Title
Shakedown
Author(s)
Paul Duarte
Publisher
First Amendment Publishing, 2012, 135 pages
My Review
As a friend of Paul Duarte, I can say that he has never done anything small. He pushes the boundaries beyond expectation in everything he does. Even his physical disability hasn’t slowed him down. Shakedown, is no exception. This is a book that will, no doubt, cause a lot controversy. Duarte is a newbie in the book writing world, but shares his own incredible true story very well. It is a tale of one man’s strength through the overwhelming trauma and aftermath of the murder of a dear friend. The story leads you through, as the cover says; murder, police deceptions, lies and extortion. You will get a glimpse of what it feels like to see an investigation from the inside view of a murder suspect. It’s a view of authorities who will stop at nothing, including the law to get their man; except it’s the wrong man! You will be left with your mouth dropped open in shock at the lengths some will go to in order to make a situation turn out the way they want it to. Shakedown is exciting and will leave your heart thumping! The most incredible part is that Paul Duarte comes through it all still holding onto his faith.
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| My Over-all Rating |
Author Interview
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| Author, Paul Duarte |
WM: In the publishing world, you are still considered a new author. Tell the world a little about yourself; and about your Christian background.
PD: Yes, I am new in this business, however sheer determination and will power keeps me motivated and moving forward. I am a perpetual student of life, theology and human behaviour. I have studied at such Institutions as the University of Toronto, Humber College, Canada Christian College and Hope for Tomorrow Theological Studies (where I taught theology for two years). I was born a Catholic, but evolved into a Pentecostal and eventually into the Church of Philadelphia.
WM: Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that story?
PD: Shake down is a story of a real life drama, which took place in the summer of 2009 / 2010. A story of the brutal murder of a friend and neighbor in Opasatika, ON, Canada. It is a story of a vicious, cold and calculated murder of a man trying to make a living as a taxi driver. It is a story of highly illegal shenanigans the police are capable of in order to get answers. In this day and age of High Speed Internet and High Tech Forensics, a murderer walks free. The story takes place within an approximate radius of a thousand kilometer or so. Ranging from its centre of Kapuskasing ON to Toronto and as far as Kitchener, ON. This is a story of entrapment (a highly illegal activity used by the police), where the police will pose as the Mafia, vigilantes and your friends. A story of betrayal by close friends and people you thought were close to you. People you socialized with party with and never thought that they would sell you out. A story of how the police ruin one’s own life without cause or evidence, and how friends will easily turn against you. A story of how someone’s life gets turned upside down, simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Someone perhaps like you!
WM: Your book is very controversial. So much that you started your own publishing company to publish it because other companies will not take the risk. Why are you willing to take the personal risk associated with this book?
PD: I am willing to take the risk, because stories like these need to told. The public has a right to know, what goes on behind the scenes of law enforcement and those who are suppose to uphold justice, freedom and liberty for its citizens. I am willing to take the risk because the story hits home and people need to know that my story could just as easily happen to them or anyone else.
WM: How will you avoid law suits for things such as deformation of character, infringement on privacy, or worse?
PD: By faith! and because I have nothing to lose if you read the book, you will know why.
WM: Many will question portions of this book. How much of the book is fact? Have you embellished any of the facts?
PD: It is ALL fact. Some of it is clear, some of it by deduction.
WM: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
PD: I want my readers to know that what they are reading, could of just as easily be them they are reading about.
WM: Who has supported you the most through this project?
PD: I would have to say my ex, Tammie; since, even though she was not involved in any way, the police made it their business to put her life through hell as well.
WM: What do you wish was different about the book?
PD: Nothing! I am telling it like it is. How it happened to the best of my recollection.
WM: What is the hardest part of writing for you? The hardest part of writing this particular book?
PD: The hardest part was reliving the story over and over.
WM: What was your favorite part of the book?
PD: I really don't have a favorite part, however the sting operations were definitely the most interesting.
WM: How did you come up with the title?
PD: "Shakedown" is a term used by the police when they try to rattle a suspect for answers.
WM: What are some of your best discoveries as you lived this story? As you wrote the book?
PD: I discovered how the police can stoop to illegal activities such as entrapment to try to get answers and that those who have swore to protect us can't always be trusted.
WM: What discoveries did you make about his writing process and the publishing world?
PD: The publishing world will not publish anything unless it is sugar coated even if the story takes place in a different country. Thereby censoring freedom of speech and in the US, their first amendment. They want to play it safe even though, it is not their words and they did not write the book!
WM: Tell us your latest news?
PD: We have started our own publishing company, We believe that censorship is an infringement to the first amendment in the US and freedom of speech in Canada. So this is why we do not have a legal department as most conventional publishing companies do. We believe that "we" the people need to take back responsibility for our own actions and our own freedoms. Without "Freedom" there is no "Liberty." Without liberty there is no freedom.
WM: What are you working on now?
PD: I am working on a romance novel of a man that traveled halfway around the globe in search of true love and happiness but never quite reaching it. The name of the novel is "On The Edge Of Paradise."
WM: What book(s) are you reading now?
PD: I haven't had much time to read lately with all these projects on the go, but I am trying to read a book by David C Pack entitled "Where Is The True Church"
WM: Where can people purchase your book?
PD: At this moment the book is only available on line on our website www.duarteandassociates.com, however when the book goes live probably late March, 2012 it will be available at:
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Chapters-Indigo
- and most book stores.
