Book Review: The Shadow Cartel (The Dominic Grey Series) by Layton Green

This is an intense thriller with interesting connections between drug cartel and cults.
The Shadow Cartel (The Dominic Grey Series)
by Layton Green

File Size: 6827 KB

• Print Length: 434 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477827811
• Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (May 1, 2015)
• ASIN: B00O4FK868

Genre: Thriller, Mystery Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2015
The sins of the past always return…
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.

Review:
Dominic Grey is a private investigator who grew up hard and rough on dark streets. He works with a cult expert, Viktor, but Viktor is currently away battling his own dark demons. Dominic misses his former lover, Nya, and is surprised when the fragile and healing young woman arrives to ask a favor. Nya’s neice has been killed in Miami by a bad batch of ‘designer’ drugs. Nya asks Dominic to track down the man responsible.

Dominic takes up the search, joining with a local DEA agent, Fred. The first trail leads to four dead men and a sighting of a blue lady who wields a deadly blow pipe. When another murder by the blue lady is reported Lana, from the CIA, steps in to aid the search. However her goal reaches higher. She wants to follow the cartel link to find a mysterious leader known as “The General.”

The team’s first few leads are successful but reveal that there is a mole leaking their every step. Lana takes the mission off record hoping to avoid leaks. This leaves the three of them very vulnerable especially when they start traipsing around Mexico and South America.

Dominic is finally able to reach Viktor who begins researching the Blue Lady. He determines she is part of a little known religious cult that uses black magic and voodoo type curses. As the good guys get closer to discovering the truth even Viktor becomes a target for an unexpected killer.

The story got my attention quickly although there are numerous characters to sort in the first few chapters. Once I was able to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys, I enjoyed the brisk pace of action and the twists in the mystery. I enjoyed the real descriptions of Miami and the Everglades since I am familiar with those areas. The descriptions of the third world countries cities and jungles, is distinct and made me thankful I don’t live in those dire conditions. The history and intricate connection of the cults and scopolamine being used in drug cartels is scary. Mr. Green uses an engaging technique by interspersing chapters that give the reader knowledge of the brilliant enemy without fully revealing him until later in the book.

There is cursing but the "F" word is only used once. Although this is part of a series, and I imagine that reading them in order would build better background, it read acceptably as a stand alone. It engaged me enough in strong characters of Dominic and Viktor that I would be interested in their next dangerous adventure.

I received this title from the author through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 15, 2015

Oh - Thank goodness it's Friday!
I have had a busy week preparing for a hearing matter and two million+ dollar closings. 
My home computer has been iffy - froze last night so I couldn't get it turned on at all.
I may have to bite the bullet soon and replace this one.
I hope those who need rain get some and those who need it to stop get sunshine!

TO ENTER:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the May 8 Pick. There was only one automatic wins this week.  Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title blocked.
bn100 gets Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 8 Pick:
Elizabeth gets a GC

Meredith gets Prey Cassette Tapes

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I hope everyone is getting to enjoy some spring flowers as well as books!

Image found at GeekSmash.

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015
(I'll finish the list with authors on Saturday 5/2/15)

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Dragon and the Jewel and Tempted
Jude Deveraux: The Invitation and Remembrance
Nora Roberts: The Heart of Devin MacKade and the Pride of Jared MacKade
SINGLES:
A Little Better Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
Veil of Night by Lydia Joyce
World's Greatest Dad by Marie Ferrarella
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess
Skin Game by Ava Gray
Special Agent
Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spears
Dean in The Water by Stuart Woods - Cassette Tapes
Rally Fever
Jack with a Twist by Brenda Janowitz

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Dick Francis: A Jockey's Life and Proof (spine creases)
Catherine Lanigan: Tender Malice and Elusive Love (spine creases)
SINGLES:
Parent Trap Anthology, Dallas Schulze, Lisa Jackson, Kasey Michaels
Madison Avenue Marriage (Silhouette Desire #129) by Cassandra Bishop
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Ain't Myth-Behaving by Kate MacAlister
Death at Play by Nancy Gotter Gates
Where is He Now? by Jennifer Greene
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
Aphrodite's Secret by Julie Kenner
Virtually His by Gennita Low
Dead Even by Brad Metzger
Mommy Midwife by Cassie Miles
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks


New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes



BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Catherine Anderson PAIR: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Mariah Stewart PAIR: Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Diana Palmer PAIR: Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 816+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Book Review and Giveaway: Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1) by Lori Wick

This is an engaging, character driven, gently paced, sweet historical romance.

Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1)
by Lori Wick

• File Size: 448 KB
• Print Length: 306 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0736916180
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2007)
• ASIN: B005MJ8Y02

Genre: Historical Romance, Christian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Following the success of her recent stand–alone novel, White Chocolate Moments, bestselling author Lori Wick returns to delight readers with a new series set in the vast open places of Montana.

Token Creek, Montana Territory, 1880—Cassidy Norton is a fine seamstress who makes her living sewing for others. Amid the bustle of a busy frontier town, her life is rich. What time her business doesn’t take, her friends and church family fill. But Cassidy hasn’t always lived in Token Creek, and few people know her full story. So she struggles with a nagging unsettledness in her heart.

Cassidy’s friend Meg is married to a rancher and has a baby, something Cassidy wants for herself. But that would mean revealing the details of her life. Will Cassidy find the strength to take that risk?

Book 1 in the Big Sky Dreams series.

Review:
Cassidy moved to Token Creek leaving behind secrets. She is making a reasonable living and, more importantly, has become part of the community through church and friends. She is especially close to Meg, who is married to Brad and expecting their first child. They live outside of town on a ranch with Brad’s younger brother, Travis.

Travis believes that Cassidy may have an interest in the local bank manager, Chandler, who has been seen walking with her. She also is close to Rylan, the burly bachelor Pastor. But Travis expresses concern about Cassidy’s safety as she lives alone and the town gets a bit rowdy on Saturday nights. After talking to Brad and Meg, they ask Cassidy to stay with them on Saturday nights and then go in to church together.

The story flows gently with the sharing of the characters and their individual and combined efforts to grow in their relationships with God. Midway through the book two new characters are introduced. One makes a surprising proposal to Cassidy while the other turns her life upside down. When Travis returns from a cattle drive will he join some of the other town members in condemning Cassidy or will he stand by her?

Although it is not faced paced, I did enjoy the gentle tone and steady style of the writing. There is a little mystery but don't expect any real suspense or action. I loved the consistent Biblical messages that are shared in natural settings through bits of sermons, prayers and study group discussions. There was nothing forced or disruptive in the easy presentation. Even though a daily life-style was shown, we (Ladies’ Book Club) thought there could have been a stronger emphasis on the setting details, like clothing since sewing was Cassidy’s specialty. Also, as another of my lady friends noted, there was a strange use of "that lady" instead of "she".  There were interesting discussion questions at the end of the book.

Several members of my Ladies’ Book Club have read most all of the works by Lori Wick. Three of us had never read her before but agreed that we liked the story and would be interested to read more by the author. I recommend this story to reader’s who like a gentle, character driven, inspirational historical romance. All of those elements are wrapped nicely in this book.

I purchased this at a discount price for Ladies Book Club. It was our April read. I am using this for Full House Challenge: Published between 2000 and 2013

ONE (gently read) PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, OR

(b) comment and tell me if you have a favorite book to recommend by this author

I didn't find an AUTHOR'S WEBSITE but here is her page at Fantastic Fiction and at Goodreads.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) May 22, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after May 22, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Audible Book Review: Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy by Debra Holland

This is a delightful, sweet historical romance with excellent setting details. 
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy
Written by: Debra Holland
Narrated by: Lara Asmundson

Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
Series: Montana Sky, Book .75
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-27-14
Publisher: Debra Holland
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The well-educated daughter of a lawyer, Trudy Bauer arrives at the St. Louis based Mail-Order Brides of the West agency full of excitement for an adventure of a lifetime. She befriends the agency's maid, Evie Davenport, and the two form a strong and lasting friendship. They vow to stay in contact through letters when Evie takes hold of her destiny and arranges a marriage on the sly. Each brave young woman is ready to face whatever an unknown groom and life in Montana can throw her way.
In Holland's book, bride-to-be Trudy Bauer rides the train to Sweetwater Springs, in a Montana Sky Novel. In Fyffe's novel, house servant Evie Davenport travels by stagecoach to Y Knot, Montana in a McCutcheon Family Novel. Through their correspondence, the friends keep each other abreast of their hardships, trials, and tribulations - some of heartbreak, some of love.
©2013 Debra Holland (P)2014 Debra Holland

Review:
Trudy, aged 24, waited until her younger sisters were securely married before she put into action plans for her own future. She seeks travel and adventure and has decided the best way to accomplish this is to become a Mail-Order Bride through a reliable service. The service requires the women to show their homemaking skills and makes sure the grooms come with a Pastor’s recommendation and a few special conditions.

Seth, aged 28, feels that he has laid enough of a foundation for his farm to seek a wife. His heart is set on a local, dark-haired saloon girl but when he arrives in town he learns she has run off with a dashing stranger. At the pub, Seth allows himself to be goaded into boasting about the woman he is expecting to marry, describing her red-golden hair and blue eyes. His neighbor and nemesis challenges the story and a friend bets that Seth will be married within two months.

Seth has to act quickly and will have to change some negative habits in his life to qualify for a mail-order bride.  He is willing to commit to the arrangement but he struggles to put his saloon girl sweetheart out of his mind. Although Trudy’s original plan was for adventure, not romance, she soon realizes that she wants love after all and she’s not sure she can win her husband’s heart. Will Seth realize what a really special bargain he made in choosing Trudy before he loses her?

The story is pretty straightforward, in a good way, and flows easily. The characters are warm and I liked Trudy’s brave and giving personality. Seth had strong qualities too. There is good, natural tension between the newlyweds enhanced by light suspense in the expectation that trouble will eventually hit when truths are revealed.

The time period setting is described with wonderful detail, including a Memory Garden which is something I don’t recall ever hearing before. The story has a lovely, gentleness that evoked smiles while I was listening. There is a secondary story set up for Evie, the maid from the Mail-Order Bride home who is befriended by Trudy. Apparently there are more stories that cover several other brides and give some update on Trudy and Seth. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet, historical romance. I plan to keep this series in mind when I feel the desire for a another dose of sweet, light romance.

Audio Notes: Lara Asmundson does a very nice job with the narration. The voices are easy to follow and her narration makes this a clean, easy listen. I will look to listen to more in this series and more by Ms. Asmundson.

I selected this title from my Audible library (2015). It qualifies for Audiobook Challenge and M in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Audio SYNC 2015 Has Started!

I forgot to include these in my Mailbox Monday. SYNC has started!
What is SYNC?
SYNC is the audiobook publishers’ and AudioFile Magazine’s commitment to introducing the listening experience to your young adult audience.
SYNC audiobook titles are given away in pairs. A Young Adult title is paired with a related Classic, thematically paired Young Adult title or Required Summer Reading title.

The YA Novel and Summer Reading Classic program has started at SYNC with a great pairing to download for free!  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP. Get Week 1 (ends 5/13) and find out what other great titles will be available over the next 13 weeks!

Encourage Young Adult readers to text syncya to 25827 to receive text alerts about all the featured titles.

Sign-up to “Join the SYNC Newsletter” for title alerts.

YA Novel & Summer Reading Classic pair from SYNC

It's a dreamy, supernatural SYNC Week 1!

LISTEN TO A CLIP

00:00

Beautiful Creaturesby Kami Garcia,Margaret StohlRead by Kevin T. Collins,Eve Bianco

with

LISTEN TO A CLIP

00:00

00:00

Rebeccaby Daphne Du MaurierRead by Anna Massey