“Mark T. Rasmussen rewards readers with a fascinating tale of transformation. 5-stars!” – K.C. Finn (Readers’ Favorite)
Published: November 2022
“The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step.” ~ Lao Tzu
Raiden, an emotionally troubled 40-something guy, is at a major turning point in his life. Rather than choose to face it head on, he undertakes an epic road trip adventure across North America, all with the aim of escaping the single most transformative event of his life – imminent fatherhood.
Searching for solutions in all the wrong places and faces, Raiden is forced to turn the mirror back on himself and shine the harsh light of reality not only on his quest, but into the very depths of his soul, in order to discover what it is he truly seeks.
While he does his best to find the answer, the impactful events he experiences along the way will reveal more about Raiden and his nature than the strange assortment of characters he meets on his overland odyssey.
Ultimately, The Journey is a story that no matter how far you run, your demons always follow.
EXCERPT
The night is a restless one. Beside me, I have this naked, near perfect female form, that even as she sleeps, captivates me. While in my head, I hear the shrieks from my demons, all who cast their long, dark shadows, screaming for me to reach out and touch her.
My demons take on many forms. There are the ones who are howling the loudest right now, the deviant, sexually charged, always-on-for-sex regardless of the repercussions or damage they inflict. There’s the selfish ones, the self-fulfilling prophecy ones, the downright mean and negative ones. I also have the subtler, though much more dangerous, tormenting ones. They are the demons who are all too willing to point out my weaknesses and flaws, then exploit them, forever reminding me just how weak and defective I am.
They’ve been the hardest to gain control of, let alone even slay. For now, they relentlessly remind me about the pregnant female body I lay up against only a few nights before.
Even though I behaved impeccably and managed to keep my hands to myself–and my demons and their sexual urges at bay–I’m at constant war with myself. As I lie here dead still, on the furthest edge of the bed I share with Brianna, for most of the night, I’ve been besieged by their battle cries and screams.
‘Reach out, touch her, taste her, kiss her… have her’. It is unrelenting. Despite the growing chorus, I’m also being sounded out by the lone, barely audible, soft voice of the woman I left behind. It’s much fainter and harder to hear, drowned out by the ravenous choir of the dark demons and their carnal desires for their hunger to be fed.
It all becomes too much and I have to get up out of bed. I look over at the illuminated, digital green clock. The time 2:41am blinks back at me. I slink into the bathroom to splash water on my face. The restless sleep evident in my eyes. I sit on the toilet and stare back at my own reflection to ponder. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ I don't get any answers, not that I was expecting to, and definitely none that make any discernible sense. Discounting the devil voices that just want me to jump Brianna and have my wicked way with her, I’m haunted by far deeper thoughts than those of where I have failed as a partner… a father. No, the thought that tortures me the most in these long, slow hours before dawn–I am nothing more than a shitty man.
About the author:
MARK T. RASMUSSEN is an Australian author born by the sea, cultivated in the city, formed via the world. Previously a professional journalist and editor, Mark now writes evocative, thought provoking subject matter for his adult novels and screenplays, and fun, captivating, thoughtful books for children. An avid adventurer, he currently lives in a remote Mexican seaside-jungle village with his beautiful & brilliant, author wife, and youngest son, finding it an idyllic piece of paradise to read, write, and love. For more info visit him:
Author's Giveaway
I liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting my humble novel, Mythical Books. I appreciate it. I hope your readers and blog fans enjoyed the excerpt and are intrigued by my book to want to explore further. Thanks again! Cheers, Mark
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great read
ReplyDeletesounds like a great read, thanks
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book. I like the cover and excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI like book details
ReplyDeleteTroubled is my middle name.
ReplyDeleteany plans for a new book in 2023
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments. I'd like to think it's a great book. So far it's averaging 4.4 stars on Amazon & Goodreads. It's only 0.99 cents as an ebook, so when any of you buy it, let me know what you think, either here or on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteWG Hutton. I'll be launching my first kid's picture book in the coming months, and I'm "hopeful" of possibly a second adult novel late this year everything going well. You can actually read a special one chapter preview of 'The Last' (my new novel) at the end of 'The Journey'. ;)