Retired from the Marine Corps and the California Department of Corrections, Major Matt Rommel's life has
been one long exercise in applied violence. The gold rush in internet stocks made him a wealthy man.
Now, he is a docent at San Francisco's Palace of the Legion of Honor. He spends his days surrounded by
art treasures and his nights in the Mission District at Vince's bar. Matt Rommel is a grizzled combat
veteran who is afraid of women.
The roller-coaster years of the internet boom and bust have also changed the life of Carolyn Kast, leaving
her with a failed marriage to a man committed only to his forlorn hope of a technology company. Now,
Carolyn is a single mother in her middle forties with a troubled six-year-old daughter who is obsessed with
the scarred, giant of a man she saw on a visit to the museum.
As Carolyn struggles to make a living at her fledgling ad agency, Brand Loyalty, and keep her two new
partners from each other's throats, it is becoming clear that someone is trying to kill her. Carolyn is at a
loss for either a motive or a suspect.
But her daughter Aubrey knows what to do. Go to the man she has decided is an enforcer for Santa
Claus: The Scary Man!
been one long exercise in applied violence. The gold rush in internet stocks made him a wealthy man.
Now, he is a docent at San Francisco's Palace of the Legion of Honor. He spends his days surrounded by
art treasures and his nights in the Mission District at Vince's bar. Matt Rommel is a grizzled combat
veteran who is afraid of women.
The roller-coaster years of the internet boom and bust have also changed the life of Carolyn Kast, leaving
her with a failed marriage to a man committed only to his forlorn hope of a technology company. Now,
Carolyn is a single mother in her middle forties with a troubled six-year-old daughter who is obsessed with
the scarred, giant of a man she saw on a visit to the museum.
As Carolyn struggles to make a living at her fledgling ad agency, Brand Loyalty, and keep her two new
partners from each other's throats, it is becoming clear that someone is trying to kill her. Carolyn is at a
loss for either a motive or a suspect.
But her daughter Aubrey knows what to do. Go to the man she has decided is an enforcer for Santa
Claus: The Scary Man!
Matt Rommel stood at the door, a thoroughly surprised man. That, in itself, gave Carolyn Kast some
satisfaction. She was still uncomfortable. How was she going to explain herself?
“Madam, what are you doing here? How else have I transgressed? What new injury have I perpetrated?”
Carolyn looked at Matt Rommel. “You could invite me in.”
“Yes, of course. Won't you please come in?”
Carolyn stepped into the foyer, making a deliberate effort not to be seen looking around, surveying the
home, any gesture that could be interpreted as mercantile. She had to know. What was this man doing?
Was he living in one place and pretending to live somewhere else? Why? Of course, she knew that
before she could reasonably ask, she was going to explain why she was here at all. How was she going to
explain her own actions first?
“You're probably wondering why I am here,” she began.
Matt Rommel motioned toward the spacious living room, its carpets and furniture a careful study in tans,
browns and gold. The ceilings were high, but it still seemed warm. “Would you like to sit down?”
This reception was much different from the one above Vince's bar. Carolyn had an insight. This was his
home and, being his home, the demands of hospitality were greater. “No thank you,” she said. “When I
left the bar, I got turned around in traffic. When I finally got things straightened out, I noticed your
Cadillac. You were driving so slowly that I thought you might be having car trouble so I followed you in
case you had to pull over. When you pulled into the garage, it occurred to me that maybe it wasn't car
trouble. I thought maybe you were ill, so I…”
“Knocked on the door to see if I was all right?” Rommel ventured.
“Exactly. I gather you are. All right, I mean,” Carolyn continued.
“Yes, thank you. I'm fine.”
“I'm glad,” she said. “Well, I have to be going. You just remember that little talk we had.”
“About respecting your privacy?”
“Yes.” Carolyn flushed scarlet. However lame it seemed, it was apparent that Mr. Rommel was prepared
to accept the pretense so she would just have to bluff her way through. As she stood, a chirpy tune
blared from her purse. “I'm sorry. I have to get this,” she said, answering the cell phone.
“Carolyn Kast.”
“It's me, Denni. Are you still in the City?”
“Yes, but I'm just leaving, and I should be there to pick up Aubrey in less than an hour.”
“I don't think so,” Denni responded. Her tone seemed strained.
“Why? Is something wrong?” Without knowing why, she braced herself. She could see, both Mr. Rommel
and the dog were responding to her tension, studying her.
“The San Francisco Police called. They need you to meet them back at the office” Denni spoke slowly,
choosing her few words with care. “Sarah has been murdered.”
satisfaction. She was still uncomfortable. How was she going to explain herself?
“Madam, what are you doing here? How else have I transgressed? What new injury have I perpetrated?”
Carolyn looked at Matt Rommel. “You could invite me in.”
“Yes, of course. Won't you please come in?”
Carolyn stepped into the foyer, making a deliberate effort not to be seen looking around, surveying the
home, any gesture that could be interpreted as mercantile. She had to know. What was this man doing?
Was he living in one place and pretending to live somewhere else? Why? Of course, she knew that
before she could reasonably ask, she was going to explain why she was here at all. How was she going to
explain her own actions first?
“You're probably wondering why I am here,” she began.
Matt Rommel motioned toward the spacious living room, its carpets and furniture a careful study in tans,
browns and gold. The ceilings were high, but it still seemed warm. “Would you like to sit down?”
This reception was much different from the one above Vince's bar. Carolyn had an insight. This was his
home and, being his home, the demands of hospitality were greater. “No thank you,” she said. “When I
left the bar, I got turned around in traffic. When I finally got things straightened out, I noticed your
Cadillac. You were driving so slowly that I thought you might be having car trouble so I followed you in
case you had to pull over. When you pulled into the garage, it occurred to me that maybe it wasn't car
trouble. I thought maybe you were ill, so I…”
“Knocked on the door to see if I was all right?” Rommel ventured.
“Exactly. I gather you are. All right, I mean,” Carolyn continued.
“Yes, thank you. I'm fine.”
“I'm glad,” she said. “Well, I have to be going. You just remember that little talk we had.”
“About respecting your privacy?”
“Yes.” Carolyn flushed scarlet. However lame it seemed, it was apparent that Mr. Rommel was prepared
to accept the pretense so she would just have to bluff her way through. As she stood, a chirpy tune
blared from her purse. “I'm sorry. I have to get this,” she said, answering the cell phone.
“Carolyn Kast.”
“It's me, Denni. Are you still in the City?”
“Yes, but I'm just leaving, and I should be there to pick up Aubrey in less than an hour.”
“I don't think so,” Denni responded. Her tone seemed strained.
“Why? Is something wrong?” Without knowing why, she braced herself. She could see, both Mr. Rommel
and the dog were responding to her tension, studying her.
“The San Francisco Police called. They need you to meet them back at the office” Denni spoke slowly,
choosing her few words with care. “Sarah has been murdered.”
| Reviews for Brand Loyalty |
| Excerpt for Brand Loyalty |
Fiction-Mystery/Thriller
Whimsical Publications,
LLC/paperback, 332 pages
October 2009
$15.95
ISBN-13: 978-1-936167-02-9
Whimsical Publications,
LLC/paperback, 332 pages
October 2009
$15.95
ISBN-13: 978-1-936167-02-9
Comment/review = I am a mystery/spy story junkie, and I thought I had read every Frank Kahren's writing
is clear, crisp, with humor. I fell for the characters..strong women immediately, and since I finished the
book in one night, I want MORE. I do hope a sequel is on the way....How bout a series! Oh My God,
waiting is not my best suit. Do not miss this read, and the setting is the San Francisco Bay Area, and
Frank creates the area's wonderful flavor as he weaves his adventure. Thank you Frank!
Amazon review by: Cheryl Andersen
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = Brand Loyalty is a mystery that embroiders suspense, quirkiness,and humor as it
draws the reader into the inner lives of the characters, making it an engrossing reading experience.
Social justice obsessed Major Matt Rommel and whimsical little Aubrey Kast grabbed my interest , making
this reader want more of them. Perhaps the author will develop them in future books. I hope so.
Amazon review by: Freddie Daly
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This is a great read. The style of writing is a treat, being like a cross between P.D.
James and Janet Evanovich. The plot is tight and there are no loose ends. It is also informative.
The main adult characters appeared flawed initially but with each subsequent chapter I thought that their
strengths, intelligence and moral compasses became apparent until, in the end, when I was just reluctant
to close the book I liked them so much. I'd like to hear more about these folks.
Amazon review by: C. Nuesslein
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This is a great, enjoyable book. A book once started will be hard to put down. This
murder mystery was cunning and calculated from start to finish. Flowed well and placed the reader within
the boundries of each character. It is a lighter murder mystery, smiles appeared on my face, even a
chuckle every now and then while visualizing well known Bay Area places and events. The characters are
believeable and current. I cannot wait for the sequeal. There is certainly more great writing to come from
this Bay Area author. Hat's off to Frank Kahren.
Amazon review by: Colleen Kaida
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = While vacationing in Altos Del Maria, Panama I read this wonderful mystery by what I
felt was an unknown author. Of course it took thirty years to be the overnight success by what I read. I
believe this book is a home run of writing. If you have limited to no knowledge of San Francisco and the
Berkeley area in the way they are layed out, you will have a general idea where you are located upon
entering the area. Great buildup of characters and detail of time movement(going from one scene to
another).
GREAT BOOK!
Amazon review by: Michael C. Davis
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This book was fun to read and I couldn't put it down. The characters were complex
and I could visualize where the scenes took place. The attention to detail was phenomenal and I really
had emotional feelings for each of the main characters. I hope Matt Rommel will continue his adventures
and I look forward to the next book!
Amazon review by: M. Tanner
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = Brand Loyalty takes you on a suspenseful journey through the beautiful San
Francisco Bay Area. The characters are so vividly described in the book that I felt that I was observing
the action in person as the story played out. The saddest part about reading this book was it had to
come to an end...which left me hoping for a sequel. I hope Frank Kahren writes the sequel and soon.
Thank you Frank.
Amazon review by: Joseph S. Wong "J. S. Wong"
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This is a great read. The style of writing is a treat, being like a cross between P.D.
James and Janet Evanovich. The plot is tight and there are no loose ends. It is also informative. The
main adult characters appeared flawed initially but with each subsequent chapter I thought that their
strengths, intelligence and moral compasses became apparent until, in the end, when I was just reluctant
to close the book I liked them so much. I'd like to hear more about these folks.
Barnes & Noble review by: Maxicat21
Rating: 5 stars
Comment/review = The writing style and humor flowed so well that I became immediately immersed in this
book and found it hard to put down. I was captivated by the characters and was drawn into their world in
many of the scenes, especially the one on the BART train! I have lived in the Bay Area and F.M.
Kahren's portrayal of the cities, down to the smallest detail, were dead on. It is a true mystery and I was
on the edge of my seat wondering who did it until the very end. I hope that there is a follow-up to this
book in the near future.
Amazon review by: D. Nicola
Rating: 5 stars
is clear, crisp, with humor. I fell for the characters..strong women immediately, and since I finished the
book in one night, I want MORE. I do hope a sequel is on the way....How bout a series! Oh My God,
waiting is not my best suit. Do not miss this read, and the setting is the San Francisco Bay Area, and
Frank creates the area's wonderful flavor as he weaves his adventure. Thank you Frank!
Amazon review by: Cheryl Andersen
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = Brand Loyalty is a mystery that embroiders suspense, quirkiness,and humor as it
draws the reader into the inner lives of the characters, making it an engrossing reading experience.
Social justice obsessed Major Matt Rommel and whimsical little Aubrey Kast grabbed my interest , making
this reader want more of them. Perhaps the author will develop them in future books. I hope so.
Amazon review by: Freddie Daly
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This is a great read. The style of writing is a treat, being like a cross between P.D.
James and Janet Evanovich. The plot is tight and there are no loose ends. It is also informative.
The main adult characters appeared flawed initially but with each subsequent chapter I thought that their
strengths, intelligence and moral compasses became apparent until, in the end, when I was just reluctant
to close the book I liked them so much. I'd like to hear more about these folks.
Amazon review by: C. Nuesslein
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This is a great, enjoyable book. A book once started will be hard to put down. This
murder mystery was cunning and calculated from start to finish. Flowed well and placed the reader within
the boundries of each character. It is a lighter murder mystery, smiles appeared on my face, even a
chuckle every now and then while visualizing well known Bay Area places and events. The characters are
believeable and current. I cannot wait for the sequeal. There is certainly more great writing to come from
this Bay Area author. Hat's off to Frank Kahren.
Amazon review by: Colleen Kaida
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = While vacationing in Altos Del Maria, Panama I read this wonderful mystery by what I
felt was an unknown author. Of course it took thirty years to be the overnight success by what I read. I
believe this book is a home run of writing. If you have limited to no knowledge of San Francisco and the
Berkeley area in the way they are layed out, you will have a general idea where you are located upon
entering the area. Great buildup of characters and detail of time movement(going from one scene to
another).
GREAT BOOK!
Amazon review by: Michael C. Davis
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This book was fun to read and I couldn't put it down. The characters were complex
and I could visualize where the scenes took place. The attention to detail was phenomenal and I really
had emotional feelings for each of the main characters. I hope Matt Rommel will continue his adventures
and I look forward to the next book!
Amazon review by: M. Tanner
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = Brand Loyalty takes you on a suspenseful journey through the beautiful San
Francisco Bay Area. The characters are so vividly described in the book that I felt that I was observing
the action in person as the story played out. The saddest part about reading this book was it had to
come to an end...which left me hoping for a sequel. I hope Frank Kahren writes the sequel and soon.
Thank you Frank.
Amazon review by: Joseph S. Wong "J. S. Wong"
Rated: 5 stars
Comment/review = This is a great read. The style of writing is a treat, being like a cross between P.D.
James and Janet Evanovich. The plot is tight and there are no loose ends. It is also informative. The
main adult characters appeared flawed initially but with each subsequent chapter I thought that their
strengths, intelligence and moral compasses became apparent until, in the end, when I was just reluctant
to close the book I liked them so much. I'd like to hear more about these folks.
Barnes & Noble review by: Maxicat21
Rating: 5 stars
Comment/review = The writing style and humor flowed so well that I became immediately immersed in this
book and found it hard to put down. I was captivated by the characters and was drawn into their world in
many of the scenes, especially the one on the BART train! I have lived in the Bay Area and F.M.
Kahren's portrayal of the cities, down to the smallest detail, were dead on. It is a true mystery and I was
on the edge of my seat wondering who did it until the very end. I hope that there is a follow-up to this
book in the near future.
Amazon review by: D. Nicola
Rating: 5 stars
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| "Creating worlds one chapter at a time." |
| Brand Loyalty Frank Kahren |
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