Blog Tour Review + Giveaway – Search For The Truth by Kathryn Freeman

Sometimes the truth hurts … 

When journalist Tess Johnson takes a job at Helix pharmaceuticals, she has a very specific motive. Tess has reason to believe the company are knowingly producing a potentially harmful drug and, if her suspicions are confirmed, she will stop at nothing to make sure the truth comes out. 

Jim Knight is the president of research and development at Helix and is a force to be reckoned with. After a disastrous office affair he’s determined that nothing else will distract him from his vision for the company. Failure is simply not an option. 

As Tess and Jim start working together, both have their reasons for wanting to ignore the sexual chemistry that fires between them. But chemistry, like most things in the world of science, isn’t always easy to control.

When author Kathryn Freeman joined me on Being Anne back in June – you can read her chocolate themed guest post here – she gave us a tantalising taster of Jim Knight. Rich, plain, dark chocolate – nothing elaborate, dark good looks, nothing hidden, what you see is what you get. Search For The Truth was published on 13th August by Choc Lit, available for kindle in the UK and US, and I have to say she wasn’t just leading us on – he’s simply gorgeous!

The book’s about more than just Jim and his heart-stopping looks though – it’s an excellent story set within the pharmaceuticals industry that Kathryn’s so familiar with, a tale of corporate corruption and struggling to change the way things are done that’s both very different and keeps you turning the pages. It’s also very much about lies and deception and their consequences, and about the pain of betrayal. But it’s also a sizzling love story, with ex-journalist Tessa and R+D president Jim at its core – both characters we grow to love and watch with horror as the inevitable uncovering of secrets comes closer and closer and threatens everything we’ve watched develop.

I have to return to Jim, because he’s quite mesmerising. His smouldering good looks are perfectly described, and when he smiles – and in time, he even laughs – you can feel the heat from the pages. But he’s a lot more than just the George Clooney of the pharma industry – he’s powerful but has integrity and honesty, he feels and hurts, he talks with passion about the things he believes in, and has a wonderful relationship with his mother. He also has a warehouse conversion penthouse flat, a cherished old Jaguar, and a body to die for… what more could you possibly ask for? 

Tessa’s an excellent character too – searching for the truth for the strongest of reasons, indulging her passion for the designer shoes she loves, so insecure about herself, but such a strong and likeable character. The dialogue throughout this book is sparkling – the early exchanges between Tessa and Jim are wonderful, and I just loved Jim’s conversations with his mum – but the author also convinces when Jim takes a stance on some of the issues he finds within the company.

I really enjoyed this book, and found it quite impossible to put down – I was so involved in the story, and the romance at its heart was simply wonderful. I know Choc Lit’s tag line is “where heroes are like chocolate – irresistible”, but Jim Knight… he’s most definitely one of the best!

I’m delighted to be able to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win a paperback copy of Kathryn’s earlier book, Too Charming, open internationally. Here’s the Rafflecopter for entry:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My thanks to Brook Cottage Books for inviting me to be part of the blog tour for Search For The Truth and providing an e-copy for review – thanks also to author Kathryn Freeman and publishers Choc Lit. 

A former pharmacist, Kathryn Freeman is now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero. 

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in her head. Then again, his unstinting support of her career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Follow Kathryn on Twitter: you’ll also find her on Facebook and Goodreads, and via her excellent website.