THE STORYTELLERS BOOK TOUR: Minus One (The Drew Smith Series) by Norwood Holland

Prequel to Sleepless Nights - Book 2

Minus One (The Drew Smith Series) by Norwood Holland 

The long awaited prequel Minus One now available!

"I think Mr. Holland is a remarkable story teller, his knowledge of legal proceedings is on point, and he has a way of making you care about unsavory characters. That takes some skill. If you enjoy legal dramas like The Client and Pelican Brief, you'll love this book! "
Written by Samantha Teal


“This was the first book I've read by the author, but it won't be my last. Norwood Holland 's characters are very well-crafted and pulled me into their tangled web of dramas straightaway. That is especially true of the series' main character, Drew Smith. I laughingly found myself talking to and yelling at him. That alone speaks to the author's remarkable storytelling and mystery-weaving ability, with his legal background shining through. It has lots of twists and turns, with an emotional and satisfying ending.”
Written by Edwina Putney (Amazon Reviewer)

Minus One is the prequel to The Drew Smith Series. Back to the beginning of Drew Smith's legal career this is a retrospective narrative of the attorney’s first case. The recent law school graduate awaiting his bar exam results Drew Smith takes a job as a Concierge in a 5 star hotel, and befriends two bellmen an Arab and a Latino, Medhat, and Julio. Medhat is a spoiled brat estranged from his wealthy father with a penchant for partying, cocaine, prostitutes and barroom brawls. Julio is a smart high school dropout and a former street gang member.

The son of peasant Nicaraguan immigrants he is forced to become the head of household when his father is killed in a construction accident leaving his mother and five siblings without a provider. This eclectic trio form a solid friendship put to the test when Medhat in his overindulgence runs up a drug tab he can't pay. Kidnapped and rescued by Drew and Julio, Medhat becomes a prime suspect when the drug lord is found dead.

All three cope with romantic entanglements. Drew is captivated with the pretty Latina, Nina whose father objects to her dating a Black man. Julio falls head over heels and knocks up Chevy, a lovely Filipina. Medhat has a passion for blondes and night club owner Carol fits the mold perfectly.

Life takes a turn when Drew becomes a member of the bar. Medhat is caught red handed and charged with murder. Drew and Julio sleuth to uncover the real killer. Minus One captures Drew Smith's evolution from youthful indiscretion to a professional burdened with the seriousness of purpose.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Norwood Holland is a freelance writer, lawyer, and author of the Drew Smith legal thriller series based on the capers of an urban trial attorney. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law with a bachelor’s degree in English from Fisk University where he studied under the renowned Harlem Renaissance author Arna Bontemps. Holland favors D.C.'s local color in his fiction and currently writes the blog www.editorialindependence.com devoted to promoting independent authors among other things.

He has served in several government agencies including the National Labor Relations Board and a number of Washington’s top national law firms. In the mid 90s Holland began freelancing for the local media. Recent credits include The Writer Magazine, the Examiner, and Black Literature Magazine.

Following up on the success of Sleepless Nights, the prequel to the Drew Smith Series, Minus One is his latest and Snakehead will issue in the Spring 2014.