HighPockets and the Blue Guitar - James V. McMillan

For the past decade, I've dedicated myself to crafting two interconnected sagas, both written in epic verse: one set in ancient times and the other in modern-day San Francisco. Despite their distinct settings, both sagas share a common plot and are grounded in realism; there are no elements of magic, dragons, potions, or curses. Currently, I have 12 books of these sagas already written and typed into my computer, with an additional half dozen handwritten and ready for transcription. Moreover, I've produced a substantial volume of Shakespearean material, although I make no claims regarding its quality, focusing instead on its sheer quantity. At present, I am diligently working on the final volume of these sagas.

The first saga, "The Journal of Taranis the Helvetian," transports readers to the brutal and tumultuous ancient Gallic Wars against Julius Caesar and the Romans. It follows the journey of a young warrior named Taranis and his love, Kashana, as they navigate the perilous landscape of war, evading death on a daily basis while grappling with loyalty, betrayal, and the intricacies of life and death.

In contrast, the second saga, "HighPockets and the Blue Guitar," delves into the modern-day experiences of a young man growing up in San Francisco. Central to the narrative is his profound bond with his older sister, affectionately nicknamed HighPockets, who rescued him from darkness in his childhood. The saga traces his evolution as he confronts spirituality, sexuality, and personal identity, embarking on a tumultuous journey that includes romantic encounters, daring adventures, and moral dilemmas. From a summer of love with a courtesan to a harrowing stint as an exchange student in Spain, and eventually, serving as a Marine sniper in the Middle East Wars, his experiences are both triumphant and devastating. Upon his return to San Francisco, he faces a formidable cartel lord and becomes entangled in a high-stakes trial reminiscent of the O.J. Simpson case.

In essence, both sagas are characterized by my signature style of Epic Verse, which seamlessly weaves together themes of family, romance, adventure, warfare, love, honor, and betrayal. And this description merely scratches the surface of their complexity and depth.