Book Review of Born of Greed
Sponsored by Enchanted Book Tours
Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books. I am pleased to share my review of this book
with you. Thank you for visiting and
please come again.
Title: Born of Greed
Author: J.T. Baroni
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb :
Jack
Trotter and Amber Fontana enjoy a platonic relationship; that is until one
fateful evening when they dine at Jimmie’s Crab Shack, a tiny bistro lying in
seclusion off the coastal highway outside of Santa Monica. An out of the way
place, Jimmie’s legendary seafood is as notorious as the movie stars and
gangsters who have wined and dined here since the Roaring Twenties. It is here,
in the aura of secrecy where clandestine meetings amongst lovers; deceitful
schemes; and revenge riddled plots, have abounded for decades, where Amber
reveals her intimacy problem, and Trotter finds courage to reveal his own
disturbing dilemma.
Together,
Jack and Amber overcome their sexual inhibitions and learn how to love. Then
the two lovers mastermind a plan to take what they feel is rightfully
Amber’s…forty million dollars from her greedy twin sister who became a
sensational singing diva due mainly to Amber’s writing her twin’s hit songs,
for little pay and no recognition.
Born
of Greed is a fascinating epic fictional biography where greed, love, and
revenge collide with sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Contacts:
Amazon URL:
Secret Craving Publishing URL:
Excerpt:
She
glanced at those women. Neither of them could keep their eyes off Trotter, and
then a tear streamed down her cheek.
“Amber,
it’s all right,” Trotter attempted to console her. Although he had no idea why
she just went from laughter to tears. “I would be content having you just as a
friend. Nothing more. Please don’t cry. I was only teasing about Johnny Law
putting you in the slammer.”
Her
tears stopped and she coughed out a laugh. “Oh Jack. You big, good-looking
dummy. I’m not crying about that. I’m crying because…because…I’m crying because
I could never give you what you want…or expect…from a woman. I can’t be an
exotic and desirable woman, like Raquel Welch.”
Her
mood swing from laughing to tears, then back to laughter baffled Trotter. In
addition, he had no clue on her explanation of the tears. “But I only want your
friendship. Honest. I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”
She
was able to detect honesty in his voice, and a sympathetic sincerity in his
face. Two qualities no man had ever shown her before. Perhaps this was the
reason she found herself so easily confiding in him. Maybe it was the sadness
she saw in his eyes, behind his smile; the same compassion she sensed when they
were clinging to the ladder in the pool. The few other men she tried to be with
wanted her for her money, or sex, and so far, Jack Trottson expressed no hint
of wanting either from her. Contrarily, she found herself attracted to him more
spiritually and emotionally, than physically. However, she did find him easy to
look at, just as those two horny bitches also dining here did.
“What
I’m trying to say is, my whole life is a farce. I could never satisfy your
desires…like those two…sluts…over there want to do to you right now.”
Trotter
looked their way, and they both hurriedly focused their gaze from him, to their
clam chowder and turkey on wheat sandwiches.
“Those
two over there?” He asked, using his eyes to show direction.
“Yes,
Jack. Those two. They’ve been undressing you since we walked in.”
“I
didn’t take notice. I was too wrapped up in our conversation, and I find you
absolutely…intriguing, Amber.”
“And
I find you fascinating too. That’s what scares the hell out of me and makes me
envious of mature women like them.” Her hand was shaking as she picked up her
soda and took a sip through the straw. “Life’s not fair! Christ! I don’t even
know why I’m telling you all this.” Another tear sprang from the corner of her
eye, and ran off her cheek.
Trotter
reached his hands across the table and held her tiny, trembling hands in his.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me anymore.”
Looking
into his eyes, she saw that understanding sadness again, through a smile she
knew he was forcing for her sake. She felt compelled to tell him her problem.
Lately, the thought of suicide has been running rampant through her mind, and
subconsciously, she had a desire to confess her affliction to an understanding
ear. She knew in her mind that confiding in a sympathetic person would possibly
heal her tortured soul.
