"War of the Institutes" by Paul James

NEW RELEASE and EXCERPT

War of the Institutes
(The Modest Proposal Institute Book 4)

by Paul James

War of the Institutes, the fourth and final book in The Modest Proposal Institute series by Paul James, has just been released. The author stops by today to share an excerpt from the book. Also available for only $0.99 each (or FREE on Kindle Unlimited): An Old Path to a New Future, No More Empires (read my blog post), and Rival Institutes.

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Description

The Modest Proposal Institute, which began in 2018 with such high hopes of saving the future progress of mankind, has broken into rival factions by 2030. Book 4, War of the Institutes, brings to an end this dystopian young adult, near-future sci fi, history of Earth.

Alexis and his pioneers have set up home on the moon and Mars, with an Earth 2.0 to come. Shane and his ocean pioneers are establishing mankind's presence on the seabed. Nadia and Tomas reign supreme in Western Europe and would like to extend their dominion across all the old Western lands. A splinter group, led by Jamie, wishes to live free in North America. All would be well if only they would be happy with what they have - but not everyone can and on Earth mankind returns to its pre-industrial state.

Excerpt

Moon City, 2129

Alexis frowned. He wished, and not for the first time, that he’d never started this history and yet it had to be told. To be honest, all he really wanted was his view of events told in his own voice. Looking back, he could see so many times where he failed and people would wonder why? They would ask why the same man who, in his early days, had pushed the Space Institute forward so forcefully, but then had been so unsure of himself when the Institute began to fracture. And they’d be right to ask. He could hardly understand it either. Until 2040, he’d been striding forward into space. After 2040 he’d been out of his depth on Earth. People there made no sense to him. Unfortunately, that’s the time he’d reached in this history, and he felt almost afraid to go on. He shrugged. Best to get it over with, he thought, and began recording.

It was the darkest time of the Institute’s history. The time when the three branches drifted farther and farther apart in growing mistrust and then violence. These events had happened only a few years ago and yet were almost forgotten by most. Or here in space they were, anyhow. He couldn’t speak much about those left on Earth because he never visited now, but he suspected their everyday thoughts were consumed by just finding enough food to keep living.

It wasn’t a dark time for everyone. Here in space, life went on as if nothing had changed. It was always a reflection of the Earth of 2018 here, only better. Before the moon and Martian cities were even half finished, exploratory missions had gone out in search of asteroids, other moons, and anything in the solar system that looked like it could be colonized. The drive was relentless. Even Alexis was staggered at the energy his pioneers showed in every possible new territory. Now he could see how the ancestors of the Western world could have arrived in a wilderness hundreds of miles from the nearest outpost of their civilization and built a city almost overnight.

He also now saw why the Founders had not focused on recruiting men with any one particular attribute—not IQ or physical strength or any other single quality. The Institute needed a range of qualities. Once those who explored had put roots into a new territory, pioneers needed to arrive and build. Nothing stopped the pioneers—not heat, cold, or exhaustion. They threw themselves into building each new settlement like there was no tomorrow. The contrast to the people he’d tried to help on Earth was staggering. Back on Earth people were starving, freezing, and yet could barely organize a hunt. Any one of the Institute’s men was worth ten of them.

After the pioneers came the builders, farmers, manufacturers, and those who provided them the services they needed. Where there had once been a barren, lifeless rock whirling in space, there was soon a thriving community sending resources back to the older colonies and importing things they needed in order to expand. No one directed anyone. The men just did what they did and the rest of life followed naturally.

The same story, of course, had been played out many times throughout men’s history on Earth. As Dean had told them, barren islands and lands had been turned into bustling cities and booming countries for thousands of years, but it was still astonishing to watch happen in space.

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

“This author is a born story-teller, and I enjoyed this immensely. I’m especially impressed because it’s a first book. Superbly edited and excellently written, it’s a story of growing up, facing challenges, and finding the ‘you’ that you were meant to be; but all that’s extraneous to the plot, which I found unique and fascinating. About a group of young boys working to solve the problems of their society by creating a better future, you’ll experience tension, and relief, and more tension.”

“The story reaffirms that no matter how technologically advanced or intelligent we humans are, our basic human nature doesn't change, or rather, the more things change, the more they stay the same.” ~ MJC

“Loved this book. Great build up from the 3 and like the others couldn't put it down. Would recommend to those who love sci fi and an adventure.” ~ NB

“You will enjoy this book more - as you will know the history of the main characters and the plot if you read books 1-3 of the Modest Proposal Institute. Be advised that the characters’ life spans last for hundreds of years. Tomas and Nadia rule Europe, Alexis controls Outer Space, Shane the Oceans, Jamie - Jamestown, North America, and Asia and the rest of the world had more localized control. What happens when one leader wants to control the Earth?” ~ Terry Biehl

“The end of the end. Heavy, yet satisfying. It made me cry. I was secretly hoping for a different ending, but knew it has to end this way. The Modest Proposal Institute series is truly a masterpiece that makes you wonder on so many issues that we're facing right now.” ~ Rugova Writes

About the Author

Paul James is an engineer with a life-long interest in books and writing. Originally from England, he's lived with his family near Toronto, Canada, for many years and where he walks, runs and takes wildlife photos whenever the weather will let him. In his writing, he likes to capture the humorous side of life even when sometimes the world doesn't seem to warrant it - as we saw in his earlier book, Diary of a Canadian Nobody.

For his new series, The Modest Proposal Institute, he has returned to one of his earliest loves - science fiction.

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"Haskell Himself" by Gary Seigel

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY

Haskell Himself

by Gary Seigel

Haskell Himself by Gary Seigel is currently on tour with Xpresso Book Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

Meet Haskell Hodge. At sixteen he’s already garnered some fame as a former child actor and star of a popular cereal commercial. But that doesn’t do much for him when he’s dumped at his aunt’s house in the suburbs of Los Angeles to face an assortment of neighborhood bullies.

He thinks he might be gay. In fact, he could be the only gay person in the valley, maybe on the entire planet. Even if he does manage to find a boyfriend, their relationship would have to be secret and invisible.

After all it’s 1966. And though Time Magazine claims the sexual revolution is in full swing, the freedoms straight people are enjoying don’t seem to apply to everyone. And as much as Haskell attempts to hide his true self, carefully navigating the tricky and risky terrain of being queer, he’s still taunted and teased relentlessly.

Rather than give in to the irrationality of this hate, Haskell fights back, eventually finding an unlikely outlet to vent his frustration and angst - playing a bully in a screen test for a major motion picture. If he plays his cards right, it could catapult him into Hollywood stardom.

Of course, like most things in life, it comes with a heavy price Haskell’s not certain he’s willing to pay.

Excerpt

Bonanza

That evening, Mom brought in meatballs, calzones, and a Caesar salad from Lombardi’s. I waited until we had devoured all the food before I reminded Mom of Hope’s ill-temper and childish behaviors.

“What bothers me is that Aunt Sheila hardly ever corrects her. Not even a slap on the wrist or a ‘Go to your room.’”

“Aunt Sheila does what she has to do.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “If Al Capone had been Sheila’s child, she would have sent him to bed early without his hot cocoa and biscotti and have come up with some lame excuse for his murder spree.”

“Oh, Haskell, parents may treat their children a little differently in California, and she’s not six any more. Hope is nearly nine years old. Wait and see. You’ve never had a sibling. It will be a healthy change.”

My anxiety worsened. What did I know about living with a nine-year-old? I hadn’t been with a nine-year-old since I was nine. And what would it be like living with an aunt and an uncle? I’d never lived with a “father” figure before. My dad called me periodically, like once a year, but I rarely ever saw him. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I’d get along with Uncle Ted, since all he ever talked about was baseball. What would we have in common?

I felt a headache coming on.

And then Mom did what she often did in her real estate negotiations: she sweetened the deal.

“So, you were saying that you just did an exercise where you played a villainous cowboy? Is that right?”

“Yes, and it went well.”

“I think I found you a screen test in Hollywood for a part in a TV Western.”

“Really?”

“You’d be playing a pioneer kid in the Old West who has been living alone most of his life. The Cartwrights find him wandering in the fields, and they invite him in.”

“Are we talking Bonanza?”

I was excited. This was TV’s number-one show.

“Could this lead to a regular part?” I asked eagerly.

“No, I don’t think so. Turns out the kid’s a bit twisted. Gets in fights all the time, and he ends up drowning at the end of the episode. Still, what a great way to start your adventures in Los Angeles!”

My father, Tony Pawlikowski, whom I had met a half a dozen times, had connections with the company that produced Bonanza. It was a Western about a three-time widower and his three adult sons living on a big ranch called The Ponderosa, and every week they’d face numerous challenges. Sometimes they were silly stories, such as the time when one of the sons, Hoss Cartwright, fights a tribe of leprechauns. Most often, though, the episodes were more serious. In this one, I’d be playing a maniacal orphan who apparently can’t swim.

My initial instincts? After six months in Miss Hogan’s class, I could tackle this role.

The only problem was the kid was supposed to be short and rather tough and extremely handsome. I was none of those things. I was tall, weighing less than 150 pounds. A real beanpole. I wasn’t exactly tough either, and with my big ears, I was certainly not handsome.

“Mom, I don’t think this will work out. My physical appearance is all wrong.” I pored over a description listed in the classified section of Variety. “He twirls a gun in the air?”

“We’ll get you a gun tutor.”

“There’s no such thing. Come on!”

“They have gun tutors all over Los Angeles. We’ll look them up in the Yellow Pages. An actor can transform himself into any role,” my mom said, her face gleaming, mimicking my acting coach. “If they like you, they’ll make adjustments.”

“No one is going to take me seriously as a handsome, rugged boy in town. I’m too scrawny.”

“Perfect! Your mom’s dead, remember? So, she’s not been around to feed you.”

Maybe she’s not dead. Maybe she just went to Antwerp, I thought.

“And I’d probably need to ride a horse, right? It even says here. ‘Horse riding experience necessary.’ You have to read the fine print, Mom. I’ve never ridden a horse. I’ve never even ridden a bike! I don’t even roller skate!”

“They’d probably bring in a stunt double for those scenes,” she said, dismissing my concern with a wave of her hand. “Well, if you don’t want to try out for that part, that’s fine. I have another great idea for you.”

“What’s that?”

“Sheila is good friends with the mother of a boy about your age who is also into acting. He attends the same high school you’ll be attending, so he’s someone you can hang around with when you arrive in Encino. He’s quite the talent, apparently.”

“What’s his name?”

“Her last name is Stoneman.” She grabbed a piece of paper from her purse. “And his name is Henry.”

“I never heard of him.”

Yes, I lied to my own mother. I had, in fact, seen his name mentioned in Variety. He had won a small part recently in a Disney film.

“We’ll arrange for you boys to meet, and you can take it from there. You two have so much in common. It will be wonderful.”

That night, I dug through my latest copies of Screen Magazine and spotted a photograph of Henry Stoneman. Quite handsome, wearing black jeans and black shirt with rhinestone buttons and a cowboy hat. He was in John Wayne’s last movie, so he could probably ride a horse, use a gun, and speak fluent Apache. He had eighteen film and TV credits. Eighteen!

I fell into a deep, angry, solid funk, desperately hoping my mom might change her mind and this California nightmare would dissipate into dust.

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

“Haskell's endless neurotic uncertainty over who to be and what to do will captivate readers. An entertaining and perceptive YA take on the predicament of gay adolescence.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“I have never rooted for any fictional character quite as much I did for Haskell Hodge, the hilarious, dorky, slightly histrionic protagonist and narrator of Gary Seigel's novel, Haskell Himself.” ~ Online Book Club Review

“A touching, coming of age story about a boy finding himself. The real joy of this story show is how relatable Haskell Himself is for all of us, young and old, straight or gay.” ~ Holly Kammier, international bestselling author of Kingston Court

“A must read YA novel that captures the angst, misery and frustration of being a teenager who doesn't fit in the mold. I couldn't put it down.” ~ Jessica Therrien, bestselling YA author of Children of the Gods

“A brilliant mix of hope, heart, and humor. Fans of David Levithan and Becky Albertalli will love Gary Seigel's debut novel. This wise and witty portrait of what it means to be different will have you in tears one moment and laughing the next. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug Haskell. You will too.” ~ Jill Rubalcaba, author of Every Bone Tells a Story

About the Author

Gary Seigel was raised in Encino, California, where his debut novel, Haskell Himself, takes place. After completing a PhD in English at Rutgers University, Gary taught at several colleges and universities, but his most memorable experience was a brief 12 week stint at the same high school he (and Haskell) graduated from, teaching side by side with some of the same teachers he once endured. Currently, Gary gives grammar and proofreading classes to business professionals eager to write error-free emails. He also has spent the past two decades helping employees control their inner jerk when texting or holding conversations with an impossible boss. His book The Mouth Trap: Strategies, Tips and Secrets for Keeping Your Feet out of Your Mouth, published in 2008, has been translated into over a dozen languages. He is the father of three sons and currently lives in South Pasadena with his partner.

Giveaway

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"Betrayal in Black" by Mark M. Bello

NEW RELEASE and EXCERPT

Betrayal in Black
(Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Book 4)

by Mark M. Bello

Mark M. Bello stops by today to share an excerpt from Betrayal in Black, the fourth book in the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller series. Also available: Betrayal of Faith (read my blog post), Betrayal of Justice (read my blog post), and Betrayal in Blue (read my blog post).

Description

Pulled over in America? When you're white, you might get a ticket. When you're black, you might end up dead.

In a fictional Michigan town, a man is pulled over by the local police. The driver wonders: “What did I do wrong?” The officer asks for I.D.; the driver casually mentions he legally carries a gun. The officer panics - confusion reigns - shots ring out - an innocent man lays bleeding to death and the incident is captured on video.

The shooting becomes the national headline - the dead man is black - the shooter is white. A community is thrown into chaos. Protestors on both sides of the racial divide take to the streets.

A widow struggles to make sense of senseless tragedy. She turns to high-profile trial lawyer, Zachary Blake. Together, they dare to fight city hall. Will police lie to protect the status quo?

Small Great Things meets The Hate U Give in Mark M. Bello's explosive new social justice legal thriller, Betrayal in Black.

Excerpt

Chapter One

“What do you think?”

Cedar Ridge chief of police Warren Brooks has convened a task force to conduct a special inquiry into this officer-involved shooting. The most experienced law enforcement officials from city and county are named to the task force.

The press will have a field day with this!

The chief and the task force listen to the transcript of the audio and review dash cam video. They review copies of a disturbing iPhone video the victim’s wife captured.

Officer Randy Jones is suspended pending completion of the investigation. He faces state charges and a possible federal civil rights investigation and prosecution. The victim was African-American. His name is Marcus Hayes; he resided in Detroit. Officer Jones is a veteran Cedar Ridge resident and cop.

“This is off the record, correct?” A task force veteran wonders.

“Absolutely,” assures Chief Brooks.

“Doesn’t look very good to me. I didn’t hear or see anything to suggest that the officer was in danger at any time.”

“Any time a citizen utters ‘I have a gun’ to an officer, that officer is in danger,” counters Brooks.

“True enough, I suppose, but why would the victim tell the officer he had a gun if he planned to use it? The victim did exactly what he should have done under the circumstances. We can’t go shooting every citizen who is carrying and has a legal right to carry.”

“Hayes should have complied with Jones’ orders to the letter, don’t you think?” Chief Brooks is naturally inclined to defend his officer.

“We can’t tell whether he complied or not from the audio or the angle that the video provides. Furthermore, Jones requested, at least twice, to see the guy’s license and registration. How was Hayes supposed to do that without reaching for something? At best, he was given inconsistent commands. Which ones should he have complied with? Close call.”

“You think Jones will face charges?”

“From the city or county, maybe. From the feds? Absolutely.” 

“For now, any investigation of Officer Jones will be handled in house,” Brooks orders. “Internal Affairs needs to get Officer Jones in here for a confidential interview. We need to get his statement on the record. The audio and video tell us some, but not all of what was going on out there.

“Monday morning quarterbacking is easy. We all have opinions about what we see in the video, but what was Jones seeing? What was going through his mind? What was the guy doing inside the car that caused Jones to react the way he did? We’ve got our work cut out for us. We may need to get another police department involved so that the investigation is completely independent. I don’t want any civil rights marches in our city—they are not good for our image.”

“Neither is an officer-involved shooting of an innocent black man who was pulled over for no apparent reason.”

“There was a reason, dammit. The officer thought that driver and occupant looked like the Burger King suspects.”

“Because the driver was a black man? Any other reasons come to mind?”

“Jones claimed there was a resemblance.”

“That’s absurd, Chief. The Burger King guys were much younger, and, by the way, both male. This was a male and female with young children in car seats. There was no traffic violation. Jones admits on tape that he could not see the suspects well enough to tell that one was female. This so-called robbery suspicion was hardly probable cause for the stop. 

“But, let’s assume for a second that there was probable cause. These people did nothing wrong. He pulls them over, approaches the window, and sees a man, a woman, and two children. They are some twenty years older than the Burger King suspects. Officer Jones knows, then and there, he’s made a mistake. Why not simply apologize for pulling them over, tell them it was a case of mistaken identity, and to have a nice day?”

“Because he might have smelled marijuana?”

“That’s weak, Chief. He pumps four bullets into a guy over a possible joint? This smells like a case of driving while black through a predominately white community.”

“I know; I get it. For now, we defer to Internal Affairs. Let’s reconvene once they’ve completed their investigation. Anything else?”

“Yeah, Chief. I don’t know Jones well, but this case is a powder keg. What if we have to sacrifice him, right or wrong, for the greater good of the community?”

“Not close to considering anything like that yet. We’ll cross that bridge if or when we come to it. For now, we let Internal Affairs do their thing. Anyone else? No? Okay, meeting adjourned.”

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

About the Author

Mark M. Bello is an attorney and award-winning author of realistic fiction and political legal thrillers.

Retired from handling high profile legal cases, Mark now gives the public a front-row seat watching victims fight for justice in our civil and criminal justice systems. Mark's award-winning Zachary Blake Legal Thrillers mirror our times and the events that shape our country.

In addition to writing captivating legal thriller novels, Mark writes a civil justice blog and co-hosts a weekly podcast, Journey into Justice. He has written articles for numerous publications and made guest appearances on radio and talk shows.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. He and his wife Tobye have four children and eight grandchildren.

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