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Grand Canyon Press 

Pub date April 11, 2024

‎ ASIN B0CPHFLSCX

Price $9.99 (USD) Kindle edition

Book excerpt

Through a series of alternating tales, award-winning author Williams captures the essence of boys and men in all their complexities in this remarkable collection of short stories. In “Rounding the Bases,” a Little League player receives guidance from the team’s top female athlete and learns about the concept of “rounding the bases.” The story “Who We Were at Twelve” follows two young boys as they embark on a mission for revenge against a bully, only to realize they may have gone too far. Williams’ ability to bring characters to life is evident throughout these stories as he uses vivid descriptions to truly capture their essence. A man is approached by an attractive stranger at a nearby Starbucks and discovers that even as he approaches middle age, the passion and desire for love still remains in “Comp.” A physician struggles with addiction in “What the Doctor Didn’t Know.” The stories also offer a diverse array of settings, from the calm and quiet streets of suburban Phoenix to the well-maintained Greyhound Park in the city. Filled with depth and sentiment, each story in this distinguished and captivating collection leaves a lasting impression, as characters exhibit the shenanigans of boyhood, the angst of adolescence, or the wisdom that comes with age. Ranging from provocative to darkly humorous, heartbreaking to moving, and captivating to gripping, the collection makes for an incredibly poignant read. Lovers of literary fiction will want to take a look.

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