Book Review – Magnus Opum

Magnus Opum – A Wonderfully Creative Suess-Esque Fantasy

Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Jonathan Gould
Format: Kindle

Like his fellow Kertoobis, Magnus Mandalora enjoyed the consistency and comfort that life provided in their wonderfully stable land of Lower Kertoob.  That is until his brother Jangos developed the Grompets and did something a Kertoobi rarely did – leave Lower Kertoob. Why anyone would leave was beyond all of them, what more could one want that to plant, grow, harvest, bake and sell Pflugberrys in Pflugberry pie?  Such a scandal was Jangos departure that Magnus could hardly concentrate.  Then the unthinkable happens.  News reached lower Kertoob that Jangos had been attacked and killed by the hated Glurgs.  Needing to avenge his brother’s death, Magnus decides he too must leave Lower Kertoob and find his destiny.

Jonathan Gould is a master at “Adult Fables” as demonstrated in his novellas – Flidderbugs and Doodling.  Turning his talents to a full length novel – Magnus Opum – Gould creates an even richer world and experience than possible in a novella.  In the opening chapters, Gould’s turn of phrase and creative names for places (Lower Kertoob), characters (Magnus, Jangos), and races (Doosies, Glurgs) are Suess-esque and immediately give the sense of joy and wonder of life as the Kertoobis experience it by connecting readers with their childhood Suess experiences.  But this is not a simple children’s book as Magnus and readers soon learn.  Gould slowly exposes Magnus to a world forged of prejudice forged by generations of misunderstanding and hate to which Magnus is not immune.

As with all of Gould’s works, one cannot help but reflect and spend time questioning ones own mores and decide whether or not to be courageous and face them, as Magnus did, or live life in our own version of simple Lower Kertoob.

Note: A complementary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – Exit Strategy

Exit Strategy – A Rare “Gem”…

Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Colleen Cross
Format: Kindle, Paperback

In massive amounts of debt and wondering why she ever decided to start her own the forensic accounting business, Katerina (Kat) Carter is forced to live in her office space after being evicted for not paying her rent.  As her world is about to completely unravel, Liberty Diamond Minds comes into the picture.  Someone has embezzled five billion dollars and before going public with the information, the CEO hopes Kat can track down the money and save the company.  But Kat quickly learns more than just money is at stake as she uncovers a global conspiracy involving “blood diamonds”, money laundering, and some of the most powerful people in the world.
Colleen Cross’ “Exit Strategy” starts with a heart pounding execution style murder in Argentina and the pace does not stop until the final page is turned.  I would have never guessed that a book whose main character is a forensic accountant would be so engaging but this has all the elements of some of my favorite novels – entertaining, fast paced, real characters (with the possible exception of one of the more obstructionist police officials), and numerous plot twists.  What I appreciated most was Cross’ research and expertise regarding the world of underground trafficking, how organizations can launder money, and the use of the global diamond mining system to trade illegally without a trace.  I don’t think I will look at a diamond ring again without wondering if or how it may have played a role in some illegal activity.  Cross provides just enough detail about how forensic accounting works to keep it interesting with the side benefit of illustrating just how challenging our own government and those around the world face in dealing not just with illegal trade activities but terrorists.  This gave me an entirely new appreciation for what likely goes on behind the scenes everyday to keep the world safe.

Cross has a gift for storytelling and I look forward to future works.

Note: A complimentary copy of this novel was provided ini return for a review.

Book Review – My Sister’s Funeral

My Sister’s Funeral – Murder from Down Under

Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Stephen Bush
Format: Kindle

Greeting mourners as they arrive at his sister Maria’s funeral, James knew this day was inevitable.  Though she had disappeared when he was only ten, the aftermath of that event had effected every aspect of his life including his troubled relationship with his parents, confused sexual urges, and eventual disintegration of his marriage.  But after all these years, the question still remained, what had happened, who had killed her, and why?  Was it one of these very people who had come to pay their respects or had fate already gotten even and taken the life of her murderer?

My Sister’s Funeral, by Stephen Bush, is a gripping murder mystery read.  Through vivid characterization, Bush describes an eclectic mix of friends and family all with varying motivations to have possibly committed the murder.  His unveiling of Maria’s past is well paced though at times it was bit difficult to follow the time line – what was happening in the present time versus the frequent flashbacks.  Bush is strong with his narrative and uses dialogue sparingly.

What I enjoyed most in this book, though, was how well Bush gets the reader inside James’ confused head and his need for closure on so many levels whether with his family, ex-wife, or his murdered sister.  And while Maria was killed, in many ways James suffered a longer and more painful torture that Bush conveys thoughtfully.  I will admit I had no idea who the murdered was until it was finally revealed; perhaps those more astute than I will pick up on the subtle clues and while the question of “who done it” drives the story forward, I think My Sister’s Funeral is best appreciated as a character exploration.

Note: A complementary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – Summer’s Journey Volume 2

Summer’s Journey Vol 2: Alphabetical Assignation – The Next Level

Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Summer Daniels
Format: Kindle

Standing naked and blindfolded, Summer Daniels’ pulse races as Mark approaches her from behind.  For a moment, she wonders what she could be possibly be thinking.  Alone in a hotel room behind a locked door with a man she has met only once but thoroughly seduced online, she wonders if she has made a mistake putting herself in such a vulnerable position.  But as soon as Mark strokes her flesh and she feels his hot breath on her neck, her fears are replaced by arousal.  What will he do to her?

“Alphabetical Assignation”, Part 2 in Summer’s Journey, picks up where Part 1 leaves off.  Unlike Part 1, however, the mental foreplay is replaced by an expertly written physical encounter.  Daniels’ description of not only what is happening but Summer’s reactions is a perfect example of good creative writing – that is – show don’t tell.  The pace and cadence is spot on and Daniels avoids the pitfalls of many erotic tales that can become trashy and instead respectfully conveys a very graphic and intense sensual and sexual encounter.  If readers were frustrated in Part 1 that “the goods” weren’t delivered, they will be more than pleased with Part 2.

Summer’s Journey Volume 2 is $2.99 on Kindle.

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – Summer’s

Summer’s Journey Vol 1: Losing Control – Foreplay

Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Summer Daniels
Format: Kindle

Recently divorced and open to exploring a side of her sexuality she had previously hidden, Summer decides to use technology to find her man.  Inundated with inane emails from numerous men looking to hook-up, Summer wonders if perhaps there are any intelligent sensual men out there.  Then she comes across Mark online, an articulate man who captures her interest.  After agreeing to meet him, she finds herself very attracted to him.  Much to her surprise, he leaves her but offers a proposition.  Conflicted but intrigued, will Summer follow her passions?

Summer Daniels’ “Summer’s Journey Volume 1: Losing Control” is a masterfully crafted erotic tale.  This is a brief ebook which sets the stage as an initial chapter in her experience with Mark.  This volume is really an erotic appetizer.  The pace of seduction is perfect and Daniels weaves a well balanced conflict play between Summer’s desire to broaden her horizons without pushing so hard that Summer will retreat.  The author notes that this is a work of fiction, but told as a “real world” erotic memoir adds readers will be pulled in to an experience where they just might wonder how fictional it really is.

Warning, the ending is really just the beginning!  You won’t be able to resist picking up Volume 2.

Summer’s Journey Volume 1 is $2.99 on kindle.

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was received in return for a review.

Book Review – Life of Death

Life of Death – Echoes of “Dead Again”

Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Nicholas A McGirr
Format: Kindle

After encountering a strangely compelling homeless man, a young woman is taken to his forest hideaway where she learns her thoughts and feelings are as transparent to him as her words.  She can hide nothing and though she feels fear she also finds she cannot leave.  Somehow able to transport his experiences to her, she learns through vivid memories of his tortured youth and how he learns of his abilities leading to his ultimate belief that he is immortal. Crazy?  Perhaps.  But something deep inside her tells her there is truth in his words. But why has he abducted her?  Why has he shared his life with her and why does he seek her as his companion?  Slowly the walls come down, and she finds the truth is something she never expected.

Nicholas McGirr’s “Life of Death” is a cerebral game of cat and mouse.  I started reading this thinking I had a good idea of what and who the stranger was based on the title and thought perhaps this would be a predictable plot.  However, I found myself challenging my assumptions as the stranger’s past and present were revealed.  This kept me turning pages well into the night.

The style and progression of the story are unconventional which some could find confusing but like a David Lynch movie, these greatly enhanced the strangeness of the book and its theme.  The questions of immortality are thought provoking and I found the book haunted me for hours after I finished the final pages.  Life of Death is $7.99 on Kindle.

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – Donations to Clarity

Donations to Clarity – Hysterical! Honesty, Laugh Out Loud Funny!

Rating: 4.5 of 5
Author: Noah Baird
Format: Kindle, Paperback

While debating the weight of a human ‘turd’, long time friends Earl and Harry enter into yet another inane discussion that is usually associated with their accompanying alcoholic intake.  But genius, at least in their eyes, strikes and with the aid of a internet order Chewbacca costume their Bigfoot touring company is born.  Unfortunately, neither realize that the real chain-smoking Bigfoot has been looking for mate and this new, cute, neat, clean little She Bigfoot seems like a great target for his affections.  Suddenly, our country bumpkins find they’ve attracted not just a real Bigfoot but the local authorities as well as a shadow agency responsible for protecting a variety of secrecies from the general populace.

Noah Baird’s “Donations to Clarity” is a hysterical ‘Hee Haw’ meets ‘Men in Black’ meets ‘Bigfoot’ meets ‘Elvis’ mashup.  I have to say I cannot remember the last time I literally laughed out loud while reading a book.  My oldest son actually asked if there was something wrong with me as a kept chuckling to myself.  Baird’s characterizations are over-the-top caricatures but that is what makes them so funny.  My favorite is Bigfoot.  Honestly, these sections of the book are incredibly funny though they will likely appeal more to male readers.

My hesitation in rating this book higher is due to the initial opening three to four chapters.  Each introduces a different set of characters, and as a reader I was a little uncertain where it was all going.  But once the theme around Bigfoot takes hold, things tighten up and the novel picks up a great bit of steam.  So stick through the first four or five chapters if you are a little confused, the payoff if great.

“Donations to Clarity” (which as a title really has nothing to do with the story other than a play on words) is $4.99 on Kindle.

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – The Growing Dim Project

The Growing Dim Project – Band on the Run!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author: Nicholas McGirr
Formate: Kindle, Paperback

Crossman Jessica, Clint, Mike, and Justin , they are the band “The Growing Dim Project”.  An eclectic mix of musician’s, their emo group is an alternative performance rock band costumed in black garb playing to the light of candles in their regular haunt – The Sh*t Creek bar.  As they play their signature original and cover pieces on what is their best performance to date, the band and the crowd all feel something odd happening as the night progresses.  Cross, the bands founder and drummer is acting a bit odd.  A feeling of dread fills the room.  Something is about to happen as fate draws them inexorably forward…

Like the band members in the book, Nicholas McGirr’s “The Growing Dim Project” is an eclectic mix of styles and genres.  Told from multiple first person perspectives as well as third person occasionally, the first part of the book reads like a band documentary.  Through frequent flashbacks, we are introduced to the various band members, how they met, how The Growing Dim Project came to fruition and how all of these events brought them to what would become their final performance at Sh*t Creek.  About half way through the book, however, it becomes clear this isn’t just a documentary but something much much different.  Supernatural abilities emerge from Crossman and readers come to learn the Cross plays a pivotal roll in human history and is faced with a choice none of us would want to face.

The Growing Dim Project is a very different kind of book with true alternative / indie flair.  Though it is a fist in a series, the ending of this volume is climatic and resolves a number of story arcs while leaving clear a path to future chapters.  If you are looking for something different, consider picking up The Growing Dim Project.  It is $2.99 on Kindle.

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – The King of Paine

The King of Paine – Great Mystery/Thriller at Steal of a Price

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Author: Larry Kahn

Format: Kindle, Paperback

Busting open the hotel door, Frank Paine finds a woman gagged and bound to the bed as a black-masked man stands over her while a tripod mounted camera records the rape.  The masked man claims the entire affair is a role play they had both agreed to through an online BDSM chat room.  The girl, however, thought she was simply living out a non-contact encounter.  In reality, both were setup by a third party stalking them online.  Worse, Frank learns his own former online personality – the King of Paine – is potentially be used as a part of these crimes.  Meanwhile, Roger Martin, a washed-up former Pulitzer Prize winning journalist follows a series of leads regarding the recent disappearance of several elderly chronically ill high profile individuals.  Though they don’t know each other, Frank and Roger’s lives are about to be thrown together as both work to solve two mysteries linked at their core.

“The King of Paine” by Larry Kahn is a complex, compelling, fast paced and intriguing thriller that will have you turning the pages well into the early morning.  The writing is crisp and pops off the page.  This novel is not, however, not for the prudish.  Online sex chat rooms and alternative BDSM lifestyles are a focal point for most of the book.  In fact, this facet overshadows the book’s other central theme regarding end-of-life illness management and elderly respect issues.  An odd combination for sure but Kahn makes the story work because of his great characters and ability to keep readers guessing throughout.

This was almost a five star book for me.  My holdout was that I felt the fatal disease management theme was not as well developed as I would have liked.  Having said that, at $0.99 on Kindle this book is an incredible deal.  For a good mystery/thriller, readers can’t go wrong with The King of Paine at this amazing price.

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.

Book Review – The Glass Wall

The Glass Wall – Sci/Fi Fantasy meets Suburbia!

 Rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Author: Madison Adler

Format: Kindle, Paperback

Staring out the car window, Sidney takes in the neighborhood that will become her next temporary home. As her social worker Neelu says all the right things about the foster family she’ll will be living with, Sydney tunes her out having heard it all before.  Months from now her mom will be out of rehab and they’ll move across country to once more start over only to replay the entire scene sequence again.  Much to her surprise however, Sydney quickly takes to her new foster parents and even their athletic daughter Grace.  For once in her life, Sydney started to feel like she belonged and all would have been fine had not been for the strange neighbors across the street whose strange behavior and expensive cars are far out of place in this lower middle class neighborhood.  Sydney’s foster father Al suspects the neighbors are dealing drugs, and he and Sydney install a few hidden video cameras to begin surveillance.  What Sydney learns, however, is something more than she ever bargained for, and she soon finds that it is she and not her neighbors that is at the center of all that is strange in the neighborhood.

Madison Alder’s “The Glass Wall” is a different type of fantasy book.  The beginning third of the book reads a bit like an after school special about the lonely girl whose only real friend is her pet mouse that she has smuggled from foster home to foster home.  This premise is itself a compelling read.  Then midway through the reader comes to understand that the neighbors are much more than they appear.  Without giving the plot away, this is more a sci/fi/fantasy novel than one might first expect.  Adler integrates these diverse elements in such a way that they read very plausible managing the suspension of disbelief factor well.

For those interested in a different twist in this genre, check out The Glass Wall.  It is the first in a series and at only $0.99 it is a bargain!

Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.