In Search of - that most myterious literary cryptoid - the Jabberwock!!

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There are some who have all the choices of the world open to them, but for some there is but one choice.  That choice:  to fetch up the old family Vorpal Sword and heading out to track down the namesake of your house - the Jabberwock.

And that is just what the young Astreus does, much to the despair of his father.

And where to start a quest for this creature who, beforehand, is only know through the memory of a chance encounter over centuries before.  In true Lewis Carroll-like fashion - if you don't know where you are going - then any road will get you there.

One does not simply walk out of their home and run into the Jabberwock and cleave off its head.  That would not be a quest worthy of such a legendary recluse creature that is known only to the world but through a poem.  One must go through ill-fated romances on strange islands, become a servant to a chess playing cat, and learn the fate of the person who brings plight to a land that you have never heard of before you started your adventure.

After all of this - you will go through a mind bending trip that will have you thinking "maybe I shouldn't have ordered the mushrooms in that omelet" and cross over into yet another odder world.  Astreus may have second thoughts and may be content about just staying in an odd world, but when you have blood on your hands, the odder and unknown looks like a better choice every minute.

What will our young hero find at the end of this journey?  Will he even know what to do when he finds what he thinks he should find?  Why can't you ever just find a Mad Hatter and sit back with some tea to discuss things and sort them out when you need to?

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Jabberwocky:  A Novella by Theodore Singer is a story that picks up on the poem of the Jabberwock that was written by Lewis Carroll and included in the "Through the Looking Glass" installment of the Alice in Wonderland books.

Never has such nonsense created so much seeking for sense.  What is the meaning of this? Why?  I am sure a doctoral thesis has been done on this cryptid who only walks on paths of parchment in children's books.

And that brings us to this wonderful novella that Singer has created.  I am not going to fall into the trap of trying to look for the deep meaning of the quest of Astreus - that is for the wonkheads to wonk about.  They need to get paid for coming up with wonkish thoughts that only they can understand.

Sometimes the thing that makes the most sense to do with nonsense is to sit back and enjoy it for what it is - a fun and entertaining story designed to put a smile on the face of all who are lucky enough to pick up the book and lose themselves down a rabbit hole for a while.

Buy at Amazon!

(This book review is part of a paid advertising package - this has no bearing on what I choose to include in the review)

Sharpen your blade for a mystery spanning lifetimes in The Sword of Agrippa: Antioch

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As humans, we like to think that we are in control of things and that our knowledge puts us at the top of the evolutionary pyramid.  But how much do we really know?  If you consider just our senses - there are many examples showing that we are inferior to most other creatures.  That leaves us with the ability to reason as one of the things that sets us apart.  And because of this, the science industry is trying desperately to sell the idea that we now know everything there is to know.

Anything that can't be explained by science is tackled by the religious establishment, who have their own reasons for wanting things to stay the same.  Don't think that by wrapping themselves in the blanket of religion, that they are going to be understanding of those (especially scientists) who make new and profound discoveries.  Look up Giordano Bruno and see how the church dealt with scientists who may have held a view differing from theirs.

In between the establishments of science and religion, there is an area where a person can feel the walls of both moving together with them in the middle - and this is exactly where Roy Swenson is.  Roy is on to something - something big.  Something that will shake the establishments down to their core.  Dark energy.  Energy that will change the world.  Energy that powerful will surely draw some attention.

What Roy doesn't know is that he has been chasing this dream not just his whole life, but for lifetimes spanning the past 2,000 plus years.  As a Roman engineer named Agrippa.  Some of this is starting to come back to Roy, but things are still a little hazy.  Roy finds that there are many people who are willing to help him that have been with him through lifetimes, but also just as many who have gone out of their way to stifle his search for just as long.

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The Swords of Agrippa: Antioch is an book with quite an ambitious plot.  The size of the plot is much too broad for one book to contain it, unless you want something on the scale of Stephen King or George R. R. Martin.  I believe that Lloyd has a great concept for an excellent series.  I would like to see more character development, as it is hard to connect with them since the time of the book setting shifts from 2025 to the times of the pharaohs.  I knew from the plot concept and the size of the book that everything wasn't going to be wrapped up nice and tight with a bow on it at the end, but the author already has book two started, so the wait won't be long.

The only other observation about the book is that, other than the abstract "people" who aren't going to like the path that Roy Swenson is headed with his experiments, we never really quite get to know the actual "danger" that he is facing.  I am hoping this side of the story gets told in book two.  

I can easily see this being at least a four or five book series - and one that, when finished, could be truly noteworthy.

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(This review is part of a paid ad that only allowed the book to move to the head of the line on the wait list.  This in no way has any bearing on the review.) 

A high seas tale of treachery and murder - a whale of a tale!

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Once the sea gets its grip into you, it is almost impossible for a seagoing man to turn a deaf ear to its siren's song.  Joseph hears the song, and decides to leave everything and sign up as a crew member aboard the whaler ship "Fortune".  "Fortune" might just happen to be the least appropriate name for this ship, however.

After starting their journey successfully and the crew getting along fine with their experienced captain, fortune turns a blind eye to them.  As if hunting and harvesting a whale isn't dangerous enough - when you also have to battle the plague and homicidal maniacs - well, it is enough to make a sailor wish he were a landlubber who decided to sit this trip out.

You can guess some of the author's influences throughout this book, but in the end Michael really does make this book "his own".  A true "last man standing" on the high sea's, this sea story will harpoon you right away and pull you right on board with the rest of the crew of the "Fortune".

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Michael does an exceptional job in his description of the ship, and it is obvious in the detail how much effort and love he put into this novel.  If you love stories of the sea as much as I do, you will find the level of detail unmatched in almost anything else you have read.

Add to this "educational" material a story that is going as fast as a ship with a strong tailwind, and you have a novel that you just won't be able to put down.


I get many offers to review books, but every once in a while - I need to take a break from the randomness of the "list" that I have and read something that I choose to read.  "The Whaler, Fortune" was a book that I chose to read based on Wyatt Michael's other book "Revenge of the Wolf" that I was fortunate enough to review.  I loved the pacing and detail in the plot - and Michael does not disappoint in a setting that is entirely different.

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I now know that even wizards can have really, really bad days.....

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Reading Sharon Bayliss' "Destruction" makes my holiday's look like utopia.

It is safe to say that David Vandergraff has had better holiday seasons.  Not that he is a grinch - not by any means.  But bringing home two love children from that you had to an affair and introducing them to your wife and three kids without warning could land you on Santa's (and your wife's) naughty list. Mistletoe magic just isn't that powerful to fix these kinds of problems.

Like that isn't enough - David discovers he is losing his company, cars are crashing into his living room, kids are running away, a daughters friend who they were watching while the parents were on vacation becomes a little more of a permanent member of the family.  It is enough to make a person want to flip out and look for someone to kill......

After a freaking crappy week like that, one would think that discovering that they could do magic would be the high point of David's week.  But discovering there is magic, and then discovering he is a "dark wizard" doesn't seem to be adding anything but more problems.

Oh yeah - everyone else around David are wizards too, but for some strange reason he seems to be the last one in on the joke.  It is almost like he has been living in a fantasy world up until this discovery - could there be an logical explanation for this?  Unfortunately, when your whole family consists of wizards and witches, logic isn't always applicable.

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Bayliss has created a first novel in a series that will grab your attention.  The best part is that the second book is already out - so you don't have to wait six years like you do with George R R Martin.

I literally have over 200 books sitting in my "in box", but every once in a while I need to take a break and read something that I pick and that I want to read.  The next book on my "me" list is "Watch Me Burn" - which happens to also be by Bayliss and happens to be the next book in this series.

This book was that good.

The characters popped off the page to me, and each had a personality that seemed to be uniquely "theirs" - in a way that felt natural, not contrived.

I don't know if this book is listed as Young Adult or not, and I really don't care.  I liked Hunger Games and Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children because they were great stories.  "Destruction" is a title that should be on your "to read" list if you liked those books, no matter what age you are.

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Freaky creatures, insane asylums, and secrets make for an awesome adventure!

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Secret Seekers Society and the Beast of Bladenboro follows the young protagonists Hunter Glenn, and Elly Ann through an adventure ripe with adversity, paranormal monsters, secret societies, and most haunting of all, a life without their parents.
The book follows both, the sibling’s emotional struggle from their parent’s sudden loss, as well as their physical journey into a new and strange “home”, an ancient and creepy mansion known only as the Belmonte Estate.
It is here where they first learn of their new guardian, an eccentric old man named Professor Clandestine and the rest of the mansion's caretakers. Tossed into their bedroom, and locked away under the pretense of “safety concerns” it does not take long for the children to hatch an escape plan.
Follow the children as they slowly unravel the secrets of their parent’s true identities, the origin of the strange Mansion, and their inheritance into an ancient secret society of monster hunters known as Seekers.
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Even though I'm 23 years old, I am still a sucker for a good book about kids.  Add in some freaky creatures, mystery, adventure, and maybe even a little magic?  I am sold.  Secret Seekers Society and the Beast of Bladenboro is about two siblings, Elly and Hunter who, after the death of their parents, are sent to live with a godfather whom they have never met, let alone heard of.

Obviously, the kids are scared and intimidated by meeting the stranger, especially since, get this, he has them delivered to an abandoned looking insane asylum.  I don't want to give away too much, but as cool as an abandoned insane asylum would be to explore, the truth is far more incredible. 

Admittedly, I fell in love with Hunter and Elly pretty early on.  They're dealing with a lot of loss and change all at the same time.  Even through the sadness and pain they are feeling, they both have a lot of spunk and are the epitome of kids being kids.  Albeit, kids thrown into a crazy world of monsters and adventure with no prior knowledge.

Secret Seekers Society and the Beast of Bladenboro is a great start to a series and I cannot wait to read more.  There is so much world to learn about and explore in J. L. Hickey's story.  He only touched the surface in this book, and I anticipate many great stories from him.

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(Guest review by Lauren Pesci)

When the world is about to end - it gets really hard to tell who the good guys are!

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You would think that vanishing for a year in a fugue state would make a person the talk of the cocktail party.  The fact that Hector can't remember what he did during that year doesn't mean that he wasn't busy though.  While in he amnesiastic state, all Hector was doing was becoming the Blessed Man and getting ready for his part in Armageddon.

So when Hector is outed as the "Blessed Man," (which is news to his wife as well as himself) he winds up on a team whose side includes a "witch" who can perform astral travel with some serious angelic connections, a YooTV channel superstud who has a religious conversion that would make Jim Bakker jealous, a leader of a drug gang with stigmata, and an owner of a security firm.  Then all hell breaks loose.
No, seriously - all hell does break loose.

The Bleeders have been tracking down artifacts while trying to find the Blessed Man.  Using some pretty intense "readjustment" techniques on some people within the Occupy movement, the bad guys also have a job opening for someone who can lead their Legion.  The main qualification include wearing a couple thousand year old pig head that has some biblical history of its own.

But who is fighting for what?  The "bad" guys are trying to stop Armegeddon from happening (which really makes one wonder - are things really THAT bad on earth that the people on the side of Hell want to keep it that way!).  The good guys are trying to set about the end of the world.

Maybe humanity can hope for a draw and we can revisit this whole Armageddon thing in a few thousand years down the road......

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"The Blessed Man and the Witch" by David Dubrow is a story unlike any that I have come across before.  Plenty of action, lots of neat characters, plot infused with biblical relics, and an climax that will really leaving you wondering who you want to root for.  Bad guys win - world keeps going.  Good guys win - beginning of the end.

The characters were strong, and easy to connect to.  The plot was very ambitious and there was enough action to keep you turning the pages.

A couple things that I did find confusing - lots of mention of Angels names and no real background of who they were or why they were important.  Also, as ambitious as the plot was, the ending was a cliffhanger.  I almost had the feeling that the ending may have been written by a different author.  The beginning and middle of the novel seemed to move at a good pace, the ending seemed frantic.  But, we are talking about the end of the world here - and I am sure I am not going to be sitting around in a leisure suit with a glass of fine cognac in reflection of great literature at that moment.

I am hopeful that Dubrow is planning a second novel to "The Blessed Man and the Witch" - the suspense has been built up.  There is more story to tell with this novel, and the characters are too well developed not to hear from again.

(Movies and Manuscripts were provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Your actions are being dictated by "The Manipulator"

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"The Manipulator" by Steve Lundin isn't a prep book for a chiropractic final exam.  Far from it.  Instead of relief, the visitors to Blowfish's advertising firm often leave with grief and disbelief.

Jack Vance, owner of Blowfish, is one of those guys that make you really hope that there is such a thing as karma.  Jack is all about business, and the business that Jack enjoys the most is making obscene amounts of money.  Sure, there are the women, awesome cars, hard drugs, and booze - but it is money that makes Jack Vance's world turn.

So when a new mobile network that will be viewed on everyone's phones needs a big-time launch, who else are you going to turn to but Blowfish? Blowfish is THE marketing firm that puts the edge in cutting edge.  So what show does he pitch to MVN networks for their launch?  A show called "Some Will Die", which gives a fantasy life to anyone who can lose half of their body weight in a set amount of time.  But Jack always has an angle - he is willing to bet that once exposed to the good life, the winner will cut down on the expense account of the show be over indulging themselves to the point of death.

You can't get Jane Fonda or Richard Simmons to run this contest - way to tame and lame.  So who.....  Vance gets a great idea to get the Russian winner of :"Survivor: Cherynobol", Vlad Berber.  The fact that Berber is currently in a Mexican jail for manslaughter only adds to the appeal of having him as "host" of the show.

But even this isn't enough of a "event" for Vance.  He is going to launch the new network during the Super Bowl.  When people get in "all or nothing" situations - there are often a lot of "casualties" along the way.  But when a Congressman who was forced out of two political parties due to weight, a former employee of Blowfish who might have just enough knowledge of the scheme, and the CEO of a rival marketing firm form an alliance to make Jack's life miserable - things start to become personal.

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I thoroughly loved this book.  Really, I can't remember reading a book in which I despised almost every single character to the point that I had to keep reading hoping that the saying "Karma is a bitch" might turn out to be true.  The characters were built up just enough to make you look forward to them getting their due, but wanting karma to hold off long enough to see how the myriad of plots finished up around him.

I thought Steve Lundin did an excellent job with this book.  The pacing was great, the characters were at times not very likable , and the plotting and actions of everyone borders on despicable.    Put this all together, and you have something resembling a train wreck that you have to just watch.

The one thing that I appreciated was that Lundin kept Vance a complete jerk up to the end.  No moment of finding total redemption here - at least not by the end of this book.  Vance is a jerk, and he not only knows it - he embraces it!  Lundin didn't turn this into a morality play - and I think he made the exact right call.  I haven't met Steve Lundin, but I wish that George Lucas had him on his staff when he decided that Han Solo shooting Greedo first made him look like a bad guy.  Newsflash, Lucas!  Han Solo was a scoundrel -  that's why people loved him!  Oh well, if Lucas is going to take our heros and go all "politically correct" on everyone - at least we still have Jack Vance to count on for keeping in touch with who he really is....

As often is the case, when everyone has revenge on their mind, mixed with a total disregard for anyone but themselves - there just might be all losers and no winners.   Well there are a couple of definite winners - the author Steve Lundin and the readers of this book.

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When there is no where to hide - seek out "Santuary 12 (Fallen Gods Saga)

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In Sanctuary 12 (Fallen Gods Saga), author T.W. Malpass   introduces the readers to a dark world filled with dark characters.  From the impeccably dressed Mr. Cradleworth, to the patchwork creation named Clover that was born from the mind of a man going mad, and last but not least - terrifying flying creatures dropping vehicles on top of buildings.

Who is going to rescue the planet from this group of baddies?  Nine strangers with different latent powers that they are just starting to discover.  A sculptor who not only creates, but heals with his hands joins up with a blind woman who "sees" how people are going to die by mere touch.

Jerrico (whose imagination is vivid as well as deadly) meets with Barnes the dimension hopping dog and his "owner" Stuart.  Stuart is a telekinetic, which is very helpful when you are confined to a wheelchair.

This is just part of the gathering of unlikely defenders of the planet.  They are formed and led by a young girl, Celeste, who also happens to be in a coma.

If you haven't gotten the idea that this novel is a collection of total misfortunate misfits (I know misfortunate isn't a word - but it should be!), then there probably is no convincing you.

This novel is the first in a series.  Most of the novel is dedicated to building up the characters, which had me guessing the entire time as to how they would meet up with each other.  

Malpass does a great job with the setting and the characters, but the plot seems to take a long time to develop.  The blending of horror and science fiction is a bit confusing to me, but I trust that this author will go into more detail on that angle in future books.

If you like books with flawed "heroes and heroines" that are extremely well developed through the novel, then you have definitely found a book to fit your niche.  As i have read in other reviews, don't worry were the journey is headed - just sit back and enjoy the ride that Malpass will happily chauffeur you on.

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Motorcycles, Werewolves, Police - Oh My!

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The Seventh Sons of Sycamore is a short novel about a small town cop; a tall, dark, handsome stranger; and a werewolf biker gang in modern-day Sanctuary, Arizona. First, we meet the small town cop, Detective Maxim Dwyer, as he locks up some brawling bikers and pines after his missing wife. He is soon joined by Diego, a mysterious man, with a dark past and an ulterior motive. They join forces in order to take down the Seventh Sons, a formidable local motorcycle gang with a strange and terrifying reputation. The unexpected occurs, and allies and enemies are found in unlikely places.

If you enjoy police dramas and the paranormal with a human twist, this book is definitely in your realm. Note that although there are werewolves and fight scenes containing gore, The Seventh Sons of  Sycamore is not a horror novel. Overall, the plot is entertaining and consistent. Domino Finn, the author, noted that he wrote each chapter as its own short story and somehow it became a book; this was not a hindrance to the readability of the story, it flows smoothly throughout. 

There are some typical jurisdiction disputes that are expected in any story involving local law enforcement and the government. Lycanthropy is given a reasonable explanation; the likes of which, I have not seen before (points for originality!). The greatest weakness in my eyes is that the writing is often verbose; however,the writing remains clear and grammatically correct, which is always a huge joy in my life. The characters are easy to differentiate and easy to imagine while reading.

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Reviewed by guest reviewer Lauren Pesci for Movies and Manuscripts.

Thank you Lauren!

Manipulating media? That doesn't really happen, does it? (Really)?

The most unusual, insightful, readable business book of the year.

The Manipulator, by Steve Lundin, is a satirical techno noir business thriller about marketing, madness and the fast paced edge of our communications-rich society. It's a prophetic look at communications just a few years over the horizon, when master media manipulators will insidiously shape almost every aspect of culture and ultimately society. This unique insider perspective on marketing and the media is wrapped around a fast moving, witty and action packed story that will keep you turning pages while you should be working!

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I don't want a GPS system - I was lost in "The Labyrinth" and didn't want to find my way out!

"The Labyrinth" is a strong debut novel by Dorian Zari that any fan of Stephen King should check out.

Zack, Carly, Dan, and Sarah all have senses that are either too good, or not good enough - a deaf cello player who plays to packed houses, a blind man who can see to the stars and paints pictures hung in galleries, a nose that can smell everything to the point that cocaine is needed to dull the sense, and a tongue that can break down the ingredients in Col. Sanders secret KFC recipe!

The villain is a nice young boy who happens to think he is in Corey Hart's "Sunglasses at Night" music video.  Really, dude - lose the sunglasses.  Problem is - once you see what is behind the shades, you might wish that The Guardian left them on.

Past lives and star crossed lovers have waited millennia for just the right moment to take out their arch enemy - but was it really just fate that put them in the moment or was there something else pulling the puppet strings all along?  What happens when you have finished the roller coaster ride of multiple reincarnations and find out that you are on your last one?  What exactly is with the hourglass on the cover?  Why is this labyrinth made of material that just usually isn't associated with your run of the mill carnie fun house maze.

