State of Affairs

By: Marie Force

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

The phone call that changed their lives forever....

Minutes after Vice President Nick Cappuano and Lt. Sam Holland get the call that President Nelson has been found dead in the residence on Thanksgiving, they’re still processing that Nick has been asked to come to the White House to take the oath of office. 

As they go through the motions to ensure a peaceful transition of power, Sam has a million and one concerns about her husband, her family, the Nelson family, the country, and the enormity of what Nick is about to take on. In the back of her mind is another major concern: What does this mean for my job? No other first lady in history has held a job outside the White House, but she’s determined to be the first, to blaze new trails for those who will follow her. 

However, in order to do that, she quickly realizes that compromises will have to be made to continue working as a Homicide detective. Their lives become an immediate firestorm of meetings, requests for interviews, difficult questions from their children, and a host of potential landmines to navigate as they make the transition from second family to first family. An unexpected issue with a diplomatic trip to Iran quickly thrusts Nick into the thick of his new responsibilities while Sam confronts a murder investigation that may have ties to a cold case from 15 years ago. 

As everything around them spins out of control, Sam and Nick take refuge with each other, relying on their unbreakable bond to see them through the storm. 

©2021 HTJB, Inc. (P)2021 HTJB, Inc.

Loved the story line

Let the storyline and the characters were definitely real time as if this was actually happening. The narrator distinctly defined each one of the characters in her voice and inflexion. This is the 1st time I read Any of her books and I am anxious to continue the saga and get into the next book right away.

What A Ride!

I loved the Fatal series and knew I would love State of Affairs, I was right. Sam and Nick are a formidable team. Scotty and the Littles with Elijah and Tinker Belle are so precious. Just love Ms Force story telling. Great book!!

New series off to a great start!

With President Nelson’s unexpected death, Nick Cappuano has suddenly become the President. State of Affairs focuses on how the Cappuanos are navigating this new chapter of their lives amid the chaos.

I enjoyed seeing the Cappuanos navigating this significant life change and settling into the White House with the help of their friends and family. Old and new characters intermingle for this best of both worlds start to the new series. Amid all of the chaos, Sam and Nick work together to make sure they remain focused on what's important to them.

Narrator Eva Kaminsky does an excellent job. She deftly voices Sam’s uncertainty and determination to do it all — be a wife, mom, homicide detective, and First Lady.

With this entertaining, fast paced story, the First Family series is off to a great start!

Ugh! I don’t get it!

Sam…I dislike her now. She sounds self-absorbed and keeps repeating the same things every time she sees a new character. I’m all for being a bad ass First Lady who still has a career but she is ridiculous. She talks about it more than she does the actual job. I wanted to DNF this but kept holding out for someone to smack her and tell her to snap out of it.

Great continuation series

I was afraid if he became President it wouldn’t be as interesting, but I was wrong. This book had all the humor, tender moments and great police procedurals as the other. My only draw back was that it didn’t seem as sexy as most of the others. Also Sam ditching her Secret Service detail the first call she got after becoming First Lady was just stupid & immature, (didn’t fit with how she’d been portrayed so far) her story about couldn’t wait was ridiculous with as many agents as there were around, someone could have gone with her. Otherwise great book and great narration by Eva Kaminsky.

Here we go....

Marie has done it again. Loved Fatal series and now we get to continue the story!

Sam and Nick never disappoint!

Great book, love that many of the secondary characters are filling out! Can’t wait to see what’s in store next!

Leaves you wanting more...

Enjoyed the new direction of the book and can envision many more adventures with Sam & Nick.
Really looking forward to the next book in the series ❤️

Seriously? A chick flick

How on earth is this a NY Times Best Seller? More importantly, how on earth is this a thriller/suspense novel? Trust me, I read my share of thrillers and I thought this was a political thriller. But, it is a chick flick about the transformation of the second lady as she continues to hold her day-job as a detective. After researching the author, I infer that there are more novels that offer background of Sam Holland but I bet they are the same as this where the crime is very poorly put together and you have a whole of lot of family drama. I wish I could return this. Isn't worth that cup of coffee I spent on it.

Disappointed..but understand why Author explained

This book was more about placing each character from the Fatal Series into their new roles in this new First Family Series.

I am not trying to be harsh.
I am merely giving my honest opinion of State of Affairs, book one, after listening to State of Grace, book two in the First Family series.

State of Affairs has a lot of repetition and explaining...who, where, and what each character is and will be doing in the new First Family series.

I felt the murder was thrown in and solved in a day, cause that was what was expected. This book lacked the usual days of police investigations that usually make the books so great.
Sam spent more time running around to each character and clarifying their new roles.

I felt let down, but understand why the author explained so much in this first book.
It wasn't a favorite of mine. It was just okay, a first for me. I know you can't please everyone and I know it's just a fictional book. 😀

Starting a continuation of one series (The Fatal Series) and moving the characters from that series into their new roles into her new series (First Family) must of been important for the author to explain each characters role for her fans, I guess.

That's pretty much what this first book became for me as the listener..

I didn't write this review, until after listening to book two, State of Grace, in her First Family Series.

Happily, State of Grace is a Five Star Hit, as usual for Marie Force and her beloved characters -Sam, Nick, Family and Friends.
I was actually glad, Book two, State of Grace, delivered all that I have grown to love about the Fatal Series into the new First Family series.

So if you loved the Fatal Series, don't let this book, State of Affairs, stop you from continuing the new First Family Series.

Book two, State of Grace, does deliver!!
That book is another 5 🌟 Hit!!

This is just my opinion as a fan of her Fatal series. Some listeners may have truly enjoyed this first book in her First Family series. I truly hope you did.