4 out of 4 stars
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Flames, by Wayne Littrell, is a motorcycle adventure novel. Sam Forest is a writer, who writes for fun. He buys a cruiser motorbike, and since he wants to write a book, he begins to travel for research. As luck would have it, a biker magazine employs him to write travel stories. Later on, Sam's brother dies, and the funeral procedure goes wrong, and all of a sudden, Sam becomes the target of a crime syndicate. After failing in their attempt to eliminate him, the Mob frames him. Now, he is a wanted man. In the meantime, while on a motorcycle ride, Sam meets Boudin, who later becomes his road dog. Being supported by Boudin and his clan members, will Sam be able to bring down the syndicate and exonerate himself?
Involving cops and veterans, this story gives insight into the biker lifestyle, and it includes a cremation process, fistfights, knife fights, gun battles, arson, and the chase of outlaw bikers. It exhibits several motorcycle brands. Moreover, it's well written, and the writing flows smoothly. It consists of a fast-paced and fascinating plot. Since it features the cultivation, selling and smoking of cannabis, I advise non-smoking teenagers to steer clear of it. You'll see high-octane action scenes that can keep you on your toes. There are a lot of bloody scenes, and if you don't read books with graphic violence, this read is not for you.
I commend the author for his ability to write entertaining scenes with intense suspense and a comedic tone. He was quite successful in creating a vivid bikers' world for a reader to inhabit. Indeed, his narration proves that motorcyclists are never tied down; they are always in a state of departure or arrival. During his journey to save his life and get back his freedom, Sam meets and falls in love with a female biker, who is a widow. Though the author narrates it superficially, the romance aspect is decent and realistic.
After the narration, there is a glossary that explains the biker terms used. Afterward, you'll see some defensive riding tips to help you stay safe when riding. Some photographs were included in the book, but I couldn't identify the motorcyclists shown. The author should have added captions to the pictures. The characters were described in an interesting manner. Wayne provided sufficient background, personality, and physical details for both the major and minor personae, and that made it easy for me to relate to them. Most of the characters are loyal, fearless, tough-minded, and always ready to fight. They are friendly, but they hate it when someone messes with them. Since the text was professionally proofread, I saw just one typo.
Overall, the narrative is intriguing, entertaining, and enlightening. In order to show readers some safe riding habits, the author provided an engaging tale. Thus, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it for motorcycle enthusiasts and fans of travel stories.
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Flames
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