Sunday, March 14, 2010

MONEY TO BURN: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
MONEY TO BURN
BY JAMES GRIPPANDO

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this timely stand-alone thriller ripped from the headlines, bestselling author James Grippando (Lying with Strangers, Intent to Kill, Born to Run) explores a world in which the destruction of financial institutions and the people who run them can occur in a matter of hours—even minutes. Fans of John Grisham’s The Firm and the thrillers of Lisa Scottoline and Phillip Margolin are sure to love Money to Burn: a “perfectly mixed cocktail of dry wit, sophisticated voice, believable characters, [and] non-stop suspense” (Joseph Finder, author of Vanished and Paranoia).

In this timely stand-alone thriller ripped from the headlines, New York Times bestselling author James Grippando, whom the Wall Street Journal calls "a writer to watch," explores a world in which the destruction of financial institutions and the people who run them can occur in a matter of hours—perhaps even minutes.

At thirty-one, Michael Cantella is a rising star at Wall Street's premier investment bank, Saxton Silvers. Everything is going according to plan until Ivy Layton, the love of his life, vanishes on their honeymoon in the Bahamas.

Fast-forward four years. It's the eve of his thirty-fifth birthday, and Michael is still on track: successful career, beautiful new wife, piles of money. Reveling in his good fortune, Michael logs in to his computer, enters his password, and pulls up his biggest investment account: Zero balance. He tries another, and another. All of them zero. Someone has wiped him out. His only clue is a new e-mail message: Just as planned. xo xo.

With these three words Michael's life as he knows it is liquidated, along with his investment portfolio. Saxton Silvers is suddenly on the brink of bankruptcy, and he's the leading suspect in its ruin. Michael is left alone, framed, and facing divorce, with undercover FBI agents afoot, spyware on his computer, and mysterious e-mails from a "JBU." Embroiled in corporate espionage, he's desperate to clear his name and realizes that several signs point to his first wife, Ivy, as a key player. But what if Ivy has come back from the dead, only to visit on Michael a fate worse than death?

With echoes of The Firm, James Grippando's newest thriller takes readers to the inner circle of Wall Street, illustrating the very real dangers of what Warren Buffett called "financial weapons of mass destruction."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The first thing you need to know about James Grippando is that he is no longer clueless. This transformation occurred on June 14, 2005, when "A James Grippando Novel" was the clue to number 38 Across in the New York Times crossword puzzle. (The correct answer: Under Cover of Darkness.)

Here are some other interesting things about James, most of which happened while, sadly, he was still clueless…

James Grippando is the national bestselling author of sixteen novels that are enjoyed worldwide in twenty-six languages. His latest releases in the acclaimed series featuring Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck are Last Call (available now in paperback) and Born to Run (now in hardcover.) Intent to Kill, a stand-alone thriller, will be released in May 2009. James is also the author of Leapholes—a book written for young adults, which was a finalist for the Benjamin Franklin Award.

James’s first job out of law school plunged him headlong into death penalty cases. That experience was an inspiration for his debut novel, The Pardon, a legal thriller that critics heralded as a “bona fide blockbuster.” Before The Pardon, James was a successful trial lawyer in Miami, and he is now Counsel to the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP.

As a lawyer, James was a frequent volunteer in the Miami-Dade County guardian ad litem program, where he represented neglected children in custody proceedings. As a writer, James lectures frequently to schoolchildren about his book Leapholes and about writing in general. He is an active participant in the “Kids Love a Mystery Program” sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America, and he was the 2005 recipient of the Distinguished Author Award from the University of Scranton. He serves on the Board of Trustees at St. Thomas Episcopal Parish Elementary School, where he takes aspiring young writers with him on research trips to fun places like crime labs. He is also coach of the soccer team.

James lives in south Florida, where he writes beneath a big shade umbrella on his deck, right next to the hot tub and swimming pool. He is married to Tiffany, who holds a degree in English Literature major. They have three children and three cats, and they are looking for a dog.

REVIEW:

James Grippando takes readers on a roller-coaster ride in MONEY TO BURN with so many breathtaking twists and turns that you better hold on tight until that last page when you can finally put this thriller down. The story takes off when Michael Cantella is on his honeymoon and his bride, the former Ivy Layton, disappears. Ivy and Michael, both on the fast track in the ever changing world of finance and investments, were married after a short courtship because they were so compatible. Michael is in shock and doesn’t realize it, but this is the first act of betrayal that will soon wind up involving everyone and everything he knows.

