Hosts, written by Dylan J. Morgan and published by Wild Child Publishing is a dark fiction novel at 147 pages including cover, publisher’s page and thanks.
Now living and working in Norway, Dylan J Morgan was born in New Zealand and raised in the United Kingdom. He writes during those rare quiet moments amid a hectic family life: after dark, with limited sustenance, and when his creative essence is plagued the most by tormented visions.
Dylan Morgan has also had several short stories published and has completed his second novel Flesh which is going through reviewing, he is currently working on his third novel.
The cover for Hosts is black with white writing and a ghostly white figure in the centre which has worms inside its mouth.
In the small town of Snow Peak, North America an important archaeological discovery will change the town and its people forever. When archaeologist Marianne White becomes the first victim to an ancient parasite over five centuries old and with a storm growing, it is only a matter of time before the entire town is isolated in a nightmare which threatens the lives of everyone. The protection of the town lies in the hands of the Sheriff and the local GP Dr Lauren Kemper, whose own personal nightmares from her past have come flooding back in the form of the husband, Malcolm Macdonald, she escaped two years earlier. Together can they save the town and those in it from the growing number of parasites as the number of inhabitant’s decreases?
Dylan Morgan grasps your attention from the very first chapter, with excellent descriptions of the scene and what is going on which enable you to picture the scenes easily. The characters are believable in both how they put themselves across and also the often terrifying situations they find themselves in.
In Hosts, Dylan Morgan is at his best when lives are on the line and it appears all hope is lost. This is a story of fear, of facing it head on no matter the cost, standing up for what is right and important and conquering personal fears and those of unknown sources. It’s about life and death, and love versus money.
Though I’d say the synopsis would intrigue me into reading this book, I do not think the cover would, not being a bug fan myself I would not recommend this book to anyone with a fear of bugs namely, worms. However having read this book, I would recommend it to anyone over 18 years old, without a fear of worms or bugs likely to raise its head.
Dylan Morgan has done a wonderful job with his descriptions and paints a terrifying picture sure to make you stay away from any water sources. I give Hosts by Dylan Morgan 4.5 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
29 Nov 2008
8 Nov 2008
Like Glass
Like Glass is Matthew Cory’s first book which is 203 pages in length, not including title pages and thanks to his wife Patti. Though he has written four short stories which he considers complete none have yet been published.
Matthew Cory currently resides in El Paso Texas with his wife, his two year old beagle, Chloe, and cat, Charlie. He is a software/web developer.
Eight years ago during college, Rob fell deeply in love with someone he barely knew. Then one night his brother Bill betrayed him terribly shattering their relationship and leaving Rob alone, cut off from everyone depressed and wishing his brother were dead.
Eight years later awaiting a phone call from his brother to his shock it is Janet, Bill’s wife who phones informing him of his brother’s death, but with so much history between Rob, Bill and Janet, how is Rob to feel...sad he has lost a brother? Happy his wish had come true? Or perhaps upset he didn’t get to kill him himself? Unable to play the piano any longer Rob’s personal dreams are destroyed and he’s forced to seek employment.
In the wake of Bills death can Rob become the person he once was or has he changed so much. Can he forgive and forget and allow himself to move on beyond all the hurt he’s causing himself and those around him.
This wasn’t my usual type of book to read, though this isn’t your typical romance either, if anything I think it’s a bit of a psychological thriller as well. What Matthew Cory has here is a wonderful little story of romance and how one can be betrayed and so easily, not only that but also how family and friends are the most important of things along with trust. This is a story entirely based on love and trust, and how easily these can be reversed. But it’s also a story about how you cannot hide your feelings or emotions from those closest to you and that it doesn’t matter who you are whether old or young we are all fragile, Like Glass.
There are many twists and turns throughout the story as it travels between the present and the events eight years previous. There are one or two sentences which require mild restructuring and a few common spelling mistakes which can easily be corrected, though eyes trained or untrained will be able to see what is being said.
