Jim Anders

I would like to introduce everyone to Jim Anders, a writer with extraordinary courage. Jim is a recovering alcoholic and he has taken the time to write about the challenges he experienced in hopes that it will give others...well, give others hope. His book, entitled All Drinking Aside is available on Amazon, in Kindle and paperback form. Kindle price is $8.95 aqnd paperback is $17.06  Link: http://tinyurl.com/m9nwczo

Here is a preview of his book:

All Drinking Aside

Preview

Denial, anger, fear, depression, self-pity, doubt: a toxic cocktail of emotions enflamed by alcohol, narcotics and prescription drugs. Where does one begin? Where will it all end? In this 90-piece orchestration of autobiographical flashbacks, the author describes his descent into alcoholism while three fictional alter egos (unnoticed by him) discuss his prospects for recovery. This intense, introspective and illuminating fiction looks at alcoholism and addiction from the inside out and back again. In three parts, the Destruction, the Deconstruction and the Reconstruction, the alcoholic beast is revealed. The vicious cycles of alcoholic addiction: hospitals, detoxes, rehabs and relapse. Repeat, repeat, repeat. A textbook case of chronic chemical dependency, "All Drinking Aside" will provoke, deceive, disturb and annoy you while it entertains and informs. "All Drinking Aside" is "Everybody's Autobiography," if you're an alcoholic and "Someone You Know," if you are not.

The book has gotten some wonderful reviews. Here are a couple.

Reviews

The Nurse's Opinion

By Cynthia Altomare on November 5, 2013

As a Registered Nurse, I have worked in the fields of psychiatry and addictions for 28 years. I am also a grateful member of the recovering community. The author's portrayal of his struggle to free himself from his obsession to repeatedly seek oblivion is imaginative and certainly thought provoking. The question is always "why". Why do some people have no control over their self destructive drinking? Why do some people feel the need to continually anesthetize themselves, long after the pleasure in the activity has dissipated? Why do some people have to lose everything in order to merely contemplate change? The war between Jim's three alter egos is a creative and captivating means of expressing the ongoing internal conflict that must happen in order for that contemplative process to proceed. "All Drinking Aside" is one man's struggle to rejoin the living. If you do not suffer from any type of chemical dependency, I'll just bet you are related to or friends with someone who is trapped in this affliction. This book is a must read!

the young and recovering

By Brittany on November 17, 2013

This book, is a true look into an addict/alcoholics brain and inner thoughts. I love the style as Jim writes about his three alter egos input. These alter egos tell it like it is the good, the bad, and the ugly. Me being new in recovery and new to the fellowship, I feel as at some points Jim is talking about me. I would recommend this book to someone in recovery or someone who is curious about why we as alcoholics and addicts act the way we do. Overall this book is an amazing journey of a sick man and his continuous struggle.

A Delight to Read

By Sonny on November 5, 2013

Humor, satire, fantasy...the book has it all. This autobiographical "fiction" will make you laugh; nod your head in agreement; question. You don't need to be an alcoholic (active or passive, past or present) to relate to Jim's characters and situations. My wife and I have totally enjoyed reading it.

Here are some direct quotes from the book:

Selected Quotes from All Drinking Aside

How Others Saw Jim:

(Surimi): Jim is clever, deceptive, annoying, disturbed. Sotto, Vatchi, be careful with what you think you see and hear. Jim has constructed and destructed mirrors everywhere and they may not be mirrors of himself. And should he hold up a mirror to show you your reflection he may deceive you. He may wish to make his thoughts seem that they are yours. You are both rubbernecking the train wreck of Jim's life, rubbernecking. He will survive this or he will die from this. Here his story ends and here, too, his story begins. (From Chapter 1)

How He Felt Versus How He Appeared:

  Alcohol was taking over my life in each and every form and I didn’t even know it. I had learned more and more about scotch and wine and beer and cocktail recipes and this glass and that glass, boiler-makers and hot toddies and which garnish goes with which drink and on and on. More and more knowledge about alcohol and no real knowledge of alcoholism. Generally speaking, as I got more and more entrenched in alcoholic behavior, the more I felt sophisticated, the less sophisticated I must have appeared. Who could see the forest? All I saw were trees. (From Chapter 8)

Letting Go:

   Letting go.　
   As a child, I saw a chicken get its head chopped off and its body slip out of my Uncle's hand. That chicken ran headless, down a deep slope and into the swimming pool. Blood everywhere.　
   My Uncle's hand let go. Letting go is hard to do.　   A pool of liquor awaits me. (From Chapter 27)
Shared Courage:

  Shared courage is where I find the strength in my recovery. My alcoholic mind left alone is

This is a book worth reading if it relates to you or someone you know. Give it a read!

"Elsewhere"

I recently read a really good book, and I would recommend this one to anybody. Not only is it an intriguing story with great characters, but it is extremely well-written. The author is an Independent Author who is self-published, proving that self-publishers can turn out really quality work.

                                                                          Name of Book: Elsewhere

Author: Linda Lee Williams

Elsewhere [Kindle Edition]
Linda Lee Williams (Author), Tim Williams (Illustrator)

4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Print List Price:	$14.95
Kindle Price:	$2.99

Can two remarkable people overcome supernatural forces beyond their control? 

When Errol Fleming moves in across the hall from Andie McNaughton, little does 

When Errol Fleming moves in across the hall from Andie McNaughton, little does she know that her life is about to take another unforeseen and perilous turn. Sweet, shy, and a bit reclusive, Andie has enough phobias to confirm that she's "crazy."  A popular high-school 

Then Andie starts hearing a voice and dreaming about "Noah," whomshe encounters on a mystical tropical island. The handsome stranger dismays her at first, and then fascinates her. She begins having visions of Noah and traveling in her mind to the island, where she discovers unexpected connections. Errol's haunting dreams about the island and Noah's obsession with Andie only add to the mystery of what's happening...

Is Noah a figment of Andie's imagination? Or does he exist in an alternate reality? More important, can Errol save Andie from Noah and the idyllic world she's escaped to? Or will he lose her to her phantom lover?

My review and one other review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally Gripping, November 3, 2013

What a wonderful story of perfect love with two perfect people dealing with their own imperfections. Of course a reader would fall in love with Errol. He is so good and kind and loving. But I fell in love with Andie, too. She is a beautiful person trying to live a normal life with an abnormal brain. Both Andie and Errol have dealt with rejection and ridicule in their pasts, and finding each other is a blessing as well aby Carols an emotional challenge. I couldn't put this book down and I didn't want the story to end. Loved it!

5.0 out of 5 star

5.0 out of 5 stars Elsewhere is first rate!, June 18, 2013

As a lover of romantic fiction--contemporary and paranormal, specifically, I am always searching for a well-written story with heart and depth, and I found it in "Elsewhere." I was entertained, certainly, but I walked away with something more...a better understanding of the challenges of the mentally ill and a reminder that there is always the possibility for happiness, when love enters the scene. I found the paranormal hunk, Noah, captivating. His character (and his world) added the tension, mystery, and allure that kept me reading late into the night. This author has a wonderful talent, and I look forward to the release of her upcoming "hybrid vampire series." Where has she been all my life?

You will enjoy this book! It's wonderful!

 

This blog is finally working again

I don't have any idea what happened but I was unable to sign in to this blog or my other blog for months. I'm hoping that whatever the problem was, it is gone now.

I just want to say hello to everyone and to let everyone know that the first book in the "Testosterone Poisoning" series is just about ready for publishing. I'm working on the cover now. 

"Testosterone Poisoning, Book 1" will introduce Kyla Stanford, a photographer by trade, and the daughter of quirky billionaires who travel all over the world spreading wealth and cheer, while expanding their own fortune. In the first book, Kyla meets Storm Galloway, the man of her dreams. Storm is a narcotics detective with a special forces team--an attachment to a county police force. He has his own source of wealth. He started out in Financial Planning alongside his beloved uncle, who passes away, making Storm his sole heir.

Storm and  Kyla are perfect for each other and soon fall in love. But when Kyla's ex-boyfriend abducts her, their world falls apart, and Kyla's nightmare begins.

I will let everyone know when this book becomes available.

Writing, Writing, Writing

I am currently working on the third book of my "Testosterone Poisoning" series. Each book will have a sub-title and follow in a sequence. If you want to know what Testosterone poisoning is, don't miss the books when they come out.

Interview with Mike Zimmerman

Recently, I was interviewed by Mike Zimmerman. To read the interview go to:

http://tinyurl.com/nvr6mwb

My thanks to Mike for the great opportunity and the good questions.

 

 

Now I will have my say

I try very hard to stay away from controversial issues, but sometimes....well sometimes I just have to say something. This is about stricter gun control laws.

Now before the NRA starts having fits, let me have my say. Honestly, NRA members act like hysterical old biddies every time someone says those words. Okay, SO....NRA MEMBERS...absolutely nobody--NOBODY--wants to take your guns away from you. Not in any way, shape or form. You can keep them, take them hunting, cuddle with them at night, or whatever it is you do with them.

Now....there just has to be some sort of law or regulation to keep crazies from arming themselves. Police forces and the military do background checks and administer psychological tests so that they can weed out those who are not fit or psychologically sound enough to carry a weapon. So why shouldn't that apply to civilians?

Let's make it personal, shall we? Suppose you decide you're going hunting with your new rifle, and the man three doors down, who also has a new rifle, wants to go with you. You know him pretty well, and he's a regular guy , and heck, he has a gun, too. So away you go. There you are out in the woods when suddenly, your neighbor starts hearing voices. They say, "Don't shoot Bambi, shoot the man with the gun." And there you are, staring down the long barrel of this man's rifle.  After they bury you, your wife is informed that the neighbor three doors down had been in therapy once for mental problems. He quit therapy because he didn't hear the voices anymore--so he said.

Well, that doesn't matter now to you, or your wife, who is now a widow raising your children alone. She also learns that the man who killed you bought his gun with no background check or psychological testing. That matters. Your death could have been prevented.

On the lighter side, I notice that my crazy idiot neighbor has a NRA sticker on his truck. Oh boy! I'm getting myself a Kevlar.

Hello Again

Once again, I want to thank all of those who offered their condolences and kind words concerning my mother's passing. I traveled to Pittsburgh for the funeral. As far as funerals go, it was lovely. To me it was a way to celebrate her life and to send her into an afterlife where she was once again united with my father. Not to mention she is with my son as well.

Meanwhile, life goes on. Both of my parents can rest in peace knowing that they raised strong people who have high ethical standards and a sense of good values.

Rest in peace Mom and Dad. You did your job well.