Title:
Blood on the Cards
Author: David Huffstetler
Series: A Jack Harden
Mystery
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Release Date: October 1 2012
Blurb/Synopsis:
A brotherhood of powerful men, a self-proclaimed prophet,
and an ancient goddess hover over a series of murders that start with a game of
Texas Hold-em. Are they to blame, or is it the embittered Comanche outcast set
on revenge against Jack Harden for the death of his niece? Elsie and Jack try
to salvage what’s left of their relationship, as a canvas of death unfurls
around them.
Can they stop it?
Educated in Dallas, North Carolina, David Huffstetler holds
a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked in the area of human
relations and spent fourteen years weaving through the maze that is politics,
including participating in a Federal Law suit with a sitting governor. David
has served on Boards of Directors for numerous professional organizations and
has advised governors and legislators on matters of public policy and
legislation.
David’s work as a senior manager with a major industrial
concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his
urge to write Disposable People, a dramatic expose of the working conditions
and politics that engulf undocumented workers. Disposable People is a top-ten
“Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA.
He turned the frustrations and rejection that plagues
thousands of yet-to-be-published authors into the heralded mystery/thriller
Blood on the Pen, with a serial killer disposing of literary agents. David’s
passion for history led him to write Dead in Utah, the story of Joe Hill, the
controversial musician and union organizer accused of a double murder in 1914.
Blood on the Cards follows his tradition of thrillers, and it stands on its own
merit as a novel with a hint of the paranormal.
His books receive praise from mystery readers across the
globe.
“David W. Huffstetler crafts gripping crime thrillers that
can only be described as a riveting roller coaster ride from its ‘okay, you’ve
got my attention’, beginning, to the suspenseful ‘I’ve now chewed my nails to
the quick’, conclusion.” -Book Lovers,
Inc.
As an editor, public speaker, and seasoned professional,
David has appeared on television and radio, and has lectured on the East Coast,
California, Canada and Mexico. David currently lives in Lexington, South
Carolina with his wife, Trudy.
Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Wild Child Publishing
Author Links
Blog
Website
Excerpts
Excerpt
* * * *
Jack passed Millburn’s Store doing seventy-five miles per
hour. He saw the dirt road to his father’s house, and he saw the back of a
yellow, Jeep pickup vanishing around a curve in the distance. “It’s him, Mose.”
“Redbone?”
“Yeah, the son of a bitch.” His heart was torn between the
Ranger who wanted to give chase and the son who was afraid for his father. Dust
and bits of gravel flew from his tires as Jack slid his truck to a stop at the
steps. He dashed onto the porch and called back to Browner, “Check the shed.”
Harden burst into the living room, knocked over a chair, and clamored into the
kitchen. “Pop!” Nothing. The hall and the bedroom were as empty as the rest of
the house. He ran onto the porch, leapt over the railing, and hurried toward
the shed.
A sliver of sunlight lay across the floor of the shed and
onto the post where Moses stood, holding his handkerchief against Jim Harden’s
neck. “He nailed him to a post. We need help.” He tossed the cell phone to Jack
and said, “Call EMS and tell them how to get here. I’ll keep pressure on the
wound.”
Jack saw an empty look in his father’s eyes. “Moses, is he .
. .”
“He’s alive. That’s all I can tell you. Now, make the call.”
I have to admit I love trying new reads and this was definitely a new type of read for me...but I enjoyed it. This is book 2 in a series, but I had no problem following along. It was gritty, vividly portrayed, and the story line was fascinating. Its amazing the conspiracy that is derived from a simple card game. This book was fast-paced and well written. The scenes were amazingly depicted and you had to love Elise, because she was one cool cat. But Jack and Elise are on the rocks...can they save their relationship and uncover the plot? It was an intense read that keeps you tuned in once you start. I would love to read book 1.
2 comments:
Thanks for the review and for hosting Blood on the Cards today. If you'll share an email address with me, I'll send you book one. It's called Blood on the Pen. My email is thuffstetler@aolcom.
Don't you love when you can pick up any book in a series and read and enjoy it? :D Sounds like a great read!
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