And why does everything have to end when the alcoholic finally lands a beautiful stripper and goes straight?  Maybe it is just crappy luck, or maybe that nice young boy in the sunglasses might know the answer - why don't you just go up and ask him?  I am sure you are dying to know....
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Zari must have some dark space in his head that sprung forth in the writing of this novel.  A nice benefit of reading the book is that you can visit these dark spaces, close the book, and put it on a shelf in your basement if you are scared.  Zari must have had to put it on paper to get the light shining in those spots again - and I am sure it was a much longer process...

The story reminded me in a way of Stephen King in the sense that Zari just drops The Guardian into the story and doesn't really go into detail about the how or why he is there.  But, Zari leaves little doubt that The Guardian is a bad, bad man.....  If you hire body guards and the company sent you The Guardian, you might want to ask for a refund for misrepresentation...  LOL.  I am not saying this is a distraction or a weakness at all - just a comparison that jumped to mind.  Heck, if Stephen King can drop a dome around a town in (where else) Maine, offer no explanation, and just start killing characters off - why should anyone else get into the mundane backgrounds before starting the book's body count?

Zari has a few scenes that "blew my mind" (or head off).  One made me literally stop and call my co-blogger and share with him what I just read.  Let's just say that after reading this book, I can never think of Russian Roulette quite the same way again.  Why use a gun, when there are so many other options that are available?

In the end, Zari lifts the veil and nicely wraps things up by explaining things for those in the audience who need that sort of thing.  Me?  I was too interested in The Guardian's modis operandi to really care, but the author did look out for the inquisitive souls that just had to know.

All in all, this was a strong and well thought-out, novel.  For a few dollars, check out Dorian Zari's book and show your support for this talented Indie Author!

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I actually WANTED to join the Red Army - and not a drop of vodka was in my system at the time.

Birth of an Assassin by Rik Stone

What do you get when you take a child who dreams of being a soldier in the Russian Army, train him in the Red Army and then get hunted by the KGB for helping his sisters escape the country?  Oh, and throw in a crush on a female soldier from boot camp.  A loose cannon Ruskie 007.  But you can drop the 007 part, because Jez Kornfeld doesn't need no stinking license to kill - that is an unnecessary step.

Put in a position to turn on his family and people of faith or to follow commands, the family wins out.  But actions have consequences - and the path that Jez has chosen has made him more than a few enemies.  With a dangerous person with a personal hatred of Jez, and the KGB tracking him - there isn't room to make a wrong move.  Heck, Jez probably has people on his high school chess club that are looking to settle a score!

This book is an action packed thriller that puts a nice twist on the genre with an original plot.  

This book is best enjoyed with a few shots of Kauffman Vodka taken before - call it liquid mood lighting!

Book Description:

Set against the backdrop of Soviet, post-war Russia, Birth of an Assassin follows the transformation of Jez Kornfeld from wide-eyed recruit to avenging outlaw. Amidst a murky underworld of flesh-trafficking, prostitution and institutionalized corruption, the elite Jewish soldier is thrown into a world where nothing is what it seems, nobody can be trusted, and everything can be violently torn from him.

Given the order to disperse and arrest a crowd of Jewish demonstrators in Red Square, Jez breaks up the rally but discovers his sisters in their ranks. Rushed for a solution, he sneaks the girls from under the noses of secret police and hides them in downtown Moscow. But he knows they will no longer be safe in Russia. He has to find them a safe route out.

The journey begins, but he is unaware that his every move is being observed and that he has set in motion a chain of events that will plunge his life into a headlong battle to stay alive.

Author Bio:

Do children born into poverty become impoverished adults? It happens; pitfalls and roadblocks to advancement are everywhere. Rik Stone grew up poor amidst the slum-lands of fifties North East England, and left school at 15 without any academic qualifications.

He worked in the shipyards on a local river and later went into the merchant navy. Further down the line, he worked quarries in Essex in South East England.

But life was without horizons until, contrary to what his teachers had told him, he found he was capable of studying and completed a BSc degree in mathematics and computing.

Life got lucky for him when he took company pension at 50 and began writing. And now, here he is offering up his debut novel Birth of an Assassin, the first in a series.

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