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Fortunes of Blood
Fortunes of Blood is about an ex-FBI agent whose life was tragically turned upside down with the death of his partner and close friend. Knowing a leak in the bureau was the direct cause of his friend’s death, he has turned his back on the powers that be and leaving the agency far behind. Thomas Briggs now lives his life by the old adage, “An eye for an eye”, and now being a former FBI agent, he remembers his hands being tied by legal red tape many times. But now, the positions of judge, jury, and executioner are his to wield. But, his brand of justice and unique skills are not cheap, nor are they taken lightly. Because taking Thomas Briggs lightly will be the last thing you’ll ever do.
But now, he’s taken on a job that will test the one part of his life that he has safely kept hidden, and that is his emotions. When the daughter of a known organized crime figure is kidnapped by a rival gang and taken to Florida, Briggs is hired to bring her back in one piece. But, the job also brings him full circle with his past when he discovers the man he’s working for was responsible for his friend’s death. However, the welfare of the girl was top priority now. After inflicting devastating collateral damage to the kidnappers, Briggs frees the girl and attempts to get her back to Atlantic City. But, the road back is anything but smooth, with the kidnappers and crooked cops right on their tail. Briggs turns up the heat, and after some intense heart stopping action, the opposition runs head on into Briggs’ deadly skills. But then, Briggs comes up against something he wasn’t expecting, an intense attraction to his human cargo.
Stefani Gilano, the daughter of mob boss Giovanni Gilano was feeling the same attraction toward Briggs, and after an emotional tug of war, they finally consummate their feelings toward one another.
However, with Briggs being ex-FBI it was like spitting in the face of her father, and he wasn’t going to let his daughter humiliate him in this way. So, Gilano labels his daughter a traitor which is a death sentence in the family. After learning about these new developments, Thomas Briggs marks Giovanni Gilano and his whole organization for complete destruction. Now back in Atlantic City, Briggs must protect Stefani from her own father while also dodging the Atlantic City police department. But, once Briggs makes his move against Gilano’s organization, it’s all-out war, and once Stefani learns that her mother she had lost when she was just a little girl was at the hand of her own father. Giovanni’s life and reign as head of the crime family comes to a violent end at the hand of his own daughter.
But now, he’s taken on a job that will test the one part of his life that he has safely kept hidden, and that is his emotions. When the daughter of a known organized crime figure is kidnapped by a rival gang and taken to Florida, Briggs is hired to bring her back in one piece. But, the job also brings him full circle with his past when he discovers the man he’s working for was responsible for his friend’s death. However, the welfare of the girl was top priority now. After inflicting devastating collateral damage to the kidnappers, Briggs frees the girl and attempts to get her back to Atlantic City. But, the road back is anything but smooth, with the kidnappers and crooked cops right on their tail. Briggs turns up the heat, and after some intense heart stopping action, the opposition runs head on into Briggs’ deadly skills. But then, Briggs comes up against something he wasn’t expecting, an intense attraction to his human cargo.
Stefani Gilano, the daughter of mob boss Giovanni Gilano was feeling the same attraction toward Briggs, and after an emotional tug of war, they finally consummate their feelings toward one another.
However, with Briggs being ex-FBI it was like spitting in the face of her father, and he wasn’t going to let his daughter humiliate him in this way. So, Gilano labels his daughter a traitor which is a death sentence in the family. After learning about these new developments, Thomas Briggs marks Giovanni Gilano and his whole organization for complete destruction. Now back in Atlantic City, Briggs must protect Stefani from her own father while also dodging the Atlantic City police department. But, once Briggs makes his move against Gilano’s organization, it’s all-out war, and once Stefani learns that her mother she had lost when she was just a little girl was at the hand of her own father. Giovanni’s life and reign as head of the crime family comes to a violent end at the hand of his own daughter.
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Published July 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 22, 2019
An action-packed crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Author V.M. Tackett weaves an action-packed crime thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a creative and shadowy tale of crime and corruption in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel an action-packed crime thriller
Thomas Briggs, a former FBI agent turned hired gunman comes face to face with the man responsible for his loss. Unleashing the deadly side of his nature, but not before the objective of his mission stops him cold…
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘When Ex-FBI Agent, turned hired gun, Thomas Briggs takes a job from an infamous crime boss, he thought the job would be straightforward. But, what he didn’t know was this job was going to bring him face to face with his past, and his future.
Thomas Briggs’ life was tragically turned upside down with the death of his partner and close friend. Knowing a leak in the bureau was the direct cause of his friend’s death, he has turned his back on the powers that be and leaving the agency far behind. Now, Briggs is freelancing his skills, but his unique skills are not cheap, nor are they taken lightly. But, when the daughter of a known organized crime figure is kidnapped by a rival gang and taken to Florida, Briggs is hired to bring her back in one piece.
