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The Bright Lights, Dark Secrets Collection
Heat to Obsession
From the best-selling author of Pretty Killer , No Justice , and 12 comes Heat To Obsession , a gripping new stand-alone thriller by Nolon King .
Superstar chef Amanda Byrd had it all - a loving husband, two beautiful kids, and a critically-acclaimed restaurant - until her epic meltdowns caused her marriage to implode. After a humiliating year of therapy and eating crow, her husband Mike has agreed to take her back, as long as she continues to keep her inner diva in check.
Amanda's guilty during that year of separation, she had an affair with the talented young chef, Noah, who worked in the hotel where she stayed after Mike kicked her out. Nothing serious, just a fling that she broke off as soon as Mike let her come home.
But her indiscretion comes back to haunt her when a Hollywood power couple offers Amanda her own cooking show - with Noah as one of the cohosts. Her unsuspecting husband demands she say Mike resents that Amanda's restaurant doesn't bring in what it used to, and private school for two kids isn't cheap.
It's soon clear that Noah hasn't given up on luring Amanda back into his bed. He's willing to destroy anything that stands between her family, her reputation, her career ... and maybe her sanity.
A gut-wrenching, suspenseful thriller, Heat To Obsession is perfect for fans of Darcey Bell and Harlan Coban.
Superstar chef Amanda Byrd had it all - a loving husband, two beautiful kids, and a critically-acclaimed restaurant - until her epic meltdowns caused her marriage to implode. After a humiliating year of therapy and eating crow, her husband Mike has agreed to take her back, as long as she continues to keep her inner diva in check.
Amanda's guilty during that year of separation, she had an affair with the talented young chef, Noah, who worked in the hotel where she stayed after Mike kicked her out. Nothing serious, just a fling that she broke off as soon as Mike let her come home.
But her indiscretion comes back to haunt her when a Hollywood power couple offers Amanda her own cooking show - with Noah as one of the cohosts. Her unsuspecting husband demands she say Mike resents that Amanda's restaurant doesn't bring in what it used to, and private school for two kids isn't cheap.
It's soon clear that Noah hasn't given up on luring Amanda back into his bed. He's willing to destroy anything that stands between her family, her reputation, her career ... and maybe her sanity.
A gut-wrenching, suspenseful thriller, Heat To Obsession is perfect for fans of Darcey Bell and Harlan Coban.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2020
About the author
Nolon King
54 books88 followersNolon King writes smart psychological thrillers designed to leave you on the edge of your seat. His stories are dark, twisty, and often decidedly close to home.
He’s not afraid to explore the darker side of human nature through stories featuring families torn apart by secrets and lies. If you enjoy reading authors like Darcey Bell and Harlan Coban, movies like A Simple Favor and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, or shows like Ozark and Dead to Me, you’ll love Nolon King.
When not writing you will find Nolon drinking black coffee and observing humans in their natural habitats.
He’s not afraid to explore the darker side of human nature through stories featuring families torn apart by secrets and lies. If you enjoy reading authors like Darcey Bell and Harlan Coban, movies like A Simple Favor and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, or shows like Ozark and Dead to Me, you’ll love Nolon King.
When not writing you will find Nolon drinking black coffee and observing humans in their natural habitats.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 16, 2023
Entertaining relationship listening 🎶🔰
This was a free kindle e-book novel from Amazon. Oh how I love 💘 those free books 📚.
A novel about family and friends relationships with work being a factor. This is not my style of listening 🎶 give it a try it may work for you.
This was my second e-book by this author one good, one not but that is life. 2023 👒😀💘🏡
This was a free kindle e-book novel from Amazon. Oh how I love 💘 those free books 📚.
A novel about family and friends relationships with work being a factor. This is not my style of listening 🎶 give it a try it may work for you.
This was my second e-book by this author one good, one not but that is life. 2023 👒😀💘🏡
February 14, 2022
It’s too bad after reading his superior Secrets We Keep, but not surprising after finishing his very bad Hidden Justice, that Nolon King has written this pedestrian thriller he calls Heat To Obsession.
