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Celia Hagen #1
A Small Fortune
When Celia Donnelly’s husband, Jonathon, surprises her with a family vacation to Mexico, the harried book editor couldn't be happier. She is overworked and exhausted, a situation that has taken a toll on her eighteen-year marriage, not to mention her relationship with her teenaged son. Escaping the perpetually rainy Pacific Northwest for the sugary sands of Mexico could be just what the doctor ordered. Yet shortly after their arrival south of the border, a chance encounter with a stranger sparks illicit memories of a former affair. The moment passes, but that brief encounter proves enough to change her life forever. Hours later, Celia is lured from the beach and abducted off the street. At first a seemingly random victim, Celia quickly realizes her captors know exactly who she is. Desperate for news of her family and devastated by the betrayal of someone she trusts, Celia, along with an unlikely ally, is soon running for her life. Pursued from the balmy shores of Mexico to the steamy thickets of the jungle, to the crisp, cold mountains of Zurich, Celia will stop at nothing to find her way home. A Small Fortune is the gripping first book in the Fortune Series, find out what happens next in Fortune’s Deadly Decent .
279 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2010
91 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Braun
3 books25 followersAudrey Braun is the pen name of the author Deborah Reed. She has lived all over the United States and in Europe. She now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her family of boys and dogs. A SMALL FORTUNE is her first suspense novel. Fortune's Deadly Descent is her follow-up and the second of a trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
May 14, 2010
This book was recommended to me by a friend that knows I am avid reader. I actually haven't read a book for fun in over two years (life happens). I sat in my yard at 1:00 on a Saturday and proceeded to get sunburned from head to toe because I read the book cover to cover in 5 hours. No food, no dinner for the kids, just straight up me time with this book. I didn't want to inhale the book the way I did. I wanted you savor every page! The writing style is so easy and relatable. I could not anticipate the middle or the end. It was very entertaining, suspenseful, sexy and full of surprises and twists. If it could be enhanced at all I would say that steamy parts could have been a bit more detailed. I hope there's a sequel because I want to follow Celia and her interesting family to see what happens next. If no sequel I would be very interested in other reads Audrey Braun recommends.
Kerry G
Kerry G
November 14, 2024
Fast moving, lots of twists and turns!
I received this from Good Reads First Reads
I received this from Good Reads First Reads
July 16, 2011
I can't wait to tell you about this book!!!
Celia Donnelly is overworked and downright exhausted, her marriage to her husband Jonathan, a bank president, has started to suffer, as has her relationship with teenage son. She is thrilled when Jonathan comes home and tells her they are taking a family vacation to Mexico. Getting out of the dreary weather of the Pacific Northwest to wonderful sunny Mexico is just what this family needs.
Celia enjoying her vacation decides to go for a run along the beach. She is on her way back to the condo when she is approached my a man she met earlier at the pool. He tells her she needs to come with him, something has happened to her son. She rushes off with the man, gets in his car and very quickly feels something is very wrong. The man is working for someone else, someone who has hired him to abduct Celia and hold her hostage. Celia is not a random victim. She learns someone that she trusted has betrayed her and she needs to save herself. She partners up with a very unlikely ally and finds herself on a run to save her life. Pursued into the depths of the Mexican jungle she draws on all her strength. Nothing will stop her learning the truth and finding her way home.
I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!
Yes, I know that equals 15 stars!!!!!
I started this book Sunday night at bedtime, thinking I would read a couple of chapters and go to sleep. I finished the book at about 3 a.m. There was no way I could put this book down. I was tired when I started and energized when I finished.
The story is so engaging, masterfully written. Suspenseful and yet so descriptive of the settings you can't help but feel you are almost watching a movie. Brilliantly plotted to keep you turning page after page after page. You don't realize time is even passing because you are completely, effortlessly immersed in the action.
I believe this is the debut novel for this author and if that is the case she has a fabulous future as a writer. It takes years and usually several novels published and rejected to reach this level of expertise. I am trying to find words to describe her writing style. The literary rhythm she has attained is classic and profound. I am amazed by her talent. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!
Put everything but this book into the overhead
compartment,. Fasten your seat belts and get
ready to Escape With This Book Today!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Celia Donnelly is overworked and downright exhausted, her marriage to her husband Jonathan, a bank president, has started to suffer, as has her relationship with teenage son. She is thrilled when Jonathan comes home and tells her they are taking a family vacation to Mexico. Getting out of the dreary weather of the Pacific Northwest to wonderful sunny Mexico is just what this family needs.
Celia enjoying her vacation decides to go for a run along the beach. She is on her way back to the condo when she is approached my a man she met earlier at the pool. He tells her she needs to come with him, something has happened to her son. She rushes off with the man, gets in his car and very quickly feels something is very wrong. The man is working for someone else, someone who has hired him to abduct Celia and hold her hostage. Celia is not a random victim. She learns someone that she trusted has betrayed her and she needs to save herself. She partners up with a very unlikely ally and finds herself on a run to save her life. Pursued into the depths of the Mexican jungle she draws on all her strength. Nothing will stop her learning the truth and finding her way home.
