I am very excited to be one of the first to share on the Deadly Waters Blog Tour today! This Feature Post and Book Review is for DEADLY WATERS (Detective Jane Phillips Book 2) by OMJ Ryan.
I am a huge fan of DI Jane Phillips books! Jane was first introduced in DeadlySecrets and now is featured in the Detective Jane Phillips series that began with Deadly Silence which is labeled as book 1.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and an about the author section with social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Blurb
Several young women have recently drowned in Manchester’s vast network of canals. A coincidence? Or something more sinister?
When star detective DCI Jane Phillips begins to investigate, her finely tuned instinct tells her these are no accidents. And when she discovers that each of the drowned women has a mysterious circular bruise on the back of her neck, Phillips is sure of it — she’s up against a very clever serial killer.
But how are the victims being chosen? And who will be next?
With the body count rising, Phillips and her team find themselves in a fight to the death with a shadowy figure who always seems to be one step ahead.
Can Phillips stop the killer before the next victim dies? Or will she herself become an offering to Manchester’s deadly waters?
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
DEADLY WATERS (Detective Jane Phillips Book 2) by OMJ
Ryan is an edge-of-your-seat addition to this British Police procedural thriller
series. This can be read as a standalone focusing on the serial murder plot
itself, but the characters continue to become more fully fleshed with each book
in the series and I recommend they be read in order. (FYI: To read about Jane
in order, the numbering of these books is somewhat confusing. Jane is
introduced in Deadly Secrets but is featured in Deadly Silence which is labeled
book 1 and now Deadly Waters is labeled book 2.)
DCI Jane Phillips and DI Jones are called to the scene of an
apparent drowning in a Manchester canal by an overeager young recruit on the
basis of a rumor. Everything points to an accidental drowning until a second
body is found with the same strange circular bruise on the back of her neck and
under the same circumstances. Each was a heroin addicted young prostitute with
a small child at home.
With the body count rising and pressure from the top, Jane
and her team have a short amount of time to figure out how and why the victims
are being chosen. Will Jane be able to stop the killer or will she be another
corpse in the deadly waters?
I loved DCI Jane Phillips, her team and this thriller plot. This
series is fast becoming one of my favorites. Mr. Ryan was able to focus my
attention completely away from the true identity of the killer. I once again
thought I had it all figured out with the team and I was wrong, but I love when
that happens. I also love being completely engrossed in the suspense and not
being able to put a book down as I was with this book. The pace of this
thriller starts out slowly with just a hunch and then builds to a fast-paced
crescendo. The tool used by the killer that produced the bruise on the neck of
the victims was unique and an interesting twist.
I highly recommend Deadly Waters and all of the books in
this series!
***
About OMJ Ryan:
Hailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and
entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and
accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards.
In 2018 he
followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people
who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or
those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from
the first page to the last. DEADLY WATERS will be his third novel
published with Inkubator Books.
Today I am happy to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for YOURS IN SCANDAL (Man of the Year Book #1) by Lauren Layne. This is an entertaining start to a new series by a new-to-me author.
Below you will find an author interview, a book summary, my book review, an excerpt from the book, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy!
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Author Interview
Tell us
about your new series.
The series
features three men who are named “Man of the Year” (think: People’s
Sexiest Man Alive) and the unexpected ramifications that come with that! Yours
in Scandal kicks off the series with a young, wealthy mayor of NYC who
falls for his political rival’s daughter.
Why was it
important for you to start your series with Addie and Robert?
The real
answer? There’s is the book listed first in the contract 😉 In truth I’m
equally excited about all three books in the series, and could have happily
jumped in anywhere! That said, writing a politician was a unique and fun
challenge for me (I tend to write a lot of businessmen!) so a new take on my
“hot guy in a suit” was a fun creative challenge!
Even though
she is still young, your heroine Addie has lived quite a life. Where did her
teenage rebellious streak come from?
The first
thing I always do when I get a new story idea is to figure out where the
conflict is—I have to make sure these two people, however attracted, can’t get
together (easily) by chapter three. When I decided to take on a hero who’s a
mayor, I took a step back to think which woman would be most off-limits to him.
One with a bit of scandal was the obvious answer, since the spouses of
politicians are usually held to the same exacting standards (if not more so)
than the politician him/herself! From there, I dug into Addie’s character and
her scandal-laden past.
