Audiobook Review: The Enigma Factor by Charles V. Breakfield, Roxanne E Burkey

About Audiobook #1

Author: Charles V Breakfield, Roxanne E Burkey

Narrator: Steven Jay Cohen

Length: 12 hours 15 minutes

Publisher: Enigma Series LLC⎮2017

Genre: Science Fiction; Technothriller

Series: The Enigma Series, Book 1

Release date: Jun. 9, 2017

Synopsis: Rogue cyber-criminals want Jacob Michaels, a brilliant young programmer, to join them. He just doesn’t know it yet. Jacob has the brains, expertise, and programming methods to get them what they want without discovery. With his best friend, Buzz, and a distractingly beautiful encryptionist in tow, Jacob enters the world of the Dark Internet here in the 21st century where the computer is the weapon of choice! With the cyber criminals engaged in international hacking, it’s easy to have your identity slip through your fingers. No one, including Jacob, believes it when he learns he has been targeted. Jacob finds the space between cyber good and cyber evil difficult to navigate as well as highly deadly.

Jacob has settled into a quiet routine of a techno geek after his mother dies. The plans he made are disrupted when he discovers his life is in danger. He sets off on a mission that takes him into new technology views and exposes to him the inner-workings of unknown global technologists. Jacob learns that safeguards for technology are always evolving and being exploited. His challenge becomes how to keep ahead of the criminals and identify who to trust.

Book one of The Enigma Series brings relevant technology elements of programming, encryption, crypto-currency, identity theft, and hacking to highlight the professional excellence of Jacob, more so perhaps due to his sheltered upbringing. Explore the horrific damage cyber criminals can inflict as the award-winning authors, Breakfield and Burkey, weave a complex tale of danger, intrigue, and international cyber combat in their debut thriller, The Enigma Factor.

Buy Links for Audiobook #1

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This book was quite interesting in its scope of computers, programming and cyber security. I understood some of the technical jargon, but definitely not all of it. However, it did fascinate me as I tried to wrap my head around the overall plot of the book. Jacob, young programmer and his relationship with a mysterious European encryptionist named Petra was one of the highlights. Jacob’s life is turned upside down when he’s caught in the middle of an international game of rogue hackers.

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen

Narrator-Story Connection: 8/10

I give the narrator high marks here. He seems to completely embody the story in his performance.

Voice Creation/Switch Over: 7/10

There were a number of good voice creations in this one. Russian, English (southern), European. I think the voices of Otto, Petra, Andrew, and of course Jacob were my favs. Accents were good.

Pacing 6/10

I think this was one of the downfalls of the book overall. The tone seemed a bit slow for some reason; almost dull, which makes it hard on the listener.

Emphasis 6/10

This was another weak point in the performance. The Emphasis wasn’t poor, but lacked in a way that took away from the overall impact of the book.

Reader-Story Connection 7/10

Due to the pacing and emphasis issues I rated this a bit lower. It wasn’t terrible, but I did struggle overall.

Sound Quality: 9/10

Publisher: Enigma Series LLC

Overall Performance: 7/10

I know that this narrator is skilled based upon the performance. I’d listen to Steven Jay Cohen again in other titles. The voice creation with the various accents, personalities were actually pretty good. I also think the something in the story structure made it more difficult but not impossible to enjoy. Overall The Enigma Rising is a fascinating beginning to the technothriller series. I’m curious to see where the following books will lead.

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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September 27, 2018 2

Audiobook Review: Borderline by Joseph Badal

About the Audiobook

Author: Joseph Badal

Narrator: Pamela Almand

Length: 8 hours 40 minutes

Publisher: Suspense Publishing⎮2016

Genre: Police Procedural; Mystery

Series: Lassiter/Martinez Case Files # 1

Release date: May 17, 2016

Synopsis: Barbara Lassiter and Susan Martinez, two New Mexico homicide detectives, are assigned to investigate the murder of a wealthy Albuquerque socialite. They soon discover that the victim, a narcissistic borderline personality, played a lifetime game of destroying people’s lives. As a result, the list of suspects in her murder is extensive.

The detectives find themselves enmeshed in a helix of possible perpetrators with opportunity, means, and motive – and soon question giving their best efforts to solve the case the more they learn about the victim’s hideous past.