I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!
Yes, I know that equals 15 stars!!!!!
I started this book Sunday night at bedtime, thinking I would read a couple of chapters and go to sleep. I finished the book at about 3 a.m. There was no way I could put this book down. I was tired when I started and energized when I finished.
The story is so engaging, masterfully written. Suspenseful and yet so descriptive of the settings you can't help but feel you are almost watching a movie. Brilliantly plotted to keep you turning page after page after page. You don't realize time is even passing because you are completely, effortlessly immersed in the action.
I believe this is the debut novel for this author and if that is the case she has a fabulous future as a writer. It takes years and usually several novels published and rejected to reach this level of expertise. I am trying to find words to describe her writing style. The literary rhythm she has attained is classic and profound. I am amazed by her talent. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!
Put everything but this book into the overhead
compartment,. Fasten your seat belts and get
ready to Escape With This Book Today!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 25, 2011
This book was good as a thriller, it definitely kept me turning pages - but when I stop to think about the story, it just doesn't hold up
***minor spoilers ahead***
I found the characters really hard to swallow. Celia was annoying - she spent her entire life with her head in the sand and had no issues jumping in bed with a random guy who may or may not be involved with her kidnapping. Jonathon was a caricature of an "evil person" and the fact that Celia didn't even agonize about the fact that the husband she had lived with for 17 years was such a cold hearted bastard. Same goes for Oliver, I found it completely unbelievable that he would automatically believe his mother's statements that his father was evil.
Another HUGE issue with me is the sildenafil reveal. I work for Pfizer so this bothered me even more than it would have anyway. Not only does the book give some random company credit for the discovery of sildenafil, the author has rewritten history as the drug was NOT originally used to combat erectile disfunction.
***minor spoilers ahead***
I found the characters really hard to swallow. Celia was annoying - she spent her entire life with her head in the sand and had no issues jumping in bed with a random guy who may or may not be involved with her kidnapping. Jonathon was a caricature of an "evil person" and the fact that Celia didn't even agonize about the fact that the husband she had lived with for 17 years was such a cold hearted bastard. Same goes for Oliver, I found it completely unbelievable that he would automatically believe his mother's statements that his father was evil.
Another HUGE issue with me is the sildenafil reveal. I work for Pfizer so this bothered me even more than it would have anyway. Not only does the book give some random company credit for the discovery of sildenafil, the author has rewritten history as the drug was NOT originally used to combat erectile disfunction.
October 12, 2011
This isn't the sort of book I ordinarily read but I read it because I was going to be on a panel about genre writing with the author (Deborah Reed; "Audrey Braun" is a pen name).
I thoroughly enjoyed A Small Fortune. Sure, it's a little ridiculous at points, but the ridiculousness is clearly intentional. The fact that Deborah/Audrey pulls off this absurd adventure story while playing it completely straight is a tribute to her ability as an author. She isn't afraid to be a little silly if that's what her role as Audrey Braun requires, and her intelligence shines through in the way she skillfully ties together seemingly random elements of the plot.
Highly recommended for thriller/adventure/romance fans.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Small Fortune. Sure, it's a little ridiculous at points, but the ridiculousness is clearly intentional. The fact that Deborah/Audrey pulls off this absurd adventure story while playing it completely straight is a tribute to her ability as an author. She isn't afraid to be a little silly if that's what her role as Audrey Braun requires, and her intelligence shines through in the way she skillfully ties together seemingly random elements of the plot.
Highly recommended for thriller/adventure/romance fans.
August 27, 2011
Competent thriller...a good solid read, but nothing really special stood out. The characters were likable yet bland, the villains were horrible with no gray areas, the suspense and mystery grew in intensity and the ending was a satisfying conclusion. Yet, for some reason, the book remains rather forgettable in my mind.
July 29, 2011
I'd probably give this 1.5 stars if I had the option. I normally only give one star to books that are too bad to finish, but I did finish this one because I had an inexplicable compulsion to find out what happened. The plot was absurd and the characters were not very sympathetic. I bought it for $2.99 for the Kindle and still don't think I got my money's worth...
June 11, 2010
A fun summer book. Adventure, intrigue, love. . . all worked into an interesting framework, and the story moves along quite nicely. The ending is solid and satisfying, but a few ends are dangling so it's not a sappy, perfectly unbelievable tie-up. All in all, a decent read.
November 18, 2011
I enjoyed the opening chapters of this book, but then it turned into a trite romance instead of a thriller. I rarely stop reading a book, but I just couldn't bring myself to even finish this. It could be because romance is not my favorite genre, but I think it is because the plot is so weak.
June 20, 2017
A small fortune was a nice read with continuous twists and turns and an easy read. The characters were likeable, and like other mystery novels kept the key of doubt to everyone.
The main protagonist is Celia whose life has been same routine around as book editor with a marriage of 18 years with a Bank President - Jonathan and a regular teenage boy - Oliver - who is usually lost in his life. Celia's life changes when after so many years Jonathan suggests a family vacation to Mexico only to leave as an hostage for money he lost. Then starts Celia's journey starting with Benico who she falls in love with losing him again only to find a friend for life, Willow, her reconnect with her son and journey to Switzerland only to find her long lost hidden family history. It is a tale of a women's empowerment and love for herself.
The main protagonist is Celia whose life has been same routine around as book editor with a marriage of 18 years with a Bank President - Jonathan and a regular teenage boy - Oliver - who is usually lost in his life. Celia's life changes when after so many years Jonathan suggests a family vacation to Mexico only to leave as an hostage for money he lost. Then starts Celia's journey starting with Benico who she falls in love with losing him again only to find a friend for life, Willow, her reconnect with her son and journey to Switzerland only to find her long lost hidden family history. It is a tale of a women's empowerment and love for herself.
September 13, 2024
Her husband offers Celia and their son Oliver a vacation to Mexico. She jumps at the chance to escape her taxing job as an editor. When in Mexico, Celia is kidnapped and held by a gang that includes a woman, Isabel, and her child, who are connected to her husband, Jonathon. So, everything is not what it seems, and Celia is shocked to find that Jonathon has been embezzling money from the bank where he works and is in deep trouble. Further, it becomes clear that the child is Jonathon's. Benicio, Isabel's brother, is tied up with Celia in a filthy room. Celia is desperate to return to her son Oliver, who is alone with his deceitful father. How Celia escapes with Benecio and figures out what Jonathon is up to becomes a twisty tale of paranoia and doubt. Who can she trust?
Well written, this intense read led me to order the next in the series which I am reading now.
Well written, this intense read led me to order the next in the series which I am reading now.
September 5, 2025
‘A Small Fortune’ starts off with a regular family in regular situations. A trip to Mexico changes everything.
The scenes set in Mexico kept me hooked. Thrilling, dangerous, and sexy all rolled into one. Scenes with the main character Celia held hostage and when she’s trekking through a jungle engaged me throughout.
Yet, about halfway through the book, when Celia goes to Switzerland, the pace slows and with it my interest falters. I found it patchy from here on. A series of letters went on too long for my liking, interrupting the narrative flow. They’re necessary for the plot, but still I would’ve preferred them edited down.
Some exciting stuff still happens in Switzerland, though, which I can’t go into without risking spoilers.
I normally avoid books written in the present tense because I think it sounds unnatural. People don’t talk like that in real life, or not at length anyway. Yet, the synopsis encouraged me to give this a try. The forty-year-old female narrator quickly emerged as something close to being my dream woman, so that also helped me stick with it.
I gather this was Audrey Braun’s first novel, so it’s a commendable effort, and I’ll forgive the reference to ‘silent tears’, which I’ve seen in numerous books over the years. Anyone heard loud tears before?
I look forward to reading the sequel next year.
The scenes set in Mexico kept me hooked. Thrilling, dangerous, and sexy all rolled into one. Scenes with the main character Celia held hostage and when she’s trekking through a jungle engaged me throughout.
Yet, about halfway through the book, when Celia goes to Switzerland, the pace slows and with it my interest falters. I found it patchy from here on. A series of letters went on too long for my liking, interrupting the narrative flow. They’re necessary for the plot, but still I would’ve preferred them edited down.
Some exciting stuff still happens in Switzerland, though, which I can’t go into without risking spoilers.
I normally avoid books written in the present tense because I think it sounds unnatural. People don’t talk like that in real life, or not at length anyway. Yet, the synopsis encouraged me to give this a try. The forty-year-old female narrator quickly emerged as something close to being my dream woman, so that also helped me stick with it.
I gather this was Audrey Braun’s first novel, so it’s a commendable effort, and I’ll forgive the reference to ‘silent tears’, which I’ve seen in numerous books over the years. Anyone heard loud tears before?
I look forward to reading the sequel next year.
September 11, 2017
2.8***
Celia heads out to Mexico on a vacation with her teen son Oliver and her husband Jonathon, but her world is thrown wildly out of its norm and she has to fall back on all her previously developed inner strength to survive the series of events that unfolds and to try to unravel the deep conspiracy that threatens to overwhelm her.
Celia heads out to Mexico on a vacation with her teen son Oliver and her husband Jonathon, but her world is thrown wildly out of its norm and she has to fall back on all her previously developed inner strength to survive the series of events that unfolds and to try to unravel the deep conspiracy that threatens to overwhelm her.
April 9, 2019
A Small Fortune
I gave the book a three star rating, because I though the book was disjointed. I think is is an exciting read at times. Parts of the book seem very unlikely. Especially her relationship with Benicio.
I gave the book a three star rating, because I though the book was disjointed. I think is is an exciting read at times. Parts of the book seem very unlikely. Especially her relationship with Benicio.
September 7, 2020
Convoluted plot, way too many coincidences. The story makes no sense. True love, wonderful people who are ready and willing to help her, all wrapped up in a crazy happy ending. Too many coincidences and too unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2019
Interesting not a bit unbelievable but very entertaining.
January 5, 2020
At first I thought it was going to be hard to get into but I actually enjoyed it and there were a lot of unexpected twists that were well written in.
August 16, 2020
I just couldn’t get through this book, it was ridiculous. Awful characters, dumb premise, I really can’t believe this got published.
December 3, 2022
Not what it seems
At first I was going to stop reading it. Couldn't catch on the first few chapters. Then wham. I couldn't put the book down. I had to finish it.
At first I was going to stop reading it. Couldn't catch on the first few chapters. Then wham. I couldn't put the book down. I had to finish it.
May 26, 2020
This was a fun compelling read. Usually don’t like first erson naritives bitI coulsn’t put it down. I bought
The next one.
The next one.
January 16, 2016
I can't wait to tell you about this book!!!
Celia Donnelly is overworked and downright exhausted, her marriage to her husband Jonathan, a bank president, has started to suffer, as has her relationship with teenage son. She is thrilled when Jonathan comes home and tells her they are taking a family vacation to Mexico. Getting out of the dreary weather of the Pacific Northwest to wonderful sunny Mexico is just what this family needs.
Celia enjoying her vacation decides to go for a run along the beach. She is on her way back to the condo when she is approached my a man she met earlier at the pool. He tells her she needs to come with him, something has happened to her son. She rushes off with the man, gets in his car and very quickly feels something is very wrong. The man is working for someone else, someone who has hired him to abduct Celia and hold her hostage. Celia is not a random victim. She learns someone that she trusted has betrayed her and she needs to save herself. She partners up with a very unlikely ally and finds herself on a run to save her life. Pursued into the depths of the Mexican jungle she draws on all her strength. Nothing will stop her learning the truth and finding her way home.
I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!
Yes, I know that equals 15 stars!!!!!
I started this book Sunday night at bedtime, thinking I would read a couple of chapters and go to sleep. I finished the book at about 3 a.m. There was no way I could put this book down. I was tired when I started and energized when I finished.
The story is so engaging, masterfully written. Suspenseful and yet so descriptive of the settings you can't help but feel you are almost watching a movie. Brilliantly plotted to keep you turning page after page after page. You don't realize time is even passing because you are completely, effortlessly immersed in the action.
I believe this is the debut novel for this author and if that is the case she has a fabulous future as a writer. It takes years and usually several novels published and rejected to reach this level of expertise. I am trying to find words to describe her writing style. The literary rhythm she has attained is classic and profound. I am amazed by her talent. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!
Put everything but this book into the overhead
compartment,. Fasten your seat belts and get
ready to Escape With This Book Today!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 19s 16 CFR, Part 255 : 1CGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 1D
Celia Donnelly is overworked and downright exhausted, her marriage to her husband Jonathan, a bank president, has started to suffer, as has her relationship with teenage son. She is thrilled when Jonathan comes home and tells her they are taking a family vacation to Mexico. Getting out of the dreary weather of the Pacific Northwest to wonderful sunny Mexico is just what this family needs.
Celia enjoying her vacation decides to go for a run along the beach. She is on her way back to the condo when she is approached my a man she met earlier at the pool. He tells her she needs to come with him, something has happened to her son. She rushes off with the man, gets in his car and very quickly feels something is very wrong. The man is working for someone else, someone who has hired him to abduct Celia and hold her hostage. Celia is not a random victim. She learns someone that she trusted has betrayed her and she needs to save herself. She partners up with a very unlikely ally and finds herself on a run to save her life. Pursued into the depths of the Mexican jungle she draws on all her strength. Nothing will stop her learning the truth and finding her way home.
I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!
Yes, I know that equals 15 stars!!!!!
I started this book Sunday night at bedtime, thinking I would read a couple of chapters and go to sleep. I finished the book at about 3 a.m. There was no way I could put this book down. I was tired when I started and energized when I finished.
The story is so engaging, masterfully written. Suspenseful and yet so descriptive of the settings you can't help but feel you are almost watching a movie. Brilliantly plotted to keep you turning page after page after page. You don't realize time is even passing because you are completely, effortlessly immersed in the action.
I believe this is the debut novel for this author and if that is the case she has a fabulous future as a writer. It takes years and usually several novels published and rejected to reach this level of expertise. I am trying to find words to describe her writing style. The literary rhythm she has attained is classic and profound. I am amazed by her talent. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!
Put everything but this book into the overhead
compartment,. Fasten your seat belts and get
ready to Escape With This Book Today!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 19s 16 CFR, Part 255 : 1CGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 1D
November 16, 2015
We’ve had our fair share of tropical vacations over the years and while some turned out less than memorable we’re quite sure the main character’s experience in A Small Fortune has us beat. And that’s definitely a good thing...
Celia Donnelly is about to undertake a much deserved beach vacation with her husband and teenage son. Between the stress of her job and less than perfect home life, she’s very much looking forward to the tropical retreat. However, almost as soon as she arrives at the resort, her plans take a dramatic turn for the worst. Being abducted and kidnapped has a tendency to do that. Celia is left with far more questions than answers and almost no one to trust. Her quest to find the truth will push her beyond her limits and take her halfway across the world.
A Small Fortune is a quick, very suspenseful, yet not entirely faultless read. Overall, we (Erin) thought it was a nice blend of chick-lit and suspense and a solid debut novel for Audrey Braun. From the very first page, we felt like we were on the couch talking to one of our girlfriends about her harrowing vacation experience (we may or may not have prepared chips and salsa and frozen margaritas for the occasion). We enjoyed how matter of fact the narrator described the events and many of the metaphors blended nicely into the prose. Also, Celia’s relationship with her son (or lack thereof) was quite bittersweet, yet believable. It inspired us to give our frequently occasionally nagging preschoolers a couple of giant hugs. A Small Fortune didn’t quite fall into the “up all night” category, but we saw the other side of midnight on one occasion.
The flaws. For us, we wanted a bit more - more back story, more character development, and more ending. For all the in-your-face suspense, things wrapped a little too quickly. We also thought the hibbidy-dibbidy scenes between Celia and a certain unnamed secondary character felt forced and out of place with the rest of the story. Still, our peeves are relatively small as a whole and A Small fortune was an enjoyable read. If nothing else, this novel highlights the importance of checking the contents of your family’s luggage before hopping on the plane to some tropical Caribbean beach resort...
Celia Donnelly is about to undertake a much deserved beach vacation with her husband and teenage son. Between the stress of her job and less than perfect home life, she’s very much looking forward to the tropical retreat. However, almost as soon as she arrives at the resort, her plans take a dramatic turn for the worst. Being abducted and kidnapped has a tendency to do that. Celia is left with far more questions than answers and almost no one to trust. Her quest to find the truth will push her beyond her limits and take her halfway across the world.
A Small Fortune is a quick, very suspenseful, yet not entirely faultless read. Overall, we (Erin) thought it was a nice blend of chick-lit and suspense and a solid debut novel for Audrey Braun. From the very first page, we felt like we were on the couch talking to one of our girlfriends about her harrowing vacation experience (we may or may not have prepared chips and salsa and frozen margaritas for the occasion). We enjoyed how matter of fact the narrator described the events and many of the metaphors blended nicely into the prose. Also, Celia’s relationship with her son (or lack thereof) was quite bittersweet, yet believable. It inspired us to give our frequently occasionally nagging preschoolers a couple of giant hugs. A Small Fortune didn’t quite fall into the “up all night” category, but we saw the other side of midnight on one occasion.
The flaws. For us, we wanted a bit more - more back story, more character development, and more ending. For all the in-your-face suspense, things wrapped a little too quickly. We also thought the hibbidy-dibbidy scenes between Celia and a certain unnamed secondary character felt forced and out of place with the rest of the story. Still, our peeves are relatively small as a whole and A Small fortune was an enjoyable read. If nothing else, this novel highlights the importance of checking the contents of your family’s luggage before hopping on the plane to some tropical Caribbean beach resort...
December 8, 2011
This book kept popping up as an Amazon suggestion- I ignored it and ignored it, and then saw that the author was endorsed by Amazon and coming to speak at a bookstore in Seattle. Now I am an author groupie- in fact, my husband has accused me of stalking authors in the past. Nothing scary- I just want to absorb their energy, their motivation- no tying them to the bed and forcing them to write a la Misery.
So, I couldn’t go see her when she was speaking :( but I did finally click the link to read her reviews. If you are getting suggestions from Amazon- don’t be hard headed. Just click the link-they know what they are talking about. There was a short interview with Aubrey and I actually giggled out loud (GOL) when reading it. Now, that's a good sign! She said that she wanted to write a genre book and this story was spawned from an evening joking with her husband over wine. My first thought was- What is a genre book? I looked it up and even wikipedia couldn’t answer me. So I decided to read the book. Plus it’s $2.99- not much of a risk.
