[dcs_p]Mob Blog: Writing Mob Fiction, June 13, 2013[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
I never thought of myself as a mob fiction writer. In fact, when I was younger, I aspired to be a great romance novelist. Mightily influenced by Gone With The Wind, I longed to be a belle of the old south. But, alas, I was an Italian-American girl growing up in the suburbs of Detroit.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
To be honest, I didn’t really want to be Italian. Almost everyone I knew was Italian, or half-Italian, and I wanted to be different. I wanted to be southern, like Scarlett O’Hara. I wasn’t too keen on being Catholic either. But I was Catholic and half-Sicilian and hot-headed and impulsive and way too emotional.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Fast forward a few decades and guess what? I’m still Catholic and hot-headed and impulsive and way too emotional. But I’ve long since resigned myself to the fact that I never was southern belle material. I’m too independent and opinionated and too much of a Yankee girl. Then again, I’m Italian.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
So why am I writing mob fiction? I certainly didn’t intend to. When I first met my husband in the mid-nineties, I was writing or attempting to write romantic suspense. I was working on my eighth or ninth novel, having written ten books before publishing Stella di Mare in 2010. In these earlier works Louie Morelli was a shadowy side character. Not at all the main player.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
How did Louie become the ultimate bad-boy, the dark hero my female readers love and my male readers admire? I’m fairly sure Louie’s promotion had something to do with my growing up Italian in a very Italian neighborhood. I mean, I’ve known a lot of Louie Morelli’s and wannabe Louie Morelli’s. Because they were so familiar and so much a part of my local scene, I never realized what great characters they were.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
My husband—who is second generation American—and one-hundred percent Sicilian, might even qualify. He’s a good deal older than me, and he certainly is a character. When we were dating, he took me on trips to Fort Lauderdale and Vegas. Sometimes his buddies went along on these holidays. “Boys” trips: Girlfriends only, no wives. When my husband and I were married, I was told—only half-jokingly—that I couldn’t go on the Florida trips anymore. It was girlfriends only. But then somebody must have decided I was grandfathered in because it was never mentioned again.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
For a couple of years I continued to go on trips with the group—which were a blast. And, oh, do I miss them! But one year, when we were down in the Keys, the Feds showed up. Eventually, some of our friends went away and those who didn’t went broke, and now the trips are officially over.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Life’s a little boring now. I’m writing mob fiction—and make no mistake, it is fiction—and that’s exciting. But I’ve had moments of great inspiration. Therein lies the difference.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Patricia Bellomo is the author of the crime and mob fiction novels, Louie Morelli’s Mistress, Stella di Mare, and Louie Morelli’s Daughter. Patricia lives in the Detroit area with her husband, Vince, travelling frequently to South Florida and less infrequently to New Orleans, the settings for her novels.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Books available on Amazon.com & Barnes & Noble. Also in digital format for all e-readers.
Patricia Bellomo’s sexy South Beach thriller, Stella di Mare, is Free on Kindle!!![dcs_p]
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to read Patricia Bellomo’s sexy mob book, Stella di Mare. Starting today, Saturday, June 8 and running through Monday, June 10, 2013, Stella di Mare is free on Amazon Kindle. This is a one-time only promotion, offering you the full, updated version of Stella di Mare. [/dcs_p][dcs_p]”Stella di Mare is a bit like TheSoprano’s meets South Beach, except that Louie Morelli is the mobster you’ll fall in love with.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]As one of Bellomo’s reader says, “Louie is the kind of man we all wished we knew.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]”Ms. Bellomo, I am now a fan. You should market “Stella di Mare” as a screenplay!”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]”Great characters. A fun read.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]”Lots of twists and turns … sex, money, murder, mystery, love, money, yachts, the mob, Florida sun and nightlife. Can’t wait to read the next one.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Download your free kindle book here (Amazon. com/Stella di Mare)
Stella di Mare by Patricia Bellomo[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Tara Evans loves working at Miami’s swank Walker Hotel. The only problem is Tara’s boss, Franco Santia. When he’s not hitting on her, he’s hustling hot diamonds and snorting lines with his creepy pal, Manny Bommarino. He’s also borrowing heavily from savvy investor, Louie Morelli.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
When Louie assumes control of the Walker, Tara’s life takes an exciting turn. Louie’s a charmer, and she’s hot for him even before he seduces her on his yacht, the Stella di Mare. Tara soon discovers Louie is married, and that he is not just connected to the mob, he is the mob.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Tossed from his hotel, Franco is desperate to get back in. He’s hidden a stolen Blue Diamond necklace in Room 313; a necklace Manny will do anything—including committing murder—to get. Convinced Tara has it, Manny starts stalking her.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Nobody touches Louie’s girl. Employing old-fashioned mob tactics, Louie persuades Franco to betray Manny. Then he devises a scam involving a famous producer, an eccentric diamond dealer, and his lovely mistress, Tara.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Caught up in a high-stakes world where power and money rule, Tara faces shocking new truths about herself and her lover. And now, as her fate and Louie’s becomes even more entwined, Tara makes a decision that will drastically alter their relationship and put her life in danger.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Patricia Bellomo is the author of the mafia fiction books, Louie Morelli’s Mistress, Stella di Mare, and Louie Morelli’s Daughter. Books available on Amazon.com and at Barnes and Noble. In ebook & digital format for all e-readers.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Books available on AmazonUK & AmazonEU. E-books in US, UK, DE, FR,ES,IT,JP,CA, BR.
[dcs_p]Mob Blog: Louie Morelli’s Daughter, June 3, 2013[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Midwest Book Review says Patricia Bellomo’s classic mob thriller book, Louie Morelli’s Daughter, “is a fast packed action and adventure thriller, highly recommended.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Writer’s Digest gives 5 stars to Louie Morelli’s Daughter.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Louie Morelli’s Daughter is now available on AmazonUK, AmazonEU, and in Asia and Japan.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
“This South FLorida mob thriller is a must read for any thriller/suspense reader.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
“Louie Morelli’s Daughter is a suspenseful, thrilling book with realistic characters and a plot that is both unique and enticing. Patricia Bellomo sucessfully explores a world filled with power, sex, and money, candidly revealing the violence necessary to maintain such an elegant lifestyle.” Geoffrey Hoesch[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Louie Morelli’s Daughter by Patricia Bellomo[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Stella Romano’s husband, Johnny, is gambling with her life. He mortgages the mini-mansion gifted Stella by her rich daddy, Louie Morelli, to pay off loan sharks. But Johnny blows the money in Vegas, and his unsavory creditors seize Stella as collateral. In one terror-filled night, Stella’s world is turned upside down.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
While Sella struggles to stay alive, Louie and his associates set a trap for the kidnappers. From glitzy Palm Beach to the the streets of Detroit, and to the hot hills of Acapulco and alleys of New Orleans, Louie’s revenge is plotted and extracted. When an innocent man gets in Louie’s way and becomes the victim of a fatal “accident”, bad things begin to happen. Louie is determined that anyone who harmed his baby will pay, including Johnny. But he risks alienating Stella, who is slowley being transformed from daddy’s darling to an accomplice to murder.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Louie Morelli’s Daughter is the third novel in Bellomo’s non-sequential “Louie Morelli” series.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Patricia Bellomo is the author of the crime and mob thriller books, Louie Morelli’s Mistress, Stella di Mare, and Louie Morelli’s Daughter. All books available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also available in e-book format. AmazonUk & AmazonEU.
[dcs_p] Louie Morelli’s Mistress by Patricia Bellomo, June 3, 2013[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Enjoy this Youtube video of Patricia Bellomo’s latest mob book, Louie Morelli’s Mistress.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
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New Orleans realtor, Robert Fontenay, sells a house to Mercedes Glapion. But Mercedes is no ordinary client. She’s drop dead gorgeous, owns a voodoo shop in The Quarter, and is the mistress of crime boss, Louie Morelli.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Within days of meeting Mercedes, Robert’s life is turned upside down. He breaks off his engagement, falls in love with Mercedes and her eccentric little girl, Ceci, and witnesses the murder of a prominent politician.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
It’s not too long before investigating FBI agents target Robert. He is expected to spy on his lover, but Louie is one step ahead of the Feds, and he makes Robert an offer he can’t refuse.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Caught between mob and FBI, Robert is plunged into New Orleans’s gritty underworld. Lines between good and evil blur as Robert struggles with his passion for Mercedes, his conscience, and his growing admiration for Louie. Soon, Robert realizes that the only person he can trust is Louie. But trusting the enigmatic mobster is dangerous, and it’s not too long before Robert becomes embroiled in a horrific crime.[/dcs-p][dcs_p]
Patricia Bellomo writes about mobsters and millionaires in South FLorida and New Orleans. Although Patricia’s books are part of a series, the sexy mob thrillers are non-sequential. [/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Patricia swears her books are pure fiction, but she does admit to having known a few Louie Morelli types in her life. “I’m a regular mob moll,” she says.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Patricia’s books are available at Amazon.com & Barnes & Noble. On Kindle, Nook, i-books, sony & other e-reader formats.
The Mobster’s Mistress. (Not the Crime Fiction Writer)
[dcs_p]Mob Blog: Mob Movies, May 30, 2013[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Louie Morelli doesn’t like mob movies. As a Mafia prince, and the firstborn and only son of the mobster reputed to have mastermind JFK’s assassination, Louie takes offense to Hollywood’s dramatization of the life. He kind of takes it personal, particularly when documentaries show footage of his long deceased father and dredge up the conspiracy theories Louie’s had to live with for all of his life.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]On the other hand, Louie’s loyal soldier, Victor, loves mob movies. He’s got a collection of every mob movie ever made, and when Louie says, “Victor, it’s all a bunch of bulls__t,” Victor is quick to point out that it might be BS, but there is always a little bit of truth in fiction, and what the heck, it is entertaining.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Come on, Lou,” Victor says, extolling the virtues of Goodfellas (1990), Victor’s absolute favorite mob movie. “You gotta admit Scorcese nailed it.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Louie doesn’t tell Victor what he thinks. He admits it’s entertaining. Louie likes Vegas, and he does favor the Vegas themes: Casino (1995) and Bugsy (1991). He likes some of the old stuff too, like On theWaterfront (1954) and Angels With Dirty Faces (1938).[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]But Louie doesn’t like to talk about it. Ironically, he’s never viewed himself as a mobster, but Stella di Mare would make a hell of a mob movie and Hollywood couldn’t dream up a better mobster than savvy Louie Morelli. A dark hero on the silver screen.[/dcs_p]]
[dcs_p]Victor’s a bit of a romantic. He tells Louie’s youngest son, Michael, that “your old man doesn’t like for people to misjudge him.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Hmm. And Michael’s just learning the family business, or some of whatever it is that the Feds refer to as “the last vestiges of the New Orleans mob”. Michael doesn’t know everything and Victor assures him he never will. “It’s all water under the bridge, kid,” he says. “Ancient history. Just think of your old man as a real estate investor and forget the rest.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“That’s quite a lot to forget,” says Michael. But he’s not getting any answers from his father, who can be maddeningly elusive. He gets more out of his cousin, Anthony, who runs the day-to- day ops of those last vestiges the Feds refer to.{/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Michael doesn’t have a problem with mob movies either. In fact, they’re his favorite type of movie. Sometimes, he debates their merits with Victor. Michael thinks Godfather 1 (1972) & Godfather 2 (1974) are the tops, with Goodfellas (1990) a sweet third. They both agree that Godfather 3 (1990) is garbage and doesn’t rate. Michael’s brother, Tony, concurs with this.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Michael recently saw Key Largo (1948) for the first time. Ordinarily, he doesn’t like old movies—certainly not if they’re in black and white, but Victor assured him it was worth watching. Coincidentally, they were on the Stella di Mare, cruising off the coast of Key Largo, and Victor started feeling nostalgic. Casually mentioning that he did “a job down here recently”, Victor popped in the DVD and upped the volume. Michael noticed his father and Victor exchanging glances, but before he could comment, Bogart was on the screen.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Michael had to admit it was a good movie. He guessed Louie liked it too, because he watched the movie along with them. Later, when the credits were running, Louie said, “They don’t make movies like that anymore, Victor.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Then Louie asked Victor if he had The Maltese Falcon (1941), which Michael knew wasn’t a mob movie. But Victor liked Bogart. He had the movie.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]So here’s the question: What is your favorite mob movie?[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Patricia Bellomo is the author of the crime and mob thriller books, Louie Morelli’s Mistress, Stella di Mare, and Louie Morelli’s Daughter. Books available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Also in ebook format.[/dcs_p]
