The Trade Off
Page 20
BJ Bourg, Chief Investigator, Lafourche Parish DA’s Office
“Hyper-realistic fiction at its best. Come ride along with cops in DEAD EVEN: A RIVER CITY ANTHOLOGY by Frank Zafiro. It's like being in a squad car, taken to a crime scene.”
O'Neil De Noux, SHAMUS and DERRINGER Award Winning author of the LaStanza New Orleans Police novels.
“It's rare to find a collection of characters where each one is fantastically well defined-- and particularly rare in the case of crime fiction, where the crime often dominates. Better still, the crimes that Frank puts out for these characters are both plausible and intriguing-- nothing rehashed or recycled. Compelling characters, engrossing plots, and overall, a fantastic collection of shorts, though I would expect nothing less from the author of the River City novels. I would have read it one sitting-- and certainly tried-- but my infant son doesn't understand why I don't want to put down the Frank Zafiro story I'm reading. At least not yet.”
Clair Dickson, author of Bo Fexler mysteries
“Whether you’re already a fan of the River City novels and stories or discovering Frank Zafiro for the first time, you’ll love this book. Every tale provides exactly what his
readers have come to expect: fascinating characters, authentic police work, and spot-on dialogue. Dead Even is an exceptional—and deliciously entertaining—collection of stories.”
John Floyd, award-winning author of Rainbow’s End, Midnight, and Clockwork
“[T]he characters are interesting and worth spending time with.”
Mysterious Reviews
“Anyone who enjoys crime fiction should buy this book. Anyone who enjoys great dialogue, gallows humor or strong female protagonists should buy this book. Anybody who has ever driven through Hillyard should buy this book just to see how many places from Spokane they recognize.”
Brian Triplett, Examiner.com
“Zafiro has consistently used his experiences as well as ones of other fellow police officers to make the characters he writes about alive for the reader…[He has] a terse writing style filled full with emotion and nuances.”
Kevin Tipple, independent reviewer
No Good Deed: A River City Anthology
An ex-cop looking for redemption...an American man and an Irish lass intertwined in love and violence...a cop with a conscience that he doesn't always listen to...a retired cop looking to repair a broken relationship with his drug-addicted son...a Yankee cop in the West Texas...these are the characters you'll meet and explore in No Good Deed.
“Frank's style is akin to Dan Brown's and other writers who have "OMG - I can't put this down" quality - keeping you engaged and yearning for more about the characters and the story. The intriguing, well designed action moves you to want to know more about each of the people involved and how the stories end. THIS IS A GREAT READ!”
Tom Sahlberg, from a four star Amazon review
The Cleaner: A River City Anthology
A frustrated crime scene cleaner...an off duty cop in a jam...a patrol officer who believes in a strange fate...a holier-than-thou Internal Affairs whose world gets turned upside down...plus those that are crazy, surrounded in sadness or just trying to get by - these are the many and varied characters of River City, brought to life in 17 short stories by the author of the River City crime novels.
“This guy can write a story…Zafiro is exciting to read. I had a hard time putting the stories down and was always ready to go back to them. I will search out his other books.”
Brian Howe, from a five star Amazon review
Writing As Frank Scalise
The Hardest Hit:
A Sam the Hockey Player Novel
Eleven year old Sam Parker loves to play hockey. But this is the year that he will start body-checking. His natural fear of getting hit is temporarily overshadowed by finding out his parents are getting divorced.
Determined to keep them together by being a hockey superstar, Sam instead suffers a bone-crunching check from the school bully in his first game of the season. The resulting pain and fear brings out the worst in Sam as one difficulty after another piles on. Even his best friend, Jill, doesn't always seem to understand what he's going through.
When will his head stop hurting? Will he ever be able to play hockey again? How can he keep his parents together? Or can he? It will take everything Sam has to bounce back. Every one of his problems feel like ...the hardest hit.
The Hardest Hit is part of the Sam the Hockey Player series.
All That Counts
All That Counts is a novel about life and a man's discovery about what is truly important in it.
Graham Wilson is a thirty-something recreational hockey player who decides to follow a long-held desire to become a goaltender. His transition is both comedic and inspiring as he seeks to challenge himself in the midst of a mundane life. Also on display is the curious paradox of the recreational game in American culture (i.e., it means everything, but it is only a game, but it is more than a game, but...). When his team's regular goalie leaves, Graham steps unsteadily into the crease, causing conflict on a team that is used to winning.
Graham's journey is a microcosm of life. Humor, inspiration, camaraderie, love and spite all make their appearances both on and off the ice as Graham struggles to learn what truly is "all that counts."
“With a nod toward Spokane’s long puck tradition, All That Counts is a book about life and hockey that you will love. Will Graham’s vision quest is something we can all understand and cheer for and his inspiring journey reveals the wonder and absolute joy that hockey brings into this world.”
Mark Rypien
(NFL Quarterback and Superbowl XXVI MVP)
“All That Counts is a must read for anyone who has ever laced ‘em up. The locker room banter combined with the on ice antics are so true at all levels of hockey. The book made Eagles Ice Arena come alive in my hands. I can visualize the walk down the stairs and going down onto the ice. Nothing’s better in recreational hockey after the game than a cold shower topped off with a cold one. Frank does a great job combining the real life and on ice drama. No hockey fan should miss out on this entertaining read.”
Head Coach Bill Peters, Rockford Ice Hogs
(Spokane Chiefs, 1996-97, 1999-02, 2005-08)
“All That Counts by Frank Scalise is an intriguing read for any avid hockey player, hockey fan, or sports fan alike. His ability to incorporate the intangible, unique elements of hockey with the always changing aspects of life outside of hockey provides an exciting read from cover to cover. Frank's writing style provided an easy read, as well as keeping me hooked until the very end. People will be able to draw connections to their own lives through Graham's experiences. I enjoyed the story, and would recommend it to anybody that enjoys sports and good books.”
Derek Ryan
(Spokane Chiefs, 2003-07)
"ALL THAT COUNTS is full of hard-hitting hockey action, great locker room banter, lots of laughs and realistic, touching relationships. Players at all levels, hockey fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this Spokane hockey tale. Scalise really captures how hockey is a one of a kind sport that brings people together in a way that can't be explained until you slap some skates on and see it for yourself.”
Cam Severson
(Spokane Chiefs, 1997-99)
"Scalise knows what counts…from that insatiable itch that draws a wannabe goalie to the crease and into the inevitable struggles that come with the job. He’s captured the essence of goalkeeping in so many ways: the first infuriating attempt at strapping on the pads, the never-ending study of the game, and agonizing over those big, blazing scoreboard numbers. The reader grows convincingly with Gray through his self-doubt, embarrassment, and finally to the grains of confidence which soon pile up into a mountain of swagger that separates the goaltender from the rest of hockey. As I read this book, I can smell the stink of used gear, hear the crunch of steel blades on a fresh sheet of ice, and feel the thud of a hard shot well stopped. But while Sca
lise is obviously at ease in the Rangers' raucous rec league locker room, he is not the least bit afraid to peel off the stinky gear and expose Gray's tender side while he and his wife embark on a life-altering journey. Scalise shows us that what’s on the scoreboard is truly not all that counts."
Jill Maser
Goaltender, University of Pennsylvania (retired)
Author of the romance novel, Red Passion
“This was a great book. It really highlights the challenges of a new goalie and how to work through them.”
Brad Moon
Former WHL goaltender
You can order any of these books from Amazon! Gray Dog Press at http://graydogpress.com carries several of them as well, and you can order any of them from any bookstore or outlet. Get the eBook edition in any format wherever eBooks are sold!
Also, look for Frank Zafiro/Frank Scalise titles in audio book format!
Other titles by Bonnie R. Paulson
Into the End Series:
Into the End (#1) FREE
Through the Flames (#2)
Out of the Ashes (#3)
Into the End Boxed Set
Barely Alive Series:
Barely Alive (#1) FREE
Falling Apart (#2)
Mostly Dead (#3)
Viral Intent (Short prequel)
Boxed Set
Lonely Lace Series:
Spurs and Lace (#1) FREE
Secrets and Lace (#2)
Sorrows and Lace (#3)
A Date to Die for: Serial
#1 Speed Dating
#2 Oh No, He Didn’t!
#3 Dinner for Two
#4 Don’t Look Back!
Standalones:
The Trade Off
Odd Man Out
Breathe Again
Psycho Inside Me
Dictating Death (2015)