Chasing the Dollar

Miranda Vaughn Mysteries Volume 1

By: Ellie Ashe

Narrated by: Teri Schnaubelt

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Miranda Vaughn has spent the last year and a half fighting for her freedom. Arrested for a fraud scheme involving her supervisors, she's lost her job at a prestigious investment firm, her fiancé, and her reputation. She walks out of the courtroom a free woman, only to find that life has a few more curve balls to throw her way. The jury may have found her not guilty, but Miranda is broke, in debt to her beloved aunt, and can't find a job because of the cloud of suspicion still swirling around her. She's not going to be able to move forward with her life until she finds out who set her up.

Buried in the evidence against her, Miranda finds a larger scheme, one involving far more money than the $37 million her boss fleeced from unsuspecting investors. Determined to uncover the truth, Miranda begins her own investigation - leading her to Macau and Belize, and into the arms of one sexy FBI agent, who may or may not prove to be trustworthy. When the danger heats up, Miranda finds herself in a race against time to find the person behind it all. Before he finds her....

©2014 Ellie Ashe (P)2015 Ellie Ashe

Heroine Solved Embezzlement

Chasing the Dollar is an action-packed mystery thriller. Miranda Vaughn has been framed and on trial for embezzling million of dollars from the financial firm, she worked for. All of her friends and her fiance have abandoned her. When she has been found innocent, Miranda set off to find who has frame her and why. One thing she didn't expect was bumping into the FBI agent, Jake Barnes, who arrested her when the embezzling scandal broke.

Jake Barnes is trying to find out what has happened to his sister's ex-husband, who has disappeared from the same firm that Miranda used to work for. As their agendas seemed to collide with each other, Miranda reluctantly agreed to work with Jake to find his brother-in-law and to discover who was behind the embezzlement that ran deeper than the financial firm, Miranda worked for.

I was listening to the audiobook, Chasing the Dollar. The beginning was slow as to provide the readers/listeners the background of what has happened to Miranda Vaughn. Once Miranda decided to fly half way across the world of where all the embezzling transactions originated from and partnering with Jake, the story is a non-stopped action packed thriller.

I love that Miranda is an intelligent heroine who could think on her feet when she is in a tough situation. Jake on the other hand, is cool and collective and always seemed to know when Miranda is less than honest with him. I also loved that physical attraction that both tried to fight and ignore. Miranda cannot forgive Jake for arresting her especially when she doesn't even know him. Jake didn't believe that Miranda was totally innocent and that she was framed.

Readers/Listerners can relate to some of the heroine's actions. When her captured promised that Miranda was not going to be harm, I was thinking "Liar" just as I heard the narrator, Terri Schnaubelt narrated "Liar." I have to chuckle about my response.

I can't wait for the next book and see Miranda and Jake's relationship develops.

I was given this audiobook from the author via Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or influenced in any way for writing this review.

Fun Mystery

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Chasing the Dollar is an adventure and mystery that is a fun read even though it is suspenseful at times.

Miranda Vaughn was arrested for fraud and embezzlement at the investment company she worked at and she was found not guilty, which she was. She was set up. Unfortunately, Miranda used all of her savings as well as her aunt’s savings for her trial and she can’t find a job because now she’s a high risk hire.

Miranda decides to try to clear her name and ends up on the adventure of her life. She also has to trust Jake Barmes, the FBI agent who had arrested her! They get to know each other and she realizes he’s not so bad while he realizes she’s not guilty. Also, to make things even more interesting, there’s a spark between them.

Chasing the Dollar never slows down. Ellie Ashe has a great writing style and the narrator, Teri Schnaubelt, does the story justice. She brings the characters to life and I look forward to listening to her narration of the next book in the series. If you like mystery/thrillers with a bit of humor, you’ll enjoy Chasing the Dollar.

Entertaining

Where does Chasing the Dollar rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to audiobooks that I rated 5 stars (this one four) but I did find it very entertaining and engaging.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The author created a just right tension that keep me listening. Although some parts were somewhat predictable there was enough unknown that I stayed engaged. Where was the relationship between Miranda and Jake going? Was she going to clear her name? The action scenes were also compelling.

Which scene was your favorite?

Romance is one aspect of this story. Although I can't point out a specific scene I really liked how the author developed this relationship. I kept expecting, like so many other books, that the relationship would be fully developed in a chapter or two. Ashe cleverly did not allow that to happen in this book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Without providing any spoilers the part when Miranda left the hospital.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author at no cost for an honest review. This story would make a great movie!!

Fast Paced Light Fun Mystery/Thriller

⌂
Miranda Vaughn was accused of some high-stake espionage from within her company. After a year and a half trial she is found not guilty, but that is just the beginning of her troubles.

She had to invest all of her money/property/savings into her defense. Her fiancé dumped her at the beginning of the trial. Her reputation is 'radioactive' so she can't find a job in her expert field and her name is still surrounded with suspicion.

What is a girl to do? She could work in her aunt's shop or she could take the bull by the horns and try to figure out who set her up and how to reimburse the many investors with whom had lost millions.

