Sunday 26 February 2017

Amie Stolen Future (Volume 3) by Lucinda E Clarke

I reviewed the second book in the series a few weeks ago and I have to be honest and say that I enjoyed that one the most out of the three books. This is the last in the series unless the author is adding another one. The end is open. Overall a series worth reading and I give volume 3 'Amie stolen Future' four stars.
Amie Stolen Future (Volume 3) by Lucinda E Clarke

Amie stolen future is the 3rd and final instalment in this exciting adventure series which I enjoyed from the start. This book was a bit slower to start than the two previous instalments as Amie has to come to terms with rebuilding her life in Togodo after the tragic events at the end of book 2. She is unaware of the threat facing her at home as she gets on with things like hiring maids and sourcing household goods.  The newly appointed maid provides one of the best comedy moments, when Amie discovers the maid is ‘creative’ with the use of her spare time. Without giving too much away, events take an unexpected turn and we are back on familiar ground with Amie having to use her wits and ingenuity to survive. I didn’t find the James Bond style plot too plausible, but Lucinda Clarke writes in such an engaging style that I was willing to let a few things slide.  The end is open so I won’t be surprised if there will be another book in this series. (Any plans Ms Clarke?)

Sunday 19 February 2017

Linda's Closet by Mr. H. Eugene

This story really surprised me. I had some issues with the authors style and plausibility of some of the plot twists, but thought it was a very unusual book. I gave it four stars.
Linda's Closet by Mr.H.Eugene


Linda’s closet has many good ideas. Narrating the story from the point of view of a woman losing her sanity was original. It read at times is a little chaotic and trippy as we were trying to piece together the undoing of Linda’s marriage through her words. The writer has a very distinctive style, but I’m not keen on putting entire words and even sentences in all capitals. It gives the impression of the writer shouting at the reader. Linda’s story is now and then broken up by the notes of her psychiatrists. There are enough twists and turns to spur the reader to read on and find out what was really going on. Some of the plot twists were more plausible than others and in my opinion; I think the writer took it one twist too far. As a bonus there are a few alternative endings if you’re not happy with the first.  I did enjoy this book as the point of view was so unusual. I think this writer has a lively imagination which I wouldn’t mind discovering more of.
 


Sunday 12 February 2017

Competition time

I'm running a competion on my new Facebook page; Tomfoolery. If you haven't checked out the page of the star from Conversations with Tom, you can do this now via the following link:
Tomfoolery



Competition time.

Kindle and cat

One reader gave me a great idea when she posted a picture of herself reading my latest release, Conversations with Tom, with her own ginger cat on the book’s Facebook page. I thought it would be wonderful to have a competition where readers send in their photos of them reading with their pets. The prize will be a paperback copy of Conversations with Tom

Here are the rules:
1.       Go to my Facebook page and like. Tomfoolery
2.       Send me a PM with your email address and photo attached.
3.       The photo must feature a book or kindle and an animal. (Of course I like ginger cats and you get brownie points for featuring my book, but an international jury will pick the best picture and they love all sorts of animals. Although the Irish judge has said she doesn’t like toads and frogs.)
4.       Entries must be in before the 5th of March.

Here is my photo, but I'm sure you can do better than this.
 

Gone and Voopyre

This week you are getting two reviews, but two very different books. The first was quite a heavy read and one for people who like to savour beautiful descriptions and a slow pace. I gave this 4 stars. The second is a short story with its roots in Russian folklore.I gave this 5 stars.
Gone by Julie Elizabeth Powell on Amazon.com


This is a beautifully written book. The writer takes us to a place that is her vision of the after-life and she describes this wondrous place in great detail. Even though this is fiction, the tragic event of her daughter becoming brain damaged mirrors the story of Charley the main character. It is a very personal and emotional book when the writer wonders what happened to her daughter’s spirit as the body remained. I found my mind wander at times as we were introduced to a myriad of unusual characters who each tried to explain to Charley what was going on. (At times quite funny, like when she encounters a talking plant.) I think this book will be helpful and enjoyable to people who question what happens to our spirit after we die. It is also a book in the spirit of Alice in wonderland with its surreal and bizarre characters. Not a quick and easy read but one for people who like well-crafted prose.
 
Voopyre by N.C.Stow on Amazon.com

I liked this fairy tale very much. From the get go you got a sense of foreboding and doom. At one point one of the characters says ‘if you go looking for trouble, trouble will find you.’ I love the way the writer described the scenery, but I could have maybe done with a little more explanation as to what the Voopyre and the beast-master are. Maybe if you’re familiar with Russian folklore you will know what all the terms the writer uses are, but I am not. That said, with a bit of imagination you can fill in the blanks and enjoy this story. I certainly did.