A Jolly Good Fellow by Stephen Masse

Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: Good Harbor Press; 1st edition (November 26, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 097996380X
ISBN-13: 978-0979963803

About the book:

Two weeks before Christmas, Duncan Wagner gets into his car for another attempt at kidnapping the son of his most despised enemy, State Representative Win Booker. When he drives into the wealthy Boston suburb, he is surprised to find the boy hitchhiking.So begins Wagner’s quest for revenge as he finds himself face to face with a real boy, and without a clue about how to run a kidnapping. Wagner, a self-styled charity Santa Claus, comes to realize that eleven year old Gabriel Booker is truly a runaway, much more curious than scared. Gabriel has no idea who Duncan Wagner is—or could be.

This was an entertaining book to read for me on a few levels. First, the main characters, Duncan and Gabriel, are written in such a way that I found it very easy to develop a mental picture of what these two looked like.

Second, the relationship that develops between them is written brilliantly. The caring and trust that they have for each other isn't rushed into, rather developsed throughout the book, making it quite believable.

Last, the story itself is a very interesting premise. Street corner Santa, petty thief turned kidnampper, kidnapper turned friend/confidant. All this set in New England during the holidays. Very interesting indeed. I did feel that the ending was a bit sensational and somewhat unbelievable, but all in all I enjoyed reading this book.

About the author:

Stephen V. Masse was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Educated at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he studied creative writing and historical biography, and was the author of a weekly column, "Out of Control." His first novel, Shadow Stealer, was published by Dillon Press in 1988. When not writing, he restores and renovates homes in the Boston area, and serves as an ambassador each year in the Santa Claus Anonymous fundraising benefit. You can visit his website at www.ajollygoodfellowthebook.com. You can also learn more about him at www.stephenvmasse.com.

WIN!

A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '08 will officially begin on October 1 and end on October 30. You can visit Stephen's blog stops at www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.wordpress.com in October to find out more about his new book!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

The winner(s) will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on October 30!