The 'GREAT' Kickin' Dog: a family tree

The 'GREAT' Kickin' Dog: a family tree by Kenneth Crutchfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A must-read captivating family saga...

The 'GREAT' Kickin' Dog: a family tree by Kenneth Crutchfield is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this family drama that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed and set against the backdrop of the housing projects on the south side of Chicago, this enthralling emotionally charged drama had me turning the pages from beginning to end.

There’s no doubt that The 'GREAT' Kickin' Dog is an exceptionally well written book. The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Crutchfield 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 help to create an authentic atmosphere throughout.

Above all else, The 'GREAT' Kickin' Dog gives us great insight to the push and pull of familial bonds. Thanks to exemplary work by Kenneth Crutchfield, that exploration of the home feels vital and vivid, never mundane. If you are looking for a well-written family saga with amazing characters and a gripping plot then this book will not leave you disappointed. An accomplished playwright, this first novel is loosely based on the authors own family. Highly recommended.

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UNSCRAMBLED EGGS By Nadia Brown

Unscrambled Eggs by Nadia Janice Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An inspiring collection of poetry...

UNSCRAMBLED EGGS by award-winning author and poet Nadia Brown is a fine debut collection of inspirational poetry.

The poems in this book were written over a five‐year period and reflect the authors own experiences, those close to her, and issues that she feels very passionately about. UNSCRAMBLED EGGS, she believes, is an honest and thought‐provoking book that deals with everyday life issues. It’s a compilation of poems about living your dream and finding purpose. An example of the poetry to be discovered here is as follows:

BLUEPRINT
Life is a peculiar play,
an amphitheater of prose.
I am mindful of my part,
of rudimentary scripts
that no one fathoms.
On this regal stage lives a story,
a defining blueprint.
Here, we are all characters portraying our elected roles,
living like the puppets we are.
Some ill prepared
for the proclivity of plots
that comes with dramatic years.
I close my stanzas knowing
there is always something
learned from fiction
that time shows its foresight
so we do not become an untimely act
and reprise the role of tragedy.

This is a beautiful collection of poems, written by a very talented poet. It is a collection to savor and reread. You will find yourself coming back to it over and over as life changes happen, each time gaining more wisdom, advice, and peace from the words within. The poet invites the reader to slow down, read and enjoy each poem, while reflecting on how it relates to your life.

If you are looking for the poet inside the poem, look for the undercurrent she has left, the continuous hint of feeling can be found everywhere throughout this work. It’s powerful and strong, yet delicate and descriptive. Her pictures of emotional moods are painted beautifully. She has captured the essence of what a poet is. It’s only on the rare occasion that I get the opportunity to describe a poet in this way.

Highly recommended collection for all poetry lovers and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Becoming: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet

Becoming: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet by Nadia Janice Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An inspiring collection of poetry and articles...

BECOMING: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet by award-winning author and poet Nadia Brown is a fine collection of inspirational poetry.

Poetry has lost a lot of its flavor in this new age. When time moves past the current age, the next generation are always influenced by the previous generations even if that influence manifests as a rejection of the values of those who’ve gone before. BECOMING: The Life & Musings of a Girl, however, lacks the awkward self-consciousness of post-modernism even when it compliments it, and that is its beautiful defining element. An example of the poetry to be discovered here is as follows:

TOMORROW

Tomorrow stands tall amidst doubt
how she eagerly awaits
to seep through the cracks of dawn
fresh flowers she lifts from her coat
as she walks the aisle of sky
like a bride in her evening gown
touting the rising of hope
a promise only she can bring
kindly wiping away the ails of yesterday
and beginning anew

What I took away from this wonderful collection of poetry is that life is a wonderful combination of difficult experiences that are paradoxically intertwined with experiences of happiness in our lives. The difficult experiences are usually surprising, and we will never be ready for them. However, they make us resilient and make us appreciate what is there. Therefore, even with difficulty, one must not forget to be grateful. Because showing gratitude is a source of power that connects great faith and hope.’

Highly recommended collection for all poetry lovers.

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DREAMer by Emily Gallo

DREAMer by Emily Gallo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A heartfelt mystery drama with a distinctly cinematic feel to it...

DREAMer by Emily Gallo is a touching mystery drama that is richly descriptive with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted and poignant adventure tale with an underlying social narrative that looks at the changing socio-political landscape, immigration and family dynamics. It’s an excellent novel that had me captivated from the opening chapter. Skillfully constructed, this masterclass in storytelling had me turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that made me feel like I was right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.

The book description gives only a sneak preview: ‘Kate and Lawrence drive through the desert on their way home from vacation and find a young girl [12-year-old Marisol] sitting by the side of the road. Who is she? Where is she from and where is she going? Why is she there? When and how did she get there? What can they do to help? The girl won't speak, but that doesn't deter them from embarking on a journey through central and southern California to find the answers.’

The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Gallo pays as much attention to her sentences as she does her plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. Her writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an authentic and emotional atmosphere throughout.

What I took away from this wonderfully written story is that life is a wonderful combination of difficult experiences that are paradoxically intertwined with experiences of happiness in our lives. The difficult experiences are usually surprising, and we will never be ready for them. However, they make us resilient and make us appreciate what is there. Therefore, even with difficulty, one must not forget to be grateful. Because showing gratitude is a source of power that connects great faith and hope.

I was impressed with the insight and empathy of the writer into the spirits of her characters. Any aspiring writer will learn a lot about character development by reading DREAMer by Emily Gallo. Highly recommended and a well deserved five stars from me.

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Story Intelligence : Master Story, Master Life

Story Intelligence : Master Story, Master Life by Richard Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘Tools to craft a more desirable future.’

Even before primitive societies put chisel to stone and began writing, one group held a special place in these communities because of their communication skills: storytellers. Today, storytelling may seem quaint. It's not. Thanks to technology, some of the largest and savviest organizations in the world are discovering that storytelling is even more important today - and more powerful. Storytelling is so powerful that it should be the primary goal of all public relations. By focusing on storytelling we tap into an essential human motivator that has propelled humankind for thousands of years.

Story Intelligence: Master Story, Master Life by Richard Stone and Scott Livengood is a book that has helped me clarify my thinking, process my feelings, and make better decisions. If you are you ready to stop drifting and design a life you love, this read with help you on your journey. The overall tone was simply imparting knowledge, personal experience and wisdom in a gentle and generous way. Their words will help to better equip you to interpret and handle life in a whole new way, which in turn will bring peace, love and joy into your personal and professional life. No matter what your situation is today, this book will put you on the right path to better things. If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement, this book comes highly recommended.


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Deadly Pranks

Deadly Pranks by D.C. Rush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A suspenseful vigilante justice thriller...

Deadly Pranks by D.C. Rush is a suspenseful vigilante justice thriller. The story is filled with intrigue and many twists that keeps the reader engaged and hungry for more and that's one of the many reasons why this book succeeds.

The plot is intricately sculpted as the synopsis suggests: ‘…Four typical American teenagers terrorizing the neighborhood with nasty pranks and all forms of bullying, until they find themselves in the hot seat after their bullying causes someone to die. If this prospect is not terrifying enough on its own, add some relatives to the pot, hungry for revenge and the guts to set a trap during a camping trip of the boys. Vigilant justice is served with a side-order of kidnapping at gunpoint. They are captured in dog cages just to wait out their punishment. The boys endure torture as well as sleep and food deprivation by their captors. The lives of these four teenage boys are forever altered…’

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 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 story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.

If you are looking for a well-written thriller with amazing characters and a gripping plot then ‘Deadly Pranks’ will not leave you disappointed. Fans of the genre who like their action and adventure infused with mystery and suspense will enjoy the ride and the unexpected ending! Highly recommended.

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