The Last Resort by Emily Gallo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Home is where you make it...

Despite people’s attempts to make things black and white, there rarely are such moments. There are grays, nuances and intricacies. Those make up the proverbial spice of life. It’s often said that it’s important to “appreciate the little things.” In a fast-paced world with many things to do and simply not enough time to do them, it becomes all too easy to forget about the little things. The Last Resort illustrates ‘the forgotten ones, those barely scraping by in a society obsessed with wealth and celebrity. But these same people, relegated to the margins, not only survive, they thrive, thanks to their compassion and generosity of spirit.’

The Last Resort had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book. From the opening chapter, setting the tone for the entire work, to the end at which you ponder your own sense of direction, The Last Resort flows like a sparkling river. It’s a great read that’s filled with dramatic and well-described moments that will stay with you for a long time.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class fictional drama with perfect pacing.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Emily Gallo in the future. A great read and a novel that suggests great things for this author’s future as a writer. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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THERE WAS A SILENCE The Novelettes of T E Mark

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THERE WAS A SILENCE - The Novelettes of T. E. Mark - Vol IV by T.E. Mark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fans of Sci-Fi will love this!

Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It's a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.

Author T. E. Mark weaves another first-class collection of sci-fi stories with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader from the first page to the last. The author paints a series of engaging and thought-provoking stories from a chilling Orwellian tale to alternate futures in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and integrity.

THERE WAS A SILENCE: The Novelettes of T. E. Mark - Vol IV will grab readers and hurl them far beyond the boundaries of our limited world. Step into other times and places with this collection of 4 short stories: THE 3rd DEGREE OF CONSCIOUSNESS, THERE WAS A SILENCE, BORDERS and PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

The book synopsis gives a sneak preview: ‘A University of Chicago Neuroscientist, plagued since childhood with visions of a post-apocalyptic Earth, explores the 3rd degree of consciousness to confirm her belief that our world ended in a nuclear holocaust nearly 100 years earlier. THE 3rd DEGREE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Peyton Webb is unknowingly creating alternate futures with his newest novel. And the survivors of one of those futures are desperately trying to conquer time travel in an effort to send someone back to 2019 to stop him from finishing it. THERE WAS A SILENCE

Capitoline-E is the world’s largest, most illustrious city-state. For those in the restricted sectors, it’s a vast open-air prison and an Orwellian nightmare. When Jin Cress’ family is targeted by the ruling elite, he must choose between his comfortable existence and a battle for the right to control his own mind. BORDERS

In this sensitive, often amusing tale of a failed screenwriter faced with execution over a drug debt, we are invited into Michael Lemont’s world of dreams, inadequacies and his struggle to remain a 17-year-old party guy. Along the way to understanding the supernatural forces which intervened in his murder, Michael will uncover the difference between what is fun and what is important. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.’

I enjoyed the stories, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of a particular story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written short story collection with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the Sci-Fi genre will want it.

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The stories flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey.

There is something very magical about reading fantasy fiction. It speaks to the very thread of my imagination, jolting it to life and transporting it on an exhilarating journey. This book did exactly that. Fans of the Sci-Fi genre will not be disappointed. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

Finally, it’s well worth checking out the other books in this series: THE FAR SIGHTED and DREAMS INC. Great writing and great storytelling. Fans of Sci-Fi will love these also!

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The Art of Writing: Four Principles for Great Writing that Everyone Needs to Know

The Art of Writing: Four Principles for Great Writing that Everyone Needs to Know by Peter Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

May the Art of Writing Live Long!

Writing is an essential element of nearly every profession today. The author encourages the reader to think of writing as more than just an activity. He affirms that people should think of it as an art form. ‘Writing must be considered not through the lenses of strict scientific analysis, but through the lenses of an interpreter of art. It is, ultimately, an artistic pursuit, and should be treated as such, whether your end goal is to create a true work of art or simply a well-crafted email.’

This new book will help you learn the techniques that professional writers use to write clearly and persuasively. Good writing must be lucid precise and brief. Pretentious language and lofty expressions inter-mingled with high rhetoric’s, hyperbolism’s and witticisms alone cannot guarantee creative quality to writing. The real stuff must come from the bottom of the writer's heart. The Art of Writing by Peter Yang explains the four principles for great writing that everyone needs to know. Highly recommended.

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Exposed Fury by Marie Flanigan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well-crafted murder mystery with perfect pacing...

Author Marie Flanigan weaves a suspenseful and gripping crime thriller. With intriguing twists and turns, it captivates the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a riveting and mesmerising story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Annie Fitch, a former police detective, struggles to make ends meet as a private investigator in the sleepy town of Leesburg, Virginia. On partial disability because of gunshot injuries, she’s relegated to doing surveillance gigs and background checks. But things are looking up, since her on-again, off-again relationship is back on and might stay that way.

When Annie is hired by Laura Carlton to follow her husband to get evidence of cheating, Annie is certain the case won’t take long. Nick Carlton grew up with money and privilege and has a sex addiction dating back to his high school days. But things go sideways when Annie finds her target dead in an alley just a few blocks from her own home.

Working with her former partner, Gunnar Jansson, Annie digs deeper into Carlton’s background, slowly excavating his past to reveal the multiple suspects and motives. The list includes his many lunch-hour-tryst partners, a local shop owner, and his business partner, among others. Layer by layer, Annie uncovers a truth that runs much deeper than anyone expected.’

Now, if that’s not enough to grab your attention, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

The story had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class murder, mystery and suspense with perfect pacing.

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerising journey.

Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars.

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Untold Deception

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Untold Deception by William Staikos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well-crafted sci-fi fantasy...

Author William Staikos weaves an exceptional Coming of Age Fantasy that will captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a compelling and intriguing story involving pain, isolation and death in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a relatively fast paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘People are like coal the pressure of pain, isolation, and death can crush them into dust or can form them into diamonds. This is the pressure that sixteen-year-old Salan must face. Salan is a mixed-race child, half-cat and half-human, and as such his society regards him as a dangerous Abomination. But it’s the execution of his own mother in the town square that forces Salan to run from the law. As it turns out, rather than being the lowest of the low, Salan is worth more to his country than he know.’

Now, if that’s not enough to grab your attention, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Staikos pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that helps to create an atmosphere that will leave you wanting more.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class sci-fi fantasy with perfect pacing.

Untold Deception had every element a good story should have. An interesting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book. It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from William Staikos in the future. I would highly recommend this book. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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Chasing Benevolence, #1 by RaNnae Dawn Goulart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lifelong quest of one to shine light where humanity has failed to see...

Author RaNnae Dawn Goulart weaves an exceptional dark fantasy that will captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a compelling and intriguing story involving artificial intelligence and the awakening of a robotic beast in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a relatively fast paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last. It’s a very absorbing read containing messages at a deeper level that will challenge your mind.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Hidden Darkness. This is what Joel Contello was beginning to suspect, forcing him to challenge the secrecy of his six-year role involving infants and microchip implants. When hiring promises fail to deliver and his questions are ignored, the suspicion of conspiracy grows. At the same time, Officer Graham becomes overwhelmed with a separate darkness. One that quickly changes the rookie deputy and pushes him close to ending his dream career.

Over a few days, a series of events begin to take shape, when the Citizen Defense Acceleration Center (CDAC) implements a new policy initiative involving artificial intelligence and the awakening of a robotic beast. These events bring the two men together as the policy change directly impacts both of their current roles within society, and their assigned unknown roles from three decades before. Joel realizes there may be a link between his infant research and the robotic beast. Will Joel and Officer Graham embrace the hidden darkness? It may be just enough to continue the lifelong quest of one to shine light where humanity has failed to see.’

Now, if that’s not enough to grab your attention, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Goulart pays as much attention to her sentences as she does to her plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. Her writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that helps to create a dark atmosphere that will leave you wanting more.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class dark fantasy with perfect pacing.

Chasing Benevolence had every element a good story should have. An interesting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book. It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from RaNnae Dawn Goulart in the future. I would highly recommend this book. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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Sheriff B.J. Kincaid: Bullet for a Bad Man: A Classic Western From The Author of "Jacob Blade: Vigilante" by Charles Ray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Classic Western that’s packed with action and adventure...

Sheriff B.J. Kincaid: Bullet for a Bad Man by bestselling author Charles Ray is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novella with brilliantly drawn characters. The author weaves a classic Western Fiction with intriguing twists and turns that will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. Skillfully constructed and set against the backdrop of the Old West, this book will have you on the edge of your seat! It’s a quick fast-paced read that will have you mesmerized from the opening chapter.

Bullet for a Bad Man had every element a good story should have. An interesting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.

An excellent series recommended to all fans of the Classic Western genre.


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Where the Earth Sings by Walter Rouzer

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