Matt was a track star like his brother, but everything changed following his Junior year of high school. His girlfriend Kris along with one of her friends were killed in a head on car accident involving a drunk driver. Even though Matt was in the car with them he somehow survived. After the accident nothing seems the same for Matt, and despite finishing out his senior year, his motivation to move forward is gone. Desperately in search of something new, Matt turns to a martial arts school that his best friend had recommended. Set in the beautiful beach town of Oceanside this first person narrative focuses on key experiences that Matt goes through during his first year of training. The novel takes the reader on a journey following him as he struggles with the demands of karate training, as he deals with new relationships surrounding him, and most importantly as he learns to live with the memories of the accident that while becoming more clear, still haunt and hold him back. The variety of people he meets as part of his training, some more eccentric than others, push him to try and answer the call; including the "beautiful" brown belt Cammie, who helps him try and fully face the memories of the accident. The idea is to showcase the world of hard core martial arts and integrate it into the challenges of overcoming serious trauma. It highlights how the power of being a part of a community in the fascinating world of martial arts can be surprising, challenging, yet transformative. With the advent of a series like "Cobra Kai" I believe there is interest in coming of age narratives that are set within the sometimes bizarre and mysterious world of martial arts. I personally love John Green's work and hopefully there is at least a taste of what he offers in terms of intensity and depth of character. The following "tags" I think would fit well in trying to describe the narrative : coming of age, drama, tragedy, karate, kata, fighting, romance, and recovery.

( This is the Second installment, to the Dangerous Series... So, my 5 Seconds of Summer Story. Enjoy... ) Summary: A year has gone by, Mel sadly hasn't hard anything from Michael, so she's tried her hardest to move on. She's got a new job, a new friend and an upcoming holiday. On her Holiday, she runs into those three guys she met over a year ago, yes even the one she fell in Love With. A New case has been brought into the Mix, and the police and detectives actually need her help.... Because it's like a previous case she had solved. What will happen to Mel, will she re-kindle he love with Michael or will she just forget him all together... Will she help out with the Case, or will she just let them figure it Out on they're own... Who knows...

There is only one thing that we can never change, and that is the place from which we come. Though she tries to control everything else in her life, there are three things that Counselor Carrie Everett just can't tame: her growing caseload, her weakness for police personnel, and her increasingly serious relationship with Detective Jenn Carver. While trying and seemingly failing to manage her personal life, Carrie's work life takes a turn for the chaotic when a brand new case threatens the safety of a close friend and coworker, Detective Kim Hayden. A case this serious is mentally taxing for a prosecutor, but that's the least of Carrie's worries. Now, it's personal, and when the detectives of Green Falls seek legal help to solve their case, life becomes a ticking clock for all involved. This is the sequel to my last piece, Black Tie Event, taking place two years after the first story's conclusion. You definitely do not have to read the first one to understand the second, though it may help and make the second piece slightly more enjoyable. You could even read them backwards if you so chose, though it might give some plot away to do it that way. Some new characters are introduced, among the familiar faces, and the situations are brand new. Rated R, just because of its intensity. Enjoy! Cover art again by perfect human @halieghk