Love and Other Wounds: Stories — Jordan Harper

Denizens of the shadows who live outside the law -- from the desolate meth labs of the Ozark Mountains to the dog-fighting rings of Detroit to the lavish Los Angeles mansions of the rich and famous -- the characters in "Love and Other Wounds" all thirst for something seemingly just beyond their reach. Some are on the run, pursued by the law or propelled relentlessly forward by a dangerous past that is disturbingly close. Others are searching for a semblance of peace and stability, and even love, in a fractured world defined by seething violence and ruthless desperation. All are bruised, pushed to their breaking point and beyond, driven to extremes they never imagined.

Crackling with cinematic energy, raw and disquieting yet filled with pathos and a darkly vital humor, "Love and Other Wounds" is an unforgettable debut from an electrifying new voice.