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A Kinship With the Earth
Moonshine Mesa is the story of the intriguing connection between a lawyer, a moonshiner, and a deputy, all of whom are embroiled in a gripping environmental mystery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This growing technology – carbon sequestration – often reveals conflicting values and reactions and, at the moment, massive amounts of federal and other funding. Each character has a different approach to the project based on their own objectives. When those clash together, things get really interesting.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
I guess my favorite is “Relic.” One scene is when he essentially says to the aspiring lawyer: “no, we are not humans in search of a spiritual experience…we are spirits having a human experience.” That encapsulates his approach to the other characters, the majestic canyons he wanders, and the bad guys who threaten both.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Moonshine Mesa?
That we are all in a deep kinship with the earth.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Hard to say for sure. I would like a follow-up to see if Deputy Dawson and Relic ever get to team up to solve a crime….
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Criminal clients, a pollution mitigation scam, and a million-dollar double-cross make Moonshine Mesa a dangerous place for an aspiring lawyer, an intrepid deputy, and a moonshining hermit.
Something is killing bees, crows, and humans at Moonshine Mesa. When Parker finds suspicious readings at a remote pump station, clients of a prestigious law firm prepare to toss him off a cliff. A gin-brewing recluse named Relic saves him and together they must solve the mysterious deaths, outmaneuver armed drug runners, and rescue an intrepid deputy dedicated to solving the crimes. And all is not what it seems between the partners in these lethal schemes…
Can they unravel these baffling deaths and stem the environmental carnage?
Moonshine Mesa
Moonshine Mesa by A.W. Baldwin follows the intertwining stories of an aspiring lawyer named Parker, a moonshining hermit named Relic, and an intrepid deputy, all connected by the mysterious happenings on Moonshine Mesa. The Mesa is plagued by a series of inexplicable deaths affecting bees, crows, and even humans. As Parker stumbles upon suspicious data from a remote pump station, he becomes the target of his criminal clients, who are involved in a $55 million eco-scam. Just when things seem dire, Relic, a secluded individual known for brewing gin, comes to Parker’s rescue. Together, Parker and Relic embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind the deaths and the pollution mitigation scam. As they delve deeper, they realize the situation is more complex and dangerous than anticipated. They must navigate armed drug runners, intricate schemes, and shifting alliances. Additionally, an intrepid deputy is determined to solve the crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. As the partners unravel the layers of deception, they discover that the stakes are higher than they thought.
Moonshine Mesa offers readers a gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and environmental peril. The characters are multi-dimensional and engaging, each with unique quirks and motivations that drive the narrative forward. Parker’s journey from an ambitious lawyer to a reluctant hero is compelling, while Relic’s enigmatic persona adds an air of mystery to the story. The intrepid deputy’s determination to solve the crimes brings an additional layer of suspense to the plot.
The plot itself is intricately woven, blending elements of environmental disaster, corporate greed, and criminal intrigue. The gradual unveiling of the various threads keeps readers hooked and eager to uncover the truth alongside the characters. The author creates a sense of tension and urgency, particularly as the protagonists face imminent danger from both criminal adversaries and the environmental crisis at hand.
The themes explored in the novel, including the impact of human actions on the environment and the consequences of unchecked corporate ambition, add depth to the story. The intricate web of alliances and double-crosses keeps readers guessing and invested until the end. While I enjoyed the story, I felt that, at times, the complexity of the plot and the numerous characters were challenging to follow. However, Moonshine Mesa offers a satisfying and thought-provoking read for those who enjoy intricate mysteries with well-developed characters and high-stakes scenarios.
Moonshine Mesa delivers a captivating narrative filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. With a cast of compelling characters and a plot that keeps you guessing, this novel is a must-read for thrillers and environmental intrigue fans. The author’s skillful storytelling and ability to tackle relevant themes make for an engaging and thought-provoking novel.
ASIN : B0CDZHZWMC
Pink Slips
Pink Slips is a riveting tale of one woman’s desperate plight to keep her loved ones safe, even in the sights of a mysterious stalker with an unsettling amount of determination. From the outside looking in, good-humored Betsy seems to have it all – a beautiful home, a dapper and doting family, a successful career as a gourmet chef, and even a fabulous little furry companion. Still, looks can be deceiving, and in the complex life of Betsy, a storm is breaking. Author Beth Aldrich masterfully weaves the unbounded strength of family and friendship into the tense mix of danger and pursuit, making this as heartfelt as it is chilling.
Truth be told, the emotional personality of this novel had me enamored immediately. The story opens warmly, inviting you directly into Betsy’s thoughts as she gleefully ponders over the fresh news of her first pregnancy. Her inner monologue is so charmingly real, and it was easy to imagine her gossiping to me with excitement for the little bean just beginning to grow within her. Unfortunately, life is often a blend of both miraculous beauty as well as senseless cruelty, and as Betsy is strolling through a parking lot, she’s interrupted by a mugger fixated on her handbag. This encounter feels as tragic as it does plausible, as raw moments like this unfortunately happen every single day. Reading along, my eyes began brimming with tears as I absent-mindedly gnawed off the tip of a fingernail. Aldrich has made such beautiful work of tapping into Betsy’s personal thoughts, gripping me with her fear in that moment. As the first chapter came to an end, I found myself hurriedly turning the pages, awaiting the fate of our beloved mother-to-be.
There is a famous saying to the effect of “What does not kill you makes you stronger,” but in tender Betsy’s case, stronger would be better replaced with “paranoid”. Years of meditation have served to soften the edges of her anxiety, but some trauma you just never fully recover from. When suspicious pink notes begin arriving in her life boasting threats, Betsy is forced to revisit the fear of that fateful night in the parking lot. She has worked diligently to create the loving and comfortable home around her, and it’s no surprise that she isn’t willing to let that be endangered twice. Again, I found myself furiously chewing at my own nails as I cheered her on, anxious of the long list of suspicious characters possibly behind the ominous pink slips. Luckily, Aldrich writes with a bright wittiness that balances the heaviness of the theme, or I wouldn’t have had any nails left by the end.
Aside from being endearing, this story is also incredibly digestible, despite being so darkly thematic at points. I read it in a mere two sittings. I really can’t pen enough praise for Aldrich’s cheeky and personal writing style. Even in the throes of a deranged stalker, each main character sports such flavorful personality that the novel stays warm and engaging throughout. I can’t wait to catch another title from this author.
Pages: 267 | ASIN: B071LKC325
LITERARY TITAN 