If you want to stay alive, you better know the rules . . .
Natalia Mayne said, “What’s the first rule?”
“Fear nothing,” I said.
“You have any more?”
“Do unto them before they do unto you.”
“Really?”
”And you don’t owe the truth to people who lie.”
“I’ve never met anybody like you.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
Mike Romeo is an ex-cage fighter living off the grid in L.A. Running from a dark guilt … an ex-cage fighter living off the grid in L.A. Running from a dark guilt that dogs him, he’s finally found a place where he can rest and even heal.
Then a church blows up. And with it all of Romeo’s hopes to be left alone. When he stops to help an injured woman whose kids are missing, someone decides to put a target on his back.
But whoever wants him dead picked the wrong guy. Because Romeo has rules––and he’s going to make them stick.
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This was the first fiction I’ve read by James Scott Bell and it sure won’t be the last! I was sucked in from the time I read the “look inside” on Amazon. I really liked the characters, especially Mike Romeo. I liked his smart-ass attitude and the bits of his history that we learned were fascinating. I did not see the ending coming! I’ve already ordered the other books in this series.:)
Its a good read. Mike Romeo just wants to live his own life but gets caught up in other peoples lives. Hes a good guy but tough for sure and wont be pushed around.
Didn’t like the main character. Several times I wanted to quit. Finished it hoping it would get better
tad fast / thoughtful
Mike Romeo, aged 35 or so, is staying with his friend Ira, a rabbi and retired Mossad agent, in Los Angeles. While out running one day, Romeo hears an explosion a block away and goes to see if he can help. He meets Natalia Mayne who is hysterical because she can’t find her children, who had been attending the church’s school. So begins the plot where Mike tries to help Natalie find her children. Natalie is the ex-wife of wealthy developer Mark David Mayne, and he is the bad guy throughout the book. Mike Romeo, a genius, had dropped out of society, and at one point he was a cage fighter so he had serious physical skills. He needed these skills as adversaries came at him from every direction, making the book action-packed. One unique characteristic of Mike is that he has been trained in philosophy, and his dialogues are peppered with Latin phrases and references to classical Greek characters as well as the works of modern authors. While the references are appropriate, after a while, this got to be a bit much. While thinking about the forces of good and evil and the nature of the universe is interesting, it was overdone for a novel.
This book started out pretty good then at about 25% it hit a brick wall and never recovered. One of the few books I couldn’t finish.
Excellent book.
Romeo, the hero, is a philosopher and a vigilante (sort of). His character’s background is revealed slowly in the book so I won’t spoil it.
He is keeping on the down-low in LA with a friend but gets involved in trying to help a woman find her kids. That is where everything gets more complicated.
The hero giving Latin quotes all the time and sharing his philosophical thoughts by quotes of philosophers of the past was at first interesting. A man with violent skills that thinks about his world. Then it got annoying…everyone and I mean everyone says, “you talk funny.” Then I accepted that he is just that one person you know that shares the fact they think they more than you do-all the time. So I now accept his acting smart as part of his character.
Romeo is interesting, the story is interesting and full of action. I suggest you read it. This was book one in a series I will read the rest of the series.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU. As of this writing 93% 5 and 4-star reviews on Amazon with 320+ reviews)
The main character is tough and intelligent. He is an intellectual action hero. There is some violence and it may be a little difficult for those who are somewhat squeamish. Although he is not officially a private eye, he does solve mysteries.
A little over the top tough guy.
Very good read. The kind of book you hate to see end. Would absolutely recommend and look forward to the next one.
Excellent action novel.interesting philosophy of main character. Unusual.
I just could not continue after just the few pages. Sorry, just not for me!
Great writing with good philosophy lessons thrown in for good measure.
very entertaining. kept my interest thru the end.
EXCELLENT READ!!
10 STARS !
Author Bell does a great job at keeping an active and engaging flow to the reading. I highly recommend you take a look at this reading enticement. You will like it.
A great read. Characters are wonderful
I liked it very much. Its well written, funny and has unexpected situations.
A good read
Loved these. Just a great day read. Waiting for the next one with bated breath!
You can not go wrong with any James Scott Bell book. Keep ‘m coming!!