Truck Stop Earth

The most important thing to know about this book is that it’s fun. It is, in fact the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a long time. Other books have perhaps explored more profound emotions but if you want to spend a few hours alternating between a grin, a rolling chuckle, and laughing out loud you probably won’t do better with anything contemporary.What we have here is the memoir of a screaming nut-job, as told to author Michael Armstrong. The nut-job in question, James Ignatius Malachi Obediah Osborn is a multiple alien abductee, fierce fighter in the Resistance movement against the Alien Occupying Government. He can spot ‘em among the general population, because he knows their disguise tricks. Or maybe he’s just nuts, hard to say.
That’s where a lot of the tension in the story comes from. Some of what he believes is pretty convincing. Some of it just seems loony tunes.
After a scary encounter with the grays in Florida Jimmo heads for Alaska where the adventure continues. Aside from maybe being nuts Jimmo is a pretty competent fellow who can find work and do it well, fighting fires while fending off alien attacks.
He purports to be a spec ops veteran of Desert Storm, although while others were defeating Saddam he was further out in the desert, hunting grays with Delta Force. Thing is, he still talks the talk right. The guy has definitely been somewhere and done something.
Another thing this books does well is present the society of adventurous spirits who have absconded to Alaska as the last frontier where you can get a decent latte. A more brave and gaudy collection of tatted, pierced and bizarrely coifed expats can hardly be imagined. And, to paraphrase Ronnie Hawkins, Jimmo gets more trim than Frank Sinatra.
Warning: if you have a problem with people who unabashedly talk nasty, well, maybe you should read Jane Austen instead. -- Jim Morris, award-winning and bestselling author of War Story. *****


Style and narrative voice is well within the boundaries of contemporary paranormal romance literature and do not be surprised if it ends up in the young adult section of many libraries.
Reminded me thematically of '40s "Shaver mystery" --David Wilson, Broadside of Boston.
*****

Science fiction as it should be - laced with large helpings of prescribed reality, If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to recognize otherworldly invaders amongst us, look no further than the details listed in “Truck Stop Earth,” an insightful foray into the actuality – or not – of alien abductions from the perspective of one, James Ignatius Malachi Obadiah Osborne, (Jimmo for short). A man who obviously needs to increase his meds, and keep his head down and buttocks clenched as he journeys through the one place on earth where the Alien Occupational Government holds sway: Alaska!Here’s a guy who speaks with feeling – straight from the heart of his implanted butt-chip, on what it means to be part of the resistance.
Imbalanced, irreverent and insanely funny, “Truck Stop Earth” teaches you some of the profoundest truths you’ll ever need to know: the extent of one of the greatest conspiracies to ever threaten mankind’s existence; how to score with women; the best tips for keeping the most sacred of personal orifices safe from unwanted attention; and most importantly, how to hunt down the best damned hamburger join this side of Orion’s Belt.
If you enjoy science fiction laced with large helpings of prescribed reality, then bend over, strap in and brace yourselves for the ride of your lives...and remember...
Jimmo’s pain has been recorded in minute detail for your pleasure. (batteries not included -- Andrew P. Weston, bestselling author of The IX.*****

Blog tour; advertising in select magazines. Hardcover, trade paper, and electronic editions; excerpts in targeted publications. Excerpt on Black Gate Adventures in Fantasy Literature.