Not much happens in nearly three hundred pages.
Amanda Byrd is a temperamental chef who runs her gourmet LA restaurant like a drill sergeant. She is arrogant and abusive to her staff as she strives for perfection, but her attitude and slavish devotion to her career had so affected her husband that he asked her to leave their home and reflect on her destructive behavior during their separation. They eventually reconciled, but not before Amanda had an affair with a younger chef named Noah. An affair which she regretted but had never confessed to her husband.
That was a year ago. Fast forward to the present. Her restaurant isn’t doing well, her attitude has not improved, and she and her husband are in serious financial debt. So against her better judgment, Amanda reluctantly agrees to host what could be a lucrative cooking show produced by a Hollywood power couple who unknown to her had hired Noah as her assistant. The same Noah who was still bitter and slighted by their breakup a year before, and because he felt abandoned by Amanda, was determined to destroy her marriage and wishfully resume their relationship.
The story is told without suspense, surprises or an unexpected ending, but the author does manage to fill his novel with every cooking and food metaphor imaginable. Unfortunately, because he dedicated so many pages and so much detail to describing how various food dishes are prepared, Mr. King has unintentionally created a cook book instead of a thriller.
If you’re hungry for a cliffhanger, nail biter or page turner, you will need to eat elsewhere.
Not much happens in nearly three hundred pages.
Amanda Byrd is a temperamental chef who runs her gourmet LA restaurant like a drill sergeant. She is arrogant and abusive to her staff as she strives for perfection, but her attitude and slavish devotion to her career had so affected her husband that he asked her to leave their home and reflect on her destructive behavior during their separation. They eventually reconciled, but not before Amanda had an affair with a younger chef named Noah. An affair which she regretted but had never confessed to her husband.
That was a year ago. Fast forward to the present. Her restaurant isn’t doing well, her attitude has not improved, and she and her husband are in serious financial debt. So against her better judgment, Amanda reluctantly agrees to host what could be a lucrative cooking show produced by a Hollywood power couple who unknown to her had hired Noah as her assistant. The same Noah who was still bitter and slighted by their breakup a year before, and because he felt abandoned by Amanda, was determined to destroy her marriage and wishfully resume their relationship.
The story is told without suspense, surprises or an unexpected ending, but the author does manage to fill his novel with every cooking and food metaphor imaginable. Unfortunately, because he dedicated so many pages and so much detail to describing how various food dishes are prepared, Mr. King has unintentionally created a cook book instead of a thriller.
If you’re hungry for a cliffhanger, nail biter or page turner, you will need to eat elsewhere.
November 29, 2022
Amanda Byrd is a chef who owns a successful restaurant with her partner Harris. Amanda makes Gordon Ramsey look like a damn carebear. She screams at and demeans anyone who doesn't live up to her standars of perfection, including her young children. Her husband Mike is, rightfully, sick of her behaviour and they separate for a month. During that month, Amanda has a torrid affair with a chef she met at the hotel she was staying at, Noah (insert Ross and Rachel "We were on a break!" type excuse in Amanda's mind). After a month, she comes crawling back to her, promising to change her ways. Harris signs Amanda up to host a cooking show produced by a power couple in the entertainment industry. Mike thinks this is a great idea and basically guilts Amanda into doing this, despite the fact that she does not want to at all. Mike thinks this will make up for her being a shit wife and a shit mom, because she'll be spending less time at the restaurant and she'll be earning more money to help pay for the kids' expensive private school. Unbeknownst to Amanda, her previous lover, Noah, will be on the show with her, acting as an apprentice that she is supposed to teach.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2021
So this story has been written thousands of times over. The idea of an unfaithful wife and a stalker-ish man is nothing new. However, many have put a twist to it where it becomes something new. I can't believe this story is written by Nolon King.
