Title: Missing & Presumed Dead
Author: Philip R Morehouse
ISBN: ISBN- 9781076544834
Page count: 220
Genre: Fiction; Survival/Adventure
Book Price: $12.99
Kindle Price: $2.99 or Free with Kindle Unlimited membership
Author Bio:
I was born in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York where I started his life's training on the family-owned farm. Throughout my youth, I was mentored by his grandfather who taught him how to spearfish, set a trap, and stalk big game. These skills back in those days were crucial to the family's survival.
After graduating from high school, I enlisted in the Navy, where I received engineering and survival training then was assigned to an amphibious ship that was deployed as a part of the Cuban Blockade Missile Crisis, and later rescued Americans from Haiti, during the Dominion/Haiti Crisis. I also served an extended hitch during the Viet Nam War. After returning home, I married, and joined the Army National Guard, serving in various aerial and ground support photography assignments.
Among the many diverse jobs, I also worked as a professional writer and photographer for over 60 years. With my family grown and on their own, I now pursue what I love the most - writing true-to-life, survival, adventure-type stories from which I draw on my past experiences and extensive research.
Tell us about your book:
“Missing and Presumed Dead” is a story about a well-known author who becomes bored with driving on the freeway and taking the next exit changes his life in ways he could not have imagined. He is plunged into a subculture living off the grid run by a psychopath. With only his wit, he fights to survive with each day bringing new and unexpected dangers. Knowing that his time is running out, help comes unexpectedly by way of an unexpected source.
How does this book relate to your real-life experiences?
I have to confess that this story ventures far outside of my usual stories that have some kind of connection to my life, and therefore into another world. I have driven the mountains and the backwoods trails in North Carolina, allowing my imagination to run wild as I drove in and out of the hollers on roads that were little more than grass-lined, crooked paths and hairpin curves and in some places devoid of sunlight. Such places stir my imagination and I start to think, “What if…” and another story is born.
How long did it take to write the book?
It took 4 months from concept to rough draft, initial edits, and final edit to finally have it published on 06/28/2019.
What inspired you to write the book?
I was inspired by my memories of trips through the North Carolina mountains taking the roads less traveled. I often stopped at the old stores, waterwheel mills, covered bridges, and picturesque overlooks to take pictures and visit with anyone that looked as if they were from these parts. My imagination took care of the story while my memories of these places filled in the blanks.
Let’s talk about the writing process. Did you have a writing routine? Did you do any research, and if so, what did that involve?
Having a computer and word processor at my disposal, and being retired, I find that I have the time and resources to write, and what better subject to draw on than my past traveling experiences and studies of backwoods events and folklore?
What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your book?
I would hope that they come away with the desire to explore and soak up the culture of places less traveled.
Where can we go to buy your book?
This book is readily available online through Amazon.com as a softcover or a Kindle download or at Barnes & Noble. If any of your bookstores should be out of stock be sure to give them the following number: ISBN- 9781076544834.
Excerpt from this novel:
“ He couldn’t imagine what Leroy was planning for him tomorrow and what to defend against. Whatever it was, if he wasn’t up to the challenge, he’d end up being hurt in some way. Then he heard a stirring sound in the hay. Something was only a couple of feet from him and now he could hear it breathing. His heart was thumping so loud in his ears that he wouldn’t have heard the shed fall over if it had.”
“I have something I must tell you. I’m risking my life by being here with you, but I felt I should warn you that Dad is planning to kill you tomorrow; he sees you as a threat – you’re too smart, and that bothers him.”
“William heard pebbles rolling down the side of the hill only feet away. Looking, he saw a pair of cougars working their way toward them. Their eyes were glowing with murderous intent.
Judith had looked in the same direction and saw them also. She immediately snapped out of her trance, bent over, grabbed a couple of rocks, and started hurling them in the direction of the big cats. One struck above the first cat and one below. Her actions seemed to confuse them, as one started to turn back, and the other changed direction slightly as it kept coming toward them – saliva dripping from its mouth.”
“So, let’s take a look at what the cat dragged in,” Leroy hissed between locked jaws, as his eyes came to rest on the man who was unsteadily trying to stand before him.
Here you are in my home, uninvited, dressed fit to kill and expecting me to kill the fatted pig. Well, I got news for you, you’re no guest of mine, only an interloper – so what am I to do with an interloper for the night? You got any ideas Mr. Fancy Pants?” He screamed.”
“The silence was deafening – they all knew what was coming and were powerless to stop it. The sheer size of that amount of money stunned them. It was beyond their comprehension – it was enough to buy the world, and more, they thought.
Suddenly the sound of a bullwhip pierced the air as it snaked out and cracked as it surgically tore a hole in the man’s cheek. Instantly blood streamed down over his jaw and soaked into his white, badly soiled shirt. The next crack took part of his ear off, and then it bit a hole in his left shoulder, over his heart.”
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