Fresh Historical Fiction by Award-Winning Author
BK Pruitt
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2025 Awards:
Accolades & Editorial Reviews:
AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS:
2025 WINNER for MULTICULTURAL & DIVERSITY
- The annual American Fiction Awards (AFA) are a specialized book awards program dedicated to honoring excellence in fiction. Fiction books have the potential to be turned into interactive e-books, television and movie programs, video games, graphic novels, web series, and so much more
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INTERNATIONAL IMPACT BOOK AWARDS:
2025 WINNER for CULTURAL IMPACT
- At the International Impact Book Awards, our judges and experts review submissions based on a scoring system that evaluates the quality of the writing and production of the book (editing, design, and other details), not against competing titles.
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LITERARY TITAN
2025 WINNER FOR FICTION:
- The Literary Titan Book Awards are given to books and authors that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. Awards are given out to the best books reviewed through our book review service. These books deserve extraordinary praise, and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing skills of talented authors.
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Five-Star Review by Literary Titans:
"Girl Bait blends historical drama with a gritty present-day thriller. It opens in 1837, Alton, Illinois, where a young boy witnesses the violent death of abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy at the hands of a mob. This harrowing prologue sets a tone of danger and moral conflict that carries into the modern timeline, where paramedics, cops, and shadowy operatives are drawn into a tangled web of crime, exploitation, and survival. The narrative alternates between past and present, linking threads of courage, corruption, and human vulnerability across centuries.
I found the writing to be sharp and visual, with scenes that sometimes feel like a camera panning over raw, unvarnished reality. The pacing swings between fast and methodical, letting you breathe just long enough before the next burst of action. The historical passages have a somber weight to them, and they stick in the mind. The modern storyline is blunt, unapologetic, and often brutal, yet it’s grounded by moments of humanity like small gestures and flashes of conscience that make the darkness hit harder.
At times, the bluntness can be jarring. The violence is graphic, the language is rough, and the moral lines are deliberately blurred. Personally, I appreciated that the book doesn’t sand down the edges. Life in this world, whether in 1837 or in the back alleys of Oakland, isn’t tidy. Still, there were moments where the intensity made me pause, not because it was bad, but because it demanded space to digest. The character work is strong, especially in how Pruitt shows both flaws and virtues without telling you what to think.
Girl Bait is an intense and layered read for those who like their thrillers gritty and their history more than just a backdrop. It will appeal to readers who can handle graphic realism and who value moral complexity over neat resolutions. If you want a book that entertains while leaving you unsettled in all the right ways, this one delivers."
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Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite:
"Once this heart-pounding page-turner draws you in, it is relentless, only loosening its grip after the final word. Weaving an intriguing plot, BK Pruitt effortlessly unfolds the storyline on a multi-perspective timeline, introducing readers to an exciting, dynamic cast. As the plot slowly picked up pace, the edge-of-the-seat suspense and jaw-dropping plot twists hooked me.
The evocative cinematic depictions brought the scenes to life on the pages. It felt like watching a Hollywood crime thriller. I got carried away in a whirlwind of grime, crime, money, sex trafficking, power, survival, love, reunions, murder, hand-to-hand combat, crime bosses, hitmen, and more.
The conversations were sharp and lively and kept shifting from upbeat to urgent and tense. These gave depth to the cast’s conflicts, intricate emotions, and complex traits. BK Pruitt’s “Girl Bait” is the perfect pick for lovers of gripping, action-packed crime thrillers with a blend of adventure and mystery."
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Reviewed by American Writing Awards:
In Girl Bait, BK Pruitt delivers a multi-layered thriller that blends historical intrigue with contemporary suspense, creating a story that is chilling. The novel opens with a harrowing scene in 1837 Illinois, where Presbyterian minister Elijah Lovejoy is caught in the crossfire of a violent mob of pro-slavery activists. His death, tied to a mysterious bloody frock, links the past to the future, propelling the story forward into a world of international intrigue.
The novel leaps forward nearly two centuries to Alton West, a war hero returning from Afghanistan, seeking peace and normalcy in the aftermath of personal tragedy. His quiet life is disrupted when fate brings him together with Odessa, a powerful woman driven by a quest for redemption. Together, they embark on a high-stakes mission to confront a ruthless international tyrant who profits from the abduction of children. As Alton and Odessa follow a trail of dark clues, they uncover secrets that tie back to the 1837 murder, forcing them to reckon with the ghosts of the past and their own moral dilemmas.
Pruitt’s storytelling is taut. The parallel narratives—spanning from the violent events of 1837 to Alton and Odessa’s race against time in the present—are woven together in a way that keeps the reader on edge. The historical backdrop, marked by the abolitionist struggle and Lovejoy’s tragic death, is a huge part of the storyline.
Alton, as a character, is a classic example of a tortured hero—his experiences in Afghanistan have left him scarred, and he seeks solace in solitude. His connection with Odessa, a woman whose past is as complicated as his own, provides an emotional anchor to the story. Odessa is a formidable figure. Their evolving relationship is at the heart of the novel, offering moments of vulnerability amid the relentless suspense.
Pruitt excels in crafting scenes that draw the reader in. From the quiet moments of reflection to the heart-pounding chases, every scene has tension. The action sequences are vivid, while the psychological complexity of the characters’ decisions provides a framework that questions the true cost of revenge.
Pruitt’s ability to weave a historical event into a contemporary thriller is impressive. With unexpected twists and a heart-pounding pace, Girl Bait is a recommended read. However, I will mention, readers should be prepared for the intense themes of stalking, emotional manipulation, and child abduction, which may be triggering for some.
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Reviewed by AuthorsReading.com
In Girl Bait, BK Pruitt masterfully intertwines historical and contemporary narratives to explore the relentless fight against slavery-both past and present. This independent novel, published in 2025, is not only a gripping thriller but also a poignant reflection on humanity's ongoing struggles against injustice.
The novel opens with a harrowing prologue set in Alton, Illinois, on November 7, 1837. Here, Pruitt vividly illustrates a volatile scene rife with tension as abolitionists defend a newly acquired printing press belonging to the Presbyterian minister Elijah Lovejoy, who ardently opposes slavery. The author's attention to historical detail and the inclusion of real figures like Lovejoy and Winthrop S. Gilman create a rich, immersive backdrop. The emotional weight of Lovejoy's tragic fate and the consequent vow made by his brother, Owen Lovejoy, resonates throughout the narrative, linking the fight for freedom in the 1830s to the modern day.
Fast forward to present-day San Francisco Bay Area, the story follows Alden Ackerman, a former male model now entrenched in recruiting young women for a sinister child traƯicking operation. The plot takes a sharp turn after Alden's motorcycle accident involving a teenage girl named India, triggering a series of suspenseful events. Alton West, a paramedic with a mysterious past, emerges as a pivotal figure, delving into the dangerous world of organized crime to uncover the truth behind India's fate.
Pruitt's character development shines through in Alton and Odessa Ansari, India's sister. Odessa, armed with combat skills and an indomitable spirit, embodies resilience and strength. Their journey, marked by peril and unwavering commitment to justice, is both compelling and relatable. The father-daughter dynamic between Alton and Gershwin West adds emotional depth, revealing layers of personal struggle amidst chaos.
One of the novel's most striking elements is its exploration of the parallels between historical and modern slavery. Pruitt powerfully reveals that while overt slavery has changed, the pervasive issue of traƯicking remains. The author doesn't shy away from portraying violence and trauma, but each scene serves to highlight the harsh reality of a societal scourge that persists and is far from eradicated.
The writing style is engaging, with a suspenseful quality that propels the reader through the twists and turns of the narrative. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that the tension remains high, especially during pivotal moments such as the climactic confrontation in New Orleans. Pruitt skillfully balances action with emotional beats, maintaining a strong connection to the characters' motivations and desires.
Girl Bait is not just a thrilling read; it is a clarion call for awareness and action against child traƯicking and modern slavery. BK Pruitt seamlessly weaves historical narrative with contemporary issues, oƯering readers a story that is both entertaining and impactful. The book concludes with a sense of hope and resilience as Alton and Odessa look to the future, reminding us that while challenges remain, the fight for justice must continue.
In combining a gripping narrative with a powerful message, Pruitt's Girl Bait is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking exploration of society's struggles and the enduring human spirit.
Girl Bait, by BK Pruitt
- A Gripping Historical Suspense: A prologue set in Illinois in 1837 illustrates the brutal murder of a Presbyterian preacher by a mob of pro-slavery activists. The single event shocks the nation and elevates a U.S. president, two decades before the Civil War.
- A Hero’s Journey Today: War veteran Alton West returns from Afghanistan seeking peace but finds his path intertwined with Odessa, a fierce woman on a mission for redemption.
- A High-Stakes Chase: Together, Alton and Odessa confront an international tyrant exploiting abducted children. They must race against time as powerful forces try to stop them by any means necessary.
- Themes of Loyalty and Redemption: The pair face haunting shadows from the past, forcing them to decide if some histories should be uncovered or left behind.
Stories That Blend Suspense With Depth
BK Pruitt writes stories that thrive at the intersection of heroic suspense, and grounded reality. Renowned for crafting compelling fiction with layered characters and richly imagined settings, he brings a sharp edge and emotional depth to every book anchored by actual historical events.
Step Into Gripping Narratives
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BK Pruitt
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