Jukebox by Saira Viola

Jukebox by Saira Viola
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A gifted writer with an expansive vocabulary, Saira Viola's Jukebox is a modern take on the London style gangster story. A fast paced book filled to the brim with brilliant metaphors, alliteration galore and characters that are predictable in a surprising way, Jukebox exposes a fresh literary talent in Saira Viola. At it's core the story is about desperation, the main character Nick's father has Alzheimers; and all of the attendant hardships and sorrow that accompany that diagnosis. Nick wants to be a musician, but desperate times call for desperate measures as it were, and Nick has followed the advice of his father and become a fledgling lawyer. Gritty with a realistic feel to the people in Nick's life; his uncle, who thinks he is the next Bernie Madoff, to Nick's martyred mother, this novel so accurately depicts the human condition, it is hard to stop reading. Creative fiction that combines a wonderful use of language with a solidly engaging story. Highly recommend.

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The Knowing: By David Graham

The Knowing by David Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"To know, is to know you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge." - a wonderful quote by Socrates starts off this book, and couldn't be more apt. With a heady prologue that gets off to a ponderous beginning, what with a toxic technological soup that is inherently evil and dangerous, this novel begins with a bang. The Knowing: A thrilling horror fantasy by David Graham is the perfect amalgamation of horror and inexplicable events, conspiring together to destroy humanity. This is a gripping book, with well thought out characterization and a skillful plot that doesn't disappoint. Be prepared to be immersed into a shocking world filled with corruption, danger, and difficulties everywhere. As a successful sequel to Graham's The Screaming, this new novel certainly can stand on it's own terrifying merits, while subtly evoking touches of humor here and there, along with the requisite chills and thrills that make this genre so tempting.

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Pallbearers and Gamblers: A Novel by Michael John Cruit

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As part of the Honor Guard, Michael Dibiaso, a Vietnam vet, acts as a pallbearer for vets killed during the war. This experience, along with his time in Vietnam takes its toll on Michael in Pallbearers and Gamblers: A Novel by Michael John Cruit. The years is 1971, the war is in full swing, and with few supporters, vets are largely not welcomed when they return home. Michael is called home to attend to his mother who is dying of cancer. This combined with his father's involvement with Al Capone, his father acting as Capone's financial advisor, makes for an interesting and complicated homecoming for Michael. Before he knows it, he becomes embroiled in a money making scheme that could make him millions. Fraught with emotion and struggle, this novel examines the deep implications and consequences that war has not only on veterans themselves, but the community as a whole. Drug use is part of the reality that grips many veterans in an effort to escape their tortuous lives; Cruit adding this aspect to Michael's character to more completely define him. Fully engaging, with an accurate portrayal of the price of war on families, this is a highly recommended book.

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Jane of Manchester by J G Dow

Jane of Manchester by J.G. Dow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jane of Manchester by J.G. Dow is a rambling, diary-like look at the life of Jane, who works in a florist's shop, has good friends and supportive parents. While all may seem fine on the surface, Jane is somewhat at odds with her spot in life; while everyone around her is either getting married, already married with kids, or has a great plan of action, Jane is living a rather simple and uninspired existence. This disquietude tugs at her in a small way throughout the story, while nothing is inherently wrong, things are the same old, same old, day after day. The first person narrative fits this story well, it captures the character of Jane astutely, and weaves the story around her everyday activities. The backdrop of Manchester and the culture of the Brits is enjoyable and sensitively rendered. The author, Dow, also gives the story a somber touch by fully describing the alcohol infused lifestyle that many young woman engage in, which may be enlightening for some. There are a few funny moments in the book that thankfully allow it to rise above the mundane and ordinary as well. All in all, an entertaining, light, novel.

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Shepherd: A Henry Shepherd Novel by Michael Ozarks

Shepherd: A Henry Shepherd Novel by Michael Ozarks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shepherd: A Henry Shepherd Novel (The Henry Shepherd Series Book 1) by Michael Ozarks is a wonderful first entry into this series. Henry the protagonist begins in the first chapter by apologizing for his name. That bit of melancholy seems to permeate the book and sets the tone. Driving home one night, Henry accidentally hits and kills a girl, Karen. While not charged with a crime, Henry carries the guilt with him like a cloak. Fate intervenes however, and soon Henry is involved with Karen's twin sister. With that unlikely premise, the story and characters are quite well written, Henry not only being overcome with his burden of killing someone, but his involvement with the victim's sister is yet another emotional hurdle. This story truly describes the power of forgiveness and redemption even in the most troubling and impossible of circumstances. A must read for an emotional and fulfilling literary journey. Looking forward to the next installments in this series.

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Dare To Remember by Susanna Beard

Dare to Remember by Susanna Beard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dare to Remember by Susanna Beard is a well put together psychological, suspenseful story. The main character Lisa, and her flat-mate are brutally attacked one night, Lisa's flat-mate is killed and Lisa wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of the attack. Moving to the countryside, Lisa struggles to put her life back together and put the attack behind her. Much of the story is devoted to Lisa trying to recover memories from that night; she has flashes of remembrance, little nudges in her subconscious that may reveal what happened. Lisa establishes some friendships in her new environment, most notably with her next door elderly neighbor. This relationship appears to be a healing balm for Lisa, and is well developed and portrayed. Beard does an excellent job with character development in this story, and while not a thriller in the truest sense of the word, the writing was nuanced enough and careful enough to make this novel an outstanding debut. With enough of a subtle twist to the story that prompts an "oh, okay, that's what happened" response from the reader, I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley.com for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Treasure: A Trilogy by Vanessa Leigh Hoffman

Treasure: A Trilogy by Vanessa Leigh Hoffman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Treasure: A Trilogy by Vanessa Leigh Hoffman is the tale of three men, each with their own agenda and their own secrets. Treasure consists of three separate yet related stories: Rear View Mirror, Silk Road to Atlantis, and Subterfuge. Hoffman has opened up the book with a prologue that seems to set the tone for the book with a woman crying and screaming at the universe in it's unfairness. The book then opens with Camille, sitting at a bar in Florida who meets Kenneth, a well to do sixty odd years old retiree with scads of money and a ranch in the rural part of Florida. They continue to meet daily for weeks and develop quite a relationship. But things are rarely as they seem, and Kenneth may indeed have some secrets. Camille may have secrets of her own. Hoffman manages to explore the paths that different lives take, whether by chance or due to specific decisions that have far reaching effects. She has cultivated a theme that is interwoven between the stories, tying them effectively together while exploring misfortune, opportunity, and how people become involved with evil entities. Highly recommend for an interesting look at the foibles of mankind.

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Catadoupe by Jason Akley

Catadoupe by Jason Akley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Catadoupe by Jason Akley is a collection of nine stories rather loosely linked together. The word Catadoupe means waterfall in French, and that certainly describes the tone and tenor of this collection. There are various plot dimensions in the work of rambling words and verbiage, but it all works together. The stories include a medical lab tech, a married couple, a dad with two daughters, a lot of marijuana, a gangster, and several cats. Even bitcoin is mentioned. These elements combine to create a vast array of visually written and diverse reading experiences. The reader must be alert and attuned to get the most from this book. Akley largely avoids the use of punctuation throughout his books, making them quite a challenge to read, and can leave some of the writing less impactful than it might be if it were more traditionally presented. Still the book has moments of deep rumination on the characters' parts and will leave the reader with more questions than answers which is sometimes a good thing.

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Confessions of a Neighbor by Heather Nadine Lenz

Confessions of a Neighbor by Heather Nadine Lenz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Confessions of a Neighbor by Heather Nadine Lenz follows the young life of Ella. Ella is quite young, only sixteen, and has recently lost both her mother and grandmother. She lives alone in a studio apartment, and is struggling at life, trying to become a real ballerina and support herself with a waitressing job. Compulsively lonely and alone, Ella begins to watch her neighbors across the way through their window and witnesses what she thinks is spousal abuse, this time the man being abused by his wife. Once down this voyeuristic path, it is hard for her to stop. With plenty of twists and turns to the story; Ella actually meets the man who is being abused; and lots of tension throughout, this is a compelling and gripping story about stalking that takes on a life of it's own. Lenz does an excellent job of creating tension in the story, and fleshes out the character of Ella quite well. An interesting read that gives the reader a peek into life in Switzerland, which is a great addition to a thoughtful and creative story.

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The St. Louis Affair: The Adventures of Herbert Falken by Michael Scheffel

St. Louis Affair The Adventures of Herbert Falken by Michael Scheffel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The St. Louis Affair: The Adventures of Herbert Falken by Michael Scheffel is a wonderful rendition of the old school style mystery. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and company, this mystery that takes place in St. Louis in the late 1800's begins with a bang as Falken battles another fighter in the ring, wins some money, and lives to fight another day. Highly atmospheric with accurate details that depict the time, Scheffel has done a superb job of rendering realistic characters as they struggle to solve another murder mystery. Falken is well portrayed as a likeable guy who is a private investigator, but who has a little baggage courtesy of war time and battles waged. An all together riveting look at the industrial age and the seedier side of life, Scheffel also allows the sublime to shine through, simply by describing Falken's lifestyle in his private home. That ability to meld two worlds together keeps this murder mystery interesting and satisfying to the end. Highly recommend for an educational and insightful read.

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Rick's Place by Jason Akley

Rick's Place by Jason Akley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rick's Place by Jason Akley is a meandering story, a stream of consciousness that encompasses the whole book. Akley has a way of making his characters seem so real, you can almost touch them. It takes a while to get into this book; the writing is heavy with long sentences that go off into different directions. With a little patience though, the reader is rewarded with the poetry of language and the level of story-writing that is quite rare. An experimental book, Rick's Place captures the essence of so many bars and dives, divulging the mystery behind them, if only we take a risk, take a look inside. The everyday, mundane thoughts and activities; the simple act of sitting on a barstool and telling jokes, that no one hears, no one cares about, these things rise to the level of beauty. Akley is able to disseminate and advance the theory that in the ordinary lies a bit of wonder. Prepare to be mesmerized and entertained when you delve into this highly recommended book.

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Spanky: A Soldier's Son by S.L. LaNeve

Spanky: A Soldier's Son by S.L. LaNeve
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spanky: A Soldier's Son by S.L. LaNeve chronicles the life of Spanky McDougal after he and his family move to Florida from Pennsylvania. In Florida, Spanky's dad becomes a firefighter, but is also a reservist and soon gets called to serve in Afghanistan. Spanky not only must deal with a new school and making new friends, but come to terms with his dad being at war. Spanky feels a duty to help with his mom, who is likely depressed and not coping well at all. Plus he wants to make his dad proud of him. Add in the local bully and Spanky has a lot to overcome. These elements combined with the usual growing up pains that many young teens go through create a highly relatable, realistic story that will appeal to teens and older readers as well. LaNeve has created complex yet engaging characters placing them in an enduring and potent setting. Being deployed is never easy for anyone involved, family or otherwise. This books shows how everyday people cope with incredibly stressful situations during transitional times in life. Highly recommend for a thought provoking and entertaining book.

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Alibi Aficionado by Harvey Church

Alibi Aficionado by Harvey Church
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If a mystery book could win an award for dry humor, Alibi Aficionado by Harvey Church would be the book. The reader is quickly immersed into the banal life of Edwin Burrows during a not so raucous party at his boss's house. When Edwin wakes up in the garage apartment of his boss's daughter, he knows his life is over as he knows it. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to describing this book. An immensely inept and apologetic CPA, Edwin is more or less blackmailed by his boss to look into one of the firm's clients. That client, Yannick Knight, of huge investment returns may be involved in the rape and disappearance of a run of the mill, albeit attractive and young coffee barista. Stumbling along, Edwin pursues all avenues of investigation including the ever popular financial records avenue. Ever the underdog, Edwin fights the good fight, you can't help but root for him to succeed, even when he fails so miserably over and over. A great cast of characters balance the story from being too over the top. A sizzling first installment in the series, Church writes with panache and quick witted humor. Nothing wrong with that.

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The Enchanted Swans by Christy Nicholas

The Enchanted Swans by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Christy Nicholas, author of the Enchanted Swans has a diverse background. Known as the Green Dragon, she has interests that include digital art, jewelry making, photography and writing. This is all in addition to being a CPA, which is no small feat. She says she is compelled to create art and beautiful things. This inspiration certainly translates to her writing ability. Mesmerizing from the beginning scenes of life affirming and life ending childbirth, Nicholas draws the reader in through the use of fine prose and detailed descriptions. The story takes place in pre-Celtic Ireland, embracing the Tuatha De, Ireland’s fabled “fair folk”. From reigning above the earth, they are forced to go underground and exist as swans for 900 years, rather the main character, Fionnuala and her three siblings are condemned to remain as swans. The use of Gaelic names and wording makes this a worthwhile read to learn something about Irish lore, along with a compelling if sometimes sad story line.

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The Psalmist by Jason Akley

The Psalmist by Jason Akley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Psalmist by Jason Akley is a sprawling and expansive book. It is both epic in length and epic in tone. Here, Jason Akely chronicles the life of David Threnody, a 20th century blues musician. Raised during the Great Depression, Threnody wanted only to play the guitar. Parallel to the story of David Threnody, runs the story of King David from Biblical times. The two stories are so fused together, the writing so rambling, it's difficult sometimes to dissect one life from the other. Threnody treats music as an addiction he can't get past. In the midst of the story are powerful passages from the Bible, and reflections of God. Akley's writing is invasive, full and haunting, allowing the reader to fully experience the characters. Not just a chronicle of an interesting and well-lived life, The Psalmist also manages to capture the racial tension so prevalent during Threnody's time. Because of this, there is much to learn about racial history and tensions in the country. Akley follows the format of the Psalms to his advantage with the riveting, deeply moving book while fully taking advantage of his writing muse.

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Handmaidens of Rock by Linda Gould

Handmaidens of Rock by Linda Gould
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Handmaidens of Rock by Linda Gould follows three teenage girls in the late 1960's as they embark on following a local rock band to stardom. In essence, they become groupies or "handmaidens" attached to a group of aspiring musicians. Told from three alternating points of view, the reader gets to know each individual girl. While not especially likeable or endearing characters, all are representative in their own way of the challenging and changing times. The details that the author infuses into the writing is particularly interesting and accurate. The setting is well fleshed out, life on the road is well described and a good overview is given of the life and times of the self-absorbed groupies. A lot of changes took place during the 60's, from the radical music to the taking of drugs, political protests, flower children and even religious, strange cults. Gould has accurately captured the feeling of the era well. This is a coming of age novel of sorts and is similar to other novels that recount the feeling of nostalgia that is often associated with the 1960's. A great read for anyone interested in rock and roll and the hippie experience.

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The Long Ride: A Billionaire Romance by Jane Keeler

The Long Ride: A Billionaire Romance by Jane Keeler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Long Ride: A Billionaire Romance by Jane Keeler highlights the author's love for the romance genre. Jane Keeler is an author from Ohio and has authored several genres ranging from the Billionaire series to Regency as well as novels that herald a second chance. Not only does Keeler have a passion for passion, she knows how to build a good framework for a story, as is evident in this short novel. She sets the stage well with the interplay between the father and son in the story, and the conflict therein. A rich boy with much too much money and too much time on his hands, Gabriel is about to be set up in marriage by his father, when he encounters Karlee on a bus ride. There is an instant attraction between the two and the story begins to take form. With plenty of hot and heavy sex scenes, and an adequate pace to the story, this novel flows nicely from beginning to the end. Highly recommend for a short, diversionary type read for those readers who enjoy a healthy and satisfying romance.

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Our Eternal Curse Another Tribe by Simon Rumney

Another Tribe by Simon Rumney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe by Simon Rumney is exceptional historical fiction. The story is focused on Julii, a Tennessee Indian, who is portrayed realistically as dealing with the "white man's world". It's easy to root for Julii in this novel, which is full of suspense and drama. That an Indian woman is portrayed as a blockade runner for the Confederate army is fascinating reading and compelling reading. For the reader that wants to learn more about this era, this is the book from which to start on that journey. This book is sort of like uncharted territory and written from a great perspective. It's great to see a strong representation of an Indian female lead character, who overcomes great levels of disadvantage along with the ever present prejudice and preconceived ideas of the time. Highly recommended reading for history buffs and those who love a little mystery and suspense as well.

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London Road Linked Stories Vol. 1 by Tessa Smith McGovern

London Road: Linked Stories, Vol. 1 by Tessa Smith McGovern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London Road: Linked Stories, Vol. 1 by Tessa Smith McGovern was a welcome surprise; a cleverly written collection of stories that are inter-connected. First off, Janice Bailey has been released from prison, but doesn't know if that is truly what she wants. She heads off to a boarding house in London, recommended as it were by a former friend in prison. From there, the emotional tableau begins, with stories that not only pull at the heartstrings but that intricately describe human frailty. The reader comes to know all of the inhabitants of the boarding house with their respective histories, nuances and dilemmas. Somehow all of these personalities tie together the story in small ways, taking the reader on a uniquely satisfying journey. McGovern has a way with language and dialogue that is fully convincing and absorbing, you want to know more about every individual in this collection. Another collection of stories with these same characters would be a welcome follow up. Highly recommend for an interesting, quirky, and satisfying fictionalized account of boarding house living in a not so nice part of London.

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Lingering with Diamonds by Graham Rippon

Lingering With Diamonds by Graham Rippon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Graham Rippon, the author of Lingering With Diamonds has a varied professional background that includes working for HSBC, an invitation to teach creative writing to adults, and editor/owner of Carillon Magazine. Lingering with Diamonds is a funny, connected series of stories set in two parts, set one being the adventures of Alfred and Squidge, diamond thieves who never catch a break. They inhabit two worlds, the outside world where they bungle diamond burglaries, and the inside world of jail, where they dream and conjure up the next big heist. One of the funniest scenes in the book is in the kitchen with the chicken where both Squidge and Alfred got jobs after their incarceration. Great writing; the reader can picture the scene so well. Set two of the stories takes place in Lingering-in-the Marsh, the quintessential sleepy village. Here, Constable Bobby Nickem works to combat crime, while dreaming of Mattie Horne and wondering how to woo her. Unfortunately for the constable, there is not a lot of crime in Lingering-in-the Marsh. The play on words in both of these sets of stories is so funny, in particular, the Nokdoff's. I can easily see this set of stories being made into a charming and entertaining series for British television; they are that funny.

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The Struggle for Innocence: A Bridge of Magic Novel by Robert Balsley

The Struggle for Innocence: A Bridge of Magic Novel by Robert Balsley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not many books have a preface, a forward, and a prologue, but Robert Balsley does just that in his book, The Struggle for Innocence: A Bridge of Magic Novel. Balsley's consideration and concern for his reader is evident because of these extra steps taken. He wants to ensure the reader has a good foundation upon which to read. He goes on to explain in the forward the importance of the "empath" a group of healers that are unique to an elven controlled city. The empaths are completely in tune with what people feel emotionally whether it be hate, love, or anything in between. Empaths also have healing powers that they use in a very unselfish manner. This is a solid fantasy story with the right mix of elements to catch and keep the reader's attention. The second installment in a series, this novel will appeal to those familiar with tales of dragons, elves, and dungeons. If this type of reading and concept is new to the reader, it may take a while to incorporate and understand all of the different plot twists along with the odd names and scenarios.

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Silver Soul by Chiara Kelly

Silver Soul by Chiara Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a captivating and emotional story line, Chiara Kelly has written an engaging family drama in Silver Soul, a story that largely takes place on Martha's Vineyard. With the unexpected death of her husband during a military mission, Della and her children return home to her mother's home in Martha's Vineyard, joining her sister Diana and Diana's daughter. The story is effectively told through three points of view, Della, Diana, and Diana's teenage daughter. This technique gives the reader great and convincing exposure to the inner workings of the characters' and their respective points of view. This is definitely one of the strong points about the book. While overall a story about loss and the pursuant recovery from loss, this book has a little bit of everything to engage most readers into the plot line. There is a little romance, a few secrets, and teenage angst to provide depth and humanity to the story. While the quaint New England town on the east coast may seem over-played sometimes in many novels, this story had enough meat on it's bones to avoid being overly sentimental.

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Moscow Venture by A.K. Celer

MOSCOW VENTURE by A.K. Celer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Moscow Venture by A.K. Celer is a story about John Baron finding out just what happened to his friend of many years who died under mysterious circumstances during an MRI. A fascinating look at Russia in the early 1990's, Celer has done a fantastic job of writing a fast paced spy thriller along the lines of Tom Clancy or Ian Fleming. The main character John, after being strong-armed, takes his best friend's place within the CIA and goes to the Soviet Union to uncover the mystery, knowing that it will only bring trouble and may even put his life in jeopardy. The action and suspense propel the story forward, immersing the reader, while the author also did his research about Cold War Russia which is very evident in the writing. With a well conceived story line that adheres to historical timelines, Celer has accurately represented the Cold War time frame, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the advance of international cellular technology. Highly recommend for a suspenseful and enlightening spy thriller.

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First Person: Supernatural Interviews by Okisha Jackson

First Person: Supernatural Interviews by Okisha Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okisha Jackson writes from the heart in her new collection: First Person: Supernatural Interviews. This book is a collection of poetry with a set of interviews that feature: Praise, Mercy, Fear, and other subjects. Jackson has endeavored to interview these subjects and has come up with a highly unique and inspiring little book. An honestly relatable book written in easy to read language, First Person focuses on the Christian perspective. Filled with scriptures to back up the poetry and interviews, this book is full of problems, situations and challenges that most people can relate to. Jackson fills the books with wonderful imagery, I especially like the Church Chick, a very timely and funny entry. A great book to start up some religious discussions, and may work particularly well with church groups, teenagers, or just those looking for an inspirational pick me up type of book. Highly recommend for a book that can be re-read and referenced again and again.

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Wicked Wednesday Words ( or what I am reading today )

Just getting started on this book and so far so good. Maybe it should be re-titled Survivor's Guilt; a great story to sink your teeth into.