In his debut collection of stories, Jensen Beach's characters discover what it means to be individuals, colleagues, husbands and fathers in a world that too often complicates the best intentions with sabotage and subterfuge. What's most striking about these narratives is the protagonists' ability to continually make right, difficult decisions despite being placed in challenging, dangerous situations. Readers will delight in Beach's powerful, deft prose, and the surprising warmth that radiates from his people. Each story is a robust chronicle that churns and evolves and offers glimpses into fully-realized lives. To say this marks the arrival of a gifted author is true but somehow misses the mark, as the maturity and sincerity that pulses throughout this collection signals a writer whose many talents have been carefully developed and honed.