Guyiser Blackman enters with a bang, literally, as he shoots a pot-selling villain dead against the alley wall, in retribution for his father's murder. In a deliciously strong story arc that swashbuckles through a tale of fame and fortune from humble beginnings, Phillips animates the characters with the skill of a master story teller, building tension and empathy laced with humor and surprise.

Guyiser, a seventeen-year-old Tennessee farm boy destined to become a billionaire, is loyal, 99 percent honest, fearless, and good-looking. His girlfriend, Cindy, is America's sweetheart with brains and aspirations. Mr. Gibson, Guyiser's mentor, is a kind-hearted elderly gentleman from Nashville who owns a bicycle shop. Guyiser's father, whom Guyiser respectfully calls "Mr. Blackman," is a sad widower but a good man who drinks a little, fixes junk and sells it, and knows the value of buying at the bottom and selling at the top.

With support from this team, Guyiser builds a barnyard bicycle business from Mr. Gibson's spare parts. Guyiser's business grows exponentially through hard work, clear thinking, and lucky breaks as Phillips zooms us entertainingly through a crescendo of snowballing successes (Will they last?); growing romance (Is Cindy the one or will ambition spoil the passion?); insidious dangers (Who is after Guyiser and why?); and uncertain karma (Will dishonesty bring appropriate consequences?).

Totally G-rated (only one four-letter word in the entire novel) with sex scenes that are sexy, not merely graphic, the book has the innocence of Black Beauty but the drama of The Hunger Games. Phillips grew up in Tennessee and was an actor, photographer, and screenwriter in Hollywood. Phillip's Hollywood background shows to advantage in this novel's fast but even-paced action, with terrifically likeable and interesting characters. It's a heart-warming story of success against the odds, including a dramatic story arc and intriguing conclusion.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

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