Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Fast and Loose … Brain Storm


Fast and Loose by Fern Michaels

FAST AND LOOSE by Fern Michaels
◊ Series: The Men of the Sisterhood, Book #2
◊ Narrator: Laural Merlington
MP3 CD
◊ Listening Length: 9 hours and 4 minutes
◊ Program Type: Audiobook
◊ Genre: Action, Adventure
◊ Version: Unabridged
◊ Publisher: Brilliance Audio
◊ Scheduled Release Date: August 30, 2016
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN-10: 1511342129
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1511342124

SYNOPSIS:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels comes a new, action-packed novel.

The Sisterhood: a group of women bound by friendship and a quest for justice. Now their male allies, the Men of the Sisterhood, have formed a top-secret organization of their own, with the same goal of helping the helpless and righting the wrongs of the world.…
With the women of the Sisterhood away on a covert assignment, their significant others could be expected to kick back and enjoy a little drama-free downtime. But that’s not the way Jack, Ted, Harry, Charles, and the rest of their comrades roll. An urgent call has come to the headquarters of their organization, BOLO Consultants. Bert Navarro, head of security for Countess Anna de Silva, suspects that Annie’s deluxe casino, Babylon, is being stealthily and expertly robbed. But figuring out who’s hacking into Babylon’s security system proves more difficult than expected―and may have implications for one of BOLO’s own. The security expert working for them has unlocked one hard fact―that there are more than enough suspects to investigate. But the men of BOLO will do what it takes to prove that, even in Vegas, there’s no gambling with justice.…


If you’re looking for something similar to the ‘kick butt, take prisoners’ attitude of the Sisterhood series, it’s not in FAST AND LOOSE. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an enjoyable story just a bit different since it does feature the Men of the Sisterhood.

Once again narrator Laural Merlington does an excellent job giving each character their own unique voice. Her cadence and varying accents enhances the story. Her mannerisms bring the story to life.

The story moves at a good pace and has a few surprises along the way. The Vegas setting is vivid through the author’s descriptions.

Overall the story is entertaining, but I was hoping for the intrigue and suspense the Sisterhood series is known for. That was my bad as this is a different series and should have been viewed that way from the start. The characters are well-developed and very likable. The series has much potential as these characters continue to grow on their own merit.

FAST AND LOOSE is a pleasurable story. I look forward to seeing this series expand and continue to grow as these characters find new adventures.

Fast and Loose by Fern Michaels, The Men of the Sisterhood (Book #2), Narrated by Laural Merlington, Brilliance Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1511342124, Unabridged, MP3 CD, Run Time: 9 Hours and 4 Minutes (* This book is also available in eBook, hardcover, and mass market paperback.)

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Brain Storm by Elaine Viets

BRAIN STORM by Elaine Viets
◊ Series: Death Investigator Angela Richman Novel (Book #1)
◊ Narrator: Tanya Eby
MP3 CD
◊ Listening Length: 8 hours and 57 minutes
◊ Program Type: Audiobook
◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
◊ Version: Unabridged
◊ Publisher: Brilliance Audio
◊ Release Date: August 2, 2016
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN-10: 1522635424
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1522635420

SYNOPSIS:

The ultra-wealthy families of Chouteau Forest may look down on a woman like death investigator Angela Richman, but they also rely on her. When a horrific car crash kills a Forest teenager, Angela is among the first on the scene. Her investigation is hardly underway, however, when she suffers a series of crippling strokes. Misdiagnosed by the resident neurologist, Dr. Gravois, and mended by gauche yet brilliant neurosurgeon Dr. Jeb Travis Tritt, Angela faces a harrowing recovery.
It’s a drug-addled, hallucinating Angela who learns that Dr. Gravois has been murdered…and the chief suspect is the surgeon who saved her life. Angela doesn’t believe it, but can she trust her instincts? Her brain trauma brings doubts that she’ll ever recover her investigative skills. But she’s determined to save Dr. Tritt from a death-row sentence―even if her progress is thwarted at every turn by a powerful and insular community poised to protect its own


Author Elain Viets took her own history of surviving six strokes and brain surgery and incorporated it into an experience for her new protagonist, Death Investigator Angela Richman. To further add to Angela’s authenticity, the author took the Medicolegal Death Investigators Training Course for forensic professionals given by St. Louis University’s School of Medicine.

Through these steps Viets has created a well-developed, realistic and likable character in Angela. She has traits and flaws readers can relate to and sympathize with. The secondary characters are unique and add depth to Viets’ new grittier mystery novel.

The setting of mythical Chouteau County comes to life through rich descriptions. Angela’s dealings with the rich and the poor makes the story plausible.

Moving at a steady pace, the story deals with murder, hospital corruption, insurance fraud and so much more. The suspense will keep you guessing as the story also highlights how Angela deals with her strokes, the brain surgery and dangerous side effects.

BRAIN STORM is a well-balanced, intriguing mystery that features a promising new protagonist readers are going to take to quickly.

Brain Storm by Elaine Viets, Death Investigator Angela Richman Novel (Book #1), Narrated by Tanya Eby, Brilliance Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1522635420, Unabridged, MP3 CD, Run Time: 8 Hours and 57 Minutes (* This book is also available in eBook, paperback and digital download.)

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. I do so appreciate it. Have I tempted you to check out one or both of these fascinating titles? Have you given audio books a try yet?

7 comments:

  1. Elaine Viets sounds truly inspirational. I always love to hear of people who refuse to be defeated, and turn challenges on their head.

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  2. must be fun listening to audio books

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  3. Poor Elaine has been through a lot.
    Men of the Sisterhood - I got a different impression of that one.
    And excited about audio books now!

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  4. The Michaels has an interesting context, Mason. Wonder if such a group could really exist. And the Viets sounds like an intriguing context for a mystery, too. Glad you enjoyed them.

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  5. I haven't tried audio books. Might be something good to do while I'm driving to all of the places I have to be. Probably better than just listening to the same old ten songs that are on the radio.

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  6. I have yet to try audiobooks as well. I hope to try it soon. Great reviews, Mason. Both books sound like good reads. Congrats to both authors.

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  7. I think Laurel Merlington narrates the Ann Rule books? I spent most of 2015 listening to every book Ann Rule ever wrote, so I am VERY familiar with her voice now!

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