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Bloodshot
Emmitt Wasson’s life wasn’t perfect. But with a decent job and a loving family, his life was pretty good. That is, until a horrific accident left him and his family spiraling out of control.
Dealing with unfathomable grief, Emmitt slowly reasserts himself as the man he believes his family needs. As he struggles to bring chaos under control, he is faced with a new set of challenges.
Blighted by her father’s failings, Emmitt’s daughter goes off the rails. Fueled by resentment and angst, she makes a series of choices that set her on a dangerous path. With his daughter’s future hanging in the balance, he faces a battle requiring a strength and a faith he has yet to understand.
Through unlikely friendships, he will discover the drive and determination he needs to face an immense struggle he isn’t sure he can even win. But fight he must, especially if he is to rescue his daughter from the demons that are tearing her apart.
Dealing with unfathomable grief, Emmitt slowly reasserts himself as the man he believes his family needs. As he struggles to bring chaos under control, he is faced with a new set of challenges.
Blighted by her father’s failings, Emmitt’s daughter goes off the rails. Fueled by resentment and angst, she makes a series of choices that set her on a dangerous path. With his daughter’s future hanging in the balance, he faces a battle requiring a strength and a faith he has yet to understand.
Through unlikely friendships, he will discover the drive and determination he needs to face an immense struggle he isn’t sure he can even win. But fight he must, especially if he is to rescue his daughter from the demons that are tearing her apart.
- GenresFiction
Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2019
23 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Timothy R. Baldwin
21 books31 followersTim grew up in Syracuse, New York. He currently resides in Maryland where he teaches English, Creative Writing, Film, and Theatre on the middle school level. At the insistence of his own students, he began writing seriously in 2014.
He credits his love for story to his mother, who spent countless hours reading to him and his siblings when they were growing up. Growing up, he devoured the literary works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony, and many others. Mysteries, thrillers, and fantasies are among the genres he most frequently reads.
When he’s not writing, he’s reading, teaching, camping, or at a live music concert.
He credits his love for story to his mother, who spent countless hours reading to him and his siblings when they were growing up. Growing up, he devoured the literary works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony, and many others. Mysteries, thrillers, and fantasies are among the genres he most frequently reads.
When he’s not writing, he’s reading, teaching, camping, or at a live music concert.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 3, 2021
It’s Sunday,twenty-six years àgo. Baby Lindsay Jane is baptized at church by a Catholic Father as her own father and mother look on. All is wonderful and right with the world. But not for long - soon the rollercoaster begins and we find the same father we met earlier with a catastrophic
work injury that changes everything. To say this novel is intense is by no means an exaggeration. It is a cautionary tale, too, laying out for the reader, the horrible toll drug addiction takes not only on the person with an addiction but on those around them who love or care for them.
It is a suspense-filled thriller to be sure. I finished this page burning novel in record time. Now that l have roller-coastered to the end, I hope to calmly and sanely reread just to gather the facts about addiction in case I missed something.
The premise of this great read is addiction is common, and probably more importantly it’s a problem for everyone. If you are one to give up on someone — DON'T. "0nce an addict, always an addict," might be a saying as riddled with flaws as the characters we have come to know and like, if not love, within the pages of this twisty novel.
I, wholeheartedly recommend this timely tale to everyone whatever their situation in life may be. It might just take a
village...some of the time.
work injury that changes everything. To say this novel is intense is by no means an exaggeration. It is a cautionary tale, too, laying out for the reader, the horrible toll drug addiction takes not only on the person with an addiction but on those around them who love or care for them.
It is a suspense-filled thriller to be sure. I finished this page burning novel in record time. Now that l have roller-coastered to the end, I hope to calmly and sanely reread just to gather the facts about addiction in case I missed something.
The premise of this great read is addiction is common, and probably more importantly it’s a problem for everyone. If you are one to give up on someone — DON'T. "0nce an addict, always an addict," might be a saying as riddled with flaws as the characters we have come to know and like, if not love, within the pages of this twisty novel.
I, wholeheartedly recommend this timely tale to everyone whatever their situation in life may be. It might just take a
village...some of the time.
October 4, 2021
I am a big fan of Baldwin’s young adult novels so I was excited about a new read from him. In this novel, A Shot At Mercy, I was surprised that this was not a Young Adult cozy mystery but a gripping story about a father and daughter caught up in the insidious world of addiction. Baldwin has outdone himself portraying the characters with such a strong sense of reality that the reader feels pulled into the despair and struggles that both the main characters go through. The reality of addiction is always awful and Baldwin tells it like it is. Reading a book like this brings the reader to ask the question why would anyone ever get involved with substances that absolutely ruin your life?
As a parent, this book touched my deepest fears. As an educator, I strongly recommend it be read by all preteens. The book delivers a strong warning. It certainly urges kids to find an outlet or escape that helps them to process the heavy issues they are dealing with, anything but substance abuse.
As a parent, this book touched my deepest fears. As an educator, I strongly recommend it be read by all preteens. The book delivers a strong warning. It certainly urges kids to find an outlet or escape that helps them to process the heavy issues they are dealing with, anything but substance abuse.
July 5, 2021
This is a short yet dark and gritty portrayal of an overwhelming subject – addiction. The author shows how addiction can not just affect the addict but also the family and friends around them. At times I wished characters were reacting differently but even if they did, I believe the results would have been the same. Sometimes there is no right or easy answer, and the author reflected this in these characters. Often, no matter what happens, there is not a happy ending, but there can be a glimpse of hope.
September 12, 2020
I seldom get into the type of stories that Bloodshot is. Life stories are not my primary interest. I can say I traditionally like my protagonists to be fighting zombies and monsters in a hail of gunfire. Let me tell you firsthand; this story is intense. I was concerned, worried, angry, and easily mirrored the emotions of the cast as the story progressed.
Bloodshot follows Emmett, a man who battles his demons. Hearing his situation unfold makes you angry, yet sympathetic to his position. He recovers from his drug addiction, which is a significant feat for anyone who has ever battled with the same situation.
Baldwin not only manages to take the story into an emotional rollercoaster, but he also makes you give a damn about everyone you read about. Emmet, a religious man but not quite as much as he should be, wrestles with life post-rehabilitation from his drugs. As it says in the book description, his daughter decides to go the route of drugs as well. Baldwin manages to capture the feelings of Emmett as he battles with memories of his reasons for taking this path.
Full of a vast cast of characters, his narrator, John Rodriguez, knocks it out of the park! Well-spoken, crisp, and clear, Rodriguez can capture the intensity of every moment as it unfolds. He seamlessly transitions between each character with ease.
Again, I like "boom boom shoot em up" stories for their intensity. Bloodshot is not one of those, yet, the drama and situation rival any "war book" I could read. I highly recommend this story to anyone!
Bloodshot follows Emmett, a man who battles his demons. Hearing his situation unfold makes you angry, yet sympathetic to his position. He recovers from his drug addiction, which is a significant feat for anyone who has ever battled with the same situation.
Baldwin not only manages to take the story into an emotional rollercoaster, but he also makes you give a damn about everyone you read about. Emmet, a religious man but not quite as much as he should be, wrestles with life post-rehabilitation from his drugs. As it says in the book description, his daughter decides to go the route of drugs as well. Baldwin manages to capture the feelings of Emmett as he battles with memories of his reasons for taking this path.
Full of a vast cast of characters, his narrator, John Rodriguez, knocks it out of the park! Well-spoken, crisp, and clear, Rodriguez can capture the intensity of every moment as it unfolds. He seamlessly transitions between each character with ease.
Again, I like "boom boom shoot em up" stories for their intensity. Bloodshot is not one of those, yet, the drama and situation rival any "war book" I could read. I highly recommend this story to anyone!
January 18, 2022
Βoy was that emotional.
This book was so intense and well-written that I managed to finish the whole thing in one sitting.
I loved Emmitt's character.
A religious man with all the struggles, battles while life happens. He is such a loving father trying his best (maybe a little bit too much sometimes). T. R. Baldwin succeeded in creating a love/hate emotion to the reader which I really enjoy when reading a book. The author did a really good job there.
What I hated was the daughter character. I feel like she was an attention-seeker, spoiled brat who cannot appreciate life.
The themes of drugs, decay and depression overwhelming as they are, create a dark setting to this exceptional piece of work.
I 100% recommend!!!!!
This book was so intense and well-written that I managed to finish the whole thing in one sitting.
I loved Emmitt's character.
A religious man with all the struggles, battles while life happens. He is such a loving father trying his best (maybe a little bit too much sometimes). T. R. Baldwin succeeded in creating a love/hate emotion to the reader which I really enjoy when reading a book. The author did a really good job there.
What I hated was the daughter character. I feel like she was an attention-seeker, spoiled brat who cannot appreciate life.
The themes of drugs, decay and depression overwhelming as they are, create a dark setting to this exceptional piece of work.
I 100% recommend!!!!!
January 3, 2022
Emmitt is a recovering alcoholic.
After sustaining an industrial accident, badly injuring his leg, he becomes addicted to opiates. Thanks to family and especially his wife, he is on the road to recovery when she is tragically killed in a road accident. Left alone with his young daughter Lindsay, he does his best to raise her as normally as possible.
When Lindsay becomes a teenager the problems begin. She skips school regularly and one day while Emmitt is at work her boyfriend Troy gets her high to have sex. He is prosecuted and sent to jail. However, much to Emmitt’s dismay he realises Lindsay is sliding down the same slippery slope of addiction just as he had many years before.
Despite much endeavour to help his daughter she also spends time in jail. Even so, Emmitt does not give up. Time and time again he goes out on a limb to get her out of trouble. But in the end, will he be able to save her from herself?
February 20, 2020
Bloodshot is the story of a seemingly average American family coming to terms with the problem of addiction. We see this first when Emmitt struggles with his developing addiction to pain killers following an accident at work. With the help of family and friends, he is able to overcome the problem and move on with his life. His daughter, however, succumbs to similar demons later on in her young life when she gets involved with some less than savory people.
Baldwin's focus on family and friends rings true in so many ways - the most important being that overcoming the grip of addiction is something that is virtually impossible to do alone. Family and friends are often the ones to notice the signs of addiction and push for change and recovery. I remember reading "Go Ask Alice" (written by Beatrice Sparks) when I was younger - and Timothy Baldwin's story reminds me of that memoir in a lot of ways.
The running theme of forgiveness is paramount in this story, and for good reason - An addict will always be an addict. They may no longer be using, but that demon will always haunt them and only through the forgiveness of their friends, family, and loved ones will they ever feel strong enough to say "no more" to their addiction.
In a country currently facing growing problems with heroin and opioid addiction - it's important that we all look for the signs in those around us and offer a hand when the burden is too great for them to carry on their own.
Baldwin's focus on family and friends rings true in so many ways - the most important being that overcoming the grip of addiction is something that is virtually impossible to do alone. Family and friends are often the ones to notice the signs of addiction and push for change and recovery. I remember reading "Go Ask Alice" (written by Beatrice Sparks) when I was younger - and Timothy Baldwin's story reminds me of that memoir in a lot of ways.
The running theme of forgiveness is paramount in this story, and for good reason - An addict will always be an addict. They may no longer be using, but that demon will always haunt them and only through the forgiveness of their friends, family, and loved ones will they ever feel strong enough to say "no more" to their addiction.
In a country currently facing growing problems with heroin and opioid addiction - it's important that we all look for the signs in those around us and offer a hand when the burden is too great for them to carry on their own.
October 24, 2019
What would you do to save your child?
What would you do to save your child?
It's a question no parent may want to ask themselves. Yet, sometimes in one's life, you might.
I will be honest, I didn't go looking for a book like this. I read mainly romances. I took a chance on this book, and now I am glad I did. This book touches some pretty heavy topics of our children living in our society of drugs, crime, and death. But this author has written this book tastefully, getting the point across that these children are out there and should be helped.
As I read Bloodshot, my heart ached for the father. My tears fell for his young daughter. Not only did he suffer loss, but she did as well.
Side note: This book was a powerful and moving read with real messages throughout the pages. A must read.
What would you do to save your child?
It's a question no parent may want to ask themselves. Yet, sometimes in one's life, you might.
I will be honest, I didn't go looking for a book like this. I read mainly romances. I took a chance on this book, and now I am glad I did. This book touches some pretty heavy topics of our children living in our society of drugs, crime, and death. But this author has written this book tastefully, getting the point across that these children are out there and should be helped.
As I read Bloodshot, my heart ached for the father. My tears fell for his young daughter. Not only did he suffer loss, but she did as well.
Side note: This book was a powerful and moving read with real messages throughout the pages. A must read.
March 18, 2020
With mental health front and centre in today’s world, Bloodshot is a book that’s timely. It’s about a father who fights to save his daughter from her opioid addiction as her life spirals downhill. As a recovering addict, he, unfortunately, knows this life well. Author Timothy Baldwin does a good job of pulling on the readers’ heartstrings, with everyday characters who are well-developed and believable. The main character, Emmitt Wasson, takes extraordinary steps to save his daughter, Lindsay, from herself, which will leave most readers questioning if they’d do the same when facing similar circumstances.
Although some content in the narrative is dark, the themes of hope, forgiveness, and family support shed light. I’d recommend it to anyone who is struggling with addiction, either directly or indirectly.
Although some content in the narrative is dark, the themes of hope, forgiveness, and family support shed light. I’d recommend it to anyone who is struggling with addiction, either directly or indirectly.
October 30, 2019
Bloodshot is a powerful story about the love of a father for his daughter. The author has handled the subjects of drugs, crime, and death with realism while also showing compassion and empathy for both the addict and the families and friends affected.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 26, 2020
The good: a heart-wrenching tale of addiction tells the story of a desperate father struggling with his young daughter's opioide addiction. As a parent, I related to the gamut of emotions involved.
The bad: the book was much longer than it should have been; unnecessary padding and repetition damaged pacing and flow. The writing is quite rigid at times.
Overall: I would recommend the book, particularly to readers who have suffered addiction, or that of a family member's.
The bad: the book was much longer than it should have been; unnecessary padding and repetition damaged pacing and flow. The writing is quite rigid at times.
Overall: I would recommend the book, particularly to readers who have suffered addiction, or that of a family member's.
December 22, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book, Bloodshot, hit me harder than I was expecting, and it does not pull any punches from the start. Emmitt is just a regular man trying to keep it together, and then life flips the table and walks off with it. The hurt in this story feels real, like the kind that sits in your chest and does not ask permission.
What I liked is how it does not rush the pain. It lets Emmitt stumble, mess up, and try again. He is not a superhero. He is tired, mad, confused, and still showing up. That makes him feel honest. The way he tries to be the man his family needs, even when he does not know how, was one of the strongest parts of the story.
The part with the daughter was rough, but in a good way. You can see how things spiral and how one bad choice stacks on another. It does not feel fake or preachy. It just feels sad and tense, and you keep hoping she will turn it around while knowing it is not going to be easy or clean.
The friendships that show up along the way were a nice touch. They are not flashy, just steady and needed. They help push Emmitt forward when he is about ready to quit, and that part felt earned, not forced.
This book is not flashy or loud. It just digs in and stays there. It is about loss, grit, family, and fighting for somebody even when you are scared you are already losing. That stayed with me after I put it down.
I give it a 5 outta 5 catfish!
This book, Bloodshot, hit me harder than I was expecting, and it does not pull any punches from the start. Emmitt is just a regular man trying to keep it together, and then life flips the table and walks off with it. The hurt in this story feels real, like the kind that sits in your chest and does not ask permission.
What I liked is how it does not rush the pain. It lets Emmitt stumble, mess up, and try again. He is not a superhero. He is tired, mad, confused, and still showing up. That makes him feel honest. The way he tries to be the man his family needs, even when he does not know how, was one of the strongest parts of the story.
The part with the daughter was rough, but in a good way. You can see how things spiral and how one bad choice stacks on another. It does not feel fake or preachy. It just feels sad and tense, and you keep hoping she will turn it around while knowing it is not going to be easy or clean.
The friendships that show up along the way were a nice touch. They are not flashy, just steady and needed. They help push Emmitt forward when he is about ready to quit, and that part felt earned, not forced.
This book is not flashy or loud. It just digs in and stays there. It is about loss, grit, family, and fighting for somebody even when you are scared you are already losing. That stayed with me after I put it down.
I give it a 5 outta 5 catfish!
December 30, 2021
I enjoyed the story of Emmitt, his family, and supportive friends among the story of drug addiction. The story was realistic with the highs and the lows of his daughter, Lindsay who struggled to cease drugs. Emmitt, himself was challenged by addiction, while his friends and wife offered him ongoing support until he beat the disease. I felt that he offered his daughter too many hugs and kisses when he needed to be a bit tougher with her; as they say, tough love. I understand that he needed to be supportive of Lindsay, but his daughter may have seen the hugs as a reward by constantly having his attention. Later, he faced new challenges with his wife and daughter. I would have liked a slightly longer ending as I felt it was a little too abrupt, but other than that, it was a thought-provoking story and well worth the read.
May 4, 2021
His life is not prefect but he has a family and a job until an accident happens. It will have a devastating on the whole family especially his daughter. Can he find the will and faith to help his family? See if he can save them
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2022
This was a very emotional book dealing with drug addiction and lose of loved ones. There were times when it was easy to feel what the characters where feeling, but for a lot of the story I felt a little disconnected. There were also times when it felt a little repetitive. I still enjoyed the story, and it was worth the read.
December 14, 2021
I have read many from this author and I have yet to be disappointed! Once again this author writes an exceptional book! I'm telling you if you haven't read anything from this author you truly are missing out! If you're still looking for Christmas items this would make a great one!
May 2, 2022
Realistic look at the struggles of those with addictions or addicted family members.
November 17, 2023
It went a little long, but it was a decent read
December 11, 2023
I can’t say I enjoyed this book, but I also felt compelled to finish it. It is a hard book to read, about the impact of addiction.
February 8, 2021
Painful.
November 8, 2019
Emotionally charged with trying to save an opioid addicted Daughter hits way too close to people into life. This is reality for some families and this is a wonderful story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews