October 6, 2023 - fundinmentalfundinmental

I was so excited when I won hardcover, signed copies of The Disposables, The Squandered, and The Heartless, and a signed paperback of The Scorned by David Putnam.

Today, I am going to share The Squandered in the Bruno Johnson Thriller series by David Putnam.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

In The Disposables, things become very personal for Bruno Johnson when his brother’s grandchildren are kidnapped. Children Bruno never knew existed because he had been estranged from his incarcerated brother. Why is always the big question. As they dodge arrest, kidnappers, drug dealers and government agents, secrets will be exposed and we know some will go to any lengths to keep them under wraps. I twisted and turned with the characters as the danger dogs their every step. Bruno and Marie’s relationship will be tested, but I have confidence they will stand together. The action and suspense is nonstop. I was frantically turning the pages, on pins and needles, as I was gulping down words.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“The Squandered “propels Bruno into an emotionally charged high-speed chase as he and Marie leave their rescued kids in Costa Rica and risk returning to the U.S. at the request of Bruno s terminally ill father. Bruno s estranged and incarcerated brother needs Bruno to help rescue his abducted young grandchildren, children that Bruno hadn t known existed.

Bruno cannot deny his father, and Marie will not let Bruno go alone. As fugitives, they return to the U.S. to face not only imminent arrest, but also to confront ruthless kidnappers, drug dealers, and government agents who will stop at nothing to keep a secret from the past buried forever.

Glimpses of Bruno s law enforcement past shed light on the mayhem they encounter once they are discovered in L.A. It seems that Bruno s brother, Noble, has inadvertently kicked a hornet s nest of criminals, both in and out of prison, and among various law enforcement agencies looking to find a long missing load of nine million dollars worth of cocaine. And Noble s grandchildren are caught in the crosshairs.

The chase, the brutality, and the emotional stress tests Bruno and Marie s relationship and forces them to define family what s okay to forgive, and what should never be forgotten. Armed with a new moral code, will they live long enough to put it into practice?”

Genres: Action and Adventure, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Vigilante
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016 by Oceanview Publishing
Series: Bruno Johnson #3

ABOUT DAVID PUTNAM

Best-selling author David Putnam comes from a family of law enforcement. During his career, he did it all: worked in narcotics, served on FBI-sponsored violent crimes teams, and was cross-sworn as a US Marshall, pursuing murder suspects and bank robbers in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Putnam did two tours on the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s SWAT team. He also has experience in criminal intelligence and internal affairs and has supervised corrections, patrol, and a detective bureau. In Hawaii, Putnam was a member of the real-life Hawaii Five O, serving as Special Agent for the Attorney General investigating smuggling and white-collar crimes.

Putnam lives in Southern California with his wife, Mary.

Website / Twitter

MY DAVID PUTNAM REVIEWS

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Just a Fika: Coffee, Connection, and a Matchmaking Ghost Grandmother
Beck Erixson
Publication date: October 3rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Family.

They’re always meddling in your love life

Even after they’re dead.

Brooklynite-and genealogist-Ingrid Ekstrom accepts a surprise request from her typically estranged family: to become the live-in caretaker of their shared historic house in the sleepy Jersey Shore town of Aegir Haven. A fun-loving cousin is quick to introduce Ingrid to the local handyman and bluegrass musician. As he fixes up the place, Ingrid digs into the house’s past and learns about the family she barely knows.

And then Mormor-her long-dead grandmother-shows up, acting as though not being in the spirit realm is perfectly normal.

Ingrid’s always yearned for stronger family connections, and it’s nice having Mormor around. Mormor tries to set her up with a young real estate attorney who’s closer to her more thunderous, god-like personal standards than the musician with keen senses Ingrid is falling for. As lore and legends mingle with real life, she’s torn. Mormor’s fantastical family sagas can’t actually be true, right?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

“Mormor?” I mouth to her. Numbness spreads inside of my shoulders, and I let my arms fall to my sides.

“Did you say something?” Kurt asks.

“Oh, I asked if you needed more.” Think, think. What is she even doing? “Sugar. Do you need more sugar?”

“Nah, I prefer black coffee.” He leans to catch my gaze. “How did you sleep?”

“Pretty well.” Can he not see the massive distraction wandering around us?

His eyes trace up and down my face, which is fair considering I’ve already memorized the sculpted lines of his.

Ignore her. She’s not real. “You know how it is when you sleep in a new bed, it takes a lot to find the right position.” I cringe at the poor phrasing.

“We can get you a new mattress.” He laughs. “Consider me an extra set of hands.”

“For breaking in mattresses?” Nope, that’s not what he meant, and yet it flew from my mouth.

“I didn’t mean…” Kurt fidgets with his mug and can’t seem to hide the shades of pink in his cheeks. “Your cousin said you could use some help with the house.” He clears his throat. “Unless this wasn’t about repairs.”

“The little I know about my family, I wouldn’t put it past her.” I take a sip of the icy drink. “Don’t worry. I don’t throw myself at strangers.”

He chokes on a sip and blinks in response.

Bail out, I need to bail out. “Any help you can give with the house is much appreciated.”

The woman is still looking straight at me. She sticks out her tongue and crosses her eyes before pulling the newspaper closer to cover her face. Mormor? But it can’t be. Mormor is dead. The air is playing tricks on me.

Author Bio:

Beck Erixson writes about the beautifully awkward world of navigating the journey to true happiness through friendships, love, and family—be it blood, found, or chosen. Her stories enhance the importance of positive interconnection, even when we feel lonely. She lives on the Jersey Shore, and can often be found either writing by the river, or in it in some way. Her short stories have appeared in Many Nice Donkeys, and Full Mood Mag.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
WIN a paperback of Just a Fika!

To enter, follow @beckerixsonauthor, repost an image of the book, and comment using the hashtag #JustAFika between 10/01/2023 and 10/10/2023 on Instagram to be entered into the giveaway. Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and Washington D.C. (excluding HI and AK)

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