Book Blurb:
This book is about the expedition of a young boy's life growing up in the 70's in a small, rural town in Missouri. Throughout, readers will relive the small town teenage experience, the values of lifelong friendship, determination and love, and the incredible beauty of Missouri's scenery, including a popular local hangout where a mysterious murder takes place. Additionally, readers will be drawn into the exciting adventure of a car theft operation the boy finds himself wrapped up in, which extends across state lines. Coincidentally during the same time, another amazing story of a young American Thoroughbred, Spectacular Bid, with a legendary aura and unmistakable determination to win was occurring. The similarities between the two are evident, and the spectacular win of the 1979 Kentucky Derby is thrilling in much of the same way as the boy's triumphs. The plot will intrigue the reader as they connect with the boy and the struggles he will face on his journey to becoming a man, including the many crossroads he will encounter along the way. My Spectacular Bid is a must read that will reveal many of life's struggles, determination, and one teenage boy's mission to make sense of it all.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/yQeK7HI
Author Bio:
Steven L.Werder has an English Degree from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He is a storyteller through the written word. He has a love for music and is always listening for a good song that makes you want to tap your,"feets" and ,"turn it up."
Editorial Review:
“I was born in the early sixties, and before my life as a teenager, not much of anything happened. For the most part, I was good and rarely got into too much trouble. But, when my teenage years came, I was pulled into another world. A world that existed only at night—a world that for me began in Callaway County, Missouri. Whether or not the night world I discovered was good or bad, right or wrong, is for you to decide. This is my story…
The book starts off by telling us this story comes from “dad’s hand-written journal”. It was completed in the winter of 2015. But the story will begin in the summer of 1977. Our main character was still in school, but the final bell rang to signify the start of summer. It was the end of his freshman year of high school.
My Spectacular Bid grabs the reader's interest from the opening phrase. Werder's opening chapter immerses readers in the milieu of 1970s Missouri and sets the tone for the entire book with vivid images and a sense of suspense. We are immediately drawn in to continue reading since the first paragraphs do a fantastic job of establishing the scenario and introducing the protagonist. This potent beginning demonstrates Werder's ability to hook his audience right away and his skillful storytelling.
Steven L. Werder's engrossing book My Spectacular Bid transports readers back in time to the 1970s as a young child growing up in a tiny Missourian rural hamlet. This gripping tale of a youngster coming of age skillfully combines the boy's personal experiences with the historical victory of the fabled American Thoroughbred, Spectacular Bid. Werder tells a story that has depth and honesty, examining friendships that last a lifetime, teenage experiences, and the picturesque Missouri countryside.
Morning came quickly, and I jumped from bed with excitement. Finally, no more school and thankfully, no more upperclassmen to deal with; just me and my best friend for the whole summer, doing God only knows what. I sat on our back porch waiting for them to come and pick me up. I know how to buck hay because we have our own farm, and my dad raises Appaloosa horses. I was always amazed at horses because of their grace and power, and the horse, well, it ain’t meant to be eaten. It’s a beast of burden. Plus, I liked the idea that engines are rated in horsepower.
This book has a multi-layered story that skillfully combines the complexity of growing up with youth's innocence. There are key turning points along the protagonist's journey that influence his development into an adult. The novel is full of gripping events that keep the reader interested, from the adrenaline of a cross-state car theft operation to the camaraderie of small-town life. Werder skillfully creates strong linkages between the boy's experiences and the amazing tale of Spectacular Bid by creating analogies between the two adventures. This dual narrative strengthens the story's emotional effect while also giving the plot more depth.
Each character in My Spectacular Bid is shown realistically and plays a vital role in the protagonist's journey. The story's adolescent protagonist, who perfectly captures the essence of teenage problems and accomplishments, is likable and well-rounded. It’s even more complex by the nuanced portrayal of his friends and family. Werder is a master at portraying the complexities of relationships in small towns, where each exchange is infused with a sense of shared history and community ties. The protagonist's transformation from an innocent young man to a driven young man is convincing and motivational.
One early, warm summer night, around midnight, my friend and I was traveling on a backroad when a hopped-up white Dodge Charger come flying up on us and tried to pass. My friend wouldn’t let him get by us, but finally, the car did get by. When the car got in front of us, it stopped us in the road. Then, in front of our headlights rolled out the biggest man I had even seen. We didn’t know who he was; we had never seen him before. He was a giant man with thick, long, black hair. He was heavy set, and he was coming right to the driver side of our car. In the headlights, he even cast a bigger shadow, as we could only look at him. We couldn’t move or even try to get away. All we said was “Oh shit” and waited as he got to our car. I’m sure to him we were no threat. I’m sure he could see we were kids. Then, he beat on the driver’s side window. My friend rolled it down. I was wishing that I was somewhere else.
The well-formatted and well-edited book by Werder makes for a seamless and delightful reading experience. The writing is fluid, with one chapter flowing into the next without any problems. The meticulous attention to detail in the formatting and editing guarantees that readers won't be able to take their eyes off the story. While a more considerate editing hand might have brought the book to literary perfection, its current format is nonetheless interesting and approachable.
The narrative of My Spectacular Bid is masterfully crafted, guiding readers through the protagonist's development in small steps. The storyline unfolds naturally, with each event building on the previous one to create a coherent and captivating narrative. The child triumphs despite encountering numerous challenges, and his journey comes to a fulfilling and unforgettable end.
Werder's meticulous attention to detail and deliberate pace make sure that the plot arc is both interesting and significant.
The book has great continuity, with each incident and character arc carefully weaved into the overall story. Werder makes sure that every side plot advances the main narrative, resulting in a seamless and engrossing reading experience. The comparisons made between the boy's life and Spectacular Bid's adventure are especially skillfully done; they serve as a unifying theme throughout the story. Because of this continuity, the reader feels more invested in the narrative, which amplifies the effect of each turn and twist.
My Spectacular Bid has a gratifying and thought-provoking finish. It's possible to say that Werder brings the narrative to a moving and significant end without giving anything away. With careful handling, the protagonist's journey is resolved, giving readers a sense of satisfaction and completion. Whether happy or unhappy, the novel's themes of perseverance, development, and the inevitable nature of change are all powerfully reflected in the ending.
My friend and I stared at Larry while he talked. One reason we stared at Larry was because he didn’t really talk a lot. The other was that we were hoping he was going to give us some kind of stoned hippie advice. But after he spoke about the giant, he shut up. Then he started to mumble something to the girl. Man, she was pretty. I didn’t blame Larry for having divided interest between her and us. My friend and I figured that the giant was a real badass, but I’m saying the part about being a real-life gangster; well, that was a little hard to believe. I guess why we had doubts about the giant having gangster ties is because Chicago is about three hundred or so miles north of where our town is located. But, that was the funny thing about Larry, he was a stoned hippie, and he didn’t talk much. But as we would discover later that night, he was right about the giant.
My Spectacular Bid is unique because of its dual narrative structure and the way it blends real-life experiences with historical ones. What distinguishes the book from other coming-of-age tales is the parallel between the boy's life and Spectacular Bid's adventure. Werder's ability to evoke a specific location and time, along with his insightful analysis of universal themes, make this story unique. The novel's special blend of nostalgia, adventure, and emotional resonance ensures that it will leave an impression on readers.
Werder's skill as a writer shines in Spectacular Bid. His passionate and detailed writing style well captures the beauty of Missouri's surroundings as well as the nuances of small-town life. The dialogue is authentic and natural, perfectly expressing the voices of each character. Through a masterful balancing act between action and reflection, Werder's storytelling method allows readers to fully engage with the story on multiple levels. His ability to depict complex emotions and situations with grace and sympathy is a testament to his writing prowess.
All in all, this is a great book that offers a compelling and in-depth reading experience. With its captivating story, well-rounded characters, and vivid prose, the book brilliantly conveys what it was like to grow up in Missouri in the 1970s. The parallel story in Spectacular Bid offers depth and uniqueness, making it an engaging read.
*****
"My Spectacular Bid" by Steven L. Werder receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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