Audrey J. Cole

Divorced pilot Claire Winslow, battling a mental health crisis with a diversion, faces a chilling nightmare when her blind date turns into a stalker. She goes to the police, but reporting him fails. Then, the ultimate shock — he boards her flight as a pilot in the jump seat.

This is like high altitude fatal attraction as this thriller straps you into the cockpit watching Claire unravel as nothing makes sense and she feels powerless. Along with her best friend doubting her and the copilot show more experiencing a health emergency, Claire sees no way out. The frustration of not being believed and her sanity doubted, Claire has to pull herself together like never before and get the plane back onto the ground.

I typically don’t read novellas or short stories, but this was so fast paced I barely got into it before it was over. Not a lot of character development with the old sanity gaslighting trope, but it was entertaining even if predictable. I’m a sucker for an airplane story and I did race through it in a matter of minutes.

It was made even more fun by listening to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Zura Johnson, did a great job voicing the characters and the production created a dramatic and immersive reading experience. The pacing was good and I enjoyed it. show less

An affair to remember!

The One is the new domestic thriller from the talented pen of author Audrey J. Cole, and it was so riveting I was compelled to read it in one mesmerizing session. I flew through this story, and with its vivid visuals and stunning twists and turns, I can easily see this as the basis of a terrific film.

I was so torn at first over how I felt about the main characters: Sloane, the wronged wife, and Ethan, the husband who strayed. I wanted to love her and despise him, but show more they both had good points and good intentions and bad choices and worse behaviors. I liked him much more than I felt I should, and she started to feel a little less perfect and more human. The breakdown in their relationship and communication was fundamental to what was happening in their marriage and their later games playing, which led to much of the trouble. The introduction of Brody into the mix really kicked the stakes up to a higher level. Sloane and Ethan are driven, goal-oriented people working in careers hit hard by understaffing, an overwhelming workload, and burnout. Both are good people who make some unfortunate choices.

While the suspense begins early, wondering where the marriage is going to go and how Brody will figure into it, the plot takes big turns, and the tension escalates quickly. I couldn’t put this book down; I had to find out what would happen next! I was not disappointed and didn’t even try to guess the eventual outcome; I just held on for the ride. The tense plot is enhanced by its Seattle-area setting and the unusual hobby of freediving. I’d never heard of this competitive sport, and it was a fascinating angle in the story.

With its flawed and very human characters and suspenseful plot, rife with twists and turns, I recommend THE ONE to readers who enjoy domestic thrillers, especially those set in the Pacific Northwest or involving water sports.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. show less

This book had me turning pages and staying up late!

Only One Lie is a riveting new historical mystery by author Audrey J. Cole set during the early days of the United States's involvement in WWII. Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the three-year-old son of a wealthy banking family is kidnapped, but while the parents comply with the ransom demands, the kidnapper is found dead, and their child is nowhere to be seen. The story is intense, and the Seattle location came alive for me show more with the well-researched incorporation of the look and feel of the time.

The main characters, especially the two wives, Vera Chandler and Priscilla Ellis, are well-drawn and, although of a very different time and place, easy to relate to. Both go through extraordinary situations, the kidnapping, the search for Max, and wartime, and I was constantly surprised as I realized how young they must be. I enjoyed how bold Vera was, and for that matter, Priscilla. I seriously wanted to smack her husband, Vincent, so many times.

The story is compelling, beginning with the kidnapping of Priscilla's 3-year-old son, Max. However, the flying aspects and the women flyers' involvement in the war effort were quite interesting. Wartime had galvanized women into taking on roles previously unheard of or denied. There are great twists and turns in the plot, so just as I thought I knew where the story was headed, it took a sudden jog, and I was driven to read on!

I look forward to more from this author and recommend ONLY ONE LIE to readers who enjoy thrilling historical mystery stories, especially those set during World War II or in the Pacific Northwest.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. show less

This was a great historical mystery, set in a time when women were starting to step into roles outside the home. Vera was a great MC, I love how she didn’t hesitate to take her husband’s place as a private family to a wealthy family, and dove right into the mystery of the kidnapping. Of course, as is often the case with the wealthy, not everything is as it first seems from the outside, and there are plenty of secrets and corruption bubbling beneath the surface. Cole does an excellent job show more bringing both characters and setting to life, and the story moves along smoothly with enough tension and twists to keep you turning pages until the very end. show less