Book Review: BLOOD BROTHERS by R. Weir

Jarvis Mann is on the case again. This time he finds himself called back to his childhood home of Des Moines, Iowa. Unfortunately, he is there to confirm his sister in law’s suspicions that his older brother Flynn is stepping out on her. It seems Flynn also carries the “infidelity gene” Jarvis struggles against in his efforts to stay true to his lady love Melissa.

     Back in his home town, memories of his youth come flooding back. We get to know our hero more intimately through flashbacks from his childhood. We get to see how Jarvis was saved from going down the wrong path by some tough love from his father and a caring cop friend. Knowing his family and background lend depth to this already familiar character.

     Jarvis has real love and respect for his sister-in-law, Helen and niece Jolene and when Flynn’s attempts to chase the big score put them in danger, it is up to Jarvis to uncover the truths and keep them safe. A case that begins as simple quickly gets complex and deadly. As the body count rises, Jarvis must call in favors from everyone he knows; from local Des Moines PD and the FBI to his “less than legal” connections in Denver and even his old acquaintance, Rocky, the Enforcer. This time it’s personal.

     R. Weir has a real knack for storytelling. Jarvis is a guy you might know or at least run into in a bar. His quick wit and sarcastic one liners are charming and reminiscent of old gum shoes like Sam Spade. The men underestimate him and the ladies love him. The way this story builds from simple to complex is wonderfully done. The twists and turns of the narrative all make sense even as the story grows. And the ending is something I did not see coming but found most satisfying.  

Sandra Boutwell-Falcone

    

The Author Speaks: Better Late than Never, I suppose

I have been so busy working on Marabella's next adventure that I completely forgot to post here last month. I wrote a post. I just never got around to posting.  So, here is my November/Thanksgiving post, just in time for Christmas.

     As we head into the holiday season, the debates begin about the appropriate time to begin decorating for Christmas, what retail stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day and how to survive the onslaught of family pressure during this season. Social media is loaded with holiday recipes and political rants to go along with the amusing kitten videos. I would like to concentrate on Thanksgiving.

     For my friends around the world, I do realize that Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. And we Americans do love our holidays. The history of this holiday as told to grammar school children all over our country goes thus: At harvest time, the Pilgrims, early settlers of our country, and the Native Americans came together in peace for a great feast. Everyone contributed, bringing food for a large communal meal. It was the first recorded pot luck. Those present were thankful for the friendship and for the sharing of the food.

     In today’s American society of retail and excess, Thanksgiving has been reduced to one big meal, several football games, a couple of parades and lots of shopping. It’s sad really. There are still families who come together and talk about the things that make them thankful. Unfortunately there are too many others who come together to bicker and shop.

     I would like to tell you the things for which I am thankful. I am thankful for my husband, the kindest, most patient man I know. His willingness to support my dream of being a writer weighs heavily but he never complains. I am thankful for this ridiculously flawed but still free country. I am thankful for you gentle reader. Though you may be few, I appreciate each and every one of you who read my words. You give me purpose.