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Bad Beat
Fans of Antonio Cruz return for another getaway at the exclusive Villas of the Native Sun Casino! In the second book of the humorous series, a high-roller cashes out by hanging himself in his suite. As State Police investigate the death, Head Butler Antonio Cruz, and Security Manager Mark Ford, suspect that the suicide is just the first folded hand in a much bigger game of Mafioso loan-sharking, deceitful endeavors, and casino conspirators! Who is Antonio Cruz? More of his mysterious past is revealed as Rhode Island gangsters put a hit out on the man with the bulletproof bow tie. Bada-boom-bada-bang!
514 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 14, 2013
I became a fan of this series with the first book, Casino Shuffle, read early last year. Antonio Cruz and the Native Sun Casino Hotel were a wonderfully different type of mystery thriller. This story has the punch of humor that piques my senses. Antonio is the Head Butler in the elite villas of this establishment. He is impeccably dressed in the finest clothing and is always in a perfect bow tie and breast pocket handkerchief in his perfectly pressed tuxedo. He is in charge of all the comings and goings of the high rollers, movie stars and VIP guests of this Hotel.
Antonio comes with a small entourage of very important side characters. Liz Fiore, the ear to the President of the Native Sun, and Mark Ford, the hotel's Security Officer, are among the first two you see back. Both Mark and Liz play a larger role in this story and we slowly learn more about them as well. Chewie and Chloe, our Surveillance Team duo, still bring out the laugh out loud moments that we come to expect from them. I just adore them and the comedic fill we sometimes need for ourselves and for Antonio.
Bad Beat is faster paced and darker than Casino Shuffle. It made the story even better for me, as we slowly learn more about Mr. Perfect, Antonio Cruz. So, he is nothing like we imagined, he is sooo much more! We now see Mafia connections, we have murder, we have mayhem and we have a new mystery added to the mystery we are already trying to solve. A Villa Guest, one of the High Rollers, has hung himself in his room…Why???
Now we meet to the next mystery…Who is Halifax Downs? He is introduced as the New Executive Director of Gaming Operations. He has arrived with his assistant, Natalie Strafford. What is their angle??? Besides all of this, a category five hurricane is bearing down on the North East…Will it hit The Native Sun? A Head Butler like Antonio certainly has his hands full. He usually handles these things and doesn’t muss his hair or break a crease in his pants. Will he be able to overcome this???
Can you bear the suspense??? Your palms sweat, your heart races. Chewie and Chloe break the angst with a scene that has you laughing out loud. Now back to the wonderful camaraderie and friendship and repartee of Antonio and Mark. It is all too much, and it is all too good.
Mr. Fields has wonderful timing and gift with words. I love seeing behind the scenes of a first rate casino and all the pitfalls that can occur. I enjoyed this book as much or maybe even more than the first. I loved seeing the humanization of not only Antonio but also Liz Fiore. She was so stark in the first book. I also love the knowledge that their will be more…
I would be remiss not to add that Mr. Fields released a Christmas Novella called Rogue et Noir… Just think what would happen to a casino if someone called the 800 number on New Years Eve and told the operator he had planted a bomb at the hotel. Just sayin’, you might want to check it out as well…
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Review Chair and Sr Reviewer of the Paranormal Romance Guild
Antonio comes with a small entourage of very important side characters. Liz Fiore, the ear to the President of the Native Sun, and Mark Ford, the hotel's Security Officer, are among the first two you see back. Both Mark and Liz play a larger role in this story and we slowly learn more about them as well. Chewie and Chloe, our Surveillance Team duo, still bring out the laugh out loud moments that we come to expect from them. I just adore them and the comedic fill we sometimes need for ourselves and for Antonio.
Bad Beat is faster paced and darker than Casino Shuffle. It made the story even better for me, as we slowly learn more about Mr. Perfect, Antonio Cruz. So, he is nothing like we imagined, he is sooo much more! We now see Mafia connections, we have murder, we have mayhem and we have a new mystery added to the mystery we are already trying to solve. A Villa Guest, one of the High Rollers, has hung himself in his room…Why???
Now we meet to the next mystery…Who is Halifax Downs? He is introduced as the New Executive Director of Gaming Operations. He has arrived with his assistant, Natalie Strafford. What is their angle??? Besides all of this, a category five hurricane is bearing down on the North East…Will it hit The Native Sun? A Head Butler like Antonio certainly has his hands full. He usually handles these things and doesn’t muss his hair or break a crease in his pants. Will he be able to overcome this???
Can you bear the suspense??? Your palms sweat, your heart races. Chewie and Chloe break the angst with a scene that has you laughing out loud. Now back to the wonderful camaraderie and friendship and repartee of Antonio and Mark. It is all too much, and it is all too good.
Mr. Fields has wonderful timing and gift with words. I love seeing behind the scenes of a first rate casino and all the pitfalls that can occur. I enjoyed this book as much or maybe even more than the first. I loved seeing the humanization of not only Antonio but also Liz Fiore. She was so stark in the first book. I also love the knowledge that their will be more…
I would be remiss not to add that Mr. Fields released a Christmas Novella called Rogue et Noir… Just think what would happen to a casino if someone called the 800 number on New Years Eve and told the operator he had planted a bomb at the hotel. Just sayin’, you might want to check it out as well…
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Review Chair and Sr Reviewer of the Paranormal Romance Guild
January 21, 2013
4.5 stars
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a luxury casino? Wonder no more, welcome to the Native Sun Casino; we hope you enjoy your stay as Head Butler Antonio Cruz does his best to ensure your every desire is met.
In this second book of the series, the first was Casino Shuffle, Antonio with his signature bow tie, impeccable manners and seemingly unflappable style once again takes us into the back of the house and shows us how the magic takes place. This time around Antonio, along with his friend Security Manager Mark Ford, have to solve the mystery as to why one of the casino’s high rollers hung himself in his suite, deal with the arrival of an aging child star turned comedian, the opening of a high profile exhibit, the arrival of the new Executive Director of Gaming Operations and a possible category five hurricane heading their way. Just another weekend in the life of a head butler, strap in and enjoy the ride.
Bad Beat is fast paced and, dare I say it, even a little dark in places, giving us more of a mystery and glimpses into Antonio’s mysterious past while still maintaining the humorous elements we enjoyed in the first book. There is a lot going on in this book, more than one mystery to solve, some funny interaction between Antonio and Mark, mafia connections and more snappy repertoire than you can shake a stick at. There is something not quite right about
Mr. Halifax Downs (the new Executive Director of Gaming Operations) and his executive secretary Natalie Strafford and Antonio is determined to discover what it is, in between his trying to figure out why a high roller would commit suicide, keeping his guests and his boss Liz Fiore happy, possibly playing matchmaker to Mark and making sure the casino is ready for the hurricane. The man does it all without messing up his tie and always with a hanky square in his pocket.
Old friends that we met before reoccur in this book, I love the two surveillance geeks Chewie and Chloe, and they are great for some comic relief. Liz Fiore, the Executive Assistant to the Casino President and regular she devil is back, as well as more of the back of the house staff. Mark Ford is more visible this time around and while he and Antonio make a very odd couple their friendship is genuine and a hoot to watch. There is a story within a story in this book, giving us little glimpses into Antonio’s past. We get just enough to peak our interest and leave us wondering more about Antonio did we did before.
I love this series, Antonio is just so prim and proper yet we get little glimpses that show us the man can let his hair down when he wants to. He is a mystery man who can serve a VIP guest one minute, make love and please a woman the next and kick some butt the next, all without messing up the creases in his pants.
As I said, this book is a little darker than the previous, there are still loads of humor and fun moments but the mystery is more up front and there is some slightly graphic violence. Mr. Fields is very clever in the little bits and pieces of Antonio’s past he feeds us, giving us just enough to show us there is more behind the man but not enough to really tell us all. What a great way to give the reader a cliffhanger without a cliffhanger, just a little mystery to think about when you’re finished with the book. I recommend anyone who enjoys a good mystery wrapped up in a humorous package, sit down, put your feet up and prepare yourself for some fun.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a luxury casino? Wonder no more, welcome to the Native Sun Casino; we hope you enjoy your stay as Head Butler Antonio Cruz does his best to ensure your every desire is met.
In this second book of the series, the first was Casino Shuffle, Antonio with his signature bow tie, impeccable manners and seemingly unflappable style once again takes us into the back of the house and shows us how the magic takes place. This time around Antonio, along with his friend Security Manager Mark Ford, have to solve the mystery as to why one of the casino’s high rollers hung himself in his suite, deal with the arrival of an aging child star turned comedian, the opening of a high profile exhibit, the arrival of the new Executive Director of Gaming Operations and a possible category five hurricane heading their way. Just another weekend in the life of a head butler, strap in and enjoy the ride.
Bad Beat is fast paced and, dare I say it, even a little dark in places, giving us more of a mystery and glimpses into Antonio’s mysterious past while still maintaining the humorous elements we enjoyed in the first book. There is a lot going on in this book, more than one mystery to solve, some funny interaction between Antonio and Mark, mafia connections and more snappy repertoire than you can shake a stick at. There is something not quite right about
Mr. Halifax Downs (the new Executive Director of Gaming Operations) and his executive secretary Natalie Strafford and Antonio is determined to discover what it is, in between his trying to figure out why a high roller would commit suicide, keeping his guests and his boss Liz Fiore happy, possibly playing matchmaker to Mark and making sure the casino is ready for the hurricane. The man does it all without messing up his tie and always with a hanky square in his pocket.
Old friends that we met before reoccur in this book, I love the two surveillance geeks Chewie and Chloe, and they are great for some comic relief. Liz Fiore, the Executive Assistant to the Casino President and regular she devil is back, as well as more of the back of the house staff. Mark Ford is more visible this time around and while he and Antonio make a very odd couple their friendship is genuine and a hoot to watch. There is a story within a story in this book, giving us little glimpses into Antonio’s past. We get just enough to peak our interest and leave us wondering more about Antonio did we did before.
I love this series, Antonio is just so prim and proper yet we get little glimpses that show us the man can let his hair down when he wants to. He is a mystery man who can serve a VIP guest one minute, make love and please a woman the next and kick some butt the next, all without messing up the creases in his pants.
As I said, this book is a little darker than the previous, there are still loads of humor and fun moments but the mystery is more up front and there is some slightly graphic violence. Mr. Fields is very clever in the little bits and pieces of Antonio’s past he feeds us, giving us just enough to show us there is more behind the man but not enough to really tell us all. What a great way to give the reader a cliffhanger without a cliffhanger, just a little mystery to think about when you’re finished with the book. I recommend anyone who enjoys a good mystery wrapped up in a humorous package, sit down, put your feet up and prepare yourself for some fun.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
September 16, 2014
this series of books just keeps getting better and better roll on the next one.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews