A Controversial Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel Merging Straight and Gay Love, Sexuality, and Spiritual Themes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) August 2, 2010 -- "To Be Chosen" is a novel by Michael Travis Jasper.

[424 pg. trade paperback]

--Retailers receive standard industry discounts & returnability—
--Distributed by Ingram—

ISBN: 158736896X
ISBN-13: 9781587368967

Brief Author Bio Below.


To Be Chosen is a controversial novel based on the oft quoted, but rarely upheld concept that all human beings are equal and individuality has value. It has special appeal for a very large niche audience, but will also please a much more general mass readership.

The 424 page story contains and contrasts material as varied as: Christianity/paganism, gay/straight/bisexual characters, magic/mythology/spirituality, action/romance/suspense, and humor/tragedy.

While profound thoughts are provoked, the action on every page provides a glimpse at the hardest and sweetest human truths. Engaging distraction from one’s real life. A sexy parable about destiny, choices, and the true nature of God’s love.

There are three main characters: a father whose materialism is erased by grief, a lovely witch parted from her minister husband, and a gay college boy who finds love and learns sacrifice. They are united by newfound supernatural powers and an ever-morphing spiritual guide to battle demons from another world and Earth’s past. A motley group of friends and even the ghosts of loved ones join these outcasts, chosen to be God’s Hammer, as they fight in city streets and farmyards to save mankind and each other.

While the book is completely “pro-Christian,” some ultra-religious people will not like the fact that gay people are treated as equal in the eyes of God. Also, the spiritual subject matter mixed with some graphic content (including: language, violence, gay and straight sex scenes) could scandalize some less liberal readers. The book is intended for a general adult (teenaged & above) audience.

Fans of every genre will be entertained. The alternative/fantasy view of our real and current world will appeal to readers of S.M. Stirling and Lord of the Rings, and The Passage by Cronin. The Sci-fi aspects will please fans of Avatar, Dune, Battlestar Galactica, and BBC America’s popular Torchwood. The mythological references will appeal to fans of The Davinci Code and TV’s Stargate. There is magic for lovers of Harry Potter, Laurell K. Hamilton, TV’s Heroes and Charmed—definitely Charmed. There are a few horrific moments for the Stephen King fan as well. Anyone seeking a quick pace and action sequences like those found in the books of Harlan Coben and Dean Koontz will be very pleased. Even Nora Roberts’ readers will be sucked in by the romance as will the lovers of Anne Rice, and the amazingly popular Twilight series. Catchy pop-culture infused dialogue will please the viewers of shows like Grey’s Anatomy and followers of the trendiest blogs. There is much here for the extensive gay reading audience especially. Fans of William J. Mann and Michael Thomas Ford will delight in this. Viewers of Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Queer As Folk, and even Will & Grace will be hooked. This story will appeal to outsiders and black sheep as a more adult version of television's Glee. Readers that laugh at Kathy Griffin and Chelsea Handler will giggle more than once as they move through this novel. Please also note that musical devotees dedicated to the band Evanescence will be drawn to a haunting story that evokes the same atmosphere as Amy Lee’s ethereal voice and poignant, intense lyrics. All those who line up for the drama, costumes, and party culture manifested by Lady Gaga will revel in this story.

The few people that have had the chance to read this book before it was published often reported that though they thought the book was outside their usual preferred genre, they couldn’t put it down and enjoyed it very much.

A recent poll suggested that as many as 80% of people judge a book by its cover. That is a huge plus for this book. The author commissioned a local tattoo artist (much of this story is set in metropolitan Kansas City) to do a painting specifically for this novel. The resulting cover is spectacular. Almost everyone will be compelled to pick it up to see what it is about. Mr. Jasper admits with some embarrassment that he often chooses or rejects books based on the beauty of their covers.

While To Be Chosen has elements for drawing comparison to all of these wildly popular books, authors, and TV shows; the unusual intermix of content tells the story in a very original way.

One educated, early reader told Mr. Jasper when she read the novel, she felt as if she were watching a movie. This is the ideal type of reading experience to appeal to the modern culture’s fast-paced, movie-raised generations that are accustomed to the speed and style of endless cablevision and the internet.

The surprising bonus is that the thrilling action on every page is a reminder that even a freak like you is loved without limit. Ask yourself what you would do if you were chosen to better humanity…because you were.




Author Biography-----

Michael Travis Jasper is in the middle of his life, but at the beginning of his career as a novelist. “To Be Chosen” is his first book. Though raised in the small town of Troy, Kansas, he now resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Media and friends may contact him on his personal Facebook page. He continues to work on his second novel.

Purchase the book from BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, Wheatmark.com (the publisher), and many other online booksellers; or ask your local bookstore or library to order it for you.

Retailers & Libraries contact orders@wheatmark.com or call 1-888-934-0888 ext. 3 and reference ISBN: 978-1-58736-896-7…Retailers receive standard industry discounts & returnability.