June 2022 Group Read with Guest Author Mike Duke

[Kimberly]

Sally wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Starting MAKING JAKE!!!"

Enjoy! It's really great!"

How is it possible that I like Jake and empathize with him?? LOL!

[Sally]

Kimberly wrote: "Sally wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Starting MAKING JAKE!!!"

Enjoy! It's really great!"

How is it possible that I like Jake and empathize with him?? LOL!"

My thoughts exactly! It feels wrong in your head but this dude gets into your heart!

[Kimberly]

Sally wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Sally wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Starting MAKING JAKE!!!"

Enjoy! It's really great!"

How is it possible that I like Jake and empathize with him?? LOL!"

My thoughts exactly! It fee..."
Yes!

[Mike]

Alison wrote: "Mike 😍 this is so cool! I love seeing everyone reading and planning on reading your work. You’ve got such a unique way of telling things. I’m super stoked for Ashley’s Tale, as you know 🙃"

Thanks so much! Can't wait for you to read them too! :)

[Mike]

Char wrote: "I enjoyed The Initiation: Ashley's Tale Book 3.

I liked how everything came together and I felt like it ended the only way it could have ended, considering the histories of each ch..."

I'm so glad you enjoyed these! We'll have to chat about some aspects of the story you particularly enjoyed or that grabbed you. :)

[Mike]

Kimberly wrote: "Starting MAKING JAKE!!!"

WOOOHOOO!!

[Kimberly]

Wow! And JAKE is the one I liked the most now! (Schedules book 3).....

[Mike]

Kimberly wrote: "Wow! And JAKE is the one I liked the most now! (Schedules book 3)....."

Uh-Oh!! We got a Team Jake supporter in the house!

[Char]

Hiding this because some haven't read book 3 yet.


While I understand Jake more, going into book 3, (view spoiler)[ I still couldn't forgive him for those murders. I felt much like Ashley did when she found out. Which is why I admire Ashley so much now. (hide spoiler)]

[Mike]

Char wrote: "Hiding this because some haven't read book 3 yet.


While I understand Jake more, going into book 3, [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ When i sign book three for people i always put the following question in there: "Violence is the Final Answer, but when is it the Right One?" I created this whole series initially as a response to the philosophical position of some people I had trained martial arts with (they were a small segment of the group and i didn't start to find out this group's bent until the last year i trained in that art.) They were hardcore neo-nihilistic atheists. And they were consistent in their beliefs that there was no actual right and wrong of any kind, there was only might and the will to use it. They believed the only people important were those within their "tribe". If the apocalypse happened tomorrow, they would be the bad guys wandering the wasteland, killing people and taking their goods and resources etc. No need to prep, just kill people who already did. What made it even scarier was that the head guy of this sub-group was huge, agile, super skilled, power lifter strong, and one of the most intelligent people i've ever met. Anyway, after i left their "tribe" because of my moral beliefs and i didn't like what i was seeing, i decided to process it all and make an argument without arguing. I decided that i would embody their view in a character and put his beliefs on full display for all to see. Jake was that character. I tweaked his background to draw some empathy from the reader, and gave him some qualities that could endear him at the same time. But his beliefs would shine through and the terrible acts committed in the name of those beliefs would be brought to light, and Ashley's response would reveal the horror in Jake's view of what makes the world go round. People might like the end result Jake obtains but how he gets there is not justifiable to most, and definitely not to Ashley. (hide spoiler)]

[Alan]

Anyone who's still reading the books is more than welcome to comment, but I just want to take this opportunity to once again thank Mike Duke for joining us. You were definitely one of the coolest and most enthusiastic guest authors we've had, and we would be more than happy to have you back with us in the future!

[Mike]

It's been a lot of fun. I've enjoyed hearing people's reactions and thoughts and look forward to hearing final thoughts when everyone finishes book three. Also, thank you so much Alan for making this happen. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity. :) (fist bump)

[Alan]

[Sally]

I absolutely agree Alan! Mike has been the best! I fell behind with my reading this month, happens to the best of us, but when I do read the 3rd book I'm absolutely coming back to the thread.

Thank you Mike, it's been an absolute joy reading with you!

[Mike]

Sally wrote: "I absolutely agree Alan! Mike has been the best! I fell behind with my reading this month, happens to the best of us, but when I do read the 3rd book I'm absolutely coming back to the thread.

Tha..."

Thank you Sally! I'll keep an eye out for when you post here!

[Kimberly]

Thank you Mike--I still have to read the final book, but I am really looking forward to it!!!

[Char]

Mike, thanks so much for joining us here for the month of June! I think our members had fun, and we appreciate your taking the time.

[Mike]

The last two weeks have been extremely hectic but i just wanted to thank all of you again for your interest, interaction, and reviews. I appreciate it all!

[Char]

Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. Thanks again for joining us here. I think our members had a lot of fun with this.

[Mike]

Char wrote: "Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. Thanks again for joining us here. I think our members had a lot of fun with this."

Thank you Char and I'm happy to hear that. I know I had a great time!