What do you think?
Rate this book
Blown
She can pay with her life … or she can pay with her crimes.
Alison Tanner thought she was living her best life. Her husband’s seven-figure consulting business earned them entry into the country club crowd and paid for her gifted daughter’s tuition at the best private school in the area. She lives in a gorgeous house, drives an expensive car, and she could afford designer clothes, if she cared about fashion at all.
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang-related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money — and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever — but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
Blown is an intense new stand-alone crime thriller from Nolon King, author of Pretty Killer, 12, and the No Justice series. Fans of Ozark and Weeds will love Blown.
Alison Tanner thought she was living her best life. Her husband’s seven-figure consulting business earned them entry into the country club crowd and paid for her gifted daughter’s tuition at the best private school in the area. She lives in a gorgeous house, drives an expensive car, and she could afford designer clothes, if she cared about fashion at all.
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang-related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money — and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever — but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
Blown is an intense new stand-alone crime thriller from Nolon King, author of Pretty Killer, 12, and the No Justice series. Fans of Ozark and Weeds will love Blown.
ebook
First published May 23, 2022
337 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Nolon King
57 books82 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 30, 2022
This was a FREE ebook from Amazon… was certainly a good book for FREE.
It takes place in current drug gang era in Las Orillas, Ca.
Alison is living the American Dream, a trophy wife with everything she wants except a typical teenage girl and a very petty mother-in-law.
Then…. Her life changes, her husband turns up dead… murdered, and she is suspected by the police for knowing about her hubby’s drug trafficing, which she denies.
So… Alison is off to to the races to try to keep her daughter out of her mother-in-law hands, defending her innocence and keep from being killed by her husbands’ murderer.
Get ready for some crazy action, you even find yourself trying to cross the US and American border hopefully with DEA not far behind.
Goodread with lots of action.
It takes place in current drug gang era in Las Orillas, Ca.
Alison is living the American Dream, a trophy wife with everything she wants except a typical teenage girl and a very petty mother-in-law.
Then…. Her life changes, her husband turns up dead… murdered, and she is suspected by the police for knowing about her hubby’s drug trafficing, which she denies.
So… Alison is off to to the races to try to keep her daughter out of her mother-in-law hands, defending her innocence and keep from being killed by her husbands’ murderer.
Get ready for some crazy action, you even find yourself trying to cross the US and American border hopefully with DEA not far behind.
Goodread with lots of action.
April 18, 2022
A thriller full of twists and turns, as well as phenomenal pacing. I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mix of intrigue and edge-of-your-seat writing. While most of the characters were complete jerks (to the point of annoying me), I still enjoyed seeing the MC try to survive and protect what she loves.
What I liked:
- The main character was pretty solid. While she didn't have any particularly likable traits, she did feel relatable and proactive.
- The pacing was excellent. Every time I went to read it, I found myself going through thirty pages really fast. It never felt like it was dragging or full of filler.
- The story itself is pretty good, though I wish we got a chance to see her husband when he was still alive, so we can form some kind of opinion on him earlier. A lot of it is just taking other characters' words for it and it felt a little...empty. However, this wasn't a major issue.
- The writer wants you to hate the villains (of which there are many of every type) and they do a good job of it
What I didn't like:
- The daughter was insufferable. She had maybe two out of thirty scenes where she was being nice (or rather, not a complete jerk). Since the whole story hinges on wanting to protect her, I wish the character had at least one redeeming quality. She is bratty, rude, and incredibly selfish. I am aware that teenagers, in general, may act that way but it's so extreme that it made me wish she would be out of the picture.
- It was a bit tiring to have nearly every character be evil (especially in the first half). Luckily, this changed in the last quarter (and worked to help you be unsure who was on who's side) but it can be tiring to have the MC constantly be battling bratty people all the time
Overall, it was a good story with phenomenal pacing. It isn't anything groundbreaking but for a thriller about dealing drugs under pain of death, as well as showing a mother trying to protect her daughter, it did a great job. I would recommend it to be people who love this genre.
What I liked:
- The main character was pretty solid. While she didn't have any particularly likable traits, she did feel relatable and proactive.
- The pacing was excellent. Every time I went to read it, I found myself going through thirty pages really fast. It never felt like it was dragging or full of filler.
- The story itself is pretty good, though I wish we got a chance to see her husband when he was still alive, so we can form some kind of opinion on him earlier. A lot of it is just taking other characters' words for it and it felt a little...empty. However, this wasn't a major issue.
- The writer wants you to hate the villains (of which there are many of every type) and they do a good job of it
What I didn't like:
- The daughter was insufferable. She had maybe two out of thirty scenes where she was being nice (or rather, not a complete jerk). Since the whole story hinges on wanting to protect her, I wish the character had at least one redeeming quality. She is bratty, rude, and incredibly selfish. I am aware that teenagers, in general, may act that way but it's so extreme that it made me wish she would be out of the picture.
- It was a bit tiring to have nearly every character be evil (especially in the first half). Luckily, this changed in the last quarter (and worked to help you be unsure who was on who's side) but it can be tiring to have the MC constantly be battling bratty people all the time
Overall, it was a good story with phenomenal pacing. It isn't anything groundbreaking but for a thriller about dealing drugs under pain of death, as well as showing a mother trying to protect her daughter, it did a great job. I would recommend it to be people who love this genre.
July 31, 2022
After her husband’s murder, Allison has to get away from a dangerous place where her late husband left her. He was dealing for a big magia long and now she has to pay off his debt. On top of that, her relationship with her daughter is taking a stroll.
I found this story riveting and very engaging. From the first chapter I was hooked in knowing what’s happening and where would it take me next.
Alison is a great female character and I loved how she seemed so reliable and real throughout the story.
There are quite a few unexpected twists in my opinion and I think many readers will enjoy this book.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
I found this story riveting and very engaging. From the first chapter I was hooked in knowing what’s happening and where would it take me next.
Alison is a great female character and I loved how she seemed so reliable and real throughout the story.
There are quite a few unexpected twists in my opinion and I think many readers will enjoy this book.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
May 24, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.
I pride myself on being able to choose books that I believe will be a good fit to my preferences, but this one seemed to miss the mark. With that being said please take my review with a grain of salt because I do not believe I was the intended audience for this book.
The storyline, although satisfactory, fell short due to the tone. Although making a well thought out unlikeable character does not alone make it a substandard book, there's a way to do it artfully and with a purpose that keeps a reader hooked without negativity towards the character. Coming from a woman's perspective the way she not only speaks about herself but also those around her does not sit right in my eyes. At the end of the day, due to this it was difficult to finish.
I pride myself on being able to choose books that I believe will be a good fit to my preferences, but this one seemed to miss the mark. With that being said please take my review with a grain of salt because I do not believe I was the intended audience for this book.
The storyline, although satisfactory, fell short due to the tone. Although making a well thought out unlikeable character does not alone make it a substandard book, there's a way to do it artfully and with a purpose that keeps a reader hooked without negativity towards the character. Coming from a woman's perspective the way she not only speaks about herself but also those around her does not sit right in my eyes. At the end of the day, due to this it was difficult to finish.
August 2, 2022
This was like am action movie in book form. That reminds you on every single page what car each person drives, which was annoying
May 22, 2022
I liked that she got bent by life, desperation and love, but not broken. And it was the unconditional love for her daughter that kept her going, looking brave and risking everything. It was so sudden and incredible, but she still managed to survive, despite her initial naiveté.
Yes, very interesting, and well written - made me wonder how many people could have coped when faced with the same choices. And the ending... loved it!
Yes, very interesting, and well written - made me wonder how many people could have coped when faced with the same choices. And the ending... loved it!
June 22, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for this copy! I wanted some thriller to get me into an exciting story and this is Blown. I enjoyed the action, even though there were some things I couldn't agree with. In some points of the story, I could tell what will happen but there were also many shocking moments. I enjoyed reading this book. This was the first book I have read from this author and I really liked the way it was written.
October 30, 2025
📚Blown
✍🏻Nolon King
Blurb:
Alison Tanner thought she was living her best life. Her husband’s seven-figure consulting business earned them entry into the country club crowd and paid for her gifted daughter’s tuition at the best private school in the area. She lives in a gorgeous house, drives an expensive car, and she could afford designer clothes, if she cared about fashion at all.
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang-related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money — and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever — but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
My Thoughts:
Alison Tanner thought she had a great life. Her husband Tom's consulting business has granted them entrance into the country club group and paid for their daughters private school tuition. They live in a gorgeous house, she drives an expensive car, and she could have designer clothes if she wanted. After Tom is killed in a gang-related shooting, her seemingly perfect life comes crashing down. His business was a front for his real business of being a drug dealer. He owed a drug lord a lot of money and now Alison is on the hook for it. DEA agent Banks wants her to become an informant in order to get the drug lord.
This was a great thriller, full of suspense and twists. I liked how Alison was brave and risked everything for her daughter and her's survival.
Thanks NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, Author Nolon King
#NetGalley
#Sterling&Stone
#NolonKing
#Blown
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Nolon King
Blurb:
Alison Tanner thought she was living her best life. Her husband’s seven-figure consulting business earned them entry into the country club crowd and paid for her gifted daughter’s tuition at the best private school in the area. She lives in a gorgeous house, drives an expensive car, and she could afford designer clothes, if she cared about fashion at all.
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang-related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money — and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever — but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
My Thoughts:
Alison Tanner thought she had a great life. Her husband Tom's consulting business has granted them entrance into the country club group and paid for their daughters private school tuition. They live in a gorgeous house, she drives an expensive car, and she could have designer clothes if she wanted. After Tom is killed in a gang-related shooting, her seemingly perfect life comes crashing down. His business was a front for his real business of being a drug dealer. He owed a drug lord a lot of money and now Alison is on the hook for it. DEA agent Banks wants her to become an informant in order to get the drug lord.
This was a great thriller, full of suspense and twists. I liked how Alison was brave and risked everything for her daughter and her's survival.
Thanks NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, Author Nolon King
#NetGalley
#Sterling&Stone
#NolonKing
#Blown
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 22, 2022
I received a complimentary ARC of Blown by Nolon King in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book and it kept me in suspense till the very end! The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was right there, my heart was pounding so many times. The characters were well developed and real, there are some you will root for and some you will hate. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Alison, her husband Tom, and daughter Sarah live a very privileged life. They have a magnificent home, expensive cars, they belong to the country club and Alison doesn't have to work. So maybe, even though Alison's mother in law hates her and her daughter is in trouble at school, things will all work out.
Then Alison gets a visit from the police, informing her that her husband has been murdered and requesting that she ID his body.
What starts a nightmare turns worse when the police tell Alison her husband was a drug dealer and imply that she was complicit. Suddenly, all of their credit cards and bank accounts are frozen, and her house is ransacked by the police as they execute a search warrant.
Alison is in big trouble, she has no money available, a mortgage and bills to pay and her mother in law won't help her. A package arrives on the front porch with a burner phone inside, a message is in it telling Alison to meet an unknown caller. Alison soon learns that her husband owes a local drug dealer $125k and she is now expected to pay the debt or she and her daughter will pay in other horrific ways.
Determined to keep her daughter safe at all costs, Alison will do whatever is necessary including avoiding the police detail that is assigned to her home. As she gets more deeply involved, Alison is figuring out who her husband's clients were, what kind of man her husband truly was. To pay off the debt Alison will do things she never would have dreamed of, find allies she never would have guessed and go where she could never have imagined. I can't say enough great things about this thrill ride!
I really enjoyed this book and it kept me in suspense till the very end! The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was right there, my heart was pounding so many times. The characters were well developed and real, there are some you will root for and some you will hate. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Alison, her husband Tom, and daughter Sarah live a very privileged life. They have a magnificent home, expensive cars, they belong to the country club and Alison doesn't have to work. So maybe, even though Alison's mother in law hates her and her daughter is in trouble at school, things will all work out.
Then Alison gets a visit from the police, informing her that her husband has been murdered and requesting that she ID his body.
What starts a nightmare turns worse when the police tell Alison her husband was a drug dealer and imply that she was complicit. Suddenly, all of their credit cards and bank accounts are frozen, and her house is ransacked by the police as they execute a search warrant.
Alison is in big trouble, she has no money available, a mortgage and bills to pay and her mother in law won't help her. A package arrives on the front porch with a burner phone inside, a message is in it telling Alison to meet an unknown caller. Alison soon learns that her husband owes a local drug dealer $125k and she is now expected to pay the debt or she and her daughter will pay in other horrific ways.
Determined to keep her daughter safe at all costs, Alison will do whatever is necessary including avoiding the police detail that is assigned to her home. As she gets more deeply involved, Alison is figuring out who her husband's clients were, what kind of man her husband truly was. To pay off the debt Alison will do things she never would have dreamed of, find allies she never would have guessed and go where she could never have imagined. I can't say enough great things about this thrill ride!
May 18, 2025
As a devoted thriller fan always hunting for that next adrenaline fix, I stumbled upon "Blown" while doing my usual late-night Kindle scroll. The cover practically screamed "edge factor," and honestly, I'm a sucker for a great cover . Little did I know I was about to embark on a white-knuckle journey that would keep me up as I read the ebook in one sitting!
Nolon King introduces us to Alison, a character whose moral compass doesn't just point north—it's practically welded there. This is a woman who side-eyes people taking Panadol for a headache, so when she's summoned to her daughter's school over a weed incident, her world begins to fracture. But that's just the appetizer to her catastrophe banquet. Returning home to find her husband Tom murdered? That's the main course of chaos that Nolon King serves up with brutal efficiency.
What follows is a masterclass in "how quickly can a normal life implode." The revelation that her charming husband Tom was actually knee-deep in the drug trade (and drowning in debt) hits like a freight train—both for Alison and for us readers. Nolon King doesn't just pull the rug out; he sets it on fire and dances around the flames.
The police's suspicion that Alison was complicit adds another delicious layer of tension. But it's when her daughter receives threats that the book truly finds its savage heart. Watching Alison transform from anti-drug crusader to reluctant dealer while simultaneously working as a DEA informant creates the kind of cognitive dissonance that makes for addictive reading.
The moral complexity here is what elevates "Blown" above standard thriller fare. How far would any of us go to protect our children? The line between right and wrong becomes as blurry as my vision at 2am, desperately trying to finish "just one more chapter."
For fellow thriller junkies needing a fix of something fast-paced yet surprisingly thoughtful, "Blown" delivers the goods. Just don't start it on a work night—you've been warned!
Nolon King introduces us to Alison, a character whose moral compass doesn't just point north—it's practically welded there. This is a woman who side-eyes people taking Panadol for a headache, so when she's summoned to her daughter's school over a weed incident, her world begins to fracture. But that's just the appetizer to her catastrophe banquet. Returning home to find her husband Tom murdered? That's the main course of chaos that Nolon King serves up with brutal efficiency.
What follows is a masterclass in "how quickly can a normal life implode." The revelation that her charming husband Tom was actually knee-deep in the drug trade (and drowning in debt) hits like a freight train—both for Alison and for us readers. Nolon King doesn't just pull the rug out; he sets it on fire and dances around the flames.
The police's suspicion that Alison was complicit adds another delicious layer of tension. But it's when her daughter receives threats that the book truly finds its savage heart. Watching Alison transform from anti-drug crusader to reluctant dealer while simultaneously working as a DEA informant creates the kind of cognitive dissonance that makes for addictive reading.
The moral complexity here is what elevates "Blown" above standard thriller fare. How far would any of us go to protect our children? The line between right and wrong becomes as blurry as my vision at 2am, desperately trying to finish "just one more chapter."
For fellow thriller junkies needing a fix of something fast-paced yet surprisingly thoughtful, "Blown" delivers the goods. Just don't start it on a work night—you've been warned!
September 12, 2022
This was a fantastic read!
Alison Tanner is on her way home from picking up her daughter, Sarah, from the principal's office, but upon turning onto the street where they live, she is greeted by a police car parked in front of their home.
Alison is informed that there was an accident and requested to go to the station to identify her husband's body. Bad news upon bad news was heaped with more when the detective begins throwing questions of her whereabouts followed by her husband's whereabouts. It soon becomes apparent to Alison that there's got to be a huge misunderstanding!
Her husband murdered, her daughter is rebellious,a mother-in-law that hates her, her accounts all frozen, and the police think she is guilty! Welcome to Alison's life!
When a package is found on her doorstep, containing a burner phone with a message just for her, Alison thinks nothing of tossing it in the garbage. As much as she may have wanted to ignore the message, she finds herself kidnapped and given an ultimatum. Looks like the police were right about her husband after all and Tom's mess is now her responsibility if she wants to keep Sarah safe.
Alison finds herself between a rock and a hard place with no family or friends. By happenstance, Alison opens up to Tom's old friend who owes a favor to Tom and just might be the only one help her providing that she can get out alive from a situation she requested.
I was kept glued to this story and enjoyed Alison's character development from weak to strong. I especially applauded her for standing up to her mother-in-law who needed to be put in her place a long time ago. In the end, Alison had some very good friends on her side that she had passed judgment on and the people that she thought would be more classy turned out to be horrid. Just goes to show don't judge a person from the outside!
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Sterling & Stone and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Alison Tanner is on her way home from picking up her daughter, Sarah, from the principal's office, but upon turning onto the street where they live, she is greeted by a police car parked in front of their home.
Alison is informed that there was an accident and requested to go to the station to identify her husband's body. Bad news upon bad news was heaped with more when the detective begins throwing questions of her whereabouts followed by her husband's whereabouts. It soon becomes apparent to Alison that there's got to be a huge misunderstanding!
Her husband murdered, her daughter is rebellious,a mother-in-law that hates her, her accounts all frozen, and the police think she is guilty! Welcome to Alison's life!
When a package is found on her doorstep, containing a burner phone with a message just for her, Alison thinks nothing of tossing it in the garbage. As much as she may have wanted to ignore the message, she finds herself kidnapped and given an ultimatum. Looks like the police were right about her husband after all and Tom's mess is now her responsibility if she wants to keep Sarah safe.
Alison finds herself between a rock and a hard place with no family or friends. By happenstance, Alison opens up to Tom's old friend who owes a favor to Tom and just might be the only one help her providing that she can get out alive from a situation she requested.
I was kept glued to this story and enjoyed Alison's character development from weak to strong. I especially applauded her for standing up to her mother-in-law who needed to be put in her place a long time ago. In the end, Alison had some very good friends on her side that she had passed judgment on and the people that she thought would be more classy turned out to be horrid. Just goes to show don't judge a person from the outside!
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Sterling & Stone and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
May 12, 2022
Blown is a crime thriller by Nolon King (Hitting Shelves 2022). The story gives an account of drug dealings that pulled in a naive, unsuspecting mother right into the center of the high circus. Alison discovers that her marriage of twenty years was a cheap lie and that her beloved, and deceased husband is causing her more trouble and torment in death than when he was alive. Her daughter and only child is a teenager, whose emotions keep erupting after she was suspended from school due to drug misuse and found out that her dad was murdered in a drug-related scandal.
Read blown to discover the intricate atrocities that Alison undergoes.
I liked the manner of writing used in the book. It is simple and chronological. I also found the characters to be realistic and relatable. Sarah is a typical teenager trying anything that will make her acceptable to her age mates, including smoking marijuana. There were tense moments that I felt deeply. The shattering discovery of one heartbreaking thing after another was a heavy load for Alison.
I did not enjoy the several curse words, which were clearly non-borderline. I understood their usage to demonstrate the tense setting. The book also contained many arguments that supported the legalization of drugs.
I rate this work 4 out of 5 stars. The stars are sufficiently deserved. This is because of the gripping and entertaining story. I loved the plot and character development in the work. The author also kept changing scenarios, and there was simply a slight dragging. The book was also emotional.
I recommend this work to lovers of crime, mystery, thrillers, and drug-related works. There is also a very poignant theme of betrayal in the book.
Read blown to discover the intricate atrocities that Alison undergoes.
I liked the manner of writing used in the book. It is simple and chronological. I also found the characters to be realistic and relatable. Sarah is a typical teenager trying anything that will make her acceptable to her age mates, including smoking marijuana. There were tense moments that I felt deeply. The shattering discovery of one heartbreaking thing after another was a heavy load for Alison.
I did not enjoy the several curse words, which were clearly non-borderline. I understood their usage to demonstrate the tense setting. The book also contained many arguments that supported the legalization of drugs.
I rate this work 4 out of 5 stars. The stars are sufficiently deserved. This is because of the gripping and entertaining story. I loved the plot and character development in the work. The author also kept changing scenarios, and there was simply a slight dragging. The book was also emotional.
I recommend this work to lovers of crime, mystery, thrillers, and drug-related works. There is also a very poignant theme of betrayal in the book.
May 23, 2022
This book is definitely an adrenaline rush pumper! Don't get 'blown' away when you read it. Prescription drugs, black market drugs, large pharmaceuticals, entanglement and undercover woman coerced by Tom, Goliat and Ellis into a ruthless, brutal gang and drug war turf takeover about blows Alison away as she gets drawn in, or should that be 'dragged' in. Her contentious, yet loved teenage daughter Sarah, in potential danger if Alison doesn't do what's required, is overseen by a so-called boyfriend named Miguel, looking out, supposedly, for her interests.
I could see their point to some degree but of course don't condone the black market philosophy that seeps into this book and comes out the the characters' mouths to help Alison justify, in her mind, what is going on vs the hypocracy of the 'legit' pharma people. Danger lurks no matter what and the users pay the price and the justification still does not convince me, at least. I was disappointed with Alison's new perspective but all part and parcel of the web of the book's provocation, I believe. Just hope her cover doesn't get blown!
Pharmacists and drug lords, alike will love this book, I bet. Maybe even the FBI agents, although not entirely seen in positive light (Ellis was trying to help, I think). Together with other readers, they may all become addicted to such suspense and thrillers especially if Nolon King's authorcraft has anything to do with it!
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
May 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher, Sterling and Stone.
I could see their point to some degree but of course don't condone the black market philosophy that seeps into this book and comes out the the characters' mouths to help Alison justify, in her mind, what is going on vs the hypocracy of the 'legit' pharma people. Danger lurks no matter what and the users pay the price and the justification still does not convince me, at least. I was disappointed with Alison's new perspective but all part and parcel of the web of the book's provocation, I believe. Just hope her cover doesn't get blown!
Pharmacists and drug lords, alike will love this book, I bet. Maybe even the FBI agents, although not entirely seen in positive light (Ellis was trying to help, I think). Together with other readers, they may all become addicted to such suspense and thrillers especially if Nolon King's authorcraft has anything to do with it!
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
May 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher, Sterling and Stone.
September 11, 2022
Alison Tanner thought she was living her best life. Her husband’s seven-figure consulting business earned them entry into the country club crowd and paid for her gifted daughter’s tuition at the best private school in the area. She lives in a gorgeous house, drives an expensive car, and she could afford designer clothes, if she cared about fashion at all.
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Sterling & Stone
I just reviewed Blown by Nolon King. #Blown #NetGalley
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Sterling & Stone
I just reviewed Blown by Nolon King. #Blown #NetGalley
September 11, 2022
Alison Tanner thought she was living her best life. Her husband’s seven-figure consulting business earned them entry into the country club crowd and paid for her gifted daughter’s tuition at the best private school in the area. She lives in a gorgeous house, drives an expensive car, and she could afford designer clothes, if she cared about fashion at all.
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Sterling & Stone
I just reviewed Blown by Nolon King. #Blown #NetGalley
But when her husband, Tom, is killed in a gang related shooting, it all comes crashing down. Tom’s consulting agency was just a front for his real business: keeping their wealthy neighbors supplied with cocaine, oxycontin, and every other illegal drug money can buy. Tom died owing the local drug lord a lot of money and now Alison’s on the hook.
Worse, unscrupulous DEA Agent Banks wants her to be his informant in a sting operation and doesn’t care if she survives, as long as he gets his man.
Desperate to protect her daughter from both a vengeful mother-in-law who wants custody and a drug lord who wants her daughter to work off Tom’s debts in the streets, Alison agrees to go undercover, wearing a wire as she sells drugs to her snobby neighbors and learns more about the drug lord’s operation.
If she ever gets out of this, she vows she’ll take her daughter and disappear forever but her chances of surviving are getting worse by the minute. Does she have a shot at ever living a normal life again, or is everything blown?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Sterling & Stone
I just reviewed Blown by Nolon King. #Blown #NetGalley
May 23, 2022
What a very fascinating book that cover Does not even get what this book has in store. Ali So and Turner There's no idea what her husband Tom was up to. Yes modify the gangs because of drugs He was Dealing drugs in its upstairs In California Neighborhood. There's a lot of twisting turns in this book. His wife did not even know he was dealing with his drugs until he was murdered and then she gets caught in this crazy game type thing. She has no money and the gang leader said you have to pay off this debt so she had to go out going to drugs as well and you'll find out a lot of things about people in this Country Club. Her daughter was hanging out with one of the drug dealers and she didn't even know it. Then then the husband's mother name Elinor was so p***** off about everything and she was gonna take the door take the daughter away because she felt His wife was not taking care of her after the murder of her husband. This is what happens when you don't pay attention to things. I mean you're putting me situations where you have to go go through and I couldn't put this book down because there's The sunrise rises and I couldn't pick to find out what was gonna happen next to this one There's so interesting terms I have to find out what was gonna happen next. The ending was a great surprise too it was like having Christmas and birthday presents all rolled into one.
May 17, 2022
You have what appears to be the idyllic life you have been married to your high school sweetheart who was the high school quarterback. You live in an exclusive neigborhood and a teenage daughter who is at the point in life that she is always trying your patience. It also appears that you have plenty of money. The downside is you have a mother in law who despises you and you really do not fit in with the snobby group of women. But suddenly your world is turned upside down when you find out your husband has been murdered and your life as you know it is built on a house of cards. You find out that your husband owes someone alot of money and now they expect you to cover the debt. Then you find how far you can really push yourself. So is the life of Alison Tanner. This book was a pretty quick read but i did find it a little predictable at times and I did find the main character exasperating at points in the book . I would rate this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Sterling & Stone for an ARC for a fair and honest review.
August 22, 2022
Kemi is a marketing executive who is lured to Sweden in a role as Diversity of Marketing for a company that has just suffered a major racial faux pas with one of their advertising campaigns. When Kemi get to Sweden she finds that things are not what they seem and the role she thought she was taking may not be all its cracked up to be.
Brittany is a flight attendant who meets a man on one of her flights who sweeps her off her feet, but Jonny is a white man who seems to have a fetish with Black women. Jonny is rich and can change Brittany’s life, but will he bring her happiness.
Muna is a Somalian refugee who works for Jonny’s company. Muna received asylum in Sweden due to a tragedy. Muna just wants to make true friends and get past everything she went through in Somalia.
The three women are all connected to Jonny in some way and as their paths cross they learn more about themselves and the people their circles.
Brittany is a flight attendant who meets a man on one of her flights who sweeps her off her feet, but Jonny is a white man who seems to have a fetish with Black women. Jonny is rich and can change Brittany’s life, but will he bring her happiness.
Muna is a Somalian refugee who works for Jonny’s company. Muna received asylum in Sweden due to a tragedy. Muna just wants to make true friends and get past everything she went through in Somalia.
The three women are all connected to Jonny in some way and as their paths cross they learn more about themselves and the people their circles.
May 9, 2022
Allison’s life is turned into turmoil when she gets the news that her husband has been brutally killed and that she is under investigation for being a part of his drug trafficking; her assets are frozen, the police have searched her home and she has nowhere to turn as her parents are deceased and mother in law has never liked her. Allison is confronted with having to repay her husband’s drug debt while balancing her life, her daughter, the police and the druglords. . Some of what she does to resolve everything might make a great movie, but was a little extreme for me to fathom which is why I rate this a 4 in lieu of a 5. In the end, Allison and her daughter realize what’s actually important in their lives and work together to start over. Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel and thanks also to the author and publisher.
May 21, 2022
Imagine you are living a upper middle class life with your nice home and fancy car and lots of cash. And then suddenly your husband is dead, murdered, and all your assets are frozen because the police believe your spouse was a drug dealer AND they think you knew and were actively involved.
Imagine then that the boss of your apparently drug dealing husband informs you that you are responsible for your husbands debt, and expects you to complete your husbands tasks in order to pay said debt.
Add in a teenage daughter, a suspicious police detective and a DEA agent.
A fast paced novel about a family turned upside down and how it all gets worked out.
A bit over the top in places but still an enjoyable read. Highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this novel.
Imagine then that the boss of your apparently drug dealing husband informs you that you are responsible for your husbands debt, and expects you to complete your husbands tasks in order to pay said debt.
Add in a teenage daughter, a suspicious police detective and a DEA agent.
A fast paced novel about a family turned upside down and how it all gets worked out.
A bit over the top in places but still an enjoyable read. Highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this novel.
June 1, 2022
This was a really great story about a mother of a teenage daughter who finds out one day that the life she has been living has been a complete fabrication. The man she has been married to for almost twenty years does not have the job she thought he did, in fact he was fired from that job years ago. So when he said that he was staying late to do some extra work, that extra work was actually another woman. All the jewelry he had given her to make up for the fights that they had looked like platinum and diamonds, but it was all costume junk. Her entire life has been a lie. So when this wonderful husband is murdered by drug runners, the police can't believe that she didn't know anything about the multi-million dollar cartel that he was the head of. Did she know anything or was she really that clueless? What is she going to do now for cash when all her assets are frozen?
June 5, 2022
"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own."
First, let me say this book is free on Amazon right now. So go on a grab your copy.
I was amazed at this story of a wife whose husband is not whom he is supposed to be. A secret life has been going on under her nose, so it isn't going to be easy when she is brought in to clear his debt, especially with the cops keeping tabs on her. It makes you wonder could you do what Allison has to do to support herself and her daughter and keep them both alive? The story was at a good pace, and I did enjoy the characters and the storyline. However, the only issue I honestly had was with Allison's daughter. Her attitude and sass toward her momma were too much for me. It almost made me want to go through the book and snatch that fast little girl right on up. The ending was one I did like.
First, let me say this book is free on Amazon right now. So go on a grab your copy.
I was amazed at this story of a wife whose husband is not whom he is supposed to be. A secret life has been going on under her nose, so it isn't going to be easy when she is brought in to clear his debt, especially with the cops keeping tabs on her. It makes you wonder could you do what Allison has to do to support herself and her daughter and keep them both alive? The story was at a good pace, and I did enjoy the characters and the storyline. However, the only issue I honestly had was with Allison's daughter. Her attitude and sass toward her momma were too much for me. It almost made me want to go through the book and snatch that fast little girl right on up. The ending was one I did like.
July 23, 2022
Interesting fast paced book! The main character, Alison, begins the story with her husband being murdered. She soon finds out he was part of a drug-dealing operation.
Alison is fuming with anger and betrayal when her first enemy appears. It’s her mother-in-law wanting to take custody of her teenage daughter. The woman is textbook nasty and degrading!
Next she has a message about a large debt she owes due to her husband being unable to continue selling drugs and she must take his place as a seller !
It’s a fun read seeing Alison go from rich housewife to drug dealer. Yes, a stretch !
The daughter was a typical teenage brat but the book showed so much love and support between them . The ending was fast and had a nice build out.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this excellent 5 star book
Alison is fuming with anger and betrayal when her first enemy appears. It’s her mother-in-law wanting to take custody of her teenage daughter. The woman is textbook nasty and degrading!
Next she has a message about a large debt she owes due to her husband being unable to continue selling drugs and she must take his place as a seller !
It’s a fun read seeing Alison go from rich housewife to drug dealer. Yes, a stretch !
The daughter was a typical teenage brat but the book showed so much love and support between them . The ending was fast and had a nice build out.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this excellent 5 star book
May 23, 2022
I received a review copy from the author via Sterling and Stone Publishing and this is my honest opinion. This is another hit by Nolon King. It is an original premise for a thriller, at least, not one I have come across before. Mr. King creates some great characters with plenty of action and suspense. There were a few parts that were a bit "out there" and I had to take them with a grain of salt, but that's why I read. If I wanted only realistic events and actions I would read the news. As it is, I never know what Mr. King is going to come up with next and he never disappoints. He keeps me on my toes and fully invested in the story. I highly recommend any of his books.
May 16, 2022
This psychological thriller was a great read. It held my attention throughout and was fast paced and action packed. The plot had lots of twists and turns, and a lot of ‘I can’t believe it’ moments. This book showed that circumstances can really change people. I liked this exploration into character’s psyche.
This was my first book by the author but in the future I’d like to read more. I like the writing style, the main characters, the strength of the main characters’ character, and the genre of the book too.
This was my first book by the author but in the future I’d like to read more. I like the writing style, the main characters, the strength of the main characters’ character, and the genre of the book too.
May 17, 2022
Although Blown's plot is a known one, the housewife does not know anything about her spouse's wrongdoings and being thrown into the nightmare to save her life and that of her child, the story is fast-paced, with a lot of twists and turns that keep your attention from the beginning. Nolon King was able to write an excellent story with the most unexpected outcome, the reader could imagine. I do enjoy reading his books and Blown is no different. Keep them coming I'll keep on reading!
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
May 23, 2022
Allison was living what she thought was a perfect life. She had a husband and a daughter Sarah. Until her husband was found dead, murdered in her life changed. She became under suspicion for being a drug dealer even though she knew nothing about her husbands dealings. I found the plat very interesting and the characters well written. I like the way Allison‘s character changed throughout the book and she finally found the string she didn’t think she ever had. I recommend this book for all who like a good thriller mystery.
May 28, 2022
A fast-paced read, maybe more of a 2.5 stars. Alison's husband, Tom, is unexpectedly murdered. To make matters worse, it turns out he had a secret life she knew nothing about and was dealing drugs. The cause of his death was because of this secret life he was leading. It turns out Tom owed some bad people quite a bit of money and now it's on Alison to pick up where her late husband left off and repay the debt. It was an ok book, was a bit all over the place and Alison was a bit of a blah character. Ending seemed too happy and a bit out of left field.
June 14, 2022
This is a very exciting psychological thriller that I enjoyed reading. This story is about the wealthy Tanner family living the good life until Alison Tanner's husband Tom is murdered. Alison realizes Tom's great job isn't what she thought it was and he owes a lot of money to some very bad people in the drug world. Alison has been told she must come up with the money. Between the DEA, local police and the drug people, Alison is caught right in the middle and must work under cover to get the money and bring the bad guys to the authorities.
May 9, 2022
Well I am very glad that Netgalley approved me to read this King & Wright book. When I started to read it I wasn't sure as everything that could go wrong did!!! but the more I read it the more I enjoyed it with a bit of black humour, if you liked Breaking Bad, you'll love this, with a female protagonist.
One day she wakes up and her life is not hers (literally😅), not that she really liked the way it was anyway. I read it in one sitting!!! Definitely a recommended read👍
One day she wakes up and her life is not hers (literally😅), not that she really liked the way it was anyway. I read it in one sitting!!! Definitely a recommended read👍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews