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Dive Bartender: Flowers in the Desert
It's 1977 and Frank Ford is running from his life and for his life.
Following the suspicious suicide of his brother Ray and Frank's own role in the death of twin sisters clearly culpable in Ray's demise, he hits the road, leaving Minnesota for the promised land, California–with a dog-eared paperback copy of Kerouac's On the Road as his roadmap. True to its protagonist's journey, Frank makes a stop in Denver to look up an old friend–in his case high school buddy and former Arizona Amateur Tennis Champion, Larry Richards, now a divorce attorney allegedly raking in the cash, hand over fist.
Larry's seemingly successful life was anything but, and Frank gets caught up in Larry's fraying web of deals and deceit, leading him farther away from California and closer to the same muck he left behind in Minnesota.
Enter the captivating and gifted songwriter Evelyn Raines, lead singer of Evie and the Desert Flowers. The righteous Bill Cross, new roommate, fellow bartender at DJ's and former Arizona Gold Gloves light heavyweight champion. Clayton Cook and Bryce Parker–entitled, corrupt and twisted. Arturo Reynolds, Denver gangster. Javier Raines, Evie's faithful brother and manager. A cast of characters that seems to conspire to keep Frank from his Kerouac dream.
Following the suspicious suicide of his brother Ray and Frank's own role in the death of twin sisters clearly culpable in Ray's demise, he hits the road, leaving Minnesota for the promised land, California–with a dog-eared paperback copy of Kerouac's On the Road as his roadmap. True to its protagonist's journey, Frank makes a stop in Denver to look up an old friend–in his case high school buddy and former Arizona Amateur Tennis Champion, Larry Richards, now a divorce attorney allegedly raking in the cash, hand over fist.
Larry's seemingly successful life was anything but, and Frank gets caught up in Larry's fraying web of deals and deceit, leading him farther away from California and closer to the same muck he left behind in Minnesota.
Enter the captivating and gifted songwriter Evelyn Raines, lead singer of Evie and the Desert Flowers. The righteous Bill Cross, new roommate, fellow bartender at DJ's and former Arizona Gold Gloves light heavyweight champion. Clayton Cook and Bryce Parker–entitled, corrupt and twisted. Arturo Reynolds, Denver gangster. Javier Raines, Evie's faithful brother and manager. A cast of characters that seems to conspire to keep Frank from his Kerouac dream.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 23, 2022
Colorful, exciting, and fast paced thriller!
Minnesota author T.K. O’Neill has served as a sports reporter, founder/editor of a regional arts and entertainment monthly, and has published both short stories and novels. DIVE BARTENDER is a series: Sibling Rivalry was the initial volume, and now - Flowers in the Desert is Volume 2. O’Neill’s established primary character is the bartender Frank Ford who manages to capture the milieu and angst and pop culture of the 1970s like few others. For example, this episode opens in 1977: ‘Lying on his stomach at the fence line of an Arizona ranch just inside the Mexican border, Frank Ford finds it hard to believe that only six months ago he was in northern Minnesota trying to stop two psychotic sisters from killing a…Pharmaceutical heir. But it’s true…’ Character and history unveiled, O’Neill then pens this crime noir with apropos raw language and a flair for capturing the 70s timeframe in short, pungent chapters.
As the well-distilled plot is summarized, ‘Frank Ford is running from his life and for his life. Following the suspicious suicide of his brother Ray and Frank's own role in the death of twin sisters clearly culpable in Ray's demise, he hits the road, leaving Minnesota for the promised land, California–with a dog-eared paperback copy of Kerouac's On the Road as his roadmap. True to its protagonist's journey, Frank makes a stop in Denver to look up an old friend–in his case high school buddy and former Arizona Amateur Tennis Champion, Larry Richards, now a divorce attorney allegedly raking in the cash, hand over fist. Larry's seemingly successful life was anything but, and Frank gets caught up in Larry's fraying web of deals and deceit, leading him farther away from California and closer to the same muck he left behind in Minnesota.’
The cast - rock star Evelyn Raines, lead singer of Evie and the Desert Flowers; Bill Cross, new roommate, fellow bartender at DJ's, and former Arizona Gold Gloves light heavyweight champion; Clayton Cook and Bryce Parker–entitled, corrupt and twisted; Arturo Reynolds, a Denver gangster; and drug smuggler Javier Raines, Evie's faithful brother and manager. The entertaining excitement builds from page one to the end - a true epic format that just happens to include a fine romance - with accoutrements! Great read for winter evenings. Recommended
Minnesota author T.K. O’Neill has served as a sports reporter, founder/editor of a regional arts and entertainment monthly, and has published both short stories and novels. DIVE BARTENDER is a series: Sibling Rivalry was the initial volume, and now - Flowers in the Desert is Volume 2. O’Neill’s established primary character is the bartender Frank Ford who manages to capture the milieu and angst and pop culture of the 1970s like few others. For example, this episode opens in 1977: ‘Lying on his stomach at the fence line of an Arizona ranch just inside the Mexican border, Frank Ford finds it hard to believe that only six months ago he was in northern Minnesota trying to stop two psychotic sisters from killing a…Pharmaceutical heir. But it’s true…’ Character and history unveiled, O’Neill then pens this crime noir with apropos raw language and a flair for capturing the 70s timeframe in short, pungent chapters.
As the well-distilled plot is summarized, ‘Frank Ford is running from his life and for his life. Following the suspicious suicide of his brother Ray and Frank's own role in the death of twin sisters clearly culpable in Ray's demise, he hits the road, leaving Minnesota for the promised land, California–with a dog-eared paperback copy of Kerouac's On the Road as his roadmap. True to its protagonist's journey, Frank makes a stop in Denver to look up an old friend–in his case high school buddy and former Arizona Amateur Tennis Champion, Larry Richards, now a divorce attorney allegedly raking in the cash, hand over fist. Larry's seemingly successful life was anything but, and Frank gets caught up in Larry's fraying web of deals and deceit, leading him farther away from California and closer to the same muck he left behind in Minnesota.’
The cast - rock star Evelyn Raines, lead singer of Evie and the Desert Flowers; Bill Cross, new roommate, fellow bartender at DJ's, and former Arizona Gold Gloves light heavyweight champion; Clayton Cook and Bryce Parker–entitled, corrupt and twisted; Arturo Reynolds, a Denver gangster; and drug smuggler Javier Raines, Evie's faithful brother and manager. The entertaining excitement builds from page one to the end - a true epic format that just happens to include a fine romance - with accoutrements! Great read for winter evenings. Recommended
December 2, 2022
Dive Bartender: Flowers in the Desert is an exciting thriller following the steps of Frank Ford, a troubled man who leaves his life in Minnesota, haunted by his own actions and looking for a fresh new start. While reading On The Road, a successful novel, he decides to head to California in order to start over, but due to the long road trip, he makes the unwise choice to stop in Denver to meet an old friend, who ends up messing his life even more. Trying to escape from the death of his brother and dealing with the murders he commit, the fresh start turned up to be harder than he expected.
Frank is a complex man, a man who did what he had to do and doesn´t look back trying to mend his mistakes, instead of that he's trying to adapt to his new reality and look forward, avoiding falling into the same dilemmas, and learning from them.
In my opinion, this is a great book for people looking for an intense kind of read, because the story and the characters keep changing and adapting over the pages. Author T.K. O'Neill writes this story by going back and forth in the timelapse, making the reader understand Frank's personality and giving content and meaning to the character. He's not the most beloved main character a reader can find in a novel, but over the pages that feeling starts growing.
Trying to keep my review spoiler free, I can definitely say that this is the kind of book that absorbs the reader, the story is intense from page one until the end, and therefore it deserves the five stars I'm giving to this well written suspenseful novel.
I sincerely hope to read more stories like this one from you, Mr. O'Neill!
Frank is a complex man, a man who did what he had to do and doesn´t look back trying to mend his mistakes, instead of that he's trying to adapt to his new reality and look forward, avoiding falling into the same dilemmas, and learning from them.
In my opinion, this is a great book for people looking for an intense kind of read, because the story and the characters keep changing and adapting over the pages. Author T.K. O'Neill writes this story by going back and forth in the timelapse, making the reader understand Frank's personality and giving content and meaning to the character. He's not the most beloved main character a reader can find in a novel, but over the pages that feeling starts growing.
Trying to keep my review spoiler free, I can definitely say that this is the kind of book that absorbs the reader, the story is intense from page one until the end, and therefore it deserves the five stars I'm giving to this well written suspenseful novel.
I sincerely hope to read more stories like this one from you, Mr. O'Neill!
December 4, 2022
Dive Bartender: Flowers in the Desert by T.K. O’Neill is a rugged story of a man who can't keep his old habits from catching up to him and the Californian dream further slipping away from his hands. After the suicide of his brother Ray, Frank leaves Minnesota hoping to start over in the promised land, but little did he know life had other plans. Enroute to his journey, Frank makes a stop at Denver in the hopes of catching up with his friend Larry Richards, a former Tennis player and now a divorce attorney supposedly rolling in cash. Frank gets caught up in deceit and suffocating deals of lies only to be sinking deeper into the same muck he thought he would leave behind for good. Hopes and dreams clash only to be consumed by a never-ending cycle.
Wow! It's so good, the portrayal of Frank, his charismatic personality, that aura of gone days of 70's and 80's, the pop culture, the company all combine to make a captivating read. The characters are so different yet so similar with their outlook on life. As Frank is compelled to stay longer, be a bartender and not entirely abandoning his dreams, we can see his struggles of choices he made. Frank's navigation through all the chaos in his life and around it whether be it drugs, bad company or his own self limitations make it all a thrilling read. The author brought about originality through his narration, bringing the emotions alive. The most special feature that I found endearing is the language, it's so entertaining to have to read it throughout. There is so much to absorb and take away, just one reading won't do it justice. The ending is as beautiful as the beginning. A must read and I would highly recommend this!
Wow! It's so good, the portrayal of Frank, his charismatic personality, that aura of gone days of 70's and 80's, the pop culture, the company all combine to make a captivating read. The characters are so different yet so similar with their outlook on life. As Frank is compelled to stay longer, be a bartender and not entirely abandoning his dreams, we can see his struggles of choices he made. Frank's navigation through all the chaos in his life and around it whether be it drugs, bad company or his own self limitations make it all a thrilling read. The author brought about originality through his narration, bringing the emotions alive. The most special feature that I found endearing is the language, it's so entertaining to have to read it throughout. There is so much to absorb and take away, just one reading won't do it justice. The ending is as beautiful as the beginning. A must read and I would highly recommend this!
November 30, 2022
Dive Bartender: Flowers in the Desert by T.K. O’Neill is a dramatic, suspenseful story that weaves crime and adventure into an engaging story. The story is set in 1977, when Frank Ford, the main character, embarks on an adventurous road trip to leave behind a life of tragedy and darkness. His travels lead him to Denver in search of an old friend, Larry Richards, an established divorce lawyer. As Frank becomes reacquainted with his old friend, he becomes entangled in a world of multifaceted and complicated characters, which is more than he bargained for.
This gripping, energetic read is extraordinary, with a rich plot and character development. It’s a tale about facing adversity and challenges, which can lead to unexpected consequences and surprising results. I found each of the characters uniquely complex, which I really enjoyed. It’s a brilliant book full of emotional energy, with anger, empathy, and frustration as key components of this interesting story.
The plot is laced with intrigue, keeping you on the edge of your seat with constant suspense and anticipation. It’s a profound, entertaining read that keeps a steady pace and offers a solid story that’s fascinating and full of surprises. Dive Bartender: Flowers in the Desert by T.K. O’Neill is an exceptional story that’s worth a solid 5 out of 5 stars for its great plot execution and characterization. I look forward to reading more work from this author.
This gripping, energetic read is extraordinary, with a rich plot and character development. It’s a tale about facing adversity and challenges, which can lead to unexpected consequences and surprising results. I found each of the characters uniquely complex, which I really enjoyed. It’s a brilliant book full of emotional energy, with anger, empathy, and frustration as key components of this interesting story.
The plot is laced with intrigue, keeping you on the edge of your seat with constant suspense and anticipation. It’s a profound, entertaining read that keeps a steady pace and offers a solid story that’s fascinating and full of surprises. Dive Bartender: Flowers in the Desert by T.K. O’Neill is an exceptional story that’s worth a solid 5 out of 5 stars for its great plot execution and characterization. I look forward to reading more work from this author.
December 29, 2025
A gritty, atmospheric novel that pulls you straight into 1977 America. Frank Ford is a flawed, compelling protagonist, and his attempt to outrun guilt and tragedy quickly turns into something darker and more dangerous. The characters are vivid, the writing is sharp, and the story feels raw and cinematic. This book isn’t just about chasing dreams—it’s about what you can’t leave behind. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews