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JosephTurkot

JosephTurkot

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Light in August (The Corrected Text)
William Faulkner
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
Richard Rhodes

My New Release Schedule

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For those of you who have read some of my stories, you’ve noticed that I write, so far, in several primary genres: Horror, Dystopian, Science-Fiction, and Fantasy. Because some of you might like one genre, and could care less about the others, I’ve made this outline of my available books, and what books are coming next in each genre. If you haven’t already, subscribe to my mailing list to get notified when a new book is released (the sign-up form is on the top right of the sidebar). Will there be other genres eventually? Sure. I am not bound in chains by a publishing house to these genres. Here’s what’s out and what’s to come for my books:

 

HORROR
House for Sale (A Short Tale of Horror)
Living Alone (A Short Tale of Horror)
Coming Soon:
Before Halloween, 2013: Neighborhood Watch, a full-length horror novel set in suburbia, told through the eyes of a twelve-year old boy. With this novel, I am addressing the main concern of my horror fans–that the stories out now are way too short. Expect extended, and heavy, doses of sustained suspense with this title.

 

SCIENCE-FICTION/DYSTOPIAN
UPDATED As of August 2013, Black Hull the Complete Novel is available! Find it now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and soon on iTunes and Kobo also.
Black Hull is a serial novel, and comes out in episodes. Right now, you can find episodes 1-7, as well as the First Season, which contains episodes 1-6 together.
Black Hull (A Lost in Spacetime Thriller)
Coming Soon:
The remaining 5 episodes of Black Hull, and then the omnibus (complete book) edition, out by the end of Summer 2013.

 

FANTASY
Darkin: A Journey East (Book 1 of the Darkin Saga)
Darkin: The Prophecy of the Key (Book 2 of the Darkin Saga)
Darkin: A History of Blade and Light (Darkin Short Stories Collection #1)
Coming Soon:
By 2014, Darkin 3, called Darkin: The Academy of Gaigas. Also, the second Darkin Short Stories collection will be released in 2014.

If you’re excited about my upcoming releases, let me know. Also, join the mailing list for reminders when a new book comes out, and to find out about special promotions I will run.

Crystal Haven: A Safe Place for Zo?

Crystal Haven: A Safe Place for Zo - Tammie L. Smith, Jenny L. St Pierre I truly enjoyed this story. A young girl sets out to discover why her mother had to leave. Starting in beautiful Ireland, the story is an adventure where magic is real and new companions wait around each undiscovered area. I hope the sequel comes out soon. I think this book is appropriate for younger audiences as well. There is a classic adventure/magic feel going on here, but set in a realistic location, like the initial stages of Harry Potter. Nicely Done Tammie Smith!

The Punishment of the Gods

The Punishment of the Gods - Jake Yaniak The Punishment of the Gods is truly epic—coming in at 770 pages, this book is for the reader who likes a deep, long experience. The prose may at first seem stunted, as in the first few sentences, where something simple is explained in circular fashion (one particular character’s willingness to speak up or keep quiet), but if you push on, you’ll be rewarded by Yaniak’s complex vision.
The plot falls on Daryas Galvahirne’s journey to destroy several powerful rivals, all while keeping happy his lover. The plot occurs through the course of five total books, and for the price, there are few deals comparable to this on the Kindle Store.
If you want really deep lore, mythology and elves thrown in the mix, and a wonderful spin on the fantasy genre by Yaniak, then pick this up. It’s for those readers wanting a deep experience in epic fantasy.

The Adventures Of The Billy Goats Gruff

The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff - Kevin P. Futers This story follows a band of adventurers seeking for nothing more than a kiss to restore than natural human form. The problem is, when they kill the wrong troll, they anger the wrong trolls. This is a new spin on an old Norwegian fairytale. In the original, everything ends after the troll is killed, in a sort of happily ever after moment. In this story, however, Futers demonstrates his ability to add the human struggle, and the truth that resolutions are never so simple. Will the goats lose their humanity before they regain their human form? What can be made of characters vying for the comfort of their natural state, when in the end they will destroy that which is offensive to them, or that which they are intolerant of, to get their much desired kiss? The names may seem overwhelming at first, but I expected this, given it is mythology. He spins yarn well, and I hope we see much more from Mr. Kevin Futers.

Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey

Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey - Alexandra Bogdanovic In a world where the human condition is fragmented by fears and cultural restraints, how would you react if you found out your lover wanted a sex change? I can't think of a more devastating situation, one in which Alexandra draws some deep honesty in the telling. You have to imagine that you're completely committed to someone, and then this unthinkable knowledge comes to light: would you still be able to love the person unconditionally? Would it have seemed all a sham?

Having reported for twenty years, Alexandra knows how to quickly carry information, a special ability of experienced journalists. She'll take you inside her head, and let you figure out how she reeled, rebounded, and endures. If you want a truly unique memoir experience, I suggest you get this book.

Look Not Unto the Morrow

Look Not Unto the Morrow - Robert Fantina This book whisks you away to the Vietnam War era, and moved with incredibly tight dialogue. Think of a mix of lives, all coming together around the circumstances that ground the world in turmoil, but also each man within his own heart. As presidential candidate McGovern said, this book is a must read if you're a fan of Vietnam, or films such as Deer Hunter. Looking to see more from Robert Fantina.
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea - Sebastian Junger Amazing book. Very technical and harrowing.

Darkin: A Journey East

Darkin: A Journey East - Joseph A. Turkot Here is the review posted by Pablo on the Amazon page:

Joseph Turkot's debut novel, Darkin: A Journey East, achieves a level of literary greatness that most fledgling authors never reach in a lifetime, let alone on a first attempt. Turkot delves into the literary genre, fantasy fiction, that is more popular now than it has ever been. Author Douglas Coupland, who has a constant pulse on the literary mindset of the populace, pointed out recently that "two decades of profound technological shifts have literally, biologically, rewired our brains" and that "the only books people are writing or reading right now are fantasy." However, the glut of fantasy novels has not deterred Turkot from making inroads into the realm of the fantasy genre. Turkot's audacious first novel sets its heights high and Turkot does not hide these aspirations, pointing out in the preface that his work is "inspired in no small part by Tolkien" and that he pursues the gargantuan task of "creating a similar sensation of wonder and awe." While creating wonder and awe on a level of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the patriarch of modern fantasy fiction, seems like a quixotic task, it is one that is nevertheless achieved in this work.

Darkin: A Journey East traces the journey of Adacon, a slave who grows to manhood knowing nothing but bondage. Stoked by bold calls for freedom by his fellow slaves, most notably Remtall, Adacon's soul is filled with a desire for freedom that had been dormant for many years. After seeing his good friend Remtall hanged publicly for all of the farm slaves to see as an omen for what could happen to any slave who diverged from his subservient role on the farm, Adacon chooses freedom as his destiny at any cost, even his life. From that moment on Adacon embarks on a trek that takes him from the farm, the only only place he has ever known, into the realm of Darkin. It is a realm not fit for free men to travel and Adacon finds himself in constant danger.

Early in his travels Adacon encounters Krem, an old staff-carring mystic who could just as easily be a Tolkien character from the Lord of the Rings. Krem, whom Adacon quickly realizes possesses magical powers of sorts, takes a liking to Adacon and his conviction, ultimately joining him on his quest. The burgeoning group soon adds more members, all great help to Adacon and all characters that any fan of fantasy will surely love. Togther the group sets out to take on the dark lords of Darkin, the very ones who for so long have punished the men of the land. Before long Adacon's motley group - consisting of a magician, a gnome, a metal giant, and several men -is mixed up with dwarves and elves in alliance to defeat the evil lord, Vesleathren, and Aulterion, the Dark Mage and his Feral army. By the end of the novel Adacon finds himself in an epic battle in which the good people (and elves, dwarves, and golems, among other classis characters of fantasy) find themselves in an epic battle for their very lives.

This novel is sure not do disappoint anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure or just plain good storytelling. The fluidity with which Turkot writes makes this a novel that is hard to put down once started. The reader quickly becomes invested in Adacon and emotionally tied to his struggle. The struggle for freedom is one that has reverberated with people throughout history and it is one that will continue to inspire for as long as people remain on Earth. This is a struggle that Turkot has captured, through the medium of fantasy, and made intriguing, enjoyable and inspirational for the reader. To borrown from the author's own words, he has achieved his goal of "creating a sensation of wonder and awe." It is a goal of which Tolkien would doubtless approve. Turkot has set his mark high, and unquestionably he has hit it.
Runner - Carl Deuker Edwin suggested this book. I read it over the first few weeks of PCR. I found the story to progress very fast due to short, action-filled chapters. The main character is hard-pressed for money, and his dad is a drunk. He resorts to dangerous, sketchy means to make ends meet. Without spoiling the shocker at the end, I suggest The Runner for anyone looking for a quick, fun read.