" see, in the perfect world, i would be perfect, world i don't trust people enough beyond their surface, world. . . " • • • DOWNEY, 2005. Hoping to provide a realistic scope into the long-term effects of prison abuse and the juvenile justice system, amateur novelist Marcia Greene travels to Los Angeles's largest detention center with the goal of gaining raw, unique perspectives from both delinquent inhabitants and seasoned corrections officers. But when she begins to bond with her iniquitous subjects, particularly young career criminal Evan Meyers, who is serving time for a gruesome yet chronologically impossible murder, her initial intentions quickly shift from chasing fame and fortune to rehabilitating and assisting the broken youth surrounding her. But with violent gang activity on the rise and pressure from the boys' prejudiced families, Marcia must decide whether or not lending a helping hand to the ones that often shed innocents' blood will lead to the same enduring legacy she'd once longed to leave behind... or if it will cause every life she carefully nurtured to come to a tragic, merciless end. • • • " a perfect world is never perfect, only filled with lies promises are broken and more resentment come alive. . . "

" i'll state my case, of which i'm certain i've lived a life that's full. . . " • • • SACRAMENTO, 2024. French culinary prodigy Efren Goulding strives to make good on a promise once made as a passionate youth; bringing life back into the kitchen of his deceased father's prized restaurant, the Whiskey Tango. But after years spent traveling across the globe in search of flavor and fame, Efren comes home to find his family's name tarnished by business deals gone wrong and a rotating shift of flimsy, negligent owners. Determined to help the latest inheritor, Efren takes over the business with an air of ambition that none of its staff has seen the likes of before. But with success comes snarling opponents, premeditated betrayals and unexpected tragedy. And if Efren wants to keep himself above stormy waters, he will first have to tend to everyone around him, even if all of life's odds appear to be rising against them... [Book One of the Whiskey Tango series, loosely inspired by the Bear] • • • " i traveled each and every highway and more, much more than this, i did it my way. . . "

" step right up, march, push crawl right up on your knees. . . " • • • MAINE, 2066. Sixteen-year-old Gabriel Connors has lost everything due to the death of his eldest brother in last year's Long Walk; a grueling, televised contest where 100 volunteers walk, without stopping, along the U.S. Route 1 highway in hopes of earning a life-changing prize. When the opportunity to gain retribution comes in the form of an open spot within this year's class of walkers, Gabriel takes his chance. Unfortunately, he is not the only Connors household member hungry for victory. Forced to compete alongside his younger brother, as well as an array of other young boys and men set on winning no matter the cost, Gabriel quickly comes to realise not all revenge is best served cold... and if he wants to survive, he will have to make sacrifices worth far more than the humanity he will lose along the way. • • • " all the pigs are all lined up i give you all that you want. . . "

" wake from your sleep the drying of your tears. . . " • • • NORTH AMERICA, 2105. Young Dee is a purveyor of prophetic dreams and a survivor of the Filch; a mysterious phenomenon that has mercilessly claimed the lives of billions globally, including her own family. Left with nothing but words and visions of a promised land, Dee sets out on a long journey to find her purpose and the kingdom forged for her by God. However, as an urge to protect the lives she encounters along the way grows stronger, so does the realization that her calling may not be as eternal as she once believed... • • • " today we escape we escape. . . "

" so you got to turn away there's no other way. . . " • • • IN WHICH a series of subliminal messages and artwork scattered across aberdeen high capture the attention of a boy who finds solace in poetic justices. an abundant high school au based on lyrics by the wipers. • • • " 'cause you're an alien, they hurt what they don't understand. . . "

" i believe in the faith that grows and the four right chords can make me cry. . . " • • • CLOVIS, 2005. It is senior year, and bandmates Todd Hartworth, Asher Danes and Marcia Sinclair are on a mission to become America's Top Talent. The problem is, lackluster management, zero exposure and shitty gigs have led them to nothing but back to where they've begun; dirt poor and a collective, burnt out joke of the town. Thankfully, tickets to one of the largest music festivals in the Pacific Northwest remain their last resort, and if they can jam their way into a performing slot with the likes of Third Eye Blind and Rancid, anything is possible. That is, if they can somehow retain those same tickets from a conniving thief, evade pestering older siblings, outwit corrupt cops... and really just survive through it all and more amid a chaotic weekend road trip matching the comedy of "EURO-TRIP", the spontaneity of "AMERICAN PIE", and the memorable sounds of "DETROIT ROCK CITY"! • • • " when i'm with you, i feel like i could die and that would be alright, alright. . . "

