In a time that looms around the corner of today, under a gathering storm of tyranny, Zadie Byrd Gray whirls into the life of small town reporter Charlie Rider and asks him to become the voice of the Dandelion Insurrection. With the rallying cry of life, liberty, and love, Zadie and Charlie fly across America leaving a wake of revolution in their path. Passion erupts. Danger abounds. The lives of millions hang by a thin thread of courage, but in the midst of the madness, the golden soul of humanity blossoms . . . and miracles start to unfold Author Rivera Sun creates mythic characters from everyday people. She infuses the story of our times with practical solutions and visionary perspectives, drawing the reader into a world both terrifying and inspiring . . . a world that could be our own.

According to the coal company, young activist and mother Henrietta Owens is a "social terrorist in a hijacked plane" hurtling toward them with a vengeance. Jack Dalton's world faces imminent implosion. His boss screams, Kill her But there's just one problem: every word she says is true . . . and people know it Henrietta, with her baby in her arms, shakes the nation awake with some tough-loving truth about coal, climate change, and the future of humanity. Corporate lawyer Jack Dalton's morality and career collide as a showdown with Henrietta becomes inevitable. The stakes are high: life, death, the extinction of humanity. Jack's wife crosses the line of loyalty, his daughter lectures him on heroism, the Appalachians foment a revolution, and the ghost of John Henry shows up to haunt him. The climate change countdown is ticking. Political pressures heat up. The sleeping giant of the common man awakens with a roar. One question hammers in Jack's ears: what are you going to do? Steam Drills, Treadmills and Shooting Stars sings the anthem of our times, celebrating the everyday hero, and rallying us all to meet adversity with gusto. The novel is alive with robust characters that appeal to environmentalists, soccer moms, students, seniors, and literature lovers alike. The story grabs the social issues of our times by the collar and shakes them hard, but at the same time, the rich metaphor and poetic writing create a soaring tribute to the beauty of the human spirit. This unforgettable book seizes you at the first page and sends you flying out the other side, refreshed, rejuvenated and empowered to change. Have a good read.

This is a story about people just like you, filled with the audacity of hope, the passion of unstoppable love, and the courage of everyone who has ever dreamed of creating a better world. Fact and fiction march hand-in-hand across the American landscape as the ghost of legendary John Henry haunts Jim Dalton, a corporate lawyer for Standard Coal, and Henrietta Owens, activist and mother, wakes up the nation with some tough-loving truth about the environment, the economy, justice and hope. From The Grapes of Wrath to 1984, every era gives rise to a great protest novel; Steam Drills, Treadmills, and Shooting Stars is ours. Author/Playwright Rivera Sun sings the anthem of our times, liberating us from apathy, healing our despairing souls, and rallying us to meet adversity with gusto. If you read one book this year, read this. "Inspires, uplifts and invigorates you "