What do you think?
Rate this book
Crazy On You
The top east-end London crime syndicate, the insane Pope Crew, fly out to New York to negotiate a mega-bucks weapon trafficking deal with the barbaric and merciless Mafia Don, Giovanni Commarata. All is well; then Archie Pope, a kitten and flower loving softie with a tough exterior, falls in love with Isabella Commarata. Very bad move. Commarata has had every young man who has shown the slightest interest in his precious daughters, hastily executed.
Giovanni Commarata and the Pope Crew are at war! Gun fights, betrayals, warfare on a battlefield scale all ensue. Both sides are either the Destroyers or Destroyed. All mayhem breaks loose. But this is also a rom-com, it is about two young people falling in love under the most difficult of circumstances.
The story is narrated by Archie Pope and Isabella Commarata. James Duncan writes for Archie Pope, using UK English and a fair whack of cockney slang. J Kahele, writes for Isabella Commarata, using American-English. This is a collaboration between an American romance writer and an English comedy writer.
So transatlantic thrills and spells a-plenty, with something to warm your heart!
I observed that the “tramp’s” hands were made out of plastic! I detected movement inside his ridiculously ginormous coat that could comfortably have contained two men. I made an instant decision. As Bell stooped over to drop the score into the cap, I yanked her back by the arm, simultaneously kicking the tramp in the mush – giving him a mouthful of steel-toe-capped boot. Screaming, he hit the deck, as the bullet he had fired from his pistol went awry, hitting a passing motorcyclist in the shoulder, causing the wounded motorcyclist to plough into the rear of the car driving in front of him. The bike toppled and the motorcyclist fell into the road.
‘Nice try, wanker!’ I growled, putting my pistol to the head of the phoney tramp and without hesitation, pulling the trigger. I watched the blood spurt from his exploded face with angry satisfaction.
‘Archie – look out!’
A silver Ford Fusion Titanium had mounted the pavement, and was hurtling towards us, with the intent of mowing us all down...
Giovanni Commarata and the Pope Crew are at war! Gun fights, betrayals, warfare on a battlefield scale all ensue. Both sides are either the Destroyers or Destroyed. All mayhem breaks loose. But this is also a rom-com, it is about two young people falling in love under the most difficult of circumstances.
The story is narrated by Archie Pope and Isabella Commarata. James Duncan writes for Archie Pope, using UK English and a fair whack of cockney slang. J Kahele, writes for Isabella Commarata, using American-English. This is a collaboration between an American romance writer and an English comedy writer.
So transatlantic thrills and spells a-plenty, with something to warm your heart!
I observed that the “tramp’s” hands were made out of plastic! I detected movement inside his ridiculously ginormous coat that could comfortably have contained two men. I made an instant decision. As Bell stooped over to drop the score into the cap, I yanked her back by the arm, simultaneously kicking the tramp in the mush – giving him a mouthful of steel-toe-capped boot. Screaming, he hit the deck, as the bullet he had fired from his pistol went awry, hitting a passing motorcyclist in the shoulder, causing the wounded motorcyclist to plough into the rear of the car driving in front of him. The bike toppled and the motorcyclist fell into the road.
‘Nice try, wanker!’ I growled, putting my pistol to the head of the phoney tramp and without hesitation, pulling the trigger. I watched the blood spurt from his exploded face with angry satisfaction.
‘Archie – look out!’
A silver Ford Fusion Titanium had mounted the pavement, and was hurtling towards us, with the intent of mowing us all down...
- GenresRomance
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2015
20 people want to read
About the author
James Duncan
7 books5 followersI wrote my first book at the tender age of 17. There were some good ideas in there, but my naivety and total lack of knowledge about my subject, shone through.
My second book, at 18, was better. It was a silly set of stories about a large sweet shop owner, called Mr Jolly. The joke was, that he was anything but jolly. He was nasty, selfish, and pompous. A big publisher showed interest, but didn't take it up. I learnt my first important lesson about writing. If you enjoy it, carry on, even if you are drowning under a mountain of rejection slips.
I wrote a couple of sit-coms in my 20's and was generally consumed by partying and life, before returning to my first love, which is writing books. And I do love writing books.
I have written several and each one has been a joy. For me, plot is only a loose structure, for once I have good characters, they take over the plot, they drive it forwards. With great characters, the writing process is easy, for if they have sufficient depth and I know them intimately, I am merely the vessel that writes down what they say and do. Of course I have to do the research, make some decisions about challenges they may face etc, but the fact is that the characters are in charge. Once I have an idea I like, the theme of my book, I look for my characters.
Of course, I draw upon people that I have met or observed in real life (but have only used aspects of their character rather than a total steal!), and sometimes I look inwardly to create a good character.
When I was writing childrens' stories, I listened to my inner child and developed the theme that enthused him. For 'Dominic And His Daydreams', (not currently available, the publisher controversially went out of business, it's a long story) I drew upon my own experience as a child. I was an avid reader and always daydreaming about going into those exciting worlds of the books I read. So the protagonist, Dominic, becomes a Fictionalis Special Agent, going into books and getting involved in wonderful adventures. I wrote 'Sweets That Eat Children!', inspired by my lifelong love of Roald Dahl.
My new book, 'Serendipity' is a thriller/satire/spiritually uplifting novel. Many influences there, but Paulo Coelho deserves special mention. His profound body of work taught me that I could infuse a spiritually uplifting element into my work.
I am currently working on a new satire/thriller, not sure how it is going to end. That's up to the characters - they're autonomous!
My second book, at 18, was better. It was a silly set of stories about a large sweet shop owner, called Mr Jolly. The joke was, that he was anything but jolly. He was nasty, selfish, and pompous. A big publisher showed interest, but didn't take it up. I learnt my first important lesson about writing. If you enjoy it, carry on, even if you are drowning under a mountain of rejection slips.
I wrote a couple of sit-coms in my 20's and was generally consumed by partying and life, before returning to my first love, which is writing books. And I do love writing books.
I have written several and each one has been a joy. For me, plot is only a loose structure, for once I have good characters, they take over the plot, they drive it forwards. With great characters, the writing process is easy, for if they have sufficient depth and I know them intimately, I am merely the vessel that writes down what they say and do. Of course I have to do the research, make some decisions about challenges they may face etc, but the fact is that the characters are in charge. Once I have an idea I like, the theme of my book, I look for my characters.
Of course, I draw upon people that I have met or observed in real life (but have only used aspects of their character rather than a total steal!), and sometimes I look inwardly to create a good character.
When I was writing childrens' stories, I listened to my inner child and developed the theme that enthused him. For 'Dominic And His Daydreams', (not currently available, the publisher controversially went out of business, it's a long story) I drew upon my own experience as a child. I was an avid reader and always daydreaming about going into those exciting worlds of the books I read. So the protagonist, Dominic, becomes a Fictionalis Special Agent, going into books and getting involved in wonderful adventures. I wrote 'Sweets That Eat Children!', inspired by my lifelong love of Roald Dahl.
My new book, 'Serendipity' is a thriller/satire/spiritually uplifting novel. Many influences there, but Paulo Coelho deserves special mention. His profound body of work taught me that I could infuse a spiritually uplifting element into my work.
I am currently working on a new satire/thriller, not sure how it is going to end. That's up to the characters - they're autonomous!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 15, 2015
If you hear a book described as a taut, tough sexy thriller, you could maybe think of a million books and films that have been described this way, but rarely - if ever - deliver.
Crazy on You is a co-authored work by J Kahele of the stupendous Mine series, as well as the superb Facade. James Duncan is a UK based author, whose works I am just beginning to learn about.
Both styles come together to work in devastating fashion. James writes from the London base, making his character Archie Pope real, cocky, and likeable. Isabella is created from the Italian-American side, and it would be easy to say that Miss Kahele wrote all her lines.
The thing is, this co-authored book is so masterfully put together, the two writers may have well have been sitting side by side as they wrote.
I really wasn't sure if I would like Archie, he of The Pope Crew, a rather unsavoury set of London gangsters, who made me think of Dexter Fletcher in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. That film absolutely rocked, but things in this story pick up when the Crew jet off to New York to negotiate a deal with the brutal head of the Commatara family.
Sounds like Goodfells and Casino rolled into one, right? I love both of those films, and this story put me back amongst those wiseguys. What perhaps is not so wise is Archie falling - big time - for Isabella - our New York crime bosses daughter.
It's clear these two have a link, and it sets in motion a chain of events that could destroy both crews, and tangle their lives into a loop that cannot be unravelled.
I'm not from Lahn-donn, but from Birmingham. We speak a bit differently here, although I don't really have a Brummie accent. Imagine if Toril from my Dark Winter series is told 'Toril bab, mind where yams putting that wand, yamorite love?'
That said, I was totally at home with the Cockney slang, and it's a fun part of the book to read. Perhaps where the book is at its strongest is in the writing of the Pope crew, who constantly 'take the mick' out of one another, whilst respecting each other (to a certain degree).
They arrive in the US, absolutely cock-sure of themselves. In US gangster films like GF and Casino, there is always that worry about upsetting another crew.
