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Showing posts with label James Blakley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Blakley. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Review: The Diamond Head Deception


The Diamond Head Deception
by James Blakley

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GENRE: Mystery/Thriller

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BLURB:

After putting Iowa crop insurance cheats out to pasture, independent insurance fraud investigator Luna Nightcrow heads to Hawaii, but not for a vacation. The Shilpa, an Indian ocean liner, sinks and Luna is hired to determine if it still carries "Pacific Splendor" (a rare diamond insured for $15 million). The trouble is that Luna's not the only one looking for the diamond. Secessionists, sportsmen, and other suspects might sink to any depths to recover or smother Pacific Splendor.

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EXCERPT:

Rupee suddenly stopped and look around suspiciously. “Perhaps it is no longer safe to talk here.”

Luna cast an eye over the lounge and noticed a hefty, Hawaiian-looking man standing in the far corner behind them. He wore a tuxedo and was probably just checking out Rupee’s. But the scowl that he shot at them meant that he either didn’t like Rupee’s taste in tux or his taste in women. This might turn out to be a dangerous drink! Luna worried. But looking back at Rupee, she saw that he was still visibly shaken. I’ve got to be the strong one, Luna decided. So, she dragged a red fingernail up and down the back of Rupee’s hand. “Where do you suggest we talk, if not here?”

Rupee’s eyes widened. “Well, this is a hotel; so, it does have rooms,” he suggested.

Luna’s eyebrow cocked curiously. “Where’s yours, Rupee?” she asked softly.

A smile returned to Rupee’s face and he answered, “It’s a big one, Luna, way up high.”

Just what a girl likes to hear! Luna thought.


My Review:

After I finished The Diamond Head Deception, I looked at Mr. Blakley's bio to see if he'd ever been a screenwriter. I felt like I was watching TV scenes the entire time. I expected the Hawaii Five O people to make an appearance any time. I liked that in this book the character that saved the day is a woman, and she isn't the police. She's an insurance investigator with plenty of smarts and determination. The mystery is good and not exactly what I expected so it kept me guessing as I read. The characters were interesting too. Not everyone is who they seem to be. All in all, it was a pleasant read that I'd give a solid 4 stars.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

James Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and section editor of "The Griffon-News." Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka, KS where he worked for The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies, such as EDS and HP.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4678133.James_Blakley

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Head-Deception-James-Blakley/dp/1629012475/ref=sr_1_1

Inkwater Press: http://inkwater.com/books/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1352&search=the+diamond+head+deception

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

James will be awarding a $50 Walmart gift card to a randomly drawn winner (US ONLY) via rafflecopter during the tour. Use the following link to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway