Blog Archives
Replacement Parts
Replacement Parts, by Marc Dickinson, is an evocative collection of interconnected stories that dive into the complexities of life in small-town America. Each story is a vignette of struggle and resilience, showcasing characters often on the fringes, dealing with their demons while seeking redemption or struggling to survive. Through themes of addiction, family dynamics, and societal expectations, Dickinson paints a raw and poignant picture of the human condition.
From the outset, I was struck by the raw authenticity of Dickinson’s writing. The characters are meticulously crafted, each with a distinct voice and palpable presence. For instance, the portrayal of Jill and her haunting scars in one of the stories is not just a physical description but a gateway into her psyche and past traumas. The visceral imagery used here, like scars “lined up on her thigh like chalk marks along a cell wall,” captures the essence of her pain and endurance.
I enjoyed how Dickinson explores familial relationships that are often strained and complex. The tension in the story involving Hunter and his mother is almost tangible as he navigates his path to redemption after a history of violence. The narrative deftly illustrates how past actions cast long shadows, affecting present interactions and future aspirations. Hunter’s internal struggle and his mother’s palpable fear during their drive home are heart-wrenching and realistic, making their reconciliation attempts deeply moving.
Dickinson also excels in highlighting the harsh realities of addiction and its ripple effects on families. The narrative thread of a mother pimping out her son to feed her addiction is particularly harrowing. The portrayal is unflinchingly direct, shedding light on the desperate measures taken in the grips of addiction and the lasting scars it leaves on those involved. The delicate balance Dickinson strikes between depicting these grim realities and maintaining a sense of empathy for his characters is something I think readers will truly enjoy.
Replacement Parts delves deep into the lives of its characters with unerring honesty and compassion. Marc Dickinson’s storytelling is both brutal and beautiful, capturing the essence of human frailty and resilience. This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate literary fiction and who do not shy away from the darker aspects of life but still find moments of hope and redemption amidst the chaos.
Pages: 215 | ASIN : B0D5BXDWNM
Flaming Moderate: A Riveting Journey and Quest to Save Democracy
In Flaming Moderate, Bo Roberts offers a compelling examination of politics, social issues, and the current state of affairs in the USA. He delves into the preservation of core American values, contrasting historical practices with contemporary trends. Roberts addresses recent developments and the threat of violence associated with Trump supporters within the Republican Party and explores various topics specific to Tennessee. These include proposed changes to Tennessee’s constitution regarding the transfer of powers in the case of an inactive governor and the pursuit of quality post-secondary education for the state’s students.
The book is enriched with Roberts’ personal stories and his insights on significant political moments, such as his encounter with the KKK and their violent actions against Sevier County’s education leaders. Through these narratives, Roberts emerges as a passionate advocate for fairness and ethical leadership. He tackles sensitive subjects head-on, speaking candidly about pressing issues in the US. His profound messages, like the observation that education “has been suffering from a lack of preferential treatment for decades,” inspire readers to consider the need for change.
Roberts’ skillful integration of historical and contemporary events provides valuable context, helping readers understand the urgent need for effective leadership. One striking revelation in the book is that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the US surpasses the total number of deaths in the US Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard during World War II. Adding a playful, artistic layer to the serious topics, Roberts references songs and musicians such as Tim Nichols and Tony Arata, as well as various song lyrics. He also highlights remarkable individuals, including Bob Corker, a Republican US Senator from Tennessee, described as “a fiercely independent, plain-spoken leader.”
Flaming Moderate is ideal for those seeking logical political discourse and readers who can objectively evaluate both familiar and opposing viewpoints. With an engaging tone and a commitment to speaking his truth, Roberts presents a book filled with intelligently articulated problems and actionable solutions. Whether sharing personal experiences or discussing notable political figures, his perspectives resonate with advocates for the advancement and prosperity of the USA.
Pages: 171 | ASIN : B0CP8D9JT9
There’s No Cure for Impossible
Carolyn Summer Quinn’s There’s No Cure for Impossible presents a captivating tale centered around Selena Lawrence, a news industry professional grappling with the fallout of her past relationships. The story kicks off with Selena discovering that her former boyfriend-loving, drama-prone friend Mila is embroiled in scandalous headlines. Anticipating a plea for help from Mila, Selena tries to distance herself from the impending chaos. However, her attempts to stay away are futile, as she finds herself increasingly entangled in Mila’s web of complications. The pressing question becomes whether Selena can break free from Mila’s toxic influence before it’s too late.
Quinn excels in creating detailed and unique characters, each with their own compelling narrative. Selena, the protagonist, is vividly portrayed, eliciting empathy from the reader as she navigates her dilemma. The portrayal of Mila, a magnet for drama, adds layers of tension, while the dynamic news crew injects further intrigue and excitement into the plot. The novel’s tone strikes a perfect balance between upbeat and suspenseful, maintaining a pace that keeps readers fully engaged. Quinn’s storytelling shines through in memorable scenes—from Selena’s desperate hideout in a hotel to the riveting moments when the news crew uncovers her connection to Mila. The book is packed with drama and surprises, culminating in a shocking conclusion that defies expectations.
There’s No Cure for Impossible is a thoroughly enjoyable read, with no shortage of excitement or twists. Quinn’s adept character development and gripping narrative make this novel a standout. I eagerly anticipate more works from this talented author.
Pages: 170 | ASIN : B0D8KJJRMB
Social/Emotional Values
Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring is the story of a little conure who settles on a unique show-and-tell topic when she decides to share about her adopted penguin brother’s homeland. Where did the idea for this story come from?
Tuxedo Baby Book 1 had been in my thoughts for over 20 years. I had been to the aquarium in Monterey, CA. There we saw penguins and they of course were adorable. I had a conure parrot at home and although the two species were unlikely, I found parallels to their lives. As a parent and former teacher, family values were extremely important to me which are all components in my books. Then, came Book 2 and it was Tuxedo Baby and His Annoying Cousins. In that book, I found similar experiences that Tuxedo Baby went through just as my own kids had regarding family, making good choices, knowing the consequences, and getting along with others. In Book 3, Priscilla and Tux, Tux is older and he is so proud to be a big brother. Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3 developed out of my own experiences being a mom, teacher, and a member of our family.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
In Book 1, Tuxedo Baby, I added at the end Facts about the Magellanic Penguins, Oil Spills, and Cherry-Head Conures.
In each of my books, I provide on my website, curriculum guides for discussion, writing, activities, and coloring pages of the main characters. But the most important are the social/emotional values that my books are embedded with.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with Sergii Zavadskyi?
Sergii Zavadskyi has been excellent to work with. Mind you, he is surrounded by war in the Ukraine. He has been most attentive and when internet power was down, he always kept in communication with me as soon as possible. He has illustrated Books 2 and 3. Currently, he just finished my 4th book.
Can we look forward to more books featuring Priscilla and Tux? What are you currently working on?
For now, my latest book is called Swimmy, the Superhero: A Box Turtle’s Adventures at School. That book will be published in late August 2024, and in time to do school visits which is my goal for the 24-25 school year. I actually have a box turtle named Swimmy who retired with me when I retired in 2020. My classes year after year, always loved Swimmy. So, it was time for her to have her own book! As far as more Tuxedo Baby Books… perhaps in the future, maybe a holiday book?
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Twitter | Amazon
Lofty Ambitions
In Elliefant’s Graveyard, a rookie police officer’s journey home to honor her family leads her directly into a mystery when she begins to suspect a tragic accident is actually murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Heather Prendergast arrived out of the blue. After writing four legal thrillers drawing on my background at the sharp end of the music industry, I wanted a new challenge and scoped out a dark psychological thriller. It was going to be one of those shiver-down-the-spine hair-on-end Scandi-noir style novels that were so much in vogue. But then the project was hijacked in the very first paragraph by what was intended as the most minor of incidental characters – a young woman police officer roped in to assist a grizzled detective investigating a suspicious death. This young, pretty, posh, ambitious PC leapt off the page and wrestled the entire darn book out of my hands – she wouldn’t, wouldn’t, wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was her book, she said. Like it or not like it. And so Heather Prendergast – Prendergast of The Yard – was born and refused to be stuffed back into the inkwell. And so inanity followed insanity. When searching for a suitable description for Baby Caspar – don’t worry, you’ll meet him – the word ‘plumpenormous’ sprang to mind. Having let the genie out of the bottle, the text demanded wordplay. More . . . more . . . more. Mind you, it took a greying of the hair to revise to the point where the wordplay melded seamlessly into the narrative.
I must admit, I was gobsmackered with the response. Jaded hacks who normally rushed off to wash their hair when I timidly asked them to cast an eye over a draft emailed me the next day wanting more. The constant refrain was, “What does Heather do next?” So I decided to find out and wrote two sequels. Goodness greatness me, what an ambitious young lady. It’s just a shame that her deductive abilities don’t measure up to her lofty ambitions.
The Prendergast of The Yard casebooks are a fun read. Almost without exception, the response is that the reader has never read anything like it. More than a few have compared Heather’s adventures to a modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Maybe. Maybe not. Because the bottom line is, Heather is Heather. Unique.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
Heather’s final standoff with a psychopathic murderer and her bungled attempt to free his hostage
What was the hardest part about writing a murder mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
It’s all in the plotting
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
There are two Prendergast of the Yard sequels ready to go
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
One-Of-A-Kind
In A Cat Named Puppy, a cat teased for his unusual name finds support from his brother and learns that his worth is not determined by others. Where did the idea for this story come from?
My real-life cat named Puppy was the inspiration. I wanted a dog but a friend of my brother’s cat just had a litter of kittens and she had to get rid of the kittens fast because her little girl was allergic to kitten hair so I took a cat instead of getting a dog. And I got my other cat Stitch about a year later.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Well, the real-life Puppy always had to deal with people commenting on his name and his weight he was a big boy. So I figured I could incorporate them into a story for children. And the idea is that although comments will be made in life as long as you realize you are special and one-of-a-kind. That should make you feel pretty good about yourself.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
When he chased the toy cars because he liked chasing hot wheel cars when he was younger. But all the scenes are special as Stitch passed away in July of 2023, and Puppy passed away in January 2024. It just makes the book more special to me.
What is next for Puppy? Do you have more books planned?
Well, I currently have a few like early reader first chapter book series they are A Cat Named Puppy Goes To School, A Cat Named Puppy Halloween Adventure, and A Cat Named Puppy And The Christmas Mystery. And I am currently working on another children’s book and it will be A Cat Named Puppy Learns About Colors.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Wounding to Life-Giving
The Road to Courage is the fascinating account of your upbringing and your family’s adaptation to rural life in the Alaskan wilderness. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I began writing stories of life in the Alaskan wilderness as part of a healing journey. My brother, James, with whom I had been very close, was lost in a commercial fishing accident at age 23. Forty busy years later, I recognized that my unresolved grief was affecting my closest relationships. Following a class on writing memoirs, I wrote over sixty chapter-length stories of our lives together, about twenty of which are included in The Road to Courage. At some point in the process, my memories transformed from wounding to life-giving. This book is an incidental but satisfying outcome of figuring out what to do with all the stories.
During the writing process, I also came to value the legacy of Old Valdez, destroyed in the 1964 earthquake, and the importance of preserving its story.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about life in Alaska?
Many people I’ve talked to imagine Alaska as a land of endless snow, igloos and Innuits, or misfits struggling to survive in isolation.
The truth is that Alaska is vast, and Alaskans are uniquely diverse, with a wide range of skills and personalities. Forged by the rugged landscape, the unforgiving climate, and social isolation, they tend to be independent, self-reliant, and charitable but with a well-tuned “BS meter”.
What were some of the challenges faced by your family you felt were important to share with readers?
Poverty was a defining challenge. Arriving in Valdez with $5 and everything we owned in the back of a truck forced us to be quick learners. Mom and Dad, having grown up during the Great Depression on self-sustaining farms, brought numerous skills for living off the land. As the book relates, the significance of seasoned Alaskans generously sharing their knowledge cannot be overstated.
The climate challenge required crucial lifestyle adjustments when twenty hours of light in the summer and twenty hours of darkness accompanied by forty feet of snow in the winter became our new reality.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I am revising the sequel, which includes tales of finding a homestead and Dad teaching us boys to hunt. The underlying theme is in the question: If you turn two young boys loose in a frontier town without supervision, what could possibly go wrong? The title, The Trouble with Courage, hints at the answer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
The family’s faith remains a central thread as the preschool brothers work beside their minister father to construct a log church in Valdez without power tools. Along the way, the reader is given a rare glimpse into life in Old Valdez, a town destroyed by the 1964 earthquake.
Symbiotic Relationship Between Man and Machine
Menticide [The Awakening] follows a programmer who discovers a plot against the oppressed population of her city and sets out to stop the perpetrators with the help of a covert group of digital warriors. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I drew inspiration from classic cyberpunk themes and contemporary societal issues, and wanted to create a richly layered world filled with morally ambiguous characters, pulse-pounding action, and thought-provoking commentary on the perils of unchecked technological and corporate advancement. The story is one of good (ish!) against evil or David versus Goliath, charting the journey of a reluctant hero into a world that she had faithfully promised to keep away from.
Do you have a favorite scene in Menticide? One that was especially enjoyable to envision and bring to life?
I have several, but I’ve selected Cassandra’s pursuit through the Lower District. Having a plot that I had meticulously prepared and crafted was enjoyable to bring to life, however I kept a few scenes less planned, so I could write in more of a pantser style. I found this style of writing suited this scene well and as an author, I could really get under the skin of the protagonist and prise out the tension and adrenaline by writing in this way. It allowed me to almost embody the character and make the horror and chilling narrative feel more believable.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the main themes of the story is about control and subsequent oppression. This has arisen from both poorly checked and monitored corporate and technological advancement, where the latter has permitted a symbiotic relationship between man and machine. Imagine where AI was five years ago to where it is today – then imagine where it will be over 130 years into the future! Technology is progressing at a lightning quick rate and I wanted to write speculative dystopian fiction surrounding the consequential erosion of humanity and quality of life. I enjoyed also exploring the symbiotic tie between the corporation and the cybergangs; a sort of upstairs downstairs relationship that had evolved in this new era. The food chain is such that whilst the corporation sits firmly at the top, it needs prey in order to survive and thrive. Despite being in a high technology era, nature finds its way and consequently, history has a tendency to repeat itself through resistance and the battle to level inequality.
Can you give readers a glimpse inside book 2 of the BINARY series?
Book 2 is entitled Neon Rush and takes place less than 24 hours after the final page of Menticide. The story takes us to a manmade island located just offshore from New Babylon, which is the home of the Neon Rush, a publically broadcasted weaponised and violent race through terrifying stages designed to push drivers to their limits. The story is non-stop, pulse pounding action where the inference of inter-gang conflict and corporate control becomes even more evident. Whereas Menticide (book 1) focuses on Cassandra’s journey, Neon Rush will continue this arc, but also draw in more characters from rival gangs. I wanted to continue to embelish New Babylon’s underworld and enrich the story outside of Paradise and the Neon Reapers, but also to show the extent to which humanity has gone in order to survive. The characters we meet along the way will develop the premise of book 3, which will return to the metropolis. Expect thrills, chills, and a few shed tears.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
…where a corporation controls every aspect of civilised life
….but cybergangs rule the underworld
….and their dominion is challenged through weaponised street races
…whilst a digital apocalypse looms.
Cassandra, a young corpo programmer, uncovers a plot of technological menticide targeted at the city’s oppressed population. Armed only with a stolen data drive containing plans and schematics to this nefarious conspiracy, she must escape the clutches of her corrupt and malevolent employer, ZenithCorp.
Run!
If she is to stop the rollout of this technology, her only option is survival. Cassandra must locate an underground resistance group, known as Paradise, a band of digital warriors who operate from the shadows.
Hunted!
Cassandra has a bounty placed on her head and is forced into making critical, life changing decisions… If she can remain alive long enough.
Fight!
Cassandra must be the fuel that ignites Paradise’s spark to emerge from the shadows and help her confront ZenithCorp and the nefarious cybergangs who control the city’s underworld.
Race!
Public information and broadcasting is controlled and locked down by the corporation. Cassandra must enter a violent race called the Neon Rush, a global live streamed event, if she is to expose the corporation’s scheme to the world. To qualify for this gruelling race, she must push herself to the limits of her own humanity, undergoing radical neural upgrades and mods to forge a binary connection with an AI machine, a weaponised battle car and relic from a bygone era, Fury.
Menticide [The Awakening] is the first book in the BINARY dystopian cyberpunk series.
Drawing inspiration from classic cyberpunk themes and contemporary societal issues, Richard M. Evans creates a richly layered world filled with morally ambiguous characters, pulse-pounding action, and thought-provoking commentary on the perils of unchecked technological and corporate advancement.Driven by a passion for storytelling and a fascination with the intersection of humanity and technology, he invites readers on a thrilling journey through the shadows of a dystopian metropolis, where every corner holds secrets waiting to be uncovered and every decision carries weighty consequences.
Whether you’re a seasoned cyberpunk enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, BINARY will captivate, challenge, and leave you questioning the very nature of existence in a world where the line between humanity and machine grows ever thinner. In this electrifying tale of action, intrigue, elaborate plot twists and rebellion, the shadows come to life, and the race for survival takes an adrenaline fuelled kick.
Menticide [The Awakening] is a must read for fans of Ghost in the Shell, Blade Runner, Altered Carbon, Alita Battle Angel, Cyberpunk 2077, Akira, The Matrix, Death Race 2000, Robocop and Total Recall.
LITERARY TITAN 