Saturday, March 31, 2018

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Scared to Death - The Detective Kay Hunter Series by Rachel Amphlett

 

Author: Rachel Amplett

Narrator: Alison Campbell

Length: 8 hours 27 minutes

Series: Detective Kay Hunter, Book 1

Publisher: Saxon Publishing

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural

 


"If you want to see your daughter alive again, listen carefully."

When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong.

But Detective Kay Hunter isn't convinced, especially when a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession.

When a second schoolgirl is taken, Kay's worst fears are realized.

With her career in jeopardy - desperate to conceal a disturbing secret, Kay's hunt for the killer becomes a race against time before he claims another life.

For the killer, the game has only just begun....

Scared to Death is the first book in a new crime thriller series featuring Kay Hunter - a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future....

If you like the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, Peter Robinson's DCI Banks series and the Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza, discover Rachel Amphlett's new detective novels today.
RachelAmphlett.com


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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“Scared to death,” what a great title for a thriller! I think most of us have heard the phrase, right? This book was fantastic! I can’t even imagine what these parents went through looking for their daughter, Melanie. This book goes deep and really tackles some major underlying issues that seem to be plaguing our society these days… bullying. It’s prominent everywhere… no race, color, creed, or religious background is exempt.

I haven’t previously read anything by Rachel Amphlett but I really enjoyed this audio book. While this isn’t a great mystery on who the killer is, it’s a fantastic cat and mouse as we try and capture the guilty. This book really amps up the tension, when Kay Hunter feels threatened at work by someone. This book unfolds quickly and it was a very entertaining read. I would have liked a bit more mystery but there’s more in this series… we’ll see how that goes!

The narrator, Alison Campbell was fantastic! I loved her accent. I’m always thrilled when I can listen to a narrator from another country especially the UK. I know I’m going to get these voices that are completely going to hypnotize me… and that’s just what Ms. Campbell does!

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



  • Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
    • It wasn’t, but it is something that informs my writing now that I have two series available in audiobook format. I was always a stickler for reading aloud each chapter as I wrote it, because it’s a fantastic way to pick up things that don’t work, but now that I’m responsible for delivering a script to Alison to narrate, it’s given me a new perspective, and I’m finding that I use dialogue more and more to advance the story, because I can really hear the characters’ voices in my head now!
  • How did you select your narrator?
    • The producers, Audio Factory, made it really easy. I knew I wanted to work with them because they have a lot of broadcast and audiobook experience, and were based in the UK – the same as my detective series. All of their narrators have Soundcloud samples on the Audio Factory website, so I was able to listen to each one and decide who I thought would be the best fit for the books. Alison Campbell has a wealth of experience narrating many books, including crime thrillers, and was a natural choice for the Kay Hunter books. What was very important to me was to find a team who I could work with on a whole series, not just one book. We’ve just completed the fifth book, Call to Arms, and I can’t wait to hear what Alison and Audio Factory come up with for book six later this year!
  • 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?
    • When we first started working together, I had the first three books in the series narrated in one go. Alison recorded samples for each of the main characters, as well as some of the minor characters in the books so I could hear how she thought they should sound. I have to say, she is a natural for choosing what characters should sound like!
      The series is based in Kent, in the UK and there are some very strange pronunciations of place names, so I try to send Alison a list of locations and provide phonetic spellings to save her having to correct anything during the pick-up session.
  • Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
    • I always have an eye on the news, both local to the area in which the series is set and internationally. You never know where you’ll discover the next story idea – it can be a snippet of overheard conversation, or you could be day-dreaming about something as an offshoot to a news story you’ve read, and suddenly whoosh! Off you go, trying to write down the story idea before it escapes your grasp.
  • How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
    • I now write full-time and for the past three months I’ve got into the habit of walking our dog, Floyd, before I start writing in the morning. We’re early risers in our household, so I’m usually at my desk by 6:30am. I get my word count written for the day before I do anything else – save for making a coffee to wake me up!
      Once the word count is done, it frees me up to continue to write if I’m still “in the zone” or concentrate on some business and marketing activities.
      I do Pilates once a week as well as plenty of stretching at home, and I’ve invested in a sit/stand desk so I can move about while I’m dictating my word count.
      I eat healthily, and I don’t snack during the day, and I try to organise a long weekend away every couple of months to get a complete change of scenery – anywhere that doesn’t have free wi-fi is usually top of my list.
      Oh, and I’m trying to get into the habit of not working in the evenings and relaxing for a few hours before I go to bed these days – I’m a very light sleeper and suffer from insomnia, so chilling out is important!
  • What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
    • Well, people are entitled to their opinions, of course but I think audiobooks are a great way to manage a toppling “To Be Read” pile if you can’t physically sit down to read – the best thing about audiobooks is that you can catch up on your reading while you’re driving or doing the housework!
  • In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?
    • I’ve done both, and for me writing the three standalone novels was a necessity – the stories were going around in my head and I couldn’t do anything else until they were out of the way. I’m pleased with how they turned out, but I prefer writing series because there’s so much more scope for character development – both for the main protagonist and for the supporting cast.
  • What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
    • I think it’s really important to be doing this because you love writing. Don’t ever pay someone to publish your work for you, however do invest in a good editor and cover designer to give you the best head start possible when you hit that “publish” button. Join some writing groups but take writing advice with a pinch of salt – everyone is on a different writing journey.
  • Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?
  • What’s next for you?
    • I’m about halfway through writing book six in the Kay Hunter series, and I expect that to be out in the summer – in audiobook format as well, of course!
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Friday, March 30, 2018

BLOG TOUR: Savage Prince by Meghan March



SavagePrince availnowbanner

SAVAGE PRINCE
SAVAGE TRILOGY BOOK 1
By Meghan March
Release Day March 27



Who knew things could get even darker and dirtier in New Orleans? New York Times bestselling author Meghan March introduces the Savage Prince of the city, the man you never want to meet.

I do what I want and who I want. I don’t follow anyone’s rules—even my own.
I knew I shouldn’t touch her, but it didn’t stop me.
Didn’t stop me the second time either. Only made me want a third.
My lifestyle suits the savage I am, and she doesn’t.
But Temperance Ransom is my newest addiction, and I’m nowhere near ready to quit her yet.
I’ll have her my way, even if it means dragging her into the darkness.
Hopefully it doesn’t kill us both.

Savage Prince is book one of the Savage Trilogy, set in the same world as Ruthless King, however you do not need to read the Mount Trilogy to devour this scandalously hot new story.

BUY NOW!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | iBooks | B&N | Kobo


I’m not Catholic but I’m pretty sure I should have went and confessed my sins after reading Savage Prince! Meghan March wrote one of the sexiest and hottest books I’ve read in a LONG time. It should come with fresh panties and an air conditioner! The opening chapter, oh my lanta, that opening chapter was so insanely sexy that I know my panties had to be damp... heck, I feel like if you can make it out of that first chapter without being turned on you should win an award. Like something huge because I’m not sure it’s possible.

So all you’re getting from me is an urging to read this book. March’s writing is top notch. The way the words flow, the build up of the scenes, and the character building is seriously so on point. You are going to have a massive book hangover here, massive! But it’ll be worth it because it deserves more than just the 5 star rating I’m giving it. It doesn’t feel like enough.

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.
 













EXCERPT

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Friday night, and not just because I can feel him with my every step. No other experience in my life comes remotely close.

And I have absolutely no idea who he is or how to get in contact with him.

That’s probably a good thing. Right?

He’s still on my mind when I walk into the distillery on Monday morning. As soon as I turn the key, the heat, humidity, and scents wash over me. This is familiar. Sane. Not impulsive and crazy.

I’ve made a career for myself. A name for myself. Within these walls, I have respect, and no one questions that I deserve it. I’m not some girl from the bayou, running wild and trying to survive despite the shitty hand life dealt me.

As my heels click on the old concrete floor, I remind myself that even though whiskey isn’t my passion, this is the right path for me. It doesn’t matter that I spend more time here than I do in my own apartment. This job is a privilege that I’m doing my best to prove I deserve.

Going off the deep end and letting my wild side come back to life isn’t going to help me prove a damn thing except I’ve lost my mind. I have to put him out of my head.

No more club.

No more beautiful tattooed man.

No more getting off track.


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IRON PRINCESS
Amazon US http://amzn.to/2E2KMWY
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2DOxGcR
Amazon AU http://amzn.to/2rO0osM
Amazon CA http://amzn.to/2rV7vQ9



ROGUE ROYALTY

Amazon US http://amzn.to/2GtP3B8
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2FuZh32
Amazon AU http://amzn.to/2rV7P16
Amazon CA http://amzn.to/2BEOMbb




ABOUT THE AUTHOR


 
A New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels, Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had.

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