Into the Fire

I           

Just another day in Paradise – Paradise Cove, that is, Los Angeles – for Mike Romeo. Meeting with a former fellow cage-fighter(Reggie) who shoots down shots of Bushmills Black at a hipster bar like there's a competition for speed and accuracy, Mike hears about a former grisly cold case dubbed the Hollywood Hunk Murder. Only this time there's a real connection to the case. And a dead girlfriend. 

Turns out most of what Reggie reveals is fact – enough to make this a case for Ira Rosen, also a Rabbi, attorney, and former Mossad, when Reggie's charged with the murder of his girlfriend. When Ira gets to interview Mike's old acquaintance, it doesn't go well. Nothing smells right about the case to Mike from the beginning and only gets more confusing after the interview. 

In the middle of it all is Zane Donohue who wants Mike to fight his latest and greatest which Mike refuses to do – at first. When everyone associated with Zane becomes a convenient witness and sets up Mike to find another for the girlfriend's murder, miscellaneous information, a particular necklace, a terrible beating, hidden photographs, the original Hollywood Hulk case detective, and an unwilling witness all complicate the solution to these combined cases.

In the middle of it all, Mike's pet project (C-dog) gets himself in all kinds of trouble and requires Mike's assistance and tutoring to help him get out of it. 

Some people are given natural wit by the Creator, and it seems the Lord God has saturated James Scott Bell with a surplus of it. He has laugh out loud moments amidst critical situations. Such utterly clever dialogue at times displaying intellectual prowess, an incredible vocabulary which mystifies those who listen to his character, and crazy, cunning shrewdness with a broad spectrum of intelligence behind it all. I love Mike Romeo and the interchanges between Ira and him are priceless. Bell's descriptions of characters bring a picturesque reality to each one and his details of fight scenes are flawless.

It seems Mike Romeo is always having to decide when to and when not to fight. In a way he's always fighting – philosophically or physically. In Romeo's Fight there are so many irons burning in this hot fire of a plot, but somehow Bell manages to put out all of them while allowing Mike Romeo to experience the measure of satisfaction for which he fought so hard. 

Highly recommend this Mike Romeo Thriller Series (Romeo's Fight is Book 4) – if for no other reason than to experience the incredible, crafty wit of James Scott Bell. 

Father, you have truly gifted James with incredible and multiple skills. Please continue to supply him with stories and help him to serve you in the process. Bless him and keep him safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.