On Tour With J. A. Jance, A Giveaway and More

I’m thrilled to be participating in author J. A. Jance’s Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tour for her suspense/mystery release, SECOND WATCH, the 21st installment in her J. P. Beaumont series.

As part of the tour, I’m sharing my thoughts on the book, along with a first chapter excerpt and a giveaway. Though it’s not part of the tour, I’m also going to share my thoughts on a J. P. Beaumont novella release. 

SECOND WATCH by J. A. Jance

While I have read several of author J. A. Jance's series, I had never ventured into the world of J. P. Beaumont until I read SECOND WATCH and now I've found a new protagonist to follow.

This story not only introduced me to the various characters in Jance's latest Beaumont title, but also gave me the opportunity to have a mini ‘catch up session’ for some of the past 20 installments this protagonist has been featured in. SECOND WATCH is a great chance to find out who the players are, where they've been and why they do what they do all while they are busy solving murders and putting out fires. 

Seattle investigator J. P. Beaumont is a seasoned cop, but even the toughest guys have to take time off for knee replacement surgery. Beau goes in to have both knees replaced and finds himself having strange, vivid dreams that bring up old faces of unresolved issues.

Remembering that the first homicide case he worked on was never solved, Beau is reminded by a vision of the dead girl that he made a promise to her mother to find her killer. He begins steps to reopen the case and find closure for the grieving mother and himself.

In another dream, Beau sees the platoon leader he served under during his first days in Vietnam. The man, Lennie Davis, saved his life, as well as several others in the unit before being killed. Beau never told Davis’ fiancée that he saved his life or what a great guy he was. Is it too late to bring up that past?

Beau begins to look for answers in the cold case of the murdered girl and search for Davis’ long-ago fiancée, all while recuperating from the knee surgery. As the search into the cold case turns up intriguing tidbits, it seems the killer will stop at nothing to keep the case closed some 30 years later. With unexpected twists, Beau races to put his demons to rest before more bodies are slain.

This is a thrilling story that moves at a fast pace. Bits of history and prior cases are mingled throughout, but the story flows smoothly. The characters are well-developed and realistic. The story draws you in and holds you spellbound until the end.

Jance does an excellent job weaving the two missions together that Beau has set for himself. The story flows easily between the suspenseful murder mystery and the heartwarming journey of closure from a war that many have chosen to forgot. The murder mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense, while the touching story of Davis and his fiancée will tug on your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes.

There is an added bonus to SECOND WATCH, it’s Jance’s explanation of how this story came about. I won’t go into the details of it as I think that would spoil it. I will say, have a box of tissue handy as you come away with a better appreciation of Beau and his journey. With this story Jance stresses the importance of “it’s never too late” to keep a promise or express a heartfelt emotion. In addition, she gives a strong show of support to those men and women who served their country so long ago and to those who continue to serve now.

This is a tantalizing thriller wrapped around a heart-wrenching segment of our nation’s history and those who were and continue to be a part of it’s defense. 
  
Second Watch by J. A. Jance, A J. P. Beaumont Novel, William Morrow, @2013, ISBN: 978-0062134677, Paperback, 368 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me as part of the author’s virtual book tour by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A voracious reader, J. A. Jance knew she wanted to be a writer

from the moment she read her first Wizard of Oz book in second grade. Always drawn to mysteries, from Nancy Drew right through John D. McDonald's Travis Magee series, it was only natural that when she tried her hand at writing her first book, it would be a mystery as well. 


J. A. Jance went on to become the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family, and Edge of Evil. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

For more on Jance and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. SECOND WATCH can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

THE FIRST CHAPTER EXCERPT…

   Excerpt of Second Watch by J.A. Jance

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 

This giveaway is for one print copy of SECOND WATCH. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

To enter this giveaway, please send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win Second Watch.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance to win a print copy of SECOND WATCH is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Be sure to stop by the author’s Partners in Crime Tour Page to visit other blogs participating in the tour for additional chances to win a copy of the book.

* * * * * * * * * *

Now I want to share another review with you. I had the opportunity to listen to this novella by J. A. Jance shortly after I began reading SECOND WATCH. In some ways, the two stories worked well together as I read one and listened to the other.

RING IN THE DEAD by J. A. Jance

Sometimes it’s interesting to look back to where a protagonist has been in order to better understand the place they’re currently in. Author J. A. Jance does just that in RING IN THE DEAD. She gives readers a chance to get a glimpse of her investigator J. P. Beaumont in his early years as a rookie homicide detective in her first e-original novella.

Narrator J. R. Horne does an excellent job giving voice to the realistic characters in this J. P. Beaumont novella. His cadence pulls you as the story unfolds. His mannerisms highlight the author’s writing.

Having been stuck with a rookie, seasoned detective Milton ‘Pickles’ Gurkey makes it his mission to give J. P. ‘Beau’ Beaumont a hard time learning the ropes of detective. However, when Pickles is charged with murder, it’s Beau who makes it his mission to clear his partner. 

It’s a routine day when the partners stop to grab a bite to eat. During the meal, Pickles steps outside just in time to see a crime in progress. But when he goes to confront the bad guys, shots ring and he’s struck down by a heart attack. Responding officers find Pickles unconscious, a dead waitress nearby and the murder weapon in his hand. Beau knows his partner is innocent and with the help of friends on the force works to uncover the truth.

The events of that early investigation are recalled by Beau years later when Pickles’ daughter gives him a portion of a book his late partner was writing. It seems the family had blamed Beau for Pickles death until discovering the manuscript.

This novella is short, but packed with fun characters and loads of suspense. The story moves quickly and is well-developed holding your attention as you try to figure out what really happened. The author mixes mystery, suspense and personal reflection into a well-balanced story that will be hit with new readers or returning fans.

Ring in the Dead by J. A. Jance, A J. P. Beaumont Novella, Performed by J.R. Horne, Harper Audio, @2013, ASIN: B00F0XA89A, Unabridged, Digital Download, Listening Time: 1 Hour and 55 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy finding new protagonist to follow? Be sure to email me for a chance to win a copy of SECOND WATCH.