Send to Kindle
CrossReads Short Takes
Do and Die
A book/plot that enlightens and inspires
by James Andrew Edske
Two unemployed men living over a thousand miles apart are complete opposites. Kenneth Saxton an unemployed logger during the Spotted Owl Timber industry standoff has been out of work for over a year. He puts a long gun to his head at the families’ cabin near Zigzag, Oregon. Richard Johnson an assembly line manager for Trask Trailers in Long Beach, California is fired for secretly meeting with a company auditor. From the twelfth story of a hotel balcony Richard discerns jumping to end it all… Two things Richard and Kenneth have in common; excessive drinking and they both lost sons. Jabbar died from a drive by shooting in LA and Billy to a climbing accident on Mt. Hood. Strong men need self worth and are always easy targets of the dark purple haze…
On that same weekend the temporary auditor for Trask Trailers rear ends a semi truck after her brakes fail on a brand new, limited edition convertible sports car; she dies instantly. Kevin Trask receives one of these same limited edition SL600 sport cars for a graduation gift and is headed to Shasta Lake to meet up with friends for a houseboat graduation party. Tina, his college girlfriend is ready and more than willing to straighten out Kevin’s distorted sexuality, all caused from what his grandfather did to him during adolescence.
After three days of drinking, drugs, sex and Rohypnol, Kevin leaves the houseboat flotilla to climb Mt. Hood. Not only did Grandpa Trask distort his views on sex, he gave Kevin a pocket watch with a three word inscription “Do and Die”. Not the mantra that serious mountain climbers repeat over and over. Do or die is all about being self centered and self achievement—unlike do and die, a term that superheros and plain ordinary people often live by.
Gus Watt the security guard at the Trask manufacturing plant has his own three word mantra “Trust in God” and continually repeats it to everybody going thru his guard gate. But two letters and one number is what Gus is truly fixated on… Most people these days have forgotten what the Y2K abbreviation stood for. Without Augustine Watt’s persistence, focus, prayers and repetitive behavior, the 21st century would not be what it is today.
NOWHERE TO GO
Christian Orphan Preteen Brothers’ Adventure in Holy Spirit living
living Green, & Gardening
(Jimmy & Me Book 1)
“Nowhere to Go” is a “Box Car Children” meets “The Great Brain” novel. A Box Car Kids meets The Great Brain novel. Christian orphan preteen / teen boys.
Jake and Jimmy Landon are orphaned. They avoid being separated in foster care. Jimmy, a 15-year-old genius decides to keep what’s left of their family together.
The story is told through the eyes of ten-year-old Jake. They’re careful to keep their secret, but how long can they pretend to have a non-existent mother? Or worse, will “Uncle” Jed find out where they live? The constant threat of mayhem is a real possibility.
These two adventurers find their way through various trials. Where will they live? How will they eat and pay for things? Super-natural miracles surround these two as they continue to trust God. Some call it religious, but we know it as a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jake and Jimmy read their Bible and pray, then God’s mystery unfolds. Their discovery of sustainability and green technology rocket their ambition. Men women and middle school kids have grown to love the characters in this amazing story.
“This story is so exciting. It’s so cool how Christ provides for their needs. What an adventure! I had to wipe away a few tears too,” Gordon Miller.
“A down to earth book with a touch of humor and great inventions from household items. When two brothers are faced with a tragic event, they turn to God,” Sharon Seilhymer.
