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First Family #2

State of Grace

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Christmas at the White House Wouldn’t Be Complete Without a Murder or Two…

The holiday season is under way in Washington, D.C., but Metro Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is busier than ever as she contends with the murder of a well-liked wife, mother and businesswoman found bound, gagged and dead for quite some time inside her minivan, miles from her home. Who could’ve wanted her dead badly enough to make her suffer for days before she died? Sam is determined to close the vexing case before a much-needed vacation with her family, but the universe has other ideas when a second murder—this one someone she knows—has her wondering if the vacation is going to happen.

Meanwhile, Sam’s husband, President Nick Cappuano, deals with the first national tragedy on his watch, forcing him on the record on a contentious issue as he fills the role of comforter-in-chief to a nation reeling from another senseless act of violence. All the while, a custody battle for the twins he and Sam took in after their parents’ murder is looming, casting a dark cloud over everything this holiday season. With chaos swirling all around them, will Sam and Nick be able to pull off a big family Christmas at the White House?

As always, Sam and Nick turn to each other for comfort in the storm that is their life together. Join Sam, Nick, Scotty, Elijah, Aubrey, Alden and Skippy, the First Dog, as they celebrate a Christmas like no other.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2021

1393 people are currently reading
605 people want to read

About the author

Marie Force

209 books8,428 followers
Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont and Quantum.

Her books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

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5 stars
3,677 (70%)
4 stars
1,158 (22%)
3 stars
326 (6%)
2 stars
49 (<1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
Profile Image for Corina.
873 reviews2,554 followers
December 30, 2021
December is too far away!!!!!!

Can't wait to read it, I already know I'll be dropping everything for it.

___________________________________

Almost 4 stars

Sadly I wasn't able to drop everything, but I gave myself an entire day to read the next instalment of one of my favourite power couples. No surprise there, but I read the book in one sitting, and I still very much love the idea behind this beloved series, the characters, their friendships and human stories, but I also feel that the books don't feel the same anymore. The series had a certain edge, and it's gone. It's politics, too many characters to keep them all straight, and a feel of repetitiveness that's hard to ignore.

I'm still a big fan of Sam and Freddie, their banter and their friendship are a delight. I still very much adore Sam and Nick, they are just fabulous together - we need more couples like them in romance. And overall I still very much enjoy this series, their characters, but I'm not in love with the new direction the series is going.

Over the last few instalments I've come to notice how often parts of the books sound repetitive. Not just the dialogues, but also scenes. This is when my brain starts to wander, or skip paragraphs, because I've read it before and it won't add anything new to the story.

Also, I didn't think I would ever feel that way, but sometimes too much dialogue can become tedious too, especially if it comes across as cumbersome and repetitive. I actually had the feeling they were more page fillers than actually adding to the story arc. There were so many telephone calls, calls that could have been written about instead of filling pages with uninteresting dialogue.

I didn't think I would ever feel this way about this series. It's been a favorite of mine for many years, reminding me so much about the IN DEATH series. But the quality of writing has been lacking lately, and I hate for the day to come when I'm just not interested in Sam and Nick anymore.
___________________________________

You can find me on my blog and on Bookstagram
Profile Image for Anne OK.
4,098 reviews553 followers
September 14, 2021
FULL REVIEW CLOSER TO RELEASE DATE -- December 21,2021

Yes, I finished this supertastic addition to the First Family Series -- but you're going to have to wait until closer to release date for anything else. You definitely won't want to miss this one! It's non-stop everything readers love best about these characters.
Profile Image for Teresa.
505 reviews168 followers
December 20, 2021
Sam and Nick are BACK!!!

Marie Force never disappoints, especially with her “Fatal” series and now with her new “First Family” series. I devoured this second book just like all the others not wanting to miss a thing. That’s all I can say for now until everyone has a chance to get their books. Don’t miss this one!
Profile Image for Mei.
1,897 reviews471 followers
January 19, 2022
Yes, it's still cheesy, but I actually enjoyed this one because there was a real crime involved, so the cheesiness was slightly overshadowed! LOL
Yes, this series is old (if you consider that this is a spin-off of the Fatal series) and it has become somewhat repetitive, but I don't know why I feel compelled to continue reading it! LOL
Profile Image for Diana.
254 reviews70 followers
January 2, 2022
Christmas at the White House Wouldn’t Be Complete Without a Murder … or Two.

Well, 18 books in reading the Fatal/First Family series and I still enjoy the ride. Marie Force continues to deliver book after book. Light politics, romance, suspense, and close family and friends pack each book drawing you in to yet another explosive cliffhanger ending. A great suspense holiday read!
Profile Image for Annie.
372 reviews
December 22, 2021
The main characters are wonderful. It is impossible not to get invested in them.

The criminals, and their language when being arrested, are all repetative.

It would be nice if future books devoted more time to family interaction and less time on the R rated scenes which are unnecessary and boring.

I was disappointed that more time with the children and their new puppy weren't included. Or more scenes with the children interacting with the staff.
Profile Image for Sandra Hoover.
1,456 reviews258 followers
January 5, 2022
A nice addition to this spin-off series. I always enjoy reuniting with all the characters. I felt this one was a bit heavy on "filler", but the overall plot line was good. A must read for fans of this series.
3.5 Stars
Profile Image for GONZA.
7,428 reviews124 followers
December 25, 2021
I still enjoy reading Sam e Nick's stories even if I do not like this setting at all. We'll see how long before the author turns the book in some sort of political manifesto, and at that point: bye bye.

Leggere le storie di Nick e Sam ancora mi diverte, nonostante il setting attuale non mi diverta per niente. Vediamo quanto ci metterá l'autrice a trasformare le storie giallo/rosa in una sorta di manifesto politico, e a quel punto saluti e baci.
Profile Image for Christine.
1,081 reviews19 followers
December 22, 2021
Merry Cappuano Christmas!

AWESOME NOVEL! But then I have not read a book written by Marie Force that was not a 10 star even though the highest stars we can give is Five!

This book hit my Kindle at 5am and I started right away and would have finished earlier but was out for 5 hours!

Always love getting the updates of the secondary characters but love seeing into Sam and Nick's life and marriage, if more marriages were like that divorce rates would fall!

I can't say enough about this book, this series and this author!
I am such a fan!!

Now - that little show stopper at the end? Seriously we now have to wait months to find out what happens! You don't have to do that Marie, we will get the next book in the series no matter what!!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Profile Image for Pam Nelson.
3,798 reviews124 followers
August 28, 2023
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

I was in a bit of a book slump and thought about this series. I did book one a bit ago, but it's been on my mind, so I thought I would jump into book 2. I am glad I did. I was sucked right in and didn't want to put it down. If I am being honest, I was a little disappointed that it was the same couple, but then I was like, no, it makes sense we are following their journey in the White House. How they balance family and how she is balancing having a career that isn't just the First Lady.

The way it ends my word, I need to jump into book three buttttt I won't because I want to savour these books. It's nice to have a fallback series that can get you out of a slump.

Loved the narration. More Eva Kaminsky, please!
Profile Image for MountainKat.
2,334 reviews107 followers
June 1, 2022
Well, holy carp - that is a hard way to end the book! This series, and the one that preceded it, just keep getting better and better! I love that everything, right up until the end, almost seemed easy for a change. Nick and Sam are such a wonderful couple and I love seeing all of the extended family and friends too. I think it is great how Sam just keeps inviting everyone to the White House! I'm sure it isn't a simple process, but she just wants to share with everyone. My only complaint would be that I have begun to notice a couple of words being used repetitively, so much that even I noticed. Not a big issue, just a niggling annoyance.

Another well narrated addition by Eva Kaminsky!
Profile Image for SOMDReigel.
1,122 reviews
January 4, 2022
“Don’t eff with President Cappuano or his family”
Book 2 of the First Family series, a spinoff of the popular Fatal Series, has Sam and Nick still processing their change in status – the President of the US and the First Lady. Sam and Nick are front and center as they find comfort in each other in trying times. Sam has two murders to solve, Nick is running the US, and they have a custody fight on their hands. Their large group of family members and friends join them in celebrating the holiday season. A standout is Sam and her partner, Freddie, whose relationship gives some comic relief as well as lends Sam support which keeps her sane through all her changes in life. A very satisfying read with a “bomb” of an ending.
2,507 reviews16 followers
December 23, 2021
Awesome book

Wow what an amazing story in this ongoing wonderful series. Full of drama and suspense. I loved it. Cannot wait for the next book now
Profile Image for Mags.
3,034 reviews36 followers
August 30, 2023
Wow!! This series absolutely gets better and better. And I'm loving the new mix of Nick's presidential life along with Sam working homicide cases and balancing her role as first lady and mum.

