Genres: Suspense
As an actor, Danny Belson has played many criminal types, but as the prisoner transport bus pulls out of the LA county jail, the realization of his conviction overwhelms him. The irony is that only six months ago he taught an acting workshop at the same institution he is now going to be incarcerated in. Danny had been chosen to take part in California’s answer to New Jersey’s highly acclaimed “Scared Straight” by actually working with the inmates of the Medium Security Federal Prison in Lompoc. In his short stay, Danny made some interesting friends as well as unforgiving enemies.
Utilizing a groundbreaking format, Follow Danny as he goes from a care free beach volleyball loving, pool shooting, actor, who’s only worry is knowing when his next audition will come, to a convicted murderer. Written using flashbacks, with no chapters, learn what a struggling actor goes through, and how, after his incarceration, Danny’s life is turned INSIDE OUT.
For most of my life I was a struggling actor. I appeared on such shows as Mash, WKRP in Cincinnati, and General Hospital. For a short time, I even taught an acting workshop. Today I am a struggling acting coach in Northern California, but back in the mid-seventies I was a recent graduate of the very prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts where I was part of the first graduating class in Los Angeles. After that I joined the ranks of the other sixty thousand would-be stars who acted in showcase plays, occasionally going on professional auditions, and attending weekly workshops. Waiting for that big break I had many survival jobs typical of the actors of the ’70s and ’80s. But sales seemed to offer the only possible way to make a living and contrary to popular belief, I discovered that a salesperson is made not born. In fact, commissioned sales can be almost as frustrating as breaking into show business. I am currently working out of my home, on commission, for a newsletter publishing company. I have been married twice. My first, which ended in divorce gave me my beautiful daughter Shannon. I lost my second wife of ten years to cancer in 2012. Now 63, I currently reside in Northern California with my Yorkie-Poo Toby.
Renee’s Review:
Five Star Review Of Inside Out by Jack Kearney
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
Inside Out is written by Jack Kearney. Mr Kearney is now an acting coach but was for most of his life a struggling actor who had a few roles on tv shows and a soap opera. He also taught a workshop for actors and weekly attended a acting workshop himself. His female teacher of this workshop asked Mr Kearney if he would come along to an improv workshop at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California. It’s from these experiences that Mr Kearney got an idea of what would happen if someone that had been a part of this program was suddenly back inside those prison walls as an inmate? Inside Out is that story. While it’s not a memoir it is from his experiences that he had inside that prison that led to the book and I believe helped to make the book as realistic as it reads.
Inside Out is about a struggling young actor named Danny. Danny is a all American pool shooting, beach volleyball loving, carefree all around genuine nice guy. He’s had a few guest spots and a recurring role on a soap but always hoping and auditioning for his big break. Big break within his hands and a terrible accident lands Danny inside a prison as a convicted murderer. The very prison where he had helped with an improv workshop for the prisoners and has made friends and perhaps an enemy beforehand. Will Danny be able to survive his time until he’s proven innocent? Can he trust the friends he made in the improv workshop to really be friends? Will his enemies be out to get him? Can Danny find it in himself to survive his time inside?
I read this book in a day. I also quickly discovered there are no chapters in the book. . I found it really hard to put down and was so invested in Danny. I liked him and wanted only good things for him. Danny seemed to me to be doing his best in life with what he had. He was kind to everyone, very observant, and a quick learner. When he ends up in prison my heart broke for him but I was glad he was going to prison where he knew some guys from helping with the workshop. His bunk make in the cell seems really nice and tells Danny along with the help of acting guys the ins and out of surviving in prison. Always watch your back and never ever walk anywhere alone. It’s a gritty story that at times had me nearly in tears. My heart broke not only for Danny but for other characters too. You know when your invested and care about guys in prison that the writing is so good your totally sucked in. It will break your heart in places and absolutely shock you in places. I so wanted Danny to come out in one piece and for some of the other guys to have great lives when they were released too. They deserved second chances. We all make mistakes in life but should not let those mistakes define us. Inside those prison walls Danny really struggles but at times seems to fit in . Danny has a enemy inside from a previous incident in the improv workshop who is out for revenge. Danny also draws the attention of someone you want to never notice you (you’ll have to read to see why). My hope through everything that happens is that the Danny’s doesn’t let this define his life as before and after prison Danny.
If you like your books with a very true to life feel; books that have you on the edge of your seat; books that you so engrossed in the whole world melts away, and it’s like watching a move in your head. Inside Out is the book you’re going to not want to miss. I, for one, loved it and hope Mr Kearney writes many more thrilling books.
Barnes & noble
Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/inside-out-84
Smashwords
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