Righteous Rebellion by James Hooker Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A daring move by a religious movement leads to a southern state seceding from the United States, leading to a domino effect that will change the landscape forever in author James Hooker’s “Righteous Rebellion.”

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The Synopsis

In the waning days of the Great Republic, a small, conservative southern state, having lost faith in the country and being led by an overzealous “servant of the Lord,” decides to secede from the Union.

In the process, we meet characters from both sides of the culture clash, including a mad pastor, a delusional Nazi pervert, religious zealots, a self-interested wanna-be “President,” a scheming real estate developer, a mysterious Middle Eastern monarch, a crazy ayatollah with a dangerous scheme to embarrass America, an oversexed administrative assistant, a territory-grabbing drug kingpin, an unhinged “First Lady,” a befuddled General Staff, and a beleaguered American President who tries to keep the whole wild world in check.

Can the United States keep itself in tact in the midst of a “Righteous Rebellion?”

The Review

This was a gripping read. The author did an amazing job of capturing the heart of the political divide that has become the heart of the American political machine. The imagery and atmosphere of the novel allow the reader to feel the rising tensions across the nation, and the way the author blends in humorous dialogue through these characters helps underscore the stakes at play for the narrative.

The heart of the story rests in the massive character arcs played out throughout the narrative. Early on readers see the influence religion and old school mentality has on modern day politics, and the way each character’s motivations impact the story were greatly felt. The story doesn’t just impact the nation, but the world as a whole, and highlights how much the United States influences how the  rest of the world turns at this point in time.

The Verdict

A brilliant blend of Stephen King’s The Stand meets Civil War, author James Hooker’s Righteous Rebellion is a must-read political and historical fiction. The use of satire and real-world political divides allowed the reader to get fully immersed in the minds of these figures, and see how that divide impacts the world stage as a whole.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

James Hooker is an American writer who explores various genres, from humor, satire and historical fiction. In the realm of literary achievements James Hooker stands out as a brilliant writer with a boundless imagination. Recent books include “Redneck Riviera” and “Righteous Rebellion”. He entices his readers to believe that true meaning can be found not just in the destination but in the journey itself.

Interview with Author James Hooker

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

    I spent over thirty years in high-tech in California’s Silicon Valley. Prior to that I wrote two unpublished novels and several short stories. I was first published in a horror-genre magazine in the 1980s, so writing has always been in my blood. After graduation from college I worked as a copy editor for a newspaper in Las Vegas. That led me to a career as a technical writer/editor at Stanford, which eventually led me to a career in high-tech sales. 

    My career in high-tech blossomed and ended up taking so much of my time that I put writing aside. I resumed to writing after a hiatus from corporate America in 2001, at which point I wrote the first chapter of “Redneck Riviera,” based on my wife’s and my decision to move to a remote island off the coast of North Carolina. 

    I returned to corporate America for another twelve years, and finally stepped out permanently in 2018. At my wife’s suggestion, I completed “Redneck Riviera,” and it has led me to develop outlines for several more books, the latest of which will be released at the end of June 2004.

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    What inspired you to write your book?

    I was fascinated by the down-home culture of the island on which we lived and its unique characters. I also struggled to fit in with the locals, who never failed to amuse me. Writing a book about my experiences was the perfect way to explore my relationship with the island. 

    What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

    That life is a journey and should always be appreciated for what you find on life’s path. 

    What drew you into this particular genre?

    More than anything, life is a journey to be enjoyed. There is humor and life all around us. Open your eyes and heart to appreciate them. 

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    If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

    I would want to sit down with Blackbeard the Pirate and ask him where he hid his treasure on the island. 😉

    What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

    Linkedin and Facebook have both been very helpful channels for me to advertise my book and connect with new readers and fans. 

    What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

    Start with a concept that really interests you and that you know about. Then generate an outline for your book. The content of your outline will tell you whether your concept has legs.

    What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

    I consider myself a commercial writer, and I’ll continue to write for the rest of my life. At the end of June I’ll release “Righteous Rebellion,” a novel about a small southern state that secedes from the union. After that, I have another novel which will be complete by the summer of 2025. I’ll then work on a trilogy of fictional novels on the life of Blackbeard the Pirate. After that, I have outlines written for five more humorous and historical fiction novels. 

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    About the Author

    James Hooker spent over thirty years in research and technology in California’s Silcon Valley. He is a former senior executive in global sales and has travelled extensively throughout North America, Asia Pacific, Japan and Europe. He and his wife have been married for 21 years and make their home in Rhode Island.

    Redneck Riviera by James Hooker Review

    I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

    A man coming out of a high-powered job in California must adjust to life on a small island off the coast of North Carolina in author James Hooker’s “Redneck Riviera”. 

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    The Synopsis

    After being laid off from his executive job with a California high-tech company, a man and his wife decide to leave the “rat race” and move to a tropical island on the coast of North Carolina. The culture of the island and its people are completely different from this cosmopolitan couple, who struggle to adapt to the island’s Southern, down-home, Redneck residents.

    From food to local traditions, the author documents his humorous journey, in a classic tale of a “clash of cultures.”

    What could possibly go wrong when Yankee meets Redneck?

    Make dad happy with a gift he will wear all year round at Happy Socks

    The Review

    This was such a compelling and thoughtful narrative. The author does a great job of balancing what feels like their own personal experiences with hilarious and engaging scenarios unique to the island they find themselves on. The fast pace of the narrative and the relatability of the character’s arcs in this story felt like a great way of drawing the reader in. The overall atmosphere and character arc themselves felt like something pulled out of the cult classic film My Cousin Vinny, embracing the city slicker fresh out of the water feeling when the protagonist arrives in the slower-paced, humorous landscape of the South.

    The dynamic character development and the powerful theme of embracing the unexpected made this a fantastic story to get lost in. The juxtaposition of the protagonist and his mindset with how things operate within the Southern culture was perfectly presented here, and the way this journey takes off so suddenly and the couple here are thrown into this journey through adventure. Engagement kept the reader invested in the story’s development.

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    The Verdict

    Remarkable, hilarious, and engaging author James Hooker’s “Redneck Riviera” is a must-read novel. The threading of multiple storylines and exploring culture shock throughout the story will keep readers invested in this short yet potent novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

    Rating: 10/10

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    About the Author

    James Hooker spent over thirty years in research and technology in California’s Silcon Valley. He is a former senior executive in global sales and has travelled extensively throughout North America, Asia Pacific, Japan and Europe. He and his wife have been married for 21 years and make their home in Rhode Island.