I've read many of his stories and this doesn't seem like it's his writing style. The characters have no link to each other. Yes, there are physical links to each of them. However, there is certain emotions that readers get when the characters really mesh with each others. There were none here, which to me is very odd. The usual Nolon King's books, the characters has depth and feelings. They make you feel for them whether it be anger or closeness. Amanda, Noah, Harris and Mike were just thrown together onto a page. There are no emotions to any of them. This book is really a disappointment.
Thank you to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2022
The aftermath of an affair between a seemingly non repentant woman and a slightly stalkerish man has been written time and time again, but this was still an enjoyable novel by Nolon King.
I didn’t like Amanda’s character at all; unrepentant and unapologetic. Noah on the other hand seemed like a more authentic character, despite being not particularly pleasant.
I felt the plot was quite slow, which could have been suspense building, but it didn’t come across like this. Rather than the plot and character progressing gradually, both came across quite stilted. For example, Amanda would change her character after a conversation, nothing more.
All in all, this was a relatively quick enjoyable read. Definitely one for readers who enjoy family dramas. There were some recollections of sex scenes and some swearing, which didn’t bother me but I know not everyone is a fan.
I didn’t like Amanda’s character at all; unrepentant and unapologetic. Noah on the other hand seemed like a more authentic character, despite being not particularly pleasant.
I felt the plot was quite slow, which could have been suspense building, but it didn’t come across like this. Rather than the plot and character progressing gradually, both came across quite stilted. For example, Amanda would change her character after a conversation, nothing more.
All in all, this was a relatively quick enjoyable read. Definitely one for readers who enjoy family dramas. There were some recollections of sex scenes and some swearing, which didn’t bother me but I know not everyone is a fan.
February 7, 2022
This is a light thriller with no horrific killings or other sort of crimes. Heat to Obsession is a story of an unfaithfull married woman who has a difficult professional life as well as a personal life, because the only way she knows how to express her feelings is through an aggressive behaviour, it doesn't matter who is at the receiving end, her business partner, her husband, her children or her staff. She is forced to do things she doesn't feel confortable with, she is stalked, has another breakdown in her marriage and then, finally, learns how to make everything she wants possible and in the right way. A good plot, well-written, with mystery and enough suspense to keep you reading with interest. Very entertaining!
January 14, 2022
I made it through 40% of this book and finally gave up. It's apparently a thriller about obsession, but the thrills hadn't started yet when I put it down, and the obsession seemed to be more of a writer's aspiration than a character's fixation. It's possible that this was too cozy for me, though it was labeled a thriller, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
April 13, 2022
In two minds
Although I liked the story line, all the characters personalities were horrible. Not one nice person. But then at the end, everyone is 'nice' again.
I'm also not sure how I felt about the ending, a bit clichéd.
Although I liked the story line, all the characters personalities were horrible. Not one nice person. But then at the end, everyone is 'nice' again.
I'm also not sure how I felt about the ending, a bit clichéd.
March 12, 2022
Chef extraordinaire Amanda Byrd spends every waking moment at her restaurant, Arrivé, running it like an absolute tyrant, which is great for business and success, but horrendous for her marriage and family. She and her husband Mike separated for a month, during which time she had a torrid affair with a fellow chef named Noah at the hotel where she was staying. She went back to Mike, promising to end her diva behavior, but never confessed about Noah. When a power couple approaches Amanda’s partner Harris, he invites Amanda to meet them, without telling her the intent is to create a televised show in which she will mentor a chef. She wants no part of the idea, angering Harris. Her husband convinces her, actually guilts her, into accepting the offer. The restaurant is failing, since more time at home means she can’t trust her employees to do everything as she would.
After a bit of a slow start, the tension and suspense pick up, and we learn that Noah is the chef that Amanda will mentoring on the show. Amanda is horrified, and Noah is thrilled, because now that he is back in her life, he plans to ruin Amanda’s marriage, and win her back. Overall, it’s a well-written story, if a little expected, and I love the references to chefs and food because I am a huge fan of all things culinary. However, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
After a bit of a slow start, the tension and suspense pick up, and we learn that Noah is the chef that Amanda will mentoring on the show. Amanda is horrified, and Noah is thrilled, because now that he is back in her life, he plans to ruin Amanda’s marriage, and win her back. Overall, it’s a well-written story, if a little expected, and I love the references to chefs and food because I am a huge fan of all things culinary. However, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
August 20, 2024
This is an odd book to review as it doesn't fit into one specific genre. It's definitely not a thriller and only partly a family saga. Amanda Byrd is a chef and partner in a restaurant. She is arrogant, abusive, unnecessarily harsh, and unkind. Her behaviour sees her husband requesting a separation during which time she has an affair with Noah, also a chef.
One year later and in financial difficulties, she agrees to co-host a TV program with Noah(still angry about their break-up)as her assistant. I love cooking and think that's why I remained invested in the story that features several recipes. Beyond that, the story was rather bland 3 stars.
One year later and in financial difficulties, she agrees to co-host a TV program with Noah(still angry about their break-up)as her assistant. I love cooking and think that's why I remained invested in the story that features several recipes. Beyond that, the story was rather bland 3 stars.
January 11, 2022
Heat To Obsession
This book by Nolon King cooked up more than obsession. This was an interesting read with a surprise ending. The author covered many themes but I especially loved the ones of family, love, accountability and forgiveness.
This book by Nolon King cooked up more than obsession. This was an interesting read with a surprise ending. The author covered many themes but I especially loved the ones of family, love, accountability and forgiveness.
February 4, 2022
Interesting...kept my attention all the way through.
Over all, I enjoyed the novel. For most of it, I didn't understand why Amanda's husband had kicked her out and really didn't like his character.
Over all, I enjoyed the novel. For most of it, I didn't understand why Amanda's husband had kicked her out and really didn't like his character.
March 31, 2022
Heat to Obsession
Very interesting storyline about a troubled young woman who wants more than anything to watch her fame as a chef and her fabulous restaurant where she can serve all her food creations to amaze everyone. But the price she is paying may destroy her family..
Very interesting storyline about a troubled young woman who wants more than anything to watch her fame as a chef and her fabulous restaurant where she can serve all her food creations to amaze everyone. But the price she is paying may destroy her family..
February 18, 2021
Really enjoyed these books. Each one hooks me in its own way.
Want to Read
December 31, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (12/31/2021)! 🎁
Read
January 6, 2022An engrossing mystery with twists and turns sure to keep the reader engaged.
January 29, 2022
I was pulling for Amanda the whole time....nice finish!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2022
Amazing
Amazing and suspenseful book. The story was good and kept me engaged the entire time. Characters were good and complex.
Amazing and suspenseful book. The story was good and kept me engaged the entire time. Characters were good and complex.
June 13, 2022
Fast moving.
February 27, 2024
Interesting thriller
Loved the way the author told the story going from one character to the other. Interesting insight into chefs and their egos
Loved the way the author told the story going from one character to the other. Interesting insight into chefs and their egos
October 31, 2024
Slow start
After forcing myself to read on after the first few chapters, I enjoyed the rest of the book and storyline. Persevere.
After forcing myself to read on after the first few chapters, I enjoyed the rest of the book and storyline. Persevere.
December 13, 2024
A light read with plenty of drama
May 3, 2022
Very Satisfying!
I enjoyed this book while having to spend the afternoon at home. It was compelling and kept my attention. Kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. Characters were real people with all their perfections and flaws. Absolutely recommend this book!
I enjoyed this book while having to spend the afternoon at home. It was compelling and kept my attention. Kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. Characters were real people with all their perfections and flaws. Absolutely recommend this book!
November 25, 2023
There were a lot of typos. So many errors. That was annoying to deal with. Other than that, I enjoyed the story. Didn’t like most of the characters, but I was engaged in the story, which is what I liked about it. My favorite character is Amanda. I miss reading her story.
Saturday, February 05, 2022 at 12:34 PM
Saturday, February 05, 2022 at 12:34 PM
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews