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The Battle for Sam Jacinto
The Battle for Sam Jacinto follows Marshall Morris, a spirited young man whose misadventures and good-hearted nature constantly land him in both trouble and redemption. From setting off fireworks to unexpectedly saving a life, Marshall’s story is a mix of humor, chaos, and heart. The story, though centered around his journey to join the Marines, offers much more than that. It delves into family, friendship, and the unpredictable twists of small-town life in Justice, Texas.
I have to admit, I laughed out loud more than once while reading this book. DeLuca has a knack for creating vividly awkward yet endearing situations for Marshall. For instance, the scene where Marshall clumsily reconnects a wire for the Fourth of July fireworks only for it to cause a near-disastrous rogue fireball had me in stitches. But then, it flips—Marshall ends up saving an old man’s life, showing how his mistakes often lead to moments of unexpected heroism. The balance between slapstick humor and genuine emotional weight is one of the book’s strong points.
While I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Marshall and his quirky town, some sections, such as the detailed descriptions of his Jeepster Commando or the various townsfolk, felt a bit lengthy at times. That said, these digressions do contribute to the small-town atmosphere and make the world feel more lived-in. The dynamics between Marshall and his best friend Graham were particularly fun to read. Graham’s grounded personality acts as a perfect foil to Marshall’s chaotic energy.
What really stuck with me were the moments of sincerity in the story. Marshall’s relationship with his mom was something I enjoyed. You feel the warmth and care they have for each other, and their conversations, like the one about dating Mallory, felt refreshingly genuine. Speaking of Mallory, I appreciated the subtle way her character was introduced and her connection with Marshall. It added a touch of budding romance that complemented the chaos without overpowering it.
By the end, I found myself rooting for Marshall despite his many missteps. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with a humorous twist. It’s lighthearted yet meaningful, making it a great pick for teens and adults alike, especially those who appreciate stories about small-town charm, mischief, and redemption. If you’ve ever tripped your way into success or wished for a second chance after a big mistake, you’ll see yourself in Marshall Morris.
Pages: 140 | ASIN : B0C2JH757W
Don’t Ever Give Up
The Elusive Price of Justice follows the Nelson family’s turbulent journey through corruption, loss, and redemption as they confront their past and fight for a future where justice might finally prevail. What were some sources that informed this novels development?
For several years, I was employed by a real estate development firm, not unlike Mesquite Development Company. I observed firsthand the extent to which some developers would go to procure IRS Sec 42 tax credits which were awarded competitively and readily turned into equity cash for their projects. Having worked in commercial real estate for many years I have always been fascinated by real estate developers who are the ultimate entrepreneurs, willing to gamble everything on an uncertain end outcome. Quite often, they adopt a lifestyle as if every project is a roaring success, even before it gets off the ground. I dealt with several such people over the years.
What inspired you to intertwine the high-stakes world of crime with the deeply personal struggles of the Nelson family?
Honestly, I thought it would make a good story. Sadly, our local governments often leave themselves open to corruption, with after the fact monitoring non-existent. Travis Nelson easily thrived in that world; confident he could always talk himself out of any predicament. Matt was of a completely different ilk. He was very bright and insisted on doing things the right way. Conflict with his father was inevitable despite a son’s absolute love for his dad.
Thematically, the story delves into justice and accountability. How do you define “justice” in the context of this novel?
I suppose there are two lines of thought. There is justice as handed out by our legal system (i.e. following the laws and accepting the statutory consequences if you don’t.) The other is that those who have done things the right way succeed in the end and those who don’t experience dire consequences. As mentioned above many real estate developers seem to believe they are accountable only to themselves or to the system up to the point where they will get caught. Matt Nelson was imbued with a credo of always doing the right thing even if no one was watching.
Diane’s evolution from a neglected wife to a resilient businesswoman is inspiring—what message did you hope to convey through her journey?
From the outside most people might have assumed she had a idyllic life, with a handsome successful husband, adoring children, magnificent home, and lacking for nothing that money could buy. We see in the novel that this was hardly the case. She was depressed on well on the way to alcoholism, when Travis disappeared. Ironically, those circumstances opened up a whole new world for her in which she blossomed. Clearly, don’t ever give up, a new and much brighter world may be just around the corner.
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Matt and brother John are hired by a family patriarch to root out the nefarious swindler. Their wild pursuit takes them from singles bars in Brooklyn to the ski slopes of Vermont to mountains of Utah. Their success will be rewarded by a special favor only the patriarch can grant.
Matt’s trial is imminent. Will he cop a plea or face the whims of a fickle jury? Can anything save him at the eleventh hour?
You Find Out Who Your True Friends Are
The Covid Kid follows a young adult in his first year of college who has all his plans turned upside down with the emergence of COVID. What made you write a story about this topic?
The pandemic had such an overwhelming influence on us all. I simply could not ignore the impact on my upbeat protagonist, who always seems to come out okay in the end but never takes the straightforward path. Placing the most important person in his life at risk with COVID, under circumstances that might have been attributable to him, created suspense and concern for my readers.
Marshall’s plans for his first year of college change dramatically, and he has to adapt to many changes. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Boiled all the way down, it is a critical part of the maturation process from childhood to adult. Thankfully, most kids ease into adulthood without facing major trauma on the way, but they will have to deal with it at some point in their lives.
Marshall lived an admirable life with a sincere concern for others. I wanted to show that even the very best have problems, but his faith and perseverance won out in the end.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The pandemic was very serious business and should not be taken lightly, as it was by many young people. Marshall lost friends close to him and realized COVID must be dealt with seriously. Financial pressure can turn almost anyone to compromise their ideals and sworn allegiances, even a Hippocratic oath. When adversity rears its ugly head, you find out who your true friends really are.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book in the Marshall Morris series is “The Battle of Sam Jacinto”. (Yes, “Sam”) Marshall aligns himself with a group of old vets who rally with slingshots and baseball bats at the planned destruction of a Vietnam era local hero statue for a shopping center. In the process he forgets the proliferation of slavery advocated by many of the monuments and impact on his girlfriend African American Mallory. The one after that with a working title of “Hugs and Drugs” is about half written. Hopefully out in time for Christmas.
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The devastating loss of senior citizen war veteran buddies who survived combat bullets, but not this bug, leads him to become grimly serious about the pandemic, and he rails against young people who refuse to take precautions. His worst fears are realized when his precious mother is struck down by the dread disease, which he is certain he gave to her.
Though she worsens in an ICU he is unable to visit. He tries to keep busy working at a struggling real estate company. The owner, desperate for cash, becomes the middleman. in a bizarre international scheme to inject a bogus miracle cure into COVID patients at a local hospital. Marshall is shocked to learn the surely fatal drug will be given to his mother. He must get to her ICU before it is too late. The hospital’s COVID ward is a fortress. Can he get to her in time?
The Covid Kid: Another Marshall Morris Adventure
Robert John DeLuca’s The Covid Kid follows the misadventures of Marshall Morris, who we encounter as a high school student embarking on his first year at college. Having won an enviable football scholarship, Marshall expects his college experience to be full of sport and socializing — yet the encroaching presence of an unfamiliar virus threatens everything. As fear and tensions surrounding the virus continue to build, Marshall must decide what sacrifices he is willing to make for the good of his friends and the wider community. In the face of worldwide tragedy and conflicting opinions, the value of friendship is made clearer than ever before — something that the carefree Marshall must learn the hard way.
With its warm and humorous cast of teenagers, alongside ambitious antagonist Tommy Kinder, The Covid Kid encourages its readers to laugh ruefully at the hijinks and efforts of its characters — efforts which frequently backfire. There is a vein of tragedy that runs alongside this comic adventure, however — set during the rise of Covid-19, this story does well at balancing fun action with thoughtful commentary.
While I enjoyed the story, I felt that there were moments when we’re given a lot of exposition, and are told things about characters rather than shown. Otherwise, Marshall is a likable character that readers will enjoy following and the plot is compelling. The dialogue is straightforward and and delivers facts in a reporter-style of speech that serves an educational purpose, as characters’ fearful discussion of the impact of the virus marks a particular point in human history.
The Covid Kid successfully explores the effects of Covid-19 on society, particularly the younger generation. This is a compelling medical thriller that is as enlightening as it is entertaining.
Pages: 284 | ASIN: B09XWFMPR3
LITERARY TITAN 