Do you have
anything in common with your heroine?
Honestly? No
🙂 Other than being a little mouthy during puberty, I was a pretty easy kid
and teenager, and skipped the rebellious phase, at least according to my
parents! I sort of skipped the whole rebellious phase growing up no underage
drinking, no missed curfews, I’ve never even gotten a ticket. Though, I think
perhaps I was saving up all my rebellious urges for my mid-twenties, where I
seemed to chafe really hard at being managed in the corporate world, and quit
my practical, well-paying job rather spontaneously and irresponsibly with
almost no safety net, and dove headfirst into being a full-time writer. And I
suppose, for that matter, I’ve made some rebellious choices as an author
(quitting Facebook, not doing ARCs on my self-pub title, etc). So, I guess I
change my answer! Yeah, I have a little in common with Addie after all!
Your hero
Robert is fantastic! He is smart, successful and just earned the title ‘Man of the Year’.
What made you fall in love with him?
He really is
great, isn’t he? 🙂 I actually knew from the start that Robert was going
to be a pretty stand-up guy. I wanted to steer as away from the cliche, corrupt
politician as possible, and show that it’s absolutely possible for people to be
in public office simply because they want to do good, not because they’re power
hungry. I think what I love most about him is how he never wavers in wanting
best for Addie and the people around him, even if it hurts him personally. He’s
a really unselfish guy, and that is so, so appealing to me!
Would you
say that there are similarities that all of your heroes share?
I’d say
they’re all pretty quick with a comeback. Whether they’re the charming playboys
or the more reserved, Mr. Darcy types they’ve got a bit of a sharp, clever
tongue! Also, the vast majority tend to be wealthy and suit-wearing. I’ve got a
few exceptions, but I think there’s something so sexy about a buttoned-up guy
in a suit coming undone over a woman, so I tend to come back to that again and
again!
Some of the
best moments in Yours In Scandal happen when your heroine and hero are
around their trusted friends. Are any of the secondary characters we meet
destined to get their own happily-ever-afters?
No plans for any spinoffs with those characters! Not because I don’t love them, but because the writing schedule’s pretty jam-packed!
***
Summary
Fresh off being named Citizen magazine’s
Man of the Year, New York City’s youngest mayor, Robert Davenport, decides it’s
time to strategize. Next move: a bid for the governor’s seat. In his way: an
incumbent with a flawless reputation. He also has an Achilles’ heel: an
estranged wild-child daughter with a past so scandalous it could be Robert’s
ticket to victory. And a charm so irresistible it could be Robert’s downfall.
Rebellion is a thing of the past for Adeline Blake. As New York’s premier event
planner, she’s all about reform and respectability. Then she’s approached by
Robert to organize the party of the season. Curious, considering he’s her
father’s most formidable opponent. And alarming, too. Because Addie can’t help
but fall for the righteously popular candidate with the movie-star smile.
Now it’s Robert’s choice. Does he pursue a future that holds his legacy? Or the woman who holds his heart?
About the Book
Title: Yours In Scandal
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Publisher: Montlake
***
My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
YOURS IN SCANDAL (Man of the Year Book #1) by Lauren
Layne is the first book of a new contemporary romance series by a new to me
author. This is a fun and sexy, feel-good romantic comedy.
Robert Davenport is almost at the end of his two terms as
the youngest man ever elected as the mayor of New York City. Just named Citizen
magazine’s Man of the Year, Robert’s campaign manager decides it is time for
him to use the publicity and work towards his next goal as governor. His main
competition is an incumbent with a flawless reputation who also happens to have
an estranged wild-child daughter.
Adeline Blake has a scandalous past, but she is now working
hard to reform. She is New York City’s premier event planner. She is curious why
she is approached by her father’s most formidable opponent to organize the party
of the season.
Robert feels a strong, immediate attraction to Adeline that
is not part of the plan and Adeline has many reasons she should not get
involved with Robert. Can Robert follow his heart over his head?
I really enjoyed this story. It was predictable, but so well
written with funny banter and witty dialogue that it did not matter that I could
predict the HEA. I loved Robert and Adeline’s chemistry. I felt they handled
the obstacles placed in their way as mature adults which made the characters
seem more realistic to me. The secondary characters are all entertaining and
fully fleshed to support both main characters.
This is a very entertaining and heartfelt start to this new
series and I am looking forward to reading more.
