Untraceable: Nature of Grace, 1 [NOOK Book]

An enjoyable thrill ride. A must read!

I have to admit, it is not very often I read a book that isn't fantasy or paranormal. Most stories than don't have some sort of supernatural entity do not interest me. This book definitely is the exception and I really enjoyed it. Grace is brave in ways I could only dream of being. She's a gutsy person and an extremely likable character. While out in the woods looking for clues she meets super cute Mo. It wasn't long before I was wanting to see a relationship between them unfold. The descriptions given to us makes Grace's world very easy to picture. It made me want to grab a fishing pole (to bad I don't actually fish) and run out into the wilderness and enjoy all it's glory. The story is fast paced and the way it all tied together in the end was a whirl wind ride I never saw coming. Shelli is a terrific writer. What makes me like the story so much is that it made me feel real emotions. I really cared about Grace and those surrounding her. Untraceable is a wilderness thriller in every sense and I recommend you read this book!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

I love

I have only one thing to say.............. MOVIE...movie.......movie ........MOVIE please make a movie

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Unexpected and Awesome!

I was super happy when I had the chance to review an early copy of this book (which releases today, btw).

UNTRACEABLE by S. R. Johannes (Coleman and Stott, November 295, 2011)


You guys may know S. R. Johannes as the fabulous Shelli Johannes who runs the marketing blog MARKET MY WORDS. I was psyched when I found out Shelli was publishing her book and was one of the first to sign up to read it.

So what is UNTRACEABLE all about? Let's see. It's a story about family. It's a story about adventure. It's got some definite romantic elements (and a love triangle that has a nice, fresh feel to it). It's got layers of deception I never even kind of saw coming. And it's got adventure.

The main character, Grace, does a pretty good job getting herself in all kinds of trouble, but we're going to cut the girl some slack. Her dad has been missing for three months, and everyone, even her mom, presumes he is dead. But Grace never gives up, and this drives her actions forward for the bulk of the story.

UNTRACEABLE is not a fantasy. It deals with real life issues like troubled families, cruelty to animals, and friendships that may be more. What did I love about it? First, the setting above all else. Shelli does an amazing job painting the picture of the Smokey Mountains. I felt like I was running through the woods with her, climbing the hills she climbed and watching the stars at night. Second, the romance, especially with one of the guys, Mo. He was caring yet carried his own secrets. And finally, I loved that Shelli left us nice hope for the sequel. I, for one, am looking forward to this!

Highly recommended for those who enjoy YA adventure with depth and great character development!

Source of book: From author by request

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Courtesy of Letters Inside Out

I had been eyeing Untraceable for awhile. Look at the cover, it¿s lovely in a subtle sort of way. When the author emailed me about reviewing it, I immediately jumped on the chance and managed to fit it in right away.

Grace¿s father has been missing for other 3 months and she¿s convinced he¿s still alive, despite everyone around her saying he isn¿t. She knows that he knows the mountains so well that something is obviously wrong. To the point of obsession and at the risk of alienating everyone around her, she keeps looking for him.

Grace is such a strong-willed character, I hope to think that in the same situations I would be as determined to believe that my loved one was still alive out there somewhere. And then there is Mo ¿ hot with an English/Australian accent. YUM. There is a bit of mystery surrounding him and that adds to make it even more fun.

The entire premise had me fascinated, but horrified. As more and more is discovered though about just what is happening in the Smokies, I found myself gasping during the intense scenes. And there are some pretty intense scenes. Untraceable covers some issues that I am planning on looking into further as an animal lover and I¿m sure it¿ll stick with me for a long time to come.

I need the second book immediately. The ending has a bit of a cliffhanger that has me really curious to see where Johannes takes the series.

I received my copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Action, Suspense, & a Bit of Romance

I’m not sure of the category of Untraceable by S.R. Johannes. Probably young adult since the protagonist, Grace, is a teenager. But you don’t have to be a teen to enjoy the book. I did and I’m a few years past nineteen.

Grace’s dad has been missing for so long, everyone assumes he’s dead – everyone except Grace. He disappeared into the vast forest filled with cliffs and bears and other dangers. But Grace feels inside that he’s alive. He was a Forest Ranger and he taught her everything she knows. And she knows a lot. She sets out to find him, looking for even the smallest clue, like a tossed Cheetos bag. Her mother hardly notices Grace because she’s so distraught and has to continue to work to provide for them. As the days pass and the authorities dismiss her, she ventures farther into the wilderness and deeper into her obsession.

Untraceable is fast paced with action, suspense, even a bit of romance. Another thing I liked is learning more about survival in the wilderness. Each chapter is headed with a Survival Skill, and as Grace searches for her dad, we go along with her and learn from her actions.

The ending will surprise you. It ties everything together while leaving a few things unanswered. This is the first book in the Grace series, after all.

I give Untraceable a rating of Hel-of-a-Story.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Alright, so to be honest this book does start out slow. I was wo

Alright, so to be honest this book does start out slow. I was worried for a time that due to this being more realistic fiction that I was going to turn out not really liking it. Turns out I actually LOVE IT.


Once the story moves into some of the deeper mystery and betrayal things really pick up, plus add in a fine English boy and I am sold. Like any YA book, for me the characters are what make or break the book so let me give you a run down on a few of them.


Grace- Oh Grace. Unfortunately I found Grace to grates on my nerves. She is not the worse main character I have encountered but many of her choices leave me yelling at her for her stupidity. However I had the lucky chance to talk to Johannes about Grace and her actions and I came away from that discussion with the realization that Grace's panic choices are reflections of Johannes' own experiences. Being trapped in a survival situation is not something most of us encounter and although I believe we all want to say we would be clear headed and logical with our choices most of us would be just like Grace. I believe that because we see in Grace's actions is what we fear our own will be and that is why she rubs some of us in the wrong way. We as people do not want to be reminded about our own faults and short-comings. This has given me more respect for Grace and I do hope as the series progresses Grace will mature into the heroine with less unwise choices and more experience to guide her.


Mo- I abso-bloody-lutely love him. Any boy who says posh, loves rocks, and knows how to shoot a gun is a boy for me! Although Mo makes some choices that upset Grace I believe everything he does is for the love of Justice and his own father, what Grace lacks in intelligent decisions I believe Mo makes up for. Though his plan may have been risky it was more put together and I do believe that it was one of the major factors in victory for the characters. (I also happen to know that there is an e-short from Mo's point of view can be found in the In His Eyes anthology and will soon be released as an e-short of its own, so you know where I'll be ;) )


Tommy- The Grandfather I never had but wish I did, who also kind of reminds me of my Marine friend (who has been like a father to me). So I guess it is not surprising that I loved this character to pieces. A character with a strong heart who is not perfect but is there to save the day just in time. Without Tommy I do not know what Grace would have done or what this book would have been.

Wyn- And I have to give a little shout-out to the poor ex-boyfriend for all he did and was. Although I was rooting for Mo and Grace, Wyn truly had a good heart and was lovable. I hope that in the next book we will be seeing a bit more of Wyn and hearing more about his life and struggles rather than just the happy face he puts on.

This book had me crying, yelling, and wanting more. If a book can cause that much emotion, it deserves five stars in my book.

Last note, this book does contain some violence and animal abuse so it is not for everyone. (Such as my mother) But on that note the violence and abuse of animals IS the point of Johannes' novels. She wants you to get mad and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I was lucky enough to talk with her about this and likely you all will be seeing a blog post by her soon about it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Like No Other Nature/Thriller Book I Have Read

I was really surprised at how good this book was- it exceeded my expectations! S. R. Johannes writes so well, and pulls the reader into the thick plot along with the subplots that surround Grace's life. It is different than anything I have ever read. It is so refreshing to read a book that I can easily relate to the main character Grace, and her love for nature. I would definetly have to say that I feel I have found a hidden gem of a book.
Untracable is clean-cut, with a thrilling plot, complex characters, and is definetly worth your time and money. I can't wait for the next book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Entrancing Thriller

This book was a satisfying read and held so much more than I expected!
While Grace (Main Character) was your average strong female lead, her first-person perspective allowed the reader clear insight into how her mind worked. I could feel her determination to save her father and her pain over her crumbling world. Mo (Romantic Interest) was very ... well, romantic but he seemed to fall for Grace a little fast. And there was one instance at the end, due to a plot twist, that I didn't think was consistent with his character. However, throughout the rest of the book there was very good chemistry between him and Grace.
Characters: 4.3 Stars
The starting premise is simple, Grace wants to find her missing dad or reach closure about the situation. But as she uncovers more and more clues, whole new dimensions of the mystery are unveiled. Dashing from one scene to the next, Grace barely manages to stay ahead. The climax was entrancing and the ending poignant! Untraceable will flow easily into the sequel.
Plot: 5 Stars
S. R. Johannes' touch was subtle but strong. Somehow action-packed moments managed to convey a quiet thoughtfulness as well as painting a vivid picture of Grace's demons. As Grace tried to untangle her confused life, steady themes emerged and suddenly the title, Untraceable, held enormous importance.
Style: 5 Stars

Rating: 4.8

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jump into a world filled with mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance in S.R. Johannes ¿Untraceable¿.

A father¿s love for his children is a strong bond, but what about a daughter¿s love for her father?
Grace is one kick butt heroine and she has learned everything she knows about the forest from her father. Her skills in wilderness survival and tracking will be tested when her father comes up missing. How far will she go in order to save the one she loves?

Grace is one of my favorite heroines she doesn¿t give up easily and I admire that. Her journey to save her father is full of some intense scenes and lots of action and mystery surrounding his disappearance. This story will linger in your mind long after it is over.

Along the way Grace meets a handsome and mysterious boy named Mo deepening the mystery. She increasingly intrigued by him, but as the secrets get more dangerous and she realizes she might be in over her head. It¿s going to take everything she has for Grace to have any hope of saving not only her father, but everything she holds dear.

Jump into a world filled with mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance in S.R. Johannes ¿Untraceable¿.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

You go, girl!

This YA book has it all. Strong, likable female main character? Check. A believable love triangle? Check. Contrasting, but cute love interests? Check. Adventure? Check. Suspense? Check! Check! Check!
Grace is determined to find out what happened to her missing father. Her survival skills are put to use and then some when she searches for him amongst the wilderness and dangerous men. Two boys are vying for her attention. The safe hometown guy and the mysterious guy in the woods-interesting contrast between the two. Grace isn't a femme fatale, she is a kick butt teen who can handle being on her own (with touches of fragility) and be appealing to teen boys. The best part of this book was the suspense. It was a page turner until the final paragraph!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read!

Sixteen year old Grace is the daughter of a local wild life officer who taught her all the survival skills she would ever need, despite her tendency to trip over branches. What her father hadn't bargained for was how badly she would need those skills once he went missing.

Grace isn't the kind of girl to give up easily. Even when he is officially presumed dead, and everyone including the local sheriff, her mother and the town shrink, are telling her to move on with her life, something tells Grace that they're wrong.

The only person who will help her is Wyn, her childhood friend and recent ex-boyfriend. He's not exactly at home in the woods and so his support is of the moral kind.

Then there's Mo, the mysterious boy who rescues Grace from a dangerous encounter in the woods. He likes her and willingly helps her look for her father and track down bear poachers. But who is he, really? Can he be trusted?

Untraceable starts off with a comfortable pace, drawing us into the life of the town and the characters within, building tension with every chapter. And don't think you will be able to stop reading at the end of one. SR is the queen of chapter cliff hangers!

And oh, the ending! You'll have to read it to decide what you think.

I highly recommend Untraceable giving it a strong 4.5 stars out of 5. This is a book that has stayed with me long after I finished reading it, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Action adventure with heart Told in first person, Untraceable b

Action adventure with heart

Told in first person, Untraceable by S. R. Johannes follows a girl with plenty of backcountry knowledge as she tries to find some trace of her missing father. Refusing to accept his death, she’s made herself the bane of school, psychologists, local cops and even her best friend Wyn, but Grace is not one to give up easily. Chapter headings remind her, and the reader, of the skills she’ll need (and sometimes forgets). A fine motorbike called Lucifer carries her deep into hidden terrain. A gentle stranger with an odd cross between English and Australian accents offers help. And a thoroughly convincing Indian friend keeps a wary eye on her.

