He’s baaaaack!!   Yes, my paisan from the old neighborhood is back.   For those who aren’t Italian, paisan means pal and/or buddy.   I don’t think I ever told the story how we virtually met.   So before he starts telling us about his latest book, I will digress and share.

He sent me an email via GR asking me if I lived anywhere near Providence College, which is where he attended college and in which he mentions in his Moonlight novels.  And then he happens to mention…..”Oh and btw I just wrote a book that you might enjoy.”  I explained I would put it on my TBR list but that I review for several publishers and publicists and when I had a lull I would pick it up.  It just so happened, that a week later a tour company that I was reviewing for put a call out for his book so I jumped at the chance, and as they say the rest his history.

As I said, he is returning today to talk about his latest book, which should be quite interesting since this is definitely not in the genre that he hooked me with.  But I will let him explain.  So I am happy to have Vincent Zandri here once again!!!

ABOUT VINCENT ZANDRI

Vincent Zandri is the No. 1 International Bestselling author of THE INNOCENT, GODCHILD, THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT FALLS, CONCRETE PEARL, MOONLIGHT RISES and SCREAM CATCHER. He is also the author of the bestselling digital shorts, PATHOLOGICAL and MOONLIGHT MAFIA. Harlan Coben has described his novels as “…gritty, fast-paced, lyrical and haunting,” while the New York Post called THE INNOCENT, “Sensational…Masterful…Brilliant!” In March, April and May of 2011, he sold more than 100,000 Kindle E-Book editions of his novels. In September 2011, he signed a major deal with Thomas and Mercer of Amazon for the publication of his new novel, Murder by Moonlight, and the re-publication of many of his back-list titles, including The Innocent and The Remains. Zandri’s list of publishers also include Delacorte, Dell, StoneHouse Ink and StoneGate Ink. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, Zandri’s work is translated into many languages including the Dutch, Russian and Japanese. An adventurer, foreign correspondent, and freelance photo-journalist for RT, Globalspec, IBTimes and more, he lives in New York. For more go to WWW.VINCENTZANDRI.COM

You can find Vin at the following locations:
Website, Blog, Amazon Author Page, Facebook, Twitter

Or at his next 2 stops:

2/14/2012 Misty Rayburn Review – http://www.the-top-shelf.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

A young U.S. Army officer who’s served in Afghanistan finds himself suffering from intermittent bouts of “hysterical” temporary blindness due to impossible and deadly orders he was forced to obey by high command in the field. When he’s reunited with his fiancée in a military hospital in Germany after being separated for more than year, the couple are encouraged by doctors to travel to Venice, Italy together. There, amongst the canals and the cafes, they try to rekindle their love and fight off their personal demons while trying to comprehend the enormity of the heartbreaking role they now must play in love and war.

Amazon buy link

Barnes and Noble Buy Link

Addendum:  In case you don’t see it, Vin just left a comment that his novel Scream Catcher is a free download all weekend!!!!  What a deal!!!  Don’t miss out!!!

MY REVIEW

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Vincent Zandri

Published by  StoneGate Ink

ASIN: B0060MB5JM

At the request of his Virtual Publicist a digital short edition, was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (borrowed from Amazon):  A young U.S. Army officer who’s served in Afghanistan finds himself suffering from intermittent bouts of “hysterical” temporary blindness due to impossible and deadly orders he was forced to obey by high command in the field. When he’s reunited with his fiancée in a military hospital in Germany after being separated for more than year, the couple are encouraged by doctors to travel to Venice, Italy together. There, amongst the canals and the cafes, they try to rekindle their love and fight off their personal demons while trying to comprehend the enormity of the heartbreaking role they now must play in love and war.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  The mystery, the suspense, the engrossing roller coaster twists and turns, white knuckle ride to the very last word is what put this author on my radar when I read Moonlight Falls.  And as I kept reading his subsequent novels (all of them) it moved him right on up to the Number 1 spot for mystery/suspenseful reads.  Then I read Scream Catcher and instantly saw a difference in his writing style.  Not in a bad way, but in a way that proved that this author has a lot to give, that he is most definitely a master at storytelling.  And then something happened, that I can honestly say, I was blown away.  I never thought these 2 words would be in the same sentence, Zandri and romance.

OK..another test..could he pull this one off?  Even though it was a digital short, which disappointed me because I wanted to get the whole package, but I will be patient until the sequel is out), he transported me to the sidewalk cafe in Italy sitting next to this American couple that seemed to be quite uncomfortable with each other.  Yes, he made the characters come to life, he allowed the reader to form a vivid imagery of the scene, feel the emotions, see the sights and sounds.  If this digital short is any indication what the novel will be, I have something to look forward to.  He just raised the bar even higher!!!

GODS AND FATHERS BY JAMES LePORE
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN-10: 1611880297
ISBN-13: 978-1611880298
At the request of The Story Plant, an ARC EBook Edition was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (from publisher): 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.

My Thoughts and Opinion: To be completely honest in reviewing this book, I feel I should start with a caveat. I don’t usually read novels that have espionage, government intelligence and/or spy plots. And from reading the synopsis, I did not think that this book held those elements. However, as I was caught up in the story, and then when international terrorism was introduced into the story line, I didn’t know if this was going to be a good book match for me. Another factor was the many different agencies and the long list of characters. This novel was definitely out of my comfort zone.

But I had already been pulled in right from the start of this book.   How could a young man be accused of murder and rape of his girlfriend and facing the death penalty have anything to do with international relationships of terror?   And why are those that are investigating or close to this case being killed?   How is this all tied together? As I said, the characters are many, but through Mr. LePore’s writing style, he reminds the reader as to who the character is and/or the agency he/she works for. Because the characters are all flawed in some way, it was had to determine who could be trusted.  Who were the good guys?  Who were the bad guys?  How was the plot all tied together? That’s why I had to keep turning the pages!!.  With an ending that I never saw coming!!!!

Even though this was a book outside of my comfort zone, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I would have missed out on an exceptional read had it not been for a requested review. Mr LePore, with his excellent detailed writing ability, whereas I could create vivid imagery, and his masterful story telling, has transformed my thinking on espionage novels. Well, at least his.  Kudos Mr. LePore!!

HUGE FAVOR TO ASK:  Due to the move to WordPress, I had to re-register my account with NetWorkedBlogs.  If you are interested in following me in that manner, please join (right sidebar).  If you had followed me through NewWorkedBlog, you need to rejoin as it is a different feed.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

Not good.   At 11:30 am, I had all my blogging issues done for the day, grabbed my book, coffee, and fleece thrown and settled in my reading chair.  Turned to page 106 and started reading.  WooHoo..I was going to make a dent in my book today!!!

Page 160….sound asleep.  This bronchitis is knocking me out.  So the plan today….is to try again.

Hope everyone else is doing better than me!!!

HUGE FAVOR TO ASK:  Due to the move to WordPress, I had to re-register my account with NetWorkedBlogs.  If you are interested in following me in that manner, please join (right sidebar).  And if had been following me via NetWorkedBlog in the past, you will need to rejoin as it is a new feed.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

The hosts for the wickedly wonderful weekend of reading are
Rebecca From Kindle Fire
and
April of My Shelf Confessions.

Progress:  Friday  Subtotal  (approx 6 hours)

Yesterday I did get some reading done and since I am determined to read more this year, these mini read-a-thon challanges are perfect for me.  So if you hear of any that are being held, I would greatly appreciate if you would let me know.   Last year was such an awful year for me that some months I was lucky if I even finished one book a month and I did really miss escaping into a book.

This weekend I am reading an ARC from Meryl L. Moss Media, The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy, who will be a guest on February 20th.  You may want to stop by as there will also be a giveaway.  So far this book is a good one.

Good Luck to those who are participating and thank you Rebecca and April for hosting!!!!

HUGE FAVOR TO ASK:  Due to the move to WordPress, I had to re-register my account with NetWorkedBlogs.  If you are interested in following me in that manner, please join (right sidebar).  If you had followed me this way in the past, you will have to rejoin due to a new feed.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

Hosted by An Island Life

QUESTION:
What book are you reading?
Answer:
Killer Bytes:  A Novella of Intrigue by Alan Williams then on to The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davey.  I signed up for a weekend Read-A-Thon so hopefully will get a lot of reading done these next couple of days.

The hosts for the wickedly wonderful weekend of reading are
Rebecca From Kindle Fire
and
April of My Shelf Confessions.

I have signed up for another Read-A-Thon starting today.  And it’s perfect timing.  I am a bit under the weather with bronchitis, so I plan to get nice and comfy with my fleece blanket, my hot coffee and read.  There is still time to join up, just click above. Good Luck to those that are participating.  I will be  checking in to see what’s going on in the neighborhood but if I don’t respond right away, I’ve gone to where my book has taken me.

Hosted by Michelle from The True Book Addict

Progress:  22.5 hours

Congratulations and WTG!! to those that participated and accomplished their goals during this Winter Respite Read-A-Thon.  And a HUGE thank you goes out to Michelle for hosting it.  She did a WONDERFUL job!!

For myself, I am pleased with the amount of hours I put in.  I would have been happier with more but whenever I sign up for one, it never fails, RL always interferes.  But these past few days I was able to put in more hours than I expected to.   Yesterday in and out of my reading chair, I put in 8 hours of reading.   The fact that the book that I am reading, Love Thy Neighbor by Mark Gilleo, has turned out to be a page turner, was another reason I didn’t leave my reading spot.

Another good day yesterday!!  Two days in a row!!  That never ever happens when I sign up for a read-a-thon.

Hosted by Michelle from The True Book Addict

Progress:   Sub Total  14 1/2 hours

Yesterday was a good day for reading.   With a combination of bronchitis and pain from working on my mother’s house the other day, I spent a good amount of time in the recliner reading….6 1/2 hours.  Hoping to get more hours in today.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELIZABETH FROM SILVER’S REVIEW

Elizabeth has been selected as a nominee for the Top Writing Blogs Award!  If you aren’t a visitor of her blog, you may remember her when she was showcased one Sunday as a Shining Star. (which I hope to eventually bring back).  Elizabeth and I met online and seriously think we may be distant cousins, so much so, that we call each other “Cuz”.  Voting started yesterday and I would love it if she won as she is definitely deserving of this award.  So I ask if you could take a few minutes out of your days and do the following:

http://blog.ecollegefinder.org/writing-blog-award/

Thank you, from both my cousin and I.  I’m off to vote, once, twice, , ok a few times, I really want her to win!!!!!

http://btt2.wordpress.com

Today’s question:
What’s more important: Good writing? Or a good story?
(Of course, a book should have BOTH, but…)

My answer:
This took quite a bit of thinking, and yes, both are needed.  But I think if the story or the premise is not there to grip you, no matter how well it is written, it won’t make for an enjoyable read.

Hosted by Michelle from The True Book Addict

Progress To Date:  7 1/2
Wednesday’s:  2 1/2 hrs
Previous Days’ Hours:  5  hrs

Oh well..another not s0 good reading day.  Yesterday was an appointment with a lady who assists with liquidations of houses which I am still in the process of with my Mom’s house.  Not an easy task for those who don’t know and for those who do know, understand.  Both physically and emotionally draining as you go through memories of your life.