Phil Giunta's Blog, page 91
July 18, 2013
Ray Bradbury and Symbolism
Click here to read Ray Bradbury's response to a student's questions about symbolism in fiction writing.
This statement in particular is my favorite: "...I never consciously place symbolism in my writing. That would be a self-conscious exercise and self-consciousness is defeating to any creative act. Better to let the subconscious do the work for you, and get out of the way."
This statement in particular is my favorite: "...I never consciously place symbolism in my writing. That would be a self-conscious exercise and self-consciousness is defeating to any creative act. Better to let the subconscious do the work for you, and get out of the way."
July 15, 2013
July 11, 2013
Book Review: Fur-Face by Jon Gibbs
Thirteen-year-old Billy Euston and his family have just moved from London to the quiet town of Little Chumberry. There, his father has taken a new position as veterinary surgeon for the local theme park, Adventure Safari. Billy is dismayed to find no other kids his own age in the town.
Meanwhile, a stray black cat known as Snowy has managed to master the English language, yet is unable to find anyone who can actually hear him. This probably wouldn't be an issue had the feline not promised a local fox named Razor that he would find a human to help him locate his mate and cubs who were kidnapped from their den by a human scientist known as "Fur-Face" and his assistant, "Gallstone". Razor was also captured, but managed to escape still wearing a helmet with which he'd been fitted as part of a research experiment. The fox insists that the helmet alerts him to the approach of the rats that "Fur-Face" sends out to kill him.
After negotiating with Razor for more time, Snowy desperately attempts to enter the Euston's new home as they are moving in. Snowy had once been close with the previous owner and a chew toy of sentimental value remained in the house. After several failed attempts, Snowy manages to slip into a second floor room where the toy had been kept, now Billy's bedroom. Snowy hides in the closet until after dark when he begins searching for the toy. His activities startle Billy in the middle of the night and shortly thereafter, two discoveries are made:
Billy encounters a cat that can talk.
Snowy finally finds a human who can hear him.
Once he overcomes the initial shock, Billy successfully convinces his parents to allow him to keep the cat.
Later, the Euston's make a social call to Aggie Cranbrook, the elderly owner of Adventure Safari. Known as "Daft" Aggie, she is hardly your typical senior citizen. After playing with a rock band in the 60s, Aggie went to live in Africa where she worked to save endangered species. Now, she is the sole owner of the theme park. In conversation with the Euston's, Aggie also reveals that the British and US governments are jointly funding and staffing an animal research facility on the theme park property. Strangely, Aggie is not aware of the exact nature of the research, yet seems convinced that it's harmless.
That night, Snowy arranges a meeting with Razor and the fox imparts the details of how the humans invaded his den with smoke bombs and kidnapped him and his family. He recounts his time in a lab and how he was experimented upon by "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone." Billy promises to inquire with Aggie about this upon his next visit to her mansion.
When he arrives, Billy meets Carmen, Aggie's niece staying with her for the summer. They become fast friends and eventually, Billy decides to recruit her in his mission to help Razor and possibly uncover exactly what kind of nefarious animal research is happening in the bowels of Adventure Safari.
Who are "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone" and exactly what kind of research are they performing on the animals at Adventure Safari? Who is backing this research and what are they hoping to accomplish? Will Billy, Snowy and Carmen be able to find Razor's family and stop the evil scientist before more harm is done?
Fur-Face is the debut middle-grade novel by Jon Gibbs. It's an enjoyable story with likable protagonists in Billy, Carmen and Snowy. The author took the time to delve into their personalities (especially Billy and Snowy) without distracting from the plot. The antagonists were your typical government-sponsored evil scientists, but for a middle-grade novel, that works. The story is a well-crafted balance of humor and suspense.
I didn't quite understand how Aggie was unaware of the nature of the animal research happening on her property. While it is explained that she made a deal with the government to allow them to use her property in exchange for theme park funding, one might think she would demand assurances that no harm was inflicted on the animals. To do so would certainly fit with her personality.
Overall, it was a fun tale that held my attention from beginning to end. A follow-up novel, Barnum's Revenge , was released in March 2013.
Meanwhile, a stray black cat known as Snowy has managed to master the English language, yet is unable to find anyone who can actually hear him. This probably wouldn't be an issue had the feline not promised a local fox named Razor that he would find a human to help him locate his mate and cubs who were kidnapped from their den by a human scientist known as "Fur-Face" and his assistant, "Gallstone". Razor was also captured, but managed to escape still wearing a helmet with which he'd been fitted as part of a research experiment. The fox insists that the helmet alerts him to the approach of the rats that "Fur-Face" sends out to kill him.
After negotiating with Razor for more time, Snowy desperately attempts to enter the Euston's new home as they are moving in. Snowy had once been close with the previous owner and a chew toy of sentimental value remained in the house. After several failed attempts, Snowy manages to slip into a second floor room where the toy had been kept, now Billy's bedroom. Snowy hides in the closet until after dark when he begins searching for the toy. His activities startle Billy in the middle of the night and shortly thereafter, two discoveries are made:
Billy encounters a cat that can talk.
Snowy finally finds a human who can hear him.
Once he overcomes the initial shock, Billy successfully convinces his parents to allow him to keep the cat.
Later, the Euston's make a social call to Aggie Cranbrook, the elderly owner of Adventure Safari. Known as "Daft" Aggie, she is hardly your typical senior citizen. After playing with a rock band in the 60s, Aggie went to live in Africa where she worked to save endangered species. Now, she is the sole owner of the theme park. In conversation with the Euston's, Aggie also reveals that the British and US governments are jointly funding and staffing an animal research facility on the theme park property. Strangely, Aggie is not aware of the exact nature of the research, yet seems convinced that it's harmless.
That night, Snowy arranges a meeting with Razor and the fox imparts the details of how the humans invaded his den with smoke bombs and kidnapped him and his family. He recounts his time in a lab and how he was experimented upon by "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone." Billy promises to inquire with Aggie about this upon his next visit to her mansion.
When he arrives, Billy meets Carmen, Aggie's niece staying with her for the summer. They become fast friends and eventually, Billy decides to recruit her in his mission to help Razor and possibly uncover exactly what kind of nefarious animal research is happening in the bowels of Adventure Safari.
Who are "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone" and exactly what kind of research are they performing on the animals at Adventure Safari? Who is backing this research and what are they hoping to accomplish? Will Billy, Snowy and Carmen be able to find Razor's family and stop the evil scientist before more harm is done?
Fur-Face is the debut middle-grade novel by Jon Gibbs. It's an enjoyable story with likable protagonists in Billy, Carmen and Snowy. The author took the time to delve into their personalities (especially Billy and Snowy) without distracting from the plot. The antagonists were your typical government-sponsored evil scientists, but for a middle-grade novel, that works. The story is a well-crafted balance of humor and suspense.
I didn't quite understand how Aggie was unaware of the nature of the animal research happening on her property. While it is explained that she made a deal with the government to allow them to use her property in exchange for theme park funding, one might think she would demand assurances that no harm was inflicted on the animals. To do so would certainly fit with her personality.
Overall, it was a fun tale that held my attention from beginning to end. A follow-up novel, Barnum's Revenge , was released in March 2013.
About This Writing Stuff...
It's nice to be back with a fresh edition of About This Writing Stuff. It will continue to be an irregular feature for the next month or so, as time allows. I've had a few projects consume my blogging and writing time during the month of June. One of which was for my day job and that specific task has been completed so I have about half of my writing time back. The other half will be liberated once I finish recording the final six chapters of
By Your Side
on audio which I hope to complete this month. Speaking of which, my publisher will soon begin the weekly (or possibly bi-weekly) podcast of my audio book on Prometheus Radio Theatre. Stay tuned for further details.
In the meantime, Veronica Sicoe questions what it means to be a "real writer" while James Scott Bell finds the magical midpoint. Jody Hedlund stresses the importance of content editing. Jami Gold offers ways to avoid head-hopping. Zachary Petit examines ways we can write long and prosper and Goodreads takes a graphical look at what makes readers put a book down. Rob Eagar tells us how to sell more Ebooks while Kristen Lamb takes us to the 5 and 10 (if you don't get that reference, you're not old enough).
The editors at Crazy 8 Press prepare to launch Native Lands, the third book in their ReDeus anthology. Writers Dave Galanter and Lorraine Anderson chat up their contributions.
Is This What Being a "Real Writer" is All About? by Veronica Sicoe
The Magical Midpoint Moment by James Scott-Bell
5 Traits of the Successful Author and 10 Ways for an ADD Writer to be Productive by Kristen Lamb
The Most Important Kind of Edit a Book Needs by Jody Hedlund
7 Methods for Handling POV Changes by Jami Gold
Department of Justice Wins Anti-Trust Suit Against Apple by Jeremy Greenfield
How to Sell Ebooks: 5 Proven Tips by Rob Eagar
4 Things Star Trek Can Teach Us About Writing by Zachary Petit
The Psychology of Abandonment (What Makes You Put a Good Book Down?) by Goodreads
ReDeus' Third Volume Explores Native Lands by Bob Greenberger
Dave Galanter and Lorraine Anderson Chat Up their Stories in the forthcoming ReDeus: Native Lands at Crazy 8 Press!
In the meantime, Veronica Sicoe questions what it means to be a "real writer" while James Scott Bell finds the magical midpoint. Jody Hedlund stresses the importance of content editing. Jami Gold offers ways to avoid head-hopping. Zachary Petit examines ways we can write long and prosper and Goodreads takes a graphical look at what makes readers put a book down. Rob Eagar tells us how to sell more Ebooks while Kristen Lamb takes us to the 5 and 10 (if you don't get that reference, you're not old enough).
The editors at Crazy 8 Press prepare to launch Native Lands, the third book in their ReDeus anthology. Writers Dave Galanter and Lorraine Anderson chat up their contributions.
Is This What Being a "Real Writer" is All About? by Veronica Sicoe
The Magical Midpoint Moment by James Scott-Bell
5 Traits of the Successful Author and 10 Ways for an ADD Writer to be Productive by Kristen Lamb
The Most Important Kind of Edit a Book Needs by Jody Hedlund
7 Methods for Handling POV Changes by Jami Gold
Department of Justice Wins Anti-Trust Suit Against Apple by Jeremy Greenfield
How to Sell Ebooks: 5 Proven Tips by Rob Eagar
4 Things Star Trek Can Teach Us About Writing by Zachary Petit
The Psychology of Abandonment (What Makes You Put a Good Book Down?) by Goodreads
ReDeus' Third Volume Explores Native Lands by Bob Greenberger
Dave Galanter and Lorraine Anderson Chat Up their Stories in the forthcoming ReDeus: Native Lands at Crazy 8 Press!
July 5, 2013
Book Review: The Dark Inside by Donna Galanti
An anthology containing eight stories, The Dark Inside provides a two-fold purpose. It offers glimpses into the backgrounds of selected characters from Donna Galanti's debut novel, A Human Element (
reviewed here
) while introducing new characters that will presumably appear in her forthcoming sequel, A Hidden Element.
Readers of A Human Element will find familiar faces among roughly half of the tales. In "First Time", the monstrous alien known as X-10, held captive for scientific experimentation by the US government, loses his virginity to a prostitute secured for him by his sadistic keeper, Dr. Bjord...the experience does not end well.
In "The Job", the half-human, half-Elyon government agent known only as Felix finds himself the target of his own partner, a gorgeous young seductress named Maria. Felix lets his guard down long enough to reveal a secret he had kept hidden from the US government for over 15 years. Might not have been the best decision he ever made...
Other stories, such as "The Well" and "The Beginning" examine beings from the planet Elyon, focusing on young Caleb and his hardened, brutish father, Adrian who eventually leads a crew of 75 to Earth. Their first interaction with humans does not bode well for us.
The book ends with an excerpt from the A Human Element, albeit the final story, "A Lucky Strike" is also an excerpt that introduces readers to the male protagonist Ben Fieldstone as he escapes his abusive foster father, Frank.
The Dark Inside serves as a bridge between first and second novels. In my review for A Human Element, I mentioned that it would have been interesting to delve a bit into X-10's background as a way of making him more sympathetic to the readers, rather than merely the intelligent but hateful killing machine that he had become. Donna Galanti delivered on that and a bit more.
Readers of A Human Element will find familiar faces among roughly half of the tales. In "First Time", the monstrous alien known as X-10, held captive for scientific experimentation by the US government, loses his virginity to a prostitute secured for him by his sadistic keeper, Dr. Bjord...the experience does not end well.
In "The Job", the half-human, half-Elyon government agent known only as Felix finds himself the target of his own partner, a gorgeous young seductress named Maria. Felix lets his guard down long enough to reveal a secret he had kept hidden from the US government for over 15 years. Might not have been the best decision he ever made...
Other stories, such as "The Well" and "The Beginning" examine beings from the planet Elyon, focusing on young Caleb and his hardened, brutish father, Adrian who eventually leads a crew of 75 to Earth. Their first interaction with humans does not bode well for us.
The book ends with an excerpt from the A Human Element, albeit the final story, "A Lucky Strike" is also an excerpt that introduces readers to the male protagonist Ben Fieldstone as he escapes his abusive foster father, Frank.
The Dark Inside serves as a bridge between first and second novels. In my review for A Human Element, I mentioned that it would have been interesting to delve a bit into X-10's background as a way of making him more sympathetic to the readers, rather than merely the intelligent but hateful killing machine that he had become. Donna Galanti delivered on that and a bit more.
July 4, 2013
Book Review: A Man Walks Into a Bar by Steven H. Wilson
Several senior crewmembers of the spacefaring Confederate Naval Vessel, Arbiter, have been assigned to the surface of the practically lawless planet known as Den, on the border of Confederate space. Their mission: to gather intelligence on the Qraitians, an aggressive enemy race.
While in a bar (named, simply and appropriately, "Bar"), Midshipmen Kevin Carson and Cernaq, a peaceful telepath from Phaeton, watch as their senior officer, Lieutenant Metcalfe, flirts with two local girls. For Carson and Cernaq, it is an otherwise uneventful night, until a man walks into the bar--gun in hand. No sooner does he barge in with apparent agitation, than he is shot dead by Cernaq.
Carson is shocked by the Phaetonian's display of cold violence. Later, when Captain Jan Atal visits the local constabulary to bail out the midshipman, Cernaq explains that the man, identified as a local undesirable named Danvard, had every intention of killing Metcalfe. His thoughts screamed hatred for anyone purely Terran. As such, Cernaq had no choice but to act quickly.
To everyone's surprise, the constable not only releases Cernaq without bail, but awards him with a medal for helping to maintain public safety by eliminating an unsavory element.
However, it isn't long before the normally tranquil and disciplined telepath begins to exhibit wildly uncharacteristic behavior. At first, his friends dismiss it as an emotional reaction to killing someone for the first time. Yet as Cernaq's behavior turns from irrational to violent--including a mind rape of Carson--the Arbiter's CMO Celia Faulkner examines Cernaq and realizes what has happened--the telepath's mind has been invaded by another more sinister force.
Faulkner's solution: Link the minds of Cernaq's closest friends in an artificial telepathic environment and send them into Cernaq's mind to thwart the evil lurking there.
But the cost could be their lives.
A Man Walks into a Bar was originally the second script in the award-winning SF audio drama, The Arbiter Chronicles, created by Steven H. Wilson and podcast on Prometheus Radio Theatre in 2004. The story received the Mark Time Silver Award for excellent in science fiction audio drama and it's easy to see why. Now, Wilson brings his audio scripts into novella format.
While it is never explained precisely how Danvard knew that Metcalfe was in the bar, or how he knew Metcalfe was a pure Terran, the story does a phenomenal job with character development for Cernaq, Carson and Metcalfe by delving into the worst fears and deepest pain of all three. It's pacing is tense and laconic, keeping the story tightly focused on the main characters while still giving you a glimpse into the personalities of the other main crew members.
While in a bar (named, simply and appropriately, "Bar"), Midshipmen Kevin Carson and Cernaq, a peaceful telepath from Phaeton, watch as their senior officer, Lieutenant Metcalfe, flirts with two local girls. For Carson and Cernaq, it is an otherwise uneventful night, until a man walks into the bar--gun in hand. No sooner does he barge in with apparent agitation, than he is shot dead by Cernaq.
Carson is shocked by the Phaetonian's display of cold violence. Later, when Captain Jan Atal visits the local constabulary to bail out the midshipman, Cernaq explains that the man, identified as a local undesirable named Danvard, had every intention of killing Metcalfe. His thoughts screamed hatred for anyone purely Terran. As such, Cernaq had no choice but to act quickly.
To everyone's surprise, the constable not only releases Cernaq without bail, but awards him with a medal for helping to maintain public safety by eliminating an unsavory element.
However, it isn't long before the normally tranquil and disciplined telepath begins to exhibit wildly uncharacteristic behavior. At first, his friends dismiss it as an emotional reaction to killing someone for the first time. Yet as Cernaq's behavior turns from irrational to violent--including a mind rape of Carson--the Arbiter's CMO Celia Faulkner examines Cernaq and realizes what has happened--the telepath's mind has been invaded by another more sinister force.
Faulkner's solution: Link the minds of Cernaq's closest friends in an artificial telepathic environment and send them into Cernaq's mind to thwart the evil lurking there.
But the cost could be their lives.
A Man Walks into a Bar was originally the second script in the award-winning SF audio drama, The Arbiter Chronicles, created by Steven H. Wilson and podcast on Prometheus Radio Theatre in 2004. The story received the Mark Time Silver Award for excellent in science fiction audio drama and it's easy to see why. Now, Wilson brings his audio scripts into novella format.
While it is never explained precisely how Danvard knew that Metcalfe was in the bar, or how he knew Metcalfe was a pure Terran, the story does a phenomenal job with character development for Cernaq, Carson and Metcalfe by delving into the worst fears and deepest pain of all three. It's pacing is tense and laconic, keeping the story tightly focused on the main characters while still giving you a glimpse into the personalities of the other main crew members.
June 29, 2013
Book Review: A Human Element by Donna Galanti
Eleven-year-old Ben Fieldstone became a lost soul the night he ran away from his home in the Catskill Mountains—just in time to witness a glowing green meteorite crash into his parents’ cabin and decimate the surrounding area.
Months later, a runaway known only as Sarah dies while giving birth to an abnormally large and grotesque boy during a violent storm. Paid by the US government, doctor and nurse hand the child over to a mysterious man in black. However, the doctor is surprised to learn that Sarah was carrying twins. He gently removes a perfect and beautiful girl from Sarah’s womb—and says nothing to the government agent.
Instead, he turns the baby over to the Armstrong family, kind farmers who had taken Sarah into their home. Laura Armstrong grows up to be a charming girl, filled with love of nature, people and life itself. She even befriends a local hermit named Jim Barrens, who prefers to be called a solitudinarian.
It isn’t long before Laura begins to realize strange abilities, such the power to read thoughts and spontaneously heal others. She brings her mother back from a fatal accident and cures Jim after he is stung by a swarm of wasps.
Meanwhile, Ben’s childhood turns out to be a stark and miserable contrast to Laura’s. After the death of his foster mother, Emma, Ben finds himself fending off sexual advances of her husband Frank, an abusive drunk. Later that night, Frank falls asleep while smoking in bed, with fatal consequences. Ben watches as the fire ignites and begins to consume the room. Without lifting a finger to help, he leaves the house without looking back.
Throughout their lives to this point, Ben and Laura have both come under surveillance by the imposing and inscrutable man in black. He appears and disappears throughout Laura’s childhood, leaving her unsettled by his glowing green eyes. The man saves Ben’s life during his time in the Navy. While stationed in Hawaii, Ben’s irresponsibility led him to be nearly raped and murdered in Hawaii—until the man in black intervened…but why?
Unbeknownst to Laura, she is also being watched by another, far less benevolent entity known only as X-10, a monstrous and evil half-alien, half-human creature caged in a government facility. In addition to his superhuman strength, X-10 has made a psychic connection with Laura that he uses to inflict severe physical pain. That is not enough for him, however. He plots an escape so that he can hunt and kill her. As it stands now, X-10 can use his honed mental abilities to reach out and murder from a distance—a practice that he employs with great pleasure. Yet when it comes to Laura, he wants to tear her apart with his bare hands.
It isn’t long before the lives of Ben Fieldstone and Laura Armstrong cross paths at the exact site of the meteor crash. Ben and Laura grow closer to one another as friends—and later lovers—and begin to realize just how connected they truly are.
The question is, who is this mysterious government agent with the glowing eyes and what does he want with Laura and Ben? Who is X-10 and how is he connected to Laura? More importantly, what drives his insatiable desire to kill her?
A Human Element is a solid tale of fate and destiny with likable protagonists and a villain so vile you cannot help but hate him. It would have been interesting to delve a bit more into X-10’s past with some scenes of his “childhood” as a lab rat for the US government. That might have made him a bit more sympathetic in the end (might being the operative word, he is a truly horrid being).
Laura comes off as excessively chatty and naive in her youth, but outgrows that as she endures one tragedy after another. There is some redundant dialogue toward the end of the book as the characters repeat themselves while working through their predicament but overall, Galanti crafts a story that is well paced and full of heart—both human and alien. A Human Element is a fine mystery-thriller with a dash of intriguing SF.
Months later, a runaway known only as Sarah dies while giving birth to an abnormally large and grotesque boy during a violent storm. Paid by the US government, doctor and nurse hand the child over to a mysterious man in black. However, the doctor is surprised to learn that Sarah was carrying twins. He gently removes a perfect and beautiful girl from Sarah’s womb—and says nothing to the government agent.
Instead, he turns the baby over to the Armstrong family, kind farmers who had taken Sarah into their home. Laura Armstrong grows up to be a charming girl, filled with love of nature, people and life itself. She even befriends a local hermit named Jim Barrens, who prefers to be called a solitudinarian.
It isn’t long before Laura begins to realize strange abilities, such the power to read thoughts and spontaneously heal others. She brings her mother back from a fatal accident and cures Jim after he is stung by a swarm of wasps.
Meanwhile, Ben’s childhood turns out to be a stark and miserable contrast to Laura’s. After the death of his foster mother, Emma, Ben finds himself fending off sexual advances of her husband Frank, an abusive drunk. Later that night, Frank falls asleep while smoking in bed, with fatal consequences. Ben watches as the fire ignites and begins to consume the room. Without lifting a finger to help, he leaves the house without looking back.
Throughout their lives to this point, Ben and Laura have both come under surveillance by the imposing and inscrutable man in black. He appears and disappears throughout Laura’s childhood, leaving her unsettled by his glowing green eyes. The man saves Ben’s life during his time in the Navy. While stationed in Hawaii, Ben’s irresponsibility led him to be nearly raped and murdered in Hawaii—until the man in black intervened…but why?
Unbeknownst to Laura, she is also being watched by another, far less benevolent entity known only as X-10, a monstrous and evil half-alien, half-human creature caged in a government facility. In addition to his superhuman strength, X-10 has made a psychic connection with Laura that he uses to inflict severe physical pain. That is not enough for him, however. He plots an escape so that he can hunt and kill her. As it stands now, X-10 can use his honed mental abilities to reach out and murder from a distance—a practice that he employs with great pleasure. Yet when it comes to Laura, he wants to tear her apart with his bare hands.
It isn’t long before the lives of Ben Fieldstone and Laura Armstrong cross paths at the exact site of the meteor crash. Ben and Laura grow closer to one another as friends—and later lovers—and begin to realize just how connected they truly are.
The question is, who is this mysterious government agent with the glowing eyes and what does he want with Laura and Ben? Who is X-10 and how is he connected to Laura? More importantly, what drives his insatiable desire to kill her?
A Human Element is a solid tale of fate and destiny with likable protagonists and a villain so vile you cannot help but hate him. It would have been interesting to delve a bit more into X-10’s past with some scenes of his “childhood” as a lab rat for the US government. That might have made him a bit more sympathetic in the end (might being the operative word, he is a truly horrid being).
Laura comes off as excessively chatty and naive in her youth, but outgrows that as she endures one tragedy after another. There is some redundant dialogue toward the end of the book as the characters repeat themselves while working through their predicament but overall, Galanti crafts a story that is well paced and full of heart—both human and alien. A Human Element is a fine mystery-thriller with a dash of intriguing SF.
June 18, 2013
Book Review: Clarence Brown's NEEDS
Baltimore homicide detective, Brenda Washington, has an uncanny psychic ability. While investigating a crime scene, she does not merely experience a vision of the tragic events, but falls into a trance and reenacts their physical movements while speaking in the voices of both perpetrator and victim. It is a discomfiting vision to all but her partner, Al Grimes.
Al is accustomed to Brenda’s gift and, in fact, has grown reliant on it. More often than not, it delivers results. They have a remarkable arrest rate.
It just so happens that Al has also been in love with Brenda for quite some time—which is why it hurts him so deeply when he learns that his partner is also a heroin addict.
Brenda has been buying from an east side dealer named Julius on a regular basis. At first, she is able to hide her addiction, but as time passes, her behavior begins to change and Al is the first to notice.
Meanwhile, Julius begins to fall to his own addiction and begins a spree of brutal murders and rapes around Baltimore and surrounding suburbs. Eventually, he learns that Brenda is a cop and decides to make her his next target.
Al begins to dedicate time to helping Brenda overcome her addiction and finally recommends her to counseling while their supervisor, Lieutenant Holmes, orders her to detox as soon as they solve the current spate of homicides.
Of course, Brenda is reluctant to attend counseling at first, afraid to reveal the inner pain that started her down the road to addiction, a road that leads back into her childhood.
Will Brenda overcome her addiction before losing herself and the love of her partner? More importantly, will she and Al be able to stop Julius before Brenda ends up in a body bag?
Clarence Brown, a recovered heroin addict, calls out the gritty depths of inner city Baltimore as only one with experience can. He holds nothing back in his dialogue and narrative, presenting a raw, honest and fast-paced crime drama while also relating the devastating effects of addiction on mind, body and spirit.
Al is accustomed to Brenda’s gift and, in fact, has grown reliant on it. More often than not, it delivers results. They have a remarkable arrest rate.
It just so happens that Al has also been in love with Brenda for quite some time—which is why it hurts him so deeply when he learns that his partner is also a heroin addict.
Brenda has been buying from an east side dealer named Julius on a regular basis. At first, she is able to hide her addiction, but as time passes, her behavior begins to change and Al is the first to notice.
Meanwhile, Julius begins to fall to his own addiction and begins a spree of brutal murders and rapes around Baltimore and surrounding suburbs. Eventually, he learns that Brenda is a cop and decides to make her his next target.
Al begins to dedicate time to helping Brenda overcome her addiction and finally recommends her to counseling while their supervisor, Lieutenant Holmes, orders her to detox as soon as they solve the current spate of homicides.
Of course, Brenda is reluctant to attend counseling at first, afraid to reveal the inner pain that started her down the road to addiction, a road that leads back into her childhood.
Will Brenda overcome her addiction before losing herself and the love of her partner? More importantly, will she and Al be able to stop Julius before Brenda ends up in a body bag?
Clarence Brown, a recovered heroin addict, calls out the gritty depths of inner city Baltimore as only one with experience can. He holds nothing back in his dialogue and narrative, presenting a raw, honest and fast-paced crime drama while also relating the devastating effects of addiction on mind, body and spirit.
June 8, 2013
Brunch with an Author
The Friends of the Bangor Library have invited me to speak at their "Brunch with an Author" event on Saturday, July 20 at 10AM at the
Bangor Library
. More details to come!
June 5, 2013
Going Dark for Awhile
Like many, I have a busy summer ahead of me and since I have been traveling the past three weekends, much work has piled up and is now staring down upon me expectantly. This blog will go dark probably for the remainder of June as I catch up on my life. I have fallen behind on recording the audio book for
By Your Side
and I am working on a novella that deserves much more time than I've been able to devote to it over the past few weeks.
Unfortunately, time is precisely what my FT job threatens to consume over the coming months as a massive multi-site OS upgrade has begun...for which I have the daunting honor of being Project Manager.
Once the audio book has been recorded and submitted to my publisher for his podcast site, I shall then resurface. Hopefully, this will be early July.
Thanks!
Phil
Unfortunately, time is precisely what my FT job threatens to consume over the coming months as a massive multi-site OS upgrade has begun...for which I have the daunting honor of being Project Manager.
Once the audio book has been recorded and submitted to my publisher for his podcast site, I shall then resurface. Hopefully, this will be early July.
Thanks!
Phil
