thriller » Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

Review: A Case of Redemption by Adam Mitzner

May 172013

A Case of Redemption
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Gallery Books (May 14, 2013)
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1451674798
E-Book File Size: 652 KB
ASIN: B008J2B29O

Dan Sorenson was a high profile attorney at a big New York firm spending 12-16 hours a day working. Then the unthinkable happened. His wife and daughter were killed in a horrifying auto accident. He quits the law firm and spends 18 months wallowing in his grief. Drinking so much that he blacks out and forgets hours of time.

At a party he meets someone who can give him the opportunity of a lifetime, a way to start over, but first he has to have them explain the whole idea again as he barely remembers the meeting.

An up and coming rapper has been accused of killing his pop star “girlfriend”. He swears he is innocent but the press has the story on every front page so defending him will be an upward climb. He is not sure he is ready just a huge case. He also realizes this could be his last chance to get his life back on track. In a way he needs this client as much as his client needs him.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
Oh this story is like a ride on a tilt-o-whirl. Full of twists and spins and plenty of excitement.

I love the way Mitzner creates characters readers will love even the ones we love to hate. Defending L.D. takes over Sorenson’s life. Nina was the calming influence he needed. J. D. has a past that has to be clarified and clarified again. The prosecuting attorney was a strong woman just doing her job. The trial judge adds a little humor to the story.

Told from Sorenson’s point of view readers have the “you are there” feeling. The story builds and builds at a perfect pace leading up to the trial but I can’t tell you more you have to read it for yourself. Just know the pages will be flying.

Fans of Grisham and Turow will love Mitzner. With just two books out he is definitely an author to watch. I can’t wait until his next book. Will Dan Sorenson pop up again? I sure hope so!!

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About This Author

Adam Mitzner, a lawyer by day, is the author of A Case of Redemption, and A Conflict of Interest, one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of 2011. He lives in New York City.

To learn more check out his webpage here.

Follow him on:

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Shattered by Lizbeth Lipperman

E-Book Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge, Reviews 2013, Where Are You Reading Challenge 1 Response »

Apr 162013

Shattered
Suspense/Thriller
Published by The Story Vault (March 25, 2013)
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0615788296
E-Book File Size: 907 KB
ASIN: B00BSESWPW

Jennifer Lozano has just landed in Costa Rica for a friend’s bachelorette party. She was hoping a few days on a sunny, sandy beach would help her get over her broken heart. She doesn’t even get out of the airport before she finds herself in the middle of a gunfight. The man she sat next to on the plane is gunned down and one of the gunman is hit as well. Her nursing instincts kick in and she tries to help the man closest to her only to find herself being taken hostage by a group of Colombian rebels. They use her a shield to get out of the airport and take her with them as they head back to Columbia. She hears her captors talking about killing her and leaving her on the side of the road but right now they need her. The man hit was their leader and her nursing skills are needed to keep him alive. As long as she does that they will let her live, but then what?

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Wow! Wow! WOW!!!

Lipperman takes us deep into the Colombian jungle and like Jennifer the reader will be deeply affected by this group of Freedom Fighters. Men, woman and children fighting against the powerful Cali Cartel to make the region safe for them and others. Jennifer also has an awakening about her own life witnessing “the family” she has been drawn into and by the person who comes to rescue her. He too will learn his life path before was cloudy, but after his time in Columbia everything becomes clear and in total focus. It takes time before they both realize they want the same thing.

We are taken from Texas to Costa Rica then on to Columbia and back to Texas. It is quite a journey and you will be glued to the pages for the entire trip. The characters and settings are so real. This author is excellent in putting the reader right there. You can hear the gunfire, smell the food, and feel the heat. The reader is immersed into the story and you become invested in these characters.

I found this author through her cozy mysteries so I want to warn there is nothing cozy about this story. It is a suspense and thrill filled story with just a bit of romance and a strong sense of family dynamic. It is a story of courage and perseverance, hope and dreams! This is story for your keeper shelf because it is a story you will want to read again and again.

Wow!! You need to get this book today!!

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Find out more about this author at her webpage here. Follow her on

Liz has a new book out next month!

Just click on the cover to pre-order your copy!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dead Peasants by Larry Thompson Virtual Book Tour (Giveaway too!)

Giveaways, Guest Posts, Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge, Reviews 2013, Virtual Blog Tour 21 Responses »

Apr 052013

I am thrilled this awesome author had time to
give us a little insight on what made him write books like this one!

