American Drifter by Heather Graham, Chad Michael Murray
Published by Macmillan Audio, Forge on November 14th 2017
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 304
Format: Audio Review Copy
ISBN: 0765374870
ASIN: B075XT8ZH4
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This program is read by Chad Michael Murray

New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham has teamed up with celebrated actor and celebrity icon Chad Michael Murray to weave a tale of passion and danger in the captivating thriller audiobook, American Drifter.

A young veteran of the US Army, River Roulet is struggling to shake the horrors of his past. War is behind him, but the memories remain. Desperate to distract himself from the images haunting him daily, River abandons the world he knows and flees to the country he's always dreamed of visiting: Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is everything he hoped for and more. In the lead-up to Carnaval, the city is alight with music, energy, and life. With a few friends at his side, River seems to be pulling his life together at last.

Then he meets the enchanting Natal, an impassioned journalist and free spirit--who lives with the gangster that rules much of Rio.

As their romance blossoms, River and Natal flee together into the interior of Brazil, where they are pursued by the sadistic drug lord, Tio Amato, and his men. When River is forced to kill one of those men, the chase becomes even deadlier. Not only is the powerful drug boss after them, the Brazilian government is on their trail as well.

Will the two lovers escape--and will River ever be free of the bloody memories that haunt him?

This audiobook adventure is equal parts passion and suspense, enhanced by the vivid backdrop of Brazil

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#Brazil #Carnaval #DrugLord #RioDeJaneiro #LovableDog @heathergraham @ChadMMurray @MacmillianAudio

Have you ever read a book that went from a 4 to a 5 in the last few pages? American Drifter co-written by Heather Graham and actor Chad Michael Murray is that book for me. I’m sure there are going to be reviewers who claim they knew what the outcome would be after the first chapter, but please don’t judge me because I didn’t see this one coming. I might have found a grisly death scene or imprisonment with torture or even a clean getaway with a HEA predictable for River and Natal, but instead, the author hit it way out of my Imagination Ball Park.

Set against the breathtaking and exotic backdrop of Rio de Janeiro at Carnival (or Carnaval in Portuguese), American Drifter’s authors shamelessly and effectively make use of the city as an integral part of the storyline. Listeners will easily recognize names such as the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and the beach at Ipanema and will feel the excitement build as the festival draws toward its finale with the approach of the Lenten season. River Roulet is a fascinating character, an American veteran with PTSD, he introduces us to other characters who are just as intriguing — the stalwart Beluga, the free-spirit Theo, the evil Tio Amato, and the illusive Natal with whom he falls in love. You all know I’m a sucker for lovable pets and River has one even though he had to steal the dog he names Convict from his abusive owner.

I have mixed emotions about authors reading their own work. Those who aren’t performers usually just read. Such is not the case with Chad Michael Murray. As one of the authors as well as an accomplished actor, his performance puts the finishing touch on his collaboration with Heather Graham. As a special treat courtesy of Macmillan Audio, there is an audio sample of the book following my review so you can judge for yourself.

It isn’t by accident that I’m posting this review a few days before the climax of our own pre-Lenten festival Mardi Gras. I thought it might be fun for listeners to compare how the two countries celebrate. I recommend American Drifter to those who like an adventure in a beautiful setting coupled with romantic suspense. The authors’ seductive descriptions may entice you to add Brazil to your bucket list just as River did!

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Many Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the Opportunity to Listen and Review American Drifter!