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When Emmy Black’s personal assistant forces her to take a day off from saving the world and go to an amusement park, he promises it’ll be a fun day out for her and the Blackwood girl squad. But it turns out the escaped monkeys are just the beginning, and before Emmy has even finished her first cocktail, she finds herself planning perhaps the most unusual rescue operation she’s ever been involved in. Thank goodness she brought her duct tape…

Sphere is a standalone humorous thriller novella in the Blackwood Security series - no cliffhanger!

105 pages, ebook

First published June 30, 2020

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About the author

Elise Noble

86 books686 followers
Elise Noble is an English rose with a few thorns who loves chocolate, sleep, and well-defined abs. Not hers, unfortunately. She lives near London with a horse who eats all her money and three dogs who eat everything else.

Elise writes real, gutsy heroines and flawed but swoon-worthy heroes in stories that mix mystery and mayhem, humour and happily-ever-afters.


You can get find her current freebies HERE.

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5 stars
102 (69%)
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41 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Leisel.
541 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2020
From the first paragraph I knew I was going to enjoy this book and certainly was not let down. So many humourous moments, including a escapee monkey once belonging to a rap singer and completing his heist to achieve 'the' look, to our beloved colourful yet slightly annoying
Bradley who's true mission in life is to bring even the most hardened female assassins to their knees.
It is truly wonderful to see how author Elise Noble is able to inject so much warmth and humour into her Blackwood Security series with these little offside novellas. But again she has created such wonderful strong female characters that it is nice to see a complete different aspect to their usual assassin personalities. Still, I'd always prefer to have the Blackwood girls and Bradley on my side any day, emergency or not.
A great quick read filled with fantastic characters, hilarous moments and a truly humane twist to the overall theme. Believe me you will be hooked on Elise's writing after this book.
274 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2020
What can go wrong on a day trip to an Sci-fi theme park? Bradley plans a day full of harmless fun that turns into anything but.
Elise uses humor to create a frenzied and chaotic reading adventure and experience. Hang on to your seat while Emmy and friends embark on a wild escapade.
This is a fun filled book! A must read.
Profile Image for Jezza Mae.
49 reviews
June 26, 2020
Sphere is a novella from the Blackwood Security Series by Elise Noble. It is an amazing and fun to read book. In this book you will read another adventure of Emmy together with her friends and Bradley. A total page turner and an definite must read.
85 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2020
Elise has done it again!! Another one of her amazing books...Never had I thought Emmy Black would do something so different from her usual job...and the icing on the cake is all the blackwood girls and ofcourse Bradley are there to make the story even more fantastic...
14 reviews
June 24, 2020
With monkeys and kidnappers on the loose you know it will be an eventful day.
This is s really fun book to read. You literally can’t guess what will happen next. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Karen.
105 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2020
Wow another brilliant book by Elise Noble!! Fast paced, on the edge of your seat action! Love Bradley and all his antics and that Emmy puts up with all his shit even though she’s the boss, she’s a softy underneath it all! At the start I was like what could possibly go wrong but as always Elise spins it in a direction you don’t expect! I may be slightly biased as Emmy and Black are one of my all time favorite book couples so if you haven’t read this series I highly recommend it. 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Jennifer Ogidi.
58 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2020
Just a day out with the girls and the kids to a sci-fi park which Bradley organised, what could go wrong right? Well escaped fashion monkeys and kidnappers is just something the Blackwood girls would rather preferred to the amusement park misery that Bradley choose for the them. Turn out the girls did have a fun adventure alright in the most unliikely form ever. To find out this unlikely adventure Emmy and the Blackwood girls had, why not pick up a copy of "Sphere" and I bet you, the book will keep you entertained till the end.
779 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2020
Sphere is the new, fabulous book in the outstanding Blackwood Security series; it can also be read as a delightful stand-alone.
Fan of the series will know what happened when Emmy and friends took a spa trip .. yet Bradley still thought a day out with their kids to a sci-fi theme park would be a good idea. Everything about this book is just genius. There are some regular characters, great new characters, drama, suspense, a monkey with attitude and Bradley at his hilarious best.
Elise Noble is an incredible author who combines serious and humour both seamlessly and brilliantly. This is another wonderful read and I loved it from start to finish. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Definitely worth its 5* rating.
69 reviews
July 8, 2020
A fun read with an unexpected twist

Emmy Black, who’s much more at home with the darker side of security and black ops, is persuaded by her assistant, Bradley, to take a day off with the Blackwood girls at an amusement park, with hilarious results. Mayhem seems to be a default setting wherever Emmy and her Blackwood girls go – add five kids and Bradley and this time is no exception.

