Blog Tour: King of Code by CD Reiss
- KA
- Sep 25, 2017
- 8 min read
The wait is finally over. King of Code is LIVE on all platforms. I'm so excited for you all to enjoy this amazing book.
From New York Times Bestselling author, CD Reiss, comes a sexy tale of secrets, intrigue, betrayal, and a love worth crossing a continent for.
Taylor Harden is a man on the edge.
The edge of fame. The edge of untold wealth.
The edge of utter humiliation.
He built an unhackable system, and in front of everyone, it’s hacked.
His reputation goes from king to goat in a split second. Boom. Like that.
Some dude in Barrington, USA (AKA Nowhere) has locked down Taylor’s code, and if he doesn’t get it back, he’s going to be wearing a monkey suit for the rest of his life.
Except, this guy? This hacker from Nowhere? He’s not a guy.
Harper Watson’s all woman. And she has a plan for Taylor, his code, and his body.
PURCHASE LINKS
Excerpt:
“About time!” the older lady shouted.
“Is Harper back?” I asked, handing the bags to the blushing redhead.
As if summoned, Harper came through the swinging door, keeping it open so everyone could get past. She looked at me through the screen.
“You coming in?” she asked.
“We need to talk.”
“Did the decryption key work?”
The door slapped closed behind her as she came out, and we were alone. The way the setting sun hit her cheeks made her glow, and the strands of gold hair at the edges looked translucent. She belonged on a postcard.
I kept forgetting she was holding me hostage. I kept forgetting I needed to think strategically. I had more at stake with this girl than I’d ever had with another.
“Did you doubt it would work?”
“Not really. I’m just making conversation.”
“What are the thorns about?” I pointed at the thorn bed that had eaten my phone and went down the stairs to the yard.
She came after me. “Don’t you have these where you’re from?” She snapped a dry twig off the end.
“Roses? Yes. Impenetrable, groomed thorn bushes in our yards? No.”
“It’s not normal to give the gardeners in town something to do?” We walked around the perimeter.
“You are not normal.”
“It still blooms in spring. It’s really nice. You should see it.”
We were at the back end of the yard, where the very top of the factory’s roof cut the horizon.
I took her hand, pulling her to a stop. “Harper.”
“Taylor?” Her hair flew in her mouth when she turned, and she drew her finger across her cheek to get it out.
What was I supposed to tell her again? That I knew we’d interviewed her. That I didn’t give her the job despite her having a leg up on everyone else we saw.
But was I contrite? Accusatory? Was I just going to relay information? What did I want out of her after I told her I knew?
“Thank you for helping today,” she said. “If you’d asked me when we met, ‘Would Taylor Harden help clean the factory?’ I would have said, ‘No, not for any reason.’ But there you were. Pushing a broom. Scooping up shit. Not being an asshole.”
“My watch was at stake.”
“Yeah. Whatever. You can say what you want to keep your reputation as a shithead intact.”
“I have a reputation as a shithead?”
“You know you do.”
I did know it, and I reveled in it.
She faced me and put her other hand out. I took it, holding both hands between us. I couldn’t help it.
“Well, you guys are such a bunch of sad sacks I had to help. And let me tell you, every guy in Barrington has a little asshole in him. Trust me. I’ve played pool with them.”
“I want to say…” She stopped herself as if she really didn’t want to say. “Let’s get together tonight and get you another decryption code. But… saying this is stupid.” She bit her lip.
“Say it anyway.”
“The sooner you get four codes, the sooner you leave.”
I looked at our hands so I wouldn’t have to look at her.
“I’m not sure if I want that,” she said.
Written by: CD Reiss
Narrated by: Christian Fox
Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-12-17
Publisher: Flip City Media Inc
When Whispersync kicks in I believe it’ll be $7.49/ £3.49
REVIEW
Rating:
Story - 5 stars
Performance - 5 stars
Overall - 5 stars
Taylor Harden has created an unhackable code, he’s the new King in town; the King of Code. That is until he is hacked, in front of everyone and locked out of his own system. Of course, he plays it down while scrambling to find the person that did the unthinkable and regain access to his system. He heads to a rundown town to find the guy responsible, instead, he finds Harper Watson and she has demands. Are they something he is willing to give? Can they resist the lure of each other? What happens if they both get what they want? You’re going to have to grab this book to find out.
Firstly, if you’re looking for a fluffy, hearts and flowers romance, this is not the book for you. This is not your typical romance novel, it is something, new and different. The way forward in my opinion. However, if you like twists and intrigue and an intense story, pick this beauty up today!
I think King of Code just became my favourite book this year. This book kept me on my toes, just when I thought I had it figured out CD Reiss changed things up and had me guessing again. She has created a book that is unique, intelligent and sexy as hell. I love that she doesn’t talk down to her readers, she knows we’re a smart bunch and treats us as such. She doesn’t explain every little thing, just enough to give you an ‘a-ha’ moment. She dropped so many clues throughout this book that I feel like I need to go back and listen to it all over again so I can pick up on the ones I missed, because she does it so subtly that if you’re not looking for them, you’ll likely miss them, and I freaking love it! Yes, the story includes code talk, the title kind of gives that away, right? But it isn’t overdone, again, just enough to give you an idea of what the characters are experiencing. I kept thinking of it as a need to know basis. This book has so many different elements; friendship, small-town life, love, understanding, redemption, it literally has something for everyone.
I need to talk about these characters for a minute or five. I loved them so much. Each one was so different. Firstly, the man of the hour, Taylor Harden, the entire book is from his POV and it worked brilliantly, I loved being in his mind throughout all the events in the book and knowing what and how he was thinking. He had that commanding presence but was also very sweet and kind-natured. I liked that he struggled with some of the demands Harper had, that he didn’t just jump into sleeping with her, considering what had happened up to that point.
Harper was an interesting character, to be honest, I didn’t know whether to like her or not. I had to ask myself if she was male and did the same things to a female would I have been ok with it, the fact is, no I wouldn’t, which is why I struggled in the beginning with her. However, the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. The devotion she had from the residents of Barrington was one of the reasons that I had to stop and think ‘she can’t be that bad’. She was crazy for sure but vulnerable, more vulnerable than she let people believe. I ended up absolutely adoring her. I liked that we didn’t know her reasoning, that we found out when Taylor did, in little dribs and drabs. It made her character even more interesting and made me so much more invested in the story. I HAD to know why!!!!!!
The secondary characters really enriched this story, Keaton who was kind of scary but in a, you don’t mess with my friend kind of way, plus he’s British and you know I have to support my fellow countryman. Taylor’s ‘people’ and Harper’s sister, Catherine were executed brilliantly and gave more understanding and definition to the main characters.
The town of Barrington played a huge role in this book, it was like a character all of its own. I loved that, I loved seeing how all the residents cared for and protected each other. The way they all worked together, even though they were struggling. It was beautiful and it was easy to fall in love with the town and the residents along with Taylor.
Taylor and Harper’s relationship was one of beauty as it progressed and at times, it was funny and crazy and even sad. Of course, this is CD Reiss we’re talking about so you know the sex was off the charts steamy, but, as always, it played a part, there was always a reason, it was never just to steam up someone’s kindle or audible app.
When I heard Christian Fox was going to narrate this audiobook I was excited. I’ve listened to a few of his narrations in the past and thoroughly enjoyed them, my introduction to the work of CD Reiss was an audiobook Christian Fox narrated, we have history, so, I don’t make this next statement lightly. King of Code is the best performance I’ve heard him do, it was amazing. It took me longer than it should have to listen to it because I made it last, I didn’t want to rush through it, I wanted to spend as much time as the book would allow with this performance. It’s no secret I often listen at a higher speed, not only did I not want to with this performance but it wasn’t necessary, I would have missed so much. Each character was unique and easily distinguishable from each other, as were the male and female characters. He never overplays the difference between them. It’s subtle but effective. There are several different accents in this book and they were all fantastic. The standout character for me has to be Taylor Harden, Christian performed his strong but sweet personality flawlessly. As for a secondary character, Keaton’s air of mystery and danger was really enhanced by the tone Christian chose to use for him, you know how judgemental I can be over the British accent but he nailed it.
This audiobook has sound effects, seriously! And it offers the listener such a new and interesting experience. Each chapter point, rather than saying ‘Chapter 1’ is music, from a cello and it’s beautiful. I may have skipped back a time or two just to listen to it again. I felt this audio production was extremely unique and the way forward for audiobooks. Speaking of unique, whenever Taylor is working code out, it has a voice-over sound (I’m not sure that’s what it is called, but the best way I can describe it), so you hear what he’s saying and what he’s thinking at the same time, it was extremely clever and well done. I say that because you don’t miss anything, it’s still very clear what is being portrayed to the listener. It really immerses you in the story.
**I'll just be over here changing all my passwords**
About the Author
CD Reiss is a New York Times bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.
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