Bart "J.B." Hopkins's Blog, page 12

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There’s just something special about a writer like Robert Parker. It is no wonder I’ve heard several of our great modern writers say he inspired them.

This book concludes the Jesse Stone series, or at least, the part that Parker wrote. I won’t be reading the six (I think it’s six) additional novels written by someone else. Just doesn’t seem right, in my opinion. I understand the desire to continue something amazing, but sometimes you just have to leave greatness alone and not interfere with legacy.

The end of the series didn’t seal up everything with neat little bows, and how could it? Parker had a heart attack and died after this one, so we will never know what he truly intended, but I sure as hell enjoyed getting to know these characters through the nine Stone books. Not quite as amazing as the Spenser books, but only by a hair. A fraction of a hair. I can only hope that someday someone feels remotely as close to some of my books.

I’m a fan of the show Longmire, and for some reason, I always imagined Longmire for Jesse Stone. That whole Tom Selleck thing never sat well with me. He was a great Magnum PI, but let’s leave it at that.

I’ve rambled a lot and not said much about this particular book. Here goes: it’s great. Loved it as much as the others in the series. Some subplots were moving in a direction that I hoped they would. Of course, the subplots are so prevalent that maybe they are the real plot.

If you liked the other 8 books, well, you don’t need me telling you to get this one.

Take care, world!

Stranger in Paradise

Stranger in Paradise by Robert Parker

If you’re a Robert Parker fan, you should be used to a few things: Simple, yet realistic and relatable characters; flawed heroes with a strong personal code; and periodic use of his favorite phrases and ideas. A good example, paraphrasing, is that it’s better to be lucky than to be good.

And while his overarching plot in the Spenser and Stone series of novels is usually some crime or problem that needs to be solved, relationships are ALWAYS a key subplot.

Wait for it…

The relationships are interesting and realistic, even if they are sometimes repetitive, but not usually in a bad way. He hits certain points multiple times for emphasis and, I think, to identify with people.

I found myself somewhat disappointed in the direction of one of his characters in this book. It involves relationships and is not part of the primary plot. I don’t want to give up the name of the character, or the gender, but I found myself bothered by something the character did. Yes, he’s a good writer and I have come to know these characters, which is an indication of his excellent stories and writing, but I really thought he took a bad turn with one character in this one.

And that’s why I bumped it down to four stars.

It was still a really good book, but if you are familiar with the series, I wonder if you will feel let down like I did when you reach a certain part of the story.

Anyway, on to the next one!

Trouble in Paradise by Robert Parker

I finished this book just minutes ago, and it was classic Parker and absolutely satisfying.

I was a huge Spenser fan, and a fan of Parker’s Westerns, too. For whatever reason (Tom Selleck), I am only just getting to the Jesse Stone series.

I waited too long.

Fantastic book. Parker has a knack for building a relatable, heroic character who is flawed, but with a personal code.

HMU

Ever since my daughter told me that HMU means “Hit Me Up” I have gone out of my way to include it regularly in my texts with her.

Every time she gets one of those magical texts with HMU, her reply to me includes some of those laughing-until-crying emojis. Obviously, that is some form of acknowledgment of how hip and awesome I am.

*tap tap tap* Is this thing on? Hello? I just flew in from Jersey, and boy are my arms tired.

Anyway…

I’m not really into text talk. For example, I never, ever use LOL. For some reason, it’s my least favorite of them all, and I insist on simply writing out “ha ha” or “ha ha ha” or even “hahahahaha.”

For one thing, I seriously doubt the LOLers out there are actually laughing out loud. Maybe sometimes, but not nearly as much as they write it. I bet for most users, LOL really means more like, “That was funny.” So maybe they should use TWF instead of LOL if they aren’t really laughing out loud. Hey, I’m just saying. Inaccurate LOL usage activates my OCD.

SMH … but that’s just my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions. That’s right: awesome dads always have one.

Okay, time to get back to work on my second Kane Montgomery novel. If you haven’t read or heard the first one, you can check it out for FREE by starting up and Audible trial membership … which you can do by CLICKING HERE or on the image. You won’t regret it and you’ll be helping out a really nice guy that I know (it’s me!).

Hope you all have a fantastic day!      – Bart

Audiobooks

Have you ever listened to an audiobook?

I love reading books, and I was skeptical that audiobooks could replace that feeling. Wow, was I wrong!

Even if you hate books, audiobooks are different. They’re like movies for the ears.

Just as with movies, not only do you need a good script, but you also need good actors. For audiobooks, the narrator is the actor. Or actors, since they frequently play ALL of the roles in the book.

A good narrator can make all the difference. Lucky for me, two GREAT voice actors narrated my stories … Luke Daniels and Wayne June. I can’t say enough about how talented both of those guys are … the best at what they do.

And, so, I would be honored if you would make THE BENDS or DEAD ENDS your first audiobook. You can even try one of them for FREE … Just click the covers to check them out on Audible, and your first audiobook is free if you sign up (no obligations).

Even if it’s not one of my books that you try first, I think you’ll enjoy the experience of reading with your ears!

Take care … Bart

 

 

Blood on the Tracks

Blood on the Tracks by Barbara Nickless

The short of it is that I really enjoyed the book. Very unique. Humor. Suspense. It has all the good stuff.

The longer story is that I’m an Amazon Prime member, which means I get to choose a free book at the beginning of each month (from a small, curated selection they offer). I think that’s how I got this one. I don’t really remember, but that’s probably it since I had not heard of the author prior.

There were a lot of things I enjoyed about the book! The behavior and language of the characters that were Marines felt authentic. I served in the Air Force, but I worked with all the branches, and Nickless did a pretty good job with the vernacular and behavior of the characters.

It’s obvious that the author did a lot of research, even without reading the credits and the people she thanks … key people in various technical fields.

The beginning of each chapter was done very well, with brief blurbs from Sydney Rose Parnell’s past or journal that cast additional light, or the philosophy, behind what is about to happen. I came to look forward to those, and cannot stress enough how superbly they were executed. Sometimes something like that does not work, but not this time.

There might have been one or two very brief scenes that I thought were a little hokey, but hey … not saying it couldn’t have happened that way. The other 99.9% of the book was pretty dynamite.

Nice, even suspense throughout the novel.

The ending was very satisfying. Not a cliffhanger or anything begging you to buy the next book in the series to find something out. And, yet, there is a second book in the two-book series, and it left me wanting to buy it.

Well done, Ms. Nickless!

It’s Electric

So, there I was at The Domain mall in Austin, parking my car, when I notice this happening.

Whoa! When did this become a thing? There was a row of cars parked, “gassing up” on electricity while their owners dropped buckets of cash in the nearby shops.

I didn’t see slots for quarters or anything, so I guess it’s free. For now.

Anyway, that’s my random thought for the day. My car still drinks regular gasoline. I’m probably a decade or more away from trying electricity.

It’s Electric! (Boogie woogie).

Total Eclipse Free Today

You can grab a copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074Z366SB

Authors Beware

I literally have about 120 seconds to knock out this post, so I will make it quick.

As an Indie author, I am so very fed up with “marketers” and other authors (or whoever) trying to sell me courses that are going to improve my book launches, help me sell books, get the old money-making machine on auto-pilot, and all of the rest.

They hook you with something like a “free” webinar where they promise to teach you one of these things. Then they hit you with common sense stuff that is plastered all over the Interwebs already … no mistakes/you need an editor, you need a good cover, don’t rush your launch, plot a marketing path, etc. The “free” part of the webinar is usually mildly okay for a very novice author.

Then, of course, comes the pitch for the course that is really going to kick it all into overdrive for you. Spend just $500 and you’ll be set for life.

Sometimes it’s the neverending, scrolling web page with a lot of the same type of stuff. And what is scary is how damned awful hopeful it makes you. Is this going to be the one that helps my career take off?

Nope. Probably not. Best to not plug in your email address or buy the $1000 course that is on sale for three payments of $90.

And some of these even have a money-back guarantee, and maybe they mean it, which is cool. I can’t argue with someone putting their money where their mouth is.

But what stymie’s my ability to conceive of these things actually being worth a hoot is that there are SO MANY of them going around. And if they worked that well, then we’d all be gozillionaires.

Okay. I have to count sheep. Feel free to tell me how foolish I am or point out one of these writerly courses that actually works. There are a few that catch my eye, but man, I sure hesitate to drop the cash on them.

Street Corn

I frequently become obsessed with some food and binge-eat it at every opportunity. Brisket, Pico De Gallo, Rib Eyes, and Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream have all had the honor of making my list, and being the focus of these periodic food crazes.

The latest edible object of my obsession has been Street Corn, aka Elotes.

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Feast your eyes on that! Whoa, man, my mouth is watering already. Here’s a LINK TO A RECIPE I found on the interwebs … it sounds delicious!

If you don’t feel like doing the work to get a grilled or smoked ear of corn, then you can try this out. It’s not quite as good as properly cooked Street Corn–it’s the 80% solution–but it hits the spot in a pinch and gives you most of the taste.

Pour a can of corn into a microwave-safe dish. Add 2 TBSP of butter and microwave for 1:30 – 2:00 minutes.
Remove and spread out on your plate. Mix a teaspoon or two of mayo into your corn. Add more, as desired.
Sprinkle a layer of grated parmesan cheese on top.
Sprinkle some chili powder, to taste.
Add a few drops of lime juice.

Enjoy! Man, I am telling you this is seriously good stuff!

If you want to eliminate steps 4 and 5, you can add both at once by sprinkling some of this awesome stuff on it: Tajin!

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Oh, man … and if you are Catholic and can’t eat meat on Fridays right now, this is your new meal ticket. Too good.

Okay. I felt compelled to shout this from the mountain tops. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Cheers,

Bart

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