An itty-gritty book ... On what was once the Highway 10 corridor to what was once the Arizona border, is where the settlement begins, from there extending well into the desert. People travel on foot there, usually bare ones. There are no cars, trucks, or even bicycles. Those things have been prohibited. The residents there live in tents and huts, made from recycled bits and pieces of whatever they can make use of. Once upon a time, some of them had nice homes, but they had to give them up. They may have finished paying off the bank loan, but their elected representatives never stopped taking, under threat of prison, the annual rent fees. When the rent soared so high it wasn't affordable, they were evicted. Finally citizens understood that if they were still paying for it, it wasn't really theirs. Unfortunately, they figured that out way too late in the game. In this place, where the sturdier souls of the former U.S. citizenry scrape out a survival, the sun is hot, the sand is thick and water and food are scarce. The smallest of tools must be handmade from natural material or cannibalized from the scraps of a society long gone. They're hidden away and guarded by their owners to protect them against thieving by desperate locals without integrity and by government officials, lacking in the same thing. Plants are treated in the same way, cultivated with great care and fiercely protected for their nutritional and medicinal value. As hard as life is in this desert community, there are things happening that their overseers didn't count on. In the hearts of many of them, the desire for liberty or death still maintains a loud tempo, and their souls, still hopeful, are dancing to it. They may look mangled and malnourished, but looks can be deceiving, especially in matters of the heart. Sometimes liberty is gained in tiny pieces, via something as simple as a well aimed pebble from a shepherd's sling. Inclusive treats for fans ... There are loads of reasons you should get this book and add it to your collection.
Something different and very cool that I discovered in this story are some characters with familiar names and personalities. I can't get more descriptive without throwing in too big of a spoiler, so you'll have to read for yourself to find out. Nice touch, Mr. Friedman. About the author ... Michael Friedman is an independent journalist, illustration artist, author of several books and owner of Mockingbird Books, a books, publishing and illustration services company.
If he's a fan of your work, he's gonna tactfully spread the word about it, helping you gain more fans and generate more business for your craft. Not least, he's also one of the founders of the Legacy Archives Foundation and a Legacy Scribe. I urge you to do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book to add to your Michael Friedman collection, if you don't have it already! If you don't yet have a Michael Friedman collection, well ... you should start one. See you Thursday at femme's Desk! I hope you've enjoyed this presentation of one of the books available by one of my favorite authors! You can access them for purchase on amazon.com via any of the embedded links or by clicking on the associated pics.
Enjoy the story! Thank you so much for your visit today, and hope to see you back at femme's Desk on Thursday. 'Til then, God bless you, thank you for the read and please don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity! femmeflashpoint
11 Comments
3/18/2014 07:37:59 am
A wonderful review of Michael's book. I will def. get a copy and thank you for sharing this with us.Hope the migraine is going away.
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femmeflashpoint
3/18/2014 07:57:30 am
Hi Linda!
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Vicki
3/19/2014 04:37:55 am
femme - great review, your writing is so appealing and approachable. I bought the book ( what a bargain)! and read it too. It is a bleak story that will affect the nerves of all who have experienced questionable treatment from government bureaucracy, and who feel they just can't take any more. Congrats to Mike Friedman too - he has to be one of the kindest and savviest veteran geeks around!
femmeflashpoint
3/19/2014 05:14:03 am
Hi Vicki :)
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Kimmie
3/19/2014 10:56:18 am
How very proud I am to call this wonderful author friend. Mike is amazing in so many ways, not only a talented writer but is always helping many. Truly an honorable individual. Thank you Angie for writing this wonderful article and showcasing his work.
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femmeflashpoint
3/19/2014 12:06:56 pm
Kimi,
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Mike
3/19/2014 04:37:56 pm
Hello femme. The grapevine is not what it use to be, or perhaps it is my hearing. I just stopped by to say thank you for such a nice review of this short story. When first published I admitted that it came to me all at once on a walk to the Post Office. I am funny like that. Thank you so much and my thanks to Linda, Vicki, and Kimmie for such nice comments.
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femmeflashpoint
3/20/2014 04:52:37 am
Captain Mike,
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Dear femme,
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femmeflashpoint
3/20/2014 10:02:31 am
Hi Mar and thank you!
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Mike
3/20/2014 02:04:45 pm
Hello teacher mar and femme. Seeing those F,F's reminded me of High School. lol
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