Review: Miguel Traveler #1: The Man from Texas

Miguel Traveler #1: The Man from Texas by Daniel McFatter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Miguel Traveler #1, Man from Texas is a post-apocalyptic novel that feels like an old western. Daniel McFatter writes in a unique style that I didn't expect in a book of this genre, though I enjoyed it a lot. In this case, for me, it truly was the way the author wrote his characters and they way he made them speak. Their cadence and mannerisms contrasted so greatly with what I have come to expect from this type of book and it worked like a charm. I found myself quickly engrossed in each character and heavily invested in their futures. Though the circumstances surrounding the events of the plot were interesting and important, none of it would have mattered with lesser characters. McFatter is a "writer" over an "author" in that sense.

Miguel Traveler, Man from Texas is Longmire meets The Walking Dead meets Lonesome Dove meets It. There is no one word description to be delivered here.

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Review: Taerak's Void

Taerak's Void by M.R. Mathias
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taerak's Void is the first in a four (possibly up to five) book series called Fantastica written by M.R. Mathias. I started out with book 2, Sapphire of Souls, so going back was warmly welcomed. The world in this fantasy series is rich in mythology, characters, and creatures. I am in awe at what elaborate and unique things have come out of the mind of Mathias.

Fans of fantasy and science fiction, dragons and trolls, and everything in between will be captivated by Taerak's Void. This is full of adventure as the reader follows Braxton through the unbelievable things he must experience here. The word I keep coming back to is sweeping. Everything about the plot, setting, and characters is broad yet defined perfectly. All of the information you need to feel fully immersed is given without the bad aftertaste of info-dump. Mathias is a very talented fantasy author and Taerak's Void is just the right set-up for Sapphire of Souls, which is book two.

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Review: The Last Train

The Last Train by Michael Pronko
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Michael Pronko brings us The Last Train, a murder mystery where the mystery is not who the murderer is. Set in Tokyo, there is an exotic aura to the story that I thought enhanced everything from plot to characters. I can admit to being completely ignorant of Japanese culture and day to day, it doesn't hold any interest to me. Which is why I was surprised that I enjoyed that aspect of this book as much as I did.

The cliches in The Last Train are plenty but none more-so than brooding, lonely detective, Hiroshi Shimizu. I must say, cliche or not, you gotta love the guy. I did, anyway. All of the characters were fascinating in one way or another, including minor ones. The plot is fast paced but not rushed which is a difficult balance to achieve. I would have no problem recommending this novel to my mystery loving bookies, especially those who gravitate toward police procedurals.

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Review: Unfrozen

Unfrozen by Regine Abel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Coming into a series at book nine usually creates some serious confusion but in Unfrozen, that is not a problem for the reader. In this series, Valos of Sonhadra, each book has a different author so the variance in each one must be wide. I think that's an interesting way to do a series.

The opening scene in Unfrozen is a great hook. My worst fear is physical torture and the depiction of the fear Lydia experiences while she waits for her turn is gut wrenching. It's not easy to write that kind of thing but Regine Abel has a knack for it. Beyond creating that atmosphere of fear, the author also manages to give you some good background without you realizing that you're being told the information.

I'll be honest and say I was disappointed when the setting was changed from the prison. That place was a horrible but fascinating place that I would like to read more about. Aside from personal preferences like that, the book was a great addition to the fantasy genre.

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Review: A Secret Muse

A Secret Muse by Mandy Jackson-Beverly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mandy Jackson-Beverly is the author of A Secret Muse. It is 300 pages of urban fantasy including vampires and ancient societies and how the woman at the center of it all navigates her reality.

We can be honest and say that vampire stories are a dime a dozen and there are rarely any surprises anymore. In A Secret Muse though, the surprise comes from the bad guys! Finally a plot where those who are evil have an actual reason for being that way and not simply thrust into the role by necessity. If you're going to go paranormal, this is the way to go. I enjoyed the action and the back-story helped to solidify everything nicely. The cliff-hanger, though, I could do without. It is possible to create a series without those kind of cliche pseudo-endings.

Something that really irked me was the many errors here that were so evident. Proofreaders are to authors what diamonds are to girls, if you get my drift.

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Review: Bible Giants of Faith: Bible Study Guides

Bible Giants of Faith: Bible Study Guides by James Taiwo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bible Giants of Faith: Bible Study Guides (My Bible Stories Book 1) by James Taiwo is probably a great book for outwardly religious people or those interested in the Christian faith and the teachings of the bible. I do not happen to fall into one of those categories so I had to look at this book from a different angle. I, of course, know many of the stories in the Bible and I know the basics of Christianity
so I didn't go in totally blind. Bible Giants of Faith really just retells the stories of 10 ordinary people God used to spread his teachings, so to speak; Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Samuel, David, Elijah, Daniel, Esther, and Peter. I think all examples of people living the best they can and doing the best they can are inspirational and those told in the Bible are no different. This was well written with few errors and for being a clearly religious book, the author managed to avoid that condescending preachiness that is so often found in the genre.

