Required Reading

Life is complicated enough without getting into hotwater with federal agencies so: TAKE NOTE Many things I review I got at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Consider this as informing you that ALL things I review may have been gotten at no charge. Realistically about 60% but in order to keep things above board just assume that I got the stuff free. I do not collect information on my readers. If cookies or other tracking stuff is used on my blogs it is due to BLOGGER not ME. Apparently the European Union's new rules state I need to inform you if cookies are being use. If they are it isn't byu me, consider yourself INFORMED.
Words like, “sponsored,” “promotion,” “paid ad” or even just “ad” are clear ways to disclose that you’re being paid to share information and links so BE AWARE that some of what I write can be described as an AD by the government. BTW I will NEVER say a product is great, super or even acceptable if it isn't, whether I got it free or NOT!

Books I have authored.

Many times I receive books for FREE to give them an honest review. I do not get paid to give a good or bad review. Spotlights are promotional and should be regarded as advertising for the book spotlighted. Regardless of where or how I got a book, my review will be as honest as I can make it.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Dr. Crankenfuss's Humor Book for Guys by Daniel Berenson


Dr. Crankenfuss is a indeterminately aged teen with a unique attitude.

This book features Daniel Berenson's tweak of teen humor.  I'm inclined to think it is more like pre-teen humor but nevertheless it is a unique brand of humor.
As I have as a protagonist in some of my own books a character named Hardy Belch, I admit to playing to the broad humor found particularly in the grade five to grade seven kids.  

 You may be unaware but poetry is easily transformed to RAP and vice versa. Berenson has RAP aplenty, poetry, knock knock jokes and more.   He can elicit a groan on practically every page. 

The book is illustrated by the author.  (Wish I had the talent to do that.)  The illustrations carry through the theme of an off the wall humor rendition.  The word play is often over the top.  

This is slap stick in print and should be appealing to the fans of Captain Underpants, Wimpy Kid and Saturday Night Live.


I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review but if you read my reviews it should be apparent I strive for honesty in all my reviews regardless of the source of the book.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Friday, February 21, 2014

New Seventh Star Press Banner

Seventh Star Press is an author friendly, blogger friendly producer of speculative fiction.  Hmm speculative fiction may be redundant, perhaps Scifi/Fantasy/Horror?  Regardless they have a cool new banner.  

Monday, February 17, 2014

Life rocks when you exceed your expectations.

I have discovered that when I am writing I am not reading as much.   I was shocked to see that I had gone a week without posting here and yet a week it is.   I am trying to get two completed books illustrated and working on a third.  Of course working may not be applicable as work used to mean eight to ten hours a day at the office.  Now work is when I can find the time to sit down at the computer and blather out my thoughts. My current thought is that I am fortunate to be able to have the time and wherewithal to be able to write.   Perhaps even more fortunate is that people are buying my books. 

Perhaps it is delusional but I strive to write something that might help someone else, primarily young someone elses.   As an adult I often find life a bit confusing and perplexing.  I look at international affairs and wonder if any of the world decision makers have ever read a history book.   I despair over how mean spirited we can be to each other even on something as mundane as a daily commute.   I have decades of life to filter the events of a tumultuous world where children have little or no experience to bring to bear on the daily mysteries they face.

I am often asked why I write books for children and the simplistic answer is that I have never grown up so I am really writing to my peers.  My heart's desire is that perhaps I can make a difference, that I can ease the path or clarify the situation that a child might face.  I look at my books and feel that one book written, one child helped is a terrific balance.  If more than one child has a situation demystified or has found themselves escaping on an adventure that puts a smile on their face, even for a short time, I have exceeded my expectations. 

Life rocks when you exceed your expectations!

Monday, February 10, 2014

Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott

Flying eagles instead of dragons, the Reeves are expected to keep an eye on the Hundred.   The Guardians who were judge and executioner have disappeared leaving the Reeves to handle it all.   Tumult is spreading across the Hundred and the Reeves and their eagles appear to be helpless to stop it.

Joss struggles with the death of his lover and wears his guilt by self abuse.   He is unable to forgive himself.   Captain Anji and his Qin find themselves forced into exile by the death of the Emperor.  The exile takes them to the Hundreds where there skill in arms is deeply needed.

This is a good take on governmental intrigue, personal greed and courageous individuals trying to stem the flow of evil.

The characters are flawed but that makes them more believable.   It is a good first book in the Crossroads trilogy.     There is action and intrigue for all. 

I recommend the book. 

web site: http://www.kateelliott.com/


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Plaza by Shane M. Brown


An archaeological dig in Mexico leads to some fascinating circumstances.  A group of entomologists and archaeologists fall afoul of competing archaeological  
thieves. 

The setting in a Mexican jungle seems appropriate for the Indiana Jones type of thriller.   Complacent archaeologists discover that the real world has substantially more interest in their finds than they expected.   The story starts with a bang and continues rolling with gods, monsters, musclemen, thugs and innocents.

The mysterious gods are a surprising protagonist but nevertheless entertaining.   Tongue in cheek doesn't begin to describe it.   One set of competing thugs seems stereo-typically evil while the other set exhibits Robin Hoodish symptoms.  

The action really is non-stop and powers the book through some moments of disbelief. The ending provides the hoped for surprise.  

I recommend the book. 

web site:          http://www.shanembrown.com/






This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.