Category: Thriller

Fatal Infraction: A Mike Stoneman Thriller by Kevin G. Chapman

About the Audiobook

Author: Kevin G. Chapman

Narrator: Kevin G. Chapman

Length: 10 hours 13 minutes

Publisher: First Legacy Studios⎮2021

Genre: Thriller

Series: Mike Stoneman Thriller, Book 4

Release date: May 24, 2021



Synopsis: He took a knee for social justice. Now, he's dead.

Controversial quarterback Jimmy Rydell’s body was found naked - on the Central Park carousel. Who killed him? How did he get there two days after he disappeared? And why was the body frozen?

Jimmy’s team just wants to move on, after collecting on the $20 million insurance policy. Jimmy’s teammate - the one who threatened to kill him - swears he wasn’t there. Jimmy’s bodyguard had the night off. Somebody is going down for this if NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson can find a theory that explains all the bizarre facts. They just hope the case doesn’t tear the team, and the city, apart first.



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I always find that the Mike Stoneman thrillers are entertaining. This one has an interesting plot that thickens throughout the book with fascinating characters. New York detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason are back at it again trying to solve a high profile crime involving controversial quarterback Jimmy Rydell that’s guaranteed to satisfy your police procedural needs.

Author Interview with Kevin G. Chapman 

Two years ago, I was trying to talk up the first two books in my crime-thriller series to some colleagues at a conference. At least a dozen people asked me: “Is it available as an audiobook?” (OK, the question was really “Is it available on Audible,” but I’m trying to be more inclusive here.) I had to give the answer I had been giving ever since the question was first asked of me after the publication of Righteous Assassin, the first book in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series. I said, “No, not yet.” I said “yet” because I kept telling myself that it could happen someday. But, the up-front cost of hiring a narrator, booking studio time, and hiring a professional engineer/editor was beyond my marketing budget. So, I asked my wonderful wife, Sharon, to buy me a home recording studio kit for the holidays (under $250). In early December of 2019, I set up a studio in my basement (following the advice from all the blogs and You-tube video tutorials I could find) to start narrating my own books.


I made a ton of mistakes narrating Righteous Assassin. The biggest was that I didn’t change the settings on my audio capture software to set the microphone input to my newly purchased professional microphone. Instead, I recorded the whole book with the software set on the default microphone – the one built-in to my laptop computer. Ugh. By the time I realized the error, it was way too late. I did much better when recording Deadly Enterprise, book #2 in the Mike Stoneman series. The audio quality was much better, and by book #2, I had developed a pretty consistent voicing for all the main characters. I finished the narration for books 1 & 2 by January of 2020, and the books were available in audiobook format by April. (Although, there was a lengthy fight with the QC gatekeepers at ACX first.)


For book #3, Lethal Voyage, I wanted the audiobook version to be available on launch day – at the same time as the Kindle edition and the paperback. So, when I finished the writing and editing in July of 2020, I immediately set up my basement studio and narrated the audiobook. It was much easier the third time, and I had a ton of fun working out the new voices and reading all the chapters of the new book. It’s absolutely true that things get easier with practice. This time, the ACX review took 4 weeks, but I got approved without a fight or re-submission.


By the time I started narrating book #4, Fatal Infraction, I was confident that I had it down pat. Think again. I had a printout of all the instructions and reminders about the audiobook production process. Did I re-read my notes before I started? (You can guess, right?) When I finished the last of 41 chapters and sat down to work on the mastering of the edited tracks, I pulled out the reminder/instruction sheet and the first note was: “Check the first couple chapters to ensure that the volume (RMS) level is high enough. If the level is too soft, you won’t have the ideal amount of head space for the mastering and will have to crank up the volume first, which will diminish the fidelity.” Did I check the first couple of chapters for volume before I narrated the whole book? (In the immortal words of John Belushi: “Noooooooooooo.”) So, I had to boost the volume of the tracks as the first step in the mastering process. The tracks came out fine – but they could be slightly better if I had read my own advice. (Grumble.) Aside from that, things went pretty well. My beta readers found few mistakes in the narration this time around, which is a good thing.


There will be at least one more book in this series, Perilous Gambit, which I will narrate myself. We’ll see if I can land a traditional publisher for the next series, which might undertake a truly professional audiobook (is Tom Hanks available?). We’ll see. For now, I’ll have to just try to get it as perfect as I can the next time.

About the Author/Narrator: Kevin G. Chapman 

Kevin G. Chapman is, by profession, an attorney specializing in labor and employment law.  He is the most recent past Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Network of the Association of Corporate Counsel, leading a group of 6800 in-house employment lawyers.  Kevin is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars and enjoys teaching management training courses. 

Kevin G. Chapman is, by profession, an attorney specializing in labor and employment law.  He is the most recent past Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Network of the Association of Corporate Counsel, leading a group of 6800 in-house employment lawyers.  Kevin is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars and enjoys teaching management training courses.
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Audiobook Blog Your: Deadly Enterprise by Kevin G. Chapman




Genre: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural.

Chapters: 53
Runtime: 10:23:28 
Abridgement: Unabridged
Release Date: 02/06/2020
Publisher: First Legacy Productions


https://m.soundcloud.com/user-256907084/deadly-enterprise-the-scotch-scene


Overview: “Championing the forgotten turns deadly in this pulse-pounding edge-of-your-seat crime thriller.” Bruce Perrin, author of Killer in the Retroscape.

“Unique and twisted. Another home run by Kevin Chapman!” -- Michelle files, author of The Many Lives of Ivy Wells.

THE DEAD GIRL THEY FISHED OUT OF THE EAST RIVER WAS A DRUG ADDICTED HOOKER, SO NOBODY CARES. Except that M.E. Michelle McNeill thinks it’s a murder. When NYPD Homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson start investigating, they encounter unexpected obstacles that point in a disturbing direction.

Every death is a tragedy, and every murderer should be exposed, even when nobody wants to hear about it. In order to uncover the truth, Mike and Jason have to go outside the lines, and risk their own reputations, jobs – and lives. This case is one that Mike can’t walk away from, no matter how much he wants to. 

Harry Bosch fans will love this fast-paced police thriller, from award-winning author Kevin G. Chapman. Book #1 in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series, Righteous Assassin, was named one of the top 20 Mystery/Thrillers of 2019 by the Kindle Book Review. The series continues here.


Buy Links Buy on Scribd Reviews Please only post reviews of 3.5 stars ⎮ Chirp ⎮ Nook ⎮ Google Play

Excellent story that draws you in from the first page. You can get a good feel of being enveloped in a policeman’s life. Usually authors who narrate their own work aren’t very good, but I thought Chapman did a good job. Good enough to keep me turning the pages and be drawn into the story. Solid police procedural. 

About the Author/Narrator: Chapman Kevin G. Kevin G. Chapman is, by profession, an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. He is the most recent past Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Network of the Association of Corporate Counsel, leading a group of 6800 in-house employment lawyers. Kevin is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars and enjoys teaching management training courses. Kevin’s passion (aside from playing tournament poker) is writing fiction. Kevin’s first Novel: "Identity Crisis: A Rick LaBlonde, P.I. Mystery," was self-published through Xlibris in 2003, and is now available via Amazon.com as a Kindle e-book. His second novel, A Legacy of One, published in 2016 and was a finalist (short list) for the Chanticleer Book Reviews' Somerset Award for Literary Fiction. A Legacy of One is a serious book, filled with political and social commentary and a plot involving personal identity, self-determination, and the struggle to make the right life decisions. Kevin’s next novel, Righteous Assassin (A Mike Stoneman Thriller), was a much more "fun" read -- it's a page-turner. It has some serious sub-themes, but it's a serial killer chase and it's intended to be enjoyable and easy to read. It was named one of the top 20 Mystery/Thrillers of 2019 by the Kindle Book Review! Kevin has just recently finished book #2 in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series, Deadly Enterprise, which was published on December 2, 2019.
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Audiobook Series Blog Tour: Brass In Pocket by Stephen Puleston

About Audiobook #1
Author: Stephen Puleston
Narrator: Richard Elfyn
Length: 10 hours 10 minutes
Publisher: Stephen Puleston⎮2018
Genre: Modern Detective
Series: Inspector Drake Mysteries, Book 1
Release date: Oct. 26, 2018

Synopsis: It is the middle of the night….
The road is deserted….
A killer is waiting….

Information

 

Two traffic officers are killed on an isolated mountain pass in North Wales. Inspector Drake is called to the scene and quickly discovers a message left by the killer – traffic cones in the shape of a No 4.

The killer starts sending the Wales Police Service lyrics from famous rock songs. Are they messages or is there some hidden meaning in them?

Does it all mean more killings are likely? When a politician is killed Drake has his answer. And then the killer sends more song lyrics. Now Drake has to face the possibility of more deaths but with numbers dominating the case Drake has to face his own rituals and obsessions.

Finally when the killer threatens Drake and his family he faces his greatest challenge in finding the killer before he strikes again. 

 

Buy Links for Audiobook #1
Buy on Audible

Book Review

 

If you read a book by Stephen Puleston you’re going to get a solid story. Brass in Pocket is a traditional detective mystery, and excellent British crime thriller starring Inspector Ian Drake. I haven’t digested a British crime book in a while, so this was quite refreshing. The audiobook production, sound quality, narration by Richard Elfyn were nothing less than spectacular. Now I’m on to book #2! WORSE THAN DEAD. 

Author Interview with Stephen Puleston 

 

*What do you enjoy most about writing crime fiction?

As I write a series involving Inspector Drake I enjoy developing his character and family life alongside the hurdles he faces day to day with the challenging and changing world of fighting crime. Crime fiction also gives me the opportunity to develop current themes faced in society today.

 

*What were your inspirations for creating Detective Ian Drake?

 

I’ve read a lot of the years and there isn’t one thing that inspired me other than a love of crime/mystery fiction and a desire to write a good story. I have a background in the law so I draw a lot on my work in the criminal courts and doing divorce work for inspiration. My home country Wales also gives me great inspiration for the background and setting of the books. 

 

*Who are your favorite detectives?

 

I enjoy a wide ranging and varied writers. Philip Marlowe must rank as one of the great fictional creations as the classic hard-boiled detective. I am a great fan of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch too. In the UK I would have to say that John Rebus by Ian Rankin is one of my favourites – grumpy and irascible but determined too. And for great detective drama I think Spiral from France and Craith/Hidden from Wales are top class.

 

*What was the best feedback you’ve received from readers?

 

The feedback I most enjoyed was from a reader in the outback of Australia who lives in a remote location and loved being able to learn about Wales from reading my books.

 

*What was it like preparing for an audiobook production? 

 

Great fun! I enjoyed preparing the spreadsheet of characters with various accents for the narrator and coordinating all the arrangements for the production with the studio.

 

 

*What do you think about experiencing audiobooks as a different medium than paperbacks, or ebooks?

 

In many ways audiobooks complement ebooks – using Amazon’s whisper sync technology allows you to move from ebook to audiobook without loosing your place. And that should encourage reading, which can only be a good thing. And audio books are a performance in themselves which make them a different sort of experience altogether.

 

 

 

About the Author: Stephen Puleston

I write crime fiction based in Wales and about Wales. The rural landscape of north Wales provides the backdrop to the Inspector Drake novels. And Cardiff, the capital of Wales, provides the setting for the Inspector Marco novels set in a modern urban environment.

I love the novels of Raymond Chandler, Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid – the list could go on! And I enjoy watching detective series on the television the recent Hinterland series based near Aberystwyth in Wales was great. One of my favourites is the French series Spiral but The Bridge and Broadchurch and the Rebus series with Ken Stott and Kenneth Branagh in Wallander are great too.

I was born in Anglesey an island off the north Wales coast and after leaving school in Holyhead I went to University in London before training as a solicitor/lawyer. I practised in a small family business doing criminal work in the magistrates and crown courts, divorce and family work.

I still live on Anglesey, North Wales near the beach and the mountains of Snowdonia.

 

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook

About the Narrator: Richard Elfyn

Richard Elfyn is a hugely experienced and talented actor with film credits including APOSTLE, MARIAH MUNDI AND THE MIDAS BOX, THE KILLER ELITE and THE DARK. TV credits include THE CROWN, KEEPING FAITH, HINTERLAND, EMMERDALE and STELLA and numerous leading regular roles for S4C including political drama BYW CELWYDD. Richard is regularly heard on BBC Radio 4 dramas and is a highly skilled voice over artist. He has re-voiced many Welsh language versions of popular animations including FIREMAN SAM, BEN 10 and SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS.

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Audiobook Review: The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry

Saturday 09:11 Hours: A blast rocks a London hospital and thousands are dead or injured… 10:09 Hours: Joe Ledger arrives on scene to investigate. The horror is unlike anything he has ever seen. Compelled by grief and rage, Joe rejoins the DMS and within hours is attacked by a hit-team of assassins and sent on a suicide mission into a viral hot zone during an Ebola outbreak. Soon Joe Ledger and the Department of Military Sciences begin tearing down the veils of deception to uncover a vast and powerful secret society using weaponized versions of the Ten Plagues of Egypt to destabilize world economies and profit from the resulting chaos. Millions will die unless Joe Ledger meets the this powerful new enemy on their own terms as he fights terror with terror. 

 

Audible 

 

Review Concept

One of the best and most entertaining books I’ve ever read…er, listened to. First, the dynamic duo of Jonathan Maberry and Ray Porter is match made in heaven. Second, the characters are AWESOME. Ray Porter do an amazing job of bringing each one to life. Of course, the point of view character and overall cool dude, is Joe ledger. But there’s so much more. The entire Echo team as part of the DMS (Dept. of Military Sciences) is pretty unique. Top, Bunny, Jon Smith, Rudy. Then there’s the ever-mysterious Mr. Church. I love his underlying mystique behind in each book. It keeps you guessing and wondering…Exactly…Who is he? Even Joe Ledger is scratching his head wondering who he is. 

 

I don’t know about you but I love a great antagonist, or group of them. Makes the story ten times better. One thing Maberry shines at is creating GREAT BAD GUYS. The plot for King of Plagues was amazing. Creepy, quirky, unique, and formidable. They’re all just great characters who believe in their motivations just as much as the good guys. Sebastian Gault, Toyz, the King of Fear, Raphael Santoro, Nicodemus, the goddess. Their plot for destruction was epic. 

 

Ray Porter is exceptional narrator to the third power on steroids. He is the true voice of Joe Ledger. I couldn’t imagine another. Not to mention Church and Rudy. These are my favorite three character voices. However, they were a number of impressive accents in this one. Scottish, Irish, British, etc. They were not only great accents, but they actually sounded like different people!!! That is insanely difficult, but the good narrators know how to do it well.  

 

 

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Audiobook Review: Dark Winter by A.J. Tata

Dark Winter image

 

 

 

In a blistering scenario almost too close to the headlines, former Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata delivers a chillingly authentic glimpse of tomorrow’s wars—and the anonymous hackers who hold the fate of the world at their fingertips . . .

By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, it is too late. A dark network of hackers has infiltrated the computers of the U.S. military, unleashing chaos across the globe. U.S. missiles strike the wrong targets. Defense systems fail. Power grids shut down. Within hours, America’s enemies move in. Russian tanks plow through northern Europe. Iranian troops invade Iraq. North Korean destroys Seoul and fires missiles at Japan.

Phase 1 of ComWar is complete.

Enter Jake Mahegan and his team of highly trained operatives. Their mission is to locate the nerve center of ComWar—aka Computer Optimized Warfare—and to shut down the operation through any means necessary. Mahegan knows it’s a virtual suicide mission. There are three ComWar headquarters, each hidden deep underground in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Each contains a human biometric nuclear key that the team must capture to shut down the imminent nuclear strikes. Splitting up the team is Mahegan’s only chance to prevent the next wave of cyber attacks. But even that won’t stop the sleeper cell agents—here in the United States . . .

When Phase 2 ends, World War III begins.

 

Amazon | Audible | Goodreads

 

 

BOOK REVIEW

 

This book was phenomenal. For Jake Mahegan and his group of highly trained operatives, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A maniacal, narcissistic genius’; with global influence, creates an unbelievable plot to destroy the world as we know it and recreate it with himself. He has the perfect leverage to manipulate the worlds superpowers and create chaos. The writing was brilliant from beginning to end. Great villains with quirky motivations, personalities that seemed all to real.

 

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

 

  • Narrator-Story Connection: 10/10

Narrator Jonathan Davis does a great embodying the story with it’s full cast of characters. Very impressive!

 

  • Voice Creation/Switch Over: 10/10

There were a number of quality voices in this one. All of them skillfully portrayed with the personality to match. Jake Mahegan, Ranger Cassie, Russians, Iranians, and various American accents.

 

  • Pacing 8/10

The pace was perhaps a bit slow for my taste, but matched the length of the book, so no complaints here.

 

  • Emphasis 9/10

This was excellent. Davis did a splendid job bringing out the personalities of each character and making them his own. You can’t ask for more in a narrator.

 

  • Reader-Story Connection  9/10

I was brought into the depths of the story as the result of good narration. Definitely impressive!

 

  • Emotional Intensity  8/10

The emotional intensity wasn’t that much of a factor. I think the style of this particular narrator was quite adequate. When there’s too much, or too little it can become a problem for the listener.

 

  • Sound Quality: 10/10

Publisher:  HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Great sound quality throughout the book.

 

  • Overall Performance: 9/10

Great performance overall that added to the quality of book. These characters will stick with me for a while!

 

 

 

 

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Audiobook Review: Close to the Bone by Kendra Elliot

Close to the Bone Audio image

 

 

Widow’s Island Novella Series, Book 1

 

 

FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde is back home on a remote Pacific Northwest island when she gets the call: a teenager’s skeletal remains have been found on a nearby island.

Together with Tessa Black, a childhood friend turned local deputy, Cate confronts dreary weather and bleak leads to make sense of the death. The complications pile up as Cate is distracted by the coroner on the case—and by nagging memories that draw her twenty years into the past. The remains suggest eerie similarities between this victim, and Cate and Tessa’s friend Samantha, who disappeared when she was fourteen.

Cate finds herself up against closemouthed locals, buried town secrets, and even her own heart. As the case unravels, will she be able to cut through the fog and find justice for the missing and the dead.

 

Amazon | Goodreads | Audible

 

 

Review Concept

 

 

Bestselling author Kendra Elliot kicks off a great beginning to the Widow’s Island series! This was so well written it didn’t really seem like a novella. It had all the necessary elements of a full novel complete with mystery, suspense, crime, character, and a touch of romance. I thought the idea for the Widow’s Island setting was genius; the culture, secrets, history of families, it made the story very appealing.

 

 

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

 

  • Narrator-Story Connection: 8/10

Narrator Christine Williams fully embodies the story in her performance. I could tell

she was absorbed by it and displayed good skill.

 

  • Voice Creation/Switch Over: 7/10

There wasn’t much variation as far as voice creation goes for different characters. Didn’t know if if was deliberate or not because it’s a novella. However, the narrative voice was so compelling it was hardly noticed. If the book was longer then there’d be room for improvement here.

 

  • Pacing 8/10

Pacing throughout the book was good, consistent, matching they mysterious nature of the book. Very smooth performance.

 

  • Emphasis 7/10

There could’ve been more emphasis on character traits, or subtle things that help the listener distinguish who’s speaking, but still effective enough for the story.

 

  • Reader-Story Connection  8/10

When it’s all said and done, I was drawn into the story and finished quickly, which is always a good sign.

 

  • Emotional Intensity  6/10

This is a new category I’ve been wanting to add for some time now. The numbering doesn’t mean either good or bad. It reflects on the narrators style of displaying emotion overall.  For instance, a 1 or 2 would be monotone seriously lacking in variation. And on the opposite side of the spectrum 9, 10 would be too much emotion. 5-6 is moderate and 7-8 would be ideal in my opinion.  This only applies to emotional intensity and not to the other aspects of the performance.

 

  • Sound Quality: 10/10

Publisher:   Brilliance Audio

Great sound quality and production.

 

  • Overall Performance: 7/10

Overall I really enjoyed the book and narrator performance by Christine Williams. She has a very effective, smooth style of narrating that helps bring out the story.

 

 

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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

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

 

 

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.

 

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Pinterest

 

 

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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.

 

Amazon | Goodreads | Audible

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Headphones girl listneing

 

 

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.

 

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Pinterest

 

 

 

AudioBook Concept - 3D Books and Headphones

 

 

 

 

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Audiobook Review: The Enigma Rising

The Enigma Series Banner

 

 

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

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

 

 

 

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.

 

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Pinterest

 

 

 

 

Audiobook listener

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Peter & Steven James Discuss Three Aspects of Emotionally Engaging Fiction

on stage

 

 

Internationally Bestselling author Steven James hosts Crime writer Steven James on the Story Blender

 

 

This podcast originally appears on thestoryblender.com June 25, 2018. Duration 58 min.

 

Topics of discussion:

  • Elements of Crime fiction
  • Psychopaths
  • Three Aspects of Emotionally Engaging Fiction
  • Character, Research, Plot
  • Peter Jame’s writing process

 

 

Peter James image

 

 

About Peter James

Peter James is an international bestselling thriller writer. He is a New York Times bestseller, as well as having 11 consecutive Sunday Times No 1s, and he is published in 37 languages. His DS Roy Grace crime novels have sold 18 million copies worldwide. Prior to becoming a full-time author, he was responsible for 25 movies. In 1994 Penguin published his novel, ‘Host’, on two floppy discs as the world’s first electronic novel. His novels have won numerous awards, most recently the coveted 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence, and he was publicly voted by WH Smith – Britain’s biggest book selling chain – The Best Crime Author Of All Time. Visit him on YouTube: http://www.peterjames.com/youtube
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