Howard & Debbie

by Max Mobley

Lonely loser Howard Feck has just fallen in love over the internet. His online paramour, the sexy and vivacious Deborah Fairchild, seems to be every man’s dream girl. Howard sure lucked out. But when he arrives in Deborah’s small town to consummate their digital relationship, he learns a dangerous Deborah Fairchild is actually the fictitious online persona of violent sociopath Debbie Coomb. If only he had learned this before Debbie kidnapped him. Normally Debbie kills the men she lures into her isolated farmhouse, but Howard’s innocence and kindness has disarmed her. Soon their relationship evolves from hostage and kidnapper to husband and wife. Everything seems to be working out fine until a major event in their relationship unleashes painful memories of severe past abuses. She returns to her horribly violent ways, forcing an ill-prepared Howard to defend himself and save Debbie from herself.Packed full of hope, horror, and humor, along with surprising twists, Howard & Debbie casts a strange and sensitive eye toward love in the digital age, domestic violence, and the dual price of loneliness and revenge.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2019

About the author

Acclaimed author Max Mobley writes from his home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He is a former columnist for the pioneering music magazine "CRAWDADDY! THE MAGAZINE OF ROCK." He has written extensively for the music industry, including magazine features, reviews, interviews, and books on music technology. Max also penned the popular Rush biography, "RUSH FAQ – ALL THAT'S LEFT TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD'S GREATEST CANADIAN PROG ROCK POWER TRIO." Max contributed to the SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL series "ROCK OF AGES," honoring the 50th anniversary of the birth of rock and roll. He also wrote the limited series "THE CHIEF AND I" for the TRACY PRESS.

Max 's debut novel, HOWARD & DEBBIE was released in February of 2019 by Rare Bird Books

Reviews

[BookTrib.com]

Author discovery is a beautiful thing. What makes it so exciting – and rewarding – is when you come across one of the species that you classify as a literary soul mate. You connect with their style, characters, plot, humor and message. You relate to the world they create and the time and place in which they create it. You grab their next book the day it comes out.

I’m sensing I might have a new author to add to my list, and you’ve likely never heard of him. His name is Max Mobley. His debut novel Howard & Debbie (Rare Bird Books) checks off all the boxes for me. I found myself running to my wife reading her memorable passages from what starts out as a disturbing storyline and settles into a thrilling, heart-wrenching, hilarious tale with two of the most unappealing and unattractive protagonists you’ll ever meet.

There’s plenty of warmth, wit and wisdom – but first, the weirdness.

In the early days of the internet, receiving clerk Howard Feck, a loner and loser, enters a pornographic chat room and privately “dates” a girl known as Lil_Debbie, a.k.a. Deborah Fairchild. The “utter lack of love and companionship in his life was earned and awarded for being..for being…well, for being born Howard Feck.”

Howard thinks he is falling in love with this virtual partner and concocts a plan, based on information garnered via 35 online “dates,” to meet Debbie in person.

The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/07/why-you-...

[Ilga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I got this book as a gift from the author (a really great guy, and not just because he gave me a book!). It is the story of a very unlikely couple, both very broken people, for different reasons.

At first when I started reading this book, I was not all that impressed. It seemed a bit forced. Then the next night, I was still reading at 1AM. Damn you Max Mobley! I have to work in the morning!

The characters are great -- very multi-faceted, very believable. It was especially clear that this was the case when compared to a recently read Oprah Book Club pick (ugh, such uni-dimensional characters). The story, especially once I got into it, kept me on the edge of my seat.

I can't wait to read your next book.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unpredictable, violent, dark (and sometimes darkly funny) novel about a relationship that grows and develops out of trauma. In subject matter and approach it reminded me of Mick Foley's novels like Tietam Brown and Scooter.

[Tom Serafini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply disturbing examination of lives gone horribly wrong. Riveting, gripping, sad, humorous and extremely well written. I could not put this down. Max deserves a prize and an extended book contract.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could be a tough story line but it’s a book I didn’t want to put down.

[Vincent Stoia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular book. It's funny, tragic, terrifying and beautifully written. Highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very disturbing storyline and relatable in some aspects. There were so many WTF moments and an unexpected ending. I would very much recommend.