Novel Threat

Pen and Dagger, Book 1

By: Traci Hunter Abramson

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

In a world of covert codes, two CIA operatives must infiltrate a New York publishing house, where every word on the page could be a weapon.

Brandon Hale, a seasoned CIA case officer, contemplates walking away from the covert world of espionage behind to embark on a quieter path in publishing. But his plan takes an abrupt turn when a critical source within the Labyrinth terrorist organization is assassinated, leaving behind a cryptic message about a New York publishing house. Rather than submitting his resignation, Brandon finds himself going undercover at Monroe Publishing to stop the next terrorist strike against the US.

Kimber Seidel, a CIA finance officer with secret aspirations of becoming a novelist, enjoys a serendipitous encounter with a handsome book lover like herself on her way home from London. Though she cannot reveal her true employment to her new friend, Brandon Hale, she can’t deny the instant spark that ignites between them. When Kimber’s manuscript is unexpectedly shopped to Monroe Publishing as a pawn in the CIA’s counterterrorism plot, Kimber must navigate the intersection of her literary dreams and her covert life as well as her deepening connection with Brandon.

Though each decoded message is leading Brandon and Kimber closer to the truth, it is also leading them into the line of fire, where the stakes are higher than anyone ever imagined.

©2025 Traci Hunter Abramson (P)2025 Shadow Mountain Publishing

Good scenario

Good story; things moved quicker than expected. Great read by narrator, inflecting varied dialogue for each character.

I’m a fan!

This is the first book I have read by Traci Hunter Abramson… and I will be reading LOTS more! I’m a fan!

Love tales of espionage

The author is adept in building the readers interest in the storyline and in the characters she creates.

Another Excellent Read!

Traci is always successful when it comes to creating characters that have depth to their individual personalities and in putting them into a believable storyline. Novel Threat was captivating from the very first page and held my attention all the way to the last page. Traci introduces the reader to the publishing world and the challenges an up and coming author might face when trying to get their manuscript sold for publication. Brandon and Kimber are likeable and I hope to see them in future novels.

The flow of the story

I liked every chapter of the book. Especially the main character Eisner. The job he had was so much like being a slave.

A Traci fan…love the story line….

I love the story line but the reader sounded stilted compared to her other readers. I’m not sure I’ll listen to this one again for that purpose.

Amazing Romantic Suspense

When going into one of Traci’s books you know it will be action packed. But I am often surprised with the vivid story, I can always picture her books like a movie playing in my head. And this one had everything, two CIA operatives, a budding romance, Book talk, and life threatening situations.

This was one of those un-put downable reads. From the very start I’m instantly invested in what will happen next. Traci has the ability to weave realistic characters that are easy to relate to. Two CIA agents placed on a path that leads them together time and again and they use their skills to stop a fiendish plot. And. And. Traci’s villains seem to have real tragic things happen to harden their hearts for vengeance.

Constantly feeling like I’m part of the team as I try to figure out Whodunit.

Brandon Hale. A CIA agent ready to resign before one of his Assests is lost. Determined to find out how to stop Labyrinth, a terrorist organization he is put undercover in New York.

Kimber Seidel is a CIA finance officer, and because of her skills she is strategically placed in New York as well, chance meetings with Brandon kinda seal the deal until she finds out he is CIA too, a bad experience has her hesitant to travers that road again and she sets her feelings aside to focus on the task.

You will love:
🗽Their Meet Cute
🗽A second Serendipitous meeting
🗽The Friendliest Neighbor that loves to bake
🗽End up in the same NY apartment
🗽Their Kiss
🗽Elevators (actually, you may not love this but some critical moments happen).
🗽Getting the Big Bookcase

Favorite Quote: “maybe I need to replace the bad memory with a good one.” (You can bet that meant a super sweet kiss).

If I didn’t make it clear, this is a story not to be missed!

Great thriller

This drew me in right away and kept me engaged throughout. I enjoyed the CIA meets book world storyline. Kimber and Brandon are great leading characters. There are so many great side characters but Trudy is my favorite. I look forward to the next book!

New characters leading to an exciting new series

Loved this audiobook! Realistic characters, great villains and wonderful heroes. I suspect this series mirrors the author’s own experiences in some respects.

Every page

I must listen to every Book by Traci Hunter Abramson. This is a new series for her. I look forward to more!