Never Ignore Monica by Jim Lively
What if you suddenly discover that people who are a major part of your life may have never existed?
Meet Simon Steed, a brilliant but reclusive attorney. Throughout his adolescence, he discovered that he possessed special powers. When provoked, these powers could wreak havoc on unsuspecting targets. While attending college, Simon met a beautiful young classmate, named Monica. He was instantly smitten with her. No sooner than she entered his life, than she disappeared. Simon was heartbroken and crushed when different media outlets reported her as a suicide victim. But the facts did not add up. The picture of the suicide victim was not of Monica but her sinister roommate. Where is Monica?
After graduating near the top of his class in law school, Simon interviewed with every major law firm in Dallas. Despite his stellar academic credentials, there was something about him that deterred any firm from offering him employment. Simon had no choice but to begin his law career as a struggling sole practitioner. To make ends meet, he took court appointed cases in the various criminal courts in Dallas County. Several of his clients committed violent acts after meeting with him. One day, he was appointed to represent a young, troubled woman named Carol. That is when Simon’s life changed forever.
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Author Bio:
After practicing law for many years, Jim decided to pursue his passion full time as a visual artist, film maker and author. He received the 2016 Merrimack Media Outstanding Writer Award for his second novel, Punitive Damages. Arbitrary and Capricious is the fourth novel in a series. Choking on the Splinters is the third novel in a series, a Global Book Bronze Award winner for Mystery and Suspense. Surreal Absurdity, also a Global Book Bronze Award winner is a sequel to his novel, Aberrant Behavior.
His artwork and art films have been recognized in numerous juried competitions, publications and film festivals. He has exhibited his artwork in several group and solo exhibitions across North America and Europe.
Eighteen of Jim’s films have been selected to various film festivals around the world. His art film, The Soul of Vinyl, Abbey Road Side 2. screened at the 2016 New York City Independent Film Festival. Jim’s film, The Case of the Deranged Sommelier won Best Experimental Film in the 2016 Directors Circle of Shorts Film Festival and the 2017 Lion’s Head Film Festival. His film, Still Mad as Hell screened at the 2017 New York City Independent Film Festival. His film, It’s Gonna Disappear screened at the 2021 New York Flash Film Festival. His latest film, Top Secret and Not So Confidential was selected as a Semi-Finalist in the 2023 San Jose Independent Film Festival.
Jim’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and Level One Wine Sommelier Certification from the International Wine and Spirits Guild.