Even having read all of Elise’s books, it still amazes me how much she can convey in just a few paragraphs. From the beginning, even if you’re not familiar with Emmy and the gang, she quickly paints a picture of warm friendship, quirky, unusual characters and gives the readers enough background to draw them in to her wacky, humorous world even if it’s their first visit. There are plenty of great descriptions, but one of my favourites is describing Bradley as looking like the silver-and-turquoise love child of a Q-tip and a cotton candy machine, shortly after which he startles a monkey, which escapes and lets out the parakeets… and things go rapidly downhill for the amusement park from there. The team soon spot something nefarious happening and enact a rescue, only to find out all is not as it seems.

Suffice to say, this is an entertaining tale that is well written and well worth your time. There is no need to have read any of Elise’s other books to enjoy this one, although I highly recommend them all.
Profile Image for Trish Goodgame.
434 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2020
Elise Noble, you have done it yet again! This novella was so entertaining! So many laughs, so many quotes to try to remember.

Bradley, Emmy's assistant has organised a day out at an amusement park for Emmy and the girls (the guys begged off and had other "important things to do").

"A hostage negotiation, a shootout, a sting operation, a last-minute assassination… Anything would have been better than what Bradley had planned for me today".

Emmy and the girls are less than eager to go...

".....all looking as if they were waiting to head to the gas chamber rather than take a fun-packed trip to Virginia’s newest family attraction. Honestly, I’d seen more enthusiasm among prisoners of war...."

The kids, Trick, Vine, Race, Josh, and Tabby seem ok with it. What could possibly go wrong on this trip to SciPark that Emmy likened to a cross between Hell and Purgatory - and coined the new word "Hellgatory"!

Well, after After a monkey escaped its handler in shock after hearing Bradley shriek when seeing himself in the selfie

"........looked like the silver-and-turquoise love child of a Q-tip and a cotton candy machine"

.... things just went from bad to worse - so much for the girls escaping to the bar before noon to drink cocktails! The Ferris wheel gets stuck with Bradley halfway up with Ana and two little ones, while kidnappers have held kids hostage in the tunnel ride inside the Sphere. Now the day has become more interesting for the girls - there is now a hostage rescue situation at hand. Not as straightforward as it seemed though! Ana climbs down from the Ferris wheel leaving Bradley in charge of the little ones (wait until you read how he kept them amused). She joins the others as they discover that the kidnapping isn't all that straightforward. I won't spoil it for you, but you will love the ending. Let's just say, a big helping of karma was served!

As always, Elise Noble is a master wordsmith keeping that fast pace at all times and including so many different elements that don't normally go together - eg humour and assassins! The characters are so colourful and full of life and her descriptions are simply incredible. You feel like you are right there witnessing it all.

Do yourself a favour and read this great novella. better still, read the entire Blackwood Security Series! You won't regret it.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Trish Goodgame.
434 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2020
Elise Noble, you have done it yet again! This novella was so entertaining! So many laughs, so many quotes to try to remember.

Bradley, Emmy's assistant has organised a day out at an amusement park for Emmy and the girls (the guys begged off and had other "important things to do").

"A hostage negotiation, a shootout, a sting operation, a last-minute assassination… Anything would have been better than what Bradley had planned for me today".

Emmy and the girls are less than eager to go...

".....all looking as if they were waiting to head to the gas chamber rather than take a fun-packed trip to Virginia’s newest family attraction. Honestly, I’d seen more enthusiasm among prisoners of war...."

The kids, Trick, Vine, Race, Josh, and Tabby seem ok with it. What could possibly go wrong on this trip to SciPark that Emmy likened to a cross between Hell and Purgatory - and coined the new word "Hellgatory"!

Well, after a monkey escaped its handler in shock after hearing Bradley shriek when seeing himself after the humidity of the rainforest area (I just love this description)......

"........looked like the silver-and-turquoise love child of a Q-tip and a cotton candy machine"

.... things just went from bad to worse - so much for the girls escaping to the bar before noon to drink cocktails! The Ferris wheel gets stuck with Bradley halfway up with Ana and two little ones, while kidnappers have held kids hostage in the tunnel ride inside the Sphere.

Now the day has become more interesting for the girls - there is now a hostage rescue situation at hand. Not as straightforward as it seemed though! Ana climbs down from the Ferris wheel leaving Bradley in charge of the little ones (wait until you read how he kept them amused - glitter may or may not have been involved). She joins the others as they discover that the kidnapping isn't all that straightforward. I won't spoil it for you, but you will love the ending. Let's just say, a big helping of karma was served!

As always, Elise Noble is a master wordsmith keeping that fast pace at all times and including so many different elements that don't normally go together - eg humour and assassins! The characters are so colourful and full of life and her descriptions are simply incredible. You feel like you are right there witnessing it all.

Do yourself a favour and read this great novella. Better still, read the entire Blackwood Security Series! You won't regret it.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
15 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2020
Finding humor in the most awkward or non-humorous situations is something I look forward to when I read Ms Noble’s books. There are many moments such as these in Sphere. If you are a fan of the Blackwood Security Series, you will enjoy this novella. Anytime Emmy and Bradley are together there are sure to be laughs. Throw in Ana, Carmen, Dan, a few kids in an amusement park and watch the craziness unfold. This is a stand alone novella, but if you start the series at the beginning you’ll come to know and love Noble’s characters like family. I was offered this advanced copy for my honest review.
169 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2020
Sphere opens featuring most of the female members of Blackwood Security, plus their kids, being coerced into spending a day in a theme park. Pretty soon, however, the visit turns into a fast-paced adventure, with a few unexpected twists. The pressing rhythm makes this short story entertaining and easy to read. Despite the overall light atmosphere, the author does not forget to highlight the nuances of the evolving personalities of the cast of characters, giving them depth and creating continuity with the other books in the series, intriguing the readers and enticing them to enjoy more Blackwood adventures.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own
Profile Image for SylviaV.
558 reviews8 followers
June 26, 2020
Sphere - Blackwood Security 9.5 by Elise Noble.
This is a novella with an unexpected twist. This reader was delighted to catch up with the cast of characters and their interactions with each other and the unsuspecting members of the general public who happen to cross their paths. I like Elise Noble's writing style and really enjoy spending time with the characters who make up the "Blackwood world".
This can be read as a stand alone book, but if you have not read any of Elise Noble's books, I would suggest you start with the "The Black Trilogy: Blackwood Security Book 1-3 Box Set" first to get a better understanding of the dynamics between the characters in this book and what drives the characters to do the things they do. A FUN read. 4 stars.
"I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book"
Profile Image for Ally Dobry.
113 reviews
July 8, 2020
This is a good little addition to the series!! It’s playful and fun while showing us a bit more of Emmy :) I would have liked something a little longer but it was a great short read!
June 28, 2020
This is a fun little novella that re-introduces us to the Blackwood girls and of course Bradley. We get another dose of Emmy-brand justice - where the good guys and the bad guys aren't always obvious and people sometimes make bad decisions for good reasons. As always, I enjoyed Elise Noble's entertaining writing style and her ability to make the characters jump off the page. The story also inches closer to Emmy having an appreciation for kids, which leaves us open to interesting future story lines... Everything of Elise's that I read makes me eager for more!
26 reviews
June 29, 2020
A little Novella to pass the time between the big books.

When you're with Emmy, even a trip to a fun park isn't routine. A quick little jaunt that exhibits Emmy's disquiet with the idea of children and her ability to get involved in situations, even on a day off. This book is centered on the girls, including Bradley cause, if anyone's a girl in the group it's him.

Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Whitney.
719 reviews5 followers
June 27, 2020
This is a little novella for the blackwood security series. They are at an amusement park that i wish was a real place. It sounds like so much fun! And since Bradley is there, you know chaos ensued. Between the monkeys and ana flipping out this book had me laughing. This was another short and sweet win for Elise noble and for you too once you read it.
Profile Image for Kat Wes.
400 reviews3 followers
June 30, 2020
Fantastic!

This was a fun trip to the amusement park with the Blackwood women, kids and of course Bradley leading the way. But as always a simple trip to the amusement park with the women of Blackwood could never be that simple. This story had me laughing out loud at some point and wondering what would happen next in others. This was a great quick story by Elise Noble!
Profile Image for Elisa Valencia.
17 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2020
Lol! I love this book!

This is a great read! It made me laugh and I needed a good laugh. I am surprised that Carmen and Ana didn’t get Bradley back for all that glitter. Lol!
Profile Image for C  Dempster.
18 reviews
July 1, 2020
This is another brilliant and very funny story.
The story is about the blackwood girls gets in trouble again.
Thanks Elise Noble you have done it again.
Yes I would recommend this book.
1 review
June 29, 2020
Nobody can make a kidnapping scenario more fun than Elise Noble.. once you start reading the book , you can't put it down .. i guarantee that you will laugh from the start to the end ..a must read.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of Sphere by Elise Noble
Profile Image for R.
291 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2020
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh ~ Blackwood Security! I want to not only work there, I want to BE there! I want to feel Black's glare; Emmy's banter; Bradley's glittery care; I want to go out for drinks ~ or to an amusement park!!!! ~ with Carmen, Mack, Ana, and the rest! This was no exception to the "THIS IS FABULOUS!" blanket statement of what is Blackwood ~ pure FUN!!!!
33 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2020
I found this book up to Emmy’s usual standards of chaos, mayhem, and she shows a hint of heart. With her friends and family riding shotgun at a theme park, things are certain to derail at some point, but the craziness that ensues will leave you laughing out loud and smiling with joy.
2,280 reviews13 followers
June 26, 2020
Once again Ms Noble has delivered a great novella. Emmy and the gang go out on a day trip courtesy of Bradley’s machinations. As always nothing is a simple as it would seem, with 3 cars full of friends and kids they set of the the theme park. Bradley as always starts of a the centre of confusion and escapee animals. Things soon start getting more serious. Hostages and all is not as it seems either. Enter Emmy, Anna,Dan, Mack and Carmen. One crazy scheme later alliances are forged and life returns to whatever Emmy and them consider normal. Haha. Great book. Can’t wait for Alaric’s story.
Profile Image for Sandra.
387 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2020
Bradley forces Emmy and a few of her girl friends plus their kids to enjoy a day in an amusement park. They didn't want to go but in the end it was good some Blackwood employees were there to help.

As if being kicked out of the rainforest and getting stuck on the ferris wheel isn't enough.. even a more dramatic event is waiting for them.

I loved this book and I can never get enough of Emmy so I'm looking forward to the next book!

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
893 reviews5 followers
July 6, 2021
Hilarity Blackwood style

No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are no grammatical or editorial errors
There are no sex scenes but plenty of swearing.
As ever the characterisation is excellent, and the plotline, even far fetched and in the style of Benny Hill, is engaging and ensures you keep turning the pages.
It's a lightweight day in the life of Emmy& co and made me laugh out loud.
I highly recommend the book but would advise you read the series in order of publication to get the best reading experience.
Profile Image for Alison Woodland.
168 reviews
June 30, 2020
When will the girls learn that taking Bradley out with them always ends in chaos? All on his own he created total bedlam at the science theme park as monkeys escaped the rides broke down. The girls yet again saved the day turning the bad guys into good guys and vice verse. The story was hilarious as they all played their part and that included a little help from the kids. Sheer brilliance, Elise Noble
57 reviews
June 28, 2020
A fun read, lots of laughs and excitement, action and adventure all the way complete with an unexpected twist. The Blackwood ladies get themselves in and out of some interesting situations but nothing is as it seems. Enjoyable even if you haven't met the characters before. Too short but it is a novella a brilliant introduction to a brilliant writer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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