Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Author: CMash
An avid reader for many years. Married for 31 years with 2 fantastic adult sons who I am so very proud of with great gfs. Am disabled. Found this wonderful community of book blogging in approximately December 2009 and have loved every minute of it. Am now a reviewer for authors, publishers, publicists, etc. And am also a partner in a Virtual PR tour company, Partners In Crime Tours for authors of novels of mystery, suspense and crime (www.Partnersincrimetours.net)
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The box had been sealed with clear packing tape. She’d noted that the label was printed with her name and address, but not in the sender’s information. That was curious, but she didn’t think too much of it as she split the tape, folded back the flaps, and lifted out the gift-wrappd box inside.
She never could have prepared herself for the hideous surprise it contained.
page 8
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Today’s muse:
What is your least favorite book? Why?
My Thoughts:
I am a bit confused by this question, but then so is the host. Does it mean that the book is a favorite, but in ranking, on the last rung? Or does it mean what is the book, of all read, that you liked the least?
I’m going to answer the latter. However, even that is a tough question.
If it was a book that I didn’t like, of all the books I have read (at my age that’s a lot of books), I still don’t know the answer. If it was a specific book, that I didn’t like it, then I have no memory of it. The only books that make a memorable mark, are the good books. I know I have read many books, that I have put aside because I didn’t like or DNF, but once I put it aside, I never think about or recall it unless I look at my spreadsheets.
I would have to say, generally, my least favorite books are those that are by authors that are on my “authors to read” list, books that I can’t wait for publication so that I can read it, and then it turns out to be a disappointment. Now that has happened on many occasions. And if it does, I tend to take a break from that writer. For example. I HAD to read Danielle Steel’s books as soon as one came out. I don’t remember the titles, since it was years ago, but I do recall that I read 2 of her subsequent books and both seemed to be written in a rushed manner, not like the early Danielle Steel books, like The Ring, which I do remember was the first Steel book I read and which was the book that that made me put her on “authors to read list” and that was eons ago (approx. 40 years ago). Maybe it’s time to pick up one of her recent books since it has been years since I have read one of her novels.
What about you? Do you have a least favorite book?
September is being hosted by BookNAround
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
No books this week, but then, it is a good
thing. I need to get up to speed with reading.
I am participating in the BEST INDIE BOOK FESTIVAL, Thriller Event, hosted by author, frequent visitor and friend Melissa Foster, author of Come Back To Me, Megan’s Way, and Chasing Amanda. She has gathered a number of book bloggers to introduce ten (10) authors this week. I have the honor of introducing you to Stephen Woodfin. So I ask, if you can help me, give him a warm welcome to CMash Reads.
STEPHEN WOODFIN
Hi Stephen and welcome to CMash Reads. It’s an honor to have you visit today. I have a few questions that I am sure my followers would be interested in knowing.
CM: Can you tell us a little bit about you and your book, Last One Chosen?
SW: I live in a small town in East Texas where I practice law, write books and study the publishing business. My wife of 26 years is an occupational therapist who works in pediatric OT. I have three daughters, the youngest of which graduated from high school in May 2012. I blog regularly at http://venturegalleries.com/author/stephenwoodfin/ , and my Twitter handle is @stephenwoodfin.Last One Chosen, the first novel I wrote, is a fast-paced legal thriller in which the government attempts to silence a brilliant scientist who will not assist in a plan to deploy the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. It is a parable about what can happen to a genuinely good person who refuses to violate his conscience. It is the first book in the Revelation Trilogy.
SW: I live in a small town in East Texas where I practice law, write books and study the publishing business. My wife of 26 years is an occupational therapist who works in pediatric OT. I have three daughters, the youngest of which graduated from high school in May 2012. I blog regularly at http://venturegalleries.com/author/stephenwoodfin/ , and my Twitter handle is @stephenwoodfin.Last One Chosen, the first novel I wrote, is a fast-paced legal thriller in which the government attempts to silence a brilliant scientist who will not assist in a plan to deploy the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. It is a parable about what can happen to a genuinely good person who refuses to violate his conscience. It is the first book in the Revelation Trilogy.
CM: What or where did you draw from for the plot of your book? And what type of research you did?
SW: Take this notion: A person who is without reproach faces the raw power of government and refuses to compromise his moral values. Set the story in the present, make what is at stake a matter of life and death for many people and see where it leads. That’s about as much as I can tell you about the genesis of the story. I wrote about places I knew from visiting or living in them. And I wrote about what I have observed of human nature. So, the research was really investigation into the human condition.
SW: Take this notion: A person who is without reproach faces the raw power of government and refuses to compromise his moral values. Set the story in the present, make what is at stake a matter of life and death for many people and see where it leads. That’s about as much as I can tell you about the genesis of the story. I wrote about places I knew from visiting or living in them. And I wrote about what I have observed of human nature. So, the research was really investigation into the human condition.
CM: Are your characters based on people you know and/or have met? If you were offered a movie deal of your book, who would you cast for your characters?
SW: I suppose the two lawyers in the book, Ert Roberts and Leadoff Pickens, are based on my own personal story and the story of a young protégé of mine. The other characters are not based on any specific people, but represent a lot of different types of people: a TV actor, a business man who got caught stealing, a Gay Black preacher, a woman of the street, an establishment minister who loses his job. The bad guys are remorse and conniving, and will stop at nothing to accomplish their goals.I actually have had an inquiry about the movie rights to Last One Chosen, but nothing has been finalized. In the movie, I could see this cast: Joshua Issacharoff (Benicio Del Toro); Leadoff Pickens (Matt Damon); Maggie (Charlize Theron); Ert Roberts (Gregory Peck a little older than when he played Atticus Finch).
SW: I suppose the two lawyers in the book, Ert Roberts and Leadoff Pickens, are based on my own personal story and the story of a young protégé of mine. The other characters are not based on any specific people, but represent a lot of different types of people: a TV actor, a business man who got caught stealing, a Gay Black preacher, a woman of the street, an establishment minister who loses his job. The bad guys are remorse and conniving, and will stop at nothing to accomplish their goals.I actually have had an inquiry about the movie rights to Last One Chosen, but nothing has been finalized. In the movie, I could see this cast: Joshua Issacharoff (Benicio Del Toro); Leadoff Pickens (Matt Damon); Maggie (Charlize Theron); Ert Roberts (Gregory Peck a little older than when he played Atticus Finch).
CM: Is your next book in the works? Can you give us some hints about it?
SW: I have written and published five novels. Two of them are the second and third installments of the Revelation Trilogy. Those books, Next Best Hope and The Revelation Effect, deal with the relationship between faith and politics, although they are also fast-paced legal thrillers. In the first book, a group that calls itself the Christian Militants attempts to overthrow the United States government, and all hell breaks loose. In the second, the body count grows as a splinter group resorts to acts of terrorism to destabilize the government.I have also written a football book called Money is Thicker Than Blood: Murder in the SEC and a book which features a WWII vet with Alzheimer’s disease called The Warrior With Alzheimers: The Battle for Justice. Alzheimer’s disease is an issue that is a passion of mine because my mother fought a terrible ten-year struggle against it.The book I am working on now also deals with an Alzheimer’s theme, but from a totally different angle. I hope to have it finished in time to release it before the coming holiday season.
SW: I have written and published five novels. Two of them are the second and third installments of the Revelation Trilogy. Those books, Next Best Hope and The Revelation Effect, deal with the relationship between faith and politics, although they are also fast-paced legal thrillers. In the first book, a group that calls itself the Christian Militants attempts to overthrow the United States government, and all hell breaks loose. In the second, the body count grows as a splinter group resorts to acts of terrorism to destabilize the government.I have also written a football book called Money is Thicker Than Blood: Murder in the SEC and a book which features a WWII vet with Alzheimer’s disease called The Warrior With Alzheimers: The Battle for Justice. Alzheimer’s disease is an issue that is a passion of mine because my mother fought a terrible ten-year struggle against it.The book I am working on now also deals with an Alzheimer’s theme, but from a totally different angle. I hope to have it finished in time to release it before the coming holiday season.
CM: What are you currently reading? Some of your favorite authors?
SW: I recently finished Creole Belle by James Lee Burke. I read all his work. My other favorite writers are probably Robert Parker and Ernest Hemingway. I read a lot of novels by independent writers and plan to read all the thrillers that are finalists in the Best Indie Books of 2012 list. I also plan to read Hugh Howey’s Wool, which I have just started.
SW: I recently finished Creole Belle by James Lee Burke. I read all his work. My other favorite writers are probably Robert Parker and Ernest Hemingway. I read a lot of novels by independent writers and plan to read all the thrillers that are finalists in the Best Indie Books of 2012 list. I also plan to read Hugh Howey’s Wool, which I have just started.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by. It has been a pleasure meeting you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephen Woodfin holds a BA in religion from Dallas Baptist University, graduating magna cum laude in 1974, as well as a Master of Divinity Degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC (1979) where he received the Cullen Midler Theology Award for the best paper submitted in Systematic Theology. In 1985, he graduated from Baylor Law School with a JD and gained admittance to the State Bar of Texas. He has practiced law for the last twenty-six years. He often tells juries that he went to seminary to get the Lord on his side and to law school to get the Devil on his side.
Woodfin has appeared as a featured speaker at state and national legal seminars, authoring papers for these appearances and for the Texas Paralegal Journal. His presentation at the American Bar Association Annual Seminar on Class Actions was one of the highest ranked of the seminar.
In 2008, Woodfin’s courtroom short story, The Promiscuity Defense, appeared in the Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization (NETWO) Anthology. Also in 2008, Writer’s Digest published his story, He Ain’t Leaving; He’s Gone, in its 2008 Short Short Story Collection. The story, which features a protagonist suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, ranked 15th out of over 7,000 submissions.
Woodfin is the author of five legal thrillers, a collection of short stories and standalone satirical five thousand word piece about a lawyer turned vampire who faces an ethical dilemma when he becomes a born-again Christian.
You can visit Stephen at his website, FB, Twitter and blog.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Homeland Security agents raid a small East Texas town and arrest a humble blue-collar worker for domestic terrorism and espionage. When two country lawyers take on his defense and fight to prevent their client’s execution, they learn that he holds the secret of a doomsday device, a secret he will not divulge, even under torture. At the trial’s astonishing conclusion, they realize for the first time that their struggle was not only about justice, but also redemption.
LAST ONE CHOSEN chronicles what can happen when one person motivated purely by the desire to do good for his fellow human beings is willing to give his life to oppose the forces of evil.
Join Stephen Woodfin and 9 other award-winning authors in the BEST INDIE BOOK FESTIVAL,
Featuring 10 Literary Fiction & Thriller Titles!
TWO DAYS ONLY!
Tues. Sept. 18-Wed., Sept. 19th.
10 Award winning books and SEVERAL chances to win a
$10, $20, or $50 Amazon gift card
(3 lucky WINNERS will be chosen!)
Click the image below for details
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affliate.
I am providing link(s) solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
Today is an exciting day for me. I have the honor and pleasure to introduce you to a new author, that I have met through Partners In Crime Tours, as we kick off his 2 month tour. Remember this name because after reading his book, I am sure you will be hearing a lot about him!! I would like you to meet Mr. Giacomo Giammatteo!!
GIACOMO GIAMMATTEO
I live in Texas now, but I grew up in Cleland Heights, a mixed ethnic neighborhood in Wilmington, Delaware that sat on the fringes of the Italian, Irish and Polish neighborhoods. The main characters of Murder Takes Time grew up in Cleland Heights and many of the scenes in the book were taken from real-life experiences.
Somehow I survived the transition to adulthood, but when my kids were young I left the Northeast and settled in Texas, where my wife suggested we get a few animals. I should have known better; we now have a full-blown animal sanctuary with rescues from all over. At last count we had 41 animals—12 dogs, a horse, a three-legged cat and 26 pigs.
Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with me every day and happens to also be my best buddy.
Since this is a bio some of you might wonder what I do. By day I am a headhunter, scouring the country for top talent to fill jobs in the biotech and medical device industry. In the evening I help my wife tend the animals, and at night—late at night—I turn into a writer.
Visit Giacomo at his Website, Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn’t good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable.
Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
Read my review here.
Watch the trailer:
Read an excerpt:
Chapter 1
Rule Number One―Murder Takes TimeBrooklyn, New York—Current Day
He sipped the last of a shitty cup of coffee and stared across the street at Nino Tortella, the guy he was going to kill. Killing was an art, requiring finesse, planning, skill—and above all—patience. Patience had been the most difficult to learn. The killing came naturally. He cursed himself for that. Prayed to God every night for the strength to stop. But so far God hadn’t answered him, and there were still a few more people that needed killing.The waitress leaned forward to refill his cup, her cleavage a hint that more than coffee was being offered. “You want more?”He waved a hand—Nino was heading towards his car. “Just the check, please.”
From behind her ear she pulled a yellow pencil, tucked into a tight bun of red hair, then opened the receipt book clipped to the pocket of her apron. Cigarette smoke lingered on her breath, almost hidden by the gum she chewed.Spearmint, he thought, and smiled. It was his favorite, too.He waited for her to leave, scanned the table and booth, plucked a few strands of hair from the torn cushion and a fingernail clipping from the windowsill. After putting them into a small plastic bag, he wiped everything with a napkin. The check was $4.28. He pulled a five and a one from his money clip and left them on the table. As he moved to the door he glanced out the window. Nino already left the lot, but it was Thursday, and on Thursdays Nino stopped for pizza.He parked three blocks from Nino’s house, finding a spot where the snow wasn’t piled high at the curb. After pulling a black wool cap over his forehead, he put leather gloves on, raised the collar on his coat then grabbed his black sports bag. Favoring his left leg, he walked down the street, dropping his eyes if he passed someone. The last thing he wanted was a witness remembering his face.He counted the joints in the concrete as he walked. Numbers forced him to think logically, kept his mind off what he had to do. He didn’t want to kill Nino. He had to. It seemed as if all of his life he was doing things he didn’t want to do. He shook his head, focused on the numbers again.When he drew near the house, he cast a quick glance to ensure the neighbors’ cars weren’t there. The door took less than thirty seconds to open. He kept his hat and gloves on, walked into the kitchen, and set his bag on the counter. He removed a pair of tongs and a shot glass, and set them on the coffee table.
A glance around the room had him straightening pictures and moving dirty dishes to the sink. A picture of an older woman stared at him from a shelf above an end table. Might be his mother, he thought, and gently set it face down. Back to the kitchen. He opened the top of the black bag and removed two smaller bags. He set one in the fridge and took the other with him.
Rule Number One―Murder Takes TimeBrooklyn, New York—Current Day
He sipped the last of a shitty cup of coffee and stared across the street at Nino Tortella, the guy he was going to kill. Killing was an art, requiring finesse, planning, skill—and above all—patience. Patience had been the most difficult to learn. The killing came naturally. He cursed himself for that. Prayed to God every night for the strength to stop. But so far God hadn’t answered him, and there were still a few more people that needed killing.The waitress leaned forward to refill his cup, her cleavage a hint that more than coffee was being offered. “You want more?”He waved a hand—Nino was heading towards his car. “Just the check, please.”
From behind her ear she pulled a yellow pencil, tucked into a tight bun of red hair, then opened the receipt book clipped to the pocket of her apron. Cigarette smoke lingered on her breath, almost hidden by the gum she chewed.Spearmint, he thought, and smiled. It was his favorite, too.He waited for her to leave, scanned the table and booth, plucked a few strands of hair from the torn cushion and a fingernail clipping from the windowsill. After putting them into a small plastic bag, he wiped everything with a napkin. The check was $4.28. He pulled a five and a one from his money clip and left them on the table. As he moved to the door he glanced out the window. Nino already left the lot, but it was Thursday, and on Thursdays Nino stopped for pizza.He parked three blocks from Nino’s house, finding a spot where the snow wasn’t piled high at the curb. After pulling a black wool cap over his forehead, he put leather gloves on, raised the collar on his coat then grabbed his black sports bag. Favoring his left leg, he walked down the street, dropping his eyes if he passed someone. The last thing he wanted was a witness remembering his face.He counted the joints in the concrete as he walked. Numbers forced him to think logically, kept his mind off what he had to do. He didn’t want to kill Nino. He had to. It seemed as if all of his life he was doing things he didn’t want to do. He shook his head, focused on the numbers again.When he drew near the house, he cast a quick glance to ensure the neighbors’ cars weren’t there. The door took less than thirty seconds to open. He kept his hat and gloves on, walked into the kitchen, and set his bag on the counter. He removed a pair of tongs and a shot glass, and set them on the coffee table.
A glance around the room had him straightening pictures and moving dirty dishes to the sink. A picture of an older woman stared at him from a shelf above an end table. Might be his mother, he thought, and gently set it face down. Back to the kitchen. He opened the top of the black bag and removed two smaller bags. He set one in the fridge and took the other with him.
The contents of the second bag—hair and other items—he spread throughout the living room. The crime scene unit would get a kick out of that. He did one final check, removed a baseball bat from the bag, then sat on the couch behind the door. The bat lay on the cushion beside him. While he stretched his legs and leaned back, he thought about Nino. It would be easy to just shoot him, but that wouldn’t be fair. Renzo suffered for what he did; Nino should too. He remembered Mamma Rosa’s warnings, that the things people did would come back to haunt them. Nino would pay the price now.
A car pulled into the driveway. He sat up straight and gripped the bat.
#
Nino had a smile on his face and a bounce in his step. It was only Thursday and already he’d sold more cars than he needed for the month. Maybe I’ll buy Anna that coat she’s been wanting. Nino’s stomach rumbled, but he had a pepperoni pizza in his hand and a bottle of Chianti tucked into his coat pocket. He opened the door, slipped the keys into his pocket, and kicked the door shut with his foot.
There was a black sports bag on the kitchen table. Wasn’t there before, Nino thought. A shiver ran down his spine. He felt a presence in the house. Before he could turn, something slammed into his back. His right kidney exploded with pain.
“Goddamn.” Nino dropped the pizza, stumbled, and fell to the floor. His right side felt on fire. As his left shoulder collided with the hardwood floor, a bat hit him just above the wrist. The snap of bones sounded just before the surge of pain.
“Fuck.” He rolled to the side and reached for his gun.
The bat swung again.
Nino’s ribs cracked like kindling. Something sharp jabbed deep inside him. His mouth filled with a warm coppery taste. Nino recognized the man who stood above him. “Anything you want,” he said.
“Just kill me quick.”
#
The bat struck Nino’s knee, the crunch of bones drowned by his screams. The man stared at Nino. Let him cry. “I got Renzo last month. You hear about that?”
Nino nodded.
He tapped Nino’s pocket with his foot, felt a gun. “If you reach for the gun, I’ll hit you again.”
Another nod.
He knelt next to Nino, took the shot glass from the coffee table. “Open your mouth.”
Nino opened his eyes wide and shook his head.
The man grabbed the tongs, shoved one end into the side of Nino’s mouth, and squeezed the handles, opening the tongs wide. When he had Nino’s mouth pried open enough, he shoved the shot glass in. It was a small shot glass, but to Nino it must have seemed big enough to hold a gallon. Nino tried screaming, but couldn’t. Couldn’t talk either, with the glass in there. Nino’s head bobbed, and he squirmed. Nothing but grunts came out—fear-tinged mumbles coated with blood.
The man stood, glared at Nino. Gripped the bat with both hands. “You shouldn’t have done it.”
A dark stain spread on the front of Nino’s pants. The stench of excrement filled the room. He stared at Nino, raised the bat over his head, and swung. Nino’s lips burst open, splitting apart from both sides. Teeth shattered, some flying out, others embedding into the flesh of his cheeks. The shot glass exploded. Glass dug deep gouges into his tongue, severing the front of it. Shards of glass pierced his lips and tunneled into his throat.
He stared at Nino’s face, the strips of torn flesh covered in blood. He gulped. Almost stopped. But then he thought about what Nino had done, and swung the bat one more time. After that, Nino Tortella lay still.
He returned to the kitchen and took a small box from the bag on the counter then went back to the living room. Inside the box were more hairs, blood, skin, and other evidence. He spread the items over and around the body then made a final trip to the kitchen to clean up. He undressed and placed his clothes into a large plastic bag, tied it, and set it inside the black bag. He took out a change of clothes, including shoes and plastic covers for them. Careful not to step in any blood, he went back to stand over the body.
Nino lay in his own piss, shit, and blood, eyes wide-open, mouth agape.
You should never have done it, Nino.
He blessed himself with the sign of the cross while he repeated the Trinitarian formula. “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.” Then he shot Nino. Once in the head. Once in the heart. An eye for an eye. And then some.
Before stepping out the door, he removed the plastic covers for his shoes, placed them into the bag, then closed and locked the door behind him. The wind had picked up since he arrived, bringing a cold bite with it. He turned his collar up and tucked his head into his chest.
Forgive me, Father, for what I have done.
He walked two more blocks, almost to the car, when an image of Donnie Amato appeared in his head.
And for what I still have to do.
Purchase links: AMAZON link B&N link
Check out his tour schedule here and enter for a chance to win his book.
THANKS TO AUTHOR, GIACOMO GIAMMATTEO, I HAVE
ONE (1) COPY OF HIS THRILLING BOOK TO GIVEAWAY.
OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE U.S., CANADA, & UK
CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affliate.
I am providing link(s) solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
SEPTEMBER 15th to SEPTEMBER 29th, 2012
MURDER TAKES TIME
by GIACOMO GIAMMATTEO
SYNOPSIS:
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn’t good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable.
Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable.
Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
THANKS TO AUTHOR, GIACOMO GIAMMATTEO
I HAVE ONE ( 1 ) COPY OF THIS
THRILLING BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.
THRILLING BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
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DISCLAIMER / RULES
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
the giveaway on behalf of the
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exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
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Murder Takes Time by Giacomo Giammatteo
Published by: Inferno Publishing Company
Publication Date: April 12, 2012
ISBN-10: 0985030208
ISBN-13: 978-0985030209
Pages: 438
Review Copy from: Author
Edition: Kindle
My Rating: 5
Synopsis (from author):
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn’t good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life–the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years–and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
My Thoughts and Opinion:
I hope you will indulge me as I feel that I need to add a caveat to this review. Prior to three (3) years ago I was an avid reader and consumer. Since that time I have added a few more titles, such as blogger, reviewer and tour coordinator. Since finding this book blogging community, I have had the opportunity to read and review many titles that I wouldn’t have read, due to other bloggers’ reviews, review requests, and through my new venture, Partners In Crime Tours. When I first started reviewing, because I valued and relied on other bloggers’ thoughts as a meter to read a certain book or not, I have always, no matter who, how and/or where a certain book was obtained from, written a review based on my honest opinion for those that relied on my POV. And as I have stated in many of my reviews, I am always a bit skeptical when I first pick up a book knowing that it is a debut novel. With all that being said, I will now give you my honest impression of Murder Takes Time by Giacomo Giammatteo, a debut author and book that, starting today, is kicking off his virtual tour with Partners In Crime Tours.
An author once told me, that a reader should be hooked by a book, within the first 15 pages. This book pulled me in within the first few paragraphs and never gave me the chance to get away. I had to keep turning the pages. The story alternates between the past and the present day with two (2) of the main protagonists’ narratives. The writing flowed and was descriptive. The characters came alive. The plot believable. The suspense and action non stop. This novel had all the elements whereas I was able to create vivid imagery as if I was watching a movie in my mind, engrossing to the point that time got away from me, compelling and thrilling to the point I had a hard time putting it down. It is a debut novel that was written as if it was penned by a seasoned author. A writer, that can make the reader question, why at times you would root for the “bad guy”.
There are some explicit scenes that contain graphic descriptions of violence and strong language, however, and this is my opinion only, that it made the story more realistic. I would not recommend it to those who find those factors offensive. But as an overall mafia-like, calculating, suspenseful, dynamic and dramatic story, it was a knock out entertaining reading experience by a debut author. A debut writer that I am sure you will be hearing more about. If you enjoyed The Godfather and Goodfellas, you will definitely want to read Murder Takes Time. It was tense and intense!! I am looking forward to the next book in this series!!
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
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From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
No matter what time I get up, usually 6:30am or earlier, I have a consistent morning routine. I wake up, grab a K cup, make my 1st cup of coffee, take my meds, and meet my husband in my office, where he has already booted up my computer, for our morning coffee and conversation about our day’s plans. So my questions is:
Do you have a morning routine?
