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Category: Stranger Will

  • UPDATED: TWO Brand new Stranger Will video book reviewS

    UPDATED: TWO Brand new Stranger Will video book reviewS

    I was incredibly happy to see this wonderful video book review posted today by YouTuber/BookTuber MartheBozart. Not only did she enjoy the book, she also noted a couple of specific parts of the book that I myself am particularly proud of. Very little in this world feels as nice as the rush of pride that comes over an author when a book works as intended. Thank you MartheBozart for reading and for the wonderful review (and for liking Stranger Will enough to pass along the book to a friend!).

    Watch the review below. Also, be sure to check out MartheBozart’s channel and other social profiles via the links below. After all that, you’ll probably want to buy Stranger Will, right? I’ve made it easy for you. Just click over to Amazon (or your online book site of choice) now.

    And just when I thought it couldn’t get better over at YouTube, I happen upon another video review, this one from RachelLovesBooks. This one was uploaded in July, but somehow I completely missed it. Watch below:

  • I get naked with this book! A review of The Cost of Living (a novel) by Rob Roberge

    I get naked with this book! A review of The Cost of Living (a novel) by Rob Roberge

    The Cost of Living will easily make my top 10 of 2013 list.

    I’ve read all of Roberge’s work, all that I’m aware of (Drive [novel], More than they Could Chew [novel], Working Backwards from the Worst Moment of My Life [stories]) and I’d read anything else in the future. He’s one of my favorite writers, so you know, having the history I do, you can trust my words.

    To read The Cost of Living is to read the rock and roll story that everyone’s always wanted, but could never find; there’s too much glitter and groupies, too much ego in other rock and roll stories. With The Cost of Living, you’re forced to deal with, and ultimately fall in love with, a life that’s been destroyed by the stage. Every rock and roll story you’ve read before will seem cliche compared to The Cost of Living.

    P.S: I promise my praise has nothing to do with the fact that Roberge blurbed my novel, Stranger Will. I was a fan of his way before he read my book.

  • The Perfect Edge Trifecta tour begins today!

    The Perfect Edge Trifecta tour begins today!

    Perfect Edge Trifecta

    The Perfect Edge Books blog tour has officially started! What is it? A tour in which blog posts about 3 Perfect Edge Books releases will be posted on various super-duper blogs over the next few weeks.

    I’m telling you, Perfect Edge Books is going places. Big places. I’ve genuinely enjoyed and/or loved every book they’ve published so far in their short few months of existence. If you like my books, or like insightful, rough-around-the-edges, intelligent novels, then definitely check out Perfect Edge Books!

    See the tour schedule below. I’ll be updating the dedicated The Perfect Edge Trifecta tour page as new posts are published. Be sure to check back often for updated links.

    While you’re at it, head over to the blogs listed below and subscribe, why don’t ya? You’ll like them. They have good stuff to offer.

    Perfect Edge Books was founded in late 2011 to unite authors whose books weren’t “obviously” commercial. Our books tend to sit in various genres all at once: literary fiction, satire, neo-noir, sci-fi, experimental prose. We believe that literary doesn’t have to mean difficult, and that difficult doesn’t just mean pointless. We prefer to cultivate a word-of-mouth approach to marketing, and keep production as simple as we can. Learn more at www.PerfectEdgeBooks.com.

    Blog Tour Schedule:

    Stranger Will

    1-Apr Bigger, Fuller Glass
    1-Apr Bookworm Castle
    1-Apr Naimeless
    2-Apr Deal Sharing Aunt
    2-Apr Growing Up Little
    3-Apr Free Book Reviews
    3-Apr The Reviewing Shelf
    4-Apr Candle Beam Books
    4-Apr Challenging Reads
    5-Apr Lissette E. Manning’s Blog
    6-Apr Cabin Goddess
    7-Apr Tread Softly
    7-Apr Words in Sync

    Angel Falls

    8-Apr Sycho Faerie’s Book Obesession
    8-Apr Bookworm Castle
    8-Apr Naimeless
    9-Apr Book Broads
    9-Apr Growing Up Little
    9-Apr Deal Sharing Aunt
    10-Apr Free Book Reviews
    10-Apr Charlotte Babb’s Blog
    10-Apr Bless Their Hearts ~ Mom
    11-Apr Black Heart Magazine
    11-Apr Challenging Reads
    12-Apr The Story Factory Reading Zone
    12-Apr Lissette E. Manning’s Blog
    13-Apr A Bit of Everything
    13-Apr Cabin Goddess
    14-Apr Shelley’s Book Case

    The Sound of Loneliness

    15-Apr Bigger, Fuller Glass
    15-Apr Naimeless
    16-Apr The Reviewing Shelf
    16-Apr Growing Up Little
    16-Apr Deal Sharing Aunt
    17-Apr My Life with Books & Boys
    17-Apr Free Book Reviews
    17-Apr Charlotte Babb’s Blog
    18-Apr Lissette E. Manning’s Blog
    18-Apr Candle Beam Books
    18-Apr Black Heart Magazine
    19-Apr Nancy Hendrickson’s Blog
    20-Apr Bookworm Castle
    20-Apr Cabin Goddess
    21-Apr Words in Sync

  • I’ve never read Harry Potter. You can change that.

