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Fiction Action & Adventure

Power and Possessions

by (author) James Ronson

Publisher
Hidden Brook Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2015
Category
Action & Adventure
Recommended Reading age
15 to 18
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781927725221
    Publish Date
    Oct 2015
    List Price
    $24.95

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Description

P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Blurbs: P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />  P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>15 Words – P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>Do crimes of power and possession always lead to deadly consequences? James Ronson thinks so. P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>  P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>38 Words – P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>A passion for work is one thing, crimes of passion quite another. Romance, drama and deep dark secrets are an integral part of this exciting novel that revolves around a romantic triangle which leads to death and destruction. P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>  P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>59 Words – P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>In this story of power and possessions, lust and desire create a deadly combination of crime and murder. Frank Cullen’s world appears to be falling apart. He is in danger of losing his wife, his son, his company and his millionaire mansion. Who kills who for what, is the question when power and possessions dominate husband, wife and lovers. P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>  P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>82 Words – P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US>In the stormy world of power and possessions the high stakes of the “computer gaming world” intersect with the “fine art world”, with murderous results. Frank Cullen has a passion for business and a passion for his wife.  Frank’s wife, Julie Cullen, a PhD archaeologist, meets an intriguing artist. Julie finds herself caught in a dilemma; to return to her husband, or to form an exciting yet dangerous relationship with this new man in her life. Someone gets killed – find out who. P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">SPAN lang=EN-US> 

About the author

Contributor Notes

Author Bio Note:

James Ronson is a life-long traveller and educator. At the age of fifteen he hitch-hiked across Canada and learned more about Canada in one summer than he had ever learned in school. He has explored the nooks and crannies of every province across the country.

When he was in his early twenties he worked in a factory and used the money he earned to backpack across most of Europe, ending his journey in Greece.

He has taught in downtown Toronto, Burns Lake, British Columbia, and most recently, in Whitby, Ontario.

One of his more recent thrilling adventures was running out of air while scuba diving off the Great Wall in Cozumel, Mexico. Fortunately, he survived the experience and lived to see a giant eagle ray in the process.

James began writing in his teens by publishing a war-gaming zine called “Berserker”. He later wrote for the varsity newspaper at the University of Western Ontario. He is a graduate of The University of British Columbia and Queen’s University.

James’s first works of fiction to be published were two short stories called “Dark Matter” and “The Garden of Dreams”. These stories were published in the spring of 2015 as part of the Hill Spirits Anthology II.

Excerpt: Power and Possessions (by (author) James Ronson)

DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center>1 DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center>Trauma at the Bank
The door to the bank manager’s office flew open. A masked man wielding a black revolver stepped into the office and shut the door. Pointing his gun at the manager, he said, “So you must be Edwards?” His back pressed against the door, he waved his gun at the woman on the other side of the desk. “Who the hell are you? What’s your name? Both of you stand up and put your hands on your heads. I mean now! Don’t make me say it again, lady. What did you say your name was?” “Julie. Julie Cullen.” “Okay, Julie Cullen. This is what you and Mr. fuckin’ bank manager Edwards are going to do. You are going to take your hands off your head and come with me. You’ll wait outside the office while I get the rest of the customers and staff out onto the bank floor.” With her hands still on her head Julie blurted out, “But my boy! My son Ross is sitting outside the door waiting for me.” “The dude playing the computer game? Don’t you know computer games will fry your kid’s brain?” The masked man opened the door and hissed, “Heh Ross. Yeah you kid. Are you deaf? Come in here and see your mother.” At the sight of the gun, Ross removed his earphones and shuffled into the office. Even though he was scared, fifteen-year-old Ross couldn’t help thinking how cool this was. “So you’re Ross. Get the hell behind your mother and keep your mouth shut!” Ross glanced at the frightened face of his mother. Gunfire continued to erupt from the headphones. Shaking his gun at Ross, the gunman growled, “Kid, turn that damn thing off for Chrissakes.” Ross shut down the game. “Okay, all three of you, into the hall and turn right. Mouths shut. Lady, you go first.” Two ghoulish white eyes, a jagged scar and a sinister grin emanated from the mask. The gunman raised a finger to his lips and opened the office door. Abruptly, he threw open the doors of the offices and ordered people out. He directed the parade of people toward the centre of the bank lobby. “Nobody move!” the masked man shouted. “Everyone lie down on the floor. Anybody wants to be a hero or do something stupid and I’ll shoot them dead.” Silence engulfed the room. All movement ceased. Everyone’s eyes fixated on the masked man in the black hoody brandishing the 44. Magnum. “The rest of you, down on the floor like them!” he shouted. “All but you, bitch,” he said, levelling his gun at the teller closest to him. I want five thousand in twenties from that fucking cash machine over there. Any hesitation and I’ll blow you right through the wall. No alarm bells or you’re all dead, every last one of you. The gunman paused so that his gaze included everyone in the bank. He riveted his eyes back on the teller. “Nod if you understand, bitch!” In the prone position all Ross could see was the woman bobbing her head nervously. “Now!” shouted the gunman. The woman made the withdrawal and the machine spat out the twenties. “Put it in here,” ordered the robber. He dropped his backpack and kicked it across the counter toward the woman. The woman began to stuff the enormous wads of twenties into the backpack. From the centre of the room Ross could see the terror in her eyes. “Hurry up bitch. Five seconds and I start shooting!” Ross watched as her eyes flickered from the cash in her quivering hands up towards the hooded, masked figure. “Don’t look at me, bitch!” he shouted. The gunman gritted his teeth. Sweat trickled down the inside of the mask and splattered onto the marble floor. His white knuckled grasp on the gun began to falter. He steadied the gun with his other hand. Finally he danced across the counter, scooped up the backpack and leapt off the counter. Flinging the backpack over his shoulder, he raced past the bodies on the floor and bolted out the door. The alarm sliced through the silent stillness of the bank. Edwards scrambled to his feet. Julie raised her head to look at Ross. Relief flooded her face as she saw him lying there safely. She darted over to Ross and embraced him. Sirens sounded in the distance. “It’s all over folks,” said Edwards. “My name is Keith Edwards. The police will be here soon. Anyone still lying on the floor may get up now. I’m afraid all of you will have to wait until the police arrive and let you go.” The manager glanced at the security cameras, hoping they had caught the robbery in action. He knew though, given the hoodie and mask, that identification would be all but impossible. Less than a minute later the police entered through the glass doors. It was a half an hour wait before Julie and Ross’s statements were taken. Julie checked her cell phone for messages. Hi, it’s Frank. Listen, the Board meeting ran overtime and things didn’t go well. I’ll have to meet you at the hotel, so call me when you get there. Julie sighed. Once the police dismissed the remaining customers, Julie approached Keith Edwards. “Mrs. Cullen, I’m sorry for all the commotion. I know we were in the middle of a serious matter but–” “It’s okay. I’ll have to speak to my husband, Frank about it first. I’ll be in touch.” “Thank you, Mrs. Cullen,” he said, shaking her hand. Edwards turned his attention to the police. Julie looked anxiously at her son. “Well young man, are you okay? I think we should get out of here.” Ross was smart, tall for his age and mature enough to handle the robbery; nevertheless she knew it was a traumatic situation for all concerned. “I must say, you certainly got your share of excitement for today.” “That was awesome!” said Ross, on the way out. “I can’t wait to text the guys. What were you talking to the bank guy about anyway?” Julie stiffened her lip. “It was about a loan. Not to worry. It can wait.” They returned to where Julie had parked the SUV she used for winter driving. She drove north on Yonge Street while Ross buried himself in his text messages. Julie pondered the news she had received earlier from the bank manager. Their line of credit was maxed out, a second loan from different bank had failed to cover the interest on the line of credit and a payment on the interest for the loan had been missed. What had their marriage come to? First the affairs, now he was messing around with their mortgage? Julie decided to delay the discussion about the loans until after dinner. She and Frank were still going to spend the evening together, an evening important to Frank. The Atkin Electronics sales conference dinner was being held that evening in conjunction with the firm’s Annual General Meeting. Julie called home. “Alexandra?”

Editorial Reviews

Reviews:

Power and Possessions is an outstanding read that combines both romance and crime. It explores the worlds of gaming, art and archaeology through characters that are sometimes devious and always entertaining. A strong first novel.

DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=right>Doug Ronson,
former editor, Kingston Whig Standard, newspaper

James Ronson's impressive debut novel, Power and Possessions, is a tale worth telling, told by a writer who knows how the heart beats and the blood boils—and how lives can be shattered and salvaged because of it.

DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=right>Steve King
former CBC book reviewer.
Weekly column for the Barnes and Noble Review.
Lit web host http://www.todayinliterature.com/