YA Historical Fiction /YA Coming of Age

Date Published: Tuesday, Aug 6th 2024

In a time when rock-n-roll is deemed evil music and blamed for youth rebellion, The Hound Dogs and The Dice are set to clash at the Madison Community Center.

The Hound Dogs search for a drummer to complete their lineup while The Dice hires Patrick McNeil as Danny Bruer's replacement. Unbeknownst to The Dice, Patrick carries a hidden agenda to sabotage his former band and settle old scores.

As Patrick and his accomplice, Stu, execute their plot, questions loom over the Madison Community Center. Can The Hound Dogs triumph against the odds? Will the controversy ignite a community torn between tradition and rebellion?

In a world where rock-n-roll rebels against societal norms, the destinies of two bands hang in precarious balance. The echoes of their battle will resonate far beyond the Madison Community Center.

Hard Dog’s Night, the second book in The Hound Dogs Series, is a unique blend of historical fiction, coming-of-age, and the power of music as it forever alters lives in the name of rock-n-roll.

Excerpt

Stately elm tree branches shaded James while he strolled down the tranquil street of Granger. A group of unruly children scampered past him on their way to the park. Their laughter and high-pitched squeals caused a few dogs to bark and a few residents to lift their heads like curious ostriches. Crossing the street, James continued his path toward the Coffee Grounds. He’d spent the entire week at home studying for finals, and he was anxious to see his girlfriend. James had tried to study at the Coffee Grounds once, but it was a disaster because he couldn’t keep his eyes or mind off Marcy. It’s not like he didn’t think about her constantly, but at least she wasn’t close enough to talk to or steal a kiss.

A popular college hangout, the Coffee Grounds was generally packed with students. Still, Saturdays tended to be quieter, and the atmosphere was more casual. The large ceiling fan lazily circulated the air through the establishment. Marcy took advantage of the quiet afternoon by cleaning and filling sugar dispensers. James’s arrival sparked delight in her grin as he sat at the counter. Wiping her hands on her apron, Marcy walked over to him.

“You’re here early.” “Disappointed?” James asked, perching his elbows on the counter.

“Of course not.” “It’s been a long week.”

“It has,” Marcy said, straightening the napkin dispenser. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

James slid his hand under his chin. “Well, I’d rather have a kiss, but I’ll settle for coffee.”

Marcy smiled, took a cup from the shelf, and filled his cup. From her shiny auburn hair to her pert little nose, everything about her enchanted James. He would never tire of gazing at her.

Marcy brought James his coffee and sat it on the counter. “I guess you know you’re making me nervous.”

James picked up a spoon. “And why is that?”

“Because you’re ogling me.”

“So?” he said, clinking the spoon in the coffee cup.

“So, I know what you’re thinking.”

James’s grin spread, and Marcy nudged him. “I guess you know there is no sugar in your coffee.”

“Oh, yeah,” James said, taking the spoon out of the cup.

Marcy laughed. “You’ll never guess what I bought the other day,” James said, adding sugar.

Marcy leaned across the counter. “What?”

“You need to guess,” James teased.

“Can’t you give me a hint?” “It’s a book.”

“A book?”

“Yep.”

Marcy pressed her index finger to her lips. “Hmmm, let me guess. The Joys of Accounting?”

“Very funny.”

“What then?” James grinned.

“Kiss Me Deadly.”

“No kidding?”

“No kidding.” Marcy ran her finger over James’s hand.

“Are you going to lend it to me?”

“Maybe.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You better be nice to me, James, or you won’t get a kiss.”

He smirked. “We’ll see about that.”

A faint pink hue brushed her cheeks. “Say, do you think it would be all right if I posted a couple of flyers?” James asked.

“Is it for the drummer auditions?”

“Yep,” James said, setting one on the counter before Marcy.

“Sure. You can put it on the bulletin board by the front door and one on the back wall.”

“Okay, thanks.” Marcy returned to work, and James walked over to the bulletin board.

Advertisements and business cards covered the board like wallpaper. Pulling a tack out of an old advertisement, James covered it with the flyer and secured the tack. Smiling, he pulled out another spare tack and headed toward the back wall.

A young man was sitting at the back table by himself, reading a book. James probably wouldn’t have noticed him if his right leg wasn’t resting on a chair. At first glance, James thought he was lazy, but when he noticed the leg was encased in a metal leg brace with a thick platform shoe, he knew he was mistaken. James didn’t mean to stare and didn’t want to feel pity, but he couldn’t help himself. Securing the flyer to the wall, his eyes drifted back to the young man. He was wearing a checkered shirt with a worn wool jacket. Tufts of blond hair stuck out from underneath his faded grey porkpie hat with what looked like a turkey feather tucked under the band. Was he homeless? James’s heart sunk as his mind fired off several other sad scenarios. The young man sensed James’s presence, and he turned around to look at him.

“Hello,” James said with a sheepish grin.

The young man didn’t say anything. Was he mute too?

“Nice day, huh?” James said.

The young man didn’t answer. James noticed he had a Life magazine on the table with a picture of Marilyn Monroe on the front cover.

“You like Marilyn?” James asked.

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“Ha, ha,” James chuckled.

The young man tilted his head with a raised eyebrow. James walked back to his stool, wondering if the young man was crazy too. Marcy walked over to the young man’s table and refilled his cup. James watched Marcy chat with him for a few moments before she returned to the counter.

“So, you know that guy over there?” James asked.

“What guy?”

“You know, the one over there,” James said, pointing into his hand.

“You mean Ronnie?”

“I guess so.”

Marcy sat the coffeepot down. “Yes, he comes in here every once in a while.”

“He seems to be a little . . . nutty.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because he said his girlfriend was Marilyn Monroe.”

Marcy smiled. “He tells everybody that.”

“Do you think he believes it?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him that much.”

James fingered the handle on his coffee cup. “I feel bad for him.”

“You shouldn’t. He’s always in a good mood, even though some people say mean things to him.”

“That’s horrible.”

“If someone is mean to him, we kick them out.”

“That’s good.” Marcy untied her apron.

“I’m going to hang my apron up, and we can go.”

“Okay.”

Marcy walked away, and James glanced over at Ronnie. He was bobbing his head and tapping his thumbs on the table while he read. Maybe Marcy was right. Maybe he was perfectly happy despite his circumstance. With all his heart, James wanted to believe it. He wanted to believe that the cruel world did not affect Ronnie. With that thought in mind, James gathered his books and pushed his sorrowful thoughts aside and joined the beautiful young woman who waited at the door for him.

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