The job also brings him full circle with his past when he discovers the man he’s working for was responsible for his friend’s death. However, when Briggs takes a job, he sees it through, the requite will soon follow. Briggs manages to free the girl and attempts to get her back to Atlantic City. But, the road back is anything but smooth, with the kidnappers and crooked cops right on their tail. But then, Briggs turns up the heat, and after some intense heart-stopping action, the opposition runs head-on into Briggs’ deadly skills. But then, Briggs comes up against something he wasn’t expecting, an intense attraction to his human cargo…’
Now, if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book's mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. A first-class crime thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.
Fortunes of Blood had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!
I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from V.M. Tackett the future. I would definitely recommend this book. Five stars from me.
Author V.M. Tackett weaves an action-packed crime thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a creative and shadowy tale of crime and corruption in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel an action-packed crime thriller
Thomas Briggs, a former FBI agent turned hired gunman comes face to face with the man responsible for his loss. Unleashing the deadly side of his nature, but not before the objective of his mission stops him cold…
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘When Ex-FBI Agent, turned hired gun, Thomas Briggs takes a job from an infamous crime boss, he thought the job would be straightforward. But, what he didn’t know was this job was going to bring him face to face with his past, and his future.
Thomas Briggs’ life was tragically turned upside down with the death of his partner and close friend. Knowing a leak in the bureau was the direct cause of his friend’s death, he has turned his back on the powers that be and leaving the agency far behind. Now, Briggs is freelancing his skills, but his unique skills are not cheap, nor are they taken lightly. But, when the daughter of a known organized crime figure is kidnapped by a rival gang and taken to Florida, Briggs is hired to bring her back in one piece.
The job also brings him full circle with his past when he discovers the man he’s working for was responsible for his friend’s death. However, when Briggs takes a job, he sees it through, the requite will soon follow. Briggs manages to free the girl and attempts to get her back to Atlantic City. But, the road back is anything but smooth, with the kidnappers and crooked cops right on their tail. But then, Briggs turns up the heat, and after some intense heart-stopping action, the opposition runs head-on into Briggs’ deadly skills. But then, Briggs comes up against something he wasn’t expecting, an intense attraction to his human cargo…’
Now, if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book's mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. A first-class crime thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.
Fortunes of Blood had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!
I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from V.M. Tackett the future. I would definitely recommend this book. Five stars from me.
March 1, 2019
This was a good book it was high octane from start to finish. The story kept me engaged it was also fast paced reading. Thomas Briggs was a one man wrecking crew. His special training made him the perfect person to clean the mob house out. My only complaint to the story is I thought the relationship to Thomas and Stefanni was rushed. I believe in love at first sight but even with that relationships take time to build trust and to me this part of the story could have been fleshed out more making the story longer instead of days turn the story into months. Then I could be convinced that love can flourish to the point it did. Briggs also seemed to be to much super human with a lot of luck on his side. This would have been a good episode on a FBI or police show on TV but even in that frame producers still have ways to show in an hour episode that there was time in between the incident and the end. I would read more from this author the book grabbed my attention from start to finish. I would give the book 3.5 stars if I could and if the story was fleshed out more I would definitely rate it higher like a 4.
I want to thank V.M. Tackett and Booktasters for allowing me to read the book for an honest review.
I want to thank V.M. Tackett and Booktasters for allowing me to read the book for an honest review.
July 27, 2019
Fortunes of Blood is an action packed fast paced thriller from start to finish like a Schwarzennegger or a Statham movie. Never a dull moment in the entire story.
The story starts with Thomas Briggs an ex FBI agent now an mercenary for hire, searching for his partner and best friend's killer and soon the plot thickens gets a job to rescue a kidnapped young girl.
The job which seems straight forward soon becomes dangerous with both authorities and mafia gunning for him as well as to continue n the leads to find his friend's killers. Along the way he also falls for the rescued girl. He is conflicted as he doesn't know whom to trust with betrayal and corruption dogging his feet, his race to save his life and the girl's as well as revenge his friend's death becomes a hard task
He does it all but how he does it and whether he comes out unscathed makes for a spell binding edge of seat thriller Eagerly waiting for second book as in the end there is a hint for it.
Thank you V M Tackett and @BookTasters for this great book
The story starts with Thomas Briggs an ex FBI agent now an mercenary for hire, searching for his partner and best friend's killer and soon the plot thickens gets a job to rescue a kidnapped young girl.
The job which seems straight forward soon becomes dangerous with both authorities and mafia gunning for him as well as to continue n the leads to find his friend's killers. Along the way he also falls for the rescued girl. He is conflicted as he doesn't know whom to trust with betrayal and corruption dogging his feet, his race to save his life and the girl's as well as revenge his friend's death becomes a hard task
He does it all but how he does it and whether he comes out unscathed makes for a spell binding edge of seat thriller Eagerly waiting for second book as in the end there is a hint for it.
Thank you V M Tackett and @BookTasters for this great book
October 6, 2020
Many thanks to @BookTasters and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's like I watched a very good action movie but with amateur actors. The characters were a bit flat and at times they overreact.
But...
This is one of the most fast-paced books I ever read. It's full of bullets, killings, explosions, from the first to last page. I felt like I put Red Bull in my coffee instead of water!
I don't know if I read this book again (I probably forget it in a few months), but I had a few hours of pure action that I really enjoy.
If you like this type of book, go for it.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's like I watched a very good action movie but with amateur actors. The characters were a bit flat and at times they overreact.
But...
This is one of the most fast-paced books I ever read. It's full of bullets, killings, explosions, from the first to last page. I felt like I put Red Bull in my coffee instead of water!
I don't know if I read this book again (I probably forget it in a few months), but I had a few hours of pure action that I really enjoy.
If you like this type of book, go for it.
February 10, 2019
Fast paced thriller with surprising ending. Plenty of action.
July 31, 2020
Thomas Briggs is an FBI agent – or he was. A witness handover has gone wrong leaving Briggs as the sole survivor; the informant and his partner both killed. Wracked with guilt he sets out for revenge.
Leaving the FBI behind Briggs becomes a gun for hire. All while still trying to find the person responsible for the death of his best friend and partner. Briggs is close to finding out who that person is but is hired by the mob when one of their own is kidnapped. We learn that Thomas Briggs wasn’t any ordinary FBI agent and has a multitude of ways to find and take down anyone in his way, with a complete lack of regard for his safety or life. He will get the job done at any cost. If he can rescue the girl then maybe he’ll be one step closer to finding out who was responsible for killing the informant and his partner.
Fortunes of Blood has it all, from kidnappings and car bombings to high-speed chases and drive by shootings. There was twists and turns aplenty, all keeping the reading guessing. I thought the mole was revealed in the car bombing but there was a twist at the end to who they really are in the big showdown – or should that be shootout?
I found Fortunes of Blood to be a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable read. Set against the backdrop of Atlantic City and the corrupt underworld of mafia families and loyalty – how quickly that can change when someone has the upper hand or wants more ‘power’. I really enjoy crime novels and this one did not disappoint.
It ends perfectly poised for book number two – can Briggs get Chico out of trouble in New York… or is it another set up? If this book is anything to go by book two will have just as much action and twists as the first. I am looking forward to reading that one too.
Leaving the FBI behind Briggs becomes a gun for hire. All while still trying to find the person responsible for the death of his best friend and partner. Briggs is close to finding out who that person is but is hired by the mob when one of their own is kidnapped. We learn that Thomas Briggs wasn’t any ordinary FBI agent and has a multitude of ways to find and take down anyone in his way, with a complete lack of regard for his safety or life. He will get the job done at any cost. If he can rescue the girl then maybe he’ll be one step closer to finding out who was responsible for killing the informant and his partner.
Fortunes of Blood has it all, from kidnappings and car bombings to high-speed chases and drive by shootings. There was twists and turns aplenty, all keeping the reading guessing. I thought the mole was revealed in the car bombing but there was a twist at the end to who they really are in the big showdown – or should that be shootout?
I found Fortunes of Blood to be a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable read. Set against the backdrop of Atlantic City and the corrupt underworld of mafia families and loyalty – how quickly that can change when someone has the upper hand or wants more ‘power’. I really enjoy crime novels and this one did not disappoint.
It ends perfectly poised for book number two – can Briggs get Chico out of trouble in New York… or is it another set up? If this book is anything to go by book two will have just as much action and twists as the first. I am looking forward to reading that one too.
September 7, 2019
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. From the moment I started, I quickly connected with each of the characters from the main protagonist, Thomas Briggs, to Stephanies Gilano, daughter of reputed mob boss Giovanni Gilano and the object of Briggs's first job. The story, which is set in Atlantic City New Jersey, opens with Briggs and another FBI agent, Nick Levine, attempting to bring in a mob witness, Vinny Vitali, to testify against the Gambetti crime family. Things quickly go sideways after the pickup when Briggs and Levine are ambushed leaving both the witness and agent Levine dead.
The story actually begins a couple of years later with Briggs, who has since left the FBI, being contacted by some unsavory individuals to complete a job which brings the traumatic past back into full view for Briggs. From then on, the action is non stop and the suspense is gripping. Along the way, you'll discover that Thomas Briggs was no ordinary FBI agent who has a plethora of tricks and surprises up his sleeve when dealing with his antagonists. The story is almost a cross between a Steven Seagal and a James Bond movie. The detail the author goes into gives the reader a full picture of the environment and the action as it happens that it is almost like watching a movie while reading the story. If you like mobster, crime thriller types of stories, this book is for you.
The story actually begins a couple of years later with Briggs, who has since left the FBI, being contacted by some unsavory individuals to complete a job which brings the traumatic past back into full view for Briggs. From then on, the action is non stop and the suspense is gripping. Along the way, you'll discover that Thomas Briggs was no ordinary FBI agent who has a plethora of tricks and surprises up his sleeve when dealing with his antagonists. The story is almost a cross between a Steven Seagal and a James Bond movie. The detail the author goes into gives the reader a full picture of the environment and the action as it happens that it is almost like watching a movie while reading the story. If you like mobster, crime thriller types of stories, this book is for you.
July 19, 2019
Fortunes of Blood features a stirring action-packed crime thriller that's sure to grip you from the get-go. Brilliant writing, hilarious character dynamics and picturesque action scenes are what makes this stand out among books of the same genre.
Story-wise, I found it a bit predictable. It has the classic formula of a revenge-driven ex-FBI agent turned hired gun who falls in love with a sassy mafia heiress amidst the rescue mission. But it was written well that despite the cliché tropes ticking every step of the way, I enjoyed it tremendously. The stellar writing overshadowed the predictability of the plot and made the reading experience a smooth joy ride.
I'm not sure how many books will be in this series but I will definitely be on the lookout for the next installments.
Story-wise, I found it a bit predictable. It has the classic formula of a revenge-driven ex-FBI agent turned hired gun who falls in love with a sassy mafia heiress amidst the rescue mission. But it was written well that despite the cliché tropes ticking every step of the way, I enjoyed it tremendously. The stellar writing overshadowed the predictability of the plot and made the reading experience a smooth joy ride.
I'm not sure how many books will be in this series but I will definitely be on the lookout for the next installments.
July 26, 2020
Fast paced thriller with Thomas Briggs as the super valiant man of the moment.He is invincible,he enjoys a good challenge.Former FBI agent with a serious vendetta against the East Coast's biggest mafia: Gambetti family.
He is asked to rescue a young lady and all hell breaks loose. Wherever he and this girl are,danger is right around the corner.
So much fun to read.
He is asked to rescue a young lady and all hell breaks loose. Wherever he and this girl are,danger is right around the corner.
So much fun to read.
October 10, 2020
Fortune of blood is an action packed crime triller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was a captivating and interesting. It is a book about crime, revenge, love and betrayal that you won't be able to drop till you read it till the end. I enjoy every page of the book. Thanks to @booktaster for the free read.
May 15, 2019
What a crime thriller which has kept me on the edge of my chair! The book was the magnet and I was the steel. The Best crime thriller I have came across so far. Just grab you copy and all will be ....until you read back cover.
February 10, 2021
The ‘Fortunes Of Blood2’ is a story about an ex-FBI agent on a brazen daring revenge mission. He feels betrayed after his partner dies in an operation gone bad because of a ‘mole’ in the inside. He goes rogue while on the hunt for the people responsible for his friend’s death — taking no prisoners. He embarks on a murdering spree, blood bath of sorts, and destruction... on the ‘mob’.
The book starts on a high note with action from the get go, which hooks the reader into the story just like that. After the first few pages, I found myself alert, ready, and looking forward to taking the journey of revenge with ex-agent Briggs. I got engrossed immediately.
The author describes the scenes and dialogues vividly, and one can actually picture clearly the happenings, the emotions, feel the thoughts and see the intentions of the characters.
It is also full of twist and turns, and many surprises in the plot that you didn’t see coming. The unpredictability of how the story develops keeps the reader hooked to the book.
It is a too-compelling-not-to-finish-in-one-sitting book. Simply unputdownable, action-packed, fast-paced... something always happening that puts one on edge. It fills the reader with anticipation, excitement, a sense of foreboding, anxiety. The anticipation of danger makes the book so addictive and interesting.
Anyone who is interested in stories about the mob, thriller, drama, crime, vendetta, or action, will certainly be right at home with this book. I give it a 5 star rating — definitely!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews