FLASHPOINT: Book One of the Underground
Author: Frank Creed
Book website: http://www.frankcreed.com/flashpoint.html
Genre: science fiction, Christian, cyberpunk
Published by Writers Café Press
ISBN: 978-1-934284-01-8
Review's website: www.fabianspace.com
Reviewed by Karina Fabian in www.virtualbooktourdenet.com
Rating: Four of Five stars
Frank Creed pushes the boundaries of Christian fiction with Biblical cyberpunk—when he talks about "God in the machine," he's quite literal. He's been thinking and playing in the genre since long before William Gibson made it popular—and Creed can give Gibson a run for his money.
Creed starts with the basics for both cyberpunk and Biblical speculative fiction: a dystopic world run by a totalitarian global regime, with a pretty wide division between the haves and have-nots. Those who support the regime live a prosperous life, while those who do not are left to the squalor of a crime-riddled underworld at best and slave camps or "reconditioning" at worst.
True to the Christian angle, the government has established a watered-down "feel good" religion, and true Christians (dubbed "Fundamentalists") are forced to hide their practices or go totally underground by joining the Resistance.
Dave and Jen are our young heroes. When the government finds out their family is part of a secret home church, they are taken to the underground by their father to save their lives. Daddy leaves them in order to draw off the authorities and is captured with their mother. Meanwhile, Dave and Jen are taken in by the Resistance and discover they have amazing abilities. They receive cybernetic mind enhancements that enable them to become the kind of perfected humans God created, before we were damaged by Original Sin.
Dave becomes a superhero with Matrix-style abilities, while Jen becomes e-girl, the computer wizard no cyberpunk novel is complete without. They join the Resistance; their first mission: Save Mom and Dad and the members of their home church. And as they fulfill their mission, they learn what it means to be part of God's army.
There's nothing especially spectacular in the plot, but the real magic is in the execution. Creed does a fantastic job of weaving in all the things that make cyberpunk an exciting genre to read: the melding of human capabilities with highly technological advancements, exciting scenes that deliver the adrenalin rush, earthy but clever repartee, cunning twists to the mundane, some well-thought out fight scenes…
But what about the Biblical message? Here again Creed shows his genius. He immerses you in the Word of God just as he immerses you in the cyberpunk culture—in thought, word and deed. The thing I personally love about cyberpunk is the complete cultural mythos, right down to vocabulary.
Creed does the same thing; in addition to some really fun slang, he's woven in Scripture and the ideals of his Christian "Army" so that as you read, you are neither preached to nor pulled out of the story. It's all part of the program—literally and figuratively.
Flashpoint is a fast, fun read, something I was comfortable in giving to my 13-year-old son, and which I wouldn't mind re-reading again. (My husband can tell you that from me, that's high praise.) If you are looking for Biblical speculative fiction the way it should be done, you need to read Creed!
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coaliition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love--and that includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page.
This blog, #TheNewBookReview, is "new" because it eschews #bookbigotry. It lets readers, reviewers, authors, and publishers expand the exposure of their favorite reviews, FREE. Info for submissions is in the "Send Me Your Fav Book Review" circle icon in the right column below. Find resources to help your career using the mini search engine below. #TheNewBookReview is a multi-award-winning blog including a MastersInEnglish.org recommendation.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query true crime. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query true crime. Sort by date Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Wow Review of Wow Crime Novel!
Book
title: A Model Murder (Alicia Allen Investigates 1)
Author:
Celia ConradWebsite: www.alicialleninvestigates.com
Where to buy the book: Amazon USA http://tinyurl.com/pjtyn54
Genre: Crime fiction
ISBN 9780954623326 (Paperback) & available in all Ebook formats
Publisher: Barcham Books
Reviewed by Marlan Warren originally for "Dancing in the Experience Lane" Open Salon Blog
In
law firms, nobody can hear you scream...
He told me
he was used to getting what he wanted...
--A Model Murder, Celia
Conrad
What do
law firms and men’s “hostess” clubs have in common? If your first thought is
“alpha males,” you’re already on board with A Model Murder. Conrad draws disturbing,
often painfully entertaining, parallels between these two worlds where
Neanderthals still roam the Earth, and a resistant female might get a bop on the
head or worse.
A Model
Murder is a
fast-paced suspense mystery, full of twists and turns, following in the
tradition of Nicci French and Sue Grafton.
Alicia
Allen is a London-based Anglo-Italian lawyer on the verge of her 30th
birthday whose experience of Death has been limited to sorting estate
issues...until her beautiful Australian neighbor and wannabe model, Tammy, turns
up raped and murdered before she can collect her first paycheck from the job she
wants to quit in a sleazy men’s club.
British
author Conrad has painted a loving portrait of the multi-cultural melting pot
that is London and her down-to-earth heroine who has no superpowers of intuition
and deduction, but is quite simply a good neighbor who will stop at nothing
until a wrong is made right.
Lack of
police progress propels Alicia towards finding Tammy’s murderer herself. The
Shakespearean character of Portia (Merchant of Venice) is mentioned, and
indeed Alicia does resemble that legendary defense attorney. Her “quality of
mercy is not strained” as she single-mindedly focuses on solving this horrible
murder. Using her honed skills of observation and detail-awareness, she finds
clues even in opera. Breaking and entering to gather evidence? No
problem.
When
Alicia coincidentally finds herself in a life-threatening work situation from a
mad-dog senior partner, the link between sociopaths who legally run law firms
and take unfair advantage of women “underlings” and the sociopaths who run
illegal prostitution rackets solidifies.
Of course
the crazier and nastier the law firm environment, the more fun. Conrad also
makes the fair point that women in both arenas can also harass their female
coworkers. All the better to keep readers guessing whodunit!
Red
herrings swim among Alicia’s true friends who are the mainstay of her life. Will
that Robert Redford-type lawyer who wows the ladies at her office be The One or
is he somehow responsible for Tammy’s untimely demise?
Will
Alicia pick the true-blue “best friend” who shares her Italian heritage or the
office lover-boy who makes her knees weak while he quotes Shakespeare? That
Conrad keeps all these balls in the air until the story’s breathtaking and very
scary conclusion is a testament to her marvelous instincts as a storyteller
extraordinaire.
Women make
this plot twirl on its axis; so there has to be food. I found myself wanting
Pringles (Alicia's one addiction), pizza, salad nicoise, pasta primavera, and
high tea with succulent scones throughout the adventure. Not necessarily in that
order.
Full
disclosure: I toiled in law firms for years as a secretary, and I had a friend
who worked in a pole-dancing club in Los Angeles. So this harrowing,
occasionally satirical, murder mystery hit a nerve and my funny bone at the same
time.
PS to American Readers: Keep your English to English Dictionary handy! Alicia eats chips from a tube and then rides on one...but I just have to love a language and a country where women can be "well upholstered."
I am eagerly looking forward to reading the other two books in this Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy: A Wilful Murder (Book 2) and Murder in Hand (Book 3).
----- PS to American Readers: Keep your English to English Dictionary handy! Alicia eats chips from a tube and then rides on one...but I just have to love a language and a country where women can be "well upholstered."
I am eagerly looking forward to reading the other two books in this Alicia Allen Investigates Trilogy: A Wilful Murder (Book 2) and Murder in Hand (Book 3).
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Compelling Literary Novel Given Five Stars
Author: Deborah Kennedy
Author’s Website: www.twokindsofcolor.com
Genre: Fiction/Literary/Crime
ISBN: 9781449988012
Amazon: B0031TZPHO
Reviewed by Rusty Beans originally for Amazon
Five-Star Review
Two Kinds of Color, fiction, is an exceptionally beautifully written novel. The characters are compelling and believable and the message of love and sacrifice and true friendship is touching and unforgettable. I savored this book. It is not a book to be skimmed through but read thoughtfully and carefully. The ability of Ms. Kennedy to present her story with such insight and heart-felt emotion is remarkable. I read a great many books and, like most of us, have my favorite authors. I look forward to reading any other novel my newest favorite author writes. Thank-you Ms. Kennedy, I enjoyed Two Kinds of Color very much.
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Review of Novel Inspired by Music Greats
Title: Saving The Innocents
Author: Randall Kenneth Drake
Author’s Web site : http://rkdrake.com
Genre/category: Mystery/Suspense/Action
ISBN: 0-9747161-0-3
Only $5.99 only at author's Web site
Reviewed by Dianne Donovan originally for Midwest Book Review
Saving the Innocents is all about courage, strength, and personal effort;
and as it chronicles the life and efforts of one Mary Jane Chevalier (an
'everywoman' who feels powerless but in fact is powerful), it also reflects
modern society's milieu - and thus will resonate with readers looking for
positive stories about courage and determination in the face of impossible
odds.
But Saving the Innocents isn't a story without violence: indeed, the first
paragraph has Mary Jane facing death with little more than the snap of her
gum as a response: "She thought it funny . . . what went through her mind
while waiting for the bullet. Time slowed down in that moment. Several
thoughts and feelings flashed - alternating waves. Her body felt relaxed at
first, as though relief had finally come. Freedom. And she welcomed it."
The first striking thing to note about Saving the Innocents is its attention
to detail and description, which capture powerful images with a pen finely
honed by the moment: "The sound was like a bumblebee as it split the
smoke-filled air. She swung her body around with a gathering force, and
brought the cue from behind her like a broadsword - the way a Viking
marauder would in the long ago of Scotland. The wooden blade made a
thunderous crack into the side of the big man's knee, the cue splitting
apart."
Mary's passion for finding her father is only equaled by her determination
to save the weak who, much like herself, have limited choices when facing
violence. And so her very nature inevitably becomes linked to two very
special people who enter her life on the run and who create a double mystery
for her to pursue. True to her helpful nature, Mary Jane feels compelled to
assist; and that action in turn will transform her own life as she becomes
absorbed in a deadly manhunt, determined to save the innocents she's
stumbled upon and, ultimately, herself.
Mary Jane feels like an unknown: while she makes efforts in life, she
largely feels her achievements are too little . or so her conscious says.
Her decision to search out an absent father who changed her life through his
actions is what results in the unexpected: the discovery of a man and a
little girl hiding out because they have seen too much.
Now, some notes on this novel's unusual roots: they were inspired by the
author's infatuation with movies and with the songs of Sarah McLachlan,
Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. Parts of this story actually came to him
in a series of flashback-like scenes which he dutifully penned as they came;
but it was McLachlan's music that prompted a flood of inspiration prompted
by a realization that each line of one of her songs described one of the
scenes Randall Kenneth Drake was already writing.
And it was Morisette's song 'Mary Jane' and 'You Learn' combined with Crow's
lyrics in 'Am I Getting Through' which both contributed to the character of
Mary Jane Chevalier. Listen to this music for further insights into that
protagonist and her origins - at the risk of gaining advance insights into
where the plot is going. In fact - listening to the music of all three as
background to reading provides a kind of multimedia experience that any
singular song, artist or the book alone couldn't impart.
The scenes originated with a story Drake stumbled upon in a bar, of an
abandoned child left by her mother in front of the 'best house she would
like to live in'. And so psychological and physical abandonment are one
element in a novel that weaves a complicated story line powered by a woman
who is strong, but believes herself to be weak. It's unusual to find a
strong female heroine in a novel but Mary Jane IS that heroine, fighting for
the weak and making a difference not just in her world, but in the worlds of
others.
To add a dose of complexity, the protagonists all hold names indicative of
their underlying roles in the story line: thus Delphia acts as an oracle and
seer, Chevalier is actually a knight in disguise, and Mary Jane (much to the
reader's surprise) embodies ALL these qualities, exhibited during the course
of her quest.
It's all about a quest involving 'finding an angel', fantasies designed to
cope with soul-threatening encounters, issues of death and values in life,
and an epic quest disguised as a search for meaning. In this case not only
does Mary Jane find her cause and meaning from life, but events come full
circle in posing an angelic presence for Sera, the little girl who needs
rescuing.
Saving the Innocents is also about preparing for battle, caring for self and
strangers alike, and what motivates the deepest of emotions: "All her life
she had wanted to be noticed - to love and be loved - to be someone's
champion. The answers had come from the most unexpected sources. Nick,
Delphia, Jack, and Sera. An ex-fireman, a crippled, blind woman . . . an
odd, devoted, loyal man - and a little girl."
As protagonists join the story and begin their dance of interaction and
influence, readers are treated to much more than a mystery or crime story:
it's a story of courage, survival against all odds, and revelations that
change everyone involved. The heart and soul of Saving the Innocents lies in
Mary Jane's choices and determination which create a true heroine's journey
in which Mary Jane's emotions and observations act as a driving force behind
an epic quest for salvation that spills from the personal to (ultimately) an
entire circle of characters.
Any looking for a novel that wraps its reader in a cloak of complexity and
warmth will find Saving the Innocents filled with satisfying twists, turns,
and protagonist interactions that create scenarios of understanding,
connection and, ultimately, redemption.
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Randall Kenneth Drake
Author’s Web site : http://rkdrake.com
Genre/category: Mystery/Suspense/Action
ISBN: 0-9747161-0-3
Only $5.99 only at author's Web site
Reviewed by Dianne Donovan originally for Midwest Book Review
Saving the Innocents is all about courage, strength, and personal effort;
and as it chronicles the life and efforts of one Mary Jane Chevalier (an
'everywoman' who feels powerless but in fact is powerful), it also reflects
modern society's milieu - and thus will resonate with readers looking for
positive stories about courage and determination in the face of impossible
odds.
But Saving the Innocents isn't a story without violence: indeed, the first
paragraph has Mary Jane facing death with little more than the snap of her
gum as a response: "She thought it funny . . . what went through her mind
while waiting for the bullet. Time slowed down in that moment. Several
thoughts and feelings flashed - alternating waves. Her body felt relaxed at
first, as though relief had finally come. Freedom. And she welcomed it."
The first striking thing to note about Saving the Innocents is its attention
to detail and description, which capture powerful images with a pen finely
honed by the moment: "The sound was like a bumblebee as it split the
smoke-filled air. She swung her body around with a gathering force, and
brought the cue from behind her like a broadsword - the way a Viking
marauder would in the long ago of Scotland. The wooden blade made a
thunderous crack into the side of the big man's knee, the cue splitting
apart."
Mary's passion for finding her father is only equaled by her determination
to save the weak who, much like herself, have limited choices when facing
violence. And so her very nature inevitably becomes linked to two very
special people who enter her life on the run and who create a double mystery
for her to pursue. True to her helpful nature, Mary Jane feels compelled to
assist; and that action in turn will transform her own life as she becomes
absorbed in a deadly manhunt, determined to save the innocents she's
stumbled upon and, ultimately, herself.
Mary Jane feels like an unknown: while she makes efforts in life, she
largely feels her achievements are too little . or so her conscious says.
Her decision to search out an absent father who changed her life through his
actions is what results in the unexpected: the discovery of a man and a
little girl hiding out because they have seen too much.
Now, some notes on this novel's unusual roots: they were inspired by the
author's infatuation with movies and with the songs of Sarah McLachlan,
Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. Parts of this story actually came to him
in a series of flashback-like scenes which he dutifully penned as they came;
but it was McLachlan's music that prompted a flood of inspiration prompted
by a realization that each line of one of her songs described one of the
scenes Randall Kenneth Drake was already writing.
And it was Morisette's song 'Mary Jane' and 'You Learn' combined with Crow's
lyrics in 'Am I Getting Through' which both contributed to the character of
Mary Jane Chevalier. Listen to this music for further insights into that
protagonist and her origins - at the risk of gaining advance insights into
where the plot is going. In fact - listening to the music of all three as
background to reading provides a kind of multimedia experience that any
singular song, artist or the book alone couldn't impart.
The scenes originated with a story Drake stumbled upon in a bar, of an
abandoned child left by her mother in front of the 'best house she would
like to live in'. And so psychological and physical abandonment are one
element in a novel that weaves a complicated story line powered by a woman
who is strong, but believes herself to be weak. It's unusual to find a
strong female heroine in a novel but Mary Jane IS that heroine, fighting for
the weak and making a difference not just in her world, but in the worlds of
others.
To add a dose of complexity, the protagonists all hold names indicative of
their underlying roles in the story line: thus Delphia acts as an oracle and
seer, Chevalier is actually a knight in disguise, and Mary Jane (much to the
reader's surprise) embodies ALL these qualities, exhibited during the course
of her quest.
It's all about a quest involving 'finding an angel', fantasies designed to
cope with soul-threatening encounters, issues of death and values in life,
and an epic quest disguised as a search for meaning. In this case not only
does Mary Jane find her cause and meaning from life, but events come full
circle in posing an angelic presence for Sera, the little girl who needs
rescuing.
Saving the Innocents is also about preparing for battle, caring for self and
strangers alike, and what motivates the deepest of emotions: "All her life
she had wanted to be noticed - to love and be loved - to be someone's
champion. The answers had come from the most unexpected sources. Nick,
Delphia, Jack, and Sera. An ex-fireman, a crippled, blind woman . . . an
odd, devoted, loyal man - and a little girl."
As protagonists join the story and begin their dance of interaction and
influence, readers are treated to much more than a mystery or crime story:
it's a story of courage, survival against all odds, and revelations that
change everyone involved. The heart and soul of Saving the Innocents lies in
Mary Jane's choices and determination which create a true heroine's journey
in which Mary Jane's emotions and observations act as a driving force behind
an epic quest for salvation that spills from the personal to (ultimately) an
entire circle of characters.
Any looking for a novel that wraps its reader in a cloak of complexity and
warmth will find Saving the Innocents filled with satisfying twists, turns,
and protagonist interactions that create scenarios of understanding,
connection and, ultimately, redemption.
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Kirkus Indie Reviews Memoir
Title of Book: Betty's Child
Author: Donald R. Dempsey
Author Website: http://bettyschild.com
Genre: Personal Memoir
ISBN: 9780988439016
Formats: Trade paperback and e-book
Reviewer's Link: http://tinyurl.com/qy5uho9
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Donald R. Dempsey
Author Website: http://bettyschild.com
Genre: Personal Memoir
ISBN: 9780988439016
Formats: Trade paperback and e-book
Reviewer's Link: http://tinyurl.com/qy5uho9
Reviewed by Kirkus Indie
A highly visual debut memoir from Don Dempsey spanning his pre- to early
adolescent years in urban Ohio
Dempsey illuminates the steep uphill scramble he had as a young man in a
bad neighborhood. The memoir opens cinematically on a night of petty stealing,
which escalated to the sort of theft that exposed young Donny to violent
retribution. Donny attempted to guard himself, his younger brothers and his
canine companion, Benji, from the string of hothead men his mother—the eponymous
Betty—welcomed into the family’s rotating rental houses. In addition to fending
off soul savers from the church Betty attended in order to run her scams, Donny
turned down invitations to participate in crime more difficult than theft. Most
of the book’s sequences—a teacher’s good-hearted but ultimately futile efforts
to defend Donny from a bully—efficiently reveal the wit and determination, not
to mention anger, that helped Donny survive.
Neither alarmist nor self-pitying, the memoir sees Donny through mounting
losses of his sense of safety, his friends, his sanity-saving dog and his
proximity to his brothers. While this account certainly couldn’t be called
feel-good, it also isn’t altogether bleak. Early in the book, Donny poses a
question to himself: “Would I wind up toothless, clueless and broke because of
heredity—or because of where and how we lived?” Determined not to consider
either factor an excuse, as a preteen boy he decided that, despite his abuse and
neglect, he would choose better for himself.
By turns heartrending and humorous, the book’s main events are accompanied
by resonant dialogue that reveals the speakers’ natures. Distinguishing his from
similar accounts, Dempsey’s discipline as a writer lends the real-life tale the
feel of a fictional page-turner. In scene after vivid scene, Dempsey presents
his inspiring true story with accomplished style.
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Lisa Yarde Reviews Historical Fiction
Title: The Unhewn Stone
Author: Wendy LaharnarAuthor's Web site link: http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-927085-45-5
Available on Amazon
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Reviewed by Lisa J. Yarde originally for Amazon
Reviewer's rating: 5 out of 5
On the eve of his eighteenth birthday, Stefan Gessler waited in his attic room, poised for some momentous change in his otherwise uneventful life. He got more than he bargained for. He learns of an ancient manuscript, which his ancestors have protected for generations. With the aid of an ancient orb, Stefan transports into the past to change his family's destiny by trying to stop the legend of Wilhelm Tell.
His abrupt arrival in the fourteenth century is as disconcerting for him as his ancestral relations. Only one among them, the proud governor's son Rolf Gessler is unwilling to dismiss Stefan's claims about his journey to the past. While Stefan gains friends, he also makes dangerous enemies. When the governor unexpectedly dies, a corrupted knight accuses Stefan and Rolf of the murder, and punishes them for the crime. An ancient and eternal witch, who once divided the Gessler family, also knows the true origin of Stefan's orb. She will do anything to get it back.
This is Wendy Laharnar's debut fantasy novel. She has created a magical world, where an ordinary hero faces extraordinary odds in his quest. The author's attention to historical detail immerses the reader in the medieval period, while the fantasy element invites readers to escape with her characters to the past. Her hero Stefan is the honored guardian of his family's secret; often uncertain of his destiny, he remains courageous and willing to right the wrongs of the past. In perfect contrast to the hero, the unrepentant villain's only motivation is greed and ambition, making him the perfect nemesis. With such memorable characters and a unique setting, The Unhewn Stone is a wonderful read.
His abrupt arrival in the fourteenth century is as disconcerting for him as his ancestral relations. Only one among them, the proud governor's son Rolf Gessler is unwilling to dismiss Stefan's claims about his journey to the past. While Stefan gains friends, he also makes dangerous enemies. When the governor unexpectedly dies, a corrupted knight accuses Stefan and Rolf of the murder, and punishes them for the crime. An ancient and eternal witch, who once divided the Gessler family, also knows the true origin of Stefan's orb. She will do anything to get it back.
This is Wendy Laharnar's debut fantasy novel. She has created a magical world, where an ordinary hero faces extraordinary odds in his quest. The author's attention to historical detail immerses the reader in the medieval period, while the fantasy element invites readers to escape with her characters to the past. Her hero Stefan is the honored guardian of his family's secret; often uncertain of his destiny, he remains courageous and willing to right the wrongs of the past. In perfect contrast to the hero, the unrepentant villain's only motivation is greed and ambition, making him the perfect nemesis. With such memorable characters and a unique setting, The Unhewn Stone is a wonderful read.
Historical Fiction: On Falcon's Wings, Sultana, Sultana’s Legacy
Contemporary Novellas: Long Way Home Website
Blog
Blogging at Historical Novel Review
Moderating at Unusual Historicals
Find her on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Friday, August 27, 2010
Robert Duperre Raves about Daglish's New Novel
Title: The Cost of Betrayal
Second book in the Half-Orc Series
Author: David Dalglish
Genre: Epic Fantasy
ISBN-10: 1450574483
ISBN-13: 978-1450574488
Reviewed by Robert Duperre
Let me preface this by saying that normally I like to sit on a book a few days before I review it. This allows me time to ponder the meaning of the story in greater detail, to mull over the finer aspects of the storytelling and decide whether my initial, guttural reaction was indeed true, or if I was simply caught up in the moment. Sometimes a book I loved will appear lesser after time, sometimes one I loathed will be struck with new meaning. This balance is what I seek and what this practice is for, to come from an objective place. However, as with most things of an objective nature, sometimes the emotion can be wrung from my explanation of it, due to both the time and that pondering.
So now I sit here, an hour past finishing The Cost of Betrayal, the second of the Half-Orc series by David Dalglish, and I want nothing more than to get my thoughts down on paper now. This is a work that is demanding of a highly emotional state, and it’s in my own, right now, that I honor it.
The story picks up where The Weight of Blood left off, in the aftermath of master necromancer Velixar’s failed attempt to destroy Woodhaven. The three partners-in-convoluted-crime – Harruq and Qurrah, the half-orc brothers, and Aurelia, an elven sorceress – are on their way back to Veldaren, the city in which the brothers grew up, on the streets and all alone. Upon reentering the city, they are immediately attacked, by a group called the Eschaton, a militia who protects the city for coin and favor. The way Dalglish pours you right into the action is admirable. He does it without missing a beat and without a ton of setup, which is appreciated.
The small group joins up with the Eschaton, and wackiness ensues. They encounter a plot by the local thieves’ guild and the battle scenes are epic. In fact, ALL the battle scenes are epic, extremely graphic, and skillfully presented, just as in the first book.You don’t get lost in the action and you actually care about what’s about to happen to the characters.
The funny thing about these battles, however grand they might be, is that they are overshadowed by the emotional threads that run through the novel. The relationship between Harruq and Aurelia grows by leaps and bounds, and Qurrah becomes obsessed with a strange and tweaked-out girl named Tessanna, who is possessed of power that not even she knows the depths. It is with these two relationships, mirrored against each other, that the bulk of the story grows and flourishes.
More than in book one, the differences between Harruq and Qurrah and made that much more apparent by the way they relate to their loved ones. Harruq, though a big lunk, is thoughtful and caring. He listens and is willing to change. Qurrah, on the other hand, is fanatical, cynical, and unbending. He thinks he knows his place in the world and is not willing to alter his mindset…or his actions.
Though a work of fantasy – and a graphic, cringe-inducing work at that – it is this heart that sets this book apart from others I’ve read. The emotional and social threads that run through it cast it above the realm of high fantasy and into highly literary. There are so many issues presented, from racism (how well an individual can “pass” when partially of a lineage deemed unsavory) to the difference between love and fixation (how far will one go, how much will one sacrifice, to help out someone they care about) to the simple act of forgiveness (an example of which I will not give away, as it is the most powerful and gut-wrenching part of the book).
Yet despite all this, there is one theme that rises above all others: family. What does it mean to be family? Can there be family without blood relation? Can that family overcome the faults of its members, even if those faults endanger them? These were stunning revelations to read, and some of the more prophetic words and ideas presented left me with a gigantic lump in my throat. By the end of the book I was a quivering mess. I cried. I couldn’t help but look at my own family, pull them in, and tell them how much I loved them. I thought of the actions of those involved in this yarn and wondered if I would be able to be as forgiving as they were. That is what I found surprising. Almost every character in these novels is a highly flawed individual. They perpetuate horrible acts and seek no clemency. They murder and maim because it’s their job, and they refuse to apologize because that is the state of the world they live in.And yet, through each of them runs a deeply emotional center, a potential to love and be loved that they wish to feed and encourage. There is change, and as I said before, there is forgiveness, and we the readers forgive right along with them. We do this because we recognize the power they hold, the love they are capable of, and when one treads off that path, we shake our heads in pity. We want them to succeed, to overcome whatever demons have befallen them, and it actually HURTS when they fail.
This is a deeply sad book. And it is poignant. I couldn’t put it down. It is painful, at times, to take in, and yet you can’t stop. It makes you FEEL and THINK, and that is, besides pure entertainment, the reason most of us read in the first place. For this, David Dalglish should be commended. I do not speak in hyperbole to say that this is one of the four or five best novels I have read IN MY LIFETIME. It has everything one would want in a book. It takes you through the roller coaster of sensations – from hopeful to despaired to overjoyed to, finally, broken – and spits you out on the other side shaken and thankful for what you have. You laugh, you cry, you ponder. This is truly an accomplishment, and one that should not be overlooked.
Yes, The Cost of Betrayal is that good. I dare anyone to read it, to take it in, to relish it. The mistakes in the writing from the first book (which weren’t that noticeable to begin with) have been remedied. What remains is a tale of such power that you have no choice but listen. Carnage and conflict aside, as some might not welcome them, there is too much here to not appreciate it.
This needs to be read. It needs to be out there.
And with that, for the emotions I feel, I give the author two simple words that I think say everything.
Thank you.
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Second book in the Half-Orc Series
Author: David Dalglish
Genre: Epic Fantasy
ISBN-10: 1450574483
ISBN-13: 978-1450574488
Reviewed by Robert Duperre
Let me preface this by saying that normally I like to sit on a book a few days before I review it. This allows me time to ponder the meaning of the story in greater detail, to mull over the finer aspects of the storytelling and decide whether my initial, guttural reaction was indeed true, or if I was simply caught up in the moment. Sometimes a book I loved will appear lesser after time, sometimes one I loathed will be struck with new meaning. This balance is what I seek and what this practice is for, to come from an objective place. However, as with most things of an objective nature, sometimes the emotion can be wrung from my explanation of it, due to both the time and that pondering.
So now I sit here, an hour past finishing The Cost of Betrayal, the second of the Half-Orc series by David Dalglish, and I want nothing more than to get my thoughts down on paper now. This is a work that is demanding of a highly emotional state, and it’s in my own, right now, that I honor it.
The story picks up where The Weight of Blood left off, in the aftermath of master necromancer Velixar’s failed attempt to destroy Woodhaven. The three partners-in-convoluted-crime – Harruq and Qurrah, the half-orc brothers, and Aurelia, an elven sorceress – are on their way back to Veldaren, the city in which the brothers grew up, on the streets and all alone. Upon reentering the city, they are immediately attacked, by a group called the Eschaton, a militia who protects the city for coin and favor. The way Dalglish pours you right into the action is admirable. He does it without missing a beat and without a ton of setup, which is appreciated.
The small group joins up with the Eschaton, and wackiness ensues. They encounter a plot by the local thieves’ guild and the battle scenes are epic. In fact, ALL the battle scenes are epic, extremely graphic, and skillfully presented, just as in the first book.You don’t get lost in the action and you actually care about what’s about to happen to the characters.
The funny thing about these battles, however grand they might be, is that they are overshadowed by the emotional threads that run through the novel. The relationship between Harruq and Aurelia grows by leaps and bounds, and Qurrah becomes obsessed with a strange and tweaked-out girl named Tessanna, who is possessed of power that not even she knows the depths. It is with these two relationships, mirrored against each other, that the bulk of the story grows and flourishes.
More than in book one, the differences between Harruq and Qurrah and made that much more apparent by the way they relate to their loved ones. Harruq, though a big lunk, is thoughtful and caring. He listens and is willing to change. Qurrah, on the other hand, is fanatical, cynical, and unbending. He thinks he knows his place in the world and is not willing to alter his mindset…or his actions.
Though a work of fantasy – and a graphic, cringe-inducing work at that – it is this heart that sets this book apart from others I’ve read. The emotional and social threads that run through it cast it above the realm of high fantasy and into highly literary. There are so many issues presented, from racism (how well an individual can “pass” when partially of a lineage deemed unsavory) to the difference between love and fixation (how far will one go, how much will one sacrifice, to help out someone they care about) to the simple act of forgiveness (an example of which I will not give away, as it is the most powerful and gut-wrenching part of the book).
Yet despite all this, there is one theme that rises above all others: family. What does it mean to be family? Can there be family without blood relation? Can that family overcome the faults of its members, even if those faults endanger them? These were stunning revelations to read, and some of the more prophetic words and ideas presented left me with a gigantic lump in my throat. By the end of the book I was a quivering mess. I cried. I couldn’t help but look at my own family, pull them in, and tell them how much I loved them. I thought of the actions of those involved in this yarn and wondered if I would be able to be as forgiving as they were. That is what I found surprising. Almost every character in these novels is a highly flawed individual. They perpetuate horrible acts and seek no clemency. They murder and maim because it’s their job, and they refuse to apologize because that is the state of the world they live in.And yet, through each of them runs a deeply emotional center, a potential to love and be loved that they wish to feed and encourage. There is change, and as I said before, there is forgiveness, and we the readers forgive right along with them. We do this because we recognize the power they hold, the love they are capable of, and when one treads off that path, we shake our heads in pity. We want them to succeed, to overcome whatever demons have befallen them, and it actually HURTS when they fail.
This is a deeply sad book. And it is poignant. I couldn’t put it down. It is painful, at times, to take in, and yet you can’t stop. It makes you FEEL and THINK, and that is, besides pure entertainment, the reason most of us read in the first place. For this, David Dalglish should be commended. I do not speak in hyperbole to say that this is one of the four or five best novels I have read IN MY LIFETIME. It has everything one would want in a book. It takes you through the roller coaster of sensations – from hopeful to despaired to overjoyed to, finally, broken – and spits you out on the other side shaken and thankful for what you have. You laugh, you cry, you ponder. This is truly an accomplishment, and one that should not be overlooked.
Yes, The Cost of Betrayal is that good. I dare anyone to read it, to take it in, to relish it. The mistakes in the writing from the first book (which weren’t that noticeable to begin with) have been remedied. What remains is a tale of such power that you have no choice but listen. Carnage and conflict aside, as some might not welcome them, there is too much here to not appreciate it.
This needs to be read. It needs to be out there.
And with that, for the emotions I feel, I give the author two simple words that I think say everything.
Thank you.
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Crime Novel by Conrad Draws Praise for Exceptional Dialogue
Book
title: Wilful Murder (Alicia Allen Investigates 2)
Author:
Celia ConradWebsite: www.alicialleninvestigates.com
Where to buy the book: Amazon USA: http://tinyurl.com/p9wpw96
Genre: Crime fiction
ISBN 9780954623333 (Paperback) & available in all Ebook formats
Publisher: Barcham Books
Reviewed by Marlan Warren
originally
published in "Dancing in the Experience Lane" Open Salon Blog
“Look to
the past to see what the future holds…”
Wilful
Murder – Celia Conrad
Who
doesn't enjoy a ripping good tale of a Will, murdered relatives and love's labor
rewarded? For Wilful Murder, the
second book in the Alicia Allen
Investigates trilogy, British author Celia Conrad has concocted a pastiche
composed of the basic elements we expect in a murder mystery that spins on
disgruntled relatives, and reinvented it as part-Travelogue, part-Greek Tragedy,
part-Shakespeare and part-Love Story.
If you
love "cozy mysteries" with their gentle no-sex-or-graphic-violence paradigms,
and strong, intuitive female amateur sleuths; and you love "cerebral mysteries"
with their complicated Ah Ha! plots,
then I highly recommend Wilful Murder
for your next great read.
And if you
know nothing about cozies or cerebrals, but just love a bittersweet romantic
subplot where a dynamic duo slug it out until they (almost) fall into each
other's arms á la Hepburn and Tracy--then yes, this book's for you
too.
I do
suggest reading Book 1, A Model
Murder, first. Although few of the first book's characters and almost none
of its setting make their way into the second, there's little exposition to
bring the newbie up to speed in terms of what has happened in the past to create
the present circumstances that open the story.
In the
previous book, Alicia Allen--the Anglo-Italian woman lawyer with a passion for
justice--makes friends with an Australian neighbor who works at the law firm
where Alicia has just been newly hired. The young, pretty Australian, Kim, has
a crush on her boss, Alex, who in turn has a thing for the incomparable
Alicia.
At the end
of A Model Murder, Alicia and Alex
appear to be merrily strolling off into the sunset. But alas, they are not a
couple by the time we revisit Alicia in London.
As Wilful Murder opens, Alicia is preparing
to go to Kim's wedding in Australia. She is now estranged from Alex who once
courted her, but took off to work in Singapore. They are still in touch, but
Alicia carries resentment at Alex's decision to distance himself from
her.
Alicia
Allen is nothing if not cautious. She is not a heroine who wears her heart on
her sleeve, and in this, not unlike Patricia Cornwall's psychologically wounded
medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. Like Scarpetta, Alicia plays her cards close to
her chest. She's not one to swoon when Alex appears again--this time in
Australia for Kim's wedding. For his part, Alex wants nothing more than to woo
Alicia, and he nearly turns himself inside out trying.
