Deadlock (A John Hutchinson Novel) by Robert Liparulo

Hutch's survival skills and ingenuity saved him once in the deep woods. Can they save him this time in the city?

John Hutchinson thinks it's no coincidence that Brendan Page runs this modern Praetorian Guard, and that the billionaire military industrialist must have had something to do with the atrocities his son Declan committed in Canada. The Canadian and U.S. Justice departments disagree, but Hutch has been digging for dirt ever since.

When Hutch discovers the secret of Page's success, Page decides to teach him a lesson. But the operation goes terribly wrong, and Hutch's son is kidnapped. While a lone man stands little chance against the best black op soldiers ever issued M-16s, Hutch manages to survive longer than Page anticipated.

As far as Hutch is concerned, high-tech helmets, machine guns, and hand grenades are nothing compared to a man determined to save his son. It's a lesson he sets out to teach Page, and one that he can only hope works as well in the real world as it does in his heart.

My Review:
Video games, virtual reality, and tactical simulations are on steroids in this science fiction novel. Reality blurs with fantasy; lines are obscured as young boys train to become assassins. "Are you real?" one confused boy asks a family.

I did not read the first in this series, Deadfall, but the author did such a fine job of writing that I had no difficulty jumping in. Pages were rapidly turning with this compelling novel.

Having once visited Casa Bonita, a huge Denver restaurant, I enjoyed experiencing it again through the author's description. I was reminded of the three-story cliff divers and an artist who drew a caricature of my husband. It's a perfect setting for this story.

This action-packed thriller would make a movie that my husband would love. Do ya hear that Hollywood?

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Gatekeepers (Dreamhouse Kings #3) by Robert Liparulo

In the third novel of this young adult series, the mystery deepens in a house that is more than meets the eye.

It's hard to believe that things could have gotten worse for the King family--but they have. Dad's in handcuffs, the school bully has just found the secret portal that leads from the high school to the house, and Xander is sure he's found Mom, but they can't get back to her. Then Jesse arrives, and he seems to be a virtual Obi Wan of knowledge about the place. But is he the key they need to unlock the secrets, or just a crazy old man?

Dangers are increasing from within and without when Xander makes a startling discovery that explains why they haven't found any rooms that lead to the future. Alongside the threats, though, they're also starting to find some surprising allies.

All they have to do is get organized, get psyched, and get Mom. But that isn't nearly as easy as it sounds.

If you would like to read the first chapter go here.

If you would like to buy a copy go here.

GIVEAWAY! Bob Liparulo wants to give away a signed 3 book set of the DreamHouse Kings books! Send an email to Bob [at] Liparulo [dot] com and put "CFBA" in the subject line. He will pick a winner next week!

My Review:
Even though fantasy is not my genre of choice, and even though this is Juvenile fiction (and I am very old) and even though the book suggests that the first two novels in the series should be read first (and I had not read either of them) I LOVED THIS BOOK! I know it makes no sense other than it's a compelling story with believable characters, told in a page-turning fashion. What a thriller!

My only objection is that there is no conclusion. The book simply stops and leaves the reader panting for the next volume in this series. I can't wait to get my hands on that next book!