Growing up, my mom and I watched Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile endlessly. After reading “A Small Fortune” I assume that genre novels are fun, romantic, edge of your seat, page turners- just like my favorite Kurt Douglas movies. The movies had that unbelievable element to it, but you felt no guilt as you let yourself get drawn in and that is exactly what I did with this book. The main character Celia reminds me of Kathleen Turner- and in my head has that same raspy voice and dirty blond hair. She goes on vacation with her husband and son, only to find that it is not a vacation at all.
The book takes us from Portland to Mexico to Zurich- and the descriptions were vivid enough for me to picture them. The characters were easy to love and hate (I won’t say who was hated- read the book!) and I was quite satisfied when it was done. Actually, it made me want to go on a crazy vacation and really find myself- but if I did that, who would update this fantastic blog? Oh, the sacrifices I make. Do yourself a favor and don’t sacrifice yourself an awesome time- download this book on your kindle, order the paperback copy, make yourself a mojito and enjoy this book. I did!
So, I couldn’t go see her when she was speaking :( but I did finally click the link to read her reviews. If you are getting suggestions from Amazon- don’t be hard headed. Just click the link-they know what they are talking about. There was a short interview with Aubrey and I actually giggled out loud (GOL) when reading it. Now, that's a good sign! She said that she wanted to write a genre book and this story was spawned from an evening joking with her husband over wine. My first thought was- What is a genre book? I looked it up and even wikipedia couldn’t answer me. So I decided to read the book. Plus it’s $2.99- not much of a risk.
Growing up, my mom and I watched Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile endlessly. After reading “A Small Fortune” I assume that genre novels are fun, romantic, edge of your seat, page turners- just like my favorite Kurt Douglas movies. The movies had that unbelievable element to it, but you felt no guilt as you let yourself get drawn in and that is exactly what I did with this book. The main character Celia reminds me of Kathleen Turner- and in my head has that same raspy voice and dirty blond hair. She goes on vacation with her husband and son, only to find that it is not a vacation at all.
The book takes us from Portland to Mexico to Zurich- and the descriptions were vivid enough for me to picture them. The characters were easy to love and hate (I won’t say who was hated- read the book!) and I was quite satisfied when it was done. Actually, it made me want to go on a crazy vacation and really find myself- but if I did that, who would update this fantastic blog? Oh, the sacrifices I make. Do yourself a favor and don’t sacrifice yourself an awesome time- download this book on your kindle, order the paperback copy, make yourself a mojito and enjoy this book. I did!
June 27, 2011
If you’re not normally a reader of thrillers, but are interested in an engaging summer read…Audrey Braun’s debut novel will be right up your alley. Unlike your typical thriller, A Small Fortune doesn’t open with a violent scene; rather, it takes its time luring readers into the mind of the protagonist, sketching the scene, layering the tension, and orienting the reader. It may have been Braun’s intention to heighten the pace gradually, steadily (which she does consistently throughout the book), or it might not. But for a reader without any preconceived notions, the result was that it took me a few chapters to get into this book. I’m not the biggest fan of thrillers, so I will say that the fact that I was seriously engaged at all speaks volumes of Braun’s skill as a novelist. By page 50 I was hooked, and I couldn’t put it down until the end. And that is a testament to Braun’s pitch-perfect plotting of this novel; it really does keep you guessing till the very end.
But protagonist Celia is broadly drawn (not unlike a Jodi Picoult character, who bears deliberate resemblances to your neighbor, your son’s friend’s mother, your garden-variety middle-aged suburban mom). And her life choices are fairly reactionary. The net result is that I found it difficult to connect to the character, in anything more than a peripheral sense. But the situation into which she is thrown is anything but typical, and (without giving away any spoilers) I will say that the family history which lies beneath the central plot of the book will genuinely touch you. Once you get to it....
For the entire review, please visit my blog: http://bit.ly/krvpzf
www.AllAmericanIndianGirl.com
But protagonist Celia is broadly drawn (not unlike a Jodi Picoult character, who bears deliberate resemblances to your neighbor, your son’s friend’s mother, your garden-variety middle-aged suburban mom). And her life choices are fairly reactionary. The net result is that I found it difficult to connect to the character, in anything more than a peripheral sense. But the situation into which she is thrown is anything but typical, and (without giving away any spoilers) I will say that the family history which lies beneath the central plot of the book will genuinely touch you. Once you get to it....
For the entire review, please visit my blog: http://bit.ly/krvpzf
www.AllAmericanIndianGirl.com
July 9, 2011
Celia’s husband, Jonathon suggests that she, him and their sixteen year old son, Oliver go to Mexico for a family vacation. It has been a long time since they have been on a vacation. When Ceia arrives in Mexico, it does not take her long to get into vacation mode. While out by the swimming pool, Celia meets Benico. He seems like a nice man. Celia and Benico talk until Jonathon arrives and than Benico leaves.
The next day, Celia goes for a morning jog. Afterwards, Celia goes for a swim, It is while she is swimming that she spots Benico again. Benico calls for Celia and tells her that he has been looking for her. Her son, Oliver has been in an accident and she must come quickly. He will drive her. The next thing Celia is aware of is that she awakes to find herself tied up to a chair and people demanding money or else.
A Small Fortune is the first novel from a new author, Audrey Braun. I must admit that this book sounded good but at the same time I was not sure how much I would like it. I must admit that I was still on the fence until about chapter five. I thought, in the beginning, ok, here is a couple who does not communicate anymore and they are going away to rekindle their romance. Fine but I hope it is not all about romance as I don’t like that to be the main focus in my suspense novels. There was some romance involving Celia, though I was not really feeling the chemistry and spark. The people who kidnapped Celia are vicious and can be violent. There was lots of action. It was constant throughout the book. Though, if the characters had come alive more for me in the book, I probably would have put all the pieces of the puzzle together a lot sooner. Still a book that is worth spending a small fortune to read.
The next day, Celia goes for a morning jog. Afterwards, Celia goes for a swim, It is while she is swimming that she spots Benico again. Benico calls for Celia and tells her that he has been looking for her. Her son, Oliver has been in an accident and she must come quickly. He will drive her. The next thing Celia is aware of is that she awakes to find herself tied up to a chair and people demanding money or else.
A Small Fortune is the first novel from a new author, Audrey Braun. I must admit that this book sounded good but at the same time I was not sure how much I would like it. I must admit that I was still on the fence until about chapter five. I thought, in the beginning, ok, here is a couple who does not communicate anymore and they are going away to rekindle their romance. Fine but I hope it is not all about romance as I don’t like that to be the main focus in my suspense novels. There was some romance involving Celia, though I was not really feeling the chemistry and spark. The people who kidnapped Celia are vicious and can be violent. There was lots of action. It was constant throughout the book. Though, if the characters had come alive more for me in the book, I probably would have put all the pieces of the puzzle together a lot sooner. Still a book that is worth spending a small fortune to read.
September 3, 2011
A Small Fortune, well, is a misleading title. Turns out it was a rather large fortune, but I digress. It wasn't the book I thought it'd be. It was part-thriller, part-chick-lit that worked quite well.
The book was a quick read. I thought it was going to take me longer, but it could have been because of the pacing. At first, I thought the plot was very similar to Man on Fire, but then there were these twists, which kind of took away from the story as it became something else.
The 1st person story telling worked here, but I kind of wished it was in 3rd person. It worked to show how Celia was feeling, but stifled when it came to her husband and Benicio. Unfortunately, the husband seemed very one-dimensional. I thought that if I felt for him more, it would have made the book stronger. Also, the love story felt very rushed. I was actually more interested in her past and the affair she had but that would have been a different book. And I hated the teenage son. He wasn't in it very long, but when he was, he was annoying.
It's weird. I found myself constantly reading it, but I'm hard pressed to explain why. It's not as if I liked the characters or the twisting of the plot about half-way through the book. Despite all its faults, I would say A Small Fortune was written well. I got a feel for Celia, the setting, the descriptions and all of that. That said, I think I would rather read either a thriller book or a chick-lit or romance book written by Audrey Braun. I think it would be way stronger.
The book was a quick read. I thought it was going to take me longer, but it could have been because of the pacing. At first, I thought the plot was very similar to Man on Fire, but then there were these twists, which kind of took away from the story as it became something else.
The 1st person story telling worked here, but I kind of wished it was in 3rd person. It worked to show how Celia was feeling, but stifled when it came to her husband and Benicio. Unfortunately, the husband seemed very one-dimensional. I thought that if I felt for him more, it would have made the book stronger. Also, the love story felt very rushed. I was actually more interested in her past and the affair she had but that would have been a different book. And I hated the teenage son. He wasn't in it very long, but when he was, he was annoying.
It's weird. I found myself constantly reading it, but I'm hard pressed to explain why. It's not as if I liked the characters or the twisting of the plot about half-way through the book. Despite all its faults, I would say A Small Fortune was written well. I got a feel for Celia, the setting, the descriptions and all of that. That said, I think I would rather read either a thriller book or a chick-lit or romance book written by Audrey Braun. I think it would be way stronger.
July 1, 2013
Celia Donnelly is hit a time in her life where she's on auto-pilot. Her husband of eighteen years, Jonathon, is a president of a bank. Her son, Oliver, is sixteen years old and quite surly. I have one of those, so I quite understand. Her marriage? ho-hum. It's routine.
When her husband surprises her and Oliver with a vacation to Mexico, Celia is excited. This is just what they need - time to relax and time together. However, her vacation is short-lived when she is kidnapped while running on the beach.
The kidnapper is a stranger but seems to know Celia, and she doesn't understand what is going on. She just wants to go back to her family, but as clues begin to unfold, Celia's past comes to the forefront as the puzzle pieces begin to click into place. Jonathon is not as he seems and Celia tries to determine if her kidnapper is foe or ally. It all comes to head in a brilliant climatic ending.
I really enjoyed the character of Celia, she's stronger than she believes and has guts. She's not afraid to show her courage without losing any of her femininity, which she uses to her advantage. I never did like Jonathon, he's cold and callous. Audrey Braun's debut novel is hard to put down. With romance, suspense, action, different climates and extraordinary writing, A Small Fortune is a taut and riveting read.
When her husband surprises her and Oliver with a vacation to Mexico, Celia is excited. This is just what they need - time to relax and time together. However, her vacation is short-lived when she is kidnapped while running on the beach.
The kidnapper is a stranger but seems to know Celia, and she doesn't understand what is going on. She just wants to go back to her family, but as clues begin to unfold, Celia's past comes to the forefront as the puzzle pieces begin to click into place. Jonathon is not as he seems and Celia tries to determine if her kidnapper is foe or ally. It all comes to head in a brilliant climatic ending.
I really enjoyed the character of Celia, she's stronger than she believes and has guts. She's not afraid to show her courage without losing any of her femininity, which she uses to her advantage. I never did like Jonathon, he's cold and callous. Audrey Braun's debut novel is hard to put down. With romance, suspense, action, different climates and extraordinary writing, A Small Fortune is a taut and riveting read.
May 14, 2015
A Small Fortune begins a lot like a cheesy romance novel, which isn’t a surprise as the main character is an editor of said books. Believe me it does have dashes of romance here and there, but the overall concept and writing of the book is phenomenal! Braun has written herself a masterpiece and I did not expect that of a novel with palm trees and a ‘+’ sign on the cover. Our main woman Celia is a mother of one and seemingly boring wife; not without her share of affair though. Celia’s husband decides to take a spur of the moment trip to Mexico with Celia and their son but it is definitely not a dream vacation.
There were so many moments in Fortune that I braced myself for it to get bad, but it simply didn’t! I was pleasantly surprised by this and found myself finishing the book in a matter of hours. It was the fastest I have finished a book of that size in a very long time and only because of all the action, plot twists, and turns for the worst. At one point you aren’t sure who to trust anymore and then BAM! everything changes and becomes abundantly clear.
A Small Fortune will have you holding your breath, throwing the book across the room, and sitting wide-mouthed asking ‘why’ all within the first few chapters. Audrey Braun shows her talents as a writer in her very first novel and I only can hope to read much more of her work in the future!
There were so many moments in Fortune that I braced myself for it to get bad, but it simply didn’t! I was pleasantly surprised by this and found myself finishing the book in a matter of hours. It was the fastest I have finished a book of that size in a very long time and only because of all the action, plot twists, and turns for the worst. At one point you aren’t sure who to trust anymore and then BAM! everything changes and becomes abundantly clear.
A Small Fortune will have you holding your breath, throwing the book across the room, and sitting wide-mouthed asking ‘why’ all within the first few chapters. Audrey Braun shows her talents as a writer in her very first novel and I only can hope to read much more of her work in the future!
August 14, 2012
Gilion Williams leaves her daughter, Celia, a family legacy. But at the time of Gilion’s death, Celia doesn’t pay much attention to the paperwork and the legacy goes unnoticed for years. But someone notices. And they will do anything to get their hands on it. An impromptu vacation to Mexico proves to be just the first step in an unexpected and dangerous scheme. Celia’s only hope is to figure out her tormentor’s plan and discover who she can truly trust. But she has to keep her son, Oliver, safe. Will the man she had an affair with take him in? And can she truly trust Benicio, the dark and handsome stranger trapped in the whole mess with her?
A Small Fortune takes the reader on a whirlwind trip through Mexico and Switzerland as Celia frantically works to discover the plot against her and keep her son safe. Benicio claims he merely wants to help her, but she’s developed trust issues along the way. Discovering the people closest to you may want to harm you and take your family legacy can do that to a girl.
Cleverly-written and fast-paced, A Small Fortune, was delightful and believable. I found myself wondering if it was a memoir instead of fiction. Prepare to question everyone’s true motives.
A Small Fortune takes the reader on a whirlwind trip through Mexico and Switzerland as Celia frantically works to discover the plot against her and keep her son safe. Benicio claims he merely wants to help her, but she’s developed trust issues along the way. Discovering the people closest to you may want to harm you and take your family legacy can do that to a girl.
Cleverly-written and fast-paced, A Small Fortune, was delightful and believable. I found myself wondering if it was a memoir instead of fiction. Prepare to question everyone’s true motives.
July 3, 2012
This book had a great premise and could have been a terrific book except for one major fault... the love story.
Other than the love story seeming pretty incredulous, the book was great! It was a good, fast paced story. A good easy summer read.
Other than the love story seeming pretty incredulous, the book was great! It was a good, fast paced story. A good easy summer read.
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