Tuesday Teaser: Is Love Enough: Book Two Michele Grogan's Forbidden Love Series

This week, we feature an excerpt from Michele Grogan’s Is Love Enough? Book Two of the Forbidden Love series.

Author’s Synopsis

In this sequel to Forbidden Love, Jessica Alvarez tries to answer the question - is love enough? - when it comes to moving forward in a relationship with Jake. But that question might not be easy to answer when a new foe arrives in town and is determined to wreak havoc no matter the cost. 

Luis Alvarez does everything in his power to support his daughter while exploring his own love life and dealing with unexpected circumstances of his past. But when a new threat comes to town, will he be able to protect everyone he cares about or will he have to endure losing someone close to him? 

Jake Rousseau put his heart on the line when he fell in love with Jessica - will he be able to give Jessica what she wants without his heart being ripped to shreds...again? 

“I need you to double-check these numbers from the casino; I think Carlos might be trying to skim off the top again. He’s going to need to be dealt with.”

Jake took the file and quickly flipped through it. “If there are any problems, I’ll send Marco down there.”

“No. I need you to handle this personally,” Johnny said, still not looking at his friend as he sat on the couch, the crystal tumbler clutched in his hand. If Sara knew what he was doing, she would have had a fit. It was a good thing she was out with the kids.

“Johnny, it’s not possible for me to leave right now.”

“You’re the best I have, Jake, and I know I can trust you to handle Carlos.”

“Marco has dealt with him before and he’s more than capable of doing it, Johnny,” Jake said patiently.

“Well, obviously Marco’s last warning was not good enough if Carlos is skimming again! You personally handling this will get the message across loud and clear, Jake.”

“I can’t.”

Johnny looked at the man he considered as his right hand, the man who had been by his side as he had made the empire his father had started bigger and better than his thug of a father ever could have imagined. The man he took under his wing and considered his brother…considered family was out and out defying him.

Trying to maintain some semblance of patience, Johnny said, “I gave you an order, Jake.”

Jake’s right eyebrow rose slightly. “I’m sorry, Johnny. I will check the numbers and if there’s a problem Marco will handle it as I see fit – per his report back to me. Other than that, I am not leaving Donovan’s Harbor any time soon.”

Shaking his head, Johnny put the cut crystal tumbler on the coffee table. “So you’re willing to throw it all away for her?”

“I’m not throwing anything away, Johnny,” Jake began but was cut off.

“The hell you’re not!” Johnny shouted, finally letting the pent up anger he had toward his friend out. “You are throwing away our friendship for that bitch and for what, Jake? A roll in the sack with an enemy’s daughter? Stick it to Alvarez? That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”

Jake was across the room so fast Johnny barely saw him move until he was backed up against the mantle. 

“The reason you don’t have a bullet in your head right now is because I respect you too much. But I will tell you this, Johnny, don’t you ever disrespect Jessica again. I have put up with a lot of your bull over the years without a word and I would never speak that way about Sara, so don’t you start.”

Johnny was pinned there by Jake’s steel blue eyes. Johnny knew that was the last thing people saw before they met their maker at this man’s hands and Johnny could have sworn his own life flashed before his eyes. Finally breaking the hold Jake had on him, Johnny blinked and nodded. He knew he had gone too far, but he wasn’t about to admit it out loud.

“What the hell is going on?” Sara asked as she walked into the apartment with the kids following close behind her.

Johnny and Jake stared at each other down a moment longer and then nodded to each other, coming to a silent understanding. Johnny didn’t want Sara involved in and he knew Jake didn’t either. Jake backed off.

Michelle Grogan began writing down stories in the 7^th grade. In college her writing transitioned to what is now called flash fiction and fan fiction before going back to creating her own stories. Michelle is also a Literacy Specialist/Coach where she currently coaches teachers on how to improve their students writing skills.

Want to read more?

Buy Links:

Is Love Enough http://amzn.to/16DKkco (Amazon)

Is  Love Enough http://bit.ly/SV5E6A (Kobo)

Stay in touch with Michele and what’s coming next here:

Social Media Links:

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/michellegroganauthor?ref=hl

Twitter Handle @mishmash878

Tumblr: http://mishmash878.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/magrogan22/boards/

Life in the New Jersey Mob with some Rock and Roll. A review of The Boss Always Sits in the Back

Move over Tony Soprano and Michael Corleone, the real Boss is in town. No, I don’t mean Bruce Springsteen, either. Last month I had the pleasure of meeting Jon D’Amore at the To Be Continued bookstore in Metuchen, NJ. He was there to do a reading from his novel, The Boss Always Sits in the Back.

Mr. D’Amore’s memoir recounts his early years as the cousin and godson of Gerald “Jerry” D’Amore, underboss to Rocco Casciano, then boss of Lucky Luciano Family. How even as the outside rock and roller in the family, he was drawn into life in the Mafia. A story that spans the decades and crosses the country from the unions and waterfronts of Hudson County, NJ to the glamour and decadence of Las Vegas to Hollywood, where Jon’s uncle was the famed owner of Patsy’s, the hangout of celebrities like Frank Sinatra.  Make no mistake, Mr. D’Amore does not gloss over the downside of the mob and the violent punishment meted out for breaking the rules of la familia. A violence that he was to witness personally.

Okay, disclaimer time: I am a Jersey girl, in fact I grew up in Hudson County where I lived until age 17. I still

reside in New Jersey. While I did not move in Mr. D’Amore’s circles, I have my own family lore about my grandfather and others in the days of Prohibition and Mayor Frank Hague (google him for a lesson in political machines). But it was part of the culture, if you grew up in Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City,Secaucus or the surrounding towns. So for me the personalities, the street savvy, the locales in New Jersey all resonate.

The Boss Always Sits in the Back is a great read. Mr. D’Amore’s style is such that you feel as if you are sitting around the kitchen table drinking homemade wine and listening to his story. It is an easy, intimate voice that makes you feel like an insider.  According to Mr. D’Amore, he had to wait this long until some were dead, incarcerated or had left New Jersey never to return. Even then, he sought permission from those who

mattered to the story. When you read the book, you’ll understand why.
In addition to his life in the Mob, he touches on his career as a successful session musician, which I’m sure would make an interesting book of its own.

This is well-written and edited book with enough sex, violence, family loyalty and humor to go around.  I have not read a mob story since The Godfather and am not a Real Housewives/Mob Wives fan, but I can safely assure fans of all that you will enjoy every page.

I rate The Boss Always Sits in the Back 5 triskeles:

         

Biography

It was the 1960s. The place was Hudson County, New Jersey...a tunnel ride away from midtown Manhattan. Jon was first published at 10. A story he'd written about the Civil War was transformed into a mimeographed book and distributed throughout the county school system. He went on to write for the school newspaper. Also at that time the pre-teenager began studying the guitar, leading him to hone his love and knowledge of music...and the art of composing.
In a logical progression, he graduated school, played in club bands, opened for touring acts and by his mid 20s was traveling cross-country as a session musician.

While touring during the 1970s, Jon was also a feature writer for New Jersey's 3rd largest newspaper, The Herald News, simultaneously allowing him to enjoy the best of his favorite worlds; Playing rock & roll...and writing.

In 1985, Jon found a different side of life. He said, "Goodbye and it's been a slice!" to the music business and got a job in the corporate world.  By 1999, another change was about to take place. For more than two decades Jon knew that within him there was the desire and ability to write...it's just that New Jersey wasn't the place to do it.

So he drove to Los Angeles...and stayed.
He started writing as soon as he arrived...and didn't stop until the manuscript and screenplay for "The Boss Always Sits In The Back" were completed.

Jon's writing has received rousingly enthusiastic industry response, and he is currently waiting for the check that's supposedly in the mail.

Jon continues to reside in California...and writes all the time.

The Boss Always Sits in the Back is available autographed in paperback or hardcover by clicking here. It can also be purchased at To Be Continued Bookstore and Boutique in Metuchen, NJ You can also follow Mr. D’Amore on Facebook or learn more about him on his website.