Scott Spotson's Blog, page 8

Life II – On Book Bub Dec .8 – A Fond Look Back

I’m honoured to say that Life II will be listed on Book Bub on Dec. 8… not once, but twice!  It was previously listed December 15, 2013. To this date, of my nine books published under my name, Life II is still, by far. my most popular work.

Life II was written in June, July, and August of 2012.  Often, during my young adult years, I had wondered, “What if I did things differently?”  Life II is one of the answers.  (Unlike Max Thorning, I never studied to be a doctor!)

Here is the listing for Life II:

http://www.amazon.com/Life-II-Scott-Spotson-ebook/dp/B00BJOS4J0

Here’s to you, Life II!

If anyone were to ask what are my two favourite books, I would answer Life II and The Four Kings.  I do have a soft spot for another two books, thought — Seeking Dr. Magic and Delusional.  These are my “fun” books. But I would say that Life II and The Four Kings are the books to which I am most deeply attached.

I don’t know why The Four Kings never approached the popularity of Life II!  Ah well!

See below for the old covers for Life II. Interesting, eh? Not effective visually, but very true in terms of flashbacks on one’s life!

 

 

 

 

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“The Ghost of Sephera” Coming Out Soon! (Book I Edited!)

Here it is, sparkling new!  Looks good, eh?

For more on my Editing services: http://www.scottspotson.com/editing-services/

Available December 1!  Per-order now!

http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Sephera-Book-Theodore-Crane-ebook/dp/B00NZ86KBW

 

The post “The Ghost of Sephera” Coming Out Soon! (Book I Edited!) appeared first on Scott Spotson.

Unputdownable

http://bookishlover.blogspot.ca/2014/11/scott-spotson-delusional-book-review.html

Career orientated Patricia Fowler’s previous relationships had gone awry. In Delusional, Patricia develops tender feelings for her married co-worker Paul. During this time Paul happened to be unhappy about his homelife because of his seemingly bored wife Wendy. Naturally, Wendy was not happy that Patricia had come between her and Paul. So, strange things started to happen with Patricia.

Delusional was a suspenseful story and the book was unputdownable. The story started off slow, some time was taken to introduce us main characters, their personality, past, who they were, where they had come from. I loved how in the first half of the book the lines of past and reality were blurred. It made it enjoyable read, made fantasy real or turned reality into magic. The ending had more supernatural elements in it, that line between reality and fantasy was crossed and it didn’t feel as fine as the first 3/4 of the book.

However, Delusional was a page-turner and it also gave me heebie-jeebies, when I tried to read it in the night, or alone in the dark early morning outside waiting alone for my bus.

Rating

Plot: 5

Writing: 3,5

Characters: 3

Emotions: 4.

Overall rating: 4 stars!

The post Unputdownable appeared first on Scott Spotson.

“Unputdownable” — Delusional by Scott Spotson

http://bookishlover.blogspot.ca/2014/11/scott-spotson-delusional-book-review.html

Career orientated Patricia Fowler’s previous relationships had gone awry. In Delusional, Patricia develops tender feelings for her married co-worker Paul. During this time Paul happened to be unhappy about his homelife because of his seemingly bored wife Wendy. Naturally, Wendy was not happy that Patricia had come between her and Paul. So, strange things started to happen with Patricia.

Delusional was a suspenseful story and the book was unputdownable. The story started off slow, some time was taken to introduce us main characters, their personality, past, who they were, where they had come from. I loved how in the first half of the book the lines of past and reality were blurred. It made it enjoyable read, made fantasy real or turned reality into magic. The ending had more supernatural elements in it, that line between reality and fantasy was crossed and it didn’t feel as fine as the first 3/4 of the book.

However, Delusional was a page-turner and it also gave me heebie-jeebies, when I tried to read it in the night, or alone in the dark early morning outside waiting alone for my bus.

Rating

Plot: 5

Writing: 3,5

Characters: 3

Emotions: 4.

Overall rating: 4 stars!

The post “Unputdownable” — Delusional by Scott Spotson appeared first on Scott Spotson.

“Book Hits a “Home Run” — My Wizard Buddy, Target Earth”

5.0 out of 5 stars Book hits a home run with “man”-beasts, November 19, 2014

By

Mark Isaacs – See all my reviews

Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: My Wizard Buddy: Target Earth (Juvenile Fiction) (Fantasy & Magic) (Kindle Edition)

The cover of My Wizard Buddy: Target Earth offers a tantalizing glimpse at one of the most imaginative plot points I have come across in my many years of devouring books. Since it’s on the cover anyway, I won’t be spilling a spoiler by saying that it portrays the transformation of the shape-shifting ET version of Earth’s war-loving Spartans into “man”-beasts with the heads of ferocious jungle animals. I ate up the main course of the book that follows and sailed through the remainder, featuring engaging main characters Tyler, a 13-year-old all-American boy put to the test for the first time in his safe life, and his playful ET wizard buddy Dirk. My only real regret about the story is that the authors missed a rich opportunity to develop terror and suspense in the malicious warriors’ chase of frightened human captives during war games they impose on them. Still, there’s enough drama outside of that in Target Earth for me to enthusiastically recommend the book for middle-grade readers, and the occasional man-boy like me out there as well.

The post “Book Hits a “Home Run” — My Wizard Buddy, Target Earth” appeared first on Scott Spotson.

The Hunger Games with Magic and Aliens

http://www.amazon.com/review/R19FTQC5BV4BNI/

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hunger Games with magic and aliens , November 5, 2014

By J.C. Wing

Format: Kindle Edition

This is the third book in the My Wizard Buddy series, and in this reader’s opinion, the best one of the three. While the first two were very creative, the third one had a little different feel to it. The authors were very successful at building a satisfying anticipation with Target Earth, and promoted things such as the importance of teamwork, strategy and taking care of one another.

An alien race, the Genzi, have invaded Earth and kidnapped sixteen Earthlings. Thirteen year old Tyler is one of the captives. The whole time Tyler is held prisoner, he is hoping that his wizard friend, Dirk, somehow finds and rescues him. Tyler holds his own, however, and shows great inner strength when he realizes that there are two other prisoners much younger than he is. He becomes their protector and does his best to comfort them even though he himself is scared out of his wits.

The Genzi put their captives through a series of tests, both physical and mental. In one such test, the prisoners are taken to a remote place before turning themselves into various wild animals. It becomes a safari hunt where the ‘animals’ prey upon the humans. It is Tyler’s time to shine as he comes up with a plan to protect himself and the other Earthlings.

Dirk is not forgotten in this story, although to share just what his role is would be divulging too much. Target Earth is still very much about the friendship between Tyler and Dirk, but this third book really allows Tyler to shine. He is triumphant, not because he has the power of magic, but because he is quick thinking and logical. He is a hero…and the authors threw in a bit of potential romance. A very nice touch.

Something I did find a bit surprising, considering the fact that his is a juvenile fiction book, was the use of the word ‘damn’ on two separate occasions. While definitely one of the more tame curses, I would think the authors could have found a more suitable word considering their audience.

All in all, I found My Wizard Buddy to be a very enjoyable series. Target Earth is definitely the shiniest jewel of the three, but all of the books together are a fine work indeed.

The post The Hunger Games with Magic and Aliens appeared first on Scott Spotson.

Darker than the first…. Wizard Planet

4.0 out of 5 stars Darker than the first, but still just as magical, November 4, 2014

This review is from: My Wizard Buddy: Wizard Planet (Book Two) (Paperback)

This is the second of three books in Scott Spotson and Brian Wu’s My Wizard Buddy series. This time, earthling Tyler is taken to Dirk’s home planet of Adgiligda where he is introduced to the amazing Wizardium, the center of the planet’s universe. It has an ice crystal ceiling and is the place where games, concerts, competitions, ceremonies and pageants are held. Dirk then takes his friend to Julian, his home town. The two boys play Death Ball, (a game where the ball goes after the players…shrieking and shooting laser beams all the while,) and Tyler learns that the residents in Julian can enjoy summer, fall, winter or spring all year round simply by moving to different parts of the town. As a reader, I was intrigued by this just as much as Tyler was.

All is going well until Dirk invites Tyler to his home for dinner. He tells Tyler that his parents might be upset to find out that Tyler is a human. Tyler learns that in the past, wizards and humans lived on Earth together before the wizards became incredibly powerful and eventually killed off the human race. Needless to say, this throws quite a damper on Tyler’s enthusiasm and enjoyment of this new and magical place.

Tyler’s education continues when he goes to school with Dirk the next day disguised as a wizard. A debate breaks out among the children about whether or not the humans should have been destroyed by the wizards. Tyler winds up being taunted by several of the wizard children, and here is where this inspired tale takes a dark turn. I will not divulge the details in fear of ruining the story, but I will say that the authors take bullying to a whole new level.

This is a book brimming with colorful detail. The authors have created a vibrant new world full of interesting architecture and ideas. This second installment, however, as imaginative as it is, is also much darker than the first. Tyler is very nearly brutalized by three young wizards. He finds himself in a huge amount of trouble, not just physically and mentally due to the malicious acts of his tormenters, but also in a court of law when he and Dirk face criminal charges. In the end, the three bullies are not brought to justice, although the authors leave their readers with a ray of hope as the story concludes. Is it possible that Dirk and Tyler have forced the wizards of Adgiligda to think differently about their history with the human race?

The story is creative and very well written. In this reader’s opinion, it may have been a bit fierce for its targeted age group, but overall, I believe that this series is an absolute winner.

The post Darker than the first…. Wizard Planet appeared first on Scott Spotson.

“The Hunger Games With Magic and Aliens” — Target Earth

http://www.amazon.com/review/R19FTQC5BV4BNI/
5.0 out of 5 stars  The Hunger Games with magic and aliens  November 5, 2014
By J.C. Wing
Format:Kindle Edition

This is the third book in the My Wizard Buddy series, and in this reader’s opinion, the best one of the three. While the first two were very creative, the third one had a little different feel to it. The authors were very successful at building a satisfying anticipation with Target Earth, and promoted things such as the importance of teamwork, strategy and taking care of one another.

An alien race, the Genzi, have invaded Earth and kidnapped sixteen Earthlings. Thirteen year old Tyler is one of the captives. The whole time Tyler is held prisoner, he is hoping that his wizard friend, Dirk, somehow finds and rescues him. Tyler holds his own, however, and shows great inner strength when he realizes that there are two other prisoners much younger than he is. He becomes their protector and does his best to comfort them even though he himself is scared out of his wits.

The Genzi put their captives through a series of tests, both physical and mental. In one such test, the prisoners are taken to a remote place before turning themselves into various wild animals. It becomes a safari hunt where the ‘animals’ prey upon the humans. It is Tyler’s time to shine as he comes up with a plan to protect himself and the other Earthlings.

Dirk is not forgotten in this story, although to share just what his role is would be divulging too much. Target Earth is still very much about the friendship between Tyler and Dirk, but this third book really allows Tyler to shine. He is triumphant, not because he has the power of magic, but because he is quick thinking and logical. He is a hero…and the authors threw in a bit of potential romance. A very nice touch.

Something I did find a bit surprising, considering the fact that his is a juvenile fiction book, was the use of the word ‘damn’ on two separate occasions. While definitely one of the more tame curses, I would think the authors could have found a more suitable word considering their audience.

All in all, I found My Wizard Buddy to be a very enjoyable series. Target Earth is definitely the shiniest jewel of the three, but all of the books together are a fine work indeed.

The post “The Hunger Games With Magic and Aliens” — Target Earth appeared first on Scott Spotson.

“Darker Than the First” — Wizard Planet

 Darker than the first, but still just as magical, November 4, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/review/RKS4O1LFPAYF3

This review is from: My Wizard Buddy: Wizard Planet (Book Two) (Paperback)
This is the second of three books in Scott Spotson and Brian Wu’s My Wizard Buddy series. This time, earthling Tyler is taken to Dirk’s home planet of Adgiligda where he is introduced to the amazing Wizardium, the center of the planet’s universe. It has an ice crystal ceiling and is the place where games, concerts, competitions, ceremonies and pageants are held. Dirk then takes his friend to Julian, his home town. The two boys play Death Ball, (a game where the ball goes after the players…shrieking and shooting laser beams all the while,) and Tyler learns that the residents in Julian can enjoy summer, fall, winter or spring all year round simply by moving to different parts of the town. As a reader, I was intrigued by this just as much as Tyler was.

All is going well until Dirk invites Tyler to his home for dinner. He tells Tyler that his parents might be upset to find out that Tyler is a human. Tyler learns that in the past, wizards and humans lived on Earth together before the wizards became incredibly powerful and eventually killed off the human race. Needless to say, this throws quite a damper on Tyler’s enthusiasm and enjoyment of this new and magical place.

Tyler’s education continues when he goes to school with Dirk the next day disguised as a wizard. A debate breaks out among the children about whether or not the humans should have been destroyed by the wizards. Tyler winds up being taunted by several of the wizard children, and here is where this inspired tale takes a dark turn. I will not divulge the details in fear of ruining the story, but I will say that the authors take bullying to a whole new level.

This is a book brimming with colorful detail. The authors have created a vibrant new world full of interesting architecture and ideas. This second installment, however, as imaginative as it is, is also much darker than the first. Tyler is very nearly brutalized by three young wizards. He finds himself in a huge amount of trouble, not just physically and mentally due to the malicious acts of his tormenters, but also in a court of law when he and Dirk face criminal charges. In the end, the three bullies are not brought to justice, although the authors leave their readers with a ray of hope as the story concludes. Is it possible that Dirk and Tyler have forced the wizards of Adgiligda to think differently about their history with the human race?

The story is creative and very well written. In this reader’s opinion, it may have been a bit fierce for its targeted age group, but overall, I believe that this series is an absolute winner.

The post “Darker Than the First” — Wizard Planet appeared first on Scott Spotson.

Huge Fan of YA and Juvenile Fiction

http://www.amazon.com/My-Wizard-Buddy-Juvenile-Fiction-ebook/product-reviews/B00LPRJZ4Y

4.0 out of 5 stars An imaginary friend of the most outrageous kind!, October 30, 2014

By

J.C. Wing – ?See all my reviews

This review is from: My Wizard Buddy: (Juvenile Fiction) (Fantasy & Magic) (Kindle Edition)

I am a huge fan of YA and Juvenile Fiction. There is something special about the genres that I find absolutely enchanting. After reading the synopsis for this book, I was ready to jump in. What I found in the prose was a mixture of sheer magic, creativity, a bit of realism and an easy flow to the story. The authors have done something fun with this.

This story begins with a young boy, Tyler, who is alone and wishing for a friend. Out of nowhere, one appears. His name is Dirk. He looks like a normal eleven year old…except that he’s a wizard and comes from another planet. From there the story takes off and the reader is carried through many fast-paced adventures.

This book touches upon several different important topics. Sibling rivalry is one, bullying and popularity are others. It even touches on incredibly difficult things such as death and dysfunction within the family unit. Unfortunately these things are a part of a majority of kids’ lives, and I believe that readers will be able to relate to these things without feeling burdened by them as they read.

This book is light-hearted and smoothly written. It is a pleasing story packed full of adventure and humor. The heavier stuff is present but not overwhelming in any way. At the core of the tale is Tyler and his friendship with Dirk…and what a friendship it is.

The age level listed for this book is 6 – 15. I’m the parent of two children and a long time homeschooler. I have read a number of different series with each of my children and think that a more appropriate age group for this particular one would be closer to 7 – 13. Perhaps this shouldn’t be too great a discussion point, however. I’m a grown adult and found this story to be both entertaining and charming.

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