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I Saw The Devil's Face: My Life With Joseph Michael Kalady
Book
"You better hope to God the cops don't come," my babysitter, Joe Kalady, threatened me that day on...
true crime memoir
Becs (244 KP) rated Restorations in Books
May 22, 2019
Rather interesting and intriguing read
I received a copy of Restorations by Charles Strickler to read and review from Smith Publicity. Everything I say is one hundred percent my own opinions.
I'm generally not a fan of Historical Fictions but my attention was gripped by this intriguing novel. Charles Strickler's writing style is very informative and it doesn't have that "boring history" tone to it. It was rather light and flowed like water. You can also tell that Charles Strickler did a ton of research prior to writing Restorations and it honestly shows.
Restorations follows Miles' journey in recovering a 1928 Stutz Black Hawk Boat Tail Roadster he bought from an auction. There is a mysterious aura around the Black Hawk and Miles is set on getting answers. This journey he takes includes a pretty woman, a few near death experiences, the mafia, and surprisingly loads of action. You're not going to want to miss this!!
"Stop living in your father's shadow."
Characters:
Miles West - the main character who buys the Black Hawk. Nothing overall special that needs to be pointed out about him.
Bramley Ann Fairchild - the auctioneer who sold Miles the car. She ends up helping him figure out the mystery behind the Black Hawk.
Ms. Gardner - basically the mother figure for Miles and she is dead set on trying to get Miles and Bramley together.
Mr. Howe - the lawyer of Carlo Bello. He seems to be absolutely terrified of Bello.
Carlo Bello - a mob leader who will do anything to get what he wants. He's trying to get the Black Hawk from Miles.
Maximilian "Lefty" Webber - the original owner of the Black Hawk that Miles purchased, deceased.
Wil - the repair man.
Reasons why I rated it 4 stars:
1. The plot:
The plot flowed pretty smoothly, minus a few bumps and turns. I did notice a few spots where the plot jumped and there wasn't story/ character development. But overall, it wasn't the worst thing I've read.
2. My enjoyment:
I really enjoyed reading Restorations and would most defiantly reread. I actually sent the review copy I received to a good friend as she is a fan of the mafia and this style of books. (Fingers crossed she enjoys it as well)
3. Character and story development:
There were a few parts where the reader could have used a bit more character and story development/ background, as it lacked. But it really was a great debut novel, especially for it being in Historical Fiction!
4. Grammar and spelling:
Charles Strickler is a great writer and I did not notice any major grammatical or spelling errors. I did find a few that are usually overlooked but they didn't take away from the overall story.
5. The overall story:
I rather enjoyed reading Restorations and would reread. I just wish the parts that seemed to be lacking where able to be added too.
"Accidents happen all the time."
I'm generally not a fan of Historical Fictions but my attention was gripped by this intriguing novel. Charles Strickler's writing style is very informative and it doesn't have that "boring history" tone to it. It was rather light and flowed like water. You can also tell that Charles Strickler did a ton of research prior to writing Restorations and it honestly shows.
Restorations follows Miles' journey in recovering a 1928 Stutz Black Hawk Boat Tail Roadster he bought from an auction. There is a mysterious aura around the Black Hawk and Miles is set on getting answers. This journey he takes includes a pretty woman, a few near death experiences, the mafia, and surprisingly loads of action. You're not going to want to miss this!!
"Stop living in your father's shadow."
Characters:
Miles West - the main character who buys the Black Hawk. Nothing overall special that needs to be pointed out about him.
Bramley Ann Fairchild - the auctioneer who sold Miles the car. She ends up helping him figure out the mystery behind the Black Hawk.
Ms. Gardner - basically the mother figure for Miles and she is dead set on trying to get Miles and Bramley together.
Mr. Howe - the lawyer of Carlo Bello. He seems to be absolutely terrified of Bello.
Carlo Bello - a mob leader who will do anything to get what he wants. He's trying to get the Black Hawk from Miles.
Maximilian "Lefty" Webber - the original owner of the Black Hawk that Miles purchased, deceased.
Wil - the repair man.
Reasons why I rated it 4 stars:
1. The plot:
The plot flowed pretty smoothly, minus a few bumps and turns. I did notice a few spots where the plot jumped and there wasn't story/ character development. But overall, it wasn't the worst thing I've read.
2. My enjoyment:
I really enjoyed reading Restorations and would most defiantly reread. I actually sent the review copy I received to a good friend as she is a fan of the mafia and this style of books. (Fingers crossed she enjoys it as well)
3. Character and story development:
There were a few parts where the reader could have used a bit more character and story development/ background, as it lacked. But it really was a great debut novel, especially for it being in Historical Fiction!
4. Grammar and spelling:
Charles Strickler is a great writer and I did not notice any major grammatical or spelling errors. I did find a few that are usually overlooked but they didn't take away from the overall story.
5. The overall story:
I rather enjoyed reading Restorations and would reread. I just wish the parts that seemed to be lacking where able to be added too.
"Accidents happen all the time."
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Crow (Boston Underworld, #1) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Tough as any Irish mobster out there, Mackenzie has been fighting her way through living on the streets of Boston since she was 13. In and out of foster homes since her father's murder, she is the daughter and granddaughter of two of the best underground Irish fighters and can surely handle herself as such. When her best friend Talia disappears from the Irish mob run strip club she started working at, Mac is determined to find out what happened. On her own she is ready to take on the Russian Mafia and Irish mobsters clearly involved in some way. Deciding to go undercover... she has no idea no idea just how deep this will take her. She finds herself working for Lachlan attempting to get answers without letting on why she is really there. This book sucked me right in from page one... Lachlan was as fierce and determined as he is sexy. Mac has never let anyone in before, determined to be the tough as fighter her Dad raised, yet she simply can't stop the feelings she that continue to grow for this ferocious man... I ABSOLUTELY loved these two!? The book was absolutely fantastic and Im SO glad to have found this author! Ill surely be back for more as the book was so well written, with a fantastic storyline and characters you can't help but fall in love with. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Dragon's wing (Kit Davenport book 2) in Books
Jan 9, 2020
Packed with action
Contains spoilers, click to show
I should have known my quest for vengeance would eventually be my downfall. I should have been more careful, more paranoid - but I'm glad I wasn't. Who knew that getting caught for my crimes would lead to so much happiness?
But joy can be fleeting...
It turns out, this battle is only just beginning. With ultimate power on the line, my faceless enemies will stop at nothing to capture me, dead or alive. I need to master my abilities, fast, or this could be the end for someone I care far too deeply about.
I'm Kit Davenport and this is going to be a bumpy flight.
We kick off with Kit and the boys paintballing it doesn't take long for Kit to land her self in trouble and her waking up ready to be sold as a sex slave. We follow Kit as she meets the mysterious buyer and new love interest Vali a Romanian mafia boss.
He helps her get back to the boys after she helps him heal from almost dying. Back with her boys we find out Vali Coles mysterious brother she's turned the both into Dragon shifters and someone just seriously wants her dead!!
This book is rammed with action in and out of the bedroom. I enjoyed it so much more than the first book and can't wait to read more.
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐
But joy can be fleeting...
It turns out, this battle is only just beginning. With ultimate power on the line, my faceless enemies will stop at nothing to capture me, dead or alive. I need to master my abilities, fast, or this could be the end for someone I care far too deeply about.
I'm Kit Davenport and this is going to be a bumpy flight.
We kick off with Kit and the boys paintballing it doesn't take long for Kit to land her self in trouble and her waking up ready to be sold as a sex slave. We follow Kit as she meets the mysterious buyer and new love interest Vali a Romanian mafia boss.
He helps her get back to the boys after she helps him heal from almost dying. Back with her boys we find out Vali Coles mysterious brother she's turned the both into Dragon shifters and someone just seriously wants her dead!!
This book is rammed with action in and out of the bedroom. I enjoyed it so much more than the first book and can't wait to read more.
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake #4) in Books
Feb 10, 2020
4th book in the Stillhouse Lake series
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Bitter Falls is the fourth book in Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series. To give a fair review, I read the earlier books and I am so glad I did. I will publish reviews on those, but this one will concern only Bitter Falls.
Gwen Proctor, working as a P.I., is tasked with investigating a cold case missing person. As usual with Gwen, things with this case, are not as simple as they seem. The entire family is pulled into the case while trying to stay away from the Hillbilly Mafia who wants Gwen and her family gone. Of course, you can not forget about the internet trolls and the Lost Angels.
As with the other books in the series, this book was difficult to put down. The story is fast-paced and, after Wolfhunter, the family is not able to pretend to "be normal" for long. By making Gwen a P.I, Rachel Caine has ensured this series will be able to continue with new and different cases in each book. I know I look forward to the next adventure of Gwen, the kids, Sam, and their friends/supporters.
Heartbreak Bay, the 5th book in Stillhouse Lake series is available to pre-order.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/9/20.
Bitter Falls is the fourth book in Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series. To give a fair review, I read the earlier books and I am so glad I did. I will publish reviews on those, but this one will concern only Bitter Falls.
Gwen Proctor, working as a P.I., is tasked with investigating a cold case missing person. As usual with Gwen, things with this case, are not as simple as they seem. The entire family is pulled into the case while trying to stay away from the Hillbilly Mafia who wants Gwen and her family gone. Of course, you can not forget about the internet trolls and the Lost Angels.
As with the other books in the series, this book was difficult to put down. The story is fast-paced and, after Wolfhunter, the family is not able to pretend to "be normal" for long. By making Gwen a P.I, Rachel Caine has ensured this series will be able to continue with new and different cases in each book. I know I look forward to the next adventure of Gwen, the kids, Sam, and their friends/supporters.
Heartbreak Bay, the 5th book in Stillhouse Lake series is available to pre-order.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/9/20.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Dirty Angels (Dirty Angels, #1) in Books
Mar 11, 2020
I bought this years ago, 2015 to be exact, and have put it off for a long time when my taste changed from New Adult to Young Adult and Urban Fantasy. I chose it as a challenge read on here so I would finally read it.
So this starts with a prologue. Luisa decides to run away from her abusive drug lord husband in the spur of the moment decision, only to be captured by the enemy. It then moves into Chapter One and we see how she came to be married to Salvador and how she came to be in Javier's captivity. Javier wants her as a hostage so he can negotiate for something Salvador has and the longer they spend around each other, the more they begin to understand each other and feelings emerge.
I'm not really into mafia/cartel books. I find them to be rather violent and prefer sweeter stories with some angst in them. There were some times in this when I just couldn't read all the description and just skipped entire paragraphs, especially the bit with Franco. I also skipped quite a bit towards the end just wanting that final showdown between Javier and Salvador.
I didn't really get their romance. I understand Luisa looking for any light in the blackness that she's living but I still thought Javi was a bit dark, though he did have some nice moments.
I won't be continuing the series.
So this starts with a prologue. Luisa decides to run away from her abusive drug lord husband in the spur of the moment decision, only to be captured by the enemy. It then moves into Chapter One and we see how she came to be married to Salvador and how she came to be in Javier's captivity. Javier wants her as a hostage so he can negotiate for something Salvador has and the longer they spend around each other, the more they begin to understand each other and feelings emerge.
I'm not really into mafia/cartel books. I find them to be rather violent and prefer sweeter stories with some angst in them. There were some times in this when I just couldn't read all the description and just skipped entire paragraphs, especially the bit with Franco. I also skipped quite a bit towards the end just wanting that final showdown between Javier and Salvador.
I didn't really get their romance. I understand Luisa looking for any light in the blackness that she's living but I still thought Javi was a bit dark, though he did have some nice moments.
I won't be continuing the series.
Rat Pack Confidential: Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey and the Last Great Showbiz Party
8.0
Rate It
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The first biography of the Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford,...
My Two Italies
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The child of Italian immigrants and an award-winning scholar of Italian literature, Joseph Luzzi...
Intercepted: The Rise and Fall of NFL Cornerback Darryl Henley
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Hailing from suburban Los Angeles, raised by supportive parents, and educated at a boys-only...
Playing to the Gallery Postcards: Thirty-Six Postcards About Art
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36 unique postcards by Grayson Perry, each featuring an original artwork from his book. Playing to...