Their job gets tougher when the victim’s psychiatrist is murdered and DVDs turn up that show the doctor had serial sexual relationships with a large number of his female patients, including the murder victim.

Buy Links

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It’s been a while since I’ve heard a police procedural and I absolutely loved this one. Having two well written female lead detectives was a breath of fresh air. Creative, fascinating characters you like to get know better if they were real. The story itself was a powerful one given the subject material; and the way that Joseph Badal tells it only leaves you wanting to more.

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

Narrated by: Pamela Almand

Narrator-Story Connection:

The way that Pamela Almand narrates makes it easy to enter right into the story. I think those who narrate books have an extremely difficulty task. They not only have to read and portray a cast of characters with distinct voices, accents, but also learn how to tell the story in the process. Pamela Almand has done just that. When she narrates you have the sense she’s completely enveloped in the story.

Voice Creation/Switch Over:

The list of accents was superb. The voices of Barbara and Susan were quite entertaining!

Pacing

Almand is a pleasure to listen to. The pacing is spot on.

Emphasis

Exceptional. It was almost like watching a hit TV series from the 90’s. I’m still not sure how all the good narrators do it.

Reader-Story Connection

I was completely sucked into this book. Hook, line, and sinker.

Sound Quality:

Publisher: Suspense Publishing

The recording volume was great as opposed to some other audiobooks. Almands voice fills up the sound booth very well.

Overall Performance:

I’ve never heard of Pamela Almand before this—but now I’m a fan. She has a great voice worthy listening to and her skill is clearly evident.

About the Author: Joseph Badal

Joseph Badal is the author of 13 suspense novels: Borderline & Dark Angel (Lassiter/Martinez Case Files series); Evil Deeds, Terror Cell, The Nostradamus Secret, The Lone Wolf Agenda, Death Ship, & Sins of the Fathers (The Danforth Saga); The Motive & Obsessed (The Curtis Chronicles); and stand-alones The Pythagorean Solution, Shell Game, & Ultimate Betrayal.

All of his books draw on personal experiences and historical events. Joe has been judged “One of the 50 Authors You Should Be Reading” and has received 3 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals from the Military Writers Society of America, and The Tony Hillerman Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year in 2014 and 2016. He also writes a blog titled Everyday Heroes. See past postings at www.josephbadalbooks.com

You can read more about Joe at www.josephbadalbooks.com and email him at josephbadalbooks@aol.com

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About the Narrator: Pamela Almand

The daughter of a cattle rancher, Pam Almand grew up in the tiny town of Brush, Colorado. Her dad, a former Air Force fighter pilot, sparked her interest in flying, and after graduating Colorado State University in 2 1/2 years with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Pam took a flying lesson “just for fun.”

That first lesson turned into a lifelong passion, and one month later she had her Private Pilot’s License. Though there were no female pilots in the airline industry at that time, she set that as her career goal. In 1976, Pam started a small aircraft ferry service to build flight time and in that capacity, delivered new and used aircraft all over the world, including two-seat Cessna 150s she flew solo across the Atlantic!

Pam was the first woman flight test pilot for Cessna Aircraft Company’s multi-engine turbo-prop and jet division and eventually became the company’s national spokeswoman for their Learn To Fly programs.

Her dream was finally realized when she was hired by Northwest Airlines and began a career which spanned the globe, on aircraft from the Convair 580 all the way to captain of the Boeing 747 flying Asia and Europe routes. Pam had over 25,000 hours of flight time at retirement two years ago.

She is a past director of the International Society of Women Airline Pilots and organized conferences for that group in Bangkok and Fort Worth. She is a member of the Ninety-Nines, Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Air Line Pilots Association.

When arthritis and multiple joint replacements curtailed her flying, she started a company as a professional voice actor. Appearing in a national Tylenol commercial in 1995 sparked her interest and The Captain’s Voice was the result. She is now an award-winning SAG/AFTRA narrator and voiceover talent and has done commercials, videogames, e-learning, audiobooks, and phone messaging for clients including Microsoft, Brilliance Audio, Johnson & Johnson, Audible, La Costa Resort, Jet Blue, Delta Airlines, Dell, Blackstone Publishing, the American Red Cross, Canadian Realtors…all the way to being the English voice for The Hotels and Casinos of Monte Carlo!