And State of Grace did not scrimp on the homicide investigation which was as usual on point and utterly compelling. But so was everything else, and at times I was laughing out loud at the banter between Sam and Freddie and crying. As Nick deals with a horrific incident that inevitably brings gun control to the forefront and breaks Nick and Sam's hearts.

But of course there was plenty of holiday cheer too as the new first family and their friends celebrate Christmas in the White House.

And I was hooked from the very first page to the last.

But seriously did it have to end on that bombshell?

I would definitely recommend.
1,440 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2022
This series will always be one of my favorites to recommend to others. Sam and Nick continue to be a force to be reckoned with. And, even though some books are better than others, this series will continue to be one I will follow until Marie Force decides she's ready to put their story to an end.

I like the family dynamics as always and of course the parts of the story that features Sam and her team solving crime, kicking ass, and righting the wrongs of people in the city. I also felt like this one had a bit more action for me than the previous novel in this spin-off series so I appreciated that too.

The story moved very quickly for me and as usual I enjoyed the dialogue between all the characters. Especially the banter between Sam and Freddie. You feel like you're sitting there listening to them throw jabs at each other and can feel that love and respect they have as partners. As well as the love and respect between Nick and Sam. Albeit, different love, but you have that connection with everyone.

I'm looking forward to see where this series continues to take this couple and their family.
720 reviews5 followers
December 21, 2021
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING BOOK......SOOOO GOOD!!!!!💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝

This book was excellent!!! Another outstanding story from a truly masterful storyteller, Marie Force, that holds you enthralled and riveted throughout the entire story!! I loved everything about it! It was so wonderful to be back with Sam and Nick and the whole interesting and loveable cast of characters that make up their extended family. I have always considered the love story between Sam and Nick to be one of the most romantic, beautiful, and heartwarming love stories I have ever read. Their love and caring for each other is just as sweet, swoony, sexy and wonderful to read about in this latest book as it has been throughout their entire relationship. I can't get enough of reading about their deep love and connection to each other and their family and friends! The suspense and action is non-stop, the case plots are intriguing and interesting and, as usual, the cases that Sam has to solve are filled with twists and turns, complex characters, and clues cleverly woven throughout that keep you guessing and riveted to the story.... As always happens to me with a book about Sam and Nick once I started reading it I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Thank you Marie for the lovely and very satisfying treat you gave us by bringing all of the cast of characters together at the end in a loving and heartfelt celebration of their affection and deep connection to each other! I highly recommend this book.... I enjoyed it immensely and I am sure you will also. Now starts the vigil for the next adventure in the White House and in the lives of all of these very endearing and fascinating characters! 😇
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 25 books216 followers
January 1, 2022
Sam & Nick have moved into the White House with their family and her stepmother to help with the kids since he became President upon the death of the previous one Thanksgiving weekend. Now Christmas is approaching and nobody is really used to their new situation. Old developments are still bubbling along while new ones arise. The current case is one of a woman's body found in her car-- someone that everyone loved. Apparently. She leads her team in digging into the case and takes time to visit Iowa with Nick to console the grieving after a mass shooting. There's a Christmas party. Lots of busy work type stuff, but it's all interesting and part of their story. I liked it a lot. Good read.
Profile Image for Marcy.
2,048 reviews25 followers
December 31, 2021
One of the best series!

I love every new story with Sam and Nick. The homicide cases that Sam has to work are always very intriguing and complicated. I love when she gets the tingle that tells her that they are into something. She has the best comebacks and ways of putting criminals in their place. Nick has ascended to the White House and is handling it the best he can. I love how much he loves and adores Sam. Their love is so big and you can feel it when they are together. Their family has grown, and the way they fight to stay together is beautiful. I will continue to devour each one.
Profile Image for Alicia.
822 reviews16 followers
December 29, 2021
wonderful Read

I wasn’t sure how this change in Sam and Nick’s life and a veer from the main series was going to go. So far, it has been just as wonderful and enjoyable. The storylines are always different, yet the relationships between all of the characters remain and continue to grow.

I am so glad that the author decided to keep writing about Sam and Nick and their family and friends. They never fail to make you laugh and make you want to cry.

Amazing characters that just get better and better; always evolving storylines that keep the reader engaged and struggling to put the book down.

Another great read in this new series.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😠
Profile Image for Tabitha.
631 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2021
State of Grace

I am such a HUGE fan of Marie Force and this incredible series. I've been following the characters of Sam and Nick from their wild beginning and never want for their storyline to end. Marie's storytelling is so brilliantly done and it keeps getting better and better with each passing book. This series has all the emotional feels and I never want for it to stop. Absolutely in love with the First couple and their family.
l always highly recommend this series to my friends and family, because it is that good.
1 review
December 28, 2021
Marie Force does not disappoint! I love her Fatal Series and now the First Family Series. Like every book so far, once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The books easily flow into each other with just enough of a recap on events/people that don’t bog the story down but jog your memory. I almost wish I hadn’t discovered the series yet so I could binge read them all at once and not have to wait for the next book. She does a great job at making a series that includes politics but doesn’t increase the political divide. Marie’s books are so good, they are literally the only ones I pay full price to read.
Profile Image for Jill Johns.
331 reviews
December 31, 2021
Awesome and intense

The first family continues to meet every challenge set before them together. I love the emotion that comes alive in this series. It is INE that is hard to put down.
Profile Image for Lisa Tantsits.
202 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2022
Once again, Marie Force killed it with book 2 in the First Family series! I love Sam, Nick and everyone else so much more each time I read about them. Can’t wait for book 3!!
44 reviews
February 11, 2022
Amazing

Once again another awesome read. I can't wait till the next book. I hope that this series continues for a long time.
Profile Image for Candace.
160 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2022
Too much dialogue and background explanation for me. But the ending has left me wanting to read the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Rose Helg.
2,880 reviews28 followers
December 22, 2021
FANTASTIC A MUST READ BOOK.

I started reading this book, at 11:10pm, as soon as it came out. I stayed up all night reading it. It was worth , the wait and reading it all night. After, I read this FANASTIC , book. I went to sleep. I had to finish this book. I decided to review it when I got up and was wide awake. I even dream about this book. ( which I don't usually do, accept her books.) Just woke up and this was the first thing I had to do, is to review this book. You will have Romance, Mystery and it fun to go along with Sam and them, to find out who Dunn it. Love Sam and Nick Romance, love 💘 the kids and the entire Family. I cry , in this book.
Marie Force, you did it again. Your books get better and better. Love 💘 all the characters , from the old to the new. Love Nick, Sam, and the kids. Can't wait for September, for the next book. Love this book and Series , they are FANTASTIC. Once, you read one book, you will be Hook. If, you only read one book, this year and next. This the book and Series to do it with.
Profile Image for Marla Dudak.
1,735 reviews12 followers
December 23, 2021
Good not great addition to the series. Love love the characters. Nick and Sam as pres and First Lady are awesome. This book’s murder cases were not as interesting.keep them coming. Please.
200 reviews
December 24, 2021
Not my favorite

I have read this whole series and I really love the storylines and characters. I gave this book a 4 star rating because there was one part that was too realistic. I realize that Nick is the president and has to deal with real world issues but this is also fiction that people read to take them away from the real world negativity. IMO the whole Des Moines storyline wasn't needed. The issue could have been brought up another way.
Profile Image for Marco Morissette.
656 reviews
December 31, 2021
So unfair to wait this long for this book and just can’t read it slower!! I am trying to find new adjectives to comment it but just can’t find other than masterpiece! Wow so hard to have to put it down to attends some Christmas parties but a huge thanks to the author for sharing her immense talent with us and so anxious to have this series translate in French for my wife!! Merry Christmas!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews

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