Graham Downs's Blog, page 9
December 16, 2018
The Year of the Dragon by Stephen Hayes (Book Review)
I honestly believe that this is a book that needs to be read. Set in Apartheid South Africa under the rule of Die Groot Krokodil himself, it tells the story of an old woman's death and the search for the secrets hidden within a Christian ikon of great significance.
Having said that, it isn't really a story about politics. Or, to put it another way, politics isn't the central theme or point of the story. At its heart, it's about supernatural power, and how God can (and does) use everyday people like you and me to further His goals.
The story is beautifully woven, and the pacing is brilliant. Fair warning, though: the first five or six chapters or so are nice and short (twenty to thirty screens of my e-reader, and I read on the largest font size), and you think "Hey, cool! This is going to be a nice quick read." But after those first five or six chapters, the story takes a dramatic turn. Everything gets deeper and darker. The stakes get higher, the characters get more serious, and the chapters double or triple in length. It can be jarring if you're not expecting it, but when you look back, you realise the timing was perfect.
From an editing standpoint, it's very good, although there are missing punctuation marks scattered throughout (most often question marks, which happened so often that I found myself wondering whether I'd missed something intentional), and at one point, some dialogue is attributed to a character who isn't present at the time. None of that detracted from my enjoyment of the story, though!
Also, in the early chapters, the language is a bit... stilted. Overly formal, somehow, or maybe old-fashioned--particularly in dialogue, where I found myself thinking that nobody I know actually talks like that. No, I don't think anyone spoke like that in the '80s, either. But it either got better as the story went on, or I just got used to it.
But I would strongly urge you not to let any of the above stop you from reading this beautiful story. Honestly, I learnt so much reading it, not only about our South African past, and Christian history, but about my own faith, as I was frequently forced to stop and re-evaluate some of my own beliefs.
Don't worry if you're not a Christian, though. This book isn't going to try and convert you; you'll likely just read it as a great fantasy (and that's okay).
I think if you love Christian thrillers, paranormal thrillers, or reading about South Africa's dark and terrible past, this is a book not to be missed.
My Review: 4 / 5 stars
Click the cover below to find out where you can get your hands on a copy.
About the Book
The year is 1988.
For 40 years the world has been in the grip of the Cold War, and South Africa has been in the grip of apartheid. For 71 years Russia has been under Bolshevik tyranny. Though few suspect it, this is about to change for ever.
On a farm in the picturesque southern Drakensberg of South Africa a woman dies, and a young lawyer, Richard Rutherford, and his friend Denis Walters combine business with a pleasure weekend in the mountains. They will visit the farm to take the first steps in settling the estate. They soon discover that others also have an interest in the estate, or at least some items in it, and that they are prepared to kill for them.
The contentious items seem to be some old Russian ikons, but how they got to a remote farm and why others are so anxious to get hold of them is a mystery. The search for answers leads them to a strange hermit and an even stranger priest, and a drive of a thousand miles in search of King Lobengula’s legendary treasure.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy.
Having said that, it isn't really a story about politics. Or, to put it another way, politics isn't the central theme or point of the story. At its heart, it's about supernatural power, and how God can (and does) use everyday people like you and me to further His goals.
The story is beautifully woven, and the pacing is brilliant. Fair warning, though: the first five or six chapters or so are nice and short (twenty to thirty screens of my e-reader, and I read on the largest font size), and you think "Hey, cool! This is going to be a nice quick read." But after those first five or six chapters, the story takes a dramatic turn. Everything gets deeper and darker. The stakes get higher, the characters get more serious, and the chapters double or triple in length. It can be jarring if you're not expecting it, but when you look back, you realise the timing was perfect.
From an editing standpoint, it's very good, although there are missing punctuation marks scattered throughout (most often question marks, which happened so often that I found myself wondering whether I'd missed something intentional), and at one point, some dialogue is attributed to a character who isn't present at the time. None of that detracted from my enjoyment of the story, though!
Also, in the early chapters, the language is a bit... stilted. Overly formal, somehow, or maybe old-fashioned--particularly in dialogue, where I found myself thinking that nobody I know actually talks like that. No, I don't think anyone spoke like that in the '80s, either. But it either got better as the story went on, or I just got used to it.
But I would strongly urge you not to let any of the above stop you from reading this beautiful story. Honestly, I learnt so much reading it, not only about our South African past, and Christian history, but about my own faith, as I was frequently forced to stop and re-evaluate some of my own beliefs.
Don't worry if you're not a Christian, though. This book isn't going to try and convert you; you'll likely just read it as a great fantasy (and that's okay).
I think if you love Christian thrillers, paranormal thrillers, or reading about South Africa's dark and terrible past, this is a book not to be missed.
My Review: 4 / 5 stars
Click the cover below to find out where you can get your hands on a copy.
About the Book
The year is 1988.
For 40 years the world has been in the grip of the Cold War, and South Africa has been in the grip of apartheid. For 71 years Russia has been under Bolshevik tyranny. Though few suspect it, this is about to change for ever.
On a farm in the picturesque southern Drakensberg of South Africa a woman dies, and a young lawyer, Richard Rutherford, and his friend Denis Walters combine business with a pleasure weekend in the mountains. They will visit the farm to take the first steps in settling the estate. They soon discover that others also have an interest in the estate, or at least some items in it, and that they are prepared to kill for them.
The contentious items seem to be some old Russian ikons, but how they got to a remote farm and why others are so anxious to get hold of them is a mystery. The search for answers leads them to a strange hermit and an even stranger priest, and a drive of a thousand miles in search of King Lobengula’s legendary treasure.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy.
December 11, 2018
Short Stories Volume 2 by Thomas Ryan (Book Review)
These stories are great!
I remember mentioning when I reviewed the last book that the editing needed some serious work. Well, that's been greatly improved with this one. It isn't perfect, but the missing words and punctuation are mostly gone. Enough, at least, that I could focus on the stories.
Not all of these stories will be your cup of tea. That's to be expected. But I enjoyed most of them. The first one, Bedridden, is the perfect lead-in because it tells you exactly the kind of stuff you're going to expect. I had about half a dozen theories as I read it, about what the twist could be. Turns out, none of them was right.
Each one of the stories has a twist like that. At least one, but some have more.
In terms of genre, they're a mixed bag, ranging from comedy to thriller, to psychological, to paranormal murder mystery, you're sure to find some that you like.
(My review: 4 / 5 stars)
About the Book
Award winning thriller novelist, Thomas Ryan, is also a prolific writer of short stories and he brings more of his sense of fun and adventure to his new collection, Short Stories Volume 2. From the creepy ‘Gerry’ to the humour of ‘Holmes for Christmas’ and the human drama of ‘The Best of Times’, there is more than enough variety to keep readers captivated. Ryan believes all good short stories should have unexpected twists and turns and be entertaining to read. Applying his thriller techniques he manages to achieve this end with the suspenseful ‘Wooden Sword’ and ‘The Chest’ but it is in one of the short story’s ‘John Wayne’ Ryan displays his accomplished storytelling skills as he follows an episode in the famous actor’s life where he almost brought about an end to the Second World War and walked on a beach with Eva Peron. Quoting a recent reviewer of Thomas Ryan’s work, ‘these are very intriguing, original stories, all well written and enjoyable. Ryan really gets inside his characters and makes their world our world, whatever its moral code or unwritten rules. His stories are powerful and stay with you once you've finished them.’ Readers will find Ryan’s short story writing gripping and easy to read. Short Stories Volume 2 by Thomas Ryan are a must read.
Click here to find out where you can grab a copy.
I remember mentioning when I reviewed the last book that the editing needed some serious work. Well, that's been greatly improved with this one. It isn't perfect, but the missing words and punctuation are mostly gone. Enough, at least, that I could focus on the stories.
Not all of these stories will be your cup of tea. That's to be expected. But I enjoyed most of them. The first one, Bedridden, is the perfect lead-in because it tells you exactly the kind of stuff you're going to expect. I had about half a dozen theories as I read it, about what the twist could be. Turns out, none of them was right.
Each one of the stories has a twist like that. At least one, but some have more.
In terms of genre, they're a mixed bag, ranging from comedy to thriller, to psychological, to paranormal murder mystery, you're sure to find some that you like.
(My review: 4 / 5 stars)
About the Book
Award winning thriller novelist, Thomas Ryan, is also a prolific writer of short stories and he brings more of his sense of fun and adventure to his new collection, Short Stories Volume 2. From the creepy ‘Gerry’ to the humour of ‘Holmes for Christmas’ and the human drama of ‘The Best of Times’, there is more than enough variety to keep readers captivated. Ryan believes all good short stories should have unexpected twists and turns and be entertaining to read. Applying his thriller techniques he manages to achieve this end with the suspenseful ‘Wooden Sword’ and ‘The Chest’ but it is in one of the short story’s ‘John Wayne’ Ryan displays his accomplished storytelling skills as he follows an episode in the famous actor’s life where he almost brought about an end to the Second World War and walked on a beach with Eva Peron. Quoting a recent reviewer of Thomas Ryan’s work, ‘these are very intriguing, original stories, all well written and enjoyable. Ryan really gets inside his characters and makes their world our world, whatever its moral code or unwritten rules. His stories are powerful and stay with you once you've finished them.’ Readers will find Ryan’s short story writing gripping and easy to read. Short Stories Volume 2 by Thomas Ryan are a must read.
Click here to find out where you can grab a copy.
What's your favourite book of all time?
The New York Times and USA Today have their "bestseller" lists, but those are based on current sales. Goodreads have their Choice Awards, but only books published in the last twelve months are eligible. Can we please have an annual reader-driven list of the best books... of all time?
Fiction, non-fiction, genre, language don't matter. As long as it was published somewhere, it's eligible. So please tell us, what's your favourite book of all time?
All responses are anonymous. Please fill out the form below to make your nomination. Nominations will close on Friday 11 January 2019, and you'll be able to vote in the shortlist from Tuesday 15 January 2019.
Please share this post with all your friends and reading groups, book clubs, etc.
Fiction, non-fiction, genre, language don't matter. As long as it was published somewhere, it's eligible. So please tell us, what's your favourite book of all time?
All responses are anonymous. Please fill out the form below to make your nomination. Nominations will close on Friday 11 January 2019, and you'll be able to vote in the shortlist from Tuesday 15 January 2019.
Please share this post with all your friends and reading groups, book clubs, etc.
Attribution: The image above was created in part using the Book, mockup Vector image by @StarLine, on the site freepik.com. Click here to see the original image.
December 4, 2018
Remember My Colouring Books?
In case you've forgotten, my wife and I put together these beautiful colouring books.
(Click on the image above to visit the official website)
I've actually been rather amazed at how popular these books have proved to me with kids aged anywhere from three to seven years old.
If you buy them online, there may still be time to get them for your kids in time for Christmas, but if you live in or around Johannesburg, South Africa, you can always buy direct from me. I have limited stock available, but you can e-mail me to arrange.
(Click on the image above to visit the official website)
I've actually been rather amazed at how popular these books have proved to me with kids aged anywhere from three to seven years old.
If you buy them online, there may still be time to get them for your kids in time for Christmas, but if you live in or around Johannesburg, South Africa, you can always buy direct from me. I have limited stock available, but you can e-mail me to arrange.
November 26, 2018
Why Do Traditional Published Books Cost So Much?
Take a look at Amazon's Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store.
Do you think you could separate the self-published titles from the traditionally published ones?
I think you could.
With very few exceptions, you probably aren't going to find a self-published e-book with a regular (non-promotional) price of over $5. Conversely, very few traditionally published e-books will have a regular (non-promotional) price of less than $10.
Conventional wisdom tells us that's because traditional publishing companies have to pay for professional editing, cover design, and marketing... Hmm, but don't indie publishers also pay for all those things?
The truth is, traditional publishers have to pay staff and shareholders. They pay their authors too, of course: 20% royalties, twice a year.
But for the same amount of work, self-published authors earn 60% royalties, monthly. And as a reader, don't you want to see your favourite author make money? Maybe even quit his or her day job one day?
Next time you're looking for an e-book, take a look at price. Instead of paying $9.99 for your next read, is it not possible you'll get more bang for your buck, and do more good for authors, by buying two great reads for $4.99 each?
Do you think you could separate the self-published titles from the traditionally published ones?
I think you could.
With very few exceptions, you probably aren't going to find a self-published e-book with a regular (non-promotional) price of over $5. Conversely, very few traditionally published e-books will have a regular (non-promotional) price of less than $10.
Conventional wisdom tells us that's because traditional publishing companies have to pay for professional editing, cover design, and marketing... Hmm, but don't indie publishers also pay for all those things?
The truth is, traditional publishers have to pay staff and shareholders. They pay their authors too, of course: 20% royalties, twice a year.
But for the same amount of work, self-published authors earn 60% royalties, monthly. And as a reader, don't you want to see your favourite author make money? Maybe even quit his or her day job one day?
Next time you're looking for an e-book, take a look at price. Instead of paying $9.99 for your next read, is it not possible you'll get more bang for your buck, and do more good for authors, by buying two great reads for $4.99 each?
November 20, 2018
Dungeons and Dragons Month Two: What an Epic Tournament!
Last month, I blogged about the first of our new monthly D&D sessions.
Well, the second one happened last Saturday, and it was even more fun than last time!
Continuing on our quest for the four legendary weapons, to defeat the four legendary dragons, our intrepid party stumbled upon a town holding a grand tournament. The grand prize was, coincidentally, one of the legendary weapons we were seeking. Naturally, we felt compelled to enter.
Along the way, we picked up a new party member, a half-elf rogue played by my brother, who will be joining our sessions from now on. Unfortunately, we didn't win the tournament (I think the DM had intended for us to win, but the dice went against us, and she had to improve the rest of the session).
Now, we're stuck trying to figure out a way to get the person who did win to part with his prize, so we can continue on our quest.
Nothing beats in-person, tabletop roleplaying, because absolutely anything can happen. In a video game, or even a board game, you're restricted by what the game designers intended, and you have no way of thinking out of the box. But in a tabletop RPG, you can do things that DM never imagined you would, and it's up to her to improvise and figure out if it works or not. There really is nothing like it, and now I can't wait for the next session!
Well, the second one happened last Saturday, and it was even more fun than last time!
Continuing on our quest for the four legendary weapons, to defeat the four legendary dragons, our intrepid party stumbled upon a town holding a grand tournament. The grand prize was, coincidentally, one of the legendary weapons we were seeking. Naturally, we felt compelled to enter.
Along the way, we picked up a new party member, a half-elf rogue played by my brother, who will be joining our sessions from now on. Unfortunately, we didn't win the tournament (I think the DM had intended for us to win, but the dice went against us, and she had to improve the rest of the session).
Now, we're stuck trying to figure out a way to get the person who did win to part with his prize, so we can continue on our quest.
Nothing beats in-person, tabletop roleplaying, because absolutely anything can happen. In a video game, or even a board game, you're restricted by what the game designers intended, and you have no way of thinking out of the box. But in a tabletop RPG, you can do things that DM never imagined you would, and it's up to her to improvise and figure out if it works or not. There really is nothing like it, and now I can't wait for the next session!
November 12, 2018
Smashwords Has a New Homepage! Celebrate With $1 Off Memoirs of a Guardian Angel
In case you hadn't noticed, indie e-book retailer Smashwords launched a new homepage last week. Personally, I think it's really cool! I was worried that they might do away with the nice, clean interface I've come to appreciate from them, but they haven't. The homepage has been modernised, though, to include things like bestsellers, trending now, and featured deals.
Check it out.
How about a special offer to celebrate?So for a limited time, you can get $1 off (that's 50%) of the list price of my Urban Fantasy novella, Memoirs of a Guardian Angel, at Smashwords.
Click here to visit the book's page at Smashwords, and then click the "Buy with coupon" button.
Here's the synopsis for the book:
Check it out.
How about a special offer to celebrate?So for a limited time, you can get $1 off (that's 50%) of the list price of my Urban Fantasy novella, Memoirs of a Guardian Angel, at Smashwords.
Click here to visit the book's page at Smashwords, and then click the "Buy with coupon" button.
Here's the synopsis for the book:
Do you believe in Guardian Angels?
Have you thanked your Guardian Angel today?
I never did... now I wish I had.
Now I understand the hard work and difficult situations they face every day. That car that veered off course, the knife that slipped or even the close call when you nearly tumbled from a tree.
It wasn't good luck that saved you, it was me.
My name is Adam and I'm a guardian angel.
November 6, 2018
Free Shipping at Booktopia
Are you in Australia or New Zealand?
You may be interested to know that you can get free shipping on all my print books at Booktopia, between now and 12 November.
Click the image below to see my books there.
Here's how it works:
Place an order and spend a minimum of $17 before Midnight, Monday the 12th of November, 2018 (AEST and NZST) with the promotion code FESTIVE, and you will receive free shipping on your order. The promotion code can be used as many times as you, or your family and friends, want on any orders between now and then.
The promotion code field where you enter the word FESTIVE is on the last page of the checkout just before you complete your order (Payment and Review). Under Order Summary, click the plus symbol to expand the section so you can enter the code**.
Please note: You may need to click the word "Apply" next to the promotion code field to receive your free shipping discount if it has not automatically applied it.
Note: the above text was copied verbatim from an e-mail Booktopia sent to me. E&OE. ;-)
You may be interested to know that you can get free shipping on all my print books at Booktopia, between now and 12 November.
Click the image below to see my books there.
Here's how it works:
Place an order and spend a minimum of $17 before Midnight, Monday the 12th of November, 2018 (AEST and NZST) with the promotion code FESTIVE, and you will receive free shipping on your order. The promotion code can be used as many times as you, or your family and friends, want on any orders between now and then.
The promotion code field where you enter the word FESTIVE is on the last page of the checkout just before you complete your order (Payment and Review). Under Order Summary, click the plus symbol to expand the section so you can enter the code**.
Please note: You may need to click the word "Apply" next to the promotion code field to receive your free shipping discount if it has not automatically applied it.
Note: the above text was copied verbatim from an e-mail Booktopia sent to me. E&OE. ;-)
November 2, 2018
The First Time I Died by Jo Macgregor (Book Review)
You know what makes a good mystery? When you're completely bowled over by the ending, but as you look back at all the clues the author sprinkled into the text up to that point, everything makes perfect sense.
That's what it's like in The First Time I Died. It's only the second of Jo Macgregor's mysteries that I've read (the first being Dark Whispers), but I'm beginning to see a pattern: you know the first person you suspect? The first one you're absolutely, 100% sure is the culprit? It's not them.
Maybe next time, Macgregor should throw us a curve ball by making the killer the first person we even begin to have an inkling about!
While I enjoyed the story, it isn't as good as Dark Whispers. It's not as dark, and the psychological aspects aren't as well defined. It's almost as if it's more... immature.
But probably makes sense, in a way. The first half of this book is written in alternating chapters of "Then" and "Now". "Then" being ten years ago, when our heroine was a teenager. Those chapters are written in a very YA style, because they're meant to appeal to young adults. The other chapters, when she is an adult, can't really be too "adulty", or the book would be confused about its target audience.
Still, this is a great mystery, with a smattering of paranormal activity as our amateur sleuth receives cryptic messages from beyond the veil. Definitely a treat for fans of the whodunit.
My Review: 4 / 5 stars
About the Book
The first time I died, I didn’t come back alone.
When Garnet McGee returns to her small Vermont hometown for the holidays, she vows to solve the mystery of the murder which shattered her life ten years ago.
But then the unexpected happens — she dies in an accident and gets brought back to life by paramedics.
Now she’s hearing words, seeing visions and experiencing strange sensations. Are these merely symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and an over-active imagination, or is she getting messages from a paranormal presence?
Garnet has always prided herself on being logical and rational, but trying to catch a killer without embracing her shadow self is getting increasingly difficult. And dangerous, because in a town full of secrets, it seems like everybody has a motive for murder.
Fast-paced and riveting, The First Time I Died is a suspenseful and haunting crime story with an supernatural twist.
Great reading for fans of Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware and Liane Moriarty.
Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy.
That's what it's like in The First Time I Died. It's only the second of Jo Macgregor's mysteries that I've read (the first being Dark Whispers), but I'm beginning to see a pattern: you know the first person you suspect? The first one you're absolutely, 100% sure is the culprit? It's not them.
Maybe next time, Macgregor should throw us a curve ball by making the killer the first person we even begin to have an inkling about!
While I enjoyed the story, it isn't as good as Dark Whispers. It's not as dark, and the psychological aspects aren't as well defined. It's almost as if it's more... immature.
But probably makes sense, in a way. The first half of this book is written in alternating chapters of "Then" and "Now". "Then" being ten years ago, when our heroine was a teenager. Those chapters are written in a very YA style, because they're meant to appeal to young adults. The other chapters, when she is an adult, can't really be too "adulty", or the book would be confused about its target audience.
Still, this is a great mystery, with a smattering of paranormal activity as our amateur sleuth receives cryptic messages from beyond the veil. Definitely a treat for fans of the whodunit.
My Review: 4 / 5 stars
About the Book
The first time I died, I didn’t come back alone.
When Garnet McGee returns to her small Vermont hometown for the holidays, she vows to solve the mystery of the murder which shattered her life ten years ago.
But then the unexpected happens — she dies in an accident and gets brought back to life by paramedics.
Now she’s hearing words, seeing visions and experiencing strange sensations. Are these merely symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and an over-active imagination, or is she getting messages from a paranormal presence?
Garnet has always prided herself on being logical and rational, but trying to catch a killer without embracing her shadow self is getting increasingly difficult. And dangerous, because in a town full of secrets, it seems like everybody has a motive for murder.
Fast-paced and riveting, The First Time I Died is a suspenseful and haunting crime story with an supernatural twist.
Great reading for fans of Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware and Liane Moriarty.
Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy.
October 29, 2018
Are you anywhere near the Anderson Public Library? Read my High School Bullying Story, Stingers, Free!
Continuing my series on libraries, and my books in them, I discovered yet another library where you can read at least one.
If you're anywhere near Anderson, Indiana, and have a library card, did you know that you can read my High School bullying story, Stingers, absolutely free?
Click the screenshot below to see the book in the library.
In case you didn't know, here's the description for the book:
If you're anywhere near Anderson, Indiana, and have a library card, did you know that you can read my High School bullying story, Stingers, absolutely free?
Click the screenshot below to see the book in the library.
In case you didn't know, here's the description for the book:
Thirteen-year-old James Clarke is always being picked on in school. He hates sports, and he particularly hates Stingers, a schoolyard game in which children throw tennis balls at each other. The other kids always seem to throw the ball harder, when it's at him. His physical education teacher, Mr Evans, has no sympathy for the boy, believing he just needs to toughen up a bit.
When James returns home from school after a rough game of Stingers, his mother is mortified when she sees the bruises on his arm and chest. She phones the school to try and put a stop to the cruel bullying of her son.
