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Level-Up with Game Assist
Read about how a single spark can snuff out a candle, leaving it rotting in a makeshift tomb.
This story delivers espionage, gaming, friendship, sexual identity, and betrayal with protag Jordan Tracks and his quest to fast-track his career. He is willing to do anything to win and keep winning—even if it means compromising a moral compass defined by his friends and family—but more specifically, by her…
She struggles to adapt to life outside her comfort zone.
He detests how much he needs her.
But they must work together to survive a deadly scheme meant to disrupt their prospects in the gaming industry.
They must live, love, and level up.
——————————————————————————————
They thought it would be a fun job. Who wouldn’t? Play all day and get paid! But the game changed and now loved ones are dead. Read about Jess and Tracks as they Level-Up with Game Assist in this 90s saga.
Jordan Tracks is that striking guy who sucks you into his orbit. He gets noticed and he wants it all! Having won several game championships, Tracks is ready to take his fame to the next level by joining ZipTy, a gaming company that helps its players with problems from a call center known as Game Assist. Jordan initially seeks to be the top ranked counselor, but he wants, oh… so much more!
But there is a glitch--there's always a glitch. Jessica Jess Tims, a crush from childhood also works for the company and is now his competition and he's not having it.
What else could possibly go wrong?
In two words... A LOT!
Tracks' struggle to stay one step ahead of Jess leads to some serious drama, betrayal, and, of course, love, but not necessarily with each other--all this packed into a final push to save their jobs and their company from a rogue developer who has sabotaged the latest highly-anticipated game console.
What others are saying about this novel...
"I'm liking it, especially the unique voice the writing has, it really captures the 90's
Might have to re-assess my bias on coming of age and video game literature." - Arc Reader Review
“Destined to become a true cult classic!”—Goodreads review (J Mills)
“The setting reminded me much of back home in Antioch, the characters could have been so many of my friends from childhood.” - Beta Reader Review
“…the author [creates a] unique novel that [appeals] to readers who enjoy coming-of-age [drama]…treats [them] to [twists] while also breaking hearts with moments of love, loss—to [adapt] & level-up physically and emotionally. “
Goodreads Review (Happy)
"[I] like how there are LGBT characters introduced without making their sexuality their personality." - Arc Reader Review
This story delivers espionage, gaming, friendship, sexual identity, and betrayal with protag Jordan Tracks and his quest to fast-track his career. He is willing to do anything to win and keep winning—even if it means compromising a moral compass defined by his friends and family—but more specifically, by her…
She struggles to adapt to life outside her comfort zone.
He detests how much he needs her.
But they must work together to survive a deadly scheme meant to disrupt their prospects in the gaming industry.
They must live, love, and level up.
——————————————————————————————
They thought it would be a fun job. Who wouldn’t? Play all day and get paid! But the game changed and now loved ones are dead. Read about Jess and Tracks as they Level-Up with Game Assist in this 90s saga.
Jordan Tracks is that striking guy who sucks you into his orbit. He gets noticed and he wants it all! Having won several game championships, Tracks is ready to take his fame to the next level by joining ZipTy, a gaming company that helps its players with problems from a call center known as Game Assist. Jordan initially seeks to be the top ranked counselor, but he wants, oh… so much more!
But there is a glitch--there's always a glitch. Jessica Jess Tims, a crush from childhood also works for the company and is now his competition and he's not having it.
What else could possibly go wrong?
In two words... A LOT!
Tracks' struggle to stay one step ahead of Jess leads to some serious drama, betrayal, and, of course, love, but not necessarily with each other--all this packed into a final push to save their jobs and their company from a rogue developer who has sabotaged the latest highly-anticipated game console.
What others are saying about this novel...