" shame, such a shame i think i kind of lost myself again. . . " • • • MELBOURNE, 2012. When a formidable college student's shady internet traffic sparks the attention of local authorities and various media outlets across the country, his inception as one of the world's worst predators proves to be a far more stunning story than the trial ahead of him. Based on the true story of serial predator Matthew David Graham, BRUTAL_ is a tale as old as time and a case far more unforgettable and haunting than it appears. Offering a detailed scope into the mind of an exceptional criminal--as well as the lives of fellow offenders around him--it is bound to make readers question the actions and thoughts of everyone they have ever known... including themselves. BOOK ONE OF THE DELICTI TRILOGY. • • • " you are not my savior, but i still don't go feels like something that i've done before. . . "

" if you keep listening you can hear it for miles god, i trust everyone quicker with every faint smile. . . " • • • REEDLEY, 2010. Tensions between a university dean and the president of an environmental advocacy club spark the question of what holds more power; prestige or politics? Unfortunately, not every agenda aligns with unity--rather, it is revolution. When a transfer student discovers the harsh reality behind the scenes of both parties' debacle, the outcome is so devastating that its witnesses remain disturbed nearly two decades later. From the ingenious mind of Jamie Duqué (author of DESCENT47 and RED) comes a new trailblazer in exploring modern politics, prejudice, extremism, and the consequences of conformity. As a wise man once said, "All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy." For Ali Achdhika, it took one year... • • • " but i would expect it from anyone now to protect life's indigenous sound. . . "

" i've nowhere else to go but i cannot stay where i don't belong. . . " • • • LOS ANGELES, 2019. The double life of a mildly obscure Twitch streamer falls into shambles after the discovery of a brutal shock site. When a series of fan requests prompt him to continue investigating its harrowing content, it becomes more apparent that something far more sinister than simple snuff films are at hand. But if he wants to survive, the cost may be his very own sanity and the lives of loved ones surrounding him... Based upon the true stories of various cybercrime and anti-trafficking experts, DESCENT47 is the debut novel by indie web author Jamie Duqué, also known as @-spiderland. With a core story divided into five separate versions--each with their own macabre themes and a recurring, riveting cast of characters--it tackles subjects previously declared too controversial for modern reading and real-world criminal issues that continue to remain unsolved... That is, until now. Prepared over the course of five years, DESCENT47 is guaranteed to be not only the most ambitious and addictive book to shatter the internet, but to reign as the most important literary phenomenon since "1984" and many, many more. • • • " show me the shadow where true meaning lies so much more dismay in empty eyes. . . "

" i don't want to spend the rest of my days keeping out of trouble like the soldiers say. . . " • • • EASTON, 1986. In a bygone era where MTV rules the air and soundwaves alike--and sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll dominate adolescent bedrooms--high school sophomore Sage Kinsley doesn't just feel bizarre; he feels incomplete. Sure, it might be due to the constant stream of heavy workloads and astronomical extracurriculars, or the fact that part-time work at a local record-and-video store can barely fund his sneaky pirate radio show efforts. It could even be the mountainous debt threatening to claim his father's scholarly legacy, although this sort of debacle is far out of his hands. But Sage should know better, and yet that seems to be the very issue. So why can't he figure out the main reason behind his outcast status? Why is he always found on the wrong side of the tracks? And more importantly... why does he keep dreaming about Old Heisman's disappearance by Shaver Lake? While Sage isn't certain about many things, he's certainly sure of this: 1986 will be a year to remember. That is, if he can make it through the first half without succumbing to himself or the constant threats around him, during and beyond the night shift... • • • " i don't ever want to play the part of a statistic on a government chart. . . "