Book Review Spotlight - A Bright Power Rising by Noel Coughlan

A Bright Power Rising by Noel Coughlan is one of the more unique books I've read this year.

The novel begins right in the middle of the action. A mother has lost her son in the woods, then finds him, only to discover that he is under the power of the Gilt Spider.

The Gilt Spider persona is woven throughout the story as a fallen angel who ensnares children. Once lost to the Gilt Spider, the children are gone forever. Or are they?

In this novel, elves (Ors) and humans (Stretchers) struggle to survive in a harsh and brutal world. There are religious and political wars that are similar to those in Roman and Christian mythology as well as magic, fantasy, history and prophesy.

Near the end of the book, most questions are answered and things fall into place. The characters mature throughout the course of the story and by the end, I found myself cheering them on - even Garscap, the not-so-likable character.

The author has done a great job in the telling of this story. The plot was believable and the writing was very well done. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the ending was a tad bit abrupt. But, this was the perfect place to end the first volume of a continuing saga.

Looking forward to more from this very talented author.

Book Review Spotlight - Risky Issues by Lorraine Reguly

Risky Issues by Lorraine Reguly touches on some very serious childhood issues in our society. 

I applaud her for writing these short stories and can see them as way to get the conversation started between parents and their children.

Although all of the stories touched me, I especially liked "The Secrets of the Study" which is about adoption and whether it should be a secret or not. Frankly, I think an adopted child should be told as soon as they are able to understand what the word means. But, in this story, the child (Marcie) finds out by accident. Thankfully, the story has a happy ending for Marcie.

It is difficult to write in the short story form and even harder for reviewers to critique the form if they are used to reading novella and novel length pieces, but Reguly has perfected the form written here and gives just enough detail in each to satisfy the reader.

I have read Ms. Reguly's blogs and several of her other flash fiction and short story offerings. I am pleased to say that this anthology does not disappoint. Well Done!

 

About the Author: 

Check out Lorraine's author page at Amazon as well as her website, Wording Well.

He Said/She Said - Fiction Challenge

Jane Martin is an awesome writer and a wonderful blogger friend.  She has put a challenge out there this week which I have decided to partake in.

The link to her post is HERE.

Below is my entry into the challenge:

As you read this story, think about what is left unsaid.

He said, “You know I love you.”
She said, “Yes, I know, I love you, too.”

He said, “But, we have issues.”

She said, “Every couple that has been together as long as we have has issues.”

He said, “But our problems seem to be worse than most."

She said, “That's because you only see the negative things.”

He said, “And you only see the positive things.”

She said, “No, I see things realistically  - in a positive light.”

He said, “Why do you always have to correct what I say?”

She said, “Because your perception is way off sometimes.”

He said, “Whatever.  Can we just agree to disagree?”

She said, “Yes, dear …  I agree with you.”
He said, "Can you pass me the shovel? 
She said, "Sure.  Do you think the neighbors know?"
He said, "How could they know?  No one saw your uncle in our house."
She said, "Yes, true, everyone thinks he went to live in Mexico."

He said, “Now, what were we talking about?”

She said, “I don't even remember.  Are you done?”

He said,  "Yes, just let me cover the body with a little more dirt ..."

Please go over to Jayne's blog and post your link in the InLinkz widget so that everyone will know where to go to see your blog with your own entry into this fiction challenge. Thanks. :-)
 
Please share your interpretation of this piece in the comments. Then go write a “He said/She said” story on your own blog, come back to Jayne's blog and link it up. Check back for new links to visit others. 

You have until midnight on Friday.  Join in the fun!

Book Review Spotlight - Resuscitation by Jerrid Edgington

 

Resuscitation by Jerrid Edgington is the second book in the Racing the Reaper series and one that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read through it.

The book begins shortly after the first one, Racing the Reaper, leaves off. Following after Bridge, the main character, Jacob, is in a new town and in a new job. Little does he know that his love interest, Bridge is already involved with a doctor at the hospital. Jacob discovers this when he happens to run into her and the doctor one day after Jacob delivers a patient via ambulance to the hospital.

The reader is taken on a journey through emotional highs and lows right along with Jacob. I cringed, cried and laughed out loud at some of the emergency calls that Jacob had to respond to, but in the end thought that all of it seemed very realistic in terms of what first responders go through on a daily basis.

Intertwined with the main plot is the struggle between Bridge and Jacob to work out a way to be together. All the while, Jacob must also deal with Bridge's ex-boyfriend who is a power hungry, control freak that gets his comeuppance later in the book.

Although this second book stands on its own, I would recommend reading the first book prior to this one to get the full back story of Jacob and his life before the new town and new job.

The author did a great job of tying up loose ends and delivering a complete, well-written sequel to Racing the Reaper (Book 1). Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Her Name was Half Calf - FREE on Amazon

It must be the crisp, coolness of the autumn air or it could be that there is a lunar eclipse today. 

Whatever the reason, I am feeling compelled to give away some free e-books.

Not only is "Fade to Gray"  perma-free on Smashwords, but for the next five days, "Her Name was Half Calf"  is FREE on Amazon!  (Promo runs from October 8 - October 12, 2014).

 

Fade to Gray - Permanently FREE on Smashwords

I am finally giving Smashwords a try and offering one of my e-book short stories as PERMANENTLY FREE.

The cover for "Fade to Gray" has been updated and minor edits have been made to the text.

Although the e-book is currently shown as .99 on Amazon, I have notified them of the free price on Smashwords.  This should trigger Amazon's price match guarantee and the price should change to free on Amazon as well in a few weeks.

Please feel free to download the e-book from Smashwords and leave a review on either Smashwords or Amazon - if you are so inclined.

Thanks for the continued support and readership!

Book Review Spotlight - Unelmoija: The Spiritshifter by Elle Boca (Weeia Book 3)

Unelmoija: The Spiritshifter by Elle Boca is another wonderfully written installment of the Weeia series.

It begins where the second book leaves off with Amy and her boyfriend, Duncan along with Amy's sister, Kat at a Weeia conference. Unfortunately, a death occurs while they are at the conference and the three young Weeia see the body before the Weeia Elders alter the scene. What looks to be a "natural death" of a fellow Weeia named Loi becomes a mystery worthy of being solved by Amy and her friends.

After being ushered out of the room, Amy dreamshifts back into the room where Loi's body is and tries to determine what the actual reason is for her friend's death.

From what Amy can find out, Loi was an "amplifier" and one who can assist other Weeia with strengthening their abilities. Amplifiers are rare and Amy soon discovers that she may be one as well. This puts her life in danger once more and she is determined to uncover the true story behind Loi's death. On this journey, she, Duncan and her sister, Kat discover much more than who killed Loi (and why).

As the story unfolds, Amy must stay under the radar of the Weeia Elders and what better way to do that than to be the lead singer in a band that will be playing at the Weeia Youth Conference? Right under the noses of the Elders, Amy hides in plain sight. This was an entertaining subplot in the book.

Although book three of the series is lighter than the first two, it still has many suspenseful and thrilling moments. The characters are maturing quite nicely and coming to terms with their multitude of abilities.

This latest book does stand on its own, but I would suggest that the reader read the first two (Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter and Unelmoija: The Mindshifter) before this one.

Please also read my reviews of the first two books in the series:

Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter (Book 1)

Unelmoija: The MindShifter (Book 2)