She was nominated for an Audie Award for her 5th audiobook narration (Come To Me Alive, by Leah Atwood) and went on to also earn a Voice Arts Award for non-fiction for In Movement There Is Peace, by Elaine and Joseph Foster; another Voice Arts nomination for Cyber Crisis: It’s Personal Now, by William Kieper; and recently was awarded an Earphones Award by AudioFile Magazine for Husbands and Other Sharp Objects, by Marilyn Simon Rothstein for Brilliance Audio.

She has served on the board of several charities, including Patrons of the HeArts and local Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministries (BEAM) and lives with her husband Amos in Atlantic Beach. Pam plays piano for her local church, still returns to Telluride, Colorado every summer, loves biking, golf, hiking, and-though she’s been all over the globe!- she still counts world travel among her most-loved hobbies.

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September 19, 2018 0

The Spybrary Podcast Discusses the Works of Frederick Forsyth

SPYBRARY PODCAST 48: Spy Fans Guide to the Works of Frederick Forsyth

This podcast originally appears on Spybrary.com July 14, 2018. Duration: 1 hr 5 min.

Frederick Forsyth, CBE is an English author and occasional political commentator. He is best known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil’s Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan, and recently The Cobra and The Kill List.

The son of a furrier, he was born in Ashford, Kent, educated at Tonbridge School and later attended the University of Granada. He became one of the youngest pilots in the Royal Air Force at 19, where he served on National Service from 1956 to 1958. Becoming a journalist, he joined Reuters in 1961 and later the BBC in 1965, where he served as an assistant diplomatic correspondent. From July to September 1967, he served as a correspondent covering the Nigerian Civil War between the region of Biafra and Nigeria. He left the BBC in 1968 after controversy arose over his alleged bias towards the Biafran cause and accusations that he falsified segments of his reports. Returning to Biafra as a freelance reporter, Forsyth wrote his first book, The Biafra Story in 1969.

Forsyth decided to write a novel using similar research techniques to those used in journalism. His first full length novel, The Day of the Jackal, was published in 1971 and became an international bestseller and gained its author the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel. It was later made into a film of the same name.

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July 21, 2018 0

Jesse Kellerman interview – Episode 226 Reading & Writing podcast

This podcast originally appears on readingandwritingpodcast.com May 30, 2018. Duration: 22 min.

Jesse Kellerman has written dozens of plays and published seven novels, two of them cowritten with his father, Jonathan Kellerman. He has won numerous awards, including the Princess Grace Award for Playwriting (“Things Beyond Our Control”) and the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle (“The Genius”/”Les Visages”). His novel “Potboiler” was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. An essay, “Let My People Go to the Buffet,” was included in Penguin’s Best American Spiritual Writing (2011). His next book, Crime Scene, was also cowritten with Jonathan Kellerman and will be published in fall 2017. He lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife and children.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A former star athlete turned deputy coroner is drawn into a brutal, complicated murder in this psychological thriller from a father-son writing team that delivers “brilliant, page-turning fiction” (Stephen King).

Natural causes or foul play? That’s the question Clay Edison must answer each time he examines a body. Figuring out motives and chasing down suspects aren’t part of his beat—not until a seemingly open-and-shut case proves to be more than meets his highly trained eye.

Eccentric, reclusive Walter Rennert lies cold at the bottom of his stairs. At first glance the scene looks straightforward: a once-respected psychology professor, done in by booze and a bad heart. But his daughter Tatiana insists that her father has been murdered, and she persuades Clay to take a closer look at the grim facts of Rennert’s life.

What emerges is a history of scandal and violence, and an experiment gone horribly wrong that ended in the brutal murder of a coed. Walter Rennert, it appears, was a broken man—and maybe a marked one. And when Clay learns that a colleague of Rennert’s died in a nearly identical manner, he begins to question everything in the official record.

All the while, his relationship with Tatiana is evolving into something forbidden. The closer they grow, the more determined he becomes to catch her father’s killer—even if he has to overstep his bounds to do it.

The twisting trail Clay follows will lead him into the darkest corners of the human soul. It’s his job to listen to the tales the dead tell. But this time, he’s part of a story that makes his blood run cold.

