Audiobook Review: The Enigma Wraith

Enigma Wraith

 

 

About Audiobook #4

 

Author: Charles V Breakfield, Roxanne E Burkey

Narrator: Derek Shoales

Length: 10 hours 50 minutes

Publisher: Enigma Series LLC⎮2018

Genre: Science Fiction; Technothriller

Series: The Enigma Series, Book 4

Release date: Mar. 19, 2018

 

Synopsis: The Enigma Wraith, the fourth book in the Enigma series, serves up yet another captivating techno-thriller racing with romance, humor, and possible catastrophe. When an Irish financial institution, a Brazilian hydroelectric plant, a NATO base, and a smart car traveling through the European countryside are each hacked by the same sinister force, the world is introduced to the first glimpse of the potential damage that the Ghost Code can inflict – on both a personal and an industrial level.

Created by a mysterious pair of cyber pirates known only as Mephisto and Callisto, this destructive code is nearly impossible to find and even harder to remove. And while their agenda appears to be a blackmail plot for financial gain, their true aims could be of a far more menacing and expansive nature.

In an intriguing game of digital cat and mouse, the R-Group’s Jacob, Petra, and Quip find themselves pitted against their most nefarious enemies to date. Stretching their considerable talents to the max, they struggle to track down the source of the problem and craft a solution that can secure the world’s technology infrastructure before it completely collapses.

What do we risk in our appetite for technology with no guardrails in place?

 

Buy Links for Audiobook #4

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The Enigma Series Teaser

 

 

The Enigma Wraith is the best book in the series thus far. The conflict, antagonists, plot line and R group made more sense. It helps having read the previous books and getting a sense of the characters personalities and pasts. There’s a consistent use of formal dialogue for most of the main characters in this series including this book; but combined with the humorous tone I believe it works well. You can’t have a good story without sufficient conflict so this had all the necessary elements. The sex scenes were a bit too steamy for me, but besides that, it’s the best story.

 

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

 

  • Narrator-Story Connection:  9/10

Having listened to a few books narrated by Derek Shoales I realize his performances are very skillful. He brings it every book.

 

  • Voice Creation/Switch Over:  8/10

The accents, personalities were spot on throughout the book. Irish, varous American accents, Scottish were impressive.

 

  • Pacing 8/10

The pacing is on par with the other books and satisfied the basic need of the story.

 

  • Emphasis 9/10

I gave Shoales a higher mark here after listening to him for a while. He gets into the head of each character and brings out there personalities with skill. Very consistent throughout the book and good narrative voice.

 

  • Reader-Story Connection  8/10

Yup. Kept me in the story wanting to know what happens next.

 

  • Sound Quality: 10/10

Publisher:    Enigma Series LLC

 

  • Overall Performance: 8/10

Good performance overall.

 

About the Author: Charles V. Breakfield & Roxanne E. Burkey

Breakfield is a renowned technology solutions architect with 25+ years of experience in security, hybrid data/telecom environments, and unified communications enjoys leveraging his professional skills in these contemporary TechnoThriller stories. His love of World War II history from multiple viewpoints, extensive world travel, and cultural exchanges are a part of his DNA. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding has found ways into the nine books of The Enigma Series. Being the son of a military father allowed early exposure to various outposts, which has positively contributed to Charles contributions to many characters and the various character perspectives explored.


Burkey is a renowned customer experience professional, she is adept at initiating business solutions optimizing existing technology architecture to positively impact business outcomes. Her 25+ years in technology and business has allowed her to be a featured speaker on customer experience, subject matter expert, interviewer, instructor, and author of technology documents, as well as creator of the award winning stories within The Enigma Series. She recognized a few years ago, after several white papers and non-fictional technology books that writing fiction is a lot more fun, creative, and yet leverages relevant technology. As a child she helped to lead the other kids with exciting new adventures built on make believe characters which she brings to the stories in a grown up manner. Rox enjoys family, listening to people, any kind of travel, sewing, gourmet cooking, and imagining the possibilities.


Breakfield & Burkey – Combining their professional expertise, knowledge of the world from both business and personal travels, many characters whom have crossed their paths and are now a foundation for the 150+ characters which are a part of their series. They find it interesting to use aspects of today’s technology that people are actually incorporate into their daily lives. They will openly claim this experience and knowledge of people is a perfect way to create these adult good guy/bad guy stories. Relevant technology is combined with travel, romance, intrigue, mystery, and humor design for each book to be enjoyed alone or in sequence. Reviewers have positively compared Breakfield and Burkey to the works of Tom Clancy and Clive Custer which are some of their influencers.


The nine books currently in the series include The Enigma Factor, Rising, Ignite, Wraith, Stolen, Always, Gamers, Broker, and Dragon have received awards individually as a series, and audio books. They have also created some award winning short stories including one for The Enigma Chronicles focused on how one of the founding family was fractured due to the greed for information superiority.

 

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Audiobook Review: The Enigma Ignite

The Enigma Ignite

 

 

 

The Enigma Series Teaser

 

 

As the world’s biggest powers compete for superiority, it’s not larger weapons or greater numbers of soldiers that top their wish lists. Instead, it’s the latest and greatest technological advances: nanotechnology, dynamic programming algorithms, and drones, working together to build the next generation of military communications.

When a professor at a Texas university begins researching ways to improve animal husbandry and boost global food supplies, her results catch the eye of inquisitive engineer Keith Austin Avery-whose interests have nothing to do with solving world hunger.

But as Avery works on potential new uses for this technology, his research draws the attention of a powerful terrorist group, with traumatic results for him and his subcontractor Eilla-Zan Marshall.

Now it’s up to the members of the R-Group to find the terrorists and their captives, using all the data and analytics at their disposal to leverage each and every piece of information.

The fast-paced third installment of the Enigma Series has R-Group’s Jacob working closely with a powerful and talented team-with results that incorporate a satisfying balance of technology, surprisingly sensitive romance, and the blurred lines that surround the age-old conflict between good and evil.

 

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The R group is in for another whopper of a case in this one. International power struggles among various groups spark a series of conflicts that are hard to solve. The Enigma series has crafted a number of intriguing characters in the midst of elaborate plots. Narrator Derek Shoales does a good job again with his voice creations, narrative voice, and displaying the personalities of the story.

 

 

 

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About the Author: Charles V. Breakfield & Roxanne E. Burkey

Breakfield is a renowned technology solutions architect with 25+ years of experience in security, hybrid data/telecom environments, and unified communications enjoys leveraging his professional skills in these contemporary TechnoThriller stories. His love of World War II history from multiple viewpoints, extensive world travel, and cultural exchanges are a part of his DNA. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding has found ways into the nine books of The Enigma Series. Being the son of a military father allowed early exposure to various outposts, which has positively contributed to Charles contributions to many characters and the various character perspectives explored.


Burkey is a renowned customer experience professional, she is adept at initiating business solutions optimizing existing technology architecture to positively impact business outcomes. Her 25+ years in technology and business has allowed her to be a featured speaker on customer experience, subject matter expert, interviewer, instructor, and author of technology documents, as well as creator of the award winning stories within The Enigma Series. She recognized a few years ago, after several white papers and non-fictional technology books that writing fiction is a lot more fun, creative, and yet leverages relevant technology. As a child she helped to lead the other kids with exciting new adventures built on make believe characters which she brings to the stories in a grown up manner. Rox enjoys family, listening to people, any kind of travel, sewing, gourmet cooking, and imagining the possibilities.


Breakfield & Burkey – Combining their professional expertise, knowledge of the world from both business and personal travels, many characters whom have crossed their paths and are now a foundation for the 150+ characters which are a part of their series. They find it interesting to use aspects of today’s technology that people are actually incorporate into their daily lives. They will openly claim this experience and knowledge of people is a perfect way to create these adult good guy/bad guy stories. Relevant technology is combined with travel, romance, intrigue, mystery, and humor design for each book to be enjoyed alone or in sequence. Reviewers have positively compared Breakfield and Burkey to the works of Tom Clancy and Clive Custer which are some of their influencers.


The nine books currently in the series include The Enigma Factor, Rising, Ignite, Wraith, Stolen, Always, Gamers, Broker, and Dragon have received awards individually as a series, and audio books. They have also created some award winning short stories including one for The Enigma Chronicles focused on how one of the founding family was fractured due to the greed for information superiority.

 

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Audiobook Review: The Enigma Rising

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Enigma Rising audio image

 

 

About Audiobook #2

Author: Charles V Breakfield, Roxanne E Burkey

Narrator: Derek Shoales

Length: 10 hours 19 minutes

Publisher: Enigma Series LLC⎮2017

Genre: Science Fiction; Technothriller

Series: The Enigma Series, Book 2

Release date: Sep. 13, 2017

 

Synopsis: When a Brazilian industrialist hires the R-Group, the world’s most elite information-gathering unit to track the disappearance of his daughter – a dangerous – but quiet hunt begins. But just finding her doesn’t mean all will be well. The team in Switzerland follows the leads from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean, but the data trail is leading nowhere. Sometimes the most important clues come from unlikely sources.

By chance, two members of the elite team vacationing in Mexico cross paths with Carlos and Juan’s fly-by-night operation. Cloaking their “moving business” from satellite surveillance, their unique talent for relocating drug lords targeted by the Mexican authorities, along with their cash, gold, artwork and other assets, was legendary. These are Bad Boys, so-called entrepreneurs, whom even the most generous observer would question the legality of their business model.

Can the R-Group assemble the pieces of the puzzle without international consequences? Will the brothers stop running outside the law long enough to do the right thing? Can you hide from your past and still enjoy the present? Is the heiress hiding in plain sight or gone forever? And can the brothers rein in their contempt for societal rules and leave behind the sweet deals long enough to save a life?

The Enigma Rising continues the award-winning Breakfield and Burkey’s series, overcoming opportunistic cyber-crime in the high-stakes world of information brokering in the 21st century. With its strong cast of characters, this engaging techno-thriller of lost-and-found – and lost again – will take you on an incredible journey into the dark side of technology.

 

Buy Links for Audiobook #2

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Book Review

 

 

Book #2 The Engima Rising was a better story than the first book. This was less of a sprawling plot with a clear aim, new characters and a better storyline.  Definitely had more of  a humorous tone which made me laugh out loud several times. A bit too heavy on the sexual activity though.

 

 

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

 

  • Narrator-Story Connection:  8/10

Narrated Derek Shoales has done a great job preparing himself for this story and displaying it in his performance.

 

  • Voice Creation/Switch Over:  8/10

There were several voices and accents spread across the scope of the book. The Brazilian accents were hilarious. Some of the other accents weren’t too band but could use some help. Petra, Otto, Thiago, Rita, Laura/Simone. Some of them were too similar with one another. Robert’s voice was pretty and good—and one of the best was a British accent of someone I can’t remember, sorry.

 

  • Pacing 8/10

The pacing was appropriate in my opinion. A bit faster than most but I thought it was fitting given the characters from South America. I’d much rather have a faster narrator than a slower one.

 

  • Emphasis 7.5/10

I also love the narrators who can place emphasis where it needs to be.  One of my pet peeves is a monotone, dull narrator that drives me nuts. Shoales does a good enough job to grab your attention and bring you into the story.

 

  • Reader-Story Connection  8/10

Shoales grabs your attention enough to follow the story and invest in each character. His pacing and emphasis added to the depth of the characters.

 

  • Sound Quality: 9/10

Publisher:    Enigma Series LLC

 

  • Overall Performance: 7.75

Overall it was a good performance that brings you into the story. That is the bare minimum of any narrator in my opinion.

 

 

The Enigma Series Teaser

 

 

About the Author: Charles V. Breakfield & Roxanne E. Burkey

Breakfield is a renowned technology solutions architect with 25+ years of experience in security, hybrid data/telecom environments, and unified communications enjoys leveraging his professional skills in these contemporary TechnoThriller stories. His love of World War II history from multiple viewpoints, extensive world travel, and cultural exchanges are a part of his DNA. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding has found ways into the nine books of The Enigma Series. Being the son of a military father allowed early exposure to various outposts, which has positively contributed to Charles contributions to many characters and the various character perspectives explored.


Burkey is a renowned customer experience professional, she is adept at initiating business solutions optimizing existing technology architecture to positively impact business outcomes. Her 25+ years in technology and business has allowed her to be a featured speaker on customer experience, subject matter expert, interviewer, instructor, and author of technology documents, as well as creator of the award winning stories within The Enigma Series. She recognized a few years ago, after several white papers and non-fictional technology books that writing fiction is a lot more fun, creative, and yet leverages relevant technology. As a child she helped to lead the other kids with exciting new adventures built on make believe characters which she brings to the stories in a grown up manner. Rox enjoys family, listening to people, any kind of travel, sewing, gourmet cooking, and imagining the possibilities.


Breakfield & Burkey – Combining their professional expertise, knowledge of the world from both business and personal travels, many characters whom have crossed their paths and are now a foundation for the 150+ characters which are a part of their series. They find it interesting to use aspects of today’s technology that people are actually incorporate into their daily lives. They will openly claim this experience and knowledge of people is a perfect way to create these adult good guy/bad guy stories. Relevant technology is combined with travel, romance, intrigue, mystery, and humor design for each book to be enjoyed alone or in sequence. Reviewers have positively compared Breakfield and Burkey to the works of Tom Clancy and Clive Custer which are some of their influencers.


The nine books currently in the series include The Enigma Factor, Rising, Ignite, Wraith, Stolen, Always, Gamers, Broker, and Dragon have received awards individually as a series, and audio books. They have also created some award winning short stories including one for The Enigma Chronicles focused on how one of the founding family was fractured due to the greed for information superiority.

 

WebsiteTwitterFacebookGoodreadsPinterest

 

 

 

 

Audiobook listener

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audiobook Review: Love and Hate by Ryan Armstrong

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audio love hate

About the Audiobook

 

Author: Ryan Armstrong

Narrator: Christopher Sherwood

Length: 5 hours and 1 minutes

Publisher: LM Vintage Publishers⎮2018

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: July 17, 2018

 

Synopsis: World War II: A young Nazi guard stationed in a ghetto in Regensburg, Germany finds himself in a time and place that he hates. He has never directly participated in the bloodletting but has done nothing to stop it. He wonders if his soul can be saved. He saves a Jewish girl’s life when ordered to murder her. He refuses despite the consequences. Perhaps the girl he saved can save him? Maybe she can be the key to his redemption and a light for his soul, to guide the way home.

 

 

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Emotionally riveting story of love and hate of a Nazi guard and young Jewish girl. Well told, gripping saga that puts on display the struggles of living in Nazi Germany. But in the midst of all the chaos, there’s a beacon of light and hope. This book had me on the edge of my seat to find out what happens next. The narrator did a splendid job with a German accent which gave it a more authentic feel for the reader.
Author Pic

About the Author: Ryan Armstrong

Ryan Armstrong has always enjoyed history, reading and writing. He majored in history and English at the University of Oklahoma. He likes to tell stories that haven’t been told before, especially love stories. He is currently working on an anthology, The Darkest Hour, due out in January with ten best selling historical fiction novelists. He is married and has two boys. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Follow Ryan Armstrong on Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, Twitter or at ryanarmstrongauthor.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrator Pic

 

 

 

About the Narrator: Christopher Sherwood

Christopher shares his time between London and New York. He grew up in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, England, before attending Oxford University to study Human Sciences. He was then recruited into the advertising industry where he spent 7 years and during which time he developed a love of theatre. It was this love that drove him to leave advertising in order to attend Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Since then he has performed various roles on stage, TV and film and more recently has enjoyed success as a voice artist earning commissions for corporate, commercial, drama, and audiobook work.

 

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Audiobook Review: Gone to Ground by Rachel Amphlett

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Some secrets should stay buried forever…

 

 

Gone to Ground Cover AUDIO

 

 

About the Audiobook

Author: Rachel Amphlett

Narrator: Alison Campbell

Length: hours minutes

Publisher: Saxon Publishing⎮2018

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural

Series: Detective Kay Hunter, Book 6

Release date: July 4, 2018

 

Synopsis: While attending a crime scene on the outskirts of Maidstone, DI Kay Hunter makes a shocking discovery.

The victim has been brutally cut to pieces, his identity unknown.


When more body parts start turning up in the Kentish countryside, Kay realises the disturbing truth – a serial killer is at large and must be stopped at all costs.

With no motive for the murders and a killer who has gone undetected until now, Kay and her team of detectives must work fast to calm a terrified local population and a scornful media.

When a third victim is found, her investigation grows even more complicated.

As she begins to expose a dark underbelly to the county town, Kay and her team are pulled into a web of jealousy and intrigue that, if left unchecked, will soon claim another life.

 

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DI Kay Hunter and her team have their hands full trying to identify the victims of a killer who only leaves remains.  Kay Hunter British Detective book 6 definitely has more suspense than previous ones. It’ll keep you guessing until the very end. The case gets more complicated as time goes on and leaves the team more baffled than when they first began.  I always trust author Rachel Amphlett to pen a good crime mystery.

 

 

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Audiobook Blog Tour: I Serve by Roseanne E. Lortz

I Serve Banner

 

 

A tale of arms, of death, of love, and of honor.

 

 

I Serve

 

 

About the Audiobook

Author: Rosanne E. Lortz

Narrator: James Young

Length: 10 hours 50 minutes

Publisher: Madison Street Publishing⎮20

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: Jul. 18, 2017

 

Synopsis: A tale of arms, of death, of love, and of honor.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War, I Serve chronicles the story of Sir John Potenhale. A young Englishman of lowly birth, Potenhale wins his way to knighthood on the fields of France. He enters the service of Edward, the Black Prince of Wales, and immerses himself in a stormy world of war, politics, and romantic intrigue.

While campaigning in France, Potenhale develops an interest in Margery, a spirited lady-in-waiting with a close-kept secret. He soon learns that Sir Thomas Holland, a crass and calculating baron, holds the key to unlock Margery’s mystery and possesses the power to overturn all of his hopes.

When the Black Death strikes Europe, however, Potenhale realizes that the fiercest enemy does not always appear in human form. Seeing the pestilence as a punishment for the sins of his generation, he questions his calling as a knight and considers entering the cloister. Margery or the monastery? Torn between losing his soul and losing the love of his life, he finds friendship with a French knight who might – just possibly – help him save both.

 

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I like the historic backdrop of this book and the story of Sir John Potenhale. It was eye-opening to see the effects of the Black plague upon London and its inhabitants. This book is very rich in its historical detail, settings and dialogue giving it an authentic feel. I only wish his point of view were deeper. That would’ve made the book a lot better in my opinion. The narrative was rich and informative, but tend to get lost at times. At any rate, it was fascinating and kept me listening to find out what happens.

 

 

 

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE: 7/10

 

  • Narrator-Story Connection:  8/10

Narrator James Young is fully enveloped within the story and characters. This is one of his strong points. Believe me, it makes a huge difference!

 

  • Voice Creation/Switch Over:  7/10

 

The only thing to note here is the difficulty switching from narrative voice to the voice of the french characters. French can be a difficult language to speak, let alone toggling back and forth English and French. Some of the guttural parts are hard on the ear, but not bad.

 

  • Pacing 7/10

The pace of the narrator is a bit fast for my taste which forced me to concentrate more than I normally would. A small but significant aspect of the performance. I could’ve slowed the pace in the app but I don’t normally like to adjust the original performance.

 

  • Emphasis 7/10

The narrator has good emphasis at certain spots, but somewhat monotone. This could be due to the heavy narrative, less dialogue and depth of character.

 

  • Reader-Story Connection  6/10

I did have some difficulty following the story due to the aforementioned aspects. This probably would’ve been remedied by slower pace, more emphasis and characterization.

 

  • Sound Quality: 10/10

Publisher:  Madison Street Publishing

Great sound quality.

 

  • Overall Performance: 7/10 

Narrator James Young actually had a good performance and is a worthy medium, but some aspects hindered me entering fully into the story. He has a rich British accent and fully grasps the breadth of the entire book. I would listen to him again.

 

 

 

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Audio Series Blog Tour: Detective Kay Hunter Book 2: Will to Live

Detective Kay Hunter

 

 

Will to Live is the second book in a new crime thriller series featuring Kay Hunter — a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future…

 

 

Will to Live Cover AUDIO

 

 

About Audiobook #2

 

Author: Rachel Amphlett

Narrator: Alison Campbell

Length: 8 hours 15 minutes

Publisher: Saxon Publishing⎮2017

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural

Series: Detective Kay Hunter, Book 2

Release date: Oct. 12, 2017

 

Synopsis: Reputation is everything.

When a packed commuter train runs over a body on a stretch of track known to locals as “Suicide Mile”, it soon transpires that the man was a victim of a calculated murder.

As the investigation evolves and a pattern of murders is uncovered, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter realizes the railway’s recent reputation may be the work of a brutal serial killer.

With a backlog of cold cases to investigate and attempting to uncover who is behind a professional vendetta against her, Kay must keep one step ahead of both the killer and her own adversaries.

When a second murder takes place within a week of the first, she realizes the killer’s timetable has changed, and she’s running out of time to stop him….

Will to Live is the second book in a new crime thriller series featuring Kay Hunter – a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future….

 

Buy Links for Audiobook #2

Buy on RachelAmphlett.com

 

 

I’m becoming an avid fan of Rachel Amphlett’s Detective Kay series. They all seem to play out like movies whenever I read them. Kay Hunter combined with sensational plots, horrific, yet fascinating crimes with a good dose of mystery make this series a winner.

I find Amphlett’s writing rather creative and refreshing in the midst of today’s crowded market, which is no easy feat believe me.

The first two books have wonderful beginning scenes that whet your appetite for the rest of the book. In Will to Live, a woman walking her dog discover a man laid across the railroad tracks unable to move and screaming for his life. Only a fence separates them, but the woman is elderly with a bad hip and unable to save him in time. Unfortunately the train is unable to stop in time killing the unknown man instantly with a sickening crunch. So Detective Kay hunter has to determine first who the man is and if it was a suicide or something more deliberate? And why? Great book!!

 

 

 

 

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About the Author: Rachel Amphlett

Before turning to writing, Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as a sub-editor and editorial assistant.

She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction and spy novels, including the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the Detective Kay Hunter series.

Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel cites her writing influences as Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and Robert Ludlum. She’s also a huge fan of Peter James, Val McDermid, Robert Crais, Stuart MacBride, and many more.

She’s a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag.

 

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Blog Tour: The Condition Trilogy Book 2

Condition-Trilogy-Banner-1

 

The Curing Begins…

 

Condition Teaser 2

 

 

About Audiobook #2

Author: Alec Birri

Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 6 hours 39 minutes

Publisher: Essential Music Limited⎮2018

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: The Condition Trilogy, Book 2

Release date: Jan. 17, 2018

 

Synopsis:

The second in a dystopian trilogy based on the author’s command of a top secret government unit.

Discovering an infamous Nazi doctor conducted abortions in Argentina after the Second World War may not come as a surprise, but why was the twisted eugenicist not only allowed to continue his evil experiments but encouraged to do so? And what has that got to do with a respected neurologist in 2027? Surely, the invention of a cure for nearly all the world’s ailments can’t possibly have its roots buried in the horrors of Auschwitz?

The unacceptable is about to become the disturbingly bizarre. What has the treatment’s “correction” of pedophiles got to do with the president of the United States, the pope, and even the UK’s Green Party?

As if the Condition trilogy wasn’t unsettling enough….

 

Buy Links for Audiobook #2

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Book Review - 3d rendered headline

 

 

 

This book is a very imaginative read on many levels.  Book two, The Curing Begins of the Condition trilogy makes for another entertaining book. Alec Birri does a great job of creating his characters with their own quirks and motivations. In each book there seems to layer upon layer of the plot revealed.

Narrator Jonathan Keeble’s performance is spot on in this book. He brings the story to life in many ways with her character portrayal, voices and skill. There were several notable accents that were perfect.

 

Interview with the Author

 

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

I think a series works better than a stand-alone when it comes to the business side of things, as the first can be given away, but that’s not how Condition started out – when it became too big for one novel I split it into two and then, as the words mounted, three books. I’m 25k into my current work, and have no idea if the word count will end up being 40k or even 400k. I write the story and stop when it’s told.

 

What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Seek out danger. Nothing like a near-death experience for freeing the imagination! Seriously though, get out of your comfort zone. There’s a good reason why the likes of Frederick Forsyth have visited war zones or risked crossing deserts just as hostile. No money to do that? Then hang out with your local ambulance crews, paramedics, police and get the experience second-hand. Anything that brings you into contact with the uncomfortable.

 

Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?

Unless you’ve been praised for your ‘easy listening’ vocals, forget DIY – anything other than a smooth experience for the listener will spell disaster, no matter how good the writing. Be prepared to get your wallet/purse out – the dulcet tones of a professional actor are well worth the cost.

 

What’s next for you?

Alt Truths will be out later in the year. Another dystopian novel, but where ‘fake news’ has become so prevalent, democracy is on the brink of collapse (tell us something we don’t know, I hear you say). To combat this, every news agency and social media company is legally obliged to accept an independent ‘moderator’ – a United Nations policeman whose sole purpose is to counter the organisation’s output with opposing viewpoints. Not to get to the truth, but to ensure everyone has access to a different ‘opinion’. Needless to say, that doesn’t go down well, and when one of UNPOL’s officers discovers he’s being used to cover up a genocide…

 

 

 

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About the Author: Alec Birri

Alec Birri served thirty years with the UK Armed Forces. He commanded an operational unit that experimented in new military capabilities classified at the highest level (Top Secret Strap 3) and it is this that forms the basis of his novels. Although semi-autobiographical, for national security and personal liberty reasons, the events and individuals portrayed have to be fiction but are still nonetheless in keeping with his experiences.

 

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About the Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

If you regularly enjoy listening to audiobooks then this Shakespearean actor will need no introduction. Winner of a 2016 SOVAS award, Jonathan’s voice is rightly recognized as being one of the best, and his narration of The Condition Trilogy is no exception.

 

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Audiobook Blog Tour: The Condition by Alec Birri

Condition book one

 

 

About Audiobook #1

Author: Alec Birri

Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 6 hours 32 minutes

Publisher: Essential Music Limited⎮2018

Genre: Medical Thriller

Series: The Condition Trilogy, Book 1

Release date: Jan. 17, 2018

 

Synopsis: The first in a dystopian trilogy based on the author’s command of a top secret government unit.

What if all brain disorders were treatable? Few would lament the passing of dementia or autism, but what if the twisted mind of a sex offender or murderer could be cured too? Or how about a terrorist or maybe a political extremist? What if we could all be “corrected”?

It’s 1966, and RAF pilot Dan Stewart awakes from a coma following an aircraft accident into a world where nothing seems to make sense anymore. Not being able to recall the crash might be expected, but what about the rest of his life? And what’s stopping him from taking his medication? Is it brain damage that’s causing paranoia about the red pill, or is Dan right to think something sinister is going on?

His horrific injuries don’t make any sense either – a post-crash fire caused him to suffer almost 100% burns. How is it even possible to survive that? Are the hallucinations and strange dreams trying to tell him something? They are, and he’ll soon find out what, but not before his doctor’s sure the shock won’t kill him.

 

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BOOK REVIEW

 

I loved this book. The writing combined with the excellent performance of narrator Jonathan Keeble made it great book. The Condition is a psychological medical thriller of its own kind. Author Alec Birri does an exceptional job of unraveling his plot, compelling point of view, and drawing headlong into the story. It seemed like one domino lead the next one, and so forth. Very entertaining with lots of suspense. Can’t wait to start book two!

 

 

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ALEC BIRRI

 

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Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.

Painful! Just who do these producers/narrators think they are? How dare they suggest changes to my writing to make it ‘sound’ better. The very cheek of it! Don’t they realise the agonies we authors have to go through when giving birth to our creations? Now I know why directors/actors get more kudos than screenwriters – the best elevate everything they touch.

 

 

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Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?

Oh yes, anything to get Condition read, heard or seen. I’m even considering a movie. Nothing too elaborate – a live action/animation of one of the chapters would be ideal. Jonathan not only sounds like Professor Savage, a bit more grey hair and he could play him too.

 

 

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How did you select your narrator?

Don’t laugh, but as artificial intelligence features in my novels, I originally planned on using a virtual assistant like Amazon’s Alexa. It (she?) could do the job, but the staccato style soon irritated. I then moved on to a human ‘enhanced’ by AI – just as annoying. Essential Music got wind of what I was trying to do and brought me to my senses. AI is getting better, though – are robots on the verge of taking over more than just factory jobs? Listen to The Final Correction to find out!

 

 

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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? I gave Jonathan a summary of the main characters and their traits i.e. male/female, age, personality type, general character arc, etc. but left it up to him as to how that should be interpreted. The trilogy starts in London, but moves on to the US, Argentina, Italy, Germany and even the Middle East – a lot of accents, so I asked him not to bother. To my amazement, he not only slipped into each like a native, but in a chapter featuring four Argentinians, used four separate Spanish accents!

 

 

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Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

Yes – me! I’m the first to acknowledge thirty years in the military has affected me psychologically, and to the point where I feel compelled to commit my experiences to paper (albeit through science fiction). I write for cathartic reasons.

 

 

 

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About the Author: Alec Birri

Alec Birri served thirty years with the UK Armed Forces. He commanded an operational unit that experimented in new military capabilities classified at the highest level (Top Secret Strap 3) and it is this that forms the basis of his novels. Although semi-autobiographical, for national security and personal liberty reasons, the events and individuals portrayed have to be fiction but are still nonetheless in keeping with his experiences.

 

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About the Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

If you regularly enjoy listening to audiobooks then this Shakespearean actor will need no introduction. Winner of a 2016 SOVAS award, Jonathan’s voice is rightly recognized as being one of the best, and his narration of The Condition Trilogy is no exception.

 

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Audiobook Blog Tour: Legacy The Biodome Chronicles

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About the Audiobook

Author: Jesikah Sundin

Narrator: Sunil Patel

Length: 12 hours 30 minutes

Publisher: Forest Tales Publishing⎮2017

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: The Biodome Chronicles, Book 1

Release date: Dec. 11, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

She is from the past, locked inside a world within a world.

He is from the future, haunted by her death.

A sensible young nobleman and his fiery sister live in an experimental medieval village. Sealed inside this biodome since infancy, Leaf and Willow have been groomed by The Code to build a sustainable world, one devoid of Outsider interference. One that believes death will give way to life.

All is ideal until their father bequeaths a family secret with his dying breath, placing an invisible crown of power on Leaf’s head. Now everyone in their quiet town is suspect. Risking banishment, the siblings search for clues, leading them to Fillion Nichols, an Outsider with a shocking connection to their family. Their encounter launches Fillion into battle with his turbulent past as he rushes to decode the many secrets that bind their future together–a necessity if they are all to survive.

Cultures clash in an unforgettable quest for truth, unfolding a story rich in mystery, betrayal, and love.

 

Are you ready to discover what is real?

 

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This was a very unique book! It took me a while to get a grip on what kind of story it was—then once that was settled, it really is a fascinating book! Two really different worlds that are related in more ways than one, begin to intertwine.

I was impressed with the authors ability to craft great scenes throughout the book. It really sparked my interest and kept me turning the pages. This certainly helps to draw the reader deeper into the book.  The second was the point of view. I admire the skill to not only craft scenes, but also convey the moods, feelings of the characters involved.

 

 

 

See the music playlist that helped inspire the story of Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles!

 

 

 

Music Biodome Chronicles

 

 

 

Follow the link to Spotify:  Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles

 

 

 

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NARRATOR PERFORMANCE

Narrated by:  Sunil Patel

 

  • Narrator-Story Connection: 8/10

I thought the narrator did a job of immersing himself into the essence of the story.

 

  • Voice Quality: 10/10

This is a strength of the narrator in my opinion. I loved Sunil Patel’s unique voice. Very distinct that brings a certain quality to the story.

 

  • Voice Switch Over:  6/10

This is where I rate how well the narrator creates character voices, and switching between them. I thought this was the weakest point of the performance.  At times it was difficulty to discern who was speaking.

 

  • Pacing 6/10

A bit fast paced for my taste but not bad. It still kept me going, but at times I lost track.

 

  • Emphasis 7/10

I thought the character voices could’ve used more emphasis to bring out their personality. There good emphasis in some parts, so probably this is more inconsistency.

 

  • Reader-Story Connection 7/10

The performance kept my interest, intrigue going. The beginning was probably the most challenging, but after that it improved.

 

  • Sound Quality: 7/10

Publisher:  Forest Tales Publishing

The sound quality could definitely use some work. There’s a slight background noise that detracted from the story, but once I got used to it I was able to tune it out.

 

  • Overall Performance: 7/10

 

I think the narrator has a quality voice that is very rich and unique.  His emphasis and narrative voice make up for the other parts of the performance. When it’s all said and done, it kept me listening.

 

 

 

Jesikah Sundin, Author profile

 

 

About the Author: Jesikah Sundin

Jesikah Sundin is multi-award winning a sci-fi/fantasy writer mom of three nerdlets and devoted wife to a gamer geek. In addition to her family, she shares her home in Monroe, Washington with a red-footed tortoise and a collection of seatbelt purses. She is addicted to coffee, laughing, and Dr. Martens boots and shoes … Oh! And the forest is her happy place.

Other Interesting tidbits:


Jesikah owns Forest Tales Photography, and boasts a varied background in business administration and marketing, though her heart has always belonged to the arts and sciences.

In college, she pursued a degree in geophysics and oceanography. And, as a teenager, she attended a performing arts school for musical theater and opera, performing in several theater productions, while also serving as editor-in chief of her high school’s newspaper.

She is married for over twenty years to her high school sweetheart and raising three awesomely geeky children. When not writing, she’s often found in her garden, hiking, gaming, baking, fangirling over all things Star Wars and Firefly, or attending various conventions in cosplay, notably Comicon and FaerieCon.

 

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About the Narrator: Sunil Patel

My name is Sunil Patel and I am a professional British male Voice-Over artist. I was born and bred in London, UK, and woke up with a deep, rumbling voice when I neared adulthood. As a result I have pursued the lifestyle of a Voice Actor / Voice-over artist, not wanting my unique voice to go to waste. I have recorded for multinational companies like Herbal Life, and organisations like The Billy Graham Evangelist Association. I have also narrated an audiobook called Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles. I can also do voice-overs in other languages, which includes Hindi and Gujarati.

I have been voice trained by coach and mentor, Gary Terrza (https://www.vomasterclass.com), a successful and and well-known voice actor who has been doing his craft for over 25 years. I have also received additional voice training by my acting mentor and coach, Gavin MacAlinden, (https://www.actinggymnasium.co.uk/)

Other interesting facts about myself: I worked as a Police Community Support Officer for the London Metropolitan Police for four years; Travelled to 16 countries; Climbed 3 mountains, including a Himalayan peak; I speak 5 languages and most importantly I am also pursuing a career in acting and have performed in local theater in Camden, London.

 

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