Applause

This week i want to give a standing ovation to two fellow writers but for very different reasons. Firstly Patrick Hodges for tackling a difficult subject like bullying, but creating a lovely book in the process. I'm sure this book, in the right hands can bring about some much needed change and it is a five star read.
The second round of applause goes to Peg Glover, for writing a handy guide that will hopefully introduce more readers into the wonderful world of independently published books. I gave this 4 stars.

Joshua's Island by Patrick Hodges

Joshua is a small thirteen year old boy. Picked on by what he calls ‘the bully squad’ and shunned by the rest of his class mates. Too embarrassed to talk to his parents and ignored by an unsympathetic principal, he just hopes to survive the last year, before moving to high school. Then he gets partnered with Eve, one of the popular girls, for his science class. This class year looks to be the same hell as the one before. But then, gradually, both kids realise they are wrong about each other. What a sweet story this was. Well written and a joy to read despite its painful subject. Told alternating from Joshua’s, and then Eve’s perspective, we experience their developing friendship. The theme of this book is bullying, but it is about so much more. Hope, courage, friendship and young love, feature also very prominently. School was a long time ago for this reviewer but the book brought back a few painful memories; kids can be very cruel to each other. I think this book has an excellent message for youngsters and also for their parents, even if the first adult does nothing and won’t listen, try again. Eventually you will find a sympathetic ear. Don’t suffer in silence, talk to someone. 

Discover New Authors & Great Reads by Peg Glover

Independent writers come in all shapes and sizes and a bewildering number of genres. Peg Glover has created a great introduction to some of them. A number of reviews ordered by genre will give you an easy way into discovering some great new writers. The reviews are well written and give you a good idea what the book is about. The links to the websites are helpful and I certainly will check out some of the recommended writers. I was disappointed though in a few things. Firstly, I’m sure Giacomo Giammatteo is a great writer, but I don’t think we needed no less than 6 reviews of his books in the one genre. I’d rather Peg had selected a few more writers in the mystery and thriller section. She could have done one review with the comment that Giacomo’s whole oeuvre is worth a look. Secondly; the last list of recommendations. Writers like Dan Brown and John Grisham are great reads, but I hardly think they need to be in a book that aims to let you discover new writers.

A useful guide to discovery.

 

Wacky Stories With Twist Endings Volume 1 by John M W Smith

I'm normaly not this quick of the mark with book reviews, but this was a very quick read. Very enjoyable and a four star from me.

Wacky Stories With Twist Endings Volume 1 by M W Smith on Amazon.com

This was a very enjoyable book of short stories. I’m glad the title Wacky Stories was a bit of a misnomer as often things that are described as wacky/zany/madcap are often very unfunny.  This was a collection of situations with a surprise ending, or it’s not quite what you think it is about like; Act of Love. If I would have to pick a common theme I would say the complexities of relationships. It’s a great subject for twists in the tale stories, as relationships are a minefield of miscommunications and misunderstandings. My only complaint is that with eight stories, the book is very short. I certainly would like to read more of this author as he has a good easy-to-read style. Great for a commute or a weekend away.

 

The Silence of the Stones by Rebecca Bryn

I would have liked to have posted this review a few days earlier, but with work etc. I didn't get the book finished until this morning. The book was free over the weekend so it would have been nice to blog about that too. Anyhoo, go and buy it, it's worth the money. I give it 5 stars.

The Silence of the Stones by Rebecca Bryn on Amazon.com

This book has all the ingredients for a good read; a plucky heroine that is far from perfect. A mystery that has you guessing to the very end and a nail biting ending. Alana is a struggling artist that inherits a cottage on the Welsh Moors. Despite her families warning she decides to keep the cottage and risks everything by not selling it but creating a monumental art work. The easy way would have been to sell the cottage and carry on as before, but Alana is inspired by the place and makes a bold move. Knowing many struggling artist I found her character ballsy and entirely believable. Alana soon uncovers the unhappy past of this village and finds that things are still not right. Mysterious Runes appear on doors followed by a death. They seem like natural deaths, but is someone out for revenge? The story is complex but Rebecca has written it in an easy to read style. I couldn’t put this book down as there were just so many mysteries to uncover.

Set against the very atmospheric backdrop of the Welsh moors and its ancient monuments, this is a book well worth reading. I hope to discover more of this talented writer.

 

A Circle Around Forever by Robert K. Swisher Jr.

I've reviewed two books from this Author recently. Both were from the Bob Roosevelt series, which I liked very much. When I was asked to review Roberts latest work I agreed settling in for a fun read. Maybe I should have read the blurb first just to prepare myself as this book is very, very different to what I've read from this author before. It took me a few chapters to settle in and let the story pull me in. It did at times, but I found this a hard read. I'm just not a spiritual person and this just wasn't the book for me. However as a reviewer I stick to the questions;
Is it well written?
Are the characters believable?
Would other people appreciate it?
The answer to the first two was yes, with some to the third. Resulting in a four star.

A Circle Around Forever by Robert K.Swisher Jr

Barbara has been haunted by the ghost of her late grandmother Bertha since her funeral. Bertha was given away by her father and as her birth caused her mother’s death. Her brothers’ cruelty sowed the first seeds of hatred in young Bertha and were nurtured by a mysterious voice, causing her to committing unspeakable acts. This bitter vicious ghost is not at rest and tells Barbara that her son  Shannon, will give what she searches; a nothingness. A battle for the boy’s soul looms; orchestrated by forces older than time.

I’m familiar with this writer because of the Bob Roosevelt series, which I liked very much. I was asked to review this; his latest work and was rather surprised that this is by the same writer. I’m not sure the same reader that enjoyed a ‘bucket full of Lies’ will enjoy this book.

This is a rather serious book, written from a deeply spiritual place. Many chapters do begin with a biblical quotation. It explores human emotions like hate, love, jealousy and envy. I have to admit that I found it at times bleak and hard going. However it is well written epic piece of work and at times quite poetic. If you do like literature to make you think and question the more spiritual things in live, this will be the book for you. A work to read slowly and reflect on.

 

Awesome Authors

This week I'm just going to redirect you to Rhoda D'Ettore's exellent blog. She has compiled a list of Indie writers worth reading and some of her reviews for them on Goodreads. A few of the authors have been reviewed by myself too. I'm very honoured to be included in this list:
http://www.rhodadettore.com/awesome-authors.html

Free on Amazon

I'm running another book promotion on the 1st and 2nd of August. After day one, I'm a very happy bunny indeed. #8 in the general humor section on Amazon.com and the copies downloaded are almost double from the last give away:

So what is making the difference?
I would like to say the new book cover. I also joined a few more Facebook groups and have now a following on twitter of 784. I'm also part of an author retweet group on Facebook. The only advert I placed this time was on the choosy book worm site.
Free book ad link
and they have featured my book on the first line, which must help. So a lot of hard work and 15$ got me up to #8. Not bad I think, but time will tell if people buy book 2 and leave reviews. One depressing statistic someone mentioned the other day is that only one in a thousand books given away generates a review.
Here is the link again to Amazon and the graphic I use for tweets:
Free copy of Language in the Blood