I was given an e-version of Robert Lampros' Last Years Resolution for review.
Last Years Resolution is a quick, thoughtful read focusing on the book of Revelation from the Bible.
We follow the early manifestations of the end of days as experienced by a famous writer. He is a God-fearing man who actually listens to God. He is not immune to the effects of some of the judgments visited on mankind, but as an obedient Christian, he is not consumed by them.
At the same time, Last Years Resolution is a love story. We witness the growing relationship between our writer and his new found lady fair.
Throughout all the turmoil, our couple maintain their love of and obedience to, God. The benefit of doing so is clear throughout the story.
I realize I'm sharing more of the actual story than I usually do. But I find it kind of necessary with this particular book.
Last Years Resolution is a well written, clean, Christian story. One of the more thoughtful depictions of a popular theme. It is not an over the top horror-fest, but it is not sugar-coated either. It portrays situations that a large portion of the Earths population believes will occur at some point in time, and shows the benefit of being properly prepared.
Last Years Resolution by Robert Lampros is a non-sensationalist telling of Biblical Prophesy. Those readers interested in such a topic will find this telling both entertaining and faith affirming. Not a bad feat to accomplish. Enjoy!
Mike
Monday, June 27, 2016
Sunday, June 26, 2016
The Journey
Author John Heldt gave me an e-copy of The Journey for review.
The Journey is actually the second book in John Heldt's The Northwest Passage series. As this is the sixth book authored by Mr. Heldt that I have reviewed, it is obvious that I did not read the series in order. In the case of The Journey, it is not a problem.
What surprises me about Mr. Heldt's work is how he has avoided the trap of his series becoming predictable or formulaic. While all of his books are "time-travel" stories, he brings fresh new plots and situations to each. The Journey represents the shortest time traveled (so far anyway) and has been one of the most compelling of Heldt's books for me. There was little if anything in this book that I was able to predict. The climax was nothing short of stunning.
Set in a more contemporary time frame, The Journey will take many readers back to their own youth, making the book more relate-able from the perspective of understanding the time into which our main character is thrust.
The story is tight and allows us the chance to consider what we might do in the same situation. (Minor spoiler alert) What would we tell our younger selves given the opportunity.
This offering of Mr. Heldt's craft has more sexual activity than most of his others (probably a consequence of the time frame), and definitely focuses on the changing mores of the culture at the time. There is also romance, teenage drama, and as always a little history in the mix.
I have enjoyed all of John Heldt's writing so far, but The Journey is a standout from even his usual high quality. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip through time courtesy of Mr. Heldt and recommend The Journey to any reader of time-travel, sci-fi, fantasy, or anyone who just wants an entertaining, fun, blast to the past. Enjoy!
Mike
The Journey is actually the second book in John Heldt's The Northwest Passage series. As this is the sixth book authored by Mr. Heldt that I have reviewed, it is obvious that I did not read the series in order. In the case of The Journey, it is not a problem.
What surprises me about Mr. Heldt's work is how he has avoided the trap of his series becoming predictable or formulaic. While all of his books are "time-travel" stories, he brings fresh new plots and situations to each. The Journey represents the shortest time traveled (so far anyway) and has been one of the most compelling of Heldt's books for me. There was little if anything in this book that I was able to predict. The climax was nothing short of stunning.
Set in a more contemporary time frame, The Journey will take many readers back to their own youth, making the book more relate-able from the perspective of understanding the time into which our main character is thrust.
The story is tight and allows us the chance to consider what we might do in the same situation. (Minor spoiler alert) What would we tell our younger selves given the opportunity.
This offering of Mr. Heldt's craft has more sexual activity than most of his others (probably a consequence of the time frame), and definitely focuses on the changing mores of the culture at the time. There is also romance, teenage drama, and as always a little history in the mix.
I have enjoyed all of John Heldt's writing so far, but The Journey is a standout from even his usual high quality. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip through time courtesy of Mr. Heldt and recommend The Journey to any reader of time-travel, sci-fi, fantasy, or anyone who just wants an entertaining, fun, blast to the past. Enjoy!
Mike
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
The Extraordinary Temptation
Patrick McCusker provided me an e-copy of his book The Extraordinary Temptation in exchange for a review.
The Extraordinary Temptation starts out as what the reader thinks is going to be your basic archaeological treasure hunt adventure. It quickly disabuses that notion. Our hero (the archaeologist) has found (though he doesn't know it immediately) The Crown of Thorns, yes that crown of thorns.
An unscrupulous businessman (you'll have to read the book to get the connections) steals the crown, and finding a desiccated piece of flesh, attempts to clone it. No spoiler here, this is all in the blurb.
The story takes a turn into the macabre and delves deeply into eeriness and horror at this point. The ending brings us back to a Utopian hope.
I don't recall a book that has prompted such visceral reactions in me as I read. I have read many books which have affected me on an emotional level to be sure, but The Extraordinary Temptation went well beyond those.
There are some questionable turns of phrase that were difficult for me as the story is told with British vernacular. The only one I feel pretty sure of commenting on, is when the term "First Nations" is used to identify Native Americans (the former is a Canadian designation not American). Minor, I know but there you go.
For me this story divides itself into three distinct parts. We have the set up in a mundane (not boring) manner, things unfolding the way we would normally expect them. Then we move into the horror, serious horror, that forces us to think about some really unsettling ideas. Questions that quite frankly, scare hell out of me.
The Extraordinary Temptation ends on a much more hopeful, as I said Utopian, note. It still manages to leave us with much to consider. Over all I ended up with a somewhat uneasy feeling.
Author Patrick McCusker has given us much to think about in The Extraordinary Temptation. This is not a lighthearted piece of fluff to pass some time with, it is a story that will probably grab you and take you, for a while at least, into a very uncomfortable place. A unique read is probably the best way to describe it. A very good unique read for sure. Just not an easy one. Enjoy!
Mike
The Extraordinary Temptation starts out as what the reader thinks is going to be your basic archaeological treasure hunt adventure. It quickly disabuses that notion. Our hero (the archaeologist) has found (though he doesn't know it immediately) The Crown of Thorns, yes that crown of thorns.
An unscrupulous businessman (you'll have to read the book to get the connections) steals the crown, and finding a desiccated piece of flesh, attempts to clone it. No spoiler here, this is all in the blurb.
The story takes a turn into the macabre and delves deeply into eeriness and horror at this point. The ending brings us back to a Utopian hope.
I don't recall a book that has prompted such visceral reactions in me as I read. I have read many books which have affected me on an emotional level to be sure, but The Extraordinary Temptation went well beyond those.
There are some questionable turns of phrase that were difficult for me as the story is told with British vernacular. The only one I feel pretty sure of commenting on, is when the term "First Nations" is used to identify Native Americans (the former is a Canadian designation not American). Minor, I know but there you go.
For me this story divides itself into three distinct parts. We have the set up in a mundane (not boring) manner, things unfolding the way we would normally expect them. Then we move into the horror, serious horror, that forces us to think about some really unsettling ideas. Questions that quite frankly, scare hell out of me.
The Extraordinary Temptation ends on a much more hopeful, as I said Utopian, note. It still manages to leave us with much to consider. Over all I ended up with a somewhat uneasy feeling.
Author Patrick McCusker has given us much to think about in The Extraordinary Temptation. This is not a lighthearted piece of fluff to pass some time with, it is a story that will probably grab you and take you, for a while at least, into a very uncomfortable place. A unique read is probably the best way to describe it. A very good unique read for sure. Just not an easy one. Enjoy!
Mike
Saturday, June 18, 2016
The Express
My e-copy of The Express was sent to me by author R.K. Howard in exchange for a review.
At approximately 47 pages, The Express is an extremely quick read, also a particularly creepy, scary, thought provoking one.
We don't get to know very much about the main character who is relating the story. We are with him as he boards his usual morning bus. Things go down hill from there, and just continue to get worse. Then they get really bad.
Without getting "preachy" or extolling the virtues of any religious dogma, author R.K. Howard does provoke us into the sometimes uncomfortable consideration of: What's next? Is there an existence after this life? Will there be consequences for how we lived this life?
A lot to bring up with a 47 page story. The Express did have a few typos, but not enough to impact my enjoyment of the book.
If you are ready for a story that will make you think, without trying to tell you what to think, The Express by R.K. Howard is the way to go. Enjoy!
Mike
At approximately 47 pages, The Express is an extremely quick read, also a particularly creepy, scary, thought provoking one.
We don't get to know very much about the main character who is relating the story. We are with him as he boards his usual morning bus. Things go down hill from there, and just continue to get worse. Then they get really bad.
Without getting "preachy" or extolling the virtues of any religious dogma, author R.K. Howard does provoke us into the sometimes uncomfortable consideration of: What's next? Is there an existence after this life? Will there be consequences for how we lived this life?
A lot to bring up with a 47 page story. The Express did have a few typos, but not enough to impact my enjoyment of the book.
If you are ready for a story that will make you think, without trying to tell you what to think, The Express by R.K. Howard is the way to go. Enjoy!
Mike
Lunar Options
I was provided an e-version of Lunar Options by author T. R. Locke for review.
Lunar Options is at its core, a political thriller. Set on both the Earth and the Moon, this story is very action oriented. I found it to be a very entertaining read.
We have a crew of good guys in pursuit of a serious bad guy, taking them from the Earth to the Moon and back. We have military technology, military ego-maniacs, political ego-maniacs, terrorist ego-maniacs, and a hero with a wildly useful superpower.
Not a particularly long read, the action in Lunar Options makes it read even more quickly. It keeps the reader engaged from the first page to the last. The action sequences are interspersed with the political stupidity one would expect in an emergency that threatens the very existence of the U.S. Government.
There are a few moments of spousal tenderness (and discord) as two of the good guys are husband and wife.
With the length of the story and the strong action orientation, there aren't a lot of extraneous story lines, but that's okay. The story is strong enough to not need them.
One big plus; very few editing errors. The big negative? Lunar Options ends with the dreaded cliffhanger (as usual, that may be just me). So, obviously it is the start of a series. The version I received did not identify either the name of the series, or the title of the next installment.
All around Lunar Options by T.R. Locke is a good read for those who enjoy straight-forward action without a lot of other side stories to get in the way. Enjoy!
Mike
Lunar Options is at its core, a political thriller. Set on both the Earth and the Moon, this story is very action oriented. I found it to be a very entertaining read.
We have a crew of good guys in pursuit of a serious bad guy, taking them from the Earth to the Moon and back. We have military technology, military ego-maniacs, political ego-maniacs, terrorist ego-maniacs, and a hero with a wildly useful superpower.
Not a particularly long read, the action in Lunar Options makes it read even more quickly. It keeps the reader engaged from the first page to the last. The action sequences are interspersed with the political stupidity one would expect in an emergency that threatens the very existence of the U.S. Government.
There are a few moments of spousal tenderness (and discord) as two of the good guys are husband and wife.
With the length of the story and the strong action orientation, there aren't a lot of extraneous story lines, but that's okay. The story is strong enough to not need them.
One big plus; very few editing errors. The big negative? Lunar Options ends with the dreaded cliffhanger (as usual, that may be just me). So, obviously it is the start of a series. The version I received did not identify either the name of the series, or the title of the next installment.
All around Lunar Options by T.R. Locke is a good read for those who enjoy straight-forward action without a lot of other side stories to get in the way. Enjoy!
Mike
Friday, June 17, 2016
Ochoco Reach
I won a print copy of Ochoco Reach by Jim Stewart in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Ochoco Reach is a highly entertaining mix (I think the current buzzword is "mash-up") of many sub-genres of the main action/adventure genre.
There are aspects of military, Native American spiritualism, political corruption, and international tension, to name a few. Author Jim Stewart (I have to wonder, any relation?) does an outstanding job of weaving all these threads into the fabric of a story that grabs the readers attention and doesn't let go.
Ochoco Reach is action/adventure to the max. It appears that this may be the first in a series, the cover identifies Ochoco Reach as "An Ironwood Novel". This would definitely be a good thing.
However, I would suggest (respectfully) to the author; Take it easy on this poor guy if you want him to be around for an extended run. Mike Ironwood (our hero) is a hero-warrior in the best tradition, the guy you want on your side to be sure. I know it is part of the great action we read, but, this guy has got to look like a jigsaw puzzle when he takes off his shirt, and it has only been one book!
Ironwood has a dog, Bucket (a Catahoula Leopard Dog, I had to Google it), that rivals Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Yukon King combined for intelligence. An awesome sidekick. His other partner, Daniel, his half-brother (and Native American connection) adds a whole different dimension.
It may sound like Ironwood is an over the top character, but not really. He's not as ego driven as other characters in the genre. He is smart and tenacious, a deadly adversary to be sure, but he is also well aware of, and true to, his inherent humanity.
Ochoco Reach is not a one note adventure at all. There are drug cartel baddies, government alphabet organizations (as the author identifies them) both true and corrupt, international activities, shoot 'em up violence and bloodshed a plenty.
There is also romance, compassion, tenderness, and love. Very well balanced. Vengeance is a main aspect of the story, and it is brutal at times, but it is also tempered with our hero's sense of justice.
Over all, Ochoco Reach by Jim Stewart is a great action/adventure, with romance, sex, humanity, morality and honor. Enjoy!
Mike
Ochoco Reach is a highly entertaining mix (I think the current buzzword is "mash-up") of many sub-genres of the main action/adventure genre.
There are aspects of military, Native American spiritualism, political corruption, and international tension, to name a few. Author Jim Stewart (I have to wonder, any relation?) does an outstanding job of weaving all these threads into the fabric of a story that grabs the readers attention and doesn't let go.
Ochoco Reach is action/adventure to the max. It appears that this may be the first in a series, the cover identifies Ochoco Reach as "An Ironwood Novel". This would definitely be a good thing.
However, I would suggest (respectfully) to the author; Take it easy on this poor guy if you want him to be around for an extended run. Mike Ironwood (our hero) is a hero-warrior in the best tradition, the guy you want on your side to be sure. I know it is part of the great action we read, but, this guy has got to look like a jigsaw puzzle when he takes off his shirt, and it has only been one book!
Ironwood has a dog, Bucket (a Catahoula Leopard Dog, I had to Google it), that rivals Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Yukon King combined for intelligence. An awesome sidekick. His other partner, Daniel, his half-brother (and Native American connection) adds a whole different dimension.
It may sound like Ironwood is an over the top character, but not really. He's not as ego driven as other characters in the genre. He is smart and tenacious, a deadly adversary to be sure, but he is also well aware of, and true to, his inherent humanity.
Ochoco Reach is not a one note adventure at all. There are drug cartel baddies, government alphabet organizations (as the author identifies them) both true and corrupt, international activities, shoot 'em up violence and bloodshed a plenty.
There is also romance, compassion, tenderness, and love. Very well balanced. Vengeance is a main aspect of the story, and it is brutal at times, but it is also tempered with our hero's sense of justice.
Over all, Ochoco Reach by Jim Stewart is a great action/adventure, with romance, sex, humanity, morality and honor. Enjoy!
Mike
Monday, June 13, 2016
Murder and More
I received an e-version of Murder and More by Gerald Darnell for review.
Murder and More is the fourteenth installment in the Carson Reno Mystery Series. No, I haven't read the first thirteen, but after reading this entry, I don't think I would mind. It didn't seem to put me behind by not having read the first books, this story was pretty well self contained. Murder and More was a fun read.
I don't read a lot of mysteries usually, but the hard-boiled, or noir genre does catch my interest. Murder and More did not disappoint, I could hear the bluesy-jazz music in my mind while reading the story.
There were sleazy bad guys, extremely hot women, hard drinking, cool cars and twists and turns leading to the conclusion. As I said I don't read a lot of these type books, so I don't know the usual conventions. Murder and More was illustrated with pictures (not drawings) pertinent to the story. The picture of the scantily clad lady definitely caught my eye (a little cheesecake is not a bad thing). There were pictures of businesses mentioned in the book and pictures of cool classic cars (again not a bad thing). This did make the book more fun.
It was fun reading about the way the private eyes "investigated", mostly letting things develop with out there intervention, but still making enemies of every bad guy in the area. Of course, our hero Carson Reno ties it all up neatly in the end (You think that is a spoiler? Reno has 14 books, he didn't get that many failing now did he?).
Murder and More does contain graphic violence, but only hinted at sex, just like the 50's and 60's true detective stories my mother used to read when I was a kid. The language wasn't bad, the whole reading experience was like being back in the 60's, not what would be written today. In those days you could have either sex or violence, but not both.
Which brings me to my biggest complaint about Murder and More, at one point we are teased with a hot female character wearing a bathing suit that would "stop traffic", did they have a picture of that? Nooo! We got a picture of a '57 caddy, nice car but come on!
All kidding aside, Murder and More, by Gerald Darnell is candy for the hard-boiled detective fan. Enjoy!
Mike
Murder and More is the fourteenth installment in the Carson Reno Mystery Series. No, I haven't read the first thirteen, but after reading this entry, I don't think I would mind. It didn't seem to put me behind by not having read the first books, this story was pretty well self contained. Murder and More was a fun read.
I don't read a lot of mysteries usually, but the hard-boiled, or noir genre does catch my interest. Murder and More did not disappoint, I could hear the bluesy-jazz music in my mind while reading the story.
There were sleazy bad guys, extremely hot women, hard drinking, cool cars and twists and turns leading to the conclusion. As I said I don't read a lot of these type books, so I don't know the usual conventions. Murder and More was illustrated with pictures (not drawings) pertinent to the story. The picture of the scantily clad lady definitely caught my eye (a little cheesecake is not a bad thing). There were pictures of businesses mentioned in the book and pictures of cool classic cars (again not a bad thing). This did make the book more fun.
It was fun reading about the way the private eyes "investigated", mostly letting things develop with out there intervention, but still making enemies of every bad guy in the area. Of course, our hero Carson Reno ties it all up neatly in the end (You think that is a spoiler? Reno has 14 books, he didn't get that many failing now did he?).
Murder and More does contain graphic violence, but only hinted at sex, just like the 50's and 60's true detective stories my mother used to read when I was a kid. The language wasn't bad, the whole reading experience was like being back in the 60's, not what would be written today. In those days you could have either sex or violence, but not both.
Which brings me to my biggest complaint about Murder and More, at one point we are teased with a hot female character wearing a bathing suit that would "stop traffic", did they have a picture of that? Nooo! We got a picture of a '57 caddy, nice car but come on!
All kidding aside, Murder and More, by Gerald Darnell is candy for the hard-boiled detective fan. Enjoy!
Mike
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