Rehab For One-Hit Wonders

by George Traikovich

Waking up in rehab was guitarist Rick Paulsen's latest career setback, not his last. But when a beautiful ghost from his past shows up at the same island treatment center, he's pulled back into her orbit despite their turbulent history. Digging deeper into the therapy designed to revitalize her career leads him to the arcane rituals behind the unconventional treatment and the real reason he's on the island.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2018

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fata Morgana” “It’s a trick of the light. Either a reflection or a refraction. The difference between a mirror and a window.”

Visit George Traikovich's site on the Internet and discover just how talented he is. The way Traikovich manipulates words and ideas without his visual content proves he his not dependent on his rather extraordinary talents in developing content for use on the internet: his `Urban fantasy for age 10+' stands solidly on its own as what appears to be the first in a series of tales about kids adapting to the funky world as it exists at present. George has published three books now CRYPTO-PUNK, THE SMILEY-FACE WITCHES (Crypto Punk Book 2) and now REHAB FOR ONE-HIT WONDERS, Having read all three of his books this reader grows more in awe of this man’s talent with each publication.

George’s ability to paint credible characters – characters with whom we can identify with ease – allows him to explore the psychological impact of his message about goals/achievement/power/disillusionment that makes this novel sing.

The story follows as stated in the synopsis – ‘Waking up in rehab was guitarist Rick Paulsen's latest career setback, not his last. But when a beautiful ghost from his past shows up at the same island treatment center, he's pulled back into her orbit despite their turbulent history. Digging deeper into the therapy designed to revitalize her career leads him to the arcane rituals behind the unconventional treatment and the real reason he's on the island.’

The map to this therapeutic adventure is placed before the reader in the opening lines: ‘He leaned back against the headboard and waited until the room stopped spinning before realizing where he wasn’t. “This ain’t no Motel Six.” He knew that because the room he’d woken up in wasn’t the same as the one he’d gone to sleep in. For one thing, the sumptuous furnishings didn’t fit the bargain hotel chain’s profile. For another, the smell of dying roses trapped in the faded brocade fabrics heightened the sense of aristocratic decay the musty upholstery reinforced. Lifting the sheets reacquainted him with his host, though her name remained elusive. She was built like the clean-up hitter on a women’s semi-pro softball team and not his usual type, but the luxury blonde’s expensive manicure and healthy tan indicated a higher tax bracket than the company he usually kept. The empty whiskey bottle on the nightstand explained his hangover, and the hangover explained why he couldn’t remember her name. He grabbed a mint from the silver dish beside the lamp to cleanse the stale film coating his tongue but spit it back out right away. The pill’s medicinal aftertaste lingered, but he wrapped the bedsheet around his waist and tiptoed across the terrazzo tile floor, fighting his way through the billowing drapes to the balcony, where he focused his bloodshot baby blues on the foggy horizon. “Water.” The ocean, in fact, though the revelation didn’t clear the cobwebs. He leaned over the balcony as far as his courage allowed, but turrets and towers stepping in and out of the main wing on either side kept him from gauging the castle’s scale in either direction, though the unique architecture narrowed the list of possible locations.’

Island established, main character’s psyche in place, George takes us on an experience with which we all can believe: that moment in life when we question if all that we have accomplished to gain ‘power’ or ‘success’ is what we sought. George Traikovich is firmly settling into a series of novels that will keep audiences waiting for the next release. Very strong author!

[Julius Blitzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a certain pride for all of us when it comes to accomplish something, especially it’s said goal is something people thought you would never be able to make that goal clear. But after you reach that hill, after you pass the unbeatable mountain there is a sense of anxiety inside you, because you never thought there will be an ‘after’ to worry about.
What I really like about this book is how ‘real’ it is, it’s no secret to everybody that once you have power you lose yourself, to have the will to possess everything you always wanted is dangerous, and we all know that those benefits, even if you fight and work hard to earn it, it’s still dangerous.
I called the two sides of the coin, and finding the balance between the two sides, this happens to all of us, musicians, workers, all of us and this book gives us an insight to what it is to live the life of your dreams and what comes after if you only have one goal.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rehab For One-Hit Wonders by George Traikovich is certainly a unique book with a funny premise. When Rick Paulsen, a washed-up musician wakes up in a strange place, at first, he is kind of dismissive. After all,he has woken up in a strange woman's bed before. No big deal. But as he leaves his room, he discovers he is somewhere entirely different, in a setting he never could have imagined. There he is, smack dab in the middle of rehab. This is no ordinary rehab though, not one for drugs or drink anyway. Here, he is being rehabilitated to revive his floundering music career. This is quite an amusing book with a valuable lesson built in, that is, to never give up. The writing flows smoothly, the characters are different, the setting is well described and the action moves nicely along for a light, yet effective read. Highly recommend for a unique reading experience.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unique and interesting storyline.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was odd, and I found myself thinking, "What the heck am I reading," but I found myself rooting for Rick.

I appreciated the author's view of the recording industry-- I tend to agree with him. A handful of companies control all the radio stations, and new or different music doesn't get any airtime.

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I love the title. I found it a bit cheeky and playful, which is a great reminder whenever I picked up the book.

Rehab For One-Hit Wonders is exactly what it sounds like. A guitarist striving to replicate or out do his last greatest track is finding himself spinning out of control and needs to find a way to get, ‘back on the saddle.’ During his time in rehab we quickly learn that his troubled history may be due to a few influences. Those influences rush through the door of his rehab and make him face his demons.

I also found creatives in general will appreciate this book. It is difficult when you write something great, it becomes a big success, and then there is an expectation to write something equally incredible or worth wild. This book may not relate on every level, but there are hints that those of us who love to create, can relate to.

[Lavender]

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I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.