The Firefly Warriors Club (Texas Boys Adventures)
Middle-Grade Story – Age Level: 9 – 12
1st in Series
Publisher: Hastings Creations Group (October 13, 2020)
Paperback: 200 pages

 

Synopsis

 

They chase a light and then it chases them.

 

When a mysterious light entices twelve-year-old Davy and his bothersome cousin, Anderson, into the woods, they discover the forest is alive with wonder. Firefly magic dazzles the boys, and they vow to save the insects from destruction.

Then a fire rages in the forest. Despite the cousins’ creative efforts to help the firefighters, the situation for the fireflies plummets from grim to dire. As the blaze consumes the fireflies’ habitat, the young warriors despair.

They enlist the support of the neighboring farms to protect and save the habitat of the magical treasures. If only there was—even one left.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is a best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series. Susan confesses to being overly fond of brownies, and horseback riding on forest trails. The Firefly Warriors Club was written for her three grandboys who wanted an adventure of their own. What’s a fairy grandmother to do, but wave her magic pen and create.

 

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Giveaway

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Synopsis

 

As both a teacher and school principal, Meredith Essalat has lived the daily challenges of helping children navigate through their young lives. She has seen the struggles that parents have as they balance longer working hours with the demands of home life. Essalat offers hard-won pointers, enabling parents, teachers, and students alike to encourage one another while holding everyone accountable for their actions.

Combining humor with straightforward, practical advice, “The Overly Honest Teacher” is a fresh take on 21^st century child-rearing and development. The results will be well-adjusted, positive, enthusiastic young adults ready to work hard and take on the world. And isn’t that what we all want for our children?

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Someone once said to me, “The hardest part of your job must be that no matter what you do during the day, it doesn’t make a full impact if it’s not being done at home, too.”

As teachers, we come to realize that much of our work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. is unraveled the moment our students vacate campus. That boulder of molding, shaping, guiding, and coaching rolls right back down to the base of the proverbial hill the next morning, when said student comes bounding in the front doors of the school tossing expletives like confetti. And it doesn’t just have to do with language. Healthy eating habits, time management, respect for self and others, responsible use of technology, self-advocacy, volunteerism, benevolence, tenacity, wearing a helmet—the list goes on and on. If we, as educators, aren’t working in tandem with you, as parents, to establish similar expectations, then how can any of us expect to witness growth and change in your kids?

“No” cannot exist in a vacuum. “No” cannot be said once, brought to the bargaining table, and then somehow rationalized, or pulverized, into a tepid “Yes.” No really does mean no. Sometimes you are able to give your child a choice—I often do the same thing. It’s an easy way to establish clean boundaries, to steer your student in the proper direction, all the while giving them the opportunity to be involved in healthy decision-making.

“No, you can’t avoid an assessment on The Book Thief, but you can choose which way you’d like to show me what you know: an essay or a quiz?”

“No, you can’t throw your lunch away because it’s essential that you fuel your body. But you can pick two of the three items to eat and take the rest home for a snack later.”

“No, you can’t go out without a jacket because it’s too cold on your body. But you can pick between your parka and your fleece.”

Explain. Elaborate. Establish. The three Es of productive conversation with your child. Will it always end in unicorns and harmony? Not a chance. But will it help to foster healthy conversation with your child? Absolutely.

Explain your rules, rationale, reasons.

Elaborate on your expectations when they push back.

Establish clear boundaries and expectations.

At the end of the day, we’re all on the same road traveling to the same destination, as parents, teachers, and children. Let’s be both clear and kind. Let’s have boundaries. Let’s travel together, holding one another accountable when our students want to assert their independence beyond the limits of what’s acceptable.

 

 

About the Author

 

Meredith Essalat is a K-8 school principal in San Francisco, CA, and author of The Overly Honest Teacher. With a career in academia that has spanned more than 17 years, she started off in collegiate student activities before moving into both elementary and secondary academic communities. She spent nine years in middle school education as both teacher and Dean of Middle School Curriculum. In each of these opportunities, she witnessed the gamut of the scholastic, social, and developmental experiences of today’s student. She possesses a BA in Mass Communication, a California-Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a second M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Essalat resides in California with her husband, Cameron.

