Reapers With Issues by H. E. Ellis, A Book Review

 

Pestilence, famine, war, oh my.  Creativity, shock, and a questioning what, all rolled into one story.

To say this was a surprise read from her other series, would be an understatement.  I have to admit, at first I couldn't wrap my head around it as I first felt shock for the, shall I say audacity, of an author to write some of these things that fly in the face of the religious minded.  But if you let the chains on your mind go, you begin to sense the limitlessness of one's abilities to grasp the different angles your mind can create from a linear line.  In other words, black and white can be any sound or color you want, and this story gives you a taste of just that.  I would even say it elicited a decadent feel at first.  That is until I got free of the chains and started to understand and feel the story with an unadulterated one path mind.

What is great about this story is that there was a morality to it, and characters that still had depth you could feel.  Some, of course, took a while to feel anything for due to the nature of the character in your mind before you even began to get into the story, but that's what makes it intriguing; intimidating even as you wonder as an author if you could have created such a piece.

Many authors like to keep their characters in a positive light by giving them few if any flaws thus hoping to draw the reader into their veneration.  But being in a real world, sometimes the flaws, making them feel on the same level as the reader, give the character just the endearment needed to make them your hero, your best friend.  What H.E. Ellis makes you feel for these characters, I believe, will actually surprise you.  It sure astonished me.  It's a talent that some authors just innately have.  I believe Ellis is one of them.

This story revolved around the four horsemen, God, Jesus and Lucifer.  To say it is unlike anything I have read on these subjects would be a most articulate summation.  But, the interesting, intriguing, and yet moral story that ensued was a journey of pure artistic enthrall that ripped the seam of complacency and tiresome wide open.  It brought the reader to a sense of "win" with the near ending scenes and yet left you wondering what was next.

This book is not for the faint of heart.  It has strong language, vivid scenes of a dark nature, an abnormal view of religious characters and explicit sexual indications.  If you can get past those things and not letting any stalwart view of religion you may have feel disrupted, then you may enjoy the story for what it is... a skewed take on what really happened with the characters noted above.

Aire by Lena Goldfinch, A Book Review

A fantasy written so you can see it like you're actually there.  It's a story that's entertaining and surprising which you'll certainly enjoy.

Even fantasies, with their creative, innovative and novel stories can become predictable.  So reading one that has interesting or surprising details makes the read really fun.

This story involved a princess that had a rare gift, but needed life to show her the true value of it.  Being protected and sheltered from the real world, she was ill equipped to handle being outside of the palace walls.  But being a stubborn and fiercely loyal and giving person she drew others loyal to her, which gave her the help she needed to fulfill her steps to destiny.

As is true in real life, destiny cannot be manipulated, it just is.  We may have choices, but what is supposed to happen, will.  For princess Annalisia, her destiny unfolded in a way she had never imagined.  Those things only happened in the fairy tales she was told as a child, maybe somewhere in real life but most certainly not in her life; at least nothing other than her special gift.  So how she handled these events was pretty true to how you would expect her to, which gave her the pinch test of being real.  It created the marker for becoming her friend, feeling her emotions, and enjoying her company.

You know the saying, rules are made to be broken, well in Annalisia's case, rules were not to be made in the first place.  That's only because to bind her with rules would be to smother her flame, and without her bright and beautiful spirit, the life of this story would be gray indeed.  She had an energy and wonderful outlook that kept you entertained, amused, and happy.  She is a fun character to follow.

The supporting characters were also with their own personalities that stood out from Annalisia's but at the same time, enhanced her.  Every one of them.

Even though as a princess she was not allowed certain freedoms with other stations in the social hierarchy, the very existence of it ensured her attention, both good and disruptive.  She just could not be bound, by anything.  That very simple word was an assurance of something happening.  It absolutely had to.  It was her destiny.  That attention included her fate.  Her heart screamed for what she couldn't have, while her mind strove to stay calm and centered as the princess she was taught to be.

If you like romances, and fantasy, then you will certainly enjoy this book.  And trust me, you will look to read Lena's other books too.

Surprise Larceny by S. Furlong-Bolliger A Book Review

Short stories are just that.  You won't find a lot of fluff or character building; there just isn't any room for it.  That's probably why I don't usually read short stories.  I like to get to know the characters and really see, through descriptive writing, where everything is at.  So surprisingly, I could actually picture the scene and had just enough of the character's personality to feel and understand the emotions.

In reality, I think had the author wanted to, a full novel with quite a few twists and turns could have been developed.  That should actually be considered and played with when spare time permits.  It could be very interesting.

This story is what I would call deceptive.  You think you know what is happening, and you think you know what will happen, with maybe a quizzical quirk of your brow showing a little guess work, but then you realize you don't know anything.  You are not creative enough to see what was coming.  Ha ha.  And that puts a smile on your face.  That is a book that's fun to read.  That is what makes you say I want more from this author.

Now putting a story with that impact into a short story that still has sufficient build and development gets a bow from me.  My hat's off to you Ms. Bolliger.  Sometimes writing a GOOD short story is more difficult and complicating than a full novel.  So judging a book by its cover can be as equally deceptive as its size.  Granted, a cover will make you pick up a book, and a short story may entice you to buy for a quick read, but how do you know if it's any good and worth your hard earned dollars.  You just have to look for reviews and see what others had to say.  I have a feeling this and all of S. Furlong-Bolliger books will have good reviews, and they would be right.

S. Furlong-Bolliger has an ability to create an impact within a very small space.  With that insight and talent, I can only imagine what would happen in a full novel.  It would be a dynamite can't put it down kind of book I'm sure.  Books that everyone will be reading and talking about.

For a short, yet captivating read, this book is for you.  As a writer, I have to wonder what else could have happened, and wouldn't it be fun to find out.  Enjoy!

The Keeper's Curse by Diana Harrison, A Book Review

A fantasy that proves anything can happen, especially when you least expect it.  It's a story that's entertaining and surprising which you'll certainly enjoy.

Emmy was a typical normal teenager finding her way in life; at least she thought so.  So when things happened to her that wouldn't happen to others, she really couldn't grasp what was going on, nor did she care to.  Being out of the normal in the reality she knew was just her imagination.  Well, that's what she wanted to believe, until she couldn't.

This story supported and belied the belief that parents do what they think is best for their children to protect and help them.  Sometimes it's some of that and sometimes it's more of what the parents want.  Emmy had to find out and deal with exactly where her mother's point of view was.

Every teenager is still developing into an adult mentally, emotionally and physically.  Testing relationships with friends and parents, learning new feelings, and determining who there are is a daunting task.  In Emmy's case she had all that but now it was also in a new reality from what she had known all her life.  Dealing with those emotions was a roller coaster.

Diana's portrayal of Emmy went on a journey from one emotion to another as would be the norm for a teenager's life.  It made her feel real and honest.  Sometimes I felt she should have lingered a little more on her emotions in some scenes because I they weren't strong enough for that scene, but then again that's what teenagers do.  They can go from crying to laughing in seconds, and not bat an eye about it.

The story line was quite interesting, and not what I had expected.  I love stories that do that.  The fantasy became a belief that it could happen.... somewhere.  That's because the characters were believable.  Their words, emotions, and reactions had you believing, supporting and really liking them.  Of course with every story, there is always something that the character does that you think, that was really stupid.  And that's what teenagers do.  That kept it real.

This being Diana's first novel, I now know she will be a best seller turning out great stories for many years.  Her first writing was done quite well, and of course with anyone of such talent, it will only get better and better.

I really enjoyed this book, its story and characters were memorable, and I love the book cover.  I can very well imagine the story going into another book.  Everyone should read it if they want to escape this world and have some fun.  I'll be watching for her next one.

The White Swan: Introducing Johnny Jordan by Paul Morrison, A Book Review

This is a story about a fraud psychic that solves a murder because his way of gathering information to carry out the scams, gives him the ability to discover the unanswered question of motive.

The story was interesting in some parts, but it couldn't hold my attention for very long.  Maybe it was due to the fact that it was a murder mystery again and I have read quite a few of them.  I thought that the fact that he was a fraud psychic would maybe introduce some psychic or paranormal into it, but no.  It was just a normal find the answers to who did the murder.

How he managed to do his psychic scam was not surprising, but at times a little interesting.  Unfortunately you knew early on that the very process he used was also going to be the way to his murder resolution.  What you didn't know was what clues would come to him.  That may be why I was not able to wonder and anticipate the outcome.  So you knew the suspects were very limited, you knew what the process would be, and then you also knew what the outcome would probably be.

Throughout the story, the characters were at times confusing and ran together.  I thought I had missed something, but really, it just jumped a little quicker than I had anticipated.  I mean if Paul had taken a little more time to be more descriptive and show more character emotions, then I could have understood them better, and maybe liked them.  Right now I don't know what to think about them.  When the storyline is running through your head, you want to get it out and written as fast as possible.  That's when you miss some of the most developmental information that really needs to be there.  And that's where an unbiased editor is paramount.

One other impact I felt from this book was the writing style.  Every writer writes differently, and everyone has styles they like.  This style was the short get to the point quick write that you can scan quickly.  I like the much more descriptive reads like you would see a movie as you're reading style that you can't scan quickly or you will miss some key points.  But that's just me.

This is Paul's first book.  I believe he too will grow in this style, we already know he can create and write a story.  I would like to see his second book.  I believe his characters will be more entertaining with more moving emotions.  Overall this was a fun read, and creative story.

Eden Forest by Aoife Marie Sheridan, A Book Review

A fantasy that keeps you reading, wondering and entertained.  So much can be developed with fiction, but without characters you enjoy, the story never blossoms.  Aoife keeps you entertained, and involved.  It's a good read and you'll want to read the sequels to find out what else happens.

Writing a fantasy fiction can be so much fun, but still making it believable is a little bit harder than many think.  You have to work hard on development of the characters to be sure that the reader understands, believes and can emotionally attach to what is happening to them.  Aoife does work on that, but should have gone a little further to make the reader cheer for their success and cry for their loss with more definitive reactions to certain things.
Keeping the reader involved in the story is all about the characters and the movement of their lives.  The theme of this book is not only interesting, it's entertaining, and believable, at least as much as fantasy can be.  The story keeps moving, and it definitely creates pictures in your mind.  I really do want to read the next book and see what happens.  For her first book, I think it was done quite well, and subsequent ones should be even better.
What the main character learns would be shocking to most people, but she doesn't seem to react too much to it, which dampens your reaction.  This leaves you wondering if you missed something that explained her calm reaction. 

The book moves from one world to another, and one character's story to another, so sometimes you really start to feel like you are in the story understanding each person.  But yet still trying to figure out the why of what happens keeps you reading.

Aoife did a good job of tying everything together though, allowing you to see the whole picture and yet from different views of the characters.  Each character definitely had their personalities and you certainly knew what you liked and didn't like.  So when some reactions missed the mark, you create your own idea of why and what happened to make them so.  That's okay unless later in the story or sequel what happens changes everything you created.  Then your whole ideas may leave you less than happy with the character and the story, hence the quest of defining the character and all their reactions in a full spectrum of disposition.

A huge plus is Aoife creates likable, even lovable characters that still have some flaws like a normal person.  On the opposite side she creates some that you dislike, but still have something about them that makes you want them to see them come around to the good side.

All in all this was a great story, good characters, and a writing well done.  I think everyone would enjoy this book and be anxious to read the sequels.

The Gods of Asphalt Sawyer by H. E. Ellis, A Book Review

This is a story that touches your heart and captures your soul.  You enjoy sharing the time with Sawyer, his family and friends feeling like you belong.  You understand them, you could be one of the family, and really enjoy their company.

Oh to be sought after by a guy like Sawyer.  You just have to love him.  Yeah, he does some stupid things, but then who doesn't.  And actually, considering the road his life has gone down, it doesn't really surprise you, but it sure gives you an emotional reaction.  H.E. Ellis does a great job of developing her characters and as the story unfolds, so do the personalities that you end up absolutely loving.  So much so that I really can't wait to read Book 2, River, to hear more about him and of course Sawyer and the others.  Sawyer is my hero now.
While you are trying to figure out what makes each of the characters tick, you have to marvel and how the author weaves the story to reveal each person in their own light, but also how the interaction affects them.  Well, at least you think you have it figured out, or what the reasons might be, but then sometimes you didn't get it quite right, and the story brings you to another place and emotion, that you just didn't see coming.

Sometimes in a story, as you become involved with the characters, you want things to end a certain way, or things to happen in a certain way.  H.E. Ellis is really good at creating the emotions that actually force you to become involved.  It brings you to the party, and you just can't leave.  No reader really has any other choice.  You feel the joy, fear, pain, love; you name it, all the way through the book.  And sometimes the clock stops ticking as you relate something to yourself, which gives you an even keener insight to the characters and the story.

I must admit, I didn't think I would be so entertained.  I really enjoyed the story from start to finish, and cheered for the characters with their trials and tribulations as if they had been known personally to me for years.  The best part is, each character had its part, but of course the main character being Sawyer, you felt complete understanding and an almost finish with him.  I say almost because he is interesting and fun, so you want more.  I don't think you could ever get tired or bored with him.  But the other characters she left you wondering and wanting more information to explain their souls.  It makes you wantanxious to read the rest of the series.  H.E. Ellis better write fast, I think the fans will grow restless otherwise.  Very, very well done H.E. Ellis.