Wildebear, which displays a certain creative – if not deranged – flair, so why choose a name so close to mine for the leader of the Casa Terra? Maybe I should just be flattered by this whole thing. I mean, the main character’s name is Barnabus J. But there are so many names Joe could have chosen. Perhaps I am being narcissistic, and just hanging too much on a name. Though on this front, it’s possible Joe captured my true, heroic nature. (At least, not a thoroughly convincing one.) Finally, I do not lead a group of intrepid humans attempting to defend Earth from alien invasion. That would be the aforementioned “other characteristics.” Where I definitely differ from the character is that I do not have a pencil-thin mustache, and I promise, dear reader, I never will. However, I do remember several references to Rainer’s thinning hair and some other physical features that arguably apply. Again, purchasing this novel in audio form has proved to be a tragic error. What is tuckerized? Tuckerization “is the act of using a person’s name (and sometimes other characteristics) in an original story as an in-joke.” Can I provide you with textual examples of how Joe has so mercilessly tuckerized me? No. Why?” Have I been thoroughly tuckerized by Joe? I suspect so. But every single time I heard Joe say “Rainer” in his read, I had to resist the urge to reply. So what, you say? If I had been reading that name, on paper or on my e-reader, I don’t think it would have been problem. You see, one of the characters is named Gordon Rainer. As I know Joe pretty well, I figured I would hear his voice while I read the book, so I opted to listen to the audiobook version, which is excellent. But let’s start with how I decided to consume this novel. Full disclosure: Joe Mahoney is a friend of mine and we host a podcast together, so I may be a little biased.

A Time and a Place by Joe Mahoney