Five Star Reviews

​500 visits last week!
 
I want to start out by thanking Mark Verheiden for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions last week. And, while I’m at it, some very special love to all of Mark’s fans who stopped by. Like Denny’s, jplinde.com is always open and have better coffee. We’ll have other guest writers dropping so you’re not going to want to miss what they have to say.
 
Happy 4thof July weekend.  I hope you are all had a safe and sane holiday. Pleased to announce that the Linde’s got through it with all our fingers and toes intact. In a show of strength to our neighbors, we parked Tanktop all week long in the driveway 

Not that summer reading, can’t be dangerous. I’m spending a few weeks diving into Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Mars series (specifically in relation as to why the movie adaptation tanked so phenomenally). I do have one or two ideas and will share my theory on the subject in the next few weeks.  I know this is Pulp 101, but if you haven’t read any of the books in the series, do yourself a favor. I hear Barsoom is lovely this time of year.

Historical footage of the legendary Spruce Goose crashing into a McMinnville Oregon cornfield.

Another shout-out to Scott Ranalli for his five-star review of “Son of Ravage” on Amazon. Scott is a true pulp fan and I am truly grateful for his support. 
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this over-the-top romp. The action is non-stop and throughout we are treated to mythical creatures, Bond-like set-pieces, explosions galore, and of course a guy with a tank turret on his head!! The love for the "good old stuff" of the pulps is apparent, as are a love of more modern entertainment like movies and TV --- references are dropped all over the place.

Despite the worst intentions of slacker Barry Levitt, he is drawn further and further into a crazy cluster$#!& of circumstances. Along for the ride are his four misfit friends. The best part of the book is the bond and love of these friends and how that can overcome one's typical need for self-preservation. It's really cool to watch the hook get set (in Barry AND his friends) for what would become "the love of adventure" that Lester Dent often spoke of in his pulp books.

I did not care for the "25 Years Later" epilogue. It took me out on a downer note. I wish I hadn't seen into that future. You may consider stopping at the final story chapter before that. But other than that, I really love this book, and had so much fun reading it and look forward to further adventures of Barry and his gang!!
 
Sorry, about the ending, Scott. I promise I’ll do better next time. Speaking of reviews. Spread the word. If you’ve read it, write it. Goodreads and Amazon are dying to hear what you thought of the 1stbook in the Son of Ravage Series. All reviews are welcome. And don’t forget to tell your friends that “Son of Ravage” is the read of the summer. Dawn from Los Angeles put her two cents in:
 
 Is is a bird?  Is it a plane? Is it a guy with a tank-cannon turret on his head? Like a kid in a toy store who can play with anything he wants, author J.P. Linde gleefully takes the tropes and conventions of this ‘epic’ adventure genre and zooms around the room with them. He takes ideas to their absurdly hilarious edge, yet never loses control of his narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you, Dawn

Historical footage of a Nazi with a jetpack

​Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @jplinde and on J.P. Linde Author on Facebook.
 
In closing, there are some exciting things coming to the blog in the coming weeks.  I just wish I knew what they were!  See you next week!