Not the Popes. They are nasty, brutal, and cool with it.
The 'hot' scenes, as ever from the author of Mine and Facade, are tastefully done and you get the real love Archie and Isabella have for one another.
Some may view the fact that Archie pretty much falls for Isabella teh first moment he sees her as not for real - I can honestly say that some women can have that affect on men, and it's often more than just a lustful feeling.
From the start, Crazy on You has a different feel. Just how can one categorise this story? It's a gangster tale, a sexy romance, a suspenseful thriller (literally each page could have had someone blown away) and a comedy.
Some of the lines were truly laugh out loud:-
"He's got more front than Brighton."
"If Al Pacino and Joe Pesci had taaken a leak or two, hundreds of lives would have been saved."
You should read the book for more! If not, "watchahht, guvn'r, you'll be gettin' ya collar felt!"
So take a bow, Mr Duncan and Miss Kahele. I'm Crazy on this book!
Merged review:
If you hear a book described as a taut, tough sexy thriller, you could maybe think of a million books and films that have been described this way, but rarely - if ever - deliver.
Crazy on You is a co-authored work by J Kahele of the stupendous Mine series, as well as the superb Facade. James Duncan is a UK based author, whose works I am just beginning to learn about.
Both styles come together to work in devastating fashion. James writes from the London base, making his character Archie Pope real, cocky, and likeable. Isabella is created from the Italian-American side, and it would be easy to say that Miss Kahele wrote all her lines.
The thing is, this co-authored book is so masterfully put together, the two writers may have well have been sitting side by side as they wrote.
I really wasn't sure if I would like Archie, he of The Pope Crew, a rather unsavoury set of London gangsters, who made me think of Dexter Fletcher in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. That film absolutely rocked, but things in this story pick up when the Crew jet off to New York to negotiate a deal with the brutal head of the Commatara family.
Sounds like Goodfellas and Casino rolled into one, right? I love both of those films, and this story put me back amongst those wiseguys. What perhaps is not so wise is Archie falling - big time - for Isabella - our New York crime bosses daughter.
It's clear these two have a link, and it sets in motion a chain of events that could destroy both crews, and tangle their lives into a loop that cannot be unravelled.
I'm not from Lahn-donn, but from Birmingham. We speak a bit differently here, although I don't really have a Brummie accent. Imagine if Toril from my Dark Winter series is told 'Toril bab, mind where yams putting that wand, yamorite love?'
That said, I was totally at home with the Cockney slang, and it's a fun part of the book to read. Perhaps where the book is at its strongest is in the writing of the Pope crew, who constantly 'take the mick' out of one another, whilst respecting each other (to a certain degree).
They arrive in the US, absolutely cock-sure of themselves. In US gangster films like GF and Casino, there is always that worry about upsetting another crew.
Not the Popes. They are nasty, brutal, and cool with it.
The 'hot' scenes, as ever from the author of Mine and Facade, are tastefully done and you get the real love Archie and Isabella have for one another.
Some may view the fact that Archie pretty much falls for Isabella the first moment he sees her as not for real - I can honestly say that some women can have that affect on men, and it's often more than just a lustful feeling.
From the start, Crazy on You has a different feel. Just how can one categorise this story? It's a gangster tale, a sexy romance, a suspenseful thriller (literally each page could have had someone blown away) and a comedy.
Some of the lines were truly laugh out loud:-
"He's got more front than Brighton."
"If Al Pacino and Joe Pesci had taken a leak or two, hundreds of lives would have been saved."
You should read the book for more! If not, "watchahht, guvn'r, you'll be gettin' ya collar felt!"
So take a bow, Mr Duncan and Miss Kahele. I'm Crazy on this book!
Crazy on You is a co-authored work by J Kahele of the stupendous Mine series, as well as the superb Facade. James Duncan is a UK based author, whose works I am just beginning to learn about.
Both styles come together to work in devastating fashion. James writes from the London base, making his character Archie Pope real, cocky, and likeable. Isabella is created from the Italian-American side, and it would be easy to say that Miss Kahele wrote all her lines.
The thing is, this co-authored book is so masterfully put together, the two writers may have well have been sitting side by side as they wrote.
I really wasn't sure if I would like Archie, he of The Pope Crew, a rather unsavoury set of London gangsters, who made me think of Dexter Fletcher in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. That film absolutely rocked, but things in this story pick up when the Crew jet off to New York to negotiate a deal with the brutal head of the Commatara family.
Sounds like Goodfells and Casino rolled into one, right? I love both of those films, and this story put me back amongst those wiseguys. What perhaps is not so wise is Archie falling - big time - for Isabella - our New York crime bosses daughter.
It's clear these two have a link, and it sets in motion a chain of events that could destroy both crews, and tangle their lives into a loop that cannot be unravelled.
I'm not from Lahn-donn, but from Birmingham. We speak a bit differently here, although I don't really have a Brummie accent. Imagine if Toril from my Dark Winter series is told 'Toril bab, mind where yams putting that wand, yamorite love?'
That said, I was totally at home with the Cockney slang, and it's a fun part of the book to read. Perhaps where the book is at its strongest is in the writing of the Pope crew, who constantly 'take the mick' out of one another, whilst respecting each other (to a certain degree).
They arrive in the US, absolutely cock-sure of themselves. In US gangster films like GF and Casino, there is always that worry about upsetting another crew.
Not the Popes. They are nasty, brutal, and cool with it.
The 'hot' scenes, as ever from the author of Mine and Facade, are tastefully done and you get the real love Archie and Isabella have for one another.
Some may view the fact that Archie pretty much falls for Isabella teh first moment he sees her as not for real - I can honestly say that some women can have that affect on men, and it's often more than just a lustful feeling.
From the start, Crazy on You has a different feel. Just how can one categorise this story? It's a gangster tale, a sexy romance, a suspenseful thriller (literally each page could have had someone blown away) and a comedy.
Some of the lines were truly laugh out loud:-
"He's got more front than Brighton."
"If Al Pacino and Joe Pesci had taaken a leak or two, hundreds of lives would have been saved."
You should read the book for more! If not, "watchahht, guvn'r, you'll be gettin' ya collar felt!"
So take a bow, Mr Duncan and Miss Kahele. I'm Crazy on this book!
Merged review:
If you hear a book described as a taut, tough sexy thriller, you could maybe think of a million books and films that have been described this way, but rarely - if ever - deliver.
Crazy on You is a co-authored work by J Kahele of the stupendous Mine series, as well as the superb Facade. James Duncan is a UK based author, whose works I am just beginning to learn about.
Both styles come together to work in devastating fashion. James writes from the London base, making his character Archie Pope real, cocky, and likeable. Isabella is created from the Italian-American side, and it would be easy to say that Miss Kahele wrote all her lines.
The thing is, this co-authored book is so masterfully put together, the two writers may have well have been sitting side by side as they wrote.
I really wasn't sure if I would like Archie, he of The Pope Crew, a rather unsavoury set of London gangsters, who made me think of Dexter Fletcher in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. That film absolutely rocked, but things in this story pick up when the Crew jet off to New York to negotiate a deal with the brutal head of the Commatara family.
Sounds like Goodfellas and Casino rolled into one, right? I love both of those films, and this story put me back amongst those wiseguys. What perhaps is not so wise is Archie falling - big time - for Isabella - our New York crime bosses daughter.
It's clear these two have a link, and it sets in motion a chain of events that could destroy both crews, and tangle their lives into a loop that cannot be unravelled.
I'm not from Lahn-donn, but from Birmingham. We speak a bit differently here, although I don't really have a Brummie accent. Imagine if Toril from my Dark Winter series is told 'Toril bab, mind where yams putting that wand, yamorite love?'
That said, I was totally at home with the Cockney slang, and it's a fun part of the book to read. Perhaps where the book is at its strongest is in the writing of the Pope crew, who constantly 'take the mick' out of one another, whilst respecting each other (to a certain degree).
They arrive in the US, absolutely cock-sure of themselves. In US gangster films like GF and Casino, there is always that worry about upsetting another crew.
Not the Popes. They are nasty, brutal, and cool with it.
The 'hot' scenes, as ever from the author of Mine and Facade, are tastefully done and you get the real love Archie and Isabella have for one another.
Some may view the fact that Archie pretty much falls for Isabella the first moment he sees her as not for real - I can honestly say that some women can have that affect on men, and it's often more than just a lustful feeling.
From the start, Crazy on You has a different feel. Just how can one categorise this story? It's a gangster tale, a sexy romance, a suspenseful thriller (literally each page could have had someone blown away) and a comedy.
Some of the lines were truly laugh out loud:-
"He's got more front than Brighton."
"If Al Pacino and Joe Pesci had taken a leak or two, hundreds of lives would have been saved."
You should read the book for more! If not, "watchahht, guvn'r, you'll be gettin' ya collar felt!"
So take a bow, Mr Duncan and Miss Kahele. I'm Crazy on this book!
April 4, 2015
I was given this book by paranormal romance and authors that rock in return for an honest review
I give this book 5 fangs ( I really loved it and can't wait to read the next one)
This book is amazing!! Two different authors with 2 different writing styles have come together to create a fantastic story.
I fell in love with Bell and Archie as they navigated the crazy and violent world of being a mafia Prince and princess by circumstance and not by choice. Archie is part of the Pope crew out of England a violent mafia like gang that has a hand in a every shady avenue available. While Archie's family loves their work Archie is of a different mind and hates his job he'd a sweet guy that has been born into his position. Bell is daughter to the head mafia family in NY and she's a prisoner in her own house.
Soon fate brings Archie to Bell and the Sparks fly nothing will ever be the same.
I found the secondary characters a lot of fun too Bell's sister and all of the Pope Crew. Some books I get so caught up with the main attraction I skim the others but not in this one. I wanted to get to know everyone better.
This book was so much fun to read I really hope the authors collaborate again i thoroughly enjoyed the use of language for the different characters it makes everything more real.
I give this book 5 fangs ( I really loved it and can't wait to read the next one)
This book is amazing!! Two different authors with 2 different writing styles have come together to create a fantastic story.
I fell in love with Bell and Archie as they navigated the crazy and violent world of being a mafia Prince and princess by circumstance and not by choice. Archie is part of the Pope crew out of England a violent mafia like gang that has a hand in a every shady avenue available. While Archie's family loves their work Archie is of a different mind and hates his job he'd a sweet guy that has been born into his position. Bell is daughter to the head mafia family in NY and she's a prisoner in her own house.
Soon fate brings Archie to Bell and the Sparks fly nothing will ever be the same.
I found the secondary characters a lot of fun too Bell's sister and all of the Pope Crew. Some books I get so caught up with the main attraction I skim the others but not in this one. I wanted to get to know everyone better.
This book was so much fun to read I really hope the authors collaborate again i thoroughly enjoyed the use of language for the different characters it makes everything more real.
April 11, 2015
"Crazy On You" by James Duncan & J. Kahele. I found this a very interesting take having two authors - one for the male lead and another for the female. When I picked it up, I wasn't quite sure how this would work but Mr. Duncan and Ms. Kahele do an amazing job at penning their characters and it works brilliantly. I found myself chuckling throughout the whole book, despite their being some pretty tense moments. There's definitely some suspense and action in this one - pretty much non stop. Yet, among it all, Archie and Isabella meet and, despite some big odds against them, they fall hard. I liked Archie - Mr. Tough Guy and thinks he's all that! Yet, little does he know what love can do to you. I liked Isabella too. She's young and innocent, yet understands the life her family leads is not necessarily the one she wants. The journey that these two take had me cheering and rooting for them to find their HEA. If you're looking for a book that has thrills and action, love and romance and laughs galore, this is the one! (received copy for honest review)
April 21, 2015
At first I was excited to read this book, transatlantic love with a little mafia thrown in, I mean come on! As a british expat living in America, who wouldn't love that! Well as it turned out, me for one.
I didn't actually like any of the characters overly much. Both fathers were clearly insane; I mean come on! Who kills sons of other Mafia bosses just for LOOKING at their daughters.
I also found the over use of the east London slang was way too much! And my family comes from that area.
So the idea of this story is that 2 adult children of 2 mafia bosses (well, one was the head of the conglomerate, but now I am just splitting hairs) , one from the states and one from England, fall in love after a few minutes of meeting each other. I am sorry, that is even a little far fetched, even for me. I struggled through the book and in all honestly found it hard to read.
I do think the authors are very talented, but really need to stop with the over generalizations. The basic story would be great, if it wasn't so over the top.
So after all that, I give Crazy On You 4 out of 10
I didn't actually like any of the characters overly much. Both fathers were clearly insane; I mean come on! Who kills sons of other Mafia bosses just for LOOKING at their daughters.
I also found the over use of the east London slang was way too much! And my family comes from that area.
So the idea of this story is that 2 adult children of 2 mafia bosses (well, one was the head of the conglomerate, but now I am just splitting hairs) , one from the states and one from England, fall in love after a few minutes of meeting each other. I am sorry, that is even a little far fetched, even for me. I struggled through the book and in all honestly found it hard to read.
I do think the authors are very talented, but really need to stop with the over generalizations. The basic story would be great, if it wasn't so over the top.
So after all that, I give Crazy On You 4 out of 10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2015
It pains me to give such a low rating, but I really didn't enjoy this book as well as I had enjoyed the others that J has written. The character exaggeration of Archie Popes character was just a little much. The English slang a little over the top.
March 21, 2016
Good book! I enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews