Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a new author for me, but he definitely has a new reader that loves his work!!!! This was such a great book with excellent characters. There was so much suspense to keep entertained the entire time. I love his writing and the enjoyment of feeling like I was there watching everything happen! I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Shake Down. There was humor, suspense, and even a few unexpected surprises. One of my favorite things about this book was the down south feel. Not only were several cities and landmarks from Florida and Georgia mentioned, but also the lingo and characterization lends itself to the southern charm that just makes this story all the more entertaining. So often stories are written using popular locations like New York and California, so it’s nice to have a story with a more modest cityscape.
While I was reading, I was so engrossed in the book I didn’t even realize it had come to an end. Clayton’s story is one I hope continues on in the next book, Throw Down, so I can continue to follow his journey of fighting crime while getting his life back on track.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Series #1) by Armand Rosamilia
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. This is a fantastic read and I’ll definitely be looking for more by the author. Shake Down is the first book in theFirst Coast Thriller Series.
Clayton does his first boat repo thinking it’d be a simple job. Then trouble comes looking for him. He’s got his daughter, sister, and ex wife to protect. Can he do it? The quote I chose for Clayton is: “Fine. Pizza it is. But don’t tell your mother ahead of time or she’ll give me the big speech about how meat is murder.”
Highly recommended for Crime Thriller lovers.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the new series First Coast Thriller Series and it is also the fist book I read written by the author. The author creates awesome scenes throughout the books so you feel like you’re there in person. Clayton Conway, the main character is a former cop who’s landed on some hard times because of a gambling problem.
It’s been several years since Clayton left his job at the Jacksonville Police Department. He is trying to get his act together so he can support his young daughter and provide a safe place for her to live. While working with a crew repossessing boats, Clayton ends up stealing a boat owned by a cartel boss. Clayton will need to do everything he can to keep his family and friends safe!
A great introduction to the new series will keep your attention from the start. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in the series.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clayton lives a simple life, go to work, take care of his daughter, and try to stay out of trouble. He has had enough trouble on his doorstep, due to his gambling addiction, he lost his job as a police officer. He now works as a repo man with some interesting coworkers. When he’s not at work or with his daughter, you can find him at “The Ruby Skull,” the bar underneath his apartment. Clayton is trying to better his life but when he gets mixed into some cartel business, that’s not always the easiest thing to do. Will the cartel mess up Clayton’s life even more or can he keep it all together?
Wow, action packed and a great story! The characters were unique. This mystery thriller kept me on my toes and had me hanging out to every word. This is the first book I’ve read from this author but will be added more of his work to my list! Very well written and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So Clayton didn’t really grow up with the best role model for a father and he’s determined to do better and becomes a cop and all seems well but then the gambling monster takes over and he looses not only his job but his family , a very hard price to pay .
Clayton may have made mistakes in the past but everyone deserves another chance , right ? So he’s got a job , his family back and it just may be coming together for him ….
I feel sorry for Clayton he’s really trying hard but life just keeps throwing curve balls at him , what seemed like a stable job is now not so kosher , his boss is involved with the cartel , both his father and sister are coming at him from different angles and then the FBI wants a piece of him as well , good grief something has got to give !
All I’m going to say is expect the unexpected because all is definitely not as it seems . Despite the thrills and chills this book gave me it also allowed me to be sympathetic…
I think I’d like to read some more ❣️📕
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I was hooked from the very beginning and can’t wait to pick up the second book in the First Coast Thriller Series!
Clayton “Don’t Call Me Clay” Conaway is an ex-cop who is trying to get his life together after making some unwise decisions. He has a less than ideal relationship with his sister and father, both of which haunt him in his day-to-day life. All he really wants is to be a cop and back at home with his wife and daughter again. As he works with D&D Recovery and coasts by on auto-pilot, he realizes that maybe what he wants is within reach. Will he succeed in attaining his goals or does getting in the cartel’s crosshairs end it all?
I can’t believe I haven’t picked up a book by Armand Rosamilia before but that ends now! I will be searching out other series from this author. You won’t be disappointed reading this fast-paced crime thriller!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely love the way the characters are introduced and how we are able to connect with Clayton ‘Clay’ on a personal level before really getting to the plot. It brings in a comedic aspect to the suspense filled adventure with some heartache, some doubt, some mystery and just a lot of action as a whole. The writing itself draws the reader in, and I personally felt like I was too intrigued to not continue reading. Humans make mistakes, and we shouldn’t be defined by those mistakes, be it if they were in the past, are in the present, or to happen in the future. I feel this novel touched on that very well.
I think that this author really knows how to build up his stories all around, and to keep the reader guessing by staying one step ahead, but also letting the reader in on the thoughts of the characters to the point where we feel we know where the next step will land, and who really knows if they’ll misstep. I guess you will have to read it and find out! I look forward to reading more of this series, and author. Worth a read!
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Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Book 1) by Armand Rosamilia – Review by
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely love the way the characters are introduced and how we are able to connect with Clayton ‘Clay’ on a personal level before really getting to the plot. It brings in a comedic aspect to the suspense filled adventure with some heartache, some doubt, some mystery and just a lot of action as a whole. The writing itself draws the reader in, and I personally felt like I was too intrigued to not continue reading. Humans make mistakes, and we shouldn’t be defined by those mistakes, be it if they were in the past, are in the present, or to happen in the future. I feel this novel touched on that very well.
I think that this author really knows how to build up his stories all around, and to keep the reader guessing by staying one step ahead, but also letting the reader in on the thoughts of the characters to the point where we feel we know where the next step will land, and who really knows if they’ll misstep. I guess you will have to read it and find out! I look forward to reading more of this series, and author. Worth a read!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fast paced, quick read….I was so enthralled that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what happened at the end! My first read from Armand Rosamila, but surely won’t be my last! I can’t wait to delve into the 2nd book of this magnificent new series.
Clayton is an ex-cop down on his luck. Based upon some poor life choices, Clayton lost his job & his family, but he is determined to turn his life around and win his family back and pursue another career in law enforcement. Clayton is working as a repo man, when his boss has him repoing a boat that is involved with a drug cartel. Can Clayton help the FBI, save his sister & out run the drug cartel that is after him? Kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Can’t wait to read book 2!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clayton “not Clay” is trying to rebuild his life after a gambling problem that ended up costing him his job and his marriage. He works for a repo/recovery business and things get interesting when one of the boats they hook belongs to the cartel. Worlds start colliding when the FBI, the cartel, his co-workers, his irresponsible half-sister and his estranged dad all end up involved.
This is the first book in a new series and I was hooked (no pun intended) from the beginning. Great writing, an interesting story line that keeps you wanting more and characters that you cheer for- what more can you want? I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and I also plan to read some of the author’s other books.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Series Book 1)
The cover to this book is what got me, how could it not be good with the sun and water? This book did not disappoint me at all.
Clayton has a lot weighing down on him, his teenage daughter, ex-wife, child support, his bills and staying clean. Not to mention his sister dropping in for a visit.
I was hooked as soon as I read the first chapter and it kept me hooked until the end, but my favorite part happened in chapter 2 as Clayton was driving the boat. Reminded me of an experience my husband had on a boat several years ago which I thought was funny, he did not and I don’t think Clayton would have appreciated my laughter.
I have added the rest of this series to my TBR list, want to see what kind of trouble Clayton, Jimmy and the rest of the gang find.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read by this author and I was not disappointed. This story was entertaining, intriguing, suspenseful, had great characters and left me wanting more. We get to see character growth in Clayton, he is trying to be better after making mistakes in his past. Clayton now works for Jimmy in the repo business and while trying to overcome his past mistakes he realizes that he has other problems in himself he needs to also overcome. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will just say that this is a good read. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us in the book in this series.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
You quickly discover Clayton, not Clay, is one of those guys who is trying to fix his past by changing his current self. You learn that as an ex-cop he made some mistakes and is trying to get back to his cop life and his family that he lost. He didn’t come from the best parenting but wants to do better.
Then you learn he is a repo guy. The description of the boat repos had me relating as I am not the best on a boat either. But you can relate to him in various ways.
The ex-cop turned FBI helper and the crew working at D&D puts the work they do into real perspective. It also shows that you have to be a team player when it comes to certain types of work as well.
This was my first time reading this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the crime and thriller this story brought and will be reading more. It was one that once you got engaged you needed to know what was going to happen next. Wither it was Clay, Cassie, Wendell, Neil…. I needed to know what was happening next. I loved that it was a fast paced read to.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Interesting mystery thriller
This was a first from this author for me and it was an intriguing story. The writing was easy to read and pretty detailed. The layers within the storyline were interwoven well and I was kept interested through the whole book. There was a rawness to the character development that I enjoyed as it made them all the more real and relatable. With action, emotion, mystery and suspense this is a definite recommend from me.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The author is completely new to me. However all the ranting and raving proved true. The action and suspense that you get from the story really pulls you in. Clayton was a character down on his luck and trying to make ends meet. The more the story progresses he becomes more than just another man with mistakes that were made. A story wrapped in drama, addiction, mystery, and action all rolled into until one. The question at hand is can Clayton be redeemed..
