It Gives You Strength

Front Cover
Philip Raymond Brown , Aug 17, 2020 - Fiction - 312 pages

New York. 1926. On a rescue mission to the primitive planet Earth, an alien scientist Tashan Zho, is transported into the dying body of bootlegger, Ryan Costello. Upon his death, Costello’s body is reanimated by the alien, and endowed with supernatural powers. Unfortunately, the body is so damaged from years of alcohol abuse that the alien’s memory and vital files are corrupted. All that remains of his mission plan is one phrase: “Find the one called Mike Kelly.” Complicating matters, the alien soon discovers that Kelly is the leader of a criminal gang of World War One veterans, who are in a gang war with mobster Jack “Legs” Diamond for control of the lucrative Canada/New York rum-running market. Upon recognizing Costello's enhanced abilities and physical strength, Kelly forces the alien into his mob. Since Kelly is his only chance of discovering and completing his mission, the alien agrees. Zho soon learns his crucial task - to free an alien child from the infamous Craig Colony before his home world dispatches its “rescue armada.” A force so massive that its mere entry into the Earth’s atmosphere would devastate the planet.  

The story, a mashup of historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, is set in upstate New York during prohibition. The fictional characters interact with actual historical figures, including mobster Jack “Legs” Diamond, heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey, and World War One heroine Edith Cavell.

 

"Historical and sports fiction readers will fly through this book...."

-Independent Book Review


"It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It's a well written sci-fi fantasy with perfect pacing."

-Emerald Book Reviews


"A rip-roaring blend of space opera, history, and fantasy, this is entertainment at its best. A must-read!

-The Prairies Book Reviews

 

Selected pages

Contents

The Lady Melanie
9
The Striker
16
The Nurse 24 The Escape
23
The Ecclesiastic 4 The New Tenant 5 The Host Body 6 The Mobster 7 The Carnival 8 The Challengers 9 The Main Event 10 The Kelly Home 11 Th...
43
The Queen
117
The Diversion 17 The Buyer 18 The Routine 19 The Dress Rehearsal
151
The Travers
161
The Poet
223
The Phone Call Home
249
Copyright

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About the author (2020)

Philip Raymond Brown lives in Colorado with his fabulous wife Sarah, four wonderful children, and two good dogs. He has his B.A. in History and Political Science from Le Moyne College and his J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law.

Writing fiction is Philip's lifelong dream. In 2017, he walked away from a successful career as a trial attorney to pursue this dream. During his legal career, Philip won numerous honors including being named to Best Lawyers in America, the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and the Litigation Counsel of America. 

Philip is currently writing the the sequel to It Gives You Strength which will be published in the Spring of 2021.

His website is www.philipraymondbrown.com.