***
Excerpt
“I just need
to be sure . . . am I going crazy? I am, right? Our girl’s not seriously
telling us she had dinner with the mayor,” Rosalie said, turning to Jane.
“You’re not the crazy one—she is,” Jane said, emphatically pointing at Adeline.
Adeline nibbled on the corner of a chip. “It’s
really not the big deal you two are making it out to be. It was just dinner.
Pizza.”
“That’s even worse!” Jane said shrilly. “It’s
so intimate.”
Adeline glanced over at her calmer friend.
“Please tell her there’s nothing intimate about Italian sausage.” She winced as
she caught herself. “Yeah, I heard it.”
“It is a little out of character,” Rosalie said
slowly. “You haven’t exactly made it a secret how you feel about men these
days. To say nothing of your thoughts on elected officials.”
“I didn’t sleep with the guy, we just had
pizza.”
“I’d actually be less concerned if you’d slept
with him,” Rosalie admitted.
“Agreed,” Jane said, smacking the table. “A sexy fling with the Man of the
Year is one thing. A cozy dinner at his place is just . . .” She threw her
hands up. “I can’t. I literally can’t process it.”
“You don’t have to process anything,” Adeline
said, dunking the chip into the salsa and stuffing the whole thing in her
mouth. “It was a one-time thing. The party’s next weekend, and then I’ll
probably never see him again.”
“What if he wants you to be his forever event
planner?”
“He won’t. His regular planner’s one of the
best in the city, and I’m sure she’ll be back from maternity leave by the time
he needs to hire someone again.”
“Is his regular event planner hot and single?”
Jane pointed out.
“She’s married.”
“Exactly. Much less susceptible to his sexy
face than single you.”
Adeline sighed and looked again to the
perpetually calm Rosalie. “Make it stop.”
“Just promise you’ll warn us if you start to
fall for the guy,” her friend said, fiddling with her chip. “Much as I love the
idea of you landing the hottest guy in the city, I also know just how tricky
that would be for you.”
“Tricky is an understatement given he’s likely
running against The Bastard in the next election,” she said, knowing that both
of her lifelong friends knew she was referring to the father she’d all but
disowned.
Adeline hadn’t known Rosalie as long as she’d
known Jane, but they still went all the way back to high school. Adeline had been
the loose cannon, Jane the genius, and Rosalie had been, well . . . perfect.
“You know,” Adeline said, looking thoughtfully
at Rosalie over the top of her margarita. “I actually thought about setting you
and the mayor up.”
“Wait, what?” Rosalie’s eyes went wide.
“You said yourself he was hot,” Adeline pointed
out. “You’re also beautiful, well spoken, polished. You never look bad in a
photograph, and you never say the wrong thing. I literally can’t think of a
more perfect future First Lady of New York.”
“Oooh, I see that!” Jane said, pivoting in her
chair to stare at Rosalie.
Adeline gave Jane an exasperated expression.
“You were just warning me off of the
guy.”
“Warning you off, yes. But Rosalie . . .”
Adeline tried to ignore the sting. It wasn’t as
if Jane were saying anything Adeline herself hadn’t thought. Even if she were
inclined to pursue the mayor, and she wasn’t, she knew that she was the last
thing someone like him needed. Her past alone made her an inconceivable choice
for him, and even if she could keep her past mistakes under wraps, she would
never be the right woman for him. She may have mastered the bun and the
blazers, but she was still the woman who collected adventurous lingerie and
loved tequila.
“The guy’s definitely attractive,” Rosalie
said. “But I don’t know that I want one of Adeline’s rejects,” she said with a
smile intended to annoy Adeline.
“I wouldn’t let that stop me,” Jane said,
fanning herself. “If it weren’t for Dan . . . . Too bad I love that man so damn
much. Seriously, Rosalie, let Adeline fix you up, so I can live vicariously.”
“Hello,” Rosalie said, staring at the
admittedly, occasionally tone-deaf Jane. “Are you not seeing what I’m seeing?”
She pointed at Adeline.
Jane glanced over and narrowed her eyes.
“Ever since she came back from New Mexico with
her hair brown, she’s been like this buttoned-up ice woman. But when she talks
about him . . .” Rosalie made an
unrecognizable hissing, clicking noise.
“What was that?” Jane asked.
