I was recently fortunate enough to be contacted by fellow writer, Adam Shepard.
Adam kindly sent me an advanced review copy of his new book, One Year Lived—and while I usually find myself not reviewing/promoting much of the stuff I receive (primarily because it doesn’t fit with my particular interests), a quick glance at Adam’s book and promo pack convinced me it was something worth sharing.
Adam has been featured on NPR, CNN, Fox News, Today, and 20/20 and profiled in the New York Times, New York Post, Christian Science Monitor, and Atlantic Monthly. He currently spends his time empowering audiences to take initiative. His keynote speech What Will You Do Next? details strategies for capitalizing on both triumph and misfortune.
Excerpt from One Year Lived.
Straight from California!
“Screw it,” I said. “Give me the sombra.”
I reached for the red cloth—nay snatched for the red cloth. I wanted in. These brave guys, juvenile to grizzly, bolting into the ring, teasing and taunting this wild bull, a balancing act between valor and a gutted belly. I had scouted enough. I snatched my improvised red sombra. I peered up into the crowd of spectators: a gang of teenagers, some whipping their shirts in circles above their heads, a family—mom, dad, daughter—a group of ladies dressed in pink and yellow sundresses, another gang of teenagers. Seven hundred people, at least—eight hundred, more likely. I lowered myself from the support of the bleachers. I sucked in a deep breath. I strode out into the sphere of fervor. And I stood, legs braced and every muscle ready for action. Six feet away, this great hulking beast stood in a similar stance, head low, horns tilted toward my chest. He scraped the earth with one hoof, hugging and snorting like something out of a nightmare. (Click here to download the full excerpt.)
One Year Lived is now available in paperback and for Kindle.