End of 2016 Giveaway

Enter for a chance to add The Falcon Confession to Your 2017 ebook reading list:

https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/295efc66a877d849

Good luck!

Book Review: What Remains of Heroes by David Benem

This book did a great job of defying my expectations. Events I've been pre-conditioned to look out for - the revelation that turns a drunk into a hero, the comeuppance for a particularly grisly murderer, and the triumph of a hero over his/her demons - had plenty of page-turning twists. 

In fact, all the twists caused me to root against some of the main POV characters at points. At first, I found this development off-putting: "Why am I reading about this jerk?" But then I realized this book is a comment on heroes themselves. The author very effectively shows the characters' faults. More over, he does a great job of leaving the characters in precarious moral, emotional, and physical circumstances. As a result, I powered through the pages and will gladly buy the next installment when it comes out.

The first issue - and this may be due to reading it on a Kindle as opposed to a paper copy - was the development of this fantastical world came up a bit short. The maps at the beginning of the hard copies of the "Song of Ice and Fire" series, for example, immensely aided my reading enjoyment of those books. 

In Heroes, however, I didn't see any maps. I got and enjoyed a healthy dose of the world's history, but I had a much harder time visualizing its geography, people, and topography. Distance held little meaning. The weather seemed to be consistent no matter where the action took place. 

The 2nd issue is a bit more important. The types of people in this fantastical world - Khaldesians, Highlanders, Arranese, etc. - lacked unique characteristics. I couldn't visualize the characters by their fantastical designations, and that made them lose some power. 

In the end, however, these are minor quibbles that can be easily rectified in the next installment(s). I look forward to more!

A Current Events/Historical Mashup

Combined with the congressional and senate results, Trump just pulled off a modern-day conquest. Yes, it was peaceful (sorta), and yes, it was legal (I guess), but it was a conquest nonetheless.

Where it gets fun is to weave two threads – this past election and the Norman Conquest – together, using my story as the needle.

Imagine this:

You are Hilary Clinton’s ghost biographer, given 100% total access. One night, she comes home rip-roaring drunk, sits you down with a bottle of scotch, tells you to hit “record” on your iPhone, and begins to talk… The next morning, she announces her candidacy for President.

You stay with her through the primaries, conventions, and the campaign. You feel first-hand the pain of all the backstabbing and in-fighting that comes with the territory. Beyond the patriotism and pride you feel, you still have that recording on your phone, which details the REAL reasons for her quest.

Donald Trump and his gaggle of cronies are the enemies she expected; the enemies she NEEDS to defeat. You know the enemy, too, and you know they would kill you in a heartbeat if they could catch you.

On the morning of the election, your heart flies with optimism. Your party holds the high ground. Your champion is poised to strike…

Only, they strike harder, with better weapons and more sophisticated tactics than anyone gave them credit for. In a back-and-forth all-day battle, certain victory deteriorates into all-out panicked defeat.

Amidst the chaos of retreat, you watch Hilary die. Bill? Trampled. Chelsea? Jailed. In one night, rules and laws and order are obliterated.

There’s just Trump, and he’s coming after you. His goal, as Hilary told you, is total conquest. He wants no trace of resistance left, and he’s keenly aware of the recording on your phone.

You’re alone in New York, getting jostled by throngs of the euphoric and the despondent. Then, you see Rudy Guliani and a bunch of sun-glass wearing thugs heading toward you. You have no choice. Just as Rudy reaches for you, you bolt down a side alley, with nothing but one thought coursing through your mind: 

I NEED HELP…

Goodreads Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Falcon Confession

by John V. Norris

Giveaway ends December 01, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Re: the Election – Where Have I Heard This Story Before?

In the past two days, friends and family have taken to social media to express their opinions/experiences regarding Trump’s win. Since I’m a Marylander transplanted into San Francisco, it’s no surprise my social circle is blue (bad pun). What has surprised me, however, is the eloquence, power, and depth of these reactions.

For the first time, my loved ones – who are experts at posting cute kid updates, funny memes, and the occasional zinger -- are facing potent political adversity. They don’t know what to say to their kids. They don’t know what to say to their co-workers. And they sure as hell don’t know what the future holds.

I’m with them 100%, yet there’s a small consolation lurking in the back of my head: my historical fiction novel.

Without spoiling anything, here’s my story’s elevator pitch:

Amidst the chaos of the Norman Conquest, a monastic novice named Aidan finds himself as the unlikely protector of his fallen king’s last confession. Armed with nothing save his wit and faith, Aidan must save this treasure while facing a God who’s abandoned him, a bishop who wants him dead, and a woman he desperately loves but can never have. In this quest for safety, Aidan must overcome his worst fears to give hope not only to his future, but to England’s future as well.

At first, there doesn’t seem to be much similarity between my story and what happened on Tuesday. But a closer look finds some crazy parallels between this election and the Norman Conquest:

·      An incumbent regime headed by a political “insider.”

·      An aggressive “outsider” who’s willing to break any rule to seize control.

·      A propaganda story that gives the outsider the moral high ground. (This fist-shake is for you, Comey!)

·      A long, torturous build-up to the final battle.

·      The insider’s shocking, unexpected defeat.

·      A three-month progression from victory to coronation, where the country gets ample time to freak out.

·      The outsider’s takeover results in decades of internal strife, subjugation, and misery. (Okay, this one’s not a parallel…yet!)

In writing Aidan’s story, I had to put myself in a situation where my future was in question, my beliefs were in danger, and the law was set against me. It was a dark – albeit thrilling – exercise.

Now, Donald Trump may be a misogynist, a two-buck showman, and the world’s biggest hypocrite, but even I have to admit he’s not William the Conqueror. That being said, his platform of fear-mongering has:

·      Put the future of my family and friends who work in government in question.

·      Endangered the future of many families I know who are interracial or inter-faith.

·      Made my friends and family wonder what kind of life is in store for their children.

On a macro level, they are experiencing what Aidan felt after Oct. 14, 1066. Their Facebook posts show the intelligence, empathy, and consideration for others I tried to instill into my main character.

On one hand, this isn’t surprising; friends and family influence our job performance in a myriad of ways. On the other hand, it makes me glow with pride. I’ve created a main character who reflects the best parts of the people around me. It’s a pretty neat accomplishment.

In return, I get to offer a happy ending, which is a powerful reminder of what good, smart people can do when faced with adversity. No one knows this ending; it’ll be revealed at the end of Book 3. For now, all I can say is, “Watch out Trump fans…I mean Normans!”