"I'm liking it, especially the unique voice the writing has, it really captures the 90's
Might have to re-assess my bias on coming of age and video game literature." - Arc Reader Review
“Destined to become a true cult classic!”—Goodreads review (J Mills)
“The setting reminded me much of back home in Antioch, the characters could have been so many of my friends from childhood.” - Beta Reader Review
“…the author [creates a] unique novel that [appeals] to readers who enjoy coming-of-age [drama]…treats [them] to [twists] while also breaking hearts with moments of love, loss—to [adapt] & level-up physically and emotionally. “
Goodreads Review (Happy)
"[I] like how there are LGBT characters introduced without making their sexuality their personality." - Arc Reader Review
Paperback
First published May 16, 2021
4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Grover Walters
1 book8 followersI grew up in the North Channel area of Houston, Texas, but also spent a few of my early years in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ultimately settling in Spartanburg, SC. I, along with technology, The Internet, and digital social spaces all grew up together, forming an unbridled, near-toxic affair—driving my desire to study Information Technology and Business. My first video game was Pong, played on a massive black and white Zenith television. Level-Up with Game Assist is my debut work of fiction and a reflection of personalities that influenced me throughout my personal life and career in global tech.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 23, 2021
When we feel as if we are spinning out of control and the walls are crashing in all around, exploding into chunks of concrete regret and crumbled mortar of self-doubt, we can make a choice, stay in the rubble or dig ourselves out and climb up to a higher level. It may feel like a game, but it’s real life!
Level-Up with Game Assist by Grover Walters, an adult coming-of-age novel that begins in California in 1990, follows the lives of Jordan Tracks and Jessica (Jess) Tims, two GenX friends who love the competition within their favorite obsession, playing 2D classic arcade and console video games. But sometimes in high school, obsessions lead to flirtations.
Unsatisfied with the idea of college life, Jordan Tracks decides instead to apply for a Game Assist Counselor position at ZipTy, a big video gaming company. What could be cooler or more awesome than playing video games every day from a call center where you help other players maneuver through their at-home console games? In Tracks’ mind – nothing! He believed this dream job was his ticket to success!
After high school, Jess Tims has a different plan and path for her life, a college degree and the long search for what she has been missing, for what could make her whole, and for what could heal a haunted past and replace it with a new emotional level of happiness.
Several aspects of becoming an adult are self-discovery, experimentation, trust and sexual identity. In all, this author has created a unique novel that will appeal to gamers, non-gamers, romance lovers, and readers who enjoy unique coming-of-age stories. Also, the author treats his readers’ to suspenseful plot twists while also breaking hearts with moments of love, loss, and learning how to level-up physically and emotionally. With maturity, idealism becomes realism. Walters conveys all of these themes within his story and through his very interesting characters.
I would recommend this very entertaining book to any adult reader. Since I am someone from Generation X, this book was a totally nostalgic and entertaining read for me. I really enjoyed all of the characters’ relationships, how they dealt with the pressures of maturity and how they handle unexpected events. But most of all, I loved the idea of imagining what it might be like to work at the coolest job ever, a Game Assist Counselor!
Level-Up with Game Assist by Grover Walters, an adult coming-of-age novel that begins in California in 1990, follows the lives of Jordan Tracks and Jessica (Jess) Tims, two GenX friends who love the competition within their favorite obsession, playing 2D classic arcade and console video games. But sometimes in high school, obsessions lead to flirtations.
Unsatisfied with the idea of college life, Jordan Tracks decides instead to apply for a Game Assist Counselor position at ZipTy, a big video gaming company. What could be cooler or more awesome than playing video games every day from a call center where you help other players maneuver through their at-home console games? In Tracks’ mind – nothing! He believed this dream job was his ticket to success!
After high school, Jess Tims has a different plan and path for her life, a college degree and the long search for what she has been missing, for what could make her whole, and for what could heal a haunted past and replace it with a new emotional level of happiness.
Several aspects of becoming an adult are self-discovery, experimentation, trust and sexual identity. In all, this author has created a unique novel that will appeal to gamers, non-gamers, romance lovers, and readers who enjoy unique coming-of-age stories. Also, the author treats his readers’ to suspenseful plot twists while also breaking hearts with moments of love, loss, and learning how to level-up physically and emotionally. With maturity, idealism becomes realism. Walters conveys all of these themes within his story and through his very interesting characters.
I would recommend this very entertaining book to any adult reader. Since I am someone from Generation X, this book was a totally nostalgic and entertaining read for me. I really enjoyed all of the characters’ relationships, how they dealt with the pressures of maturity and how they handle unexpected events. But most of all, I loved the idea of imagining what it might be like to work at the coolest job ever, a Game Assist Counselor!
May 21, 2021
Destined to become a true cult classic! Fantastic story, incredible writing, extraordinary read!
July 16, 2021
I loved it! Overcame my bias towards coming of age books, which is arguably the highest praise a reader can give a book. Corporate espionage meets coming of age: Level Up With Game Assist
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews