AIDS activists resort to terrorism in the action-packed mystery SOULS ON FIRE. In Austin, Texas, circa 1985, terrorists attack a bank and slaughter innocent civilians while stealing cash. Their motivation for this and later assaults is not devotion to a religion, not revenge for some event, nor out of greed. Their outrage stems from the police and society treating them as less than human. They have AIDS. They have decided to follow the Viking belief that it’s better to die in battle than helplessly in bed. The violence escalates and soon copycat attacks happen in other American cities. Will authorities capture or stop these terrorists before more attacks paralyze the city? Buy SOULS ON FIRE to enjoy a fast-paced thriller and discover the surprising conclusion.
Targeted Age Group:: 18+
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
SOULS ON FIRE is a follow-up to my book TAX BREAK. However, the topics and events in SOULS comes from remembering some news articles about AIDS protests in the 80s. One thing that stood out was that the police wore gloves because they were scared to death they'd get AIDS just touching the protestors. This attitude just inflamed the protestors more and often led to some violent confrontations. So I had that in the back of my mind and when I began thinking about a new book, the idea sprang from there. Basically, the idea was "well, what if these protestors kicked it up a notch?"
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
Most of the characters came from the previous book, TAX BREAK. However, most of my characters in all of my books are usually combinations of different people I've met, known or read about. For example, one of the sergeants I knew from my time in the army had been bayoneted while in Vietnam and had this horrendous scar on his back. I used that for one of my characters in another book.
Book Sample
“I wasn’t recruited to train people to kill women and children!”
“No, you were hired to come here and do a job, and damn the politics. What you or I think of the situation doesn’t mean jack! We teach these fuckers what they are supposed to do and if they go outside the lines of decency we can’t do shit! We’re not here to teach them morality. We’re here to teach them war. It’s up to their consciences and the backbone of the politicians back home to decide what’s right or wrong! Not ours!”
Jim’s face turned beet red as he broke away from the repulsive man in front of him. “I’m a civilian now, not a GI and I don’t have to take this shit!” he spit, as he glared at the Devil.
“You and your conscience are part of this shit! You are responsible for this shit as you taught them how to plant the explosives. If it suddenly offends you—tough. This is your job. You’ve accepted it and will continue to do your duty until you complete your mission. You are part of this just as much as me. Just because you stand on the sidelines and watch doesn’t absolve you of shit. How can you light a fuse and then say you’re not part?”
Jim stared vacantly at the enraged CIA operative. As much as he wanted to argue, swear that he was holier than that evil bull of a man, he couldn’t. The man was right. Jim’s conscience might roast him for his actions, but he had taught these little bastard terrorists their horrible tactics. Because they deviated from his own personal straight line, didn’t absolve him from his complicity.
Jim took a deep breath, turned and began to walk back into the depths of the jungle. Don stared after him, knowing he had hit the mark.
Author Bio:
When not ranting about society and its ills, Jay writes short stories for literary and men's magazines like "The Stake," "SingleLife," "A Carolina Literary Companion," "Aura Literary/Arts Review," and others. He has penned five eBooks: SOULS ON FIRE, TAX BREAK, WINGS OF HONOR, SEX and the AMERICAN MALE and WRITING TRASH AND HUNTING BUFFALO. You can find them at Amazon.com and other ebook retailers.
Doesn’t every writer have a blog? Join up with The “Thurber Brigade” to read a communiqué from the front of the War Between Men and Women. The Brigade often comments on relationships, or more precisely the differences between men and women./
Besides writing activities, he likes to say he's done it all (although it's possible he exaggerates like in his funny short stories). He's flown airplanes as well as jumped out of them at over 800 feet; he's brewed beer as well as drinks it whenever he can; he has traveled overseas as well as around the US. However, his favorite leisure activities include hiking the National Parks, watching hockey/football and listening to live music in Austin.
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