She opts for the second and heads off into what will be a country hopping, across the pond and chasing leads that lead that take her to places she couldn't have imagined.

Oh, I also almost forgot to mention Jack! Jack is the FBI agent who originally arrested her, put her in handcuffs and read her her rights. Why is he turning up at every location? Is he still trying to put her back in jail?

This great book is perfect for anyone who likes a lighthearted mystery with just a touch of romance & danger. *I was gifted this book in exchange for my review. I was all in, from the beginning with the action, humor and escapades of Miranda and Jack.

It reminds me of Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evonivich...a compliment.

Teri Schnaubelt is fantastic. I've listened to several of her books and the performance is always spot on. If the title looks interesting to me and I see that she is the narrator, I know it will be worth the listen.

Notes: this is a fun mystery with no warnings needed, it is very lighthearted and an enjoyable listen

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A light but fun mystery ...

Any additional comments?

Chasing the Dollar is about Miranda Vaughn who was working in the finance world until she was falsely accused of cheating investors out of their retirement accounts. After spending a year and half trying to prove her innocence in court she is found not guilty. During all of this though she loses her job, fiance` and livelihood. Helping her Aunt Marie in the local bakery, Miranda has to think of what she is going to do next. While going over the evidence from her trial, she discovers a money trail that could lead to the real bad guys in the scheme. With the help of the FBI agent who arrested her Miranda travels the world to find answers. Will she be able to solve the mystery in time?

Ms. Ashe has written a well rounded and thought out mystery. I would like to read more of her work.

Ms. Schaubelt is a wonderful narrator. She is very good at this style of fiction. She gives each character their own voice and with her pacing and emotions brings the story to life. I always enjoy her work and look forward to listening to some more.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

I'm Hooked

Any additional comments?

I love a good cozy. I love a snarky female lead. I love a hot man that adds some steam. This book has all three. I listened to this book while on a road trip and there were so many times I found myself paying more attention to the story than the road (ha!). It's a great story with fun characters and a fast paced plot. I actually stayed in my car a little longer when I got home so I could finish it. The narrator does a great job with the voices and seemed to capture each of the unique personalities.

A Very Pleasant Surprise

What a nice surprise !! A well written, good story and very well narrated book. This is a book worth downloading and listening to. I am looking forward to the next Miranda Vaughn Mystery and am going to search for more books narrated by Teri Schnaubelt, right now.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com"

Stellar Start to a Series

5★ Audiobook⎮Some things come into your life when you need them most. Chasing the Dollar found its way to me (via Ellie Ashe) at the exact right moment. I was suffering from an overdose of Horror titles and had just been nearly traumatized by The Walking Dead season premiere. This cozy mystery was the perfect remedy. If you’re looking for a cozier version of Mike Wells’ Lust, Money and Murder, look no further.

Everything about Chasing the Dollar was executed in stellar fashion. It was incredibly fun to listen to and easy to follow along with. Ellie Ashe’s writing style is fantastic. She paints vibrant and vivid imagery with her words and transports the listener across the globe with Miranda.

Miranda Vaughn is an excellent protagonist. I felt almost immediate empathy for her since her situation could happen to anyone. I found her both relatable and admirable. I never wavered in rooting for her. She was very well-written and came across as a multifaceted character. None of the characters in Chasing the Dollar were “over-the-top”.

An issue I often have with cozy mysteries is that they are prone to cheesiness. An author has to work for my suspension of disbelief. I don’t just hand it over automatically. Ashe’s character development is subtle and intertwined with the gradually intensifying plot. I became wrapped up in the story without even realizing it. That is skilled storytelling.

Furthermore, the romance in Chasing the Dollar also wins my approval. That’s an honor few literary romances get to hold. Its slow and natural progression made it very believable and kept the focus on the larger plot. I will, without a doubt, be continuing on with this series and I have high hopes for its remaining installments.

Narration review: Teri Schnaubelt’s narration is new to me, but I won’t soon forget it. The narration was almost as enjoyable as the story. Her voice has a beautiful timbre. Teri’s performance gave the narration a very natural and pleasing rhythm. She showed excellent judgment in timing and her voice exuded emotion appropriate to every scene. I hope to hear more from her soon. ♣︎

I don't understand the title.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review. It's a good book and a good story, I just really don't see how the title fits. I mean, I get that it's about a fraud scheme and the money trail plays an important role in solving the case, but a less generic title would have served the story better.

I love that it begins almost in the middle of the action. The heroine has already been falsely charged and tried and barely acquitted in the first paragraphs. It makes for an interesting and intriguing plot.

The only scene I have a problem with came in the middle at a pier. I couldn't follow where a certain boat came from. But I assume I was distracted and just missed an important sentence.

Otherwise, the narration and writing were top notch. Really liked it.

Excellent start to a new series

Ellie Ashe has crafted an excellent installment to start a new series. I have already purchased and downloaded the next installment. I’m hoping this series will continue past the two available now. I highly recommend this book/audiobook to cozy mystery fans.