Sunday, February 12, 2012

In My Mailbox (14)



In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. To see this weeks list of participants go here.

Here's what I received in my mailbox the last two weeks, what did you get in yours?

 Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs

The opening of the aquarium is a major Charleston event, and Theodosia has been hired to cater tea, scones, and sandwiches for the private party to honor dignitaries and big buck donors. Things are going swimmingly, until Theodosia escapes the party for a momentary rest, only to discover the body of a man entangled in a net, drowned in one of the aquarium's state-of-the-art tanks.

To make matters worse, the victim is Theodosia's former boyfriend Parker Scully. The EMTs on the scene think Parker's drowning was an accident, but when Theodosia notices what look like defense wounds on his hands, she realizes that someone wanted Parker dead. The local police aren't keen on hearing her theory-especially because of her ties to the victim-so Theodosia knows that if she wants Parker's killer brought to justice, she'll have to jump into the deep end and start her own investigation... 

 
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble


A love like Lucy and Nate's only comes along once in a blue moon . . .
Lucy Marsh has lost everything but her determination to provide for her brother and sister. When she realizes her father's death was no accident, she decides to accept a proxy marriage in order to get her siblings out of harm's way. But trouble follows her to Wichita Falls, Texas, and nothing there is as she expected. Not the man she came to marry nor the family ties she'd hoped to find. Can it be true that real security is in letting go of her own strength and trusting in the One who is far stronger than she?
Nate Stanton always knew he'd marry someday, but he planned to find his own wife. The woman his father deposits on his doorstep is not the kind of wife he had in mind. She knows nothing about ranching, and she brings two siblings with her in the bargain. He moves her into a tiny cabin and expects her to run back to Chicago, but Lucy is made of sterner stuff than he imagined. And when danger moves in, he realizes he'd give anything to protect her and the children he has grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.




Concealed by Sang Kromah

 When sixteen year-old Bijou Fitzroy and her nomadic grandmother leave New York City to live in a home in the sleepy town of Sykesville, Maryland, Bijou thinks she will finally be able to live a normal life and be like everyone else. This move will be permanent, and Bijou cannot be anymore thrilled. After years of being shut away by her grandmother, Bijou will finally able to interact with peers, make friends, go to school, and live like a normal teenager. Moving around and being homeschooled definitely made it difficult to make friends, but there are other reasons for Bijou's solitude. With eyes that constantly change from gray to green to a honey-coated shade of brown and an ability to feel exactly what other people are feeling, the concept of obtaining closeness is more of a fable than a reality. Although her eyes are beautiful, their constant shift in color instills a sense of fear within other people and causes them to look away. Bijou's premonitions, blackouts, and semi-prophetic dreams of a faceless boy don't help her social musings either. Regardless, she decides to attend the local high school. Bijou is immediately introduced to Sebastian Sinjin, a quirky and unusually beautiful boy who doesn't seem to belong in a high school in nowhere Maryland. Sebastian is also special. Instead of looking away from Bijou, he makes direct eye contact with her. And when he shakes Bijou's hand something dark and familiar to awaken within her as an electric shock surges through her body. Bijou soon finds herself deeply attracted to Sebastian, who remains aloof and often acts like Bijou doesn't exist. Despite the pains of having her first real crush, Bijou makes friends quickly and excels in all of her classes...well, all except for Mythology with Mr. Jennings. Mr. Jennings' class starts off great with endless discussions of djinn and how they conceal themselves from the human eye, but things soon take a turn for the worse when the stories of the mythical creatures begin to take shape in Bijou's life.






Making Sense When Life Doesn't by Cecil Murphey





Companies Downsize. Relationships End. Trauma Hits. When chaos erupts, every person has choices. We can call it the worst time of our lives, wishing for the way things used to be and resenting the changes that have been forced on us. Or we can say, "This can be a positive time in my life. I didn't choose the crisis, but I can choose to learn through it."


Making Sense When Life Doesn't is about making your life better--not in spite of, but because of the adversities you face. Life won't ever be perfect, but it can be good. It can be exciting ... better than you ever imagined!



