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Raisin' Hell
At the tender age of sixteen, Aruby meets the love of her life, Shaun Hellum; a slick talking older gentleman who eventually sweeps her off her feet. Aruby couldn’t have created a more perfect man, until Shaun’s dark past of drugs and alcohol is revealed and Aruby finds herself attempting to cope with her loves troubled past. Never one to run from her commitment she stands by her man with faith that their love can conqueror all and together they can face the impossible. They manage to overcome all obstacles until the unthinkable happens and they’re faced with the death of one of their twin sons. Unable to cope, Shaun takes the cowardly way out-leaving Aruby to raise their surviving son, Shaun Jr. alone.
As Shaun Jr. grows, Aruby provides him with more than enough love to cover for two parents. However, a Mother’s love can’t shield her child from everything and Shaun Jr. eventually falls victim to a destructive friendship with a troubled and disgruntled kid by the name of Blake. Blake is looking for an outlet from his own personal demons and raising hell in the process. It’s Blake who introduces Shaun Jr. to the game of peer pressure, where dark clouds hover over his every thought and something wicked drives his every move. A pawn in Blake’s hands, Shaun Jr. is spiraling out of control and quickly becoming a menace to those around him. When Blake makes plans to use Shaun Jr. in the ultimate crime, will Aruby be able to save her son or will Shaun Jr. join Blake in his pit of destruction?
As Shaun Jr. grows, Aruby provides him with more than enough love to cover for two parents. However, a Mother’s love can’t shield her child from everything and Shaun Jr. eventually falls victim to a destructive friendship with a troubled and disgruntled kid by the name of Blake. Blake is looking for an outlet from his own personal demons and raising hell in the process. It’s Blake who introduces Shaun Jr. to the game of peer pressure, where dark clouds hover over his every thought and something wicked drives his every move. A pawn in Blake’s hands, Shaun Jr. is spiraling out of control and quickly becoming a menace to those around him. When Blake makes plans to use Shaun Jr. in the ultimate crime, will Aruby be able to save her son or will Shaun Jr. join Blake in his pit of destruction?
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2014
9 people want to read
About the author
J. Alexander
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 17, 2014
This book was hard to follow.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was hard for me to follow. I like this is was written by a local author and mentioned places I'm familiar with.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was hard for me to follow. I like this is was written by a local author and mentioned places I'm familiar with.
March 27, 2015
Pregnancy is one of the greatest pleasures in life, especially for Shaun and Aruby Kellum, a couple experiencing their first. This couple couldn’t wait for the birth of their twin sons, but something goes awry and the death of one baby overshadows the birth of the other. Then tragedy strikes again and Aruby is left having to make a life for herself and her child, vowing to put the past firmly behind her. Early on, she notices that her son, Shauny, is different. His Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde mood swings makes it difficult to deal with him.
Her mother’s intuition kicks in and she knows there is something very wrong with her son’s imaginary friend, Blake, who triggers Shauny to have deplorable behaviors and violent episodes. Concerned for her son’s future, she warns him repeatedly to leave Blake alone before school officials misunderstand and cause more problems for them. No one truly understands him, until he meets a girl in grade school who’s just like him.
His extraordinary athletic ability causes the powers to be to turn a blind eye to his behaviors. The voices in his head get louder and more intense as he gets older and Blake feels threatened that someone else might take his place and he might finally be put to rest. Egging him on as only he can, Blake encourages Shauny to delve into the past his mother never mentions and opens up a can of worms he wasn’t expecting. Vowing to avenge his brother’s death, he goes on a rampage that changes the course of his life forever.
J. Alexander has done a fantastic job penning this novella. It’s a complete story, but could very easily have been developed into a full length novel. He uses creative word play to describe certain scenes that I found intriguing. Alexander has chosen to write about a taboo subject with no fear. His tone is clear, words are descriptive and subject matter is interesting. Looking forward to reading more of his work.
Her mother’s intuition kicks in and she knows there is something very wrong with her son’s imaginary friend, Blake, who triggers Shauny to have deplorable behaviors and violent episodes. Concerned for her son’s future, she warns him repeatedly to leave Blake alone before school officials misunderstand and cause more problems for them. No one truly understands him, until he meets a girl in grade school who’s just like him.
His extraordinary athletic ability causes the powers to be to turn a blind eye to his behaviors. The voices in his head get louder and more intense as he gets older and Blake feels threatened that someone else might take his place and he might finally be put to rest. Egging him on as only he can, Blake encourages Shauny to delve into the past his mother never mentions and opens up a can of worms he wasn’t expecting. Vowing to avenge his brother’s death, he goes on a rampage that changes the course of his life forever.
J. Alexander has done a fantastic job penning this novella. It’s a complete story, but could very easily have been developed into a full length novel. He uses creative word play to describe certain scenes that I found intriguing. Alexander has chosen to write about a taboo subject with no fear. His tone is clear, words are descriptive and subject matter is interesting. Looking forward to reading more of his work.
March 27, 2015
Pregnancy is one of the greatest pleasures in life, especially for Shaun and Aruby Kellum, a couple experiencing their first. This couple couldn’t wait for the birth of their twin sons, but something goes awry and the death of one baby overshadows the birth of the other. Then tragedy strikes again and Aruby is left having to make a life for herself and her child, vowing to put the past firmly behind her. Early on, she notices that her son, Shauny, is different. His Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde mood swings makes it difficult to deal with him.
Her mother’s intuition kicks in and she knows there is something very wrong with her son’s imaginary friend, Blake, who triggers Shauny to have deplorable behaviors and violent episodes. Concerned for her son’s future, she warns him repeatedly to leave Blake alone before school officials misunderstand and cause more problems for them. No one truly understands him, until he meets a girl in grade school who’s just like him.
His extraordinary athletic ability causes the powers to be to turn a blind eye to his behaviors. The voices in his head get louder and more intense as he gets older and Blake feels threatened that someone else might take his place and he might finally be put to rest. Egging him on as only he can, Blake encourages Shauny to delve into the past his mother never mentions and opens up a can of worms he wasn’t expecting. Vowing to avenge his brother’s death, he goes on a rampage that changes the course of his life forever.
J. Alexander has done a fantastic job penning this novella. It’s a complete story, but could very easily have been developed into a full length novel. He uses creative word play to describe certain scenes that I found intriguing. Alexander has chosen to write about a taboo subject with no fear. His tone is clear, words are descriptive and subject matter is interesting. Looking forward to reading more of his work.
5 stars
___________
Reviewed by Tumika
Her mother’s intuition kicks in and she knows there is something very wrong with her son’s imaginary friend, Blake, who triggers Shauny to have deplorable behaviors and violent episodes. Concerned for her son’s future, she warns him repeatedly to leave Blake alone before school officials misunderstand and cause more problems for them. No one truly understands him, until he meets a girl in grade school who’s just like him.
His extraordinary athletic ability causes the powers to be to turn a blind eye to his behaviors. The voices in his head get louder and more intense as he gets older and Blake feels threatened that someone else might take his place and he might finally be put to rest. Egging him on as only he can, Blake encourages Shauny to delve into the past his mother never mentions and opens up a can of worms he wasn’t expecting. Vowing to avenge his brother’s death, he goes on a rampage that changes the course of his life forever.
J. Alexander has done a fantastic job penning this novella. It’s a complete story, but could very easily have been developed into a full length novel. He uses creative word play to describe certain scenes that I found intriguing. Alexander has chosen to write about a taboo subject with no fear. His tone is clear, words are descriptive and subject matter is interesting. Looking forward to reading more of his work.
5 stars
___________
Reviewed by Tumika
October 11, 2014
Raisin' Hell
This was so sad to see this child suffer because of a mother's inability to face life. She saw her son had issues, yet, she would not get him help. She knew at some point who Blake was and still left Shaun mentally and emotionally incapacitated. I really can't stand her and feel she loved her more than she loved Shaun. Shaun Sr. was also a disappointment, but at the end I understood him a little better. I am really glad Shaun had Ivy and I would have loved to see Shaun reach his aspirations. Didn't like how it ended. Definitely recommended.
This was so sad to see this child suffer because of a mother's inability to face life. She saw her son had issues, yet, she would not get him help. She knew at some point who Blake was and still left Shaun mentally and emotionally incapacitated. I really can't stand her and feel she loved her more than she loved Shaun. Shaun Sr. was also a disappointment, but at the end I understood him a little better. I am really glad Shaun had Ivy and I would have loved to see Shaun reach his aspirations. Didn't like how it ended. Definitely recommended.
March 20, 2015
I'm all for a good ghost story but this book was all over the place. This book was short and it didn't flow right in my opinion. There wasn't much back story or good character development. It also wasn't believable even for a supposed ghost story which you are supposed to just figure out I guess. I was really confused in the beginning and then it finally clicked what was going on. The storyline was was weak as well. I really want to say more but I hate giving spoilers in reviews
August 12, 2015
Different.....
Very good read from Mr. Alexander. First book I've read by this author and I must say he is talented. In the beginning I will admit Shaun had me worried with how he was acting and Blake got on my very last nerve. I wish his mom was honest to Jim about his dad and brother from the jump. Maybe his state of mind would've been different. Would've like to know what happen after Shaun came back to life but in all very good read. Just enjoyed it.
Very good read from Mr. Alexander. First book I've read by this author and I must say he is talented. In the beginning I will admit Shaun had me worried with how he was acting and Blake got on my very last nerve. I wish his mom was honest to Jim about his dad and brother from the jump. Maybe his state of mind would've been different. Would've like to know what happen after Shaun came back to life but in all very good read. Just enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews