Malibu Motel
by Chaunceton Bird

An unbelievable true story about the colossal cost of free cash and misplaced hope in the American dream.

Based on the incredible true story of a hapless lottery winner, Malibu Motel is a raw, timeless novel exploring the undercurrents of capitalism. Caish Calloway is struggling to maintain a stake in the land of limitless privilege. Blinded by pride and fueled by greed, Caish is slave to the wiles of a moneyed mind, as only one who has tasted wealth's powerful fruit can be.

'A stunning and visceral look into the high stakes world of big money and the risks taken by the wealthy elite.' Anthony Avina, Edge of Sanity

Reviews:
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This was a brilliant literary novel that takes a close look at how greed and money can change a life, but not always for the better. We learn a lot about how Caish's mind works, and watching them as the novel progressed and the things they were willing to do to maintain a certain way of life was a deep dive into the human psyche. Caish could quite literally be almost anyone, and it's easy to see how going from struggling to survive to having the world at your fingertips thanks to a large influx of cash could change someone, especially with the way things are in America today. A brilliant book, and the story it contains will stay with you after you finish reading, a haunting warning of how quickly things can change. ~ Liliyana Shadowlyn (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Malibu Motel is the true story of how one goes from winning the lotto to hitting rock bottom. The struggle is real from bank robbery to heroin addiction to finally serving time in a federal penitentiary. What a story! ~ Ily Renfroe (Media), NetGalley

.................This is a really interesting story about a unique but not impossible premise: how do you live your life after you win the lottery? Bird creates a character full of hubris who sees the win not as luck but as destiny and something that was earned through hard work and perseverance. However, Caish’s overconfidence and entitlement are ultimately his downfall and Bird explores how capitalism, materialism and even religion play a part in Caish’s undoing. One thing that Bird really excelled at was dramatic irony, and the audience can see Caish’s mistakes coming a mile a way. Bird also explores the mental gymnastics Caish performs to absolve themselves of any personal responsibility for their failings whatsoever. Anyone reading this will immediately be reminded of a Caish that they know. I really enjoyed that Bird added to the mystery and the universality of the story by withholding many of the personal attributes of his characters, in particular gender.......... ~ Angharad Lodwick/ Tinted Edges , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. ......This story is completely immersive. It will legit blow your mind. I kept my husband fully informed of every twist and turn of this book and I’ve NEVER done that before. I HAD to discuss this with someone. A crazy, wild journey that will leave you speechless. One of my top 10 books of the year.. ~ Dianna Setterfield (Reviewer), NetGalley

........This book was engaging and the plot was well written, I flew through this book! ~ Molly Walker (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Well written and interesting story! Based on a true story and at times fiction as I understand that some things were added. What can happen if you ever win the lottery and make bad decisions...You can have it all.... and lose it all...It's dark, deep, enjoyable, interesting until the end. Different to what I usually read and it was good! You keep turning the pages to see what happens next.... ~ Maryline D (Reviewer), NetGalley

An extraordinary, cautionary tale of how not to lead your life when you become wealthy overnight. Based on a true story which makes the story more compelling, this is a gripping read which should be read by all get rich quick entrepreneurs. Sad and entertaining at the same time - a real roller coaster of rags to riches and back. Read it -you won't regret it. ~ Umar Belai (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This is a chilling look at what happens to people whose primary motivation in life is money. Having not just a comfortable income and assets, but becoming one of the 1%. It is a cautionary tale of what happens when having an over-abundance of wealth....... When there can never be enough and one is always, always wanting more and never satisfied with enough. There never IS enough. And that is a dark, dark place.

I imagine all of us have fantasized about winning a huge lottery. Of millions and millions of dollars. This is the story of someone who did win that lottery and how his life was turned upside down by the influx of more money than he knew what to do with........This is a very well-written book. The character’s life is a dark story since he is a slave to money..........This was a very fascinating story despite being so dark. Kudos to the author and best of luck to him. ~ Anneke Van Couvering (Reviewer), NetGalley

"The love of money is the root of all evil”. This gritty novel brilliantly takes the reader for a ride through the streets of Los Angeles. As an LA resident, this book captures the wealth disparity and landscape of the city flawlessly. Although this book may not be for everyone— if you can hang on, this one will be one you’ll never forget. Chaunceton has a unique ability to transport the reader into the protagonist’s dark mind. Bonus: plenty of jaw dropping shock moments, some unexpected laughs, and a haunting ending. Well done. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ~ Katherine Christen (Reviewer), NetGalley

Written by Chaunceton Bird, Malibu Motel follows the rich, the kind who are only concerned with money, and what happens as it slips away, faster and faster.

When you don't understand the value of money, understand how to keep it and that, yes, you don't have any debt, but you also don't understand how to grow your money, you are setting yourself up for disaster. This is a cautionary, terribly dark tale.

And I mean dark and depraved. This isn't a story you read to your children at night. This is a story I would recommend only to a few, those brave enough to delve into the dark.

The writing reflects that. It isn't the best writing, but it is done, I think, to convey the actual state of the main character. Written in first person, the writing does change, and honestly from the first page you know something is wrong with our protagonist, Caish Calloway. From the way Caish views the world, how Caish does his research (WIKIPEDIA IS NOT ENOUGH), to even how Caish self-regards as: "Rich." Caish doesn't listen to the educated accountant who manages Caish's money when she tells Caish, simply, to stop spending. Caish is so prideful of having no debt, yet can't seem to stop spending.

There are lessons to be had in this novel. I would never recommend it for children or for anyone with a week constitution. Or any one who is very Christian and doesn't like to stray from those ideals.

This is, in all honesty, a cautionary horror tale. It isn't a horror from the point of Steven King and straight fantasy, this is a horror of what people are willing to do. And the fact that, the end of this novel, may be based on something that actually happened is indeed horrifying. ~ Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Wow! What a read! What an ending! I don't believe I've ever read a book that made me want to reach out to the main protagonist as much as this one. For the first part of the story we are introduced to Caish Calloway. (We never learn if Caish is a man or woman but for this review I'll go with male) Caish is rich, filthy stinking rich. He can afford the best things in life - the best cars, the big house in a prestigious post code, he gets invited to the best parties and he believes this is what life is all about - extravagance. He is rich beyond our imagination and actually his own too. We are led to believe that hard work and grit have afforded this lifestyle when in fact we find out Caish actually won the lottery - over 100 million! Suffice to say Caish has no way of understanding the enormity of this sum of money. He's not very savvy even though he believes he is. As you read you find that Caish is actually very naive. A few bad investments are made and we see the consequences of these bad decisions and the downward spiral they take Caish' s life. He talks about his dwindling bank balance but as long as he can keep up the payments on his houses and cars , the drugs ans women he'll be fine, his luck will change and he'll be on the up in no time but despite his best efforts we see his descent continue. He downsizes, offloads some cars and decides he is going to invest the remains of the winnings. He had made some good investments before on start up businesses, stocks and shares and he has a good feeling about Green Mountain. He decides to invest a colossal 35 million dollars however, the 'investment' is actually a scam and he loses it all. Now we see a whole different person emerge. One who has difficulty facing reality, one whose perception of happiness has changed. In Caish' s books money = happiness. We see his desperation to cling onto a life he clearly can't afford. We see his relationships dwindle with his so called friends. In all of this I really enjoyed the authors voice even though Caish' s thought process isn't rational you can't help but be taken on an emotional rollercoaster with him and when he is really down on his luck you really feel for poor chap. This is fantastic, thought provoking read that will remind you of the 7 sins mostly greed, ego and pride. An accomplished and well executed debut novel. ~ Kiren Parmar, NetGalley

Exquisite is an understatement. The pace catches the reader and drags them into murky events that will leave anyone beyond exasperated—only to find more unsorted complications and rapid plot twists. With unbound thrills, Malibu Motel is nothing short of an action-packed Hollywood thriller. Intelligently narrated with first hand information, this novel based on a true story can easily be any reader's pick of the season. ~ Tee Wai, Biblichor

This book is not what you want if you are looking for a touchy feely, heartwarming and uplifting read. But if you want to be enthralled by a character with unremitting self-centeredness and greed, who is not saved by romantic love or a come-to-Jesus moment, I am sure you will enjoy Motel Malibu as much as I did. ~ Margaret Gust, NetGalley

Malibu Motel, by Chaunceton Bird, is a novel of wealth and loss based on a true story. Caish Calloway, who won over $100 million in the California Lottery, has a problem: Caish's wealth is waning. A twenty-million dollar house, car collection, Jackson Pollock, and several companies and making ends meet is still a challenge. Money means little to those who do not earn it, although Caish does think playing the lottery is working. With little thought, money is spent and tipped away. Ignoring the advice of an accountant, Caish takes a chance with a hedge fund. Here is where the story begins... ~ Joseph Spuckler, Evilcyclist

Loosely based on actual events, this story delves into the mind of a post-lottery winner as he rides the roller coaster of life after instant unimaginable wealth. Caish Calloway is the first-person protagonist, explaining his logic (or lack thereof), of his numerous spur-of-the-moment expensive decisions and exposing his extremely narcissistic image of himself. You want to dislike him but its so much fun watching him self-destruct as each new phase of his quickly diminishing way of life. Is it truly a blessing to win the lottery? Do we really want this “amazingly great luck” to befall us? Probably not after listening to Caish. ~ Catherine Thomas (Reviewer), NetGalley

I particularly liked the gender-neutral language of the book. We have no idea what gender Caish and their lovers are, but it's done in such a subtle way that it doesn't interfere with the story at all. Overall, this is a chronicle of an absolute dumpster fire of a life and it's hard to tear yourself away. ~ Laura Hanna-White , NetGalley

Malibu Motel is a book based on a true story of a lottery winner who went from living with his mother to fast cars and even faster parties and wild nights with the means to pay for all of it. But for how long? And ultimately, at what cost? Caish Calloway narrates his sad story from rags to riches, and to rags again, and you don't need a psychology degree to figure out why it all happened........The main character is a by-product of his upbringing, the values of his society. The things he says and believes are simplified truths of the capitalist society - money is everything, status is everything, and what you truly need is only the most immediate gratification of the senses - sex, power, status - nothing beyond that. ...... What's more, this story is also about how our current society seems to think that the rich are somehow exempt of disease or any sort of risks. Or even stupid decisions! Because that doesn't happen to the rich - or, at least, that's the idea Caish keeps operating on (and I'll bet it's not just Caish who thinks that.) And he certainly wouldn't have it in his head if he wasn't raised with it......Ultimately, in this society we view wealth as a fairytale - an unreachable one to most, so it's the stuff of myths and legends to most people. Malibu Motel is a story that explores what happens when someone from a different background is dropped into this fairytale..... But it's also a reminder to maybe not wish for that fairytale, because sometimes we don't know whether we actually need something we're asking for, and whether we're actually up for handling it.. ~ Evelina (avalinah, AvalinahsBooks) (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. A very interesting true story of one mans fall from riches to rags. A different story to my norm but I thoroughly enjoyed this and enjoyed the writing style. ~ Gillian Moore (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. We often say ( well I do ) ‘I have never read a book like this before’ but this time I mean it ‘I have never read a book like this before’!!

Based, some say loosely but nonetheless based, on a true story this books charts the life of Caish Calloway after his multi million dollar win on the Californian Lottery, - you do get a look back at his life before this at various times in the book but the book starts as he is in the flush of mega wealth....living in Malibu, countless (well 16) luxury cars, all the drugs, sex and rock n roll he can buy and his own brand of entitled/narcissistic personality

Caish sets up a few unremarkable businesses but isn't worried by the odd loss and then he falls in love, with the wrong person, who loses him 32 million!!!, I have to say though to my mind the signs were all there, blatantly there, that this guy was a fraudster but a combination of untouchability and first fever of love meant Caish didn't see those signs, or chose not to!

This loss causes an unstoppable chain of events which see him sliding further and further into ‘the mire’. The narrative of drug mainlining, HIV, illness and downright tunnel vision of what Caish wants as opposed to anything else, may not suit some readers its fair to say - there is a lot of drug usage talk and you could feel it's glamourised although the end result is anything but. Devoid of family and friends, after an unsuccessful attempt at moving back to Montana we find him living rough, then in a halfway house then in a shelter, where his despair battles with false thoughts that he is still ‘better than these people’ - the ending is dramatic and powerful.

Caish is arrogant, I hated and loved him in equal measure throughout the book but everytime he ‘went too far’ a chink, just a chink of something came through to almost win me back....until the next page usually when he was off again! A complex character bar none whose fragility was as evident as his pompousness, confusing and annoying!

Other various cast members were as vapid as him, his money grabbing Mum and 3 siblings repugnant and his hangers on lovely until they fell off! Its a very wordy book and there is some repetition re cars and drugs but it's told almost like a diary and so the writing is quick and easy and often shocking. The book starts and ends in Malibu, one town yet 2 places in that town as far away as you could possibly get. I will not forget Caish it would be impossible to do so. ~ Mark Fearn (Reviewer), NetGalley

WOW - what an incredible tale! I was totally fascinated with Malibu Motel, the story of a young man's demise as the result of his poor decisions regarding money, sex, and drugs. I read this book in record speed - it was well written, exciting, and ultimately gut-wrenching. Potential readers should be aware that this story is painful if they have now or have ever had a loved one with an uncontrollable drug abuse problem.

5 out of 5 stars ~ Amy Bannerman, NetGalley

Malibu Motel is an absorbing read that explores the murky depths of society and humanity. The writing in Malibu Motel is agile, and intersperses simple liveliness of style with passages that are dark and reflective. It's the kind of book you can't put down. ~ Kalyan Panja, Travtasy

Malibu Motel explores the darkest places one is willing to go to when all they care about is money. Having it. Possessing it. Living a good life and not wanting to work for it. Dark and seedy, this is a cautionary tale and the writing portrays that mood perfectly... This isn't a story you read to your children at night. This is a story I would recommend only to those brave enough to delve into the dark. ~ Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

A compelling read that perfectly captures the frailty of human nature. ~ January Gray Reviews

An intensely readable riches-to-rags story, Malibu Motel will have you gripped till the last page. ~ Bridget McNulty, Now Novel

In the world of money, sex, drugs, and plastic friends, being the big fish doesn't put you in charge of the pond, it makes you the mark. ~ Joseph Spuckler, Evilcyclist

Chaunceton Bird has created a fantastic story in Malibu Motel... A stunning and visceral look into the high stakes world of big money and the risks taken by the wealthy elite. ~ Anthony Avina, Edge of Sanity

It's true what they say: the higher you climb, the harder you fall. A gripping novel based on true events that will keep you engrossed until the last page. ~ Amy Williams, Tomes with Tea

Absolutely Fantastic! Definitely worth the read! ~ Erik McManus, Breakeven Books

Exquisite is an understatement. ~ Tee Wai, The Writing Greyhound

Malibu Motel is an unflinching account of life lived in the fast lane; a true modern-day rags to riches and back again story. Caish Calloway is the absolute opposite of a traditional hero - a selfish, entitled individual who thinks of little more than money, sex, drugs, and alcohol. Despite these obvious problems, you still can’t help but wish Caish luck in the quest to reclaim former wealth and escape the clutches of extreme poverty. From start to finish, Malibu Motel is a real roller coaster ride and a story that keeps you turning page after page! ~ Lorna Holland, The Writing Greyhound

Brilliantly Entertaining. A story that will show you that greed really can cost too much. ~ Stacey Garrity, Whispering Stories