This is a page turning thriller as a former Army soldier, Gage, ends one life to become a hero in a new life. Ernesto Navarro, a gangster in Barcelona, wants Gage to take up residence in Berga Prison, where he fears his son, Cesar, may be targeted by a rival gang group. The book reminds me of “A Prophet” movie as it shows the early beatings and intimidation to rise through the ranks of gangsters within the prison walls. Violence is something that inmates deal with which can lead to some harsh scenes to which the book “To the Lions” is very similar. Gage is offered a large sum of money to rescue Cesar and while doing so begins a romance with Justina, whom is a polish woman he has rescued from a Russian club. All readers will enjoy Gages in his character role as he is an undercover agent and getting into the prison is much easier than trying to get out. In the name of love and to stay alive Gage stays in his predicament for two years instead of just a short month’s time. You will love this realistic cook and the way the author portrays each of his characters in a way readers will be reminded of at least one prison movie they watched in their past. I don’t know, would you want to go into prison for a large sum of money to help out a friend in need or would you rather not? © 2014 Jackie Paulson
The youngest of five children, Chuck’s initial love of fiction was borne out of a lack of money coupled with an overactive childhood imagination. On Sunday afternoons during his childhood, Chuck’s parents would take the entire family to the public library–it was pleasurable and, best of all, free. He credits The Shining, by Stephen King, as being the first novel he ever read.

Following high school, Chuck joined the Army after finding little inspiration (or money) for college. He was stationed stateside at Fort Sill and as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg; but it was Chuck’s two-and-a-half years stationed in Germany that forged many of the memories that fuel his interest today.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Chuck endured more schooling before embarking on a career in advertising. In 2001 he co-founded B2B Media, Inc., a company that would go on to be named the second fastest-growing company in South Carolina.

While his career was progressing nicely, an active skydiver, Chuck suffered an accident while BASE jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. Although he’s since recovered, the accident took away his ability to compete in numerous sports. It was the accident, and his resulting physical limitations, that would later become the seed for his need to write.

As his career churned on, Chuck married his wife in 2003. Fulfilled personally and professionally, something began to tug at his mind. Before his accident he’d been able to satisfy his inner desires, first with the adrenaline of a soldier’s life, and later as a risk-taking skydiver. When he could no longer be either, he realized something was missing.

Searching for an answer, in 2005 and at the behest of one of his closest friends, Chuck began to write. Claiming he couldn’t write a decent sentence at the time, he started by penning his own experiences. After moving on to short stories for a period, he eventually began to write novel-length stories in earnest. Over time he learned to blend flawed characters with extraordinary situations, creating a hybrid of the classic spy/suspense novel. Chuck’s passion for travel–especially in Europe–helps lend genuine background and texture to his writing.

Now, every day, Chuck awakens before the dawn and writes. He claims his writing is at its best when his mind is a blank slate. Plus, by writing early, he doesn’t miss time with his wife, his daughter, or his son. They live in South Carolina.

I know my job is not the easiest but could you imagine going to jail to help another person and get out again? My answer is NO! ( )