“It’s
just that I’m so tired of Amy calling me a lesbian, or a virgin. I’ve never
been with a woman. Nor have I ever slept with a man.” She put her hand over her
mouth and looked away.
A
moment passed, then she lowered her hand to her chin. “When I was thirteen
years old, I was…almost raped…by the father of a little girl I baby sat. I
never told anybody. It was ugly! He hurt me! He almost took the most precious
thing I owned, and the bastard gave me a fear of intimacy in return. I hated
all men for a long, long time. Now, perhaps because I’m older, it’s just
that…I’m so confused. I have all these mixed emotions.”
* * * *
Did
he hear her correctly? She could not be intimate, either? His heart skipped a
beat. Although his mind was racing, he kept a poker face, “Trust me Amber, I
know how cruel life can be. I promise to keep your secret. Believe me.”
“Somehow,
I knew you would understand, Jack. But, I also hope you won’t look at me like
I’m a freak, or less of a woman. What really tears me apart and breaks my heart
is that I really like you. Like I’ve already said though, our relationship
could never be anything more than platonic. I know a day will come when you’ll
want more than that from me, and I will not…be able to be there for you.”
Their
overly bubbly waitress returned with their seafood dishes. “Lobster Bisque for
the lady, and the Captain’s Platter for you, Captain.” The waitress said
cheerfully while placing their scrumptious looking meals on the table, then she
asked, “Can I get you anything else?”
“Yes
you may,” Trotter said, reaching across the table and picking up Amber’s almost
full glass of diet cola. He then handed it and his iced tea to the waitress.
“What wine do you recommend with seafood?”
“I
would suggest the Chardonnay to accent the lobster,” she quickly answered with
no hesitation, placing their glasses on her tray.
“Excellent
choice! Bring us a chilled bottle of your finest Chardonnay, and two glasses,
please,” Trotter politely requested.
“Yes,
sir, Captain. Coming right up.” She flashed her smile and left.
Amber
looked at Trotter, astonished. “I thought you said you weren’t a drinker.”
“I’m
not. Unless there’s reason to celebrate,” Trotter replied with a devilish grin
on his face.
“What’s there to
celebrate?” Amber asked suspiciously. “I just told you I’m damaged goods.”
Trotter reached across the table, and once again, he clasped her tiny hands in
his huge paws. “Us. We are celebrating us. And the beginning of
our…ironically…innocent…relationship!”
Review
Sweet, sexy, charming. All these
words apply to this wonderful book. This
is a love story about two damaged people who find each other, love, revenge,
and peace together as friends, lovers, co-conspirators, and more.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no
way affects my opinions or reviews.
Sponsored by Enchanted Book Tours
Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books. I am pleased to share my review of this book
with you. Thank you for visiting and
please come again.
Title: Born of Greed
Author: J.T. Baroni
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb :
Jack
Trotter and Amber Fontana enjoy a platonic relationship; that is until one
fateful evening when they dine at Jimmie’s Crab Shack, a tiny bistro lying in
seclusion off the coastal highway outside of Santa Monica. An out of the way
place, Jimmie’s legendary seafood is as notorious as the movie stars and
gangsters who have wined and dined here since the Roaring Twenties. It is here,
in the aura of secrecy where clandestine meetings amongst lovers; deceitful
schemes; and revenge riddled plots, have abounded for decades, where Amber
reveals her intimacy problem, and Trotter finds courage to reveal his own
disturbing dilemma.
Together,
Jack and Amber overcome their sexual inhibitions and learn how to love. Then
the two lovers mastermind a plan to take what they feel is rightfully
Amber’s…forty million dollars from her greedy twin sister who became a
sensational singing diva due mainly to Amber’s writing her twin’s hit songs,
for little pay and no recognition.
Born
of Greed is a fascinating epic fictional biography where greed, love, and
revenge collide with sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Contacts:
Amazon URL:
Secret Craving Publishing URL:
Excerpt:
She
glanced at those women. Neither of them could keep their eyes off Trotter, and
then a tear streamed down her cheek.
“Amber,
it’s all right,” Trotter attempted to console her. Although he had no idea why
she just went from laughter to tears. “I would be content having you just as a
friend. Nothing more. Please don’t cry. I was only teasing about Johnny Law
putting you in the slammer.”
Her
tears stopped and she coughed out a laugh. “Oh Jack. You big, good-looking
dummy. I’m not crying about that. I’m crying because…because…I’m crying because
I could never give you what you want…or expect…from a woman. I can’t be an
exotic and desirable woman, like Raquel Welch.”
Her
mood swing from laughing to tears, then back to laughter baffled Trotter. In
addition, he had no clue on her explanation of the tears. “But I only want your
friendship. Honest. I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”
She
was able to detect honesty in his voice, and a sympathetic sincerity in his
face. Two qualities no man had ever shown her before. Perhaps this was the
reason she found herself so easily confiding in him. Maybe it was the sadness
she saw in his eyes, behind his smile; the same compassion she sensed when they
were clinging to the ladder in the pool. The few other men she tried to be with
wanted her for her money, or sex, and so far, Jack Trottson expressed no hint
of wanting either from her. Contrarily, she found herself attracted to him more
spiritually and emotionally, than physically. However, she did find him easy to
look at, just as those two horny bitches also dining here did.
“What
I’m trying to say is, my whole life is a farce. I could never satisfy your
desires…like those two…sluts…over there want to do to you right now.”
Trotter
looked their way, and they both hurriedly focused their gaze from him, to their
clam chowder and turkey on wheat sandwiches.
“Those
two over there?” He asked, using his eyes to show direction.
“Yes,
Jack. Those two. They’ve been undressing you since we walked in.”
“I
didn’t take notice. I was too wrapped up in our conversation, and I find you
absolutely…intriguing, Amber.”
“And
I find you fascinating too. That’s what scares the hell out of me and makes me
envious of mature women like them.” Her hand was shaking as she picked up her
soda and took a sip through the straw. “Life’s not fair! Christ! I don’t even
know why I’m telling you all this.” Another tear sprang from the corner of her
eye, and ran off her cheek.
Trotter
reached his hands across the table and held her tiny, trembling hands in his.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me anymore.”
Looking
into his eyes, she saw that understanding sadness again, through a smile she
knew he was forcing for her sake. She felt compelled to tell him her problem.
Lately, the thought of suicide has been running rampant through her mind, and
subconsciously, she had a desire to confess her affliction to an understanding
ear. She knew in her mind that confiding in a sympathetic person would possibly
heal her tortured soul.
“It’s
just that I’m so tired of Amy calling me a lesbian, or a virgin. I’ve never
been with a woman. Nor have I ever slept with a man.” She put her hand over her
mouth and looked away.
A
moment passed, then she lowered her hand to her chin. “When I was thirteen
years old, I was…almost raped…by the father of a little girl I baby sat. I
never told anybody. It was ugly! He hurt me! He almost took the most precious
thing I owned, and the bastard gave me a fear of intimacy in return. I hated
all men for a long, long time. Now, perhaps because I’m older, it’s just
that…I’m so confused. I have all these mixed emotions.”
* * * *
Did
he hear her correctly? She could not be intimate, either? His heart skipped a
beat. Although his mind was racing, he kept a poker face, “Trust me Amber, I
know how cruel life can be. I promise to keep your secret. Believe me.”
“Somehow,
I knew you would understand, Jack. But, I also hope you won’t look at me like
I’m a freak, or less of a woman. What really tears me apart and breaks my heart
is that I really like you. Like I’ve already said though, our relationship
could never be anything more than platonic. I know a day will come when you’ll
want more than that from me, and I will not…be able to be there for you.”
Their
overly bubbly waitress returned with their seafood dishes. “Lobster Bisque for
the lady, and the Captain’s Platter for you, Captain.” The waitress said
cheerfully while placing their scrumptious looking meals on the table, then she
asked, “Can I get you anything else?”
“Yes
you may,” Trotter said, reaching across the table and picking up Amber’s almost
full glass of diet cola. He then handed it and his iced tea to the waitress.
“What wine do you recommend with seafood?”
“I
would suggest the Chardonnay to accent the lobster,” she quickly answered with
no hesitation, placing their glasses on her tray.
“Excellent
choice! Bring us a chilled bottle of your finest Chardonnay, and two glasses,
please,” Trotter politely requested.
“Yes,
sir, Captain. Coming right up.” She flashed her smile and left.
Amber
looked at Trotter, astonished. “I thought you said you weren’t a drinker.”
“I’m
not. Unless there’s reason to celebrate,” Trotter replied with a devilish grin
on his face.
“What’s there to
celebrate?” Amber asked suspiciously. “I just told you I’m damaged goods.”
Trotter reached across the table, and once again, he clasped her tiny hands in
his huge paws. “Us. We are celebrating us. And the beginning of
our…ironically…innocent…relationship!”
Review
Sweet, sexy, charming. All these
words apply to this wonderful book. This
is a love story about two damaged people who find each other, love, revenge,
and peace together as friends, lovers, co-conspirators, and more.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no
way affects my opinions or reviews.
Sponsored by Enchanted Book Tours
Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books. I am pleased to share my review of this book
with you. Thank you for visiting and
please come again.
Title: Born of Greed
Author: J.T. Baroni
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb :
Jack
Trotter and Amber Fontana enjoy a platonic relationship; that is until one
fateful evening when they dine at Jimmie’s Crab Shack, a tiny bistro lying in
seclusion off the coastal highway outside of Santa Monica. An out of the way
place, Jimmie’s legendary seafood is as notorious as the movie stars and
gangsters who have wined and dined here since the Roaring Twenties. It is here,
in the aura of secrecy where clandestine meetings amongst lovers; deceitful
schemes; and revenge riddled plots, have abounded for decades, where Amber
reveals her intimacy problem, and Trotter finds courage to reveal his own
disturbing dilemma.
Together,
Jack and Amber overcome their sexual inhibitions and learn how to love. Then
the two lovers mastermind a plan to take what they feel is rightfully
Amber’s…forty million dollars from her greedy twin sister who became a
sensational singing diva due mainly to Amber’s writing her twin’s hit songs,
for little pay and no recognition.
Born
of Greed is a fascinating epic fictional biography where greed, love, and
revenge collide with sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Contacts:
Amazon URL:
Secret Craving Publishing URL:
Excerpt:
She
glanced at those women. Neither of them could keep their eyes off Trotter, and
then a tear streamed down her cheek.
“Amber,
it’s all right,” Trotter attempted to console her. Although he had no idea why
she just went from laughter to tears. “I would be content having you just as a
friend. Nothing more. Please don’t cry. I was only teasing about Johnny Law
putting you in the slammer.”
Her
tears stopped and she coughed out a laugh. “Oh Jack. You big, good-looking
dummy. I’m not crying about that. I’m crying because…because…I’m crying because
I could never give you what you want…or expect…from a woman. I can’t be an
exotic and desirable woman, like Raquel Welch.”
Her
mood swing from laughing to tears, then back to laughter baffled Trotter. In
addition, he had no clue on her explanation of the tears. “But I only want your
friendship. Honest. I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”
She
was able to detect honesty in his voice, and a sympathetic sincerity in his
face. Two qualities no man had ever shown her before. Perhaps this was the
reason she found herself so easily confiding in him. Maybe it was the sadness
she saw in his eyes, behind his smile; the same compassion she sensed when they
were clinging to the ladder in the pool. The few other men she tried to be with
wanted her for her money, or sex, and so far, Jack Trottson expressed no hint
of wanting either from her. Contrarily, she found herself attracted to him more
spiritually and emotionally, than physically. However, she did find him easy to
look at, just as those two horny bitches also dining here did.
“What
I’m trying to say is, my whole life is a farce. I could never satisfy your
desires…like those two…sluts…over there want to do to you right now.”
Trotter
looked their way, and they both hurriedly focused their gaze from him, to their
clam chowder and turkey on wheat sandwiches.
“Those
two over there?” He asked, using his eyes to show direction.
“Yes,
Jack. Those two. They’ve been undressing you since we walked in.”
“I
didn’t take notice. I was too wrapped up in our conversation, and I find you
absolutely…intriguing, Amber.”
“And
I find you fascinating too. That’s what scares the hell out of me and makes me
envious of mature women like them.” Her hand was shaking as she picked up her
soda and took a sip through the straw. “Life’s not fair! Christ! I don’t even
know why I’m telling you all this.” Another tear sprang from the corner of her
eye, and ran off her cheek.
Trotter
reached his hands across the table and held her tiny, trembling hands in his.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me anymore.”
Looking
into his eyes, she saw that understanding sadness again, through a smile she
knew he was forcing for her sake. She felt compelled to tell him her problem.
Lately, the thought of suicide has been running rampant through her mind, and
subconsciously, she had a desire to confess her affliction to an understanding
ear. She knew in her mind that confiding in a sympathetic person would possibly
heal her tortured soul.
“It’s
just that I’m so tired of Amy calling me a lesbian, or a virgin. I’ve never
been with a woman. Nor have I ever slept with a man.” She put her hand over her
mouth and looked away.
A
moment passed, then she lowered her hand to her chin. “When I was thirteen
years old, I was…almost raped…by the father of a little girl I baby sat. I
never told anybody. It was ugly! He hurt me! He almost took the most precious
thing I owned, and the bastard gave me a fear of intimacy in return. I hated
all men for a long, long time. Now, perhaps because I’m older, it’s just
that…I’m so confused. I have all these mixed emotions.”
* * * *
Did
he hear her correctly? She could not be intimate, either? His heart skipped a
beat. Although his mind was racing, he kept a poker face, “Trust me Amber, I
know how cruel life can be. I promise to keep your secret. Believe me.”
“Somehow,
I knew you would understand, Jack. But, I also hope you won’t look at me like
I’m a freak, or less of a woman. What really tears me apart and breaks my heart
is that I really like you. Like I’ve already said though, our relationship
could never be anything more than platonic. I know a day will come when you’ll
want more than that from me, and I will not…be able to be there for you.”
Their
overly bubbly waitress returned with their seafood dishes. “Lobster Bisque for
the lady, and the Captain’s Platter for you, Captain.” The waitress said
cheerfully while placing their scrumptious looking meals on the table, then she
asked, “Can I get you anything else?”
“Yes
you may,” Trotter said, reaching across the table and picking up Amber’s almost
full glass of diet cola. He then handed it and his iced tea to the waitress.
“What wine do you recommend with seafood?”
“I
would suggest the Chardonnay to accent the lobster,” she quickly answered with
no hesitation, placing their glasses on her tray.
“Excellent
choice! Bring us a chilled bottle of your finest Chardonnay, and two glasses,
please,” Trotter politely requested.
“Yes,
sir, Captain. Coming right up.” She flashed her smile and left.
Amber
looked at Trotter, astonished. “I thought you said you weren’t a drinker.”
“I’m
not. Unless there’s reason to celebrate,” Trotter replied with a devilish grin
on his face.
“What’s there to
celebrate?” Amber asked suspiciously. “I just told you I’m damaged goods.”
Trotter reached across the table, and once again, he clasped her tiny hands in
his huge paws. “Us. We are celebrating us. And the beginning of
our…ironically…innocent…relationship!”
Review
Sweet, sexy, charming. All these
words apply to this wonderful book. This
is a love story about two damaged people who find each other, love, revenge,
and peace together as friends, lovers, co-conspirators, and more.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no
way affects my opinions or reviews.
Blurb : 
Retired, Professor Emeritus of
Management, School of Business, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS. Also,
former Chair of Business Administration and Education Department, former
Director, Center for Business and Economic Development.