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Review: Rebecca Steele: Chasing a Dream: A Look Behind the Scenes at the United States Silver Eagles

Rebecca Steele: Chasing a Dream: A Look Behind the Scenes at the United States Silver Eagles by Joanne Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rebecca Steele: Chasing a Dream: A Look Behind the Scenes at the United States Silver Eagles. What is up with the length of this title? Doesn't matter, because the book is pretty good, I just have to wonder if someone ever thought to suggested an alternate title here.

A novel is made by the characters for me so I shall start there. Becky, our heroine, was just the tiniest bit prudish for my taste. She had some interesting quirks and seemed to possess a brain so the level to which she fell into blind, naive love was a contradiction I didn't completely buy. The Silver Eagle love triangle is rounded out by Johnny and Mike. Now I don't want to spoil anything for anyone but they are the ultimate examples of textbook good guy and bad boy. I found it clear from the start who should have gotten the girl and being that this a 'wholesome' romance, of course it would work out this way. Fringe characters here were just background scenery and lacked any real depth. Even so, they were a part of a decent romance novel.

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Review: The MECE Muse: 100+ Selected Practices, Unwritten Rules, and Habits of Great Consultants

The MECE Muse: 100+ Selected Practices, Unwritten Rules, and Habits of Great Consultants by Christie Lindor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Christie Lindor has written MECE Muse: 100+Selected Practices, Unwritten Rules, and Habits of Great Consultants. This is clearly for 'consultants' but after reading through it, this book lays out some great rules for just getting along with people, connecting, and being present in relationships. I will admit to going in with a sense that this was just another book detailing how to fool people into thinking you care in order to get as much money as possible from them; brown nosing, sucking up... whatever you want to label it as. And it is, kind of. I mean the very first thing you read is about how a client gets irate and throws things at a consultant and the author paints it like the tantrum throwing executive was a victim of shoddy preparations by the consultant. That crap doesn't fly with kids in my house and it has no place in the professional world, period. However, if you keep reading, this also has a real genuinity to it. The advice is precise and logical. Everyone from PTA moms to CEOs can get something from MECE Muse.

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Review: As Long As There Is Chocolate

As Long As There Is Chocolate by Tana Lovett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When the opening chapter is titled Falling For Fabio, you're reading a rom-com. As Long As There Is Chocolate, by author Tana Lovett, is the story of bakery owner, Kate, and her cute crush on the deli owner across the street, Giovanni. As Long As There Is Chocolate is exactly what you think it is and does it perfectly. When you're in the mood for a light hearted but smart, snowy afternoon read, Tana Lovett is the gal to look to.

The plot is party romance, a good bit of comedy, some supernatural elements, with a historical feel to it. Set in the small, inviting Colorado town of Castle Springs, this story is full of lovable characters the reader can't help but to feel a connection to. Gio was by far my favorite character. His family, close second. Kate's great but Gio... Whew!

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Review: Chasing Mercury

Chasing Mercury by September Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

September Williams brings us Chasing Mercury, the first in The Chasing Mercury Toxic Trilogy. The write up speaks of Swiss bank accounts, the Cold War, and love in the time of mercury poisoning. I was intrigued from the start.

The main characters, Sicily and Forest are young, idealistic dancers from radically different backgrounds. Their developing romance intertwined with world events, cultural differences, and all of the things that could possibly complicate even the most solid relationship makes Chasing Mercury the novel that it is. Beyond romance, readers will be catapulted head long into this world of suspense through international settings and a fast paced plot that really never lets up.

I think that the underlying themes in this book should be highlighted because that is what would really push me to suggest this book to a friend. Romance is all good but environmental issues, social injustice, corruption, and activism are the real pull and the star of Chasing Mercury, in my opinion.

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Review: Quotes from an Aquarius in the Age of Aquarius: Steadfast Quotes for Changing Times

Quotes from an Aquarius in the Age of Aquarius: Steadfast Quotes for Changing Times by Richard Aaron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A long name for a relatively short read. Quotes from an Aquarius in the Age of Aquarius: Steadfast Quotes for Changing Times. That's a mouthful! Richard Aaron puts forth a book composed of quotes based on positivity and moving smoothly through a changing world. Shelved in self-help, philosophy, and motivational, this is a book one could and probably should keep around for those moments when you find yourself wondering just how you're going to make yourself get through this or that. As an Aries, I wonder if quotes from my astrological sign might better suit me though. I'm kidding, obviously, but I do wonder if more sign related advice is headed our way. A series, perhaps?

I will admit that some of the quotes left me scratching my head but given enough time to think about it, I could think up situations where it would be relevant. Overall, this is a cool idea for a book and I did enjoy reading it.

