The Unsacred Gift by C.S. Dorsey - Book Review

Reading 'The Unsacred Gift' authored by C.S. Dorsey was absorbing and intriguing.  The main character's search for the sanctity of her soul was riveting and self identifying as we all search for the same things at some point if not all of our lives.

Finding your path, defining your personality and place in the world is a continuous challenge, especially for teenagers and young adults.  Adapting to changes, new situations, and traumatic experiences change who we are and what we think.  That certainly was the case here.  Sissy, couldn't identify with the real world for the fears she had of what would happen if she actually interacted with others.  Trying to stay separate, aloof and noncommittal comes with a cost.  Even as she discovered the huge consequences, she still had a hard time letting the emotions rule her heart while she guarded her secret, believing she was protecting not only herself but all those she cared for. As with anyone, our internal fight for being happy, and achieving inner peace and contentment with who we are and how things in our life are, become a daily event.  For Sissy, the event started when she was six, and continued up through college.  She seemed to be stuck in a one track, one verse song, that she couldn't get past until she saw the one person she cared so deeply for move into the next realm.  What she saw in that realm made her realize that life without certain things, and certain emotions, wouldn't be worth all the riches in the world.  This is when things started to become clearer in her mind.  Her soul had been trying to tell her things for some time, she just hadn't been ready to hear it.  Emotions have a way of changing everything in the blink of an eye. Events change things, but the emotions attached to them are much, much more powerful.

I really didn't want to put it down until I found out what happened.  The funny thing is, as I kept reading, and contemplating the ending, I was very surprised.  That ending hadn't even entered my mind.  That is what keeps a story great.  That and the characters always having something going on, whether you can understand what it is or not, you are always trying to figure it out.

Writing fiction is about creating a story that not only is intriguing, but compelling to the reader that they can't guess what is coming next, can't put the book down until the end, or how it will end.   It's a very good story, one you don't want to put down until the ends, and everyone would truly enjoy reading.

Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark - Book Review

'Stay Tuned', authored by Lauren Clark, was a quick read because I wanted to find out what happened.  It is one of those fiction stories that you think you know what and who did what, only to find out you were wrong.  And so was the main character.

It is one of those stories that you know things are put into place to keep you wondering what is really going on.  What you think is going on, twists to another direction, so you just have to keep reading to find out the answers.

The main character seems like the average person, no super powers, and even has a lack of self esteem.  She holds herself in a box, to remain in her comfort zone.  What she becomes is not only due to her self development, but circumstances don't allow for anything but certain changes.  She is actually slapped into the forefront position where there are few choices.  At least few that are good ones.

She finds out that not all things are what they seem, and her inability to seek truths before assuming is right in line with her self esteem issue.  Her coming to grips with her self worth, and the events that lead her there is interesting, but I didn't find it compelling.  She was more subdued when I wanted to see her much more determined, but the story line keeps you reading, wondering if she is going to get her strength and determination now, or what was going to happen first. 

You can actually feel the character grappling with her desires against her feeling that she is deserving of them.  Had the events not transpired, I don't think things would have changed for this character emotionally.  She doesn't have much support, since it seemed like she let things slip away, while life kept marching on.  Again, the events led her in directions that forced her to make changes to not only better her own life, but those around her as well.

This story was interesting but I kept thinking something much bigger was going to happen, and kept reading thinking it was just around the corner.  Things did keep happening, and who did what and why is not always what you thought.  So what  I thought was going to happen, didn't.  What did happen was a tame to me, but fit and was needed by the character.

Her development throughout the story was with impact from numerous sources.  As you wonder what you would do in that situation, you are content and even proud of how she handled it.

It is a nice story, and worth the read.  You never know, you might see some of yourself  there as well.

The Avenged, by Charles Prandy -The Book That Could Be a Good Movie.

I am not joking about the title.  When I first started reading this book, I just thought this story was going to be another one of "those" stories, no big deal, no excitement, no glad I read it, no what else has the author written.  How wrong I was on all of them.

The lead character Jacob Hayden was a stand up guy that I think would have loved to be a hero, a superman, but didn't seek such a role.  He was happy and content with his life and his work just the way it was.  He thought he had the perfect life.  The author really didn't get you too into his mind, which by the way, was exactly how most men think.  They don't.  They don't over think details and events the way women do, and he was true to that character.  It showed he was human, just a regular guy like everyone else, doing his job, and became embroiled in an unbelievable situation because of it.

When a person is a really good person, they get a reputation for that.  People love them.  They are respected, revered.  This guy knew it, but didn't put himself up on a pedestal because of it.  Jacob just tried to do the right thing.  The author made you feel the same thing for this guy.  You loved him, respected him, and wanted to help him do the right thing.  So when others came out of their shells, their hiding, or their fears to help him, you cheered.  You wanted to shout "Yes, that's what I'm talking about".  I feel like I would be a very good friend to this guy, and love to hang out with him. 

Getting your audience to feel such connection to the characters is a conquest we all seek.  Accomplishing it is masterful.  This was a job very, very well done.

I said before that I thought this would be just another "one of those stories".  This is far from that.  In my mind I saw this as a movie, with Vin Diesel playing the lead.  Yes, I know in the book Jacob Hayden is black, but I don't see people that way.  I see what kind of person, or character they are, and I thought Vin would be perfect for the character.  Give him a spray tan, if his color bothers you.

 

Yet again, I contemplated the ending as being the good guy usually wins, and the story ends neatly and smoothly.  I wasn't expecting this set up in the ending. Wow, that was surprising.  I wondered what he thought about that.  I wanted more answers, at least to what Jacob the 'do the right thing' guy was thinking in the end.  I want to know what the other characters are doing too, but now I need to know what is going to happen next.

 

There better be a sequel to this.  Sometimes you just have to have answers.

Great work Charles Prandy, thanks for letting me read it.  Send me the sequel!!  Others will love this story, and if this is any indication, all his other works.