“Mainely Money” is a standard Smalltown America Private Detective novel, for the most part well written and very entertaining. The plot involves the title character of the series, Goff Langdon, and his friends who live in a small town in Maine. As we might expect, he takes on a case that turns out to be […]
“Last Star Standing” by Spaulding Taylor
This is a great Sci/Fi Dystopian novel written by a polished writer with great chops that make the tale more interesting. Many dystopian stories are about a rebel growing up to become a leader. Along the way, it’s almost mandatory to spend some time in the autocrat’s jail. Well, this hero starts the story in […]
“Backstories” by Simon Van der Velde
This book is a collection of short stories with a twist. As the title indicates, they are stories about famous people before they became famous. So, even when you’re enjoying the characters portrayed, you’re also playing the game of “Who is it?” The ending is often a final clue that makes it all fall into […]
“Of Welter and Whim” by Mike Mac
One essence of poetry is the elegant and economical use of words. Mr. Mac’s poems are short and dense with meaning, often with a wry twist. “I could never lose someone as much as I lost you.” Who needs more? Even the simplest of his poems is worth a second read to appreciate the shades […]
“Captain Arnold Other Tales of the Abnormal” by Arthur M. Doweyko
This compilation of short stories is best described by comparison. It has the same style and intent as the old “Outer Limits” TV show. Always questioning our everyday reality. Always wondering, “What if…?” The stories run the gamut of Sci-Fi: a few UFOs, a touch of time travel, a shot of dystopian life of various […]
“King Genghis I” by Jonathon Yalon
As you might guess from the title, “King Genghis” is a rom-com with a twist, A cross between “Anna and the King of Siam” and “The Mouse that Roared.” It involves an imaginary kingdom in the middle of Asia ruled by a clone of Kim Jong-un. The hero, Turan, was born there but brought up […]
“Cheat Sheets for Life” by Ayesha Ratnayake
This is the ultimate self-help book, covering all the topics anyone would ever want. Of course, at under 200 pages (plus 50 pages of references!). It doesn’t cover anything too deeply, but it’s all there: wealth, happiness, love, parenting, work, leadership, you name it. There’s even a “Green Living” section. The book consists of snippets of […]
“Genesis: Prophesy Rock Book 1” by T. Sae-Low
The author has taken a big chance in setting out this book, and for the most part, it has paid off. The conflict is shown from the points of view of both sides in the battle. Thus people are not assumed to be good guys because they are on the right side. There is no […]
“The Return of the Osprey” by DJ Albrecht
This book divides itself neatly into two sections, each encompassing a different genre. Sci-Fi This is a standard soft-science Space Opera. No ink is wasted on the physics of space travel such as speed, time or distance, which is fine. Star Trek didn’t do any different. Characters are likeable, sympathetic and more individualistic than the […]
“Meraki” by Tobi-Hope Jieun Park
A picture is worth a thousand words unless a poet turns the old platitude on its head and creates an image that is worth a thousand pictures. This poet is one of the few I have read lately who speaks in pictures that drive straight to your emotions. It is a book about childhood, so […]