Story Behind The Book
Bourbon & Blood is tribute to the 70s and 80s action movies I grew up on. I've loved crime fiction since I was a child and my Parents brought me to see Sean Connery as Ian Fleming's James Bond in Goldfinger. Later on when I was a little older I sat with my Dad and we watched action movies like: Steve McQueen's Bullet, The Getaway, Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry film series and the French Connection with Gene Hackman. When The Godfather came out it had a huge impact on me and I tried to gather up my friends to make our own movies mimicking the gangsters. As an adult I always loved reading and listened to horror, fantasy and sci-fi for years. Then one day I discovered crime fiction novels by Ken Bruen, James Lee Burke, Dennis Lehane, Adrian McKinty and Stuart Neville. After five years of non-stop crime genre activities like: reading, audio books, movies and TV, I was overcome by a desire to write. I wanted to start painting since I'm a traditionally trained fine artist, but my wife didn't want me messing up her house. Anyway, I started painting with words and that led me to write Bourbon & Blood.
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Reviews
<p><strong>REVIEWS ON AMAZON.COM </strong><br /> More than 100 <span style="line-height:20.7999992370605px;">★★★★ & </span>★★★★★ #BookReviews ... <a class="bitmark-shortlink" href="http://amzn.to/19YTj9I"><span class="protocol">http://</span>amzn.to/19YTj9I</a></p> <p><strong>Author Reviews:</strong></p> <p><i>"There are not sufficient adjectives in the English language to effectively describe this book! It was mind-blowing, to say the very least! The main character, Bill, was awesome! I was rooting for him all the way! The book is amazingly written, it felt like I was right there alongside Bill, shooting and "bustin' a cap in those thugs' asses"</i><br /> <b> "Mind-blowing!!!" (Sonja Myburgh, author of A Bullet For You)</b><br /><br /><i>"Afghanistan war veteran Bill Conlin is trying to stay straight and out of trouble. What follows is a nail-biting slalom through the streets of New York, as Bill tries to dodge the unwanted attention of Mexican and Russian gangs, as well as keeping on the right side of Sullivan and out of the clutches of the law. However, along the way there is a trail of destruction and collateral damage. A good read."</i><br /> <b> "An atmospheric tale of violence and greed" (Charles R Stubbs, author of Web of Deceit)</b><br /><br /><i>"Bill Conlin has only one real skill - a special forces skill for weapons, combat, survival. From the poverty tracks to the 24/7 murky money-making machines of drugs, slavery, prostitution, organized crime and moral ambiguity. This is neo-noir, totally compulsive, one man who may seem like he his taking on the world but is, in the final analysis, taking on himself."</i><br /> <b>"Ambiguous Compulsive Noir" (Chloe Thurlow, author of Sophie's Secret)</b><br /><br /><i>"This book shows a very interesting look at what happened to a great deal of the veterans who are coming home from that war. They are shunned, stepped on and made to feel less than human. Immerse yourself in this tale and see the mental destruction that takes place from within." </i><br /><b> "Bourbon and Blood" (James M. Copeland, author of Bottom Bones)</b></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Reader Reviews from Amazon:</strong></p> <div style="margin-left:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Could not put down! Highly recommended</b>, </span></div> <div class="reviewText">Garrard Hayes knows well the crime scene in New York. Evident in his writing that he writes about places familiar to him. The fluent writing gives the feeling that the fiction story was really happening before your eyes.<br /> Excellent thriller. Highly recommended.</div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Great read, at a steal of a price!</b></span></div> <div class="reviewText">Was looking for something to past the time, got the kindle version and loved it. If your into the Noir them you will love it.</div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Very captivating</b></span></div> <div class="reviewText">Once I started reading it was very hard to stop. I would quit for a few minutes only to start right back reading.</div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>A shocking, true to life crime story</b></span></div> <div class="reviewText">Garrard Hayes has created a gripping and shocking story of organized crime; not one made up or contrived, as they usually are, but with a believable and empathetic character, coming home from the horrors of war, who becomes entangled in New York's drug underworld. 'Bourbon & Blood' is a story that one could imagine happening in any of our large cities today. That is what makes it so realistic. Mr. Hayes will have you hooked from the first page and does not let you down to the very last period on the very last page.</div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>BOURBON AND BLOOD</b></span></div> <div class="reviewText">I give this fresh writer five stars. It's no easy task to portray what really goes down on the streets. When dealing with multiple factions, writers often find that they are no Mario Puzo. Garrard Hayes and his raw prose brings to you the Streets of New York. The underground world of mob bosses and a man who knows how to handle them. Watch out James Ellroy, there may be a new kid on the block. The writing is dark and gory at times, and almost seems too real. I can't wait to read another novel by this writer.</div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Cheers to Bourbon & Blood</b></span></div> <div class="reviewText">Bourbon & Blood is a fast-paced, hard boiled thriller that I couldn't put down. The characters have a genuine feel, complete with flaws and limitations that are truly believable. If you're a fan of non-stop action, don't miss this novel.</div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"> </div> <div class="reviewText"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Authentic bad guy book</b></span></div> <p>Garrard Hayes brings the New York crime world alive in this fast paced, action packed novel. His writing is crisp while the characters leap off the pages making them turn quickly. Hayes is truly a fabulous crime fiction writer, who evidently knows the New York crime scene, like the back of his hand.</p> <p><br /><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Excellent</b></span></p> <p>Excellent book. My first book by this author will be sure to check out more they the author. Loved it.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Love it</b></span></p> <p>This was good book that was a little different from what I usually read but still the same street crime fiction. Loved it.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span> <span style="vertical-align:middle;"><b>Great Story</b></span></p> </div> <div class="reviewText">A real page turner! I was happy that I could keep up with the story on the kindle phone app. The only dissapointment was the ending I was so involved with the story I wasnt ready for it to end.</div>