“Pacific Odyssey” is out-and-out Romantic Comedy. It is so romantic it leaves reality and moves into the Fantasy realm, and we step into a world where truth takes a back seat to fancy. Put in traditional terms, this is the quintessential Hero’s Journey. Lew is a typical high-rolling young up-and-coming executive with the world at […]
“Fathoms Uncharted” by Patrick Kaufmann
This is a book written by an experienced wordsmith who has dropped the ball on writing a genre book. Even when you are an entertaining artist, it’s not good enough to know all the memes and all the traditional scenarios and dump every one of them on us in great profusion. “Fathoms Uncharted” is the […]
“Sailing Without Ahab, Ecopoetic Travels” by Steve Mentz
A note to begin: I am uncomfortable giving a review to a general readership about a book designed for a highly specialized audience. However the book is marketed to everyone as poetry, so I will try to be useful to both groups. James Joyce’s Ulysses has been listed as the book that most people say […]
“The Smallest Wave” by Dolores Reynals
This book is about one of those children that parents dread having. She came into the world under stressed circumstances and spent the rest of her life living up to that potential. It is frank and unassuming autobiography, from an author who is still working through the events of her own life, allowing us the […]
“The Shirker” by Mark J. Schultis
I read this story all the way through without stopping. No notes, no pauses for reflection. I just enjoyed the tale and the characters. I must admit, there were times when I was reading that I said, “Wait a minute. That’s not right. You can’t do that!” And you can’t do that in a Space […]
“The Aviator Awakening: Vor’s Shadow Trilogy: Book One” by M. C. Elaine
“Aviator’s Awakening” is listed as a Space Opera, but it doesn’t fit the genre comfortably. It has the prerequisite alien species, neatly conceived and well-described. It has the military setting, with a hazy background of interstellar war, but the action takes place in a very restricted setting, and the majority of the conflict is either […]
“The Forest of Stone” Flash Fiction by Lance Manion
Flash fiction is the standup comedy of literature. It has to be short, sharp, snappy, and hopefully funny and/or meaningful. Of course, nobody actually follows any rules, and Lance Manion is a repeat offender. He writes what he feels like writing, and we take it or leave it. His humour is based on his ability […]
“Break Through: Master Your Default Mode and Thrive” by Hosein Kouros-Mehr, MD, PhD
“Break Through” is a comprehensive pass through the emotional problems of humans, gathering together the solutions of the world’s religions and philosophies, and tying them all together with practical advice on how to apply these principles to live a happier, healthier and more enlightened life. The science sounds believable and the writer is creditable, but […]
“Werecats Emergent” by Mark Engels
This is a paranormal novel with an unusual approach to werewolves. Most of these stories glorify the power and beauty of the species, while throwing them enough difficulties to keep the story interesting. These werecats find their genetic malformation a life-threatening handicap, almost uncontrollable. A great deal of the conflict in the story revolves around […]
“How We Became Intergalactic Space Heroes” by Chris von Halle
I often tell authors that a Table of Contents with creative chapter titles can be one of their best sales drivers. When this book opened with “Chapter One, Joe’s Toenails,” I was intrigued. “Chapter Two, Dana’s Underwear,” sealed the deal. Full disclosure: eleven- and twelve-year-olds were my favourite grades to teach. These kids are old […]