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The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno
Beyond the urban sprawl of a Pacific Northwest city lurks the peculiar little town of Providence and in it, an organic farmer named Joe Parker. Joe’s lurid story, or rather this particular piece of it, begins when Sheriff Caine fashions the big idea to grow jalapenos, albeit with questionable methods. The gritty scheme is plucked from the undercurrent of the sheriff’s self-righteous mind and carried out with the help of Joe’s skill, two local agents, and a coroner. Everything is progressing as planned. That is, until Vera Cruz, a prostitute and girlfriend of a drug dealer, is delivered late one night on Joe’s doorstep. The new houseguest suddenly complicates his routine. The woman bunking on the rear porch not only threatens to upset the jalapeno operation, but also Joe’s conviction about what is rightly just and intrinsically wrong. Will Vera save Joe or lure him further into depravity?
The creation of The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno derives from the unequivocal influence of acclaimed Southern gothic writer, Flannery O’Connor.
“Sometimes it takes a violent and grotesque act for a character to experience a moment of grace. Perhaps, this is the truest path toward fictional redemption.” ~ Charlie Courtland
The creation of The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno derives from the unequivocal influence of acclaimed Southern gothic writer, Flannery O’Connor.
“Sometimes it takes a violent and grotesque act for a character to experience a moment of grace. Perhaps, this is the truest path toward fictional redemption.” ~ Charlie Courtland
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2011
3 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Courtland
4 books257 followersI graduated with honors from the University of Washington with a B.A. in English Literature with an emphasis on Creative Writing and a minor in Criminology, but apparently I can't spell or edit. I know, it's a mystery! However, I'm terribly gifted when it comes to critiquing works of fiction, writing reviews, promoting and making other writers famous. It's a gift really...just don't ask me to proofread or facebook without committing typos. If you feel the need to point out a typo, I will feel the need to defriend you immediately.
I am the voice and founder behind the international blog sensation, "Bitsy Bling Books."
I've written 3 genius books although not everyone seems to think so (those people are idiots) and have reviewed hundreds (and counting).
I currently reside in Seattle, Washington.
Amazon Vine book Reviewer.
Following me on Twitter @
http://twitter.com/bitsyblingbooks
Join Charlie Courtland's fan site on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/charliecourtland
Book Review Blog
http://bitsybling.blogspot.com
Author Page
http://authorcourtland.blogspot.com
I am the voice and founder behind the international blog sensation, "Bitsy Bling Books."
I've written 3 genius books although not everyone seems to think so (those people are idiots) and have reviewed hundreds (and counting).
I currently reside in Seattle, Washington.
Amazon Vine book Reviewer.
Following me on Twitter @
http://twitter.com/bitsyblingbooks
Join Charlie Courtland's fan site on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/charliecourtland
Book Review Blog
http://bitsybling.blogspot.com
Author Page
http://authorcourtland.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 30, 2011
The Secret of a Spicy Jalapeno by Charlie Courtland is a truly unique story that will leave you wanting more! In the small town of Providence, the crime rate is climbing and the local jail is feeling the strain from the full cells. When given the ultimatum to either raise taxes to build an addition onto the jail or early parole inmates, Sheriff Caine sets a plan in motion to not only keep his town safe and the crime rates down, but to make a little profit. In order for the secret plan to take place, Sheriff Caine enlists the help of a few close friends, including Joe Parker who has perfected his craft of being an organic farmer. Given a little time to work his magic, the Sheriff and Joe have the town feeling safe and the threat of raised taxes gone.
Joe Parker is a complex character who may do questionable things but has a great heart. He is shy, sticks to himself and is the guy in town that everyone finds a little creepy because they don't know hardly anything about him. Being taken in like a son by Sheriff Caine, Joe is perfectly happy with his isolated life and loves living on his farm and growing the best Jalapenos the area has to offer.
Vera Cruz is a woman with a troubled past who done whatever was needed to survive the cruelties of the street. She is desperately trying to escape the controlling grasp of her low-life drug dealing boyfriend Robby. Recognizing that the path she is on is only going to lead to her demise, she steals Robby's car and doesn't look back. Her plan is short-lived however when she is pulled over and the cops find Robby's hidden stash of cocaine that was concealed within the dashboard. With nowhere to go, Vera gives up information that will bust Robby in return for police protection. Vera is taken to Joe's farm where she ends up in the middle of Joe's questionable world.
The Secret of a Spicy Jalapeno is a breath of fresh air to the horror genre, filled with gruesome goodness that will keep you hooked. The budding romance between Joe and Vera balances the horror nicely and adds a bit of sweetness to this unusual tale. Even though both Joe and Vera have done questionable things, they understand the situation and each other and meld perfectly, just like Jalapeno Jam.
This book does contain graphic descriptions and should be read by mature audiences only.
Joe Parker is a complex character who may do questionable things but has a great heart. He is shy, sticks to himself and is the guy in town that everyone finds a little creepy because they don't know hardly anything about him. Being taken in like a son by Sheriff Caine, Joe is perfectly happy with his isolated life and loves living on his farm and growing the best Jalapenos the area has to offer.
Vera Cruz is a woman with a troubled past who done whatever was needed to survive the cruelties of the street. She is desperately trying to escape the controlling grasp of her low-life drug dealing boyfriend Robby. Recognizing that the path she is on is only going to lead to her demise, she steals Robby's car and doesn't look back. Her plan is short-lived however when she is pulled over and the cops find Robby's hidden stash of cocaine that was concealed within the dashboard. With nowhere to go, Vera gives up information that will bust Robby in return for police protection. Vera is taken to Joe's farm where she ends up in the middle of Joe's questionable world.
The Secret of a Spicy Jalapeno is a breath of fresh air to the horror genre, filled with gruesome goodness that will keep you hooked. The budding romance between Joe and Vera balances the horror nicely and adds a bit of sweetness to this unusual tale. Even though both Joe and Vera have done questionable things, they understand the situation and each other and meld perfectly, just like Jalapeno Jam.
This book does contain graphic descriptions and should be read by mature audiences only.
April 27, 2011
When I received this book I really did not know what to expect. I am pleasantly surprised and must admit the book is one of the most unusual books I have ever read. The author has quite the imagination to write such a distinctive story. I would rate this 4.5 however since there is no such rating available I will have to reluctantly settle on four stars ONLY because I wish it was a longer story.
In the small town of Providence, Sheriff Caine is contemplating a way to deal with the degenerates of society like drug sellers/abusers, prostitutes, murders, child molesters, etc who would drift into his town from a nearby large city. He came up with the idea of disposing these criminals with the help of an organic farmer named Joe Parker. They used the "secret ingredient" to grow the best Jalapenos the town ever tasted. The operation was kept very secret since if anyone discovered what was really happening at Joe's farm they would find the operation a heinous crime.
When the Sheriff needed Vera Cruz to catch some big time drug dealers he hid her at Joe's farm. Would she find out what really goes on there? Would Joe being a loner all his life find interest in the troubled woman? Would the Sheriff simply "dispose" of Vera. One would have to read the book to find out. Very enjoyable book that demonstrates this talented authors skills and knowledge to write a story not for the faint of heart. Recommended to any reader regardless of preferred genre.
In the small town of Providence, Sheriff Caine is contemplating a way to deal with the degenerates of society like drug sellers/abusers, prostitutes, murders, child molesters, etc who would drift into his town from a nearby large city. He came up with the idea of disposing these criminals with the help of an organic farmer named Joe Parker. They used the "secret ingredient" to grow the best Jalapenos the town ever tasted. The operation was kept very secret since if anyone discovered what was really happening at Joe's farm they would find the operation a heinous crime.
When the Sheriff needed Vera Cruz to catch some big time drug dealers he hid her at Joe's farm. Would she find out what really goes on there? Would Joe being a loner all his life find interest in the troubled woman? Would the Sheriff simply "dispose" of Vera. One would have to read the book to find out. Very enjoyable book that demonstrates this talented authors skills and knowledge to write a story not for the faint of heart. Recommended to any reader regardless of preferred genre.
September 12, 2011
My Opinion:
I loved this book! It was well written and kept me wanting to read it till the end (which I did). Some books you can put down and start reading something else. Not this one. I loved the main Character Joe. I was drawn to him. It is a different take on a horror tale. But I didn’t feel it was that horrific. In fact I gave it to my sister to read and she hates horror tales and she loved it also. It’s all about a little town and how the crime rate is rising and how they deal with that crime. It’s got a bit of a love tale with Joe and Vera and has a wonderful twist at the end. I really don’t want to give much of this book away. It really was a great book and deserves to be read. Joe’s reaction to Vera when she’s dropped off one night on his doorstep was amazingly written. This book had me laughing at some of the things Joe says and did. This is a must read!
I give this book 5 thumbs up. You will not regret it! I have to thank Charlie Courtland for sending me a copy of this book and waiting so patentily for my review.
I loved this book! It was well written and kept me wanting to read it till the end (which I did). Some books you can put down and start reading something else. Not this one. I loved the main Character Joe. I was drawn to him. It is a different take on a horror tale. But I didn’t feel it was that horrific. In fact I gave it to my sister to read and she hates horror tales and she loved it also. It’s all about a little town and how the crime rate is rising and how they deal with that crime. It’s got a bit of a love tale with Joe and Vera and has a wonderful twist at the end. I really don’t want to give much of this book away. It really was a great book and deserves to be read. Joe’s reaction to Vera when she’s dropped off one night on his doorstep was amazingly written. This book had me laughing at some of the things Joe says and did. This is a must read!
I give this book 5 thumbs up. You will not regret it! I have to thank Charlie Courtland for sending me a copy of this book and waiting so patentily for my review.
April 5, 2011
Joe Parker grows jalapenos on the local sheriff's farm. His secret to growing them is based on questionable methods that the sheriff concocted. When Vera is delivered to the farm to hide from her drug dealing ex-boyfriend, Joe's life is turned upside down.
This story is something quite different from what I normally read. I did enjoy it though. Getting past the gruesome growing of jalapenos, there was a surprisingly sweet romance between Joe and Vera.
Technically, I found a few incidents in the beginning half where the narrative switched from third person to first person with no warning or reason. This was a little jarring, and caused me to re-read a few pages to figure things out, but it could be easily fixed. I also found there were a few overall graphic and unnecessary sexual references.
But getting past these few things, I really liked the growth in Vera, and sweetness of her relationship with Joe.
This story is something quite different from what I normally read. I did enjoy it though. Getting past the gruesome growing of jalapenos, there was a surprisingly sweet romance between Joe and Vera.
Technically, I found a few incidents in the beginning half where the narrative switched from third person to first person with no warning or reason. This was a little jarring, and caused me to re-read a few pages to figure things out, but it could be easily fixed. I also found there were a few overall graphic and unnecessary sexual references.
But getting past these few things, I really liked the growth in Vera, and sweetness of her relationship with Joe.
May 16, 2011
Haven't received yet, just received notice I had won. 4/28/11
Received last night, hopefully start soon. 5/4/11
Started Saturday and finished last night. 5/16/11
Overcrowding has hit the small town of Providence's jail. The Sheriff doesn't like the idea of early release of criminals so he comes up with a plan to help clean up the city and grow a great Jalapeno. Joe is an organic farmer that helps the sheriff out. Vera is caught up in a drug operation and is put on the Jalapeno farm to protect her until the "bad" guys are found and taken care of.
I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was laughing at parts that probably weren't supposed to be funny, but that is okay. I really enjoyed it. I love Vera and Joe.
Received last night, hopefully start soon. 5/4/11
Started Saturday and finished last night. 5/16/11
Overcrowding has hit the small town of Providence's jail. The Sheriff doesn't like the idea of early release of criminals so he comes up with a plan to help clean up the city and grow a great Jalapeno. Joe is an organic farmer that helps the sheriff out. Vera is caught up in a drug operation and is put on the Jalapeno farm to protect her until the "bad" guys are found and taken care of.
I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was laughing at parts that probably weren't supposed to be funny, but that is okay. I really enjoyed it. I love Vera and Joe.
April 25, 2012
Loved this book and never set it down start to finish. Charlie Courtland has a way of defining her characters so well that I felt as though I was right there in Providence town. I could visualize each person and setting. This could be a TV series for sure. Can't wait for the next episode! May the saga continue.
December 11, 2018
This is surprisingly humorous.
July 7, 2011
Book Title: The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno
Author: Charlie Courtland
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 9781460977156
Reviewed by Michele Tater for the Couch Tater Review
Let us beware of saying that death is the opposite of life. The living being is only a species of the dead, and a very rare species. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
From the beginning pages of this book I was stunned. It starts with a concept so unreal that it gives the reader a shock to the system, in a good way. It proved that there are still story lines out there that have not been used yet. That being said, it is story set in a small town called Providence located in the Pacific Northwest. The sheriff in this seemingly quiet and safe town has seen a upturn in the a criminal element so he decides to do something about it in an environmental and social way. With the aide of his close friend Joe Parker, they decide to grow Jalapeno peppers in an organic way. This organic way of farming becomes the solution to the problem of truly evil people who happen to do wrong in Providence. Business starts to boom with no one in town the wiser of how can their peppers are hottest and the best tasting. Along comes Vera, a streetwise woman, with a shady and sad past. She is but in protective custody at the farm where Joe is in charge of the secret ingredient. Things change from then on with the operates of the business.
I don't want to let the body out of the bag or anything, so I will not say more about the plot. In my opinion it is a great read that has a horror story overtones and a unlike start of a love story as well. Characters are small town bred with simply ideals to life's big city problems. Must read for gardeners everywhere; caution, the secret ingredient mentioned in the book could get you in trouble to say it mildly.
Author: Charlie Courtland
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 9781460977156
Reviewed by Michele Tater for the Couch Tater Review
Let us beware of saying that death is the opposite of life. The living being is only a species of the dead, and a very rare species. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
From the beginning pages of this book I was stunned. It starts with a concept so unreal that it gives the reader a shock to the system, in a good way. It proved that there are still story lines out there that have not been used yet. That being said, it is story set in a small town called Providence located in the Pacific Northwest. The sheriff in this seemingly quiet and safe town has seen a upturn in the a criminal element so he decides to do something about it in an environmental and social way. With the aide of his close friend Joe Parker, they decide to grow Jalapeno peppers in an organic way. This organic way of farming becomes the solution to the problem of truly evil people who happen to do wrong in Providence. Business starts to boom with no one in town the wiser of how can their peppers are hottest and the best tasting. Along comes Vera, a streetwise woman, with a shady and sad past. She is but in protective custody at the farm where Joe is in charge of the secret ingredient. Things change from then on with the operates of the business.
I don't want to let the body out of the bag or anything, so I will not say more about the plot. In my opinion it is a great read that has a horror story overtones and a unlike start of a love story as well. Characters are small town bred with simply ideals to life's big city problems. Must read for gardeners everywhere; caution, the secret ingredient mentioned in the book could get you in trouble to say it mildly.
May 31, 2011
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I was a little taken back when first started reading it, but I must say that it turned out to be surprisingly entertaining. Charlie Courtland is amazing. Once I got over the immediate shock of what I was reading about, I found myself falling in love with Joe and Vera. I couldn't help but pull for them to get together throughout the entire book. Joe's quirkiness kept me smiling and the gruesome truth of his occupation kept me with my nose buried in this book. I couldn't wait to see how everything was going to turn out. One thing is for sure, I'll think twice about using any Jalapeño Chutney in the future.
May 23, 2011
I received this book as a "GoodReads" first reads book.
It definitely was not what I expected! That being said it was quite funny at times, probably because it was so off the wall. Definitely GALLOWS type humor. I wasn't sure at first - but after completing the book I decided that I do like it, it was a completely different type of book than I would normally pick for myself but sometimes it opens up new worlds of reading when you read something new and different.
It definitely was not what I expected! That being said it was quite funny at times, probably because it was so off the wall. Definitely GALLOWS type humor. I wasn't sure at first - but after completing the book I decided that I do like it, it was a completely different type of book than I would normally pick for myself but sometimes it opens up new worlds of reading when you read something new and different.
May 8, 2011
Plot recipe: Start with a few completely original and unforgettable characters and a large heaping of twisted gruesomeness, mix in a generous dash of humor, then add a splash of an unexpectedly sweet romance. That is what you'll find in The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno. The story is crazy, horrid and often graphic but, like a bad car wreck, I couldn't make myself look away. If you're looking for a story to make you laugh while you cringe, this one's for you.
December 19, 2011
I kept thinking of the old horror movie, Motel Hell as I read this book. It reminds me of the first "novel" that I wrote (but have not published) in many respects. Without giving the secret of the book away (something that is done almost immediately in the book) I will say that Courtland does a nice job of developing creepy characters and telling their story.
October 23, 2012
awesome story. not for the meek or weak of heart. mature readers only . charlie is a great story teller. form the very first page held my interest and i could not put the book down. suspense, a little gruesome but very enjoyable.
can not wait for charlie next book ....
can not wait for charlie next book ....
November 7, 2013
I read the first two books by Charlie Courtland and could not put them down. so i had to read this one as well. This story started out a bit gruesome and yet very intriguing. Charlie can certainly spin a tale. Held my interest from beginning to end. Can not wait for more books by this author.
April 20, 2012
Fast read. Unique plot. Entertaining!!
March 17, 2014
just finished this book interesting for the mature reader this author knows how to tell a tale i give this 5 plus stars
March 17, 2014
good for the mature reader great story fun to read
March 17, 2014
for the mature reader great story
December 12, 2016
Don't try this at home
If you're looking for gardening tips, you're gonna have a bad time. Otherwise, enjoy the insanity - there's plenty of it.
If you're looking for gardening tips, you're gonna have a bad time. Otherwise, enjoy the insanity - there's plenty of it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews