Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Blood Brothers
    Blood Brothers
    Blood Brothers
    Audiobook11 hours

    Blood Brothers

    Written by Rick Acker

    Narrated by Christopher Lane

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Attorney Ben Corbin travels to Norway to settle a dispute between Karl and Gunnar Bjornsen, feuding brothers on the verge of developing a revolutionary neural stimulant that could turn first responders into superheroes. But more than just the fate of their pharmaceutical empire is at stake.

    What starts as a sibling rivalry takes a deadly turn as Gunnar flees with the secret formula and Karl finds himself in the crosshairs of a bribery investigation. As Ben navigates a web of intrigue involving the Russian mob, embezzled funds, and black-market deals, he and his legal team are targeted for violent reprisals. Whoever is behind the attacks, it quickly becomes clear that no one and nothing—including the miracle drug itself—is as it seems.

    Will lust for profit and unbridled ambition drive Cain to slay Abel—or will the intrepid lawyer trying to save them from destroying each other pay the ultimate price?

    Revised edition: This edition of Blood Brothers includes editorial revisions.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateJul 12, 2016
    ISBN9781522639190
    Blood Brothers
    Author

    Rick Acker

    Bestselling author Rick Acker is supervising deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice. Most recently, he and his team won a string of unprecedented recoveries against the Wall Street players who triggered the Great Recession. Acker has authored several legal thrillers, including Death in the Mind’s Eye, an RT Book Reviews Top Pick. He spends most of his free time with his wife and children. You can learn more about Acker and his books at www.rickacker.com.

    More audiobooks from Rick Acker

    Related to Blood Brothers

    Titles in the series (2)

    View More
    View More

    Related audiobooks

    Christian Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Readers' Letters

      Jul 26, 2023

      SIR: I have just celebrated my 80th birthday and been much acclaimed by my family and friends. Even the government has got in on the act, as it has increased my state pension by 25p a week. Unfortunately, my village shop has hardly anything to offer

      5 min read

    • Article

      Around The World In 100 Plants

      Oct 26, 2022

      Simon Barnes (Simon & Schuster, £30) WE have become used, in recent years, to the convention of 100 short essays as a means of raising the reader’s eyebrows and setting away a never-ending series of big ideas from the starting point of an everyday o

      5 min read

    • Article

      Paddling Through History

      Jun 15, 2023

      Paddling to DeCourcy Island is at the top of my summer activities wish list. The Southern Gulf Island region is steeped in thousands of years of culture and history for the Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, Lyackson, Halalt, and Penelakut First Nations. DeCour

      9 min read

    • Article

      Pats On The Back

      Dec 12, 2019

      I AM writing this column from a prone position. Reclining on my sofa in the library, propped up with cushions like some latter-day Lady Ottoline Morrell, but without the wit, brilliance and patronage. I wish I could say my current condition arose fro

      3 min read

    • Article

      Your LETTERS

      Nov 12, 2021

      Your LETTERS
      7 min read

    • Article

      Casting The Runes

      Feb 25, 2021

      “I was interested in magic and witchcraft and things like that from an early age,” says Dave Arthur. “Twelve or so. Dennis Wheatley’s novels… I read those. The Devil Rides Out, To the Devil a Daughter, The Ka of Gifford Hillary. Occult novels fascina

      19 min read

    • Article

      The Power Of One Book

      Jun 8, 2023

      The Power Of One Book
      5 min read

    • Article

      A Parsonage in New Hope

      Dec 4, 2023

      A Parsonage in New Hope
      12 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Mar 23, 2023

      The unofficial Christmas truce of 1914 certainly did occur [Mythconceptions #263, FT426:19]. In her book 1914-1918: Voices and Images of the Great War, Lyn Macdonald, the noted historian of WW1, quotes Lieut Johannes Niemann of the 133rd Royal Saxon

      11 min read

    • Article

      “Really?”

      Jun 2, 2022

      “Really?”
      6 min read

    • Article

      Of British History, Britten And Puffins

      Jul 21, 2021

      AS a child, I was given a charming book called They Lived Like This in Chaucer’s England. Its drawings of minstrels, pilgrims, dogs and merry-making ignited a spark of fascination for the daily lives of people in the Middle Ages. Therefore, I devoure

      7 min read

    • Article

      Magnets: Carried through time, lovers seek their purpose.

