The Hollows Book 1: The Ticking is written by Ben Larken and published by LL Publications.
Acclaimed to be better than Ben’s first novel, Pit-stop, which won the 2009 EPPIE Award for the category of horror.
Ben Larken resides in Fort Worth with his wife and 3 kids; he works as a Police Dispatcher.
The Hollows Book 1: The Ticking is Ben’s second novel and is part 1 of 4 in the series.
Book 2 The Man in the Wall is due out in the fall of 2010.
The cover art for The Ticking was created by Susi Steele and depicts a close up of a grandfather clock with blood dripping from the face. The hands of the clock point to ten past ten with the shadow of a skeletal being with an outstretched arm and hand to the left of the clocks face. The cover is two shades of brown looking as if someone has shone a torch upon the clock in a darkened room.
The cover appears true to the title, The Ticking, of this first novel in the Hollows series although this title does not appear on the cover or the spine of the book but in fact the title page.
The authors name appears at the top of the cover in large black writing highlighted in red whilst the series title, The Hollows, appears in larger writing at the bottom.
In 1949, young Tess Buckner is like every child inquisitive, adventurous and she loves stories. When her mother promises to tell her another story in return for her fetching a bucket of water, Tess agrees and whilst out makes a discovery of a bunker in the forest behind her home. Upon hearing a voice crying for help Tess investigates, soon after Tess is witness to a terrible murder which will leave her traumatised and having to grow up very quickly.
In 2009, Cop David Alders has spent the past decade putting both his life and career on hold in search for his missing wife. He has spent this time compiling files of everything he believes can bring her case to a close. Upon deciding there are no more answers leading to her possible whereabouts he finally chooses his final option of looking down the barrel of his gun.
With growing bills and a daughter about to head off to college David decides he and his daughter can no longer afford to live in the family home and it is time to move. Finding a complex called The Hollows, set away from other buildings and the main road separated by a vast forest and bushes it seems like the perfect place to start over, except for the loud ticking.
Woken by a grotesque burnt man Melanie Alders attempts to convince her father that she wasn’t dreaming and did in fact experience these goings on, but an uninterested David is more interested in the fact he just woke up to find himself reliving yesterday.
The Hollows is a complex place full of interesting people both old and young. There are strange goings on which although at first appear to be nothing more than usual goings on one would expect to find in such a tightly knit community, will in fact reveal themselves to be a series of related events no matter how mundane they maybe.
The characters are diverse ranging from old men loving their poker night tournaments, to over protective mothers with son’s in their twenties, one Rennie who does all he can for his mother never thinking of himself and Dontae who is Rennie’s complete opposite.
The Ticking is a story of humanity, life, death and immortality and is filled to the brim with questions such as how do all these characters lives come together? Why? What is the incessant ticking and where is it coming from? And, how did David Alders travel to the past? Every question on every characters mind will have you turning page after page and since every chapter does not lead on from the previous, you will find yourself reading as quickly as possible to get the answers you seek.
As many questions that are asked within the book even more are asked by the reader, how far are you willing to go for those you love? How far would you be willing to go to obtain immortality? And what are you willing to give up, to obtain it?
Time has always been considered the one thing man cannot use his/her five senses to experience and yet he/she does. Every minute of every second of every day we are experiencing time and it is measured by the events taking place in that time. Someone once said that we are experiencing the future all the time because time is always moving and this saying is quite true to this story in that new futures are created all the time and that the story is constantly shifting between different time periods.
Thought to be linear, time is always ticking away from us but if we could go back and right our wrongs would we? Could we? The laws of physics say no because we would essentially delete the time period in which we ourselves travelled back.
The Ticking is a very well and carefully constructed book that even as you close the book after reading the final page you are left still wanting more because you still have more questions.
I found this book to be even better than Mr Larken’s first novel, Pit-Stop, and I did enjoy how he managed to fit in two instances where by anyone who has read Pit-stop will be reminded of it in this book.
The only fault I can find in this book is with regard to the cover, I would have personally been more inclined to have had an indication on the cover and spine that this was Book 1 and titled The Ticking because on a bookshelf if the spine of the next three books are the same, there could be some confusion.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone aged 18 years and over due to some of the content.
I give Ben Larken and The Ticking Book 1 of The Hollows Series 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
29 Jul 2010
9 Jul 2010
October Rain
October Rain is a novella of 131 pages, written by Dylan J Morgan and published by Sonar4Publications.
Dylan J Morgan lives in Norway, he was born in New Zealand and raised in the UK; he writes during the quiet moments in small hours after dark while the rest of his family are sleeping.
Dylan has also published his first novel, Hosts through Sonar4Publications. Other works include two short stories published in the 2009 anthology, Gentlemen of Horror. He also has works in War Wolves, Horrology and Zombology III. Dylans short story Melissa, was published in January this year in Issue 9 of Necrotic Tissue.
The cover art by Jerrod Brown depicts two blonde men possibly twins, dressed mostly in black clothing with black sunglasses. In their hands they are holding smoking guns. The background is like an area of space illuminated by the sun, there is a planet and what looks to be two moons, one on the left and the other on the right. A spaceship is taking off directly in front of the planet which has the novellas title upon its surface and the smoke of the ship descends toward and between the men with the name of the author between them.
The short prologue leaves the reader wondering about the person speaking, who they are, where they came from, how they are in this situation, why and what do they wish they could so easily forget.
It has been years, decades even since mankind had to abandon Earth and seek a new home on its neighbour planet Mars. Having brought much of the worlds historical artefacts along there is hope that mankind would have a second chance at bettering itself. However, years later it appears there are something’s which mankind can just not abandon because these things are built into their DNA, making each individual who they are.
Now with a second failing home world mankind is again under threat and those remaining in the city of Olympia on Mars are seeking refuge to the other planets within the system.
Steele is a strong confident character we first encounter whilst on the job, he’s a bounty hunter and if you ever believed that bounty hunters were heartless beings then you’d find yourself clearly mistaken. Driven by the love of and for his family Steele will go to any and all lengths to keep those he loves safe as any man would. Steele’s contract endorsed by the government is to seek and kill a man known only as Pierce and gain information to his whereabouts and plans by any means necessary. For Steele this means hunting down Pierce’s men and clients in the hope they will lead Steele to him and all the while keeping his occupation a secret from his wife and daughter.
In time it becomes apparent that there is something more than a mere job driving Steele in his hunt for Pierce. Who is he? Will Steele find him? If so will he kill him? and by his deadline?
We all strive to protect our way of life and those we care for to the best of our abilities but how do we protect those we love from those who share our DNA? From those we call family? Or, even brother?
It would seem that on Mars in the month of October it never just rains it pours and for Steele the flood is coming.
October Rain written by Dylan J Morgan is a fast past shuttle ride into mankind’s future yet following the main character of Steele, a family man who protects his family by any means even if it means becoming a bounty hunter to keep them safe.
Very well written this story, the character of Steele and the setting completely pull you in so much that you can almost see the dust clouds on the horizon and taste the sulphur in the air. The characters are believable even if for a split second you think the likes of Al Capone may show their face.
The story is so fast you’ll have it read cover to cover in a single afternoon, you will not want to put this book down for what you may miss and for fear of losing your pace.
This is a fantastic novel very different from Dylans first novel Hosts, but still to be enjoyed by old readers and new readers alike. I would recommend this book to all scifi/fantasy fans over the age of 17 due to excessive language.
I give Dylan J Morgan and October Rain 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Dylan J Morgan lives in Norway, he was born in New Zealand and raised in the UK; he writes during the quiet moments in small hours after dark while the rest of his family are sleeping.
Dylan has also published his first novel, Hosts through Sonar4Publications. Other works include two short stories published in the 2009 anthology, Gentlemen of Horror. He also has works in War Wolves, Horrology and Zombology III. Dylans short story Melissa, was published in January this year in Issue 9 of Necrotic Tissue.
The cover art by Jerrod Brown depicts two blonde men possibly twins, dressed mostly in black clothing with black sunglasses. In their hands they are holding smoking guns. The background is like an area of space illuminated by the sun, there is a planet and what looks to be two moons, one on the left and the other on the right. A spaceship is taking off directly in front of the planet which has the novellas title upon its surface and the smoke of the ship descends toward and between the men with the name of the author between them.
The short prologue leaves the reader wondering about the person speaking, who they are, where they came from, how they are in this situation, why and what do they wish they could so easily forget.
It has been years, decades even since mankind had to abandon Earth and seek a new home on its neighbour planet Mars. Having brought much of the worlds historical artefacts along there is hope that mankind would have a second chance at bettering itself. However, years later it appears there are something’s which mankind can just not abandon because these things are built into their DNA, making each individual who they are.
Now with a second failing home world mankind is again under threat and those remaining in the city of Olympia on Mars are seeking refuge to the other planets within the system.
Steele is a strong confident character we first encounter whilst on the job, he’s a bounty hunter and if you ever believed that bounty hunters were heartless beings then you’d find yourself clearly mistaken. Driven by the love of and for his family Steele will go to any and all lengths to keep those he loves safe as any man would. Steele’s contract endorsed by the government is to seek and kill a man known only as Pierce and gain information to his whereabouts and plans by any means necessary. For Steele this means hunting down Pierce’s men and clients in the hope they will lead Steele to him and all the while keeping his occupation a secret from his wife and daughter.
In time it becomes apparent that there is something more than a mere job driving Steele in his hunt for Pierce. Who is he? Will Steele find him? If so will he kill him? and by his deadline?
We all strive to protect our way of life and those we care for to the best of our abilities but how do we protect those we love from those who share our DNA? From those we call family? Or, even brother?
It would seem that on Mars in the month of October it never just rains it pours and for Steele the flood is coming.
October Rain written by Dylan J Morgan is a fast past shuttle ride into mankind’s future yet following the main character of Steele, a family man who protects his family by any means even if it means becoming a bounty hunter to keep them safe.
Very well written this story, the character of Steele and the setting completely pull you in so much that you can almost see the dust clouds on the horizon and taste the sulphur in the air. The characters are believable even if for a split second you think the likes of Al Capone may show their face.
The story is so fast you’ll have it read cover to cover in a single afternoon, you will not want to put this book down for what you may miss and for fear of losing your pace.
This is a fantastic novel very different from Dylans first novel Hosts, but still to be enjoyed by old readers and new readers alike. I would recommend this book to all scifi/fantasy fans over the age of 17 due to excessive language.
I give Dylan J Morgan and October Rain 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
22 Apr 2010
Second Chances
Second Chances Written by Christle Gray is published through Sapphire Blue Publishing.
Romance Novelist Christle Gray lives in Kentucky with her husband, cat and large number of collectables from Doctor Who Figurines to Stuffed Stitch toys. Born and raised in Ohio she has always had a love for writing spending much of her youth filling notebooks with poems and stories. An avid artist to boot it appears there is always something to keep Mrs Gray busy and creative. Second Chances was her first novel to be published and is available as an ebook.
The cover of Second Chances was created by Kendra Egert and depicts a landscape view of London showing the Millennium Eye on the left and Big Ben on the right side of the cover. The title is in large red letters whilst the authors name sits directly below in large white lettering. At least 60% of the cover depicts a man and woman wearing what appears to be formal wear laying together, the woman resting against the man who has his arms around her.
Kristen can’t believe it when the handsomest man at the gala, an up and coming actor, takes a sudden and intense interest in her after losing her husband, all she wants to do is mull through life and work at her gallery. But things change quickly and Kristen is thrown into what appears to be a love triangle with David and his fiancée actress Sophie Miller. It soon becomes apparent that Sophie is nothing more than a spoilt woman who loves getting what she wants and controlling everyone and everything around her including David, she is psychotic and will go to any and all means at keeping her man under thumb. In a relationship merely set up as a PR stunt David wants out but can he keep his true relationship with Kristen a secret from the press and Sophie and eventually air the truth to the public or will Sophie try and scupper any plans David has of leaving her for Kristen.
Second chances are a very difficult thing to come by but they come plenty of times throughout this novel. Any reader will instantly take a disliking to the character of Sophie Miller and hope for her downfall, whilst at the same time wishing for the characters of David and Kristen to find some happiness, because they truly deserve it. This is a very easy book to lose yourself in and quickly with characters, dialogue and plots shadowing real life you’ll find yourself gunning for one or another side as the story progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend Second Chances by Christle Gray to anyone over the age of 18.
I give Second Chances 4.5 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
Romance Novelist Christle Gray lives in Kentucky with her husband, cat and large number of collectables from Doctor Who Figurines to Stuffed Stitch toys. Born and raised in Ohio she has always had a love for writing spending much of her youth filling notebooks with poems and stories. An avid artist to boot it appears there is always something to keep Mrs Gray busy and creative. Second Chances was her first novel to be published and is available as an ebook.
The cover of Second Chances was created by Kendra Egert and depicts a landscape view of London showing the Millennium Eye on the left and Big Ben on the right side of the cover. The title is in large red letters whilst the authors name sits directly below in large white lettering. At least 60% of the cover depicts a man and woman wearing what appears to be formal wear laying together, the woman resting against the man who has his arms around her.
Kristen can’t believe it when the handsomest man at the gala, an up and coming actor, takes a sudden and intense interest in her after losing her husband, all she wants to do is mull through life and work at her gallery. But things change quickly and Kristen is thrown into what appears to be a love triangle with David and his fiancée actress Sophie Miller. It soon becomes apparent that Sophie is nothing more than a spoilt woman who loves getting what she wants and controlling everyone and everything around her including David, she is psychotic and will go to any and all means at keeping her man under thumb. In a relationship merely set up as a PR stunt David wants out but can he keep his true relationship with Kristen a secret from the press and Sophie and eventually air the truth to the public or will Sophie try and scupper any plans David has of leaving her for Kristen.
Second chances are a very difficult thing to come by but they come plenty of times throughout this novel. Any reader will instantly take a disliking to the character of Sophie Miller and hope for her downfall, whilst at the same time wishing for the characters of David and Kristen to find some happiness, because they truly deserve it. This is a very easy book to lose yourself in and quickly with characters, dialogue and plots shadowing real life you’ll find yourself gunning for one or another side as the story progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend Second Chances by Christle Gray to anyone over the age of 18.
I give Second Chances 4.5 out of 5 stars
By R.N. Hadley
30 Dec 2009
The Alfar's Gift
The Alfar's Gift written by Diane Wright and published through Publish America is a fantasy adventure.
Diane Wright lives in Idaho, she is the mother of six and grandmother of nine. The Alfar's Gift is her first published work. A series of poems by Diane Wright is soon to be published. Currently Mrs Wright is working on the sequal to The Alfar's Gift.
The cover of The Alfar's Gift depicts a vast green forest with the ghostly face of a young fair-haired boy against the bark of the nearest tree. The cover does do the story justice for much time is spent in the wilderness however the ghostly figure of the boy Danny would suggest this is a paranormal story not a fantasy. The title is written in white inside a black box framed with a white boarder central and bold bringing more attention to it rather than the cover itself. The authors name is written in black at the bottom.
The back cover is green with white writing with an image of the author Diane Wright, an eight line biography and one third page synopsis. The synopsis describes exactly what happens in the story and what the reader is likely to expect.
When Danny a 14 year old boy arrives at his favourite place he will find his beliefs challenged and his world changed forever. Pulled through to another dimension by an Alfar, Danny must find courage within himself, and friendship with his new companions a mountain man and a beautiful woman, if he is to save the fairies and in turn his own world from the armies of the evil gargantua, Ahrim.
Danny is a boy with alot of growing up to do and we are constantly reminded of this throughout the story right to the last chapter when finally the boy becomes a man in his realisation of the world around him and how he is perscieved by others.
The Alfar's Gift shows a great use of language however at times the character Red uses one or two words which are unclear as to their interpretation.
There is a reasonable use of character species from fairies to humans, to witches, elves and loyal horses. One species of character used appears pulled from the pages of Tolkiens Lord of The Rings.
The reader is not clear on an actual time setting for the story and the few mentions characters make about such things like wanting to take a shower, seem out of place for a story lacking to reveal in which era the story exists.
There is also a moment toward the end of the story which suggests the story is heading in one direction which the reader willingly follows only to find themselves moved two or three more times in another direction confusing them slightly as to what is going on, perhaps which a little more depth this could be corrected.
An adventurer at heart and a wise woman, Diane Wright's presence in this story becomes apparant to those who can say they know her in some capacity. I mean this in a good way, that it shows the passion and knowledge of the author between them and their masterpiece, it is something not often seen especially seen in self published works. I believe that Mrs Wright has written this book as she would tell a story to one of her own family members in a way which teaches them about life and her beliefs.
Apart from a few minor setbacks overall The Alfar's Gift is a well written story and a great book for anyone aged 10 years plus to read, I say this as there are one or two scenes I believe are unsuitable for younger children and a number of words which they would find difficult to understand.
Considering all of the above I still give Diane Wright and The Alfar's Gift 4 out of 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it was written and I believe that perhaps with another edit this story could reach 4.5 if not 5 stars. This is one of those stories that if I had children I would like them to read for what they can gain from it.
By R.N. Hadley
Diane Wright lives in Idaho, she is the mother of six and grandmother of nine. The Alfar's Gift is her first published work. A series of poems by Diane Wright is soon to be published. Currently Mrs Wright is working on the sequal to The Alfar's Gift.
The cover of The Alfar's Gift depicts a vast green forest with the ghostly face of a young fair-haired boy against the bark of the nearest tree. The cover does do the story justice for much time is spent in the wilderness however the ghostly figure of the boy Danny would suggest this is a paranormal story not a fantasy. The title is written in white inside a black box framed with a white boarder central and bold bringing more attention to it rather than the cover itself. The authors name is written in black at the bottom.
The back cover is green with white writing with an image of the author Diane Wright, an eight line biography and one third page synopsis. The synopsis describes exactly what happens in the story and what the reader is likely to expect.
When Danny a 14 year old boy arrives at his favourite place he will find his beliefs challenged and his world changed forever. Pulled through to another dimension by an Alfar, Danny must find courage within himself, and friendship with his new companions a mountain man and a beautiful woman, if he is to save the fairies and in turn his own world from the armies of the evil gargantua, Ahrim.
Danny is a boy with alot of growing up to do and we are constantly reminded of this throughout the story right to the last chapter when finally the boy becomes a man in his realisation of the world around him and how he is perscieved by others.
The Alfar's Gift shows a great use of language however at times the character Red uses one or two words which are unclear as to their interpretation.
There is a reasonable use of character species from fairies to humans, to witches, elves and loyal horses. One species of character used appears pulled from the pages of Tolkiens Lord of The Rings.
The reader is not clear on an actual time setting for the story and the few mentions characters make about such things like wanting to take a shower, seem out of place for a story lacking to reveal in which era the story exists.
There is also a moment toward the end of the story which suggests the story is heading in one direction which the reader willingly follows only to find themselves moved two or three more times in another direction confusing them slightly as to what is going on, perhaps which a little more depth this could be corrected.
An adventurer at heart and a wise woman, Diane Wright's presence in this story becomes apparant to those who can say they know her in some capacity. I mean this in a good way, that it shows the passion and knowledge of the author between them and their masterpiece, it is something not often seen especially seen in self published works. I believe that Mrs Wright has written this book as she would tell a story to one of her own family members in a way which teaches them about life and her beliefs.
Apart from a few minor setbacks overall The Alfar's Gift is a well written story and a great book for anyone aged 10 years plus to read, I say this as there are one or two scenes I believe are unsuitable for younger children and a number of words which they would find difficult to understand.
Considering all of the above I still give Diane Wright and The Alfar's Gift 4 out of 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it was written and I believe that perhaps with another edit this story could reach 4.5 if not 5 stars. This is one of those stories that if I had children I would like them to read for what they can gain from it.
By R.N. Hadley
16 Oct 2009
The Electronic Adventures Of Diga Byte: Wrong Turn, The First Of His Adventures
The Electronic Adventures of Diga Byte: Wrong Turn, The First Of His Adventures was written by Meredith Mammano and published with Author House.
Straight away from glancing at the cover of this book you know instantly that this is a children's book from the large and bright red fun font to the sketched image of a computer and worm.
Diga Byte is a worm, not just any worm but a computer worm. This story tells of his daily adventures from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes back to sleep, from choosing his topic of the day to eating and to an unexpected adventure beyond his computer.
The book itself is extremely colourful with each chapter having its own colouring. The chapter titls are bold and bright too, and this will help in grasping children's attention. The images portrayed throughout this book and drawn by Thomas Cesarski aren't complicated or pieces of art, they are simple and easy to understand even for the youngest of minds aiding children to follow the books images even if they cannot understand the words printed. The story itself is easy to read with no complicated words, it is clear and precise in what is trying to be said.
Though I myself am not a parent I believe this book is one all parents should allow their toddlers to read, its educative in telling the child what a computer worm is, explaining the internet and how these worms travel, doing it in an enjoyable way and also teaching them the dangers of such a thing. Children will also learn their colours, geography and explaining certain aspects of computers.
Personally I believe this book to be well thought out and very educative and I would recommend this book to anyone I know with a child below the age of 8 years, although I think even some parents may find some enjoyment in it too.
Meredith Mammano is married and a mother of two herself, placing her in the perfect position to write such a book like this for young children interested in computers and easing children onto computers from a young age.
I give The Electronic Adventures of Diga Byte: Wrong Turn, The First of His Adventures by Meredith Mammano 4.5 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Straight away from glancing at the cover of this book you know instantly that this is a children's book from the large and bright red fun font to the sketched image of a computer and worm.
Diga Byte is a worm, not just any worm but a computer worm. This story tells of his daily adventures from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes back to sleep, from choosing his topic of the day to eating and to an unexpected adventure beyond his computer.
The book itself is extremely colourful with each chapter having its own colouring. The chapter titls are bold and bright too, and this will help in grasping children's attention. The images portrayed throughout this book and drawn by Thomas Cesarski aren't complicated or pieces of art, they are simple and easy to understand even for the youngest of minds aiding children to follow the books images even if they cannot understand the words printed. The story itself is easy to read with no complicated words, it is clear and precise in what is trying to be said.
Though I myself am not a parent I believe this book is one all parents should allow their toddlers to read, its educative in telling the child what a computer worm is, explaining the internet and how these worms travel, doing it in an enjoyable way and also teaching them the dangers of such a thing. Children will also learn their colours, geography and explaining certain aspects of computers.
Personally I believe this book to be well thought out and very educative and I would recommend this book to anyone I know with a child below the age of 8 years, although I think even some parents may find some enjoyment in it too.
Meredith Mammano is married and a mother of two herself, placing her in the perfect position to write such a book like this for young children interested in computers and easing children onto computers from a young age.
I give The Electronic Adventures of Diga Byte: Wrong Turn, The First of His Adventures by Meredith Mammano 4.5 out of 5 stars.
By R.N. Hadley
26 Sept 2009
Rebirth of Rhin
Rebirth of Rhin written by Julian Traas is available through www.booksurge.com. The book is 26 chapters in length and the cover depicting a lone man carrying a sword surrounded by darkness was created by the authors brother.
The has been dedicated to Mr Traas' family who without their help this book would not have readily been possible.
Julian Traas is of Dutch-American descent and speaks three languages. His ridden the tram in Hong Kong, gazed down from atop the Eiffel Tower, walked under the shade of the mountainous windmills in the Netherlands, stood atop the Pyrenees with one foot in France and the other in Spain, and dipped his toes in the crystalline waters of the Carribean and Mediterranean seas.
Mr Traas started writing Rebirth of Rhin when he was eleven years old, living in France. At that time, I just thought it would be cool if I wrote a book. I rewrote the work about forty times. A few years passed. Then I got serious about it.
When Brekk and his army attack the village of Lynca in search of Rhin, it is a day of utter devastation for both sides and one which will begin the journey of discovery and identity for the forest boy Rhin when his world is thrown into chaos and he is informed the life he has led for so many years is nothing more than a lie.
Fighting for his life Rhin becomes travelling comrades with Daish-rog a man who has been enslaved and had his will taken, with it now returned and Daish-rog free what does he hide from Rhin about who he really is and why won't he answer any of his questions...
On his journey Rhin will encounter new enemies and old friends as well as make new ones. A story of intrigue and fantastical creatures including Whisps, Wolf men and Vevlei; what awaits Rhin come the end of the book. What answers lie in wait for the forest boy born of the storm and where will these answers lead him...
I believe that Mobipocket Reader does not does not do this book any justice at all, while the book itself is an enjoyment to read the reader will often find that should they put the book down one day and go back to it on another although they are taken straight back to the page they left should they have to go back a page or two the page numbers themselves begin to change, I myself have experienced this on more than one occasion and find it quite annoying where you find yourself re-reading what you've already read and unable to find the place you opened the book at. I can definately see some readers letting this stand in the way of them finishhing some books.
I believe Julian Traas to have here in Rebirth of Rhin a wonderful adventure story of self discovery and although my own path reading this has been turned around, doubled back and repeated I still feel that from what I have read so far of this book deserves 4 out of 5 stars.
Julian Traas has informed me that Rebirth of Rhin is available as paperback and kindle, that it isnt available for purchase via Mobipocket Reader.
By R.N. Hadley
The has been dedicated to Mr Traas' family who without their help this book would not have readily been possible.
Julian Traas is of Dutch-American descent and speaks three languages. His ridden the tram in Hong Kong, gazed down from atop the Eiffel Tower, walked under the shade of the mountainous windmills in the Netherlands, stood atop the Pyrenees with one foot in France and the other in Spain, and dipped his toes in the crystalline waters of the Carribean and Mediterranean seas.
Mr Traas started writing Rebirth of Rhin when he was eleven years old, living in France. At that time, I just thought it would be cool if I wrote a book. I rewrote the work about forty times. A few years passed. Then I got serious about it.
When Brekk and his army attack the village of Lynca in search of Rhin, it is a day of utter devastation for both sides and one which will begin the journey of discovery and identity for the forest boy Rhin when his world is thrown into chaos and he is informed the life he has led for so many years is nothing more than a lie.
Fighting for his life Rhin becomes travelling comrades with Daish-rog a man who has been enslaved and had his will taken, with it now returned and Daish-rog free what does he hide from Rhin about who he really is and why won't he answer any of his questions...
On his journey Rhin will encounter new enemies and old friends as well as make new ones. A story of intrigue and fantastical creatures including Whisps, Wolf men and Vevlei; what awaits Rhin come the end of the book. What answers lie in wait for the forest boy born of the storm and where will these answers lead him...
I believe that Mobipocket Reader does not does not do this book any justice at all, while the book itself is an enjoyment to read the reader will often find that should they put the book down one day and go back to it on another although they are taken straight back to the page they left should they have to go back a page or two the page numbers themselves begin to change, I myself have experienced this on more than one occasion and find it quite annoying where you find yourself re-reading what you've already read and unable to find the place you opened the book at. I can definately see some readers letting this stand in the way of them finishhing some books.
I believe Julian Traas to have here in Rebirth of Rhin a wonderful adventure story of self discovery and although my own path reading this has been turned around, doubled back and repeated I still feel that from what I have read so far of this book deserves 4 out of 5 stars.
Julian Traas has informed me that Rebirth of Rhin is available as paperback and kindle, that it isnt available for purchase via Mobipocket Reader.
By R.N. Hadley
19 Mar 2009
Avenging Autumn Seasons Change Series Book 1
Avenging Autumn Seasons Change Series Book 1 of 4 written by Derek A. Schneider and published by AuthorHouse is a tragic romance at 230 pages in length.
Derek Schneider lives in Camby, Indiana with his wife and two sons. After co-writing and supplying the artwork for a little known, very independent comic book that was eventually put on hold, he decided to focus all of his energy on writing. Inspired by various musical artists, Avenging Autumn is Mr Schneider’s first published book, the second book in the series The Wintermen is also now available.
The cover art for Avenging Autumn depicts a graveyard with a dark haired woman leaning against one of the head stones; this lower half of the image is shown in black and white while the top half of trees are shown in their full autumn glory with orange coloured leaves. The title is central top in bold black lettering while the authors name is in black at the bottom with a white background. The back cover also has the autumn trees at the top below this can be found a short synopsis and author biography.
Avenging Autumn Seasons Change Book 1 follows the story of Benny Writeman and Autumn Sanders. We see them as fully grown adults married and growing up their love blossoming. When Autumn is killed and returns from the grave telling Benny vampires are responsible and she can only truly rest once they are dead, together they turn to the only two people they know they can trust to help them. Death and destruction is their path in seeking those responsible while the family is brought closer together in losing one of their own.
Derek Schneider has created a great and slightly unusual story which holds together nicely. With its historical references I believe it’s the comical nature between the characters which helps to move the story along. The Writeman brothers are very much like the Winchester brothers (Supernatural) brought up in a family with a dark and dangerous secret. Even in dark times love can be a beacon of hope and can still exist between the living and the dead. While death is at their doorstep it is their love for one another and those around them which keeps them fighting onward.
Avenging Autumn is a book aimed at those around the age of 18 years plus and I’d recommend it to anyone, the characters are funny, and the story is ever expanding. I had this book complete within two days and give both Derek Schneider and Avenging Autumn Book 1 four out of five stars.
By R.N. Hadley
Derek Schneider lives in Camby, Indiana with his wife and two sons. After co-writing and supplying the artwork for a little known, very independent comic book that was eventually put on hold, he decided to focus all of his energy on writing. Inspired by various musical artists, Avenging Autumn is Mr Schneider’s first published book, the second book in the series The Wintermen is also now available.
The cover art for Avenging Autumn depicts a graveyard with a dark haired woman leaning against one of the head stones; this lower half of the image is shown in black and white while the top half of trees are shown in their full autumn glory with orange coloured leaves. The title is central top in bold black lettering while the authors name is in black at the bottom with a white background. The back cover also has the autumn trees at the top below this can be found a short synopsis and author biography.
Avenging Autumn Seasons Change Book 1 follows the story of Benny Writeman and Autumn Sanders. We see them as fully grown adults married and growing up their love blossoming. When Autumn is killed and returns from the grave telling Benny vampires are responsible and she can only truly rest once they are dead, together they turn to the only two people they know they can trust to help them. Death and destruction is their path in seeking those responsible while the family is brought closer together in losing one of their own.
Derek Schneider has created a great and slightly unusual story which holds together nicely. With its historical references I believe it’s the comical nature between the characters which helps to move the story along. The Writeman brothers are very much like the Winchester brothers (Supernatural) brought up in a family with a dark and dangerous secret. Even in dark times love can be a beacon of hope and can still exist between the living and the dead. While death is at their doorstep it is their love for one another and those around them which keeps them fighting onward.
Avenging Autumn is a book aimed at those around the age of 18 years plus and I’d recommend it to anyone, the characters are funny, and the story is ever expanding. I had this book complete within two days and give both Derek Schneider and Avenging Autumn Book 1 four out of five stars.
By R.N. Hadley
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