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“WHEELMAN” Cover Revealed

From Vox Dei Publishing, Coming February 2 …

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Back cover description:

“Teen Cy Vance wants to do one thing: D-R-I-V-E. Except he has nowhere to go and no way to get there. But when he’s given a note at church, he discovers his dad–one of the FBI’s Most Wanted–is alive and well in Mexico…and he wants Cy to meet him ASAP!

With the help of a best friend, Cy escapes Child Protective Services and flees to Mexico. What he doesn’t know is that his father is going to ask even more of him when they meet.

How far will Cy go to help his family, and will it cost him his life?

RUNNING AWAY IS ESCAPE. STAYING PUT IS UNTHINKABLE. THE ROAD AHEAD IS ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT…”

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Cover Reveal – 12/14 (Next Monday!!)

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Wheelman Cover Reveal –

The cover reveal will happen December 14, 2015 via Vox Dei Publishing.
About the Book:
Teen Cy Vance wants to do one thing: D-R-I-V-E. Except he has nowhere to go and no way to get there. But when he’s given a note at church, he discovers his dad–one of the FBI’s Most Wanted–is alive and well in Mexico…and he wants Cy to meet him ASAP!
With the help of a best friend, Cy escapes Child Protective Services and flees to Mexico.
What he doesn’t know is that his father is going to ask even more of him when they meet.
How far will Cy go to help his family, and will it cost him his life?
RUNNING AWAY IS ESCAPE.
STAYING PUT IS UNTHINKABLE.
THE ROAD AHEAD IS ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT…

Continue reading Cover Reveal – 12/14 (Next Monday!!)

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“War & Peace” …and Eternity

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Sorry for the lapse, dear reader. A lot has happened on BrianLTucker.com since Thanksgiving and a lot more to come in 2016!

I’ve worked through some BIG items on my upcoming novel. Here are just a few:

  • New book title (no longer, The Silence of Sacrifice)
  • Shaved 35k words from the original manuscript (from 100k to 65k)
  • BrianLTucker.com experienced 3 hacker attempts
  • Book submitted for Final Proof online today
  • Cover Design for book is underway
  • Market launch date for book currently listed as 2/2/16, print date to follow
  • Advanced Reader Copies will be going out in the coming weeks to those chosen few!!

I’d like to add to this list:

  • I’m currently reading War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy (often considered the greatest fictional work of all-time) **I’m still beholden to Moby Dick as the greatest** But, I’ll try to submit a full review later
  • As it currently stands, I couldn’t help but label today’s blog “War & Peace …Eternity” because these hackers’ attempts to sabotage our site helped me realize there’s a lot more in life than just “War” and “Peace”.

    There’s “Eternity” too.

  • Everyday there’s a struggle between good and evil. And it coalesces into what constitutes life and eventually what comes next. Eternity -eternal- everlasting. So, while there’s warring parties of people pursuing evil and/or good. And there are those wanting to see the demise of Christians worldwide. There’s still that small voice begging each of us to choose eternity with the one worthy of everything. May your December (and mine) be Eternity-centered.

 

Truth marches on…

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The Awesomeness of Vox Dei staff.

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BIG SHOUT OUT to the fine people at VOX DEI Publishing (Booktrope) for keeping the fires stoked on this first novel!!

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As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m feeling the need to give credit where it’s due, and I’d like to mention –

The cover is coming together, and a title change is more than likely in the works. STAY TUNED for more.

2016 will be here shortly. God bless!

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Update on 1st book – The Silence of Sacrifice.

Hello guys & gals,

I’ve included my 1st ever BLOG VIDEO on Youtube for you to see! Hope it helps key you in to the exciting developments around this first book of mine, The Silence of Sacrifice. I’m excited to have your readership and support.

2016 here we come!

https://youtu.be/8RFRQf8-5RI

 

“Story is massive. Story is the most powerful tool to compel a human brain. Every human being self identifies as the lead protagonist in the story.” – Donald Miller

“One of the deepest of all human longings is the longing to belong, to be a part of things, to be invited in. We want to be part of the fellowship. Where did that come from?” – John Eldredge, Epic

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Sing, Write, Whatever You Do In Life. Offer Your Best.

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Had the good fortune of seeing John Mark McMillan play in Chattanooga last night at The Camp House. If you haven’t caught him on his Tongues of Fire tour, I highly recommend it.

I’ve heard this music scene described as a hipster, Jesus convention, but hey, Jesus loves hipsters, too. Right? And we ARE capable of looking away from the skinny jeans, if we try hard enough. (I think I’m just jealous I can’t fit into skinny jeans.)

Anyways…

I couldn’t help but marvel at a performer so on fire for eternal truths, genuine conversation with his audience.

It was great to see a “younger” audience (I’m dating myself, I know) tied into the deeper topics as well. One song which especially stood out to me, and I hadn’t heard before was titled: Future / Past, and the lyrics are below:

“Future / Past” by John Mark McMillan ::

You hold the reins on the sun and the moon
Like horses driven by kings
You cover the mountains, the valleys below
With the breadth of your mighty wings

All treasures of wisdom and things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
You ask me to be your friend

And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past

The constellations are swimming inside
The breadth of your desire
Where could I run, where could I hide
from your heart’s jealous fire

All treasures of wisdom and things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
You ask me to be your friend

And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past

You are the beginning and the end”

 

If this were a Sunday school lesson, I’d say ‘Amen,’ and we’d all head home. But, I wanted to bring up the relevance of JMM’s ability to connect with his audience AND deliver a message. The 2 go hand-in-hand. And…he did this in a way I hadn’t seen in a loooong time.

It was refreshing.

He said about halfway through his set that he didn’t know what he’d done before he was writing songs, but he felt like he’d wasted it.

To him, any time prior to songwriting and singing had been squandered.

And, I’m starting to see the need in my own life (writing as an example), to live on purpose. To care for those around me.

I pray the same is happening in your life. Whether it’s singing, songwriting, or whatever gift you have: use it.

It was refreshing to see someone similar in age having such an impact on the world around him. I wanted to post a video of the live environment I was trying to describe above. Hope it works for you:

 

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New Story in a New Book

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For those interested in a magnificent, new story and poetry ensemble, look no further than 4ink7’s inaugural work, An Unction from the Holy One – (hardbound). It’s available on Amazon, and it leads off with Ambrose Bierce’s masterpiece – “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” I can attest to the power of writers such as Hank Lazer, Julie Hensley, and Jesse Lee Wooton, featured in this collection. I’m honored to have my story “Climbing Above Ground” included here by 4ink7 as well.

Grab a copy today!

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Editing: The Faces of Revision.

If writing a book makes one look like this:

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Then, editing a book can best be summed up as:

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Editing: Is the Worst.

It takes the frustration and painstaking lifeblood of a first draft, bundles it tightly into a little ball, and hurls it at hoop…in the Atlantic Ocean, miles from shore, miles from a life preserver. Side note: Paper isn’t waterproof.

Ok, I’m over-exaggerating…but just slightly.

 

I appreciate your prayers this week, and next, and the next.

No one should have to wear a face like this–for long anyways.

 

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Wednesday Update: Forthcoming from 4ink7 Journal

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It’s Wednesday!

The turn. The hump. The glimpse of dawn inside each work week.

I wanted to share that 4ink7 Journal has been kind enough to select a story of mine, Climbing Above Ground, for its print (and ebook) release this Fall.

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I’ll try to keep you posted on a definite release date. As of right now, it looks to be moving through the final editing stage. More information to come. As always, “Thank you” for reading these crazy thoughts. Enjoy your Wednesday.

May the light shine brightly ahead for you.