Romeo’s Fire by James Scott Bell is this week’s Reader Friday post. Here’s the first line: “Why aren’t you married?” It was one o’clock in the afternoon and I was washing Mrs. Edna Morgenstern’s windows.
But first the photo and verse. It’s the same photo and verse from last week that, for some reason, did not show up in the post that went to everyone’s inbox. And it didn’t show up when it posted to Facebook, so I’m running it again. Delores Topliff took the photo of last month’s full moon over the Irish Sea on her recent trip to Scotland. Next week I’ll post a photo of this month’s full moon, but it won’t be over the Irish Sea. And I love the verse with it.
Now for Romeo’s Fire by James Scott Bell. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Mike Romeo thought he’d left the violence of the streets behind…
Now working as an investigator for his friend, lawyer Ira Rosen, Mike finds himself drawn into the dark underbelly of Los Angeles once again. Ira’s newest client, Coby Keaton, is a homeless young man accused of a brutal murder.
As Mike digs deeper, his investigation leads him to Reverend Tatum Walker, a man trying to bring hope to the the city’s homeless. But a shadow of darkness looms large over L.A.’s streets. Soon, Mike uncovers a deadly plot aimed at Walker—and himself.
With time running out, Mike must face down a network of evil more insidious than he ever imagined—forcing him to confront not only a murderer but also his own demons.
My Take:
I’ve waited over a year for this 9th book in the Romeo series and it did not disappoint! (And I stayed up until 1:30 until I finished it) Mike Romeo is a bit unorthodox in his work as a private investigator for Ira Rosen, a former Mossad agent, and Mike’s mentor. Although he protests, I think Ira is okay with how Mike handles the bad guys. And there are plenty of bad guys around in this book.
Mike finally pops the question to Sophie and then seems to think she should’ve said no, especially after he ends up in jail for attempted murder. The story deals with Mike finding the real assailant, and the interesting characters he runs into. As always I enjoy the details about LA. If you enjoy a fast-paced suspense, you’ll enjoy this book. I couldn’t put it down.
Romeo’s Fire is available in KU or purchase it here.
Okay Readers, what are you reading this week? Leave the first line or a comment about Romeo’s Fire, and I’ll enter you in an October drawing for a book from my library
Romeo's Fire by James Scott Bell is this week's Reader Friday post. Leave a comment on the blog and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library. Share on XTwo weeks and Deadly Revenge releases! Starting at 8 a.m. this morning, you can watch a podcast interview with Theresa Rowe of Shaped by Faith here. 
Discover more from Patricia Bradley
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments 36
What a beautiful verse/blessing.
Great review, Pat. Bell is such a good storyteller!
Author
Thanks, Priscilla. And you’re right, Bell is very good!
It’s still a great photo and verse, even a week later. 🙂
“Guarding Truth” by Kelly Underwood is the book I was reading last Friday and it was fantastic. My next was “Over the Edge” by Irene Hannon. Wow! I did not see the end surprise “who done it” that came at the end!
Currently, I am reading “Zeke” by Laura Scott. This is the 7th in the Oath of Honor series. They’ve all been good. First line: “Sienna Reynolds stopped abruptly when she caught a glimpse of the envelope propped against the front door of her rental home.” Now, you just know that no good is going to be found in that envelope!
Author
I’ll have to read Irene Hannon to see what that surprise ending is, Tim. And you’re right, there can’t be anything good in that envelope. 🙂
I haven’t read any of Scott Bell’s books, yet…. This one sounds good, Pat. Great review!
“The CIA had trained her to withstand interrogation and torture, but they’d never prepared her for a stench like this one.” This is the first line in Covert Danger, by Jerusha Agen in Book #2 of the Unleashed Guardians Series. Excellent series!!!!
Author
Barbara, I think you and James both would enjoy the Romeo series. 🙂 And I have Jerusha’s book on my TBR table!
I have not read anything by Mr. Bell. I just finished two ARCs. Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler and Deadly Christmas Inheritance by Jessica R Patch. Both are great suspense books.
Carolyn Frazier
I have Jessica Patch’s Deadly Christmas and can’t wait to get to it, Carolyn! I love Bell’s books!
I have not read any of Mr. Bell’s books. I need to check this series out.
If you have never had to clean taffy off a pig, consider yourself lucky.
Gingerbread Danger by Amanda Flower
Gloria Anderson
Thanks for sharing such a calming verse and picture.
I am reading another Carole Brown book: Dry Bones at Bat Cave. Some may have read it in 2015 when it was originally published as Bat Crazy. First line: Taffy’s whine caught my attention, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.
Taffy is Denton and Alex Davies’ small dog. Taffy seems to have a way of sensing things before anyone else is aware.
Edward, I think I read Bat Crazy back in ’15! I’ll have to check it out again.
Hi Patricia, I have not read any of James Scott Bell’s book, but this one surely sounds and looks very intriguing! Thank you so much for sharing your review, I will be adding it to my TBR. I love this picture with the full moon and I really love the verse. Have a great day and a great weekend .
Alicia, he has many great books. You can check him out at his website or Amazon
As always a great review. I need to check this author out.
He is so good, Judy! I love the Romeo series, but he has a lot of other books.
That verse is comforting considering the state of today’s world. I Hold fast knowing God is in ultimate control. Our Sunday morning Bible study class begins our study of Romans in two weeks. This Sunday is our review and wrap up of Acts.
This book sounds like a winner and very intriguing. One of my favorite genres.
Acts is one of my favorite books. Did you know that Luke probably wrote Acts and Luke for Paul’s trial before Nero? I studied Romans many years ago in Precept. Opened my eyes!
Never read this author’s books let alone heard of them so I am excited and looking forward to reading this author’s books.
I hope I win so I can read a physical copy of book
Thanks for introducing me to this author
It’s a great series, Crystal. He has several series out…his early books were legal thrillers.
I haven’t read the latest in the Romeo series, but I love his books, especially some of his early on ones. One six book series, The Trials of Kit Shannon, Tracie Peterson co-wrote the first three with him. They are about a girl wanting to be a lawyer, arrives in LA in 1903, at a time when female lawyers were unheard of, her struggles to get work, only get cases no one else would take, but gradually makes a name for herself! They are all very good, and have some suspense too, because of course they wanted her either laughed out of town, or dead! They’re very enjoyable for those not familiar with his books.
Patricia, this super moon is so bright tonight, I know you’ll get some great pictures!
Dottie, I got a beautiful shot of the moon last night. And I tried to see the new moon that has joined ours…it won’t be here long and you can’t see it with the naked eye, but if you zoom with your phone camera, I’m told you can see it.
I’ve been wondering about this new moon. If you hear what direction and when to look for it, would you post it? I would like to try a picture of it. Also there is the brightest star now in the Eastern sky every night. Do you know anything about it? Some are saying online it is the Star of Jacob. I have no idea other than it’s very bright!
Dottie, I haven’t been out in the evening lately, so this is a guess based on what I’ve read about the eastern sky in the evenings currently. Around 9 PM, the planet Jupiter should be seen in the east-northeast. It will be very bright, so that might be what you’re seeing. It would be low on the horizon at that time, and rising as the night progresses.
I should have added that the 9 PM time is MST which is currently 3 hrs behind EDT.
Tim, thank you for the info, and I bet Jupiter is what I’m seeing. And you’re right, it starts out low to the horizon, and then rises as the night goes on. It’s so bright right now! I have to take my doggie outside to potty several times, so I’m stargazing while I wait. There seems to be a lot going on in the skies these days/nights.
Dottie, this is what I found: In October 2024, Mars will rise in the east in the middle of the night and be high up by dawn.But I also see where Tim says Jupiter is in the eastern sky as well… I do know Venus is in the western sky–It’s very bright.
I don’t think you can get a photo of the new moon…I haven’t found it yet. lol
sounds like a great book!
It is, Shelia!
Nice photo. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
It is, Diana!
The picture is indeed peaceful. Beautiful!
My first line is from a book I will start very soon. The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens:
“Louisa felt him die.”
That sounds like an intriguing book, Paula, and I’ve been hearing a lot about it.
I haven’t read anything by James Scott Bell.
I think you would enjoy his writing, Natalya! I love the Mike Romeo Series.
Pat, Thank you for sharing. James Scott Bell is a new-to-me author.
I think you would really enjoy his books, Caryl!