    I’ve never read Harry Potter. You can change that.

    Click the image above to watch the video
    Click the image above to watch the video

    So, you say you love Harry Potter and that everyone should read it? Now is your chance to put your money where you mouth is.

    Every year I help raise money for a foundation called The March of Dimes. My child, who you can see hilariously featured a few videos from my daily vlog channel (linked above) was born about 5 weeks early, and so benefited greatly from the research and advances in care for premature infants, which is what March of Dimes does.

    Normally, I just beg friends and susceptible strangers for donations. This year I wanted to do something different.

    For every 2 dollars I receive in donations, I will read 1 page of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. At the end of each week, I will tally the donations, read the appropriate number of pages, and then record a video where I will offer my thoughts on the book so far.

    If I don’t receive enough donations for The March of Dimes to read all 309-ish pages (that’s about $618, depending on the edition I read) then I won’t finish the book…ever. I’m not kidding. So, it’s in your hands Potter fans.

    To donate, simply go to http://cjrlit.com/potterbaby, all lowercase to donate. Any amount of money helps.

    Also, if you put your youtube channel name in the message box when you donate then I will mention you and your channel in my final Thank You video after APRIL 28th.

    The deadline for donations is APRIL 28th!

    Please, share this video. It’s the only donation drive of its kind that I’m aware of.

    Donate now by clicking here

  • Sometimes, it feels good to make a person cry.

    Buy Stranger Will

  • FREE copy of my “new” novel, Stranger Will, to willing readers

    FREE copy of my “new” novel, Stranger Will, to willing readers

    Click the image above to view the video
    Click the image above to view the video

    My first novel, Stranger Will, is being re-released this January 25th, 2013 through Perfect Edge Books. However, I have a stack of unedited proof copies from the previous publication that I need to get rid of. Here’s where you come in.

    I will send a free copy (until my limited supply runs out) to anyone willing to read the book and provide a video review. The review doesn’t even have to be positive. Just provide your honest response.

    What’s the catch? No catch. I’ll even pay for shipping the book to you.

    Because the book will be released on January 25th, 2013, I’m hoping for reviews to be uploaded as soon as possible. However, if you can’t meet the 25th deadline, anytime soon after is quite cool by me.

    If you have questions, just ask in the comments at the YouTube video page.

  • D.J Qualls as a morally confused human stain cleaner in the movie adaptation of Stranger Will?

    D.J Qualls as a morally confused human stain cleaner in the movie adaptation of Stranger Will?

    Am I the Next Big Thing? Up-front honesty: no, I’m not the Next Big Thing. However, I have been asked by Richard Thomas to be a part of this blog Q&A thing called The Next Big Thing. I’d explain what The Next Big Thing blog Q&A is, but really, little explanation is needed. I was asked the following questions, and in turn, I will ask the following questions of a new group of writers (listed below the responses). On to the self-indulgence.

    1. What is the working title of your next book? Technically, it’s Stranger Will, due out January 16th 2013, but that’s a re-release of a novel. As for unpublished work, I’m working on two: The Synapse and The Bettors; I promise neither title will stay, as they both follow an unfulfilled [definite article] [vague noun] pattern that should probably be reserved only for terrible magazine rack thrillers.
    2. Where did the idea come from for the book? Stranger Will is a composite of two dissimilar ideas which I’ve forced to exist in the same world: 1) a man who cleans up the remains left from dead bodies (I read a short newspaper article about this occupation years ago, which sparked my interest), and 2) messenger pigeons being shot down before they could deliver their messages. This literal interrupting of a communication was very interesting to me.
    3. What genre does your book fall under? It’s been called horror. I’d agree with that. Psychological, if so. It’s also a definite noir story in the true sense of the term, meaning morally ambiguous character ends no better off than when he started.
    4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? Mrs. Rose, the villain, a grade school principal with evil intentions, would be Gloria Stuart if she were still alive. So, probably Margo Martindale. The protagonist, a run-down human stain cleaner, William Lowson, I’d see a skinny thirty something. Maybe if D.J Qualls wanted to turn dark, he’d be good for it.
    5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? In this novel of impending fatherhood, an idealistic teacher recruits a pliant protégé to join her group of Strangers – a devout collection of kindred minds who have dedicated their lives to cultivating a unique idea of perfection; but joining is easier than leaving.
    6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Neither. It’s being published by Perfect Edge Books (based out of the UK) with no agent representation.
    7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? One year.
    8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Maybe, Camus’ The Stranger (not just in title).
    9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? A newspaper article written about a person who professionally cleans the remains of dead bodies. Occupations have always been rich impetuses for characters.
    10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest? This re-released version has been expanded with additional content including an interview, essays, and more. Also, it’s been called Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for a new generation.

    I’ve nominated (and more importantly, they’ve agreed to participate) the following writers.