When your life falls apart, and it wasn’t much of a life to begin with, the simple response for Tina Johnson is to head for New Orleans. Except it’s not so simple when you look like a federal witness and mob bookkeeper who knows where a drug cartel keeps its cash, and now you’re being hunted by the feds, the mob, and the cartel.
What begins as a road trip quickly turns into a dangerous race to prevent an assassination and collect the big payoff. Along the way Tina discovers romance, friendship, and her own strength. From New Orleans to Miami, this is not the kind of vacation that visitor bureaus advertise.
I'm a portuguese a 48 years old guy who works as coach and management adviser, at first sight i'm not the target of this author. I'm reading in english to improve my language skills, and I choose two kind of books, Mistery, Espionage and Management and Entrepreneurship. (so sorry my rusty english). Anyway I believe I should do a review.
"Passing Semis In The Rain" it's a fun and light action/mistery story, starring an unusual character. Although nowadays the existence of female action characters is becoming less and less unusual, this book its like the "Tina Johnson Reborn" and the first steps of a new action heroin. An average. midle age lady that in a life changing moment, faces enormous unexpected difficulties but decides to turn them into opportunities, seeking strength and talents that she didn't know she had. It is undoubtedly a fun story that can inspire and make you dream, especially if you identify yourself with the character and love the concept of "empowered woman".
Although some critics might call it "pink literature". (which doesn't hurt as long as it makes people happy) I ask you to don't underestimate this work, if you like thrillers and action stories. The writer may not have much experience but she manages to surprise us in many moments.
I hope that Karen Goldner continues to write, and to develop and grow Tina character.
I recommend its reading to anyone looking for a quick, easy and funny and entertaining read.
Now that I've read Karen's book, and followed her on social media as she traversed the US, I'd like to have lunch with her to see where she came up with some of the ideas for this book. That being said, this is a great escapist weekend read...kept my attention, liked the characters and looking forward to the follow up. And I'd like to know how much research all that "banking stuff" took because it was pretty complicated!
This is such a fun book. It reminded me of a cross between Romancing the Stone and Janet Evanovich -- although the author definitely has her own voice. It's a quick read with some nice twists. I enjoyed how the author defied a lot of stereotypes -- for example, the heroine is almost 50, yet she still gets some steamy action. However, the romance is a definite side note - not the main plot. And she doesn't rely on the guy to save her -- she fights her own battles. I finished the book in about 2 days. I wasn't expecting to finish it so quickly (I have a hectic schedule between work and school) but the book hooked me, and I found myself reading it whenever I had a moment. A wonderful first novel by a new voice -- I recommend checking it out.
"Lawyers, Guns, and Money won't Get Her Out of This" Review of, “Passing Semis in the Rain,” by Karen Goldner
As the cinematic storyteller Warren Zevon wrote, Lawyers, Guns, and Money won’t get our heroine out of this undeserved yet intriguing tangle of corruption and mistaken identity. But her resourcefulness and ingenuity do. “Passing Semis in the Rain,” Karen Goldner’s satisfying debut novel, is an exciting adventure story with warmth and wry wit. Down on her luck, Tina is dogged by lowlifes. But never one to waste time crying Poor, Pitiful Me, she sets out to outrun and outsmart them. Her road trip takes us on a romp from the Heartland to the Sunshine State, with a sensual stopover in the Big Easy. And since the best way to have a good friend is to be one, she finds people along the way who recognize that she is worth supporting. Ultimately, Tina is Searching for a Heart. In the end, she discovers the inner strength, resolve, and loyalty in her own. I can hardly wait for the next story Goldner’s Tina will share with us, and for the movie of this one. (Jennie Barrington)
Passing Semis In The Rain follows the exploits of Tina Johnson, an unhappy, divorced, unemployed woman who has finally decided to come out of her shell and take charge of her life. It’s the story of an ordinary person getting mixed up in extraordinary circumstances. The rather dangerous practice of passing giant trucks on the highway in the pouring rain becomes a metaphor for her taking life by the horns and risking it all to do what is right and to try to get ahead. I kept trying to imagine what I would do as she dealt with murder, intrigue, the mob, a drug cartel, an assassination plot, and an insane amount of money. I was cheering for her all the way as through cleverness, skill and sometimes plain old luck, she struggles to keep a step ahead of the bad guys while trying to foil their plans and score a little something for herself through some hair-raising escapades.
This page turner is the story of an “everywoman” who finally decides to live life, diving in head first, come what may. And her adventures make for a fun read!
A page-turning romp of a series debut. Reminds me of Janet Evanovich, if Stephanie Plum were a bit more competent. I can't wait to see what Tina Johnson gets into next!
Tina just wants to take a little vacation after her divorce. Pretty soon, though, she’s being chased by hit men for something she didn’t do – but she thinks she can do more than save her life, she can get even. In the end, the excitement and adventure turn Tina into a more capable, happier person.
To say more would give away the plot, and this is an entertaining novel, the kind that keeps you wondering, “Now how’s she going to solve this?” Although it may seem light, at a deeper level it explores what an ordinary woman leading a grimly ordinary life could do if she had to. And despite the danger, these are the best days she’s ever had.
Tina starts out terrified. She ends up with a new job, new life, new home, and a purpose, and some true friends who helped her get there.