The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life. 98,409,602 seconds since the heavy, steel door had fallen shut and sealed us off from the world

Sherry has lived with her family in a sealed bunker since things went wrong up above. But when they run out of food, Sherry and her dad must venture outside. There they find a world of devastation, desolation...and the Weepers: savage, mutant killers.

When Sherry's dad is snatched, she joins forces with gorgeous but troubled Joshua - an Avenger, determined to destroy the Weepers.

But can Sherry keep her family and Joshua safe, when his desire for vengeance threatens them all?




Guest Blog: Valentine's Day is Cancelled by Anne Holly



Valentine’s Day is Cancelled!

A Guest post by Anne Holly


Wouldn’t you like to make an announcement like that?

Off and on, I have spent about half of my life hating this holiday. Some years, I’m fine; it’s not
a major holiday, but a little shiny red cheerfulness can be nice in the dead of February. Other
years, I’ve wanted to snap. I walk around snarling at the cardboard Cupids and muttering about
how I don’t need no stinking red velvet cupcakes, and you don’t even want to know where
you can shove your pink envelopes full of manipulation. Basically, the Ebenezer Scrooge of
Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is one of those days that some people love to hate, and it’s not that hard to see
why – it has a cheesy element to it, a commercial tackiness, and an oppressive, cloying effect
that leads to much eye-rolling. And, worse, if you are one of those unfortunates who happen to
be single, watch out! Either it depresses/alienates the hell out of you, or, even if you are single
by choice, you have to endure the gloating pity of the paired-up people around you.

My characters in my Valentine’s Day book V-Day are somewhere in the middle – Daniel, my
musical genius with no luck with women, has always been single for Valentine’s Day, so he’s
kind of the lucky one. Bronwyn, his object of devotion from afar, however, is going through a
breakup at the worst time of the year. She’d be the one stomping around wishing Valentine’s-
lovers would be boiled in their own hot cocoa (for two) and buried with a stake of chocolate
roses through their hearts.

Yes, I know the hatred of various Hallmark holidays. I have even dabbled in the glory that is
self-pity-drenched pajama parties for one-against-the-world, a la Bridget Jones. It’s fun to refuse
the reindeer games of life. I used to wear black to “School Spirit Days” in high school instead of
the team colours, and hold “anti-proms” with my counter-cultural (aka bratty) friends, too. Fight
the power with dour! It has its appeal. I understand. Cynicism is a fun alternative.

Then, two years ago, my toddler took the backside of a lid off a heart shaped box of chocolates
my mum had sent me and he started colouring it purple with his own two little hands. Then I
sat with him, and I drew a flower, and he coloured it red. I wrote his name, and mine, with a
plus sign… And I admit that I – me, the oft-times queen of sourpusses – nearly broke down.
Okay, fine, I did break down. That humble little heart is now over my desk, and when I look at
it, I recall why hearts and flowers mean what they do for some people, and I confess I am still
gooey. It’s not about the jewelry, or the fancy cards, or even the homemade treats, but about the
warmth that goes into them and how special the giver is.

Well, I’m a convert, I guess. Bring on the cheesy holidays, and brighten the world up with your
doorknob hangers. As long as there is love, Valentine’s Day will be welcome here.

*

V-Day, an erotic romantic-comedy for Valentine’s Day

It all started with a serenade…

A family like Daniel’s and the solitary pursuit of musical excellence is enough to make a young man crazy. No wonder all Daniel Vouks dreams of is getting away. He knows his violin will
take him places in life, but the only place he really wants to be is next door. He’s been in love with his neighbor since he was fourteen, but can he ever make her see him as more than just a
lovesick kid?

V-Day is the story of a Valentine's Day weekend Daniel fears he may regret, but will never, ever forget.

For more information about my Valentine’s Day erotic romantic comedy, V-Day, please see my holiday stories website: http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/valentinesdaytales.htm


*

Anne Holly is a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and
teacher. You may visit Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and
Twitter. Sign up for her newsletter here. Email: anneholly2010@gmail.com.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Announcement: NASCAR Gift Pack Giveaway on Suzanne Hartmann's Blog


As you know from my review yesterday, I loved Peril (Fast Track Thriller #1) by Suzanne Hartmann.  Today I wanted to let you know that she is running a special giveaway now through February 26th (which is the Daytona 500 and my birthday!).  It's a great NASCAR Gift Pack and here is what you can win:

NASCAR GIFT PACK GIVE-AWAY

To celebrate the start of the 2012 NASCAR season,
she is giving away a package of NASCAR items:

• a 2012 Tracks of NASCAR calendar
• a Team Lowes Beanie Baby
• 2 DVDs: 
  • ESPN’s Ultimate NASCAR Vol. 1
  • ESPN’s Inside Access: Jeff Gordon
• Portraits of NASCAR (for the first time ever…see inside NASCAR’s homes, lives, and families)
• 4 NASCAR novels:

  • St. Dale by Sharyn McCrumb
  • Once Around the Track by Sharyn McCrumb
  • Turn Four by Tom Morrissey
  • Her own NASCAR novel, PERIL: Fast Track Thriller #1:
 
What do you need to do?  Go to Suzanne's blog, and follow the instructions to enter.  It's that easy.  Great prizes up for grab in this giveaway and it's all worth it just to get a copy of Peril which is amazing!


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Book Tour and Review: Peril by Suzanne Hartmann

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!



Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

OakTara (November 18, 2011)

***Special thanks to Suzanne Hartmann for sending me a review copy.***

MY REVIEW:
Peril combined two of my favorite things suspense and NASCAR and Ms. Hartmann did it in such a way that I was enthralled from the first page until the very last.  But it wasn't just the suspense and the racing that hooked me on this book, it was the characters as well.  I was drawn to Lady Anne and Stuart and the rest of the cast of characters.  

Ms. Hartmann did great research on NASCAR and combined it with the story in a way to keep it as a sideline to the story and make it interesting.  For those of you not into racing, don't worry, this story is for you as well.  The racing is really a sideline.  It's Stuart's career and factors into the story from time-to-time but is not the focus of the book.  I loved it though and thought the author did a great job incorporating it into the story.
The characters were amazing.  I really liked Lady Anne, Stuart, Joanne, Neil and the children.  Each character had something to add to the story and each character was really well defined.  I felt I got to know each one and I liked that.  I loved the faith that Joanne and Neil shared.  It was amazing to see.  I won't give away too much because this really is a book you need to read for yourself, but the characters really shine in Peril and I hope to see more of them in the next book.

The plot was great as well.  It kept the book moving.  I loved how Ms. Hartmann let the reader learn something a little bit at a time.  It was really great.  There was suspense through the whole book and just when you thought you knew what was going to happen, something else would happen.  The author definitely kept me guessing and that was great.  The book held my interest the whole time I read it and I had a hard time putting it down.

Over all I found this to be a very entertaining book.  It is a Christian fiction book so there is a lot of talk about God and Jesus in it but it felt very natural and not at all preachy.  The Christians in the book are not perfect, they get angry, they don't know what to do at times and they struggle, but they have God and that helps and that seems to be the main Christian meaning in the book and I liked that.  Ms. Hartmann never seems to preach, she delivers the message with love through her characters.  It's an amazing book with a great plot, impressive characters and a wonderful message to learn from.  I cannot wait for the second book in this series.  Ms. Hartmann has me hooked on the Fast Track.
 
My Rating: 5.0/5.0

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suzanne Hartmann is a homeschool mom of three and lives in the St. Louis area. When not homeschooling or writing, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and Bible study. PERIL: Fast Track Thriller #1 is her debut novel.

On the editorial side, Suzanne is a contributing editor with Port Yonder Press and operates the Write This Way Critique Service. She has consolidated her popular Top 10 series of articles about the craft of writing into an easy-to-understand guide titled Write This Way: Take Your Writing to a New Level, which leads the new writer through the process of writing and revising a novel.


Visit the author's website.
Visit the author's blog.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:



A top secret agent with enhanced strength must use her extraordinary abilites during several high-profile assingments when she escorts the first Muslim king to turn to the Christian faith to the White House and a NASCAR track. when unwanted publicity threatens to expose her, she herself becomes a terrorist target, with danger surroundingher on all sides.

"Plenty of action and unexpected twists."

Foreword by Jimmy Makar, GM of Joe Gibbs Racing





Product Details:
List Price: $16.95

Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: OakTara (November 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602903069
ISBN-13: 978-1602903067



AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


The moment Lady Anne stepped out of the Mashkoori embassy, the Washington, DC heat hit her like a wall. The humidity wrapped itself around her like a blanket, heightening the tension writhing in her stomach like a dozen slithering serpents. Only minutes from now she would enter the White House, where Husam-Jabbar threatened an attempt on the life of King Ahmad, her companion for the day.
Placing a hand on the arm King Ahmad held out for her, she firmly pushed her misgivings aside. Premonition or not, she had a job to do.
While she settled herself near the king in the rear of the second of two stretch Hummers, two of his personal bodyguards took up positions by the driver’s compartment. She brushed a neatly manicured finger against a miniscule earbud as she tucked a stray strand of curly blond hair into her elegant updo. The wallet-shaped wireless device in her purse would pick up the chatter between the Secret Service agents at the White House. Knowing she would hear if they spotted any danger eased some of the tension that had been building all morning. But would the well-respected agency live up to its reputation and stop the planned assassination attempt against the king, or would she need to display her enhanced strength to protect her charge?
She glanced at the king. Did he know the terrorist group had announced their intentions on the Arab television network Al Jazeera earlier this morning?
“Are you ready, my lady?” Something about the glint in the older man’s sea-green eyes and the set of his jaw told her he was prepared for whatever might come today, whether he’d heard the latest news or not. Perhaps he’d become used to the constant threat. After all, every Muslim terrorist group in existence had pledged to kill the first Arabic king to convert to Christianity.
“Of course, Your Majesty. This isn’t the first time I’ve served as a bodyguard.”
The king opened a cabinet that hid a wet bar and refrigerator, pulled out a long-stemmed glass, and poured himself some water. He waved a hand toward the cabinet. “Please help yourself.”
Grateful for something to focus on, Lady Anne followed the king’s lead. A sip of the water’s coolness washed clarity into her thinking, as though it were a dose of fresh confidence. If this had been a normal assignment, her veins would have pulsed with restrained energy at a reason to unleash her enhanced strength.
But nothing about this mission was normal. And if she had to use her abilities today, it would be under the watchful eyes of the media. The power the media held to expose her secrets sent a shiver up her spine. But it was far too late to back down now.
A rap on the glass behind the driver’s compartment brought her thoughts back to her surroundings. The thin, beardless guard nodded to his bearded partner. In sync, they pulled out twin S&Ws and aimed them at King Ahmad.
Lady Anne’s hand shook, spilling water onto the floor. She tapped the king’s arm to warn him. Were the intelligence reports wrong about the attack? Perhaps Husam-Jabbar had intentionally mislead them.
The thin guard slid down the long leather seat lining the driver’s side and came to a stop directly across from King Ahmad. He straightened his back, raised his chin, and addressed the ling in Arabic. Although Lady Anne couldn’t understand the words, the gleam in his eyes radiated pride and determination, not hatred.
King Ahmad looked down his long nose at the guard. “You are rude, Kalil, to speak Arabic in front of my guest. Will you condemn her to death without even the benefit of knowing why?”
Kalil wrinkled his nose at Lady Anne as though she were a piece of distasteful garbage, then nodded. “I will grant the wish of a dying man.” He pulled his shoulders back and seemed to take on the role of a judge. “King Ahmad, you have defiled both yourself and Mashkoor by turning to the blasphemous practices of Christianity. According to Hadith 9:57, it is my duty to kill you.”
“Kalil, my trusted guardian.” King Ahmad spread his arms in front of him. “Since when have you taken the requirements of the Koran to heart?” Only a glance at the weapon in Kalil’s hand betrayed any hint of anxiety. “Why, only last week you told me you looked forward to this trip so you could restock your liquor supply.”
Kalil lowered his eyes, “It is to my shame that I have not lived according to the Koran—a Muslim in name only.”
Lady Anne leaned forward. Her muscles twitched, anxious to attack while the man’s guard was lowered. But the bearded guard remained alert by the far door, his Ruger still pointed toward the king. The time was not yet right. She ran a finger around the lip of her glass and sifted through possible scenarios.
Kalil lifted his eyes, now full of resolve. “When you turned your back on Islam, Your Majesty, I realized how much our Muslim heritage had shaped and formed the nation and people of Mashkoor. I called out to Allah and begged his forgiveness.”
“So you joined Husam-Jabbar and pledged to kill the leader of your beloved country?” asked King Ahmad. “How noble of you.”
Kalil lifted his chin a notch higher. “I did not need them. Plenty of people were willing to help me gain the supplies I needed. No, I do this because Allah promised to use me to restore Islam to the kingship.” He pounded his free hand on his chest. “He offered me, who ignored him all these years, a way not only to shift the balance of the scales to weigh in my favor but guaranteed my entrance into martyr’s paradise.” He bowed from the waist. “I must thank you for—”
Lady Anne’s brain screamed, Now! She flung her glass down the length of the vehicle toward the bearded guard.
The foot of the long stem slammed into the man’s forehead. He slumped back against the window. His gun clattered to the floor amid pieces of broken glass.
Kalil jerked his head up and shifted his aim toward Lady Anne.
With a wide sweep of her arm, she backhanded the gun, which fired as she hit his hand. The bullet went wide as the gun flew down the length of the limousine. The window it struck shattered but didn’t break.
King Ahmad leapt out of his seat and tackled Kalil. He threw his full weight against the guard’s chest, then pressed a forearm against his neck.
Lady Anne retrieved Kalil’s Ruger and pointed the weapon at its owner. When the king released the guard, she handed him the pistol and unbuckled the guard’s belt. Once she pulled it out, she rolled Kalil facedown on the seat and tied his hands together.
In the quiet, the electric whir from the front of the limousine sounded loud. She glanced toward Kalil’s partner, who had slid to his side. No threat there. But the glass between the compartments had lowered.
The driver called out in Arabic, and Kalil answered.
King Ahmad pulled up hard on Kalil’s hog-tied arms. “What do you mean by ‘Arm it now’?” The king’s pale eyes blazed. At Kalil’s laughter, the king yanked harder on the man’s arms.
“Your efforts are for nothing,” Kalil spoke through clenched teeth. “We will enter paradise—”
King Ahmad rolled the guard to his back. “What do you mean?”
“If my arms were free, I would show you what is under my shirt.” Kalil shrugged. “But since I cannot…”
Lady Anne ripped open the shirt and ignored the buttons flying in her face. Her attention riveted on the square of gray, clay-like substance strapped to his chest. Wires protruded from it and connected the bomb to a small rectangular case next to the explosive. A red light blinked steadily on the front of the case.
A grin spread across Kalil’s face. “You see, you have not won. Yasir wears one as well, and he has already armed both of them. When he drives through the White House gate, he will push the detonator, which will give him just enough time to pull in front of the dignitaries and take out not only you but also President Hedge.”
Lady Anne held back a gasp. This was a twist no one had anticipated, but she had no way to warn anyone. Now she carried not only the burden of King Ahmad’s safety, but also the president of the United States.
Options flitted through her head as she glanced out the windows. Traffic and pedestrians passed by the historic buildings on their way to work. Too much collateral damage if she took out the driver now and he managed to detonate the bombs.
She studied the Hummer in front of them. Was the rest of the king’s entourage in on the plot? Surely not. The king had supposedly discharged all close advisors who would not support his change in religion. That meant the first Hummer would have to unload its passengers, then move on before the bombs detonated. She prayed she was right.
A low whir sounded again. The driver had raised the window between them. She’d missed her chance to shoot him while it had been lowered.
As they approached Pennsylvania, Lady Anne pictured the area surrounding the White House. Wide-open space free of people, with few buildings nearby. A plan of action formed in her mind. “Once we are on White House grounds,” she whispered to King Ahmad, “wait until I give the word, then jump out of the car.”
The king opened his mouth as if to reject her instructions.
“Someone must warn the Secret Service that the welcoming party is in danger.”
His gaze remained on her for another long moment, then he nodded and handed her the pistol.
“Sit by the door and be ready,” she told him. As he rose, she glanced toward the front of the vehicle. The bearded guard still lay unconscious on the floor.
Suddenly King Ahmad slammed hard into her and landed in her lap. Her head smacked against the window, and she dropped the gun.
Kalil pulled back from where he’d head-butted the king. Before Lady Anne could extricate herself, Kalil rammed King Ahmad in the stomach again.
Lady Anne pushed the king to the side and rose to face Kalil as he prepared another assault. She brought up both hands, balled into fists. They connected with his chin, and bone crunched against bone.
Eyes wide, Kalil flew backwards against a window. His head smacked the rim with a dull thud. He let out a whimper before he landed on the seat, unconscious.
The Hummers pulled to a stop before two military guards standing in front of a line of four-foot-tall posts extending from a small gatehouse. After one of them spoke with the driver of the first vehicle, the posts sunk into the ground, and the stretch Hummer drove over them.
As their vehicle followed, the king reached for a door, but Lady Anne held him back. “There are too many people nearby. We must go through one more gate before we will enter wide-open spaces.”
Moments later, the first Hummer slowed as it approached a gate in the tall wrought-iron fence that surrounded the White House. The vehicle pulled through as the gate swung open.
Once their Hummer entered the fenced area, Lady Anne released the king. “Now, Your Majesty. You will be safe here.”
King Ahmad held his stomach where Kalil had hit him but scrambled to the door. Jerking the handle, he tumbled out as the Hummer passed through the gate.



***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  I do not receive money for my amazon links since I live in NC (something about some law), so they are up purely for my readers to have a place to check out the book.***

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Discover the perfume inspired by The Book of Lost Fragrances


 M.J. Rose is asking if you've ever smelled a story? 

“He struggled to separate out the notes he recognized from the ones he didn’t, searching for the ingredients that gave the blend its promise of hope, of long nights and voluptuous dreams, of invitation and embrace. Of an everlasting covenant ripe with possibility.  Of lost souls reunited.”  —The Book of Lost Fragrances

Discover the perfume inspired by The Book of Lost Fragrances

Pre-order The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose and we'll send you a free sample of Âmes Soeurs, the Scent of Soulmates. This exclusive fragrance, inspired by the novel, was created by Joya Studios and is not yet for sale.  Joya’s Âmes SÅ“urs hints of Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange Blossom and Jasmine. It’s smoky uncommon finish suggests the past and the future, and lost souls reunited.

Just use one of the links at
http://mjrose.com/fragrances/scent.asp and follow the directions there.

Offer ends March 1, but pre-order now since we have a limited number of supplies! US and Canada only.

*********
The Book of Lost Fragrance has received terrific advance praise:
Selected by Indie Booksellers for the March 2012 Indie Next List.

Selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Top Ten Mystery/Thrillers Spring 2012

"From 18th-century Egypt and France to present-day Paris, New York, and China, Rose's deliciously sensual novel of paranormal suspense smoothly melds a perfume-scented quest to protect an ancient artifact with an ages-spanning romance. A complex plot that races to a satisfying finish." — Publishers Weekly, Starred and Boxed Review 

" A sensuous thriller combined with a heartbreaking love story.”  — Karen Briggs at Great Northern Books & Hobbies in Oscoda, MI
  
"A spellbinding love story and historical novel of mystery, reincarnation, ancient Egypt.  Being immersed in Rose's fictional world is one of those times when you don't want to come back to the real world." —Susan Wasson of Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

"Smoothly blends historical events, compelling characters, and international intrigue into an absorbing and thrilling ride through the centuries." —Library Journal

Book Review: Gods and Fathers by James LePore

Gods and Fathers by James LePore
Publisher: The Story Plant
Publish Date: February 7, 2012
Paperback, 300 pages 
Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
 ISBN: 978-1611880298





buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
My Review:
This is the type of thriller I have been missing.  A little dark, but with moral lessons, and great characters, Gods and Fathers will be a suspense/thriller that I think about for quite awhile after I have finished it.  I will continue to process what happened in the book and think about the characters.  It's a true thriller in that it kept me turning the pages, but it also had me invested in the characters.  Mr. LePore has scored a home run with me with Gods and Fathers and found a loyal fan to read his previous books and any future books as well.

I love a good thriller and anyone who reads them knows that the plot drives them.  And the plot does drive Gods and Fathers.  I went through the whole book trying to figure out who did it and why.  There were a sufficient number of suspects that I was always kept guessing and I never could figure out the whys no matter how many hints Mr. LePore threw out.  The plot was really well done.  I think it was very carefully crafted.  It was also well-paced. It was never too slow nor did it feel too rushed towards the end.

