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Kate Mathis
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Living Lies (Agent Ward Novels Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Kate Mathis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 607 ratings
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Agent Ward Adventures Begin with Living Lies
AN AMAZON BEST SELLER*
Living Lies by Kate Mathis - Book 1 of 6 in the Agent Ward Novels

The adventure begins with Living Lies. Meet secret agent Melanie Ward, who quits the spy game, after 10 years, when a justly earned promotion is snatched away by her nemesis, the arrogant and smug, Son-of-a-Senator. After moving back home to live with her parents, Melanie quickly learns that is easier living a life of danger as a spy, then at home with her mother.

Melanie Ward is a strong female character who excels at her job but is a little vulnerable when it comes to her personal life. This series is a Mashup of of action/adventure romance and comedy.

Second Chance (Book2 of the Agent Ward Novels)
Heat Wave (Book 3 of the Agent Ward Novels)
Chase (Book 4 of the Agent Ward Novels)
Shock Wave (Book 5 of the Agent Ward Novels)
Mind Games ( Book 6 of the Agent Ward Novels)

Top Amazon rankings of ebook categories for "Living Lies"
#1 in Action & Adventure * 
#1 in Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue* 
#14 in Top 100 Kindle eBooks* 
*Kindle Nation Sponsorship Results 4/27/2012
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 6
    Agent Ward Novels
  2. Print length
    389 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    November 8, 2013
  6. Grade level
    12 and up
  7. File size
    1154 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mathis keeps things going with a nice flair for dialogue. In what appears to be the first volume in a series, Melanie is off to a good start."
- J.C. Martin, Arizona Daily Star
"Mathis leaves readers wondering what will happen next. This is undoubtedly just the beginning of a thrilling mystery series of Agent Melanie Ward's adventures. Mathis offers an easy-reading, fast-paced style and develops characters fully, so I can barely wait for more."
- Bonnie Lewis, The Virtual Scribe

From the Author

Thank you, Enjoy and Love All
 - Kate

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002WPZUMO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ PowWow Publishing; 3rd edition (November 8, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1154 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 389 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 607 ratings

About the author

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Kate Mathis

Kate Mathis

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IN PROGRESS:

Book 2 of Christina's Chronicles

When asked if the Agent Ward Novels are a biography, Kate replies, "Melanie is so much more capable and braver then I am." ... Though there are times when she just answers with a knowing smile, seeming to imply that she could tell you, but then she would have to eliminate you.

Kate's lively personality shows up in all her books. She enjoys all types of genres, which is evident in the Agent Ward Novels. A Mashup of Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance and Suspense.

On the Urban Fantasy/Young Adult side, Kate has created another world in Moon Over Monsters. "I wanted to write a young adult, something that my twin daughters would enjoy. I think it's important to have good strong female characters.

She graduated from the University of Arizona and lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, twin daughters, 3 dogs and all her fictional characters.

For more about Kate check out her website at http://www.katemathis.net

or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Lies/228205853872791

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
607 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

SL
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
I thought this was a well written novel. The plot shifted a couple of times, and there were some surprises. I am usually not surprised by twists, but even I was surprised. Agent Ward was not a mindless bimbo as some of the women characters from other books usually are. She is smart, dedicated to her work and tries hard to reach the top. I could not put the book down. The ending had closure, but still leads into the next book. I liked that. The book had a few unanswered things to be done, but still had some closure. There were a few love scenes, but nothing really too graphic, so it can be read by adult and older teen alike.
I can't wait to start the next book.
As to the comments on it being a spy thriller.....well it was not a true spy thriller. It had spy type feel, it was thrilling, but it was getting to know the characters in a situation that takes place while she is an agent. It is more of a romance and having the heroine learn who she is and what she wants from life in a spy setting. There were bad guys and situations of a typical SS story. It was still very enjoyable.

Book two has more of the spy themes. Book one introduces the characters, but still very good.
2 people found this helpful
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DC
4.0 out of 5 stars Really Enjoyed It
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2012
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This was a pleasant surprise find. While not on my keeper Oh My Gosh Have to Buy It shelf it did solidly make the Fun to Read shelf.

I had to put this down a couple times to do other things, and I didn't think I was invested in the story but then I would start thinking, hmmm, what is happening to Melanie? And back I would go to the story. There were a couple moments I laughed out loud, and a few I cringed at, but it was a solidly good book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

While I picked this up when it was a freebie I would have no qualms paying for other work buy this author. The characters were good. At times I felt there was a little too much detail; however, it all tied together neatly at the end, and it was a good segue way for the next book.

There was quite a bit of background information, and for awhile it feels like two completely different lives, but hang in there it works really well.

Looking forward to other books by this author.
One person found this helpful
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Alan W.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Love Story, A Spy Story
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2021
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Starts out as a love story, than becomes a spy story, then it is a love story, than a spy story again! With plenty of lies! You will never expect the ending though!! That’s for sure!!
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Mary McNulty Jones
3.0 out of 5 stars Blame the Author AND the Editor (or lack thereof)
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2013
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I couldn't wait to dive into this book after reading the cover copy. What lover of romance and intrigue wouldn't eagerly start reading? Whomever wrote the cover copy is a marketing genius and gets 5 stars for drawing a reader in! I'd have to rate that person a 2 for truth in advertising, however. I'm all for popcorn reading, but this book, well...it was like the kernels left at the bottom of the bucket.

I won't go into a recap of the book's plot - it's been recapped enough in the reviews as it is. I'll just dig right into the meat of the review. First of all, from everything I've read, this is a debut novel. For a debut, it shows quite a bit of promise. Mathis understands how to dig into the heart of a character and develop said character - but has utterly no idea what to do with that information in a controlled, paced manner. For one thing, we see Melanie go from an apparent ice-queen at the office to a giggling, drunk mess, with very little warning. Usually only sociopaths are able to turn their emotions off and on like that. Next, there's the slight issue of plausibility. Melanie went from new hire to candidate for domestic bureau chief in just ten years? A seasoned, multi-lingual agent doesn't stop to do a background check on the man she's dating? Let's not even touch on the issues surrounding the shadowy government agency for which Mel works. In most books, suspension of disbelief is a definite factor - it's part of the escapism of reading. However, belief wasn't simply suspended in this book - it was hung out on the flagpole and beaten worse than the Dallas Cowboys. The closest this book came to plausibility was a brief glimpse from three blocks away during rush hour.

That leads me to the world-building aspect. If a bit more care had been taken with the research and world building in the novel, the previous issues would have been moot. A good writer can explain away just about anything with a few well placed words. This, of course, brings me to the next point - this book needs an editor, badly. The potential is there, waiting to be tapped, but the author needs someone to help her guide and shape the plot and characterization. Not only that, but I found numerous grammatical, spelling and formatting errors. A good editor, or even a good critique group, would have helped Mathis polish this book and make it something special, rather than something ordinary and, at times, painful to read.

One other thing I have a qualm with - The book is apparently put out through PowWow Publishing. With a name like that, I expected it to be a small press book publisher, maybe not in the same league as companies like Dorchester, Roc, Ace, DAW, Harlequin, etc., but fulfilling the same niche. Nope. PowWow is a marketing/advertising firm. From everything I gathered via LinkedIn and their own web page, PowWow has nothing to do with the content of the book - and everything to do with making it look pretty. Now, before I get strung up by people thinking I'm bashing PowWow, I'm not, not at all. They actually provided a very appealing cover - something that aided in my decision to purchase. However, there are no editorial services provided. Which means this is, essentially, a self-published book. And, sadly, it shows. Something to remember in writing/publishing - money flows toward the writer, not away (quote courtesy of John MacDonald). If an author has to pay to have their book published, something isn't quite right.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read with likeable characters!
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2012
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I was at a restaurant one day, reading a book on my Kindle. The author of this book approached me and told me about her book, which was available on Kindle. I checked it out, and it sounded interesting, so I downloaded it. I am glad I did! There were a few problems with the formatting in the Kindle version, and the book could have used some more editing. In addition, the characters were more like caricatures, and many of the relationships and action seemed to develop too quickly to be believable. That being said, I enjoyed the characters and the storyline immensely. A book doesn't have to be believable to be enjoyable, after all. I found myself looking foward to reading the book, and when I finished it last night, I immediately bought and downloaded the author's next book in this series.
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FarmGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2012
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I got this book for free but I would have paid the $4 for it! It was a great story and Melanie is a very likable, strong, funny character. And when she gets together with her posse it's just plain fun! There were a few moments in the middle where there was a little too much self pity for my taste but other than that it was great. I couldn't put it down and if you like mystery, romance, humor and an all around good book then read this one, it doesn't disappoint!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Verónica
2.0 out of 5 stars Living lies
Reviewed in Spain on November 2, 2016
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El planteamiento de esta novela me llamaba mucho la atención, y empecé a leerla con muchas ganas. La pena es que al llevar unas cuantas páginas leídas empezó a hacerse muy pesada.

La historia del principio, en la que la protagonista nos cuenta todo su romance con Danny me resulta demasiado larga, y creo que no es para nada necesario tanta explicación al menos en este primer volumen. No sé si la autora va a volver a sacar a relucir esa relación en otro momento, pero en este punto de la novela no era para nada necesario y lo único que hace es que la atención del lector acabe por decaer.
Después de esto me encontré con una parte un poco más interesante, 10 años después de estos acontecimintos. Pero esto ocurre ya bien entrado el libro, aproximadamente cuando llevaba un 30% de lectura, por lo que hasta ahí aun no se había planteado nada interesante (salvando las primeras páginas introductorias).

Esta segunda trama es la más interesante y es por la que elegí esta lectura, tratando del trabajo como agente secreto de la protagonista. Lo malo es que una vez que se acaba, y es muy pequeño el desarrollo, volvemos otra vez al tema personal, y aquí es donde volví a encontrarme con una lectura de lo más aburrida. La historia era distinta pero más de lo mismo.

Creo que se podría mejorar si no se hicieran esos bloques de temas a tratar. Creo que se pueden mezclar todos y hacer así la novela más interesante.

Finalmente, no me pareció una gran lectura. Parte de una buena idea pero no se ha sabido desarrollar. Me parece un libro que tiene mucho que mejorar para convertirse en una buena novela, pero tenía potencial.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2015
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a very good suspence novel ,i very much enjoyed it.
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Caterina Motta
5.0 out of 5 stars super!
Reviewed in Italy on July 28, 2014
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Non sono riuscita a posarlo, l'ho letto tutto d'un fiato!
Molto coinvolgente e divertente!
Non ero convinta di leggerlo viste alcune critiche negative ma poi ho deciso di dare a questo libro una chance e ho fatto bene!
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kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars read this book
Reviewed in Australia on December 17, 2013
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A great story from beginning to end. You will love the characters and be shocked at the end. I will definitely be continuing the story of Agent Ward.
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Mrs. Helen Stothard
4.0 out of 5 stars A little bit of everything
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2013
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I enjoyed this book, although at the start I thought I'd opened the wrong one because Mel is in college rather than a spy, stick with it and you soon get to the story.

It's got a bad guy, a good guy, a strong female lead and a bunch of blind dates that will make you laugh out loud, as well as one of those will they/won't they get together romances.

Not sure how to classify it, it's somewhere between an action movie/chick flick/romcom but it's an entertaining read.
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