Blog Tour: The Moon in Habock's Mirror - Kara Bartley - Guest Post

The Moon In Habock’s Mirror is my fourth novel but my first fantasy. The story came to me in a dream. It was so vivid—I remember all the scenes playing out before me. I couldn’t shake the idea that I was supposed to do more with it than just dream it. And so I got up (it was about three o’clock in the morning) and started writing what would be the first few chapters of the book. I knew exactly where it was headed because I saw it all while I was sleeping. Other parts were added to give it volume and depth and then off I went on a rollercoaster adventure.

My favourite part of writing this novel was when I was able to see life through Habock’s eyes. I had so much fun writing for him. He was such a complex character with so many secrets and I knew that if I could just get inside his mind, then I would be able to turn the tables and really have some fun. Scarlett was more simple, a rogue character in need of guidance. To me, the momentum really kicked in when Habock and Scarlett began conversing with one another. Both characters’ personalities ignited and we were able to see some of the burdens they were harbouring. The dynamics between those two really inspired me even though I was the one writing them. They made me take a closer look at relationships in general and see life in a different view. And ultimately want to write more about them. Habock and Scarlett will return one day. For them, it’s only a matter of time.

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'THE MOON IN HABOCK’S MIRROR', follows the life of Scarlett Cavanaugh, a golden-hearted but reckless fifteen-year-old. Although born with a hole in her heart, she has learned to live life without limits—in contrast to her twin sister, Gwendolyn. A few weeks before the girls’ sweet sixteenth birthday party, Scarlett is punished after breaking curfew with a school boy. In lieu of a weekend with friends, she is instead banished to the attic in her house, to clean. It is there that Scarlett discovers a mysterious diary, a mirror with secrets, and a pet’s unnatural mother tongue.

A newly-acquainted friend named Habock, leads Scarlett into the future through an unsuspecting portal. In his attempt to show how her life has changed, they accidentally become trapped in another time and their journey soon diverges. With a little guidance from a celestial spirit, each learns the truth about the past as they both encounter new friends and enemies along the way. In the hopes of finding one another, Scarlett and Habock instead become part of a deceptive plot, devised by those who wish to destroy their family lines.

A jumble of truth, deceit, fear and illusion, we watch as Habock and Scarlett take us on their rollercoaster adventure.

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Kara Bartley has always been interested in animals, so it comes as no surprise that her world is surrounded by them in both her life and imagination. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Earth Science, a post-graduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems and a master’s degree in Vertebrate Paleontology. In the spring of 2002, she began writing her first novel The Siamese Mummy while on a dig for fossils in Kansas. The book was later released in 2006.

Kara is also the author of The Unearthlings and Call of Adhara. She lives in Niagara Falls with her three Siamese cats—Apollo, Achilles and Agamemnon. Her horse Dapplynn is her biggest companion, and anxiously awaits the day that she too will have a guest appearance in one of her mother’s books.

You can visit Kara at http://karabartley.blogspot.com

Today's post is brought to you courtesy of the Pump Up Your Book tour for Kara Bartley's The Moon in Habock's Mirror. 

Thank you for being here today, Kara! Love this behind the scenes look into the making of 'The Moon in Habock's Mirror'! 

Inherit the Throne - Steve DeWinter - Blog Tour Review

Some lines should never be crossed.

Living under a new identity in the tiny Northwestern tourist town at the base of Mount Hood, Melissa thought she had finally escaped her past. That is until an assassin tries to kill her and forces her back into a treacherous shadow world she vowed never to return.

That same night an unmanned robotic SUV slams into the limousine of the Vice President of the United States and detonates with several hundred pounds of explosives. Melissa soon discovers that the attack on the Vice President and the attempt on her own life are related.

And time is running out to find out who wants her dead and why she alone holds the key to saving the President of the United States.

Synopsis taken from goodreads. 

Title: Inherit the Throne

Author: Steve DeWinter

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: CreateSpace

Publication Date: April 4, 2011

Format: E-book

Source: Received from author courtesy of Tracee at Pump Up Your Book. Many thanks goes to Steve DeWinter and Tracee for sending me a copy of this book. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: Pump Up Your Book

Look for it: Amazon, Kindle

My rating: 4/5

Melissa has just finished an exhausting day at work, and is looking forward to relaxing for the night, when she thwarts an attempt on her life. She hesitantly decides to call on someone from her past, and tries to figure out just who put out a hit on her. Immediately she is catapulted into a scheme larger than life when she realizes that she has stepped into a complex and ingenious plan to assassinate the President and Vice President of the United States. Will she be able to find out who is trying to kill the President, and Vice President before it is too late?

