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I gave a book away. And naturally, there was a catch.

The book is my short novel, Swimming to Jerusalem: until October 1, 2020, you may download the whole thing for free, in pdf format, by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. [NOTE: This link has now been removed.] The catch is that I'm trolling for reviews. Along with the book will come a short set of questions which I would like you to respond to after you have finished reading. If your responses are positive, they will help me sell the book to an agent or a publisher; if they are negative, they will help me improve the book, which will also ultimately help to sell it. Either way, I win. So please respond, and please be honest.

 

Here's what might be the book's jacket copy, if it was a real book and there was a real jacket:

 

John Vincent believes he has been ordained by the Universe to be always in process: always engaged but never married, always looking for work but never finding it. He uses the plentiful leisure time this role provides him to roam the city, looking at beautiful things and beautiful women. Then an employment interview unexpectedly results in a job offer, and John must decide within 24 hours whether or not to take the position - a decision that is complicated by the instant crush he has developed on the beautiful black girl who would become his coworker. Does the reappearance of a woman from his past change anything? Can he thread his way through this minefield without harming his relationship with his long-suffering fiancee? Stay tuned....
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Swimming to Jerusalem is set in an unnamed American city in the fall of 1970, and events of that era help drive some parts of the story. Except for a few flashbacks, all of the action takes place over the course of a single day. John tells the story himself, so we spend most of that day inside John's head, keeping company with his thoughts, his memories, and his (often raunchy) fantasy life. But the three women who are the other principle characters in the story do eventually have their say, in a series of long conversations which take up most of the second half. These conversations are a bit hard on John, but it is through them that he will ultimately receive his redemption.

 

Please read. Please comment. You will find the pdf version at the link below.

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The giveaway is over, but you can still participate in the review process. Drop me a line if your are interested (see the contact page).

 

Thanks to all who participated. Revisions are now underway based on comments received. Readers, if you have not yet done so, please send me your suggestions.