Title: Consumed in Capital City
Author: N.G. Avant
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher N.G. Avant Creations
Book Blurb
Calista Caldwell, a naive small-town girl, had no idea what awaited her when she landed a job in municipal politics. Join her journey as she navigates the male-dominated political landscape, confronting its harsh realities before the transformative impact of the #MeToo movement.
In January 2010, Calista Caldwell, a fresh journalism graduate, arrives in Capital City. She secures what appears to be an ideal position as a political aide to the seasoned municipal councillor, Ralph Mastronzo.
While Cal grows fond of the community, she grapples with the realities of being a young woman in a male-dominated political arena. Can her dedication to serving the community compensate for the strain on her well-being and personal life?
Join her through a taxing municipal election year that pushes her to her absolute limits.
DISCLAIMER - This novel contains sensitive content related to sexual assault and strong language.
Excerpt
“Why are we not hearing this from Ralph?” I demand. I can feel the heat rising from my toes up to the top of my head and flushing my cheeks.
“Well, I am your chief of staff. What I say goes,” he responds, and he puts his phone down low enough that I can see his screen. It shows a black screen with a red button and an audio track.
“Are you recording us?” I accuse.
“No. Don’t be ridiculous,” Chad responds and pushes a button on his phone, then puts it in his pocket.
“I am pretty sure you were recording us,” I insist, getting up from my chair.
“Sit down,” Chad says sternly.“Excuse me?” I retort.“You heard me. Sit your little cocktease ass down!” Chad says, louder this time. “Don’t talk to her that way!” Petre yells, getting up from his chair.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everybody just needs to calm down,”
Chad says, backing away from me and moving back to the other side of my desk. He pauses, then holds his right hand over his heart.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” Chad declares. Petre sits down. I can’t believe this guy. What a sexist pig! Who says that in an office in 2011? Chad and I lock eyes. I glare at him with all of the fire of ten million suns. Neither of us blinks. I realize that I haven’t taken a breath. I exhale.
“Apology accepted,” I respond as graciously as I can manage.
“Great. Now, one last thing. I need you to give me all the files on the seniors’ village development in Lakeside. I’m taking that over,” he says.
“Okay...” I respond and turn around to pull out the architect drawings from the pile of tubes I have neatly stacked on a bookshelf behind my desk.
“Wayne is fucking furious at us now, and we can’t risk you fucking it up with Nicholas, too,” Chad says.
“What did you say?” I ask quietly.
“All of the bad publicity for Brimstone from those news articles and, you know, the New Year’s thing. Ralph isn’t happy with you about that. You’re lucky you still have a job, honestly. Why couldn’t you just take one for the team?” Chad says, shrugging his shoulders.
Don’t cry in front of him. Don’t give him that power. Don’t do it. I hand him the tube wordlessly while looking him right in the eyes, then storm past him towards the office door.
“Come on, Cali. Don’t get your panties in a twist! I was just joking!” Chad says, and I slam the office door behind me.
Go to the elevators. Calm down. I walk down the hall towards the staff elevators—tears stream down my face. I quickly wipe them away. I scan my badge and hear the click of the security mechanism, then open the door. Nobody is in here. Thank god.
I walk toward the window and stare. I see pedestrians trudging through the newly fallen snow on the sidewalks. Cars slowly make their way down the street. The traffic light goes red. Pedestrians cross the street. I exhale. I can’t work like this. I can’t. I can’t continue to allow myself to be treated like this. Everyone acts like it’s normal. Maybe it is? Am I being too sensitive? No. Petre got pissed also. This isn’t normal. This can’t be normal.
This is toxic. It’s toxic, Cal. Maybe I’m just not cut out for politics. Maybe I was naive in believing elected officials are there for the people’s interest. But for Ralph, a career politician who’s been at this a very long time, the people’s interest seems to be his last priority. It’s for money. It’s for power. It’s for influence. It’s for ego. He has an ego the size of the fucking moon. Are all politicians like this? This can’t be right.
The traffic light turns green. The cars start to move again. Snow lazily drifts down from the sky. Those big puffy snowflakes. The kind where you can see distinct shapes when they land on your coat. The kind that makes the best snowballs. Wet snow.
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Author Biography
Raised in a quaint lakeside town in southern Ontario, N.G. Avant moved to Ottawa, Ontario as a young adult to realize her childhood dream of residing in Canada’s capital, which was built on the traditional un-ceded, un-surrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People. She has a post-secondary education in journalism and worked in municipal politics for more than five years, an experience that sparked the inspiration for her series.
Avant always felt like a misfit among misfits. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she didn’t realize she was neuro-divergent until her 30s. Now, she embraces the many gifts it brings, including her quirky personality.
Avant is a proud intersectional feminist with English, Scottish, and Mexican heritage, she understands the importance of embracing diverse identities and experiences. She believes that we are all connected by our humanity and the human experience.
Avant, is a millennial single mother to three wonderful daughters, has a love of animals, a passion for trusting her intuition, and supporting the creation of a more equitable world where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Avant seeks to highlight the experiences of marginalized communities through her writing. While some progress has been made, there is still more work to be done.
It’s time for change.
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