Friday, March 25, 2016

Book Review: Henry's Stories Vol 2

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From the dusty tracks of the Moon to the volcanoes beneath the sea, with a few side trips to alien planets and alternate reality, these short fiction stories from Henry Melton’s collection will give your imagination a good stretch.

Here are a variety of tales, from whimsy to adventures to serious speculation. A few have seen print in the traditional science fiction magazines or in anthologies, but the majority are new, seeing print under an ISBN stamped cover for the first time.

The Attorney for Passenger Pigeons
Duck and Cover
Maggie’s Marbles
The Third Wish
Wildlife
Going Green
The Manta
Turkey Dinner
Milemarkers
It’s a Wonderful Morning
In a Black Mood
Partly Murphy
The Christmas Count

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As promised, I'm back with the review for Volume 2! I am thrilled to say that this one is far better than volume 1. Where volume 1 was filled with what felt like unfinished stories, volume 2 is filled with completed ones. In fact, of the thirteen or so stories, I think there was only one or two that didn't feel finished. I have to say that my favorite story in this volume was The Manta. It was quite a bit longer than the other stories, but it really felt fully fleshed out. This book is filled with stories of the bizarre, stories that you want to lose yourself in, and some that are just plain interesting.

While I'd suggest giving Volume 1 a pass, I can recommend that you pick up Volume 2.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own. 
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Friday, March 18, 2016

Book Review: Henry's Stories Vol. 1

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A girl plays a video game and gets more than she bargained for. A talking wristwatch leads a man on a search for forgetfulness.

Henry Melton’s short fiction has been gracing magazines and anthologies since the 70’s. Beginning in 2011, he has begun an on-line magazine to collect these old stories, and many new ones, into a place were new readers can discover them. This is the first volume of a series to collect some of these short tales and adventures into traditional anthologies.

Catacomb
Everybody Knows Bob
Litterbug
Patterns
The One
Bad Blood
Coldseeker
Forget It!
Far Exile
Making It Fit

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This is another book that I found stashed in my review pile that I'm working hard to get through. As a lover of a well written short story who is also on a busy schedule, I thought this one would be perfect. I could read a bit and stop when I needed to. I can be smart when I want to. ;)

As for this book in particular, honestly, I was left a bit disappointed. Of the 10 stories in the book, only 2 felt completed. The others felt far too open ended, as if the author had started something larger, got bored with it and just left it how it was. What's there is enjoyable, but from the first story in the book, I was left hanging and after a couple of these, it becomes a rather uncomfortable feeling. I'm hoping for better luck with volume 2 which is next up in the stack.


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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Book Review: Collage This Journal

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This irresistibly interactive journal is filled with dozens of clever ideas for recording your life, such as "Make balloons out of photos from special and happy occasions" or "Fill the genie's lamp with wishes." The author/illustrator's wonderfully layered photo-illustration montages invite readers to mix media, too, and make this keepsake truly their own.

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I'm a sucker for any kind of book that helps me to release and reclaim my creativity so when this book became available, I couldn't hit yes fast enough. I don't have a single regret. At 6.5"x9.25", this book gives enough space to get creative. Granted, if you're a collager that likes to use bulkier items, this may not be the book for you. Considering it is a book and bound like a book, it doesn't allow for super bulky items to be added to it. Still, the writing/collage prompts really get you thinking and looking around to see what you can use to make this book truly your own work of art. Hey, for us hoarders, this may be the perfect way to use up some of those napkins, ticket stubs, etc that we've held onto over the year with no idea what we're going to use them for! I highly recommend looking around your own space and getting creative while you collage. I can't wait to dive deeper into this gem of a book.


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Friday, March 11, 2016

Book Review: Sow the Dragon's Teeth

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Android replicas of comic book superheroes live among us. They were created to be the ultimate indulgence of the very rich, but as a result of a ruling by the Supreme Court they are now free citizens. Free super-powered, thinking, feeling beings with deeply programmed tendencies toward good or evil. And now the most evil one of all has found a way to deactivate the mind hobbles that keep him docile and law-abiding. Can a reluctant, down-on-his-luck android, created in the image of the greatest comic book hero of all, find a way to stop this deadly being before he either crushes a terrified humanity beneath his feet or forces them to destroy all artificial people, good and evil?

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After finishing Doctor Diablo and enjoying it a ton, it wasn't difficult to go to my review shelf and pull down the other book that I had by Mr. Martin. I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. This book was another easy reader. The story held my attention from beginning to end and honestly, I keep hoping to hear that the author has done additional books that expand not only on this world and the characters, but also that of Doctor Diablo.  The author has a way of telling stories that would delight those of any age. The universes that he creates are not only realistic, but could easily be expanded upon. If you like sci-fi, androids, robots, superheroes, comics or any combination, this is another book that you should be looking for.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Friday, March 4, 2016

Book Review: Doctor Diablo

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He is a charming, arrogant genius with wealth, good looks, and a playboy-bachelor lifestyle that any guy would envy. He's also possibly the world's greatest super villain.

Jonathan Blanc was a nameless, homeless foundling who conquered adversity and his humble beginnings to make something of himself. Unfortunately, what he made was San Francisco's greatest criminal mastermind, the infamous Doctor Diablo.

Life was brilliant and perfect (as he demanded) until Doctor Diablo ran afoul of the Bay Area's most vicious, monstrous ganglord, the Crusher.

Now Diablo must find a way to overcome a lethal, unstoppable madman, bent on putting him to a painful, lingering death. Along the way he just might learn the value of love, friendship, and redemption--if he survives.

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It's been ages since I picked up a book and had a tough time putting it down. This book changed that. It was a random grab from my review stack that once I opened the front cover, I only paused to go to the bathroom and to grab a sandwich. Seriously. The writing style is easy and with the descriptors, you just keep reading because you want to know what he's going to do next...

If I had any complaints it would be that the printing is a bit funky. By funky I just mean that the margins are wonky. So wonky margins and I did notice a couple of grammatical type things but seriously, neither of those things stopped me from reading this entire book in one sitting.

I do have one question for the author...Does he get back with the girl? To find out what I mean, I'm afraid you'll have to pick up a copy of this book for yourself.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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