With a Voice that is Often Still Confused But is Becoming Ever Louder and Clearer by J.R. Hamantaschen

With a Voice that is Often Still Confused But is Becoming Ever Louder and Clearer by J.R. Hamantaschen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a Voice that is Often Still Confused But is Becoming Ever Louder and Clearer by J.R. Hamantaschen is a great collection of horror stories that starts off with a bang. The first story,Vernichtungsschmerz is about Julie and her dreams, and while she claims to never remember her dreams well, here her dreams, horrifying at times, seem to overlap with reality, along with the reality of her three childhood friends. There are physical mutations, death, and other scary elements not only in this story but the others as well, as the author carries scary and overwhelming themes throughout the collection. To say that this writing is good is truly an understatement, the author grabs you by the throat and makes you want to read further, even though you know that may not be a reasonable idea. The writing is addicting like a drug, you know it's bad for you but you can't help yourself. A good mix of genre that blends gore with horror and everything in between, ranging from subtly nuanced to in your face disaster and mayhem. Highly recommend.

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The Reign of the Vedic Gods by Swami Achuthananda

The Reign of the Vedic Gods by Swami Achuthananda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Reign of the Vedic Gods (The Galaxy of Hindu Gods Book 1) by Swami Achuthananda is a veritable endless source of information about the Hindu religion and Hindu gods and goddesses. This is the first in what is to be a multi volume series, as the author states that he simply cannot fit all of the information into one volume, it would simply be too thick. Achuthananda approaches the subject with a touch of humor, which helps in keeping the dissemination of information from being overwhelming. There is a lot here to digest, but the author makes it fairly easy and entertaining. He also is clear that the gods of Indian mythology, were in fact, quite imperfect, which makes them all the more appealing. This is a great reference book that outlines the lives of Hindu gods and Indian history for novices and experts alike. Highly recommend for an immersive read, and an entertaining one at that.

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Wolf's Clothing: A Moriah Dru and Richard Lake mystery by Gerrie Ferris Finger

Wolf's Clothing: A Moriah Dru and Richard Lake mystery by Gerrie Ferris Finger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wolf's Clothing: A Moriah Dru and Richard Lake Mystery (Moriah Dru & Richard Lake Book 7) is a great entry into the established series by Gerrie Ferris Finger. This time the Atlanta famous police dog Buddy has gone missing, and the mystery begins. He is a well loved dog, and everyone is rooting for him to be found. Finger writes with great affection for the South and an understanding of Atlanta and its environs capturing the essence of the city and its people. While you might think you have to read every single book in this series to understand the tenor and tone of the story, this book stands on its own just fine, while the characters of Drug and Lake are well fleshed out and very real. An investment scam, a mega -church, and a cast of well crafted characters make this a substantial read with topics that are timely and interesting. Highly recommend for a solid mystery with a strong plot, good tension, and a fast pace.

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Insincerity by Richard Godwin

Insincerity by Richard Godwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Insincerity by Richard Godwin is gritty and unrelenting in it's quest to be super gory and destructive. A serial killer named the Pimp has killed Tammy Wayne's sister Holly. He continues to torment Tammy in the worst, most gruesome ways possible. He sends body parts to her home, and seems to come and go as he pleases. But Tammy is an ex military PI, and with her acumen, is on the hunt for this killer. This is a tangled web of a story, with a lot of characters to keep track of, but they all add something intrinsic to the story. Many of these people are leading secret lives unknown to even those closest to them. Troubling themes abound in this story not only revolving around serial killers and their various sick methods, but sexual obsession. This book is a thrilling roller coaster ride, fast plot, good descriptions and solid characters make for an enticing read. Highly recommend.

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Societe by Alexander Helas

Societe by Alexander Helas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Societe by Alexander Helas is a one of a kind book that follows the life of Christian Matters an architect in Chicago, who one day just takes to the road, heads west, and changes his life. He's quit his lucrative job, no longer has a girlfriend, and is trying to clear his head, and to see what life has in store. Along the way he meets Lester Rothschild, an aristocrat with a quirky personality, and plenty of dreams. The overarching theme of the book is free will, predestination and the like, and the author displays his interpretation of these themes in a new and interesting way. His use of language is impressive, mixing words together in ways that haven't been done before. This itself creates a tone to the story, that supports the quest the characters seem to be on. Christian also meets a character named Deax, someone from another realm, struggling in her new world. This is a thought provoking story, beguiling, and entertaining. It will certainly make you question your concepts about life and free will. Highly recommend.

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Caught in a Web by Joseph Lewis

Caught in a Web by Joseph Lewis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Caught in a Web by Joseph Lewis is a definite page turner featuring the MS-13 gang and all of it's atrocities. Taking place in Milwaukee, the book has a ton of characters ranging from Jeremy to George and a bunch in between. Jeremy has adopted George along with a lot of other young boys who need help. Jeremy soon becomes their true father figure, and is who the boys run to for guidance. The relationships here are quite well described and rendered in a loving fashion. However the story is truly about the sad fact that young kids are dying of overdoses of heroin. This is where detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann come in and they try to solve this mystery, and delve into the underground world of the famous and dangerous gang, MS-13. The characters are fully rendered, and at times you feel real empathy for them and their circumstances. While this is surely a sign of superb writing, some readers may be offended and taken aback by the violence that is graphically described throughout and the suggestion of a lot of familial closeness. It was borderline weird. It is frankly described, and a bit over the top in places. Even with that, the story is provocative on it's own merit, and worthy of delving into. Highly recommend for a gritty and satisfying read.

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Muted Veil by Elizabeth Hamilton-Smyth

Muted Veil by Elizabeth Hamilton-Smyth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Muted Veil by Elizabeth Hamilton-Smyth is a beautifully written book, and Smyth is an author to watch. The story is intriguing right from the start as the main character Frances has a ton of issues, surveillance paranoia being at the top of her list. When she is further diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, she makes the decision to escape the overly watched England, and moves to France. A hefty inheritance helps her in that endeavor, and we feel as readers that she is on the right track to find some serenity in her life. But all is not as it seems, as the house she buys has secrets of it's own. The quality of the writing flows so well, and is so melodious, that you might forget the author is crafting a substantial plot. Unnerving, yet with a message that resonates on many levels, this novel is highly recommended. Looking forward to more from this author.

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