Title:
Blood on the Cards
Author: David Huffstetler
Series: A Jack Harden
Mystery
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Release Date: October 1 2012
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A brotherhood of powerful men, a self-proclaimed prophet, and an ancient goddess hover over a series of murders that start with a game of Texas Hold-em. Are they to blame, or is it the embittered Comanche outcast set on revenge against Jack Harden for the death of his niece? Elsie and Jack try to salvage what’s left of their relationship, as a canvas of death unfurls around them.
Can they stop it?
Dusk settled outside the window, and Reverend Lu stood at the head of the table. He turned toward the front door and said, “Ah, Tim is here. Let’s get started.”
Jackson smiled, nodded to the other ten men around the table, and took his seat. “Sorry to be late. We had a problem at one of the car lots.”
The men joined hands, bowed their heads, and Lu prayed. “Oh, Spirit of Truth, speak to us. Open our minds and our hearts that we may hear you, that we may yield to you. Amen.” Their hands slid off the table onto their laps and every eye was on Benjamin Lu. “Gentlemen, I asked you to come tonight for a special reason. You were twelve and now you are eleven. We had a traitor in our midst.” He took a Bible from a full bookcase and opened it. “Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, chapter five. ‘To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved.’ There are many books that speak to us of the truth, and this is one.” He closed the Bible and eased it back onto the shelf. “We have lost one of our number, but we have saved his soul. There is no greater sign of love than the shedding of blood. My brothers, only the strong and the pure can understand these teachings.”
He looked at each of them, until he stopped at Jackson. “Tim, do you see the wisdom in what has been done?”
Jackson swallowed hard, looked around, and said, “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Look at me, Tim. We are the chosen, the elect. There has always been a remnant of true believers in an evil age, and you are part of that remnant. Do you understand that? Do you understand who you are--who we are?”
“Yes, I’m with you. I wouldn’t have gone out there, if I hadn’t been. But, what happens if the police come around?”
Lu pointed to Paul Thibadeuax and said, “Tell him, Paul. Tell us all.”
Thibadeuax’s voice was calm and smooth. “We are not subject to their laws. We have been called to a greater purpose.”
Lu smiled and said, “There are no truer words. Each of you was selected to be where you are. Samuel, you are a judge because it was your destiny. Robert, it is not simply coincidence that you sit in Congress. Every generation has a prophet. For some it was Moses, for others Confucius, and for yet others Joseph Smith. Each brought the same message, and I bring it to you.” He looked around the table and asked, “Do you believe in me?” They all nodded. Lu handed a metal medallion to Chet Watson. “Place it in the center of the table.”
Watson leaned over the table and set the medallion on the polished oak. Lu lowered his left hand into his lap and pointed at the medallion with his right hand. He narrowed his eyes, put his finger to his forehead, and said, “Let it be so.” The medallion slowly moved down the table, passing by men with open mouths, until it stopped in front of him. A murmur rose around the table. Lu stood. “What you have seen here must not be discussed outside this room. It is a sign for you, not for the nonbelievers. Keep it in your hearts. Our time will come soon, but we must be one family. Tim is right. The enemy will come. I saw him in a dream. He was a young man with an old heart, and, when he comes, we must be strong. We must be of one mind.”
Fast Paced Non Stop Action from Beginning to End
We travel with Jack from Texas and throughout the Southwest. Tracking down criminals with Elsie by his side but does the brotherhood to connected for Jack to bring down? This is a spoiler free zone. So go grab your self a copy to find out if the brotherhood proves to be to much for Jack. And to see what troubles Jack and Elsie face as a couple. Is their relationship to much to handle? Can jack successfully keep catching the bad guys and still have Elsie by his side. If you like hard packed action with just a hint of romance than I suggest you read the Jack Harden books. David has created a real to life Texas Ranger that will stop at nothing to catch the bad guys.
Educated in Dallas, North Carolina, David Huffstetler holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked in the area of human relations and spent fourteen years weaving through the maze that is politics, including participating in a Federal Law suit with a sitting governor. David has served on Boards of Directors for numerous professional organizations and has advised governors and legislators on matters of public policy and legislation.
David’s work as a senior manager with a major industrial concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his urge to write Disposable People, a dramatic expose of the working conditions and politics that engulf undocumented workers. Disposable People is a top-ten “Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA.
He turned the frustrations and rejection that plagues thousands of yet-to-be-published authors into the heralded mystery/thriller Blood on the Pen, with a serial killer disposing of literary agents. David’s passion for history led him to write Dead in Utah, the story of Joe Hill, the controversial musician and union organizer accused of a double murder in 1914. Blood on the Cards follows his tradition of thrillers, and it stands on its own merit as a novel with a hint of the paranormal.
His books receive praise from mystery readers across the globe.
“David W. Huffstetler crafts gripping crime thrillers that can only be described as a riveting roller coaster ride from its ‘okay, you’ve got my attention’, beginning, to the suspenseful ‘I’ve now chewed my nails to the quick’, conclusion.” -Book Lovers, Inc.
As an editor, public speaker, and seasoned professional, David has appeared on television and radio, and has lectured on the East Coast, California, Canada and Mexico. David currently lives in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife, Trudy.
Places to find David
Blog
Website
Places to find Blood on the Cards
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Wild Child Publishing
Rating:
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A brotherhood of powerful men, a self-proclaimed prophet, and an ancient goddess hover over a series of murders that start with a game of Texas Hold-em. Are they to blame, or is it the embittered Comanche outcast set on revenge against Jack Harden for the death of his niece? Elsie and Jack try to salvage what’s left of their relationship, as a canvas of death unfurls around them.
Can they stop it?
Dusk settled outside the window, and Reverend Lu stood at the head of the table. He turned toward the front door and said, “Ah, Tim is here. Let’s get started.”
Jackson smiled, nodded to the other ten men around the table, and took his seat. “Sorry to be late. We had a problem at one of the car lots.”
The men joined hands, bowed their heads, and Lu prayed. “Oh, Spirit of Truth, speak to us. Open our minds and our hearts that we may hear you, that we may yield to you. Amen.” Their hands slid off the table onto their laps and every eye was on Benjamin Lu. “Gentlemen, I asked you to come tonight for a special reason. You were twelve and now you are eleven. We had a traitor in our midst.” He took a Bible from a full bookcase and opened it. “Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, chapter five. ‘To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved.’ There are many books that speak to us of the truth, and this is one.” He closed the Bible and eased it back onto the shelf. “We have lost one of our number, but we have saved his soul. There is no greater sign of love than the shedding of blood. My brothers, only the strong and the pure can understand these teachings.”
He looked at each of them, until he stopped at Jackson. “Tim, do you see the wisdom in what has been done?”
Jackson swallowed hard, looked around, and said, “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Look at me, Tim. We are the chosen, the elect. There has always been a remnant of true believers in an evil age, and you are part of that remnant. Do you understand that? Do you understand who you are--who we are?”
“Yes, I’m with you. I wouldn’t have gone out there, if I hadn’t been. But, what happens if the police come around?”
Lu pointed to Paul Thibadeuax and said, “Tell him, Paul. Tell us all.”
Thibadeuax’s voice was calm and smooth. “We are not subject to their laws. We have been called to a greater purpose.”
Lu smiled and said, “There are no truer words. Each of you was selected to be where you are. Samuel, you are a judge because it was your destiny. Robert, it is not simply coincidence that you sit in Congress. Every generation has a prophet. For some it was Moses, for others Confucius, and for yet others Joseph Smith. Each brought the same message, and I bring it to you.” He looked around the table and asked, “Do you believe in me?” They all nodded. Lu handed a metal medallion to Chet Watson. “Place it in the center of the table.”
Watson leaned over the table and set the medallion on the polished oak. Lu lowered his left hand into his lap and pointed at the medallion with his right hand. He narrowed his eyes, put his finger to his forehead, and said, “Let it be so.” The medallion slowly moved down the table, passing by men with open mouths, until it stopped in front of him. A murmur rose around the table. Lu stood. “What you have seen here must not be discussed outside this room. It is a sign for you, not for the nonbelievers. Keep it in your hearts. Our time will come soon, but we must be one family. Tim is right. The enemy will come. I saw him in a dream. He was a young man with an old heart, and, when he comes, we must be strong. We must be of one mind.”
Fast Paced Non Stop Action from Beginning to End
We travel with Jack from Texas and throughout the Southwest. Tracking down criminals with Elsie by his side but does the brotherhood to connected for Jack to bring down? This is a spoiler free zone. So go grab your self a copy to find out if the brotherhood proves to be to much for Jack. And to see what troubles Jack and Elsie face as a couple. Is their relationship to much to handle? Can jack successfully keep catching the bad guys and still have Elsie by his side. If you like hard packed action with just a hint of romance than I suggest you read the Jack Harden books. David has created a real to life Texas Ranger that will stop at nothing to catch the bad guys.
Educated in Dallas, North Carolina, David Huffstetler holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked in the area of human relations and spent fourteen years weaving through the maze that is politics, including participating in a Federal Law suit with a sitting governor. David has served on Boards of Directors for numerous professional organizations and has advised governors and legislators on matters of public policy and legislation.
David’s work as a senior manager with a major industrial concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his urge to write Disposable People, a dramatic expose of the working conditions and politics that engulf undocumented workers. Disposable People is a top-ten “Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA.
He turned the frustrations and rejection that plagues thousands of yet-to-be-published authors into the heralded mystery/thriller Blood on the Pen, with a serial killer disposing of literary agents. David’s passion for history led him to write Dead in Utah, the story of Joe Hill, the controversial musician and union organizer accused of a double murder in 1914. Blood on the Cards follows his tradition of thrillers, and it stands on its own merit as a novel with a hint of the paranormal.
His books receive praise from mystery readers across the globe.
“David W. Huffstetler crafts gripping crime thrillers that can only be described as a riveting roller coaster ride from its ‘okay, you’ve got my attention’, beginning, to the suspenseful ‘I’ve now chewed my nails to the quick’, conclusion.” -Book Lovers, Inc.
As an editor, public speaker, and seasoned professional, David has appeared on television and radio, and has lectured on the East Coast, California, Canada and Mexico. David currently lives in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife, Trudy.
Places to find David
Blog
Website
Places to find Blood on the Cards
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Wild Child Publishing
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3 comments:
I'm not going to read your review of this book since I am part of the tour.....just stopped by to say hi! :)
Thanks for the review and for hosting Blood on the Cards today.
My books have won stars and bookies, but this is the first time anyone gave one roses. I think I like that. :) :)
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I would love to hear your thoughts. :) HAPPY READING !!!!