Book: City of
Gold
Matthew Connor
Adventure Series (Book 1)
by Carolyn
Arnold
Publisher:
Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc
Date of
publication: 27 November, 2015)
ISBN-13:
978-1988064666
Genres:
Suspense, Adventure
Synopsis:
Finding the Inca’s lost City
of Gold would be the discovery of a lifetime. But failing could mean her death…
Archaeologist Matthew Connor
and his friends Cal and Robyn are finally home after a dangerous retrieval
expedition in India. While they succeeded in obtaining the priceless Pandu
artifact they sought, it almost cost them their lives. Still, Matthew is ready
for the next adventure. Yet when new intel surfaces indicating the possible
location of the legendary City of Gold, Matthew is hesitant to embark on the
quest.
Not only is the evidence
questionable but it means looking for the lost city of Paititi far away from
where other explorers have concentrated their efforts. As appealing as making
the discovery would be, it’s just too risky. But when Cal’s girlfriend, Sophie,
is abducted by Matthew’s old nemesis who is dead-set on acquiring the Pandu
statue, Matthew may be forced into action. Saving Sophie’s life means either
breaking into the Royal Ontario Museum to steal the relic or offering up
something no one in his or her right mind can refuse—the City of Gold.
Now Matthew and his two
closest friends have to find a city and a treasure that have been lost for
centuries. And they only have seven days to do it. As they race against the
clock, they quickly discover that the streets they seek aren’t actually paved
with gold, but with blood.
Excerpt from City of Gold
From Chapter 4
IAN BRIDGES USUALLY TOOK
PLEASURE in knowing what most others did not. In this case, he knew that the
famous treasure hunter, Gideon Barnes, was none other than the mayor’s son. And
it wasn’t welcome news. An interested third-party had hired Ian to get the
Pandu statue back at any cost, but with it now secured behind bulletproof glass
and the high-profile identity of its discoverer, the situation had escalated,
leaving him with limited options for the object’s retrieval. Sadly, murder,
although it was his gifted skillset, wasn’t a service required by this
employer. And bribery presented too much risk and was certain to attract
undesired media attention.
The crowd at the exhibit had
thinned, leaving behind those who didn’t rank high enough in society to secure
an invitation to the Connor mansion. Ian made his way toward the statue, his
confidence building with each step. Yes, the situation certainly posed a
challenge, but he had faith in his abilities. He wasn’t familiar with failing,
and he wasn’t about to learn the lesson now.
The statue was enclosed in a
glass cube atop a four-foot-tall pedestal. A red rope with brass hardware
surrounded it, encouraging people to stand a couple feet out of its reach. The
area was obviously off-limits. But he still considered stretching out to touch
the glass. He’d love to smear his fingerprints all over it simply because its
contents were so highly esteemed. It was treated more regally than some people
were, and yet when he looked at it, he saw nothing more than an ugly man in a
dress. Clearly burying an item in the sand for thousands of years transformed
even worthless idols into sought-after treasures. What his employer saw in it
or why it was sought after in the first place wasn’t information Ian required
to do his job. Whether it was to provide bragging rights to its owner or to
sell it or something else, he didn’t care.
“It’s beautiful,” a woman
said. He turned in the direction of the sound and a woman in a black evening
dress sidled up next to him. Her hair was a rich red and fell over her shoulders
in flowing curls. Her fingers were long and adorned with rings, her wrists were
slender and wrapped in silver bracelets. She also wore a silver cuff on her
upper arm. Now this woman had a brand of beauty he could appreciate.
She seemed to assess him as he
did her. “Where are my manners?” She positioned her purse under an arm and
extended her hand. “My name is Veronica Vincent.”
“Ian.” He took her hand and
was certain to make eye contact as he shook it. While some women might find the
move too familiar and bold, this was the territory upon which he loved to
tread. Eyes truly were the windows to the soul.
“Just Ian? Or do you have a
last name, too?” Her seductive smile curved one side of her mouth slightly
higher than the other. With it, her eyes narrowed marginally. Oh yes. This
woman welcomed the attention and reciprocated his attraction.
“My friends just call me Ian.”
He had to keep some anonymity. His line of work didn’t afford him the luxury of
screwing up because he wanted to get laid.
“All right. Mysterious. I like
it.” She slipped her arm through his.
They stood like that for a
while, him watching her, her watching the statue.
“You think that thing is
beautiful?” He’d come to learn that women found a controversial subject more
entertaining than one that had him acting the yes-man.
“Absolutely.” She pried her
eyes from the robed sculpture, letting them drift to meet his. “I take it you
do not?” There was a small hitch in her eyebrows, and he knew he was in.
He shook his head. “Not in the
least. They do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I
am starting to wonder if we’re looking at the same thing.”
She pouted. He was scoring
gold here.
“And while this statue is the
most hideous thing I’ve ever seen, you, on the other hand, are very stunning.”
He threw her an arrogant smile. He was due for a night of blowing off steam,
and there was no better place to clear the mind than between the legs of a
beautiful woman.
A quick Q&A with Carolyn
Arnold about her book and its audience.
Q: What inspired you to write City
of Gold?
Carolyn Arnold: A while back, I
was searching for an action-adventure book to read, and I quickly noticed that
most stories in the genre start off at a point long ago in history with people
who never enter the story again after an initial prologue. But I wanted to read something more in the
vein of Indiana Jones, that started in the present day, with action right from
the start that just keeps going. Who doesn’t remember the boulder scene in
Raiders of the Lost Ark when Indy is running for his life? Now, that’s what I’m
going for!
Q: Many people have written
about the Inca’s lost City of Gold. Why did you choose to write about it?
CA: I chose to write
about this particular legend because I find it absolutely fascinating! A city
made of gold and treasure beyond imagining? How could I resist? I studied and
researched to the point of obsession, and I even wished to be an explorer
myself so I could set out in search of the city.
In fiction, the
City of Gold is referred to by many names. The most common is El Dorado. But El
Dorado actually referred to a ritual, not a place. Paititi is the true name for
the lost City of Gold. Paititi translates to “city of the jaguar,” “all white
and shiny,” and “white gold.” Many stories have emerged about the city and
explorers have set out in search of it throughout South America, many losing
their lives.
I examined the
history of the city and explored the area on Google Earth. Plucking clues from
different reference materials, I picked a spot where I think Paititi might
actually be located. But who knows? What I do know is every story written about
Paititi is unique and stands alone, and because Paititi hasn’t been discovered
(yet?), there is a lot of room for play for a fiction writer.
Q: What can readers expect
from this book and this series?
CA: This book and
series is not your everyday action adventure. In fact, it’s been designed for
the mystery lover. For example, in City of Gold, there is a kidnapping,
a ransom, and a police investigation, as well as lots of action-packed
adventure and exploration itself.
The series will
follow that same kind of trajectory, with Matthew, Cal, and Robyn continuing to
unearth treasures around the world. Think a modern-day Indiana Jones.
Q: Does this book contain a
special message for your readers?
CA: Yes! I want
people to believe again and realize that all things are possible. I want people
to play more, explore his or her inner child, and live lives of passion and
joy. When things are dark in our lives, what does it hurt to hope? Somewhere
along the line of human history, it became foolish to believe in something
without first seeing it with our own eyes. But what if we gave ourselves over
to optimism and positivity? Maybe we’re afraid of being hurt or disappointed,
but what harm does it really do to believe? I can speak from personal
experience that keeping a positive attitude only added to my life and brought
joy. While the end result to my situation didn’t bring happiness, it didn’t
hurt anymore because I held a positive attitude throughout the experience. In
fact, I believe it even made miracles during that time possible.
So, if you’re
looking for something to believe in, or if you just want to sit back and fall
into an adventure, I encourage you to pick up a copy of City of Gold
today.
Check the video on the
painting for the cover:Update: Nadaness In Motion reviews The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh, book 2 in the Matthew Connor Adventure Series by Carolyn Arnold.
More reviews for Carolyn Arnold's books:
Cozy
mysteries in the Mckinley Series: Coffee
Is Murder, Halloween
Is Murder and Money Is Murder (out August 2019)
Police procedural and thrillers in On
the Count of Three (Book 7 in the Brandon Fischer series)
About the Author
CAROLYN ARNOLD is the
international best-selling and award-winning author of the Madison Knight,
Brandon Fisher, and McKinley Mystery series. She is the only author with POLICE
PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.™
Carolyn was born in a small
town, but that doesn’t keep her from dreaming big. And on par with her large
dreams is her overactive imagination that conjures up killers and cases to
solve. She currently lives in a city near Toronto with her husband and two
beagles, Max and Chelsea. She is also a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD
Online:
And don’t forget to sign up
for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.
Purchase links for City of
Gold:
The book is also available in paperback
and hardcover.
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