By Herb Plasket
One can almost feel the excitement of debut author Paul Greene penning the lines of his new novel. This book is a refreshing treat. On the one hand, we have a pastoral, cottage setting for the perfect family of Officer Hicks. On the other, we have the harsh reality of a psychotic killer who impinges on their domestic bliss. The warm-heartedness of Officer Hicks’ family life is in stark contrast to the “darkness on the edge of town,” the title of a Bruce Springsteen song author Greene has borrowed as the title of his novel.
What is disturbing about this novel, and which makes it a real page-turner, is that the psycho is one of us, a classic example of the boy next door, the guy you’d least suspect. Joel Gibbins is a mild-mannered, unassuming, seemingly innocuous boy next door in a small town where nothing ever happens till he goes on a murderous rampage of mutilation and cruelty, targeting young females he picks out, stalks and then kills. There is a method to his madness, despite the senselessness of the killings.
What is even more disturbing is that there is no reason or excuse for Joel being the way he is. He was not an abused child, poor or from a broken home. His parents were the epitome of a nice loving couple. So what’s his excuse? As he himself admits, he hasn’t got one. His first love is a classic unrequited love scenario. So he kills the one who spurns him, and enjoys it so much, he develops a taste for it. It seems his appetite for revenge can never be satisfied. Once bitten, he is never shy. He cannot be satisfied till he ruins the life, dreams and hopes of every promising young beauty he finds.
Joel is the friendly nerd with supportive parents. He comes from a good home and seems devoted to his mom and dad, a model son. But his alter ego is the ultimate Prodigal Son, a wanderer, a stalker, someone who travels around looking for his next victim. He has high standards. He looks for sweetness of temperament, a quiet innocence, someone who would make the ideal wife and offer domestic bliss. In one fell swoop, he descends upon the hapless victim, destroying all her future dreams, hopes and prospects, while destroying the life of her suitors, all those who might have had their hearts set on winning her hand in marriage and building the perfect life together.
In the end, there is no one that presents a greater target then Officer Hicks. He is the object of his envy and hatred because he has the perfect life and family he has always wanted but could never have. Though Hicks had hoped to retire from policing for good, Joel persistent letters, notes and messages, sometimes left at the crime scene, prick Kicks’ conscience and sense of duty. Before long, he is roped back in to Homicide investigation.
Perhaps the most suspenseful part of the novel is when Officer Hicks’ colleague, Dr. Suzanne Sykes, enters the fray. A clever professional, her science of pathology is a window to the human soul and all the darkness it contains. For her, darkness is not on the edge but in the heart of town, but her professionalism holds sway despite the danger and the odds of survival.
The cat and mouse game Joel plays with the police is reminiscent of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment. On one level, the killer seems intent on being caught in hopes of bringing his murderous rampage to an end. The endless goading and leaving of clues is done with compulsion, revealing a repressed guilt and a subconscious desire to be caught. Will he be? That is for you the reader to find out.
Monday, May 31, 2010
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Heroes or Criminals By Gabriel Timar
Heroes or Criminals
By Gabriel Timar
Electronic Release: June 2010
ISBN: 978-1-897521-21-2
http://www.xoxopublishing.com
Rated: A+ Above Excellent 5+/5 Stars
Reviewed by: Dan Golightly
In an age when war criminals launch invasions to seize other countries' lands and resources under a false pretext to go to war, enter Gabriel Timar, a man courageous enough to set the world straight on World War Two. Why do I get the feeling the protagonist of Heroes or Criminals,
Hungarian born but nationalized U.S. citizen Mark Kende, is based on our unsung hero, World War Two vet and now esteemed author, Gabriel Timar? I admire the character of both men, the protagonist and the author upon whom I can only assume he is based. Why do I make this assumption? Because I actually met the author himself at a recent Mississauga engagement. He struck me as a polished gentleman who shined his intentions along with his military boots. After all, if your boots are shiny enough to see your face in them, you had better be proud of what you see.
The motto of my school was "Manners maketh men" and I see this ethic writ large in every page of this novel. Mark Kende is the epitome of the gentleman, a nobleman of the noblest rank, who despite his modest petty bourgeoisie background is an aristocrat of the highest order in terms of honor and conduct, distinguishing himself in battle by single handedly leading a charge, armed with only a bayonet, against the enemy for which he received a gong, which he wears proudly.
When observing the abuse of power committed by Nazis and other military officers breaching the Geneva Convention, Mark Kende adopts the mindset of "Yes sir, no sir!" and follows the dictates of his own conscience. When an old woman expresses pity for the Jews being boarded on to trains for transfer to the death camps, she intuits is the final destination, she is arrested by the Gestapo and thrown in to the line of prisoners. Mark is tempted to open fire on the heartless Nazi commandant in charge, but realizes that he will only get himself shot in the process and accomplish nothing.
When later a woman comes to him with an unusual request, Mark, ever the gentleman, sits quietly for a moment to formulate a response. It is no wonder he is given cause for pause. He even wonders if he is hearing things, begging her to repeat the request. She repeats her entreaty and Mark is amazed to find that the charming woman endowed with both sweetness of disposition and flawless genetics actually wants him to bed her in order to make her pregnant. Any other soldier of any rank would not have to be asked twice, but this extraordinary man of honor actually asks for an explanation and even tries to talk her out of it. When he learns that she fears an invasion by the Soviet army, whose reputation for raping the local women is well known, he understands that she would rather bear the child of friend than foe, so that she will be able to nurture and raise the child with the appropriate amount of love. Learning that she refuses to leave out of obligation to her aging parents, whom she feels bound to, he insists that she leave because her fluent Russian is liable to mean either a death sentence or permanent exile to a Siberian gulag.
Mark, ever the gentleman, forgives his mother's tryst with a male masseuse and even overlooks the fact that his middle aged mother has needs. They have a pretty solid rapport and respect one another's strong character and the fact that are both their own person. She stops pestering him to find a wife and he leaves her to choose her own husband. In the end, we have a man who is able to bridge the age gap, ethnic and ideological divisions, eventually choosing the homeland that best suits his cultural and philosophical bent, America, which he sees as a place where the boundaries between good and evil and right and wrong are more clearly delineated and drawn. It may have been true of the America of the Second World War era, but I wonder how Mark Kende would view the America of today, or author Gabriel Timar for that matter. I don't frankly know. I didn't have a chance to ask him.
By Gabriel Timar
Electronic Release: June 2010
ISBN: 978-1-897521-21-2
http://www.xoxopublishing.com
Rated: A+ Above Excellent 5+/5 Stars
Reviewed by: Dan Golightly
In an age when war criminals launch invasions to seize other countries' lands and resources under a false pretext to go to war, enter Gabriel Timar, a man courageous enough to set the world straight on World War Two. Why do I get the feeling the protagonist of Heroes or Criminals,
Hungarian born but nationalized U.S. citizen Mark Kende, is based on our unsung hero, World War Two vet and now esteemed author, Gabriel Timar? I admire the character of both men, the protagonist and the author upon whom I can only assume he is based. Why do I make this assumption? Because I actually met the author himself at a recent Mississauga engagement. He struck me as a polished gentleman who shined his intentions along with his military boots. After all, if your boots are shiny enough to see your face in them, you had better be proud of what you see.
The motto of my school was "Manners maketh men" and I see this ethic writ large in every page of this novel. Mark Kende is the epitome of the gentleman, a nobleman of the noblest rank, who despite his modest petty bourgeoisie background is an aristocrat of the highest order in terms of honor and conduct, distinguishing himself in battle by single handedly leading a charge, armed with only a bayonet, against the enemy for which he received a gong, which he wears proudly.
When observing the abuse of power committed by Nazis and other military officers breaching the Geneva Convention, Mark Kende adopts the mindset of "Yes sir, no sir!" and follows the dictates of his own conscience. When an old woman expresses pity for the Jews being boarded on to trains for transfer to the death camps, she intuits is the final destination, she is arrested by the Gestapo and thrown in to the line of prisoners. Mark is tempted to open fire on the heartless Nazi commandant in charge, but realizes that he will only get himself shot in the process and accomplish nothing.
When later a woman comes to him with an unusual request, Mark, ever the gentleman, sits quietly for a moment to formulate a response. It is no wonder he is given cause for pause. He even wonders if he is hearing things, begging her to repeat the request. She repeats her entreaty and Mark is amazed to find that the charming woman endowed with both sweetness of disposition and flawless genetics actually wants him to bed her in order to make her pregnant. Any other soldier of any rank would not have to be asked twice, but this extraordinary man of honor actually asks for an explanation and even tries to talk her out of it. When he learns that she fears an invasion by the Soviet army, whose reputation for raping the local women is well known, he understands that she would rather bear the child of friend than foe, so that she will be able to nurture and raise the child with the appropriate amount of love. Learning that she refuses to leave out of obligation to her aging parents, whom she feels bound to, he insists that she leave because her fluent Russian is liable to mean either a death sentence or permanent exile to a Siberian gulag.
Mark, ever the gentleman, forgives his mother's tryst with a male masseuse and even overlooks the fact that his middle aged mother has needs. They have a pretty solid rapport and respect one another's strong character and the fact that are both their own person. She stops pestering him to find a wife and he leaves her to choose her own husband. In the end, we have a man who is able to bridge the age gap, ethnic and ideological divisions, eventually choosing the homeland that best suits his cultural and philosophical bent, America, which he sees as a place where the boundaries between good and evil and right and wrong are more clearly delineated and drawn. It may have been true of the America of the Second World War era, but I wonder how Mark Kende would view the America of today, or author Gabriel Timar for that matter. I don't frankly know. I didn't have a chance to ask him.
Got Writer's block? How to overcome and get back to your writing
by CENGAGE EDUCATION
You know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you stare blankly at a page and absolutely nothing of value comes to mind? Every word, every sentence you write seems clunky and inappropriate and you seriously wonder why anyone would consider reading - not to mention paying you money - for the words you write.
Welcome to the world of Writer's Block, and yes it does affect every writer at some point in his or her work.
However, good writers and professional writers will find a way to get through the block in order to get the job done. Meanwhile, amateur writers bemoan the obstacle, placing the blame on lack of creative inspiration, distractions, moods and situations beyond their control - and then stop writing.
Don't let writer's block get the best of you. Here are some ideas to overcome and get back into your writing.
Do more research - the great Australian writer John Scott told a University of Sydney class, you can research your way out of anything (loosely paraphrased). His philosophy, when it comes to story writing is to keep researching and researching everything about the setting, the history, the characters - anything that your writing is based on. The more research you do, the more ideas you'll have to ground your story - even if it's fiction writing.
Keep writing - even if the sentences aren't perfect and the ideas poorly formed, putting your ideas on paper (or computer screen!) will give you a starting point to work with. Sometimes, we'll hit the boring bits of our writing that are less fun to write but are necessary to keep the narrative flowing. You can always come back and edit, rewrite or completely scrap things later, but by plodding on, you can get through the rough patches and be somewhere in your writing that's a bit more inspired.
Get a change of scenery - find motivation elsewhere by changing your surroundings. Go for a walk, move to a cafe or even just go into another room for awhile and get some new perspective. Take a break from your work - but always take a notebook with you because you'll never know when inspiration will finally hit
Feed your mind and body - ensure you're looking after yourself, both physically and mentally. By eating a healthy diet, getting some regular exercise and even some doing some cleansing meditation, you're taking care of the tools that are vital to your work - your mind, body and spirit.
Get some professional help - we don't mean a psychiatrist (though for some that could help too...) but enrolling in professional writing courses, like those offered by the Australian College of Journalism, can give you valuable insight from real professionals on how to structure your writing process. Regular assignments will also encourage you to be disciplined and methodical about your work.Amazines.com
by CENGAGE EDUCATION
You know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you stare blankly at a page and absolutely nothing of value comes to mind? Every word, every sentence you write seems clunky and inappropriate and you seriously wonder why anyone would consider reading - not to mention paying you money - for the words you write.
Welcome to the world of Writer's Block, and yes it does affect every writer at some point in his or her work.
However, good writers and professional writers will find a way to get through the block in order to get the job done. Meanwhile, amateur writers bemoan the obstacle, placing the blame on lack of creative inspiration, distractions, moods and situations beyond their control - and then stop writing.
Don't let writer's block get the best of you. Here are some ideas to overcome and get back into your writing.
Do more research - the great Australian writer John Scott told a University of Sydney class, you can research your way out of anything (loosely paraphrased). His philosophy, when it comes to story writing is to keep researching and researching everything about the setting, the history, the characters - anything that your writing is based on. The more research you do, the more ideas you'll have to ground your story - even if it's fiction writing.
Keep writing - even if the sentences aren't perfect and the ideas poorly formed, putting your ideas on paper (or computer screen!) will give you a starting point to work with. Sometimes, we'll hit the boring bits of our writing that are less fun to write but are necessary to keep the narrative flowing. You can always come back and edit, rewrite or completely scrap things later, but by plodding on, you can get through the rough patches and be somewhere in your writing that's a bit more inspired.
Get a change of scenery - find motivation elsewhere by changing your surroundings. Go for a walk, move to a cafe or even just go into another room for awhile and get some new perspective. Take a break from your work - but always take a notebook with you because you'll never know when inspiration will finally hit
Feed your mind and body - ensure you're looking after yourself, both physically and mentally. By eating a healthy diet, getting some regular exercise and even some doing some cleansing meditation, you're taking care of the tools that are vital to your work - your mind, body and spirit.
Get some professional help - we don't mean a psychiatrist (though for some that could help too...) but enrolling in professional writing courses, like those offered by the Australian College of Journalism, can give you valuable insight from real professionals on how to structure your writing process. Regular assignments will also encourage you to be disciplined and methodical about your work.Amazines.com
Correctly Punctuating Your E-mails
Correctly Punctuating Your E-mails
by ELMO TOWNSEND
When sending email messages, it's easy to get in a hurry. But, remember there's a huge difference between dashing off a note to a friend and sending a message to a customer or colleague.
When sending email in a professional environment, the message should be professional. And, that includes using proper punctuation. (Phooey! You were hoping I'd say you could break all the rules, weren't you?)
There is one area of email that gets a little foggy. This is the rule that deals with punctuation at the end of sentences (e.g., periods, question marks, exclamation points).
In typed letters, there are two spaces after the punctuation at the end of the sentence. This originated from typewriters, which needed this space to create a distinct break between two sentences. Computers allot space proportionally. So, a break can be created with only one space.
In emails, you will see two different formats. Some people will use only one space after punctuation that ends a sentence. They will also use only one space after colons. Other people still use the two spaces.
Example
Those who prefer one space consider those who use two spaces to be "old fashioned." Those who prefer two spaces consider those who use one space to "not be conservative or professional enough."
The decision as to whether to use one space or two is entirely up to you. The only rule to follow is that you must be consistent. Either use one space throughout the message or two. Don't mix and match.
You want the message to appear as though you know the rules and made a conscious choice. You don't want the message to look as though you have no idea what the rules are, so you just randomly added spacing.
While you may be able to choose one space or two, you don't get to make choices about other punctuation. All of the other old rules are still in effect.
In case I've whetted your appetite for more information on punctuation rules, here is another tip.
Fanboys
When do you use a comma to separate two thoughts in a sentence, and when don't you? The quick answer is "FANBOYS." This is an acronym which stands for the words:
• For • And • Nor • But • Or • Yet • So
When any of these words connect two independent clauses, you need a comma. That's nice. Now, what in the world is an "independent clause"? It's a phrase that can stand alone. In other words, it has a subject and a verb. It can be a complete sentence all by itself.
For example - The conference call has been canceled, and it will be re-scheduled next week.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone. It doesn't contain both a subject and a verb. Therefore, it's dependent on the rest of the sentence.
You don't use a comma to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. To say it more simply, if one of the phrases cannot stand alone (doesn't have a subject and a verb), then you don't need a comma.
For example - The conference call has been canceled and will be re-scheduled next week.
Whether you're ending a sentence or checking for FANBOYS, take the time to punctuate properly. Your customers and colleagues will respect you for it. Amazines.com
by ELMO TOWNSEND
When sending email messages, it's easy to get in a hurry. But, remember there's a huge difference between dashing off a note to a friend and sending a message to a customer or colleague.
When sending email in a professional environment, the message should be professional. And, that includes using proper punctuation. (Phooey! You were hoping I'd say you could break all the rules, weren't you?)
There is one area of email that gets a little foggy. This is the rule that deals with punctuation at the end of sentences (e.g., periods, question marks, exclamation points).
In typed letters, there are two spaces after the punctuation at the end of the sentence. This originated from typewriters, which needed this space to create a distinct break between two sentences. Computers allot space proportionally. So, a break can be created with only one space.
In emails, you will see two different formats. Some people will use only one space after punctuation that ends a sentence. They will also use only one space after colons. Other people still use the two spaces.
Example
Those who prefer one space consider those who use two spaces to be "old fashioned." Those who prefer two spaces consider those who use one space to "not be conservative or professional enough."
The decision as to whether to use one space or two is entirely up to you. The only rule to follow is that you must be consistent. Either use one space throughout the message or two. Don't mix and match.
You want the message to appear as though you know the rules and made a conscious choice. You don't want the message to look as though you have no idea what the rules are, so you just randomly added spacing.
While you may be able to choose one space or two, you don't get to make choices about other punctuation. All of the other old rules are still in effect.
In case I've whetted your appetite for more information on punctuation rules, here is another tip.
Fanboys
When do you use a comma to separate two thoughts in a sentence, and when don't you? The quick answer is "FANBOYS." This is an acronym which stands for the words:
• For • And • Nor • But • Or • Yet • So
When any of these words connect two independent clauses, you need a comma. That's nice. Now, what in the world is an "independent clause"? It's a phrase that can stand alone. In other words, it has a subject and a verb. It can be a complete sentence all by itself.
For example - The conference call has been canceled, and it will be re-scheduled next week.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone. It doesn't contain both a subject and a verb. Therefore, it's dependent on the rest of the sentence.
You don't use a comma to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. To say it more simply, if one of the phrases cannot stand alone (doesn't have a subject and a verb), then you don't need a comma.
For example - The conference call has been canceled and will be re-scheduled next week.
Whether you're ending a sentence or checking for FANBOYS, take the time to punctuate properly. Your customers and colleagues will respect you for it. Amazines.com
Devices and Desires
K.J. Parker
ISBN 9780316003384
First of a trilogy, this fantasy novel is about an engineer who starts a major war so he can be re-united with his wife and daughter.
Mezentia is a city-state that is the local technological superpower. They don’t let their technical knowledge get out to the surrounding kingdoms, which is how they keep their superiority. Mezentia is also a land of guilds, where technical specifications and tolerances were decided long ago. It is written into law that, for instance, a certain gear shall be no larger than a certain size (down to hundredths of an inch) or a certain lever shall be a certain length, and no longer. Ziani Vaatzes, a talented engineer, breaks the rules, unintentionally, in building a mechanical toy for his daughter. He is sentenced to death by the Mezentian Council, accused of Abomination, and manages to escape with his life.
Vaatzes is picked up by the remnants of the army of Eremia, one of the neighboring kingdoms. They are struggling to get back home after attacking Mezentia, and getting slaughtered by superior Mezentian weapons. His offer to train Eremians in how to build the weapons that just decimated their army is politely declined, but Vaatzes is set up in a factory of his own by the Eremian equivalent of a venture capitalist. Vaatzes does not just start at the beginning, he has plenty of building, planning and training to do just to reach "the beginning." In Mezentia, tolerances and specifications are expected to be exact (anything less is not good enough), but in Eremia, the best Vaatzes can do is "pretty good." He and his employees have scoured the city looking for scrap metal to use in the weapons, but they will get the job done.
Meantime, the Mezentian Council has learned that Vaatzes is still alive, and is building weapons for the Eremians. The decision is made to invade Eremia, and wipe the entire race off the map. Nothing is more important than Mezentian technological superiority. Civitas Eremiae, the Eremian capital, is built into the side of a mountain, and is nearly impossible for an invading army to conquer. But, it does have a very secret, and very ancient, "back door."
Parker is an author who Gets It. This is a big novel, but it is an excellent piece of writing that will really keep the reader’s interest. I may just read the other two, equally large, parts of this trilogy just because the storytelling is so good.
Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose website, Dead Trees Review, has over 800 reviews on all subjects, with an emphasis on small press books. Amazines.com
K.J. Parker
ISBN 9780316003384
First of a trilogy, this fantasy novel is about an engineer who starts a major war so he can be re-united with his wife and daughter.
Mezentia is a city-state that is the local technological superpower. They don’t let their technical knowledge get out to the surrounding kingdoms, which is how they keep their superiority. Mezentia is also a land of guilds, where technical specifications and tolerances were decided long ago. It is written into law that, for instance, a certain gear shall be no larger than a certain size (down to hundredths of an inch) or a certain lever shall be a certain length, and no longer. Ziani Vaatzes, a talented engineer, breaks the rules, unintentionally, in building a mechanical toy for his daughter. He is sentenced to death by the Mezentian Council, accused of Abomination, and manages to escape with his life.
Vaatzes is picked up by the remnants of the army of Eremia, one of the neighboring kingdoms. They are struggling to get back home after attacking Mezentia, and getting slaughtered by superior Mezentian weapons. His offer to train Eremians in how to build the weapons that just decimated their army is politely declined, but Vaatzes is set up in a factory of his own by the Eremian equivalent of a venture capitalist. Vaatzes does not just start at the beginning, he has plenty of building, planning and training to do just to reach "the beginning." In Mezentia, tolerances and specifications are expected to be exact (anything less is not good enough), but in Eremia, the best Vaatzes can do is "pretty good." He and his employees have scoured the city looking for scrap metal to use in the weapons, but they will get the job done.
Meantime, the Mezentian Council has learned that Vaatzes is still alive, and is building weapons for the Eremians. The decision is made to invade Eremia, and wipe the entire race off the map. Nothing is more important than Mezentian technological superiority. Civitas Eremiae, the Eremian capital, is built into the side of a mountain, and is nearly impossible for an invading army to conquer. But, it does have a very secret, and very ancient, "back door."
Parker is an author who Gets It. This is a big novel, but it is an excellent piece of writing that will really keep the reader’s interest. I may just read the other two, equally large, parts of this trilogy just because the storytelling is so good.
Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose website, Dead Trees Review, has over 800 reviews on all subjects, with an emphasis on small press books. Amazines.com
The Purloined Boy
By: Mortimus Clay
Published: 2009
ISBN 9780982159804
This is the tale of Trevor, a young boy who becomes one of those children who end up on milk cartons under the word Missing.
Trevor is living in a dark and dreary town called Superbia, along with many other children. Think of an orphanage from Victorian England. They are not allowed to say words like "parents" or "home." If they do, the boogeymen who run Superbia (and who kidnapped the children from their beds), will send them away for behavior modification, or send them to the Pantry, to be fattened up and eaten by the boogeymen. Becoming a meal for the boogeymen is the eventual fate of all the children.
After a very vivid dream about his parents, Trevor asks about going home, and is sent away for behavior modification. Around this time, he meets Maggie, a fellow orphan who also has memories of life before Superbia. She tells Trevor that she is part of a secret society whose aim is to help all the children who want to return home to actually do it. He also meets Epictetus, a one-eyed slave who is a leader in the "underground," and Zephyr, a very unique talking mouse. Trevor also learns about Trothward, a very nice place outside Superbia. He also learns about the long-term war going on between the Guild, who runs Trothward, and Lucian, the leader of the boogeymen. This leads Trevor to one adventure, and narrow escape, after another, while he is traversing many dank and dreary passageways beneath Superbia.
This is a young adult book that was made to be read aloud to older children, say between 10-13 years old. It may be a little too much for younger children. There are a number of dark and spooky bits in this story, and, being first in a series, there is not a "happily ever after" ending. The author does an excellent job with this tale from beginning to end, and it is very much worth the time.
Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose website, Dead Trees Review, has over 800 reviews on all subjects, with an emphasis on small press books.
By: Mortimus Clay
Published: 2009
ISBN 9780982159804
This is the tale of Trevor, a young boy who becomes one of those children who end up on milk cartons under the word Missing.
Trevor is living in a dark and dreary town called Superbia, along with many other children. Think of an orphanage from Victorian England. They are not allowed to say words like "parents" or "home." If they do, the boogeymen who run Superbia (and who kidnapped the children from their beds), will send them away for behavior modification, or send them to the Pantry, to be fattened up and eaten by the boogeymen. Becoming a meal for the boogeymen is the eventual fate of all the children.
After a very vivid dream about his parents, Trevor asks about going home, and is sent away for behavior modification. Around this time, he meets Maggie, a fellow orphan who also has memories of life before Superbia. She tells Trevor that she is part of a secret society whose aim is to help all the children who want to return home to actually do it. He also meets Epictetus, a one-eyed slave who is a leader in the "underground," and Zephyr, a very unique talking mouse. Trevor also learns about Trothward, a very nice place outside Superbia. He also learns about the long-term war going on between the Guild, who runs Trothward, and Lucian, the leader of the boogeymen. This leads Trevor to one adventure, and narrow escape, after another, while he is traversing many dank and dreary passageways beneath Superbia.
This is a young adult book that was made to be read aloud to older children, say between 10-13 years old. It may be a little too much for younger children. There are a number of dark and spooky bits in this story, and, being first in a series, there is not a "happily ever after" ending. The author does an excellent job with this tale from beginning to end, and it is very much worth the time.
Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose website, Dead Trees Review, has over 800 reviews on all subjects, with an emphasis on small press books.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Submission Call - Seeking Employees, Reviews and Promotional Packages
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Submit your complete submission guidelines to mayeyereview@gmail.com.
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Submit your complete submission guidelines to mayeyereview@gmail.com.
Advertising rates for one year packages are available email us at mayeyereview@gmail.com.
All book reviews are reviewed by professional book reviews for FREE. We do not charge for reviews. Submit your book electronically only mayeyereview@gmail.com.
A MATTER OF TRUST by A.C. Katt
Title: A Matter of Trust
Publisher: XoXo Publishing™
Site: http://www.xoxopublishing.com
Reviewer: Herb Plasket
Category: Erotic Romance
Reviewer Rating: A Excellent 5/5 Stars
I recently read a review of A.C. Katt’s book A Matter of Trust and was disappointed by it. I have read the book and have purchased it on-line. I can’t for the life of me see anything wrong with it. It was marvellously written and I can’t recall finding a single error in it. I can only imagine that someone must have sent an advanced copy of the manuscript to a reviewer before the final page galleys were issued. As a former editor, I know how this can happen. All I know is that the manuscript that is available for sale on the XoXoPublishing™ site is clean of errors that I can see.
This novel is unique. To be honest, I have never read one like it before. I was so interested to read this touching story of true love. What is amazing about the story is that you are drawn into a world that you assume is all about base sexual exploits consisting of doms and sadomasochistic sex gratification, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The author is an amazing story-teller who draws her characters with great verisimilitude. I found the Scottish heritage of the main character believable along with the family tradition of lovers bonding for life. What is touching is the unorthodox form of true love that takes place in this novel. You just don’t expect it. That’s the nature of good literature. It expands the field of possibilities while expanding the reader’s mind and horizons. Most heterosexuals probably don’t believe love can exist in a gay dom’s life, but it can and it does, as often and as deeply as it can in anyone else’s life apparently. Who are we to judge?
Even the characters are not what you expect. Donald K. Drummond, a descendent of Scottish chieftains, is someone you expect to find in the Highland Games, tossing trees around and leaping across castle motes on a staff. He’s all of that and more, but he’s also tender-hearted and protective of the weak and vulnerable. Nicknamed Bear, he’s really a cuddly old teddy bear despite his reputation as a Dungeon Master trainer of Doms and other ‘pain sluts’.
Brian, his young protégé and lover is another uniquely drawn character. Persecuted and victimized by a group of Christian zealots who take it upon themselves to purge the world of sinful activities, Brian is actually the one who is truly Christ-like in his capacity to forgive and suspend judgement. It is a clever reversal on the part of the author who should be commended for drawing this kind of glaring hypocrisy to our attention. How many times do we as humans endeavour to be moral only to contravene are own fundamental precepts and ethical codes. The zealot-like insecurity with which we pursue our ideals often leads us to betray them, leaving us more sinner than sinned against. And while we hate the sin and love the sinner, all too often we find ourselves in the category of sin and sinner instead of on the other side of the offence. This is what we learn when the beautiful relationship between Donald and Brian comes under fire by a religious group that considers itself as the moral majority the custodian of moral decency. In fact, there is nothing more morally objectionable than the actions undertaken by this group and the persecution it foists upon Brian. It is a cleverly orchestrated dramatic reversal and well defined example of dramatic irony. The author is to be commended for her successfully drawn characterization and brilliant originality in taking us where we never expect to go and opening our minds in the process. It is as if the author is the Dungeon Master giving us a tour of the world of Doms, teaching us in the process that Doms are really no different than the rest of us. They bruise if you punch them and bleed if you stab them and cry if you persecute, and if left alone, capable of leading as normal a life as anyone else. The message that comes through from the telling of this tale is basically live and let live and if it’s all the same to you, I’m okay if you’re okay. It may be a cliché, but if you are reminded of it in a unique work of literature that has you revisiting the obvious from a totally unexpected vantage point, then that is what I call damned good literature. Thank you A.C. Katt’s for your admirable story-telling. You certainly opened my eyes.
Read True Confessions Romance and Thriller Novels For Free
Read True Confessions Romance and Thriller Novels For Free
by: Katie Storm
http://www.articlesource.com
Do you enjoy a good book? How bout a hot and steamy romance novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat? Do you have piles of books you've read and know you should get rid of, clean house and yet not found the time? Reading is a great past time for many reasons. Reading stimulates your mind, your creative side and is an amazing release of tension. Reading is a very affordable entertainment. But have you ever read a great steamy romance novel for free? The means by which the great and up coming authors introduce their work has changed. You can now read books over and over for free and join a great community of like minded reader with whom you can share your thoughts about the book.
Gone are the days of secret shipments to editors in private offices. The biggest content provider today is the internet. Writers fill the internet with content as a means to earn a living. The same great writers share the chapters of their books as they write them, hot off the press. They do this as they receive useful feed back from readers and attention from publishers.
I enjoy reading online books and novels as they don't clutter my house. The biggest plus for me is that I enjoy reading comments and chiming in on the conversation. I also enjoy participating in the online forums these great books are featured on.
How to find these free novels and great reads is easy. Go to your favorite search engine and type in writers forums. Anyone can visit free writers forums and enjoy a vast library of amazing book, novels, how to and tutorials. You name it you'll find it! Another great feature about these free forums is that you get to read about the author and their passions. There are thousands to choose from. Chances are you will form a few great bonds with some amazing friends and build relationships with your favorite authors.
Now you know how to find really amazing confessions and novels of all sorts for free. Happy reading!
by: Katie Storm
http://www.articlesource.com
Do you enjoy a good book? How bout a hot and steamy romance novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat? Do you have piles of books you've read and know you should get rid of, clean house and yet not found the time? Reading is a great past time for many reasons. Reading stimulates your mind, your creative side and is an amazing release of tension. Reading is a very affordable entertainment. But have you ever read a great steamy romance novel for free? The means by which the great and up coming authors introduce their work has changed. You can now read books over and over for free and join a great community of like minded reader with whom you can share your thoughts about the book.
Gone are the days of secret shipments to editors in private offices. The biggest content provider today is the internet. Writers fill the internet with content as a means to earn a living. The same great writers share the chapters of their books as they write them, hot off the press. They do this as they receive useful feed back from readers and attention from publishers.
I enjoy reading online books and novels as they don't clutter my house. The biggest plus for me is that I enjoy reading comments and chiming in on the conversation. I also enjoy participating in the online forums these great books are featured on.
How to find these free novels and great reads is easy. Go to your favorite search engine and type in writers forums. Anyone can visit free writers forums and enjoy a vast library of amazing book, novels, how to and tutorials. You name it you'll find it! Another great feature about these free forums is that you get to read about the author and their passions. There are thousands to choose from. Chances are you will form a few great bonds with some amazing friends and build relationships with your favorite authors.
Now you know how to find really amazing confessions and novels of all sorts for free. Happy reading!
Here is what I've got; a great example of exactly what I've just described; True Confessions
This is one of my steamy favorites your going to want to share with your friends, just send them the link and hook them up for free! Happy Reading,
Much Love and Success,
Katie
http://hubpages.com/hub/True-Confessions-of-a-Wife-Mom-and-All-American-Girl-Part-1
Katie is a relationship expert and enjoys sharing resources that have helped to improve her life. In doing so she has created relationships with certain experts and in recommending their products may receive compensation for doing so.
This is one of my steamy favorites your going to want to share with your friends, just send them the link and hook them up for free! Happy Reading,
Much Love and Success,
Katie
http://hubpages.com/hub/True-Confessions-of-a-Wife-Mom-and-All-American-Girl-Part-1
Katie is a relationship expert and enjoys sharing resources that have helped to improve her life. In doing so she has created relationships with certain experts and in recommending their products may receive compensation for doing so.
Book Title: The Stories of English
by David Crystal Review by Tim North
http://www.scribe.com.au
I had the good fortune to stumble across this wonderful book
recently, and I found it both entertaining and informative.
As the title suggests, the book tells the various stories by
which the English language has come to be what it is today. (It's
as much about history and politics as it is about language.)
This isn't the only book to cover these topics, of course, but at
584 pages this is certainly one of the most comprehensive and
well researched.
What makes this work so special is that it doesn't just
concentrate on the history and character of "standard" English:
"Indeed, for every one person who speaks Standard English,
there must be a hundred who do not, and another hundred
who speak other varieties as well as the standard. Where
is their story told?" (p. 5)
In this vein, it tells the stories of the rise of British
English, American English, Scottish English, creoles, street
slang and, most recently, Internet English.
It argues that we're presently in the middle of a period of rapid
change and growth of English, and these are among some of its
many conclusions (p. 529):
1. Language change is normal and unstoppable, reflecting
the normal and unstoppable processes of social change.
2. Language variation is normal and universal, reflecting
the normal and universal diversity of cultural and social
groups.
...
4. A highly diversified society needs nonstandard varieties
('nonstandard language') to enable groups of people to
express their regional or cultural identity.
I recommend this enjoyable and instructive work to anyone who
has an interest in this wonderful and diverse language: English.
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You'll find many more helpful tips like these in Tim North's
much applauded range of e-books. More information is available
on his web site, and all books come with a money-back guarantee.
http://www.scribe.com.au/ebooks.html
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