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Blood Flows South #1.5
Finding Family
Dominic Mangini wanted what all 8-year-old boys want—time to laugh and play, loving parents, and enough food on the table. But in war-ravaged Sicily, food was scarce, and his parents were as scarred as the land.
His father said they must move to America so they could start over and be a family once again. Dominic got a new start, and he got a new family—but not the kind of family he expected.
His father said they must move to America so they could start over and be a family once again. Dominic got a new start, and he got a new family—but not the kind of family he expected.
- GenresMystery
110 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2013
49 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Giacomo Giammatteo
129 books249 followersI live in Texas now, but I grew up in Cleland Heights, a mixed ethnic neighborhood in Wilmington, Delaware that sat on the fringes of the Italian, Irish and Polish neighborhoods. The main characters of Murder Takes Time grew up in Cleland Heights too, and many of the scenes in the book were taken from real-life experiences.
Somehow I survived the transition to adulthood, but when my kids were young I left the Northeast and settled in Texas, where my wife suggested we get a few animals. I should have known better; we now have a full-blown animal sanctuary with rescues from all over.
At last count we had 41 animals—12 dogs, a horse, a three-legged cat and 26 pigs.
Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with me every day and happens to also be my best buddy.
Since this is a bio some of you might wonder what I do. By day I am a headhunter, scouring the country for top talent to fill jobs in the biotech and medical device industry. In the evening I help my wife tend the animals, and at night—late at night—I turn into a writer.
Somehow I survived the transition to adulthood, but when my kids were young I left the Northeast and settled in Texas, where my wife suggested we get a few animals. I should have known better; we now have a full-blown animal sanctuary with rescues from all over.
At last count we had 41 animals—12 dogs, a horse, a three-legged cat and 26 pigs.
Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with me every day and happens to also be my best buddy.
Since this is a bio some of you might wonder what I do. By day I am a headhunter, scouring the country for top talent to fill jobs in the biotech and medical device industry. In the evening I help my wife tend the animals, and at night—late at night—I turn into a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 22, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Suspense
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of the author's stories, those looking for more info on Dominic Mangini from A Bullet for Carlos
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, alcoholism,
My Thoughts: This is a prequel novella in the Blood Flows South series, taking place before the events of A Bullet for Carlos (review linked here). It provides background for Dominic. A Bullet from Dominic should be released soon.
One thing that Giacomo Giammatteo does very well is to show how a basically decent man slowly goes bad out of need and desperation and desire to care for his family. I love the fact that his characters are so layered and multidimensional. If you have read and enjoyed A Bullet for Carlos, do not miss this one.
Disclosure: I picked this book up for free on Amazon during a promotion. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Dominic Mangini wanted what all 8-year-old boys want—time to laugh and play, loving parents, and enough food on the table. But in war-ravaged Sicily, food was scarce, and his parents were as scarred as the land.
His father said they must move to America so they could start over and be a family once again. Dominic got a new start, and he got a new family—but not the kind of family he expected.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of the author's stories, those looking for more info on Dominic Mangini from A Bullet for Carlos
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, alcoholism,
My Thoughts: This is a prequel novella in the Blood Flows South series, taking place before the events of A Bullet for Carlos (review linked here). It provides background for Dominic. A Bullet from Dominic should be released soon.
One thing that Giacomo Giammatteo does very well is to show how a basically decent man slowly goes bad out of need and desperation and desire to care for his family. I love the fact that his characters are so layered and multidimensional. If you have read and enjoyed A Bullet for Carlos, do not miss this one.
Disclosure: I picked this book up for free on Amazon during a promotion. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Dominic Mangini wanted what all 8-year-old boys want—time to laugh and play, loving parents, and enough food on the table. But in war-ravaged Sicily, food was scarce, and his parents were as scarred as the land.
His father said they must move to America so they could start over and be a family once again. Dominic got a new start, and he got a new family—but not the kind of family he expected.
May 3, 2015
4.5
I've had this book on my TBR for a while now. Over and over again, I did the same thing. I looked at it, considered reading it and then traipsed off to pick up some fluffy fantasy romance. I'm such a ridiculous fantasy addict. But in the back of my mind, I knew I would regret putting this one off. Everything I've ever read by Giacomo Giammatteo I've loved and this was no exception. His writing is engaging, smooth and has a certain individual flair that inevitably makes me swoon.
Seeing Dominic's (from A Bullet for Carlos) beginnings was really interesting, made even more so by knowing the later sacrifices the decisions he makes in this novella cost him. The irony is delicious, tragic, but evocative.
The only thing that keeps me from giving this a five star rating is that I have a really hard time relating to first person, past tense narratives like this one as well as novella-length pieces in general. As a result, I wasn't quite as enamored as I have been with Giammatteo's other works, but I still adored it.
I've had this book on my TBR for a while now. Over and over again, I did the same thing. I looked at it, considered reading it and then traipsed off to pick up some fluffy fantasy romance. I'm such a ridiculous fantasy addict. But in the back of my mind, I knew I would regret putting this one off. Everything I've ever read by Giacomo Giammatteo I've loved and this was no exception. His writing is engaging, smooth and has a certain individual flair that inevitably makes me swoon.
Seeing Dominic's (from A Bullet for Carlos) beginnings was really interesting, made even more so by knowing the later sacrifices the decisions he makes in this novella cost him. The irony is delicious, tragic, but evocative.
The only thing that keeps me from giving this a five star rating is that I have a really hard time relating to first person, past tense narratives like this one as well as novella-length pieces in general. As a result, I wasn't quite as enamored as I have been with Giammatteo's other works, but I still adored it.
May 26, 2018
Finding Family:(Blood Flows South) A Novella
This take about the different gangs that ran HELL'S KITCHEN is more like the biography of a particular member. Truth be told , it probably is , only the names are changed. This is a well written awe inspiring book. I look forward to reading more about the happenings and the people, particularly Dominic . I totally RECOMMEND this book and the series.
This take about the different gangs that ran HELL'S KITCHEN is more like the biography of a particular member. Truth be told , it probably is , only the names are changed. This is a well written awe inspiring book. I look forward to reading more about the happenings and the people, particularly Dominic . I totally RECOMMEND this book and the series.
April 24, 2018
Well Done
This is a short story about a families desire to leave Sicily for America. The characters are so life like, the story is first rate and very well written. I would have like a more i. depth story, but for what it is, it's very good.
This is a short story about a families desire to leave Sicily for America. The characters are so life like, the story is first rate and very well written. I would have like a more i. depth story, but for what it is, it's very good.
May 22, 2018
Fast
Very good story, was finished reading so quickly it left me wanting more. Powerful, well written and gripping, a book of growth and awakening.
Very good story, was finished reading so quickly it left me wanting more. Powerful, well written and gripping, a book of growth and awakening.
August 6, 2019
Read like a Mafioso memoir...
Very descriptive character development and background. I truly liked it a lot. Brilliant action line to follow as well! A great little read
Very descriptive character development and background. I truly liked it a lot. Brilliant action line to follow as well! A great little read
November 25, 2013
Having previously read' 'A Bullet for Carlos' I was intrigued by the circumstances leading to a decent man ending up the way he did. Dominic struck me as a decent man. I rooted for him, although I knew how it turned out. There was so much honor in this man and so much of a family ethic that he could not fail to come across as a good guy, irrespective of what he did. Now I know and I am very satisfied that I bought this book.
Giammatteo elevates this character into a charismatic human being. Dominic takes the road to hell from good intentions. This is not just about personal and selfish survival; this is about protecting his beloved younger brother. The warm feelings of Scilly are very apparent, as it the reality of Post WW11 deprivation in Europe. America is the land of gold and honey, or is it? Dominic learns how he must survive in the New World and protect his gentle younger brother. Yes, family is everything, but family can have many meanings.
This is another masterpiece from Giacomo Giammatteo. I could not stop reading this book until it was finished. Fortunately my purchase occured over the weekend so my lack of sleep, as a result, did not impact on work time. Yes, it is that gripping.
Giammatteo elevates this character into a charismatic human being. Dominic takes the road to hell from good intentions. This is not just about personal and selfish survival; this is about protecting his beloved younger brother. The warm feelings of Scilly are very apparent, as it the reality of Post WW11 deprivation in Europe. America is the land of gold and honey, or is it? Dominic learns how he must survive in the New World and protect his gentle younger brother. Yes, family is everything, but family can have many meanings.
This is another masterpiece from Giacomo Giammatteo. I could not stop reading this book until it was finished. Fortunately my purchase occured over the weekend so my lack of sleep, as a result, did not impact on work time. Yes, it is that gripping.
June 2, 2014
“Dominic Mangini wanted what all 8-year-old boys want—time to laugh and play, loving parents, and enough food on the table. But in war-ravaged Sicily, food was scarce, and his parents were as scarred as the land.
His father said they must move to America so they could start over and be a family once again. Dominic got a new start, and he got a new family—but not the kind of family he expected.
Dominic was a young boy when he left Sicily, but he learned to live by the creed his mother taught him--blood protects blood.”
This was a really interesting, fast-moving, quick read story! I really enjoyed Dominic’s devotion to his mother and family. It was well plotted, well written really fun to read with an ending that just totally surprised me! Plus I really expected the book to be longer and all of a sudden it was just done. I guess I would classify it as literature, mystery and suspense and most people enjoying any of those classifications should enjoy it. Giacomo Giammatteo really knows how to write a good book....
His father said they must move to America so they could start over and be a family once again. Dominic got a new start, and he got a new family—but not the kind of family he expected.
Dominic was a young boy when he left Sicily, but he learned to live by the creed his mother taught him--blood protects blood.”
This was a really interesting, fast-moving, quick read story! I really enjoyed Dominic’s devotion to his mother and family. It was well plotted, well written really fun to read with an ending that just totally surprised me! Plus I really expected the book to be longer and all of a sudden it was just done. I guess I would classify it as literature, mystery and suspense and most people enjoying any of those classifications should enjoy it. Giacomo Giammatteo really knows how to write a good book....
February 21, 2014
This novella is a perfect reason on why I love this author.
While it wasn't as graphically violent as the other novel, Murder Takes Time, which garnered a 5 star review from me, it is still deep, rich and engrossing in his descriptions of both the characters, their struggles and the location, Hell's Kitchen. He has masterfully done this in about a 100 page book. I flew through it and couldn't put it down. I ended up finishing it in about 1 hour. I will say that this one did feel a bit rushed though and I would have liked to have seen it longer. There were questions that I had with the "supporting" characters that I think could have been expanded on.
There are a handful of indie authors that I tell readers not to miss. Jim is one of those at the top of the list.
Copy gifted by author for review.
While it wasn't as graphically violent as the other novel, Murder Takes Time, which garnered a 5 star review from me, it is still deep, rich and engrossing in his descriptions of both the characters, their struggles and the location, Hell's Kitchen. He has masterfully done this in about a 100 page book. I flew through it and couldn't put it down. I ended up finishing it in about 1 hour. I will say that this one did feel a bit rushed though and I would have liked to have seen it longer. There were questions that I had with the "supporting" characters that I think could have been expanded on.
There are a handful of indie authors that I tell readers not to miss. Jim is one of those at the top of the list.
Copy gifted by author for review.
January 25, 2014
Dominic comes to America believing what his Papa has told him that everyone is rich in America. Once here, he finds out differently. His father drinks more and more, sometimes never coming home. His mom works two jobs and gets sicker and sicker. His little brother is a bit slow and gets picked on by the Irish kids. Dom tries to protect him as best he can but after a fight with the Irish gang, the Westies, something has to change.
Dominic's mom always told him that family is everything and that is what is most important to remember. He finally finds family in America but I don't think it's what his mom had in mind. This is the prequel to A Bullet For Carlos and once you read this you are going to want to jump right in to Bullets like me. This was my first read by Giacomo but it won't be my last!
A very gripping read!
Dominic's mom always told him that family is everything and that is what is most important to remember. He finally finds family in America but I don't think it's what his mom had in mind. This is the prequel to A Bullet For Carlos and once you read this you are going to want to jump right in to Bullets like me. This was my first read by Giacomo but it won't be my last!
A very gripping read!
April 7, 2014
This was a free book, and not what I had expected. I started it some time ago, and decided to finish it, since it was a short book. It's about a family from Palermo. It tells the story of an abusive alcoholic father, a mother, and two sons, who move to America for a better life. They settle in Hells Kitchen, where its necessary to fight to protect oneself. It was interesting to read about the progression of this family, and how the oldest son became part of an organized crime family.
November 7, 2016
I was give this book as a gift and I decided to provide a review. The book is well written and depicts a time in history when America was a true melting pot especially in New York City. I felt the pain and loss that Dominic experienced. The characters are well developed and I felt that I was experiencing the 1950s and 1960s along with Dom and his brother Zeppe. Anyone who is interested in history and in the Mafia in the States will enjoy this book.
February 4, 2014
I would have liked this to be longer. Much longer, so I could get to know the characters. It felt "rushed", and at the end, it felt like the author was simply summing up to be finished. It could have been great, but Giammatteo should have had more patience and written it as a full book.
August 13, 2014
A very enjoyable quick read that I obtained free from Amazon. Had this book for a while but I am pleased that I finally got round to reading it. Easy book that flows well with a good depth of character for such a short novel. I would certainly consider reading more of this authors work.
January 22, 2021
Loved it.
Looking forward to reading the next book! This is the first I've read of Giammatteo's and it was a page turner for sure.
Looking forward to reading the next book! This is the first I've read of Giammatteo's and it was a page turner for sure.
September 10, 2014
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book, it was a good read. I am looking forward to reading a bullet for Carlos.
I enjoyed reading this book, it was a good read. I am looking forward to reading a bullet for Carlos.
Read
May 18, 2015Good short story. Should read before Bullet for Carlos and Bullet from Dominic.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews