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Old Wounds: A Story of Honor and Betrayal
Born into crime. Desperate to escape. Condemned to kill...
Raised in a Mafia family, Tom wants out.A military stint makes him a hero, and heroes have options. Until they don't. The Family has ways to get what it wants. His family and fiancee are terrified. And his best friends are 'made' men. His world must come crashing in before he can rebuild it...
- GenresAction
379 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2018
106 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 18, 2018
This is a very enjoyable read , providing background in 'The Family' of Tom Russo, before he becomes an assassin for the United States. There are great characters and amazing scenes in 'the neighborhood', the swamp and Tom's time in the Army. We follow Tom and his two best friends from childhood, seeing the different paths their lives took being a member of the 'mob'.
There is plenty of suspense, action, love and betrayal , the story keeps your attention as you run with Tom trying to keep out of his 'Family' lifestyle. A thrilling, entertaining story of life before Tom is an American assassin.
I received an ARC from author Sam Powers, who I thank for a great tale and I am able to put my thoughts in this review.
There is plenty of suspense, action, love and betrayal , the story keeps your attention as you run with Tom trying to keep out of his 'Family' lifestyle. A thrilling, entertaining story of life before Tom is an American assassin.
I received an ARC from author Sam Powers, who I thank for a great tale and I am able to put my thoughts in this review.
August 7, 2019
Well the Prologue was definitely an appetizer. I couldn't wait to get started on the first chapter, I just knew this was a book I would enjoy. I wasn't wrong.
Tom, Vincent and Ralph were best friends. They also had something in common – their fathers were all gangsters. With their upbringing was it possible any of them could turn out ok?
Honour, betrayal, love, hate and more, it's all here. There is action all the way from the beginning to the end.
What a ride we are taken on as we follow Tom through his childhood and beyond. We can only watch and hope. Can Uncle Carmine help Tom make the right decisions?
Will Tom follow his dad into the ‘firm’, could he be a ‘made’ man or will he fulfil his dream?
Tom, Vincent and Ralph.... how will their lives turn out?
Things start to change when Tom is 13. Anything I say from here on would likely be a spoiler so it really is best you read it for yourself. You won't regret it!
What a start to an exciting new series.
I reviewed this from an advanced copy provided by the author.
Tom, Vincent and Ralph were best friends. They also had something in common – their fathers were all gangsters. With their upbringing was it possible any of them could turn out ok?
Honour, betrayal, love, hate and more, it's all here. There is action all the way from the beginning to the end.
What a ride we are taken on as we follow Tom through his childhood and beyond. We can only watch and hope. Can Uncle Carmine help Tom make the right decisions?
Will Tom follow his dad into the ‘firm’, could he be a ‘made’ man or will he fulfil his dream?
Tom, Vincent and Ralph.... how will their lives turn out?
Things start to change when Tom is 13. Anything I say from here on would likely be a spoiler so it really is best you read it for yourself. You won't regret it!
What a start to an exciting new series.
I reviewed this from an advanced copy provided by the author.
August 19, 2018
Black Ops agent to Mafia 'family'
This is a very interesting book, following a young man who had a 'Family' man as his father as he progresses through life, he joins the army and becomes a special services 'black ops' agent. When he is discharged he is blackmailed into joining the 'Family' and becoming an enforcer for them. I really liked that none of the characters are all good or all bad (well one or two are very nearly all bad) and it shows how easy it is to get sucked in to situations that you really don't want to be in.
There is a lot of action and excitement, and some pretty graphic scenes which are extremely well written.
I did find that the book took a while to get into its stride, being a bit slow to start, but once it got going it was a hairy ride.
For me though the best aspect of the book is the way that the different characters are written, each is unique and well described, and most importantly, believable.
I received an advance copy of the book, but this review is voluntarily written and based on my views.
This is a very interesting book, following a young man who had a 'Family' man as his father as he progresses through life, he joins the army and becomes a special services 'black ops' agent. When he is discharged he is blackmailed into joining the 'Family' and becoming an enforcer for them. I really liked that none of the characters are all good or all bad (well one or two are very nearly all bad) and it shows how easy it is to get sucked in to situations that you really don't want to be in.
There is a lot of action and excitement, and some pretty graphic scenes which are extremely well written.
I did find that the book took a while to get into its stride, being a bit slow to start, but once it got going it was a hairy ride.
For me though the best aspect of the book is the way that the different characters are written, each is unique and well described, and most importantly, believable.
I received an advance copy of the book, but this review is voluntarily written and based on my views.
December 11, 2022
Very interesting and future
A well written book, with a good story line and characters. It shows the growing up and future of Tom. By the time the author does more changes to Tom character it will shows a good future with this character and story line. The author needs a little more studying about setting up the kill field for Tom and the last shoot out would have been smoother and more productive. Read and enjoy.
A well written book, with a good story line and characters. It shows the growing up and future of Tom. By the time the author does more changes to Tom character it will shows a good future with this character and story line. The author needs a little more studying about setting up the kill field for Tom and the last shoot out would have been smoother and more productive. Read and enjoy.
March 29, 2022
Depressing look at mob life.
From grammar school to adulthood, the story gives an inside look at life in mob-connected families and it isn't pretty. Only in the last quarter of the story, does the story begin taking an interesting turn.
From grammar school to adulthood, the story gives an inside look at life in mob-connected families and it isn't pretty. Only in the last quarter of the story, does the story begin taking an interesting turn.
September 18, 2018
Russo is great!
Loved this book. If a reader wants a non-stop exciting read, this is it! Play it again, Sam. You have found your niche...
Loved this book. If a reader wants a non-stop exciting read, this is it! Play it again, Sam. You have found your niche...
January 10, 2019
It's a good one.
Fast paced, enjoyable book. Tragic but heroic. I like the characters and the hero is believable. Good writing and storyline
Fast paced, enjoyable book. Tragic but heroic. I like the characters and the hero is believable. Good writing and storyline
January 8, 2022
good one!!
Started out kinda slow but moved into high gear after four chapters. Worth ur time and $$$. Hope for sequels - pretty good writing.
Started out kinda slow but moved into high gear after four chapters. Worth ur time and $$$. Hope for sequels - pretty good writing.
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September 25, 2019
Something a bit different, Sopranos style, with a main character who is fighting to put his past behind him. Not so easy! Interesting twists and colorful scenes make this a book I wanted to finish.
August 24, 2018
Old Wounds - Awesome book! I love this genre and Mr. Powers did a wonderful job with Old Wounds. It took me back to the 70s when I read many of this genre: Puzo; Haley; Ludlum; just to name a few. Real stories, unlike what is written today full of Hollywood-style scenes and no clue of reality (most of the eBooks I've reviewed the last 18 months).
OW is well written, well thought out and realistic. The author's vivid descriptions immerse the reader as if part of this world. The characters are fleshed out, real and the important ones grow as the story continues, while their dialog is believable. The plot is filled with suspense and intrigue and weaves the lives of the characters through good and bad, thick and thin. There's glimpses and elements of many worlds: if you've ever read The Jackal, The Bourne series or books by Haley or Puzo, then you know what I mean. I want more of Tom Russo and his world.
The book is edited properly, like books used to be before today's "writers" who don't learn proper grammar, punctuation, proper word usage and spelling, and how to proof their work. I contacted the author to review his book. 5*
OW is well written, well thought out and realistic. The author's vivid descriptions immerse the reader as if part of this world. The characters are fleshed out, real and the important ones grow as the story continues, while their dialog is believable. The plot is filled with suspense and intrigue and weaves the lives of the characters through good and bad, thick and thin. There's glimpses and elements of many worlds: if you've ever read The Jackal, The Bourne series or books by Haley or Puzo, then you know what I mean. I want more of Tom Russo and his world.
The book is edited properly, like books used to be before today's "writers" who don't learn proper grammar, punctuation, proper word usage and spelling, and how to proof their work. I contacted the author to review his book. 5*
August 15, 2018
The dialogue and the storyline immerse the reader into the story. Powers writes about the good and the bad, the support and betrayal involved in the life of the mob. At first a little slow, but as the story moved on, it picked up the pace with more action.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews