My first taste of author Scott Southard was through his book “A Jane Austen Daydream”, which I loved, so I don’t know what I was really expecting from this book. Not at all like Jane Austen. This book proved to me the writing skill of Mr. Southard! I believe the man has quiet the imagination, albeit a twisted one. Maximilian Standforth is a mystery in the likes of Sherlock Holms, but with a case that, possibly, even he couldn’t solve. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and give it 5 stars.
Tag Archives: fiction
Book Review for “SLATE AHN AND THE BOOKS OF KNOWLEDGE”
I was given a copy of this book by the author, Graham M. Irwin, in exchange for an honest review. I am so glad that I got the chance to read this first book in the fantasy series and will continue on with the story! The author’s writing style ensnares you into the story and keeps things interesting. I think I may have an inkling of where this story is going and can’t wait to find out if I am on the right track. Slate Ahn is a likeable character and the interesting people he meets along the way got many a chuckle out of me. This book is great for all ages, a few “minor” swear words (mostly pirate talk). I give the book 5 stars.
Review for “Continuum: Fables of the Fallen” a Collection of Short Stories
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a collection of work by young writers. I appreciate the opportunity to get a preview of their writing styles. Because there are 6 separate stories, by 6 separate authors, I am going to review this one differently. My overall review for the complete collection is 4 stars.
My individual reviews are as follows:
“Night Wolves” by Kathleen Gulo- This one got me right from the beginning. It reminds me of an edgy fairytale, and the werewolves are not love interests. I give this short story 5 stars. I intend to read the full version when the story is finished.
“Fragile Innocence” by R.C. Erickson-Futuristic cop story. This one was ok, good writing. Without spoiling the story, just not my kind of ending. I give this one 3 stars.
“Shadows Break” by Gregory Downs- Fantasy, I like this one. I give it 4 stars.
“Flesh and Metal” by Alexander Pyles-Sci Fi. This was another of my favorites. Machine meets man in a spine tingling way. This one gets 4 stars from me.
“Virtuoso” by Nathan Slemp- Fantasy and Crime Solving. This was well written, but I couldn’t connect with the characters and probably my least favorite. I give this one 3 stars. Just not my style.
“The Tragedy of Garth” by Jacob Baugh. I wanted to love this one, but once again, not my kind of ending. Well written I give this one 4 stars simply due to my personal taste in stories.
So overall, all authors have great promise! If you like Sci Fi and Fantasy, you will enjoy these short stories.
Review for “Daughters of the Ocean” by Jennifer Gropp
I think this book has potential to be a good YA story. The plot is similar to Twilight, with enough differences to make it interesting, instead of vampires this story is populated by sons of Thor and Merfolk. Unfortunately, the grammar, spelling and general typos were frequent enough to frustrate my reading. The story is told from two points of view, which I liked, except for the fact that sometimes it was just repeating the exact same conversation twice. Because I think the story line will apeal to the audience it is intended for, I have given it 3 stars. My opinion is that a good re-write could earn at least 4 stars (and probably 5 from the intended YA audience).
Review for “Between the Land and Sea”
Between the Land and the Sea is a well written “fairytale” that includes love, fashion, surfing and mermaids. Derrolyn Anderson has done a fine job of merging fact and fiction into a wonderful story. I loved this book. I am not sure if it was intended for YA, but it is certainly suitable, nothing inappropriate here, very clean writing. This isn’t a typical cheesy romance. Loved the main character of Marina, and I appreciated that the leading man is a hard working young person. I will definitely be reading more from this author. I give this book 5 stars.
Jayde, from “Mr. Topper’s Fabulous Funtown” (a work in progress)
Jayde loved her training at the Academy, even the book learning. She knew how to read and write, figure her sums, and how to fill out all of the forms that go along with being an officer of the law. But her favorite part of the day was when they got to tag along with the Elite Squad, the full fledged, ticket writing, crowd controlling, and crime stopping police. True, there wasn’t a lot of crime taking place in Funtown, which she attributed to the fine job of the Elite Squad, but there were always tickets to write, missing children to locate, gates to guard and famous people to escort. Sometimes, rarely, they got to chase! Once they had to chase a runaway clockwork dog from the “Sprocket’s Stupendous Mechanical Menagerie”. It had shot out of the practice wring and onto the boardwalk before Sprocket could get his hands on it. Jayde and her Sr. Officer took off after it, arms pumping and skates click clacking on the wooden slats. It was the most fun she had ever had. Of course the poor thing wound down before they got very far, but she had gone full speed, in town, dodging people, jumping over waste baskets and blowing her whistle with what little air she had to spare.
Book Review for “Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves”
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by the author, Dianne Ascroft. This is a wonderful collection of short stories. I really enjoyed the read. Simply written, easy reading, touching stories, a perfect afternoon read. The stories take place in Ireland and Canada. I have always wanted to go to Ireland so I may be a little partial. Good Author, will be reading more from her. I gave this book 4 stars.