Seasons Reading

Just in time for the holiday season, Seasons Readings - A Collection of Holiday Themed Short Stories is available on Amazon.  Check it out and pay particular attention to a story by Sue Owen!  And very best of all IT'S FREE!!!!

Cinderella's Secret Diary by Ron Vitale

I enjoyed reading this book.  It was well written and put together as if it truly were a Diary.  I immediately got into the life of this rather rambunctious post-teen as she recited her life after her marriage to the prince.  It felt empathy with her as she struggled to find herself in her new world that was so different than the one she left.

I kept having to remind myself that this was written by a man because he got all the right nuances of what it would be like to be a 20something woman in a man’s world.  The plot was enjoyable and even though it didn’t have a bunch of twists and turns like some of the crazy books I’ve been reading lately, it was definitely a good read and one that I would recommend.

The author did a good job describing the world around Cinder and her friends and family that resided there.  I liked the plot even though it was fairly simple and easy to follow.  It was just an all-around good book to curl up with and know it was going to have a happy ending no matter what.  On my must read list for sure.

Author\'s web site: www.RonVitale.com

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Cinderellas-Secret-Diary-Book-Lost/dp/0615530443

 Reviewed by Sue Owen

The Speed of Darkness by Sarah Baethge

There is a lot of plot to this story.  It twists and turns around a few main characters.  I found myself liking the main few even though I’m not sure they were very nice people.  They just seemed to need someone to be on their side.  The story itself was a little slow in places but seemed to move along enough that I didn’t get bored reading it.

I had a few issues with the writing style.  I find a lot of quotes and italics to be very distracting and not easy to read beyond.  I’m not sure if that is the way the author wrote it of if it was a formatting issue but it did contribute to the reading experience.  The thing that saved this for me was the story line.  I think it was well thought out and had some good twists and turns; enough to be an interesting book.

https://profiles.google.com/u/0/doUreallyWant2see

http://www.amazon.com/The-Speed-of-Darkness-ebook/dp/B005LA82R2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315699874&sr=8-1

 Reviewed by Sue Owen

Altered Visions by Pam Bainbridge-Cowan

This is a very strong collection of short stories.  All 10 stories are well written and have some kind of twist or surprise in store for readers.  I normally don’t read short stories but I’ve had the privilege of reading some of Bainbridge-Cowan’s pre-released work and have very much enjoyed her writing style.  She never disappoints.

This book is no exception.  From the very first story I was hooked.  I never knew what was going to be lurking around the next page.  A couple of the stories I had to re-read because I was so involved in the story that the ending took me completely by surprise and I had to read back to make sure I got the entire plot correct.  It was like reading 20 stories instead of 10 there was so much going on. 

I completely loved this book.  It was fast paced and held so much to keep my attention I just couldn’t put it down.  Bainbridge-Cowan is an excellent writer and I encourage anyone to get this book or any other that she has put out.  You will be surprised, awed and fall in love with her characters just as I did.  

Author or book Website:

pambainbridgecowan.com

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Altered-Visions-ebook/dp/B007ME8B6M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339948348&sr=8-2&keywords=altered+visions

B&N Link:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/altered-visions-pam-bainbridge-cowan/1040053093?ean=9781475002720

Smashwords Link:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143071

Reviewed by Sue Owen

The Scorpion's Nest by Nate Granzow

Had a little trouble getting into this book.  At first I didn’t think I was going to like it.  The setting was, frankly, a bit boring.  I didn’t think I was going to be able to associate myself with any of the main characters.  But that changed.  As I got further in I began to appreciate more where the author was going with the story.  I began to love the plot and towards the middle it turned into a page turner for me.

This is written in a style that isn’t one of my favorites.  I think the action should have been shared with the front of the book but I totally get why the author did it the way he did.  In the end, I really like this book.  It definitely lived up to its name and I certainly appreciate more the author’s style.

www.nategranzow.com

Reviewed by Sue Owen

Echoes of Avalon by Adam Copeland

This is a tale of epic proportions.  The reader learns to first fear then love the characters involved.  I loved the setting and how Copeland made it all so very real.  I found myself in the castle with the hero and carried along with him as he explored the beautifully described countryside and its people. 

The story itself is a page turner.  There was a place towards the end where I had to get up and turn on the lights because I wanted to make sure that Patrick’s demon didn’t find me, too!  I loved that fear.  It made the book so much more real for me.  But the irony in the book was not lost on me.  I found the demons that Patrick fought to be the same ones that we deal with in everyday, modern day life. 

This book was so beautifully written from character descriptions through story line and scenery.  Not for a while have I been able to immerse myself so fully into a book.   This is going to the top of my must read pile.  

Author Site

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7823

Reviewed by Sue Owen

The Harbinger and the Shepherd by Adam G. Griffith

This definitely falls under the heading of epic novel.  The author takes us on an adventure among worlds and people that are all wondrous in their own ways.  The depth of this novel is amazing.  The different species come to life as the author describes them and the worlds and their people’s sufferings are all readily imaginable.

I love the way this novel spans generations and fills in the story as it goes along.  It reminds me of why I love science fiction so much and why it is by far my favorite genre.  The author has left nothing out and has brought the readers into his imagination with stunning word pictures of places and peoples. 

This is a definite must read.  It is science fiction at its finest.  Be prepared to enter a whole new world and life and be carried away outside the realm of your own reality.  I loved this book and plan to read it again and again.  

http://hungrypantherpublishing.com/

Reviewed by Sue Owen