Distress Fracture is the next work by Titus Oakes, the pen name of a West Point alumnus, Airborne Infantry officer, and law school graduate. The education and life experiences of this author have given this novel a uniquely personal sense of direction as well as a distinct, creative voice. This 454-page book is broken into sections by month, each month divided into smaller chapters. This well-written text brings together an exciting story with an underlying theme that God is firmly in control, even when the characters are uncertain or unable to move forward. As the narrator tells us about Patton later in the story, “Patton...had learned God was firmly in control. He had decided to wait for Him to open the right door.”

This was an enjoyable read. Set in the Black River Valley of Montana, this story follows a number of characters: Dr. Margret McFarlin, a woman haunted by prophetic dreams and visions that allow her opportunities to help others while exacting an emotional toll on her; John Stinson, the local sheriff who is regarded as little more than a lackey despite his controversial relationship to “old man” McFarlin; and the widow Leslie Breen with a workaholic lifestyle and an overbearing mother who spends every waking moment trying to get her married and pregnant.

The familiarity of the characters, the creative plot, and the authentic detailed setting is not just engaging, it makes you forget the story is fictional. While I thought the religious elements intrude on the story in a number of places, I think the story succeeds despite the intrusion. Oakes includes a sense of authenticity and creative imagery that draws readers in and doesn’t let them go.

Most of the McFarlin family of Montana's Black River Valley are the surliest villains you would ever meet. Sadistic rapists, incestual seductresses, greedy misers, and corrupt judges all populate this terrifying gene pool and it's all you can do to beg that someone comes to clean them up. Their current project is attempting to wrestle the lands away from the local Indian tribe...secretly, of course, so that they can get the best deal possible and rip off the natives. The one redeemable McFarlin is a victim of the family herself, and now her dreams and visions seem to be helping her along the way to helping others who are being so wronged by her twisted relatives.

This fascinating, and definitely tension-filled story weaves a twisted tale of family secrets, struggles to maintain power in a small town, and the goodness(or lack thereof) from one person that can set things right. Titus Oakes takes us on a true journey in Distress Fracture, jumping from character to character's perspective, one minute in the eyes of a manipulative and cold-hearted cop, then next within the mind of strong but loving Leslie Breen. What I loved about this piece was that the villains were truly evil. You were just waiting for Karma to swing back around and for all of the McFarlin family to get what they deserve, save for Margaret of course. I loved that you got to pity characters, see where others went wrong, and truly hate the dastardly villains. It was a great read suitable for any suspense fan.

Distress Fracture by Titus Oakes is a book about Dr. Margret McFarlin, a woman haunted by nightmares. The dreams she has terrify her; however, they do make it possible for her to help others in need. That up side, being able to help and protect those who need it, has come with a price. However, those who are closest to her have become those that she declares war on. The Black River valley is also home to the Sanglante family, who are essentially the enemies of the McFarlins because they have been fighting over the same tracts of land for 150 years. With oil being found, things have gotten even hotter then usual.

Distress Fracture holds a little bit of everything in it, from a good old Hatfield and McCoy style feud, to the bastard son who is trying to do right. Titus Oakes has done a fantastic job in creating and spinning this story. The idea of a feuding family and all the different players that come along with it works well. The characters of Distressed Fracture are rich and alive, and seem to leap off the page so that you could see them having the interactions that they do right in your home. A book that does this is a book that I am willing to tell anyone to read. This is the perfect read for a summer day or night, just take it with you and try not to be startled by some of the nightmares Dr. Margaret has, while enjoying everything else that goes on.

Titus Oakes' novel, Distress Fracture, is a riveting story from start to finish. Haunted by nightmares, Dr. Margret McFarlin realizes that she cannot run away from her past. Her dreams and visions become more vivid as she starts to look at them – face to face. Deciding to help others in need, she has to declare war against her family. The McFarlin family has been trying to win the Sanglante Crete Indian over the Old McFarlin’s ambitious but illegal oil and gas exploration in Montana’s Black River Valley. A bastard son of the Old McFarlin, Sheriff John Stinson accomplishes the family’s evil works. Meanwhile, Leslie Breen, a widow, operates a Cattle and Guest Ranch in the valley. Her mother wants her to re-marry as soon as possible; while attorney Patton Shaw has everything he needs in life until that fateful day comes.

Distress Fracture certainly has an outstanding plot. In this novel, Titus Oakes interweaves the story of each of the characters effortlessly. He also shows us how the characters’ lives are connected to one another without forcing it to happen. The transition is smooth and the story was able to hold my interest. In fact, when I started reading the first few pages of the book, I was immediately hooked. I could not put it down, even for a few minutes, because every page is a revelation. The author is one of the writers to watch out for now and in the future. Filled with adrenaline rush throughout, this book is undeniably a must-read. Just when you think you know where and how the story ends, the unexpected twists and turns will definitely surprise you.