Baby Bailino

Baby Grand #2

by Dina Santorelli

One of Newsweek's Favorite Books of 2016

Finalist, 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards

It's been two years since Jamie Carter escaped captivity and saved Charlotte Grand, the infant daughter of New York Governor Phillip Grand, becoming a national hero for foiling the kidnapping plot that incarcerated reputed mobster/entrepreneur Don Bailino--the man who abducted and raped her. As Governor Grand considers his candidacy for U.S. president, Bailino inexplicably escapes from prison, and soon Jamie's fifteen-month-old daughter, Faith--Bailino's biological child--disappears. Jamie sets off to find her and, in the process, finds an unlikely ally in Bailino, who is on the run not only from the FBI but from members of organized crime who have a score to settle. Can Jamie trust the man who once held her prisoner? Can she rely on her instincts? And can she again find the strength to save a child when, this time, that child is her own?

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2016

About the author

Dina Santorelli is an award-winning author of heart-pounding thrillers and dark, twist-filled suspense. Twice voted one of Long Island’s best authors, she’s known for crafting gripping stories that keep readers turning pages late into the night.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Middle Village, New York—a place bordered by cemeteries—Dina grew up surrounded by whispers of mystery, fueling a lifelong fascination with the darker side of storytelling. Now based on Long Island, she writes full-time, weaving tales of secrets, betrayal, and survival.

When she manages to step away from her desk, Dina enjoys traveling, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also wrestles daily with her fiercest rival: the New York Times Strands word game. For more information about Dina, visit her website at http://dinasantorelli.com.
 
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Reviews

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 2nd book in the series and it was just as good as the first. Jamie's baby Faith disappears from the playground one day, and she defies the FBI, and starts searching for the baby herself. She has an idea where the baby is.

This book was another very fast read, since I could hardly put it down.

I look forward to the 3rd book!

[Kathleen Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!

Dina Santorelli’s second novel, Baby Bailino, kept me in a quandary from the moment I started reading until the very end: at times I wasn’t sure who to root for. Just when I thought I had the characters figured out, along came another twist and turn in an action-packed thriller full of heart and soul. Sometimes the “bad guy” might turn out to be your favorite character. As I read the last lines in this incredible story, I smiled to myself with a deep sense of satisfaction at the way things turned out.

Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of the award-winning novel, Johnnie Come Lately

[Laura Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!!Such a GREAT romance!!! Its like watching "The Godfather" or "Goodfellas". Cant wait for the 3rd one!! It was hard to put down from the beginning to the end.

[Kelsey Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I absolutely could not put it down.

This author is a very talented writer with minimal errors. She's able to keep you interested in the storyline and is not repetitive.

[Jerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of these characters are tough, intelligent, and have skills beyond the norm, although you don't care much for Governor Grand's wife. There is a lot of action, some of it ugly enough to hurt your heart, your brain, and your stomach. Criminals had held Jamie and baby Faith captive in an abandoned old farm house. Mounted on the wall was an old sword which the ruthless old mafia don planned to use to torture the baby prior to burning to death both mother and child. The reason for all this is to hurt Bailino because he is Faith's father (he already killed his son) and he loves Jamie. Bailino had come to rescue them but was taken prisoner also. A shot from outside (Gov.) creates chaos, enabling Bailino and Jamie to free themselves and save the injured baby. Then the story really goes off the rails when Don uses this sword to dismember the criminals then cuts off his own left hand with the filthy thing so it will appear that he also died in the ensuing fire. A couple of years later we find him in his safe house out west. The author never explains how one cuts off his own hand (germs), survives shock, copious bleeding, terrible pain, no medical care, escaping alone, and traveling from New York all the way across the country to arrive out west to his cozy little nest where he had planned to hide with Jamie and Faith. And he is using her name--he is now Mr. Carter. Even with the lack of credibility, I loved the book.

[Jerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote a long review of this book. I checked the box "Hide entire review because of spoilers" and it said it was saved. However, I went back to check something and the review was missing and could not be pulled up by clicking on "review" or "edit" and I have seen other reviews that said they were hidden but you were allowed to click on them and read them anyway if you chose to do so. Again, this is reading "All changes saved" and I always save all my reviews. The one thing from that review that I will touch on here is that this book goes off the rails and loses any remaining credibility at the point where he cuts off his own left hand with a filthy, bloody sword. Then there is no explanation how he can escape the isolated farm house that is on fire, make it from New York across the country alone with no medical intervention, suffering shock, blood loss, etc. The next thing we know is that two years later is he in his cozy safe house out west using his new name of Mr. Carter. I also said I gave it four stars in spite of this.

[Meg Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all three of these books that make the series. They are a light read, and after I read the first, Baby Grand (love the pun, no author should ever waste a name), I immediately read the next two. The balance between scoffing (that would never happen!) and wry humour or touching emotion kept me reading. The characters are mostly one dimensional, but a couple are sufficiently complex that I suspect Santorelli has an even better author inside of her trying to grow. I wonder how much she had her mind on not upsetting her readership when she wrote? She can tell a story, so if she just wrote what she wants to, rather than what she thinks the market wants, what kind of book might emerge? She has the talent, I just wonder how much she is ‘self-shakled’?

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #2 in a trilogy, the first one being "Baby Grand". Though it's a page turner and twister, it's a little sad too. Each story covers the kidnapping of a child, the first was a governor's child and this one is the protagonist's child who is the progeny of a rapist/mobster. Conceptually, I think this trilogy has much merit. Of course the fact that the governor is of NY and in the second we have the background of Albany, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island, makes it all the more better. Very enjoyable. I look forward to #3, "Baby Carter".

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible:This was a very good second book in what seems to be a triligy.I enjoyed it! Some things were hard to believe,but it is fiction.The change in narrators from the first book is baffling. Daniel Penz was good,but kept waffling between upstate NY and an English accent for Mrs Grand.It was annoying.Also,baby noises=annoying! I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption

I know I should greatly dislike and/hate Don Bailing, but his love for Jamie, Faith, and Joey redeems him...in my eyes. Of course, he deserves punishment for what he did to Jamie. Absolutely. And the horrific murders he's carried out aren't justified in the slightest...except for Leo. But he was kind to Reynaldo, and he did attempt to help the old man who's car had been hit by that crazy kid driver. Even bad people deserve redemption...don't they?

[Barbara Vink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read both of these books

Baby Grand is the first and it was a good one. It also provides background valuable in reading Baby Bailino so I urge you to read them in order. Loved the fact that Bailino is both good guy and bad guy.

[Sharyn Maas · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 2 Baby Faith

I read the book while on vacation after finishing book 1. Now I have to get book 3 to finish the series!
I hope it has a happy ending for Jamie, the main character!

[Brenda Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dina Santorelli has done it again!

Another suspenseful thriller! I loved it! Well written. Had me on the edge of my seat. I’m the daughter of a law enforcement officer and it had me almost cheering for the villain! A must read!

[Dennis McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dina Santorrelli writes a hell of a thriller. Her lynchpin character Don Bailino is a man only a woman could invent. But she makes him real. And his approach to the world makes for high drama

[Jinnie Lettkeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storyline, I’m struggling with what the heck is going on with Baby Bailino’s mother. Perhaps this will be answered in the 3rd book.

[Diane Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Michelle Timur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second of the Baby Grand Trilogy and it is amazing! I’m on the third book. Cannot put it down! I recommend this trilogy!!!

[William Hutsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced and thrilling story. Character development is fantastic and I’m loving the trilogy.

[Robin Nabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just thought this is a great series. Onto
Book 3.

[Burtine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling

No time for a review until I have read the third book. An attention grabber from page one. There really is good and bad in everyone of us.

[Jacqueline Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready for the finale!

[Ava Siener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought was a better book than the first. I liked knowing how the lives of the characters continued, especially Don Bailino.

[Diann McEnaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good 2nd book in “The Baby Grand Trilogy”. Same characters from the first book. It was an intriguing story that kept you interested until the end.

[Doreen McGettigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished Dina’s first novel, Baby Grand I knew there was more story for these characters to tell. I waited patiently for Baby Bailino. Dina skillfully draws her characters, an anti-hero that morally we know we shouldn’t root for but as human beings and because Dina wrote him in 3D we realize he is the way he is because of the way he was raised, where he came from. He’s done horrible things but we forgive because he did them for good reasons. Then there is the typical politician, near robot like but we root for him because we know he has a heart and he doesn’t disappoint. Politics, crime families, babies, mystery and love made this book one I could not put down until I got to the last chapter and then I read slower because I didn’t want it to end. The best part of the ending and there were several good parts but the best is there is more to come, it’s a trilogy!

Doreen McGettigan author of the best selling, Bristol boyz Stomp and The Stranger In My Recliner.

[Jo]

By far, my favorite in this series. For once, I couldn't guess ahead what the plot would be. I'm looking forward to more from this author.