When Reverend Preston Cashdollar and his traveling tent revival come to town, James and Skip reinvent themselves-as Holy Rollers. But James and Skip aren't seeking salvation; they're seeking the Almighty Dollar. After all, Cashdollar's prosperity gospel draws thousands of people with open minds and open wallets. After some minor modifications to their white box truck, "Less or Moore" Catering is ready to roll, and the entrepreneurs are born again, intent on making a mint by selling cheap meals to the hungry masses. As James and Skip become entangled in the Cashdollar culture, they realize the good reverend is nothing but bad news. Cashdollar may preach about seeing the light, but his organization has a dark side of greed, power, corruption, and murder. When James and Skip see something they shouldn't, their meals-on-wheels venture becomes hell on wheels and they either have to keep the faith, or run like the devil.
Not many aspiring authors have the privilege of working with one of the industry's kindest and most successful talents. After winning an auction to have his manuscript evaluated by renowned mystery novelist Sue Grafton, he sent her the book. After reading it, she fired off eight pages of criticism, pointing out numerous structural problems, plot problems and character problems. Sometimes sarcastic, sometimes caustic, her comments stung the fledgling writer. After reading her remarks, Don Bruns remembers telling his wife Linda that he may as well hang up the towel. Getting published wasn't in his future. Well, two days later, Grafton called and asked if he was ready to shoot himself, or her.
But all was not lost. Grafton told Bruns he had the makings of a good writer, but he needed to pay attention to details. She suggested he throw away the proposed book, and using her suggestions and comments, attempt to write a new one. Grafton also agreed to read his second book for free. Nine months later, she kept her promise. And more. In October 2001, Grafton, a featured guest at the national mystery convention held in Washington, D. C., announced in front of approximately 1000 people that someone should publish Jamaca Blue, Bruns' debut novel. Somebody listened. Charles Spicer from St. Martin's Press stopped Bruns after Grafton's presentation and asked for a copy. Spicer read the manuscript on the train back to New York and two months later, contracts were signed! The book was released in late September, 2002 and Grafton's blurb appeared on the cover. "Don Bruns has staked out his turf. Sex, drugs, rock and roll and murder. What more could you want?"
Many fans and reviewers agree. Bruns has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Mystery Category of the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, and won top honors in the mystery/suspense category of the 2008 National Indie Excellence Awards
Bruns' two characters have been compared with the Hardy Boys and Booklist matched his narrative style to that of Huck Finn. "I don't look like Twain," says Bruns, "but apparently the reviewer thought my style was similar." The comparison to the Hardy Boys is very high praise to Bruns who grew up reading their adventures. "I learned about life from reading the Hardy Boys. The Hardy Boys mysteries were the perfect buddy capers. Frank and Joe Hardy always had each others backs, and a tight group of friends to give them support. James and Skip have that same chemistry, and there are always a few friends around to take some of the heat." When talking about his protagonists, Bruns says, "James and Skip are hardly kids, hardly adults, hardly successful, but completely hilarious."
In anticipation of the release of his latest James and Skip caper, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, author Don Bruns is reflects on the twelve things he learned by reading the Hardy Boys mysteries:
1) Make sure you have a father like Fenton Hardy, a top private investigator who can get you out of jams.
2) Bad guys are thugs. It doesn't matter if the 'thug' had a less than perfect childhood. It doesn't matter if a thug had misfortunes in his life or has no friends. If a thug breaks the law, he needs to be punished.
3) Don't let negative people like your spinster Aunt Gertrude get under your skin.
4) While girls may be important in your life, a good chum in trouble always comes first.
5) It pays to be smart, but when you're in a jam, you sometimes have to use your fists.
6) The best way to avoid a bad situation is to never get into it.
7) If all your sleuthing and investigating doesn't capture the culprits, call the Bayport police.
8) In every situation, there is always, always more than meets the eye.
9) Don't let anything get between you and a good friend (or brother).
10) People are different. The Hardy Boys realized it, and had fun with it. Their good friend Chet is 'chunky' and eats too much. It never interferes with their friendship.
11) Tell the truth. It will set you free.
12) Assuming you're not up to your neck in bad guys and danger, Sunday should be a day for church.
If you're looking for fast paced, fun and light-hearted adventures involving a couple of memorable characters who seem to find trouble no matter where they go, then the "STUFF" series is a perfect fit.
Like all successful authors, Bruns hung in there through thick and thin. His philosophy of "never give up" has paid off and his career as an author is certain. "It's a dream come true," says Bruns, "to be published and have Sue Grafton as a mentor."
Don Bruns is also songwriter, musician, and advertising executive. He and his wife, Linda, divide their time between Ohio and South Florida. Bruns is currently working on the next James and Skip caper titled, Stuff To Spy For.
Contributing editor Andrew Peterson is working on the next
novel in a planned series featuring Nathan McBride, a former Marine Corps sniper
and ex-CIA operative. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Andrew attended
La Jolla High School before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma, where he
earned a B.S. Degree in Architecture. Andrew and his wife Carla, live in Central
California. More information about First to Kill by Andrew Peterson, can be found at AndrewPeterson.com
Many fans and reviewers agree. Bruns has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Mystery Category of the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, and won top honors in the mystery/suspense category of the 2008 National Indie Excellence AwardsBruns' two characters have been compared with the Hardy Boys and Booklist matched his narrative style to that of Huck Finn. "I don't look like Twain," says Bruns, "but apparently the reviewer thought my style was similar." The comparison to the Hardy Boys is very high praise to Bruns who grew up reading their adventures. "I learned about life from reading the Hardy Boys. The Hardy Boys mysteries were the perfect buddy capers. Frank and Joe Hardy always had each others backs, and a tight group of friends to give them support. James and Skip have that same chemistry, and there are always a few friends around to take some of the heat." When talking about his protagonists, Bruns says, "James and Skip are hardly kids, hardly adults, hardly successful, but completely hilarious."
In anticipation of the release of his latest James and Skip caper, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, author Don Bruns is reflects on the twelve things he learned by reading the Hardy Boys mysteries:
1) Make sure you have a father like Fenton Hardy, a top private investigator who can get you out of jams.
2) Bad guys are thugs. It doesn't matter if the 'thug' had a less than perfect childhood. It doesn't matter if a thug had misfortunes in his life or has no friends. If a thug breaks the law, he needs to be punished.
3) Don't let negative people like your spinster Aunt Gertrude get under your skin.
4) While girls may be important in your life, a good chum in trouble always comes first.
5) It pays to be smart, but when you're in a jam, you sometimes have to use your fists.
6) The best way to avoid a bad situation is to never get into it.
7) If all your sleuthing and investigating doesn't capture the culprits, call the Bayport police.
8) In every situation, there is always, always more than meets the eye.
9) Don't let anything get between you and a good friend (or brother).
10) People are different. The Hardy Boys realized it, and had fun with it. Their good friend Chet is 'chunky' and eats too much. It never interferes with their friendship.
11) Tell the truth. It will set you free.
12) Assuming you're not up to your neck in bad guys and danger, Sunday should be a day for church.
If you're looking for fast paced, fun and light-hearted adventures involving a couple of memorable characters who seem to find trouble no matter where they go, then the "STUFF" series is a perfect fit.
Like all successful authors, Bruns hung in there through thick and thin. His philosophy of "never give up" has paid off and his career as an author is certain. "It's a dream come true," says Bruns, "to be published and have Sue Grafton as a mentor."
Don Bruns is also songwriter, musician, and advertising executive. He and his wife, Linda, divide their time between Ohio and South Florida. Bruns is currently working on the next James and Skip caper titled, Stuff To Spy For.
Contributing editor Andrew Peterson is working on the next
novel in a planned series featuring Nathan McBride, a former Marine Corps sniper
and ex-CIA operative. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Andrew attended
La Jolla High School before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma, where he
earned a B.S. Degree in Architecture. Andrew and his wife Carla, live in Central
California. More information about First to Kill by Andrew Peterson, can be found at AndrewPeterson.com
