The Road That Doesnt Glitter

March 26th, 2010

I have discovered, over the last 20 or so odd years, that the majority of authors tend to steer away from the gritty side of reality. Now, I’m not talking about psychological thrillers and autobiographies of young Hollywood starlets with coke addictions, what I’m talking about is the full rang of emotions people feel during loss.

When Kristen sent me “Homefront” I thought…”wow… this seems kind of interesting…” but I was in no way prepared for what I read.

For at least 9 years now our country has been dealing with some pretty radical changes. 1. We had our hearts crushed as we watched 2 of NYC’s most prominent features burn to the ground. 2. Our worlds were turned upside down with the decline of what was once a steady economy, and 3. We waved to our sons, husbands, brothers, uncles, and friends as they packed their gear and headed off to war.

It’s hard to image what it feels like to watch a loved one go off to war, unless you have been in those shoes. It’s hard to image the tricks your mind plays on you or the damage the absence can do to your physical body. It’s hard to image what it feels like to wake up everyday hoping that there isn’t a knock on your door.

Mia is 1 half of a whole…Jake is the other half, and now Jake is gone.

The events that unfold after he leaves is just a small glimpse into the life of a soldiers other half. Without the stability of marriage or an engaging job Mia is left with nothing to do but cope with the facts of life, but when coping consist of bottomless bottles of booze and a broken home, it becomes the most difficult adjustment in the world. What happens to the mind when it can’t get past loss? What happens to the mind when it can’t see past the haze of being alone? What happens to a persons will to live, when they think their “heart” is dead?

“Kristen Tsetsi” did what most authors wouldn’t dare do… she wrote the ugly side of waiting. She wrote it without flowery words or manipulated perception…what she wrote was, simply put, the truth. I have cried while reading before (you already know this) but never once has it been because of raw unbridled emotion. “Homefront” made me realize that things aren’t always so peachy on the other side, that people are damaged…or can get damaged very easily. I said that the writing wasn’t flowery, but that doesn’t take away from the brilliantness of it, writing this novel, in any other way, would have been inconceivable. To change it would be a crime.

I understand the necessity for people to read “happy,” I understand that 90% of the time, when someone decides to read a book they want to escape from the realities of everyday life, and I know that this book is by no means consoling, happy, or light hearted…but I still think it deserves your time.

Grab this book. Read this book. Then put it down and never pick it up again.

Not because it’s not great, but because sometimes the lesson only needs to be taught once.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: This is your moment to walk a mile in their shoes, don’t miss that opportunity!

For a complete book description click image

(5/5)

Comments ( 3 )

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Hitting The Snooze…

March 24th, 2010

When “Libby Cone” first emailed me and asked me to review her novel “Flesh and Grass” I said no. I had the email typed up and was about to click “Send”, but then I heard a little voice say “don’t send that!” so of course (with the voice being that of my nosy husband) I didn’t. Instead I said ok. (I am seriously considering making him sleep on the couch.)

To be perfectly honest I got bored just reading the synopsis for this book, and the thought of having to read more of it was daunting. Here was a novel that was originally intended to be historical fiction (which yes.. I have read several times before, and enjoyed…thank you very much!) but after more research (on the author’s part) her novel was flip-flopped into the strictly fiction category.

Here are the problems I have with that. (buckle up… I’m about to get bitchy)

1. If your original writing format was slated for HISTORICAL fiction then you have incorporated a great deal of “timelined” detail (dates, cities, etc.) These particular qualities can drag down a “strictly” FICTION novel. Think of it as reading the nutrition labels on EVERY single thing you pick up in a store. The detail to getting facts, numbers, dates and locations accurate draw away from the intended plot.

2. If an author decides to write a fiction novel (historical or not) there has to be an element of anticipation. Who is this story about? Why should we care about this person? What is going to happen to this person that makes THIS story significant or entertaining?

In “Flesh and Grass” both of the issues arose. Too much filler not enough substance.

The first half of the novel (keeping in mind the entire book is a little over 90 pages) was so bogged down by “factual” references that by the time and actual plot line appeared I had completely lost interest. Even though the story was clearly narrated through the mouth of one person, that said person had no defining qualities to link a reader to his outcome. (aka sloppy character development.)

I am, in no way, saying that this particular story couldn’t have been interesting, (it was about a group of people fleeing their “own” country seeking religious freedom, and a new life, only to be wrapped up in shady politics and a war that stemmed hundreds of miles away) what I am saying is that to make THIS particular story work, a story that is supposed to teach a lesson as well as entertain the audience, there has to be a defined hero/heroine with strong qualities that will encourage the reader to keep going. This novel, unfortunately, did nothing but make me feel as if I was listening to a genealogy lesson.

“Libby Cone” is a fantastic writer, (contrary to my previous rant), her use of language and her eye for detail is stunning, but she lacks the knack for making a book come alive.

Here is a theory I have. In her preface “Cone” stated that she had stopped working on this book for more than a year, if that is in fact true, this is the question she should have asked herself.

“How can I expect to keep my audience interested when I can’t even keep myself interested?”

I hate writing reviews like this, because I know, that despite my dislike for it, there is someone out there that took the time, the effort and had the passion to write it…but in the same right…if you’re going to write a book…. really WRITE THE BOOK. Don’t dance around it, don’t second guess yourself, and don’t change your mind half way through it.

Save your money kiddo’s. Maybe her next one will be worth the change.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Someone has to make them mad… might as well be me.

For a complete book description click image

(1.5/5)

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I Flunked Geometry!

March 17th, 2010

Well, after a long day of percolating on “Do The Math” (i.e. Lines are really long in amusement parks) I finally came up with my answer.

Dang… this was a pretty decent book!

The title is, of course, more than enough to make most of the human population run in fear (myself included) but regardless of my math paranoia, the overall plot was a delightful mix of Nerd USA and Daniel Steele on a coffee binge.

Roger is a math geek. ( I wish there was a more elegant way to characterize him, but there isn’t) unsure of his future he hunts down his mathematical hero and begs to be his intern. After being left for a fool in a crowded airport Roger finally lands the gig, but what did he sign up for exactly? What seemed to be a dream turned into more of an adventure involving a used up mathlete, a romance novelist (appropriately washed up after 1 novel) a ghost writer with an alluring past and convenient connections, and a band of little old ladies hell bent on sending a message.

“Philip Persinger” raised the question: “What could be worse than losing the love of your life? Getting her back!” What he should have asked was, “Is it better to flood the audience with loads of mathematical mumbo jumbo in the beginning of the book or hit them with it later…after you’ve sucked them in?”

I will admit that I was not impressed by the first 10 or so chapters (relax.. there are 50) I thought they drug horribly and I put very serious consideration into burying the book under my mattress if heard one of non-sensical math term. Thankfully…after I hit the top of that hill the story evened out and became… wait for it… VERY INTERESTING!

I thought the writing was a little choppy during some of the dialogue, there were spaces in the “everyday” conversations that I felt were unnecessary, but overall the writing was very well executed. I can’t image that it was easy to combine 2 such different topics into a well thought out storyline, but alas…it was done, and it was done well.

Here is an independent author to look out for, because if he can keep me reading after throwing around verbiage like “Coincidental Logic” then there has got to be something there.

There were professionally painted romance novel covers, a lazy Susan, little old ladies in chains, 1 bout of agoraphobia, 1 eclair induced diabetic coma, and the most important… a lost love.

Don’t let the title fool you, this one is an independent keeper.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: God made calculators for a reason.

Click Image for complete details.

(4/5)

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How To Drive A Horse

March 12th, 2010

After being slammed last Friday with book request (Thank-you BookChatter) I decided that if I was going to get anything accomplished I was going to have to devise a plan.  So… welcome to Indie Week, where I will explore the wide variety of Indie works I have been emailed and tell you what to scoop up and what to dump.

First up is “Assiniboin Girl” by “Kathi Wallace”

Kathi emailed me a few weeks ago and asked me to check out her novel, and at first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it.  I am a very visual person and the 1st thing that threw me off was the cover art.  To me it screamed Clip Art basics and as a result my expectations for the novel were instantly dwindled. Now, before you start in on the whole “Never Judge A Book By It’s Cover” spiel, let me explain myself.  I think it is VERY important for authors to understand that the visual appearance of their books is one of the MOST important things to consider when finalizing its publication.  For anyone who spends time walking through book stores, perusing their local library, or even surfing the Amazon wave, you know that the 1st thing to draw a readers attention is the look of the binding. If said binding (cover) is bland, unoriginal, or just plain sloppy, 9 times out of 10 a readers preconceived notions are going to lead them in the “Bet this has crappy writing” direction.

Now, all of that being said, I did take a chance (more because Kathi was nice than anything else) and I was happy when the novel turned out to be more than just a heritage lesson.

Mary is Sioux, but the ways of her people are foreign to her seeing as how she was raised in NYC and not on the “Rez.” After the death of her parents she is forced to live with her Aunt Janet who is a hate crime investigator for the FBI, but when things start to get heated and fist start to fly, Janet thinks its time to send Mary away…if for no other reason than to keep her alive.  Thrown into a world she doesn’t know, and surrounded by a language she doesn’t understand Mary struggles to understand not only herself but the customs of her people.

“Wallace’s” writing was surprisingly witty, but no amount of charm could keep me from being just a little thrown off.  The narration between 1st person and dream state was in some parts a little jumbled taking away from the flow of the plot,  and while the plot was actually pretty good (I found myself smiling at Mary’s cranky Granny) the book felt like a mad dash to the finish line barely clearing the 150 page mark.  I will give her credit for teaching me the Sioux culture in a charming way, and more than anything… I see loads of potential for future works.

Would I ever consider reading another novel by “Wallace?” Yes… absolutely, because when it is all said and done, the glimmer of greatness that I saw in just a few of her prose left me intrigued.  Isn’t that what it’s all about at the end of the day?

If you can find it… pick it up and give it a try, if nothing else you may learn how to build a sweat lodge.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Independent Authors need love too.

Click Image for Complete Details

(3/5)

Comment ( 1 )

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