Just a Season is a luminous story into the life of a man who, in the midst of pain and loss, journeys back in time to reexamine all the important people, circumstances, and intellectual fervor that contributed to the richness of his life.
This fictional narrative begins with a grief-stricken father visiting the gravesite of his beloved son who was killed in a tragic accident; a moment that he and no other loving parent should ever have to face. As he sadly gazes at his son's headstone and reads what is inscribed there, the dates 1981 - 2001 bring about an illuminating discovery.
The tiny dash that separates the years of one's birth and death presents the whole of a person's life. So if this tiny dash were to tell his life's story, what would it say? In Just a Season, the dash of this man's life is revealed and what emerges from the pages of this book is a legacy of true benevolence and grace.
Praise and Reviews
"Just a Season is a thought provoking novel by author, John T. Wills.
...focusing on various topics such as pain, suffering, love and life.
The characters and the plot are captured very well. It is very well
written from beginning to end. This is one of those books, where you
cannot judge the book based on its title and cover." Congratulations
well done! -- Afrika Asha Abney
". . . Thank you for your
example of tenderness and discipline in what I know is a story of love,
delicately shared with readers in a way that says, this life, though
brief, is significant. So hold it in highest regard for "the dash" is
our legacy to love ones, indeed to the world, which we are blessed to
share, albeit, for Just a Season." Excellent! --Sistah Joy, Poet, Cable
TV Host
"Wills pulls you in from the very first page... Just a
Season is a heart-wrenching story about growing up and believing in
yourself. I highly recommend this book to young men in high school,
trying to find themselves and feeling like they have nowhere to turn."
-- Cheryl Hayes, APOOO Book Club
"Not since The Color Purple
have I read a book that evoked such emotions. John T. Wills possesses
the ability to transport the reader directly into the life and
struggles of his main characters story. I was educated in a way that
did not afford me the benefit of truly understanding the significance
of the historical events taught from a stand alone perspective. This
book actually touched my heart and inspired me to increase the equity
in my "dash"!
I would like to see this book added to history
curriculums as mandatory reading so that our youth can have a true
understanding of how they've come to be where they are. The gift of
this knowledge will surely inspire them to reach for the stars and feel
confident that they are capable of overcoming any adversity. Excellent
-- Tonja Covington
"John T. Wills captures male bonding between
generations and lets the reader passively watch as family love and
closeness unfold on the pages . . ." Outstanding -- A great read --
Cheryl Robinson, Host and Executive Producer of
JustAboutBooksTalkShow.com
"JUST A SEASON is laced with
thought-provoking commentary on the Vietnam War, the assassinations of
the 1960s, the migration of crack cocaine into inner-city
neighborhoods, and a myriad of other ills that have rocked America.
This is a very good piece intertwined with several history lessons
spanning many decades." -- Dawn Reeves, RAWSISTAZ Book Club
"John
T. Wills particulars each notion so eloquently that you feel that
you're actually right there with him... this is an inflicting history
lesson that I believe all African American males should experience."
JUST A SEASON is a pivotal read -- Carmen, OOSA ONLINE BOOK CLUB
"From
the first page you are transported into John's world as if you are
there and are experiencing it with him. I am amazed at how John is able
to use the events of the time to let you know where you are in time. I
felt as if I was teleported... his ability to describe what was going
on during that time makes me extremely proud of my heritage. You will
come away with a feeling of, now I know why that is. I thoroughly
enjoyed "Just a Season". - Mia L. Haynes
"Just a Season is a
work of love, respect and honor... A book filled with the wonder of
life, and the pain and growth encountered in living it." Outstanding!
-- Ron Watson, Editor, New Book Reviews.Org
"in the final
analysis the tiny little dash represents the whole of a person's life .
If someone, for whatever reason, were to tell the story concealed
within my dash. What might they say? ". A thought provoking and
powerful read that will forever resonate within my soul . . .
Speechless . . . Carron
