Where North Meets South and East Meets West (Book) - 5/22/2013 6:13:06 PM
WHEN NORTH MEETS SOUTH AND EAST MEETS WEST TIMOTHY LOUIS BAKER
After reading Tims auto-biography I came to several conclusions. He’s been everywhere! He’s done a lot of things both legal and otherwise and has lived to tell the tale. To say the book read like a roller coaster ride is nothing short of an understatement.
To get into the book I have several caveats. Suspend your disbelief and withhold judgements on his character. The writer is probably not proud of his lifestyle and the places it took him like prison for his crimes along with several stays in mental institutions based on his spiritual beliefs.
You might think his paranormal experiences might be as a result of too much recreational drug use but again withhold your judgements and buckle up. This is a bumpy ride.
I will admit that the story line confused me at times but I was not going to give up on the tale. The man knows how to survive in ways I would have no clue. I give him kudos for not giving up to those who wanted to either see him fail or perhaps kill him but he has come out on top and vows to see those who are responsible for some of the things that happened to him have justice served.
I cannot say that I enjoyed the entire book but there were times I routed for him to come out swinging and take his life back for that I give him kudos even if he did break the law in the name of self preservation and in some cases sticking up for others.
I give the book and the author 5 stars for blatant honesty and courage to tell a hard story. It’s clearly a cautionary tale that screams DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME.
Congrats to Mr. Baker for telling his story like no one else can.
Karen Vaughan
author of
DEAD ON ARRIVAL-2008 AND
DEAD COMIC STANDING 2010
Crime and Drugs on Trip City Street (Book) - 5/22/2013 6:09:15 PM
Crime and Drugs on Trip City Street by Timothy Louis Baker
Copyright 2009 Strategic Book Publishing
Reviewed by Randall Radic
Not too long ago, Cormac McCarthy wrote The Road. It was a great book and McCarthy is a genius. In 2006, Vintage Books – which is a part of the Random House empire – published McCarthy’s The Sunset Limited. The publisher described The Sunset Limited as “a novel in dramatic form.” Translation: it was written in dialogue as if for the theater. Whatever one cared to call it, the technique was effective. Especially in the hands of someone as gifted as Cormac McCarthy.
Timothy Louis Baker did just the opposite in his new novel. It’s called Crime and Drugs on Trip City Street. And to all intents and purposes Baker has – in effect – taken a dramatic screenplay and turned it into a novel. And like McCarthy, Baker is neat-handed as he weaves a story of domestic terrorists plotting to take over the government.
The terrorists finance their conspiracy by means of a continual criminal enterprise – the manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal substances. Drugs. To reveal much more of the story would spoil it. So what happens and how it all turns out won’t be mentioned. However, the plot is tightly wrapped and rockets along to an explosive ending.
If you want something to compare it to, think Reservoir Dogs, the bloody, intricate and action-packed movie made by Tarantino some years ago. Which means that Crime and Drugs on Trip City Street would make a hecka-good movie. In fact, the reviewer suggests Jean Claude Van Damme, Christopher Lambert and Rutger Hauer would be perfect as the principal bad guys. Ridley Scott or Tarantino or Rodriguez could direct, adding their personal chromatic touches to an already dark story. The interplay between directorial coloration and thematic blackness would produce a subtle turbulence.
Baker’s growth as a writer is evident in Crime and Drugs. He’s gone from the charm of miscellaneous stream-of-consciousness to the sharper images of a more traditional style of writing. And his ear for dialogue is skillfully displayed in this latest effort. Which means it’s an easy book to read, because it resonates with action and a linguistic sartorial flair. Which means it’s all dressed up and it has someplace to go.
On the Read-O-Meter, which ranges from one star (pitiful) to five stars (startling), Crime and Drugs on Trip City Street comes in at 5 stars.
Alvah’s Books: http://www.alvahsbooks.com
Order Crime and Drugs on Trip City Street direct from: http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/CrimeAndDrugsOnTripCityStreet.html
For more info or to order from: http://www.futuristiccrimesyndicate.blogspot.com/
Author’s Video Trailer Displayed on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw8ct730mvQ
Blog Talk Radio Show Interview at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TimothyBaker/2009/09/03/Timothy-Baker-author-of-Crime-and-Drugs-on-Trip-City-Street
Or all of the above plus more information at this link: http://www.publishedauthors.net/anexperienceheavensent/index.html
Both mystery thrillers at Barnes & Noble Nook Books / Amazon Kindle (Book) - 5/22/2013 6:04:11 PM
Fantastic Florida Fun: Timothy Louis Baker
Teens find dealing with parents often difficult. Following rules, dealing with strict guidelines many often rebel. Mark Mitchell lives life on the edge. Escaping reality by drinking, taking drugs and overusing marijuana to help him as he relates get that high or buzz in order to deal with life’s obstacles and his stepfather. One simple act of violence you might say and one final fight would cause him to leave Indiana, his mother alone with this violent man and head for the sunshine state, Florida. But, Mark’s journey is related to the reader by him every step of the way. From the minute he releases the brake until he turns the bend and drives away he describes his path to what most would say freedom. What better way then to fill up his tank, make sure he has a large supply of pot to smoke and find his way to the perfect place for pancakes. But, Mark finds something else along the way that would not only change the complexion of his journey but would change his life too. Reinventing your own life, deciding on a new direction would take Mark smack dab in the center of the drug community selling it on the streets. While traveling to Florida he picks up a young girl named Melissa Monroe and immediately develops a close relationship. Meeting her father, understanding the terms of their arrangement, and becoming more than friends with Melissa, Mark’s choice to sell hard drugs, live in her house and work for her father might be the one choice that would do more than increase his depleted bankroll. Wanting to work in the orange groves he detours to the streets selling drugs. Becoming a first rate criminal and working under the guise of a legal grove enterprise or business, Mark’s world would be filled with criminals, going around or over the law. Learning more about the author I uncovered that he too lived his life in some ways the same as his main character. Depicting himself as Mark you might say that both Timothy and Mark are telling their stories together. Selling drugs, dealing with the drug world Timothy Louis Baker is recounting Mark’s story from his own personal experiences bringing to light what happens when life deals you a difficult hand and you decide to play it the wrong way.
Mark and Melissa formed their own bond and Allan seemed to encourage their relationship. Taking Mark under his wing he learned more about his illegal businesses, buying and selling drugs, arms, the dealers and the orange groves. But, something did not add up every time he went out with Allan as one man warned him about Melissa’s past as Mark wondered about their present. Repeating the words and who said them to Allan yielded a result that would end the problem once and for all. Very protective of his daughter yet having more of a business or friend like relationship Mark began to wonder just what Allan’s hold was over Melissa.
All three would bond over smoking joints, snorting coke and shooting to get high, watching television, relating their day and the end result of their business transactions. Mark becomes immersed in Allan’s business hoping to take over some of the territory, some of his business and become rich.
Looking in the mirror Mark did not see just what he had become, how Melissa really was or Allan’s true colors. Lessons in life can be learned when trust goes too far and the end result would come crashing down on him and many others. Learning the harsh reality about Melissa and her past would help him understand more about her present. Just why did her mother leave and why did she say such harsh words to her before leaving? Why did her father create a perception of Melissa that would come back and haunt her in more ways than one? Why didn’t see realize what he was doing to her and how can he be stopped? Loyalty is a big part of what Mark learns throughout the short novel. When and if someone goes against Allan’s wishes they deeply regret it and what about against Mark? Mark learns the hidden truth about Melissa and some of her actions. Memory problems are attributed to her lack of knowledge and just who is behind it and why you will have to learn for yourself. Some relationships are wrong while others bond people together but in this novel someone goes too far and the end result will shatter one and leave another to decide on that person’s final fate. Revenge: would you call it sweet when you learn the ending?
Author Timothy Louis Baker takes the reader along with Mark on many different journeys as he leaves Indiana, does not look back, bares his soul and thoughts to both Melissa and Allan and becomes a first class drug dealer, businessman and something else too. Florida orange groves, coke dealers, marijuana, LSD and much more are just part of what all three characters relish, live on and thrive on monetarily. But, is this what Mark really wants for the rest of his life? Just what negative effects will all this bring? What would have happened if he managed to rid himself of his stepfather and remained with his mother? A story that brings many issues to light not only for Mark, the reader but for our author who along with Mark was exiled as he stated in an interview that I read, from his parent’s home and did spend time in Florida. Hitchhiking, traveling, fun in the sun, Fantastic Florida Fun: What’s Your Definition? What do you think?
When the past and the truth comes out and Mark learns what Melissa has hidden away in the recess of her mind for so long, author Timothy Louis Baker hits the reader with an ending that has one huge twist, one very large curve and definitely a major surprise. What is next for Mark and Melissa? Will they continue down the same road or will life take them in a better direction?
Loyalty, friendships, love, understand and two teens caught in the crossfire created by their parents hoping they will find their way to a different kind of freedom. This is one book that teens might learn some hard lessons from before thinking that drugs, drinking and LSD will provide the good life. One interesting very book and two characters that could definitely appear again in another short novel.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
