BOOK REVIEW: The After War by Brandon Zenner

Cousins, Brian Rhodes and Steven Driscoll, emerge from their bunker two years after a war and plague have decimated the world. They are on a mission to keep a promise to their Uncle Al and Steven's sister, Bethany. At the same time, Simon Kalispell leaves his isolated mountain cabin on a quest to find his family. His only company is his dog, Winston. For both pairs, danger and death are everywhere. Travelling parallel journeys and experiencing extreme hardships, when their paths eventually cross, it fundamentally alters the tattered remains of the United States.

The After War is a post-apocalyptic story that takes the reader on a hazardous and harrowing journey across North America where civilization has collapsed and anarchy seems to reign. From the beginning, Zenner surprises the reader. Other survivors are deadly, not because of the disease that wiped out most of the population, but because of man's inhumanity to man when baser instincts take over.

The book is long and broken into two parts. The first half deals with the characters' journey. The second details the 'civilization' they discover when those who remain reach their destinations. It is this latter half that essentially shifts the story from post-apocalyptic to dystopian. This reviewer feels that the reader would be better served by breaking them into separate novels. But this is simply an opinion.

Regardless, the story is well written and engaging, even more so once Zenner hits his stride after the first few chapters. Although slow at first, Zenner does a good job of pulling the reader into the mind of his two main protagonists, Brian and Simon. When the story is told from their viewpoints, you feel their fear, anger, remorse, regret and panoply of other emotions. These characters are fighting their own personal "after" wars.

However, for this reader, it was a bit harder to engage with the other point of view characters. Part of this stems from the sheer number of them. It is also due to shifts backwards and forward in time. The reader really has to be on his/her toes to keep them all straight (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

At times some actions and occurrences seem implausible, unrealistic and incredible--thereby breaking the illusion. For example, one character relies heavily on gasoline salvaged from various locations and sources during the course of the drive to his destination. However, petrol doesn't keep long unless it is stored in ideal conditions (e.g. an air tight container) and even then, it would "spoil" after about 12-18 months. Yet, using 2-year-old gas is never a problem in the story.

Beyond this, some of the scenes and situations seem reminiscent of the films 28 Days Later (minus the zombies) and Road Warrior. This, however is somewhat typical for the genre and there are more than enough surprises and originality to make The After War a good weekend read.


Four out of Five stars

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Fixer ~ The Naked Man by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

Katerina Mills is a sheltered woman with a problem. Money was always tight but now that she's ended a fling with her less-than-faithful boss, her job is gone too. Kat has no idea how she'll pay for food, rent or college tuition when opportunity knocks. Suddenly finding herself on the radar of an exclusive "concierge" service that, for a hefty fee, fixes "problems" with no questions asked, Kat jumps at the chance to join up and end her financial troubles. But the lucrative opportunity carries a big price tag of its own. Soon Kat is faced with choices she'd rather not make and actions she doesn't want to take.

The Fixer: The Naked Man is a compelling story about one young woman's struggle not only with reality but also with her personal ethics and the stark contrast between who she is and who she's always imagined herself to be. It is an unusual "coming of age" tale, neatly wrapped in an action/ suspense/thriller package. Part one of a series (though part two is not yet available), the narrative pulls the reader in, leaving him/her eager for more. Rosenblatt convincingly captures Kat's naivety, internal conflict and growing cynicism with the world and those around her.

Poignant at times and hilarious in others, The Fixer: The Naked Man presents situations that come across as both plausible and realistic despite the rather farfetched subject matter. The dialog is sharp and witty. The characters are appropriately developed and used to good effect, giving the reader a clear picture of who Katerina is, where she's come from and why she is changing into someone else. Though there are a few curve balls that seemed a bit too abrupt and out of left field for this reader (e.g. Lulu and the impact she has on Katerina's family), these have clear relevance to the plot and move the story forward at a good pace.

The Fixer: The Naked Man is an entertaining, engaging and intelligent read. This reviewer looks forward to seeing the next instalment in the series. Brava!

