Joann Fastoff's New Novel Explores Underground Tobacco Smuggling

Tobacco smuggling became such a problem that in 2013, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) sponsored a bill titled "Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2013." Author JoAnn Fastoff's fourth book in the Howard Watson mystery series, "The Smoke Ring: (A Howard Watson Intrigue)" (published by AuthorHouse), addresses the real-life problem of tobacco smuggling within the story of a fictional tobacco smuggling ring.

"Cigarettes are legal, yet nicotine is addictive and people have to have it, whatever the cost," Fastoff says. "What we purchase in the U.S. may have negative consequences we're not aware of."

In "The Smoke Ring," Lorna Hunter, armed with a degree in economics, accepts a job in Washington, leaving her drug-dealing father and brother in Los Angeles behind. In an ironic turn of events, Lorna becomes the head of a smoke ring, making money by stealing small quantities of cigarettes in low-tax states and selling them, under market price, in high-tax states.

Protagonist and FBI agent Howard Watson is dedicated to ensuring the termination of Lorna's operation. Simultaneously, they must deal with the untimely death of a major general in the Marines - a man who urgently requested an audience with Howard before dying. Soon enough, Howard learns how it all ties together.

"This exciting and easy read addresses the rampant smoking addiction in the U.S. and how it monopolizes peoples' lives," Fastoff says.

"The Smoke Ring"
By JoAnn Fastoff
Softcover | 5 x 8 in | 143 pages | ISBN 9781491827895
E-Book | ISBN 9781491827888
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
JoAnn Fastoff has written four novels and has published more than 100 articles in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago publications. A former publicist for the Grammy Award-winning group "Kool and the Gang," she also wrote on environmental issues for Examiner.com. She is a Chicago native and the mother of two adult children.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industry's only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrated 15 years of service to authors in Sept. 2011.For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 1-888-519-5121. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.

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