John J Parrino

Carnal Envy at Valencia High John J Parrino

Hot Latino beauties... High anxiety... A suffocating Sicilian family. Joey doesn't have a chance in hell of becoming a babe magnet until he confronts these adversaries. Best friend Rick - a bona fide hunk - snares Valencia High gals at a dizzying pace, afflicting Joey with a maddening case of 'carnal envy'. The book takes the reader on Joey's hilarious coming-of-age journey: From fighting off Big Nana's desire to force-feed him into a fat kid, and then a bloated opera star to pleasing Pepe, his dad, who wants a major-league 'stud' for a son. The harsh reality is that girls induce his armpits to spit like a rain forest. And Joey is constantly on guard for Tito, pro boxer and school bully, who wants to pulverize him for brushing against his gal Juanita. Finally, he desperately wants a date with head majorette Ophelia, who promises a "maybe" but only when he can dunk a basketball...backwards. Yes...life seems dark and replete with rejection for our pubescent protagonist until he scores a major academic victory. The shocking outcome (to all, but especially his teachers) is an academic triumph that transcends his immigrant parents' wildest dreams. Joey's multicultural story will leave readers inspired, laughing and rooting for the tender-hearted hero.