Book Review - Dare to Dream Scary Fast: The Road to Kona by Wade Wilson

Dare to Dream Scary Fast: The Road to Kona by Wade Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Inspirational memoir about the author's amazing triathlon journey.

Dare to Dream Scary Fast: The Road to Kona is a wonderfully inspirational memoir by Texas triathlete and author Wade Wilson. The story of his humble grit and tenacity had me soaking up every word, almost feeling his physical and emotional journey, as he grew from a newbie participant to a world-class competitor.

Wade had an unusual entry into the sport of triathlon, having not grown up in a family where sports were emphasized, and having to overcome a physical challenge with his feet at birth. I loved that he unexpectedly excelled as a pitcher in middle school and ached when he was unable to continue playing the following season. It's impossible to say how far he would have gone, as his perseverance in practicing and pushing himself to improve was already evident by then. He also recognized early that he had a love for participating in team sports, and this passion continued throughout his path to competing in his extreme sport alongside many like-minded enthusiasts. You could feel the joy of the after-race play-by-play sharing by the competitors the following day.

For those looking to enhance their involvement in the sport, Wade enthusiastically, and with scientific backing, details his training and humbly acknowledges his naivete when he was just getting started. I found it personally inspiring that he focused intensely on competing and completing the events he entered, trying to improve his personal bests, rather than being consumed by the desire to win it all. His attitude and encouragement are applicable to all sports and participants at every level of performance. His training successes, sometimes shaving seconds off his previous time, really brought home how even small improvements can add up to significant differences in the end. Additionally, as a spiritual person, he discusses his devotion to God, family, career, and his sport, in that order.

With his easy-going, conversational style, I felt this was a man who genuinely wanted to share his journey to encourage others to follow their own dreams. I recommend DARE TO DREAM SCARY FAST to readers of sports memoirs.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Book Review: Irresistible Calling by Sean Mitchell

Irresistible Calling by Sean Mitchell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Warm and engaging, Sean Mitchell shares his fascinating life during interesting times.

Sean Mitchell’s new memoir, Irresistible Calling, is a warm and engaging look into the author’s life and times, as well as a nostalgic journey through the early 1960s up to the present. This author’s immersive storytelling brings to life his experiences as a young adult growing up during some of this country’s more interesting times and his successful and circuitous career as a journalist.

Sean is a contemporary who grew up in nearby Dallas, Texas, and he writes about many relatable memories (to me) of that place and time. Readers familiar with the area will recognize and enjoy reminiscing about many iconic locations, institutions, events, names, and faces. I enjoyed the tidbits of history, but especially his insider view of things that were part of my own memories.

Though coming from an unusually progressive family (for this area), Sean’s college experiences at Brown in Providence, Rhode Island, opened his life up to different viewpoints that would impact and prepare him for his future career as an insightful and fair journalist writing about the cultural landscape of the country, including literature, music, theater, and, eventually, filmmaking. His experiences as a newspaperman and, later, as he turned his efforts to scriptwriting were fascinating. Throughout his story, I loved how he always remained close to his parents and actively encouraged and supported their artistic endeavors.

Mitchell’s life story is told with charm and infectious enthusiasm, and I recommend IRRESISTIBLE CALLING to readers of memoirs and biographies.


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Book Blast & Giveaway: The Pyjama Boy by Steven Murphy

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SYNOPSIS:

AN INSPIRATIONAL TALE OF SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS 

Steven Murphy spent his formative years in Sydney's Redfern.

Abandoned by his mother when only weeks old, his father left him in the care of a cruel, alcoholic stepmother while he himself was in jail. Unbelievably, the child they dubbed the "Pyjama Boy" fought his way through life to achieve his ultimate goal. His story is a poignant and haunting one that captivates its reader from the very beginning and remains long after the book has been closed.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

There was something odd about the woman driving the yellow station wagon. Her eyes darted around suspiciously. Steve watched her from his patrol car. Her 1988 Sigma moved off from his right at the green lights, to enter the late-night traffic. She had a passenger, a young man with a wispy beard. As they moved, the man looked across at the police car waiting third in line at the red light and then glanced momentarily over his shoulder into the back seat. Sparks spat along the dark surface of the road as he tossed his cigarette out the window of the car.

‘Nervy little punk, ’ remarked the older police constable next to Steve.

‘There’s something odd about both of them in that Sigma...,’ said Steve.

‘Yeah, I think we should have a chat with them.’

As lights turned green and when they were clear of the intersection, Steve pulled past the two vehicles in front of them. The Sigma had increased its pace and was nearly out of view as it turned left almost without slowing. Steve’s pulse rate rose with the revs of the police car. They swung into the side street and passed the Sigma with Red and blue lights flashing, then slowed in front of it. The older policeman put his arm out his window, indicating that the Sigma should pull up at the curb.

While the woman searched a handbag for her licence, Steve noticed that there was someone lying on the back seat of the car. Shining his torch through the window, Steve realised with a jolt that the passenger was gagged, with a tee shirt twisted and pulled tightly into an open mouth. The arms were pulled back and bound at the wrists with a leather belt.

Within minutes a second patrol car had arrived at the scene and the couple were taken into custody, their bound and gagged passenger found to be dead. Steve looked at the victim, a man in his mid-thirties and recognised the face of one who had recently ‘helped him in his enquiries.’ Soon there were detectives and forensic officers examining the car and, as the body was being removed, Steve received orders to drive to an address in a nearby suburban street.

BOOK TRAILER:

FROM THE AUTHOR:

I've never thought of myself as special-just someone who has lived through life's challenges like everyone else. But over time, I've come to see that by sharing my journey, with all its imperfections, I might offer something meaningful to others. Life moves so quickly, and the choices we make shape everything. My hope is that by being honest about my experiences, others might find encouragement or even a little clarity for their own paths.

Speaking at Schools and events across Australia has been an unexpected privilege. These moments aren't about presenting a perfect image; they're about connecting with people on a real, human level. I bring photos, videos, and documents to show the truth of my story-not to impress but to connect. When I speak openly, sharing the vulnerabilities and lessons I've learned, something powerful happens: the audience feels it, and suddenly, it's not just my story-its something they can see themselves in, too.

If you would like to have Steve speak to your School, group or organization he can be contacted through email: stevenmurphy_11@bigpond.com

You can connect with Steven Murphy through a number of platforms to learn more about his story and work.

Visit his website to view the one bedroom flats he uses to live in and show his living conditions as described in the book.

Feel free to reach out — Steven is always happy to connect with readers and share more about his journey.

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Review Tour & Giveaway: No Bass No Party by Gary Shea

NO BASS NO PARTY

Sketches of My Life in Music

by

Gary Shea

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Creative NonFiction / Autobiography
Publisher: BWL Publishing, Inc.
Publication Date: April 1, 2025
Page count: 172 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

An outstanding account of the music business. 

A riveting story of determination and focus.

Musical teenage dream come true.

Against all odds musical ups and downs.

Defying logic following your heart.

Climbing the musical ladder of success.

Fearless journey on the road to stardom. 

You won’t read about the heads of chickens being bitten off or mounds of drugs being snorted from the naked bodies of sweaty groupies. No, what you will read about on these pages is the deep and intense journey into the very heart of rock and roll and what it takes to come out the other side. 

Gary Shea took that ride and has survived to tell his thrilling tale and there is no need for embellishment nor hyperbole—the truth is more unbelievable than fiction.

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ENJOY AN EXCERPT:

The great bass player Jaco Pastorious had just released his solo album that set the bass playing world on its ear with his amazing technique. Greg, more than anyone else I knew, truly flipped-out and decided that he had to have a bass player that played in this new, jazzy, funky style. I'll be the first to admit that ain’t me. This added to Greg's frustrations, and it continues to this day in his endless search for new musicians. I knew that although we were, and still remain good friends, I was not destined for Greg's creativity.

 

I was new in town and getting used to seeing people like Dick Van Dyke at the gas station pumping his own gas. It was time to branch out and seek new opportunities in Los Angeles. Other than my East Coast friends I had a hard time finding a local heavy rock band to join that played the music I heard in my heart. Most of the music was more laid back, and in a more acoustic guitar vein like Poco or The Eagles. At The Starwood I watched Quiet Riot. They were doing very well for themselves with Randy Rhodes on guitar. Van Halen had yet to be discovered and sign a record deal. It was very frustrating trying to find the kind of music I had made with Target in the land of the sun, surf, and beach boys. I saw my good friend Ted McKenna play at The Starwood. He had left the Alex Harvey band and was on tour playing drums with the great Rory Gallagher. 

A few of my friends from the band Angel and I went to lunch one day at the trendy Hamburger Hamlet in Century City. It was located on Century Park East among the towers of movie and music business offices and was a great place for lunch. We were sitting in the lobby waiting for a table and someone sat down next to me. I was mildly surprised that it was Sally Struthers from the television show, All In The Family. We sat and watched the parade of people go by. An attractive blonde woman in a white business suit, carrying a briefcase, came up to me. She told me I looked interesting to her and introduced herself as the editor of Playgirl Magazine. My friends couldn't believe it. Neither could I. She said she would like to put me in the magazine and explained the different payments for the three features. The full spread would pay the rent for a long time. To say I wasn't flattered wouldn't be true. The best part was that my friends' egos were on the floor. She gave me her card telling me to send in some nude photos of myself and that selection was done by a panel of Playgirl Magazine executives. In the world of today’s mores I would be considered a hero, but back then the world was much more conservative. I didn't want to jeopardize any future musical situations, and most of all I didn’t want my mother to endure any repercussions. I thought about it for a week and decided to decline the offer. I still have the white embossed business card she gave me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gary is the bassist and co-founder of New England and Alcatrazz, two bands that burned very brightly during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Along the way, Shea walked amongst giants including Steve Vai, Paul Stanley, Todd Rundgren, Yngwie Malmsteen and a slew of others. He guides us through the machinations, madness and magic of the music world, beginning with his early fascination for bass players and rock and running all the way through to standing on big stages in big arenas in front of big crowds. For every step forward, the industry took two bites of his soul but owing to perseverance, passion and no little amount of pigheadedness, he endured and now reveals all his secrets. 

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REVIEW:

4 stars!

Fascinating, passionate, entertaining, and eye-opening! 

No Bass, No Party (Sketches of My Life in Music) by premier bassist and now author Gary Shea is a fascinating, fun, and passion-filled look back over his more than 60 years creating music. Not a “tell-all” tale by any means, Shea instead reveals what it was like for him, a kid with little formal musical training but a lot of heart, desire, and natural ability, to forge a successful career in one of the hardest industries around. 

Gary, who started out playing guitar, quickly transitioned to bass to fill a need in his first band and was mostly self-taught. However, his desire and passion for his instrument of choice overcame his lack of training and pushed him to excel. Throughout the years, he was a driving force behind several well-known rock and roll bands, including New England and Alcatrazz. His story and past are filled with renowned musicians, singers, and industry legends, a veritable who’s who that most readers will recognize. His recounting includes the many stumbling blocks he and his bandmates encountered along the way, proving that “the best laid plans” can go sideways at any time. 

The biggest surprise for me was reading about how fluid the composition of bands actually was. These musicians came together, bonded over music and performing, and became like family to one another. However, an opportunity for one would entice them away, or a change in vision might see another member tossed out, abandoned, and left behind. Personal situations would arise for others that would require them to quit. All good reasons, perhaps, but each one had a lasting impact on the three or four, or more, others in the band, a family now torn apart. As Shea explained, some changes would prove to have happy outcomes, and members remained friends despite the parting of ways or, at least, reconciled down the road. 

I enjoyed Shea’s many tales of writing and creating new, original material, as well as the story behind the tracks. He even explains how to access some of the results online when they weren’t included on an album or from bands that only existed for a short time. It would be great to compile a playlist of all the music mentioned in the book and listen to it while reading Shea’s reminiscences. From one chapter to another later in the book, there tended to be some repetitions of earlier information or stories that could be eliminated as well as spelling, typos, wrong words, and other production issues that need to be cleaned up. However, none were difficult to pass over in order to continue reading about his fascinating life.

I recommend NO BASS, NO PARTY to nonfiction readers with an interest in rock music.

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