It Gives You StrengthNew 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 |
Contents
| 9 | |
| 16 | |
| 28 | |
| 33 | |
| 37 | |
| 40 | |
The Carnival | 43 |
The Challengers | 51 |
The Escape | 187 |
The Craig Colony | 193 |
The Safe Haven | 199 |
The Search | 204 |
The Betrayal | 209 |
The Escalated Response | 219 |
The Poet | 223 |
The Princess | 228 |
The Main Event | 63 |
The Kelly Home | 73 |
The Armory | 80 |
The Uncle | 89 |
The Trainer | 101 |
The Rum Runner | 109 |
The Queen | 117 |
The Diversion | 127 |
The Buyer | 137 |
The Routine | 146 |
The Dress Rehearsal | 151 |
The Travers | 161 |
The Bet | 164 |
The Fight | 169 |
The Nurse | 178 |
The Daughter | 234 |
The Armada | 241 |
The Phone Call Home | 249 |
The Cabin | 255 |
The Invasion of the Contractors | 258 |
The Sanctuary | 266 |
The Final Confession | 271 |
The Battle | 276 |
The Better Way | 286 |
The Aftermath | 292 |
Epilogue | 302 |
Acknowledgments | 309 |
About the Author | 311 |