between Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code (two of the more prominent titles that is close to his work/influence). If you're a Dan Brown lover, you'll love this book. But at the same time, it is in no way comparable, because the concept is unique and there was so much more involved than just mystery. I took a long time to read this because I was so absorbed into solving the mystery behind Sauniére's secret myself - I was that intensely involved in the novel!

By default, you'd expect plot twists and jaw-dropping action unfolding, but John did it in a way that caught me so off-guard. Sometimes, he'd even do it relatively bluntly and you'd be left screaming, "What?!" at the page. The pacing of the novel was fast-paced most of the time. There were slow moments where Renée and David would debate back and forth, throwing ideas at each other, but after they'd reach a conclusion, the pace would pick up again in action-packed adventure.

I didn't expect John to be writing about dealing with deeper issues - I really only suspected mystery and adventure. So when other issues came up, like death, betrayal, incest, insecurities, conspiracy, not living up to expectations, and cancer, I was mildly pleased! I loved how these issues were incorporated in the story, yet it never took hold of the story - we could still read about depressing issues without it transforming into a novel about cancer.

The characters were extremely realistic and were very easy to connect with. There's Renée, who is an archeologist and was always pushed hard by her father. She's fierce, assertive, stubborn, resilient, and will never say no to an adventure. She's battling with leukemia and her imminent death from it looms over most of the actions she takes, and she's more reckless because of it. Then there is David, an ex-army man turned college professor who has inner demons and insecurities. He's chivalrous, humorous, and so-darn-cute sometimes!

The romance in the novel was outstanding. It was executed in such a way that it didn't take the spotlight away from the original plot. Of course, it was still present and sometimes entire chapters were devoted to the romance, but ultimately, everything would come back to the mission. And wow, John wrote some romance scenes like a woman! That is not an insult - it's a huge compliment. The romantic elements were tender, yet steamy; subtle, yet intense. I suppose I just assumed a man couldn't write passages that radiated with such warmth and love... until I read this book.

The amount of work and research that went into this novel was amazing. There was so much detail of archaeology, mythology, religion, famous landmarks - it was easily overwhelming. I could practically see all the hard work and sweat that went into developing this novel. I have to give John mad props for weaving this tale and connecting all the dots so seamlessly that they made sense (to an otherwise slow person who can't make connections, like myself!). The man is ingenious for all the debates and clue-work he did!

My only complaints are that John doesn't name what foods are in the book - they sounded so delicious! I was ready to go out and order half of the things that were mentioned in the novel! I also didn't like the alternating point of views within the same paragraph, but you get accustomed to it after the first 50 or so pages. Very, very small dislikes compared to an otherwise amazing novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully Crafted Historical Mystery

Article first published as No Greater Sacrifice By John C. Stipa on Blogcritics


An unexpected summoning to France for the reading of a will draws together a strangely damaged group of individuals. Renee d' Arcadia an archaeologist, recently diagnosed with terminal leukemia, David Arturo a war veteran with a troubled past, Paul Meehutch an extremely large, overweight man with a chip on his shoulder, but full of knowledge, and Gerard Tremblay assistant curator of the church where the reading is to take place, elderly and yet strangely spry.

This is just the beginning of a journey that will send them into the past, and involve them in a 100-year-old mystery resulting in the death of Father Berenger Sauniere, the parish priest of the Rennes-le-Chateau.

It will take all their wits and experience as well the hidden clues only hinted at in different works of literature, to find the truth. They must race against the clock to find the answers before a sinister group of individuals bent on evil and the destruction of the church, discover them. Gerard Tremblay has many of the answers and as he begins to fill them in, he too is brutally murdered. With danger and death at every turn will they find the answers in time?

What they find in each other will give them the strength to overcome evil and find the truth of the murder at the Rennes-le-Chateau.

"No Greater Sacrifice" is an intriguing book that is full of depth and extremely captivating. I am generally a quick reader, but because there was such an array of beautiful and interesting places and things, I took my time and savored the story. The characters were flawed and yet dynamic, demanding your pity or anger at times, and yet drawing your admiration in situation after situation. The interaction between them is funny and down to earth, displaying a real and human face that makes you miss them when they are gone.

Even with the immense amount of background surrounding the story, it was easy to follow. The clues were ingenuous and created a kind of "Indiana Jones" feel, with our friends ducking and dodging the dangers as they manifested.

John C. Stipa has created a fiction that makes you laugh and makes you cry; it is full of ugliness and beauty, and at every turn of the page, anticipation builds. There is a ribbon of hope weaved throughout the story, so while it is sometimes a bit dark, the hope ads a lightness that keeps the evil, which also twists its way though the story, at bay.


This is a great story and I would recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries, romance and danger. John C. Stipa has created it all and set a pace that keeps you moving. This is a book quite reminiscent of the Da Vinci Code in the complexity of it's theme.

This would be a great book for a book club or reading group. It is definitely one for your library, to be read and savored periodically when you are looking for a story full of hope.

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Gelati's Scoop

Welcome to inaugural Self Published Sunday. I am really getting a groove on this. Why, you ask, is this so? My reasons are simple as I am not a very complex being. You will notice today that I am doing something each time with these posts that I don't do too often with my other posts that come from a more "traditionally" published author. That aspect is including information that they, the author has placed on different areas of the jacket. My point with that is this: the author placed that info there, not a different person whose sole job it is to make the novel appear as something it may not be. To me this is another window into their mindset, their soul, the way they want us to view the novel through their eyes. It is another piece of the puzzle. I think it helps bring us closer to the author and see the novel for what they intended, as they intended it.
I don't want to get up on a soap box, but my two cents is that once things shake out and even out a bit, the lines that are drawn now between "published" and "self-published" are going to be made gray and moot. Content is King, just as it is in the blogospheres, so it will be with digital shorts, full length novels, and graphic novels. 'Nuff said let's move on to today's kick-$%^ novel, No Greater Sacrifice by John C. Stipa.
Here is the back cover, it is a two parter so hang with me here: "When terminally ill archaeologist Renee d' Arcadia is summoned to France to take part in the reading of a will, she is plunged into a maelstrom of deceit and destruction to solve a 100- year-old mystery originating from a sinister church where nothing is as it seems. Renee joins forces with David Arturo, an ex-helicopter pilot with a troubled past, to interpret clues cleverly hidden in tombstones and classic works of literature to find artifacts scattered across Europe. Racing against time, Renee and David must overcome their inner demons to outmaneuver a network of evil bent on destroying them. What they find in each other just might provide answers to some of mankind's oldest myths.
John Stipa first began telling stories to his daughters at bedtime. In the beginning, they were comical romps and reprises of tales told by his father. It wasn't long before he realized the keyboard was his portal to worlds not yet created, characters not yet brought to life, emotions not yet known to exist. If you turn back the cover and relax your mind, maybe he'll take you to a place you've always wanted to go, protected by the veil of your imagination"
I have to say that the second part you don't find the author writing that too much and I enjoyed every word of it, and found it very refreshing. The novel was a fun, quick paced read and I for one feel fortunate to have had a chance to read it. John Stipa delivered on all that was on the back cover plus. His narrative and plotline were well conceived and executed, the characters seemed genuine and meshed well, the entire novel. The attention to detail really won me over as his descriptive ability is first rate. No Greater Sacrifice was no sacrifice to read at all, it was a fun, enjoyable romp through history and a lot of other places.
Dare to be different and start to embrace the "Self" in publishing. It isn't going anywhere and it is just getting some momentum. I have presented to you a great example of the beaten path and the road less traveled. I have a feeling the traffic is going to pick up on that side of the road though. Do yourself a favor next tim

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Don't miss this thrill-a-minute adventure!

Looking for adventure, mystery, romance and loads of fun in your next summer read? Trek across Europe, search for lost treasure, defeat the bad guys, and much more as you enjoy author John C. Stipa's entertaining debut novel, No Greater Sacrifice.

The author captured my interest from the prologue. A parish priest is murdered in a church at Rennes-le-Château in the South of France in 1917. Three men are framed for the murder and the seeds of a 100-year-old mystery are planted.

We meet our heroine, archaeologist Renée d'Arcadia, in present day Greece. It is a short time after she has learned she is terminally ill with leukemia. Her plan is to look around the well known sites in Greece such as the Acropolis. Instead, she explores the Temple of Eleusis. There she finds a small bronze piece with strange symbols and markings.

Renée is summoned to a church in France for the reading of a will. While en route, she meets David Arturo, who has been named in the will as well and the pair travel to Rennes-le-Château for the reading. Instead of wealth or property, the two are left more puzzle pieces like the one Renée found in Greece.

This touches off a whirlwind journey across Europe from Stonehenge to Frombork Poland to find the remaining puzzle pieces. At the end, unknown riches await that could be the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail or even King Solomon's gold. However, sinister forces are never far away. A murderous group of criminals are willing do whatever it takes to attain the bronze pieces and the treasure.

John C. Stipa has included all the aspects of great contemporary fiction: a captivating opening, wonderful characters, and a tight plot with plenty of twists and turns. He builds the tension, increasing the pace, keeping the reader glued until the climactic ending. Renée and David begin a classic, budding romance charged with sexual tension. David, the college professor, former military, calm and organized, is the perfect companion to the wild, spontaneous, act-first-deal-with-consequences-later Renée. The secondary cast is first rate with Renée's best friend, the eccentric "Trout," and the pompous Paul Meehutch adding enough contrast and support without overshadowing the heroes.

Any author writing in this genre risks comparison to the literary work of Dan Brown. I believe Stipa has done enough to distance himself from Brown's well known books and movies. The dialogue is realistic and the narrative so descriptive that you begin to fear you and your couch will collapse into the next secret chamber along with the characters. The beautiful but tough, crossbow toting, take no bull, Renée d'Arcadia is the new Indiana Jones. Don't miss this thrill-a-minute adventure! Highly Recommended.

Reviewed by William R. Potter for Reader's Choice.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Romping for Relics in Europe

There's good confused, and there's bad confused. As I read John C. Stipa's No Greater Sacrifice, I was good confused. If you've read any of the Dan Brown novels you know the confused I'm talked about, where the characters leap to the right conclusion time and again when presented with sketchy puzzles while you're left in the dust.

It helps that our heroes are super-hot Renee D'Arcadia, an archeologist running from her leukemia diagnosis and David Arturo, ex-special forces history professor running from his past. They're good at these puzzles where I would still be trying to figure out the first one. When they are summoned to France for the reading of a will, they are given the first few pieces and thrust into a circle of ne'er-do-wells who, as fate and plot development would have it, are trying to give them just enough rope to hang themselves.

As we learn more about our protagonists, we discover that they have met before and the meetings were not necessarily good ones. This time, however, romance blossoms as they must lean on each other to solve the puzzles and find the next clue. A small but strong supporting cast gives them assistance in sorting through the centuries-old mystery. We are dragged along into under-ground caverns, crypts, and cathedrals as the pieces slowly start to fall in place.

Stipa's dialogue is crisp and the pacing of the novel is unrelenting. It bogs slightly as the heroes gather to work through most of the 'thinky' parts of the puzzle, then speeds off again once we're given enough pseudo-history to explain why they're getting shot at, stabbed, and chased. While the action parts are fast paced and well described.

This slow building of sexual tension between Renee and David doesn't detract from the story. When a misunderstanding temporarily divides them, they (and we) quickly realize that they are much better together as a team. Still, the hook of this book is the action and that is where Stipa's writing shines. As the heroes close in on their final objective they are being pursued by a killer and we get this description as he climbs across a rope with bleeding hands in chase:

'Dropping to the ground, he braved a glimpse at the ragged peels of skin and shredded rope mixed with dirt and blood. He dabbed the seeping mess against his trousers. Pulling out his pistol, he stole into the chamber and hid below one of the outer stones. The man and woman were talking, something about a Telesterion. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. 'For the Lord has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.' Like fog creeping in a cemetery, he moved to the inner circle.'

Technically, the book was a treat. Well edited with great cover art and some helpful illustrations inside (I would have loved to have even more), it feels like a polished and finished piece. More importantly, I enjoyed the writing and the story of No Greater Sacrifice. Even if most of the history and puzzles left me

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A fun adventure

Independently wealthy archaeologist Renee and troubled history professor David are summoned to a small village in France to hear the reading of a will. Though ostensibly strangers, it turns out the pair met a couple years before while vacationing (separately) in Rome, and their pasts intertwine even more. Their romance blooms in fits and starts, which didn't really interest me all that much but luckily was not a huge chunk of the story. Rather, the plot focuses on a strange artifact, broken into pieces and scattered throughout Europe. Finding and reassembling them becomes an obsession for Renee and David. The flavor is distinctly reminiscent of Dan Brown, except with far superior writing and less exasperating characters.

I think my favorite part was how our heroes pursue the secret of their inheritance purely out of personal interest and thirst for adventure. Yes, they're being chased by bad guys, but that's external drama and does not drive their quest. They could have simply forgotten about it and gone home, but of course then we wouldn't have had a story. Luckily, Renee and David let their curiosity get the better of them, and have some grand adventures in the process. Parts were clearly written with a camera lens in mind, but that actually made the action easier to visualize. Though I was still slightly confused as to what the Big Secret ended up being in the end, I had no problem keeping track of the myriad of players. All in all, a good first novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

No Greater Sacrifice

Lost artifacts, a tomb raiding heroinne, suspense and humor. This tale is the very definition of a thriller/mystery. The author's daughter provided the illustrations in the book so the reader can get right in there and figure the clues out along with the characters. If you like adventure tales that really make you think, No Greater Sacrifice is the book for you. A wonderful first novel from a promising author.

Action, mystery, romance.

A mix of archeology, adventure and mystery that reminded me of Dan Brown's books. But author John Stipa took the story in his own direction. Renee d'Arcadia is the daring heroine at the center of the story. She's summoned to her home town in France for the reading of a will and dark connections to her past emerge. While she dodges danger and follows the mystery through twists and turns, a surprisingly sexy romance builds with David Arturo. David is ex-military, and a great guy to have along in a pinch. The twists, action and characters come together for a great read.

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