There is a lot of emotion portrayed in this story that at times you cannot decide who is playing the part of the good guy and bad guy. The psychology of Like Glass is really what holds this story together magnificently by creating and manipulating the emotions of both the believable and wonderful characters and that of the reader.
I would recommend Like Glass by Matthew Cory to anyone aged 16 years plus and give this book, 4 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Matthew Cory currently resides in El Paso Texas with his wife, his two year old beagle, Chloe, and cat, Charlie. He is a software/web developer.
Eight years ago during college, Rob fell deeply in love with someone he barely knew. Then one night his brother Bill betrayed him terribly shattering their relationship and leaving Rob alone, cut off from everyone depressed and wishing his brother were dead.
Eight years later awaiting a phone call from his brother to his shock it is Janet, Bill’s wife who phones informing him of his brother’s death, but with so much history between Rob, Bill and Janet, how is Rob to feel...sad he has lost a brother? Happy his wish had come true? Or perhaps upset he didn’t get to kill him himself? Unable to play the piano any longer Rob’s personal dreams are destroyed and he’s forced to seek employment.
In the wake of Bills death can Rob become the person he once was or has he changed so much. Can he forgive and forget and allow himself to move on beyond all the hurt he’s causing himself and those around him.
This wasn’t my usual type of book to read, though this isn’t your typical romance either, if anything I think it’s a bit of a psychological thriller as well. What Matthew Cory has here is a wonderful little story of romance and how one can be betrayed and so easily, not only that but also how family and friends are the most important of things along with trust. This is a story entirely based on love and trust, and how easily these can be reversed. But it’s also a story about how you cannot hide your feelings or emotions from those closest to you and that it doesn’t matter who you are whether old or young we are all fragile, Like Glass.
There are many twists and turns throughout the story as it travels between the present and the events eight years previous. There are one or two sentences which require mild restructuring and a few common spelling mistakes which can easily be corrected, though eyes trained or untrained will be able to see what is being said.
There is a lot of emotion portrayed in this story that at times you cannot decide who is playing the part of the good guy and bad guy. The psychology of Like Glass is really what holds this story together magnificently by creating and manipulating the emotions of both the believable and wonderful characters and that of the reader.
I would recommend Like Glass by Matthew Cory to anyone aged 16 years plus and give this book, 4 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
24 Oct 2008
The Legend Of Witch Bane
The Legend Of Witch Bane by Kevis Hendrickson and published by Outskirts Press Inc is a children’s adventure at 330 pages in length covering 40 chapters.
Kevis Hendrickson lives in Miami Florida and is already working on the sequel to The Legend Of Witch Bane.
The cover art created by Michael Graham depicts three children one male and two girls backed into a corner holding a flaming torch, swords and a bow and arrow against the ever approaching werewolves. The cover itself is dark and the title and author name are written in silver, the name Witch Bane is backed by a sword through the lettering. There are also illustrations by Karen Petrasko throughout the book which are beautiful depictions of what is happening in the chapter where it is placed.
When evil Queen Rhiannon Eldess threatens the lives of the daughters of the Kingdom of Kaldan once more, the King and his Queen fear for the lives of their daughters. When the youngest, Anyr, is taken, her older brother Kodobos makes it his duty to save her but in doing so is forced to steal the Sword Of Kings which belongs to his father. In doing so Kaldan is placed in mortal danger and the kingdom falls under a dark enchantment. In a world full of dangers around every corner and so foreign to them, the children along with their elder sister Laris a mystery unto everyone and a half breed, must leave the kingdom on a quest to claim the sword known as Witch Bane if they are to feel the warmth of their parents love and protection ever again, a legendary sword powerful enough to destroy Rhiannon herself and break her evil spell upon Kaldan.
Kevis Hendrickson has created an amazing story reminiscent of the fairy tales of old we all grew up reading and still read to our younger family members to this day. With its mixture of Arthurian Legend and Greek and Norse mythology also play their part in this story of love, hate, loss, trust, deception and growing up but also what it means to be as innocent as a child should be.
While you can place which fairy tale or legend a certain event is based around there are also visible differences allowing this story to stand on its own.
This world is full of both wonderful and terrible creatures and people alike that anyone who reads this book will take away something, perhaps a new perception of the world around them.
As with all fairy tales there are lessons to be learnt around every corner however, un-like the fairy tales of old I’d say The Legend Of Witch Bane is aimed more toward those of around 10 years old to adult. I say this because there is one or two incidents in which I personally feel is not suitable no matter how carefully worded a child below 10 years of age should read and as Mr Hendrickson himself states in his book, children have the largest imaginations.
The characters are in themselves well created however the three children Laris, Anyr and Kodobos do sound older than they truly are though one could say that is down to their heritage.
Kevis Hendrickson has a unique way of telling the story that the amount of information you’re given is neither too little nor too much and yet remains to feel like you are being read to.
For younger readers this is a wonderful tale of learning to understand that no matter what, don’t be too eager to grow up however be more aware of what is going on around you for there is both good and evil in the world and both know not the limit of age.
For the older reader this is a grand trek across the magical world of Arva where dragons talk and some breathe ice and goblins seek the greatest of all treasures. If you loved Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit, Grimms Tales, even far older tales lost in time then this tale has it all and will have you glued to its pages through every twist and turn.
I completed this book in four sittings and I would highly recommend anyone over the age of ten years of age to have The Legend Of Witch Bane sitting on their bookshelves. However, I do fear that by not mentioning a timeline for the journey within the story it does appear that at least one of the children every single day if not more, is in mortal peril. That being said this is a wonderful adventure story beautifully written and illustrated, and I give The Legend Of Witch Bane by Kevis Hendrickson 4.5 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Kevis Hendrickson lives in Miami Florida and is already working on the sequel to The Legend Of Witch Bane.
The cover art created by Michael Graham depicts three children one male and two girls backed into a corner holding a flaming torch, swords and a bow and arrow against the ever approaching werewolves. The cover itself is dark and the title and author name are written in silver, the name Witch Bane is backed by a sword through the lettering. There are also illustrations by Karen Petrasko throughout the book which are beautiful depictions of what is happening in the chapter where it is placed.
When evil Queen Rhiannon Eldess threatens the lives of the daughters of the Kingdom of Kaldan once more, the King and his Queen fear for the lives of their daughters. When the youngest, Anyr, is taken, her older brother Kodobos makes it his duty to save her but in doing so is forced to steal the Sword Of Kings which belongs to his father. In doing so Kaldan is placed in mortal danger and the kingdom falls under a dark enchantment. In a world full of dangers around every corner and so foreign to them, the children along with their elder sister Laris a mystery unto everyone and a half breed, must leave the kingdom on a quest to claim the sword known as Witch Bane if they are to feel the warmth of their parents love and protection ever again, a legendary sword powerful enough to destroy Rhiannon herself and break her evil spell upon Kaldan.
Kevis Hendrickson has created an amazing story reminiscent of the fairy tales of old we all grew up reading and still read to our younger family members to this day. With its mixture of Arthurian Legend and Greek and Norse mythology also play their part in this story of love, hate, loss, trust, deception and growing up but also what it means to be as innocent as a child should be.
While you can place which fairy tale or legend a certain event is based around there are also visible differences allowing this story to stand on its own.
This world is full of both wonderful and terrible creatures and people alike that anyone who reads this book will take away something, perhaps a new perception of the world around them.
As with all fairy tales there are lessons to be learnt around every corner however, un-like the fairy tales of old I’d say The Legend Of Witch Bane is aimed more toward those of around 10 years old to adult. I say this because there is one or two incidents in which I personally feel is not suitable no matter how carefully worded a child below 10 years of age should read and as Mr Hendrickson himself states in his book, children have the largest imaginations.
The characters are in themselves well created however the three children Laris, Anyr and Kodobos do sound older than they truly are though one could say that is down to their heritage.
Kevis Hendrickson has a unique way of telling the story that the amount of information you’re given is neither too little nor too much and yet remains to feel like you are being read to.
For younger readers this is a wonderful tale of learning to understand that no matter what, don’t be too eager to grow up however be more aware of what is going on around you for there is both good and evil in the world and both know not the limit of age.
For the older reader this is a grand trek across the magical world of Arva where dragons talk and some breathe ice and goblins seek the greatest of all treasures. If you loved Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit, Grimms Tales, even far older tales lost in time then this tale has it all and will have you glued to its pages through every twist and turn.
I completed this book in four sittings and I would highly recommend anyone over the age of ten years of age to have The Legend Of Witch Bane sitting on their bookshelves. However, I do fear that by not mentioning a timeline for the journey within the story it does appear that at least one of the children every single day if not more, is in mortal peril. That being said this is a wonderful adventure story beautifully written and illustrated, and I give The Legend Of Witch Bane by Kevis Hendrickson 4.5 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
1 Oct 2008
Frank Testimony
Frank Testimony written by J. Walt Layne and published by Champion City Press Ohio is a legal thriller at 291 pages long.
A veteran of the United States Army, a full time student at Urbana University studying business and human services, and working a full time job, J. Walt Layne has written for years. He has co-authored a science fiction novella titled The Coming Of T’Loal. Mr Layne currently resides in Springfield, Ohio with his wife and two children.
The cover art is red and black depicting what appears to be a field of thorns. The title in white bold lettering stands out in the top centre against the backdrop and the author name in small white lettering sits snug in the bottom right hand corner.
The synopsis is short but carries with it a half page excerpt which in its self sounds interesting but having been brought up watching court room dramas doesn’t sound to be my cup of tea since I never liked them.
Bedford Mississippi is home to some dark goings on and dangerous people and claverns (KKK). When Paul Whitaker and his daughter Mae are savagely murdered evidence points that Frank Burchill having recently been fired from his job is to blame for the deaths of his boss and the girl he loves. Sentenced to death Frank’s life changes in many ways, when he inherits the plantation he has been working on. Will Frank’s testimony save him? Will the real culprit be caught and receive his comeuppance by revenge? or the sword of justice?
The font is smaller than most novels and the chapters are unnumbered each having their own title and even though this can leave you bewildered for how many chapters remain they are at times short meaning you can get through quite a few in one sitting.
Though admittedly I am not a legal thriller fan I did enjoy reading this book if not only to find out what happened at the end. The synopsis I believe gives a little away to the story but it’s not until you’re over half way through the book that certain parts of the synopsis begin to materialise. The legal jargon appears professional and left me feeling I was both there but also wanting out. The period portrayed here in Frank Testimony in Nathan County Mississippi in 1958 is one to be carefully handled but I believe Mr Layne has done a wonderful job in his use of language and image portrayal.
There are three stories to this book, that of Frank Burchill and his love Mae Whitaker; that of Bobby Lee Russell, Mae Whitaker and Frank Burchill and the plot thickener and base of the book the involvement of the Ku Klux Klan within society and how though highly struggle some and with casualty’s, society fought back.
Writing this review has really taken me out of my safety zone that I just haven’t known how to structure this review for a book which deals with something completely foreign to me, and that still even to this day goes on somewhere in this world. I know law rushes for no-one in seeking the truth but I was glad having finished reading the book even though I did enjoy it. I think perhaps a larger font could possibly have given this book a fairer chance as often you would find yourself struggling to continue reading it’s a good job that Mr Layne has such an amazing story here to tell otherwise the legal jargon and font would be a black hole.
I would recommend Frank Testimony to anyone aged over 18 years as there are strong impressionable political views and strong offensive language unsuitable for younger generations. I give Frank Testimony by J. Walt Layne 4 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
A veteran of the United States Army, a full time student at Urbana University studying business and human services, and working a full time job, J. Walt Layne has written for years. He has co-authored a science fiction novella titled The Coming Of T’Loal. Mr Layne currently resides in Springfield, Ohio with his wife and two children.
The cover art is red and black depicting what appears to be a field of thorns. The title in white bold lettering stands out in the top centre against the backdrop and the author name in small white lettering sits snug in the bottom right hand corner.
The synopsis is short but carries with it a half page excerpt which in its self sounds interesting but having been brought up watching court room dramas doesn’t sound to be my cup of tea since I never liked them.
Bedford Mississippi is home to some dark goings on and dangerous people and claverns (KKK). When Paul Whitaker and his daughter Mae are savagely murdered evidence points that Frank Burchill having recently been fired from his job is to blame for the deaths of his boss and the girl he loves. Sentenced to death Frank’s life changes in many ways, when he inherits the plantation he has been working on. Will Frank’s testimony save him? Will the real culprit be caught and receive his comeuppance by revenge? or the sword of justice?
The font is smaller than most novels and the chapters are unnumbered each having their own title and even though this can leave you bewildered for how many chapters remain they are at times short meaning you can get through quite a few in one sitting.
Though admittedly I am not a legal thriller fan I did enjoy reading this book if not only to find out what happened at the end. The synopsis I believe gives a little away to the story but it’s not until you’re over half way through the book that certain parts of the synopsis begin to materialise. The legal jargon appears professional and left me feeling I was both there but also wanting out. The period portrayed here in Frank Testimony in Nathan County Mississippi in 1958 is one to be carefully handled but I believe Mr Layne has done a wonderful job in his use of language and image portrayal.
There are three stories to this book, that of Frank Burchill and his love Mae Whitaker; that of Bobby Lee Russell, Mae Whitaker and Frank Burchill and the plot thickener and base of the book the involvement of the Ku Klux Klan within society and how though highly struggle some and with casualty’s, society fought back.
Writing this review has really taken me out of my safety zone that I just haven’t known how to structure this review for a book which deals with something completely foreign to me, and that still even to this day goes on somewhere in this world. I know law rushes for no-one in seeking the truth but I was glad having finished reading the book even though I did enjoy it. I think perhaps a larger font could possibly have given this book a fairer chance as often you would find yourself struggling to continue reading it’s a good job that Mr Layne has such an amazing story here to tell otherwise the legal jargon and font would be a black hole.
I would recommend Frank Testimony to anyone aged over 18 years as there are strong impressionable political views and strong offensive language unsuitable for younger generations. I give Frank Testimony by J. Walt Layne 4 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
8 Sept 2008
Sheep and Wolves
Sheep and Wolves by Jeremy Shipp and published by Raw Dog Screaming Press is a collection of bizarre dark fiction at around 161 pages including cover, publication pages, acknowledgements, thanks and contents.
Jeremy Shipp currently resides with his wife Lisa in their haunted Victorian farmhouse in Southern California. He has written numerous creations which are published in over 40 publications. Sheep and Wolves is his first published collection of stories. His debut novel is called Vacation.
The cover of Sheep and Wolves created by Jennifer C. Barnes depicts the title in bold lettering, the writing is black and on an orange background with a wolf at the top and a sheep at the bottom. It looks as if the wolf is leaping down toward the sheep.
The seventeen stories here told are anything between two and thirty two pages in length. The theme appears to be of strong and weak people in different yet similar and usually bloody situations. How does this fit the title, perfectly in fact since the strong (wolf) preys on the weak (sheep).
Jeremy Shipp has a rather unique way of writing which both draws the reader deep into the story quickly but also confuses the hell out of you along the way as the events unroll. He’s like the voice in your head, the narrator of life that gives you insight to another’s world, thoughts and dreams. Truly he see’ things differently than most. It’s a hallucination wrapped in complete fantasy rolled in reality and raked through horror.
I would love to read some of these stories as longer versions to see what else Mr Shipp can come up with but also to see how these characters came to find themselves in these situations. I would certainly recommend Mr Shipp’s work to anyone over the age of 18 years. Any author that can create an emotional attachment in such short a time and can manage to both confuse the reader yet maintain their attention without faltering certainly deserves four stars like Mr Jeremy Shipp.
By R.N. Hadley
Jeremy Shipp currently resides with his wife Lisa in their haunted Victorian farmhouse in Southern California. He has written numerous creations which are published in over 40 publications. Sheep and Wolves is his first published collection of stories. His debut novel is called Vacation.
The cover of Sheep and Wolves created by Jennifer C. Barnes depicts the title in bold lettering, the writing is black and on an orange background with a wolf at the top and a sheep at the bottom. It looks as if the wolf is leaping down toward the sheep.
The seventeen stories here told are anything between two and thirty two pages in length. The theme appears to be of strong and weak people in different yet similar and usually bloody situations. How does this fit the title, perfectly in fact since the strong (wolf) preys on the weak (sheep).
Jeremy Shipp has a rather unique way of writing which both draws the reader deep into the story quickly but also confuses the hell out of you along the way as the events unroll. He’s like the voice in your head, the narrator of life that gives you insight to another’s world, thoughts and dreams. Truly he see’ things differently than most. It’s a hallucination wrapped in complete fantasy rolled in reality and raked through horror.
I would love to read some of these stories as longer versions to see what else Mr Shipp can come up with but also to see how these characters came to find themselves in these situations. I would certainly recommend Mr Shipp’s work to anyone over the age of 18 years. Any author that can create an emotional attachment in such short a time and can manage to both confuse the reader yet maintain their attention without faltering certainly deserves four stars like Mr Jeremy Shipp.
By R.N. Hadley
29 Aug 2008
Rise and Walk
Rise and Walk written by Gregory Solis and published by Hadrian Publishing in 2007 is a horror novel at 222 pages in length with 40 chapters.
Gregory Solis is a Writer, Filmmaker, and Digital Media Artist. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University with Bachelors in Cinema. He currently resides in Northern California.
The cover art for Rise and Walk designed by Gregory Solis, depicting his own bloody decaying hand and wrist resting against what appears to be a tree in darkened woodland. The image was photographed by Christina Grill and edited in Photoshop. The title and author name stand out nicely in grey against such a dark cover, the bottom of the letters of the title are also decaying the closer they are to the hand.
Rise and Walk’s synopsis is a single paragraph which reads like the back of a DVD cover, it is clear to the point and accompanies the title perfectly.
When a meteorite crashes to earth and is collected by an eager professor and his geology class it is the start of the most terrifying summer anyone could ever imagine.
In Rise and Walk by Gregory Solis we meet a number of characters of differing backgrounds in the first few chapters. When the meteorite crashes in the camp site everyone is staying in, it isn’t long before a mysterious green mist puts everyone’s lives in danger.
Trapped in the wilderness we join two groups of people a pair of female camp site workers and two male military wannabe’s partaking in a paintball competition, who have to join forces and learn to overcome their fears if any of them are to survive. Amongst them a female med student Veronica seeks to find out and understand exactly what is causing what appears to be an infection of some kind, but even she knows she is way out of her league.
The book appears to take its time to fully kick off however what is happening is that you are being shown exact details leading to the full outbreak which draws you deeper into the book. There is a lot of blood and gore in this book once the dead Rise and Walk which is from the very first chapter. The descriptions of blood tearing are vivid and leave nothing to the imagination but a hunger for more.
Can the group figure out what is happening and warn civilisation before the walking dead reach town? Can people find it within themselves to save others? To stand and fight? Or run to the hills and hide?
The first line reads Many people are afraid of the dark, well if you weren’t before you may just be by the time you finish reading. It took me three days to finish Rise and Walk and although I could not quite grasp the amount of time spent during the paintball competition, I did thoroughly enjoy the book which brought to mind the old children’s rhyme if you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise which definitely holds sway with this book, especially since the surprise is a growing mass of bloody reanimating corpses. I can’t wait for the next instalment in the Rise and Walk series titled, Rise and Walk: Pathogen.
I give Rise and Walk by Gregory Solis 4.5 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
Gregory Solis is a Writer, Filmmaker, and Digital Media Artist. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University with Bachelors in Cinema. He currently resides in Northern California.
The cover art for Rise and Walk designed by Gregory Solis, depicting his own bloody decaying hand and wrist resting against what appears to be a tree in darkened woodland. The image was photographed by Christina Grill and edited in Photoshop. The title and author name stand out nicely in grey against such a dark cover, the bottom of the letters of the title are also decaying the closer they are to the hand.
Rise and Walk’s synopsis is a single paragraph which reads like the back of a DVD cover, it is clear to the point and accompanies the title perfectly.
When a meteorite crashes to earth and is collected by an eager professor and his geology class it is the start of the most terrifying summer anyone could ever imagine.
In Rise and Walk by Gregory Solis we meet a number of characters of differing backgrounds in the first few chapters. When the meteorite crashes in the camp site everyone is staying in, it isn’t long before a mysterious green mist puts everyone’s lives in danger.
Trapped in the wilderness we join two groups of people a pair of female camp site workers and two male military wannabe’s partaking in a paintball competition, who have to join forces and learn to overcome their fears if any of them are to survive. Amongst them a female med student Veronica seeks to find out and understand exactly what is causing what appears to be an infection of some kind, but even she knows she is way out of her league.
The book appears to take its time to fully kick off however what is happening is that you are being shown exact details leading to the full outbreak which draws you deeper into the book. There is a lot of blood and gore in this book once the dead Rise and Walk which is from the very first chapter. The descriptions of blood tearing are vivid and leave nothing to the imagination but a hunger for more.
Can the group figure out what is happening and warn civilisation before the walking dead reach town? Can people find it within themselves to save others? To stand and fight? Or run to the hills and hide?
The first line reads Many people are afraid of the dark, well if you weren’t before you may just be by the time you finish reading. It took me three days to finish Rise and Walk and although I could not quite grasp the amount of time spent during the paintball competition, I did thoroughly enjoy the book which brought to mind the old children’s rhyme if you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise which definitely holds sway with this book, especially since the surprise is a growing mass of bloody reanimating corpses. I can’t wait for the next instalment in the Rise and Walk series titled, Rise and Walk: Pathogen.
I give Rise and Walk by Gregory Solis 4.5 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
25 Aug 2008
Pit-Stop
Pit-Stop written by Ben Larken and published by LL-Publications is Mr Larken’s first published work. At 241 pages and with a layout probably equal to that of a 300 pager, the book appears of reasonable length.
Ben Larken was born in Fort Worth, Texas, where he now resides with his wife, children and pets. He has also lived in Arizona and New Mexico.
The cover art for Pit-Stop by Ben Larken was created by Helen E. H. Madden and stands out with its eerie quality. There is a lot of red colouring which to most will imply blood. The title and author name stand boldly against the backdrop of a red petrol pump reading Total Price $6.66 and a grinning skull above. The cover alone would spark my curiosity and has me wondering exactly what lies in wait.
Above the synopsis are the words Last Chance At Redemption For The Next Million Years...
Having read the four paragraph synopsis I am eager to read this book and I am in no doubt that the last words of the synopsis will ring true. One thing is clear: you’ll think twice before you make your next Pit-Stop.
The plot of the book reads like a bad joke, ten people find themselves in an eerie diner without any memory of how they got there or why, and no way out. All that’s known is what waitress Holly tells them, “A bus is coming”. So how can you escape from somewhere when you have no idea where you are, how long you’ve been there, how you got there and how to leave when even your own mind is telling you to stay where you are.
Mr Larken has created a range of characters so realistic you could be sat there with them in the Pit-Stop amongst them they include a junkie, a cop, and two sisters. What lies in wait for them when the bus finally arrives? And why can’t they leave the Diner until then? Is there life beyond the Pit-Stop Grill? Or is the outside just as terrifying as being stuck inside? One thing’s for certain even in death a cop’s job is never done.
Personally having had the displeasure of both being a waitress and having to wear a name tag, Mr Larken has certainly captured the frustration of the job and any job which carries a name tag, in all its glory in the first few pages alone.
When all is said and done trust at the most darkest and dangerous of times is a hard thing to find when self doubt plays it tormenting games, can the unlikely group band together and conquer the greatest of all enemies, death. Can they out run their fate, maybe change it?
The story is not as predictable as some books with some great twists, turns and u-turns which will have you itching to know what is going to happen. I didn’t want to put the book down for fear of what might happen next. On the downside there are a couple of mistakes with regard to editing but it is so few it does little to hamper the story itself. I would highly recommend this book to anyone above the age of 18 years of age, and I look forward to reading more work by Mr Larken even if it means another visit to the deadliest grill in Arizona. Pit-Stop by Ben Larken definitely gets 4.5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Ben Larken was born in Fort Worth, Texas, where he now resides with his wife, children and pets. He has also lived in Arizona and New Mexico.
The cover art for Pit-Stop by Ben Larken was created by Helen E. H. Madden and stands out with its eerie quality. There is a lot of red colouring which to most will imply blood. The title and author name stand boldly against the backdrop of a red petrol pump reading Total Price $6.66 and a grinning skull above. The cover alone would spark my curiosity and has me wondering exactly what lies in wait.
Above the synopsis are the words Last Chance At Redemption For The Next Million Years...
Having read the four paragraph synopsis I am eager to read this book and I am in no doubt that the last words of the synopsis will ring true. One thing is clear: you’ll think twice before you make your next Pit-Stop.
The plot of the book reads like a bad joke, ten people find themselves in an eerie diner without any memory of how they got there or why, and no way out. All that’s known is what waitress Holly tells them, “A bus is coming”. So how can you escape from somewhere when you have no idea where you are, how long you’ve been there, how you got there and how to leave when even your own mind is telling you to stay where you are.
Mr Larken has created a range of characters so realistic you could be sat there with them in the Pit-Stop amongst them they include a junkie, a cop, and two sisters. What lies in wait for them when the bus finally arrives? And why can’t they leave the Diner until then? Is there life beyond the Pit-Stop Grill? Or is the outside just as terrifying as being stuck inside? One thing’s for certain even in death a cop’s job is never done.
Personally having had the displeasure of both being a waitress and having to wear a name tag, Mr Larken has certainly captured the frustration of the job and any job which carries a name tag, in all its glory in the first few pages alone.
When all is said and done trust at the most darkest and dangerous of times is a hard thing to find when self doubt plays it tormenting games, can the unlikely group band together and conquer the greatest of all enemies, death. Can they out run their fate, maybe change it?
The story is not as predictable as some books with some great twists, turns and u-turns which will have you itching to know what is going to happen. I didn’t want to put the book down for fear of what might happen next. On the downside there are a couple of mistakes with regard to editing but it is so few it does little to hamper the story itself. I would highly recommend this book to anyone above the age of 18 years of age, and I look forward to reading more work by Mr Larken even if it means another visit to the deadliest grill in Arizona. Pit-Stop by Ben Larken definitely gets 4.5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
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