The Baptist Bootlegger

by Nicholas Lyon

Ezekiel Wilson preaches in support of prohibition so that his flock will believe him to be an upstanding Baptist minister. And so that he can continue in his illegal bootlegging operation. But when prohibition is finally enforced, he finds himself pitted against immovable forces, including the God he’s so long claimed to serve.

At the close of 1958, Ezekiel is preaching and bootlegging; Robert Arrington is coming to terms with his rebellious nature; Nigel Baxter is sent to enforce the tired prohibition laws in hopes of repealing them. As 1958 gives way to 1959, the fight for prohibition increases and all three lives are caught in the crosswires.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2022

About the author

Oklahoma native Nicholas Lyon is the author of the award-winning novel The Baptist Bootlegger, a historical fiction novel set in the time of prohibition in Oklahoma. He’s been writing since taking a creative writing class in college. He’s been a member of the writing groups Red Dirt Writers and Rose Rock wRiters, as well as a member of the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. He’s served on the board of the OWFI since 2018 in the positions of PR Director, President, Past-President, and First Vice-President. Currently, he’s keeping up with his blog and putting the finishing touches on a horror novel.
When he’s not writing, he’s teaching high school English and Speech, he’s a dad and husband, he’s a guitar player in the band The Dead Armadillos, and he’s a woodturner.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book! I love how all the characters were intertwined together. The plot twist at the end was insane!

[Judy Neilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters had depth and I enjoyed the interactions.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I loved it.

[Kendra Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the BEST book I have read all year! Okay, it's the first book I've read this year, but it was still really good. The characters had a lot of depth and I constantly wanted to know what they would do next. The ending tied everything together nicely.

[H.B. Berlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character here doesn't even approach the status of anti-hero, even though initially the story felt like it might go in that direction. This is closer to a descent into Hell.

It was highly engaging because of the skewed expectation. I would use the expression "hard core" in terms of the breakers of that journey.

Strong mood and tone were created. My only adverse comment is there needed to be more to define the time period to give it a better feel.

Overall, this was a surprisingly well balanced book.

[Toby Brennen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Baptist Bootlegger" by Nicholas Lyon is at the edge of the type of book that I would normally read but - by way of full disclosure - as Nick is the husband of my wife's second cousin, and I got a free signed copy, I thought I'd give it a whirl.
The story is of a Baptist minister involved with bootlegging in northwest Oklahoma during the close of the 1950's and his struggle with the impending end of prohibition. The half dozen or so primary characters are well developed with enough detail to create a connection with the reader but not overly detailed as to override a readers own emotional enhancements. I always enjoy the 'flashback' approach for unveiling a characters past and Lyon's blends them well into the evolving story. Some parts of the story are, as my daughters would say, a bit spicy so take that into consideration for possible younger audiences.
I found myself chuckling in a couple places at idioms and references that were very midwestern - but since the story occurs in Oklahoma they fit perfectly. Easy, relaxed reading with moderate emotional involvment and plenty of satisying twists. [4.5/5]

[Stephanee]

What a spicy and intense read!
With no hero or heroine to root for, I found myself continuing to turn the page to discover the end of the line for these unsavory characters.