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Recommend this book:
Jane of the Jungle
Jane Baskin
2012 Honorable Mention
248 Pages
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Molly Edwards for Readers' Favorite
Jane Baskin is a highly talented author. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this novel, but I got some good laughs and really had the wild ride-of-my-life with this interesting story. Ms. Baskin has done a wonderful job at creating a complex yet intriguing heroine with Jane and opens the story with a fun plot line. Jane is a character to be reckoned with. She is a widow, and has some rather unique talents. She talks to animals. Well so do I - just ask my adorable Cocker Spaniels - but she can ACTUALLY talk to the animals. It is kind of like a Doctor Doolittle-ette. And, did I mention that Jane can make buses fly? Well, she does. It is absolutely a fantastic part of the story, giving it a whirlwind action feel. On top of the flying buses and the animal talking, you get an adventurous comedy ride with mobsters and love, giving this book the perfect amount of everything: laughs, love, suspense. You name it, it is all incorporated into one heck of a great read.
Now, I'll be honest and say that if I had seen this on Amazon, or in a book store, I would not have picked it up on my own. I just wouldn't normally go for this book. But, in all honesty, I would have been missing out. The action, the writing style, the characters, all of it absolutely gripped me and didn't let me go. Jane is a character who will settle in my heart to stay, and I will cheer for awesomeness all the way.
I can definitely recommend this book with high flying 5 stars. It is a book that will keep you hooked and have you wanting to come back for more. Great job, Ms. Baskin!
Jane Baskin is a highly talented author. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this novel, but I got some good laughs and really had the wild ride-of-my-life with this interesting story. Ms. Baskin has done a wonderful job at creating a complex yet intriguing heroine with Jane and opens the story with a fun plot line. Jane is a character to be reckoned with. She is a widow, and has some rather unique talents. She talks to animals. Well so do I - just ask my adorable Cocker Spaniels - but she can ACTUALLY talk to the animals. It is kind of like a Doctor Doolittle-ette. And, did I mention that Jane can make buses fly? Well, she does. It is absolutely a fantastic part of the story, giving it a whirlwind action feel. On top of the flying buses and the animal talking, you get an adventurous comedy ride with mobsters and love, giving this book the perfect amount of everything: laughs, love, suspense. You name it, it is all incorporated into one heck of a great read.
Now, I'll be honest and say that if I had seen this on Amazon, or in a book store, I would not have picked it up on my own. I just wouldn't normally go for this book. But, in all honesty, I would have been missing out. The action, the writing style, the characters, all of it absolutely gripped me and didn't let me go. Jane is a character who will settle in my heart to stay, and I will cheer for awesomeness all the way.
I can definitely recommend this book with high flying 5 stars. It is a book that will keep you hooked and have you wanting to come back for more. Great job, Ms. Baskin!
Recommend this book:
The Missing Element
A James Becker Mystery
John L. Betcher
2012 Finalist
272 Pages
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Bob MacKenzie for Readers' Favorite
While this tale hinges partly on 21st Century technology, the style and substance is very old fashioned, reading not so much like John Gresham or Tom Clancy as Raymond Chandler or Mickey Spillane with just a dash of Nick and Nora Charles thrown in. A description of the story could sound rather boring. In the quiet town of Red Wing, Minnesota, the cop's wife's best friend has disappeared, leaving behind a note for her husband that their marriage is over. The cop, having little time for this, asks a lawyer friend of his to look into it. That could be the whole story. However, the missing woman is one of the highest qualified computer programmers in the world. In a former life, the lawyer had been top international spy for U.S. military intelligence. The lawyer's wife is a former CIA operative and code-cracker still doing contract decoding for the agency. Soon, people start getting violently threatened or killed. Life in Red Wing has become an adventure!
The characters in this story are thinly drawn, as is often the case in detective fiction, yet they walk just this side of the line between stereotype and stark realism, becoming intriguing individuals almost in spite of themselves. Central to the story, James "call me Beck" Becker and his wife Beth especially stand out and become real to the reader, but others become real the more they are on stage. Like the plot and the pacing, the development of characters in this novel is quite masterful. "The Missing Element" has the pace of "The Big Sleep" or perhaps of any Elmore Leonard novel you could name and has its share of quirky characters and cliffhanger moments to keep your eyes locked on its pages until the very end.
I am very impressed with this novel and with the author's skills as a storyteller. The story is gripping and at times intense. I would recommend "The Missing Element" to anyone as a great, fast-paced read.
While this tale hinges partly on 21st Century technology, the style and substance is very old fashioned, reading not so much like John Gresham or Tom Clancy as Raymond Chandler or Mickey Spillane with just a dash of Nick and Nora Charles thrown in. A description of the story could sound rather boring. In the quiet town of Red Wing, Minnesota, the cop's wife's best friend has disappeared, leaving behind a note for her husband that their marriage is over. The cop, having little time for this, asks a lawyer friend of his to look into it. That could be the whole story. However, the missing woman is one of the highest qualified computer programmers in the world. In a former life, the lawyer had been top international spy for U.S. military intelligence. The lawyer's wife is a former CIA operative and code-cracker still doing contract decoding for the agency. Soon, people start getting violently threatened or killed. Life in Red Wing has become an adventure!
The characters in this story are thinly drawn, as is often the case in detective fiction, yet they walk just this side of the line between stereotype and stark realism, becoming intriguing individuals almost in spite of themselves. Central to the story, James "call me Beck" Becker and his wife Beth especially stand out and become real to the reader, but others become real the more they are on stage. Like the plot and the pacing, the development of characters in this novel is quite masterful. "The Missing Element" has the pace of "The Big Sleep" or perhaps of any Elmore Leonard novel you could name and has its share of quirky characters and cliffhanger moments to keep your eyes locked on its pages until the very end.
I am very impressed with this novel and with the author's skills as a storyteller. The story is gripping and at times intense. I would recommend "The Missing Element" to anyone as a great, fast-paced read.
Recommend this book:
Deed So
Katharine A. Russell
2012 Silver Medal
440 Pages
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite
Katharine Russell’s “Deed So” is an amazing fictional story about young Haddie as she tells about her life growing up in Maryland in the 1960’s. Haddie is just at the coming of age stage, and like most people her age, she wants to leave her hometown and find out what big city life is like. But city life wasn’t to be for Haddie because her little hometown all of a sudden erupts at the seams, taking Haddie and the rest of its residents on a journey they never expected. A young black teen was killed by a white man. It was witnessed by Haddie, which placed her as a witness at the trial. This causes total chaos and builds tension between blacks and whites in the backdrop of the racial violence that was so evident in the 1960s. All the while Haddie was going through the usual things a young girl faces including her wild crush on older guy Gideon, who already had a girlfriend! And then Gideon ends up going to Vietnam, coming home wounded, and with secrets that would surprise everyone in their community. Haddie’s story is one that will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading the book.
“Deed So” is a well-written, delightful book to read about life in the 1960s. Having been around Haddie's age at that time, I thoroughly enjoyed reflecting back to that special time in my life and the life of my family. The historical details came to life for me as Kath Russell describes so vividly a lot of the things that were happening around the world during that time. I felt as if I was there living those days again. I fell in love with Haddie from the beginning, and I was so engrossed in the book that I couldn’t put it down until the last page. The other characters are so real and life-like that I felt they were real friends by the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book for your enjoyment. And if you were growing up in that era in history, this is a must read for you!
Katharine Russell’s “Deed So” is an amazing fictional story about young Haddie as she tells about her life growing up in Maryland in the 1960’s. Haddie is just at the coming of age stage, and like most people her age, she wants to leave her hometown and find out what big city life is like. But city life wasn’t to be for Haddie because her little hometown all of a sudden erupts at the seams, taking Haddie and the rest of its residents on a journey they never expected. A young black teen was killed by a white man. It was witnessed by Haddie, which placed her as a witness at the trial. This causes total chaos and builds tension between blacks and whites in the backdrop of the racial violence that was so evident in the 1960s. All the while Haddie was going through the usual things a young girl faces including her wild crush on older guy Gideon, who already had a girlfriend! And then Gideon ends up going to Vietnam, coming home wounded, and with secrets that would surprise everyone in their community. Haddie’s story is one that will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading the book.
“Deed So” is a well-written, delightful book to read about life in the 1960s. Having been around Haddie's age at that time, I thoroughly enjoyed reflecting back to that special time in my life and the life of my family. The historical details came to life for me as Kath Russell describes so vividly a lot of the things that were happening around the world during that time. I felt as if I was there living those days again. I fell in love with Haddie from the beginning, and I was so engrossed in the book that I couldn’t put it down until the last page. The other characters are so real and life-like that I felt they were real friends by the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book for your enjoyment. And if you were growing up in that era in history, this is a must read for you!
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/the-ghost-of-atlanta&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91rSY-ozrfL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=J.E Thompson is a superb writer. "The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superbly written book. This novel is the third in a series. The book is a very fast read that builds up slowly and has a fantastic ending. Mr. Thompson has included all the ingredients that make for a well-written novel: great character descriptions, an exciting well-thought-out...){kind=link}
The Ghost of Atlanta
Julius Thompson
2011 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Dennis De Rose for Readers' Favorite
J.E Thompson is a superb writer. "The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superbly written book. This novel is the third in a series. The book is a very fast read that builds up slowly and has a fantastic ending. Mr. Thompson has included all the ingredients that make for a well-written novel: great character descriptions, an exciting well-thought-out plot, edge-of-your-seat adventure with all the proper descriptives (old love and love rekindled, friendships-new and old, hate-the kind that festers, murder-brutal and heartless, drugs-of the worst kind, family ties-both good and bad, etc.).
The story takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, present day, the main character, Andy Pilgrim, is a newspaper reporter. His life is full of ups and downs with a past that haunts him daily, hence, 'Ghost in Atlanta.'
Only Andy can, and must, have the courage to face his ghosts, one-on-one. He has many friends and family that help him along the way, and those that would like to see him fail miserably. Can he defeat his ghosts and continue on with his life?
I will not spoil the book for you but I will say that the story is full of excitement and is really very ethereal. The reason I say that is because the characters themselves present the reader with many questions, such as, How can Andy`s friend, Philip, always be there for him just at the right time? How is it that certain characters are praying for Andy just at the right moment? How can a family cousin appear to Andy in the blink of an eye and then disappear just as quickly? How can friends and family in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Atlanta be so in tune with each other, helping Andy when he needs it the most?
All these ingredients make this novel taste like your favorite pie flavor. All these ingredients make you want to continue reading this novel in just one sitting.
I now have a very strong desire to read J.E Thompson's first two novels in the series. I can hardly wait for the next one. J.E Thompson, please keep writing. To the reader, don't hesitate to read this, you will not be disappointed. I am very glad that I read this book and I rate this book 5 stars, wholeheartedly.
J.E Thompson is a superb writer. "The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superbly written book. This novel is the third in a series. The book is a very fast read that builds up slowly and has a fantastic ending. Mr. Thompson has included all the ingredients that make for a well-written novel: great character descriptions, an exciting well-thought-out plot, edge-of-your-seat adventure with all the proper descriptives (old love and love rekindled, friendships-new and old, hate-the kind that festers, murder-brutal and heartless, drugs-of the worst kind, family ties-both good and bad, etc.).
The story takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, present day, the main character, Andy Pilgrim, is a newspaper reporter. His life is full of ups and downs with a past that haunts him daily, hence, 'Ghost in Atlanta.'
Only Andy can, and must, have the courage to face his ghosts, one-on-one. He has many friends and family that help him along the way, and those that would like to see him fail miserably. Can he defeat his ghosts and continue on with his life?
I will not spoil the book for you but I will say that the story is full of excitement and is really very ethereal. The reason I say that is because the characters themselves present the reader with many questions, such as, How can Andy`s friend, Philip, always be there for him just at the right time? How is it that certain characters are praying for Andy just at the right moment? How can a family cousin appear to Andy in the blink of an eye and then disappear just as quickly? How can friends and family in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Atlanta be so in tune with each other, helping Andy when he needs it the most?
All these ingredients make this novel taste like your favorite pie flavor. All these ingredients make you want to continue reading this novel in just one sitting.
I now have a very strong desire to read J.E Thompson's first two novels in the series. I can hardly wait for the next one. J.E Thompson, please keep writing. To the reader, don't hesitate to read this, you will not be disappointed. I am very glad that I read this book and I rate this book 5 stars, wholeheartedly.
Recommend this book:
First Feature
Jason Blacker
2011 Finalist
302 Pages
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
Why was one of Hollywood's premier producers bludgeoned to death with his own Oscar? Ex-LAPD detective Anthony Carrick is hired to quickly find the killer to save the studio as much embarrassment as possible. Then a second murder adds to the situation with a multitude of possible suspects: a beautiful wife, an equally beautiful housekeeper, the wife's lesbian lover, the dead man's attorney, or his personal assistant. The list goes on and on, and that doesn't include some mobsters to whom the dead man owed a lot of money. But to make things a little more complicated, Anthony is working against time. Tinsel Town's image must stay pure, so he is pushed to solve the murder before the tabloids publish a story (which is often more fiction than fact) that shines light on the seediness of the Hollywood scene. And he has to get it done before LAPD Homicide solves it for him.
First Feature is a very well written book, and I really liked the character of Anthony Carrick. However, I did find, in some instances, the scenes were rather long with a lot of dialog. For me this seemed to slow the action down. While I'm all for good, sometimes humorous, banter between the protagonist and the other characters, I did find on occasion that I was ready for it to end sooner than later. The characters, however, were very well portrayed; and as the story unfolded, the reader gets a glimpse of each and the possible motive each could have had for doing the deadly deeds. With the exception of the couple of things I've noted, overall First Feature is a good story and quite a good read.
Why was one of Hollywood's premier producers bludgeoned to death with his own Oscar? Ex-LAPD detective Anthony Carrick is hired to quickly find the killer to save the studio as much embarrassment as possible. Then a second murder adds to the situation with a multitude of possible suspects: a beautiful wife, an equally beautiful housekeeper, the wife's lesbian lover, the dead man's attorney, or his personal assistant. The list goes on and on, and that doesn't include some mobsters to whom the dead man owed a lot of money. But to make things a little more complicated, Anthony is working against time. Tinsel Town's image must stay pure, so he is pushed to solve the murder before the tabloids publish a story (which is often more fiction than fact) that shines light on the seediness of the Hollywood scene. And he has to get it done before LAPD Homicide solves it for him.
First Feature is a very well written book, and I really liked the character of Anthony Carrick. However, I did find, in some instances, the scenes were rather long with a lot of dialog. For me this seemed to slow the action down. While I'm all for good, sometimes humorous, banter between the protagonist and the other characters, I did find on occasion that I was ready for it to end sooner than later. The characters, however, were very well portrayed; and as the story unfolded, the reader gets a glimpse of each and the possible motive each could have had for doing the deadly deeds. With the exception of the couple of things I've noted, overall First Feature is a good story and quite a good read.
Recommend this book:
Promised Valley Rebellion
Ron Fritsch
2011 Silver Medal
278 Pages
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite
What would you do if you were in love with your childhood sweetheart, but had always been told that marriage between you two was forbidden? That's just what happens in Promised Valley Rebellion by Ron Fritsch.
Rose Leaf and Morning Sun wanted to get married, but were told they couldn't marry or have children together; the strange thing was that no one wanted to tell them the reason. The one who supported the marriage was Blue Sky, Rose Leaf's brother and long-time friend of Morning Sun. Blue Sky didn't think it was fair that not one person would give them a reason for not marrying. So the drama of this story continues as the younger generation rebels against the king and his older supporters because they feel it's time to reveal the secrets lurking among them. But if you want to find out how this drama ends, if Morning Sun can finally marry his sweetheart from his younger years, you need to get a copy of this book and read it!
I had a difficult time keeping up with all of the names such as Law Keeper, Tall Oak, Rainbow Evening, Blue Sky, Rose Leaf, Green Field, Spring Rain and so many more! There were so many characters in this book it made it kind of confusing at times; but I will have to say, this is a heartwarming love story that will stay with you for a while. I hurt with Morning Sun and Rose Leaf over the restrictions that were put on them. Overall this book was a pleasant read. The author keeps your interest to the end because you want to find the answer to the ultimate question: Why can't the two lovers marry?
What would you do if you were in love with your childhood sweetheart, but had always been told that marriage between you two was forbidden? That's just what happens in Promised Valley Rebellion by Ron Fritsch.
Rose Leaf and Morning Sun wanted to get married, but were told they couldn't marry or have children together; the strange thing was that no one wanted to tell them the reason. The one who supported the marriage was Blue Sky, Rose Leaf's brother and long-time friend of Morning Sun. Blue Sky didn't think it was fair that not one person would give them a reason for not marrying. So the drama of this story continues as the younger generation rebels against the king and his older supporters because they feel it's time to reveal the secrets lurking among them. But if you want to find out how this drama ends, if Morning Sun can finally marry his sweetheart from his younger years, you need to get a copy of this book and read it!
I had a difficult time keeping up with all of the names such as Law Keeper, Tall Oak, Rainbow Evening, Blue Sky, Rose Leaf, Green Field, Spring Rain and so many more! There were so many characters in this book it made it kind of confusing at times; but I will have to say, this is a heartwarming love story that will stay with you for a while. I hurt with Morning Sun and Rose Leaf over the restrictions that were put on them. Overall this book was a pleasant read. The author keeps your interest to the end because you want to find the answer to the ultimate question: Why can't the two lovers marry?
Recommend this book:
Webs of Fate
Darlene Quinn
2011 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Lynn Fowlston for Readers' Favorite
Webs Of Fate by Darlene Quinn is set in Beverly Hills in the high tech fashion retail world during the 1980's, and is about greed and manipulations, romance and treachery. The plot revolves around several different characters, but the main two, Danielle Norman and Ashleigh McDowell, set the main stage for the plot. When Danielle fails to arrive in New York on a buying trip, they start digging into her records. Something is amiss and the first thing that they uncover is all the extra money she has spent. It seems Danielle has been doing more on the side, or has she? Ashleigh is out to prove that someone has set Danielle up, but first she has to find her. How could she just disappear, leaving everything behind and not turn up in any hospitals or accidents? Is she still alive? As Ashleigh starts digging deeper, she puts her own life in danger. Someone has been following her and planted a time infused bomb in her car. Could it be her fiance who is a little crooked himself, or someone from Bentleys Royale who feels she is getting to close to finding out something?
This is an excellent read, quite long, but well worth it as the author has a way of making the chapters short and to the point to keep the reader well involved. It's a very hard book to put down as one has to keep turning the pages to find out what's going to happen in the power play and struggle in the fashion world. Although the plot revolves around Ashleigh and Danielle, there is a great cast of secondary characters that lend a whole lot of substance to the book, from Conrad Taylor who hopes to be the next CEO to Adele Watson, divisional merchandise manager. One cannot go wrong with this book.
Webs Of Fate by Darlene Quinn is set in Beverly Hills in the high tech fashion retail world during the 1980's, and is about greed and manipulations, romance and treachery. The plot revolves around several different characters, but the main two, Danielle Norman and Ashleigh McDowell, set the main stage for the plot. When Danielle fails to arrive in New York on a buying trip, they start digging into her records. Something is amiss and the first thing that they uncover is all the extra money she has spent. It seems Danielle has been doing more on the side, or has she? Ashleigh is out to prove that someone has set Danielle up, but first she has to find her. How could she just disappear, leaving everything behind and not turn up in any hospitals or accidents? Is she still alive? As Ashleigh starts digging deeper, she puts her own life in danger. Someone has been following her and planted a time infused bomb in her car. Could it be her fiance who is a little crooked himself, or someone from Bentleys Royale who feels she is getting to close to finding out something?
This is an excellent read, quite long, but well worth it as the author has a way of making the chapters short and to the point to keep the reader well involved. It's a very hard book to put down as one has to keep turning the pages to find out what's going to happen in the power play and struggle in the fashion world. Although the plot revolves around Ashleigh and Danielle, there is a great cast of secondary characters that lend a whole lot of substance to the book, from Conrad Taylor who hopes to be the next CEO to Adele Watson, divisional merchandise manager. One cannot go wrong with this book.
Recommend this book:
Inside a Hollow Tree
Kevin White
2011 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Daylin M. for Readers' Favorite
Dalton Hobby was no ordinary boy! This is apparent the moment he steps off the bus at Capling Hall School for Boys carrying a small suitcase, a large green garbage bag, and a thousand secrets. He never speaks. He never smiles. Whatever happened to make him like this? Inside a Hollow Tree is the story of how an under-sized, pathetic 14-year old boy finds hope and a home.
Inside a Hollow Tree, written by Kevin White, is a sad, yet intoxicating story about a young boy who has suffered many life tragedies that most people will never have to go through: such as sexual, verbal, and physical abuse, abandonment, teasing, and ridicule. Although it was slow to start, once I got past the beginning I began to realize that this novel is extremely intoxicating. I couldn't put it down; it was my drug, and I was addicted, so to speak. Although nothing like the main character Dalton, I sympathized with him and how he was so badly treated by the world. When he is sent to boarding school, and his roommates start to tease him, I wondered how boys can be so absolutely cruel. In this section of the book, there are some sexual instances that made me very uncomfortable and sick, so please be aware of that. This book is wonderful and brings you into the mind of someone so different from anything you have ever known.
Dalton Hobby was no ordinary boy! This is apparent the moment he steps off the bus at Capling Hall School for Boys carrying a small suitcase, a large green garbage bag, and a thousand secrets. He never speaks. He never smiles. Whatever happened to make him like this? Inside a Hollow Tree is the story of how an under-sized, pathetic 14-year old boy finds hope and a home.
Inside a Hollow Tree, written by Kevin White, is a sad, yet intoxicating story about a young boy who has suffered many life tragedies that most people will never have to go through: such as sexual, verbal, and physical abuse, abandonment, teasing, and ridicule. Although it was slow to start, once I got past the beginning I began to realize that this novel is extremely intoxicating. I couldn't put it down; it was my drug, and I was addicted, so to speak. Although nothing like the main character Dalton, I sympathized with him and how he was so badly treated by the world. When he is sent to boarding school, and his roommates start to tease him, I wondered how boys can be so absolutely cruel. In this section of the book, there are some sexual instances that made me very uncomfortable and sick, so please be aware of that. This book is wonderful and brings you into the mind of someone so different from anything you have ever known.
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/my-bad-tequila&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SZeODH00L._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=Rico Austin's book My Bad Tequila is declared to be "a work of reality (80%) and fiction (20%)." As a student at Boise State University in Idaho, Rhet Austin decides to go on spring break with a busload of students to the Club Med in San Carlos, a place known for easy drinking and casual sex.
Rhet (Rico) appears impulsive and self-gratifying ...){kind=link}
My Bad Tequila
Rico Austin
2011 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
Rico Austin's book My Bad Tequila is declared to be "a work of reality (80%) and fiction (20%)." As a student at Boise State University in Idaho, Rhet Austin decides to go on spring break with a busload of students to the Club Med in San Carlos, a place known for easy drinking and casual sex.
Rhet (Rico) appears impulsive and self-gratifying as he, accompanied by another student, elects to leave the group so that he does not have to wait for the inconvenient transportation offered to the others in the group. That ends up being a decision he will regret in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, Rhet arrives at Club Med and busies himself trying to force his companion, Barbie, into his own pre-written script of how the holiday should proceed. This also ends in disaster. Despite the fact that his closest friend and the father of one of the girls is seriously injured, Rhet continues on his self-indulgent journey from one immature activity to another. He frequently flashes back to childhood experiences which help the reader to understand the nature of his current psychological makeup, but the flashbacks are oftentimes distracting. The reader does learn that Rhet has suffered some losses and that he generally acts out in times of stress rather than develop more mature coping methods.
In part two of the book, we learn what really happened to Rhet as a result of the spring break activities, and we also have a pretty good idea that he has failed to mature as we had hoped. Mr. Austin has developed the main character of Rhet very well. The reader will surely see Rhet as a fun-loving, impulsive and immature character who is out to have a good time. This is a page-turner to those interested in living their own fantasies through an adolescent mind and indulging in their every whim with little regard for the consequences. It is a fun read, but one does hope that the real character is much more than 20% fiction.
Rico Austin's book My Bad Tequila is declared to be "a work of reality (80%) and fiction (20%)." As a student at Boise State University in Idaho, Rhet Austin decides to go on spring break with a busload of students to the Club Med in San Carlos, a place known for easy drinking and casual sex.
Rhet (Rico) appears impulsive and self-gratifying as he, accompanied by another student, elects to leave the group so that he does not have to wait for the inconvenient transportation offered to the others in the group. That ends up being a decision he will regret in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, Rhet arrives at Club Med and busies himself trying to force his companion, Barbie, into his own pre-written script of how the holiday should proceed. This also ends in disaster. Despite the fact that his closest friend and the father of one of the girls is seriously injured, Rhet continues on his self-indulgent journey from one immature activity to another. He frequently flashes back to childhood experiences which help the reader to understand the nature of his current psychological makeup, but the flashbacks are oftentimes distracting. The reader does learn that Rhet has suffered some losses and that he generally acts out in times of stress rather than develop more mature coping methods.
In part two of the book, we learn what really happened to Rhet as a result of the spring break activities, and we also have a pretty good idea that he has failed to mature as we had hoped. Mr. Austin has developed the main character of Rhet very well. The reader will surely see Rhet as a fun-loving, impulsive and immature character who is out to have a good time. This is a page-turner to those interested in living their own fantasies through an adolescent mind and indulging in their every whim with little regard for the consequences. It is a fun read, but one does hope that the real character is much more than 20% fiction.
Recommend this book:
The Life O'Reilly
Brian Cohen
2010 Gold Medal
276 Pages
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Fiction - General
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite
Nick O’Reilly was a lawyer at a prominent law firm, Williams Gardner & Schmidt, where he had an excellent reputation and future. When the firm decided to take on a few pro-bono cases to better its reputation, Nick was assigned a domestic violence case. Nick soon found himself falling in love with his client, Dawn Nelson, and her son, Jordan. Becoming involved with a client was against the firm’s policy. Nick’s involvement with Dawn brought conflict at the firm and he was fired. Nick ultimately went out on his own and, just as things are coming together, life struck another blow.
This book will have a profound effect on the reader. Too often we think power, prestige, and money are important in our lives. In The Life O’Reilly, we discover what is truly important. Nick is a man that discovers his “cup runneth over.”
Brian Cohen is a master at character definition and depth. The personalities of the characters are distinctive. The reader watches as Nick develops into a man that knows what is important in life. While this book is entertaining, it is so much more. This book has a deep message for the reader. The plot was well developed and this book was hard to put down.
The Life O’Reilly is not at all what I expected. I expected a typical lawyer story. This book is anything but typical. The plot is original, absorbing and gripping. Readers will not want to miss this one. I suspect it will make the best seller list.
Nick O’Reilly was a lawyer at a prominent law firm, Williams Gardner & Schmidt, where he had an excellent reputation and future. When the firm decided to take on a few pro-bono cases to better its reputation, Nick was assigned a domestic violence case. Nick soon found himself falling in love with his client, Dawn Nelson, and her son, Jordan. Becoming involved with a client was against the firm’s policy. Nick’s involvement with Dawn brought conflict at the firm and he was fired. Nick ultimately went out on his own and, just as things are coming together, life struck another blow.
This book will have a profound effect on the reader. Too often we think power, prestige, and money are important in our lives. In The Life O’Reilly, we discover what is truly important. Nick is a man that discovers his “cup runneth over.”
Brian Cohen is a master at character definition and depth. The personalities of the characters are distinctive. The reader watches as Nick develops into a man that knows what is important in life. While this book is entertaining, it is so much more. This book has a deep message for the reader. The plot was well developed and this book was hard to put down.
The Life O’Reilly is not at all what I expected. I expected a typical lawyer story. This book is anything but typical. The plot is original, absorbing and gripping. Readers will not want to miss this one. I suspect it will make the best seller list.
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