Tag: #series

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Audiobook Review: Chemical Attraction by Christina Thompson

Hi, everyone!

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!

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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

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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.

Buy LinksBuy on Amazon⎮Audible

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

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!

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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/

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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.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Gary Bennett

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.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

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Giveaway: $20 Amazon Gift Card

Runs Feb.  18th-25th⎮Open internationally


https://gleam.io/8S3Np/chemical-attraction-giveaway-20-amazon-gift-card

Book Review: A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

A Favor for a Favor (All In Book #2) by Helena Hunting is a contemporary romance that will have you laughing out loud and/or teary eyed more times than you can count throughout this fun and entertaining read. This is the second book in the “All In” series featuring alpha professional hockey jocks from Seattle’s new expansion NHL team, but it is easily read as a standalone romance.

Stevie Bowman is excited to surprise her boyfriend returning from her trip early to her and her boyfriend’s new apartment in time for her birthday. But the surprise is on her when she walks in and finds him in bed having sex with someone else.

Her brother, Rook helps her out by letting her live in his team apartment he is not using while she gets back on her feet. As she stumbles in late at night, she wakes her neighbor, who is not happy to be woken up. Stevie just wants to hide and get away from this jerk of a neighbor.

Bishop Winslow cannot believe his strait-laced team captain is keeping a side piece in his apartment. He already hates that Rook was made team captain instead of him and this makes it even worse. Imagine his surprise when he finds out the mistress is actually the hot younger sister.

Bishop suffers a severe groin injury in the very first pre-season game. Stevie offers Bishop a deal. She will assist with his rehab so he can return to the ice sooner, if he will give her a letter of recommendation which will help advance her career in sport physiotherapy. Can they keep it strictly professional?

I absolutely love Bishop and Stevie. They are perfect examples of “do not judge someone because you don’t know what they are going through privately.” The underwear war had me laughing out loud.

I am fast becoming a huge fan of Helena Hunting’s romances. The characters are realistic, full-fleshed and the dialogue is pitch perfect. She captures the sex appeal and down-and-dirty language and foibles of young professional male athletes. The women she creates are strong, but surprisingly quirky and/or have an emotional impediment that I would never think would work as a match for these men and yet each is the perfect match.

I highly recommend this contemporary romance and author!

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Author Biography:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance with all the feels to romantic comedies that will have you laughing until you cry.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://helenahunting.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helena.hunting69/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/helenahunting

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7226675.Helena_Hunting

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Witness Protection Widow by Debra Webb

Hi, everyone!

Today I am very excited to be posting on the Harlequin February 2020 Series Blog Tour. My Feature Post and Book Review is for Debra Webb’s new Intrigue – WITNESS PROTECTION WIDOW.

Below you will find a short author Q&A, a book description, my book review, an excerpt from the book and an about the author blurb. Enjoy!

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Debra Webb Author Q&A

1. Did you always want to write for Harlequin?

A: From the moment I read my first Harlequin Intrigue novel, I knew I wanted to write them!

2. Share your favorite memory of reading a Harlequin romance

A: I write romantic suspense so sometimes something light is a great way to relax. My fav memory is of laughing out loud while reading a Stephanie Bond Harlequin romance!

3. What is a recent book you have read that you would recommend? 

A: In The Dark by Loreth Anne White

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Book Description

Can the witness protection program keep her identity secret?


After Allison James finally escapes her marriage to a monster, she becomes the star witness in the case against her deceased husband’s powerful crime family.

Now it’s up to US Marshal Jaxson Stevens, Ali’s ex-boyfriend, to keep the WITSEC widow safe. But as the danger escalates and sparks fly, will Jax be able to help Ali escape her ruthless in-laws.

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

WITNESS PROTECTION WIDOW (Winchester, Tennessee Book #5) by Debra Webb is the February 2020 Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense second chance romance and since it is written by Debra Webb, I knew I would be getting a great story even in this shorter format. I was NOT disappointed. Though this book is part of the Winchester, Tennessee series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

Allison James Armone has been trapped for several years in an abusive marriage to the son of the head of the Armone crime family. She has been planning and waiting for her chance to escape. At the weekly meeting between father and son, Allison witnesses the father shoot the son and kill him.

She makes her escape and becomes the star witness in the case against her father-in-law. When the US Marshall guarding Allison (aka Alice Stewart) is involved in an accident, he calls on one of his best friends in the Marshalls to fill in. It is only a few days until the trial and Ali’s life is at stake.

US Marshall Jaxon Stevens cannot believe his assignment is his young foolish mistake in love. Can Jaxon convince Ali he wants and deserves a second chance even as he works to keep her alive to testify?

Ali is a great heroine. After everything she has been through, she refuses to back down and wants to testify no matter the danger to herself. She made a mistake that cost her, but she has come out on the other side and is strong and determined. I also liked that her main concern is for Jaxon’s safety and not her own. Jaxon is a strong alpha protective hero, but he also must come around to understand how Ali got caught up in her marriage and to understand his own feelings about wanting her back even though he left her before for his career. There are a lot of emotions and misunderstandings to get through in this book even as physical danger is just around the corner. My only concern is Ms. Webb never revealed who changed their travel plans and set them on the run from the bad guys. Other than that, this is a fast-paced story that intertwines the suspense and the romance perfectly.

I love sitting down with a Harlequin Intrigue and an author I enjoy because I know I can be entertained with a romantic suspense that engrosses me in the story and is a quicker read than a full-sized novel. I recommend this second chance romantic suspense.

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Excerpt

She shivered. The fire had gone out. She kept on her jacket while she added logs to the fireplace and kindling to get it started. Within a couple of minutes, the fire was going. She’d had a fireplace as a kid, so relearning her way around this one hadn’t been so bad. She went back to the kitchen and turned on the kettle for tea.

Bob growled low in his throat and stared toward the front door.

She froze. Her phone was in her hip pocket. Her gun was still in her waistband at the small of her back. This was something else Marshal Holloway had in­sisted upon. He’d taught her how to use a handgun. They’d held many target practices right behind this cabin.

A creak beyond the front door warned that some­one was on the porch. She eased across the room and went to the special peephole that had been installed. There was one on each side of the cabin, allowing for views all the way around. A man stood on the porch. He was the typical local cowboy. Jeans and boots. Hat in his hands. Big truck in the drive. Just like Marshal Holloway.

But she did not know this man.

“Alice Stewart, if you’re in there, it’s okay for you to open the door. I’m Sheriff Colt Tanner. Branch sent me.”

Her heart thudding, she held perfectly still. Branch would never send someone to her without letting her know first. If for some reason he couldn’t tell her in advance, they had a protocol for these situations.

She reached back, fingers curled about the butt of her weapon. Bob moved stealthily toward the door.

“I know you’re concerned about opening the door to a stranger, but you need to trust me. Branch has been in an accident, and he’s in the hospital undergoing surgery right now. No matter that his injuries were serious, he refused to go into surgery until he spoke to me and I assured him I would look after you, ma’am.”

Worry joined the mixture of fear and dread churn­ing inside her. She hoped Branch wasn’t hurt too badly. He had a wife and a daughter.

She opened her mouth to ask about his condition, but then she snapped it shut. The man at her door had not said the code word.

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About the Author

DEBRA WEBB is the award winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama.

Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Toxic Deception by K.C. Gillis

Toxic Deception (A Jordan Reed Mystery) by K.C. Gillis

#ToxicDeception @kcgilliswriter @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today it is my turn on the Toxic Deception Blog Tour. I am excited to share my Feature Post and Book Review for Toxic Deception (A Jordan Reed Mystery Book #1)) by K.C. Gillis, who is a new to me author.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and the author’s bio and social media links. This is a fast-paced, entertaining start to a new thriller series. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb

Strange symptoms. Bloody secrets. Can one reporter solve a medical mystery before she ends up in a body bag?

Jordan Reed put her world on hold to hunt down corruption. So when the gutsy journalist gets tipped off about blood money changing hands at a pharmaceutical factory, she dives into the story. With an otherwise healthy worker dropping dead of multiple organ failure, Jordan suspects something far more sinister than a simple accident…

Daring to go up against big pharma, she gains an ally on the inside and recruits two friends to join the investigation. But after a string of false leads and tight-lipped witnesses, she ties her case to disturbingly similar evidence in a medical trial on the other side of the globe. And if she doesn’t expose the lethal conspiracy soon, Jordan is terrified she and her team could be the next victims of the lethal cover-up.

Can Jordan take down a greedy corporation before they sacrifice more lives in the drive for profit?

Toxic Deception is the first book in the gripping Jordan Reed thriller series. If you like tenacious heroines, underdog stories, and edge-of-your-seat action, then you’ll love K.C. Gillis’s page-turning tale.

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

TOXIC DECEPTION by K.C. Gillis is an engrossing new thriller by a new to me author. A junior staff reporter versus an amoral biochem/pharmaceutical company and it just picks up in speed and suspense as it progresses.

Jordan Reed is a staff reporter on the metro beat at a small newspaper. She returns home one day after her morning swim to find an envelope taped to her door. It contains an obituary for a young husband and father who died under mysterious circumstances. Jordan is not a crime reporter, but when she starts to ask questions, she finds she has a story that may tie the pharmaceutical company and its COO back to an experimental drug trial that killed her mother.

With help from her ex-fiance, still best-friend Travis and her friend Charlie Choi who works at the CDC, Jordan fights to learn what the company is hiding. This lethal conspiracy needs to be uncovered before there are more victims, including Jordan and her friends.

I enjoyed this introduction to Jordan and her friends from K.C. Gillis. The thriller plot is an interesting investigation into the biochem/pharmaceutical industry and the massive amounts of money that corrupt the entire system. Jordan makes an interesting new journalist protagonist to follow, but she is at times a little too naïve to believe for her position. That said, she will hopefully be a little more careful in her decisions in future books. She is inquisitive and caring and I do not want those qualities to change. The secondary characters are well fleshed out and I hope to read more about Travis in future Jordan Reed books.

I recommend this thriller for a fast-paced, entertaining read.

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About the Author:

K.C. (Kevin) Gillis is the author of the Jordan Reed mystery series. Despite being a lifelong lover of stories and books, writing took a distant back seat as his professional career travelled through the Canadian Air Force, a decade as a chemist, followed by a long and continuing run in corporate America. With writing no longer in the back seat (but not quite yet in the front seat), Kevin has the initial novels (plus one novella) in the Jordan Reed series well under way. His personal interests focus on endurance and water sports, and obviously a lot of reading!. Having grown up in the Canadian Maritimes, he now lives in the US northeast.

He can be found online at www.kcgillis.com. You can connect with Kevin on Twitter at @kcgilliswriter, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcgilliswriter and you can email him directly at kevin@kcgillis.com.

Information on all of his books can be found at kcgillis.com.

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcgilliswriter

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

Website: https://kcgillis.com/

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Deception-Jordan-Reed-Mystery/dp/1733392416/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y37MMBWEWC7T&keywords=toxic+deception&qid=1580206669&sprefix=toxic+dec%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toxic-Deception-Jordan-Reed-Mystery-ebook/dp/B083BK4JB2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1M1N7ZHUPX3BQ&keywords=toxic+deception&qid=1580206706&sprefix=toxic+dece%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-2

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/toxic-deception

Publishing Information:

Published in paperback and ebook formats on 6th February 2020 by Chesterfield Press

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: San Diego Dead by Mark Nolan

San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe #4) by Mark Nolan

#SanDiegoDead #JakeWolfe @marknolan @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today, it is my turn on the San Diego Dead Blog Tour. I am excited to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe Book #4) by Mark Nolan. This is the first book I read in this series and I cannot wait to go back and read the previous books after falling in love with Jake and Cody.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and an about the author with social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb

Danger awaits Marine-turned-lawyer Jake Wolfe on his vacation to sunny San Diego and Cabo San Lucas. There he finds sugary white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, boat trips among gray whales, and … cold blooded murder.

It was meant to be a relaxing holiday for Jake and his adopted war dog, Cody, but violence erupts when he crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.

Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take.

Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk. Will the two combat veterans be able to retrieve the dangerous item before the killers do? The clock is ticking, but Jake hopes that if anybody can help find the package, it has to be his highly-trained and ultra-intelligent dog, Cody.

Find out what happens next. Start reading the latest Jake and Cody thriller right now and enjoy another fast-paced stand-alone story by author Mark Nolan.

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe Book #4) by Mark Nolan is a fast-paced action thriller featuring Jake Wolfe and his retired war dog, Cody. This is my first time to read a book in this series. The plot lends itself to be easily read as a standalone, but multiple characters seem to be carried over from previous books. That said, I loved it so much that I bought the first three books in a bundle pack.

Jake Wolfe is a veteran Marine turned lawyer, but he is also part of a secret covert operation team. He and his retired war-dog, Cody live on a borrowed yacht. Jake’s Marine training, love of country and the strong moral code have him fighting against national security threats and assisting his many friends and brothers-in-arms.

Jake is on vacation with his girlfriend, Sarah and Cody in Cabo San Lucas to relax and whale watch with a fellow veteran and friend, Pez. Pez is hiding secrets that put Jake, Cody and Sarah in the crosshairs of a ruthless Mexican cartel leader, who will do anything to retrieve a stolen package.

Until Jake can unravel the mystery of the package with help from his friends, they are all in mortal danger. And when they discover what the package contains, it becomes a threat to national security. The clock is ticking as Jake and Cody work to destroy the cartel, secure vengeance for his friend and neutralize the threat to the country.

This is an extremely fast-paced and exciting, easy-to-read thriller. The plot is packed full of action, danger, a ruthless cartel, terrorism and human trafficking that does not slow down. Jake is an alpha hero and with his war-dog Cody, they work together to slip out of some very tight situations. There is a large ensemble of secondary characters that work with Jake and Cody that make the story feel more realistic than just a lone hero taking on the world. I really love that Mr. Nolan gives Cody a unique personality and he gives his own third person perspective on his pack leader occasionally. I read this book all in one sitting and I am looking forward to reading the previous books in this series, too.

I recommend this fast-paced thrill ride of an adventure.

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About Mark Nolan:

Mark Nolan has spent much of his life near the seashore. He loves dogs and has often been called a “dog whisperer.” These interests are reflected in his novels where the main character lives on a boat with his highly intelligent former war dog.

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marknolan

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14844422.Mark_Nolan

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/San-Diego-Dead-Action-Thriller-ebook/dp/B07TP7RSTX/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=san+diego+dead&qid=1580208958&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/San-Diego-Dead-Action-Thriller-ebook/dp/B07TP7RSTX/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=san+diego+dead&qid=1580208980&sr=8-1

Publishing Information:

Published in ebook and paperback formats on 31st August 2019.

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Audiobook Review: The Secret Life of Anna Blanc by Jennifer Kincheloe

Hi, everyone!

Today is my first share on the Anna Blanc Myseries Audiobook Series Blog Tour. This Feature Post and Audiobook Review is for THE SECRET LIFE OF ANNA BLANC (The Anna Blanc Mysteries Book #1) by Jennifer Kincheloe.

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

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About Audiobook #1

Author: Jennifer Kincheloe

Narrator: Moira Quirk

Length: 12 hours 45 minutes

Publisher: Jennifer Kincheloe⎮2016

Genre: Historical Fiction Mystery

Series: Anna Blanc Mysteries, Book 1Release date: Nov. 14, 2016

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Book Synopsis:

It’s 1907 Los Angeles.

Mischievous socialite Anna Blanc is the kind of young woman who devours purloined crime novels, but must disguise them behind covers of more domestically-appropriate reading. She could match wits with Sherlock Holmes, but in her world women are not allowed to hunt criminals.

Determined to break free of the era’s rigid social roles, Anna buys off the chaperone assigned by her domineering father and, using an alias, takes a job as a police matron with the Los Angeles Police Department. There she discovers a string of brothel murders, which the cops are unwilling to investigate. Seizing her one chance to solve a crime, she takes on the investigation herself. If the police find out, she’ll get fired; if her father finds out, he’ll disown her; and if her fiancé finds out, he’ll cancel the wedding.

Midway into her investigation, the police chief’s son, Joe Singer, learns her true identity, and shortly thereafter she learns about blackmail. Anna must choose – either hunt the villain and risk losing her father, fiancé, and wealth, or abandon her dream and leave the killer on the loose.

Buy Links for Audiobook #1Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

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My Book Review:

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

The Secret Life of Anna Blanc (Anna Blanc Mysteries Book #1) by Jennifer Kincheloe is the first book in a historical mystery series set in 1907 Los Angeles featuring young socialite Anna Blanc. I listened to this audiobook and was entertained by the narrator’s performance.

Young socialite Anna Blanc feels caged by her overprotective father and societal rules. After several failed attempts to change her life which only managed to tarnish her reputation, Anna finally has a plan that can work. She has a new chaperone she bribes for her freedom and she uses an alias to obtain a job as a police matron for the Los Angeles PD.

Anna discovers there are a string of brothel murders the police are covering up. Anna has always dreamed of being a police detective and this is her chance to solve a crime and prove herself, but the consequences for failure and/or exposure are high.

I hope the listener will give this audiobook/book a chance to get going. At first Anna’s personality is that of a spoiled, sheltered and self-centered debutante, BUT she evolves and learns as her circumstances change. I do feel the author makes you feel the restrictions of that time for women as well as Anna’s frustrations very well. Anna is inquisitive and intelligent, not just a young female character who lucks into the resolution. While the crime itself is serious, there are many lighter moments throughout. I would have given this book a higher rating, but it took too long to get to the mystery plot and for Anna to begin to mature. Once the storyline progressed though, I enjoyed it more.

I look forward to listening to more of Anna’s adventures. Moira Quirk does a wonderful job of narrating this book and brought Anna to life for me.

***

Author Interview Q&A:

1. How did you select your narrator? 

An Anna Blanc fan who is also a fan of Moira’s knew I was auditioning narrators because I posted it on Twitter. She tweeted me and said, “You need to hire Moira Quirk.” So, I checked Moira out. While I loved her work, I initially dismissed the idea because Moira is English and Anna Blanc is American. I didn’t yet realize that Moira can do anything. She’s won a million awards. Anyway, the book is hard to narrate because you have to get the delicate mix of humor and darkness right. I auditioned some 30 narrators, and they had many strengths, but no one had everything I wanted.  I finally approached Moira and asked, “Can you do an American accent?” Her audition was perfect. 

2. How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters? 

Moira instinctively gets Anna. Also, she’s a perfectionist and committed to excellence. I like her artistic choices. She might ask how to pronounce a word, but she doesn’t need me at all.

3. Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing? 

Yes. I got my storylines straight from the 1900s newspapers. A 19-year-old white missionary woman was found dead and stuffed in the trunk in her Chinese American lover’s apartment in New York’s Chinatown. I moved the story to Los Angeles, but lots of things are the same, right down to tiny details. After you’ve listened to the audiobook, Google Elsie Sigel and Leon Ling. The B plot in the novel is about two singsong girls–Chinese sex slaves–who were stolen away from their “owner,” a tong president. It almost led to a gang war. The LAPD were hunting the singsong girls to give them back to their “owner” so the LAPD could collect a $1,000 reward and avert violence.

4. Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you? 

I LOVE audiobooks. I listen to 20 audiobooks for every one paper book I read. The narrator is everything to me, which is why I’m so thrilled with Moira Quirk.

5. If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go? 

Definitely 1900s Los Angeles! I’d go everywhere that Anna would go–fancy hotels, cheap brothels, Joe Singer’s apartment.

6. What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?

Nonsense.

7. How did you celebrate after finishing this novel? 

I need to work on that celebration thing. 

8. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series? 

I liken it to a movie vs. a TV series. You simply have more time to develop the characters. You know them so well.You also have the challenge of making them grow or change in every book. Sustaining the romance is a trick, but I love how Elizabeth Peters did it in the Amelia Peabody series. It never got old. The audiobooks of that series are seriously the best I’ve ever heard (after Moira). They relate the adventures of a woman Egyptologist in the late 19th and early 20th century. Start with CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK. You’ll thank me.

9. What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Write for yourself. Not for money, critics, or glory. Only write for yourself

10. What’s next for you?

I have a contract for book three in the Anna Blanc mystery series, which I’ve tentatively titled GRIFFITH PARK. It’s hard to describe the plot because there’s a twist in the beginning and I’m not sure how much to reveal, but it’s more Anna and Joe, more adventures, more LA history straight from the papers.

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About the Author: Jennifer Kincheloe

Jennifer has been a block layer, a nurse’s aid, a fragrance model, and on the research faculty at UCLA, where she spent 11 years conducting studies to inform health policy. A native of Southern California, she now lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two teenagers. She’s currently writing book three in the Anna Blanc Mystery series. Book two, THE WOMAN IN THE CAMPHOR TRUNK, is coming out in Fall of 2017 from Seventh Street Books.

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About the Narrator: Moira Quirk

Moira grew up in teeny-tiny Rutland, England’s smallest county, which is fitting as she never managed to make it past five feet herself.  Moira’s work spans the pantheon of the voiceover world: plays for BBC radio, plays for NPR, video games, commercials, television promos, podcasts, cartoons, movies and award winning audiobooks. She’s won Multiple Audie Awards, Earphone Awards, as well as Audible’s prestigious Book-of-the-Year Award. She has lately set foot in front of the camera again, appearing in “Pretty: the Series” and the Emmy-winning “Dirty Work.”

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