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Review: The Merry-Go-Round Man

The Merry-Go-Round Man by John B. Rosenman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on the cover, my mind went directly to romance and internally, I groaned. Thank the book gods, The Merry-Go Round Man by John Rosenman is most definitely not romance. The term Merry-Go Round Man refers to a title given to one of three boys who can clamber to the top of a school merry-go-round the quickest in the 1950s. Johnny is the central character, a gifted boxer and artist torn between his gifts and his disapproving father. Lee is an aspiring pro-football player destined to be a womanizer and Jimmy is the lone black student at their elite private school. This is 1954 so the lives of these three boys is drastically different, their experiences widely varied from one another. We watch them grow up, struggle, fail, persevere, and mature in this coming of age tale that is far more than the usual in that vein of novels.

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Review: The One Things: A Heartwarming Story About What's Most Important

The One Things: A Heartwarming Story About What's Most Important by Dr. C. Todd Fetter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The One Things by Dr. C. Todd Fetter is an illustrated children's book that should be shelved firmly in the Christian category. The book is about a devoted and beloved "Grandpa" figure to the children of a local school. He tells them tales of his adventures as a missionary and the kids soak up his stories with rapt attention. A lifelong bachelor with no family, he becomes ill and is in the hospital. When the children find out, as you can imagine, they are devastated but determined to visit him. From there it's no surprise that Grandpa takes the opportunity to teach each child a holy lesson via a bible story. It's all very prim and proper and Christian. As that genre of book, it is very well done. The illustrations are colorful and lively, each character is perfectly suited for each role they play in the story and it is well written. I have found that writing as much dialogue as is in this book correctly is difficult for some authors. Dr Fetter has no such troubles. I think this will be a popular book in Christian circles.

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Review: Atlantis

Atlantis by Carol Roberts
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Atlantis by Carol Roberts is listed under mythical, mythology, metaphysical, magic, and fantasy. Each of those terms apply to Atlantis rather equally. I don't have a lot of experience in those genres but mythology is the one that draws my attention over the others. Here we follow the story of Alanthea who is a high-priestess of Atlantis and Arakon, a loner, who each find themselves in the orbit of one woman named Andromeda which leads them on a journey to save Atlantis. Straight away we have the first issue I had with this story. Numerous character names begin with an A and while it's true that they are different enough to stay separate and discernible in your mind, it feels lazy to me. Branch out farther down the alphabet, it'll be fun, I promise! What really kept me from loving this book was the same thing that drew me to it - mythology. It is hard to write mythology with a sense of realism and I found myself missing that aspect much more than I expected. Here is another example of a decent book that just wasn't for me.

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Review: He Who Leads Gods

He Who Leads Gods by M.A.N.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

He Who Leads Gods is a young adult, science fiction, fantasy novel authored by M.A.N. Described as a coming of age story about a boy, Amare, avenging his father's death while leading his clan, He Who Leads Gods is almost exactly what you would expect. The point of view narrative being second person easily threw me. I didn't get really comfortable with it until the book was nearly finished and I must admit I felt irritated by it. It is not done badly but for me, it downgraded the experience. I think technically the novel is fine. I found few errors, characters were sufficiently complex, the story had a decent pace, and the author is clearly a talented writer. The issue is me as a reader. This simply was not my type of book. Aside from being unable to get in the flow of the point of view, I had to work hard to really care what was happening. I can't blame the book or the author here, this time I just couldn't get there where I fell into the story.

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Review: The Sender

The Sender by Tom Baum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As soon as I read the comparison to a Tarantino movie I mentally checked out. Pulp Fiction and Inglorious Basterds, brilliant. Pretty much everything else, no thanks. Hallucinations as an aspect of a story are especially irritating to me because I feel like I can't trust anything and that ruins it for me. My excessive need for perfect order requires a solid storyline, that's how I'm built. However, the John Doe, mental institution, Stephen King Carrie angle piqued my curiosity so I settled in and started to read. I can't tell you how glad I am that I did. First, my worry about the hallucinations turned out to be mostly unfounded. They do create a certain shadow over what is real and what is not but you don't get three quarters of the way through and find out that everything that has happened so far actually didn't happen. All of the characters felt fully fleshed out but I don't remember being told everything about them to get me there. That is a positive in my opinion. The Sender turned out to be a very good book and fans of Tarantino and King alike will get something great from this.

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Review: Midshipman Graham and the Battle of Abukir

Midshipman Graham and the Battle of Abukir by James Boschert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Midshipman Graham and the Battle of Abukir by James Boschert is a relatively short read at only 241 pages. What this book lacks in length it more than makes up for in action. If you are a military history fan, look no further. Packed full of flowing descriptions of everything from characters to scenery and of course the hair raising action of the battle, Midshipman Graham is everything you might expect from a military historical fiction. The reader is immersed in the life of a sixteen year old boy, the titular Graham, and follow him through his journey in the French military. The Napoleon aspect should attract his fans considering I spent many hours researching everything Napoleonic after reading this novel. Something else I learned is that the author has an interesting military history which makes it glaringly obvious why this felt so solid in subject foundation.

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