Tag Archives: fiction

A quick question

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I have been toying with the idea of starting another blog, but I want an opinion from my readers. If I were to start a second blog, and it was just short stories and poetry, maybe some occasional non fiction–most genres– would you all be willing to write and contribute to it? If so, please let me know what you think. I am surrounded by talented writers, and often want to write but the things I wish to write do not always fit with my own blog. Opinions please.

Would you like to contribute stories, poems and non-fiction pieces?

 

I sayin pwetty peez. :)

An Interview with Bianca Sloane, author of Live and Let Die

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Live and Let Die - Book Cover

Today I am happy to chat with the very talented and beautiful author Bianca Sloane. I read this book a few months ago and I have to tell you, it was one of the best books I have had the pleasure of enjoying. If you love puzzles and you like it when the author fools you all the way to the last page, you can’t go wrong with “Live and Let Die.”

Please welcome Bianca!

Head Shot

Bio

Bianca Sloane is a freelance writer living in Chicago. When she’s not writing, she’s watching Bravo TV, Investigation Discovery, reading or cooking. “Live and Let Die” is her first novel.

A Lovely Interview With Bianca Sloane

Tell us a little about your background,  your current life and your most recent book.

              I’m originally from the South – I was born in Little Rock, Ark. and lived in Texas when I was younger.  However, I’ve lived in    Chicago off and on for the past 20 years and consider it my home, blizzards and all.

“>In terms of my professional background, I worked in the PR and advertising industry for about 12 years before striking out on my own a few years ago to try my hand as a freelance writer.  I work mostly with corporate clients, writing a variety of materials such as press releases, bylined articles and speeches.

Currently, I live on the north side of Chicago, am single in a sea of marrieds with a raging shoe addiction, a love of monthly brunches with my girlfriends and an unhealthy obsession with all things Real Housewives.

My debut novel, “Live and Let Die,” which I released in 2012, is a psychological thriller about a woman who disappears and is later murdered.  Her sister, who was out of the country at the time, starts to realize there are a lot of things about her sister’s death that don’t make sense and the more she digs, the more sinister things become.   

                When did you first realise that you were interested in writing and what inspired you to write?

I’ve always been a writer – I was that kid pecking out fanfiction for TV shows, movies and books on an ancient typewriter.  I was always writing stories in my head, jotting things down on random scraps of paper or in a notebook.  I wrote for the school paper in college and even now, when writing press releases, it’s interesting to figure out the best way to tell the story.

I’ve always drawn inspiration from everything around me, from a TV show to a conversation overheard on the street.  You just never know where a good story will come from.

               Did you have any reservations about publishing your work?

I did have some reservations about publishing my work.  Writers, like all artists, have fragile egos, so it can be daunting to open up your soul to scrutiny from the public.  Also, “Live and Let Die,” is quite different from a lot of what is available in the suspense/thriller genre— it’s not about a quirky detective, a police procedural or even romantic suspense.  I worried people wouldn’t “get” it.  However, readers have really responded to it because of how different it is, which has been so exciting for me.

 What has been the most difficult part of marketing your work?

Probably the most difficult part of marketing my work has been training myself to think differently about promotion and marketing.  Since my background is in public relations, I’m used to writing a press release and pitching it to a reporter or inviting a reporter to cover an event or doing any number of “traditional” PR activities.  I’m finding that “PR” works a bit differently in the eBook world – things like blog tours, blog hops and podcasts are huge.  I’m learning more everyday about these methods and am always thinking of ways I can combine them with more “traditional” PR. 

One thing that doesn’t change, is the power of relationships; relationships with your readers, other authors, bloggers, reviewers, etc.  The package may look a little different, but the gift is the same.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am actually working on two new releases, both suspense novels; “Every Breath You Take,” is about a man’s obsession with an old girlfriend and the other, title TBD, details an extramarital affair and its deadly consequences.

Why did you choose the genre you picked for your novel?

 I have always loved reading mysteries, stretching back to Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew, right up to Gillian Flynn and Kate Atkinson.  So, when it came to my own writing, I was naturally drawn to stories about crime and mystery.  However, rather than serial killers or straight whodunits, I like to explore the dark side of love; in other words, how people are driven to commit heinous acts, all in the name of this extremely complex emotion.

What is the last thing you read and did you enjoy it?

I actually didn’t care for the last book I read, a mystery novel by a favorite author – it wasn’t their best work, so I don’t want to say – but I will say that I’m currently reading “What the Dead Know,” by Laura Lippman, and it’s just terrific.  She really knows how to get inside the heads of her characters and their motivations. 


What do you think the future of publishing is? Will there always be traditional houses?


I think the future of publishing is exciting; we’ve entered the realm where the reader can decide, vs. gatekeepers in New York, about what is an interesting/commercial viable work, and as a result, some really fresh and original voices have emerged.  Without this brave new indie world, they – and other writers – might not have ever had the opportunity to share their work. 

However, new gatekeepers are in order and I think book bloggers will begin to fill that role.  They are much more accessible and a lot less jaded than the old guard, but are still quite discerning about what they like. 

I think we’ll see more “big name” authors break away from traditional publishing as we know it now and take greater creative control of their careers.   I think way off in the future, traditional publishing houses will function more like distribution houses, rather than production houses.  They have the relationships and muscle to get books on the shelves, because, despite the rise in eBooks, I don’t think print books are on their way out anytime soon.  People still love the feel of a book.   

Any advice for other writers who have not yet taken the plunge and published?

Do your homework and don’t take shortcuts.  Publishing is a confusing business with a lot of nuances and you have to educate yourself about its ins and outs.  At the same time, we’re living in the information age – the resources are yours for the taking.  There’s no excuse to claim ignorance.   J.A. Konrath’s book, “A Newbie’s Guide To Publishing” is a comprehensive and powerful guidebook and I recommend all aspiring authors start there – and read all of it.  Stephen King’s “On Writing” is an invaluable book on the craft and should also be required reading.

Finding a good critique partner and honest beta readers is also key.  Really listen to what they have to say and keep your ego out of it.

I would also say, find the money and hire a professional proofreader.  It’s just not a good idea to proof your own work, because you will miss something.  Also, unless you’re a graphic designer or really good at formatting, hire professionals to handle these tasks.  With a little bit of research, you can find reasonably priced experts who will give you great value for your money.

Be nice to your readers, reviewers and other authors.  Not everyone will like your work and that’s okay.  Resist the urge to send them nasty messages or track them down and slash their tires.

And always, start writing the next book.

  If you could be one of the characters in your book who would it be and why?


Even though she is the total opposite of me, the character of Sondra in “Live and Let Die,” is just such a badass, that I wouldn’t mind stepping into her shoes for a day.  She’s a smoker, a nail-biter and a slob; she’s also smart, tenacious and just cool.  I dig her.

Where can we find you and any final thoughts?

 

Readers can find me at any of the places below; I’m an active tweeter and have been known to waste copious amounts of time on Pinterest.

 I love to hear from readers! 

 Finally, I’m really grateful for the indie author movement and the opportunities it has opened up for so many, myself included.  I’m having a blast.

 

http://www.biancasloane.com
www.twitter.com/biancasloane
www.pinterest.com/biancasloane

*Bianca–Thank you so much for agreeing to the interview with Readful Things. I am super excited to read your next book. You have a permanent residence on my bookshelf!

The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic

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A woman must leave her island home to search for her missing sister-and confront the haunted history of her family.

Magdalena does not panic when she learns that her younger sister has disappeared. A free-spirit, Jadranka has always been prone to mysterious absences. But when weeks pass with no word, Magdalena leaves the isolated Croatian island where their family has always lived and sets off to New York to find her sister. Her search begins to unspool the dark history of their family, reaching back three generations to a country torn by war.

A haunting and sure-footed debut by an award-winning writer, The First Rule of Swimming explores the legacy of betrayal and loss in a place where beauty is fused inextricably with hardship, and where individuals are forced to make wrenching choices as they are swept up in the tides of history.–Description from Goodreads

Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2013 by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN
0316217387 (ISBN13: 9780316217385)
edition language
English
My Thoughts:
This book is the kind of read that you will either find to be one of the most beautiful pieces of literature ever written, or you will find it intensely boring. I would say that I found it of the former variety and really enjoyed it, although it does not have a fast pace or a ridiculously twisted plot, which seems to be the new thing in mainstream literature.

What this novel is, in my opinion, is a book that has a quiet eloquence. The beauty of the passages rather set me back at times (in a good way.) Whereas many of the books I choose are rivers full of exciting rapids, this book is more like a gentle creek. The calm, passive writing pulled me into the story and the simplistic elegance of the author’s words kept me there until the last page.

If you are looking for a book that you can relax with, and get away from everything, I would strongly recommend this novel. The characters have a lot of depth, and each come with a history deeply rooted in the place they live and the generations that came before them.

This is a book about family, sisterhood, love, loss and the bonds that we share as humans. The story may not be flashy and fast paced, but it was thoughtful and the descriptions were beautiful and in the end, that was enough for me.

I love it when the beauty of the novel matches the beauty of the cover, and I am pleased to say, this one did. I would read another book by this author happily, and I look forward to her future offerings.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.

 

The Meth Conspiracy by J.E. Horn

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Jonathan Champion was the “golden boy.” A federal prosecutor who made his mark bringing down some of the biggest meth dealers the country had ever known, and he did it in glamorous style. But fame often has a price, and Champion paid for it with the life of his wife and child. Now, he is a broken man. Scarred, both inside and out, he wants to hide from the world. But it’s not this world that needs him. Champion finds himself taken to a world filled with magic-and meth. A place where human beings, or mundanes, are used like chattel. Here mundanes are forced into meth addiction that destroys them, body and soul. All in order to provide energy for their powerful masters. A crazed old woman tells him that he is the only hope for his people. That he is a mage with almost unreal powers. So Champion must choose. To embrace this new world and pit his fledgling powers against impossible odds or to hide and fade away. As Champion deals with his inner struggles and tries to stay alive, he and his companions begin to unravel a conspiracy that stinks of human misery and ancient evil. A conspiracy that traces the meth epidemic to this new world.–Description from Goodreads

Kindle Edition, 266 pages
Published September 11th 2012 by Trafford
ISBN
146694028X (ISBN13: 9781466940284)
edition language
English
My Thoughts on this Novel:
In the beginning, before I started reading this book, I was uncertain. Novels about drug use and so forth have never been my first choice for reading material. My opinion of this book after reading it is entirely different.

This author is witty, intelligent and rather crafty. He manages to bring up real issues and deal with them through a fictional/fantasy setting. From the beginning the main character was more than interesting. He was compassionate, flawed and an all around interesting person to base a novel around. He is scarred both mentally and physically and although you can piece together what happened to him early in the book, you never quite know the details until the end. I was able to care for him early in the story and it drew me in and kept me in the story for the duration.

I found the pacing of this novel to be fast and yet not so quick that you sit back wondering what happened. The way the author handled the changes in the book from the more realistic elements to the more fantasy laden sections was pretty incredible. Even though, as the reader you are aware that things like this could not really happen, J.E. Horn convinces you regardless.

The descriptions are beautifully written and add such ambiance to the alternate world that the author tells of. This is a book to get lost in.

I was impressed by the reality of this fantasy, if that makes any sense at all. The author clearly cares about his subject matter and it shows in his writing. He was kind enough to include information for those battling a meth addiction at the end of his book, and that made me feel even better about reading it. I recommend this book to anyone that likes a story with many twists and unexpected eloquence.

I think this is an author to keep your eye on. His writing is surprising, haunting and altogether unexpected.

Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong Finger by Beth Harbison

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From Beth Harbison, the New York Times bestselling author of When in Doubt, Add Butter and Shoe Addicts Anonymous, comes Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong, a delightful new novel that will make you look at second chances in a whole new way.

