Cephalopod Coffeehouse: London Boulevard by Ken Bruen

"After I showered, I cracked a brewski and got dressed. Kept it casual. Sweatshirt and jeans. My nose was still aching, but I could live with it. Gant was hovering on the outskirts of my mind. The mental threads one makes are tenuous and treacherous. I dredged up a line. 

It's not about hatred, it's about absolute devastation." (London Boulevard, Page 164)

Welcome back everyone to September's round of the Cephalopod Coffeehouse. If you're here for the first time, the Sisterhood is glad to have you along, and feel free to visit any of the other reviews in the links below.

My choice this week is a novel I received as a freebie from my local writers' group. They have a raffle at the end of each meeting and give away about twenty books. By the time my number was called, the pickings were pretty slim, so I ended up with Ken Bruen's crime thriller London Boulevard. If you hop over to The Random Book Review you'll see I chose a denser, more literary novel with The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, so it's good that I ended up with Bruen's book to review here. You'll see why in a second.

To lay a little groundwork, I'll start with the blurb on the front flap. If you don't like to know a little backstory right up front, then you can skip over this part.

When Mitchell is released from prison after serving three years for a vicious attack he doesn't even remember, Billy Norton is there to pick him up. But Norton works for Tommy Logan, a ruthless loan shark lowlife with plans Mitchell wants nothing to do with. Attempting to stay out of Logan's way, he finds work at the Holland Park mansion of faded movie actress Lillian Palmer, where he has to deal with her mysterious butler, Jordan. It isn't long before Mitchell's violent past catches up with him and people start getting hurt. When his disturbed sister Briony is threatened, Mitchell is forced to act.

Hmm...where to start. After reading the blurb again, I don't even remember who Tommy Logan is from the story (and I just finished this book a few days ago). The man Mitchell has a "hard-on" for (as it's put in the book) is a man by the name of Gant. This isn't good if I'm already getting lost when it comes to the characters in the story.

Overall, I'd say I had two annoying issues with this book. Grant it, the book is fast-paced, definitely filled with crime, sex, and bad guys (and now I'm wondering why there weren't really any good guys...), and gives you a sucker punch with how ruthless the main character seems to be. And that's problem number one for me. In the beginning of the story, Mitchell is released from a three year stint in prison for aggravated assault. The first person to say he'll become a repeat offender is the warden, and right away I wanted to root for him, thinking that he'll beat the odds.

Nope.

Mitchell leaves prison and commits about twenty other crimes (maybe even more, but I lost count) before the story comes to an end. One right away in the first chapter when he breaks a window washer's arm. I figured there had to be some redeeming quality to this character. Maybe he's not into drugs? No. Okay, maybe he's not into illegal firearms? Wrong again. How about not using those illegal firearms to plug a kid in the knees with four bullets? Again, no. Let's see...he's not a womanizer? Considering the fact that he proposes to one woman while he's still going at it with another on the side, I'd have to disagree on this one as well. There was absolutely nothing I liked about Mitchell's character and that was extremely disappointing for me. I stopped rooting for him about a third of the way through the novel, knowing he was on a downward spiral. But here's the thing: He finds out he didn't commit the crime that sent him to prison in the first place, and yet he still continues to live like some sadistic criminal. I just didn't get it.

The second issue I had with this book was the overall storyline and ending. Some critics have said that it's a stolen plot from Sunset Boulevard, but I don't know that story very well, so I can't agree or disagree. Just an FYI, the story stops abruptly. There are loose threads dangling there at the end, but heck if I know if they ever get resolved! The storyline is thin, with not much more than pointless crimes taking place. I guess that's where the struggle with understanding Mitchell's character came into play. He is always looking for trouble and that is what develops as the storyline. Not the kind of path I would take with my writing, but hey, I don't write crime either.

To put it bluntly, I don't think Ken Bruen is "one of the great crime writers of our time" as the front flap proclaims. At best, this is a half-baked story that just stops when it could probably be getting better. I've read better and I'm sure you have too. This book's a no-brainer to read and is quick to get through. The only upside to that is that I still had to finish my other novel for this week's reviews and so I had plenty of time after finishing London Boulevard.

On a final note, some musers on Amazon believe that Bruen only wrote this so it would be turned into a film. That wouldn't surprise me, considering the fact that it came out a couple of years ago on the big screen.

Um...just so you know, if Mitchell
didn't want to be a criminal, then
maybe he shouldn't knowingly
do half the stupid things he does.

Make sure to check out the other reviews in the Cephalopod Coffeehouse this month:

Nerd Love

Hi. I'm Stephanie, and I'm a nerd.

If you were born before 1970, you probably read that as a sort of whispered confession. If you were born after 1980, you probably read it as a boast. (In between? Depends on how tapped into pop culture you are.)

To be a nerd is no longer something to be ashamed of. Nerds are out, loud, and proud. We recognize fellow nerds immediately, not by the pocket protectors but by the Firefly t-shirts and Star Wars stick-figure family decals on our cars. Nerd culture is a phenomenon that coalesced over the last decade, and it has less to do with social awkwardness and über-braininess than with shared interests. Nerds love the same things, and we love them passionately. Most of those things revolve around media: the TV shows, films, comic books, video games, and novels we consume.

Is your dog an AT-AT? Because mine definitely is.

And that's where you come in, dear writer: nerds tend to love the certain stories, and build our culture around that shared love. If you drop a Doctor Who reference into a crowded room, you can spot the nerds as the ones who respond automatically and joyfully to the reference. Start singing "The Hero of Canton" and any proper nerd will be compelled to sing along with you. Anything that comes up routinely in The Big Bang Theory results in an almost Pavlovian response from nerds.

If you get this reference, you are a nerd.

To get into the Nerd Canon, you'd probably have to write speculative fiction, which of course narrows things down considerably. But spec-fic isn't just sci-fi: Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, both longstanding staples of nerddom, are fantasy. Firefly is space fiction, not science fiction. Comic books are huge for many nerds (if you want to find the single biggest concentration of nerds in one place, attend a ComicCon), and are arguably speculative fiction. But much of nerd culture does center around sci-fi: Star Trek and its associated rabid fandom was really the progenitor of nerd culture as a cohesive thing.

ComicCon cosplay

When a few of my nerd friends came across John Scalzi's Redshirts, it became almost a requirement that the rest of us read it. Same for Ernest Cline's Ready Player One. I discovered Hugh Howey's Wool series earlier this year, recommended it, and within weeks it seemed all my nerd peeps had acquired and read at least the first book. Robin Sloane's Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore only has the barest hint of speculative fiction, but is about nerds—and became widely read by that demographic.

From a marketing perspective, the best thing about nerds is that we are both obsessive and we often have resources to devote to those obsessions. Whether you are a consumer of nerd content or a creator of that content, you're part of a powerful (and growing) economic and cultural force. Chances are, even if you don't self-identify as a nerd, your entertainment is being shaped increasingly by those who do cheerfully consider themselves part of this influential culture.

How about you? Do you self-identify as a nerd? Do you see nerddom as changing the face of popular culture?

Interview with Author Jessica Dotta

by Sister Lorena

It’s always inspiring to witness the success of a fellow writer. We are pleased to introduce author Jessica Dotta and her newly released historical novel, Born of Persuasion. Jessica has agreed to answer some questions and share her publishing experience with us.

Hi Jessica, congratulations on your book release and welcome to The Writing Sisterhood! 

Thank you so much for having me!

Q: Please tell us what your publication process has been like. How did your find your agent and how long did it take you to find him/her?

A: I had a lucky break when it came to finding my agent. Chip MacGregor found me.

One of his authors sent him a sample of my work, and he sent me an e-mail, asking if I'd be willing to send him more. At that time, however, I wasn't ready to pitch out my novel because I wasn't happy with that version. I also had things happening in my personal life that needed attention and didn't want to add the stress of launching a book into the mix.

Chip understood and checked on me every six months, to see where I was at. That really impressed me.

Q: How long did it take your agent to sell your novel? What advice do you give to other writers who are struggling to get their work out?

A: Within a month of my signing with my agent, he called to let me know Tyndale House (my publisher) wanted to make an offer.

Even though that seems quick, five years prior I had another agent who tried unsuccessfully to sell the novels. The market just wasn't right at that time. Publishers weren't looking for British Historical or novels with a gothic overtones.

Timing is crucial in publishing. Write what you're supposed to write and eventually the market will shift. Artists are usually ahead of the curve, anyway.

During the ten year I worked toward publication, I was told that historicals weren't selling, novels set in Britain weren't selling, and that first person novels weren't well-received . . but as it always does, the market eventually swung again.

Q: How long did you work with your first agent and why did you part ways?

A: We worked together for about nine months to a year. At a writer's conference, in one of his classes he said that if he can't sell a book in nine months, then it's not going to sell. Your agent's philosophy on how long they'll work with a book is good to know. So because of that class, I knew going in that I was getting one of those rare shots into the industry. (My critique group calls these silver arrows.)

This agent sent the novel to approximately twelve houses that were appropriate for the book. The feedback was that they were interested and the book even went to pub board once. I wanted to know if he'd pitch my book outside his industry, as my book is a crossover (appropriate for both markets) and there were more houses we could approach. His business, however, was solidly within the Christian publishing industry and he said he feared he'd do me more harm than good. That if I were to head that direction, I needed an agent solidly connected there.  My choices were twofold. I could set these books aside and write another story and see if my agent would agree that that story needed to be pitched, or we could part ways and continue searching.

It was an agonizing choice. Those who seek publication know what a long shot it is to obtain an agent. What finally decided me was this advice, a friend said, "Those who are great, are not afraid to do what needs to be done. If you really believe in this series, and you believe it is your breakout novel, then don't make your decision based on fear, make it based on faith."

It was scary letting go, but in my heart of hearts, I knew this series was capable of becoming a breakout.

But  I wondered if I'd have another silver arrow again.

Q: Where were you when you received “the call”? How did you celebrate your book contract?

A: There's a line in an Alanis Morrissette song that says, "The moment I let go of it, was the moment I got more than I could handle."

By the time I received "the call," I pretty much had ceased investing a lot of emotion into whether or not I would publish. I never felt that I needed publication as a validation for my writing. Also my life had turned upside and I was trying to figure out how start over again.

I did get together with my best friends, however, and celebrate. They insisted, and I'm glad they did. As one friend put it, outside of getting married or having a baby, this is huge moment in your life.

Q: What is your novel about? Is this a stand-alone book?

A: Born of Persuasion is the first novel in the Price of Privilege trilogy.

They're set in Victorian England and are narrated by the protagonist, Julia Elliston, who after a lifetime of silence is finally setting the record straight about the scandal that shocked England during her teens.

Born of Persuasion begins when Julia is in her seventeenth year. She's recently orphaned and living on the charity of an anonymous guardian who intends to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia's first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own.

Q: The cover of your book is beautiful. How much input did you have on it? 

A: I was holding my breath up until the moment I finally saw them. It was surreal seeing years of hard work instantly unveiled.

Tyndale House was amazing. For the most part we discussed tone of the books, the mood, and what the costumes would have looked in each story. We also touched on what I dislike in book covers (such as seeing the full face.)

Tyndale also surveys their authors. When I saw the covers for the first time, I was stunned! I absolutely loved them. It was surreal seeing years of hard work instantly unveiled. When I went back and checked the survey, I could see Tyndale really considered my thoughts!

Q: How do you research for your novels? Any tips for other historical novelists?

A: I use books, the Internet and movies for research.

Thankfully, the kind of books I need often turn up in second hand bookstores. Not many people need Victorian specific book on their shelves, so many of the books I use are out of print.

I can also use anything written in that era – letters, books, guides or newspapers are invaluable to me. I might pick up a word I never used before, or gain a small insight into their daily lives.

I watch those extra DVD's on how they made the movie (when it’s a historical movie.) Often, they interview a historian or set designer that provide interesting bits of information.

I also watch those movies carefully. The actors –because they are in full costume and (hopefully) in a accurate set-- give little clues. For example, I might note that one of the gentlemen keep swallowing or tilting up his chin. I might through further observation see that he's wearing two cravats and needs to lift his head to keep it from brushing their chin. Well, from a writer's point of view, I'd take that little nuance of life and expand it. I'll give him a valet that annoys him by dressing him up too much, but he won't get rid of that servant. Those types of observations really help fiction pop.

Q:  Can you share your writing habits with us. Do you write every day? Do you use an outline? 

A: I need to write continuously to produce my best work.

I divide my time into my necessary work or chores, so that I can clear my schedule in order to write non-stop for 2 to 4 days in a row.

Most of the time I don't use an outline. I make up the story as I go. I'm on the last book now, which means I pretty much know what happens in the story, so I am outlining Book Three and researching it, planning my scenes before hand.

Q:  Do you have beta readers or a critique group? Do you meet regularly?

A: This novel has been through my critique partners (as has the majority of Book Two.) For Book Three, I'm probably going to get feedback from a few close friends as I write.

Q: How similar or different are you from your protagonist?

A: I think all writers pull part of the characters from themselves (perception, fears, dreams or the need to explore an issue.) And they pull part of the characters from people watching, wanting to try on a new personality, or they see their character as an alter ego.

In this case, if you were to blend Julia Elliston, Edward Auburn and Isaac Dalry together you could get a sense of who I am.

Q: Do you only write historical fiction? Is there a genre that you would never write?

A: Yes, at the moment, the only novels I'm interested in writing are historical. I rarely read contemporary—and I don't think I'd like writing it, but never say never.

Q: Who is your favorite author? And what is your favorite novel?

A: Jane Eyre is my favorite novel and usually I say Charlotte Bronte is my favorite author—but for a living author it's Arthur Golden and Geraldine Brooks.

Q: Is your book for sell yet?

A: Yes, its scheduled release date was 9/1/2013, and it's already temporarily out of stock on Amazon in Canada. On Facebook the Downton Abbey Fan Club Page featured it twice, and the US Downton Abbey Fan Club Page offered it as a giveaway—so it's been a hit with the DA group.

Thank you, Jessica, and good luck with your book!

Thank you so much!

Click here to read an excerpt of Born of Persuasion.

For more information about Jessica, please visit her website: http://www.jessicadotta.com/

On a side note: this month is the third anniversary of the Writing Sisterhood! To celebrate, we decided to redesign our blog. We hope you like it!