Book Review: The Kensei by Jon F. Merz

Writing this review feels like such an accomplishment for me. It was this book that began my downward spiral into owning a TBR pile that rivals Mount Everest. This book came to me in 2011 and I planned to review it right away, but I took on too many book tour requests and my pile grew and grew. I am finally catching up and it feels great.

Lawson is a wise-cracking vampire charged with protecting the Balance between vampires and humans. A shrewd and deadly opponent, he rids the world of bad guys and hopes to live long enough to make it home.

In The Kensei, Lawson escapes to Japan for a well-deserved and needed vacation and advanced training. He no sooner sets foot in the country when he is dropped into the middle of a Yakuza turf war orchestrated by a shady figure know as the Kensei. With the help of former KGB assassin, Tayla, who is also his human girlfriend--just don't tell the Council that--Lawson attempts to put a stop to the Kensei's organ trafficking networks and hopes to prevent the creation of an army of vampire-human hybrids; that is if he doesn't get killed first.

In the late '90s, Buffy the Vampire Slayer became a cult phenomenon. One of the more interesting aspects of the series was Buffy's wiseguy vampire boyfriend, Angel, who had a curse placed on him that gave him a soul. The character became so popular he earned a spin-off titled, Angel.

Lawson's sarcasm and mannerisms remind me of Angel. Both are tall, dark, and handsome. Both are quick-witted and funny. And both can kick butt.


There are a lot of elements to this story. Lawson's destiny as a Fixer. His on again-off again relationship with Tayla. His friendships in the States and Japan. The gangs in Japan. The organ trafficking networks. The Kensei's role in organ trafficking and his interest in Lawson. The mysterious Council who Lawson is defying by having a secret relationship with a human, in addition to Lawson beginning to take stock of his life to determine what matters.

The Kensei is a fast-paced, exciting read that draws you in from the first moment. A masterful storyteller, Merz blends rich descriptions, well-developed characters, and a superb plot to create a mesmerizing novel. With several twists and turns, the tension increases. Tons of action, witty banter, and a dash of romance fill the pages of this unique paranormal novel. I couldn't put it down.

You'll find a different type of vampire story in this one and you'll be hooked!

Highly recommended.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312662238
ASIN: B005EP1XKC

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

This is the 1st book I've read for the 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge.

Interview with Chris Shella, Author of Reasonable Facsimile

Author Chris Shella is a graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Texas Law School and started his legal career in Long Island, New York at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. He is admitted to the practice of law in New York, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and North Carolina. Shella is also admitted to the federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina, the Middle District of North Carolina, U.S. District of Columbia, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eastern District of New York, and the Southern District of New York.He is also admitted to the Bar Of The United States Supreme Court. He and his cases have been covered on Court TV, CNN, and in the New York Times, and other media outlets across the globe. He has represented everyone from lawyers to major drug traffickers to a serial killer in Baltimore. His two most famous case are the Vegan Baby Case and his defense of the Duke Lacrosse Case accuser for the alleged murder of her boyfriend.

Chris now resides in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife and son.

His latest book is the legal thriller, Reasonable Facsimile.

You can visit his website at www.reasonablefacs.com.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a criminal trial lawyer with more than 100 major felony jury trials to my credit and I have handle more than 50 murder cases up and down the east coast. I also do appellate work and I’m admitted to the Bar of The US Supreme Court.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a small town in North Carolina called Hillsborough.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

When I was in the eighth grade, I got in trouble for fighting in school. Another guy attacked me and I stood my ground and beat him up. My mom came to school when the principal suspended me to take me home. I just knew I was gonna get my butt whooped. But instead, my mom hugged me took me to McDonald’s and told me she was proud of me for standing up for myself.

What is this book about?

Reasonable Facsimile  is about a broken down lawyer named Jasper Davis who has seen better days. The criminal defense work he does has slowly destroyed who he was and left him as a shell of who he used to be earlier in life. The book is a two-week snapshot in his life where he is trying a first degree murder case in Baltimore, Maryland. During the trial he becomes a suspect in the murder of a DEA agent who was preparing to testify against his client.

What inspired you to write it?

I wrote this book when my mom passed away in 2009. I just felt that I had to do all the things I had always wanted to do because tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

The idea or the book comes from all the wild things I have seen in courthouses up and down the east coast. I’ve seen drunk lawyers, belligerent judges and whacked out cops. If I wrote about what I really saw people wouldn’t think it was just fiction they would think it was a fantasy novel.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife.

Who is your favorite author?

Walter Mosley. My favorite book by him is Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?

I don’t have an agent and I would consider it. I kind of like the work that I do for myself.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, local bookstores and LuLu.

Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

Yes. I actually have a webisode series at http://www.youtube.com/reasonablefacs

What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?

Pump Up Your Book tours.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Sit your butt down and write.

What is up next for you?

After 3 or federal trials early this year I will be writing my new book in the Jasper Davis series, Just Shut Up and Pour My Liquor.

Is there anything you would like to add?

BUY MY BOOK!!!!

Author Interview: Frank C. Matthews, Author of Respect the Jux

Today's special guest is Frank C. Matthews, author of Respect the Jux. Frank’s triumphant transformation from inmate to novelist has established him as a leading force in the world of urban literature. As a New York City native, Matthews grew up with aspirations of one day becoming a household name as an NBA Superstar. The lure of the streets and its fast money took Matthews away from hoops and into another game – the drug trade – where he found instant success. But a deal gone bad eventually landed him behind bars. Once incarcerated, Matthews had few options of how to spend his seemingly unending time in what felt like a black hole drawing at all happiness. Taking advantage of the still and silent nights, Matthews spent hours plunged into two of the world’s most renowned, contemporary African-American storytellers, Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines.The books empowered the now bright-eyed and enthusiastic Matthews and awakened a creative bug to tell the stories locked inside him.

Welcome to The Book Connection, Frank. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Frank C. Matthews, the author of Respect the Jux. I grew up in New York City, where my dreams of becoming an NBA superstar were soon sidetracked when I got involved in the drug trade. I turned to writing during my incarceration, and discovered that I could put my past behind me and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose and unwavering determination.

When did you begin writing?

Surprisingly, to most people I haven’t been writing very long. I started writing while I was incarcerated, which was about nine years ago.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I write every moment I get in my mind, and I try to sit down and type as much as possible on the plane, in the car and where I can pull my laptop out.

What is this book about?

Respect the Jux is about a foreigner coming to America and chasing the American dream as he depicts it to be. He fails in acquiring it in the manner that we consider to be the right way and forms a fraternity of thieves to achieve it.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

My book can be purchased at http://www.frankmatthews.com/, Borders, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

http://www.frankmatthews.com/

Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

Yes, on  my YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHppWKqJo2o

What is up next for you?

I’m actually working on my next book titled Bury Me in It and actually my current release will be turned into a television series with the critically acclaimed director Gary Gray.

Thanks for joining us today, Frank. We wish you continued success.

Respect the Jux is also available in a Kindle edition!