“Strike Price takes the reader from Oklahoma Indian reservations to the streets of Florence, in an imaginative and well informed fusion of oil refining economics, Native American politics, and the potential for lethal mayhem in the global energy market.”

“5 Stars High-Velocity Thriller L. A. Starks knows how to keep readers turning the pages. In STRIKE PRICE, she moves deftly in place from Dallas, London, and Paris to rural Oklahoma and back again, with well-researched forays into Cherokee history and culture, Tulsa’s notorious 1921 race massacre, and the high-stakes world of petroleum finance. As determined as the book’s no-nonsense heroine, Starks is one Texas writer that even an Okie can love.”

“5 Stars Strike ‘em Hard L.A. Starks, her book Strike Price, and her strong female protagonist, Lynn Dayton are all world class. Reminiscent of Dagny Taggert in Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged. A super-capable petroleum industry executive, Dayton, is working to add to a petroleum company’s assets against corporate greed, corporate sabotage and, if that wasn’t enough, a complex murder conspiracy. While Strike Price is part of a series and does refer to other books in the series, the references are minor and add to the story line. The ending action is what I liked most. Strike Price is a stand-alone read, excellent. Like I said, world-class and worth the five stars. Jeff Bailey, author of the conspiracy thriller Not On My Watch.”

“4 Stars A Good International Conspiracy with a Psychotic Kick Jumped right in without reading the first book (because I was too muddleheaded to realize it was a sequel) but I must say, it stood pretty well on its own and it didn’t feel like I lost out on the backstory at all. For the most part, it was the brewing conspiracy that kept me glued in. The first half felt rather slow as there wasn’t much action; it mostly laid down the framework for the oil and gas industry of which I wasn’t very keen on. But as the pieces started coming together, the thrill gradually accelerated along with the plot twists towards the end.

The integration of Cherokee culture and history was I think one of the highlights of this book. It served as both an eye-opener for those not too familiar with Native American tribes and a tribute to honor their historical significance. Often, the sins of the past end up buried deep within the pages of history that most people fail to realize the irreparable effects on those directly affected. This novel not only explored that but also provided a great insight into the minds of the Cherokee diaspora, in a setting that’s laden with as much controversial power play as the oil sector. It was evident that the author had academic and experiential background on both science and business as reflected by the technicalities in the methodologies, giving the story a more realistic dimension compared to others within the same genre. Recommended for those into mystery/thriller who love a good international conspiracy with a psychotic kick.”

“4 Stars A Take No Prisoners Business-Literally L.A. Starks is a super achiever and a runner – so is her character Lynn Dayton. Lynn is going through a stressful period in her life as she struggles to let go of her dying father while planning a new life, complete with young children. Then, there is the job. Lynn is a senior executive in an energy company battling sexism, the constant need to be on point, plus a crazy travel agenda. It’s a tough business that takes no prisoners. Add in murder, mayhem, and a cross border conspiracy and that’s enough to flatten the average human. So I admire her determination as much as her eventual recognition that the one area in her life she could control – the personal – needed to pare down for her own sanity.

Starks draws characters who pull us in, even the minor ones, and who we are sad to let go (people get knocked off pretty frequently). I particularly enjoyed how she interwove the Cherokee Nation’s history and culture. However the very intricate detailing of energy operations got a bit too much midway and I began skating past these to follow the real storyline.”

“5 Stars Outstanding This is an impressive well researched mystery centered around the international oil industry. Add Oklahoma’s Indian history and this could be considered a text book. I learned an enormous amount of information while being entertained by an excellent thriller. This is a must read.”

“4 Stars Awesome look at the oil business It was a mile a minute ride about an oil deal going wrong. You are kept guessing til almost the last chapter who the other person killing and injuring those involved in the sale of a large refinery.
I loved all the technical data that Laura presents about the oil industry. It shows that there is more to it than pump it and ship it.
I recommend it to lovers of suspenseful mysteries.”

“4 Stars A Solid and Enjoyable Read This is the type of thriller that I enjoy – enough technical details to be real, and enough action to keep me going to the end, and then leaves me wanting MORE!
No spoilers but it is well written and I am looking forward to the reading more!”

“4 Stars A great thriller with non-stop action. Don’t get too attached to any particular character because there are deaths right, left, and center. There is quite a bit of technical jargon thrown about, but I found it to be pretty interesting.”

5 Stars. “Strike Price is set in places that I know well! The non-stop connections of people, places and themes to each other kept me reading, as I was curious to see what secrets the author has to tell that I should know! Of course living in many of the same US oil company towns where so much of this novel is set has given me an acquaintance with the lifestyles portrayed here… It is quite interesting to see such familiar locales turned into a setting for drama, adventure, and all sorts of difficulties for various characters in the book. The author’s descriptions of the Osage countryside, the Tulsa bungalows, the casinos, the oil company employees and their travels all over the world are quite apt and I can picture the people easily! The author has knit together the early twentieth century history of oil-rich Oklahoma with the more recent history of the world oil industry into a very interesting puzzle that is very satisfying!”

5 Stars. “L.A. Starks gets the smell and noise of the petroleum industry just right as oil company executive Lynn Dayton faces off with the seven deadly sins: pride, lying tongues, hands that shed innocent blood, hearts that devise wicked plots, feet that run to ruin, deceitful witnesses, and those who sow discord. You’ll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster as Lynn’s hell-on-wheels race to end a chain of murders takes her to the brink of her own death and a national catastrophe. Plan on not sleeping tonight.”

5 Stars Whew! What a ride. First time I’ve read a book by this author, and won’t be the last. I’m still reeling, and trying to figure out how the author could create such an incredible sense of place and people and educate me about everything from oil wells to the Tulsa Race Riots to food in Florence. It feels like you’re right there with them on a roller coaster.
Personally, I appreciate the note the author chose to wrote at the front of this book I wrote. Thank you for the suggestions of other stories to read. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work!

5 Stars I have read many thriller books but this has to be one on the best. I really like the pace of the book and the suspenseful tone near the ending as everything is on the line. I also like how it blended Cherokee syllabary and history as I like languages and history with references at the end. It is really worth reading.

4 Stars An exceptional global energy thriller.
It’s thoroughly engrossing and the pace never lets up.
Lynn Dayton is an executive vice president at TriCoast oil out Dallas, Texas. She’s in the middle of lining up a sale of their refinery in Tulsa.
When people around her begin meeting suspicious, untimely ends, it becomes clear that somebody wants the sale to be steered towards a certain bidder.
But who and why?
That’s what we have the fun of discovering.
All the characters are finely-drawn and placed in a suspenseful plot.
It really kept me guessing.
I will read the others in the series.

4 Stars Strike Price is a suspense thriller that takes place in the oil industry. I admit, I’m not familiar with this industry although I’m more familiar now thanks to this book. When executives start looking to sell one of their refineries murders start happening. The executives travel to various locations by private jet which makes for a fun read. There is an interesting variety of characters including a Saudi prince. The reader learns a lot about the state of Oklahoma and the Native Americans who live there. I’ve never traveled to Oklahoma but I will go there sometime as this book made the history of this state really interesting. At first I didn’t think much of the murder mystery but it turned out to be very good. In other words, I couldn’t guess who the murderer was until the reveal.

 5 Stars Gripping action and tension are laced with momentous personal life changes for a complex heroine. It kept me guessing to the end and had a satisfying conclusion, not just an ending. So many books just end!
I am eager to read the other 2 Lynn Dayton books. I live in southeast New Mexico so oilfield culture and economy are everyday life.
Kudos for all the research, background and realism by L A Starks. I enjoyed the historical notes as my mother’s family lived in Oklahoma during the early 1900s. Books that entertain as well as educate are fully engrossing and provide enrichment on a higher level.

4 Stars This is a very good thriller. It has realistic characters, several twists, and a lot of interesting information about how the oil industry functions. The settings were partly in America and also international due to the way of oil industry negotiations. I also enjoyed the inclusion of Native American cultural references and characters. Lynn Dayton is a powerful female character who I hope to see in more books by the author.
As an added bonus the Historical Notes and References included my copy of the book were very interesting and informative. I highly recommend this book.

5 Stars I had been in a sort of reading slump until one day I went to a book signing at Full Circle and I heard Laura talk about her book. I took it home and I started reading it and I was hooked. This book reads from the stance of an author who knows her stuff. It is fast paced, keeps you guessing, and is chalk full of Native American & Oklahoma history. If you read it too fast you will miss the small details of the book that make the story line so unique. It is also what separates her from the mainstream writers. I really recommend that everyone reads this book. You will like it. Thats a promise.

4 Stars Thought it was very well written and the storyline flowed smoothly.

4 Stars As with the first book in this series, this was a great read. Like the first book, Strike Price definitely hits it stride about 40% of the way through, where the reader starts to put all the mysterious pieces together. You will learn a TON about the oil industry, which I love, since I love learning new things. The setting of the novel definitely makes it an original mystery.

5 Stars I couldn’t put Strike Price down. I was captured from the beginning….big business….its life and games. The pace of the story is quick and the characters will make you feel as though you know them. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to more from L. A. Starks.

4 Stars strike price by l.a Starks is a stunning mix of culture and mystery! It had me enraptured from start to end, with it’s compelling story and amazing writing. The book is very well written, but as a non native english speaker I did have some struggles understanding everything. I believe the higher difficulty of understanding it helped me learn more!! While reading i obviously spent more time trying to grasp everything and therefore recalled everything much better than i usually would. The story is gripping, and never gets boring. While it is thrilling, it is also very informative! Learning about the oil and gas industry, the cherokee and many other cultural groups was extremely interesting.

I give it a 4/5! It is well worth reading and absolutely worth your time.

4 Stars A well researched mystery centered around the oil industry. A good thriller with non-stop action.

5 Stars I was not sure I would get into this book , I thought it would be more action/ political than mystery, but I was wrong a lot of new murders new target , it will keep you guessing too many competitors and too many motivations , but most suspects seem nice and you just can’t see them doing it … it will keep you on your toes , want to know who is behind all of this murderers .. also the writer’s style and choice of words is elegant and eloquent , rich vocabulary , to the point , good conversation and humor between the characters .. you will enjoy this book even if you are not into oil international wars.

5 Stars A great murder mystery, well researched, and keeps you wondering until the end . . . It was very enjoyable to read and I will be looking for the previous book in the series, and hopefully, the next in the series too!

5 Stars Very good read. Lots of twists with a shocking ending.

5 Stars Who knew that the world of crude oil and refineries was so dangerous and cutthroat. L.A. gives a glimpse into that world with Lynn. Poison and car accidents seem to be the hallmark of ruthless assassins. Come along for the ride of high-stakes bidding in the world of Crude oil. Lynn does it with ease and intelligence. You will not be disappointed.

5 Stars THIS IS A VERY WELL WRITTEN STORY THAT HAS PLENTY OF TWISTS AND TURNS. IT WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING TO THE VERY END WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON

5 Stars. “As a veteran of a long career in the international oil and gas sector, it was clear to me within the first couple of chapters of L.A. Starks’s masterful “Strike Price” that the author has deep and personal familiarity with the industry herself, both domestic and foreign. Too often, writers of fiction stoop to unconvincing caricature and cardboard insights when it comes to petroleum and the people who find it and it produce it.

In a marvelous series of scenes set in Paris with a high-ranking Saudi ARAMCO negotiator, she gets the nuances of such confabs down tone-perfect. Few writers can do that because they have to try to imagine life inside a big oil and gas company, whereas Starks has obviously been there and done that in the real world. That background helps her.

You will find no overly-simple stereotypes in Starks’s writing about oil companies being nefarious. In my own experience, oil and gas executives are at least as honest and financially scrupulous as other business executives in America, and it gets tiresome to see them all depicted as cheap flim-flam con men like J. R. Ewing. And let’s not forget that without Exxon and Chevron we would all be riding bicycles to work!

“Strike Price” is a gripping story of international business intrigue that combines real insights into the energy industry with a rip-roaring plot that I found quite imaginative and plausible. I started this book thinking I would read a few chapters a day, but by the third evening, I was burning the midnight oil and didn’t turn off the light until much later than I had expected to. But that’s ok!

L. A. Starks has found a niche that is worthy of further fictional exploration. I was pleased, too, to see such a strong female protagonist who seemed very much in character with the sort of young women who are attracted to the industry in real life. I think there are few businesses where talented women have made more inroads since the 1970s than energy. It was delightful for me personally to meet Lynn Dayton. She rang true. There are quite a few women who are actually that smart and that talented in real world oil and gas companies.

I heartily recommend this book! And waiting for the next one!”