Title: Kayla Blaze: A Tale of the New Southwest-or, The Will To Resist
Author: Mark Gooding
Publisher: Authors Press
ISBN: 978-1490764412
Pages: 266
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza

Read Book Review

In a world where we are able to get news instantaneously and opinions often are far more expressed than ever before thanks to social media, the concept of morality is an important aspect to bring into conversations. The world is rarely black and white, but lives in a gray area which makes us stop and question how we approach things. As British socialist, theosophist, women’s rights activist, Annie Besant once said, “The true basis of morality is utility; that is, the adaptation of our actions to the promotion of the general welfare and happiness; the endeavor so to rule our lives that we may serve and bless mankind.”

In author Mark Gooding’s Kayla Blaze: A Tale of the New Southwest-or, The Will To Resist, the author explores the complex question of relationships and sexual encounters between an older person of authority and a younger person. In this case, the story follows an older teacher who meets and begins a relationship with the new, 18-year-old secretary working at the community college where he teaches. Exploring the concept of what constitutes a relationship, consent at such a young age and the trials and tribulations which come with false accusations, the narrative brings a very complex situation to light.

First and foremost, it is very important at this point in our society to begin to have men and women in vulnerable positions to be able to speak out against injustice. The author carefully and creatively explores the fine line between injustice and accusations within this narrative, delving into how the protagonist views another teacher’s trial through an accusation, and how it pertains to his own life. The author also does a great job of exploring academia as a whole, and the cutthroat world that professors and teachers interact with one another and the faculty, no matter how large the school may be.

This is a book for those who enjoy fictional tales that tackle complex topics, and more specifically readers who are not interested in politically correct character personalities. While I myself have always been more drawn to being politically correct, being able to understand and see from another’s point of view allows us as readers to grow.

A unique, creative and evenly-paced read, author Mark Gooding’s Kayla Blaze: A Tale of the New Southwest-or, The Will To Resist is a great conversation starter. The narrative presented showcases just how much of a gray area this very important topic is, and how important it is to really understand the facts of a situation and find a balance of creating an environment where people feel comfortable bringing injustices to light while also making sure the accused have not been falsely accused. This is a true test of morality and how to navigate these issues in the very gray areas of life as a whole.