These are some of my favorite endorsements for Lords: Part One. OK, some aren't endorsements, but they still make this page. There's more on the way. So keep checking back!
"Lords is a hallucinatory vision of Bakersfield's shocking real-life secret. Both brilliant and bizarre, Belardes' is an exciting new literary voice and one that is not afraid to speak the truth." Brenda Knight, Vice President, Palace Press
"Lords Part one is so freaking interesting and well-written with characters you can't believe actually exist, but on second thought...yeah, you will believe it..." - Robin Slick, Author of Three Days In New York City
"Hands down, N.L. Belardes is one of the most fearless writers around today. His prose has teeth. Big teeth. And he's not afraid to bite down into any topic, tear away the fat, and reveal it for what it really is. "Lords Part One" is a fine example of that type of carnage. And oh what a beautiful carnage it is." - Rich Ferguson, Spoken Word Performer, Where I Came From
"Belardes has stirred up controversy by exposing the dregs of the Bakersfield barrel despite the determination of the Fog to hide it." - G.L. Giles, Author of V3: The Vampire Vignettes ReVamped
"The Lords mythology, set in a hot, isolated valley town just hours from Hollywood cesspools, defines Bakersfield almost as much as the music of Buck Owens or Merle Haggard. If N.L. Belardes hadn’t given Bakersfield the noir novel it richly deserves, then who would have done it? The only way to write this book is to believe in the conspiracy, fear the conspiracy, and then write it anyway. You’re only bound to make as many enemies as you are to gain readers." - Howard Owens, Director Of Interactive Media, Gatehouse Media
“In the tradition of classic underground pulp, Belardes “Lords” takes you on a disturbing trip through small town America, introducing you to a bizarre cast of twisted characters that may eerily remind you of your own neighbors…creepy shit, I loved it!” – Matt Munoz, Editor, Bakotopia magazine
"First the fog enveloped everything, and I could feel the cold..." - Julie Jordan Scott, Writer, Life Coach
"N.L. Belardes weaves the fog of humanness into a novel of boyhood decay." - Tony Blanche, A.K.A Don Ackland
"Throughout this novel the mystical fog shrouds truth, but Belardes employs it as a powerful metaphor, an omnipresence of what Bakersfield loves, hates and fears, and ultimately what Bakersfield holds to its moral canon." - Tara Alire, Journalist
"...pushes into darker areas of our community's psyche, writing about the political and social storms of our past..." - Gary Enns, Creative Writing Professor, Cerro Coso
"Lords: Part One will make you question what's really going on around you." - Matildakay.com
"Those familiar with the history and people of Bakersfield, California are sure to have their perceptions altered..." - M. Valline
"N.L. Belardes reveals insight and considerable intellect, and perhaps just a touch of dark humor." - The Bulletin Broad
"...a wild-eyed conspiracy theorist." - Robert Price, Columnist, Bakersfield.com
"Gumstick novel." - Danielle Belton, Entertainment Reporter
"...will force you to see Bakersfield the way you never really wanted to." - Stacie
