City Slickers all over Again

Special thanks to all the folks in Albuquerque and the southwest who I crossed paths with. Loved getting to do honest ranch work as well as discussing books. Had a great time on the flight discussing books with a fine lady from Duluth. I also met up with a lady from near Taos who is into pottery. Great people, great time and lets hope for many more of 'em.

The Point of JusThis

Lauren in St. Paul hoped that Keillor’s fans would learn from this that “your heroes might not be as great as they seem,” and that “it’s very obvious that there are men in power who are not very conscious of how they are towards women.”

'The Passionate Jihadist'

On page eighteen, Yushua and the Mullah: it’s sad to see how the children are manipulated and brainwashed into believing in this all-powerful Allah. This society has created a Stockholm syndrome: The Mullah uses terror to control Yushua. And if Yushua can sympathize with the Mullah’s outlook, he is rewarded: given hope, through Allah. And believing in Allah, the hope, makes the actions of the Mullah less abrasive; there's a sliver of humanity in him. It’s a cycle of terror, and one that is extremely important capturing. In your summary, you write: “His experiences propel him into a life changing event where he alone must decide the path his future will hold.” I wonder what event or situation will be the turning point for Yushua? Will he become like the Mullah or will he like baba, sensitive and humane, a light in a place of violence.

                                                                                   Brittany Eckhardt Judge for InksandInsights 

Power + Men = Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Bill O'Reilly, Badge and So On

JusThis is an ugly story about an awful man consumed with his deepest, ugliest desires. Hey, I told the story long before the mighty started to fall. And - just think - some expressed thoughts that my story was not plausible. If only it was so. 

Judges & Editors Comment on 'The Passionate Jihadist'

Yushua's age shows very well throughout. He has a lot of conflicting and frustrating emotions that cause a great deal of motivated inner turmoil. The other people in his life also have solid depictions that at least clarify their roles in relation to him, if not always given a similar amount of complexity. Haji and the Mullah come across as broad villains, though that stock character does have some meaning in this narrative. Mammy and Aga have more depth in their characterization, and it is good to see Yushua matched by other characters who can be similarly interesting. Kevin Sparrow

Inks & Insights Finalist!

Click&Read Excerpt of 'The Passionate Jihadist'

Words Hurt more than Sticks and Stones

Click&Hear Moment Homeland Security Official Who Blamed Slums On 'Lazy Blacks' Quits

Okay. Lets see here, on the one hand this Homeland Official, Jamie Johnson claims Muslims, not Jews, want to cut our heads off. I guess he did this while hosting a radio program from 2008 to 2016. On the other hand he made these statements prior to being appointed to his position. He has a right to Freedom of Speech but not a right to federal employment. Does anyone know, are there in fact more Muslim terrorist than Jewish? Is this a horrible opinion to harbor? Is it the Truth? I do know Muslims have contributed more than oil to the World Community (such as mathematics). Mr Johnson now claims he no longer holds these views regarding Muslims.


One thing is for certain . . . Sticks and Stones my Break my Bones but words Can also Hurt Me.

Shot from The Past

Leave it to the readers of this blog to come up with a throw back photo.

Hats Off to Highschoolers

Gotta give credit where credit is do. Podcast some of your stories so we can listen to them on our 'devices'. Well it shall be done. Your wish is my command. Stay tuned to this blog and read, no wait, listen away.

Morning Radio Program

Click to Hear me doing the Morning Drive 

Soft Cover Only

I don't know if your book comes in Hardcover (which I prefer) but I did put it on my wish list to buy the paperback version. I can't wait to read it.

JustThis and Brand of Justice are only available as soft covers or versions are available for the Kindle and Nook devices. Thanks goes out to you for the interest. Check out my websites for info on purchase options. Many used copies are available. Release options for The Passionate Jihadist are currently being shopped.

Subject
Books
Message
I'm a couple years late in reading these, but both of your books are really good! It was hard to put them down.....until life got in the way. Having grown up in a small town and now raising a family in a small town, it is very easy to see how people in positions of authority can and do use their power to their benefit. Your insight really brings to light that these kinds of things can and unfortunately do happen. It really makes one think. Looking forward to reading your next book.

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This message was submitted from your website contact form: http://www.curtrude.com/contact.html 

I do hope the best for you.

What's The Big Idea?

Defang a Cobra and it isn't as Deadly. Take a Bomb away from Terrorists and they aren't as Deadly. Take an Assault Rifle from a Spree Shooter and he isn't as deadly. Enough said?

ISIS Lands in Second Place?

Seems like certain Americans are shooting for their piece of the Evil Infamous Pie.

Civilized Society?

Trump stated North Korea is a threat to all civilized societies. I wonder if a civilized society arms its citizens to kill, kill and kill again in the name of profit.

Many Thanks

I must first thank my wife for her input with my manuscript. She is a teacher with an English emphasis. Secondly, a big thanks goes out to RLW Editorial Services and their tireless effort on my behalf. Finally, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to the judges of the Inks and Insights Writing Competition: Kimberly Egan, Kevin Sparrow, Alex and Brittany Eckhardt. They deemed The Passionate Jihadist good enough to be one of the top three stories in the competition. 

The Passionate Jihadist

Sayfullo Saipov could have benefited - perhaps - from reading about Yushua in The Passionate Jihadist.

Unique Life Experiences

I draw on my experiences when writing my stories. When I wrote Brand of Justice I hung out in Great Falls, Montana and made attempts at understanding what is truly means to be put on trial for the murder of a toddler. I drew heavily on experiences I had while working as a cop to put together the different personalities in JusThis. My current manuscript, The Passionate Jihadist, involved a lot of research as previously mentioned.

how did you write about muslims if you not one?

I discuss issues with players and research-research-research. I sat down with members of the Muslim Community in Boulder Colorado and tactfully listened for knowledge. I interviewed soldiers fresh from an assignment involving a Forward Observation Post in Afghanistan. Interesting note, everyone who talked to me were concerned about being outed and we had to build trust before our discussions became very in-lighting.

I'll post The Next Giveaway on my Website

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Unfortunately 'The Passionate Jihadist' is a Fictional Account of Reality

Boy in suicide vest kills at least 7 in attack on Kabul diplomatic enclave