tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56462009784179860842024-02-19T10:31:28.552-05:00RainHandBooksBooks and Book ReviewsScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-7277168128379177502023-05-18T16:14:00.000-04:002023-05-18T16:14:07.728-04:00Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 6--Available Today!<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swords-Sorceries-Tales-Heroic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B0C5K6PLNN?ref_=ast_author_dp" target="_blank" title="Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 6"><img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51aqn4eMfTL.jpg" align="left" alt="Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 6" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>Over 300 pages of Grim and Gritty Action!</font></font color=orange></i><br />
Find <i>Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swords-Sorceries-Tales-Heroic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B0C5K6PLNN?ref_=ast_author_dp">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Swords-Sorceries-Tales-Heroic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B0C5K6PLNN/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=swords+and+sorceries+tales+of&sr=8-8">Amazon UK</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156979484-swords-sorceries">Goodreads</a>!<br />
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It is with the honor of the ancient gods that RainHand Books announces the release of <a href="https://paralleluniversepublications.blogspot.com/p/swords-sorceries-tales-of-heroic-fantasy.html">Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 6</a>, by our friends at <a href="https://paralleluniversepublications.blogspot.com/">Parallel Universe Publications</a>. As the weightiest tome in the series yet, volume 6 boasts more than 300 pages, with twelve highly detailed treks through the grim veneer of vicious demons, gray warlocks, and the barbarians who <strike>love</strike> slay them, told in the footsteps of frost giants like Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. Some of the finest names in the genre today are included...and they even let me in, too!
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My contribution to this project, <i>Golden Witch of Adzelgar,</i> is a tale of deceit and revenge told from the perspective of a deceased hierarch warioress, wrenched back from death to serve her once-mortal enemies in a world turned upside-down. To date it is the longest of my traditionally published works, and my first official foray into the world of Sword & Sorcery. I'm excited by the opportunity to be a part of Swords & Sorceries, and honored for the chance to share a tale alongside such excellent names!
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If it be your pint of mead, pick up a copy today! <i>(And when you're done reading, crush some monster's head with it--it's a nice big book!)</i>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt2eoDsL4tsRAUdhW_-Jn0XbZ_VUEMv-4S4Osf4TqbLFLXQ53Yfx5sOsdfoiLmt8Jcw9L7L788YbDcnvyGfTgi1sy4ThwjojfLXJpFvynN2RG7br73NfeRlxkuoIHCR6VL7jvl-0Rc5uQxvEoFW0nptR7dUib2SCO37aFAReGTQswMPI6VKU1RH9Lyw/w640-h328/banner%20with%20flames%20(2).jpg" align="center" alt="Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy">
<figcaption><b><i><h1><font color=orange>"Crom count the words!"</font color=orange></h1></i></b></figcaption>
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<hr><h5>Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 6 is compiled and edited by Parallel Universe's own David A. Riley, featuring art by the prolific Jim Pitts (with additional art for the story <i>Raiding the Graveyard of Lost Ships</i> by its author, Tais Teng. Click <a href="https://www.rainhandbooks.com/p/swords-sorceries-tales-of-heroic.html">here for technical/additional information</a>, or visit <a href="https://paralleluniversepublications.blogspot.com/">Parallel Universe Publications</a>.</h5><br />
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-5683959653972031992022-12-12T17:16:00.002-05:002022-12-20T11:56:47.351-05:00REVIEW - Life Force Preserve: Anna and the Resurgent of the Precious Blood #1 (Courtney Leigh Pahlke)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1914926285/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1914926285&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank" title="Whiplash"><img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RtQRsuOWL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" align="left" alt="Life Force Preserve" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>“A thrilling premise in need of TLC.”</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Whiplash</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Force-Preserve-Book-Resurgent/dp/1545744130/ref=sr_1_1?crid=C2Y69H0WNDLA&keywords=life+force+preserve&qid=1667852729&sprefix=life+force+preserve%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1#customerReviews">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45990930-life-force-preserve">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>To be fair, I’m going to say off the bat that I had a little difficulty with this book. As I’m not in the habit of providing an opinion without elaborating I’ll certainly do so, but first, let’s talk about the strengths of Life Force Preserve.<br />
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There is most certainly a compelling story to be found in this book. You’ve got suspense, tension, danger, and conspiracies; all focused around our intrepid protagonist and her secret bloodline. The storyarc makes reference to a great span of human history dating all the way back to ancient Egypt, and has a healthy dose of “Ancient Aliens” to boot (if you’re into that). If you’re patient, there’s a reward to be found here.<br />
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Now, my elaboration. First and foremost, I’m quite concerned regarding the frequency of technical errors in this book. The fact that there’s a grammatical error in the *title* was the first warning sign: “resurgent, precious blood” or “resurgence of the precious blood”—not “resurgent of the precious blood”. The punctuation error in the short plot description posted to both Amazon and Goodreads was the second sign. In reviewing the text itself, I found myself subject to myriad errors in everything from spelling, to grammar, to tense, and back again, to the point that I can’t bring myself to believe that this manuscript was passed under a solid proofreader microscope before it saw publication. As a reviewer of fiction I’m well aware that even the most well-polished books by the most careful professional publishing houses will always have an error or two—it’s just not possible to catch them all. With that in mind I maintain a certain threshold of acceptability, but this book went way over my limit, to the point that I found myself unable to reconcile myself to the idea that this is a finished piece, ready to be enjoyed by the reading public. The fact that the story is described as ‘gripping’ and ‘able to draw readers in’ despite the fact that almost nothing action-packed happens in the first four chapters (until chapter five I wasn’t even sure what the plot was) doesn’t help, especially when combined with such jarring inconsistences as a shifting perspective that goes from first person, present tense, all the way to to third person, past tense (without the presence of our narrator at all).<br />
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Don’t get me wrong: Life Force Preserve has potential. Additional beta-testing and a solid proofread would do wonders for bringing this story to life. Unfortunately, in its current state, I can’t in good conscience recommend it to discerning audiences. As for the award the book won, I can’t speak to that, other than to work from the assumption that I may have been given a draft version of the manuscript? That doesn’t appear to be the case, but if there is a more polished version out there, I’d be willing to give this book a second chance! <br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Courtney Pahlke graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in psychology and a secondary in creative writing. She worked at the Crisis Center in Iowa city leading to graduation day, where she went back home to Illinois with a plan. Courtney hoped to gain her masters degree in forensic psychology at a school in Chicago, while working for her dad, to pay for school. After the first year working for her dad’s company, she decided not to continue on with school and grow the family business instead.<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info abridged from amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-23157559469536982682022-06-30T10:52:00.001-04:002022-06-30T10:55:53.998-04:00REVIEW - Lapse (Alex Rodriguez)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lapse-Alex-Rodriguez/dp/1545754586/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank" title="Lapse"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/414Di7sC-uL._SX312_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" align="left" alt="Lapse" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>"Time enough at last, or time enough for more."</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Lapse</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lapse-Alex-Rodriguez/dp/1545754586/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59704471-lapse?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=rBBgRlrKHQ&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Oooh, timecrimes!<br />
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Well, the title and the blurb were enough to get me interested in this title even if it hadn’t been shared with me in return for an honest review. If I picked this volume up off a shelf at Barnes & Noble (or certainly the library) I’d be tempted to take it home with me, and there’s always something to be said for that. Since I’m on the aesthetics, I’ll also add that I really appreciated the clear, clean layout of this book, the readable typeface, and I always like to see cleverly-named chapters. You might think some of that is to be taken for granted, to which I can only say: “Not necessarily.” Especially on the independent circuit.<br />
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I felt that the action scenes moved well and kept me reading, with downtime placed at good intervals. If I’m counting the pages rather than being surprised by how many I’ve read there’s a problem, but not so here. I finished this one up rather quickly, and though going through a book too fast can be lamentable, it does profess to a good story. Time travel stories aren’t easy to write due to the need to keep all your ducks in a row (so as not to create an unintended paradox), but the author laid that all out well here, leaving little (at least insofar as the plot is concerned) to misunderstanding. I can’t say I became heavily attached to Nora (who I would prefer never to cross for her combat prowess), Mason, and the crew, but they were solid enough characters with enough depth to make me want to see their story through.<br />
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And that brings me to my first issue—the ending. In order to avoid spoilers I can’t say much, other than to express a certain lack of fulfillment. If this is meant to be book one of a longer story so be it, but I went in without any such understanding, and if it ends here…well, I was hoping for more. We’re not talking about a brick-wall cliffhanger tease here; I was just left turning the page, looking for chapter 31.<br />
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Next up—and I can only be so forgiving about this in a fully published work—always make sure to do a careful proofread, and then another by someone other than yourself, before a book goes to print. There were simply too many typos in this manuscript for my taste—I’m always willing to forgive a few just because that’s the nature of the publishing beast, but this book went well over my allowable threshold. Further, a number of passages were a bit difficult to follow along with for grammatical issues and a general lack of flow. This made the whole thing feel like a rushed project to me, which does justice neither for the author's prowess (of which I can clearly see storytelling power here) nor the potential reader base. I consider the third star a bit of extra for the honest attempt.<br />
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In short—Lapse is a good story with a clever premise; one that the eye of an editor could do a lot for. I hope it gets another edition in the future with the technical work it needs to really shine. If there is a sequel at some point, I’d be interested in checking it out.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Alex Rodriguez grew up inspired by action packed stories of science fiction and the adventures of superheroes. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Now a Wisconsin resident, Alex enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her dog Titan, attending writing classes, and discovering new books/TV shows to fall in love with. An occasional reader, Alex enjoys novels in the realms of historical fiction, romance, sci fi, and YA. She also dabbles into thrillers and fantasy.<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info abridged from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-9671164533996451992022-06-29T13:37:00.000-04:002022-06-29T13:37:21.061-04:00Musings - Of Niches and Book ReviewsHello from RainHand!
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When I was taking those #2 pencil Scantron tests in school way back in 198x-199x, there was always one specific instruction in bold text at the end of every section--not that we really needed to be <i>told</i> this mind, as we were quite eager to comply--but it went something like this: <b>STOP HERE. PUT YOUR PENCIL DOWN.</b> Words to live by? Perhaps not, but I still have something to learn from them. (Don't worry, this is a good thing for you if you're looking for a book review! Read on to find out why.)
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See, I like to tell stories, and I like to write. I like these things so much that I have never before been able to stick with keeping a journal, until I chose to write an ongoing story just for myself during 'journaling' time instead. Why babble about my day when I can indulge in the struggles of the vast realm inside my head?? (Incidentally, I have no idea how long that journal-story is, but I've filled up at least one college-ruled composition book and will be on to the next soon.) In my time publishing stories online, I've had some trouble with readers who take in a short sci-fi tale, come back tomorrow, and find fantasy, horror, or even romcom as the next thing on my list. Doc Brown once claimed to be a student of all sciences. I'm a student of all (or at least many) genres, and I like changing things up to take on new challenges whenever I can. I spent three years working on an opus-level adult high fantasy novel that tipped the scales at 144,000 words (a big bite for an agent, I know). It doesn't have a home yet, but I became quickly distracted from finding it one by my next project...a middle grade contemporary adventure story that clocks in at about six-figures less. I'm surprised at how well the latter rolled out of my mind and off my pen. It was fun to compose, and as there seem to be many more agents looking for such things now, I believe I'll be focusing on a home for that one first. But see, that's the thing--I need to <font color=orange>put my pencil down</font>. So, I'm trying to keep my ideas for a potential sequel on the drawing board while I shop manuscripts. I wonder how long my muse can be kept at bay.
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In the meantime, less drafting time for me means more reviewing time for you. I hope to step-up my reading schedule, and continue to make RainHand a voice for the indie author community. There have been a lot of fascinating reads in the past--I can't wait to check out more!Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-33329454568269021662022-05-13T16:52:00.000-04:002022-05-13T16:52:02.489-04:00REVIEW - Whiplash: The Rust Chronicles #1 (Morgan Quaid)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1914926285/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1914926285&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank" title="Whiplash"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51K+Ap8wiNL._SX310_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" align="left" alt="Whiplash" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>“CAUTION: SHARP. Handle With Care!”</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Whiplash</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1914926285/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1914926285&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59207223-whiplash">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Whiplash is a ‘sharp’ story—it goes right for the throat with neither apology nor restraint both in content and style. Short, piercing sentences, darker vocabulary choices, basic metaphors that don’t leave you much to ponder, and a narrative that dives right in from page one without any sort of lead-in. You’ll be introduced to young Jack at the outset, but you’d better make sure you strapped in before you cracked that cover, because you’re not going to see the “keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times” warning light come on again. That said, I can’t possibly have come up with a more appropriate title for this book!<br />
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At first glance you might be a bit off-put by the somewhat cliché idea of ‘young person suddenly thrust into a fantasy world’, but I ask you to stay your concerns and give this book a chance. To be honest I really don’t even like using the word ‘cliché’ when reviewing new content because, like most buzz words, it’s overused and has outstripped the original meaning; now often peeled from the backing paper and applied to any work that isn’t 15465887789.492% original. Folks, really…everything’s been done before. The thing to look for is innovative ways of mixing up existing ideas, and in that, Whiplash succeeds admirably. The use of dreamscapes, the sudden left turns that toss you across the deck when you think you’ve found your footing, and a good shuffle of character types keep this ball rolling, or dribbling…or hurtling through the air towards a barbed-wire fence at Mach 1.<br />
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As for criticisms, our hero, Jack, didn’t really pop for me overall. Call it a matter of personal preference, but I was sort of hoping he might grow past the snide commentary and saucy one-liners as the stakes rose. Perhaps that’s my own fault—expecting a young man who was never really intended to be a white knight to begin with to mount his horse at some point. Hopeless romance won’t help you much on this ride, I guess. Other than that I feel the author did not disappoint in the bold employment of first person/present tense, save for a few bits here and there where characters who are in the moment seem to know a bit more than they should for their perspective. In fairness, it’s a very bold way to construct a novel-length piece to begin with. Hats off.<br />
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Whiplash is a high-octane caffeine high, not a subtle journey through complex flavors. The latter may be golden for some, but I think we could all use a blast of the former from time to time. If that’s what you’re looking for in your next story, then by all means I recommend it, but it may not be to taste if you’re going in looking for a deep-developing, paced-out epic. <br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Morgan Quaid is a writer of speculative fiction, specializing in comics, graphic novels, short stories and fast-paced, first person novels. Quaid’s writing tends to blend concision and fast-moving plots with epic sci-fi/fantasy themes, creating stories that often have more in common with film rather than traditional novels.<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-89768991444780053342021-10-27T14:32:00.000-04:002021-10-27T14:32:48.769-04:00REVIEW - Enoch's Thread (John Aubrey)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enochs-Thread-John-Aubrey-ebook/dp/B01CN20CQE" target="_blank" title="Enoch's Thread"><img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41chg43U-cL.jpg" align="left" alt="Enoch's Thread" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>“A conspiring brew – you’ll try it, won’t you?"</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Enoch's Thread</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enochs-Thread-John-Aubrey-ebook/dp/B01CN20CQE">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29743527-enoch-s-thread">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>I’ll admit up front that I’m usually not a huge fan of conspiracy stories (be they occult/religious or anything else). Still, I was intrigued enough by the premise to give this one a try, and it was worth the time. For one, I have to appreciate all the work that went into generating such a narrative. Despite the ‘work of fiction’ disclaimer at the outset, it’s clear to me that such a piece could not have been properly conceived without a lot of research on the author’s part, and it shows. The ‘threads’ of religious apocrypha, scientific theory, and climatological concerns spin together well; resulting in a colorful, clever tapestry revolving around characters complex enough for me to care about and become invested in. I’m not particularly knowledgeable of the subject matter aside from some past encounters/experience with the LDS church, but I didn’t have to be, and so I stuck around for the end. Yes, I know it’s only fiction…but it’s real enough to leave you wondering, and I can’t think of a more successful feeling to instill in a reader when they walk away from such a tale.<br />
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I can’t really find a whole lot of fault here. Some technical issues; minor enough to be beneath specific mention. The biggest one for me was the terseness of the prose, which occasionally left me feeling as though I was reading a report (I’m more of a flowery, literary fiction type). This in turn resulted in a bit of trouble keeping my focus, although relatively short chapters (and thus more opportunities to take a break) helped. There are a number of intimidating ‘text-walls’ throughout that might benefit from even a minor 6-point lead between paragraphs. I can’t really think it fair to make something like that a formal criticism however, since it’s no ‘error’ – just a reader’s preference.<br />
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I hesitate to bring up the Da Vinci Code as a reference point here since that’s sort of a least common denominator approach, but I really could see Enoch’s Thread held in a similar vein – perhaps even on the big screen, someday. In previous reviews I have often said something along the lines of ‘if this sort of thing is your cup of tea, go for it’. This time, however, I think it’s fair to recommend that folks try out a new flavor. Even if you don’t end up switching your daily brew over entirely, I think you’ll be pleased to make Enoch’s Thread your refreshing cup of exception.<br />
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Oh, and John Aubrey the writer, writing about John Aubrey the writer who is writing a book…well done. I can’t say it three times fast, but I can certainly read it through.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Writing this book became part of a larger plan to use occult practice against disaster capitalists who endanger us all; because Art creates Life.<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-63718208898487362152021-08-02T18:04:00.001-04:002021-08-02T18:05:22.974-04:00REVIEW - Scribbles of the Mind (Elie Azar)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PQ4TP16" target="_blank" title="Scribbles of the Mind"><img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hTYYrPw4L._SX260_.jpg" align="left" alt="Scribbles of the Mind" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>“When is a word worth a thousand pictures?"</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Scribbles of the Mind</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PQ4TP16">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56803798-scribbles-of-the-mind">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Scribbles of the Mind is not a linear narrative - it is, rather, a book of poetry, and given that it is my first opportunity to review a collection of verse since RainHand began, I was eager to get into it.<br />
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Each poem is presented with complimentary illustration in the form of simple, minimalist line drawings that mingle with or accentuate the text, helping to bring each short verse together. Also present (on their own pages, after the poem they relate to) are a number of color photographs; most of which provide a thoughtful visual aid for the reader to ruminate upon after experiencing the work in question. I found the simplistic format refreshing. A picture may indeed be worth a thousand words, but good words can stand on their own, and I feel that Scribbles of the Mind would have been done a disservice by adding too much distracting images. As it stands, I appreciate the emptiness – it’s just what my mind needs to clear up and think about what I’ve read.<br />
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Within these pages are a number of, to say the very least, heartfelt words, and I though I do not know the author personally, I feel that I have learned something intimate and touching about them through what they’ve allowed me to see. I felt generally uplifted by Elie Azar’s words on family, friends, love, and all the happiness and sorrows of life. Each of these poems is a small-relatable story, easily applied to daily living, and the entire book is, well…easy to just pick up and read, as opposed to a deeper narrative that requires a larger commitment. Need a daily affirmation? Pick this up off the shelf and peruse it with your morning beverage of choice!<br />
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It’s difficult to apply the technical criticisms of prose to a body of poetry, since, unless your plan is to stick to iambic petameter, there’s really no ‘wrong’ way to write a poem. Perhaps the author meant to convey a specific emotion. Perhaps to queue a certain school of thought. Perhaps neither. I can’t say for sure, and thus I can only gauge based on what I, in particular, got out of it. That said, I’ll point out that certain portions of Scribbles of the Mind were a tad confusing for me. Some of the images-for example, an image depicting a camera placed after a poem that had mostly to do with music-focused my thoughts on likely the wrong thing – I began to wonder what the significance of the camera is and how it relates to the piece (maybe I was supposed to think about that, but I doubt that was the intention). As I look back on it I consider that perhaps the camera had to do with ‘memories’, but that didn’t occur to me at the time, and as such the whole thing felt it a little jarring. Again, it was probably my own lack of understanding, so I can’t judge too harshly. Poetry is a lot like visual art in that way – we can compare a fresco of a beautiful sunset to other frescos of beautiful sunsets, and if the painter has declared a specific inspiration we can compare their work to that, but otherwise…who are we to judge, really?<br />
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The above said, I have pointed out in the past that the purpose of my reviews is not to simply bring glory (or infamy) to an author and their work. They’re intended to help readers find their next good read. And so, if you’re a fan of soft, simple, heartfelt verse, I think there’s something for you to enjoy here, and I suggest you give Scribbles of the Mind a try.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>I am 27 years old, born and raised in Lebanon, I currently work as a financial reporter and I am a licensed (non - active) CPA from the state board of accountancy of the state of New Hampshire. To me, writing is a safe space where I can freely express myself and let my emotions be. A place where I forget my own gender, age and race, a place where my heart is the only boss. Throughout the course of my life, writing has been my coping mechanism, writing about people and things that happened with me, and how I wish things could have been, gave me this sense of power and freedom. Every time I write, I feel like I broke the chains of my chaotic silence.<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info abridged from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-72780084015640823732021-08-01T20:17:00.000-04:002021-08-01T20:17:00.297-04:00REVIEW - The Curse of the Spider-Riders: A Magical Adventure (Michael Dane)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Spider-riders-Adventure-Hemoertha-Chronicle/dp/0648035956/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Curse+of+the+Spider-riders&qid=1627829504&sr=8-1" target="_blank" title="The Curse of the Spider-Riders: A Magical Adventure"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mjNBfiHeL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" align="left" alt="The Curse of the Spider-Riders: A Magical Adventure" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>“Punch him in the throat!"</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><br />
Find <i>The Curse of the Spider-Riders: A Magical Adventure</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Spider-riders-Adventure-Hemoertha-Chronicle/dp/0648035956/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Curse+of+the+Spider-riders&qid=1627829504&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53304756-the-curse-of-the-spider-riders">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Really, how can you argue with a book that starts with ‘punch him in the throat?’<br />
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Getting young folks to sit down with a good book these days can be somewhat more challenging than it was many moons ago. We all know the drill – technology, attention spans, whatnot. Grabbing the interest of your audience is more important now than ever. Maybe some throat-punching is exactly what’s needed, but there’s more to this tale than just the threat of bone-snapping and a few dog turds. (And that’s only page two!)<br />
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The Curse of the Spider-Riders does indeed have rideable spiders. And wasps. And beetles. And slugs. Not to mention faeries, talking rodents, talking squirrels, and some critters you may not have heard of before, like thistle-wraiths. We’ve got war, a very healthy dose of action to keep those pages turning, some thought-provoking moments, and a taste of mystery to keep curious minds trying to work out a thing or two as they read. (Sorry, can’t give that away!) All of it set against the backdrop of a refreshingly unique fantasy world. But as I’ve said, there’s more to your wild fantasy ride through bug-infested skies here. Our hero, an orphan boy who always wanted a family of his own, has some difficult choices to make, and he won’t be making them without an abundance of scary and heartfelt moments alike.<br />
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On the technical side, I was as happy as always to find a mid-grade book with chapter names. Frankly I think the practice of putting a mini-title to all those mini-tales that occur inside a larger work helps to excite any reader to read on (so long as they don’t give away too much, of course), but it’s that much more of a delight for younger audiences. The book is constructed well for a mid-grade piece, with short chapters, easy language, readable font, and good pacing. Personally I like seeing a table of contents so we can review all the delicious looking chapter headings, but the absence of one is certainly no deal-breaker.<br />
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As for issues, I did have a few grammatical ones here and there. The odd sentence that didn’t sound quite right, a few misspellings or omitted letters, such. But it wasn’t enough to detract from the work. There is some language present that while passable for YA, might be a tad strong for mid-grade (words like ‘murder’ and ‘slaughter’, references to blood, phrases like ‘shut up’, and so forth). Fair warning that parents might want to give this book a once-over before handing it down the chain to their kids.<br />
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This story is on the short side, and I think that’s good too. It reaches out with some action and doesn’t let go, but manages to hold you just long enough to appreciate its nuances. I would certainly recommend it even for the most finicky of young readers.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Having served 15 years in the Australian Army, M. Dane turned to writing children's fantasy as a means of unwinding at the end of a difficult day. He quickly fell in love with the process, along with the magical world of Hemoertha and all of its inhabitants. <br />
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His journey began in 2017 when he published The Traitor in the Trees (MG fantasy). This was followed up with The Other Side of Blood (fantasy), and he is most excited about his recent release of The Curse of the Spider-riders (MG fantasy).<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-74567411314979845452021-07-30T17:19:00.000-04:002021-07-30T17:19:56.221-04:00The Status of RainHandHello, readers!
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I believe it appropriate that I should say something, since it has been quite some time since I made a post here. Well, I could provide you all with a laundry list of excuses, but I'm of the impression that everybody had a pretty rough 2020, and I'm sure we all have a few stories to share. In 2021 things have shaped up well for me, but there's been a lot of runaround, catching up with life, a few health issues, some family losses, the daily grind, and so forth. (It would seem I provided a list anyway...ah well.)
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There are, of course, my own efforts with my latest manuscript to consider, and believe me when I say that I understand your grind, writers of the world! I have been on this opus journey longer than any other I have ever undertaken-more than three years-but the goal is finally in sight!
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At any rate, I have not forgotten about this blog, and I would like to offer my apologies to those of you who have submitted your works to me and are still waiting for a review (some of you, I know, have been waiting far longer than merely the date of my last post). Rest assured, <font color=orange>if you submitted anything to me before today, I HAVE read your book</font>. As of today I'm caught up on every outstanding reading obligation - it's just a matter of organizing my thoughts to generate a worthwhile review. As a result, I will be making my next few review posts more rapidly in order to catch up, and see that everybody gets the time and attention they deserve for their work. I will also be getting in touch with each of you individually to let you know the status of your submission.
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Thank you for your interest in RainHandBooks - I appreciate it, I really do, and I'm looking forward to getting back to the business of helping to recognize the talent of indie authors. The time to read is once again nigh, and I can't wait to go on some exciting new journeys with you all!
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Don't be a stranger - emailed submissions and comments are always welcome at <a href="mailto:rainhandbooks@gmail.com">RainHand Books</a>!Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-34998354399184091272021-03-01T15:12:00.002-05:002021-03-01T15:13:39.283-05:00REVIEW - Proof: the Novel (Ted D. Berner)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01164T5S6/" target="_blank" title="Proof: the Novel"><img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IdwNyq-bL.jpg" align="left" alt="Proof: the Novel" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>“An intriguing read for those with a mind for theology."</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Proof: the Novel</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01164T5S6/">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26723691-proof-the-novel?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=PhBvLpIBiZ&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Would it be fair of me to compare this book to the Call of Cthulhu? Bear with me when I draw a comparison like that, for I mean it from the standpoint of the storytelling, not the content (although perhaps one could draw a fictional allegory between biblical titans and Lovecraftian horrors). It’s just how I felt going through it. Large portions of this book seem to favor tell over show, and serve as a complex treatise of the situation rather than a tale taking us through it. There's some fascinating content involving ancient, larger than life beings. At times, however, it all made me feel like somebody was trying to tell me a joke, but knew I wouldn’t understand the punchline without enough explanation to ruin the telling in the first place. If you’re interested in the subject matter from a theological standpoint, there’s definitely a lot to intrigue you here. If you’re just looking for an entertaining read, however, you might get lost in the conjecture. An interest in Christian mythology and/or some biblical training are a definite plus, as you’ll encounter a lot of related content in this book.<br />
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The book is well written and clearly has had the eye of a professional editor on it. In terms of structure you won’t be disappointed, as it is quite easy to follow. In terms of content, there’s a lot going on, and the author takes us through it well. We’ve got a deep plot involving WW2 personalities, visitations to many lands throughout the world, and an overarching global threat that surely keeps pages turning. It’s unlikely you’ll go through it without learning something about the topic, and the compulsion to look a few things up on your own is certainly present.<br />
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If I am to offer a technical criticism, I’ll say that the forward/acknowledgement/documentation sections of this book are a bit excessive, both at the beginning and the end of the story. There's a heartfelt dedication to friends and family, but after the preface we're presented with an additional 'acknowledgements' section that reads like an acceptance speech that’s gone on too long. At the end, our narrative text cuts off far more abruptly than even your average cliffhanger usually allows, and transitions into an author's notes page that presents a list of 'questions to be answered in the sequel'. (Same bat-time, same bat-channel I presume?) Opinions are just that, but personally I consider it questionable form to print promises in a book regarding a sequel, when as far as I know there currently is no sequel to read (the text says 'in progress'). A giveaway offer for a t-shirt was also mentioned, as well as a link to leave a review...these are all perhaps better presented on a website or social media platform. Not in the book itself.<br />
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Check the synopsis. If it’s your thing, it’s well written to the point that I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Ted Berner grew up in the Mountains of Montana where he and his wife currently live on a ranch with several four-legged furry friends. Besides raising horses and Bernese Mountain Dogs, Berner is also an airline pilot and spends a few hours each week traveling around the country at thirty-five thousand feet.<br />
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Ted started his writing career in 2010 when he became fascinated with a mysterious civilization that is only briefly mentioned in the Bible. The topic of the Nephilim, the giants from the Bible, is such an intriguing subject that Berner has been a guest speaker on several shows, including Caravan to Midnight with John B. Wells and Late Night in the Midlands with Michael Vara.<br />
</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-63842378492619600162020-11-20T16:14:00.001-05:002020-11-20T16:14:58.981-05:00REVIEW - Bad Company: From the Casefiles of Detective 'Mal" Malone (Jen Schoenbein)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QHVY9VY/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" target="_blank" title="Bad Company"><img align="left" alt="Bad Company" height="320" hspace="10" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51v5h5sBwnL.jpg" width="199" /></a><!--Font Awesome Icon Library--><link href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet"></link><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color="orange"><font size="5"><i>"Proof that your eggs don’t always have to age to perfection."</i></font></font><br />
<font color="orange"><b>RainHand Rating: </b></font><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star "></span><br />
Find <i>Bad Company</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QHVY9VY/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45005664-bad-company">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr /><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Bad Company, being written from the perspective of a P.I.’s case files, is a hard-boiled private-eye story, but I wouldn’t call it noir. That’s what makes it unique really, since you can have your eggs without the Double Indemnity aftertaste if you so choose.<br />
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Our first person heroine has a lot on her plate, and the story balances well while leading us on a thorough, twisted chain of coffee-soaked circumstances to develop it all. There’s action, romance (for better or for worse), regret, sorrow, and a hot fire of vengeance. It keeps you moving too, which is important for a first person story so as not to bog the reader down in too much stream of consciousness from our narrator.<br />
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From a constructive standpoint, I can say that I wasn’t surprised to find out that this is the author’s first foray. There are some unrefined bits in the dialogue, structure, and descriptiveness that sometimes prevented me from forming a good image of what was going on in my head. Rather than crippling, however, I see it as an opportunity for the author’s development over time. Readers, there be promise in these urban waters! (yarrrr and all that)<br />
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I’m not sure it counts as a fair criticism because it’s quite possible the culprit is unintentionally technical in nature, but my copy of this book was very poorly formatted. Page numbers and the author’s name constantly popping up in the middle of the page, word wrap drastically different on some pages than others, awkward breaks, no indentation to mark paragraphs, too much space between lines, so forth. I don’t own a kindle and I was only able to obtain a copy of this book in Amazon’s proprietary ‘mobi’ format (which I’m told is in itself twice outdated, first in favor of .az3, and later .kfx), so that might have been the reason why, although a quick .epub swap didn’t help. I didn’t factor this into my rating, but I felt it should be noted.<br />
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If P.I. drama is your thing, I say give this one a chance.<br />
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<hr /><h5>About the Author: <font color="orange">Jen Schoenbein lives in the Midwest with her husband, teenage daughter, Puck the dog and Willow the cat. She is an amateur violinist, an herbalist, hobby painter, gardener, and crafter. She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and breaking rules wherever possible. Jen owes her nomadic tendencies to growing up as an Air Force brat. She loves to travel far and often. Immersing herself in other cultures allows her to bring other landscapes onto page to share with her readers<br /></font color=orange>
<i>('About' info reprinted from amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-65379729445974382192020-09-18T14:40:00.001-04:002020-11-20T16:38:57.652-05:00REVIEW - The Last Fairy Door: Fairies of Titania #1 (N.A. Davenport)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Fairy-Door-Fairies-Titania/dp/173385956X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+last+fairy+door&qid=1600453372&sr=8-2" target="_blank" title="The Last Fairy Door"><img align="left" alt="The Last Fairy Door" height="320" hspace="10" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51kGjQvc2UL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="199" /></a><!--Font Awesome Icon Library--><link href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet"></link><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color="orange"><font size="5"><i>"89% Octane, the perfect mid-grade mix!”"</i></font></font><br />
<font color="orange"><b>RainHand Rating: </b></font><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><br />
Find <i>The Last Fairy Door</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Fairy-Door-Fairies-Titania/dp/173385956X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+last+fairy+door&qid=1600453372&sr=8-2">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53635079-the-last-fairy-door?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=aCHJsP4sqB&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr /><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>The important thing about Middle Grade fiction is its potential versatility to many audiences – a fact that I think is too often lost on the content. Adult content is intended to appeal to adults, without taking children into account. YA content opens this up a bit more by including both teen and adult audiences, but neither tends to be appropriate for children. Middle Grade and under often take the opposite road, including young audiences without a nod to any other. But they *can* be so much more.<br />
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This book took a higher road, and I appreciate that. Perhaps it is mid-grade, but I enjoyed it, and further I would recommend it as a lighter, simpler read for anyone interested in some good nights with a fairytale adventure. There’s something to be said for being able to just kick back and…experience the story.<br />
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Well, that’s my take as an adult reader. I had to reach into the dusty old memory pouch to put myself in the right mindset for it, and I think I can comfortably say I would recommend this for your kids, and mine too. Our protagonist, a young lady forced to cope with the realities of harsh circumstances, might have gone through some experiences not common to all of us. But dealing with our troubles and rolling with change are common to us all, and as such I find Amy highly relatable. From here, we’re on an enchanted journey filled with fairies, magic and wishes that stays heartfelt, but doesn’t dig deeper than it really needs to. It’s just enough, without being too little, and without being too much.<br />
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My criticisms for this book are minimal, but if I had to offer one, I’ll say that I’d really have liked to see chapter titles. I think they’d add a nice little extra dimension to a tale like this, and excite me even more to find out what might happen next.<br />
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Give it a shot, it’ll put a smile on your face.<br />
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<hr /><h5>About the Author: <font color="orange">N. A. Davenport writes magical books for the young and young at heart. She picked up the pen when her own son was having trouble finding books which were both easy to read and interesting enough to keep his attention. Frustrated that the selection seemed so small, she finally wrote books for him herself. Davenport writes stories that are lightning-paced, wild, and adventurous. Books that will sink their teeth into a kid and not let go.<br /></font color=orange>
<i>('About' info abridged from amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-7479850871238456122020-07-16T10:49:00.002-04:002020-11-20T16:38:48.821-05:00REVIEW - Among Those You Know (Joshua Valentine)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Among-Those-You-Know-Mystery/dp/1679687182/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=among+those+you+know&qid=1594909690&sr=8-1" target="_blank" title="Among Those You Know"><img align="left" alt="Among Those You Know" height="320" hspace="10" src="https://www.amazon.com/images/I/419ux-9veCL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="199" /></a><!--Font Awesome Icon Library--><link href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet"></link><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color="orange"><font size="5"><i>"Vivid and thoughtful, a character-driven piece from a new young author!"</i></font></font><br />
<font color="orange"><b>RainHand Rating: </b></font><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star "></span><br />
Find <i>Among Those You Know</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Among-Those-You-Know-Mystery/dp/1679687182/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=among+those+you+know&qid=1594909690&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50281263-among-those-you-know?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=NweWwiLQ33&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr /><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this one up – the synopsis makes it sound like a hard-boiled crime novel, or not. But hey, you really can’t judge a book by its cover, and sometimes you just have to dive in. I think I’ve come out the better for it.<br />
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The first thing I can say I appreciate about this story is that it’s first person, written by an author that understands how first person is supposed to work. Yes there are large chunks of narration in it that may require you to take breaks here and there, but that tends to come with the territory. We’re kept on task with our narrator and his take on the facts, and we’re drawn into his life until we feel like we know him – like he’s there with us in the room, telling us his tale. I appreciate that, and as it turns out the mystery I was looking for is not only there, but it’s there really well.<br />
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My main issue with this story was a personal one. It just feels…young. No, that’s not a bad thing. But it’s on an edge that I’m not really on anymore in my life, and as a result I found myself not quite able to hit a sweet spot in terms of my interest. That’s a personal misgiving, but I think a somewhat younger audience demographic is better suited for this story.<br />
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There are some technical issues that would lead me to suggest another runthrough by the book’s editor, but in general, neither that nor the above issues aren’t enough to ruin the story, so if you’re up for it, I would still recommend this read.<br />
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Note that there’s a big focus on gender and sexual identity in this book. Not a good or bad thing, just it might be good for a reader to be aware of. The story leans a bit more towards character study than it does hard-boiled mystery work.<br />
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<hr /><h5>About the Author: <font color="orange">Joshua Valentine began writing 'Among Those You Know' at the age of 14 and finally published it earlier this year at the age of 16. Primary influences for Joshua's written work(s) include a wide range of things, from musical taste, to life experiences, and all of the way to a passion for politics. As a young member of the LGBT community, Joshua has a passion for writing about LGBT characters, and exposing the countless injustices faced in their community.<br /></font color=orange>
<i>('About' info abridged from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-48721563557602945912020-06-03T11:02:00.001-04:002020-11-20T16:38:35.275-05:00REVIEW - The Sapphire Eruption: The Sword's Choice #1 (I.M. Redwright)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083ZLLL3Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" target="_blank" title="The Sapphire Eruption"><img align="left" alt="Her Name Was Abby" height="320" hspace="10" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51090picaOL.jpg" width="199" /></a><!--Font Awesome Icon Library--><link href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet"></link><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color="orange"><font size="5"><i>"I got yer sweet piece of narrative world building right here!"</i></font></font><br />
<font color="orange"><b>RainHand Rating: </b></font><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><br />
Find <i>The Sapphire Eruption</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083ZLLL3Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50528553-the-sapphire-eruption?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=EKTkWQmmfj&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr /><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Ah, sweet worldbuilding, thou art my nectar. There are stories written in our world, where we have to mind all sorts of things to keep the situation realistic (which can be quite a challenge if you’re not necessarily up on every modern trend). There are stories written in worlds similar to our own, where we authors still have to keep our feet on the ground. But you know what’s great about writing a story in your own world? Nobody to check up on you. It’s a clean slate to paint on, and the sky is the absolute limit to what you can bring to life. Of course, this privilege is not without its trials. For one, being responsible for everything means that you are, in fact, responsible for everything. And that’s no mean feat. People, places, ideas, concepts, faiths…it’s all on you. And there is something to be said for how you tie it all together. Just having facts is never enough, you’ve got to turn it into a narrative.<br />
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The Sapphire Eruption lives up to that narrative feel. There’s a lot going on here – several independent nations, each with their own personalities and outlooks on life vie for attention, and of course we have our main cast of characters to mind. This book is on the chunky side and I often say how that can be a bit of a concern for the potential for losing your reader, but ample time is spent developing everything the way it needs to be, from landmasses to cities, and on down to the cast of people we need to care about in order to become invested in the story. It’s a tangled web of a story, but a sweet one if you don’t mind getting tied up.<br />
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Mind, however, that fantasy is never the same snowflake twice, and thus there’s no promise this flavor is going to be to your liking. The concept of elemental kingdoms is certainly nothing new under the sun – so not new that it miiiight just have turned me off from picking this up had I seen it on a shelf at a store, just because such an angle is so, well, done. You’re going to be reading high fantasy here, with all the swords and sorcery and thievery and so forth theretofore pertaining. Make sure that’s what you’re after, because the inside of this book is what it looks like on the outside.<br />
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That really isn’t much of a criticism, I suppose. Well, there’s not much here to complain about. Spare a few minutes for it and it’s sure to wrap you up – just make sure you have the time to invest in it all!<br />
<br />
<hr /><h5>About the Author: <font color="orange">I.M. Redwright didn't know he wanted to be a fantasy author, instead, he had a story in mind and had the urge to write about it. He could have made things easy but that wouldn't be fun, so his first novel had to be the first volume of a series, which by the way he expects you will enjoy.<br />
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As a fantasy book fan, having his own fantasy series is just fascinating. However, when he wakes up every day he still thinks it was all a dream.<br /></font color=orange>
<i>('About' info reprinted from amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-2308804507949919972020-05-12T13:11:00.001-04:002020-11-20T16:38:28.018-05:00REVIEW - Her Name Was Abby (Peter Martuneac)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085S8NV76/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" target="_blank" title="Her Name Was Abby"><img align="left" alt="Her Name Was Abby" height="320" hspace="10" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31nlJU7qPyL.jpg" width="199" /></a><!--Font Awesome Icon Library--><link href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet"></link><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color="orange"><font size="5"><i>"You didn't think it was over, did you?"</i></font></font><br />
<font color="orange"><b>RainHand Rating: </b></font><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Her Name Was Abby</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085S8NV76/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52348795-her-name-was-abby?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=x1fP5OLMJw&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr /><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Well, for once I got to start at book one! It’s always troublesome to review a sequel when you’re coming in cold. This time I didn’t have to. Her Name Was Abby is the second book in Peter Martuneac’s “His Name Was Zach” series, and adds enough to the story to suggest it be given an overall name beyond just that of the first book. I’ll say the same thing I say just about every time – start at book one, you’ll be glad you did. As a worthwhile read from word one, you really need that backstory from the first tale to appreciate the second. I’m still more a fan of the zombie movie than the zombie TV series, but there’s no option for that by the time we get to this sequel, so I’ve just got to take it for what it is.<br />
<br />
Her Name Was Abby is book two of the series, and weighs in at just about the same chunky length. We’re swept right back up into the story by an applause-worthy prologue – this is what a good prologue should be. Short, sweet, smacks you upside the head and demands you take notice. Abby, now in the spotlight by herself, is nowhere near any sort of resolution, and it’s time to head off on another adventure in the hopes of getting her there. We already know Abby and so not as much initial character development is required here, but I still felt well invested in her and her situation. Once again, you’ve gotta care enough to want to root for the hero/heroine. And so I do.<br />
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Length, however, is still a double-edged sword, and I still think this series is in need of some shaving down. It’s not always a good thing to pack in every possible detail, and there’s something to be said for the psychological advantage of a reader feeling as though they’re making good progress, which becomes tougher the more they have to get through. Again, detail is not a bad thing per se. It’s a question of quality over quantity.<br />
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Writing, like any craft, is always improved upon with experience. In the second installment I saw some marked improvements of things I was critical of in the past. I no longer feel quite so alienated by the excessive attention to military/firearm details. They’re still present, but they didn’t toss me off base so far this time. Then again, maybe I know what to expect now and so perhaps I just wasn’t noticing as much. Overall the author’s technique has improved all across the board – if there’s a part three to this, I’ll look forward to checking out that continued progress.<br />
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In short – if you liked the first one, definitely keep up with the second. If the first was meh to you, then you should probably leave it at that. So anyway, can I spoil the ending now, can I? …fine, just read it already.<br />
<br />
Nice cover too, by the way. So simple and yet says so much.<br />
<hr /><h5>About the Author: <font color="orange">Husband, father of two, Boilermaker alum, and former United States Marine. Ever since reading The Lord of the Rings at a young age, Peter has wanted to be a writer. "His Name Was Zach" is his debut novel, followed by the short story prequel"Abby: Alone". A second novel is in the works, entitled "Her Name Was Abby".<br />
<br />
Peter's writings tend to share a theme that focuses on PTSD and the different ways people cope with trauma, some healthy and others not. He also writes about redemption, and not being chained to your former self.<br />
<br />
P.S. Martuneac is a Romanian name, and is pronounced "Mar-TOO-knee-ack", for all those wondering.</font> <i>('About' info reprinted from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-64766001164294858152020-04-23T13:52:00.002-04:002020-11-20T16:38:20.241-05:00REVIEW - His Name Was Zach (Peter Martuneac)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/His-Name-Zach-Peter-Martuneac-ebook/dp/B07QCWRF45/ref=sr_1_2" target="_blank" title="His Name Was Zach"><img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41pGocLG6PL.jpg" align="left" alt="His Name Was Zach" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>"It might be just what your desiccated flesh is looking for."</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>His Name Was Zach</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/His-Name-Zach-Peter-Martuneac-ebook/dp/B07QCWRF45/ref=sr_1_2">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45011092-his-name-was-zach?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=f8rL4Bk1Xl&rank=1">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(Review appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>‘His Name Was Zach’ looks, on the outside, to follow the now very overdone formula (overdone since long before things like ‘The Walking Dead’) of a standard dystopian zombie apocalypse. And yes, related tropes are present. But the reason something becomes a ‘trope’ to begin with is that the formula generally works, and such stories attract people who are not bothered by that expectation – that’s exactly the kind of story they’re looking for. To that end, if this is the kind of story you’re looking for, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.<br />
<br />
I will admit that this isn’t the most ideal setup for my interest in zombie stories, but that’s a personal matter. I prefer zombie movies to zombie TV shows, because to me it’s all about the shock of the undead hordes as they mow society down (movies don’t typically have the run time to go beyond that part of the story). This book is more like a zombie TV show, due to being set two years after the outbreak. Post-apocalyptic, as opposed to apocalyptic. His Name Was Zach is closer to TWD, or possibly The Last of Us, than it is to a Romero flick. I just wanted a few more scarifying zombie encounters and not as many scarifying people encounters (perhaps I, too, like my tropes).<br />
<br />
There’s a lot to appreciate in this lengthy tale. Our two main characters, that we are introduced to immediately on the very first page, have a lot of time to grow as people and in their familial relationship to one another. We, in turn, are given ample reason to become involved in their story – to appreciate their challenges, their emotions, and generally root for them. What happens to them matters to us, and to me that’s a key tenant of good writing. Don’t just show me a bunch of characters, invest me in them. Make me care about them. I won’t give away the ending of course, but I will say that it’s worth the journey that takes you there, so stick with it. Points for all of the above, good show.<br />
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The longer a story is, the more difficulty arises from maintaining the audience’s attention, and I did run into a few instances where I felt mine wavering. There are a few scenes that appear to go on far longer than they need to in order to be effective (a certain game of Texas Hold ‘em comes to mind). Also, not being a firearms or military hobbyist/enthusiast, the excessive attention to detail on these things made the story feel a little more distant to me. It’s enough to tell me that the pants are camouflage, the knife is a combat knife, and the handgun is of the 9mm style. I really didn’t need the production years, manufacturer names, what that particular camo pattern is officially called, and so forth, although to someone specifically interested in these topics, such information might be desirable. Detail is good, but this sort of detail didn’t feel relevant to the story. As a writer I know firsthand that it’s hard to cut up your baby. But some scraps just have to end up on the cutting room floor, in order to fit the runtime.<br />
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Beyond the above and a few technical issues here and there (a bit heavy on ‘tell’ at some points and some instances of more than one character speaking in the same paragraph), there’s a worthwhile post-apocalyptic zombie tale here, with enough going on between characters and plotline events to keep you reading. If you’re daunted by the length, all I can say is just dive in to the pond and wait for that hook to dig into your desiccated, decaying flesh. It doesn’t take long!<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Husband, father of two, Boilermaker alum, and former United States Marine. Ever since reading The Lord of the Rings at a young age, Peter has wanted to be a writer. "His Name Was Zach" is his debut novel, followed by the short story prequel"Abby: Alone". A second novel is in the works, entitled "Her Name Was Abby".<br />
<br />
Peter's writings tend to share a theme that focuses on PTSD and the different ways people cope with trauma, some healthy and others not. He also writes about redemption, and not being chained to your former self.<br />
<br />
P.S. Martuneac is a Romanian name, and is pronounced "Mar-TOO-knee-ack", for all those wondering.</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-37467511750698908812020-03-20T11:55:00.001-04:002020-11-20T16:38:12.370-05:00REVIEW - Child of Fire, Child of Ice: The Waljan Chronicles #1 (J.B. Trepagnier)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Child-Fire-Ice-Romance-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B07C9R4NZS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1584718461&sr=8-1" target="_blank" title="Child of Fire, Child of Ice"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iGYjAqW-L.jpg" align="left" alt="Child of Fire, Child of Ice" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>"Creative premise, good story idea. Just needs stylistic/technical work."</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>Child of Fire, Child of Ice</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Child-Fire-Ice-Romance-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B07C9R4NZS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8">Amazon</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40133882-child-of-fire-child-of-ice">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(RainHand Books will be beginning its new review initiative soon - there has been some delay in the wake of the COVID-19 situation. For the time being, please enjoy a selection of my previously published reviews of books by self-published/independent authors, appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Let me begin by saying that the premise of this book is a good one. There's nothing really new under the sun anymore in my opinion - it's just a matter of what unique spin we can put on the tried and the true. I felt that this tale was able to be different in a pleasing way, and the way that it seeks to mix the feel of sci-fi and fantasy together was successful. In that respect, I thought there was a solid story here with a lot of potential.<br />
<br />
The trouble I had with this book appears to have already been mentioned in a number of comments so I feel as though I'm reiterating, but for the sake of a complete review I believe I ought to include it. In short, this book is in need of an editor's eye. I found it rather difficult to parse some of the text for the following reasons:<br />
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<p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">1) Run-on sentences.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">2) A jumble of rapid-fire pronouns that make it difficult to determine which characters are being referred to.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">3) Lots of 'names' all at once;.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">4) Short, choppy sentences that would flow better if combined.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">5) Large infodump sections that could stand to be broken up throughout the story so as not to appear pedantic.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">6) Less "tell".</p><br />
Note that some items on my list above seem contradictory - in some places I speak of excessively long sentences and too many pronouns, whilst in others, I talk about sentences that are too short, and too many names all at once. What I think this book needs is to strike a balance between the two in both cases. Merging of very short thoughts, setting of commas to or breaking up very long thoughts, and taking care to consider which characters of what genders are in each scene, so a mixture of names and specific pronouns can keep the reader dialed in to who is where, and saying what (this is especially important when all the characters being referred to are of the same gender, since the obvious assignment of 'he' and 'she' is lost). I think it would be of some benefit to trust the reader a bit more too, in terms of letting them form some mental images and come to some conclusions in their head. This can be a daunting task, but there's a definite balance between setting a scene for the play, and just acting it out one's self.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>JB Trepagnier is a huge liar. She first started lying as a child when someone asked who colored on the walls. She later went on to major in art, so they really should have framed it instead of sending her to the principals office so many times. When she was fourteen, she wrote a very large lie into several notebooks, which later became her first book, Midnight's Sonata. Rather than dabbling in politics and possibly ending up in jail for lying when it counts or under oath, JB chooses to craft elaborate lies into word documents and use them for entertainment rather than harm because she is really batman, just without all the money to fight crime</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-7699091266562470802019-12-28T10:18:00.000-05:002019-12-28T10:18:35.323-05:00REVIEW - The Shapeshifter's Tale (Laura Koerber)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B724LCD/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07B724LCD&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank" title="The Shapeshifter's Tale"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51oZDzb-Z1L.jpg" align="left" alt="The Shapeshifter's Tale" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>"Start at book one, you'll be glad you did."</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>The Shapeshifter's Tale</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B724LCD/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07B724LCD&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a>, and<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39025148-the-shapeshifter-s-tale">Goodreads</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(RainHand Books will be beginning its new review initiative after the first of the year. For the time being, please enjoy a selection of my previously published reviews of books by self-published/independent authors, appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>I feel I may have done this book a disservice by coming in at part II. With the separate plotlines going on and some things I had to infer, I probably ought to have started at the beginning. Can't exactly fault the story for that though, and I found that what was going on in this book kept me reading anyway, so that's a plus, and a nod to good storytelling. Overall I found that I quite enjoyed this. Shapeshifters and their quandries are always of interest to me, and the dance of the two plotlines, even if I would have liked more perspective from the first book, still made me want to see where things were going in the next chapter. A little emotion is always a plus too, for I cannot care about the plight of the characters unless I'm given reason to. Many books fail at this. This one succeeded.<br />
<br />
I have a few technical issues, some I will admit are matters of opinion, but they were a tad tricky for me all the same:<br />
<br />
<p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">1) Pretty fonts aren't really the best thing over easily readable ones in prose so I'd change the title/TOC font to something more manageable (the one used for the actual word 'Contents' at the top of the TOC would be excellent).</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">2) Italics are certainly fine for internal dialogue, but there's way too much of it here (goes beyond just dialogue), and even then, using more than one font in the body of the text is jarring, so at least stick with an italic version of the same font. For monologue, italics aren't really good at all.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">3) Perhaps a tiny (say 6 point) lead between paragraphs, to make things a bit easier on the eye.</p><p style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;">4) Changing perspective from first to third person in the same story is a tough pill to swallow from the standpoint of a reader.</p><br />
Overall, a fine read. I thank you.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Laura Koerber lives on a island in the Puget Sound with her husband and dogs. She is a retired teacher, presently doing in home care for disabled people while volunteering at a dog rescue. Her degree is in art, and she is a painter, graphic artist, and ceramic sculptor. Her writing started about five years ago, a surprise to herself and everyone who knows her, since she had never written anything before. Laura learned to write by reading. She is a voracious omnivore of books.</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from goodreads.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-1671408088543940302019-12-22T11:23:00.000-05:002019-12-22T11:23:47.970-05:00REVIEW - The Lazarus Men (Christian Warren Freed)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lazarus-Men-Agenda-Book-ebook/dp/B07BHTS7QL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=christian+warren+freed&qid=1577026974&sr=8-2" target="_blank" title="The Lazarus Men"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51o0pTYfwyL.jpg" align="left" alt="The Lazarus Men" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a><!-- Font Awesome Icon Library --><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css"><style>.checked {color: orange;}</style><font color=orange><font size="5"><i>"A good story for those willing to put the time in."</font></font color=orange></i><br />
<font color=orange><b>RainHand Rating: </font color=orange></b><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star checked"></span><span class="fa fa-star"></span><br />
Find <i>The Lazarus Men</i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lazarus-Men-Agenda-Book-ebook/dp/B07BHTS7QL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=christian+warren+freed&qid=1577026974&sr=8-2">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32172673-the-lazarus-men">Goodreads</a>, and <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/christian-warren-freed/the-lazarus-men/paperback/product-23567616.html">Lulu</a>!<br />
<hr><h5>(RainHand Books will be beginning its new review initiative after the first of the year. For the time being, please enjoy a selection of my previously published reviews of books by self-published/independent authors, appearing for the first time on Rainhandbooks.com!)</h5>Well, I can say that I'm always a fan of world-building, but the kind of building presented in a story like The Lazarus Men can be an even bigger challenge than that of, say, a fantasy novel where the entire planet is fictional and can be molded to whatever desire the author pleases. Where stories set only a few centuries in "our" future are concerned, one has to be more careful with their nods to the real world, and connecting everything together from what we know, to what we're about to experience, cleanly. I think Mr. Freed has done a good job of that, and for it I applaud him. We have plausible advances in technology, secret organizations, and even at least one non-human race - a proper nod to the idea that by the 23rd century, we might just encounter a few.<br />
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I'm a bit undecided on how I feel about the pacing of this story. At some points I felt myself being sufficiently drawn in to the action, and at other points, I found things to be a bit plodding, with perhaps a bit too much in the way of explanation. There's a fine line between making sure you paint a good scene for your readers and 'telling', as the 'show vs. tell' debate goes. Sometimes the battle was won here, and...sometimes not so much.<br />
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I believe this has been said in other reviews so I apologize for reiterating, but I admit that I'm also not a huge fan of the idea of an 'everyman' being roped into a world of intrigue, who seems to be able to keep up a little too easily. But then, I like underdog characters who have things stacked against them. I just feel that the aforementioned setup makes for a great opportunity to frustrate our protagonist, by forcing him to learn as he goes. Further, it helps to make a character relatable (and a fantastic plot device) when they don't have a proverbial clue anymore than we do. Gerald doesn't have all the answers, sure...but he sure has a lot for the kinda guy he is.<br />
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I know there are some folks out there who twitch a bit over the concept of changing perspectives within the same chapter or the same story at all, but I for one find very little wrong with doing this - indeed, it's rather commonplace in many literary classics, and helps to get inside the head of multiple characters from a third person perspective. It definitely happens here, and though it's possible for it to be done in a jarring way, I felt the instances of this were acceptably small. Just be advised that it does happen, if that sort of thing causes you ulcers.<br />
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Despite my concerns, I'm happy to have read this, and I would consider pointing others towards it. I think there's enough going on here to attract an interested sci-fi reader to the story, and perhaps even hope for more at some point.<br />
<hr><h5>About the Author: <font color=orange>Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. more years ago than he would like to remember. After spending more than 20 years in the active duty US Army he has turned his talents to writing. Since retiring, he has gone on to publish over 20 military fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as his memoirs from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, a children's book, and a pair of how to books focused on indie authors and the decision making process for writing a book and what happens after it is published.<br />
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His first published book (Hammers in the Wind) has been the #1 free book on Kindle 4 times and he holds a fancy certificate from the L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. Ok, so it was for 4th place in one quarter, but it's still recognition from the largest fiction writing contest in the world. And no, he's not a scientologist.<br />
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Passionate about history, he combines his knowledge of the past with modern military tactics to create an engaging, quasi-realistic world for the readers. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Digital Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<br />
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He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing, his family, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you drive by you might just find him on the porch with a cigar in one hand and a pen in the other. You can find out more about his work by following him @ https://www.facebook.com/ChristianFreed or on Twitter @christianwfreed.</font color=orange> <i>('About' info reprinted from Amazon.com.)</i></h5>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-73582631970264250152019-12-08T23:38:00.000-05:002019-12-08T23:38:44.316-05:00The New Face of RainHand<p><span style="float: left; width: 0.8em; font-size: 600%; font-family: monotype corsiva, courier; line-height: 80%;"><font color="orange">H</font color="orange"></span>ello folks!</p><br />
Rainhand Books (originally ordonline.net) has been through a number of changes since its debut in 2012. Originally I intended it just as a place to collect my own printed works, and the occasional stray thought. While this was enjoyable, it never really amounted to a whole lot in the way of content. Well, years and times change, and in that time I've had a chance to delve into the love of reading that drove me to become an author myself in the first place.<br />
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Fast forward to the present, and the new initiative for RainHand. I'd like to be involved in the writing community again, and given I know what it's like to be a new, self-published author struggling for attention, I've decided to merge my love of a good read/review with a nod to folks looking to promote their work. The result is "RainHand Books <i>and</i> Reviews!" As an informal initiative I hope to meet some wonderful new and self-published authors, share some social exposure for them, and most of all, read some great books!<br />
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So stay tuned for some book reviews from authors you may not know too well, but might just be hiding must read gems you have to check out!<br />
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Thanks for reading RainHand!Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-15311445132855559632018-05-29T16:26:00.001-04:002019-12-08T10:21:54.303-05:00REVIEW - Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence (Bill O'Reilly/Martin Dugard)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Killing-England-Struggle-American-Independence/dp/1627790640/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527617061&sr=8-1&keywords=killing+england" target="_blank" title="Killing England - Bill O'Reilly 'Killing' Series"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BOZr7a4kL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" align="left" alt="Killing England - Bill O'Reilly 'Killing' Series" width="199" hspace="10" height="320" /></a>It's been some time since I did a book review, so I've chosen a title I read some months ago, but is still fresh enough in my head to speak of. I admit that I wasn't waiting for <i>Killing England</i> to release - I wasn't even familiar with the 'killing' series before I noticed an advertisement for the book in, of all places, Walmart, but I have a standing interest in the American War of Independence, and this title thus caught my attention.<br />
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The first thing that I personally had to take into account whilst enjoying this book is that it is not comparable to Jeff Shaara's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Cause-American-Revolutionary-Book-ebook/dp/B000FC1IB8/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1527619079&sr=1-2&keywords=the+glorious+cause">The Glorious Cause</a>. I wouldn't call the two books apples and oranges - perhaps a better comparison would be Georgia peaches with peaches from...anywhere else. One is a factual peach, while the other, to many of us, is the stylized image of a peach. The Glorious Cause is most certainly steeped in reality and is based heavily around actual historical data, but at its core, it is still a work of fiction, particularly in the behavior of the major characters throughout, some of whom tend to be reduced to their most base common denominator.<br />
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Killing England, by contrast, is a true documentary, and though it also follows the actions, behavior, and thoughts of certain key players of the time, it does so from a detached and clearly biographical perspective. These facts are still presented in enough of a storylike fashion to maintain interest even in those with a passing desire for the topic. This is fortunate, given I am most likely not the only person who better recalls facts learned in an enjoyable way.<br />
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I was not reading a physical copy, and thus didn't notice the page count until I came to the end of the main story. I was intrigued to find that (at least formatted on my device) there were still nearly a hundred pages to read. These consisted entirely of posthumous 'where are they now' bits, chronicling the lives of the key players from the end of the war until their deaths. I do enjoy a factual account that assumes portrayed persons had lives outside of the event being accounted for, and thus I found it worthwhile to read all the way to the end - nearly all of this was information I was not previously privy to.<br />
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The title is not without its tribulations. For one, you can tell this was written by a person who knows that shocking news gets attention, for there is a certain seemingly unnecessary focus on topics such as what exactly happens to your body when you are hanged, and various other depictions of gore that all culminate in the understanding that yes, war is horrible (we get that, on with the information please). This focus seems to be there mostly to keep reader interest, as though the book were afraid you might put it down for being too dry - I suppose I might have expected this given the overly theatrical title. The passage of time also comes off as convoluted and makes the book a bit harder to follow at times - one moment we're in 1881, and suddenly we're back in 1775 to touch on some information that might have been better served presenting when we were still talking about events taking place in 1775.<br />
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I found that I could overlook these relatively minor issues and still enjoy this documentary for what it is, especially from the perspective of persons of the time I otherwise knew rather little about (King George III, for example). I learned a great many things, and for that I felt it was time well spent. It's the type of book that will appeal more to folks who already have an interest in the topic, but for those who don't, perhaps aspects of the presentation that I could have done without will help to draw in new reader interest.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-16223191380380073972017-05-12T15:41:00.002-04:002019-12-08T10:22:16.279-05:00OrdOnline is now RainHandBooks!<a href="http://www.rainhandbooks.com/p/what-is-rainhand-books.html" title="What is Rainhand?"><img a="" align="left" alt="What is Rainhand?" border="0" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5vjzsotfijgewqe/rainhand_zps697011c0.JPG?dl=0" height="160" hspace="10" width="160" /></a>Hello, readers!<br />
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Those of you who have kept up with my writing since the release of my first novel some years ago may have been wondering what I've been up to since then. Or you might just be wondering why ordonline.net no longer links to this site. Well, there have been some sweeping changes over time, and one of them has been a switch to a new domain, Rainhandbooks.com. This change was made because my writing is no longer only about the Traveler of Ord series. I exist in different forms on many platforms, but as this site is about the printed literary works that I attribute to myself sans pen-names, I felt it was time to diversify the domain. I have updated my books on Amazon, as well as all the places I could think of that still have ordonline.net listed as an author resource for me. If you find one I missed, please let me know! And if you're wondering what on Earth 'RainHand' even means, click the image above for an explanation!<br />
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Meanwhile, I never really went anywhere, and you can still find me at the resources listed under the aptly named 'Where To Find Me' dropdown list in the navigation bar above. Suffice to say I wear a number of literary hats. I have different communities for different types of writing I do, and even some revolving around adapting stories into comic format, or recording audiobooks. (What an interesting task a one-person audio show is!) I'm even looking forward to a potential speaking engagement this summer at a popular fan convention. If all works out, I'll be engaging in that dreaded task among tasks, public speaking, as a co-panelist and I go provide tips, advice, and a general pep-talk for how you can stay on task and meet your writing goals!<br />
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At any rate, keep in touch, and so will I!<br />
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-25299307055062587812015-10-19T21:23:00.003-04:002019-12-08T10:25:14.533-05:00The Ferryman has Come!<a href="http://charoncoinpress.com/2014/09/10/letter-from-the-editor-submissions-close-and-cover-revealed/" target="_blank" title="Paying the Ferryman - Charon Coin Press"><img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ytfaa9eiuiiaxrg/ferryman_zps79bf9b1d.png?dl=0" align="left" alt="Paying the Ferryman - Charon Coin Press" width="199" height="320" hspace="10" /></a>Tomorrow, October 20th, marks the release of <i>Paying the Ferryman</i> - The latest anthology of chilling tales about life after death!<br />
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I'm pleased to announce that <a href="http://charoncoinpress.com/">Charon Coin Press</a> has chosen to feature my work as part of the anthology--<br />
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<i>Eden in Spring</i> is a putrefying, 4600-word tale about a man who finds out a shocking truth about the next life, and learns the hard way that the clock never stops ticking - even after death. It is being featured alongside nineteen other works by talented authors, befitting the theme of a dark outlook on the afterlife.<br />
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I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with some talented individuals on such a delightfully frightening project, and would like to thank the staff at Charon Coin Press for their patronage.<br />
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The banks of the Styx and Acheron are wet with bile, and the boatman draws near. Get it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paying-Ferryman-Brian-W-Taylor-ebook/dp/B016VAQPB0/ref=la_B00AQJQ9S2_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445301719&sr=1-3">here</a>!<br />
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-84733990316929233802015-02-02T09:36:00.002-05:002017-10-04T20:13:22.428-04:00Claiming the Goldenwealth - Congratulations!Congratulations to Lindsay R. and Rebecca L, the first and second prize winners in the Pure Jonel Traveler of Ord giveaway! Rebecca won a copy of <a href="http://www.ordonline.net/p/rather-than-being-hero-with-fate-of.html">The Goldenwealth Light</a> (TGL), while Linsday won both TGL and <a href="http://www.ordonline.net/p/the-goldenwealth-light-traveler-of-ord.html">Everywhere the Road Ends</a> (ERE)!<br />
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Enjoy your books and thanks for participating!<br />
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<a href="http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/2015/01/Giveaway.ETRE.html" target="_blank" title="Excerpt and Giveaway - Everywhere the Road Ends"><img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5t1qvqqxu8ktgv2/10498198_499278720215864_8735468037722874618_o_zps613c49a1.png?dl=0" align="left" alt="Excerpt and Giveaway - Everywhere the Road Ends" width="540" height="144" /></a><br />
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Check out the excerpt from ERE <a href="http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/2015/01/Giveaway.ETRE.html">here</a>!<br />
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646200978417986084.post-76147449068615645162015-01-17T23:30:00.001-05:002017-10-04T20:14:21.300-04:00Win the World of Ord!Citizens of the Goldenwealth,<br />
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Interested in joining young Theodore Ellsworth's adventures in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scott-McCloskey/e/B00AQJQ9S2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1421553227&sr=8-1">World of Ord</a>? Enter to win a free copy, sponsored by <a href="http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/2015/01/Giveaway.ETRE.html">Pure Jonel</a>! First prize wins both The Goldenwealth Light AND Everywhere the Road Ends!<br />
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Check out a excerpt from ERE and enter to win <a href="http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/2015/01/Giveaway.ETRE.html">here</a>, but act fast! Entries close January 29th!<br />
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<a href="http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/2015/01/Giveaway.ETRE.html" target="_blank" title="Excerpt and Giveaway - Everywhere the Road Ends"><img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5t1qvqqxu8ktgv2/10498198_499278720215864_8735468037722874618_o_zps613c49a1.png?dl=0" align="left" alt="Excerpt and Giveaway - Everywhere the Road Ends" width="540" height="144" /></a><br />
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538491436753283573noreply@blogger.com0