Nobody Has To Know - Frank Nappi

Cameron Baldridge affectionately known to his students as Mr. B., is an enthusiastic English teacher. He brings the novels of Uncle Tom's Cabin and Macbeth alive by using swords or YouTube videos. The handsome twenty-five year old
brings out the best of every student, even the ones who don't want to work as well as teaching life lessons about bullying.

Dismissing the warning given by his mentor John Volpe, at the start of his teaching career, that he can be friendly just not their friend, Cam finds the attraction to one of his students surprising and unnerving. Being so nice, he's not aware of a few crushes that some have on him like Melanie, a A grade student who really just wants some attention. Anyway, why would he develop feelings for a 17 years old? He's with Hayley, his college sweetheart, who is to soon to become his wife.

Nikki, a lithe, beautiful teenager comparable to Lolita in regards to her charms (and effect on Mr. B.) has her own troubles. Almost forgotten by busy parents, she finds understanding and companionship with her English teacher. Their unspoken feelings for each other soon come to fruition. But from that moment of realizing their affections, Cam starts a journey that sees his life spiraling out of control.

Unexpected events leave Cam heartbroken, reminiscing about his first true love Maleigha and whether Hayley is the one for him, especially as she's been cold (towards him) of late. Yet as he deals with regret, sorrow and planning a wedding, the brief moment he spent with Nikki has been recorded. Soon the text messages start and his confrontation with another of his student sends his mind reeling but not before Hayley becomes embroiled in his sordid affairs.

A twist of fate, sees the blackmailer gone only to be replaced by another. How many people know about Nikki? When will it end so he can get back on track with his much loved career and making it work with  Hayley, the woman he knows he truly loves?

Nappi's explosive story will have the reader on the edge of their seats. The nail-biting drama unfolds getting more complex as Cam's life falls apart. Each of the characters are well defined and as in real life, an action will prompt a memory, so lacing the story with memories from the past and present creates a realistic narration. The author's descriptions are minimal but it's the conversations and observations where the details sit bringing great depth and richness to the plot. Nappi's style of writing is seamless and unhurried. With an unexpected and revealing ending, this tale of forbidden love will remain in the readers mind long after the final page has been turned.

What an amazing and surprising story. From the moment I started reading, I kept wondering how is this going to end? Like that moment you close your eyes because you know something bad is going to pop around the corner, I found myself mentally doing this throughout the book. Expecting it to go one way, I was  taken down another path. The characters are all initially likable and I could, to a point, understand the forbidden passion Cam and Nikki felt but as a teacher, he had to know when to stop. On more than one occasion I would blurt out 'idiot', or 'how stupid'. His relationship with Hayley is chaotic and desperate, both clinging to the idea of what true love is. The students he gets involved with are at varying levels of teenage distress adding more tension and an inevitability of how things evolve. A gripping story with an unrelenting pull on emotions. Without any doubt, a highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

Echoes of the Infantry - Frank Nappi

Lost in memories, James McCleary struggles with his return to everyday life after serving in World War II.

His eldest son, John has always had a turbulent relationship with his father. With the loss of his mother John and his two younger brothers start to clear out the family home with James moving in with the youngest brother.

In flashbacks for both James and John, the story of how their relationship fell apart is depicted. The horror of war playing constantly on the mind of James causes him to shun away from his family. John can't understand his father's surliness and moodiness yet is astounded to hear his laughter and the high praise from the nurses who observe James attending to his dying wife, Madeline.

After Madeline's death, John clears the attic. Among the old baseball glove, baby cot and Christmas lights are hidden memories that awaken a curiosity - who is James McCleary? How could mum defend him so many times? As John picks through the past what he eventually recovers may just mend a broken relationship.

Nappi's emotional roller-coaster of a story is filled with likable characters as well as striking descriptions of times in battle. The men of the 95th Infantry were a mixed bunch - the obnoxious Pearson, Azzaro who's apt at stirring things up and the laid back Hinson. The short chapters reveal their conversations and troubling interactions with the German army, a war torn land and socks!

As Nappi's first novel (first published in 2005, re-released for Kindle) this story was a scintillating start to his career as a novelist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found myself absorbed by the narrative. It was a harrowing time for those involved and shows the impact war has on a family. It certainly would ring true even today. The author's descriptive prowess is excellent and captures a range of emotions that transcends to the reader. I would have liked the story to have continued a little after the ending chapter as I felt it ended a little abuptly but that's neither here or there, just a personal preference. A haunting, poignant tale and a highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.

Sophomore Campaign - Frank Nappi

In the sequel to 'The Legend of Mickey Tussler', Mickey is recovering from the awful and confusing end of last years baseball season. His refusal to return to the game is overcome by Arthur 'Murph' Murphy's gentle persuasion. Murph doubles his efforts to convince Mickey's mother Molly that really this time, Mickey will be fine. Before long, the reserved pitcher is back playing with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Murph's job is yet again on the line. Saving the team this time round is a young African American. And in 1949 Milwaukee, Murph knows that he is not only risking his career but the safety of his family and the team.

Can Mickey understand the racial hatred subjected to his new best friend Lester 'Hammer' Sledge? Struggling with such cruelty and bigotry being banded around, his game suffers. Is Murph able to reign in the erratic and isolated thoughts of Mickey, quell Lester's fears and finally beat the Rangers and his arch nemesis Chip McNally?

Yet again Nappi has penned a riveting and heartfelt story. The racial threats described are raw and shows a troubling time for a black man who struggles to show his natural talent in a predominantly white game. Lester's anger and frustrations are portrayed realistically and it would have been easy for Nappi to make the team all love him after an inspirational chat from Murph, but it's not the case. With a few unexpected twists, the language used is still eloquent and the range of emotions from loss to love adds to the depth of the story. In this second outing for Mickey, I was pleased to get to know him a little more and be right there with him when he feels lost or confused. Writing about race and sport could have been treated in a glib manner but the topic was treated respectfully.

I was a tad disappointed with the ending but it makes me wonder or rather, hope for this sequel to become a trilogy. Without any doubt a highly recommended read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not expected to give a positive review. 

The Legend of Mickey Tussler - Frank Nappi

Set in 1948, minor league Milwaukee Brewers have a poor record. Arthur 'Murph' Murphy is charged with finding a way to improve and rejuvenate the flagging team. Scouring the countryside, he has a car accident and as he searches for a phone he spots Mickey Tussler, a strapping 17 year old farm boy pitching apples into an empty barrel.

Murph's feeling is that Mickey can and will save the team. Everyone else, including owner Dennison, is not so sure. Dealing with autism, Mickey is often in a place that few people understand. With an honest, childlike point of view and a simple introduction of "...Mickey here is going to do some pitching for us." a world of possibility is opened up and the whole team, including Murph learn that behind the beautiful game of baseball there can be a lot of ugliness.

This is a story more about baseball and its characters rather than a young boy's struggle with autism and fitting into 'everyday' life, but it is simply and beautifully told. The characters met are rich, vibrant and Nappi conveys each personality with an emotion and depth that you soon find yourself cheering for some and hoping others will get their comeuppance!

Despite only having a little understanding of baseball, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. With his background in teaching English and creative writing for over twenty years, it will be of no surprise to find beautifully descriptive prose. The eloquence of sentences made me feel the exhilaration of a baseball game as if I was there watching in the stands, it made me simmer with annoyance at Mickey's father and his lack of compassion for his son. However, I was a bit disappointed that the story didn't focus more on Mickey and how 1940s America dealt with autism and I think Nappi missed a trick here. In short, it's still a great novel especially if you love baseball. A recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.