Perfectly toned YA-Bad Reputation by P.W. Creighton.

To say that a book has personality is a somewhat odd way of drafting a review, but that is
what this book has, and it has it in chunks. It's a youthful personality; full of juvenile delinquency--we can all relate to, and blind young heroism--many of us can only imagine. It's an intriguing personality, a daring one, and in addition it is a personality that possesses a curious mind. Finally, it is a personality that the reader wants to acquaint with, deeply.
P.W.Creighton says in his biography that he has not always been certain of his career destination. All I can say is that anyone who reads this novel will know that the man has definitely found his vocation. I read an enormous number of books, some I like well enough, some I can't even finish, a rare few I adore, and this was one of them. Here the tone is perfectly YA-- from the protagonists angst, captured as he is in his juvenile capacity with all the yearnings of the man he is yet to become, to the frustration at not being able to draw the world in the way he reckons it should be sketched. In a day, life changes dramatically for Logan and his friends in a manner that will have the reader flipping the pages to uncover the mystery that lies at the heart of this wonderfully told tale. I think this author is on his way to the fabled realms of fortune and fame, and with every new work he offers I will be there to buy his books, and thereby, hopefully, contribute something to the journey.

Engrossing Debut:- Remarkable, Suspenseful Thriller! The Candidates aDaughter by Catherine Lea.

Blurb:- "A thriller with heart." - Sara J. Henry, Anthony-award winning author of A COLD AND LONELY PLACE.

Twenty-two-year old car thief Kelsey Money thought kidnapping senate hopeful Richard McClaine’s kid was the worst plan Matt and his drug-fueled brother had ever come up with. But Matt's planned everything down to the last detail—nobody gets hurt, the kid goes home alive. Then Kelsey discovers she’s only got half the plan. By the time she finds out the rest, she’s been framed for murder, and six-year-old Holly McClaine won't be going home alive. Across town, Holly’s mother has no idea what her daughter was wearing when she disappeared. When Holly was born with Down syndrome and a cleft palate, Elizabeth McClaine placed her only daughter in the care of a nanny while she battled post-natal depression. But when Holly is kidnapped and Elizabeth discovers the detective heading the hunt has already failed one kidnapped child, Elizabeth knows she cannot fail hers. Now Kelsey and Elizabeth have twenty-four hours to find Holly. Because in twenty-five, she’ll be dead.

Review

Embark on a journey of utterly believable intrigue toward a nail-biting show-down that'll have you screaming "get'm, oh get'm, please", until the very last world-erupting word.

An emotional freight train running at an unprecedented pace into unfathomable darkness. A place of ice cold emptiness. A hollowed-out-heart. A wicked barren pit. You feel all this in the mother's pain, tangibly. You will hear a crinkle of paper, loud enough to set your teeth on edge, as she crunches up her heartfelt void right in front of you! Yet, it has rhythm, a speed to it that layers warmth to melt straight through the ice at the base of the tale. I felt myself rooting for the heroine(s) vocally(very loudly, in fact). At various intersections, I found my hands in fists of sheer anticipation. The suspense nearly killed me. I was so very involved in the story I dreaded its finale, now isn't that something? Incredibly eloquent, you'll be marveling at phrase after phrase of first class, sparkling writing; could I say more? Catherine Lea stitched me right into the fabric of her story without me even noticing that she had; the mark of a truly gifted author.

A Thousand Tears by J.C Martin a short story review.

Quote to set the scene

"So often in the course

Of life's few fleeting years,

A single pleasure costs

The soul a thousand tears."

- Francis William Bourdillon, “Upon the Valley’s Lap”

Free on Smashwords.

Here

Blurb:-

A tragic fantasy tale that will hopefully drive home the point: that communication is of foremost importance in all relationships. 

Review:-

Excellent short read. Well written. A demonstration in the effects of a hardened heart, a heart made unsure by the vastness of human uncaring.

Scary Mary by SA Hunter--A Review

Cute, quirky and side-splittingly funny. This is one hell of an entertaining read. Scary Mary is different, she's intelligent, but also more than a tad bit odd-ball. Nevertheless, someone, in the form of Cyrus--the hot new boy at school--finally recognizes her merits and wants to be friends. That is, until she has to tells him that his house is haunted and that the wicked malevolent spirit living in it is intent on having on going conversations with her, and possibly killing him(no wonder no one at school wants to know her, he thinks!). For the sake of good, Mary wants to rid Cy, of his ghost hoping stoically that she won't face the same fate as the only fairy tale female hero she knows of, The Little Mermaid, who for love gave up her legs only to be left to melt into sea foam while her prince marries his princess. Dear, oh dear, if you haven't read this book you've surely missed something and since it's offered at more than one retailer free of charge I can only urge you to stay that delay-- And Rush Forth And Get It TODAY!

Max and the Gatekeeper by James Todd Cochrane. A Book Review

Blurb:-(from Goodreads)

A war has been waging for centuries; a magical and technological battle between good and evil. This conflict will affect life everywhere, but not everyone is aware it exists. When twelve-year old Max Rigdon is sent to stay with his grandfather for the summer, he unwillingly enters the fight. The day Max steps off the bus he is marked with an evil curse and immediately becomes the target of evil men and creatures with designs on ruling the universe. Not only does this curse cause Max physical pain but it allows his enemies to track and find him. He soon learns that the reason for this unwanted attention is because his grandfather is the keeper of a gateway; a powerful machine that makes travel to hundreds of strange unknown worlds possible. The enemy will do anything to gain possession of this power in their quest to control all worlds. With the help of his friend Cindy and others, Max must quickly learn the necessary skills to survive if he is to avoid the deadly trap that has been planned for him and his grandfather. A trap that has been decades in the making with Max as the missing piece. If successful it will change life as we know it.

Review:-

A sweeping enchanting story set in a world where the forces of good and evil battle for sway. No, this is not a "read it before", predictable tale, it is a vivid, beautifully woven saga of magic, mayhem and mystery. Adventure abounds, wicked plots and evil questing beasts frighten and entertain. Rarely, if ever, am I faced with a book I'm actually nervous to write a review for, this was one; I was afraid I would not be able to do it justice, it is simply too excellent.

Max, pays a reluctant visit to his grandfather for his summer vacation, he is immediately marked and tracked by the creatures of darkness. Max soon discovers, not only that he admires his grandfather, but that the old man is a seasoned traveler to far flung fantasy worlds, courtesy of an intriguing time machine. He befriends Cindy, a beautiful, tomboy, and makes instant enemies with the group of town bullies, who are far more dangerous than first thought.

Max and Cindy are charming characters, full of warmth and fun. Their halting, first blush infatuation is a delight to read, both refreshing in its innocence and evocative in its promise.

Suspense, and danger force Max and Cindy into a vortex of "other worlds" for which they need to learn enthralling magical arts to survive. From believable, truly scary monsters, to shimmering fairies and stealthy night shades, this book has it all. The ambit and sheer breadth of the authors imagination is staggering and ever awe inspiring. The target market here is probably pre-teen, but for anyone who fears that wonder is merely a glimmer of vaguely remembered majesty on a fading horizon, this book will fix it totally, a fit read for both child, and the child in you. A must do fiction, more heart-stoppingly amazing than anything I've picked up in years: which kid(or adult), after all, does not want to be the hero with hard-won superpowers who is touted to save the world.

The Professionals (Stevens and Windermere), by Owen Laukkanen. A Gritty Tale of Crime and consequence.

The Professionals (Stevens and Windermere)

by Owen Laukkanen.

Blurb:-

Four friends, recent college graduates, caught in a terrible job market, joke about turning to kidnapping to survive. And then, suddenly, it's no joke. For two years, the strategy they devise-quick, efficient, low risk-works like a charm. Until they kidnap the wrong man.

Now two groups they've very much wanted to avoid are after them-the law, in the form of veteran state investigator Kirk Stevens and hotshot young FBI agent Carla Windermere, and an organized-crime outfit looking for payback. As they all crisscross the country in deadly pursuit and a series of increasingly explosive confrontations, each of them is ultimately forced to recognize the truth: The true professionals, cop or criminal, are those who are willing to sacrifice . . . . everything.

Review

A gritty read of crime and consequence, full of guilt and grime. The author sets an unsympathetic backdrop of hash economic times as impetus to stray from the straight and narrow. Authur, Matt, Marie and Ben devise a seemingly harmless plan--they are not going to hurt anyone, only hold them until their well off families pay to get them back. However, abducting people is never harmless as the 'team' soon find out. The trick the author plays with his characters and his plot, that set this yarn apart, are to make the reader empathize not only with the protagonists predicament, but also with angst. Unwittingly you might find yourself hopeful for their escape, not only from their assailants, but from the nightmare situation they find themselves in. This is the 'Sundance' syndrome, and the author does it very well. His fugitives are nice, normal kids, who have stumbled onto the wrong path, we want to save them.

On the other hand the cops, are not so likable--well made characters, yes, nice, not at all--Stevens, wants fame and thrills. Windermere, loves the run of adrenaline during a case, more than closure at the end. Both officers are in relationships but find themselves more than a little enamored of each other. Also, they neglect their life partners without much regret. So, although this story pans out in a moralistically predicable way, the characters and the point they are shooting from(no pun intended) make this read unusual and engaging. If you like thrill-a-second, action packed reads, with life like heroes then this is the book for you.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. A Book Review.

Don Tillman manages himself. He doesn't fit in, in any conventional sense nor in any ordinary way. He lives by route, eats by standardized meal selection and finds the concept of fun totally alien. Nevertheless, he sees the need to initiate a search for a life mate. However, normal dating routines leave him cold; he hates the waste of time--he simply does not have the social skills to patiently wait out traditional matchmaking trial and error. So, like the scientist he is, he decides to tackle the problem logically. He draws up a questionnaire to eliminate any potential time wastes in his quest to find a suitable wife--really! To fob this off as a, feel good frolic, is to severely undermine both the truly magical story as well as the gut-wrenching hilarity of the novel; I laughed so hard, and so long that my eyes watered, literally. Don meets Rosie a wholly unsuitable candidate on his marriage rating scale--she smokes, hates red meat and drinks copiously. Despite everything Don finds Rosie unbearably attractive. As a geneticist, Don, decides to assist Rosie in conducting a series of surreptitious DNA tests on possible paternity candidates, whom Rosie's mother, long deceased, led her daughter to believe might be her rightful father. In the ensuing antics, Don and Rosie grow sideways and longways both in the mind of the reader and in the plot of the story, to become the most charming fictional couple since 'Harry met Sally', including inappropriate, tear-drenchingly funny behavior. The Rosie Project, is simply one of those books you know by instinct will remain on your 'to recommend list' for years to come. A wholly entertaining read, that pokes trills of unpredictable thrills to pop goosebumps of pleasure over your skin with almost every smile-a-minute word.

Dust by Robert Williams a short story review.

Title is availiable free of charge on Smashwords.com
Here
Blurb:-Billionaire adventurer Stan Owens has everything, success, fame, all the luxury money can buy... until a plane crash leaves him stranded in the desert. Alone in a hostile environment, he makes a horrifying discovery in the desert wastes. This is a frightening new short story by Robert Williams, the acclaimed author of "Peculiar, MO."
Review:- Stan Owen is a billionaire risk taker. He is so enamoured of his image as a high-flying larger than life know it all, that he does not find it necessary to carry a cellphone with him during his aerial adventure in a very old, typically elegant, plane. When he lands sans water, navigational equipment or food in a challenging desert-like environment he has to reassess his sense of his own worth and the things he finds important. This is an at times gruesome, at others poetically told story that will have you riveted to your screen until the bitter, horrific finale. Few short stories maintain perfect pace, while spinning a descriptive engaging yarn; THIS IS ONE!

Second Honeymoon by Mark Souza. A Book Review.

Blurb.

A short story available free on Smashwords, B&N, Apple Bookstore, Kobo, Sony eReader Store, and Diesel.

When Jack Duncan finds out his wife changed the terms of her life insurance policy, he’s not a happy man. Instead of a cash payout, he gets a clone. His wife is back and all his planning has gone for naught..

He is tasked with helping her adjust and re-assume her life. But maybe all is not lost. Perhaps she will have problems adjusting. Maybe she'll commit suicide..

review.

Bravo! Not only is story very well written, it is also extremely imaginative. Picture a crime repaid in the most punishing manner, and then add a twist of lemon. This story should be at #1. Very, very clever. Short sharp read.

Identity X by Michelle Muckley. A Book Review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is so much a journey taken in the shoes of, Ben, the main protagonist! We are given air to all his venting angst; should he try to resurrect his tired marriage that has albeit given a final resigned sigh, or would he prefer to embark on an ill-advised romp with his gorgeous and provocative lab assistant. Has his research been driven by the ugly and untimely demise of his father, or has it been the gauge of his own unremitting ambition. Ben's world is turned violently asunder after he invents a remarkable gene altering repair mechanism that will eradicate all inborn predilection to hereditary disease. However, instead of accolade and fame he is dropped into an abyss of ignominy. Suddenly his identity is wiped off the main frame of society, his documents are invalid his existence threatened physically and figuratively.

Ben is in a very scary place; what do his assailant want, why have they stolen his life's work and possibly abducted his family. In a churning, topsy turvy world of intrigue and violence, Ben attempts to save himself, his life's work and his family form the terror of an unknown malevolence. This is a heart-felt tale of suspense, buckle up for a bumpy ride.

Unusual prose, which, at times felt a little wordy for me, but at others proved delightfully poetic; this quote for instance is delicious:
"She loved to visit the smaller districts of the city, where people courted art and culture rather than power and money. She always told him that it was those things that enriched their lives, and that made the world a better place. They would come here early on Sunday mornings when hours dwindled by unaccounted for, where they would sip coffee and eat bagels for breakfast in one of the chafes, or when the weather was fine at one of the small patio tables on the pavement. He passed the flower shop where he would buy her tulips in the spring and roses in the winter, and it reminded him of the early days of their marriage when life was simpler and happier."

All-in-all, I doubt if there would be anyone who would not enjoy this book, the action scenes are tense and dramatic, the characters well drawn and emotionally evocative, and the story well thought out and riveting. A very enjoyable read!

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn a Book Review

Blurb:-
I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.
Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived–and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her..
The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details–proof they hope may free Ben–Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club… and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all..
As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members–including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started–on the run from a killer..
Review
I loved this book enough to read it straight through, you know what I mean--exclusively, which I don't often do. Then, at a particularly grizzly intersection, I just did not want to finish it. I was truly horrified, but then I guess if you don't want horror, don't read horror, crime fiction. I'm glad I did finish it. Kudos to you Ms. Flynn for an excellent, unfathomable plot, it was simply jaw dropping. I'll be picking up more books you write. However, please remind me, often, never to do anything to piss you off!.