When a former pro football star and broadcaster, now a Wall Street maven is accused of insider trading, will he be able to prove his innocence and expose those who are guilty? Greg and his boyhood pal dreamed of big success in professional football and then later in business. Greg was the only one to live the dream. Now the founder of an investment fund Greg is faced with a routine audit finding … audit finding by the SEC. The audit points to irregularities and all the tracks lead to Greg. The justice department hits him with an indictment of 23 counts of fraud, money laundering, and insider trading. His firm goes bust, and Greg is on his own.
His best friend knows he is innocent but has been ordered under penalty of eternal damnation not to help.
If you enjoy stories of riches to rags, redemption, brotherly love, and a little of the paranormal, Circumstance of Childhood will keep you riveted.
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Greg Petros is featured in this stunning novel narrated by the ghost of his childhood friend and adopted brother, Kieth Petros. The two are inseparable as kids and grow to become football stars with the world on their plate- until there was one.
Kieth dies in a horrifying car accident and Greg must carry on without his best friend. And though his life is one stunning success after another, it’s bittersweet.
This is the compelling journey of love, loss, success, and failure. And how the choices we make in life affect our futures.
John crafts a compelling story told in first person through the eyes of Greg and Kieth Petros. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the drama of Greg’s life and the challenges he faces.
I give Circumstances of Childhood 4 lovely kisses- a great read!
Known for his thrillers, Circumstances of Childhood captures some of that magic, and mixes it with white collar espionage, a bond between friends that lasts longer than most, and delivers a satisfying but different kind of ending.
Treat yourself to this one if you’re looking for something different. This book is what indie fiction is all about.
I was an advance reader for this book with no expectation I would post a review.
“Circumstances of Childhood” is written in the unique style of Mr. Howell and was a book that kept me up late into the night reading! Greg and Keith are childhood friends and Greg ends up living with Keith’s family. They play football together creating new plays and plan out their future. Unfortunately, only one of them make it to live those dreams. When one of them is killed in an accident, the other one goes on to be successful–with a happily ever after. But, that happy ending is ripped away when money is stolen from Greg’s company and his life falls apart. Parts of the storyline are told from Greg’s prospective and the rest by Keith. I loved the bond created between the two, who were like brothers, that existed beyond death. Choices that are made can affect the characters for the rest of eternity. This is a perceptive and an exciting read with a whodunit mixed in. It’s a skillfully written story with well-rounded characters that I couldn’t help but care about. The storyline kept me engaged until the last page with some unexpected twists. Although, this is a different type of story than Mr. Howell’s John Canon series, it is worthy of your read if you enjoyed that series like I did. This has become my favorite book from this author. I highly recommend!
A page-turning story of riches to rags, redemption, and brotherly love, with a touch of both romance and the paranormal (much of the story is told from the “other side.”) It’s amazing how Howell manages to successfully mash up disparate genres to create a highly original book that would make a perfect beach read!
What’s not to like about Greg and Kevin, and a nostalgic walk through their childhood? Eagle scouts, football heroes, roommates in college—they’re as inseparable as brothers. Likeable characters, terrific scenes…the author has done it again! Circumstances of Childhood is classic Howell and when the action starts rolling, it’s almost impossible to put down.
Circumstances of Childhood is a fictionalized memoir that draws the reader through the loss of loved ones, the sorrow of a broken marriage, and the devastation of financial ruin. It is a coming of age drama that is like none other I’ve read. It straddles heaven and earth as the mystical realm reaches across the divide to provide comfort and wisdom during times of great distress.
This book tugged at my heartstrings and gave me pause about life’s purpose; it also kept me on the edge of my seat. It has traces of a thriller wrapped in a mystery, but it also reads like a different kind of love story, one that is ultimately an embrace of life.
There are messages interwoven throughout this book – of determination and strength, of fair-mindedness and kindness, of hope triumphant over despair. These themes linger even after the turn of the last page, which is a testimony to author John Howell’s writing expertise. I strongly recommend this book as it was a definite 5-star read for me.