“Fire igniting,” Rosalie explained. “Whatever,
so sound effects and act-outs aren’t my strong suit. The point is—”
“If I sound fiery when I talk about the mayor,
it’s only because he’s a control freak and pain in the ass,” Adeline interjected.
“The man doesn’t know how to delegate, is hell-bent on carrying on his father’s
legacy without ever checking in with himself, and . . .”
Adeline’s thoughts scattered a little as she
realized she wasn’t being entirety fair to the mayor. Yes, he was obsessed with
his image, as a man in his position had to be. But he could also be funny and
irreverent. He could also be spontaneous and casual.
He’d proven that yesterday, first with the tour
of his home, then the invitation of dinner. Even the way he ate pizza was
appealing, somehow both buttoned-up precise and outright relishing, all at the
same time.
“We need more margaritas.”
***
Author Biography
Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA
Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels,
including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in
her 21 Wall Street series, as well as her Central Park Pact series. Her books
have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been
featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall
Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New
York City. For the latest updates, be sure to check out her website at www.laurenlayne.com.
I am very excited to be posting for the Release Blitz for Freya Barker’s new Police and Fire Operation Alpha Book – ABSOLVING BLUE (On Call Book #4). This is another great addition to the series and it can be read as a standalone, but there is crossover of characters from other books in the Police and Fire Operation Alpha Books.
Below you will find a book description, an excerpt from the book, my book review, an about the author section with social media links. Enjoy!
***
Book Description
For long-time Durango Fire Department EMT, Ava ‘Blue’ Navarro, her teammates at Station 3 represent a family more loyal than her own.
However, when patients start dying on her watch, she draws the attention of local law enforcement. In particular the smooth-talking detective she’s successfully evaded for years, fearing he might stir up her quiet existence.
Detective Tony Ramirez considers himself a likable guy, which is why the perpetual cold shoulder from the athletic blonde first responder is confusing.
Now he finds himself in charge of a murder investigation that threatens to shake his world both personally and professionally. A situation that won’t earn him any brownie points.
When medical examiner, Calder Stonewall, is called in to assist, it only seems to throw more suspicion Blue’s way, and Tony has to pull out all the stops to prove her innocence while securing her heart.
“I really hate this,” she says when I lift my head.
“I must be losing my touch, then,” I joke, and she slaps my chest.
“Not that, you idiot. I hate being weak.”
“Now who’s being an idiot?” I lightly shake her. “If you sprained your ankle, would you think it weak to see a doctor? Do you think the people you tend to on a daily basis are weak?” When she reluctantly shakes her head, I push my point home. “So how’s this any different? We’re just talking about another part of you that needs some healing. Shit, if you think that makes you weak, you’re calling every cop in Durango a pussy. Wait ‘til I tell the guys.”
“You wouldn’t,” she snaps, her eyes spitting fire.
ABSOLVING BLUE (Police and Fire Operation Alpha Series, On
Call Book #4) by Freya Barker is another great romantic suspense addition to
this series. This book can be read as a standalone, but there are several
crossover characters from previous books in this series and others from Susan
Stoker’s Operation Alpha world. I have enjoyed reading all the “On Call” books
in order.
Durango Fire Department EMT, Ava “Blue” Navarro holds her
own with all her teammates at Station 3. She considers them her family, but no
one knows anything about her biological family. Blue works hard and volunteers
at the humane society, but she does not get close to anyone to date.
Detective Tony Ramirez has had his eye on the tiny, athletic
first responder, but he receives nothing but the cold shoulder from that
direction. Tony finally gets a way into Blue’s life by offering to share responsibility
for her new rescue dog. As the two begin to see each other, Blue opens up to
the handsome detective, but it could all be derailed when Tony’s new
investigation involves patients dying after emergencies that Blue has ties to.
As Tony works to prove Blue’s innocence, her past returns to
threaten her new life. And even as the growing evidence is incriminating Blue, Tony
and all of his colleagues work to prove her innocence. Her life will depend on
what they discover.
I love this series and this book was another great read from
this author! I have been waiting for Tony to meet the woman who was right for
him and Blue is perfect even with all of the past and present drama she brings
with her. The romance moves at a realistic pace as Blue opens up and begins to
share with Tony who is being very supportive. The sex scenes are explicit, but
not gratuitous. I love how Ms. Barker gives me mature characters to read about;
both Tony and Blue are in their forties. The suspense story kept me on the edge
of my seat even knowing who they were looking for it was still a page turner.
