4.5 stars
Vivid, visceral, velvety – Ok, not that last one, I was running out of V adjectives. Though, this rather highlights the problem I have with George WB Scott’s book, I Jonathan, A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion: how do you review a book that swept you away?
I suppose the latter introduction is a start.
[Read more…] about Review: I, Jonathan, a Charleston Story, by George Scott
I thought I would share something a little bit larger than an excerpt; one of the early chapters. Now, keep in mind while this is a full sample chapter, it is still an unedited draft and is likely to change before publication.
As a writer, I know the struggle over trying to create something “unique.” It is a pointless battle – supposedly there are only 8 truly original stories anyhow – and often in this pursuit, we lose something, and usually that is that we forget to author a delightful story. Francis Laurent by Schuyler Randall, has a setup that you may have heard before, but much of what it does, it does well.
[Read more…] about Review Request: Francis Laurent, by Schuyler Randall
July 6, just a couple days past Independence day, and I have something a little special for y’all: a guest post from author Cristy Bowlin, courtesy of Silver Dagger Tours. I haven’t read the book yet, but (not to judge it by the cover) it does look interesting. Besides, anyone that mentions their cat in their author bio is good in my books.
Be sure to drop by the other stops along the tour for more posts, reviews, and of course the giveaway!
I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, cynical or otherwise, are my own.
Short story collections are notoriously hard to sell, both to reviewers and to the public at large. There are too many variables, differentiating quality, theme clashes. Some writers even intersperse their own works with those in the public domain, making their lists little more than a curation. Not an easy bag to deal with. Sands of Time by Beatrice C. Snipp (a pen name) is no exception to the rule. While there are one or two bright spots, overall, I found it far too simplistic, and disjointed.
[Read more…] about Review Request: Sands of Time, a short story collection by Beatrice C. Snipp
There are a few keys to success for writing a good novel. Atmosphere, plot, pacing – etc. If an author really nails one of them, then it can make up a lot of lost ground. Here, Kelly Channick’s characters in Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison (damn that’s a mouthful) are excellent. Superb even. And even if the rest of the book failed – spoiler, it does not – this aspect is strong enough to pull the rest of the cart along.
[Read more…] about Rev Request: Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison by Kelly Brady Channick