Small town America is changing and new money’s needed to keep the jobs flowing. But the wilderness and its rules give Grace an anchor, even as her father’s comforting presence is torn from her. Pleasingly independent, entertainingly careless, enjoyable introspective and convincingly determined, Grace winds through action, mystery, fly-fishing lessons and more, learns about guns (I’ll have to take the author’s word on the details), watches her beloved bears, agonizes over conflicting emotions of friendship and romance, and refuses to give up.

There’s plenty of action, lots of surprises, no happy-ever-afters and just the right touch of promise in this book. First in series, with a storyline that ends in the promise of more to come, I enjoyed it as a fine stand-alone, young adult adventure with great heroine and enjoyably different structure and real-world premise.



Disclosure: The author kindly gave me a free ecopy as she celebrated her latest book launch.

Love this book. I was enthralled with this story, the characters

Love this book. I was enthralled with this story, the characters an emotions. Can't wait for #3!

Wow! This book was totally not what I thought it was going to

Wow! This book was totally not what I thought it was going to be. And mean that in the best way possible. If you are looking for real and maybe something a little gritty this is for you.

Grace was undeniably the best part of the story. I loved that she is so focused on finding her dad. She knows in her heart that he is still alive and will stop at nothing to find out the truth. I was a little disappointed that he mom did not share the same faith that she did. But, there are many emotions that run through this story and that's just a small portion of the story. I was completely in awe of her ability to maneuver throughout the forest the way she does. This is a girl who can survive out in the wilderness. And her abilities don't seem supernatural or exaggerated. I felt it really gave this book an edge.

I also really enjoyed the romance. We may have a slight love triangle between Mo and Wyn, but it doesn't feel forced. Each one represents two different sides for Grace and two very different life paths I would think. I liked them both and each also had things I didn't like. Wyn often seemed like he was forcing Grace to be something she wasn't. And I could tell that there were big secrets that Mo was holding back. I was curious as to what might actually happen.

The conspiracy is way more wide spread that I could every imagine. And it really was a little hard to stomach at first. If you can no in anyway look past any sort of animal cruelty, I would not read this book. I was able to separate it out and read the story for what it was and not focus on the bad.

I'm really looking forward to the next one. The story is very open ended. I have no idea what will happen next.

Reviewed by Molly Burkemper for Readers Favorite "Untracea

Reviewed by Molly Burkemper for Readers Favorite

"Untraceable" is the story of a teenager named Grace whose father disappeared some months ago. He worked in wildlife patrol and rescue, and everyone assumes he is dead. Grace believes otherwise, however, and she takes it upon herself to prove it. Her days are spent in the woods, searching for clues as to her father's whereabouts. With the aid of an ex-boyfriend, Grace gets the information she needs from the unhelpful local police. In her mission, she meets a cute and mysterious boy, and she also discovers a secret that is bigger than her father's disappearance. Grace must work to uncover the evidence and find her father--if he is still alive--before she gets herself into more trouble than she can handle.

This story is action-packed and very funny in some parts. There is even a bit of young romance. It has all the makings of a good book. The story is incredibly easy to read and understand, although that may disappoint someone who is looking for profundity. There are some minor problems in plot and character development--it becomes a little predictable at times--but for younger readers, that is not as much of a problem. The book is very informative about the land and the animals of the mountain region, and readers receive helpful wildlife tips in each chapter. There is a strong message of wildlife conservation, so it is somewhat educational in that aspect. Overall, "Untraceable" is a good read for young people who are simply looking for a bit of action to pass the time.

Great read!

Not quite what I was expecting when I purchased it but what a great read! Kept me interested through the entire story and couldnt put it down!

WOW

This book was an exceptional read. Filled with shocking twists and turns that make me want to scream, it draws emotion from the reader. You laugh, cry, and become just as frustrated with the turn of events just like Grace Wells. I believe my life would be complete if a movie were made......... please?

Good Book

The suspense was good and an easy read. I love a book the moves along and I can't put it down!
The book keeps one guessing what will happen ! A must to buy!

Pretty good

Very interesting book. The plot caught and held my attention. Will look for more books in this series and by this author. Very good read!

A must read!!

A must read!!