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Humorous Social Commentary
A Little Piece of Heaven follows an eccentric Mayor as he navigates political battles, legal challenges, and quirky characters, all with sharp wit and humor, in an action-packed tale that’s a thrilling ride. What were some sources that informed this novel’s development?
I’ve worked with politicians and in real estate development and investment financing, so I’ve met a lot of rogue characters. I think most of us recognize these people each night on the evening news. You only have to allow the absurdity and humor to overcome your initial frustration with them.
Your characters are exceptionally vibrant and unique. Can you share any insights into how you develop characters, and were any of them based on real-life figures?
Most humor is based on exaggeration. This type of ridiculousness isn’t hard to find today. It’s all around us. Many years ago I wrote humorous social commentary for CBC Radio in Canada. I poked fun at political and social leaders and trends. This is much harder to do today because the lines separating reality from absurdity are blurring. Fortunately, many folks can still see the comedy in it all.
The book seems well-suited for adaptation into a film or mini-series. Have you considered this, and if so, who would be your dream cast for the main characters?
Films and books are very different beasts. Writers create characters, and actors give them life. The people in this book, like all of us, are motivated by a variety of emotions, appetites, and ambitions that are not always disclosed or obvious. Therefore, performers that demonstrate this human quality like Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lawrence, Zoe Kravitz, Simu Liu come to mind. There are many, many other huge acting talents that could breathe life into the book’s people and situations. However, it is not my place to cast films and series. That is the director’s and actor’s world.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Through the coming year I am publishing several books, fiction, and non-fiction, I wrote, and shelved, over the past decade. (Life’s short and I had other stuff to do.)
I am currently completing a second book (Post-Human Apocalypse. December 2023 release.) in a trilogy from my earlier novel Lesbian Vampire College Girls. These books take a humorous, and sometimes uncomfortable, look at life in the 21st Century through the eyes of the protagonist, Jack Knowles.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
A Little Piece of Heaven is an unflinchingly honest, and
abrasively comical look, at the absurd dysfunctionality of
our leaders and institutions today.
Ted “The Turd” Torgeson is the mayor of an Ontario
town. He is embroiled in a real estate development
scandal with Tony Scarpone, an Italian gangster. The
community leaders all end up accomplices, with each
having something to gain and something to lose. Secrets
and plot twists abound. These sometimes comic,
sometimes tragic, characters infuse the story with wit,
insight, and vulnerability.
So, despite all our human frailties, hope springs eternal in
this often outrageous, but disturbingly real, 21st-century
tale.
A Little Piece of Heaven
A Little Piece of Heaven by Jeffrey Arnold is a fun, witty, and engaging read that centers around a city’s eccentric mayor, Ted Torgenson, and the quirky characters around him. Acquiring the oddball nickname “Turd” from childhood, Mayor Torgenson is introduced from the start at city hall, where he faces several battles, including legal challenges. As a political figure, he must navigate between his supporters, staff, and key players in life and at work, to find the best solution while remaining at the top. After remaining in office for several terms, every move Mayor Torgenson makes, along with his associates, is vital to his future success.
Jeffrey Arnold expertly weaves humor throughout the story from the opening paragraph. While he’s sharp and quick, he quickly realizes that his fate lies in the hands of his staff and constituents, especially as he faces the courtroom. The reader is reeled into the mayor’s world during the unfolding of key events, from a determined prosecutor to the campaign funding elite and a street-wise assistant, among many others, who play an integral role in the case.
The story is entertaining for anyone who enjoys a comedic, action-packed tale with a quick pace and witty humor. It’s packed with great character development, plot twists, and unexpected turns throughout the book. While it’s densely written with hour-by-hour, day-by-day narration, this page-turner will be an exciting, enjoyable read that you can finish in a day or weekend!
A Little Piece of Heaven by Jeffrey Arnold is a fantastic read that I highly recommend and I look forward to reading more about the author and his amazing talent for writing a vibrant storyline with unique characters. Jeffrey Arnold’s work is worth considering for a film or mini-series based on the character interactions and layers of intriguing developments in this book.
Pages: 155 | ASIN: B0CDQGLZMX
LITERARY TITAN 