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Category Archives: Ringing True: Excerpts

Ringing True Review Highlights

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“One of the most realistic and genuinely touching tales I’ve ever read . . . by the end, you’ll be craving more.”

“I’ve never read a book like it. Smart, funny and the characterization is superb.”

“There is no drivel here, just pure entertainment.”

“What’s most impressive . . . is Morrow’s ability to navigate through controversial topics with such ease.”

“The points are made without drawing too much attention . . . and never at the detriment of the story line.”

“Finally! A novel for our times that doesn’t suck!”

“The book offers a very realistic view of what could happen if this religion actually took off in the mainstream.”

“The characters are diverse, rich and genuine and the dialogue in the book is truly OUTSTANDING.”

“Multifaceted characters with rich back-stories . . . you will find many places for your empathy to hook on to.”

“It makes one laugh, it makes one think. I was sad when it ended. I wanted to keep on reading and reading.”

“Morrow navigates some heavy and expansive terrain with surprising and convincing celerity.”

“It’s a thought-provoker without being preachy, and it’s downright sexy!”

“A heady and complex philosophical powderkeg of a story . . . with enough humor to keep the reader laughing.”

“A work that understands and addresses both the power of the intellect as well as primal human urges.”

“A work that neither sacrifices story nor character in its rapid pacing and development.”

“The author has written an incredibly interesting and compelling book that is also funny, making you laugh out loud.”

“It’s not preachy, it’s hilarious!”

“One cannot read ‘The Numbers’ without a little voice within saying, ‘Now THAT makes SENSE!’”

“If you’re settled cozily into your comfort zone – watch out!”

“I really loved this book. It was an easy read, but very thought provoking.”

“Too many religions now preach love and humility, but encourage hatred and fear of those who believe different.”

“The incredible twist ending that even I did not see coming. So much so that I even gasped, alone in my apartment!”

“A perfect read for people who don’t have their brains awash in dogmatic garbage.”

“This book is a great read, funny and amusing but also insightful and thought-provoking. “

“I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for intelligent and provocative entertainment.”

“(It’s) a fantastic book that went by entirely too quickly. I can’t wait to see what Morrow comes up with next!”

“The plot itself is a great combination of feeling familiar . . . and just enough twists to keep you on your toes.”

“Anyone who can’t get behind The Numbers truly has no humanity in them.”

“The thought-provoking views and conversations rang true for me!”

“A must-read page-turner.”

“I recommend to anyone who isn’t afraid to look at themselves and their religion and not shut down.”

“I think Ringing True is a real game-changer on the literary scene.”

“A funny, witty, sexy, controversial and intelligent read that makes you stop and think while enjoying every moment.”

(from the author) “I can’t rate my own work, but I had a helluva good time writing it!”

(Compiled from Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing and Barnes & Noble.)

 

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Ringing True Excerpt 6: The Transformation

A couple of weeks later, Justin was working another slow afternoon at the coffee house, sitting at one of the tables using the free Wi-Fi to work on the latest batch of research assignments from Matthias. That self-proclaimed marketing genius had recently decided that any special efforts directed at either the Muslim countries or the American South would be a waste of resources, but he still wanted to figure out a way to sneak into China.

“We’re not going to break through in those markets, so screw them,” Matthias had explained.

“So why are we still trying to get through to China? You know damn well that if we get any kind of breakthrough the government will tag us as a dangerous cult and shut us down.”

“Ah, but what a public relations coup that would be, my boy! We’d be elevated to the same plane as that idiot that stood in front of the tanks in Tiananmen Square!”

Justin shook his head at the cynicism, but accepted the next batch of research targets. These included studying the differences between the major threads of Buddhism and Hinduism, collecting expert opinion on the startling growth in the evangelical Christian sects and surgically extracting the text relating to family values from the speeches of leading Republicans. While Justin was scanning a site from a Marin County based organization claiming to have integrated Mahayana Buddhism and Zen with Star Wars mythology, the door flung open and a stunningly beautiful woman entered the cafe.

She was literally breathtaking. Her hair was styled in a chic European cut, with partial bangs pushed to one side of the forehead and intriguing falls at strategic points on the face designed to highlight her cheekbones. The makeup was obviously the work of a professional, highlighting the woman’s natural beauty without drawing attention to the work itself. The face was perfect for a stroll down the runway, but the body did not belong to the standard-issue fashion model. Wearing a form-fitting wool dress in lime and black, the curves of the woman’s breasts and behind approached aesthetic perfection. Riding on obviously new two-inch heels, the woman walked somewhat awkwardly, and Justin’s eyes followed her feet as they passed the counter and approached his table. Wanting to avoid direct eye contact based on the genetic I-want-to-look-but-I-have-to-pretend-not-to-look tendency of less aggressive males, he kept his eyes focused on her shoes—which suddenly collapsed sideways and caused the woman to stumble at accelerating speed into the chair opposite his. The woman grabbed the back of the chair for dear life and at that moment gave voice to her plight.

“Sca-rew this!” Shelby screamed.

Justin leaped out of his seat at the familiar voice, shouting in surprise, “Holy shit!”

Shelby was reaching down to pull one of her shoe straps into place. “Come on, you little bitch—there!” And having placed the strap, she collapsed into the seat.

Justin sat back down with his mouth wide open. “Wow! Wow!” he repeated.

Shelby collected herself and smiled for the cameras. “Notice anything different?” she teased.

Justin could do nothing but gape like a fish, soundless.

“Well, then, if you’re not into conversation, how about getting off your ass and pulling me a double shot?” Shelby said to the fish.

Justin swam over to the bar, pulled her the double and sat back down, in a less aquatic form.

“I can’t believe it’s you—wow!” Justin gushed in appreciation.

“You like it?” Shelby flirted.

“It’s absolutely stunning—I mean, I liked the way you looked before, but this—this is really—something.” Justin felt himself blush, which irritated him no end.

Shelby took a sip and said, “Yeah. Surprised the shit out of me.”

“Why? Why did you do this?”

“The advice column. I hate to give that asshole any credit, but he was right: we can’t broadcast the back-to-nature message. After getting used to the idea, I decided what the hell, let’s do this right, play the part, go for it. So after a full morning at the salon—oh, Justin, they’re such dreadfully boring places—and a quick visit to Nordstrom, here I am, all dressed up with no place to go—especially in these damned heels.” Shelby reached down to adjust the straps again.

Justin finally relaxed enough to smile and said, “Well, you look—goddamn, you are a serious, serious babe.”

“Don’t go sexist on me, Justin,” Shelby warned, wagging her finger. “Goddess-worship might be acceptable, though.” She got up to leave.

“Where are you—you can’t go now!” Justin wailed, wanting more face time.

“Have to! I want to make sure I get home before the fresh-out-of-the-dryer look fades so my parents can see me,” she explained. Her face lit up. “I think I’ve hit on something that will finally piss them off!” She then sashayed unevenly out the door.

Justin sat for a while, catching his psychological breath and allowing his testosterone to cool.

“Damn, she’s beautiful,” he finally said to the empty coffee house.

In addition to the wonder he felt, he also felt something disquieting about the transformation that he was unable to identify. He started to ponder this when the image of Shelby in heels and make up short-circuited the pondering and forced him to get a glass of cold ice water. Once he had lowered his temperature, he returned dutifully to his research.

©2010 Robert Morrow. Ringing True is available in Kindle, Nook, paperback and traditional hardback versions.

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2013 in Ringing True: Excerpts

 

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