D.R. Racey's Blog: D.R. Racey, page 4

5 Star Review for The Road to Rebirth by Dean F Wilson

The Road to Rebirth by Dean F. Wilson

The Road to Rebirth is the second installment of The Children of Telm series. The story begins in the aftermath of the final battle where the first book leaves off.

Corrias is dead after the battle with the Lichelord and the armies of Agon. Many mortals suffered the same fate as Corrias and their souls have been lost forever. Among the dead is Theos, the boy whose body was shared by the god Corrias. Upon the death of the boy, the god could no longer sustain life.

The Cleric Ifferon and Delin the Knight seek to resurrect the boy, but others have a different plan. There is a hiccup in this plan though as they also need to resurrect Corrias. They must test their hearts and souls as they struggle to save the boy and their honor, or save the god and the rest of the realm. Either task in itself would be hard enough to accomplish, but being chased by the Ferian who believe the boy should be put to rest and by the armies of Shadow make this even harder.

Prince Herr’Don has returned to his father’s kingdom in Boror, but only half the man he used to be. He struggles against death as he fights against the damage done to his mortal body. What kind of hero can a man be with only one arm?

Melgales resurfaces as you turn the pages of the book. The magus only played a small but vital role in the first book prior to his death, but he has returned in the second book in the series. The magus is trapped between the realm of the living and Hales; his soul trapped in the realm of the living, making it impossible for him to fully cross over. Simply have the artifact holding his soul destroyed and he could pass fully over as the Gatekeeper in Hales will not let him pass until the magus’ soul has been released. There is a problem with this though, Yavun is now tied to the same artifact. Does Melgales find a way to destroy the artifact and save himself from being stuck between the worlds forever?

This book is a splendid example of great world building and interaction between the main characters.

5 out of 5 Stars. An epic fantasy for readers of all ages.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intricately built fantasy world with lots of action and intrigue.

The Road to Rebirth: Book Two of The Children of Telm can be purchased via Amazon

Review by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com
www.indieauthorsandbooks.wordpress.com

Writer's Shorts Challenge - April 2014

Writer's Shorts Challenge

The "Writer's Shorts Challenge" features authors against each other in a head to head battle of writing skill and originality.

Short stories will be judged based on votes from readers.

Readers will vote to decide the best story from all submissions.

Writer Submissions Requirements:

Please send all submissions to david.rieckmann@gmail.com

Submissions should be in .doc or .docx format.

All works must be 2,000 words or less. (Works over 2000 words will only have the first 2,000 words posted)

Works need to be original and unpublished (on your blog or author website is fine, so long as the work is not published for sell on any platform) at the time of submission.

All stories remain the property of the author and the author maintains all copyrights to their submitted work.

Authors grant Indie Authors and Books permission to post and maintain their short story on the Indie Authors and Books website/blog.

Use of graphic language or sex is not permitted. (Readers of all ages will be reading the stories)

Authors may include one link to either their Blog, Official Website, or their Facebook page.

Submission deadline for all stories is midnight CST 10 March 2014.

All stories will be posted on 10 March 2014 and an email will be sent to each author upon the challenge going live.
Winners will be announced on 1 April 2014.

Authors are encouraged to share the links to the challenge with other writers and page links to readers.

Authors are requested to not ask for votes specifically for their story, but to ask friends, fans, readers to check out all the short stories and vote for the one they feel is best.

This is an opportunity for authors to showcase their writing skills to readers around the world.

Authors may use blurbs such as "Voted best short story during the Writer's Shorts Challenge April 2014 by Indie Authors and Books", or a similar blurb to note their success in the competition.

For more info please email David at david.rieckmann@gmail.com

Check out our official website for information on low cost advertising, author interviews, book features, and book reviews.

www.indieauthorsandbooks.com

5 Stars for The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself by Nicholas Tanek

The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself by Nicholas Tanek

The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself is in itself not a book about suicide, but rather a story about love.

If you are looking for a book about suicide, how to prevent it, how to commit it, then this book has nothing to do with any of that.

The story follows Nicholas through his life starting in his mid-teens. At around age 16 he meets a girl named Lynn and everything follows from there. Their relationship goes through some ups and downs, but they were in love until the end.

The book is portrayed in the first person view for the majority of the story, yet the author uses some unorthodox writing skills throughout the novel. In certain sections, the author actually talks directly to the reader and explains why he may be writing about something that doesn’t seem to fit. In the end though, it all seems to fit together.

There are many references to bands and songs that some readers will find distracting, while others will find that they add to the feel of the story.

Overall, a well put together story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The book was a journey for me, and it was interesting from cover to cover.

5 out of 5 Stars.

I would recommend this book for mature readers due to graphic language and some sexual situations.


The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself


Review by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com

5 Stars for The Call of Agon by Dean F. Wilson

The Call of Agon by Dean F. Wilson

The Call of Agon is a wonderfully crafted work of fantasy. The story begins with the city of Larksong being attacked by viscous hordes if evil creatures. Prince Herr’Don, the Cleric Ifferon, and a young man named Yavun escaping from the battle and into the wilds.

Their resolve is tested as they journey through evil and perilous lands on the way to safety. Safety though was only a hope. As they pressed on further, they met with new perils, met old friends, and made new acquaintances.

Not going to spoil the story for you, but needless to say that their journey to battle against the forces of the Lichelord, was not an easy journey.

The author did a terrific job of blending world building, action scenes, and shifts in the plot as the story developed. The dialogue was superb and made the reader feel closer what was happening around the unique characters in the story.

5 out of 5 Stars. An epic fantasy story to please even the pickiest of readers.

I would recommend this book to all fans of the fantasy genre.


The Call of Agon: Book One of The Children of Telm


Review by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com

5 Stars for The Towers of Tuscany by Carol M. Cram

The Towers of Tuscany by Carol M. Cram

The Towers of Tuscany is a beautifully crafted masterpiece of historical fiction and romance that takes the reader full circle as they turn through the pages.

Sofia, in a time when women were not welcomed in trade industries, followed in her father’s footsteps as a painter. She painted faithfully, and in secret from others, as she created great works of art that her father sold to the wealthy citizens of the town on San Gimignano, Italy in the 1300s.

As she painted, she would remember the lessons her father had taught her when she was younger. The author’s detailed descriptions of the works of art and how to create them enabled me to imagine the paintings that were being described.

Turmoil struck San Gimignano when a rival group attacked a dinner party at a wealthy man’s house. This was the catalyst for what was to become of Sofia over the next few months and years. Tormented by an unloving husband that only wanted a son, Sofia devised an escape plan to flee from San Gimignano.

The rest of the story, you have to find out for yourself. A delightful journey for any reader who loves a great story.

5 out of 5 Stars. This book was everything and more that you could hope for in a story. I would give it 6 stars if I could.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a great read filled with drama, suspense, romance, and turmoil. If you are a lover of the arts or painting, then you will love this book even more.


The Towers of Tuscany


Review by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com

4 Stars for Hunting the Moon by Becca Boucher

Hunting the Moon by Becca Boucher

Hunting the Moon is a paranormal romance set in Massachusetts and follows the daily lives of Daemon and Lilly.

Daemon, the brother of an accused murderer who just received two life sentences, befriends Lilly. Lilly just happens to be the widow of the man Daemon’s brother murdered. As the story progresses, their relationship builds. The development of the relationship is partly due to both Daemon and Lilly being in need of the companionship of someone else. They are each haunted by the ghost of Lilly’s late husband and find themselves putting their resolve to test.

The twists and turns in the plot keep the story interesting and flowing along smoothly, for the most part at least. I would have liked to see a bit more character development for Matthew, Daemon’s brother, and for Kat who is Lilly’s best friend…supposedly.

I really enjoyed how the author used places around where she lived along with local legends to develop the plot for the story. The use of Celtic lore also aided in the development and was twisted into the plot and gave a deeper meaning to the overall storyline.

There are grammar and tense errors in the book that were distracting as I read the book. In several areas in the book the author switches between present and past tense in the same sentence. This caused me to go back and read those sections again so I understood what the author was trying to convey to me. Spelling and punctuation also slowed my reading progress.

I would recommend this book to readers that want an interactive story with a bit of romance with a strong paranormal foundation.

4 out of 5 Stars.
Plot: 5
Storyline: 4
Character Development: 4
Technical Quality: 3
Enjoy ability: 4
Overall: 4

With some editing, this could be a 5 star read.


Hunting the Moon (The Moon Series)


Review by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com

5 Star Review for Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again by Simon Okill

Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again by Simon Okill

I flipped through the pages enthusiastically as I read “Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again”. The novel is a must read masterpiece of fiction and comedy.

The novel is full of adventure as Duane, a WereBigfoot, wanders around the town of Big Beaver in his Bigfoot costume playing pranks. His best friend, MB, knows Duane is playing tricks while dressed up as Bigfoot, but has no idea of what his friend really is.

The local Sheriff, with the help of the FBI, search for a teenager that was supposedly kidnapped by what appeared to be a female Bigfoot. It is up to Duane to find Beau and make sure that MB, the Sheriff, and the FBI do not find out who he really is along with convincing them that Bigfoot does not really exist.

If you want a book to thrill you page after page, then you need to read this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants an interactive story with twists and turns and a bit of humor. Recommend that parents take a look at the book prior to readers under age 15 due to some strong language and suggestive themes.

5 out of 5 Stars for this masterpiece.


Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again (Phantom Bigfoot Series Book #1)


Review by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com

4 Star Review for Hyperbole by Ryan Parmenter

Hyperbole by Ryan Parmenter

4 out of 5 Stars

Hyperbole is simply put as obvious or intentional exaggeration. The author definitely got that down when he wrote this book.

Hyperbole follows Harland as he makes his way through everyday life in a world that just can’t seem to get any worse…or better for that matter. The story follows Harland through his perspective for most of the book as you see through his eyes what is going on. His girlfriend Rena, who has quite a personality of her own, pleases him and torments him as you flip the pages.

From drunken beer binges, to smoking a lot of weed, the story hits all the strong points of a man working his way through life and also indulging himself in some of life’s more simple pleasures.

The story is fast paced at many points and goes into great detail about the people Harland is surrounded by. This fast paced story allows the author to jump around some but not so much that you lose where he is trying to take you.

Comedy is essential in this book and fills the pages. From the priest that molested Ollie, to the old drunk in the bar, not a page goes by without something out of the ordinary.

If you are looking for a fast paced novel, with diverse content, and a bit of humor, then this is the book for you.

I would recommend this book for mature readers due to strong language.



Hyperbole


Reviewed by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com
www.indieauthorsandbooks.wordpress.com

5 Star Review for Peer Pressure by Chris Watt

Peer Pressure by Chris Watt

5 out of 5 Stars

Don’t let the title of the book confuse you; it has nothing to do with peer pressure. Let me change that, it has everything to do with Peer pressure. The main character of the book, Jodie, is a 17 year old girl kin her final year of school. She starts the first day of school and you almost immediately meet her best friend Laura, who is a little on the loud side, in more ways than one.

Upon entering her first period class, you meet Mr. Rob Peer, well you met him a little earlier in the book, but this is where you find out he is an English teacher at the school.

“Peer” Pressure? What is the author really getting at with that title? Well, fortunately for you I’m not going to talk about that in the review, but the name of the book throws a couple twists at you.

Jodie’s mom, Katy, is protective of her daughter and does everything she can to make sure she maintains a tight bond as a parent and a friend with Jodie. She struggles thru her own issues as a single mom who is only 15 years older than her daughter.

Then there is the new boy in school, and the new kid next door. Talk about another twist being added to the story.

Overall, the author did a great job in writing a story that leaves you wanting more as you turn through the pages. While looking at things from the female view as you follow Jodie and Katy, you cant tell that a man wrote the book. He goes even deeper into this by making sure from the dialogue that you can tell the distinct difference in maturity by the adults and the teenagers in the book. Well done by making sure each person in the book had their own distinct personality and depth.

There are a couple of sexual situations, but they are not graphic and in this book add to the complexity of the storyline and plot. Trust me, there are no “details” in the bedroom, just the passion and awkwardness that lead up to it.

Some profanity exists in the book but it seemed appropriate for this type of book. Ask yourself how many teenagers don’t ever use profanity? The language, though used seldom, did add to the personality of the characters in the book and helped me as a reader understand the personality of the characters.

There are minor technical errors for spelling and grammar that will go unnoticed by most readers. The only consistency issue I found was in Chapter Four where the author references the boxes in Rob’s apartment having been sitting in the hallway of his flat for the past three weeks, but several paragraphs later it states that he had only been in the place for two weeks. This one part caused me to go back to the previous section, but other than that one instance, the book is very consistent.

I would recommend this book for young adult and older readers due to some harsh language.

Definitely a 5 Star read.

Peer Pressure


Reviewed by: David at Indie Authors and Books
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com
www.indieauthorsandbooks.wordpress.com

4 Star Review for Raising Your Daughter Through the Joys Tears and Hormones by C. Lynn Williams

Raising Your Daughter Through The Joys, Tears & Hormones by C. Lynn Williams

4 out of 5 Stars

Raising Your Daughter is a parenting, self-help book with insight into how to raise your daughters in a modern world. The book provides advice on how to handle certain situations, discipline, how to talk to your daughter, how to earn their respect, and also be their friend.

The author did a great job talking about her childhood and how her mother raised her and then applied that to the upbringing of her own children. I read the book from the perspective of a man who has a wife, two daughters, and a son. I will be the first to say that many of the issues I endured as a parent with teenage daughters were addressed in the book. Not every family is structured the same, but there is helpful advice from the author that can assist any family situation in some form or fashion.

The author talks about treating your daughters like princesses and raising them to be queens. Each parent does this in their own way, and the author opens us up to her way of doing things.

In the end a lot of love and a little patience go a long way.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for advice on parenting challenges and techniques. Both mothers and fathers can find some benefit to the book, even if you have sons instead of daughters.

There are some spelling and grammar errors in the book, but they are minor. The kindle format of the ebook has some formatting issues such as words dropping down to a line by themselves. To avoid the formatting issues, I recommend reading the book in the kindle default font and resolution as this resolves some of those issues.

I give the book 4 out of 5 stars based on overall quality, practicality, and enjoyability.



The book is currently available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Daughte...

Reviewed By: David at Indie Authors and Book
www.indieauthorsandbooks.com
www.indieauthorsandbooks.wordpress.com