 

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Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco
Young Adult Cozy Mystery
Grade Level: 10 – 12
1st in Series
Publisher: Pinata Books (May 31, 2020)
Paperback: 248 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Holly Hernandez, voted “Miss Bright of ’79” and valedictorian at her previous school, is excited to start fresh at Flatbush Technical High School, one of the most competitive public schools in New York City. She’ll be one of thousands; anonymous. But her dreams of a normal school life disappear when her mother, a homicide detective, has to investigate the murder of Mr. Friedman, the social studies teacher.

One of her classmates, Xander Herrera, quickly becomes the primary suspect. The tall, awkward boy is socially inept, but Holly doesn’t think he’s a murderer. She is intent on exonerating him—but he wants nothing to do with her. To Xander, Holly is the overly enthusiastic student who always sits in the front row and answers all the teachers’ questions—correctly. He hates perky people!

Eventually cleared of the crime, Xander is determined to find the killer before Holly. As they race to solve the case, their separate investigations lead to a slew of suspects, including another teacher seen arguing with Friedman and a mysterious person named Steve who met with him several times before his death. Could it have been a disgruntled student? Ultimately, a trophy for a disco-dancing contest leads the intrepid young detectives to the Mission Venus nightclub and a murderer intent on killing again!

 

 

Amazon – Bookshop – IndieBound – B&N

 

 

About the Author

 

Richie Narvaez is author of the award-winning collection Roachkiller and Other Stories and the gentrification thriller Hipster Death Rattle. His latest novel is the historical YA mystery Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco.

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Why does this keep happening?

 

A shooting at a Chicago beach leaves several dead and dozens injured. In the year before the attack, four individuals emerge as possible suspects.

 

An apathetic computer programmer.

An ex-college athlete with a history of head injuries.

An Army veteran turned Chicago cop.

A despondent high school student.

 

One of them is the shooter. Discover who and why.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Greg Hickey started writing his first novel the summer after he finished seventh grade. He didn’t get very far because he quickly realized he preferred playing outside with his friends.

Eight years later, he began to find a better balance between writing and life. He wrote the early drafts of his first screenplay Vita during his last two years of college. Vita went on to win an Honorable Mention award in the 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards script competition and was named a finalist in the 2011 Sacramento International Film Festival.

After college, he spent a year in Sundsvall, Sweden and Cape Town, South Africa, playing and coaching for local baseball teams and penning his first novel, Our Dried Voices. That novel was published in 2014 and was a finalist for Foreword Reviews‘ INDIES Science Fiction Book of the Year Award.

Today, he still loves sharing stories while staying busy with the other facets of his life. He is a forensic scientist by day and endurance athlete and author by nights, lunches, weekends and any other spare moments. After his post-college travels, he once again lives in his hometown of Chicago with his wife, Lindsay.

 

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Synopsis

 

2019: Alison Wiley, a once-idealistic biotech CEO, is processing her new reality: she’s the last bud on the last branch of her family tree. On the heels of her mother’s illness and crushing death, she’s pulled into a seventy-four year old mystery by a chance discovery on a Norwegian glacier.

1945: RCAF Squadron Leader Jack Barton flies combat missions over occupied Europe. Major Günther Graf, a war-weary and disillusioned Luftwaffe pilot, is trapped in the unspeakable horrors of Nazi Germany. Their paths, so different yet so similar, are connected by a young victim of appalling cruelty.

A story of love and loss, cruelty and kindness, guilt and redemption, EO-N’s sweeping narrative takes readers on a riveting journey—from the destruction and cruelty of war to the relentless pressures of contemporary corporate greed—weaving together five seemingly separate lives to remind us that individual actions matter and that courage comes in many forms.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This may be the first novel by this author, but he has written a winner of a novel as far as I’m concerned!

This story spans seventy-four years and multiple storylines. I enjoyed going back and forth in time and the various side stories that are integrated into the main focus of this story. There are stories that you might at first wonder how they tie into the main storyline, but it won’t take long before you discover the importance of these side stories. Some of the stories are not pretty and one deals with inhumane testing on children during the war. But at the same time, the lengths that a few of the characters go to trying to save one of these children is touching and it is in this mission to save this one child is how the story came to life and tied the past to the future.

This book was hard for me to put down. I loved all of the characters (well maybe not all of the characters) and it was a puzzle waiting to be solved in the present as to what happened in the past. I won’t spoil it but it is amazing what information they were able to uncover to get to the truth and perhaps give closure to those that thought family members were lost in the war.

There is one quote that stuck out to me regarding Alison and her search for answers to unanswered questions:

 

“Every new answer creates a new question.” The pinpoint accuracy of that statement stunned her.

 

This book has a little bit of everything for the reader – mystery, history, heart-stopping moments, heartfelt moments, and even a little romance. These are all woven together into a story that you won’t forget.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Born in England and raised in Canada, Dave Mason is a former diamond core driller and high school football coach, an internationally recognized graphic designer and Fellow of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, co-founder of Cusp Conference, and a co-founder of a number of software companies including OpinionLab and PowerPlayer. He divides his time between Chicago, Illinois, and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. EO-N is his first novel.

 

 

 

 

The Killer Outdoors (A Southwest Exposure Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Indendently Published (October 5, 2020)

 

Synopsis

 

Welcome to Bushwhack, New Mexico: home to tourists, the great outdoors, and murder…

 

Tourist season has hit Bushwhack and Andie Sullivan–owner of Sullivan’s Adventure Company–is ready for her town to fill up with city slickers, snotty teens, and the dollars she needs to keep her business afloat after her messy divorce from Bucky Gunn–local celebrity rafting guide and Sullivan’s main competition. With all her guided tours booked, it finally seems lady luck is on her side.

But then Bucky is found dead. Not great.

And she’s the prime murder suspect. Double not great.

Being framed for murder sucks worse than a rabid chipmunk bite. Andie’s determined to clear her name, and this time her survival training skills won’t be used to fetch an ice pack. But how long can she stay one step ahead of a killer before she becomes the final victim?

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This shorter cozy packs a punch when it comes to characters and murder.

Andie Sullivan has taken over her father’s adventure shop after his passing but things aren’t great and to top it off she has to compete with her ex-husband’s adventure company and let’s just say he is quite an interesting person. When we meet him he continually refers to himself in the third person. Very odd. And then he has questionable motives when it comes to the house that they once shared even though Andie’s father helped her purchase it initially. But then he ends up dead and Andie is the primary suspect. She decides to take matters into her own hands to prove her innocence despite Sherrif Zac Mars wanting her to stay out of the situation. But does he want her to stay out because she is not on the police force or was it for something more? Like his interest in her?

Apparently, when something is suspicious, Andie’s nose itches and she seems to have a positive track record when it comes to helping solve crimes. Let’s just say her nose itches a lot in this book! She reminds Zac of this often much to his chagrin. But when it all boils down to is that she is a knack for putting clues together and uncovering secrets.

I was quite surprised when the murderer was revealed and the whole reason why things happened as they did. I shouldn’t have been shocked at the reveal because the cast of characters is limited, but for some reason, this character wasn’t on my radar.

There is a couple of potential love interests for Andie. There is the Park Ranger, Mike, and of course Zac. I think Andie resists against becoming involved with Zac because she watched him when they were younger (she is 5 years older than him) and he is her brother’s best friend. But only time will tell who will win out in the end.

This is the first book in the series but there are a lot of references to past crimes that Andie helped solved. I don’t think this is a spin-off series, so I was surprised at the number of references to the past when it wasn’t tied to another book.  But it does set up Andie’s ability to uncover clues and suspects.

This is a solid start to a new series and I’ll be interested in how the next books continue this story.  We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Hey Y’all,

I’m just a girl from Texas, minus the big hair…and oh, yeah, a horse. My crew consists of two kiddos, one which inherited my makeup addiction, and a husband still living out his garage band dreams, but in our closet next to my shoe collection.

I love to hang out with my readers, discussing books, recipes, and just everyday shenanigans. I got started in the romance community, which you might know a few of my books from there. Now, I’m all about the cozies…and the coffee. Yeah, can’t forget that.

I’d love for you to come join my reader group, Jodi’s Book Corner, or come like me on Facebook to discover my books. And chat. Naturally.

 

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Giveaway

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

A Wild Modern-Day Quest for King Arthur’s Magical Sword, Excalibur!

Insurance adjuster Edward Stone’s quiet life is completely upset when he’s drawn into a wild search for King Arthur’s fabled lost sword, Excalibur. From the towering monuments of Stonehenge to the dark mists of Loch Ness, Stone finds himself battling evil forces intent upon possessing this long-lost treasure. It’s only when he embraces the magical nature of the legend that’s Stone is finally able to harness the epic forces behind Excalibur, the Sword of Power.

“A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

Amazon – free with KU

B&N * Kobo – read the first 6 chapters on these platforms

 

 

Review

 

I loved this book!  It is filled with action, adventure, and a battle over Excalibur.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but what I discovered was strong and quirky characters, insanity, magic, and the desire to do the right thing.

Edward Stone is an insurance adjuster and possibly the last person you would expect to be on an adventure when an assignment at Stonehenge takes a major turn. Milner is a professor that has an interest in Stonehenge but there is more to him than meets the eye. Then there is Nesbitt, who is clearly delusional. A fated night at Stonhenge sends this group on a wild and crazy adventure especially after meeting Gwen, a librarian that knows more about medevial history than most.

I thought this book was a cross between National Treasure, The Librarians (TNT), and A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (Twain). I loved the folklore of King Arthur’s court and Excalibur, the delusional thought process of some of the characters, and the guts of Edward and Gwen to stand up for what was right. Gwen is a take charge kind of woman so at times I was surprised that she was treated like she was helpless. But perhaps that was the fault of the character’s that were in some sort of delusion and thought it was the a different time period. There were some stories that lead up to finding Excalibur that were intriguing. I have no idea if they are true or not, but they added to the folklore sprinkled throughout.

I truly enjoyed this book and am curious what could happen in a follow up book to Edward Stone. And will Gwen be in any future books.  Oh and let’s just say the ending made me smile!

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

John is author of the Eli Marks mystery series as well as three other stand-alone novels, “The Greyhound of the Baskervilles,” The Sword & Mr. Stone” and “The Ripperologists.” In real life, John’s not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less – that’s no small trick. He’s also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, they’ve made more than the films. Those books (“Fast, Cheap and Under Control” and “Fast, Cheap and Written That Way”) are available in eBook, Paperback and audiobook formats. John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several dogs, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.

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Synopsis

 

I do not need some man to come riding in on a stupid white horse to save me, thank you very much.

When I run into a teensy weensy bit of trouble, who should show up but Aiden – my high school nemesis. Unfortunately, Aiden doesn’t realize he’s my high school nemesis. Nope. He doesn’t even remember who I am. Gee, thanks.

Suddenly Aiden is everywhere, claiming he’ll protect me. Do I look like I need protecting? But when Aiden speaks to me in that deep, sultry savior voice, my knees wobble and I forget my name.

I better get to solving this trouble I’m in, so Aiden will move right on out of my life. Only he says he doesn’t want to move on. He wants to stick by my side forever. Not happening.

But like my pops always says Love will OUT.

A Hero for Hailey is book 1 of the romantic comedy series Love will OUT but can be read as a standalone.

This romantic comedy features a kickass PI with a chip the size of a Green Bay Packer on her shoulder, a sexy detective she wants to hate but really wants to tie to a bed and see what happens, a best friend who defines the word klutzy, and a makeshift family of former Army buddies who think telling dirty jokes is a sign of love.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

Life has been a bit crazy and I was in the mood for something that would make me laugh and take my mind off of the world around us, even for a little while. I have had great success with this author’s books and this one was no different. I found myself chuckling at the antics of all of the characters, the puns/jokes at the beginning of each chapter, and watching Hailey and Aiden’s romance blossom.

I think what makes this story such a success is the myriad of characters and their personalities. It just all clicks. From Pops and the “uncles” to Suzie, the klutzy best friend. Then there is Phoebe, the new hire that has a mysterious past. And we can’t forget Aiden, Hailey’s high school crush and maybe she is Aiden’s love too….only time will tell.

The relationship between Aiden and Hailey does move quickly, but it isn’t as if they don’t know each other, it has just been a few years since they saw each other. But I enjoyed the banter and watching Aiden try to protect Hailey when she probably has training that could rival his. Their relationship is steamy but when you wait many years before coming together, I can imagine the chemistry is off the charts.

I can’t wait to read the next books in this series. A note at the end noted that the second book will be about Phoebe. I’m intrigued to discover what she is hiding from her past.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic before returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where, in between tennis matches and failing to save the world, I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

 

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Synopsis

 

Two lives. Two stories. One fateful afternoon the family secrets are uncovered from the hidden depths of the yesterdays of the past.

Maggie ~ 1966: “I never thought my life would fall apart in the way that it did. Nineteen, alone, and with a baby on my hip, I fled from all I knew–the city I lived in, my friends, my parents, and him. It was the only thing I could do.

And that’s when I found Shadow Brook. A tiny town in Maine with a beautiful inn, and a place where I could forget about my past, locking the memories away along with the secrets that could shatter my daughters’ world. Secrets, I left in the attic where they belong, hidden far away from her.”

Rachel ~ 1996: “I never wanted my mother’s life or her run down inn in nowhere Maine. I wanted my life in New York. The one with my handsome husband, fantastic career, and the bustle of city life. Isn’t that when life likes to throw you to the wolves?

After finding my husband in bed with another woman and my mother passed away, I found myself not only the new owner of the inn, but also back in Shadow Brook, and face to face with old my high-school boyfriend, Luke. At least I can distract myself with the renovations, and I can finally clear out all of my mother’s things. Including an old box of journals and letters found in the corner of the attic.”

Each story in the Seashells and Second Chances Collection is about a strong woman overcoming hardships and finding her own second chance. Each story is a standalone novel and can be read and enjoyed separately from the others. If you love sweet and sensual contemporary romance with a dash of humor, you will love the stories in the Seashells and Second Chances Collection. Unlock this story and the others today.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

What a delightful story about love, heartbreak, forgiveness, and second chances.

This is the story of Maggie and Rachel, mother and daughter. The story flips back in forth in time between 1966/67 and 1996 from the point of view of both main characters. Maggie is a brave woman for the late 60s and trying to raise a child on her own. I loved watching her blossom and come into her own. Her daughter, Rachel, has her own issues starting with finding her husband in their bed with another woman. That sends her down a path that she never expected to take but it really was for the best.

As the story progresses, we learn more about Maggie and Rachel and their trials, tribulations, and joys. There were many things that might be a surprise to some but I just knew somehow these events were going to happen. But that didn’t lessen the story and there was even a time or two where tears were shed even though I knew what events were about to happen.

I loved all of the characters, even the not so nice ones aka Maggie’s parents, especially her mother. I think her mother was unhappy with her own life and took it out on Maggie. It is a shame that she was bitter because she lost out on many years in her daughter and granddaughter’s lives.

Both Maggie and Rachel found a second chance at love. Watching them experience love again was heartwarming.

“The funny thing about secrets is they can wound not only the one they are withheld from, but the one holdin’ them.”

This quote from the book couldn’t be any truer. There are many secrets, mostly kept from Rachel by her mother, but even Rachel kept some secrets. However, time reveals all secrets and it is a matter of how one decides to deal with those truths.

Overall this was a very enjoyable book and I will have to look into the other books in this series.  We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Growing up in Nevada, reading was always a pastime that took second place to trail riding and showing horses. When she did find the time in her youth to curl up with a book, she found enjoyment in the Saddle Club Series, the Sweet Valley High series, and the classics of Anne of Green Gables, The Box Car Children, and Little House on the Prairie. Although writing always piqued her curiosity, it wasn’t until September 2009 that she worked up the courage to put her passion to paper and started her debut novel.

When she’s not writing, Angela spends her days from dawn to dusk as a stay at home, homeschooling mom. She also works in her garden and takes care of her many farm animals, as well as loves to bake and cook from scratch. She doesn’t show horses anymore, but she still loves to trail ride her paint horse, Honky, as well as enjoys teaching her daughters how to ride their horses, Sunny and Cowboy.

In December 2014, Angela launched Long Valley Press.

 

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Synopsis

 

When Kannada Khan, an investment banker turned homeless man, saves the life of Robert Prosperi, a struggling hedgie, he is repaid with a unique yet risky job offer that could change his fortune forever.

With plans for a theft on Wall Street, Robert aims to undermine his rival, the head of the New York Stock Exchange, and Kannada seeks to return to a life of normalcy. They recruit a motley crew from Main Street—a bartender, a stockbroker, an attorney, a computer hacker, a pilot, a boxer, a confidence man, and an upscale luxury companion—to carry out their scheme.

Three weeks is all they have to infiltrate the heart of American financial power and steal the proceeds from the biggest Initial Public Offering in recent history. However, money isn’t the only motive driving Kannada. Chasing his past flame is his game. Now she’s working for and dating the very Wall Street titan they’re trying to rob.

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Yawn. In an old, broken-down, graffiti-laden subway train, Kannada Khan, a bearded, homeless Indian man in his mid-thirties, woke from his much-needed slumber, as his head and spine never quite acclimated to the pile of tomatoes he kept for a pillow, nor the hard, merciless floor. He stretched his arms toward the ceiling and smiled as he took in the scenery; colorful markings and initials, photographs displayed in lightboxes, and poetry in unused advertisement fixtures slots. He appreciated the moment; this moment was his life.

Kannada adjusted his dark gray beanie and slowly circled his head around his possessions. The tin can, used for begging, red plastic milk crate, employed as a chair, and three bags, filled with clothes and papers, were still there, and so was his breakfast, lunch, and dinner—nut bars. A few business books he had checked out from the Science, Industry and Business Library lay near his head. I need to return those.

 

 

Review

 

I worked in the financial industry years ago so the setting and intricacy of the stock market and related activity were all too familiar. The author does a bang-up job of bringing Wall Street and the floor of the NYSE to life. I was lucky enough to go on the floor of the exchange (all prior to 9/11 of course) and it is amazing.

The characters in this book are diverse and have different skill sets that allow Kannada’s written novel to come to life. It isn’t what Kannada had intended, but when he saves Rob’s life, it is an opportunity that cannot be cast aside. Kannada wants to move past his past because being tied to a company that was taken down as part of a Ponzi scheme is nothing to be proud of. I think he also wanted to get his fiancee back but it may be too late for that…or is it?

Rob’s plan to take down his adversary with Kannada’s help via his book is genius. A lot of effort goes into recruiting the right players, mapping out the plan, and executing said plan. The book moves at a fairly fast pace but really picks up steam near the end when everything is set in motion. I devoured the last 25% and was on the edge wondering if everything would work out, would someone be found out, would it all collapse? I won’t spoil the book for you because the ending was a bit of a surprise to me, but maybe it shouldn’t have been.

This was a great read and would make an excellent movie. In a way, it is like Oceans 11 (or 12 or 13) but different. But if made into a movie it would be action packed with colorful characters.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

SAMEER GARACH was born in Houston in 1986 and earned a BA in Mathematics with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin. During graduate studies in quantitative finance, he developed a passion for writing and subsequently wrote his first novel, The Bull Option, a unique and cunning financial thriller that moves at a breakneck pace. He later went on to write Dakota and the American Dream, a charming and hilarious contemporary satire that entertains adults as well as children.

Sameer enjoys meditation, yoga, nature, long walks, travel, photography, and music.

 

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