Five out of Five stars

BOOK REVIEW: The Apostates Book Three: Lake of Fire by Lars Teeney

In a dystopian future where virtually everyone has neural implants, the corrupt remnants of the U.S. Federal government collude with big business to manipulate the masses. Individual minds can be overrun without warning by the Trinity to become violent and genocidal religious zealots known as Acolytes. Ragtag bands of survivors, ancient tribes and makeshift local principalities join forces in North America to resist this physical and virtual onslaught as well as a coinciding invasion by revenge-driven Chinese forces. But haunting visions, horrific nightmares and personal struggles plague the leadership, clouding their judgement, threatening their sanity and jeopardizing their very existence.

Lake of Fire is the third and final book of the Apostates saga. The story is complex, weaving together multiple characters who, at first blush, seem unrelated. Yet, they share a common history in having survived the natural and man-made disasters detailed in the previous books.

Teeney captures a vivid post-apocalyptic world where nothing is what it seems and circumstances change without warning. The extensive cast of players keeps the reader guessing as to what is really happening and who is behind the homicidal and seemingly demonic possessions of ordinary people. It is a compelling story, chock full of creative ideas and images. The end reveal is a shocker.

However, largely editorial issues let the story down. Frequently the language seems stilted, mechanical and unnatural given the circumstances in which the characters find themselves. For example, a love scene (where the lovers' movement is unromantically likened to that of an oil well pump) comes across as clinical rather than affectionate; cold rather than warm--even though the reader is told that the characters involved feel otherwise. This tendency to "tell" rather than "show" keeps the reader at arm's length, inhibiting his/her emotional engagement with the story, particularly in the action scenes (e.g. "(They) watched in awe as Jaspar's tank force smashed into the wall..."). This, coupled with the sheer number of characters and their minimal development, makes it difficult to stay immersed. Word repetition, extensive passive voice, grammatical errors, typos and punctuation mistakes also crack the illusion.

In total, with redrafting, Lake of Fire has great potential to be a breathless and exhilarating ride, packed with high drama. As is, it is simply an interesting read.

3 of 5 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: The Commons: Book 1: The Journeyman by Michael Allen Peck

Teenaged orphan, Paul, wanted nothing more than to get out of his dead-end life in New York and attend the annual Gaia festival where he was conceived some seventeen years earlier. He never made it. A blizzard and a bus crash made sure of that. Now stranded in the shambles of the weigh-station of the afterlife (the Commons) and with the last remaining Envoy as his only guide, Paul is relentlessly pursued by throngs of black-clad commandos. Their mission: to capture and bring him to the insidious Mr. Brill, a vile entity who bleeds souls for his own dark purposes. Can Paul make it to his ultimate destination or will he end up fodder for the machine like virtually every other departed soul in a millennia?

The Commons: The Journeyman is an extraordinary cross-genre novel. From beginning to end it seizes your attention and doesn't let go.  At the outset, the reader dives into Paul's psyche with visceral emotions:  terror, longing, pain. His time on the run is sharply contrasted with captivity of fellow bus passenger, war veteran and single mother, Annie whose lifetime devotion to her autistic son, Zach, fades into nothingness under the malevolent control of Brill and his mandated prescription pills. Peck infuses the reader with her feelings of confusion, disorientation, malaise and remorse. Both characters are integral to the plot and Peck seamlessly weaves their experiences together to move the story forward and evoke the desired emotional responses in the reader.

Indeed, throughout the novel, Peck strikes an almost perfect balance in terms of pacing, drama, plot and detail. The dialog is crisp, clear and realistic. The characterization is first rate. Peck keeps Brill mysterious and threatening enough to instil fear but also human enough to be accessible to the reader. Paul is appropriately off-balance in his new surroundings as well as unsure of his guide, Porter (who is marvellously unsure of himself) and the various companions he acquires, but remains a quintessential teenager. Everything about him maintains the illusion and keeps the reader engaged with his journey. The same is true of the rest of the cast, who are interspersed throughout the story and used to their maximum effect

The Commons is masterful fiction. This reviewer highly recommends it to readers of all genres. It's that good.

5 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Whiskey Devils by Brandon Zenner

 

 

It’s 2003 and Evan Powers has finally quit his mind-numbing office job to join his roommate, former hippie and long-time friend, Nick Grady, full time in the marijuana trade. The idea is to have a relaxing, carefree existence where the days are lucrative business and the nights are good times, particularly with the beautiful and mysterious Becka, who has become much more than a friend with benefits. Unfortunately, things don’t go according to plan. Within days, Evan’s world rapidly spirals out of control, having grave consequences for those he cares about most.

Whiskey Devils shows how quickly a young man gets in over his head with the illicit drug trade. Zenner does an excellent job of capturing Evan’s early frustration with his seemingly pointless existence and fervent longing for a more meaningful life spent enjoying all his world has to offer. The reader not only understands but relates to Evan’s decision to chuck the 9-5 and fly under the radar. This premise draws on widely-held, deep-rooted sentiments and thus hooks the reader within just a few pages.

The characterization is also strong. The principal players come to life and are multi-dimensional, with both strengths and weaknesses. Evan, for example, almost simultaneously has delusions of grandeur and recognition of his own inadequacy. Again, this is something to which many readers can relate.

That said, language, particularly during tense conversations (of which there are several), occasionally lets the story down. Though emotions are meant to be running high, the characters often speak as if they are writing a paper. Word choices frequently seem stilted and unnatural for what is meant to be emotionally charged speech (e.g. “They’re threatening us, and yet paying us handsomely” or “I’ve thought long and hard about the best course of action”). This breaks the illusion. A similar problem exists with passive voice slowing the pace of dialog and action scenes.

Plausibility is also an issue. For example, the Russian mob was only beginning to emerge in the late 1960s, which was the height of the Soviet regime and Cold War. Given Federal vigilance concerning the USSR at the time coupled with the omnipresent fear of Communism during that period, it seems unlikely that Russian criminal elements would be able to establish the strong and longstanding foothold on U.S. soil that later becomes so pivotal to the 2003 story.

Such issues aside, Whiskey Devils is an enjoyable read with engaging and interesting characters. While the final climax may be a bit too much like an Arnold Schwarzenegger film for some readers, the plot remains entertaining and satisfying. 

4 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Memories and Secrets by Diane Winger

Memories and Secrets is the story of Deborah and Ashley, a grandmother and teenaged granddaughter, spending six weeks of the summer together at Deborah's home in western Colorado while Ashley's father is in Europe on a business trip. Deborah can't wait for the visit to begin, but at seventeen, the last thing Ashley wants is to be babysat for the entire summer. As the weeks go on, the two begin reconnecting and sharing laughter, tears, memories and more than a few secrets.

The story is written in present tense, first person from alternating points of view between Deborah and Ashley.  This can be very difficult to pull off well, but Winger accomplishes it with exceptional flourish. Both characters confront personal demons and fears, learning to lean on each other the way family are meant to. Overall Memories and Secrets is a very good and easy read. It is well-written, engaging and hard to put down. The drama is palpable and the emotion visceral. The internal and external dialogue, particularly for Deborah, is both natural and convincing.

At times, Ashley's attitude and comments seem a bit too mature and sophisticated for a modern seventeen year old (e.g. "flailed taking geometry" or "Spartan offering") and some of her teenage activities with her peers (e.g. the limbo) seem a bit dated (Winger states she based some of it on her own teenage memories). Likewise, the detailed descriptions of rock climbing and mathematical procedures briefly slowed the pace. Ashley also seemed to get over her fear of heights a bit too easily. However, these are very minor complaints.

A more serious issue is the time-frame in which the story is meant to take place. The technology and structure of the story led this reviewer to think that the main action occurs in the present time. However, the epilogue and seeming inconsistency between Deborah's age and what she did as a teenager and young adult (dancing "The Twist" or to Johnny Mathis") seem to suggest that this might not be the case. But again, this is hardly a fatal flaw.

Regardless, Memories and Secrets is a strong novel about loss, remorse and love. It shows a magical journey of discovery taken by two women long-separated by distance, time, secrets and a fifty year age gap. It is well worth reading.

5 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Dead in a Dumpster by B.L. Blair

Leah Norwood owns and operates Scents and Sensibility, a fragrance shop in a Texas shopping center. When the manager of the antique store next door turns up dead (in a dumpster), Leah quickly becomes a suspect as well as a potential victim. To clear her name, she takes on the role of amateur detective and tries to solve the mystery herself. That's when the trouble really begins.

Dead in a Dumpster by B.L. Blair is a cozy mystery with a healthy dash of potential romance sprinkled in. The main character is likeable as are most of the supporting cast. Dead in a Dumpster is a light and easy read, reminiscent of the TV series Murder She Wrote. This story grabs the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the very end.

That said, the book is written in first person, past tense which is often very difficult to pull off. Blair makes a valiant effort but, for this reviewer, it was the story's undoing. Leah came across like that annoying friend who talks endlessly about every detail without letting you get a word in edgewise. You know, the kind you want to shake and tell to get on with it. This carries throughout the novel, with detailed descriptions of where the shop is located, single-scene characters (e.g. the Sunday lunch) or the route taken to get to a potential suspect's house and two hotels. Alongside this was a general tendency to lapse into telling rather than showing. For example, in the opening chapter, Leah tells the reader what a horrible morning she’s had rather than letting the reader experience it with her. As a result, the book leaves you with the same sense you have when you’ve gone to lunch with a friend who’s told you (in great detail) about all the exciting things that happened to her rather than actually getting to see it through her eyes. It's interesting and engaging but your involvement is distant and removed. You simply don't feel Leah's frustration, attraction, horror or fear.

At times, plot plausibility was also an issue for this reviewer, particularly the conduct of the law enforcement characters. For example, the new police chief (and main love interest) seemed far too familiar with Leah (who is not only a civilian but also a witness and former suspect) and willing to give her information about the murder and other ongoing investigations. The identity of the killer also seemed a bit too signposted early on.

Despite these issues, Blair succeeds in providing an entertaining and captivating read.  It is perfect reading for a lazy afternoon or rainy day.

3 of 5 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: The Widow's Guild by Anna Castle

Sir Francis Bacon sits on a commission charged with uprooting seditious Catholics from Elizabethan England. Meanwhile, one of Bacon's young assistants, Tom Clarady, is implicated in the murder of elderly nobleman and recusant Catholic, Viscount Surdeval, due to Tom's entanglement with the Viscount's young new bride turned widow, Lady Alice (Trumpet). Soon it becomes clear that Viscount Surdeval is not the only prominent recusant to have recently fallen to murder shortly after being questioned by the commission. So begins Bacon's quest to solve the killings, notably at the behest of his overbearing mother and aunt, key members of The Widow's Guild, an organization intent on its own interests.

The Widow's Guild has a strong, intricate plot (with interesting subplots) buttressed by solid historical research. The characters are well-developed and engaging. The dialogue is natural and easy to follow despite holding to Elizabethan conventions. At times there is a slightly frustrating tendency to gloss over in description, dialogue and events that the reader should be shown. For example, in their initial conference with Bacon, Tom and Trumpet are described as contradicting each other to the point that Bacon tunes them out. It would have provided greater depth to the plot and these characters to see them actually start hanging themselves by their own words rather than just be told that they had.

Likewise, there is a slight tendency to provide extensive detail on items that are incidental to the plot (e.g. backstory, settings, clothing, personal preferences). For example, Bacon's carriage ride conversation with the Earl of Essex provides important information that almost gets lost in the additional details provided. Such overt demonstration of historical research might work better in the background, being brought out when directly related to the conversation or action.

That said, there are a delightful number of red herrings to keep the reader guessing and the end reveal still managed to shock. It was an enjoyable and entertaining read. I am curious as to what happens to the characters next.

4 out of 5 stars

 

BOOK REVIEW: Finding Out by Sheryn MacMunn

Finding Out is the debut novel from Sheryn MacMunn. The story revolves around the lives of two heroines. The main character, Sheila Davenport, is New York career woman who lacks confidence and has just been dumped on the street outside her upscale co-op by her philandering, long-term boyfriend, Joe.

Ruth Grey is her elderly neighbor across the hall whose kindness and life story helps Sheila learn valuable lessons about herself, the ways of the world and what can bring her true happiness.

The writing is impressive. The book opens with a break-up scene, filled with fabulous dialogue and characterization. MacMunn makes the reader feel Sheila's trauma as she learns one devastating secret after another and yet still has to work the next morning in an office full of harrowing politics.

 

Days later, when Sheila encounters Ruth in the elevator, a friendship is kindled and the reader starts to see how Sheila's problems, which seem insurmountable to her, pale in significance to what Ruth has experienced. This journey is masterfully accomplished through use of alternating points of view between modern day Sheila and the teenaged Ruth trapped with her family in Nazi Germany.

 

The story is engaging. The dialogue is natural and easy to follow. The plot is solid, multilevel and reflects the many facets and meanings of the title and overall theme of finding out. Even the cover art, which seems incongruous at first glance, has special significance to the story. This book is exceptionally well put together, very easy to read and hard to put down.

However, there were a few very minor foibles. For example, sometimes telling rather than showing slowed the pace.  Likewise, periodic head-hopping or word repetition (e.g. Cosmopolitan the drink used in short succession with Cosmopolitan the magazine) broke the illusion. It also seemed a stretch that a 1930s twelve year old would know about adrenaline or that bedsheets in Westchester would only be 600 rather than 1000 percale/thread count. But these, again, are very minor points.

Overall this is a first rate story that well-deserves all of the awards and accolades it has received.  We look forward to more work from this author.

5 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: The Widow's Guild by Anna Castle

Sir Francis Bacon sits on a commission charged with uprooting seditious Catholics from Elizabethan England. Meanwhile, one of Bacon's young assistants, Tom Clarady, is implicated in the murder of elderly nobleman and recusant Catholic, Viscount Surdeval, due to Tom's entanglement with the Viscount's young new bride turned widow, Lady Alice (Trumpet). Soon it becomes clear that Viscount Surdeval is not the only prominent recusant to have recently fallen to murder shortly after being questioned by the commission. So begins Bacon's quest to solve the killings, notably at the behest of his overbearing mother and aunt, key members of The Widow's Guild, an organization intent on its own interests.

The Widow's Guild has a strong, intricate plot (with interesting subplots) buttressed by solid historical research. The characters are well-developed and engaging. The dialogue is natural and easy to follow despite holding to Elizabethan conventions. At times there is a slightly frustrating tendency to gloss over in description, dialogue and events that the reader should be shown. For example, in their initial conference with Bacon, Tom and Trumpet are described as contradicting each other to the point that Bacon tunes them out. It would have provided greater depth to the plot and these characters to see them actually start hanging themselves by their own words rather than just be told that they had.

Likewise, there is a slight tendency to provide extensive detail on items that are incidental to the plot (e.g. backstory, settings, clothing, personal preferences). For example, Bacon's carriage ride conversation with the Earl of Essex provides important information that almost gets lost in the additional details provided. Such overt demonstration of historical research might work better in the background, being brought out when directly related to the conversation or action.

That said, there are a delightful number of red herrings to keep the reader guessing and the end reveal still managed to shock. It was an enjoyable and entertaining read. I am curious as to what happens to the characters next.

4 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Of Love and Vengeance by Louise Lyndon

Of Love and Vengeance by Louise Lyndon 

(Click for UK , Australia, Canada or India purchase)

REVIEW by Alysia Minott
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, because I have not read very many historical romances. Of Love and of Vengeance is a historical romance set during the Norman Conquest. I enjoyed the main characters which were Laila and Aymon.   In this book, the characters face every day problems like secrets, stereotypes, and trust issues.  The two characters in this book are married and must learn how to overcome all this to get to know each other better.  I think the bad guy in this book needs more depth, but overall all not a bad book.

* I received a copy of this book from Flurries of Words in exchange for an honest review*

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Forced to marry Lord Aymon to ensure her young nephew’s survival, English Lady Laila vows undying hatred for the Norman she holds responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. Discovering Aymon has committed an act of treason gives her the chance to seek vengeance he deserves. But can Laila let Aymon die at the hands of the king once she learns the truth?

A hardened Norman warrior, Lord Aymon has lived through atrocities no man ever should. With the invasion of England over, all he wants is a quiet life and a wife who will give him heirs and obey his every command. Instead, he finds himself wed to feisty and outspoken Laila. But when she learns the truth of his treasonous act, can Aymon count on her to keep his secret?

BOOK REVIEW: The King Must Die by N. Gemini Sasson

The King Must Die

by N. Gemini Sasson 

(Click here for UK purchase)

RATING:  5 Stars

The King Must Die  is the sequel to N. Gemini Sasson's breakthrough historical novel Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer .  But don't be put off by this, The King Must Die is truly a stand-alone novel that one can thoroughly enjoy without any knowledge of the previous book.  That said, I cannot guarantee that you won't want to go back and read it.  In fact, I have no doubt that you will--the characters and plot are that good!

The King Must Die tells the story of the real-life historical figures, King Edward III of England and his foreign born mother, Queen Isabella.  Seen from the alternating points of view of these two complicated characters, a tale of intrigue, suspense and betrayal gradually unfolds.  Attempting to address the questions surrounding the apparent death of King Edward II, Isabella's ill-fated husband, Sasson takes the reader on an intricate but easy to follow journey through 14th century power plays, mental illness and webs of deceit to get to the bottom of what really happened.  With the pain of execution for treason looming over the culprit, the art of deflection and manipulation is practiced at the highest levels--leading to a blockbuster conclusion.

Set against a backdrop of medieval England, Sasson takes clear pains to maintain historical accuracy.  At the same time, her characters are credible--particularly her portrayal of Edward III as he grows from a malleable boy-king to a powerful leader and a man who wants answers.  Picking up with Queen Isabella, Sasson expertly takes her from extreme to extreme--protective mother, jealous lover, scorned wife--with ease.  The scenes where Isabella begins to question reality and her own sanity are particularly powerful.  Sasson really knows her stuff!

If you like mysteries and historical fiction peppered with action and romance, then The King Must Die  is the book for you!

BOOK REVIEW: Bleedover by Curtis Hox

Bleedover  

by Curtis Hox

(Click here for UK purchase)

RATING:  Five Stars

Part mystery, part thriller and part techno Sci-Fi, BLEEDOVER, the freshman offering from relative indie new-comer, Curtis Hox is a fabulous ride through the back halls of research academia and the monumental egos and fierce competition that can reside there.  Packed full of character development, Hox moves the complex plot quickly and seemingly effortlessly, propelling it with the various, sometimes conflicting, motivations that possess his multi-faceted ensemble cast.

The main character, Dr Hattie Sterling, is a researcher on a mission.  Her life's work:  To uncover the cause of a relatively new  phenomena, Bleedover.  Here, various pieces of social ephemera--artwork, billboard advertisements, movies and even centuries-old books left languishing in dusty library archives--are suddenly and inexplicably altered.  The K in the Manhattan DKNY mural mysteriously becomes reversed, despite millions of casual daily onlookers seeing no sign of vandals or pranksters.  The Mona Lisa, under constant surveillance in the Louvre, suddenly frowns instead of smiles.  It is a mystery, one Hattie is determined to solve.

In direct competition with her is multi-millionaire Corbin Lyell, old-friend turned bitter rival.  With a cutthroat approach in complete opposition to Hattie's, Corbin will stop at nothing to beat her to the solution and hopefully humiliate her in the process.

When Hattie is able, with the help of her research assistant (Masumi) and a strangely talented young man (Towns), to replicate Bleedover in her lab, the race is on and the stakes go through the roof.

The near-future world Hox creates is convincing and realistic.  The characters have real-life human flaws and their motivations are both understandable and complex.  Each is credible in his/her role.  Hox never gets caught up in the techno-jargon at the expense of the story or character development.  Instead, the emerging technology remains appropriately in the background, with the plot driven predominantly by the characters and their individual (often opposing) agendas. BLEEDOVER would make a great full-length motion picture!

Without giving away any spoilers, my only (very minor) complaint is that understanding the actions of one key character would be helped by at least a passing familiarity with the work of H.P. Lovecraft.  That said, the story can easily be followed by readers who have no such knowledge. 

If you are looking for a highly original and intelligent weekend escape to a near future Universe with lots of suspense, thrills, twists and turns, then BLEEDOVER is definitely the the book for you!

BOOK REVIEW: An Order of Coffee and Tears by Brian Spangler

An Order of Coffee and Tears  

by Brian Spangler 

(Click here for UK purchase)

RATING: 4 ¼ stars

Review by Mary Smith-Fuller

Angela’s Diner is more than a culinary throwback to a bygone era.  It is a sanctuary for those in need of a hot meal, a sympathetic ear, or a safe place in which to begin again. Runaway Gabriella Santiago was in desperate need of the later when she arrived in Philadelphia a year ago.  The diner’s Help Wanted sign was a beacon of hope that shined as bright as the retro neon signs adorning the place.  Kindly Ms. Potts and Clark, the cook, not only gave Gabby a job, but a place to call home within their close-knit little family.

Gabby loves her new life far away from the troubled secrets of her past.  Little does she realize, however, that her new family members harbor secrets of their own.  Now the past has returned to haunt everyone at Angela’s Diner, and it threatens to destroy their future.

An Order of Coffee and Tears is an exceptionally clever combination of page-turning suspense and heart-wrenching drama.  The various plot twists keep the reader anxiously guessing, while Mr. Spangler’s endearing cast of unique characters generate strong feelings of concern and sympathy for each of their individual situations.  These individual conflicts are seamlessly combined and made into a single cohesive story which is very easy to follow.

Mr. Spangler also demonstrates a surprising and empathetic understanding of a damaged woman’s multi-faceted psyche.  The central character is the perfect blend of fragility and strength.  Despite having suffered horrendous losses, she finds the fortitude to continue on and do what she needs to do in order to survive.  She is a character that many women, and possibly men, can relate to.

With An Order of Coffee and Tears, Brian Spangler has painted a brilliant portrait of family unity overcoming adversity.  It is a very enjoyable read that will keep the reader engaged from start to finish.  

BOOK REVIEW: Fame, Love, and Other Lessons by Jo Francis

Fame, Love, and other Lessons

by Jo Francis

(Click here for UK purchase)

3 ¾ Stars

Review by Mary Smith-Fuller

Jamie Cameron is starting her busy new life as a college freshman.  In addition to her full course load, she has two practices a day for the school’s volleyball team.  There are a lot of new experiences ahead and a lot to look forward to, especially since her brother, Luke, is captain of the school’s basketball team. 

One afternoon, as she is waiting for Luke, she meets Chase.  Chase is the star of the school basketball team, and is known amongst the female collegiate for his sexual prowess.  Jamie and Chase are instantly attracted to one another, but Jamie resists the temptation to act upon it.  Instead they pursue a friendship that eventually transforms into love.

Life begins to change for Chase when he is picked for the NBA draft.  When he asks Jamie to accompany him to the proceedings, she is thrilled.  Little does she realize, however, that this one event will change her life forever as well, and that the lessons she will learn from it will be some of the most important ever.

Jo Francis has created a fun and spirited “Girl next door” coming of age story.  The characters are very likable and the problems they face are very realistic, given the world they live in.  It also provides the reader with a glimpse of what it might be like to step from the shadows of an average life into the limelight of stardom.

Ms. Francis presents the transition from innocent to newly experienced adult in a manner which is somewhat graphic in nature, but is mostly befitting to the story.  Because of this adult content, I would be remiss in recommending this story to readers of all ages.  I would, however, recommend it to anyone over the age of 17. 

My only disappointment stems from the ending being rather abrupt.  I would have liked to have seen a little more into the resolution and what happens as a result of it.  Aside from that, Fame, Love, and Other Lessons is an entertaining afternoon read that shows a great deal of promise for the author.  

BOOK REVIEW: Creepy by Jeff Bennington

Creepy: A Collection of Scary Stories (Creepy Collection Series)  

by Jeff Bennington

(Click here for UK Download)  

RATING:  2 stars

Creepy is, as noted at the top of each of its pages, “a collection of scary stories.”  These five stories range from real-life experiences to supernatural suspense yarns designed to reflect the author’s “understanding of life, death, and terror.” 

While offering much promise in both title and story premise, Creepy simply does not deliver. 

Three of the five tales are recreations of what appear to be benign real-life encounters with the spirit world.  Unfortunately, there really isn’t enough “encounter” to base a short story on, let alone spark any real interest in the reader.   The incidents are told as matter-of-factly as someone would recount going to the grocery store for a gallon of milk.  The feeling of so-called” terror” is simply not reflected in Mr. Bennington’s words.  

The two fictional tales, Murdoch’s Eyes and The Rumblin’, offer far more in terms of suspense.  While the concept of each is solid and promising, the characters appear, in my opinion, to be flat and one dimensional.   Simply put, the writing didn’t make the characters come to life, and I was not drawn into their world or their plight.   As such, if something bad happened to them, I didn’t care and therein lies the problem.

The book also includes excerpts from some of the author’s other books.   The most impressive was The Manchester Haunting from his follow-up book, Creepy 2.  It centers on a young college girl named Genny and her crush on Blake, who is the star of the cross country team.   Genny’s transformation from innocent crush to deep obsession is more than deserving of an inclusion in a book entitled Creepy.  I couldn’t help but cringe with discomfort as Blake was haunted by Genny’s all-consuming desire.

I truly wish that the author would have paid as much attention to detail and expressive emotion in Creepy, as he did in the Creepy2 excerpt.  The tales in Creepy merely relay the events, whereas the excerpt from Creepy 2 paints a horrific portrait of them.  By bringing hidden fears to the surface, Mr. Bennington’s fictional image ensnares the reader and keeps him, or her, on the edge of their seat with every turned page, or at least it did with the excerpt from Creepy 2.

BOOK REVIEW: The Day After Yesterday by Kelly Cozy

The Day After Yesterday

by Kelly Cozy

(Click here for UK purchase)

RATING:  4 ½ stars

Musician Daniel Whitman had it all; a beautiful wife and son, a nice family home, good friends, and a budding music career.   Life was better than ever.  Then, in the blink of an eye, Daniel’s life is utterly destroyed.  While he is out of town on business, he loses his beloved wife, Sara, and son, Jake; in a tragic accident that also destroys his home.   The guilt Daniel feels over having not been there, combined with his over-whelming grief, envelope him.  He is consumed with the belief that his friends hold him responsible for Sara and Jake’s death.  Unable to find solace, Daniel leaves the comfort of his small town and begins a lonesome trek up the California coast.  During the course of his travels, Daniel must learn to face his innermost demons and find consolation in the one place he thought he would never find comfort again; a place that would someday lead him home.

The Day After Yesterday is a heartfelt and beautiful journey down the ever-winding road of loss and recovery.   Kelly Cozy’s novel takes the reader into the deepest depths of grief and depression, and then brings them back up into the light of learning to live again.  Despite not being in my preferred genre, this novel captured both my attention and my heart.  The characters are realistic, multi-faceted, and endearing. I shared in both their laughter and their tears, and was saddened to reach the end of their tale.    Ms. Cozy’s masterful look into the human condition provides a message of hope and understanding for anyone that has experienced a loss, or knows someone who has.  I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading any future ones.