Books that explore the experiences of marginalized individuals, outcasts, misfits, and those scarred by religious trauma…
…that delve into themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of characters navigating a world that often overlooks or rejects them.
Books that are historically based told through the lens of humor, horror, and magical realism.
…….
Kindle Books and Paperbacks
All cover illustrations by Ukrainian artist, Nadiia Kolpak
The Latest
An outsider in the Deep South, Tod is accused of murdering a prominent member of a white supremacist theocratic insurrection. Penniless and alone, he struggles with his own beliefs while fleeing zealous agents of the movement.
Publication Date: February 19, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024
This was an engrossing tale of a dystopian society. I cared about Tod and rooted for him to survive. I have read all of the author's novels and I think this is his finest writing. I especially enjoyed the last third of the book. Some aspects of the novel bring to mind elements of The Handmaid's Tale. I highly recommend this book.
*******
5.0 out of 5 stars I stayed up into the wee hours to finish this one, couldn't help it!
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
Another masterpiece from J. Patrick Boland! Reading Book of Tod was like watching a movie unfurl in front of my eyes; it's a delightful, funny, poignant, tragic, horrible at times, sexy and romantic journey through the American South in the 1960's. There is so much fascinating detail in this book, reminding us that we do not want to repeat any hate-filled history again in our lifetimes, in this Country or elsewhere.
The follow-up to Steal Away
When a quiet, gentle stranger appears in the small southern town of Lowman, unexplainable phenomena ensue, beliefs shatter, and old customs crumble.
Publication Date: September 28, 2022
Julie W.
J. Patrick Boland’s newest book The Misfit Messiah is a Masterpiece! It’s hilarious and crazy-fun, while at the same time exposing so much racial injustice and religious hypocrisy in America. It creates a fabulous colorful panorama of characters who are SO funny and poignant and beautiful! Any writer who can combine exposing social injustice with a delightful story that you don’t want to end is SO WORTH THE READ.
A forbidden love in a world of inane beliefs and oppressive customs.
Two worlds, side by side, in a small southern town in the late 1960s: one world is hellbent on bringing on “the second coming,” one just wants to live freely. Racism and religion clash; the paranormal goes up against physics; sanity and dogma duke it out; love struggles to sidestep cultural taboos.
Publication Date: October 3, 2021
Historically-Based Novel of a Black woman in the Jim Crow South
Camilla, a black woman in the Jim Crow South, wrestles with her faith and the reality of Bible-justified bigotry.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil.
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power…” The Book of Job
“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Publication Date: December 15, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A tale for our time
In The Land Of Uz represents a major step forward for the author as he moves from YA to adult content. The novel paints an accurate and disturbing portrait of growing up black in the South. The main characters are well-drawn and as a reader, I cared for what happened to them. This novel gave me further insight into the plight of being black in the South and the U S. I had just finished reading Overground Railroad before reading this book and there was much corroboration between the two books. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to further their understanding of racism and bigotry in the South.
The Land of Uz blew me away. The subject is a familiar one, but this story hit me in unexpected ways and really made me think and feel so much. Jane R. Austin, TX
A Dystopian Thriller
The most brutal, repressive regime in the history of the country has seized power: no intellectual, non-white, non-Christian, or gay is safe.
Angie Black is a professor at Georgetown University and the estranged daughter of a world-famous evangelist and “adviser to presidents.” And she’s gay.
After her wife and son are taken from her by “the Party,” Professor Black searches desperately for her abducted son while evading a fanatical administration hellbent on fulfilling prophesy.
Publication Date: June 15, 2019
“Lost was a gripping novel, a real page turner. The most frightening element of this tale is that it is close to what might be happening in our near future. I really cared about the characters and what would happen to them; after a few pages; it was difficult to put the book down. I highly recommend this book.” Don B. Asheville, NC
Just finished the book “LOST” by J. Patrick Boland and I Loved it. WOW. Needs to have a movie made from it. SERIOUSLY. Even though it’s a fantasy, almost a science-fiction like “1984”, so much of it is HAPPENING RIGHT NOW in present-day America. It took a LOT of COURAGE to write this book. BRAVO! Pete S., Austin, TX
Also suitable FOR YOUNG ADULTS
(Book 3 of the Roberta Robbins Series)
The sleepy little town of Lowman was not prepared for the storms that hit it that summer. But Mother Nature was not the only force it had to reckon with. A quiet, strange newcomer would shake this community to its core: Emmanuelle.
Born at midnight during a fierce electrical storm, Emmanuelle possesses powers beyond her control, powers that many in the little town of Lowman feel threatened by.
What is the source of her powers? What is her connection to the mysterious inventor, Nikola Tesla? What is the meaning of her bizarre birthmarks?
In this last of the Roberta Robbins Series, a misunderstood girl of 15 is confronted with age-old superstitions and fears parading as piety. Taunted and blamed, she struggles in vain to live a normal life.
Recommended for 14 and up. Contains some mild profanity, subject matter dealing with sexual orientation, and descriptions of violence.
Publication Date: March 7, 2018
(Book 2 of the Roberta Robbins Series)
(Book 1 of the Roberta Robbins Series)
In a small southern town, four friends - the “Sisters of Sanity” - struggle to solve the mysterious death of a man they never met. Along the way, they confront white supremacists in the guise of teachers, politicians, clergy, and even family members who are ready to battle anyone threatening their wistful and fading way of life.
Recommended for 12 and up. Contains some mild profanity, subject matter dealing with sexual orientation, and descriptions of violence.
Publication Date: September 18, 2017
Media Rich (iBook only)
Molly was a strange girl, a misfit from a small southern town. She lived in her own strange world, where space and time didn't always act according to normal rules, where the impossible just might happen whether you want it to or not.
Numerous readers have described The Mis-Adventures of Molly Fitt as a page-turner and love the surprise ending.
Recommended for ages 12 and up due to scary scenes and mature subject matter such as sexual orientation.
Publication Date: April 5, 2017
Adventures in Sonoris is an action-packed, media-rich iBook full of sounds, images, maps, and music. Two kids enter a portal in their uncle's workshop in search of their missing uncle and enter another world. It is a world of beauty and of danger.
There is a strong educational component within the story, and readers will learn about the physics of sound, the relationships of musical notes, and scientific and geological phenomena.
But mostly, Adventures in Sonoris is about fun and adventure!
Recommended for ages 8 and up: some scenes are a little scary.
Available as iBook only. Not suggested for phone.
Free!
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2015
FREE AUDIO BOOKS FOR EPISODES 1 - 3
45 - 60 MINUTES EACH.
EPISODE 1 The Temple
EPISODE 2 Symphony Swamp
EPISODE 3 Confluence of the Rivers