Amazon | Goodreads | Jessekellerman.com

June 19, 2018 0

Audiobook Blog Tour: Call to Arms by Rachel Amphlett

“Call to Arms throws the reader straight into the action, and the pace doesn’t let up until the final page.” ~ Jo’s Book Blog

“Call to Arms is a riveting thriller, full of twists and turns, lies and secrets and totally engrossing!” ~ Good n’ Read-y

About the Audiobook

Author: Rachel Amphlett

Narrator: Alison Campbell

Length: hours minutes

Publisher: Saxon Publishing⎮20

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural

Series: Detective Kay Hunter, Book 5

Release date: March 5, 2018

Synopsis: Loyalty has a price.

Kay Hunter has survived a vicious attack at the hands of one of the country’s most evil serial killers.

Returning to work after an enforced absence to recover, she discovers she wasn’t the only victim of that investigation.

DI Devon Sharp remains suspended from duties, and the team is in turmoil.

Determined to prove herself once more and clear his name, Kay undertakes to solve a cold case that links Sharp to his accuser.

But, as she gets closer to the truth, she realises her enquiries could do more harm than good.

Torn between protecting her mentor and finding out the truth, the consequences of Kay’s enquiries will reach far beyond her new role…

Buy Links

Buy on RachelAmphlett.com

The Detective Kay Hunter series is one of my favorites of 2018. Kay Hunter is back on the job having to prove herself again merely a year after barely surviving an attack. I always feel like I”m part of the investigation when I read one of these books. This time it’s her boss, DI Devon Sharp who’s in trouble. Kay and her team take it upon themselves to solve a cold case linked to Sharp ten years ago involving someone close to him. The mystery unravels in splendor in this page-turning crime book. I’ll be eagerly awaiting book #6!

Call to Arms is a gripping murder mystery, and the fifth in the Detective Kay Hunter series:

1. SCARED TO DEATH
2. WILL TO LIVE
3. ONE TO WATCH
4. HELL TO PAY
5. CALL TO ARMS

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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May 28, 2018 0

Audiobook Blog Tour: Detective Hunter Series Book 4 – Hell To Pay

Detective Kay Hunter #4 – Hell to Pay

About Audiobook #4

Author: Rachel Amphlett

Narrator: Alison Campbell

Length: 7 hours 14 minutes

Publisher: Saxon Publishing⎮2018

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural

Series: Detective Kay Hunter, Book 4

Release date: Jan. 01, 2018

Synopsis: When a road traffic accident on a dark autumn night uncovers a disturbing conspiracy, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter’s investigation exposes a ruthless serial killer exploiting vulnerable young women.

With her enemies unmasked and her career spiraling out of control, Kay’s determination to seek vengeance for the victims brings her dangerously close to those who want to silence her.

Undeterred, she uncovers the real reason behind a plot to destroy her career and sets in motion a terrifying chain of events.

Buy Links for Audiobook #4

Buy on RachelAmphlett.com

Rachel Amphlett does it again in book 4 of the series, Hell to Pay. Crafting a sinister plot that Detective Kay Hunter will find all to personal. This series has become on of my favorites of the year in crime fiction. And for good reason–They’re awesome! Kay comes across an old adversary when she come across a traffic accident with links to a ruthless serial killer. Brewing at the same time is a mysterious drama related to Kay. Another great one!

Narrator Alison Campbell is a pleasure to listen to in every book. Very professional and skilled at conveying the emotions of the characters. She delivers an exceptional performance in every book. Way to Alison!

About the Author: Rachel Amphlett

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Narrator Alison Campbell

April 23, 2018 0

Audiobook Blog Tour: The Condition by Alec Birri

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.

AUDIO SAMPLE

Buy Links for Audiobook #1

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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!

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ALEC BIRRI

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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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March 8, 2018 2

Audiobook Blog Tour: The Punch Escrow

NOW IN DEVELOPMENT AT LIONSGATE AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

About the Audiobook

Author: Tal M. Klein

Narrator: Matthew Mercer

Length: 8 hours 42 minutes

Publisher: Audible Studios⎮2017

Genre: Technothriller

Release date: Jul. 25, 2017

Synopsis: It’s the year 2147. Advancements in nanotechnology have enabled us to control aging. We’ve genetically engineered mosquitoes to feast on carbon fumes instead of blood, ending air pollution. And teleportation has become the ideal mode of transportation, offered exclusively by International Transport—a secretive firm headquartered in New York City. Their slogan: Departure… Arrival… Delight!

Joel Byram, our smartass protagonist, is an everyday twenty-second century guy. He spends his days training artificial intelligence engines to act more human, jamming out to 1980’s new wave—an extremely obscure genre, and trying to salvage his deteriorating marriage. Joel is pretty much an everyday guy with everyday problems—until he’s accidentally duplicated while teleporting.

Now Joel must outsmart the shadowy organization that controls teleportation, outrun the religious sect out to destroy it, and find a way to get back to the woman he loves in a world that now has two of him.

Audio excerpt

Interview with Author Tal M. Klein

What was it like writing your first book?

Probably the third hardest thing I’ve ever done, behind parenthood, and having to fire someone.

Why hard science fiction?

I don’t have a good reason for that. I sort of fell into it. I’ve never gotten great grades in science, but always enjoyed hard science fiction books. I like to say, “I’m not a scientist, I’m just friends with a lot of them.” The genre sort of found me. Once it did, I did my best to stay true to it.

Who is Joel Byram?

He’s just this guy in the 22nd century, y’know. He’s a slacker king. He loves his wife, loves his life, and enjoys the status quo-ness of everything. Then his world falls apart and he’s forced to fight for everything he’s always taken for granted.

What does he truly care about?

After all is said and done, his wife’s love is the most important thing to Joel.

Describe a few things you learned while researching this book.

Oh man, I learned so much! Learning that the Mona Lisa has an older sister was incredible. A lot of the scientific innovations in the book just shocked me. I couldn’t believe we were already teleporting photons—isn’t crazy we’re already living in the age of teleportation? And the amazing stuff Oxitec is doing to solve mosquito-borne illnesses with CRISPR. We’re living in the future!

If you could teleport anywhere where would you go?

I’m on the road right now, so I’d probably teleport home. Sorry, I know it’s a lame answer, but I get homesick a lot.

Name a few things that helped you learn how to write.

I owe a lot to Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat and Robert McKee’s On Writing. These two methods have truly improved my writing exponentially. Most importantly: my wife! I owe the voice of every female character in my book to her.

What would you do if there were two of you?

We’d have to live in different countries. I’m pretty sure we’d be fighting all the time if forced to be in close proximity to each other.

Who are your favorite authors?

Larry Niven, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Scott Meyer, Robert Kroese.

What’s next for you?

The Punch Escrow sequel!

About the Author: Tal M. Klein

Tal M. Klein was born in Israel, grew up in New York, and currently lives in Detroit with his wife and two daughters. When she was five years old, his daughter Iris wrote a book called I’m a Bunch of Dinosaurs that went on to become one of the most successful children’s book projects on Kickstarter ―something that Tal explained to Iris by telling her, “your book made lots of kids happy.” Iris then asked Tal, “Daddy, why don’t you write a book that makes lots of grownups happy?” Tal mulled this over for a few years, and eventually wrote his first book, The Punch Escrow. It won the Inkshares Geek & Sundry Hard Science Fiction publishing contest, and is the first book published on the Geek & Sundry imprint.

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My Review

This was one entertaining read for a debut book. Author Tal M. Klein is very bright, witty, with brilliant plotting and is an excellent source of technology. I laughed out loud several times while listening to this book.

The concept for this book is not only original, but fascinating. The ability craft it into a workable story, then deliver it on the page speaks to the skilled potential that lies behind the pen. Looking forward to the sequel.

My rating

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE

Matthew Mercer

Narrator-Story Connection: 8/10

Narrator Matthew Mercer did a phenomenal job for his first audiobook! Amazing. He embodied the story perfectly and remained transparent throughout the book, which isn’t an easy job. It’ll be interesting to see what else he’ll accomplish down the road.

Voice Switch Over: 10/10

Some of the voices that Mercer was able to come up with were excellent, entertaining and impressive! I personally enjoyed the voice for the character Taraval. The switchback from narrative voice of Joel to other characters was superb. Hard to believe this was his first audiobook. The voices for artificial intelligence were also very notable.

Pacing 8/10

Pacing throughout the story was great. Clear and understandable.

Emphasis 8/10

This is also an area where great narrators are separated from the rest of the pack. The know where to place the right amount of emphasis, and gives place to creativity to enliven the story. There were flashes of brilliance that totally brought the characters alive, especially during conflict, and emotional tension.

Reader-Story Connection 10/10

This is where I judge how well the narrator ushers me into the story based upon their performance. I say again, Mercer has the skill to do the job. I gave him a high rating because he embodied the characters so well, and remained a transparent medium through which the reader can connect to the story. Awesome. Hats off to Matthew Mercer.

Sound Quality: 10/10

Produced by Audible Studios. Excellent sound quality.

Overall Performance: 8/10

Very satisfied with this performance and recommended to listen.

Narrator

About the Narrator: Matthew Mercer

Matthew Christopher Miller, known professionally as Matthew Mercer or Matt Mercer, is an American voice actor involved in English dubs of Japanese anime as well as cartoons, films and video games. In anime shows, he voiced Levi in Attack on Titan, Kiritsugu Emiya in Fate/Zero, Kanji Tatsumi for episodes 13-26 in Persona 4: The Animation and Trafalgar Law in the Funimation dub of One Piece. In video games, he voices Leon S. Kennedy in the Resident Evil series, Jack Cooper in Titanfall 2, Chrom in Fire Emblem Awakening, McCree in Overwatch, MacCready in Fallout 4 and Yusuke Kitagawa in Persona 5. In addition to voice-over, Mercer has developed some live-action web series including a Nintendo character parody called “There Will Be Brawl” and the famous Geek & Sundry and Alpha Dungeons & Dragons gaming session show “Critical Role.” The Punch Escrow is his first audiobook.

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I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Tal M. Klein. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Benjamin Thomas

@MTW_2018

www.mysterythrillerweek.com

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October 9, 2017 3

Audiobook Review: Seeing Red by Sandra Brown

Audio sample

Seeing Red

- Written by: Sandra Brown
- Narrated by: Victor Slezak
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:08-15-17
- Publisher: Hachette Audio

BLURB

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sandra Brown delivers her trademark nonstop suspense and supercharged sexual tension in this thriller about tainted heroism, cold fury, and vengeance without mercy.

Kerra Bailey is a television journalist on the rise, and she’s hot on the trail of a story guaranteed to skyrocket her career to even greater heights: an interview with the legendary Major Trapper. Twenty-five years ago, the Major emerged a hero from the bombing of the Pegasus Hotel in downtown Dallas when he was photographed leading a handful of survivors out of the collapsing building. The iconic picture transformed him into a beloved national icon, in constant demand for speeches and interviews–until he suddenly dropped out of the public eye, shunning all members of the media. However, Kerra is willing to use any means necessary to get to the Major–even if she has to wrangle an introduction from his estranged son, former ATF agent John Trapper.

Still seething over his break with both the ATF and his father, John Trapper wants no association with the hotel bombing or his hero father, and spurns the meddling reporters determined to drag them back into the limelight. Yet Kerra’s sheer audacity and tantalizing hints that there’s more to the story rouse Trapper’s interest despite himself. And when her interview of a lifetime goes catastrophically awry–with unknown assailants targeting not only the Major, but also Kerra–Trapper realizes he needs her under wraps if he’s going to track down the gunmen before they strike again . . . as well as discover, finally, who was responsible for the Pegasus bombing.

Kerra is wary of a man so charming one moment and dangerous the next, and she knows Trapper is withholding evidence collected during his ATF investigation into the bombing. But having no one else to trust and enemies lurking closer than they know, Kerra and Trapper join forces and risk their very lives to expose a sinuous network of lies and conspiracy running deep through Texas–and uncover who would want a national hero dead.

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Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles

MY REVIEW

This was actually my first book by Sandra Brown and she didn’t disappoint! She unraveled this mystery with the skill of an experienced thriller master. I’m very impressed in every regard.

The characters leap off of the page, grab you by the collar and compel you to be invested in them. It’s that good. Former ATF agent John Trapper is quite an interesting character to say the least. The relationship between him and famed television journalist Kerra Bailey is potent throughout the book. If you love crime fiction, mystery, romantic suspense, then you’ll love this one. It’s sure to win some kind of award.

Sandra strings you along the plot line like a master fisherman and the patience of a master strategist. Once you’re hooked there’s no escape until the last page is consumed. The story is absolutely genius.

MY RATING

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE

Victor Slezak

Narrator-Story Connection: 10/10

Narrator Victor Slezak absolutely nails this performance. Dude was completely in the zone in this one. The best narrators let you see the story through them as a medium. Excellent work.

Voice Switch Over: 10/10

From Character to character, male or female, then back to the narrative voice was superb. The southern accent of John trapper, his father (the Major), Glenn the Sherriff, and Pastor Hank were memorable. Slezak’s female voice of Kerra isn’t bad either.

Pacing 8/10

This one is hard to judge because is does match the southern drawl spoken by the characters. I think the ability to control the narrative flow or pace of the story speaks to the skill of the narrator.

Emphasis 10/10

Victor Slezak really steps into the shoes of each character and delivers every time. Most notably, one of the main characters, John Trapper was quite memorable. One of the best performances I’ve seen of any character portrayal.

Reader-Story Connection 10/10

This is where I judge how well the narrator draws you into the story based upon their skill. Excellent! Not everyone does this well, but Slezak knocks it out of the park. I kept coming back for more.

Sound Quality: 10/10

Publisher: Hachette Audio. No problem here. Very professional.

Overall Performance: 10/10

I wouldn’t be surprised if this won an award. Hats off to Hachette Audio.

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September 8, 2017 0

Audiobook Review: The Guilty Will Robie Book 4

The Guilty: Will Robie, Book 4

- Written by: David Baldacci
- Narrated by: Kyf Brewer
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Series: Will Robie, Book 4
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:11-17-15
- Publisher: Hachette Audio

BOOK BLURB

Will Robie escaped his small Gulf Coast hometown of Cantrell, Mississippi, after high school, severing all personal ties, and never looked back. Not once. Not until the unimaginable occurs. His father, Dan Robie, has been arrested and charged with murder.

Father and son haven’t spoken or seen each other since the day Robie left town. In that time, Dan Robie – a local attorney and pillar of the community – has been elected town judge. Despite this, most of Cantrell is aligned against Dan. His guilt is assumed.

To make matters worse, Dan has refused to do anything to defend himself. When Robie tries to help, his father responds only with anger and defiance. Could Dan really be guilty?

With the equally formidable Jessica Reel at his side, Robie ignores his father’s wishes and begins his own desperate investigation into the case. But Robie is now a stranger to his hometown, an outsider, a man who has forsaken his past and his family. His attempts to save his father are met with distrust and skepticism…and violence.

Unlike the missions Robie undertook in the service of his country, where his target was clearly defined, digging into his father’s case only reveals more questions. Robie is drawn into the hidden underside of Cantrell, where he must face the unexpected and possibly deadly consequences of the long-ago choices made by father and son. And this time there may be no escape for either of them.

BOOK REVIEW

Each book keeps getting better and better as the series goes on. I thought my favorite in the series was The Innocent. I was convinced it couldn’t better than this, then BAM, The Guilty comes along and shatters my expectations. Amazing. I’m continually amazed how David Baldacci has written this series. He excels at giving you the unexpected. Will Robie is forced to deal with his past demons with his father back in Cantrell, Mississippi. But when he goes back to his home town he finds that his father has been charged with a mysterious murder. Robie is stuck in a dilemna where he has to face his father, or fail at his job in the field. He must go back in order to go forward. Excellent read! Can’t wait for the November release of the End Game.

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE: 10/10

Kyf Brewer

Orlagh Cassidy

Narrator-Story Connection: 10/10

The first three books of the series was narrated by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy, however in this one, Kyf Brewer steps in along with Cassidy to perform one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever heard. It’s that good! I associate Brewer’s voice with one of Baldacci’s newest creations, Amos Dekker.

Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy both bring you directly into the story through their narration. They both have rich skilled voices and don’t stick out in any way.

Voice Switch Over: Brewer 10/10 Cassidy 9/10

Seeing how each narrator switches back and forth between characters with their own unique voices, genders and accents are one of my great pleasures in listening to audiobooks. This is one huge plus you get in audiobooks that you normally wouldn’t appreciate in reading them.

