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Last Friday night I as I checked my email, I noticed I had a message from Patreon. That’s where I go to make sure I don’t miss anything from James Scott Bell. He’d posted an encouraging video, and at ten o’clock at night, I was in need of a little encouragement.
Nothing had gone exactly as I planned it Friday, meaning I didn’t get started writing on my latest book because of something I didn’t want to get involved in but now was. 🙂 Anyhow, in the video, he was very encouraging, but that’s who he is. And he had a freebie for his followers. A book, Last Call.
James Scott Bell is a top Christian-fiction writer. He writes redemption stories that reflect the scripture at the top of this post. And I was in need of a redemption story.
I downloaded it and thought I’d read a page or two because I was sitting at my desk and really wanted to go to bed and forget the whole day. Two hours later, I looked up from the computer. I still had a few pages to go so I finished the book. Then I sent him an email blasting him for keeping me up so late. But I simply could.not.stop.
I fell in love with the story and the gutsy heroine, Keely Delmonico and her friends in Last Call! Here’s the back cover copy:
His face did not twitch.
In fact, its normally ruddy tones had disappeared. Now there was a dull grayness to the skin. His lips were the color of old plums.
Which was when the first chill winds of disquiet blew inside her.
“Pinky?”
Nothing.
She grabbed his jaw. His face was cold to the touch. She turned his head from side to side.
And then Keely Delmonico—the former Rachel Fisk of Bismarck, North Dakota—backed away from the bed and tried to catch her breath.
For call girl Keely Delmonico, having a client die was a new one. Now she has to avoid the cops and all their nasty questions. She manages to get out of the fancy hotel free and clear. But lurking in the shadows is another danger, a deadly one—a killer who is determined to make Keely’s next step her last call.
From “one of the top authors in the crowded suspense genre” comes a taut novel of murder and mystery set in Los Angeles and the bright lights of pre-pandemic Las Vegas.
Rated PG-13: The material in the book would have been acceptable in a 1960s cop show like Mannix or Mod Squad or Hawaii Five-O. This might be called edgy Christian fiction since it has a call girl as the heroine, but rest assured there is nothing even close to being insensitive in the story. James Scott Bell uses fiction to write truth and show redemption.
This is a twisty, spell-binding page-turner! Just when a reader thinks Keely will find help, the story takes a bad turn. But the girl is resourceful if nothing else. I like the way Bell makes his female characters a little snarky, but very smart and capable. It’s very encouraging to read of a woman outsmarting the bad guys! And I loved seeing Keely develop as she realizes she can change her life. It’s like watching a caterpillar change into a butterfly.
I’m not certain, but I hope this will become a series because I’d like to see Keely grow. Got that, Mr. Bell?
You can purchase Last Call for the tiny price of 99¢ on Amazon.
Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve read any of James Scott Bell’s other books. He was a lawyer, but now he mostly writes about lawyers and isn’t always flattering to the profession. 🙂 If you comment I’ll enter you in this month’s drawing for a book from my library. Last month’s winner is Diana Hardt.
Don’t forget the Rafflecopter over on Facebook! Someone will win…might be you!
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Comments 42
Sounds like a good book. I have read some of JSB’s stories. They are fast-paced fun.
Author
Hi Priscilla! They are fast-paced fun. I have a short story waiting in Patreon that I plan to read tonight. Thanks for dropping by!
I have not read Mr. Bell, but I love redemption stories so this sounds really appealing to me. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.
Author
This one is, Lucy. I’m hoping he will continue the storyline with a few more! Thanks for stopping by!
Pat, your choice of photo along with the Scripture passage was great. That combination always grabs my attention.
I have not read any of Mr. Bell’s books. I will certainly check them out.
I’m currently in the grips of DiAnn Mill’s book, “Airborne”. It is a very timely thriller that I have to force myself to put down, or I won’t get anything else done.
Author
Tim, James Scott Bell writes Christian legal thrillers along with a lot of short stories. He has a wicked sense of humor in some of them. He’s an awesome writer. And thanks about the graphic. I love trying to find just the right photo to go with scripture
I have read a few of Bell”a books and enjoyed them very much.
Author
JSB is a great writer and teacher. I’ve learned so much from him, Pearl. So glad to ‘see’ you here!
I have not read any of his books, but this sounds like a great book. I’ll have to check it out.
Author
It is, Nicole! Thanks for dropping by.
I have not read any of Mr. Bells books. I think I might like them.
Author
Perrianne, I think you would love them! He is such a good writer. Thanks for dropping by.
Looks like a good read
Author
Thank you, Donna! It is. Be safe and be blessed!
I haven’t read any of his books. I think I picked up one of his books several years ago and something about it had me questioning if it was Christian or not. I try to avoid books that might plant stray thoughts that are hard to get out of my mind once they are there. So I decided not to take a chance. When our library reopens, I’ll be looking for his books and give them a try.
Author
Edward, I would classify his work as realistic. He loves to write noir and some of his books are set back in the 50s. He has great characters that always learn a spiritual point. He has one series, Sister Justicia Marie of the Sisters of Perpetual Justice, that brings in humor. The blurb on Amazon is: America’s favorite vigilante nun is back … and she’s hot on the trail of a stolen cross!
I have not read any of Mr. Bell’s books but have purchased them for my husband. This one sounds good. I am not familiar with Patreon. I will check it out.
Author
Gloria, Patreon is where you can support an artist…and writers are considered artists. 😉 I think it cost $2 a month to get at least one short story from Mr. Bell but often he does things like give away a book. Great guy.
Because you raved about this book, I also read and agree–excellent character development–very well done.
Author
Glad you agree, Delores. It’s not a long book but neither is a novella. About 225 pages, I think. Well worth your time. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
I’ve read a few of this books, but it’s been several years. This one sounds good – I’d like to check it out.
Author
I think you’ll enjoy it, Amy. It’s very fast-paced with unexpected twists. 🙂
Sounds like on you best have plenty of time for reading…lol. I have read some of JSB books, but I don’t recall which ones right now, so it obviously has been way to long since I read one!!
Author
I think you’d love the Sister Justica books! They’re novellas for a quick read. Thanks for stopping by, Betti
Yes, I’ve read at least a couple of his books, but it’s been a while. I’ll add this one too my TBR pile!
Author
It’s a really good price right now, Jeanna! I think you would enjoy it. Stay safe!
I’ve not read James Scott Bell’s books. Thanks for the recommendation.
Author
I think you’d enjoy his books, Caryl. Thanks for dropping by!
sounds like a great book! Have never read one of his books.
Author
You’re missing a treat, Shelia. I like them all! Thanks for stopping by!
It sounds like a really interesting book. I have not read James Scott Bell’s books. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Diana, you can find his books on Amazon and several of them are 99¢. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I have never read a James Scott Bell book but maybe I should 🙂 Love the scripture you share each week, Patricia, they have been very encouraging.
Author
Thanks, Trixi. I love finding them and then the perfect photo to put them on. 🙂 I think you’ll like JSB’s books!
not yet! Thanks for introducing him to me!
Author
I hope you give him a try, MS Barb! He is so talented! Thanks for dropping by.
I’ve not read any of his books but will have to check for them!
Author
Great, Joan. I think you’ll like them. Thanks for stopping by!
I am not much of a fan of legal thrillers (or legal anything for that matter), so I probably wouldn’t have had much interest in one of his books. This one sounds good though; I’ll have to add it to the TBR pile!
Author
He has a wide variety of books, Diane. Early on he stuck with one genre, but not so much now–he’s Indie published and writing what interests him. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
That’s good to know. I will look into more of his books. Thanks for bringing him to my attention!
Author
I really enjoy his books, Diane!