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Ivanovich #1
In the Name of Revenge
Russian muscle Pavel Ivanovich lends his unique talent in serving Italian mob boss Carlo Mancini. Unfortunately, Carlo’s faith is misplaced with Pavel. Believing Pavel to be a prized asset, Carlo forces him to date his spoiled daughter Teresa expecting marriage. However, Pavel he has a separate mission; to avenge his parents’ grisly murders. Will his own personal agenda get in the way?
ebook
First published June 10, 2010
2 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Starr Gardinier
15 books141 followersSee also my blog at:
www.qw-blog.blogspot.com
I am a paralegal of nineteen years for a law firm in California. I am the former Executor Editor of Suspense Magazine, former editor for Suspense Publishing, and former editor for ARR Editing Services. I've also had the pleasure of co-hosting on Suspense Radio Live, where they interviews authors. When not working, I enjoy weaving tales of suspense, drama and crime.
I own and operate Editing by Starr, where I do professional editing.
I have a bachelors degree in Literature/Creative Writing. I am a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter and nationally. I have won three ‘Best Speaker’ awards as well as ‘Best Evaluator’ at the Voice Ambassadors chapter of Toastmasters.
I have also won third place in a short story contest with my story titled "Cut". I was co-chair and main coordinator for the West Coast Author Premiere, a weekend long event which was born to help authors from all over network, learn and share their work with the public. I have been instrumental in compiling authors and planning a local author event at Barnes and Noble in Ventura, California along with the store’s event manager.
I currently reside in Sherman Oaks, California.
www.qw-blog.blogspot.com
I am a paralegal of nineteen years for a law firm in California. I am the former Executor Editor of Suspense Magazine, former editor for Suspense Publishing, and former editor for ARR Editing Services. I've also had the pleasure of co-hosting on Suspense Radio Live, where they interviews authors. When not working, I enjoy weaving tales of suspense, drama and crime.
I own and operate Editing by Starr, where I do professional editing.
I have a bachelors degree in Literature/Creative Writing. I am a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter and nationally. I have won three ‘Best Speaker’ awards as well as ‘Best Evaluator’ at the Voice Ambassadors chapter of Toastmasters.
I have also won third place in a short story contest with my story titled "Cut". I was co-chair and main coordinator for the West Coast Author Premiere, a weekend long event which was born to help authors from all over network, learn and share their work with the public. I have been instrumental in compiling authors and planning a local author event at Barnes and Noble in Ventura, California along with the store’s event manager.
I currently reside in Sherman Oaks, California.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 12, 2010
A Fantastic Read Full of Twists!
"In the Name of Revenge" was a fantastic read! It isn't that often that I get to read a book, involving "Crime" where I am taken totally by surprise. Reina does a fantastic job of keeping the reader's interest as well as thoroughly entertaining them. This is not your average "Organized Crime Drama." There are plots within plots here, and the ending will absolutely blow you away! Surprisingly, humor plays a vital role in the adventures of the main character. This element, above all others, gave Reina's story depth and believability. Like Puzo, I see great works ahead for this writer.
"In the Name of Revenge" was a fantastic read! It isn't that often that I get to read a book, involving "Crime" where I am taken totally by surprise. Reina does a fantastic job of keeping the reader's interest as well as thoroughly entertaining them. This is not your average "Organized Crime Drama." There are plots within plots here, and the ending will absolutely blow you away! Surprisingly, humor plays a vital role in the adventures of the main character. This element, above all others, gave Reina's story depth and believability. Like Puzo, I see great works ahead for this writer.
July 2, 2010
This book is one of a kind, it brings you through drama of not just one life, but of many. There are many twists and turns found within this book and the ending may become a shocker to a lot of you! I certainly did not figure it out or see it even coming! This is an amazing book and i wish i could give it more then Five Stars!!
July 4, 2010
Joshua,
I too read this book and it is one of Starr's best! She is quite talented at weaving the mystery and suspense around her plot and characters. The development of her players is top-notch and makes for a fantastic read!
I too read this book and it is one of Starr's best! She is quite talented at weaving the mystery and suspense around her plot and characters. The development of her players is top-notch and makes for a fantastic read!
September 24, 2010
A month after he graduates high school, Pavel Ivanovich witnesses the execution murder of his parents. He wants revenge, and is willing to go to any length to get it. Almost.
Reina weaves a tale of intrigue and suspicion, where loyalties are stretched to their limits. In Part II (the book is in three parts) the story shifts up a gear. Tension mounts and we really start to get to know Pavel Ivanovich. The characters are well drawn and distinctive, the dialogue convincing. And I loved the twist at the end. I started suspecting not all was as it seemed about two-thirds of the way through the book, but I didn’t come close to guessing what it was.
In the Name of Revenge is the first novel in a series. Included at the end of the book is a sample of the next one in the series, Deadly Decisions. If the preview is anything to go by, it’s going to be a gripping series.
Reina weaves a tale of intrigue and suspicion, where loyalties are stretched to their limits. In Part II (the book is in three parts) the story shifts up a gear. Tension mounts and we really start to get to know Pavel Ivanovich. The characters are well drawn and distinctive, the dialogue convincing. And I loved the twist at the end. I started suspecting not all was as it seemed about two-thirds of the way through the book, but I didn’t come close to guessing what it was.
In the Name of Revenge is the first novel in a series. Included at the end of the book is a sample of the next one in the series, Deadly Decisions. If the preview is anything to go by, it’s going to be a gripping series.
May 23, 2016
One word: Wow.
I wasn’t expecting this at all. Frankly, from the blurb, I expected an organized crime sort of novel, where the main character is always right, the other characters are full-fledged idiots and the main mob boss would be a money tyrant and not at all amusing or sympathetic.
In this book, I find a completely different world. Everything seems much more realistic, but not to an extent to make it boring. In fact, “In the Name of Revenge” was nothing but boring! There were so many different things going on, but again, not too much as to confuse the reader.
The characters are so perfectly made. Our protagonist had made wrong decisions, has felt the hardships of life, been lost at times and, ultimately, been the ‘bad guy’ once too. All too relatable to what being human really means.
There's also the supposedly spoiled and bratty daughter of the main antagonist, but who turns out to be anything but spoiled and bratty. A ‘damsel in distress’ who turns out to be a damsel with an attitude and self-respect.
But the best part of this would probably be the message. I might be imagining this, but this is what I felt after finishing this book. There's never truly the 'good' guy or the 'bad' guy. It's all relative. At the end, we're to decide for ourselves, but always knowing that our judgment will never be truly objective.
In the Name of Revenge is a tale about crime and justice, but with enough humanity and compassion in it that you can't help but feel enthralled.
Looking forward to the next book!
I wasn’t expecting this at all. Frankly, from the blurb, I expected an organized crime sort of novel, where the main character is always right, the other characters are full-fledged idiots and the main mob boss would be a money tyrant and not at all amusing or sympathetic.
In this book, I find a completely different world. Everything seems much more realistic, but not to an extent to make it boring. In fact, “In the Name of Revenge” was nothing but boring! There were so many different things going on, but again, not too much as to confuse the reader.
The characters are so perfectly made. Our protagonist had made wrong decisions, has felt the hardships of life, been lost at times and, ultimately, been the ‘bad guy’ once too. All too relatable to what being human really means.
There's also the supposedly spoiled and bratty daughter of the main antagonist, but who turns out to be anything but spoiled and bratty. A ‘damsel in distress’ who turns out to be a damsel with an attitude and self-respect.
But the best part of this would probably be the message. I might be imagining this, but this is what I felt after finishing this book. There's never truly the 'good' guy or the 'bad' guy. It's all relative. At the end, we're to decide for ourselves, but always knowing that our judgment will never be truly objective.
In the Name of Revenge is a tale about crime and justice, but with enough humanity and compassion in it that you can't help but feel enthralled.
Looking forward to the next book!
June 17, 2015
I read this book to become familiar with Ivanovich story. I was lucky to receive a copy of book #2 of the series (Deadly Decisions) in a giveaway event here at Goodreads, so, I decided to start from the beginning. I was really excited with the beginning, the sad Ivanovich story and his desire of revenge. But, in my opinion, the book got extremely girlish. It's a real fight to get through it, but I'm so glad I did. After the half of the book the story become really exciting! So many twists that I couldn't stop reading. I'm really impressed with Starr writing skills. She is very talented. I just can't wait to begin her next book!
October 1, 2011
In the Name of Revenge works on multiple levels. It’s a crime story, a suspense novel and a love story rolled into one very entertaining read. I particularly liked the depictions of the characters’ emotions.
May 15, 2012
Is this a harlequin romance? What a true waste of time. Perhaps some people liked it but I am certainly not one of them.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews