Book Tour + Review + #Giveaway: Matthew Connor Adventure Series by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold @SDSXXTours
City
of Gold
Matthew
Connor Adventure Series, Book 1
by
Carolyn Arnold
Genre:
Action, Adventure
Finding
the Incas' lost City of Gold would be the discovery of a lifetime.
But failing could mean her death…
Archaeologist
Matthew Connor and his friends Cal and Robyn are finally home after a
dangerous retrieval expedition in India. While they succeeded in
obtaining the priceless Pandu artifact they sought, it almost cost
them their lives. Still, Matthew is ready for the next adventure. Yet
when new intel surfaces indicating the possible location of the
legendary City of Gold, Matthew is hesitant to embark on the quest.
Not
only is the evidence questionable but it means looking for the lost
city of Paititi far away from where other explorers have concentrated
their efforts. As appealing as making the discovery would be, it’s
just too risky. But when Cal’s girlfriend, Sophie, is abducted by
Matthew’s old nemesis who is dead-set on acquiring the Pandu
statue, Matthew may be forced into action. Saving Sophie’s life
means either breaking into the Royal Ontario Museum to steal the
relic or offering up something no one in his or her right mind would
refuse—the City of Gold.
Now
Matthew and his two closest friends have to find a city and a
treasure that have been lost for centuries. And they only have seven
days to do it. As they race against the clock, they quickly discover
that the streets they seek aren’t actually paved with gold, but
with blood.
What
to expect from the Matthew Connor Adventure series:
Action-adventure
books for the mystery lover.Does treasure hunting
excite you? What about the thought of traveling the globe and
exploring remote regions to uncover legends that the world has all
but forgotten? If so, strap yourself in for an adventure with
modern-day archaeologist Matthew Connor and his two closest friends.
Indiana Jones meets the twenty-first century.
This
is the perfect book series for fans of Indiana Jones, Lara
Croft, National Treasure, and The Relic
Hunter.
Read
in any order or follow the series from the beginning.
“Good
evening, ladies and gentlemen. I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate
this monumental find.” William paused to soak in the enviable applause. He
definitely had a way of extorting the response he wanted.
After
the clapping died down, he continued. “The Pandu statue is unquestionably one
of the greatest discoveries of the twenty-first century. We are indebted to
those who brought the Pandu here for us to appreciate.”
The
statue was suddenly projected behind him on a large screen, the introduction to
a slideshow presentation.
Matthew
ran his hand along his jawline as he scanned the room. For the most part,
everyone’s eyes were on William. All except for a few wandering and lustful
gazes that traveled over him. A brunette, who appeared to have reached drinking
age last week, sucked on her finger, the implication obvious.
Matthew
returned his attention to the podium, even though it made him nauseated to
listen to William speak about his discovery. If the man had any idea that it
was because of his son—and his son’s two best friends—that this celebration was
even possible, it might give him his third heart attack.
“If
you have any questions about the Pandu, I am certain that the museum curator,
Miss Robyn Garcia, would be happy to answer them. You can also ask my son,
Matthew Connor”—he extended his hand toward Matthew—“who is an archaeologist.”
Despite
the twist in his gut, Matthew lifted his glass in response, purely out of
etiquette.
“Yes,
well, without further pomp and circumstance, Miss Robyn Garcia.”
William
stepped to the side, clapping, and Robyn joined him on the podium.
It
was the first time this evening that Matthew saw her. How he had missed her,
even in a crowd, was remarkable. Matthew let out a deep breath at the sight of
her.
She
wore a black evening gown that complemented her tanned complexion. Her long,
dark hair was straightened and slicked behind her shoulders and left to drape
over her bare upper back. The dress was floor length with a slit on the left
side that reached midthigh. Beads that sparkled like diamonds covered the
bodice, and the fabric was attractively gathered where it cupped her breasts.
She’d paired the gown with diamond earrings and bangles.
Robyn
positioned herself behind the microphone and let her eyes trace over the crowd.
If she was nervous about public speaking, it wasn’t evident. They met each
other’s eyes, and her lips curved upward slightly. He was certain his mouth was
gaping open and his expression resembled that of a goofy teenaged boy with a
crush. It was a lot easier to see her as an equal when she was wearing khakis
and boots, her shirt stained with sweat and her hair pulled back into a loose
ponytail.
Robyn
gestured to the screen behind her. “It truly is a remarkable gift we’ve been
given. Thank you to William Connor for extending this celebration to his home.”
She clapped, encouraging everyone to follow suit. Even Matthew found himself
putting his hands together.
William
dipped his head in silent acknowledgment and then waved, implying that it was
no big deal.
And
really, it wasn’t. Lauren and Daniel did all the hard work. Lauren’s primary
charge was keeping the house tidy, and Daniel was the butler and property
manager. At the end of the day, everything was their responsibility.
Speaking
of Daniel, there was no sign of him. That was strange because he was the one
who had led them to India in the first place. He was Matthew’s aid when it came
to researching and picking expeditions. Maybe Daniel working for both father
and son wasn’t the ideal situation, but it was what it was.
Robyn
continued. “The Pandu is believed to date back to the third century. If you
joined us at the museum earlier, this isn’t news to you, but the sacrifices
that Gideon Barnes made to bring this to us are significant.”
“Is
that why he’s not here tonight?” a man in the crowd called out. If Matthew
remembered right, his name was Jacob.
No
one was looking at him, yet Matthew felt under a microscope. Where was Lauren
with more champagne? He always felt uncomfortable in these situations and was
impressed by Robyn’s restraint in not letting her eyes drift back to him. She
was a pro.
“Mr.
Barnes regrets that he was unable to be here tonight, but he sends his love and
appreciation.”
A
man standing next to Matthew bumped his elbow. “The guy never shows up for his
own contributions. If it weren’t for the artifacts and some pictures, I’d doubt
his existence.”
“He
might value his privacy,” Matthew said. And that statement wasn’t far from the
truth. As for the pictures, Matthew had hired a man to be the face of Gideon
Barnes, but it was to get his father’s backing, nothing more.
Robyn
went on, providing more background on the Pandu. His mind wandered as she
spoke. He was ready for the next mission. Time was too precious to sit around
basking in past accomplishments. Life was about seizing the moment.
Matthew
looked to the doorway and noticed Daniel standing off to the right.
Daniel’s
Norwegian gray eyes were locked on him.
“Excuse
me,” Matthew whispered as he weaved through the mass of people to Daniel.
Matthew handed his empty glass to the man.
“Refill,
sir?”
Matthew
directed Daniel to move down the hall and out of sight of their guests.
“That’s
not why I’m here, and you know it. You have something. What is it?”
Daniel
considered their surroundings before responding. “One of the greatest legends,
sir.”
Matthew’s
heart palpitated, a natural and habitual occurrence when the prospect of a new
adventure came calling.
Matthew Connor and his friends Cal and Robyn have finally
made it home after an exciting adventure in Cambodia where they found the
priceless Pandu artifact which almost cost them their lives.
Matthew, Cal and Robyn receive new information as to the
location of the City of Gold. They would very much like to go look for the City
of Gold but Matthew doesn’t feel as if they have enough information.
But when Cal’s girlfriend Sophie is kidnapped the City of
Gold is looking as if it might just be their next adventure. Sophie’s kidnapper
demands the Pandu artifact in exchange for her release. The Pandu has already
been put on display at the museum and the only way to get it back is to steal
it and Matthew is not into that sort of thing so he offers Sophie’s kidnapper
the City of Gold instead. Who wouldn’t want a city full of gold?
Matthew, Cal and Robyn set out on an adventure of a lifetime
to find the City of Gold, a place where no one has ever returned. Can they find
the City of Gold? Will they make it back alive? Does the City of Gold actually
exist?
City of Gold has lots of adventure, suspense, action with
twists and turns around every corner. It will keep you entertained from the
first page and have you racing to the end rooting for our characters and their lives
as they race against the clock to find the City of Gold and save Cal’s
girlfriend Sophie.
City of Gold reminded me a lot of the Indiana Jones movies
and a little bit of Journey to the Center of the Earth as well when they were
looking for the City of Gold.
I would recommend City of Gold to anyone who likes the
Indiana Jones movies or maybe even Journey to the Center of the Earth. City of
Gold is for all fans of adventure, suspense and action.
The
Secret of the Lost Pharaoh
Matthew
Connor Adventure Series, Book 2
In
Egypt’s Western Desert lies the tomb of an unnamed pharaoh that
hides a secret so powerful, it could destroy the world as we know
it.Archaeologist and adventurer
Matthew Connor has made a career of finding legends the world has all
but forgotten. Though there’s one in particular that has fascinated
him for years—the Emerald Tablets. Myth says that they possess the
knowledge of the universe, allowing humankind to traverse Heaven and
Earth, and have the power to bestow wealth and wisdom upon whoever
possesses them. But if they fall into evil hands, it could cause a
global disaster.
