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Dry Heat: a Novel
The day All-American Joey Blade turns 18, he learns his ex-girlfriend is pregnant, is betrayed by his new girlfriend, and is arrested for the attempted murder of two police officers. Then things get bad.
The high school bonfire is supposed to be the kickoff to a great night: Joey has just won a football scholarship and he's hoping for a sex breakthrough with his new girlfriend. Then his true love--but ex-girlfriend--Mallory tells his she's pregnant. He's reeling from that news when the bonfire explodes.
Joey, his new girlfriend and her drug dealer friend TJ, flee in her truck. When the police pursue, TJ shoots at the cop's car. It crashes and in the ensuing chaos TJ slips away undetected. Joey, the only adult in the truck, is hauled off to jail.
Joey is charged with attempted murder and released on bail. TJ is nowhere to be found. When Joey discovers that Mallory's father is pressuring her to terminate the pregnancy, Joey has to remain free to prevent that from happening. In desperation, he reaches out to notorious gang leader, Chico Torres, whom he met in jail, for help locating TJ.
When Joey is offered a deal--his freedom in exchange for his cooperation in nailing Chico--he faces a decision that will change the course of his life and Mallory's.
The high school bonfire is supposed to be the kickoff to a great night: Joey has just won a football scholarship and he's hoping for a sex breakthrough with his new girlfriend. Then his true love--but ex-girlfriend--Mallory tells his she's pregnant. He's reeling from that news when the bonfire explodes.
Joey, his new girlfriend and her drug dealer friend TJ, flee in her truck. When the police pursue, TJ shoots at the cop's car. It crashes and in the ensuing chaos TJ slips away undetected. Joey, the only adult in the truck, is hauled off to jail.
Joey is charged with attempted murder and released on bail. TJ is nowhere to be found. When Joey discovers that Mallory's father is pressuring her to terminate the pregnancy, Joey has to remain free to prevent that from happening. In desperation, he reaches out to notorious gang leader, Chico Torres, whom he met in jail, for help locating TJ.
When Joey is offered a deal--his freedom in exchange for his cooperation in nailing Chico--he faces a decision that will change the course of his life and Mallory's.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
7 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Len Joy
11 books43 followersLen Joy had an idyllic childhood, growing up in the gem of the Finger Lakes, Canandaigua, New York. As a typical small-town boy, he had a wide range of interests, most involving sports. He lettered in four sports in high school and went off to the University of Rochester with dreams of becoming a football hero and world-famous novelist.
When he awoke from those dreams, he switched his major from English to Finance and quit the football team, but started dating one of the cheerleaders – Suzanne Sawada. Three years later they were married, and four decades later, they still are.
They moved to Chicago where Suzanne became a corporate lawyer and Len, with his MBA and CPA, became the auditing manager for U. S. Gypsum. Despite the thrill of auditing gypsum plants, Len found himself wanting a different challenge.
He bought an engine remanufacturing company in Arizona and for fifteen years commuted to Phoenix. Despite the travel, he managed to stay married and have three kids. While flying, he read hundreds of novels, which renewed his dream of becoming a world-famous author.
In 2004 he wound down his engine business and started taking writing courses and participating in triathlons.
While world fame remains elusive, Len has made advances in his writing career.
His third novel, EVERYONE DIES FAMOUS, was published by BQB Publishing in August 2020. KIRKUS described it as a “…a striking depiction of small-town America at the dawn of the 21st century.” It won 1st Prize in the 2020 Top Shelf Book Awards for Southern Fiction and a Silver Medal in the IBPA Ben Franklin Awards for Midwest Region fiction. It was also a Book Excellence Award winner in the category of Aging.
Kevin Wilson, NY Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here and The Family Fang had this to say: “Len Joy's Everyone Dies Famous is a clear-eyed examination of how we live in an uncertain world. By creating imminently understandable characters and skillfully linking them to a specific landscape, one that is so evocatively described, he shows us all the ways in which we're connected, how fragile those threads are. In clear prose, Joy does real work here. I'm grateful for it.”
Joy’s first novel, AMERICAN PAST TIME was published in 2014. KIRKUS praised it as a “darkly nostalgic study of an American family through good times and bad, engagingly set against major events from the ‘50s to the ‘70s as issues of race simmer in the background…expertly written and well-crafted.” It was the 2019 Readers’ Favorite gold medal award winner for Fiction – Sports and took 1st Prize in the Top Shelf Book Awards contest for Fiction – General.
His second novel, BETTER DAYS (2018) was described by FOREWORD Reviews as “a bighearted, wry, and tender novel that focuses on love and loyalty.” KIRKUS called it “a character-rich skillfully plotted Midwestern drama.” It was the 2019 Readers’ Favorite silver medal award winner for Fiction – Sports and was a finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards in the category of Fiction: Midwest.
Today, Len is a nationally ranked triathlete and competes internationally representing the United States as part of TEAM USA. His three kids (a son and two daughters) have grown up and moved away, although the daughters return frequently to Evanston to do their laundry and get legal advice from their mother.
When he awoke from those dreams, he switched his major from English to Finance and quit the football team, but started dating one of the cheerleaders – Suzanne Sawada. Three years later they were married, and four decades later, they still are.
They moved to Chicago where Suzanne became a corporate lawyer and Len, with his MBA and CPA, became the auditing manager for U. S. Gypsum. Despite the thrill of auditing gypsum plants, Len found himself wanting a different challenge.
He bought an engine remanufacturing company in Arizona and for fifteen years commuted to Phoenix. Despite the travel, he managed to stay married and have three kids. While flying, he read hundreds of novels, which renewed his dream of becoming a world-famous author.
In 2004 he wound down his engine business and started taking writing courses and participating in triathlons.
While world fame remains elusive, Len has made advances in his writing career.
His third novel, EVERYONE DIES FAMOUS, was published by BQB Publishing in August 2020. KIRKUS described it as a “…a striking depiction of small-town America at the dawn of the 21st century.” It won 1st Prize in the 2020 Top Shelf Book Awards for Southern Fiction and a Silver Medal in the IBPA Ben Franklin Awards for Midwest Region fiction. It was also a Book Excellence Award winner in the category of Aging.
Kevin Wilson, NY Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here and The Family Fang had this to say: “Len Joy's Everyone Dies Famous is a clear-eyed examination of how we live in an uncertain world. By creating imminently understandable characters and skillfully linking them to a specific landscape, one that is so evocatively described, he shows us all the ways in which we're connected, how fragile those threads are. In clear prose, Joy does real work here. I'm grateful for it.”
Joy’s first novel, AMERICAN PAST TIME was published in 2014. KIRKUS praised it as a “darkly nostalgic study of an American family through good times and bad, engagingly set against major events from the ‘50s to the ‘70s as issues of race simmer in the background…expertly written and well-crafted.” It was the 2019 Readers’ Favorite gold medal award winner for Fiction – Sports and took 1st Prize in the Top Shelf Book Awards contest for Fiction – General.
His second novel, BETTER DAYS (2018) was described by FOREWORD Reviews as “a bighearted, wry, and tender novel that focuses on love and loyalty.” KIRKUS called it “a character-rich skillfully plotted Midwestern drama.” It was the 2019 Readers’ Favorite silver medal award winner for Fiction – Sports and was a finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards in the category of Fiction: Midwest.
Today, Len is a nationally ranked triathlete and competes internationally representing the United States as part of TEAM USA. His three kids (a son and two daughters) have grown up and moved away, although the daughters return frequently to Evanston to do their laundry and get legal advice from their mother.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 19, 2022
Dry Heat opens in late November 1999 and finds seventeen-year-old Joey Blades, a Phoenix, Arizona high school student, shooting baskets with his best friend, fifteen-year-old Mallory Stewart. Blades is a six-foot, two-inch, 200-pound running back with a promising future where his most pressing issue is to decide upon which university to attend on a full-ride football scholarship.
Returning to Mallory’s home, with her creepy father away, in a tender moment, Joey loses his virginity to Mallory.
The story then moves forward six weeks to the eve of the New Millenium, which also happens to be Joey’s eighteenth birthday. Joey and others, including his new girlfriend Wendy, are preparing to enjoy a high school bonfire to ring in the new year.
Just before the lighting of the bonfire, in a moment of privacy, Mallory appears and tells Joey she is pregnant with his baby. After Mallory leaves, the lighting of the bonfire goes horribly awry, sending Joey down a road of difficult decisions where every answer seems to turn out wrong with horrible repercussions, including a possible lengthy prison term for Joey.
Even though innocent of potential criminal charges, those able to exonerate Joey refuse to do so and Joey must then attempt to help himself, which includes seeking help from Chico Torres, a murderous and notorious gang leader, who is somehow aligned with Joey’s father, Dutch.
Dry Heat is broken up into three parts and moves from 1999 to 2017 and deals with Joey’s rise, fall, and redemption. It is also about families, loyal friends, and betrayals and a novel where the most evil of villains can be those that walk among us as normal people.
Dry Heat has been one of the best books I have read this year and it is always pleasurable in finding books that are gems when not expected and Dry Heat is one of those books. One other thing Joy does well, and it is not a spoiler to reveal this, is how reader despair and sympathy toward the Joey Blade character builds because the reader knows he is innocent of any criminal charges from the start.
Dry Heat is highly recommended to all readers, with Len Joy telling a mature story without resorting to needless depictions of sexuality or violence.
An advanced reader’s copy was provided by Netgalley in return for a fair review.
This review was originally published at MysteryandSuspense.com.
March 4, 2022
First, I wish to thank Anna Sacca from FSB Associates for offering me the chance to read and review this crime novel. As always, I am happy to do so, here are my thoughts.
The story chronicles how an Arizona teenager’s life changed for ever after an innocent night of fun turned solemn. On his 18th birthday Joey Blade celebrated with his new girlfriend Wendy and TJ Grimes, a pot dealer, at a bonfire party, when it exploded sending embers into the crowd, the trio took off, speeding away by car. When a gun goes off in a police shootout and TJ did a disappearing act, Joey left behind is tossed in jail accused of shooting police officers. What was supposed to be a promising career was then dashed. Then the story revolved around Joey dealing with court proceedings, rekindling things with Mallory, his old girlfriend.
The second half of the book depicts Joey as an adult with unfinished business. All along the narrative Joey emerges as a character to root for. His freedom did not come easy he needed help from Chico Torres, a drug lord he met in jail. Was that a good choice?....
What a melodrama we read. It shows how in the blink of an eye someone’s life can change. This gritty story full of danger, betrayal, love and loss escalates after a leisurely opening into a fast-paced action. I couldn’t help but to turn pages nonstop, this dynamic story is so exciting. Mr. Joy seamlessly weaves complex relationship and relevant issues such as teenage pregnancy and young adult drama into a full tilt plot populated with unforgettable characters.
“Dry heat “, is a compelling drama I definitely recommend.
The story chronicles how an Arizona teenager’s life changed for ever after an innocent night of fun turned solemn. On his 18th birthday Joey Blade celebrated with his new girlfriend Wendy and TJ Grimes, a pot dealer, at a bonfire party, when it exploded sending embers into the crowd, the trio took off, speeding away by car. When a gun goes off in a police shootout and TJ did a disappearing act, Joey left behind is tossed in jail accused of shooting police officers. What was supposed to be a promising career was then dashed. Then the story revolved around Joey dealing with court proceedings, rekindling things with Mallory, his old girlfriend.
The second half of the book depicts Joey as an adult with unfinished business. All along the narrative Joey emerges as a character to root for. His freedom did not come easy he needed help from Chico Torres, a drug lord he met in jail. Was that a good choice?....
What a melodrama we read. It shows how in the blink of an eye someone’s life can change. This gritty story full of danger, betrayal, love and loss escalates after a leisurely opening into a fast-paced action. I couldn’t help but to turn pages nonstop, this dynamic story is so exciting. Mr. Joy seamlessly weaves complex relationship and relevant issues such as teenage pregnancy and young adult drama into a full tilt plot populated with unforgettable characters.
“Dry heat “, is a compelling drama I definitely recommend.
April 10, 2022
Oh boy, how quickly someone’s life can crumble. Everything had been falling into place for eighteen-year-old Joey Blade. He had been offered a football college scholarship, and he had a new girlfriend and hoped to get lucky with her later. That evening at the High School bonfire, he learns that his ex-girlfriend Mallory is pregnant. Then an explosion sends everyone running.
Joey jumps in the driving seat of his girlfriend’s truck, along with her and her drug-dealing friend TJ. The police are soon in pursuit when TJ pulls a gun and fires at the police. When Joey pulls up, his two companions run off, leaving him to take the blame for the shooting. Things quickly worsen when secondary charges are brought against him for underage sex with Mallory.
Whoa, this is all action, and the story has just begun. Joey is a fabulous character with whom I connected from the start. How different his life could have been by just a couple of alternate choices. It seemed that Joey’s life had been taken out of his hands, but there was one person that could make a difference for him.
As no one will believe what he says, Joey takes the only path left for him, but his life will get even more complicated and deadly. It is a gripping read from the start because just being innocent isn’t enough. It is a spiral that intensifies in every chapter and becomes a darker and a heart-pounding page-turner.
What a brilliant second novel from Len Joy. Highly recommended.
Joey jumps in the driving seat of his girlfriend’s truck, along with her and her drug-dealing friend TJ. The police are soon in pursuit when TJ pulls a gun and fires at the police. When Joey pulls up, his two companions run off, leaving him to take the blame for the shooting. Things quickly worsen when secondary charges are brought against him for underage sex with Mallory.
Whoa, this is all action, and the story has just begun. Joey is a fabulous character with whom I connected from the start. How different his life could have been by just a couple of alternate choices. It seemed that Joey’s life had been taken out of his hands, but there was one person that could make a difference for him.
As no one will believe what he says, Joey takes the only path left for him, but his life will get even more complicated and deadly. It is a gripping read from the start because just being innocent isn’t enough. It is a spiral that intensifies in every chapter and becomes a darker and a heart-pounding page-turner.