Diving into his work, Michael tries to rebuild his life and thinks he has done so when a few years later, he marries his high school sweetheart and life is good again. He achieves success with his company and is making more money than one would know what to do with. However, all this comes to an end when Michael finds that he has been taken by someone very much in the know and is being framed. An after-hours trade shows that via the internet, all his assets were sent to an offshore bank account. This was not done by Michael but rather by an undisclosed Internet procedure. However, all of the evidence points directly to Michael. He is sought now by the FBI for corporate espionage as in less than 2 days, he is fired from his job, everything is gone, including his wife who abandons him and locks him out of their NY apartment when they lose their home. The stock market gets wind of this and reacts to the rumors taking them for truth. Investors panic and his company is ruined. Michael is guilty in the public eye and totally on his own and on the run.

As Michael analyzes what has happened, things all seem to point to his first wife and the financial “opportunities” they got into on their honeymoon. When Michael recanted on those and removed his money and support, someone from his firm must have been involved. Who had the most to lose and who would now want to ruin him? Could Ivy have come back to haunt him and be involved in some way?

The story is so believable as Grippando writes in a logical way so that you believe everything that happened and all that Michael does could actually have taken place. I think that is what makes this such a compelling read. I really had a hard time putting it down and when I was forced to, was back to it as soon as I was able. So much of our current economic situation is replayed in parts of Michael’s story so I wasn’t “in the dark” when expressions like short-sell , the bubble burst, or government bailout are part of the story. If you like a real-life, edge of your seat thriller, then MONEY TO BURN by James Grippando will not disappoint!


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS EXCITING

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS BOOK BY READING THE REVIEW OR DESCRIPTION THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO READ IT

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND ABOUT JAMES GRIPPANDO FROM THE HARPER COLLINS SITE HERE.

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG OR SUBSCRIBE. IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW YET, YOU CAN BY SUBSCRIBING VIA EMAIL, FOLLOW ON GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT, OR ON FACEBOOK WITH NETWORK IN LEFT HAND COLUMN TODAY..OR ALL THREE! EACH WAY YOU FOLLOW IS A SEPARATE ENTRY AND COMMENT.


GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
MARCH 26 !

GOOD LUCK

96 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I found it interesting that the story is believable - I love thrillers like that! Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I found it interesting that Grippando's favorite pair of shoes is his flip flops. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

scottsgal said...

What a great storyline - I enjoy his books I'm sure this one will be no exception
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

his fave food is ice cream!
msboatgal at aol.com

CMash said...

I am a newsletter subscriber.
CMashLovesToRead
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

CMash said...

LOL Once again I am the first...you have great giveaways.
Am a google friend connect follower

CMashLovesToRead
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

CMash said...

WOW 16 novels and still continues to counsel at a firm besides all other interests..how does he do it
CMashLovesToRead
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

CMash said...

From the review only..so many characters that could be the one "who did it". Usually you get that during the book. Sounds gripping and have read many good reviews of this book.
CMashLovesToRead
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

Margie said...

Sounds very exciting. I like the fact that it is a scenerio that could actually happen in these times.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I like the fact that the author says he is happiest when he is at home.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Get your email subscription
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Follow via Facebook
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Margie said...

Follow blog via GFC
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traveler said...

I enjoy suspense and thrillers that are gripping. This author's books are unique and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

He is a lawyer and has time to write so many wonderful novels. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

DarcyO said...

I am a big fan of thrillers. This one sounds great! Please include me.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Carol M said...

I'm a big fan of Joseph Finder and he makes this book sound really good!
I didn't know that James Grippando has written sixteen books. I want to start reading them with this one!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

His favorite fictional character is Atticus Finch.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/10480487124
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I FOLLOW ON GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Linda Kish said...

Favorite food..ice cream

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I liked that he was compared to John Grisham and The Firm along with Lisa Scottoline and Phillip Margolin. All are fantastic authors.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Terri said...

I decided I'd love to read this after reading this part of the review: With echoes of The Firm, James Grippando's newest thriller takes readers to the inner circle of Wall Street, illustrating the very real dangers of what Warren Buffett called "financial weapons of mass destruction."
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

I found it it interesting that he love talking to kids about writing and that he travels to schools across the country to do so.
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/dahbou/status/10490716210
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/dahbou/status/10490716210
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

I subscribe to your feed in a reader.
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

I follow Bookin' With Bingo via Networked Blogs.
tmp95 at comcast dot net

rubynreba said...

I like books that are so addictive you can't put them down. This sounds like a thriller.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I subscribe by email and follow on google.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Interesting that his favorite shoes are flip flops.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I just like thrillers. If it's a thriller, I probably want to read it.

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I am a follower.

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I thought it was interesting that he'd go from being a writer to a stuffy job as a lawyer LOL...

enyl said...

The phrase that grabbed me attention was ". . .very real dangers of what Warren Buffett called 'financial weapons of mass destruction'."
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

e-mail susbscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

NetworkedBlogs follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

GFC follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I found it intresting that James' favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted.
twitter.com@enylstil#money
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Reading said...

+1 I follow on GFC

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I would love to read this. I find it so scary that someone can take everything from you and never even meet you. It frightening that we are that vulnerable.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

ossmcalc said...

I loved the movie "The Firm" with Tom Hanks. This book sounds kind of similar. I would really, really love to read it.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I learned what is sexy to him: a mother of three who has never looked better in her life.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/10505330459

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I subscribe via email.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow you on Facebook.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

skkorman said...

It's a thriller, which I love! Please enter me to win!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

skkorman said...

One of Grippando's favorite books is "To Kill a Mockingbird," and one of his favorite fictional characters is Atticus FInch.

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Misusedinnocence said...

I love thrillers, and with the current economic times I think this would be a really fascinating read.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I think it's interesting that James likes flip flops. I've never been able to handle them myself. lol. I'd rather go barefoot. ;)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

tweeted about giveaway @alterlisa
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/03/money-to-burn-review-and-giveaway.html

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

tweeted about giveaway @alterlisa
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/03/money-to-burn-review-and-giveaway.html

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I follow you on goggle connect
Lisa Richards

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I love thrillers and I can't believe I've not read one of Grippando's books. I thought I had read "Last to Die" but after reading the book blub I don't think so. WooHoo he has enough books out to keep me busy late in to the night for awhile.

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I love the idea that James feels like he has finally "arrived" after seeing his book and name in a clue in The New York Times crossword puzzle.

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

Cindy said...

One thing that I found interesting is that this book is about the financial world. Since I and my husband, and two of our sons, work in that type of business, I think this would be an interesting read.

Your review got me ready to read this one!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

I follow your blog on Google.

I also subscribe by email.

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

As a soccer mom, I think it is neat that the author also coaches a soccer team!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Unknown said...

I subscribe via RSS and twitter.


kolists a\t gmail d/t com

Unknown said...

Not so much interesting is scary - especially as we've recently seen how a single incident and only a few hours can impact our nations financial system.

kolists a\t gmail d/t com

Unknown said...

He's reading Midnight Moon!


kolists a\t gmail d/t com

holdenj said...

Love the comparison to Grisham. Those lawyerly types seem to be able to spin quite the tales.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'm a google friend connect follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

So, I go to Harper and the first thing that pops up on James' page is that he leaves the toilet seat up! Boo! At least he's redeemed himself in my eyes buy liking a good red wine!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Glenn said...

All the twists and turns that are mentioned - sounds like a great thriller. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

bison61 said...

this thriller does sound good-money and a lost Bride!

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Rebecca Orr said...

Follower via gfc, reader, and email. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

"believable characters" makes me want to read it. If is seems like it could really happen, it holds my interest longer. bekki1820cb at gmail

Francine Anchondo said...

I like reading a good thriller.

fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com

Annmarie Weeks said...

The Firm is one of my faves...so I'm sure I'll love this book too!

annmarieweeks at verizon dot net

Annmarie Weeks said...

I love that he has Goodnight Moon on his nightstand! My children always LOVED that book...and I can still pretty much recite it word for word!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/10879551029

annmarieweeks at verizon dot net

Annmarie Weeks said...

I also follow thru Networked Blogs! (amweeks)

annmarieweeks at verizon dot net

Annmarie Weeks said...

I also follow on friend connect! (amweeks)

annmarieweeks at verizon dot net

Annmarie Weeks said...

I subscribe via email!
annmarieweeks at verizon dot net

Sarah E said...

That Grippando's Money to Burn is compared to Grisham's The Firm makes me want to read this book, as I'm a big John Grisham fan.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I found it interesting that the current book Grippando is reading is John Adams by David McCullough. What an excellent book!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/10888058752

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via GFC.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I subscribe via email.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via Facebook (Sarah Emmerson).

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

CherylS22 said...

I find it interesting that "Money To Burn" is described as a book that fans of John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline & Phillip Margolin would like to read.

Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I think it's interesting that one of his favorite books is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee


megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

Follow in FB Networked Blogs
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Nancye said...

I enjoy reading stories that have lots of twists and turns. Predictable stories can get old after a while. This book definitely doesn't sound boring!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follow via Google Friend Connect

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Nancye said...

I found out that the author's song is "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". Great song from tears For Fears!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follow via e-mail

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11111283351

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Nancye said...

Follow via Networked Blogs

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