S. Lee Spelbring's Blog, page 23
April 11, 2018
Natural Causes by James Oswald
Natural Causes by James Oswald
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a crime ebook from an author I’ve never read before, though I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There is a lot going on with this one. It’s a police crime novel, but our main character police man isn’t just working one case, he has three(?) at least.
I like that idea, it kept the plot moving, it kept our main character moving, and kept the reading interesting. There’s no real inkling of how it’s going to end, and I liked that too. This is a series, and I haven’t looked at the next book, but I’m left wondering how the series continues on from here.
April 7, 2018
Minimalist Living Guide for Frugal Living by Speedy Publishing
Minimalist Living Guide for Frugal Living (Boxed Set): 3 Books In 1 Minimalist Living and Lifestyle Guide to Frugal Living by Speedy Publishing
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is a collection of three ebooks by three different authors but somehow they all manage to talk about the exact same things. Minimalism as a lifestyle, how to declutter, going on from decluttering, and so on.
They don’t even have differing strategies on how to declutter, or how minimalism works as a lifestyle choice, it’s the exact same things rehashed in each ebook. And it’s all basic things that you can find all over the internet, there’s nothing profound here.
I guess if you’re getting started, have no idea how to get started, don’t know what minimalism is, etc, this could be a way to get started, but it’s also essentially the same ebook repeated three times.
April 4, 2018
Fire Starter by David J. Normoyle
Fire Starter by David J. Normoyle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is a prequel novella to an ebook series, and if I’m honest the whole fire starter thing is completely over done. Stephen King has written the famous Fire Starter book, I’ve read Mortal Ghost which is another fire starter (but with a different spin on it) and now we’ve got this.
I legitimately like the idea behind this world in this ebook, but it’s very over done. See the Cursed review I did and you’ll get an idea of what this world is like. Throw in a corrupt cop and you’ve pretty much got it.
Not that the story was bad, it wasn’t. I just want something that isn’t a man throwing fire at a werewolf.
March 31, 2018
No Way Out by Christine Kersey
No Way Out by Christine Kersey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m guessing this is what’s called a “Cozy Mystery”. The main character is a woman, there is no blood, guts, murder, or violence to speak of either. What happens is her husband disappears, then there are rumors he’s done something illegal, which stretches the boundaries of their marriage.
The pacing is alright, the characters are believable, I’m just not sure I’m a fan of this genre? I’ve honestly not read a cozy mystery either in a long while or ever, so I’ve no frame of reference for this. Also, it plays off as a crime/mystery novel which more reminds of something that James Patterson would write, but this isn’t that.
It’s not terrible, it’s just not my cup of tea.
March 28, 2018
Just a Touch Dead by Jordaina Sydney Robinson
Just a Touch Dead by Jordaina Sydney Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This little novella is the prequel to series of ebooks about, well, a ghost or spirit. This one chronicles the main character of this series journey from life to death to government employment. It gives a decent introduction to the main character herself and the environment she now inhabits.
I don’t know if I’ll be checking out the rest of the series, mostly because I have plenty to read already, but it is an interesting concept and it was entertaining.
March 21, 2018
Cursed by J. A. Cipriano
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I don’t know anything about mages with this book, as there weren’t any in it. There were werewolves, Frankenstein, demons, vampires, and druids though.
Allow me to be a little self-promoting here… but this starts out a lot like my book After Life. A guy wakes up without his memory in an alley… yeah exactly the same. There are a few details though, like this guy is in a dumpster.
Anyway, he meets all sorts of other people/things and while relatively short (I’m into short ebooks this year it seems) it was a good story. A good supernatural story, something I haven’t read in awhile it seems.
It is a continuing series, and I am tempted to see how it plays out.
March 17, 2018
Novel Writing Mastery by S. Evans
Writing : Novel Writing Mastery, Proven And Simple Techniques To Outline-, Structure- And Write A Successful Novel ! – novel writing, writing fiction, writing skills – by S. Evans
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This reads like a series of blog posts on writing – which is helpful, but not what I was expecting. There are chapter titles like Top 7 Writing Myths Busted, 8 Plot Techniques, Eight Ways to Make Your Characters Engaging, and so on.
It’s not bad, I did like reading this book and like normal with writing how to books I took notes. While I don’t think I learned anything new (I have been reading a lot of How-To books lately), but I did like the type of information in this ebook and the way it is laid out.
Proven and simple techniques yes, but nothing new, nothing any writer who’s been in business for awhile should already have some idea about. Good information though, so it’s worth a read, especially if you need some motivation or are a new writer.
March 14, 2018
You Are Dying, and Your World is a Lie by Johnny B. Truant
You Are Dying, and Your World Is a Lie by Johnny B. Truant
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is a very short, very realistic view of the world. It brings us all back to Earth and reality. You aren’t dying because your laptop died (mine is slowly working it’s way there), you aren’t dying because there’s no almond milk in the fridge and you have to go shopping now. It’s not painful to watch a new Netflix drama.
We’ve lost the meaning of real pain, so we have to make it up.
This ebook is basically a reality check for anyone who needs it.
March 10, 2018
Journaling Basics by Lisa Shea
Journaling Basics – Journal Writing for Beginners by Lisa Shea
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a very much beginners guide to journaling. Lisa Shea starts with what to write on, and what to write with, including electronic journals. Then she moves on to types of journals: diaries, dream journals, health logs, and so on. Then onto prompts and what to write about.
The author also throws in her thoughts and opinions, and how she uses her own journals (which I really liked).
Personally, I’ve been journaling since middle school and have several diaries, notebooks, journals, and notepad full of my thoughts, projects, daily life, and dreams, but it was nice to have someone else’s objective and personal take on the subject.
March 7, 2018
Writing a Book a Week by Alex Foster
Writing a Book a Week: How to Profit With Self-Publishing by Alex Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Finally someone decided to set down their writing routine and explain it to us. For that reason alone everyone looking to write should read this ebook. Granted, not everyone will get the same results, but hey, that’s the beauty of writing.
Anyway, he explains when he writes, how he writes, how he budgets his time, what he writes, when he outlines, how he outlines, and just lots of things of how he goes about writing a book a week.
My only thought is FINALLY, most of the writing advice on writing routines is find what works for you, and while that is good advice, it doesn’t give you a decent clue on how to start figuring that out. This book does. Get it. Read it. Write.