Ten years ago, Quinn Barton was on her way to the altar to marry Burke Morrison, her high school sweetheart, when something derailed her. Rather, someone derailed her—the Best Man who at the last minute begged her to reconsider the marriage. He told her that Burke had been cheating on her. For a long time. Quinn, stunned, hurt, and confused, struggled with the obligation of fulfilling her guests’ expectations—providing a wedding—and running for her life.

She chose running. With the Best Man. Who happened to be Burke’s brother, Frank.

That relationship didn’t work either. How could it, when Quinn had been engaged to, in love with, Frank’s brother? Quinn opted for neither, and, instead, spends the next seventeen years working in her family’s Middleburg, Virginia, bridal shop, Talk of the Gown, where she subconsciously does penance for the disservice she did to marriage.

But when the two men return to town for another wedding, old anger, hurt, and passion resurface. Just because you’ve traded the good guy for the bad guy for no guy doesn’t mean you have to stay away from love for the rest of your life, does it? Told with Beth Harbison’s flair for humor and heart, Chose the Wrong Guy will keep you guessing and make you believe in the possibilities of love. –Description from Goodreads

ebook, 384 pages
Expected publication: July 9th 2013 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN
1250031907 (ISBN13: 9781250031907)
My Thoughts on this novel:
First of all, how can you read this title and not want to read this book? I fell in love with the title so much that the book almost didn’t matter. Okay, not really, but still…you have to admit, it is pretty great.

So begins my review:

Sheesh! Don’t read this book if you have anything else you want to accomplish that day. This is one of those laugh out loud, carry-the-book-everywhere-with-you-even-into-the-bathroom kind of books. If I hadn’t been reading the digital edition it might have even had a bath with me. Couldn’t put it down!

Once I started reading this book it captured my attention completely. The writing is modern and a times a bit risque (there are a few F-bombs but they are rather funny.) I fell in love with the main character on the first page. I did, really. She is about to get married when all Hell breaks loose and she must make a decision that will forever haunt her. It must have been tough and I think I could identify with her indecision, even if I hadn’t lived through quite the same situation.

This novel is just an overall joy to read. The romance is paced perfectly. You never know exactly what to expect and the tension is just right. There is a feeling of comfort in these pages, like you have settled into your favorite pair of jeans and cuddled up in your most comfortable chair.

I loved that the main characters had such a long and developed history between them. This made the story feel somehow more logical and gave me another reason to care about what happened between them. The variety of choices the main character had on who she would choose and where she would end up kept the plot interesting and unexpected.

I didn’t really see the ending coming, and I liked that I had to guess even at the last couple of chapters. Well played author.

If you are looking for a perfect book for a lazy Saturday afternoon and want to laugh, smile and just have a lot of fun, this book would be a great choice. I have found another author that I must add to my list of favourites.

This book review is based on a Digital ARC from the publisher.

An Excerpt from my NaNoWriMo Victory (Err…mess)

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I guess this means that may is National Editing Month? NaEMo? That’s what I will be doing. Anyhow here is a brief excerpt of the work I will soon begin tearing apart:)

 

Chapter One

Lauren Kelly could hear the buzzing in the background of her dream. It was a loud droning like too many bees at work in a coffee can. As he her sleep filled head began to wake, she recognized the awful sound as coming from her alarm clock. She struggled to free one arm from her comforter and slap in the general direction of the intruding sound. After failing to stop the buzzing after the third swipe, she felt around for the cord beside her bed and jerked it free from the wall socket. Blessedly, the buzzing came to an end, although she could still feel the unpleasant reverberations in her head.

Opening first one eye and then the other, she glanced around her modest bedroom. The heat of the day was already pouring into the room through the open window. It was only April and Las Vegas was already reaching the high eighties by mid-day.  A shaft of light that was too bright for an April morning reminded her that she was not a drinker and last night’s display of self-pity was a truly pointless venture. Brad had dumped her, just as Kyle had before him and John before them.

Okay, she reasoned, attempting to sit up and then falling back against the pillows when her head began to pound mercilessly, maybe I’m not much of a party person. Maybe I spend too much time with my nose in a book or I would rather watch the History Channel than go to a football game, but I have to be interesting to someone.

As the torment of another doomed relationship began to niggle at her, the cell phone on her bedside table began to jingle. She picked up the smartphone and glanced at the display. It was Brad. Perhaps he had come to his senses.

“Hi Lauren…it’s Brad. Brad Kershaw…”

As if she could have forgotten his last name when they had been in bed together less than a week ago, she thought.

“Hello Brad,” Lauren said, trying to avoid sounding hopeful.

“Hope I didn’t wake you. Look, the reason for my call is…” there was a brief silence.

Lauren couldn’t help but fill in the gap, silently of course. I am such an idiot…how could I let a woman like you go…I realized how amazing you are I don’t know what I was thinking…

“I noticed after I left your apartment the other day that my diamond tie-tack was missing. You haven’t seen it anywhere have you?”

“Your tie-tack?” Lauren asked incredulously. “That’s the reason for your call?” As she stood up out of bed she noticed something glinting under the chair across the room from her. It was none other than the object of Brad’s affection. One diamond tie-tack. Brushing it out from under the chair with her foot, she picked it up and carried it with her to the bathroom.

The silence on the line stretched out indefinitely as she turned the tie-tack over in her palm, watching it sparkle.

His impatience was clear when he finally broke the silence. “So have you seen it or not? I can’t think of anywhere else that I might have left it,” he said, sounding as if he were straining to imagine where else it might be.

Lauren shook her head, so what if it seemed like a stupid reason to call. It was his and she knew she had to do the right thing and return it to him. There was simply no other…

“Unless I left it at Tiffany’s place,” Brad said, instantly wishing he could take back the last sentence he uttered. Tiffany was his secretary and Lauren had been suspicious of his relationship with her the entire time they were dating.

Option…Lauren’s mind finished.

She took one last glance at the tie-tack before tossing it into the toilet and pressing the handle.

“No,” She lied, for what may have been the first time in her life, “Haven’t seen it.”

Windswept Hearts by Robynn Gabel

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Anna Sanchez, a recent college graduate, has inherited the family cattle ranch. Having promised her mother she would take care of it, she is now faced with a tough choice.

She is a city girl, and running a cattle business certainly isn’t in her plans.

A lot of repairs need to be done and she hires Steve Johnson, a local handyman. Their first encounter leaves them both at a disadvantage.

Through the summer’s adventures, including a wildlife encounter that turns deadly, and a shadow from her past, Anna will learn that things don’t always go according to even the most organized aspirations.–Description generously loaned from Goodreads

Kindle Edition, 296 pages
Published June 7th 2012 by BookRix GmbH & Co. KG
ASIN
B008AL4F8E
  You can learn more and say hello to Robynn over at : relpud.wordpress.com
My thoughts:
The good: Windswept Hearts does follow the typical romance formula of woman meets man, man and woman clash at first, but the humor the author includes in her character’s meetings moves you beyond the introductions and straight into the story swiftly and without effort.

The characters themselves are an interesting bunch with diversity and flaws that make them seem more real. I had no trouble identifying with the main character. The things she thought, said and did many times were things I find myself doing.

I liked that the author didn’t choose to make her main female character perfect. I hate perfect characters and never feel close to them. Both the male and female lead characters in this book have things that hold them back from one another and make it exciting to read. You just aren’t ever sure exactly if things are going to turn out as you expect them to.

The even better:

The descriptions Robynn Gabel uses throughout her book give you a real sense of being there. You can see the town, the house she is in and even the expressions on the character’s faces. I never felt while reading this like I had to guess where the activity was taking place.

This author has an excellent way with showing emotion through the actions and reactions of her characters without having to return to the basic ‘and then she cried’ or ‘she smiled’ a million times. This is something that I see overused in a lot of books, and I was impressed that Robynn found ways around that type of redundant word usage.

The Best: This plot is not as simple as it first seems. There are other things going on besides just the romance angle between the two main characters. There is a bit of mystery, some suspense and well written and believable side stories that tie together to form an enjoyable reading experience.

The hmmm:

Thankfully, there isn’t much in this book that I didn’t love, but if I was pressed to choose something that could be improved, I would say it would be that the dialogue between Anna and the secondary characters other than Steve felt a bit labored. I do understand that the two main characters require the most spotlight and development, but the other conversations in the book felt a little lacking in some places.

Overall, this is a book I would recommend to any romance lover. There is a nice amount of love, romance, bonding, friendship and spice in this novel. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with after this. A very good debut.

One Day in Apple Grove (Small Town USA #2) by C.H. Admirand

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Caitlin Mulchahy doesn’t have much time for socializing now that her sisters’ handyman business is thriving. For Dr. Jack Gannon–former Marine medic–keeping the residents of Apple Grove healthy is a welcome distraction from the haunting memories of his time served in Iraq. Although the two have lived in the same small town their whole lives, Cait and Jack barely know each other. That is until a stray puppy leads them to the same place at the same time. But it will take more than one adorable canine to get these two together–it’ll take a whole town.–Description shamelessly stolen from Goodreads

Paperback, 320 pages
Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published June 1st 2013)
ISBN
1402269021 (ISBN13: 9781402269028)
edition language
English
series
My Thoughts:
“One Day in Apple Grove” is a cozy book that you just can’t help but fall in love with. If you are a fan of Debbie Macomber, Fern Michaels and the like, then C.H. Admirand will no doubt soon be amongst your favorite authors as well.

Whereas many of the books I have read that try to pull off the cozy romance tend to bore me with their lack of character development, this book was different for a number of reasons. The first thing that made me love this was the ambiance of the story. The setting is perfect. The town is quaint and the people the author describes fill the roles one would expect to find in any real small town in America. I liked the varied backgrounds of the characters and how every piece of this story fit together like a puzzle.

The side stories kept the story moving and gave me something else to focus on other than the romance, which I appreciated since so many romance books tend to lack much depth.

The two main characters each bring their own interesting personalities and quirks to the table, and although there were times when I wished the female lead would just make up her mind already, I appreciated the tension between the two of them and the way the author introduced her characters was great. You get enough knowledge of them at the beginning of the story to tell you who they are, but you have to wait until further in the story to find out their secrets. That made it fun.

The descriptions, above all else in this novel made me love it. You can visualize everything the author speaks about through her use of rich language and colourful expressions. The dialogue is witty and interesting and felt very natural.

The romance is sweet and has enough spice to be interesting but is not the type that you would be ashamed to have your grandmother read over your shoulder.

Overall, this was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and I think other cozy romance fans would really enjoy it.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.

The Fifty-Year Sword by Mark Z. Danielewski (review submitted by LittleLilliPushkin)

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You can find LittleLilliPushkin at: http://bookenslaved.wordpress.com/

A Whole New Meaning To: “Stranger Danger!”

If you are in the mood for a quick and colorful read, I’ve got the perfect book for you. Descriptive words and metaphors entwine to create a magical narrative in The Fifty-Year Sword by Mark Z. Danielewski.

From the outside, the book looks like a regular chapter book, which is what I thought it was when I bought it. Much to my surprise, when I opened it, each page was set up like a poem and had pictures made out of string, as if they had been sewn into the page.

The book was an adult’s scary story set up in the form of a children’s book. Told from five different points of view that are identified by color-coded quotation marks, you don’t know who the narrators are, nor does it matter.

“so crossing his legs, folding himself into himself,

“refolding, until right before their eyes he no longer seemed

“hrowling or gulking but sat quietstill,

“overdraped in his strange silveryblack tunic, his head heavily bowed.

“Following this example Tarff, Ezade, Iniedia, Sithiss and Micit sat down too,

“crossing their legs, and if not

“exatecly

little

“and bushy-bluestem cozy

“then

armadillo tight,

“wanting now only to know what was

“—inside.

Disgraced seamstress, Chintana is reeling from her recent divorce caused by a woman named Belinda Kite. Trying to get back on her feet, Chintana reluctantly attends the 50th birthday party for Belinda on Halloween Eve, where she meets a social worker exhausted by five small orphans with peculiar names.

Trying to avoid a run-in with Belinda the Witch, she decides to help the social worker out and goes with the children to hear the storyteller invited to entertain the kids. They all sit in front of the “hrowling and gulking” storyteller whose mysterious manner captivates them.

A black case with five clasps faces the five children. The storyteller grins evilly at his small audience and begins his chilling story.

Starting by warning them of his black heart and bad intentions. He informs that he was looking for a weapon. Not a gun or a bomb. But a special weapon that he searched all over the world for. He had searched for years, until one day he heard a story about:

“a valley assault and

“a forest of note

“and a mountain of

“any

“won

“paths and a man with no

“harms who made terrible weapons which he sold but never for

“money.

The storyteller takes the children through his quest for the special weapon that he has dedicated his life to finding. Once he finds this dangerous weapon he has to wait fifty years before he can use it. It is a weapon that not only kills lives, but also memories and experiences. At the end of his story, each child flips one of the clasps of the case up. To see nothing.

The storyteller pretends to pick it up and is about to slice one of the childrens’ necks with it when Belinda enters the room, grabs the “sword” and proves to them all that it is fake by slicing every part of her body with it. Nothing happens. The storyteller leaves and everyone at the party goes outside at midnight to toast Belinda’s birthday with a glass of champagne, not knowing that something mysterious and gruesome was about to happen.

Soon after the storyteller leaves, another one comes rushing up to them apologizing for being so late. This was the one that was hired.

Who was the other man? Could the sword have been real? And what happened out in the moon lit snow?

The Fifty-Year Sword was a new experience for me. I can’t say that I loved it or that reading it makes me want to go check out some of Danielewski’s other works, but I can say that it is something you should try. That is why I have reviewed and recommended it. It is such a uncommon set-up and writing style that it makes me remember the book.

A book is good if you can remember it. I have read more books than I can count and I know that people have asked me about a book I’ve read before and I won’t even remember reading it. I have books that I will finish reading and 30 minutes later: nothing, can’t even remember the main characters name because nothing in the book stood out to me.

So, though The Fifty-Year Sword is nothing to gush about I would recommend trying it because it is something that will intrigue you.

Heads Up: spelling, grammar, and logical thinking are thrown out the window in this unique poem/book/scary story.

Paths of Glory (Review submitted by Saunved Mutalik)

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You can find Saunved’s blog at saunved.wordpress.com

 

BOOK: Paths of Glory
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Archer
ISBN: 978-0-330-50425-6
Summary as given on the book:
Some people have dreams that are so outrageous that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. Francis Drake, Robert Scott, Percy Fawcett, Charles Lindbergh, Amy Johnson, Edmund Hillary and Neil Armstrong are among such individuals.
But what if one man had such a dream and when he had fulfilled it, there was no proof that he had achieved his ambition?
Paths of Glory is the story of such a man. But not until you have turned the last page of this extraordinary novel will you be able to decide if George Mallory should be added to the list of legends, because if he were, another man would have to be removed.
MY REVIEW: (Saunved)
Paths of Glory is unlike any other book I have read before. It is a real story, of a real man and once you have put the book aside, there is only one feeling left. Pity. The book is not necessarily an excellent read but the way the author manages to hold you is excellent. When I read Paths of Glory, I was left feeling helpless and I had a good reason to feel so. George Mallory (the main character) managed to impress me with his determination, loyalty and understanding. His journey from a child to a man of dignity is indeed touching. If you are the kind of person who likes action, adventure and and climbing, then Paths of Glory is the book for you.
The book is slow, but as we continue reading, we all understand that George Mallory’s destiny lies in something bigger and better. I could relate George Mallory to Howard Roark (from The Fountainhead), although George is a little softer and more of a family-based character. The emotions, little challenges, big challenges, twists, turns, climbs, drops, avalanches, victories and the forceful writing is sure to give you a run for your money.
I rate the book on the following points:
PLOT: 9/10
SUSPENSE: 6/10
CHARACTERS: 9/10
EMOTION: 9/10
PREDICTABILITY: 3/10
Overall rating:
8.25/10
Recommendation:

It’s a book worth reading, although some do not like the way it ends. Depends from person to person. I personally enjoyed it. Looking forward to what you feel!