What a brilliant second novel from Len Joy. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2022
Things are not going so well for Joey Blade. On the night of his birthday, the girl he lost his virginity to, Mallory, tells him she’s pregnant. While at the high school bonfire, there is an explosion. Joey flees with his current girlfriend Wendy and her drug-dealing friend TJ. In their race to escape the explosion, they wind up in a police chase where TJ shoots at the police cars. The ensuing crash leads to Joey being arrested while Wendy goes free and TJ has disappeared. Once getting out of jail, Joey enlists the help of notorious gang leader Chico Torres to find TJ and – ultimately – redemption.
Len Joy’s chaotic novel Dry Heat doesn’t hold back when it comes to colorful terms and edgy commentary. Joy accurately portrays the stereotypical teenager from the late nineties that you find in cult classic films of that period. There is a feeling of nostalgia that readers in their late 30’s and early 40’s will identify with. The early scenes of this action-packed novel offer a foreshadowing of the rest of the book. Excitement and drama fill the pages to come, and readers will have to hold on because it will be a wild ride.
This enthralling novel feels like a cautionary tale for teenagers. A story where every wrong decision imaginable is made. Readers may find it is all too real and relatable, encountering a situation that is too big for their age. At one point, author Len Joy describes Joey’s day as a disastrously mishandled situation, which is the perfect way to describe it. Reading this shocking at times novel will give readers the feeling of watching a car wreck in slow-motion. You are hooked; you know it will happen; you just have to read and see how it all plays out.
Joy took time and care to flesh out the characters and make readers develop an emotional attachment to them. They all have a bit of the classic high school stereotypes in them, something many readers will identify with. There’s Darville, the rich kid; Mallory, the tragically promiscuous girl; Wendy, the snotty prom queen; and of course, the hero Joey, the jock. Yet, throughout the story, they grow, change, and transcend what we have come to expect from their assigned stereotypes. We learn that they’re human, which every good novel should achieve.
Dry Heat is a coming-of-age novel that will attract readers interested in crime thrillers and suspenseful action drama. With edgy dialogue and action, readers will be turning the page of this riveting novel to see if Joey can get himself out of the mess he is in.
Len Joy’s chaotic novel Dry Heat doesn’t hold back when it comes to colorful terms and edgy commentary. Joy accurately portrays the stereotypical teenager from the late nineties that you find in cult classic films of that period. There is a feeling of nostalgia that readers in their late 30’s and early 40’s will identify with. The early scenes of this action-packed novel offer a foreshadowing of the rest of the book. Excitement and drama fill the pages to come, and readers will have to hold on because it will be a wild ride.
This enthralling novel feels like a cautionary tale for teenagers. A story where every wrong decision imaginable is made. Readers may find it is all too real and relatable, encountering a situation that is too big for their age. At one point, author Len Joy describes Joey’s day as a disastrously mishandled situation, which is the perfect way to describe it. Reading this shocking at times novel will give readers the feeling of watching a car wreck in slow-motion. You are hooked; you know it will happen; you just have to read and see how it all plays out.
Joy took time and care to flesh out the characters and make readers develop an emotional attachment to them. They all have a bit of the classic high school stereotypes in them, something many readers will identify with. There’s Darville, the rich kid; Mallory, the tragically promiscuous girl; Wendy, the snotty prom queen; and of course, the hero Joey, the jock. Yet, throughout the story, they grow, change, and transcend what we have come to expect from their assigned stereotypes. We learn that they’re human, which every good novel should achieve.
Dry Heat is a coming-of-age novel that will attract readers interested in crime thrillers and suspenseful action drama. With edgy dialogue and action, readers will be turning the page of this riveting novel to see if Joey can get himself out of the mess he is in.
February 15, 2022
Dry heat can kill and Len Joy’s new novel, Dry Heat, is a story that will duly thrill. Joy’s character development will quickly engage you into a courtroom argument that has innocence chafing against shape-shifting laws designed to trap the uninitiated. You’ll witness right decisions desperately made for the wrong reasons. This exciting adventure’s devious twist will shock you with a tale of small-town culture that provokes the worst to evoke the best. Dry Heat is a read you will not put down until its last word.
January 9, 2022
“Dry Heat” is an engrossing tale of a high school athlete, with a very promising future, whose life and aspirations are thrown into turmoil by a series of ill-fated decisions and bad luck. Author Len Joy masterfully draws in the reader through a realistic depiction of youthful innocence and naivety overwhelmed by spiraling misfortune. The well-developed characters are interesting and relatable, and the dialogue is both convincing and endearing.
The compelling drama of “Dry Heat” flows in and out of the lives of strained families, into the courtroom, and ultimately on to retrospection. At no point does the reader lose interest in the story or their deep investment in its unforgettable characters. Highly recommended.
The compelling drama of “Dry Heat” flows in and out of the lives of strained families, into the courtroom, and ultimately on to retrospection. At no point does the reader lose interest in the story or their deep investment in its unforgettable characters. Highly recommended.
October 18, 2022
Brilliant novel by a brilliant writer. Not only is the story full of suspense, this world Joy creates is flavorful, beautiful, and full of wonder. Full of twists and turns, surprising. A literary wonderland!
April 19, 2022
Dry Heat opens in late November 1999 and finds seventeen-year-old Joey Blades, a Phoenix, Arizona high school student, shooting baskets with his best friend, fifteen-year-old Mallory Stewart. Blades is a six-foot, two-inch, 200-pound running back with a promising future where his most pressing issue is to decide upon which university to attend on a full-ride football scholarship.
Returning to Mallory’s home, with her creepy father away, in a tender moment, Joey loses his virginity to Mallory.
The story then moves forward six weeks to the eve of the New Millenium, which also happens to be Joey’s eighteenth birthday. Joey and others, including his new girlfriend Wendy, are preparing to enjoy a high school bonfire to ring in the new year.
Just before the lighting of the bonfire, in a moment of privacy, Mallory appears and tells Joey she is pregnant with his baby. After Mallory leaves, the lighting of the bonfire goes horribly awry, sending Joey down a road of difficult decisions where every answer seems to turn out wrong with horrible repercussions, including a possible lengthy prison term for Joey.
Even though innocent of potential criminal charges, those able to exonerate Joey refuse to do so and Joey must then attempt to help himself, which includes seeking help from Chico Torres, a murderous and notorious gang leader, who is somehow aligned with Joey’s father, Dutch.
Dry Heat is broken up into three parts and moves from 1999 to 2017 and deals with Joey’s rise, fall, and redemption. It is also about families, loyal friends, and betrayals and a novel where the most evil of villains can be those that walk among us as normal people.
Dry Heat has been one of the best books I have read this year and it is always pleasurable in finding books that are gems when not expected and Dry Heat is one of those books. One other thing Joy does well, and it is not a spoiler to reveal this, is how reader despair and sympathy toward the Joey Blade character builds because the reader knows he is innocent of any criminal charges from the start.
Dry Heat is highly recommended to all readers, with Len Joy telling a mature story without resorting to needless depictions of sexuality or violence.
An advanced reader’s copy was provided by Netgalley in return for a fair review.
This review was originally published at MysteryandSuspense.com.
Returning to Mallory’s home, with her creepy father away, in a tender moment, Joey loses his virginity to Mallory.
The story then moves forward six weeks to the eve of the New Millenium, which also happens to be Joey’s eighteenth birthday. Joey and others, including his new girlfriend Wendy, are preparing to enjoy a high school bonfire to ring in the new year.
Just before the lighting of the bonfire, in a moment of privacy, Mallory appears and tells Joey she is pregnant with his baby. After Mallory leaves, the lighting of the bonfire goes horribly awry, sending Joey down a road of difficult decisions where every answer seems to turn out wrong with horrible repercussions, including a possible lengthy prison term for Joey.
Even though innocent of potential criminal charges, those able to exonerate Joey refuse to do so and Joey must then attempt to help himself, which includes seeking help from Chico Torres, a murderous and notorious gang leader, who is somehow aligned with Joey’s father, Dutch.
Dry Heat is broken up into three parts and moves from 1999 to 2017 and deals with Joey’s rise, fall, and redemption. It is also about families, loyal friends, and betrayals and a novel where the most evil of villains can be those that walk among us as normal people.
Dry Heat has been one of the best books I have read this year and it is always pleasurable in finding books that are gems when not expected and Dry Heat is one of those books. One other thing Joy does well, and it is not a spoiler to reveal this, is how reader despair and sympathy toward the Joey Blade character builds because the reader knows he is innocent of any criminal charges from the start.
Dry Heat is highly recommended to all readers, with Len Joy telling a mature story without resorting to needless depictions of sexuality or violence.
An advanced reader’s copy was provided by Netgalley in return for a fair review.
This review was originally published at MysteryandSuspense.com.
March 24, 2022
Everything that Joey has been working for throughout his high school years changes in the matter of one night in Dry Heat by Len Joy. Joey Blade is about to finish high school and has made his decision on where he is going to go to college and play football. He has made the most important decision of his life…..or so he thought. Unfortunately everything changes on New’s Year Eve after a bonfire party goes very, very wrong.
In a matter of hours Joey saves a classmate from dying when he catches on fire when the bonfire he is building gets out of control, they jump on the back of another classmates truck to escape the cops only to have classmate pull out a gun and shoot at a vehicle chasing them, then classmate runs as soon as truck is pulled over leaving Joey to take the “blame”. Even though Joey tells the truth, no one believes him and the occupants in the truck, one being the girl that Joey was dating, lie to the cops.
While spending the night in jail Joey also learns some secrets about his dad and the family business which will continue to haunt Joey for years. Even though Joey is innocent and he has a great lawyer, he is still sent to jail. In jail he does everything he can to stay out of trouble and just do his time and get that behind him…..which he does with a few ups and downs.
When Joey gets out of jail, instead of going to work in the family business, he gets a cabin in the woods and works for the one classmate that was there for him always. Unfortunately his past catches up to him and he is forced to get involved in the family business once more and safe it from a seedy character.
Dry Heat is a fast paced fun packed read. Once you start reading you cannot help but like Joey and want to see justice for him served. There is so much that you will love about this book. It is a story that you cannot put down.
I highly recommend grabbing your copy of Dry Heat and escaping in it…….
In a matter of hours Joey saves a classmate from dying when he catches on fire when the bonfire he is building gets out of control, they jump on the back of another classmates truck to escape the cops only to have classmate pull out a gun and shoot at a vehicle chasing them, then classmate runs as soon as truck is pulled over leaving Joey to take the “blame”. Even though Joey tells the truth, no one believes him and the occupants in the truck, one being the girl that Joey was dating, lie to the cops.
While spending the night in jail Joey also learns some secrets about his dad and the family business which will continue to haunt Joey for years. Even though Joey is innocent and he has a great lawyer, he is still sent to jail. In jail he does everything he can to stay out of trouble and just do his time and get that behind him…..which he does with a few ups and downs.
When Joey gets out of jail, instead of going to work in the family business, he gets a cabin in the woods and works for the one classmate that was there for him always. Unfortunately his past catches up to him and he is forced to get involved in the family business once more and safe it from a seedy character.
Dry Heat is a fast paced fun packed read. Once you start reading you cannot help but like Joey and want to see justice for him served. There is so much that you will love about this book. It is a story that you cannot put down.
I highly recommend grabbing your copy of Dry Heat and escaping in it…….
March 9, 2022
I was given this book in advance for the purpose of a review.
This is a fast paced novel about a boy caught up in a drama--part self-made, part coincidental, part entanglement with the wrong crowd in a corrupt justice system. The protagonist is a clean-cut high school football star who is wrongly accused of a shooting crime. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this story, it does not matter that this boy is a white football star. He's still treated horribly. (as opposed to other stories, both in fiction and in our real world where the POC is treated horribly, and the white football stars in small towns are not etc ). The police don't ask enough questions, assume guilt first, and overlook basic, obvious evidence. It's over the top incompetence. Money does seem to matter here. If you have money, you can escape justice. Anyway, one must just accept that this is the way things are in Arizona. The boy is railroaded through a system, and this creates a page turner plot.
There's also a romance story. A rather strange relationship develops between this boy and a very young, troubled girl--so young she is barely out of middle school, which brings up the obvious legal issues, which further complicate the boy's life. It is this relationship that anchors the story and contributes to the boy's mental state of mind. It also is central to the second part of the book.
The dialogue is excellent and the pace is fast. It is a very commercial read, a bit different from other Len Joy books where the writer patiently developed characters and relationships.
My only problem would be the romance, which was rushed and as fast paced as the trial and criminal plots. If a story is anchored in a romance, the reader needs to understand the chemistry. I didn't.
But that should not distract and I do not think it would matter to most readers of this genre.
This is a fast paced novel about a boy caught up in a drama--part self-made, part coincidental, part entanglement with the wrong crowd in a corrupt justice system. The protagonist is a clean-cut high school football star who is wrongly accused of a shooting crime. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this story, it does not matter that this boy is a white football star. He's still treated horribly. (as opposed to other stories, both in fiction and in our real world where the POC is treated horribly, and the white football stars in small towns are not etc ). The police don't ask enough questions, assume guilt first, and overlook basic, obvious evidence. It's over the top incompetence. Money does seem to matter here. If you have money, you can escape justice. Anyway, one must just accept that this is the way things are in Arizona. The boy is railroaded through a system, and this creates a page turner plot.
There's also a romance story. A rather strange relationship develops between this boy and a very young, troubled girl--so young she is barely out of middle school, which brings up the obvious legal issues, which further complicate the boy's life. It is this relationship that anchors the story and contributes to the boy's mental state of mind. It also is central to the second part of the book.
The dialogue is excellent and the pace is fast. It is a very commercial read, a bit different from other Len Joy books where the writer patiently developed characters and relationships.
My only problem would be the romance, which was rushed and as fast paced as the trial and criminal plots. If a story is anchored in a romance, the reader needs to understand the chemistry. I didn't.
But that should not distract and I do not think it would matter to most readers of this genre.
March 4, 2022
Dry Heat by Len Joy
Intense, thought provoking, impactful story that I could not put down…totally engrossing from beginning to end!
What I liked:
* Joey: athlete, high school senior, intelligent, typical in many ways of young men his age, has a brilliant future ahead of him…until his world abruptly changes.
