Name: No Better Place
Address: Phoenix

Story Synopsis

For Karl, the frigid Minnesota winter of 1982 was coldly cruel, with the emotional devastation brought by his father’s sudden death and being dumped by his long-time girlfriend. Things go from bad to worse when he learns that he cannot return to college, and that he now has the unwanted responsibility of managing his ailing uncle’s financially troubled bar. Mired in his hometown, his future seemingly erased, Karl begins to find strength from unlikely sources; an abrasive, chain-smoking bartender named Elsie, Spunky the stoic WWII veteran of Guadalcanal, as well as his high school buddies who rally to his side.

As he climbs out depression and begins rebuilding his life, Karl unwittingly impacts the lives of those around him by providing support, encouragement and a sense of belonging. That is until the day he is faced with a decision that could bring an end to everything he has built.

“No Better Place” is a bittersweet step back into the heart of a small town in southern Minnesota, with all its darkness and light, humor and drama, where resilience and community are the core of life.

The story is deeply sad and laugh out loud funny. It mixes warm nostalgia with the grim reality of an economy on its heels, which serves as the backdrop for a young man trying to find his way in life.

What people are saying about "No Better Place"

Great Retelling of Small Town Life

Great ‘slice of life’, insightful and engaging!

Light reading that runs deep

I wanted to share how much I enjoyed you book; it was clever, engaging and nostalgic and a joy to read. Congratulations on this milestone - you truly have a gift. - MBS

I had the best time reading your book - what a wonderful trip down memory lane - and a heartfelt look at the joys, heartaches, adventures, and frustrations of coming of age in a small town. Thanks for bringing a wonderful piece of my childhood back to life! Your book is definitely a keeper. IMHO, this is right up there with Willa Cather's My Antonia in terms of both your writing skill and your ability to capture the essence of life and times of the age. - EF

J J Heckenlaible does a phenomenal job of world-building in No Better Place. The backstory and setting come together to create a hilarious yet deeply emotional atmosphere. It’s rare to find a book that can make you feel so many things—amusement, joy, nostalgia, and even moments of anguish. - Lis

The humor is spot on, but it’s the palpable emotions throughout the narrative that truly make this story stand out. The depth of the characters and their world is incredible, and I found myself fully engaged.

The ultimate testament to a great book is how you feel when it’s over. When I closed the back cover of No Better Place, I felt like I had just said goodbye to a dear friend. I highly recommend this one. - Travis

The unique history and culture of Karl’s hometown, New Prague, are wonderfully interwoven with his own personal joys and frustrations. All set to a period-specific soundtrack: Pink Floyd, Doobie Brothers, The Cars, Meatloaf, and more, the story brings back memories of my youth in small-town America.

Big personalities crashing into one another in the close confines of a rural community is not uncommon. But with JJ Heckenlaible’s deft touch, it becomes an engaging recipe for humor and heartwarming drama. Seemingly minor events and encounters can, and do, have life-changing consequences for the individuals and communities involved.

What begins with a jarring pause in Karl’s life reveals itself to be a precious, life-defining moment in time for him and many of those around him. All of this and more makes No Better Place a journey well worth taking. - John S.

OMG! Love it! It’s the right mix of good old American humor and life with all its hardships, joys, realness, and community. - Nancy D.

It’s a fun, touching, nostalgic read. At times I felt like I was right there with Karl; being back home, dealing with the loss of a parent, hanging with high school buddies, yet feeling like you’ve been forced to grow up too fast. The author strikes the perfect balance between inner monologue, small town characters, and Minnesota nostalgia. - Jon K.

No Better Place is a touching, heartrending, funny and uplifting account of a young man's coming of age in a small town in Minnesota. The story delves into heartfelt experiences with friends, family, tragedy, love and growing into a young adult. The author weaves colorful descriptions of local characters and small-town life into an interesting and entertaining story. Having myself been born and raised in a small town, he touched on many of the same experiences that I had growing up. Experiences that neither of us would change in any other way. - Craig S

No Better Place will likely escort the reader back to a time in their own youth, with all the pain, joy, wonderment and lessons learned. The author has captured a poignant chapter in his life in a warm and vivid manner – one that reminds us that it is indeed darkest before dawn.” – Ray A

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About the author

Born and raised in southern Minnesota, John found his way to Phoenix, Arizona after college, where he built a successful career in marketing.

His life is a balance between devotion to his family, a steady stream of adventures — some very dubious — traveling the world, reading, mountain climbing, skiing, scuba diving, a strange obsession with Film Noir, and continually adding to his vast collection of hats and helmets.

He describes himself as deeply conflicted by virtue of being a creative and spontaneous Aquarius, raised in a Lutheran household by a no-nonsense, conservative German father and a determined but loving Czech mother.

John has written countless articles for various trade publications and local media, plus he has authored and illustrated a children’s book. “No Better Place” is his first novel.