Alicia has
other things on her mind by the time she crosses paths with the
most-desirable-man-on-earth (aka "Alex"). Before leaving London, she took on a
client with more troubles than her own: Isabelle Parker, an heiress who is about
to come into a magnificent fortune, if she can stay alive long enough to inherit
it. Relatives and relatives-to-be have been dropping like proverbial flies, and
the body count grows as the plot proceeds.
Having
read Book 1, we know that Alicia would rather find the killer or killers than
opt for a romantic fling with her ex-boyfriend while she travels Australia on a
kind of "working" holiday to investigate the Australian-British ancestral ties
of the endangered heiress.
She visits
lovely beachy spots, dines in charming cafes on exotic fare and visits
museums--without her solicitious solicitor suitor in tow. Quite frankly, those
of us who might be lying boyfriendless on some beach reading Wilful Murder may wish to slap some
sense into this righteous heroine, but there is still that voice inside our
heads that shouts, "You go, Girl!" when she finally gets physical in a
life-threatening clinch with the killer as the story approaches its denouement.
Conrad
arranges for Alex to be out of the picture for quite some time, and we are left
to follow Alicia's head as she works out the puzzle to solve these crimes. This
is true to the "cerebral" mystery style, and reminiscent of Agatha Christie's
careful detailing and construction. The plot is chock full of minor characters:
most of whom we barely get to know.
In the
first chapter, Isabelle's statements regarding her ancestral history were so
complex, I ended up mapping it out on paper so I could keep track of who's
who.
One of
Conrad's great strengths is dialogue. I found that if I simply "saw" the story
as a film and let the dialogue carry me through, A Wilful Murder came to vivid life in my
mind's eye.
An ominous
note received by imminent victims warns:
"Look to
the past to see what the future holds and make recompense for what those before you have
done..."
Conrad's
handling of "the past" as it pertains to Isabelle's tangled family tree gives a
(perhaps unwitting) nod to the Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex. The play is made up mostly
of exposition. We hear about the past...the past...the past. The gory action of
Oedipus gouging out his eyes when he realizes he's married his mother is saved
for the end. Conrad saves up her big action scenes for the end--after we have
been put through the wringer of cerebral dialogue that examines the unanswered
questions of the Past.
"Indecisive"
is one of the last words in the book, and reflects this tale's Hamlet aspects. Yes, Alicia catches the
bouquet, but it has no more active effect on her than Hamlet seeing his father's
ghost. There is also something Shakespearean in the way Conrad tends to kill off
her characters "offstage," so news of their demise are brought by
messengers.
When the
story comes together at the end--revealing truths, tying up some loose ends and
leaving others still hanging--it leaves the reader feeling winded and yet oddly
trimphant having made it across the various locales and dangers that abide in Wilful Murder, and having found tourist
pleasures in the Land Down Under and returned to Great Britain, while still
trying to figure out whodunit.
Wilful
Murder is built
around the fine art of looking at the past--where we came from, what made us who
we are today, the skeletons in our closets that we may or may not know about,
and it prompts questions about whether we can make positive changes such as
opening our hearts again to someone in spite of all we've been through or
whatever pain still resides in our DNA.
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Mad Librarian Gets Five Stars From Red-Headed Book Lover
MAD Librarian
Breaking Bad for Librarians. Cayocosta72 Reviews said, “This book is truly every librarian’s dream come true." Half of all income goes to the Awesome Foundation for Innovation in Libraries. Available at https://www.amazon.com/MAD-Librarian-Michael-Guillebeau-ebook/dp/B075LQD1LB/
This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Michael Guillebeau
Genre: Women’s Crime Humor
ISBN: 978-0-9972-0552-7
Published by Madison Press
Available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon here
Reviewed by Aimee Ann Originally for Red Headed Book Lover Reviews
I
adored everything about this wacky novel, it may be a humorous book, but it is
so much more
than
this as it is full of twists and turns galore that will keep you entertained
from beginning
to end. It
is funny and incredibly enjoyable, but it also has some serious moments
for
those readers who like a
novel with some depth. I adored the underlining
theme of this story which
was, the fact that libraries
are
being closed all over. It is a sad reality, and I hate it so much, the ones
that are
still open are being updated
to suit the technological age, and that is so sad to me as
am a huge
traditionalist.
My
point is, I adored how the author of this wonderful novel explored this theme
and
based a whole story
around it so well done Michael Guillebeau!
MAD
Librarian has a host of eccentric, unique characters, they were certainly ‘out
there’
but
they were brilliant, and they propelled the story of the book along perfectly.
I particularly
loved Serenity;
I thought she was a brilliant protagonist and unique. Now that I think about it
I can’t think
of another protagonist to compare her too, so that shows how unique and special
she is!
As
well as the characters being superb, so is the incredible dialogues. The long
sentences were
wonderful
and made me engrossed in the novel. It was like the author’s words were spiked
with
adrenaline
because I found that when I started reading, I could not stop! He is a
wonderful,
talented author
and so I would implore all of you lovely readers to read this book!
| |||
Breaking Bad for Librarians. Cayocosta72 Reviews said, “This book is truly every librarian’s dream come true." Half of all income goes to the Awesome Foundation for Innovation in Libraries. Available at https://www.amazon.com/MAD-Librarian-Michael-Guillebeau-ebook/dp/B075LQD1LB/
MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion.
This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
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