Inherit the Throne is a page-turning, thrilling read. With explosive action on just about every page, we are catapulted into a novel brimming with suspense. Characters are not who they say they are, and everyone has secrets. This is certainly an enriching and fast-paced read and it is easy to identify with Melissa as she is trying to figure out who is trying to kill her. She doesn't realize how elaborate the plan is, until she is thrust in the middle of it. She is flying by the seat of her pants, trying to keep everyone alive. Certain elements didn't quite seem realistic to me, but overall it was a great suspense thriller. I'm curious to see what is going to happen next, if there will be a sequel, especially as the ending leaves us a few surprises. 
I would have loved to have seen certain elements and parts fleshed out as this book has a great body to it. I wanted to know a little bit more as I found some areas could have used a little more information. Some characters emerged from the woodwork just to fall back in again without a lot of face time, and I would have loved seeing how relationships emerged between certain characters, be it working or personal. 
All in all, this is a great debut novel. DeWinter has a gem on his hands and I will definitely be reading his future work; especially if some of the faces from this book make an appearance in the next. Charismatic and dangerous characters will have you reading this one on the edge of your seat, hoping that things will work out even though it does not seem like they will. 

Revelations - Laurel Dewey - Blog Tour Review

In this third Jane Perry novel, Laurel Dewey takes Jane out of Denver to the small town of Midas where the Chief of Police is a close friend of Jane's boss. Jacob Van Gorden, the fifteen-year-old son of a prominent area businessman, has disappeared and all signs point to his abductor being Jordan Copeland, a man who committed a similar crime decades ago. Jane settles into this little community for much longer than she wants, living with a preacher and his family (including their eccentric teenage daughter who was Jacob's girlfriend). There are signs that Jacob is still alive, so the clock is ticking. And as Jane investigates Jordan Copeland, she begins to have doubts about his guilt and begins to uncover signs of devastating – and even deadly – secrets all around Midas.

Meanwhile, Jane must deal with two considerable secrets of her own. One hits her in the gut before she leaves Denver and the other creeps up on her from the most unlikely of places. And on top of this, Hank Ross, owner of a bar in Midas, has somehow managed to find a way beneath Jane's armor-plated defenses, forcing her to contend with feelings she hasn't allowed to surface for a very long time.

Revelations is the most powerful and personal Jane Perry novel yet. Teeming with the passions and ambiguities that make Laurel Dewey so compelling to read, it is a breathtaking story of mysteries revealed and withheld.

Synopsis taken from goodreads. 

Title: Revelations (Jane Perry #3)

Author: Laurel Dewey

Genre: Adult Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: June 14, 2011

Format: Softcover

Source: Received from Tracee for the Pump Up Your Book blog tour. Many thanks goes to Tracee for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: Pump Up Your Book

Look for it: Amazon

My rating: 4/5 

Revelations is the third book in the Jane Perry mystery series. Jane has just received some devastating news, and is on her way in to work to take a short leave of absence, when her colleague Sergeant Weyler tells her that they will be heading to the town of Midas to help out an old friend of his with a baffling case. Grudgingly, Jane goes with Weyler, but when they arrive, she finds out that she isn't wanted there. She is ready to leave, but the bizarre qualities to the case have her focused on finding out what happened to Jake Van Gorden. In a surprising twist of fate, Jake, as he attempted to commit suicide, ended up being kidnapped. The plot thickens, and secrets roil to the forefront as Jane looks into every aspect of Jake's life. Midas isn't your run of the mill town either, and everyone has secrets that they don't want stirred up. Jane will have to dig deep if she is going to find Jake alive. 

Revelations is a book that is aptly named. Secrets abound, and in the town of Midas, everyone has something to hide. When Jane starts poking around trying to uncover what happened the night Jake was kidnapped, she uncovers some interesting facts about the townspeople of Midas. She is a character that immediately evokes sympathy from the reader as they see her dealing or not dealing with her personal crisis. On top of that, she decides to quit smoking which compounds her frustrations and makes her quite irritable. She has a straightforward approach as is, but Weyler questions her as he realizes that something other than quitting smoking is bothering her. She ruffles feathers with Weyler's old friend, police chief Bo Lowry, right from the start which puts Weyler in an uncomfortable position. 

Jane is a strong character, and she is determined to see the case through. She has made a connection to the case which won't allow her to give up. Her determination and grit, coupled with her thumbing her nose at Lowry makes this an intriguing, and captivating read. The many characters from the town of Midas also make this an excellent read as we get to see their eccentricities, and secrets come to light. 

All in all, this is a thrilling, suspenseful and at times mystifying read. Laced with horror, this book calls out to the thriller junkie in all of us as we see secrets bared, and what lengths one will go to to keep everything buried. Even though this is the third novel in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The attention to the characters, detail, and the ominous sense of horror pervading the read will have you reading this one well into the night. This is one that I would definitely recommend to mystery and thriller lovers everywhere. 

Flesh & Bones - Paul Levine - Blog Tour Review

“I was sitting at the end of the bar sipping single-malt Scotch when I spotted the tall blond woman with the large green eyes and the small gray gun.”

The next thing Jake Lassiter knows, the woman pumps three bullets into the man on the next barstool.

And Jake, the linebacker-turned-lawyer, has a new client.

She’s stunning model Chrissy Bernhardt, and the dead man is her wealthy father. The defense? Chrissy claims that she’s recently recovered repressed memories of having been sexually abused by her father. Jake wants to believe her but suspects that the memories were either implanted by a shady psychiatrist or fabricated by Chrissy herself. Complicating the situation, Jake falls for his client, clouding his judgment. Is she an anguished victim or a cold-blooded killer? And what about her brother, who stands to inherit a fortune if Chrissy goes to prison? Jake wades into a quagmire of dirty water deals, big money, and family corruption, all leading to an explosive finale.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Flesh & Bones (The Jake Lassiter Series #7)

Author: Paul Levine

Genre: Adult Fiction, Legal Thriller, Crime Fiction

Publication Date: April 11, 2011 (Re-issued)

Format: E-book

Source: Received from author courtesy of Tracee at Pump Up Your Book. Many thanks goes to Paul and Tracee for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Tour: Pump Up Your Book

Look for it: Amazon. All proceeds from this book are being donated to the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization that helps children with childhood cancer. 

My rating: 4/5

Jake is out at a bar just relaxing, sipping a drink after a long day at work, when in walks gorgeous model, Chrissy Bernhardt. Chrissy immediately shoots the man sitting beside Jake, and Jake catches her as she falls. She immediately retains him as her lawyer, and he, knowing that this would be a hard case to take on and win, says yes. When Jake starts to wade through Chrissy's past, more questions arise. Her case is intricate and complicated, as Jake learns more about her past, her family members and her psychiatrist. Things aren't adding up, and to make matters worse, Jake is falling for his client. He needs to get to the bottom of things to find out if she really is the victim as she claims, or if she is a heartless killer. 

Though this is the seventh book in the Lassiter series, you do not need to read them in order. Having never read a novel by Levine before, I was surprised to find out that this was the seventh in a series. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything as everyone was identified and their roles were explained early on in the read. 

I really enjoyed this read, it was captivating from the start, and Jake's voice is full of humour. I was giggling throughout at some of the comments that he made, or thought. His interactions with his family had me laughing out loud because they really took him to task sometimes, and it looked like the poor man had no leg to stand on at times. 

I like how certain details connected everything, as some were just laid out there seemingly at random. This was a twisting, shocking and intense legal thriller. I absolutely loved it. The courtroom theatrics are reminiscent of those in JAG, which comes as no surprise as Levine wrote episodes for the show. The show is one of my favourites so it should come as no surprise that I would love Levine's books as well. 

All in all, an engaging, complicated, and intricate read. Jake is a humorous character, one who believes in the truth, and justice, and he'll do anything to represent his client to the best of his ability. I had part of the story pegged, but not all of it. I know I'll be going back to read more from this series, as well as any other books that Levine has written. I'd highly recommend adding this one to your collection, and as Levine is donating the proceeds from this book to a worthy cause, it is well worth it!

The Lens and the Looker - Lory S. Kaufman

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: The Lens and the Looker (Book #1 of the Verona Trilogy)

Author: Lory S. Kaufman

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Historical

Publisher: The Fiction Studio

Publication Date: March 16, 2011

Format: Paperback

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Tracee from Pump Up Your Books for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Tour: Pump Up Your Book 

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository

My rating: 4/5

Hansum, Shamira, and Lincoln are three trouble-making, and spoiled teens from the year 2347. They couldn't be bothered to learn about history, and have all been relegated to spend time in "History Camps" to get a hands-on learning experience. What they don't expect, is to actually be sent back in time to the actual Verona, Italy. There are no actors here, and the three teens will have to learn to adapt to their new reality, or die. They will also have to take care that they don't do anything that would alter history. In 1347, Verona was rife with turmoil, and disease, and the trio will have to take care not to become a casualty of the times.

With these illustrious main characters, it is easy to see why Hansum, Shamira, and Lincoln were sent back in time to "History Camps." They may gain an appreciation for their lives if they knew how good they had it. Coming from a dystopian world, where everything is seemingly perfect, the three are shocked when they realize how grungy their new accommodations are. Will they be able to acclimate to their new reality and the hard work needed to survive?

Filled with historical references, political intrigue, and an in-depth look at the trade of a lens-maker, this is a rich reading experience. The three teens will have to prove their mettle if they are going to survive, and it is especially fortuitous that they are able to work with, and for, the lens-maker, Agistino. 

All in all, The Lens and the Looker is a remarkable read that gives us a fresh look at Verona in 1347. With danger lurking, as well as disease, this one will keep you at the edge of your seat wondering if the three teens will survive their learning experience, and new reality without altering history. I'm looking forward to reading what will happen next in The Bronze and the Brimstone.

Homefires - Emily Sue Harvey

"Emily Sue Harvey's first novel, Song of Renewal, was praised by New York Times bestselling author Jill Marie Landis as "an uplifting, heartwarming story," by bestselling author Kay Allenbaugh as a work that will "linger in the memory long after readers put it aside," and by Coffee Time Romance as "a must-read book for anyone doing a little soul searching." New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry said, "It captures your attention, and whets your appetite for more," while Peeking between the Pages called it "quite simply a beautiful book."

Her second novel, Homefires is set in the Deep South's Bible Belt on the eve of unprecedented moral changes. It is the story of Janeece and Kirk Crenshaw, a couple married just after their high school graduation who set out to make a life for themselves. It is a life marked by surprises, none more dramatic than when Kirk receives his "high-calling" and becomes a pastor. It is a life marked by tragedy, the most heart-rending of which is a devastating event very close to home. And it is a life marked by challenges: to their church, to their community, and most decidedly to their marriage. And as the fullness of time makes its impact on their union, Kirk and Janeece must face the question of whether they have gone as far as they can together.

Filled with the rich emotions and evocative characters that fans have come to expect from Emily Sue Harvey, and reminiscent of the work of Jan Karon and Anne Rivers Siddons, Homefires is a poignant and compelling novel that will steal readers' hearts."

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Homefires

Author: Emily Sue Harvey

Genre: Adult Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: June 7, 2011

Format: Softcover

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Tracee from Pump Up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: Pump Up Your Book

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository

My rating: 4/5

Homefires opens with Janeece and Kirk ready to start the rest of their lives. Newly wedded, and ready to share a lifetime with each other, everything is fresh and new. Married life is this new and exotic land just beckoning to be explored. However, life never goes as expected, and we see the trials and tribulations that come to roost with Janeece and Kirk, and their extended families. Tragedies of the worst sort befall them. Will they be able to remain true to their vows, or have they reached the end of their path together? 

Homefires is an exceptional and thought-provoking read, as we see how Janeece and Kirk take to married life. They have come from two different backgrounds, and it is interesting to see how they interpret and misinterpret each other's intentions based on their separate childhood learning experiences. This read is fully fleshed out, and all of Janeece's and Kirk's struggles are aired out, but also, so are their joyous occasions. Homefires follows Janeece and Kirk through their many years of marriage, and we see Kirk as he is called to become a pastor. Life certainly turns upside down for them on more than one occasion, but through it all they have each other, until certain actions are taken. Faith and forgiveness play a large part in this read as Janeece and Kirk struggle to find themselves, and each other. Though temptations arise, and tragedies befall them, faith will prevail. 

They are memorable characters, and the various and large amount of side characters show what it's like to live in a small town environment. I especially enjoyed being able to place certain areas in the book, such as Pigeon Forge and Asheville. It made the book seem all the more real to me. 

Janeece and Kirk are so realistic because they are just like every couple out there. How they survive through certain elements I don't know, but they do. They show us that life is not going to always be happy, but there is this ever-sustaining belief that things will work out for better or worse.

All in all, an inspirational, and haunting read as we see how certain tragedies and triumphs affect the lives of Janeece, Kirk, and everyone around them. Both faith and forgiveness prevail, even after all that has been said and done and that in itself is inspiring. I would definitely recommend this one to those looking for a contemporary, coming of age, or inspirational read. 

The Shepherd - Ethan Cross - Blog Tour Review

Marcus Williams and Francis Ackerman Jr. both have a talent for hurting people. Marcus, a former New York City homicide detective, uses his abilities to protect others, while Ackerman uses his gifts to inflict pain and suffering. When both men become unwilling pawns in a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of our government, Marcus finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse trapped between a twisted psychopath and a vigilante with seemingly unlimited resources. Aided by a rogue FBI agent and the vigilante's beautiful daughter--a woman with whom he's quickly falling in love--Marcus must expose the deadly political conspiracy and confront his past while hunting down one of the most cunning and ruthless killers in the world.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: The Shepherd

Author: Ethan Cross

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: The Fiction Studio

Publication Date: March 16, 2011

Format: Softcover

Source: Received from publicist for Pump Up Your Book blog tour. Many thanks goes to Tracee for sending me a copy of this book. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Tour: Pump Up Your Book

Find it: Amazon

My rating: 4/5 

Marcus Williams is not your typical man. He has a talent, one that he uses for the good of others around him. Francis Ackerman Jr. on the other hand, shares this talent and is one of the most prolific killers ever seen. Both men, are catapulted into a game of wits against each other. Conspiracy abounds at the highest levels of government as situations spiral out of control. Will Marcus survive and unveil the corruption for what it is? 
A raging, fast-paced thriller with explosive and bloody action, The Shepherd is sure to keep you up at night. With a highly prolific and cunning villain, the spotlight is thrown onto the visual aspect of Ackerman's kills. His rituals and games, make the story all the more disturbing. He has a worthy adversary in Marcus Williams. Williams, a former homicide detective, has the ability and capabilities to confront Ackerman, however all is not as it seems. 
Captivating characters will have you reading this one on the edge of your seat, as a highly engaging yet absolutely graphic story unfolds. A devious plot, and intricate storyline will also capture the reader's interest as they will wonder just what is going on. The psychological aspect also adds to the read as we see just what makes someone tick, and just how far one is willing to go to either save or torture those around them.
All in all, a gripping, shocking, thrilling, and gory read, reminiscent of Criminal Minds. The twist at the end will leave you stunned. Believe me, I did not see "that" coming. I dare you to read this one, especially if you enjoy books that will keep you up at night. 

A World I Never Made - James LePore - Blog Tour Review

Pat Nolan, an American man, is summoned to Paris to claim the body of his estranged daughter Megan, who has committed suicide. The body, however, is not Megan's and it becomes instantly clear to Pat that Megan staged this, that she is in serious trouble, and that she is calling to him for help.

This sends Pat on an odyssey that stretches across France and into the Czech Republic and that makes him the target of both the French police and a band of international terrorists. Joining Pat on his search is Catherine Laurence, a beautiful but tormented Paris detective who sees in Pat something she never thought she'd find-genuine passion and desperate need. As they look for Megan, they come closer to each other's souls and discover love when both had long given up on it.

Juxtaposed against this story is Megan's story. A freelance journalist, Megan is in Morocco to do research when she meets Abdel Lahani, a Saudi businessman. They begin a torrid affair, a game Megan has played often and well in her adult life. But what she discovers about Lahani puts her in the center of a different kind of game, one with rules she can barely comprehend. Because of her relationship with Lahani, Megan has made some considerable enemies. And she has put the lives of many-maybe even millions-at risk.

A World I Never Made is an atmospheric novel of suspense with brilliantly drawn characters and back-stories as compelling as the plot itself. It is the kind of novel that resonates deeply and leaves its traces long after you turn the final page.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: A World I Never Made

Author: James LePore

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: April 2009

Format: Hardcover

Source: Received from publicist for Pump Up Your Book blog tour. Many thanks goes to Tracee for sending me a copy of this book. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: Pump Up  Your Book

Look for it: Amazon, Kindle

My rating: 4/5

Pat Nolan heads to Paris to confront the disturbing reality that his estranged daughter, Megan, has committed suicide. However all is not as it seems, and Pat is lead on a high-stakes chase throughout France and the Czech Republic as he follows Megan's trail. With danger looming in from all sides, Pat will have to be careful who he confides in. He teams up with detective Catherine Laurence to find his daughter before she ends up dying for real.

Pat is the quintessential man. He is world-weary, a man of regrets, and also a man who would do anything to alter the relationship he has with his daughter. Even if it means finding her and getting her out of trouble. He has his faults, and is hard on himself for them. He reminisces about his deceased wife, and Megan's childhood without him around. He has been adamant he would never fall in love again, and he has remained true to this vow, until now. A father's love is a father's love, and his race to save his daughter is compelling. The secrets we learn along the way only serve to deepen our connection to Pat. 

Megan lives a volatile lifestyle. As a journalist, she has worked on several pieces involving terrorism and terrorist organizations. She also tends to enter into relationships where she plays games with dangerous consequences. We read from her perspective as she enters into a relationship with calculating, and suave Abdel Lahani. She plays dangerous games of cat and mouse to uncover material for her pieces; however, she may have picked the wrong man to play with this time. He has secrets of his own, and is not above playing her games against her as well.

Written in both Pat's and Megan's views, we see the end result where Pat comes in, but also what preempted Megan's need to call out to her dad for help. Her elaborate game of cat and mouse spirals out of control, weaving an increasingly dangerous web around her. 

All in all, a riveting and explosive thriller sure to captivate the reader from the first page. Haunting character detail, and an elaborate plot line help keep the suspense high as the action never lets up. LePore is certainly one to watch. 

Blood of My Brother - James LePore - Blog Tour Review

When Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begins to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder. 

Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain. 

Once again, James LePore has given us a novel of passions, intense moral complexities, an irresistible thrills. Fille with characters you will embrace an characters you will fear, Blood of My Brother is a story about a quest for revenge and redemption you won't soon forget. 

Title: Blood of My Brother

Author: James LePore

Genre: Adult Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: December 28, 2010

Format: Softcover

Source: Received from publicist for Pump up Your Book blog tour. Many thanks goes to Tracee for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: Pump Up Your Book

Look for it: Amazon.

My rating: 4/5

Jay Cassio and Dan Del Colliano have been inseparable friends since they were five years old. They survived the Newark riots together, and continued to look out for one another throughout the years. Now, Dan has been murdered, and Jay is on a mission to avenge his friend's death. 

What he soon learns, is that Dan may have been a pawn in a much larger, dangerous game; a high stakes game of money laundering, drugs, and corruption at the highest level of government. Jay will do anything to avenge his friend's death though, even if it requires his own. His pursuit of justice will take him from his old New Jersey neighbourhood to the coast of Florida, and the streets of Mexico. 

Jay is a fully rounded, three dimensional character. His background has been hardship after hardship. When his parents died in a plane crash he retreated into himself, and it was only Dan who was able to bring him back to life again. Dan has been everything to Jay, a friend, confidant, and protector. When he is brutally murdered, Jay is horrified. His case is still open, but no one is working on it, and so Jay takes it upon himself to uncover Dan's last moments and avenge him. Jay is emotionally distraught, and Blood of My Brother shows just what lengths a man, or anyone, will go to, to avenge the death of a loved one. The mystery deepens further though as Jay finds out the FBI is involved, but he is only given the runaround. When more deaths start piling up, Jay can only assume that he'll be next. His voice, his emotions, and his being are all indicative of someone who will do anything to avenge his beloved friend. However, everything is not black and white, and there are many varying shades of gray. Those who work for the police department, or in other positions of power may be corrupt as well, and this book shows the nuances between those characters who have crossed the line, and those who are holding their ground. With a full cast of characters it is easy to become lost not knowing who is who; however, LePore juggles all of his characters and the various threads of his plot with skill, leaving the reader appreciative of the journey they are taking alongside the main characters.

Isabel Perez is another character who garners attention, and it is only a matter of time before her destiny becomes entangled with Jay's. They are a well-matched pair, both reeling from the loss of someone close to them, and the bond they forge while on the run is strong. They will need help from various friends, and each other, if they are to achieve their ultimate goals. 

All in all, this is a fast-paced, enthralling, and thrilling read. Definitive characters, and an action-packed plot make this an enjoyable and fast read. The addition of Jay's past memories throughout only strengthens the book and shows the magnitude of the bond he had with Dan, making his decisions all the more credible and heartfelt. Fans of James Patterson's Alex Cross series will enjoy this read, though it is a bit heavier than Patterson's work. LePore is definitely one to look out for in the future.