Avonna

Feature Post and Book Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Book Description

The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305853-the-women?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=9tY0LQNvgw&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah is an absolute tour de force women’s fiction story that gives the reader an immersive look into the lives of military nurses during the Vietnam War and their various struggles on the front and on their return stateside. While the story features three women, the focus is on the coming-of-age story of one young nurse from Southern California.

Frances “Frankie” McGrath has led an idyllic middle class conservative life growing up and running free with her older brother on Coronado Island. Her brother goes to Vietnam after graduating from the Naval Academy, while Frankie is graduated from nursing school, but she wants more. She enlists in the Army Nurse Corps to be overseas with her brother.

Completely unprepared for the chaos, she is trained and helped by both her roommates. Every day brings new horror and terror, but also moments of hope and friendships that will last well past the war. Frankie soon becomes a vital member of the surgical trauma team.

When she returns home, she finds an America in upheaval and a family unable to help her cope or even understand her trauma. Her friends always come to help when called, but Frankie has psychological wounds that must be faced on her own before she can really find peace.

This story elicits every emotion, and I was immersed in every scene from the horrors of war to emotional breakdowns and PTSD to redemption. The research is evident with the major conflicts of the times being as present in the story as the personal reactions of the main characters. Being from a family with many males who have served in every war, it pained me deeply when Frankie had so much trouble being recognized by the VA and other male combat soldiers, unless they had received care from the nurses overseas. I watched this war every night on the news while in junior high and high school and while my family wanted peace, I never hated the soldiers for serving, but I know now that many did, and it only added to their trauma returning home. Ms. Hannah brought these characters to life on the page as well as every location and time period.

I highly recommend this gripping and memorable women’s fiction!

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About the Author

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels. Her newest novel, The Women, about the nurses who served in the Vietnam war, will be released on February 6, 2024.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore’s bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.

In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

In 2015, The Nightingale became an international blockbuster and was Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.

The Nightingale is currently in pre-production at Tri Star. Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Social Media Links

Website: https://kristinhannah.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristinHannah/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinhannahauthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristin-hannah

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: One Last Shot and One Last Chance by Susan May Warren

A New Series by Susan May Warren

Takes place in Alaska with the characters that are rescue workers and law enforcement.

Book Description

When country music star Oaken Fox joins survivalist Mike Grizz’s new adventure show in the Alaskan wilderness, he just wants to boost his fan base. But when tragedy strikes, and Air One Rescue must save them, Oaken just wants to quit. Too bad his producer has other plans—signing him on with Air One Rescue as a recruit and making a reality show…

EMT Boo Kingston did not join Air One Rescue to train a celebrity. But she’s a rookie to the team, so yes, she’ll train Oaken and keep him alive and not for a minute pay attention to his charm…

And then five women go missing from a resort during a bachelorette weekend gone south. Now, Air One and the rescue team will have to use all their skills–and manpower, including Oaken–to find them before a blizzard settles in. But can they work together before tragedy strikes?

Elise’s Thoughts

One Last Shot has country music star Oaken Fox joining a survivalist new adventure show in the Alaskan wilderness, to boost his fan base. But when tragedy strikes and Air One Rescue must save them, Oaken wants to quit. But his producer decides to change the premise, signing him on with Air One Rescue as a recruit and making a reality show. EMT of Air One Recue Boo Kingston is tasked to train this celebrity. After five women go missing from a resort during a bachelorette weekend gone wrong, the Air One Rescue team will have to use all their skills and manpower–including Oaken–to find them before a blizzard settles in.

###

Book Description

Axel Mulligan was built to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. He could swim faster, endure longer and became a miracle for those in peril in the sea. Until a tragedy destroyed him and sent him home, to Alaska.

Now, three years later, he’s not going to let the past repeat itself, so as an Air One rescue swimmer, he’ll do anything to save lives. Including lose his own—which is what he expects when he goes into the icy waters of the Bering Sea, trying to rescue a cruise group of tourists. But for the voice on the other end of the Ham radio, he might have given up, let hypothermia win.

But it didn’t. Now he’ll do anything to find the voice and thank her.

Except the voice—Flynn Turnquist—is not who he thinks. A national wildlife researcher, she’s deep in the bush, tracking wolf pack patterns. Or is she? In fact, she’s a former cop, tracking down a serial killer. And she’s close enough to see his handiwork in the trail of bodies. She nearly had him—until he escaped into the Bering Sea. But she just knows he’s still alive…and she’s sure she’s on his trail…

When Axel finds Flynn…and what she’s really up to, it stirs up a terrible nightmare he’s been dodging for years—the kidnapping and death of his own cousin. Worse, he’s led the killer right to her doorstep. Now, it’s a race through Alaska to stay alive… and when tragedy strikes again, he must choose between rescue or redemption…

Elise’s Thoughts

In One Last Chance the plot begins with Axel Mulligan going into the icy waters of the Bering Sea, trying to rescue a cruise group of tourists. But for the voice on the other end of the Ham radio, he might have given up, letting hypothermia win. She uses banter, pleading, and encouragement to keep him focused on rescuing himself.

The voice is Flynn Turnquist, a detective who, tracks down serial killer. And she’s close enough to see his handiwork in the trail of bodies. She is afraid one of the killer’s victims is her sister Kennedy who disappeared a few years ago. She and Axel work together to search for Kennedy and to find answers about what really happened.

***

Author Interview

Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the series?

Susan May Warren: I wanted to write about a rescue team in Alaska. I created a team in a previous book, Sky King Rescue, to rescue a character. This is how I came up with this team. One Last Shot, the first book in the series, came about from the reality TV I watch. I wondered what happens to these everyday people who found themselves in the limelight but have left the big screen. I also like how rescue plays into the story, literally and figuratively. The heroine was a rescue worker but both she and the hero had to rescue their reputation, their dreams, and their souls, as well as they did physical rescues.

EC: Do you like reality TV?

SMW: Yes, especially adventure ones. But I am not a massive reality TV person. I am a total rescue TV show junkie. I am currently binge watching the show, “Trapper.” I think I will write an upcoming book with a character who will be a trapper.

EC: What about the setting of Alaska?

SMW: My son Peter was born there, and we lived there for a time. I am enthralled with this setting. I did have some stories set here with my earlier books. It is an extremely wild and remote place. The terrain and the river in this story were like an antagonist. People have moose in their backyards. We have a good friend, Duane King, who is a Bush Pilot there and gives me information for my stories.

EC: How would you describe the hero, Oaken Fox in One Last Shot?

SMW: In another book, Flashpoint, Fox was a country music singer who wrote a soundtrack for a movie. Then I decided to put him in my rescue book. I am a total country music junkie. He is pampered, a want to be survivalist. Imagine the country music singer Brett Young. Oaken’s sister died after having a fight with him. His career came about after replacing his sister who was also a country music star.

EC: How would you describe the heroine, Boo Kingston, of One Last Shot?

SMW: I made her a reality TV star and described why she was called Boo. Her reputation was damaged on social media. She likes to improvise, is adaptable, spider-man type skills, brave, calm, fierce, and fearless. A loner with secrets. She feels betrayed by the reality show stuff. She is no-nonsense. She takes her privacy seriously. Because she is an ex-Marine, she has those skills of let’s get the job done, with a sense of loyalty and teamwork.

EC: What about the relationship?

SMW: She is guarded and cautious about it. They grow into deciding they want to watch each other’s back but do have trust issues. Oaken is sunshine, while Boo is grumpy. I had him learn about her secret early in the story. She is more protective of him. They find themselves working together.

EC: What about the second book in the series, One Last Chance?

SMW: I was watching a You-Tube video about the Coast Guard, and how the people on the ship were trying to survive after it went down. Someone had said ‘had it not been for the voice on the radio, I would have given up.” I wanted to write that scene of how someone encouraging and believing in the person could keep them alive. I wanted to try to figure out how the hero’s boat went underwater but he survived. Plus, I added a serial killer as part of the story.

EC: How would you describe the heroine in the story, Flynn Turnquist?

SMW: She comes to Alaska to find her missing sister, Kennedy. She is a detective who hunts serial killers. She feels trapped and is obsessed in finding out what happened to her sister. She is super driven. She is angry, focused, and meticulous because she is searching for answers. She is much more of a lone wolf.

EC: How would describe the hero, Axel?

SMW: He is happy-go-lucky and easy going. He is a team player. He is also responsible, funny, kind, and charming. He wants closure to find out what happened to his cousin.

EC: What about the relationship and how does the “Titanic” movie come into play?

SMW: She helps keep him focused. She is guarded. Both are driven by justice and redemption. The question in my mind, would Jack and Rose from Titanic really have made it with the obstacles set aside? In Flynn’s mind she is wondering if she, like Rose, is just sucked into a relationship versus a “real” long-lasting one.

EC: Kennedy versus her sister Flynn?

SMW: Kennedy had taken alcohol and drugs. She is a free spirit, selfishly independent. She has been described as the light with Flynn the darkness.

EC: Next books?

SMW: The third book in this series, One Last Promise releases in August of this year featuring Moose and Tillie. The last book in the series, One Last Stand releases in October of this year will feature Shep and London, who has a secret identity.

I will also be writing books that will come out in 2025 about the Minnesota Kingstons, Boo’s family. There will be heists and prison breaks. It will start out with the wedding of Boo and Oaken.

There will also be a three-book series titled, “Call of the Wild,” a K-9 branch out in 2026. This series will be about tracking people. Axel’s brother, Moose, will be featured.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: The Winter Child by Carly Schabowski

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for THE WINTER CHILD by Carly Schabowski on this Bookouture Books-On Tour blog post.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, and the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Poland, 1943: ‘Please don’t do this!’ Her shrill cry pierces the night air, the screams breaking the silence of the falling snow. But the man she calls to does not turn, vanishing into the darkness with a child clasped in his arms…

Present day: Irena has waited a lifetime for this moment. At last, she has the chance to confront the man who has haunted her dreams for the last fifty years.

Despite the warmth of the day, a shiver runs down her spine as she stares at the house. Inside is the person she hasn’t seen since that terrible night in Poland, in the snow, all those years ago. Having spent so much of her life searching, soon she will face the man who broke her heart, leaving her with nothing but shattered pieces.

Moving towards the door, she takes a deep breath. This is her final chance to avenge what the Nazis did to those she loved during the war. But as she reaches a trembling hand towards the handle, her breath coming in shallow gasps, she suddenly stops.

She has imagined this moment for most of her life, but is she prepared for revenge to cost her everything? And even if she is, will she recover from the truth she is about to uncover?

This gripping and emotional wartime novel tells a moving story of courage, hope and the endurance of the human spirit, even in the darkness of the World War 2.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209168737-the-winter-child?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=KilKWKTHpS&rank=5

***

My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE WINTER CHILD by Carly Schabowski is an emotionally intense WWII historical fiction told in dual timelines primarily by the main protagonist who is a young girl in 1940’s occupied Poland and then a grown woman seeking revenge in 1994 Argentina. While this book is difficult to read at times due to the inclusion of scenes of wartime rape and abuse, it is not gratuitous and necessary to the plot.

Poland 1940’s: Irena works in the local hotel in the kitchen to make money to help support her parents, but she is terrified of the Gestapo troops that have taken over the town. When one of the servers drops a plate on the head of the local Gestapo, Irena is forced to replace her. Richter makes her his personal server and more…

Irena has a child, but one winter night her baby is taken, and she vows to stop at nothing to get revenge.

Argentina 1994: Five decades later, after the death of her husband, Irena is searching for the man of her nightmares to finally fulfill her vow.

This is a story that had me on an emotional roller coaster. For the first time, the second portion of the title states “A heartbreaking and unputdownable World War 2 historical novel” was true. Irena is such a strong character that suffers so much loss and trauma during the war and yet it does not destroy her. There are some plot surprises that made this story and ending unique from other WWII historical fiction books I have read.

I highly recommend this WWII historical fiction.

***

Author Bio

Carly is the USA Today bestseller of historical fiction novels The Ringmaster’s Daughter, The Watchmaker of Dachau, The Rainbow and The Note.

She lives in a tiny cottage in Oxfordshire, with barely enough room to swing a cat. Yet, she has managed to dwell in such a hobbit-type abode for some years with her two dogs, who keep her company as she reads, writes, eats chips, and drinks the occasional gin.

Her interest in WWII history spans from a familial connection, and inspired her to complete a PhD regarding the author’s responsibility to historical fiction. Whilst an achievement, she gained 20 lbs., and became a hermit.

Social Media Links

Twitter: twitter.com/@carlyschab11

Instagram: https://instagram.com/@carlyschabowskiauthor

Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/carly-schabowski

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://ow.ly/i4LP50RAyhL

Apple: https://ow.ly/k5aQ50RAyhM

Kobo: https://ow.ly/KuN050RAyhI

Google: https://ow.ly/xZKM50RAyhK

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: A Chain of Pearls by Raemi A. Ray

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for A CHAIN OF PEARLS (Martha’s Vineyard Murders Book #1) by Raemi A. Ray on this AME Blog Tour.

Below you will find an author Q&A, a book synopsis, my book review, and the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!

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Author Q&A

On Writing:

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

Most of my plots are pulled from headlines, and then I add in the murder.

Your book is set in Martha’s Vineyard. Have you ever been there?

Yes, I’ve been visiting the island for years and this series is a sort of love letter to it. It’s one of my favorite places.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

I do. In my other much more boring life, I’m an IP lawyer, not unlike my protagonist.

What genre do you write and why?

I write mystery/thrillers. I simply prefer writing plot over emotional journeys and mystery and thriller lend themselves to plot focused stories.

What is the last great book you’ve read?

My memory is terrible. The last book I read that I think about often is probably Manacled. I regret reading it with every fiber of my being. Not because it wasn’t good, but because it was terrifying.

On Rituals:

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

I try not to, but in moments of weakness I want Flaming Hot Cheetos. I live for spice.

Where do you write?

I have an office where I edit, but my first drafts are done anywhere: in my sunroom, in front of a fireplace (inside or out), at pubs or coffee shops, the beach – wherever I can prop a laptop.

Do you write every day?

Nearly.

***

Book Synopsis

The last thing she wants is to dig up the past…

When the body of a celebrated journalist is fished from the Edgartown Harbor, the official report rules his death accidental. But why was he alone on a senator’s yacht during a nor’easter? That’s only the first question London-based lawyer Kyra Gibson has when she arrives on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard to settle her estranged father’s affairs.

She’s not looking for closure. She’s not seen him in decades since he left her with her aunt following her mother’s death. But as Kyra delves deeper into her father’s life, she learns he had many regrets and wasn’t as retired as she believed. The more Kyra discovers, the more questions she has. With the help of world-weary detective, Tarek Collins, they uncover a web of intrigue and corruption involving a powerful senator, a dubious energy company, and brutal murder.

As they chase down clues, Kyra and Tarek flirt with danger and race against time to solve the murders and uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath Martha’s Vineyard’s picturesque façade of old money wealth and privilege.

This is the first book in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series. The second novel, The Wraith’s Return, will be available later this summer, followed by Widow’s Walk in the fall.

A Chain of Pearls is a top indie mystery and crime pick from Barnes & Noble!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211099064-a-chain-of-pearls?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=4AzCRqIPx6&rank=1

***

My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

A CHAIN OF PEARLS (Martha’s Vineyard Murders Book #1) by Raemi A. Ray is a gripping debut murder mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard that I could not put down. I am very happy this is a proposed series because everything, from the fully drawn characters, intricate mystery plot, and the idyllic island setting were flawlessly executed on the page, and I want to visit again soon.

London-based Kyra Gibson arrives on Marth’s Vineyard to settle her estranged father’s estate. Retired from his years as a foreign journalist, he is found dead in the Edgartown Harbor from an apparent drowning accident. As she delves deeper into her father’s affairs, she discovers he was digging into a story involving a powerful senator on the island and a lucrative wind turbine contract. When she speaks to the detective in charge of her father’s case, she learns he has doubts of his own about her father’s death being an accident.

Detective Tarek Collins has questions still unanswered about Kyra’s father’s death. As the two begin to work together, another body is discovered in a barn fire on the senator’s island property. Tarek and Kyra do not realize the danger they are in as they uncover secrets that lie beneath the surface of the rich and powerful on the island.

I read this book from start to finish in one sitting. Kyra and Tarek come to life on the page. They work well together and there is an attraction that will hopefully be advanced in future books. The mystery plot was well paced with surprise twists and a continual increase in tension and suspense to the climax. The description of Martha’s Vineyard throughout the story made me feel as if I was right there with the characters. I was very surprised to find out this is the author’s debut book because it reads more like a book in a series by one of my favorite authors that I have been following for years.

I highly recommend this engaging murder mystery and am looking forward to many more.

***

Author Bio

Raemi A. Ray’s travels to Martha’s Vineyard and around the world inspire her stories. She lives outside Boston. When not writing or traveling she earns her keep as the personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and Dolph Lundgren.

Social Media Links

Website: https://raemiray.com/

Instagram: @miss_raemi

Purchase Link

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3Jenei0

Author Marketing Experts:

Twitter: @Bookgal

Instagram: @therealbookgal

Release Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Captivating Anika by Freya Barker

Captivating Anika (On Call, #9)

Freya Barker

RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2024

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for CAPTIVATING ANIKA (On Call Book #9)(Police and Operation Alpha) by Freya Barker on this Buoni Amici Release Blitz.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb

Anika Jones has her future carefully plotted out and is checking the boxes, one by one, despite the bumps thrown in her path. This last one is a challenge, but she manages to stay on track; her salon is thriving, and she just bought a house. Unfortunately, when one of her employees runs into trouble, she inevitably gets sucked in, throwing her carefully paced life off-balance. It doesn’t help a friend, who’s been ghosting her for a year, suddenly makes an appearance.

He was born to pig farming, but for Noah (Hog) Hodgekins fighting fires is his calling. He wasted too many years honoring a legacy he wants no part of. But now that he’s finally free from family obligations, there’s nothing holding him back from pursuing the life he’s been dreaming of. The first step is mending bridges with the one person who is central to that future, but she comes with her own challenges, family and otherwise.

Instead of treading carefully to gain her heart, he ends up throwing caution to the wind when her recent string of bad luck lands the FBI on her doorstep. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210713918-captivating-anika?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6RU9LWcHaS&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

CAPTIVATING ANIKA (On Call Book #9)(Police and Operation Alpha) by Freya Barker is an exciting romantic suspense addition to the On Call series. Each of these books stand on their own and have a complete suspense plot and romance, but there is some crossover of characters from previous books in the series. If you love romantic suspense as much as I do all the books in this series are worth a read and contain wonderful mature and sexy heroes and heroines.

Anika Jones has worked hard to achieve her goals. Her hair salon is thriving, and she has been able to buy her own home. Her main bump in the road was a diagnosis of RA and fibromyalgia a year ago, but with a change in lifestyle, she has been able to cope well with few recognizing a change. When one of her stylists is having troubles with her abusive husband, Anika tries to help, but there is more danger involved than just the abuse. When the danger involves Anika, her brother’s friend and fellow firefighter jumps in to help and protect her.

Noah “Hog “ Hodgekins has been dreaming of calling Anika his own for years, but with family obligations and working with her brother, he has put it off and been avoiding her. Now, with her life in danger, he is determined to concur any challenges to make her the center of his life and keep her safe.

I love this series and have been waiting for this new book! Anika and Noah are a wonderful couple, and you want nothing but a HEA for them. This is a friendship-to-lover and best friend’s sister-to-lover romance that works beautifully. They are mature adults who know how to compromise and communicate, which brings their worlds together fairly easily and makes them strong as a couple. The sex scenes are smokin’ hot and realistic without being gratuitous. The suspense plot is intense and well-paced with a twist at the end that I did not see coming. This story hits all the right notes for me and has everything I look for in this genre.

I highly recommend this wonderful romantic suspense, the entire series, and this author!

***

Author Bio

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Social Media Links

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FreyaFacebookTwitter: http://bit.ly/FreyaTwitter
Instagram: http://bit.ly/FreyaInstagram
Web: http://bit.ly/FreyaWeb
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/FreyaGoodreads
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/Freya_Newsletter Bookbub: http://bit.ly/FreyaBookBub
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreyaBarkerWriter
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreyasBarksandBites
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorfreyabarker

Purchase Links

Amazon ➡ https://amzn.to/4cRFhb9

Start the series ➡ https://amzn.to/4cUrCQI

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Crossing the Line by P.A. DePaul

Book Description

Best friends and partners through high-stakes missions . . . And the biggest risk they’ll take is falling in love.

Eight months ago, black ops operative, Magician, infiltrated a sex-slave ring. Little did she realize the mission would not only change her life forever, but kick off a series of events no one saw coming.

Romeo still can’t wipe the image of Magician’s battered body nearly dying in his arms. Since then, one-night stands have lost their appeal. Now, his best friend and partner stars in fantasies he has no business envisioning.

When a pro-American Oil lobbyist and a Saudi Arabian Oil Sheikh—two natural enemies—join forces to destroy new legislation allowing America to gain independence from foreign oil, they utilize bombings to throw the country into chaos.

Magician’s intuition knows there’s a connection between the two, but she’s forbidden to investigate since she has no evidence. Romeo doesn’t think twice about defying orders and remains by Magician’s side. He was sidelined once and Magician paid a horrific price, he will not let anyone hurt her again. Their investigation takes them across the globe, jeopardizing their careers and lives.

But nothing is riskier than gambling their friendship to find love…

***

Elise’s Thoughts

Crossing The Line by P. A. DePaul is the third book in the series. Each book is part of the romantic suspense genre. Whereas the first two books were more suspense than romance, this book is more romance than suspense with the heroine Magician and the hero Romeo, part of the Delta Squad team.

The story goes back to eight months ago. Magician was part of a black ops mission, going undercover to infiltrate a sex-slave ring. Little did she realize the mission would change her life forever. The team was sent it to rescue the girls with Romeo assigned to rescue Magician. He still can’t wipe the image of Magician’s battered body nearly dying in his arms. Since then, one-night stands have lost their appeal. Now, he realizes he is falling for his best friend and partner.

The suspense part of the plot has a pro-American Oil lobbyist and a Saudi Arabian Oil Sheikh-two natural enemies-join forces to destroy new legislation allowing America to gain independence from foreign oil, they utilize bombings to throw the country into chaos. It is during a party that Magician attended that she recognizes the lobbyist as being an assistant of the Sheikh, knowing that both were involved in the sex trafficking ring.

But because she has no evidence, the SBG Agency will not give her the go ahead to investigate. She and her partner Romeo decide to defy the order to stand down. Together they investigate on their own with only the help of another teammate, Talon. They are taking a big risk to expose the Sheik and lobbyist, but also realize that they are risking getting emotionally and intimately involved.

This novel emphasizes how the characters through their profession and relationship find that the greatest gift of all is survival, success, and finding a soul mate. DePaul allows the relationship to grow into an intimate one of unbreakable love The protagonists are complex and caring who teach each other how to trust again. The mission is intense and will keep readers guessing until the very end.

***

Author Interview

Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for this book?

P. A. DePaul: I was intrigued how Americans became less dependent on foreign oil when I started writing this book. There was also a backstory that started with Exchange of Fire that I delved into with this book in the opening scene. The common thread with all three books is the incident in Mexico. Readers could read each book on their own, but had they read all three books they got a deeper understanding of the op.

EC: Does each member of the team, part of the SBG Agency, have their own set of skills?

PAD: I modeled it off of real life where most of the operators have a dedicated skill set, they bring to the team. I have spoken to a lot of law enforcement and read a lot of military books. My father was military and law enforcement. Wraith, who was highlighted in the first book, Exchange of Fire, is the sniper, while her significant other Grady, being a former Marine, has his military skills. Talon likes to infiltrate and is good with knives. Romeo was a former law enforcement explosives expert. Magician is good with disguises for herself and the team. Jeremy aka Cappy is the strategist and commander. Ted is the IT expert. The team dynamics include love, support, respect, and grief. In book one the team was in it in the last half, in book two the team was in it from beginning to end, and in book three the team was hardly in it.

EC: Did this book have more intimate scenes than the other two books in the series?

PAD: Yes. Any reader that read all the books would have witnessed how Magician and Romeo started recognizing each other on a more romantic level. It just felt right for the progression they had gone through from the beginning. This one was heavier on the romantic and less on the suspense. The first book, Exchange of Fire, had a lot of high action, the second book, Shadow of Doubt, had deeper characters.

EC: How would you describe Magician, the female lead?

PAD: She goes undercover and likes to isolate herself. She is direct, broken, charming, and manipulative. She wants a place to belong because she is afraid of being abandoned. She is very complex.

EC: How would you describe Romeo, the male lead?

PAD: A player who at times can be shallow. He is warm-hearted, humorous, loyal, charming, confident, restless, and introspective. I love the part about him that he reads romance novels to understand what women are thinking.

EC: What about the relationship between the two of them?

PAD: A lot of bantering. They went from friends to lovers. They consider themselves best friends, partners, and have a bond. They have an intense attraction. They have divergent backgrounds. Romeo is from wealth, and she was always abandoned. He wants to protect her, while she is his anchor. Magician is not as trusting of him because he is a player and what happened to her on the op. Because of that op she experiences fear, panic, doubt, and suspicion. Her heart thinks differently than her mind. Because of her childhood she wants to ensure that her teammates and partner, Romeo, will entrust her to help with the mission.

EC: Did the third book have more banter between the characters than the other books?

PAD: Yes, Magician and Romeo tease each other a lot with a lot of sarcasm back and forth. They have that comfort and do charm each other. Wraith/Grady and Cappy/Michelle walked on eggs more in their relationship. Probably because they were in such intense situations.

EC: How would you describe the two women operatives, Wraith and Magician?

PAD: They do have similarities. They both are dedicated to make the mission a success. They have a tender side to them. Wraith can compartmentalize a little more. I see them as quick-witted with sharp minds. Magician can turn on the charm and sway decisions, while Wraith is more direct, and she is not good at shmoozing. But since that Mexican mission they have become distant and guarded with secrets.

EC: The second book, Shadow of Doubt highlights Cappy and Michelle?

PAD: It starts out with Cappy already the team leader. He is always trying to put the team and mission first. He is all about everyone else but himself. Michelle is trying to overcome being a victim of that Mexican op. They both have in common that they had to give up their families.

EC: Next books?

PAD: I would like to write Talon’s book. But I am in a holding pattern trying to figure out what his story is. It feels like I am forcing things. Talon is not the most diplomatic and always says it like it is.

Another book is a spin-off in the SBG world, romantic suspense genre. The books we were talking about today has a team, the Delta Squad. But the spin-off will have a single operator, someone who gets in and out. It will come out the end of this year, or the beginning of next year. The working title is Spy Versus Spy. Each spy works for two different agencies and they will eventually have to work together.

THANK YOU!!

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