Man on the Fence

by John R Day, Jr.

Congressman Tate Daniels had second-guessed almost every decision he'd ever made with good reason. All he wanted out of life was to play for his beloved Detroit Tigers, take over the family farm, and settle down with the girl of his dreams. Funny how life works out. To make matters worse, Tate had managed to alienate friends that he'd known since their first Little League game back in 1965. Perhaps it would be better to believe in fate than to take responsibility for his current position. One thing Tate now knows for certain as he lie on the floor with a bullet in his chest this isn't right. Man on the Fence is a nostalgic journey of boyhood friends as they grow into men, husbands, and fathers until life's twists and turns create a rift that has the potential to turn deadly. Their relationships for better or worse with the spirited women in their lives create an equally heart-wrenching and heart-warming tale of family, friends, and farm life in which the characters are shaped by the typical trials of sex, religion, politics, and death.

388 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2016

About the author

​I’m John Richard Day, Jr, but my friends call me Johnny. I grew up on my family’s dairy farm in southern Michigan. Among the unusual tasks I’ve performed in different jobs throughout the years, I have cleaned septic tanks and collected boar semen. I’ve been happily married for over 40 years and have three grown, married children, four granddaughters and three grandsons; all of whom I am very proud.

I nurtured my creative side by making highlight videos of my kids' high school varsity and college sports teams. Not only did I enjoy the hours and hours and hours I spent matching the clips perfectly with the songs, I found a way tell stories that could be enjoyed after I’m gone.

Wishing I was more accomplished at verbally sharing some of my life experiences with my kids around the dinner table, I finally took the time to weave a story inspired by some real-life experiences, a great deal of fiction, and a healthy dose of fun in between.

Reviews

[Kimijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man on the Fence is more than just a title. It feels like an open door into a journey filled with choices, consequences, and the pull of the human heart caught between two worlds. John R Day Jr writes in a way that feels personal yet universal, drawing you in from the very first page. The characters are alive and layered, their struggles feel real, and their moments of victory are deeply satisfying.

What touched me most was the honesty in the storytelling. There are no shortcuts and no sugarcoating, only life in all its messy and beautiful complexity. The story moves at a pace that keeps you turning the pages, yet it is the quiet and thoughtful moments that stay with you long after you close the book.

If you want a story that will entertain you while also making you reflect on your own turning points in life, Man on the Fence is a book you will remember.