Kyf Brewer

Some of the notable accents and characters that he produced were more than excellent. He has a very unique skillset.
Will Robie of course, but his father Dan Robie has a rich southern Mississippi accent that was impeccable.
Other major characters. Pete Clancy, Sheriff Mondoe.

Orlagh Cassidy

Orlagh Cassidy has become my favorite female narrator. She has great skills as a narrator.
When I listen to her switch between characters I truly believe it’s a different person speaking. That’s no easy feat to accomplish.
She not only performed a Mississippi accent, but switched seamlessly between a variation of Mississippi accents. They all sounded like totally different people. Amazing.
Significant characters. Jessica Reel. Black Cantrell prosecutor Tony Moses. Police deputy Taggard. The teenage Chism girls, Emma and Sarah. Sherman Clancy’s ex-wife.
It was really hard to give Cassidy a 9 in this category because she really is brilliant. However, I noticed one area that stood out. It didn’t bother me necessarily, but I noted it mentally. Once Jessica Reel is introduced into the story, the switch between Reel and prosecutor Tony Moses got a bit murky. In other words, Tony Moses started to lose her accent and sounded very much like Jessica Reel. It was notable because in the first half of the book Tony Moses has such a rich accent and personality, it practically disappeared once Jessica Reel comes on the scene. I was expecting Moses but I got Reel instead.

Pacing 10/10

Both Brewer and Cassidy are great in the pacing department. The reason why I include this in my reviews is because some narrators are so slow I couldn’t put up with it for another 10, 12, 16 hours. I’d pull my hair out first.

Emphasis 10/10

Their emphasis is some of the best I’ve seen from any narrator. They really make the characters come alive. This is strength of both Brewer and Cassidy. Probably their greatest asset.

Reader-Story Connection 10/10

Perfect. Their drew me right into the story and wouldn’t’ let me go until the end. Kyf Brewer did a better job in this book than the Amos Dekker series in my opinion. I connected very well through them as the medium.

Sound Quality: 10/10

Publisher: Hachette Audio. This production was absolutely entertaining. It has the subtle dramatic effects of gunfire, music and other effects that build up the suspense, conflict and tension.

Overall Performance: 10/10

One of the best audiobook performances I’ve ever heard!

Tres bien!

Book five in the Will Robie Series is due Nov. 14, 2017. Pre-order it today End Game

About Audiobook #1

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NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen

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

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About the Audiobook

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NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:

Narrated by: Pamela Almand

About the Author: Joseph Badal

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About the Narrator: Pamela Almand

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SPYBRARY PODCAST 48: Spy Fans Guide to the Works of Frederick Forsyth

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Jesse Kellerman interview – Episode 226 Reading & Writing podcast

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“Call to Arms throws the reader straight into the action, and the pace doesn’t let up until the final page.” ~ Jo’s Book Blog

“Call to Arms is a riveting thriller, full of twists and turns, lies and secrets and totally engrossing!” ~ Good n’ Read-y

About the Audiobook

Buy Links

Buy on RachelAmphlett.com

Call to Arms is a gripping murder mystery, and the fifth in the Detective Kay Hunter series: 1. SCARED TO DEATH 2. WILL TO LIVE 3. ONE TO WATCH 4. HELL TO PAY 5. CALL TO ARMS

About the Author: Rachel Amphlett

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Detective Kay Hunter #4 – Hell to Pay

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Narrator Alison Campbell

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BOOK REVIEW

About the Author: Alec Birri

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About the Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

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NOW IN DEVELOPMENT AT LIONSGATE AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

About the Audiobook

Interview with Author Tal M. Klein

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NARRATOR PERFORMANCE

Matthew Mercer

Narrator

About the Narrator: Matthew Mercer

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Seeing Red

BLURB

Add to Goodreads

MY REVIEW

MY RATING

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE

Connect with Sandra Brown

The Guilty: Will Robie, Book 4

BOOK BLURB

BOOK REVIEW

NARRATOR PERFORMANCE: 10/10

Tres bien!

Are you a Will Robie fan? Tell me in the comments!!!

Benjamin Thomas

@thewritingtrain

See ya next time!

Call to Arms is a gripping murder mystery, and the fifth in the Detective Kay Hunter series:

1. SCARED TO DEATH
2. WILL TO LIVE
3. ONE TO WATCH
4. HELL TO PAY
5. CALL TO ARMS