Book 2

RED IS FOR RAGE

….and rage runs rampant in this small Iowa town in the year of our Lord 2004.

Synopsis

Red Is For Rage Small CoverIn Book Two, we learn more about the exact nature of Tad McGreevy’s paranormal power, Tetrachromatic Super Vision. Can this keen sight help Tad find Stevie Scranton? Will Tad suffer another breakdown from reliving the crimes of serial killer Michael Clay (aka, Pogo, the Killer Clown), as he did when only eight years old? Can Tad learn to harness his special sight to help his loved ones?

When Stevie Scranton goes missing, best friend Tad vows to do everything he can to find him. Even if Stevie is dead, Sally and Earl Scranton, (his parents), and Shannon, (Stevie’s older sister), crave closure. Tad enlists the help of retired policeman Charlie Chandler and a team of volunteers, including Charlie’s old partner, Evelyn Hoeflinger. This rag-tag team of detectives continues searching for Stevie Scranton, the runty misfit of Cedar Falls’ Sky High. In their search, they discover a monster every bit as dangerous as Pogo and must confront him in order to save Stevie.

Tad sees auras around others that tell him whether they are good or evil. The truly evil are surrounded by a khaki aura (THE COLOR OF EVIL). At night, Tad suffers vivid nightmares that depict the crimes of the evil-doers. Michael Clay (the serial killer Pogo) escapes custody. On the loose again, Pogo’s actions restart the vicious cycle of violent nightmares. Pogo poses a threat to the entire town of Cedar Falls, but he is especially a threat to Tad McGreevy.NewPinnacleAward3D2

Pogo has one main goal: kill Tad McGreevy so that Tad cannot disclose Clay’s location. Pogo doesn’t realize that, up until now, Tad has been unable to harness the paranormal ability he possesses. Now, Tad McGreevy must try to learn to use his unique gift. Stevie Scranton’s fate hangs in the balance. Tad’s power, if precognitive, could save everyone he loves.

Jenny SanGiovanni returns from her father’s home in Boulder, Colorado, to finish her senior year with her old classmates. She brings home a new set of problems. Jeremy Gustaffsson, the fifth-year senior boyfriend in Jenny’s junior year, graduated. But Jeremy is still in town, still obsessed with Jenny, still dangerous. When Jenny broke up with Jeremy, it made Jeremy mad. Bad things happen to good people when Jeremy Gustaffsson gets angry and descends into a red rage.

All Jenny’s cheerleader friends from her junior year are back. Many, like Janice Kramer, Heather Crompton and Melody Harris, have problems of their own. Jenny deals with adolescent issues such as self-esteem and self-worth, problems that tax her soul. But Jenny is not alone. Another Sky High student is driven to the brink. Will that individual plunge into the abyss of despair?

And what of the adults? What has the stress of Stevie’s nine-month ordeal done to Earl and Sally Scranton’s marriage? What problems confront the other adults in Cedar Falls as three evil-doers rise up to create chaos and do them harm?

Red Is For Rage

 

What Readers Have Said

[su_quote cite=”William F. Nolan (‘Logan’s Run,’ ‘Nightworlds,’ Living Legend in Dark Fantasy)”]Connie Wilson is back—and the return trip will be a joy to her readers. I’ve praised her work in the past and am happy to repeat the performance here and now. She’s good! She’s damn good! In a world of mainly bad-to-fair writers, she stands above the crowd with plot, description, and strong characters. Believe me, you’ll enjoy her latest! That’s a guarantee! Go Connie![/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”C.A. Webb (“Conversations Book Club”)”]A fantastic tale of good and evil and those in-between…We get the sense that there will be more to come…When something takes hold of you and leads you on a journey full of twists and turns, you might be satisfied but you definitely want to experience it again. Experience it for youself and you’ll see what I mean.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Pete Giglio (“A Spark in the Dark”)”]A scary, entertaining novel dealing with a young person’s supernatural power, bringing Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’ and John Farris’ ‘The Fury’ to mind.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Amazon.co.uk Comments”]After reading the first book in ‘The Color of Evil’ series, I was anxious to crack on with the second. My main question from the first cliff hanger we were left with from that book was, ‘What happened to Stevie Scranton?’. Stevie played a main part in the book ‘Red is for Rage’ and it was satisfying to discover more about this character. There were many instances where I was reading the novel, and the author simply matter-of-factedly snuffed out a main character. I’m not going to give the story away, but one particular character was developed, and I was thinking that the way his story would pan out would be that he would have a happy ending. Never make assumptions in a Wilson book. I was shocked when this character was ‘offed’! This book deals with many, many issues that are prevalent in society today – paedophile rings, self-harming, teenage pregnancy – and even though they are shocking topics, the author deals with them sensitively. This isn’t a book for readers expecting happy endings. The reader is lulled into a false sense of security, and shot down in a matter of fact, abrupt way. The sharp style of writing suits the story perfectly. The book is beautifully written and it was nice to ‘meet up’ with characters I had become familiar with from ‘The Color of Evil’. Pogo – the serial killer from the first book – didn’t take centre stage in this second novel, and I did miss him slightly, but there were enough ‘evil doers’ brought in to keep me satisfied. I especially liked the author’s notes at the end of the book, explaining about the geography about locations mentioned in the book and facts that were quoted in the book. A fabulous read and I can’t wait to read the third book, as yet again the author has left us wondering, ‘What happens next?’

Heart-punding thriller! Violent, but hopeful. “Red is for Rage” is the second book in Ms. Wilson’s “The Color of Evil” series (I also reviewed the first), and I certainly hope that there will be a third entry, because the author hooks us at the end with a cliffhanger, which left this reviewer hungering for more: answers, characters, continuation of the several plots and subplots. As always, Ms. Wilson juggles a large cast of characters, develops each, and keeps plots going on all the burners. If you’re looking for action, it’s here; suspense, it’s here; mystery, romance, adventure, thrills–“Red is for Rage” has them all. Yes, there is graphic violence, so I rate it 18+. Author Wilson also approaches some very painful and tragic real life issues, deals with them smoothly and empathetically; but the fact is, these situations exist, in reality and in this book. They’re not pretty and they are tragic, in process and afterward. Some of the consequences are worked out throughout this story. But Ms. Wilson doesn’t leave us bereft: there is also hope in this novel, hope for a better present and an improved future, for several of the characters we’ve come to know so well.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Michele, Indie Writers Review” url=”https://indiewritersreview.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/red-is-for-rage-by-connie-corcoran-wilson-virtual-author-book-tours/”]Connie Corcoran Wilson’s has become another favorite go-to storyteller. The Color of Evil and Red is for Rage, is reminiscent of a Stephen King novel. Mr. King had a knack of making the all American small town a nest of unimaginable horror. Well, Ms. Wilson has also accomplished that in her tales. . . .This is a story I would suggest be read and experienced personally. The incredible twists and turns the author takes the reader on; the in-depth characterizations that Author Connie Corcoran Wilson employs is exceptional; the reader becomes intimate; with the characters, an affectionate bond grows, with the reader finding those characters in which to root for. Red is for Rage was a good story, disturbing in spots but this was due to the authors skill at creating a very realistic plot line. The story flowed smoothly, the action steady.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Amazon Comments”]Full of mystery, thrills and horror! What more do you want?! This is Connie’s second book in The Color of Evil series. While I haven’t read the first book the second book didn’t confuse me at all and basically caught me up about what was going on and what went on in the first book. I have to say that it was a doozy but in a good way. Connie has a way that sweeps you up and inside the book and carries you from one page to the other as though time has stood still. I read though this book and couldn’t believe what was going on and she left me hanging on every word and detail. I swear if there is not a third book and I am going to be super disappointed because I want to know what happens next. The details that Connie expresses in this book is exceptional and that is what grabs the reader and what puts them smack dab into the middle of the story. This book is full of suspense, mystery, and loads of thrills. I do have to say that there is some graphic violence so I would say this would be an 18+ read but they will love it just as much as the older adults as it keeps you on your toes and completely enthralled in the story. In Red is for Rage, we get to learn more about Tad and his powers as he explores and learns more about them and just what they can do. When it comes to the emotional rollercoaster that we are put through it is pretty rough because Connie talks about some very tragic and emotional issues that I’ve not encountered with a novel before. I’m still reeling over everything that I have encountered with this novel and honestly I am craving more and craving more answers. I totally recommend this book.  -Krystal Willingham

Heart-pounding Thriller, Violent but Hopeful “Red is for Rage” is the second book in Ms. Wilson’s “The Color of Evil” series (I also reviewed the first), and I certainly hope that there will be a third entry, because the author hooks us at the end with a cliffhanger, which left this reviewer hungering for more: answers, characters, continuation of the several plots and subplots. As always, Ms. Wilson juggles a large cast of characters, develops each, and keeps plots going on all the burners. If you’re looking for action, it’s here; suspense, it’s here; mystery, romance, adventure, thrills–“Red is for Rage” has them all. Yes, there is graphic violence, so I rate it 18+. Author Wilson also approaches some very painful and tragic real life issues, deals with them smoothly and empathetically; but the fact is, these situations exist, in reality and in this book. They’re not pretty and they are tragic, in process and afterward. Some of the consequences are worked out throughout this story. But Ms. Wilson doesn’t leave us bereft: there is also hope in this novel, hope for a better present and an improved future, for several of the characters we’ve come to know so well. – Mallory Anne-Marie Haws

“Red is for Rage” is the second book in ‘The Color of Evil’ series. Connie continues the story where it left off but we learn more about Tad’s powers. A nicely flowing plot that will hook you in from the beginning. A must read for all adult readers who love the thrill of horror. – My Cozy Corner

Eerie and captivating. I liked that this second book paid more attention to the characters of Tad, Stevie, Jenny and Janice. We get to learn more about what drives each of them and how they they interact with each other and the adults around them. It also made me care about them. I was particularly drawn to Stevie and Janice.
Red is for Rage is a work of fiction, but Ms. Wilson has included a number of references and statistics that are true. Be sure to read her end notes for those details.
There are a number of stories lines that are left hanging, and are begging for completion. The loathsome Principal Peter Puck,; realtor Andra SanGiovanni, Jenny’s mom; and what about Jenny herself. She has some unresolved issues.
I didn’t find this book as scary/creepy as I did The Color of Evil, it was more eerie. I knew that something was going to happen, I just didn’t know what or when. Ms. Wilson introduced a number of side stories that each could have been the ‘big one’. Again, I found myself wanting to continue reading to find out which of these stories would develop furthest. I wasn’t able to complete the reading in one sitting, but I was back up early in the morning to finish.  – Heather Pearson

Wondering what has become of Tad and Stevie? Did Pogo fade away or is he back for more havoc? If you were a fan of Color of Evil, then Red is For Rage will be like visiting old friends. But, these friends are in peril and the results are not predictable. Now, the wait is on for book three.  – Sharon A. Mitchell[/su_quote]

But wait, there’s more!

The story doesn’t end there.