      Feb 6, 2014

      Moon Colony B, 2213 Former Ponzi-schemer Mary Pillar digs through a trashcan. It smells like rotten eggs and milk. She is elderly and homeless, living in an alley between two eco-efficient skyscrapers. Dust particles dance around her. She has lost ev

      11 min read

    • Article

      Lauren Northup

      Mar 16, 2020

      Lauren Northup
      5 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Mar 24, 2022

      CONTACT US BY POST: PO BOX 1200, WHITSTABLE CT1 9RH, OR E-MAIL SIEVEKING@FORTEANTIMES.COM PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS The very interesting report on ‘Man Of Russia’ and his outlandish claims about giant trees [FT415:9] got me thinking

      14 min read

    • Article

      Not-so-deserted Island

      Mar 30, 2023

      Not-so-deserted Island
      6 min read

    • Article

      Stop Hating on Adjectives!

      Jun 12, 2019

      A common admonition in creative writing pedagogy is, “Cut as many adjectives as possible.” I propose that this rule springs from mere prejudice. The post Stop Hating on Adjectives! appeared first on The Millions.

      7 min read

    • Article

      Unreality Television

      May 27, 2020

      Unreality Television
      4 min read

    • Article

      Tales Of A Country Parish: From The Vicar Of Savernake Forest

      Feb 9, 2022

      Short Books £12.99 Many of us, during the darkest days of the pandemic when churches were locked, clung to a regular online holy event to guide us through the grimness. We weren’t just watching the streamed Sunday service from the local vicarage’s ki

      2 min read

    • Article

      There Be Treasure, Danger And Death

      Dec 3, 2019

      What if I told you there is a treasure chest filled with precious gemstones, gold nuggets and priceless artifacts hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains? That an eccentric art collector buried an antique, metal box worth over $5 million dollars some

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Oct 20, 2020

      Letters
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Blood Brothers

    4/5

    45 ratings37 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      An entertaining read with engaging folklore elements.
      Sets the tone for the rest of the trilogy.
    • 2/5
      I was a little disappointed in this book, I enjoy Nora Roberts work but this one left me hanging. First you have a couple who after knowing each other a month fall madly in love and are talking marriage...unrealistic, but its a book. But, what really upset me was the fact that the entire book is leading up to a battle between good and evil to only leave you hanging in the end. This demon/evil spirit has been terrorizing the earth for centuries and is finally (partially) defeated by six people with one gun, rocks, sticks and stern language. If I hadn't already purchased the next two books I would chalk this series up as thanks but no thanks.
    • 4/5
      Excellent - scary in that Stephen King way with the bonus of a good romance. I really enjoyed it, and now I can't wait to get my hands on the second one (The Hollow).
    • 4/5
      In Blood Brothers, we are introduced to Hawkins Hollows, which has been the home of a certain kind of evil for centuries. This evil was loosed 21 years ago by three childhood friends, who share the bonds of the same birth date and birth time as well as blood. These three men are joined in their quest against evil by three women who are also bound to the Hollow, though they don't know it. Of the trilogy, I think this is my favorite book, which is odd, as I usually find the conclusion my favorite. However, I loved reading about Quinn. She's such a happy, bubbly, effervescent woman, who is determined and intelligent and open to new experiences and confident. In essence, my idea of the perfect woman. I enjoyed reading how she and Cal came together. I enjoyed various aspects of the journals, and the search to find more. Exploring the town, getting to know the families, and the occasional jaunt into past memories of the men are all great.All those things led to an enjoyable read. However, I feel like this is a weaker trilogy, and therefore has weaker books, than many of her previous works. In many ways, it feels like a re-do of her Three Sisters trilogy, just from a male perspective and with a couple of the larger plot points slightly changed. Some of the jumps that the characters make are simply not intuitive and are weak at best. Reading the sweet romance between Cal and Quinn, though, more than made up for weak plot points. Overall, I enjoyed this book (and the trilogy).
    • 3/5
      Finally finished this book. Now what the heck did I do with book 2?

      I don't know why it took me so long - it's no better nor worse than any other Nora Roberts and I usually find her entertaining. All I can say is that I've had an uncharacteristic non-reading couple of years.

      So - if you like Nora Roberts' slightly supernatural trilogies - I think you'll like this book.
    • 4/5
      Very good beginning of a story of good vs. evil. Nora Roberts is good at telling that tale well.
    • 4/5
      What an awesome book! So well written, suspenseful with a hint of romance. Kept me up till the early hours - can't wait for part two!
    • 3/5
      Every once in awhile I encounter books by Nora Roberts that justifies my continued reading a guilty pleasures. The book was this side of predictable, and the magic saving a doomed earth has been explored before, but I do love the characters she creates, and on a side note, there was much less of the announcing what your going to say while they're saying it dialogue among her characters...so yay. In fact I can only recall one time this occured. The town, every seven years goes through a cursed period for 7 days/mostly nights in the seventh month of the year. Its up to three blood brothers and of course their love interests to save the day. This first was Cal and Quinns story, and it was good enough to read the next. Who am I kidding? I would've read the next one anyway....
    • 4/5
      Nora Roberts is another author who I'll buy pretty much anything from. And while the head-hopping does sometimes get on my nerves, I'm usually able to overlook it because her voice is so good, the writing so lyrical and the plots so twisty. The head-hopping did bother me a little more than usual in this one, but as per usual I was able to move beyond it. Roberts' latest trilogy features a pretty creepy antagonist, and I actually had a nightmare one night while reading this. It looks like Roberts has another great trilogy on her hands, and I'm curious to see how this all plays out.
    • 4/5
      ** spoiler alert ** Nora Roberts does not disappoint in this opening to one of her newest trilogies. While the setting or story have nothing to do with Celtic roots, it's like being pulled to a tavern in Ireland as you settle into Roberts' familiar cadence and pace reminiscent of a story you'd picture in some cozy Irish tavern. Roberts has a voice distinctively her own and her words are like lyrics or music in the style with which she writes.I will note however having all three book to this trilogy i...more Nora Roberts does not disappoint in this opening to one of her newest trilogies. While the setting or story have nothing to do with Celtic roots, it's like being pulled to a tavern in Ireland as you settle into Roberts' familiar cadence and pace reminiscent of a story you'd picture in some cozy Irish tavern. Roberts has a voice distinctively her own and her words are like lyrics or music in the style with which she writes.I will note however having all three book to this trilogy is advised before ever opening the covers of the first book.This trilogy drags the reader to a small town in Maryland where a centuries old battle between light and dark still wages every seven years. In 1652 Giles Dent, a source of light, possibly a wizard though his exact title of being is so far unmentioned sent his lover and unborn children away to safety then trapped a demon so deadly none could kill him beneath the Pagan Stone, an alter-like stone deep in the the Hawkins Hollow woods. Before his death in the battle he sacrificed himself, his power to prepare those to come to the war they would someday battle in hopes of finally defeating this evil.In 1987, three ten year old boys, descendants of Dent and his lover, became blood brothers on a stolen outing at the stone. In the process they released both light and dark onto their tiny little Maryland town and the battle was begun again. Now, for seven days in the seventh month of every seventh year an evil is unleashed on the town that drives its residents to unspeakable acts while the boys are left to try with what gifts they were left by Dent to fight the evil back and protect the innocents the darkness targets.Now as the third unleashing of evil approaches, three women, unknown descendants of the evil itself have come to fight it back, because this battle will be the last and the winner is as of yet unknown.This story focuses on the group both coming together, meeting each other and learning to be a team as well as the love story developing between Quinn Black and writer who's there to ferret out the story she's now become a part of and Caleb Hawkins, one of the three to set the story into motion.Though the ending is slightly disappointing because it feels as though there should be more, another chapter to keep the story into motion, it is not a Roberts novel to be missed. The chilling scenes she creates with vivid clarity are enough to have any reader looking over their shoulder. The way she draws you in to immerse you in history is fascinating in and of itself and of course no one writes romance like Roberts does so that aspect doesn't even bear mentioning, it's a given.This is why I recommend having all three books before beginning to read this tale as there is more, it's just found in the next book in this exciting trilogy. The Hollow.
    • 5/5
      An enjoyable paranormal story that had a good mix of romance and plot. I liked how the six main characters became a team and look forward the rest of the books in this series. Quinn who writes about paranormal occurrences goes to a town where Cal and his buddies are fighting an evil spirit every seven years.
    • 5/5
      Yes, this is my first Nora Roberts book - and it was great! Billed only as a 'novel,' I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the great plot and world building, including the genealogy element (I'm a family tree buff myself).It's much more paranormal than romance, though there are the hot sex scenes... 8-) The settings and history really made the story come to life. The ending was mostly satisfying...I knew there would be a lot left unfinished as the first book of a trilogy...but the primary romance was confirmed. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book (time for another trip to Borders).The only critique I would have is that the abrupt style of speech that the characters use wasn't differentiated quite enough for me. Sometimes it was hard for me to tell if Cal or Quinn was speaking - their styles were so similar. The three women characters were differentiated very well, but Fox and Cal were very similar. I look forward to more Gage...though I'm guessing his is the third book.All in all, a good read!
    • 5/5
      This was a really , really good book. I can't wait for the second one to come out in May.
    • 3/5
      Not entirely my cup of tea, but not a bad book despite of that. Very conveniently, the three men who have been battling a demon every seven years since the age of ten meet up with three women, who are also somehow involved. Although only one pair actually starts a relationship,it's pretty obvious where the others will go, but I guess that'll happen in the next books. Other than that, there's a lot of figuring out who's who and how they all ended up in this mess. It all ends with a show-down and the actual battle still months away. I guess I'll have to read the rest of the trilogy if I want to know what happens next...
    • 4/5
      So far, I'm really enjoying La Nora's forays into horror and dark fantasy. I totally worship her ability to build those Nora-esque characters and relationships I love, but throw in a dash of King-esque scary or fantasy at the same time. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series!
    • 4/5
      Nora Roberts' latest paranormal romance trilogy is set in the town of Hawkins Hollow, where in 1987 a trio of boys let loose an evil something that preys on the town for seven days every seven years starting on July 7th. Now 31, the boys and the three women who are drawn into the melee have to stop it forever.I love Nora Roberts. I will always love everything she ever writes. Her dialogue is crisp, witty and heartfelt. Her characters are fully developed and dynamic. Her plots are engrossing and her books are unable to be put down. Well done.
    • 4/5
      Sharing a birthday (July 7, 1977) made it for a natural fit, Caleb Hawkins, Fox O'Dell and Gage Turner became the best of friends. On their 10th birthday, they decided to celebrates the way boys do. A camping trip out at the clearing called Pagan Stone, they drank the beer Gage stole from his dad, ate the Little Debbie cakes Fox bought at the store and drank the lemonade the Cal's mom had packed. At midnight they decided to become blood brothers. After their pack was made, the words were spoken and the blood was mixed, something evil seemed to be released out of the stone like altar and nothing was ever the same again. Every 7 years, for 7 days the little town of Hawkins Hollow is terrorized by this evil and now after about 20 years, with the help of Quinn Black (a reporter of the strange and unusual), Layla Darnell (who was strangely drawn to Hawkins Hollow) and Cybil Kinski (Quinn convinced her to come) they might find a way to stop it all. The combination of psychic sensitivities, visions or dreams of the past and the information gained from their ancestors might give them a clue to how to putting the pieces together again. Heavy, heavy into character creation. That is one of the best parts of a trilogy, more than half of this book is just about setting up the story and the characters. Once you get to know the who and the what, the story can play out all that much better. Cal is a wonderfully responsible yet easy person to really enjoy. Quinn is a handful, she is like a whirlwind in and around everyone and everything, they make the perfect connection (hope I didn't give too much away). These characters are easy to care about and the situation is obviously just getting started. The slight hint of supernatural gives it a little twist that makes it more than just a thriller romance. The who and the what is set, now lets see more in the next book of this "Sign of 7" trilogy (The Hollow)
    • 3/5
      Blood brothers Caleb, Fox and Gage are only ten years old when, having sneaked away to celebrate their mutual birthday on an adult-free camp-out at the Pagan Stone, a local haunt spot, they accidentally loose a great evil. Schools burn, suicides and murders skyrocket, and then it disappears. Unfortunately, it returns for a seven day period every seven years claiming more lives and wrecking more havoc on the town of Hawkin's Hollow. Twenty years pass. Enter the women: Quinn, Layla and Cybil have their own ties to Hawkins Hollow, and to the evil that attacks it. Now the six must somehow find a way to stop it from claiming the town -- and them.Roberts is known for her strong female characters and also for engaging romances filled with mystery, suspense, and intrigue. Unfortunately, this just isn't her best effort. The dialogue is tired and unconvincing, the the action is limited, and the interaction between characters is predictable (okay, it is a formula romance, but still -- Roberts has shown she's capable of more). That said, I will still probably purchase the sequel, in hopes that the series improves.
    • 4/5
      The first in a trilogy. Can't wait to read parts 2 and 3!
    • 4/5
      Good start to a trilogy of paranormal romance/suspense novels. Similar to her other paranormal trilogies. The characters and plot are appealing.
    • 2/5
      If you like Nora Roberts writing you are bound to like this book. It is the formulaic writing found in all her novels. The story line is interesting, the two main characters--not so much. The love story was pretty limp with no buildup, just instant love. Not much happening here really
    • 4/5
      In the small village of Hawkins Hollow, Maryland friends Gage, Fox and Cal sneak into the woods for a sleepover at the Pagan Stone on the night before their shared 10th birthday. Armed with plenty of snacks and 3 cigarettes, beer and a Penthouse magazine they snuck out with, the boys are feeling more grown up already. After one of them pukes they start to reconsider the idea of acting more grown up and think up the idea of a pact. Best friends since birth, they vow to always remain close and seal their bond with blood.When their blood touches the Pagan Stone they unleash a three-hundred year curse. Since that night, every seven years Hawkins Hollow becomes closed off to outsiders and the residents are plagued by a week of unexplainable tragedies. On the eve of the third seven year cycle author Quinn Black has come to town to investigate the mysterious happenings for a new book.In the interest of controlling what Quinn learns Cal works closely with her as she researches the strange phenomenon. When Quinn herself becomes victim to strange visions Cal knows it’s no coincidence that Quinn was drawn to Hawkins Hollow.I love that Nora Roberts can churn out so many books each with a strong plot and great characters that turn into successful trilogies. Other than her Eve Dallas books written as J.D. Robb I haven’t read anything by Roberts in about seven years. Remembering that my similar return to a romance author from a long term hiatus resulted in one star review for Sandra Brown’s A Treasure Worth Seeking I was a little nervous starting this one. I shouldn’t have worried. Nora Roberts is the queen of romance and it shows.
    • 4/5
      Rick Acker is one of my new favorite authors. I think this is the 4th one I’ve read in the last couple months. They are legal thrillers. This one dealt with a Pharmaceutical company started by two brothers and their fight over the company. It is the second in a series. They are clean and written by someone who works as a prosecutor in the Attorney General’s office in the state of California. It kept me up listening to the book into the wee hours of the night!
    • 3/5
      Holy cow, no she didn't, its another NR trilogy, this time she takes on Horror! And magic. I like to pretend the brooding one is Dean Winchester from Supernatural.
    • 4/5
      Loved book one of trilogy.Nora Roberts expores the spiritual, occult in a way that makes first time readers or not so faves of the gnere want to continue reading the series.AS always, the characters are well written and believable.
    • 4/5
      Excellent - scary in that Stephen King way with the bonus of a good romance. I really enjoyed it, and now I can't wait to get my hands on the second one (The Hollow).
    • 3/5
      In the first installment of this triology, the scene is set for a showdown between good and evil as three lifetime friends come together once again to fight the demon that has plagued their town since it was released twenty-one years ago.As is typical for one of these trilogies, this first one focuses on the love between Caleb and Quinn and introduces the reader to the remaining players in the story. It was a quick fun read and did it's job by leaving me wanting to read the next two installments.
    • 3/5
      A great read by one of my favorite authors.
    • 5/5
      This book in the "Sign of Seven" trilogy pits three couples against a demon who was unleashed by the three men when they were ten years old. As usual, Roberts has created romantic characters and a paranormal experience that is terrifying and suspenseful. I really liked it.
    • 3/5
      I am not a fan of Nora Roberts writing style, but the story line was really good.