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The Killer Enigma

The Killer Enigma is a captivating and sophisticated cozy mystery, delving into the busy lives of JJ and Jo, two individuals grappling with the challenges of maintaining a quiet and private existence. Jo, a renowned model ensconced in the bustling urban lifestyle, yearns for solace and anonymity, prompting their journey back to the idyllic enclave of Magnolia Bluff. In their pursuit of tranquility, an unexpected twist emerges as they decide to purchase an abandoned property, compelling them to transform it into their own vacation haven. However, fate has more in store for them, as JJ’s chance discovery of a lifeless body hidden within a freezer sets off a thrilling chain of events. Lives hang precariously in the balance, and the unmasking of the truth becomes paramount.

Authors Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey masterfully craft an atmosphere brimming with mystery and unwavering intrigue, propelling readers on a captivating journey throughout the pages of the book. The artful pacing of the narrative ensures a seamless flow that keeps readers thoroughly engaged and perpetually eager to unearth the well-concealed secrets nestled within the enigmatic Magnolia Bluff. While initially appearing as seemingly untouchable figures, JJ and Jo’s true colors gradually unfold, revealing their genuine warmth and profound love for each other. This nuanced characterization adds depth to the story, fostering a stronger connection between readers and the protagonists.

One of the notable strengths of this literary work lies in its deft fusion of genres. Seamlessly blending mystery, suspense, and even romance, Breakfield and Burkey create a multifaceted narrative that caters to a diverse range of readers. Their descriptive prose expertly weaves vivid imagery, painting a canvas that showcases both the serene beauty and the hidden malevolence lurking beneath the surface of Magnolia Bluff. This masterful portrayal not only captivates the imagination but also enables readers to immerse themselves fully in the unfolding tale.

The Killer Enigma offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of small-town existence and the lengths individuals are willing to go to liberate themselves from the constricting grasp of urban life. Breakfield and Burkey’s storytelling prowess shines through, elevating this book to the realm of an immersive and enthralling read. I recommend this book to those seeking a captivating narrative infused with elements of mystery, suspense, and heartfelt moments of genuine human connection.

Pages: 287 | ASIN: B0C4TWZQFB

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The Antidote

Lila, an exceptional student at the University of Indiana, has been bestowed with a prestigious botany scholarship, elevating her summer experience to unprecedented heights. Her current endeavors involve active participation in a groundbreaking project at the esteemed U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by the highly respected Dr. Blackstone. Together, their unwavering dedication revolves around the ambitious goal of mutating mustard seeds to combat the ever-increasing impact of climate change. Amid the routine task of dispatching a package of seeds to a colleague, Lila stumbles upon the lifeless body of Dr. Blackstone, the victim of a heinous crime. Compelled to escape the scene, she finds herself embarking on a thrilling chase through the dense woods, relentlessly pursued by an unknown assailant. Just when all hope seems lost, a fortuitous twist of fate leads her to a nearby highway, where she is rescued by two compassionate gentlemen on a cross-country road trip. Little do they realize that their act of kindness will thrust them into the perilous crosshairs of those intent on pilfering Dr. Blackstone’s groundbreaking work.

The Antidote by A.W. Baldwin is a riveting and meticulously crafted novel that delves into the captivating realms of botany and climate change. The author’s evident dedication to research and profound comprehension of scientific concepts shines brilliantly, rendering this book a captivating read for science enthusiasts. As the story gracefully unfolds, Baldwin skillfully employs captivating dialogue as a driving force, relying on the characters’ conversations rather than excessive descriptions. The author’s engaging writing style swiftly became a personal favorite, effortlessly immersing me in the intricate narrative. While some readers may encounter challenges in comprehending the scientific intricacies intricately woven into the plot, it serves as a testament to the author’s unwavering commitment to authenticity. While the initial chapters skillfully establish the foundation of Dr. Blackstone’s murder, the abrupt transition to Harry’s drug deal in chapter two leaves readers yearning for more, eagerly awaiting the continuation of Lila’s compelling journey. By channeling the narrative through Lila’s experiences and perspectives, the author could maximize the thrilling aspects of the plot, keeping readers fully engaged and on the edge of their seats. This strategic approach would undoubtedly contribute to the overall enjoyment and excitement of the novel.

I highly recommend The Antidote to thriller enthusiasts who crave an exhilarating literary adventure. Its pages promise an enthralling journey, taking readers on a captivating and heart-pounding ride.

Pages: 252 | ASIN: B0BHL93Q19

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At The Mercy Of A Computer

J. Luke Bennecke Author Interview

“Civil Terror: Gridlock” follows a visionary entrepreneur as he must stop a terrorist group from using his self-driving vehicle system to carry out a deadly attack, while also clearing his name as the falsely accused architect of the plot. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Real life traffic congestion. Seriously. I was stuck in traffic one day on the I-210 in Pasadena, CA, moving at a snail’s pace when I thought, “This is 2015, why are we still having to deal with so much traffic congestion?” Then I let my mind wander . . . what if robots/computers were in charge of the driving instead of humans? That would be good, right? Like autopilot for cars? No more accidents. No more congestion. Perfect efficiency on the freeways at last! But then my negativity bias kicked in . . . with so many people at the mercy of a computer, what if somebody hacked in? Terrorism, right? What if the agency implementing millions of self-driving cars was run by engineers so blinded by the “good” the could do, they got blindsided by the “bad”?

Jake Bendel is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Jake Bendel’s development was driven by several key ideals. Firstly, I wanted to create a unique protagonist in the thriller genre by making him a civil engineer. While there are many books about police, FBI, and crime, I thought it would be exciting to center the story around an unsuspecting hero forced to go on a thrilling journey.

To create a compelling character arc, I started Jake off at the top of his game before quickly plunging him into emotional turmoil with the loss of his wife, imprisonment, wrongful accusations from the media, and being forced to operate outside of his comfort zone. To further complicate matters, I also gave him motion sickness, which added an additional layer of challenge to his character.

However, I didn’t want Jake’s story to be solely focused on his struggles. I also wanted to tap into the love, inspiration, and strength that his deceased wife would want him to have in order to fight the bad guys. Through all of this, Jake was able to learn valuable lessons, gain newfound maturity, and develop a sense of humility that he didn’t have before.

Overall, I wanted Jake to be a relatable and realistic character with a strong character arc that would keep readers engaged throughout the story.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

  1. Friendship and Loyalty: Gridlock highlights the importance of true friendship and loyalty as Bendel and the other main characters remain committed to helping each other despite the challenges they face.
  2. Courage and Perseverance: I’d like to think that Bendel displays courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, refusing to give up or be defeated by his circumstances.
  3. Family and Love: Bendel and his daughter bond over their experiences, emphasizing the importance of family and love, as they go to great lengths to protect and support each other.
  4. Pursuit of Dreams: The story highlights the importance of pursuing one’s dreams, as Bendel strives to achieve his new goals despite the many obstacles he faces.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I’ve recently finished writing and fully editing two more novels: 

1) Blackout – The third installation of the Jake Bendel universe, where a grieving Bendel teams up with FBI agent Kristy Konnors to stop a sociopathic cabal leader from taking down the US power grid and allowing foreign militaries to invade, while also uncovering the truth about his wife’s supposed death.

Blackout is currently under evaluation by several agents whom I pitched at last year’s PitchFest in New York (as part of ThrillerFest) with the goal of getting a publishing deal with one of the Big Four. 

2) Echo From A Bayou, a mind-bending psychological thriller where a man awakens from a coma speaking with a Louisiana accent, convinced he’s the reincarnation of a man who was murdered over a billion-dollar treasure, and must navigate through dangerous obstacles to uncover the truth.

Echo From A Bayou is scheduled to be published August 8, 2023 and ARC’s are available for review.

I’m also nearly finished with a draft of a sci-fi thriller tentatively titled “Time Goggles”, where an MIT doctoral student’s invention, the Time Goggles, reveals a brutal murder from the past, and when her FBI dad disappears, she uses the device to uncover the truth, but a global crime syndicate will stop at nothing to get their hands on it.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Self-driving vehicles finally arrive. But so do the terrorists. A thought-provoking thriller about artificial intelligence and the self-driving revolution.

You’ll be forced to consider how you would react if you were cornered and trapped in a terrifying life-threatening situation.

Fed up with slogging through the treacherous LA traffic to get to work, Jake Bendel and a cunning team of experts create a roadway system for self-driving cars — preventing thousands of traffic deaths and reducing commute times from hours to minutes. For three months, no traffic congestion. No accidents. No fatalities. People finally feel safe in their cars. But should they?

Especially when the dark side of humanity sees this as a chance to destroy the United States. A terrorist group weaponizes the system and devises a scheme to kill more Americans in one day than all the U.S. soldiers killed in World War II.

Viktor, a tormented psychopath and the mastermind behind this ruthless attack, is driven by the voices in his head who guide his every move. While he and his brothers mercilessly annihilate Americans, Viktor plants evidence that convinces the public Jake is the architect behind the most heinous terrorist attack in U.S. history.

But one rogue FBI agent believes Jake is innocent. Together they unearth a mole deep inside the FBI, go off the grid, and hash through a trail of hidden clues to stop Viktor from slaughtering millions of unsuspecting American drivers in a matter of minutes.

The clock is ticking. Can they stop him in time to prevent another savage bloodbath?

Civil Terror: Gridlock will grab you by the throat and pull you into a vicious struggle that will define the fate of the world for generations to come. If you like Dan Brown, Tom Clancy, or Jon Grisham, you’ll love J. Luke Bennecke.

Civil Terror: Gridlock

Dr. Jake Bendel, a pioneering civil engineer, and his team of experts embark on a colossal project to create self-driving cars, aiming to eliminate traffic congestion and accidents. With billions of dollars invested, the groundbreaking technology was widely accepted and integrated into all road networks. However, devastating terrorist attacks soon claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, leaving Jake to question what went wrong.

As evidence surfaces incriminating Jake as the mastermind behind the attacks, he finds himself imprisoned for his alleged involvement. Jake was part of a team of expert engineers known as the Super Six, of which he is the only surviving member. In time, the team realizes that their technology has been hijacked by terrorists to cause severe damage to the country. An ingenious individual had penetrated the software and was responsible for the catastrophic mishaps. The FBI collaborates with Jake to uncover the root cause of the problem and neutralize any further attacks, faking Jake’s death to facilitate their investigation.

J. Luke Bennecke’s Civil Terror: Gridlock is a thrilling work of fiction that provides insight into the future of advanced AI. The novel explores the pros and cons of utilizing self-driving vehicles and depicts the intelligent and patriotic Jake as its main character and protagonist. While he sometimes struggles with his emotions, his overall goodness shines through.

Viktor, the intriguing and malevolent genius and antagonist of the story, captured my attention the most. I was surprised by how someone could be brainwashed into committing heinous crimes in the name of religion. His intelligence could have been better utilized if not for his association with the wrong people. The characterization is top-notch, and while I enjoyed the novel, I feel that the plot accelerated too quickly in the middle.

Civil Terror: Gridlock is a gripping technothriller that boasts exceptional editing, a good story, and an engaging plot. I highly recommend this book to anyone who fancies a thrilling, action-packed read filled with conspiracy theories and terrorist plots unfolding.

Pages: 494 | ASIN : B07B8LK9XG

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Both Sides Of The Hacking Equation

Author Interview
Susan Rogers & John Roosen Author Interview

“Cobra Pose” follows a solicitor turned yoga instructor and her photojournalist love interest as they race against time to stop a group of hackers from destabilizing financial institutions worldwide. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in this book that were different from book one?

We have been fascinated with the concept of hacking for almost ten years. We started researching various groups that were involved in hacking, as well as their methods. Hacking often leads to theft, fraud, or other scams, and often appears more efficient and less costly than other methods. We also wanted to know what counter measures were available to prevent hacking.  To us, it was always a race, a contest if you will, between the two opponents. Just when one method seems to be the solution to prevent hacking, hackers come up with means to overcome the countermeasures.  It’s the ultimate chess game. The stakes are high, and we have definitely seen an uptick in the volume hacking over the years.   

We wanted the reader to become immersed in both sides of the hacking equation. We developed a stable of characters who are orchestrating the hacking, as well as a counter-group trying to prevent or at least control the outcomes of the hacking event.  We also identified the White Hat Hackers that hack for justice and Black Hat Hackers who hack for gain and disruption.

As it turns out, just when we were in Australia ‘ground-truthing’ all the locations for Cobra Pose, our communications company was hacked. It was such a massive hack that half of Australia was affected (about 12 million people).  Driver’s licenses, streets names, phone numbers etc were up for grabs.  We happened to be two of the people that were affected. 

As writers we do love irony, and we thought this was the greatest irony of all.

What were some challenges you felt were important to developing Elaina Ric’s characters in this book?

Our books focus on classic literary fiction writing.  We spend a considerable amount of time working on the plot of one book, while we may be writing others in the series.  Since the characters and books have plots and direction that may overlap, it becomes a tracking process which includes spreadsheets, tables and lists.  The plots are paramount to us as they  become the coat hangers on which we fashion our characterizations. However, we also have a specific issue or flaw that our characters work on during the course of each book.  As we have two main characters, we alternate who is the ‘lead’ or protagonist for each book.  Occasionally, some of the sub-characters will feature in a strong way and down the track line have a book of their own.

The challenge of course is to make each character seem real and multi-faceted.  We actually try to make each character have small characteristics that allow them to be visualized in the mind of the reader. We rely on the readers imagination to form the construct of what our characters appear like and act like. The word-smithing plays an important part in this.

Writers have the delicious opportunity to use a smorgasbord of options at their fingertips when building a character. Just like any artist they can dabble in one method and then switch to another if that isn’t working. 

Knowing the right balance can be a method of trial and error where we work at something over and over again until it reads and sounds right.  Sometimes the character comes to life with little or no effort, like they are ready to jump out from the computer keys onto the page.  Those are the magic moments every writer loves.

Many of our characterisations are based on people we have met and interacted with over the years. 

We hope people enjoy the many characters we have created in both Dead Man’s Pose and Cobra Pose. Our books are the combination of a wide variety of quirky characters and a well-crafted plot.

What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?

For us, it is hard to choose one scene over another, as our writing is very layered.  Working separately and then together as a team, then apart again, we tend to go back and forth on the various scenes within each book. 

This includes both reading the book ourselves, and then reading to each other.  In Dead Man’s Pose, when twelve characters come together in The Crime Solver’s Potluck, we basically acted out what we wanted each character to do and say.

You can imagine what occurred when someone came to our front door, and we were dressed in an array of clothing and hats to quickly go from one character to another.

In Cobra Pose, we ground-proofed each of the streets, locations, and areas we wrote about as we did in Dead Man’s Pose That means we walk or drive, take a boat or a plane to get to where the characters are going to move around.

If there isn’t a building that meets our needs, we do have the ability to create one, as we did with The Observatory.  However, in this case, we both have about 20 years of emergency management experience each, to build our ideal of what a multi-agency operations centre might include.  So that combines the mix of: years of experience, within the plot developed for that book, with the creative need for the actions envisioned.

The scene that stands out in Cobra Pose is near the end. Of course, we aren’t going to give away any spoilers away, but there is a massive response effort that takes place.  It was complex and exhilarating to write and gave us an adrenalin rush just reading it to each other. 

What can readers expect in book three in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series?

Book 3 in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series is Tree Pose.  In book 1, Dead Man’s Pose we explored the theme of corruption, fraud and justice, along with a budding romance. In book 2, Cobra Pose, we explored the theme of hacking and a potential collapse of financial institutions.

In a similar manner, for book 3, we have chosen an ‘overarching’ theme which we have explored along with the individual flaws and themes of our main characters.

We interweave all this with romance. What’s not to like about that? We often think there is something universal about love that makes it so very compelling to write about. So, the reader will see this overarching theme played out as well.

By the way, for those wondering how far we are going with the series, buckle up.  We have book 3 – Tree Pose, drafted; book 4 – Warrior Pose drafted; book 5 – Half Moon Pose drafted.  Our goal is always to try and maintain a quality fiction approach, so we spend a lot of time perfecting each one.  We hope this gives the reader a desire to ‘read that one again … and again’.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Australia is a surfers’ paradise … but this nefarious surfing is on the ‘net’ … and will destroy the global financial system.

It’s not just a rippling ‘scam’ job. Has Australia been infiltrated at levels they’ve never known?

Elaina Williams uses a Cobra Pose in her Yoga studio to boost her energy – she will need it! Elaina’s father, Edward, is in trouble. He’s disappeared. 

As a solicitor and now yoga instructor, Elaina drags Ric, a man she’s fallen for, into the bursting web of techno-thrilling intrigue.

Ric Peters has just returned from a disastrous trip to Indonesia. Ric bills himself as a photojournalist. Elaina suspects he shoots more than just photographs. Ric has insight into the journey he and Elaina must take. He knows Elaina isn’t ready for what’s going to happen. There are too many moving parts for him to control. 

Time is running out before The Cobra and The Wolf strike with their heist. They are extending their fangs towards Australia’s ‘golden coastline’ to bite into and destabilise financial institutions worldwide. 

The sparkling sub-tropical city of Brisbane, Queensland, is the epicentre of this hacking tsunami of the century! But these hackers are good at hiding. They make a living out of it. They are submerged Phantoms leaving no tracks.

Can the burgeoning amateur sleuth Elaina piece this puzzle together before her father’s fate is sealed? How far is Ric willing to go in deciding to save Elaina … or Australia?

Cobra Pose is the suspense-thriller and second novel in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series. This book is filled with a snappy plot, dynamic prose, witty dialogue, and slow-burn chemistry. You’ll love Susan Rogers and John Roosen’s atmospheric whodunit. Click Cobra Pose to stretch your sense of adventure today!

The first book, Dead Man’s Pose, is available online. Next in the YMM lineup is Tree Pose – coming soon!

Tionsphere

Tionsphere by J.C. Gemmell is set in a future where people live in spheres, resources are scarce, and death is not what we know it to be. People in this world live in concentric spheres that encircle the globe and are rapidly reaching capacity, causing the universal processing service to fail and endangering the lives of those who reside in them. These spheres, ironically, were built by two global corporations that joined to solve Earth’s overpopulation problem. While Caitlyn and her small team of contract theorists try to figure out why their society is collapsing, Pazel is hell-bent on destroying all within Tion’s spheres and saving only the elites. Who wins in this futuristic, multifaceted race for the fate of the globe?

This is an intellectually-invigorating book that would appeal to sci-fi fans who are ready to be immersed in a complex world with an equally deep plot. Consciousness can be separated from one’s body in Gemmell’s thought-provoking story, and viewing the stars and celestial objects is a thing of the past.

Tionsphere has an intriguing cast of characters whose personalities are a product of the mysterious world in which they find themselves, such as Jovana, who assumes leadership in the group and enjoys salvaging because it allows her access to Tion’s history. While this is a visionary science fiction novel, I found I needed frequent breaks from the book to absorb all the information and the different perspectives of the characters. The story switches between situations swiftly, so if you like fast-moving stories over character-heavy development, then this novel is for you. For example, instead of devoting time to considering a task and the impact it might have on their lives, the girls simply discuss it briefly and go on to start it.

As his novel is based on plausible issues and solutions that may arise as a result of overpopulation and globalization, J.C. Gemmell has proven to be a writer with vision and a creative imagination. Tionsphere explores concepts that challenge our perceptions of reality and the limitations of our understanding of life. This riveting dystopian novel will undoubtedly captivate your attention and transport you to its picturesque world.

Pages: 415 | ASIN: B0893KJ74K

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The Enigma Heirs Champions

Charles Breakfield & Rox Burkey Author Interview

Enigma Tracer follows the R-Group as they try to stop a master thief from creating chaos and destruction in the Caribbean islands’ manufacturing infrastructure before time runs out. What inspired you to start a new series in the same world as your previous series?

The Enigma Series covered three generations of the R-Group, referencing their beginnings in World War II. We recently detailed the harrowing events in the novella prequel Out of Poland. Technology threats today target the very old and the younger population worldwide. We wanted the leaders of the R-Group and sister organization, CATS, to be the newest generation. 

Gracie and her twin, Juan Junior or JJ, were the first of the fourth generation of the R-Group family businesses. Their education, in many ways, was traditional homeschooling with extensive usage of modern digital problem-solving acumen. They still strive to remain on the moral high ground and help humanity, but their expertise with the technical tools available is second to none.

We felt it was time to change so the next generation could become the adults in charge. Your children can only train for so long before they need to get tested for real-life problems. We believe the Enigma Heirs champions will find new ways to combat the criminals from the Darknet and those evil people lurking in the shadows with innovative solutions to cyber problems.

The book deals with themes of greed, power, and corruption. What message do you hope readers take away from the story?

Thank you for pulling these elements. When one profiles someone who steals, controls, or even kills other humans, one or all of these themes is at the heart when you peel back the layers. Some people have evil mindsets. Brilliant geniuses without balance believe that it’s their way or no way. They will pick one of the elements, such as power, to accumulate vast sums of money and get others to do the work for them.

The unfortunate truth about our digital universe is the cyber bad guys are always in the lead. It takes courage to defy evil from the Darknet. We want our storytelling taken to heart for the subtle lessons. If the cyber world is to remain in balance, the cyber good guys must combat the cyber trash to restore order from chaos.

That said, we want readers to remain vigilant against the deal that sounds too good to be true or the promise they want to hear rather than being suspicious. Falling for these hoaxes or marketing manipulation by someone with a smooth line has a poor ending. Please don’t jump on the bandwagon with everything until you check it out thoroughly. Our digital world requires individuals to protect themselves. We can help one another and keep our family and friends from making unrecoverable mistakes.

The technology aspect of the book is quite detailed and complex. How did you strike a balance between making it accessible to readers while still being accurate and engaging?

Breakfield and Burkey work in technology. We’ve watched our technical evolution progress over time in both capabilities and complexities. We like taking tangible aspects of technology and putting them into everyday scenarios people can understand. In Enigma Tracer, we use a variety of drones ranging from miniature ones in the earrings Gracie wears to the ones Bailey places in the garden and the others Jeff helps Keith use to distract the guards in the ship’s hold. Drones have a variety of capabilities for pictures, audio transmission, movement, and more. Everyone likes toys, especially adults.

You have a massive part of our secret. We like to tell a great story in a realistic setting, with relatable characters, caring relationships, fun, and a bit of humor. We believe this is an engaging recipe. We change all the elements when we write each book. But we are careful and diligent about not using a single formula repeatedly. And just so the readers know, we do NOT use A.I. chatbots to assemble our stories. Breakfield and Burkey are the writers and researchers of our books.

What can readers expect in book two in the Enigma Heirs Thriller series?

Book two, Enigma Forced, brings back a greedy enemy without regard for people. He and others like him operate in many locations worldwide, forcing people to do things they would never do by choice. Seduction and trafficking are the criminal tools of these cyber-thugs. The web of deception for these operations is much like a Hydra. Cut off one head three more grow in its place. The applied technologies needed to locate the poisonous, heartless villain will take all the resources at the disposal of the R-Group and CATS. The opening chapters is at the end of Enigma Tracer, let us know your thoughts.

\Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Website | RoxBurkey.com

The clock is ticking … can Gracie uncover the truth?
Phillip Pliant is the wealthy opportunist plastics dealer, and CEO of Pliant Industries. He’s also a master thief—creating a pervasive threat to the manufacturing infrastructure in the Caribbean islands markets. With the cartel as his stealth client, the naïve city leaders have been seduced, enabling the production of more than 3-dimentional building materials.

And set the stage for massive chaos and destruction.

Pliant has locked up contracts, assets, and control of any future expansion. His contacts and clients salivate over their probable financial reward—the expected profits are monstrous.

Is the R-Group, now led by Gracie and the family heirs, strong enough to win against this predator? Can JJ’s CATS (Cyber Assassin Technology Services) act on the root-cause analysis in time?Will the R-Group and CATS sabotage Pliant’s plan before it’s too late?
Can Jeff and Keith use their covert skills to put the bad guys away for good?
Will Gracie be able to squash Pliant and the cartels?
Can the chain of islands survive the underhanded tactics and threats?

Gracie never considered their lives would hang in the balance between winning and losing. Will the devious plot be uncovered in time? The clock is ticking. Five … four … three …

Enigma Tracer

Enigma Tracer kicks off a new and exciting series by Breakfield and Burkey. Gracie, the heir apparent to R-Group, has taken up a case brought to her by her former college roommate, Bailey Smith. Gracie and Bailey, along with their current beaus, Jeff and Keith, go undercover to embark upon a cruise to gather intel on Philip Pliant, the predatory CEO of Pliant Industries. Using their wits and charm, along with a captivating cast of supporting characters from the Cyber Assassin Technology Services (CATS), the foursome engages in a treacherous cat-and-mouse investigation.

Authors Breakfield and Burkey do a fantastic job laying the groundwork in the opening chapters, establishing the characters and their backgrounds. Gracie and Bailey are quite likable, and their chemistry is palpable. I appreciate that they’re not two Mary Sues, as Gracie has impulse control and anger issues, and Bailey seems to struggle with alcohol. Jeff and Keith are well-fleshed out as capable companions who are also a little jealous of their better halves’ undercover positions.

Once the story gets going, Enigma Tracer is an exciting read. The dialogue between characters does a lot of heavy lifting for the exposition. The operatives discuss their dates and socialize while on their actual mission. This adds a fun layer to the story and shows that the next generation of R-Group is still young and inexperienced.

Enigma Tracer is highly recommended to fans of technothrillers, and fast-moving plots, and is a must-read for longtime fans of the authors. Dramatic, high-tech action fills the pages of this gripping story. I highly recommend readers experience the sharp writing and enthralling plot that Breakfield and Burkey bring to their series.

Pages : 232 | ASIN : B0BRD6BWSG

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