Cameron's Quest

by David Carraturo

Tuckahoe’s “Golden Boy” Chris Cameron had his future all mapped out. He was the big fish in the small pond as a star athlete and academic standout. Off to the University of Texas to play football, he was on track to make his Italian-American mother and Irish father proud. His two blood brothers chose different paths. Soon after high school, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese were swept into the life of organized crime. Imposing figures, the pair assisted with strong armed activities for their capo. Away from the “life,” Chris Cameron periodically returned to his neighborhood roots to assist his blood brothers in retribution and risk his promising future to avenge violent threats to his lifelong bond. Cameron’s Quest is full of suspense and character twists. Set in the 1980s, get ready to reminisce about the Mets championship season, Reagonomics, John Gotti’s underworld reign and the pop culture of the time. Relive a time when an Italian-American family’s Sunday dinner table was the only setting needed for therapy sessions, interrogations, judgment and jury for any punishment.

252 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2017

About the author

Follow me on:
Instagram - @diesel_dad_david
Twitter - @davidcarraturo
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/david.carraturo
https://www.paypal.me/davidcarraturo

For better pricing and to receive a signed copy of any of the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy, contact me at carraturod@aol.com.

Author, David Carraturo is a life-long resident of Tuckahoe, a predominately Italian-Irish American community in Westchester County, New York. He has spent over thirty years working on Wall Street and is married and the father of three daughters. An avid poker player and organized crime/World War Two buff, he spends his free time with his family and exercising the mind and body to sustain happiness and success.

He loves to read a multitude of topics, both fiction and non-fiction but his true passion is anything related to World War Two as well as economics and politics. If you would like a novel reviewed, he is more than happy to review your work. War stories, Mafia reads, poker, economics and general American history would be his sweet spots for an educated review.

The Cameron trilogy includes Cameron's Quest, Cameron Nation: Going All-in to Save His Country and Columbus Avenue Boys: Avenging the Scalamarri Massacre. Columbus Avenue Boys earned Honorable Mention for General Fiction at the 2012 Hollywood Book Festival, was optioned for screenplay adaption and has received recommended read reviews from Kirkus, Midwest Book Reviews and Writer’s Digest.

The three novels are unique. Cameron Nation is his "Conservative Manifesto" so those with a liberal mindset beware. Columbus Avenue Boys is an epic story about the Scalamarri family tree and their life throughout the 20th Century. A mafia story with a whole lot more! The young adult years of Chris Cameron, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are revealed in Cameron’s Quest. Chris, Tuckahoe’s golden boy, ventures off to the University of Texas on a football scholarship to better his life while Sal and Tony earn their education on the streets as enforcers and earners for a ruthless organized crime family. Family blood is thick and the trio bond together to persevere through life’s rollercoaster.

Quote:
"I truly believe every and anyone has the ability to write that one great novel based off of their life experiences." David's storytelling is derived from personal experiences which he twists into a historical setting. His goal is to tell a good story but to also educate the reader.

Random things about David...

Huge New York Mets fan.
Age 16 appeared in movies - World According to Garp & Someone is in the Kitchen with Jamie.
Finalist for a slot in a new reality show; The Selection: Special Ops Project.
Compete in the D10 Decathlon to raise money for Pediatric Cancer research at Sloan-Kettering.
Met Margaret Thatcher, T Boone Pickens, Arthur Lafer.
Ran the NYC Marathon and the Baltimore Marathon.
Won one poker tournament in Atlantic City and also competed in the WSOP Main Event in Vegas (not so good!).
Have a dog named Cammie, a cockapoo - named after my book, Cameron Nation.
Played high school and college football (quarterback and defensive back).
Have bench pressed 350 pounds once and 225 pounds twenty-five times (could be a Guinness Book of World Record for bench press by a plus 50 yr old who weighs under 200 pounds). Currently bench press 185 forty times.
Has created the Diesel Games on YouTube, a global fitness challenge to determine the best athlete/most fit in the world. Diesel_Dad_David.
Did not get Masters Degree due to laziness after writing an extra credit paper to bring grade up but never following up with professor to change the grade.
Married at 29, 3 daughters (all 3.5 yrs apart in age).
Has lived in the same zipcode entire life.
Coached daughters softball team (they lost every game).
Can still throw a football close to 50 yards.
A perennial B- student. High School, College, Grad School.
Has only worked for companies on Wall Street.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mafia Story and a Whole Lot More! David Carraturo Presents CAMERON'S QUEST Blitz & #Giveaway - click on Banner for a chance to win the entire Trilogy! US ONLY - Ends March 16, 2017


Remember growing up with your best friends by your side? Did you make a pact to always stand together, no matter what? Children grow up, their lives change, the directions their lives go will differ, but for three young boys, their bond remained strong throughout. Take a trip back into the 80’s when life was more focused around family, neighbors and loyalty. Let author David Carraturo lead you through this time, as three friends mature and choose different paths for their lives, straining their bond and testing their mettle in a world that is equal parts cruel, kind and filled with too many choices. Step into CAMERON’S QUEST and discover how life is always willing to throw a curve ball when you least expect it and what you do with that ball can write your destiny.

Chris Cameron was the local hero, his life was spread before him like a midnight cruise chip buffet. He chose university and football as his ticket to a new and better life. He was the Golden Boy of Tuckahoe.

Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese chose a dark path, but one within the comfort zone of the life they grew up in. Unlike Chris, they felt they chose the bird in the hand, but had they? Was organized crime a ticket to anywhere but Hell? They were the enforcers, the muscle and often they would pay the price for their actions. Although far from the grit of the streets he grew up on, Chris knew loyalty and in times of need, he would return to his roots, to the violence, the retribution for slights, but was this the life he wanted? A born peacemaker, was it worth risking all he was trying to accomplish for friends in a shady business?

David Carraturo went for the gold with this one. Step into the era, experience the times, feel the tension and keep one eye open at all times as crime families are pitted against each other, blood is pitted against blood, and loyalty can be bought on a street corner. Real families, real family dynamics, lofty aspirations, fear of change and dancing to the beat of a different drummer, CAMERON’S QUEST feels real, from the world building to the background scenes to the young innocence lost. Can these men return to the bonds they forged so long ago? Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life. David Carraturo writes from the heart with bold strokes and a flair for realism. Color me very impressed!

I received this copy from David Carraturo in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: iUniverse (January 4, 2017)
Publication Date: January 4, 2017
Genre: Literary Fiction
Print Length: 260 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[David Carraturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

From July 2017
Cameron's Quest - 2017 Hollywood Book Festival, Honorable Mention in general fiction. Only 5% of entries get recognition, so I beat out about 600+ entries. More affirmation that the story is solid. Columbus Avenue Boys received Honorable Mention at the 2012 Hollywood Book Festival too.

http://hollywoodbookfestival.com/winn...

From March 2017
Cameron's Quest - 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, Honorable Mention in general fiction. Only 5% of entries get recognition, so I beat out about 400+ entries. More affirmation that the story is solid.

http://losangelesbookfestival.com/

From March 2017.
Nice "Highly Recommended" mention from the respected book reviewer - Midwest Book Review for CAMERON'S QUEST.

Critique:
Filled with suspense and character twists, "Cameron's Quest" is set in the 1980s and relives a time when an Italian-American family's Sunday dinner table was the only setting needed for therapy sessions, interrogations, judgment, and jury for any punishment. In "Cameron's Quest" author David Carraturo showcases a genuine talent for engaging his reader's rapt attention as in the course of his original and consistently entertaining novel he reminisces about the Mets' championship season, Reaganomics, John Gotti's underworld reign, and the pop culture of the time. While "Cameron's Quest" is very highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also available in a Kindle format ($3.99).

http://2ww.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/...

*****************************************************************************
This review is from Rob Bignell, Amazon.com bestselling author. January 2017

"...a tantalizing and addictive story of best friends who suddenly find themselves on different roads in life...can their paths bring them back to one another?" - Rob Bignell, Amazon.com bestselling author

[Michael Falotico · Rating 5 out of 5]

David has successfully achieved what all writers want.. Not just to write a good story but become a great story teller where you actually put the reader in the book and in the story. You have polished your craft and have written a great read that will capture a large audience.. Bravo!!

[William Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping read, couldn't put it down!

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” an Italian man, straight out of The Godfather, informed the visiting scout.

If you know me well, you know that I’m a sucker for stories about families. More specifically, Mafia famiglie. The hierarchy, the lifestyle, the violence, fear and respect… it’s all fascinating to me.

In this case, our blood brothers come from caring, Irish and Italian-American homes who all run legitimate family businesses. There is so much love and respect between these family members that it warms my heart. This big family is filled with strong personalities that take up space on every page, and it goes without saying that big people can cause big problems.

The story spans over several years in the 1980s, so you really get a feel for the decade. I personally loved reading about a time that I (obviously) know very little about. I also really appreciated all of the care and research that must of went into this novel. Whether it was the political climate, sports statistics, or just the weather on any particular day, you could tell that Carraturo aimed to make this story as authentic as possible. And that, my friends, is the best part of Cameron’s Quest. It felt so unbelievably authentic. This is a real story about brothers falling out of line and falling back in. Blood over everything.

Plot-wise, this book tackles normal stuff like high school, family dinners, and football games. Then it hits you with the harsh reality of addictions and life debts and funerals. I don’t want to say anything else about the plot because I feel like that will spoil it for you. There’s quite a bit of violence and bloodshed but I found it to be strategically executed (and for the most part, well-deserved).

Because the story takes place over a few years, we really get to see the characters develop while Life is throwing all kind of shit in their way. There are good times and bad times and deadly times, but the Columbus Avenue Boys stick together through it all.

At its very core, Cameron’s Quest is about a group of boys who grow up, grow apart, and find their way back to each other as men.

I know (from personal experience) how hard it is to watch the people you love become swept up in addictions like narcotics or gambling. Even more heartbreaking is when you have to watch someone you love, living as a soldier for someone else. It’s terrifying and for the most part, inescapable. I found myself relating to these characters a lot more than I wanted to, but I still couldn’t stop reading it. On a related note, I could easily see this book play out as a movie, much like A Bronx Tale. It would be very cool to see on a screen.

Final thoughts: Every time the phone rings, I wonder if that’s the call that’s going to break my heart. And that’s kind of how I felt while reading this book. I didn’t want to hear the call that delivered the bad news but I listened anyway. The good news is, this book is worth reading. It might feel like a punch in the gut at some points, but you’ll finish it knowing that you survived. Life goes on. And it has a great ending.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Find me (and my reviews) elsewhere:
My Blog ● Instagram ● Twitter

[Teresa Scala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Cameron's Quest, the final part to the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy was excellent and definitely worth the read. The story - after the first few chapters - which set the development of Chris-Sal-Tony, took off and I could not put it down. Yes, it was definitely a wiseguy-mafia story with plenty of graphic moments, but the family / life ever-changing moments made me cry as they were clearly meant to tug at your heart. The story came together at the end. I read the first two parts - Columbus Avenue Boys and Cameron Nation - and this was my favorite thus far.

[Bobby Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with my reviews of Cameron Nation and Columbus Avenue Boy's I have to let readers know that I am a friend of the author. I loved all three stories an highly recommend all to step into the life of Chris Cameron, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese. The Columbus Avenue Boys are addicting, to read about and the Cameron's Quest story is a great way to see how it all starts. The time period was vividly researched and conveyed. The story is funny, sad, brutal and realistic. Please take the time to read - you will not be disappointed.

[Cathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to extend a thank you to the author, David Carraturo, for reaching out to me with an offer to read and review "Cameron's Quest". I also want to extend my apologies for not posting this review sooner. Sometimes life events bring unanticipated interruptions in lives.

I have read both previous books in this series and enjoyed them enormously. "Cameron's Quest" is the story of a much younger Chris Cameron who is on the verge of manhood. Chris is getting ready to leave his hometown for a Texas University and a football scholarship. Chris is excited as he faces the first steps as he moves forward with the goals he has set for his future. Though Chris leaves behind his childhood friends, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese, he does not forget that they have his back as he has theirs. Sal and Tony stayed behind and became a part of the organized crime. Chris is always there for them when they need him and will continue to be no matter where life takes them.

It is such a pleasure when an author reaches out to a reader as David Carraturo reached out to me. David offered me a copy of his first book asking if I would read and review "Columbus Avenue Boys". Then I received a second and third offer to read and review the following 2 books with much pleasure. David is a very talented writer and brings to his readers a well written plot and story. I look forward to seeing more of the Columbus Avenue Boys and what they may be up to down the road.

I still stand behind the statement I made when I finished reading "Columbus Avenue Boys" that this would make a great movie. I feel even more strongly about this after reading "Cameron Nation" and "Cameron's Quest".

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to preface this review by saying that there are two other books in this series, and Cameron's Quest is the prequel to them, I have not read the other two books and as such I feel that perhaps I missed some of the points, or that the books are better suited to being read in the published order.

I did like this book, I enjoyed getting to know the three main guys - Tony, Sal and Chris. They were the most fleshed-out characters in the book and you do become attached to them and want to know where they are headed.

There's a lot of information to take in during this book, the story spans over three years and it's a series of events that seem to happen one after the other due to the time span that it encompasses. Some of the events pull you in and make you want to know the outcome of them, these are generally the ones that span a few chapters, other events happen within the space of a paragraph. The deaths of some of the larger characters occur quickly and are quickly left behind as the story charges ahead. It feels like there are a few books worth of content in this one, and perhaps several books to encompass this story would have been beneficial, to shape and hone characters that are otherwise sped through.

Overall the book has some very interesting moments and some intriguing characters. As a prequel to the rest of the series I'm sure the background information is useful, however having not read the rest of the books it felt rushed and like a giant information dump.

If the synopsis captures your interest I would recommend picking this book up!

[Vinny L · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start of this book David Carraturo sets up an immersive spirit of family, community and camaraderie. There are the three core buddies whose story this is and real depth offered in placing quite who and what each one is – backgrounds, heritage, and values.

The trio seem at first like a normal irrepressible bunch of young guys, not averse to occasional low-level dalliances with small-time law-breaking. Good mix of backgrounds of immigrant Irish and Italian which leads to all those family bonding sessions reminiscent of meals in, for example, The Godfather. I had no idea that I was reading my way into the world of organised crime; it was deftly done and seems like an inevitable course for these three to take, regardless of personal motivations.
I found that I was genuinely moved by shattered dreams and the intervention of the fickle finger of fate. Of course, you would expect as much in any decent plot but what made Carraturo’s all the richer was his particular weaving of a carefully selected theme into the plot tapestry. This is all about food, being prepared, being consumed; mealtimes acting as bonding sessions and food being at the core of solid family values.

Congratulations to the author on making a good drama into a superior reading experience by giving it layers of depth. This makes the book work on a number of levels and to my way of thinking is the hall-mark of potent creative story-telling.

Quest was the third installment in a trilogy about the Columbus Avenue Boys.; I recommend you to go read the other two by David Carraturo, knowing you won’t be disappointed.

[Mistimoo_bookreview · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought when I started reading was how rich the descriptions were. They felt realistic and really gave a feel for the decade and the community.
The characters of Sal, Tony and Chris were well developed and they really added to the themes and values woven throughout the plot and the presentation of 1980s America.
For me, it took a little while longer to get into the 'main events' of the story than I would've liked. There was lots of background information which I felt could've been cut down a little. Once I got about half-way through the book, I became a lot more immersed and enjoyed the story very much. The pace picked up and although some parts were quite violent, it also had a great depth to it and some very interesting themes.
It's veering a little off of my usual genre, but I enjoyed it and would give it 4 out of 5 for the genre that it was. I'd recommend it for fans of Mafia family stories and especially if you like reading about the bonds and the lifestyle of these families.

[Catherine Doman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Well, that's easy, I loved it! After having read David Carraturo's first two books in this trilogy, Cameron Nation and Columbus Avenue Boys, I wanted more! And Cameron's Quest delivered, filling in the back story of how Chris, Tony and Sal became the men they turned out to be. Set in the '80s, when I grew up, this was like a trip down memory lane. The story of three friends growing up together, closer than brothers, and the choices they make that shape their lives, keeps you turning the pages. It reads like a saga, on the order of The Godfather, and I highly recommend this book! I will definitely be watching for more from this author. Thank you!

[Colleen Lahey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carraturo has written another solid story about best friends growing up in New Jersey suburbs in the 1980's. As you read the novel, it becomes clear that the author knows his material. What impressed me the most was his sports knowledge! Holy Cow, does this guy know about football and card playing. The best friends, 'Columbus Avenue Boys', take different directions as they leave high school and the book follows the transitional choices each makes. It was an interesting read that kept my attention and I loved the ending. My all time favorite book of this author is still "Cameron Nation" but this was also a very good read.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron's Quest is a fast-paced story of three best friends/cousins for life. The characters, Chris, Sal and Tony have a strong bond. Sal and Tony appear to be closer in lifestyle and appearance but have different personalities. Sal is no nonsense while Tony (my favorite character) is a sentimental gorilla. Chris is the brains and has all the potential, jet yearns to always be connected to the local community. The story has many interesting twists and you have to be observant to minor mentions/points that come back to be major pieces to a chapter's puzzle. The dialogue was crisp and very realistic and the story brought me back to the 1980s time period. I am a friend of the author, and have to admit a character was based off of me - but still, this story is worth the read.

[Amelia Solano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron's Quest was a good story. As a teenager, I related to the three boys, and their growth through high school to college and work and finding their way in life. The second part of the story picked up with action - some of it very violent, but it was balanced with family struggles. The ending was well put together.