Michael J Atwood

HiStory of Santa Monica II Michael J Atwood

In this exciting new collection of short stories, Atwood creates original yet alienated characters living in seaside city of Santa Monica and surrounding areas of Los Angeles and Hollywood. He blends contemporary fiction together with suspense, mystery, and even detective themes in each selection. "Disappear Here", a tribute to author Brett Easton Ellis, follows Ian Bradley, a young college student returning from school in Boston to his hometown of Santa Monica. He is forced to wrestle the demons of his past over the Christmas holiday. "Conspiracy" features Alex, a young woman caught in the web of a government plot. She is forced to hide in plain sight in Santa Monica until she remembers who she truly is. In "Farmer's Market", Arthur, a traveling salesman and war hero, falls into temptation and commits the ultimate crime. "Fossil" explores a conspiracy theory author's paranoia and ultimate demise, not due to his fears, but rather to the brutality of nature. "Spinning" is the story of young woman's life-changing experience and new reality. "Summerland" revisits the themes found in my original collection, the story of an "Everyman" arriving in Hollywood, looking for love and success as a writer. "Londoners" is a story that wanted to become a novel but fell short dealing with themes of escape and expatriation. Finally, "With Luke Wilson" is a based on the author's real-life meeting with the Bottle Rocket movie-star in Santa Monica mixed with a tale that incorporates the CIA, FBI, and terrorism. In the end, Bates Motel Creator, Anthony S. Cipriano comments: "What you'll find in the following pages is a portrait to some degree of bridges. The bridges that connect the past to the present, the bridges that connect dreamers, killers and saints, and the bridges that connect the truth to the lies we tell ourselves and pray to God the world believes. In this regard, Atwood's writing ultimately reminds us that in the matter of bridges, it can either be a nail or a match."