The plot was a main part of this book, but the characters stood out as well and were crafted too.  I loved Matt.  He's a hot-head who is not perfect, but he has worked out a life for himself.  He's a solid A.D.A. and from what we learn early in the book he has cultivated a lot of friends through the police department.  This turns out to be very important.  However he is estranged from his ex-wife and his son.  When his son is accused of murder, his carefully crafted life is turned upside down and all he wants to do is make things right for his son.  So we see him as a good dad doing whatever he can for a son who really doesn't seem to like him.  But we get to see things change through the book and that is what I loved watching as much as the suspense plot.  The growth and change of characters is thrilling in and of itself.  Mr. LePore breathes real life into his characters and makes the reader really care for them.  I found myself truly invested in Matt, Jade, several of the police officers and eventually even Michael who seems cold and spoiled at the beginning.

Gods and Fathers is full of plots and thrills and interesting characters.  It's a hard book to put down.  I put in my earphones, some peaceful music and sat down and tuned out the world around me (my boys playing in the living room where I read) and enjoyed this book for an evening.  I escaped to a frightening world of New York City and a underbelly I hope to never know.  However the policemen, Jade and Matt, I would love to know them since they would sacrifice just about anything to find out the truth and bring it to light.  Those are the people I want on my side if I was ever in trouble.  Gods and Fathers is a wonderful book if you enjoy suspense/thrillers or if you want to jump into the genre for the first time.  I don't think I can say enough about this novel.  It really was that amazing to me.  Fast-paced, great characters, interested plots and sub-plots, just a solid suspense/thriller that has me dying to get my hands on more of James LePore's books.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0


About the Book:
Matt DeMarco is an accomplished Manhattan attorney with more than his share of emotional baggage. His marriage ended disastrously, his ex-wife has pulled their son away from him, and her remarriage to a hugely successful Arab businessman has created complications for Matt on multiple levels. However, his life shifts from troubled to imperiled when two cops – men he's known for a long time – come into his home and arrest his son as the prime suspect in the murder of the boy's girlfriend.

Suddenly, the enmity between Matt and his only child is no longer relevant. Matt must do everything he can to clear his son, who he fully believes is innocent. Doing so will require him to quit his job and make enemies of former friends – and it will throw him up against forces he barely knew existed and can only begin to comprehend how to battle.

Gods and Fathers is at once a powerful mystery and a provocative international thriller, all of it presented with LePore's signature fascinating characters placed in dire circumstances where every choice poses new and potentially fatal challenges.

Nationally bestselling author James LePore has established a reputation as a writer whose vividly drawn characters and morally complex plots have kept readers up to all hours turning pages. His new novel promises more sleepless nights and more nonstop thrills.


About the Author (from Goodreads.com): 
In 1999 I sold my law practice to write and take pictures full time. My photography can be seen at www.nakedeyeimages.com. In 2008, I signed a four-book contract with The Story Plant, a small, agile publisher in Stamford, Connecticut. My first novel. 'A World I Never Made,' was released in April of 2009; the second, 'Blood of My Brother,' on December 25, 2010, and the third, 'Sons and Princes,' in April, 2011. Reviews are on my website, or just Google me. I have also written six short stories that stand alone as pieces of short fiction, but that are meant to accompany my first two novels. The first three of these was released in February, 2011, under the title, 'Anyone Can Die.'

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FTC Information: I received this book through Partners in Crime book tours for an honest review.  I do make money from purchases made at The Book Depository and B&N.com, but all money is used to fund giveaways and shipping for giveaways from the blog.




Follower Love Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop sponsored by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Rachael Renee Anderson.  Up for grabs is a book of the winner's choice at The Book Depository up to a $10 value.  It's open international (if The Book Depository ships to your country).  Just fill out your name and email so I can contact the winner in the Rafflecopter below and you are entered.  All other entries are optional.

Thank you to all my wonderful followers new and old!  I do appreciate you and love your comments.  I also wanted to let you know I will be drawing all winners soon for the hops/giveaways that I haven't drawn yet.  So stay tuned - I am getting caught up slowly.

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