Author: Nina Mason
Genre: Political Thriller
Publisher: Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing
Formats: Kindle and paperback
Where to buy: Amazon.com (http://smarturl.it/tinman)
Blurb:
The last thing Alex Buchanan, the editor-in-chief of a formidable news site, expects as he looks around the newsroom at the bodies of his editors, is that he’ll soon be teaming up with The Ball Buster to solve the crime and stay alive. Well, maybe not the last thing. The last thing he expects is to fall for her or any other woman. Because he’s The Tin Man–a suit of armor without a heart.
Or so he believes…
The Ball Buster is his private nickname for Thea Hamilton, a smart, gutsy, and insecure investigative reporter for The New York News, America’s newspaper of record. They went out once years ago–an unmitigated disaster during which she jumped all over his case about smoking.
Excerpt
Buchanan was smoking out among the trees when he heard the gunshots. Turning toward the barn, he saw flames leaping from the roof. Dropping his cigarette, he charged from the underbrush like a bull, thinking only of Thea. Another shot shattered the darkness. He drew his Glock as he trundled across the field. The fire was spreading fast. He reached the barn, choking as he raced inside. The whole place was filled with white smoke.
"Thea!" he screamed, coughing violently. "Thea!"
He raced toward the stairs, grabbed the rail, hoisting himself up two rungs at a time. He frantically searched the loft, but found only her purse. Taking it with him, he stumbled back down.
"Thea! Thea! Where are you?"
The smoke was so thick he couldn’t see a thing. He heard another crack. Outside. Shite, the assassins had found them. But where were they now. And where was she?
He groped his way through the cloud, gasping, choking, eyes stinging, until he found the car. Feeling his way around, he located the driver’s door, got in, and started the engine. He hit the gas. The Toyota lurched forward. He couldn’t see a fucking thing through the smoke. The car crashed through wood, jolting him. The air began to clear as he bounced across the field. The black sedan came into view, speeding toward the road. He eased off the gas, falling back to avoid being seen.
Fucking hell. He’d cocked up everything. Now, they had Thea, which was killing him. Anything he could do to save her would endanger her life. Assuming, of course, she was still alive. The possibility she might not be kicked him in the chest, but he reasoned it away. She had to be alive. It only made sense. If she was dead, why take her? He felt better, but not for long. If she was alive, there was a reason. And the only reason he could think of made his stomach turn.
Trailer:
Author info:
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten. When not writing, Nina works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home stager. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert.
Social-media links:
Website: http://ninamasonauthor.com
Blog: http://ninamasonromance.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ninamasonromance
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ninamasonauthor (@ninamasonauthor)
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ninamasonauthor
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ninamasonauthor
Google+: https://plus.google.com/105622637668245901733/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ninamason165/
Author Interview:
Q. Tell us about your book.
A. The Tin Man warns of the dangers posed by corporate media monopolies, something most people don’t care about but really should, because they who control the media control how we perceive the world. It’s a work of fiction, but steeped in reality. The hero is Alex Buchanan, an embittered journalist who runs a formidable online news site. When he becomes the target of hired assassins, he hooks up with Thea Hamilton, a crack investigative reporter, to find out why. They end up on a wild ride that takes them from New York City to Philadelphia and finally, Washington D.C. It’s loaded with high-octane action, deeply-etched characters, and hard-hitting truths. I did an unbelievable amount of research while writing the book.
Q. After this, what's your next project?
A. I’m currently working on a four-part paranormal fantasy series titled the Knights of Avalon, which is under contract with Lyrical Kensington.
Q. What inspires you to write what you do?
A. All of my paranormal stories are inspired by my interest in history, mythology, and the occult. Even my fantasies are steeped in reality.
Q. When did you start writing?
A. About as soon as I could write the alphabet. When I was a kid, I won an essay contest sponsored by the local library (I was an avid reader and always did the summer reading challenge). Back in the days of typewriters, I wrote a romance novel about a couple of ballet dancers, but never did anything with it. Didn’t try my hand at fiction again until five or six years ago, when I started what is now The Queen of Swords.
Q. What inspired you to write the book?
A. My work, really. The Tin Man comes from another part of me than my paranormal romances. My degree is in journalism and I’ve worked in media relations and in "framing"—a way of spinning ideas, basically, which is discussed in the book.
Q. Are you a careful planner or do you let the story guide you?
A. I do a bit of both. I work out the characters and their motivations, setting, and where I want the story to go. I also tend to do index cards for each scene or major plot point from start to finish. Once I begin to write, it can go completely off the rails, depending on where the characters want to take it. As long as they’re reaching the touchstones, I let them do what they want. If they go too far off track, I either re-plot the novel or rein them in, depending on which direction seems better at the time.
Q. Who is your favorite among your characters?
A. I love them all, of course. Graham, the hero in The Queen of Swords, is both noble and funny. Callum, the hero in The Knight of Wands, is a good-hearted romantic. Leith, the hero of my WIP, is a bit on the dark side, but still well-intentioned. If pressed to pick just one, I’d have to go with Alex Buchanan, the journalist hero in The Tin Man. He’s very complex and has lots of demons to overcome, but also is a really good guy.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Tin Man by Nina Mason is a 2014 Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly publishing release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This suspenseful political thriller with a touch of romantic suspense is a searing look at America as it is now as opposed to the way our forefathers once envisioned things. Alex could no longer stand the journalist and mass media bowing down to pressure from above and reporting what they were told to and feeding the public a watered down version of the facts. He starts his own online newspaper and then his staff is murdered. He escaped death for the time being, but is still a hunted man.
Thea Hamilton is an investigative reporter with the New York News. She and Alex shared a brief history that culminated in Thea telling Alex off about his cigarette habit. Now, the two of them are thrown together searching for the answers to why Alex's editors were murdered and to find out what happened to Thea's grandfather, who has gone missing.
Once in close proximity with one another they find the attraction they briefly shared was still there and then some. But, Alex is a complicated man with numerous issues. He cares enough for Thea to avoid starting anything up with her until he has his head on straight. In the meantime, they are being shot at and are uncovering a shocking conspiracy that goes all the way to the white house.
This story will really make you think. The author brings up some troubling observations about our country and the complacency American's have embraced in allowing our freedoms to be taken from us bit by bit with nary a whimper from us. The searing portrayal of big media monopolies has a ring of real truth to it that should give everyone pause. But, this not a lecture, this is a thrill ride of a story featuring Alex, a war correspondent that now suffers from PTSD. He is having nightmares and flashbacks, erectile dysfunction and issues committing to relationships and the details surrounding the death of his brother.
Thea is a modern day journalist that longs to tell a story the way it is without all the BS. She too has suffered great loss in her life and has a complicated family. Her feelings for Alex are straightforward and honest despite his reticence. The moody Alex and his principals help create a dark atmosphere where the reader is worried about his mental health throughout the book, and when we start to realize where the plot is going we also become quite concerned for Thea.
I only had a few concerns about the book, one is very minor and this happens from time to time, even with the most experienced and seasoned authors. One of the main characters has a phrase that he uses over much. After a while I wished he could find a new one to use, or just not say it so often. The other concern I had was the character's obvious leaning to one side or other politically. Readers come is all stripes, and while many readers are savvy enough to distinguish between a character's opinion and the author's personal feelings, some do not and I was concerned at times that some might take offense.
I did agree with most of the story's elements and found myself nodding my head in agreement more than once. While this is a work of fiction, many of the issues raised here should be cause for alarm. I love when a book gives you something to contemplate and work out in your mind and this one certainly will do that.
I also just loved Alex! He is a good man, but has been through so much and has seen so much he is confused by the impact of his feelings for Thea. A part of him can't absorb the shock of what has happened with her and he is always waiting for the other shoe to drop. He and Thea make a good team and while they may not have a perfect fairytale relationship, we know they are both survivors and will come out this stronger than ever and will now have each other there for support.
4 stars