Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 350

Review: THE GINGERBREAK COLLECTION by Victor A. Davis

“My medium of choice is the short story. I don’t know why they appeal to me so, but I suspect part of the reason is their bare-boned simplicity, much like a fairy tale. I consider it my job, as a writer, to lure you into my gingerbread house, my false paradise. I invite you to pick up these little breadcrumbs I’ve dropped, to follow my paths and tumble into my worlds. But make no mistake, I am the witch.” (Davis – Intro)
Judging by the title and the compelling introduction by Mr. Davis, one would expect to see a parallel to Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood. Of course, I wasn’t expecting an exact recap, but surely there would have to have been lost children, a wicked woman, or a big, bad wolf. Like the fairy tales, I anticipated something sinister and playful. But these stories weren’t like that. They were quite common, full of banality and predictability. Plus, there didn’t seem to be a unified theme.
Writing was okay, but the stories were unimpressive. I actually enjoyed the introduction more than the whole collection.

My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: FROM A POISON PEN by B.P. Smythe

These stories are true to its name—the work of a poison pen that bleeds its essence onto a page, mutating them into an ethereal form.
Judging from the title (and the cover, for that matter,) one would think that these are horror stories, but they’re not. Not really. Instead it has that sophisticated, dark irony. Yes, it does “explore the disturbing side of human nature,” but it’s played down so much that it kills the appeal. Mostly it was full of tedium and lag, and I expected more.

My rating: 2 stars

Review: REEJECTTLLON: A NUMBER TWO by Daniel Clausen

Alright, my first reaction was: What kind of title is that? REEJECTTLLON? What?
What is ReejecttIIon? ReejecttIIon is that which is not fit for the mainstream that work of fiction that is outside standardized thought, cultural hegemony, the dominant ideology, or any other label that represents what others admire and which this book is not; it is also, ironically, outside the subversive language I just used to subvert the mainstream; it is indifferent to the critique of the mainstream because it is too cool for that critique; thus it is the critique of the critique of the mainstream. The critique of the critique of the critique of the mainstream is called ReejectIIIon.
What?
It would seem that these guys were just making sh#t up.
The whole book was satirical skit of rejection in the forms of letters, idea pitches, cartoons, and flash fiction.
Some of this stuff was kind of funny, but most of it was just plain weird and I didn’t get it.
Not that I have anything against dark/weird comedies. In fact, I would almost classify this book as MAD Libs for authors.

My rating: 3 stars

Review: LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by Christina Morgan

“Blood everywhere. It was all over me, too. The sound that came out of me after a few seconds of shocked silence was akin to that of an animal caught in a trap. I didn’t even think I was capable of making such a sound, but then again, I’d never discovered the man I loved murdered only inches away from me.” (2)
Imagine waking up next to a bloody, dead body and having no idea what happened. That’s the nightmare that Libby woke up to.
“Maybe I was too emotionally and physically drained. I guess back then I still believed in the system and that all that mattered was that I knew in my heart I hadn’t killed my own husband. At least, I was pretty sure I hadn’t.” (6)
Libby discovering the body and describing the shock in gruesome detail was a very good starting point, but then it deviated to the slow pace of standard protocol. Of course, that is the normal procedure when dealing with murder. Still, the character depicted the story with judicious finesse.  
Written in the POV of Libby, story delves into the mad and inquisitive ranting of a grieving widow while a killer runs free. But could Libby be the killer? Could she have done it and not remember? Could she be following in her father’s footsteps with the sadistic practice of murder?
The whole book plays out as a series of day-to-day entries following Libby’s indictment for the murder of her husband. Reader will be by her side as she faces detectives, lawyers, reporters, and potential suspects, trying to justify her innocence and fight for her freedom while ultimately trying to find the truth. What really happened that night?
But will she able to solve it in time? Before she gets a life sentence or…the death penalty?
A juicy, well-written mystery!

My rating: 4 stars

Review: DIAL L FOR LYNDA by Tracey Jane Jackson & Amanda Washington

Welcome to Linda and Lynda Detective Agency! Actually, they’re not really an agency, but they’re some pretty fine sleuths.
Harley and Addison are two of a kind, best friends since 6th grade. Harley is a beauty with a heart of gold and Addison is a spunky chick with a gun. The origin behind “Lynda” and the reason Addison uses it was interesting.
On the day that Harley gets fired from her job, she and Addison have a girl’s night out. The next day Harley is arrested for murder. What!? But the best part was the dead guy was her former boss. Oh, snap!
“That’s crazy.” And complete BS, because my bestie was smart. If she was going to kill anyone, she’d call me and set up an alibi.” (25)
Now the two, along with Addie’s smart lawyer brother and one HOTTIE detective, will do whatever it takes to prove her innocence. I enjoyed the witty foreplay between Addison and the detective. Ooh, that Jake was smooth and crafty!
The book had a great cast of characters, but I’d have to say that I related to Harley the most because she was a gal born on the wrong side of the tracks, always struggling to scrape up her pennies in life, and fighting tooth and nail to make her own way in the world. Of course, I certainly wouldn’t mind having rich “crazy, generous,” friends like Addie and Ash.
Told in the POV of these two zany broads, Dial L for Lynda is wacky murder mystery full of lovable characters and witty humor, and snarky repartee.
It’s Mission: Impossible meets Outrageous Fortune. A wildly fun read!