I loved this book as I have all the books in this series. Ms.
Barker never fails to give me realistic, genuine, mature and likable
characters. She is a must buy author for me.
***
About Freya:
USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.
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”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Today is my turn on the Blog Tour for A VENOMOUS LOVE (The Bloodstone Series Book #3) by Chris Karlsen. I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for the third historical mystery featuring Detective Rudyard “Ruddy” Bloodstone.
Below you will find a book description, my book review, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy and good luck!
***
Book Description
A veteran, Detective Rudyard Bloodstone has fought a brutal battle and witnessed war horrors that haunt his nightmares. Now one of those horrors has followed him home from Africa.
A vicious predator, the Cape cobra, can kill a man in thirty minutes. A suspect using the snake as a weapon in robberies is terrorizing London.
When the crimes escalate into murder, a victim’s daughter, Honoria Underhill, becomes the focus of the killer. After several attempts on her life, Scotland Yard threatens to take over the high profile case. With few leads to follow, Bloodstone and his partner must now fight department politics and catch the killer before Underhill becomes another murder victim.
Title: A Venomous Love (Bloodstone, #3)
Author: Chris Karlsen
Genre: Historical Suspense set in Victorian London
A Venomous Love (The Bloodstone Series Book #3) by
Chris Karlsen is the latest historical mystery in this series set in the
Victorian era featuring Detective Rudyard Bloodstone. These are entertaining
reads that give you a snapshot of the people in this era and it also gives you
a look at the limitations of the police to solve crimes. No CSI here, just old-fashioned
legwork and logic with a little luck thrown into the mix.
Detective Rudyard “Ruddy” Bloodstone and his partner Detective
Archie Holbrook are on the case of a thief who uses a unique deadly weapon to
get his victims to turnover their valuables, a Cape cobra. Ruddy knows how quickly
this snakes’ venom can kill having fought against the Zulus in Africa.
When the robberies escalate into murder, Ruddy and Archie wonder
why the victim’s daughter, Honoria Underhill becomes the main focus of their thief.
As they work the case, Ruddy’s brother, Will who has returned from service in
India becomes a bodyguard for Honoria.
With few leads and the threat of Scotland Yard taking over
the case. Ruddy and Archie are racing the clock to catch the killer before
Honoria becomes another murder victim.
I really enjoy reading these mysteries featuring Rudyard
Bloodstone. Ruddy, his partner and all the secondary characters pull you back
in time with an interesting case to solve. Ms. Karlsen makes you realize how
limited early law enforcement was and the class differences that could also
impact a case. The use of the Cape cobra as a weapon was unique and even though
you know the person behind the crime, the story still keeps you intrigued and
interested.
I recommend this historical mystery and all the books in The
Bloodstone Series.
***
Author Bio
I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.
My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream. I write three different series. My paranormal romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters. The newest is The Bloodstone Series. Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.
I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and five wild and crazy rescue dogs.
I am very happy to be included in the Release Blitz for M FOR MURDER by Keri Beevis. (This book was previously published as Dead Letter Day in 2013.)
This standalone thriller’s plot will grab you from page 1 and pull you into a fast paced twisted story that intertwines a serial killer’s story from eight years ago with a present day series of killings. They thought the killer died in a fire, but there was no body.
Has he returned to continued his Alphabet Killings ?
***
My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
M for Murder by Keri Beevis is an engrossing and fast
paced standalone thriller. (This book was previously published as Dead Letter
Day in 2013.)
Eight years ago, the ninth victim of The Alphabet Killer
escaped. With her escape came the identification of the serial killer as
Professor Rodney Boone an English Professor from the college. During the
escape, the professor was stabbed twice and the basement kill room was set on
fire. No body was discovered and the killings stopped.
Present day. The killings have resumed right where they left
off in the alphabet. Rookie cop, Rebecca Angell is excited to be assisting the two
FBI agents assigned to the case. She soon finds that not every investigator plays
by the rules.
The investigators are convinced they are dealing with a
copycat killer, but Boone’s body was never found. Is Professor Boone back or is
someone else finishing The Alphabet Killers letters?
I have to say that this plot pulled me in and did not let
up. There are several red herrings and plot twists that constantly had me
questioning who the killer may be. I did not guess the killer or the twisted ending
correctly and that makes me very happy. I was disappointed in Rebecca. She was
always hot-headed and confrontational. The male characters were difficult and
chauvinistic, but I would have really liked Rebecca to have handled her
frustration and temper better.
The thriller plot is great and because of that and the
surprise twist ending I recommend this book for an engrossing read.
***
Author Bio and Social Media Links
Keri Beevis wrote her first novel at age twenty, but it was a
further twenty years before she was published after winning a contract in the
Rethink Press New Novels Competition 2012.
Born in the village of Old Catton, less than a mile from where Anna Sewell was
living when she wrote Black Beauty, Keri had a passion for reading and writing
from a young age, though her tastes veered more to the macabre.
Today she still lives in Norwich, along with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and
Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel), where she writes a
comedic lifestyle column for a local magazine. She loves Hitchcock movies,
exploring creepy places, and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes.
She is also a self-confessed klutz.
Keri joined the Bloodhound team in 2019 and her first release with them, the
psychological thriller, Dying To Tell, which is set in her beautiful home
county of Norfolk, has been her biggest success to date, with over 1200 four
and five star ratings on Goodreads.
Her new novel, Deep Dark Secrets (which was previously published as The
Darkness Beneath) was released in January 2020.
Today is my turn on the Chemical Attraction Audiobook Blog Tour. This Feature Post and Audiobook Review is for the romantic suspense CHEMICAL ATTRACTION (The Chemical Attraction Series Book #3) by Christina Thompson and narrated by Gary Bennett. This book can be read as a standalone in terms of the suspense plot, but there is a lot of crossover of characters from the previous two books.
Below you will find a book synopsis, my audiobook review, an author interview with a character from her books, the author and narrator’s info and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy!
***
About the Audiobook
Author: Christina Thompson
Narrator: Gary Bennett
Length: 10 hours 3 minutes
Publisher: 48fourteen⎮2019
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Series: The Chemical Attraction Series, Book 3
Release date: Dec. 26, 2019
***
Book Synopsis:
Working in nanotechnology, Madeline Pierce, a dedicated scientist, has pain in her heart from an abusive relationship. She hides in her research. Charismatic yet brooding, Joe Roberts searches for an instant chemistry with his soulmate, the one person who will love him for his faults not in spite of them.
Dr. Pierce teams up with Agent Roberts to uncover a criminal network within her medical research facility in West Michigan. Feeling an undeniable attraction, they struggle to stay professional while they determine the degree of company involvement.
In the nearby farming town, animals violently attack the residents. Someone is experimenting outside the laboratory. Are human test subjects next? With the help of Joe’s sister Eva, a physician assistant at the local hospital, and her husband Chief Matt Connor, Joe and Madeline hunt for this new bio-weapon before the death toll rises in this gripping third book of The Chemical Attraction Series.
CHEMICAL ATTRACTION (The Chemical Attraction Series Book
#3) by Christina Thompson is the third romantic suspense in this engaging
series. In this story it is Joe’s turn to feel the chemical attraction. The suspense
story can be read as a standalone, but there is a lot of character crossover
between the books in this series. I suggest you read or listen to them all in
order. You will not be disappointed.
Dr. Madeline Pierce is a scientist who specializes in nanotechnology.
She discovers discrepancies on invoices at the medical research facility where
she works. When her questions lead to answers that do not add up, she asks the
FBI for help.
FBI Agent Joe Roberts is sent to meet with Dr. Pierce. The
two use the pretense of a relationship to work together to get to the truth. Joe
never believed he would find the chemical attraction his sisters talk about
until he meets Madeline, but she is his contact on this dangerous case.
As they work together, they struggle to keep their
relationship professional. Joe has a history of being a player and Madeline has
been terribly abused in the past. Can she trust this chemical attraction to be
real? And can their relationship survive as they fight a horrific threat to
humanity?
I have been waiting for Joe to meet his “one” and this story
did not disappoint. I love when a player is brought down by a strong and
intelligent woman. Even with her past and some insecurities, she is a heroine that
fits with Joe. The suspense plot is well paced, realistic and terrifying in that
aspect. There are some graphic scenes, but they are in line with the plot so
for me they were not gratuitous. I enjoy Eva and Matt being active participants
in this story and crossovers from “The Kindred Code”, book #2 in this series.
None of the characters in this series have it easy in love or danger.
I listened to the audiobook this time after reading the
first two books in this series. Gary Bennett narrated this audiobook and this
was my first time listening to him. I enjoyed his voice and I would definitely
look for other audiobooks with his narration.
I recommend this audiobook and all the books in the Chemical
Attraction series!
***
Author Character Interview:
Matthew Connor from Chemical Attraction
Hello Everyone! I’m Christina Thompson, the author of Chemical Attraction, a romantic thriller. I’m joining you today to promote Chemical Attraction’s Audiobook narrated by Gary Bennett.
I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the people in this story. Eva Connor and Joe Roberts are siblings by choice. They’ve told me their story, and I wrote about their amazing journey. These interviews take place just after their adventure. [trivial spoilers/no plot spoilers]
Ruggedly handsome with a calm demeanor, Matthew Connor had pushed any romantic life aside to focus on raising his eight-year-old son, David. Then, he met Eva and watched her take his hometown by storm. Now as the police chief, he helped Joe on his FBI case.
CHRISTINA: When you first saw Eva with David, what was your first thought?
MATT: Mesmerizing came to mind. She definitely spiced up my life. The first time she visited my home, she turned the town upside down. I didn’t think the Allenton gossip circuit could travel faster than the speed of light. Boy, that weekend it had.
CHRISTINA: How hard was it to be a single dad for the first eight years of David’s life?
MATT: Tough. Like I mentioned before, gossip is big in this town and stereotypes are even bigger. I’ve been the chief for nine years, but I’m still known as the guy who knocked up his high school girlfriend. Beth gave up her rights to David right after he was born while I embraced fatherhood. I wouldn’t have changed a thing though. David makes me a better person, and I strive to be the man he looks up to.
CHRISTINA: Uncovering a criminal network in your town, Joe created tension by not informing you about his case from the beginning. How’s your relationship with him?
MATT: Man, I don’t want him to visit us anymore … too much drama when he’s around. Joking aside, I love Joe like a little brother. Years ago, I helped him out of a sticky situation, which cemented a brothers’ bond. I could do worse than having a federal agent as a brother.
CHRISTINA: I get the feeling that your responsibilities take over much of your life. What do you do for fun?
MATT: Ha. Not having much fun these days. I enjoy spending time with my wife and I crochet to relax. It’s meditative. My mother taught me years ago. I made David’s first baby blanket, and I donate the baby blankets I make now to our local hospital. After seeing the basket of yarn next to our sofa, Joe gave me a hard time until Eva told him what I did with the finished ones. Boy, did he feel bad. His niceness lasted for a month. It really creeped Eva out.
Thanks for stopping by. You can find the audiobook of Chemical Attraction on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Attraction-Book/dp/B0833H7YSV/
***
About the Author: Christina Thompson
Christina Thompson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is a certified massage therapist from the Health Enrichment Center’s School of Therapeutic Massage in Lapeer, Michigan. She also has a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Racine, Wisconsin.
Her background in biology gave her a love of science and an insight into the physical realm of the body. Her holistic understanding of Traditional Chinese medicine taught her that the mind and spirit affect the body in powerful ways.
As a former holistic practitioner with over 20 years of knowledge, experience, and service, Christina now enjoys writing about the physical science, the emotional workings of our mind and heart, and the spiritual energy that taps into our passions.
She is the author of the romantic thrillers in The Chemical Attraction Series, which include Their Rigid Rules, The Kindred Code, Chemical Attraction, Chemical Reaction, and an anthology of short stories, Searching for Her. She has also written the romantic adventures, The Trucker’s Cat and The Garden Collection.
Narrator Gary Bennett is a SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator. He was born and raised in California and then in Bozeman, Montana, and is the oldest of 4 children. He now calls the greater Seattle area his home, and he’s a huge fan of the Seattle Seahawks
He’s always been passionate about not just telling a story, but telling it well! From reading bedtime stories with his children to performing in front of the microphone, bringing a story truly to life is one of his greatest joys.
Gary has pursued his career in audiobook narration with zeal, investing in not only personal coaching from some of the best in the field, but in also some of the best equipment for his professional home-based studio. There are few things he enjoys more than stepping into his StudioBricks home studio and recording his favorite books!
Gary is also a licensed electrical engineer and a private pilot, loves to listen to and play music and is an avid outdoor enthusiast.
