Just when I think I can recognize the writing of R.S. Guthrie, he surprises me once again. He has become a chameleon in styles of writing. Each time f...moreJust when I think I can recognize the writing of R.S. Guthrie, he surprises me once again. He has become a chameleon in styles of writing. Each time finding a new way to entrance me with his story. I have read all of his books, most recent of his releases: Blood Land and Money Land. His writing in that series is melodious, deep, driving you ever forward within the pages of his imagination. Then along comes Reckoning, the third and last in the Detective Bobby Mac Thriller Trilogy.
I have no other word than "mesmerizing" to describe his writing style in Reckoning. Denver Detective Bobby "Mac" Macaulay has been thrust into a battle between the forces of Good and Evil, not by his choosing but a path that has been preordained by his lineage. Black Beast where it all began, LOST where the unthinkable happened, and now Reckoning where, as Bobby Mac declares, "this is where it all ends." R.S. Guthrie writes with an edge and stays close to the police officer's vest in telling it from a detective's point-of-view in this easy-to-believe, could-really-happen, tale.
I'm sure from the male reader's perspective, Bobby Mac comes off as a man's man: hard, walking that sometimes obscure line between justice and fairness, dishing out better than he gets; I can tell you with certainty that from the female reader's perspective, Bobby Mac comes off as not only that true man's man, with bravado, intelligence, tenderness, and loyalty, but also with a healthy dose of sexissimo.
From the first page you are placed into a scene filled with tension and fear, a place none of us want to ever be; you are led into a maze filled with twists and turns, a behind the scenes look at how a serial killer is profiled, hunted down, or...is the serial killer the one doing the hunting? R.S. Guthrie kept me guessing, never allowing me to figure out completely what was coming next - perhaps, you think, you have a suspicion - but you'll never be right. That is one consistency with this author, he NEVER lets you see what's beyond the bend in the curve until he's ready.
The ending is brilliant and, contrary to a great number of books, the Epilogue wraps it all up and leaves you breathless with the last line. You can't imagine it turning out any better or being told in a more masterful way.
From Reckoning: "A reckoning is nothing less than a demand for the balancing of the scales of truth." Today, as I turned the last page, I found I had a payment of truth of my own due: That I sincerely hope R.S. Guthrie decides to continue to write more books with the Bobby Mac character. Life just wouldn't be the same without Bobby Mac in it, or the hope that someone like him could exist.(less)
This is one book any Writer (new or old) should read.
I believe in reading about the craft of writing and trying to hone the skill. I've read the writi...moreThis is one book any Writer (new or old) should read.
I believe in reading about the craft of writing and trying to hone the skill. I've read the writing books written by authors Stephen King and Anne Lamott, along with several others. And, I'm also a big highlighter - highlighting information that most hit home and the tips I wanted to remember. With the books I've read, I could take a little from here, a little from there. When I read INK, I stopped highlighting into a quarter of the way in. The whole book, page after page, is nothing but great information, tips, how-to's, showing examples. INK is like stepping out of the jungle and finding the Lost City of Gold. I've learned more with this book than any other I've come across. R.S. Guthrie shows you with his Eight Rules to a Better Book exactly how to write better. Every job field I know has some sort of continuing education built in to keep you current, reminds you what works and what doesn't. Writing is no different. Whether you're published or not, a new writer or seasoned writer, everyone in the writing world can and should take a moment to step back to learn or refresh how to bring their writing to that next level. R.S. Guthrie teaches you how with INK. This isn't a book on how to write but how to take what you have and make it better. Fabulous must-have.(less)
I began reading Money Land expecting the same gritty, hard action and descriptive writing as I found in Blood Land, the first volume in the Pruett Ser...moreI began reading Money Land expecting the same gritty, hard action and descriptive writing as I found in Blood Land, the first volume in the Pruett Series. Money Land has gone there and beyond. R.S. Guthrie has brought in more characters, given more depth to the ones already existing and has added more history to the fictional town of Wind River, Wyoming.
Money Land delivers up mystery, romance, and drama with so many twists and turns that it should come with a warning: "Reduce Speed, Dangerous Curve Up Ahead". It opens with a dramatic scene and doesn't stop there. If you want to sit on the edge of your seat, if you want to laugh, to cry, to wonder "What would I have done", read Money Land. You've read other reviews where the commenter says you peel away the layers as you go in the story. R.S. Guthrie does the opposite. He keeps adding them on until the climactic ending where all is brought to a stunning conclusion. R.S. Guthrie’s books, all of them, are keepers. Once you read them, you will want to read them again, and again, and with reach read you’ll find a different nuance to the story. That’s the mark of a great storyteller; that’s the mark of a master wordsmith. (less)
I'm no stranger to the great fiction stories this author weaves, having read all his books, however this is my first time reading him as a non-fiction...moreI'm no stranger to the great fiction stories this author weaves, having read all his books, however this is my first time reading him as a non-fiction author. It's not easy when an author is use to writing one type of genre to switch to another without the writing being a little weak but I am happy to say this is not the case with Appalachia Mountain Folklore. You can read and feel the research that went into the stories. The pictures of the scenes, though not needed to visualize, aid in lending even more impact. The folklore is very real and not imagined and each story captivated me. Micheal Rivers brings it in setting the background with each tale beginning with a history of the county or region and what led up to create the disturbance in these souls spirits. Ghosts and the supernatural, the folklore and actual sightings originate from love to revenge. I highly recommend the book to all readers who enjoy history, folklore and ghost stories. Don't be surprised when you lay the book down at the end you are left with compassion for the departed, a curiosity to visit each haunting, and a fear to stay as far away from there as you can.(less)
I bought this book from an advertised special. I had never read the author before, however, the description of the book attracted me and I'm so glad I...moreI bought this book from an advertised special. I had never read the author before, however, the description of the book attracted me and I'm so glad I didn't pass this up.
From the beginning, Norah Wilson captured me with her characters and storyline. Not your average romance, there is a great deal of mystery, and the romantic love that did develop was sweet and touching, healing past hurts in both characters to ultimately make them whole again. Norah Wilson also has a great voice in her descriptive language in detailing the scenery. From the bull riding to the bedroom, I was able to see it all.
I hope to see much more from this author. If you love mystery, romance or paranormal, this book has it all and is worth the read.(less)
Firstly, I received a complimentary copy of this book for a review.
I started reading Gifts of the Peramangk without knowing exactly what I was getting...moreFirstly, I received a complimentary copy of this book for a review.
I started reading Gifts of the Peramangk without knowing exactly what I was getting into. I accepted the book because I had heard good things about the author and his storytelling skills; and, had read the summary of the story which was intriguing. That's the thing about summaries, though. They can all be intriguing and, sometimes, the best part of the book. Thankfully, this was not the case.
To begin, the only negative remark I can make about any of the book is found in the first chapter. I felt the author went into Telling how a few of the characters looked rather than Showing. This only pertained to several minor characters, which I can't go into too much detail without giving spoilers, and I only mention it since it disrupted the flow of the reading as I was trying to grab the story and is such a contrast to the rest of his story-showing ability. Other than that one instance, I found his descriptive prose of the other characters, including the main casts, the scenes and action, poetic and by the end of the chapter, I was hooked into finding out where the story would lead.
This story will captivate you and draws you in. I absolutely loved that, unlike so many other books out there, it was not one dimensional. The author develops not only his main plot but several subplots that you become just as entangled in, needing to have a resolution. You become invested in each and every character in this story. From the callous land owner who sees the aboriginals as nothing more than property to be owned, used and discarded, to the old professor who thought his better days were behind him, to the gang threatening to pull away and destroy the very backbone of the Delfey family. Each family member has their own drama and story to tell. Mr. Mayes weaves layer upon layer of depth into each character and as the story progresses, another layer is peeled away to reveal yet another side to the story.
Gifts of the Peramangk is riveting. You have no time to wonder where the story may lead. He keeps you in the present with the drama, and although you might think you know where the story is leading - you don't - not until you get there. The ending is superb and brought a tear to my eye. A mark of a great story and a great author to elicit such deep feelings for the characters.
The negative at the beginning of this review is but a grain of sand on a beach filled with rich characters and has definitely earned it 5 stars. This will be my last gifted copy from this author as I intend to buy his next book and his next. He has gained a loyal reader from here on out of his work.(less)
This is my second time stepping into the world of Russell Blake's JET. How can you not love this woman. **Spoiler Alert: "he reached into his jacket f...moreThis is my second time stepping into the world of Russell Blake's JET. How can you not love this woman. **Spoiler Alert: "he reached into his jacket for a cell phone and tossed it to her. Her eyes remained fixed on him as she snatched it out of the air."** Now, I ask you...how COOL is that?! Men want her, women want to be like her.
I read Jet, the first in the series, and became enthralled with the characters, the plot, and the different cities and countries the story took me to. Russell Blake is descriptive in such a way you have a virtual 360 degree view of your surroundings, with all your senses activated: sight, sound, touch, smell and even taste. He has created such a balance between action, dialogue, and depth of characters. In Jet II - The Betrayal, we already know Jet's background but Russell Blake takes us deeper in to show us her strength of character. She kills not for pleasure, but for justice and for revenge.
Usually an author will let you see and get a feel for what drives the lead character(s). Russell Blake, though, does that with each secondary character as well. You know what each player brings to the table and why. Quite a feat to accomplish without absolutely boring you to death. But, boring is not in this writer's vocabulary. From the first page, you're caught up in the story and it draws you deeper and deeper in with each turn of the page. I was quite sorry to see when the turn of the page became the last but am so excited to know another beginning will soon be on the way.
A little warning to the reader getting ready to start the book: Don't start it on a Friday - not unless you have absolutely nothing to do on the weekend. This is the second time I've started reading a Russell Blake book on a Friday. Each time I passed the Kindle, I took a(nother) break, sat down to read a chapter, then another and before I knew it Sunday was here and the only thing exhausted from working too much was my Kindle.
No matter what genre you're accustomed to, this book is for you. It crosses over and attracts everyone from mystery, thriller, romance and drama. This is one series I hope to never turn that page and see "The End".(less)
I feel like I've found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with this author. Being a newbie to the Russell Blake world of writing, Jet was a treme...moreI feel like I've found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with this author. Being a newbie to the Russell Blake world of writing, Jet was a tremendous way to start reading not only the beginning of what will be a Jet series but a beginning to reading his entire collection of books.
In Jet, Russell Blake doesn't ease you into the beginning with this book, he starts you off running and you don't stop until the end. I'm not an arms master - couldn't tell you the difference between a Saturday Night Special and a Glock but Russell Blake broke open a world where fire power, spy apparatus, and kill or be-killed moves are an every day occurrence, and delivered it in such a way that I was both fascinated and wide-eyed with the knowledge I gained. Don't forget to dust your passport off because the plot carries you from country to country. From Monaco to Punta Gorda, you get to see both picturesque waterfronts and the sights, sounds and smells of third world countries. Russell Blake plunks you right smack dab in the middle of it all.
Blake has made Jet a woman you don't want to mess around with but not to the point where other women would feel threatened by her. She has feelings and depth. This is a woman I would want on my side and her cell phone number to call if I ever needed some intimidation. As far as the plot, the twists are artfully conveyed where you don't know what to expect next. Want to take a quiet walk down the street? Rethink that when you hear the telltale whistle of bullets slicing through the air towards you.
Thankfully, at the end of Jet, Russell Blake has given a sneak-peek of Chapter One from what will be the second in this series. This author doesn't know how to let up on the action....and I'm so glad. Well done, Mr. Blake. It is my pleasure to highly recommend this book to lovers of all genres.(less)
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