My rating: 5 stars

Review: WHAT GOES AROUND by Helena Donovan

It begins with Phoebe, who has had an indecipherable problem with rage since she was nine.
Then the story switches over to Nina Carlson, who was incarcerated for 2-3 kills and recently released on parole.
Story had a slow start as it dives into the views of multiple characters (Nina, Becky, Detective Ed, etc.) Things get a little more confusing as more unknown characters (apparently murderers) come into play and reminisce about a whacked-up childhood.
So right away I wondered who the central character was. Who was our main focus? This shows that there were too many characters and, unfortunately, the story didn’t compensate too much for it. Don’t get me wrong. I like a good murder mystery. In fact, there were a few characters here I would’ve liked to have been killed off.
I wanted to give this book a chance, but as I progressed, the book just kept getting more and more perplexing and daunting.

My rating: 2 stars

Review: SUPREMACY by Christin Lee

In a search to find a lost dog, Kate runs into Lucas, a college student with intriguing eyes and a Spanish accent.
Story had a bit of a slow start and lagged with trivial detail. Of course, there was no denying the chemistry and good rapport between the two. Strange how Kate felt this incredible surge of energy when she touched him. What’s that about?
Kate was pretty cool. I mean, you would have to be to be able to fix a motorcycle after taking one class. She was smart and skillful. But her most endearing quality is her love for animals.
As the two grow closer, Kate realizes that there’s more to Lucas than meets the eye. According to the summary, “she works hard to discover who he is—what he is.” So right away I think vampire or werewolf. This was definitely the alluring part for me, but it just took too long to get to the main attraction. Most of the time centers on Kate and Lucas getting to know each other while meddling friends and disciplined parents get in the way.
I don’t know, this seemed like an interesting story, but it wasn’t.

My rating: 2.5 stars 

Review: HOW WONDERFUL IT WAS BEING IN LOVE WITH YOU by Emilio Vass

What is love?
For a 25-year old army cadet, it all started in 1976 and he meets “the girl with the notebook.”
Poetic and lyrical, yet full of vague meaning, this story almost reads like a Dr. Seuss book in the topic of love. You don’t actually meet any of the characters as the author merely uses them as tools in this experiment called “love.”
Episodes were snippets in this experimentation. No segment ever dives into too much detail and what the reader does receive is a blasé didactic monologue.
There were some well-defining parts in the writing, but the story wasn’t what I anticipated.

My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: MADAM TULIP by David Ahern

“Ask anyone about Madam Tulip’s legendary talent with tarot and crystal ball or her astonishing knack for detecting crimes, and you’ll be told her father is the seventh son of a seventh son. Everybody knows that in Ireland seventh sons of seventh sons have extraordinary powers and can do all kinds of mystical things.” (9)
Madam Tulip’s story begins with Derry O’Donnell, who was as broke as you can get. And just a little bit psychic.
Yes, there is some prestige to being an actress, but, of course, there’s a correlation between “artistic success” and “financial failure.”
With the help of her friend and at the insistence of her overbearing mother, Derry takes on a job as a fortune teller named Madam Tulip. Actually she was advertising herself as a “celebrity psychic.” I guess that’s where the real money would be.
Characters were Irish so they had a flare of that theatrical wit and blasphemy. Of course, some of the banter struck me as vapid and overrated, and certain expressions may not be easily understood (I know I didn’t get all of it.) Still, readers will be enchanted by Derry’s good-hearted nature and folksy charm.
I honestly just love stories about psychics and this one certainly seemed interesting; however, it lagged a little too much. Yes, Derry did have visions during the card readings, but they were far more downplayed and I thought they could’ve been a lot more interesting than they were.
The writing was okay, but, again, story dragged too much.
Overall, I’d rate this okay but not great.

My rating: 3 stars

Review: BECOMING PHOEBE by J. Michael Neal

This is the story of Phoebe, an orphan girl with aspirations of becoming a hockey player. Her earliest memory is about her wandering the streets at four years old with skates around her neck and a man took her to the police station. That’s where it all begins.
Sixteen years later, Phoebe is living her life in college, where she tries out for the hockey team.
Written in the POV of Phoebe, story is an earnest and succinct account of a poor, lonely girl and a dream. We’re basically reading the girl’s diary by the way it’s written, and all she talks about is hockey. Every brief snippet seems to center on hockey. Of course, I believe that girls can play hockey, if that’s what they want, and Phoebe was literally born for it. She’s smart, savvy, and tough.
Being that I’m not into sports so much, the hockey stuff wasn’t that interesting to me. But I admire stories with strong, independent women who go for the gold.
If you say, “Girls can’t play hockey,” Phoebe says, “Watch me.” You have to admire her gumption.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel that the story centered more on hockey than anything else. Of course, hockey is the central theme, but it becomes weary after a while. I personally would’ve liked to learn more about Phoebe—her past, her friends, her life sans hockey. C’mon, the girl should be able to think outside of hockey. Even in A League of their own, the girls had other things going for them besides baseball.
All in all, this was an okay story, but I anticipated it to be more than just hockey. Phoebe’s a great character and readers will enjoy watching her try and fumble. It’s hockey’s version of G.I. Jane.

My rating: 2.5 stars