Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Heart of Stone by David James Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing collectively as David James Warren.
Title: Heart of Stone
Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #6
Author: David James Warren
Publisher: TriStone Media
Release Date: November 23, 2021
Genre: Time Travel Detective Series
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub
BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
EXCERPT
I say hope crushes the soul.
That’s why I look away when Frankie Dale’s beautiful gray eyes fall on me as I walk into Alexander Malakov’s third-story office.
The pulse of some electro-dance beat pumps in from the nightclub below, the odor of bodies and a hint of reefer saucing the air. Turbo is on fire tonight, the line to get into the club a half-block long despite the sultry July-heated night.
Alexander leans against the front of his desk, his arms folded over his gray silk Brioni dress shirt, his cuffs rolled up—as if he’d actually do any of the bare knuckle work it takes to keep his multi-million dollar organized crime empire running.
That’s why Vita, Alexander’s “XO,” the guy who delivers his orders, called me. Vita is shorter than me, lean, blond and about my age, his face heavy with lines and a scar that runs from his eye to his chin.
We’re work friends.
“Staz,” he says in greeting and I nod at him and walk over to Alexander. The female—she can’t be Frankie, not right now—sits on the sofa. I can’t tell if she’s been roughed up, but I don’t look at her, just in case.
“Thanks for coming,” Alexander says from his perch on the desk.
“Of course, boss.” I’ve played the undercover game for years, so this can’t be any different. Booker briefed me earlier—wait for that, I’ll catch you up—and apparently, I’ve been at this game for years, so sliding into my persona as Staz, Malakov’s right hand thug is an old shoe.
According to my sketchy research, Alexander Malakov runs the biggest Russian gang in Minneapolis, filling the void after Burke and I took down Somali warlord Hassan Abdilhali some twenty years ago. According to Booker, Malakov’s also recently declared war on the police department, hoping to carve out his own Little Moscow in the North Loop.
I remember this part from past versions of my life—my 1994 Porsche 911 having recently been a victim of this war.
And I know you’re wondering—past versions?
Again, wait for it. It’s worth it, I promise.
Alexander is vaping, and now sets down his cigarette. My guess is that it’s filled with high end snow because he’s edgy and ticking with energy. I walk over and put a hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
“How did she get in here?” He directs the question to Vita, and I look at him, expecting an answer, too.
“I don’t know. We found her in here rummaging around. Say’s she was lost, but I don’t buy it.” Vita says.
Now I look at Frankie.
The sight of her makes me pinch the corners of my mouth and take a breath. Her lip is bleeding, although that could be from a struggle. Frankie has it in her to cause trouble, thanks to her parentage.
I know for a fact that Booker doesn’t know what she’s up to. But then again, she’s in her mid-twenties and can make her own decisions.
If she were my daughter, I’d put a tracker on her.
Okay, not really, but the thought catches me, and I inhale sharply.
I had a daughter. Once upon a happier time. With blonde hair and blue eyes and the kind of laughter that made me believe in things like hope, and faith, and love.
For the last month, I’ve tried to believe—to hope—that I could find her, save her, bring her home. I haven’t succeeded.
Remember what I said about hope?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive one The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone print copy (winner's choice) and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 29, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 6, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing collectively as David James Warren.