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a suspenseful book, one that keeps you reading till you hit the very end. Clayton is an ex-cop who is trying to redeem himself back into everyone’s good graces. The FBI is following his every move just watching and waiting for him to say yes. He’s working at the repo shop just waiting to redeem himself for the mistakes he made in his past, but will his past come back and get him in the long run? A great read!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Book 1) by Armand Rosamilia
Shake Down is the first book in the First Coast Thriller Series and once you start reading there’s no stopping until you finish. This is a Thriller/Crime that pulls you in from the beginning and keeps on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what is going to happen next. This is a fairly new author to me but I’m a fan already. His style of writing and attention to detail and his characters are relatable and fully developed make for a wonderful story. This is a fast paced story that is packed with action and suspense. Clayton is a ex-cop who is now working repo and has repossessed a boat that turns out to belong to Cartel. He finds himself in a situation where now the cartel is after him they want their boat back. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.7/5 stars
This is my first read by this author and I can’t wait for more. The first chapter made me really excited to read the rest of the book! The rest of the book made me really excited to read the rest of the series, lol. The book builds momentum and keeps you very engaged from start to finish. It’s well written and not jumpy or boring.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shake Down
Armand Rosamilia
4 Star Review
Following a gambling addiction that causes his family to fall apart, ex-Cop Clayton Conway is repossessing boats and automobiles in order to raise his daughter and pay for his tiny apartment. When he repossesses a speedboat that belongs to the Orenato cartel his family and friends are in danger. Determined to do whatever it takes Conway will keep his loved ones safe.
Shake Down is the first book in the First Coast Thriller Series. This thriller mystery is an edge of your seat kind of read. Rosamilia engages his readers with his realistic storylines and relatable characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick paced, enjoyable thriller. I can’t wait to see what is in store for book two.
Reviewed by @ashleymertz
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Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Book 1) by Armand Rosamilia – Review by Maryn Belling
When self-fulfilling catastrophe strikes people make one of 3 choices:
try to get back to “before”
wallow in self-pity
get help, learn, grow, and move forward
Too “in your face”? Ok look at a plant gone to seed. It can become:
harvested & dried for future planting
mulched into the ground as nutrients for others
get carried off by a bird or wildlife to a new field
That’s where we find Clayton “don’t call me Clay” – 3 years into self-pity & trying to get back to “before”. Even his daughter can see he needs help. Will he grab a lifeline, or will he continue to pour alcohol on his backward-looking journey?
If you’ve ever wondered what The Sopranos or Sons of Anarchy would be like if it were relocated to Jacksonville, recalibrated with bougie rum, Jaws one-liners, a soundtrack country and trop pop, Shakedown marks the spot on your treasure map.
Does the Shakedown map lead to redemption from addiction & self-destruction?
The kindle book includes a few chapters of book 2 in the series to continue the beach read.
CWs: addiction, alcoholism, divorce, toxic masculinity
Tags: Shake Down, First Coast Thriller Series, Armand Rosamilia, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Crime, Thriller
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clayton is a man that has made some really bad life decisions but is doing his best to correct his past mistakes. Growing up with a father that was well known for his criminal connections and prolific lifestyle wasn’t easy. He became a cop and was doing well, until his gambling problem cost him his job and his family. Now, three years later, he’s working for a repo company, keeping his head down, trying to win his family back, and get his job back in law enforcement. When his boss involves him in a boat repo of a drug cartel, he finds himself being approached by the FBI. And as if that wasn’t crazy enough, suddenly, his sister- that spells out trouble every time she’s around- is back in town. Between the FBI pursuing him, his sister’s cryptic conversations, and his dad coming up again, he’s not sure which way is up. Can Clayton-not Clay- help the FBI, and figure out his sister before all is lost? Or is this just the beginning of something greater than him?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I could envision each character as the story played out. His boss and coworkers were all believable. The author did an excellent job writing the struggles of each character and their thought processes. I appreciated that Clayton started realizing that it wasn’t just the gambling that was the problem, but his selfishness and self-loathing that makes him unapproachable to others. When he really starts to look past himself and see others, that is when he truly starts to change and see what has been right in front of him for the last three years.
This is the first of many books, I hope!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story! It has all the elements of a great read! Memorable and unique characters, a gorgeous backdrop, witty conversations and I loved that the main crew works at a Repo business! They see the different side of life. The story is fast paced and always has something going on. This is my first book by this author. I was captured by the beginning and held on tight until that last chapter. This is loaded with action, suspense and drama. It is a wonderful start to this series. I look forward to reading more of the adventures of these guys.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, great story!! I am so happy I picked up this book to read and I was totally hooked from page one of this crime/thriller.
Down on his luck, Clayton Conway, is working for a repo company and trying to get his life back together again. Some past events led up to him losing his previous job as a cop. While working on a repo job to reclaim some boats…..of course these boats are owned by cartel. Will the cartel reclaim their boats?
I love how this story unfolds, crooked thiefs, cartel….but also Clayton’s story and also his father and sister come into play….and the ending!! I cannot wait to keep reading this series and diving into
book 2!!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clayton Conway is an ex-cop working with a repo company. Cars and Boats, pick them up and done. Well until he picks up the wrong boat that is. Now The cartel is looking for him as he took one of their boats. That is all you get. No Spoilers! I will tell you this is a new author for me. I enjoyed his story and will be waiting for the next one in this series. The writing is clear and easy to follow. The story is intense and will keep you reading. I love Clayton as well as the other characters in this book. Great thriller and Great story too.
Review@cinful
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shakedown is the first novel in the First Coast Thriller series. It highlights the story of what happens when a cartel’s boat gets repossessed. Clayton Conway is an ex-cop who works for D&D Recovery, and while he is trying to help the FBI with their investigation into the cartel he is also in the process of recovering from his personal demons. Xavier and Jimmy who are both Clayton’s co-workers assist him try to keep the cartel from dominating Jacksonville Florida. Cassie (Clayton’s sister), he is daughter, Reese, and his estranged father, Wendell all play a role in what happens with the crew of D&D. This first book in the series sets up a nice cliffhanger for the next installment of the First Coast Thriller Series.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Book 1) by Armand Rosamilia. I really enjoyed this book. Its a crime thriller and that is one of my favorite genres. I can’t wait to read this next book in this series. This story is of Clayton Conway who was a cop but due to his gambling addiction he has lost everything. His career and his family. He’s trying desperately to make it up to his wife and daughter but its slow going at best. He’s renting a room above a bar and now is a repo man. When he gets a order to repo a powerboat that belongs to a cartel member things take a much heated turn. Clayton thinks if he can bust up this cartel he can get back his old job as a cop. The danger even effects his wife and kids. He will do anything to protect them. This book is full of twists and turns you don’t see coming and it will keep you turning pages til you are finished!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clayton misses his old life….his wife, his kid, his job as a cop. He’s doing his best to right his previous wrongs and is working as a repo man. When he’s asked to repo a boat, he gets weak in the knees and literally spends the rest of the trip throwing up. Little does he know, that’s how his stomach would feel since the cartel is now on his back.
This is a new-to-me author and I found myself unable to put this book down for any extended period of time. It was fast-paced, full of action and adventure. There are several jokes included, mostly movie references, that put a smile on the face of the reader and one particular scene that made me fist pump in the air! I look forward to reading more from Mr. Rosamilia as I really enjoyed this story!
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Clayton is lost at the moment, with his life as he knows it gone, losing his family and job as a police officer to his gambling addiction is there ever a way to get back on the right track. Until he gets a job with Jimmy within the Repo business until things start becoming weird and people are going missing.
Can Clayton get back his life and find out what is going on when people start going missing and he tries to help the local force, will he put himself and his family in the middle of something he can’t get out of.
This is the first book I have read by this author and have to say I pleasantly surprised with the story and the drama written with the pages. The characters are well developed and drive the story as the twists and turns adds to the overall intensity of the story.
I love a good flawed character trying to make good and Clayton is up there with the best, the way he is trying to get back his family and trying to resolve some his past is brilliant to read and you are invested from the first chapter as he is a likable rogue. The secondary characters complete the story and drive through to make you want to keep turning the pages to read what will happen next.
I definitely recommend this book and would love to read more of this series and the author in the future.
Shake Down by Armand Rosamilia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the series and I enjoyed this gripping crime thriller, which had me hooked from start to finish. Shakedown is full of action and suspense that kept me engaged without missing any details. It is a well-written plot with murder, mayhem, and intrigue. With FBI investigations and cartel boats, you know there will be twists and turns with lives in the balance. I look forward to the next book in the series!
Reviewed by @bilberrysweet
Brandy Vaughn, August 2022
