Tom's Favorite Stuff

Jasper is the first novel from my friend and co-worker Michelle Groce. I don't often go off topic, but when something this good comes along, I will definitel y make an exception.

Though classified as young adult fiction, Jasper goes beyond that. This is one of those rare books that has the power to captivate younger readers while at the same time offering a rich reading experience for adult readers. So much of the fiction I read is predictable or leads you to a very unfulfilling ending. Jasper's journey is very much the exception. You will find the story weaves you through a wide variety of emotions before leading you to a very satisfying and unexpected conclusion. While reading Jasper I was reminded of all of my favorite books over the years. The ones that left you thinking after the book was done. Jasper does that.

In a world that is often defined by selfishness, Jasper reminds us that there is so much more.

Read more about Jasper at Novello Press

Another review of Jasper.

From the overleaf:

Suppose you had an extraordinary gift: You can see flashes of things to come, mostly ominous. Sometimes you see friends in trouble, but more often you see people who deserve a dose of bad luck. Would you try to change the outcome?
Welcome to Jasper's world, where coincidence and catastrophe are never far apart. But there's only so much Jasper can do about it-because he's a cat.

Rescued from a shelter where he witnessed the grim fate of other unwanted animals, this young cat has already grown up fast. Then, left behind when his human family moves away, he learns quickly that it's best to stay wary of life and its uncertainty.

Emboldened by his unexpected freedom, Jasper successfully fends for himself on the streets. He outwits vicious neighborhood dogs and jealous fellow felines. But the truth is that he secretly yearns for a new home. When he's lucky enough to find one, it's everything he dreamed of and more: a warm bed, good food, and a family to love him.

But something isn't right. He can still sense when something dreadful is about to happen: a fire, an accident, a friend in trouble. Worse, he can't do anything about it-because now he's been made an indoor pet. He's trapped inside his home among clueless humans. He tries to close his eyes to his own intuition, but that only makes it harder to ignore. In his mind, Jasper can see a car coming, and someone in the wrong place at the wrong time…

In an attempt to do what's right, should he risk escaping from the home he's worked so hard to find, knowing he might lose everything?

Jasper the cat is a pragmatic philosopher. Jasper the book is a stylish, fast-moving adventure, and a story that readers of all ages will remember and want to share.

Jasper is available from Amazon