So when a former colleague stumbles across
an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic map that promises to lead to a
pharaoh’s tomb and
the Emerald Tablets, there’s no way he’s turning down her
invitation to join the dig. He only has one stipulation: his best
friends Robyn Garcia and Cal Myers come with him.
The road
ahead isn’t going to be an easy one, and their shared dream of
recovering the Emerald Tablets is being crushed at every turn. And
just when they think it’s all over, they learn there are a few
clues they have overlooked. But they’re no longer the only ones
searching for the Tablets. Now, the fate of the world hangs in the
balance, and soon they’ll find out that when it comes to hunting
legends, they can’t trust anyone.
Robyn
went to get up when her door opened and Matthew Connor strolled in. His eyes
were bluer than she remembered. She swept some of her dark hair behind an ear.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well,
it’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other,” he responded casually.
“You’re
the one who took off to Alaska, and before that to—” She stopped talking before
it came across like she was keeping track of his schedule. “It’s good to see
you.”
And
it was. It always was. They’d been friends since college and lovers there for a
while, too. But just when things started to get serious between them, she’d
been offered this job. And with her life plan coming together and Matthew’s
selfless understanding, they’d ended things so she could focus on her career.
She’d even gone so far as to avoid expeditions with him for a time, claiming
they were too dangerous.
“You
too.” He flashed her a smile that could stop her heart if she allowed it
to.
“If
you had been around yesterday, you could have joined us at Gretzky’s.” By us, she meant, Cal, Sophie, and herself, but Matthew would
know that.
He
was still smiling as he sat down in the chair across from her. “I figured you’d
end up on a patio for drinks.”
“Uh-huh.”
She
regarded the light in his eyes but also picked up on shadows of secrecy.
He got
that look when he was thinking about an expedition. But she didn’t have time to
go away to wherever it was he had in mind. Maybe he had the luxury of dropping
everything on a whim, but she didn’t. She was tethered to a job she loved, and
Lord knew she had enough that needed taking care of. The e-mail about the
African exhibit was far from being the only thing on her to-do list.
“If
you’re here about an expedition, I can’t go,” she stated, certain she was
getting in front of what he’d come here to ask.
“You
don’t even know when I’m going.” Matthew leaned forward, one corner of his
mouth lifting as if it had been raised by a hook. It was a carefree and
devilish expression, and one that she found titillating, whether she wanted it
to or not. And she didn’t want it to. They were better off as friends. It was
so much less complicated. He did his thing; she did hers. And when they did go
on quests together, it was an experience they shared as friends.
“It
doesn’t matter.” She was shaking her head. “I have too much to do here.”
Matthew’s
gaze went to her tidy desk before meeting her eyes. “It doesn’t look like
it.”
“You
know that my desk isn’t an indication of my workload. Do you want to see my
in-box?” She gestured toward her monitor and then set her hand down on her
desk.
Matthew
reached forward and put his hand on top of hers. Her heart began to beat
faster. She pulled her hand away and swallowed, hoping he hadn’t sensed how
uncomfortable his touch made her.
His
gaze dropped to her desk but then tracked up to meet her eyes. “You seem a
little jumpy. I think someone needs a vacation.”
“Ha!”
She mocked laughter. “You have no idea.” Truth be told, she hadn’t taken time
off since the better part of a year ago, when they had gone in search of the
City of Gold.
Matthew
splayed out his hands. “No time like the present, then.”
She
narrowed her eyes at him. “An expedition”—she pointed a swirling finger at
him—“isn’t a vacation. It’s work.”
Matthew
sat back in his chair and bobbed his head side to side. “Fun work. And in this
case, it could affect the fate of the world.”
“Excuse
me while I roll my eyes. The fate of the world? Really?”
She expected him to smile or laugh, but his eyes darkened and his mouth fell
into a straight line. “You’re serious?”
“I
am dead serious.”
“So
what is this mission that could affect the fate of the world?” She’d started
off armed with cynicism but found that her shield was starting to lower. What
was wrong with her? Was he really baiting her with the fate
of the world? Was she that desperate for time off that she was buying
into his hyperbole?
“Before
I continue,” he said, “I just want to make sure you realize that what I’m about
to tell you is highly confidential.”
CAROLYN
ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as
well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four
continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher
FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has
written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers
everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to
action adventures.
Both
her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by
those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading
her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn
was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she
also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted
by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her
stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her
books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She
currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and beagles and
is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.
2 comments:
No questions - the covers are interesting
Thank you for sharing your review and the book and series info. This sounds like an exciting read and I'm adding these titles to my TBR.
Post a Comment