Dolly asks about my becoming a writer later in life, my brother and the family tradition:

I think I always knew I would eventually become a writer. I dabbled in journalism in college, but by then my brother, Thomas (Tommy) Thompson was well on his way to a successful writing career, first as a reporter and then with LIFE magazine in its heyday. I chose not to follow in his footsteps and went to law school at The University of Texas.

From there I moved to Houston, married and started the law firm that I still head. With three kids and a full time law practice there were not enough hours in the day to write; so, I shoved the idea aside.

When my youngest son graduated from SMU, I decided to see if I could write a novel. Having had my last formal training in freshman English, I was brazen enough to forego writing seminars and just sat down at the computer. That led to my first novel, So Help Me God.

My brother, by the way, left LIFE and published his first book when he was thirty-seven. He went on to become an internationally famous best-selling author who died way to young with liver cancer.

It was twenty years after his death that I began So Help Me God. So, I suppose that it is something in our DNA that leads us into writing. Whatever it is, I find I enjoy the creative process and look forward to my time at the computer (usually a couple of hours early in the morning before I head off to a full day as a trial lawyer).

~Larry

Dead Peasants: A Thriller
Suspense Thriller
Thomas Dunne Books (October 2, 2012)
St. Martin’s Press
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250009494
E-Book File Size: 465 KB
ASIN: B008VA736K

Synopsis: Lawyer Jack Bryant retires early to Fort Worth to kick back, relax and watch his son play football at TCU. Bored with retirement he opens a pro bono office in his RV. When Jack finds an elderly widow at his doorstep, clutching a check for life insurance proceeds on her husband but payable to his former employer, Jack files a civil suit to collect the benefits rightfully due the widow. A seemingly accidental death of his client’s husband thrusts Jack into a vortex of serial killings. He and his new love interest find themselves targets in the same murder for hire scheme. To stop the killings Jack must unravel what in their past makes certain people worth more dead than alive.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

RIVETING!!!

I loved this book! I sat down on a Sunday afternoon and started this book and hardly moved until I reached the last word.

I wish I knew an attorney like Jack Bryant. He has enough money to live comfortably forever and retires to put his son first. Something he hasn’t been able to do before because of his career. But his son is grown and while it is great having him around and watching him play ball, Jack needs more. He decides to give back to his community by helping those who need legal help but could never afford proper representation. An added bonus is his son being able to work with him.

I was personally touched by the man he helped with his mortgage foreclosure. This is happening all over the U.S. and the banks are winning because people can’t get help or get scammed by the wrong help. Scary to think the home you have had for years could be gone and you could be homeless.

The real meat of the story is the case he takes on for June Davis. Her husband Willie passed away and like always she is struggling to just get by. Then she receives a surprise from the U.S. Postal Service that in Jack Bryant’s hands could change her life forever. It will also open up a huge can of worms that will start to link together several unexplained deaths and will put his own life in danger.

Thompson has created fantastic well rounded characters and writes their stories in such a way that you are right there with them in the courtroom, on the streets and in his office RV. It also felt has if I was watching a movie, the pages were turning so fast.

A legal thriller that packs quite a punch!! This is one I would shout about from the rooftops if I could!!

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I am thrilled to be able to give away a e-copy of this book!!

You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.

Leave a comment for Larry Thompson for 5 Bonus Entries !

If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
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Contest Will End April 19, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the book tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Bullet For Carlos by Giacomo Giammatteo Virtual Book Tour with Giveaway

E-Book Challenge, Giveaways, Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge, Reviews 2013, Virtual Blog Tour, Where Are You Reading Challenge 7 Responses »

Mar 142013

This is my second tour for Giacomo Giammatteo.
He is definitely an author I am keeping my eye on.

A Bullet For Carlos:
Blood Flows South, Book 1
Mystery/Thriller
Inferno Publishing Company (October 18, 2012)
Paperback: 420 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0985030247
E-Book File Size: 713 KB
ASIN: B009SYML7Y

Detective Connie Giannelli’s life has been torn apart several times. First when her mother died and then years later when she found out her Uncle Dominic was in the mob. Her life is about to be shredded again, and this time it could destroy her.

Connie’s love of family and her badge are both threatened when an undercover drug bust leaves two cops dead and the drugs missing. Internal Affairs is looking for any excuse to take her badge, but she’s not worried about them finding the missing drugs—her secrets could prove to be far worse.

Now Connie’s racing against the clock to figure out who killed her partners and took the drugs—dirty cops or Uncle Dominic’s friends. And she has to do it before IA pins the whole damn thing on her.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I am so impressed with the strong female character that Giammatteo has written. Connie Giannelli is formidable woman you don’t want to mess with. Even when sent away from New York to Texas she is determined to get her man or men and bring them to justice. What a crazy life she has had and continues to lead!

He has also written some dynamo supporting characters from her uncles to the cops she works with both in New York and Houston to the cartel in Mexico. They are so fully developed and well described that you feel like you are watching a movie or television drama instead of reading a book.

I reviewed another book my this author last September, Murder Takes Time: Friendship & Honor Series, Book One (Volume 1), so I knew he created fabulous characters. In fact one crosses over to this book. The author tells his story from multiple points of view and while a tad confusing in that book he has ironed out all the issues in this one with clever icons to start each chapter and better transitions.

The story is full of action, suspense, and has engaging dialogue giving you that hold on tight/edge of your seat feeling. The book is graphic and does have some strong language that would be expected in a book of this type.

I am thrilled this book is the first in a series because I want to know more about Connie and her unconventional family and the choices she makes going forward. I hated to see this book end. I anxiously await A Bullet For Dominic. Murder Has Consequences (Friendship & Honor, Book 2) is available now in E-book (Kindle) format. Giacomo Giammatteo is definitely an author to watch. I expect to see his books on bestseller lists everywhere very soon!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Giacomo Giammatteo lives in Texas, where he and his wife run an animal sanctuary and take care of 41 loving rescues. By day, he works as a headhunter in the medical device industry, and at night, he writes.

Visit Giacomo on his website:

or:

The author is giving 1 e-book copy away!!

Enter using Rafflecopter below!

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Contest Ends March 29 at 12:00 a.m.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Six Years by Harlan Coben

Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge, Reviews 2013 1 Response »

Mar 122013

Six Years
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Dutton Adult (March 19, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
Hardcover: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0525953487
E-Book File Size: 568 KB
ASIN: B008EKMBW8

Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for…but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for almost two decades, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
Classic Coben! I absolutely loved this story! Wow!

The entire story is told from Jake’s point of view and we get to know everything he is feeling from confusion to joy and every other emotion you can conceive. A character with layers and we get to peel them away and really understand his life. To love someone so quickly and so deeply, then to have them just slip away, later realizing all the lies and deception, and knowing that if he delves any further to get to the truth he is putting himself and people he cares about in danger.

This complex story is very unique and perfectly paced. I loved the romantic twist in this suspense filled novel, spiced with just a bit of humor – Coben style. Readers are taken on a wild ride from the first page to the last. You will not be able to put this book down so plan accordingly. Harlan Coben keeps getting better and better! I don’t know how he is going to top this one! Pre-Order your copy today!

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About This Author
With over 47 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben’s last three consecutive novels, Caught, Long Lost and Hold Tight all debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and lists around the world. His next thriller Live Wire will be out in early spring 2011. His books are published in 40 languages around the globe and have been number one bestsellers in over a dozen countries.

Winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award—the first author to win all three—international bestselling author Harlan Coben’s critically-acclaimed novels have been called “ingenious” (New York Times), “poignant and insightful” (Los Angeles Times), “consistently entertaining” (Houston Chronicle), “superb” (Chicago Tribune) and “must reading” (Philadelphia Inquirer). His most recent novels, Caught, Long Lost, Hold Tight, The Woods, Promise Me, The Innocent, Just One Look, No Second Chance, Tell No One and Gone for Good have appeared on the top of all the major bestseller lists including the New York Times, London Times, Le Monde, Publishers Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY.

To find out more about Harlan Coben and his book check out his webpage here. You can even read the first chapter of Six Years,

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Special Guest – Peter Leonard – Back From The Dead Virtual Book Tour (Giveaway)

A - Z Reading Challenge, Giveaways, Guest Posts, Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge 21 Responses »

Mar 072013

This is the 3rd Peter Leonard novel I have had the pleasure to review.
I am thrilled to have him here today as my guest.

Lori thought you would like to hear about how I research a book so here’s a bit of my process.

Research

I do most of my own research. For Voices of the Dead I visited Dachau concentration camp, which is a depressing experience, and walked the streets of Munich, trying to get a feel for this city I was going to use to stage parts of my story. I also spent three weeks at the Holocaust museum in Farmington Hills, Michigan, reading about the extermination of six million people from different points of view: survivors, Nazi top brass, camp guards and ordinary Germans.

Online I found maps and photographs of pre-World War II Munich. I researched Jewish neighborhoods, and found out where people bought their eggs and milk and where they bought their meat and vegetables, the names of the stores and the streets they were on. I found out where the Munich Jews worked and where they went to school, and what they thought as Hitler emerged on the political scene,initially as a curiosity and later as a threat to their very existence.

I finished Voices, and a week later I thought of an idea for a sequel. I wrote one-hundred and forty-three pages of Back from the Dead, and put it aside because I had a chance to hang out with Detroit Police Homicide. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. For about a month I talked to homicide investigators, visited crime scenes and read old cases that had been solved. Based on those experiences I came up with another idea for a book called Eyes Closed Tight. The main character is a retired homicide detective named O’Clair from my second novel Trust Me. O’Clair buys a motel in Florida, and one morning finds the body of an attractive young girl on the beach in front of his property. The girl was killed in a way that reminds him of a murder case he had solved years before. I wrote one-hundred and fifty pages and my editor e-mailed and asked how I was coming on the sequel to Voices of the Dead. So I put Eyes Closed Tight down and finished Back from the Dead.

To research All He Saw Was The Girl, I rented an apartment in Rome two blocks from the Spanish Steps. I brought my son Alex along and we walked around the city looking for locations. Alex took photos and I made notes. We would stop for lunch and have pasta or grilled fish and a glass of wine. At some point it occured to me that what I was doing was work and I was getting paid for it.

Most of what I’m looking for I find online. Things like how to steal a car, how to get out of handcuffs, the Arizona prison system, bow-hunting, white supremacists, the U.S. Secret Service, firearms and more.If you write about guns make sure you get it right, or some gun expert will tell you about it.

~Peter Leonard

To find out more about Peter Leonard and his books visit his webpage here.

Back from the Dead
Sequel to Voices of the Dead
Suspense Thriller
Published by The Story Plant (January 22, 2013)
Trade Paperback: 282 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1611880632
E-Book File Size: 594 KB
ASIN: B00AJVIXB8

Holocaust survivor Harry Levin and Nazi death angel Ernst Hess are back in this conclusion to the story that started in Voices of the Dead. We travel from the Bahamas to Florida, Michigan and Germany as Levin learns that Ness is still alive it is up to him to make sure this time Ness does not come Back from the Dead.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
I must say I was surprised that this sequel was written because Voices of the Dead was a great stand alone but this book is jammed back with the action and suspense that I expect from this author and it was totally believable the Hess was back. I did feel bad for Harry as it seems he still has not been able to grieve the loss of his daughter. This story picks up shorty after the last one finished in 1971.

The characters again came alive on the page and traveled the world at top speed. Quite a game of cat and mouse with the players constantly changing places. The pages kept turning through some mind-boggling incidents. Leonard writes those edge of your seat moments that suspense readers enjoy so much with ease.

I recommend you read Voices of the Dead before reading Back from the Dead. I did like the first installment just a bit better than the second.

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I have 1 copy to giveaway!!

U.S. and CANADIAN RESIDENTS
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.

Leave a comment for Peter for 5 Bonus Entries !

If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

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Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

Cross The Line by Jack Patterson Virtual Book Tour Special Super Bowl Edition

Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge, Reviews 2013, Virtual Blog Tour, Where Are You Reading Challenge 4 Responses »

Jan 312013

Cross the Line
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Hangman Books
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1938848148
E-Book File Size: 481 KB
ASIN: B00AA49Y2Q

The Seattle Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl. For quarterback Noah Larson it is dream come true. The perfect way to end his NFL career would be with a Super Bowl win and all the glory that goes with it. Then he gets the call that stops his heart — his 6 year old son has been kidnapped. If he wants to get his son back alive all he has to do is throw the game and let the Miami Dolphins win.

Sports reporter Cal Murphy, who has covered Larson for years, knows something isn’t right. He knows how the quarterback prepares for games and he is not following his normal routine at all. This is the biggest game of his life, why would he change his prep now? He has an interview scheduled with Larson and is going to find out what is going on.

Cal quickly gets involved over his head and takes friend and photographer Kelly Mendoza with him as they try to save Larson’s son, the Super Bowl and themselves.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I did not know this was the second book in the series when I agreed to take part in this tour and my regular readers know I am a stickler for reading books in order. The book held up well as a stand alone but I missed the build up of Cal and Kelly’s history. Putting that aside it was the perfect time of year to read this book and I am a huge football fan.

The premise of the story was very interesting although you need to suspend reality a bit to think Cal and Kelly could do what they did. Jack Patterson makes this easy to do as the reader is drawn right into the drama especially in Mexico along the desolate roads and to the scary cartel compound. There is also a very surprising twist or two as the story plays out.

The book is a very fast read. Like another author with the same last name the short chapters just keep those pages turning. You still have a couple of days to pick up your copy to enjoy before the Super Bowl. It may change the way you watch the game.

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About This Author
The first signs that I might like writing about sports — and be slightly competitive — appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.

In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event — and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.

After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.

I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Final Four. It was a thrill!

But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation — and found out the violating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.

After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter the world of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time–and am now having a blast. I hope you enjoy reading my novels as much as I enjoy writing them!

Find Jack Patterson on Facebook, Twitter or on his website.

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There are 3 more stops on the Special Super Bowl Edition Tour
Feb 1st – Review by Teena in Toronto

Feb 2nd — Interview by Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews

Feb 2nd — Nicole @ Bless their Hearts Mom

Then the tour returns in March:

Mar 15th — Guest Post by Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Mar 16th — Review by Gina @ Hott Books

Mar 18th — Guest Post & Review with Beth Art From The Heart

Mar 19th Review with Krystal @ Live To Read

Mar 26th — Review by Fenny @ Hotchpotch

Mar 27th — Review & Interview at Martha’s Bookshelf

Mar 29th –Review & Interview @ Kimberly’s Bookshelf

Mar 30th — Review by Wendy @ The Minding Spot

Apr 1st — Review by Mary’s Cup of Tea

Apr 2nd — Review by Suzie @ My Cozie Corner

Apr 3rd — Review at Vic’s Media Room

Apr 4th — Teview by Tina @ Smoochiefrog Reviews

Apr 5th — Guest Post @ Writers and Authors

Apr 8th — Review by Carrie @ Sweet Southern Home

Apr 15th — Review by True Media Solutions LLC

Apr 17th — Review by Yvonne @ Socrates’ Book Review Blog

Apr 18th — Review by Vicky @ Deal Sharing Aunt

May 1 — Review by Heather @ Proud Book Nerd

May 10th — Review by Ashna @ Wanted Readers

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the tour host. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Political Suicide by Michael Palmer Review and Giveaway!

A - Z Reading Challenge, Giveaways, Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Read - A - Latte 150 Challenge, Reviews 2013 16 Responses »

Jan 152013

political suicide

Political Suicide
Suspense – Thriller
Published by : St. Martin’s Press (December 11, 2012)
Hardcover: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0312587550
E-Book File Size: 529 KB
ASIN: B008RLTYU6

Dr. Lou Welcome from Oath of Office returns and finds himself in a heap of trouble. A desperate phone call from his client and friend, Dr. Gary McHugh, just starts the ball rolling. McHugh is a blackout drunk and Dr. Welcome has been trying to help him. It seems McHugh was found unconscious in his wrecked car just down the road from the home of Congressman Elias Colston, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. As he wakes up in the hospital he hears the Congressman has been murdered. He needs Lou to help him figure out exactly happened. Lou doesn’t believe that his friend would kill anyone so he agrees to do a little investigating never knowing the huge conspiracy he was about to unravel or that he was putting a enormous target on his back.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I could not put this book down! A Spectacular Political Suspense Thriller!!

The political twists and turns in both the government and the military are absolutely scary. While you know the plot can in no way be true, Palmer writes in such a way that that makes the reader almost believe this fiction is fact. I found my heart racing and breathing quicken as he takes us on Dr. Lou Welcome’s spellbinding adventure. At times Welcome seems almost superhuman but the addition of attorney Sarah Cooper tempers and grounds him a bit, keeping him real in the reader’s mind. He also gets a little help from some unexpected places.

This story is extremely complex with many levels as it evolves but Palmer makes it very easy to follow. The most confusing for me was the area of Washington D.C. and where the military compounds and armories are located. But with a story as faced paced as this one locations seem to just fall away as the action continues.

While this seems to be the second in what I hope with become a Lou Welcome series, it reads alone just fine. Palmer does tease us a bit at the end with what should be in the next installment. The first book Oath of Office did make my Best of 2012 list so I recommend you read that one as well.

a perfect escape

5 STARFISH

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To learn more about Michael Palmer visit his webpage here.

The author has authorized me to give away 1 Hardcover SIGNED Copy of Political Suicide!!

U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY

You must be a follower of Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book!

If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
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Contest Will End January 29, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST
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Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

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The Prophet by Ethan Cross Virtual Book Tour

Reviews 2012, Virtual Blog Tour 7 Responses »

Dec 062012

When a fireman or a policeman would visit his school, most of his classmates’ heads would swim with aspirations of growing up and catching bad guys or saving someone from a blazing inferno. When these moments came for Ethan Cross, however, his dreams weren’t to someday be a cop or put out fires; he just wanted to write about it. His dream of telling stories on a grand scale came to fruition with the release of his first novel, the international bestseller, The Shepherd.

Ethan Cross is the pen name of a thriller author living and writing in Illinois with his wife, two daughters, and two Shih Tzus. In addition to The Shepherd and The Prophet, he has published two novellas––Callsign: Knight – Book 1 (A Shin Dae-jung – Chess Team Novella) and The Cage.

2012dollycas favorite mystery suspense

The Prophet: A Shepherd Thriller
Suspense Thriller
Published by The Story Plant (October 16, 2012)
Trade Paperback: 414 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1611880458

OLD ENEMIES… Francis Ackerman Jr. is one of America’s most prolific serial killers. Having kept a low profile for the past year, he is ready to return to work – and he’s more brutal, cunning, and dangerous than ever.

NEW THREATS… Scarred from their past battles, Special Agent Marcus Williams cannot shake Ackerman from his mind. But now Marcus must focus on catching the Anarchist, a new killer who drugs and kidnaps women before burning them alive.

HIDDEN TERRORS… Marcus knows the Anarchist will strike again soon. And Ackerman is still free. But worse than this is a mysterious figure, unknown to the authorities, who controls the actions of the Anarchist and many like him. He is the Prophet – and his plans are more terrible than even his own disciples can imagine.

With attacks coming from every side, Marcus faces a race against time to save the lives of a group of innocent people chosen as sacrifices in the Prophet’s final dark ritual.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

BAM! WHAM! KAPOW! Ethan Cross has thrown a knockout punch with The Prophet. I stayed up late in the night to finish this one and then had nightmares. Wow!!

Riveting, thrilling, gritty, gripping, enthralling, chilling, edgy, okay you get the idea. Cross’s books tend to make me get a little carried away. The detail of the descriptions will make you shiver and shake. Cross is a very compelling writer. He PULLS you right into the drama and the mind of a serial killer. Scary!! and not for the squeamish! The way the characters connect is spellbinding on many levels.

Special Agent Marcus Williams worked for a covert agency overseen by the Department of Justice, The Shepherd. Agents don’t come to the group through normal channels. Each is fighting their own demons and is specially selected to become part of the group. Williams story continues to build slowly and soon you will be on the edge of your seat and the tempo reaches breakneck speed.

In a previous review for the The Shepherd I told James Patterson he had competition. This story surpasses Patterson. Ethan Cross is the new author to watch in thrilling suspense fiction! If you haven’t read The Shepherd I recommend reading that first. I also wish I would have read the novella The Cage before reading this as I am a stickler for reading series in order. But the author has brought forth the necessary facts to allow this to be read as a stand alone.

Ethan, give me a little tine to recover and I will be ready for your next installment. The rest of you need to get reading!!!

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Murder Takes Time by Giacomo Giammatteo Virtual Book Tour (Giveaway too!)

Reviews 2012, Virtual Blog Tour 15 Responses »

Sep 272012

About This Author In His Own Words
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.

Murder Takes Time:
Friendship & Honor Series, Book One (Volume 1)
Mystery-Suspense-Thriller
Inferno Publishing Company (April 12, 2012)
Paperback: 438 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0985030209
File Size: 648 KB
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0985030208

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.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I have a hard time classifying this very unique book. It is a crime, detective, psychological, mob, life journey, suspense thriller, love story.

The author created and developed wonderful characters and we follow them throughout their lives. We they were young they made a pact: Friendship and Honor.

“Friendship means we look out for each other. Nobody ever rats or betrays us.”

“Honor means nobody f***** with one of us and not the others. We stick up for each other. And it means we don’t run, unless we all run.”

Some can keep the pact throughout life – others just can’t! That’s when the story takes off at breakneck speed and the Rules of Murder come into play.

I was drawn into this story quickly. The story is told from several characters point of view and my only complaint of the book was that this was a little confusing at times. But they were all real and engaging – even the bad guys! It is very hard for an author to accomplish this, let alone in the debut novel of what appears to be a series. According to his bio many of the scenes in this book were taken from real life experiences. A fantastic way of writing what you know. Kudos to Mr. Giammatteo. I await your next installment!!

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The author is allowing me to give away 3 e-copies.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Book would have a strong R rating.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”