* Mallory: young girl in high school, difficult family situation, friend of Joey’s, likable, facing a difficult situation
* That Joey’s family seemed a cohesive loving supportive unit…though they were also human
* Lua: a good friend of Joey’s who stood with him through thick and thin
* The writing, era, setting, plot and character development
* That it made me think and feel while seeming all too believable
* The growth and changes in both Joey and Mallory
* That it wasn’t polished and pretty but rather nitty gritty and at times dark…but not too dark
* Thinking about whether or not there is really justice when people go to court
* That not everybody who was bad was entirely evil just as not everyone good was perfect
* Joey’s lists, his personal rules, and his solutions to situations toward the end of the book
* That there was hope at the end of the story…and thinking about what might happen to the characters after that last page of the book.
What I didn’t like:
* Exactly who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that justice is not always meted out fairly and it may happen more often than we realize
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and BQB for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
Intense, thought provoking, impactful story that I could not put down…totally engrossing from beginning to end!
What I liked:
* Joey: athlete, high school senior, intelligent, typical in many ways of young men his age, has a brilliant future ahead of him…until his world abruptly changes.
* Mallory: young girl in high school, difficult family situation, friend of Joey’s, likable, facing a difficult situation
* That Joey’s family seemed a cohesive loving supportive unit…though they were also human
* Lua: a good friend of Joey’s who stood with him through thick and thin
* The writing, era, setting, plot and character development
* That it made me think and feel while seeming all too believable
* The growth and changes in both Joey and Mallory
* That it wasn’t polished and pretty but rather nitty gritty and at times dark…but not too dark
* Thinking about whether or not there is really justice when people go to court
* That not everybody who was bad was entirely evil just as not everyone good was perfect
* Joey’s lists, his personal rules, and his solutions to situations toward the end of the book
* That there was hope at the end of the story…and thinking about what might happen to the characters after that last page of the book.
What I didn’t like:
* Exactly who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that justice is not always meted out fairly and it may happen more often than we realize
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and BQB for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
April 25, 2022
This is such a strong and yet heartbreaking story. Joey Blade is just a young man who is on the path to success. Then, with him being essentially in the wrong place at the wrong time landed him on trial for a hell of a lot more than what his family or lawyer would think. With all of that happening, he finds out he's going to be a father at 18 because of a young, naive decision two teenagers made. He owns up to his and mallory's pregnancy news while facing the news of going to trial for a crime he never committed. That is a ton to toss on a young person no matter who they are. There is so much more to round out the story and to see how the court case ended up going is well worth the read!
One thing I'll say for this story is that it is very honest with the reality of the whole situation. Len Joy didn't sugar coat the truth Joey was facing in this entire court case or the teen pregnancy. Everything that happened to Joey, and in turn Mallory, was pretty massive and not something to be taken lightly. I always felt that Joy provided the prefect reactions to the problems that kept popping up as the story progressed. Each one was not necessarily going for what the readers wanted, but more towards what would really happen if this would occur. I really enjoyed this element to the story! Life is freaking tough. It loves to through curve balls at us and we are more than likely to miss a few of those shots as the years go on. I feel like this is very true with Joey Blade's story.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
One thing I'll say for this story is that it is very honest with the reality of the whole situation. Len Joy didn't sugar coat the truth Joey was facing in this entire court case or the teen pregnancy. Everything that happened to Joey, and in turn Mallory, was pretty massive and not something to be taken lightly. I always felt that Joy provided the prefect reactions to the problems that kept popping up as the story progressed. Each one was not necessarily going for what the readers wanted, but more towards what would really happen if this would occur. I really enjoyed this element to the story! Life is freaking tough. It loves to through curve balls at us and we are more than likely to miss a few of those shots as the years go on. I feel like this is very true with Joey Blade's story.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
March 14, 2022
This book is just WOW! I loved it from beginning to end, it was a fast paced book that I couldn't put down. I just HAD TO KNOW what happens to Joey Blade.
You really felt for Joey Blade's plight and just the unfairness of it all (Not to mention the complete injustice of our supposed "Justice System") The breakneck speed of which this story unfolds keeps you on your toes and the plot was great! I feel like its been a long time since I read a book with all of the characters, even minor characters, were really fleshed out and made a difference to the story .
Not to mention the twist... dun, dun, duuuuuun (Cue mysterious music!)....
So far best book I have read this year and would recommend it to anyone! Hit it out of the park Len Joy!
5 heartfelt stars!
Thank you fsbassociates for this copy of Dry Heat for an honest review (I can't thank enough this book was GREAT!)
You really felt for Joey Blade's plight and just the unfairness of it all (Not to mention the complete injustice of our supposed "Justice System") The breakneck speed of which this story unfolds keeps you on your toes and the plot was great! I feel like its been a long time since I read a book with all of the characters, even minor characters, were really fleshed out and made a difference to the story .
Not to mention the twist... dun, dun, duuuuuun (Cue mysterious music!)....
So far best book I have read this year and would recommend it to anyone! Hit it out of the park Len Joy!
5 heartfelt stars!
Thank you fsbassociates for this copy of Dry Heat for an honest review (I can't thank enough this book was GREAT!)
August 15, 2022
An outstanding and moving book that should be made into a movie.
I discovered Len Joy when I read American Past Time. What an outstanding book. I enjoyed Len Joy's books so much that I added his name to my list of must read authors.
I subsequently purchased Dry Heat. From the very first page I was immediately hook. This book offered so much. An outstanding plot, with many sub-plots that intertwined perfectly and came to a surprising ending.
This book is written for so many readers. A high school athlete with a promising future who hangs with the wrong crowd. He is in the wrong place and the wrong time and finds himself in trouble with a serious arrest.
One of the many sub-plots I enjoyed with the criminal trial and a shocking verdict.
This book is definitely five stars. Enjoy.
I discovered Len Joy when I read American Past Time. What an outstanding book. I enjoyed Len Joy's books so much that I added his name to my list of must read authors.
I subsequently purchased Dry Heat. From the very first page I was immediately hook. This book offered so much. An outstanding plot, with many sub-plots that intertwined perfectly and came to a surprising ending.
This book is written for so many readers. A high school athlete with a promising future who hangs with the wrong crowd. He is in the wrong place and the wrong time and finds himself in trouble with a serious arrest.
One of the many sub-plots I enjoyed with the criminal trial and a shocking verdict.
This book is definitely five stars. Enjoy.
March 7, 2022
Len Joy’s newest novel, Dry Heat, smoothly crosses genres from coming of age novel, to courtroom drama, to family saga, to crime fiction. In effortless, flowing prose Joy presents the story of Joey Blade’s fall from popular high school hero to ex-convict living a hermetic, solitary life. Joy has a particular talent for creating scenes in which realistic, natural dialog is interspersed with moments of terrific tension and suspense. Well-conceived and well-written, the many twists and coincidences are entirely believable thanks to Joy’s deft writing. I highly recommend this book and believe it will appeal to a wide readership.
February 28, 2022
Joey has a promising future as a football star, but a New Year’s Eve mishap puts a crimp in his plans. We all know how it is when things don’t go as planned, but for Joey, it is worse than imagined.
I loved this legal, coming-of-age story and the characters involved. His growth throughout the span of the story seems very realistic. This was definitely a page-turner that kept me interested throughout and had a satisfying ending. I think this one will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to FSB Associates for the ARC for review.
I loved this legal, coming-of-age story and the characters involved. His growth throughout the span of the story seems very realistic. This was definitely a page-turner that kept me interested throughout and had a satisfying ending. I think this one will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to FSB Associates for the ARC for review.
March 5, 2022
Len Joy's Dry Heat takes the reader through Joey Blade's tumultuous journey of lost love, lost dreams, and betrayal. Joey is not a character you will soon forget. Len Joy is a master storyteller whose skillful use of gripping action scenes and captivating dialogue result in relentless pacing that keeps the reader glued to the page. Tension mounts throughout the story as the reader aches for Joey to find his way, ending in a riveting climax.
April 11, 2022
This is one of those books where you will find yourself railing against injustice as misunderstandings and wrong turns make everything go wrong. The characters were a bit “stock” for me - high school jock hero, loyal side kick friend etc - but the plot is strong and I realise this may be just a taste thing.
August 20, 2022
Loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down as I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The story kept you guessing as the twists and turns were always a surprise. The character development was excellent as the plot thickened. I usually only read non-fiction but this book really kept me engaged. Highly recommend.
September 20, 2024
Actions have consequences. Joey Blade learns this the hard way in Len Joy's DRY HEAT. Spanning 20 years of his life, Joey will move from an 18yr old with a bright future to man who has made bargains with too many devils to see a future of any kind. Joy touches several genre so has something for most readers to love.
July 26, 2022
An excellent coming of age novel centering around Joey Blade as a teenager and ending as a young man. It is a fast read and a must-read.
My Review
My Review
January 25, 2023
Len Joy’s best yet! Finished this one in one sitting. You will root for Joey Blade.
June 10, 2024
Loved it.
January 4, 2026
Love love loved!
Could not put it down …
Could not put it down …
January 9, 2022
“Dry Heat” is an engrossing tale of a high school athlete, with a very promising future, whose life and aspirations are thrown into turmoil by a series of ill-fated decisions and bad luck. Author Len Joy masterfully draws in the reader through a realistic depiction of youthful innocence and naivety overwhelmed by spiraling misfortune. The well-developed characters are interesting and relatable, and the dialogue is both convincing and endearing.
The compelling drama of “Dry Heat” flows in and out of the lives of strained families, into the courtroom, and ultimately on to retrospection. At no point does the reader lose interest in the story or their deep investment in its unforgettable characters. Highly recommended.
The compelling drama of “Dry Heat” flows in and out of the lives of strained families, into the courtroom, and ultimately on to retrospection. At no point does the reader lose interest in the story or their deep investment in its unforgettable characters. Highly recommended.
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