Review: Dreams of Arcadia by Brian Porter

 Genre: Mystery

Description:

“Dreams of Arcadia is the story of Nate Holub, a Houston veterinarian with two teenage daughters. Nate accepts a job in his late father’s hometown but wonders if a city boy truly has what it takes to be a country vet. As he struggles to adjust, he reconnects with his family and discovers that his father’s accidental death thirty years earlier was much more complicated than he realized.

Nate probes the past, afraid of what he might find. He encounters a resentful cousin, a wary town patriarch, a reclusive uncle and his long-sequestered daughter, a beguiling hidden garden, a mysterious illness, and a war widow who shows him that love is still possible. He is drawn to the Holub family farm, where he seeks refuge in nature and tries desperately to reach Viola, his inscrutable grandmother. The farm is a place that haunts his memory, a place where dark family secrets dwell.

Dreams of Arcadia is a plot-driven mystery story, but it could also be viewed as an allegory for our ultimate reliance on the natural world, for the healing power of nature. The setting is a colorful and culturally distinct region of Texas settled by Czech and German immigrants, not the Texas of popular imagination.”

Author:

“Brian Porter lives in College Station, Texas, where he works as a veterinary pathologist. He previously worked in private veterinary practice and once taught high school chemistry. Dreams of Arcadia is his first novel.”

Appraisal:

While the majority of this book takes place in the non-existent DeLeon County, Texas, it could be several counties within a couple hundred miles to the west or northwest of Houston and be a good fit. Several story threads keep things interesting, from the obvious one (is the protagonist Nate going to manage the transition from being a vet for mostly dogs and cats in Houston to one that deals primarily with cows out in the country), to the mystery that quickly comes to light regarding the whole story behind the death of Nick’s dad thirty years before.

I found the contrast between living in the city compared to rural farm country as well as the struggles a divorced father goes through as presented in this story to be credible and thought provoking. The relationship between Nate and his extended family who still live in this rural area where Nate’s dad grew up as well as the complication that can happen in a place so small that it seems like everyone knows everyone else keeps the story interesting as well. All in all, this was a unique and engaging story.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 75-80,000 words

Review: Words with My Father: A Bipolar Journey Through Turbulent Times by Lowell Klessig and Lukas Klessig

Genre: Biography

Description:

“THE DRAMATIC STORY OF A PIONEERING MAN, HIS MERCURIAL MIND AND A SOCIETY IN LIMBO.

Lowell Klessig’s posthumously-released story, infused with reflections by his son Lukas, provides an intimate window into one man’s life in flux with bipolar disorder. As the author narrates a postwar upbringing and describes the manic-depressive travails of developing his identity, he offers us a view into the turmoil of the times – and of his mind.

Through mania- and danger-filled months fighting for Civil Rights, protesting the Vietnam War and furthering the Conservation Movement, we see the purpose that sustained him. Through darkened panes, we witness the isolation and malaise of depressive winters that nearly took his life. This masterful chronicle allows us to peer into a restless and kinetic existence in one moment and a chasm of fatigue and hopelessness on the next page.

It’s a bipolar journey that you won’t ever forget.”

Author:

“Lowell Klessig led a life of action, ambition and accomplishment. He directly participated in the Civil Rights and Peace Movements. In addition, he became a celebrated conservation leader and environmental advocate in Wisconsin, the nation and around the world.

Lowell won the Wisconsin Idea Award and UW-Extension’s Teacher of the Year Award, among many other recognitions. His research and work served as the basis for several conservation laws. All along the way, he wrote, published and taught the ideas and lessons garnered from a multitude of experiences.

Lowell passed away in 2014 after a year-long battle with CJD - a rare neurodegenerative disease. This book is his first written chronicle of the anxiety, mania and depression that shaped his shortened life.”

“Lukas Klessig lives at the family ranch in Wisconsin, managing the care of forests, fields, gardens and buildings. He also looks after his Mom, monitors the family’s investments and, occasionally, tries to be creative.

Lukas is a proponent of mental health advocacy, animal welfare, outdoor living and physical activity. He spends winters in southern Florida. His beloved cat Shaddy often loiters nearby, supervising his activities.

This is his first book.”

Appraisal:

This biography has three parts, each adding to the overall experience of reading the book.

The first and most significant part is the main book which I’ll discuss first. This contains selected writings from the journals of Lowell Klessig, chronicling his unique life, interspersed with sections from his son providing additional perspective or context. I’ve long felt that any random person has had experiences that put in the proper perspective with a good writer presenting the story could make for entertaining and enlightening read. Doing this with a biography for most people would be pushing it, but most people don’t have the interesting life that Lowell Klessig did. I found the story appealing for the perspectives it gave me on mental health struggles from the standpoint of the person going through the struggle. I enjoyed the historical perspective from someone who was on the ground, fighting for equal rights for everyone and to get the US out of the war in Vietnam in the 60s as well as environmental issues in later days.  

The second section and third section might be viewed as bonus sections and labeled in the book as the “postlude.” It has additional short writings that give additional insight into the authors that either didn’t fit into the main story or in a couple instances told the full story of something that was briefly mentioned in the main book where the story was worthwhile, but the full story would have been too much of a tangent in the main storyline. The second section are pictures of some of the people, places, and events. The pictures are color for those reading paper or a color-capable device.

While outside of what I typically look for in a book, I’m glad I gave this one a chance. It was thought provoking and exposed me to a lot of perspectives that should help me understand those with mental health struggles a bit better.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Reprise Review: To Shoot a Musky by Bill Stokes

 Genre: Short Story

Description:

“Satchel was the undisputed king of the resident muskies. He had roamed the flowage for years, periodically terrorizing innocent fisherman by surfacing like a whale so close to a boat that the occupants could look deep into the fish's black eyes and see what seemed to be undiluted piscatorial evil.”

Author:

A native of Wisconsin, Bill Stokes has had a long career as a columnist and journalist for several newspapers in Wisconsin as well as a stint at the Chicago Tribune.

Appraisal:

This is a fishing story, I suppose. But I'm not much of a fishing story kind of guy and I loved this short story because it is so much more. It's a Cheesehead Moby Dick. It's a wonderful tale about the love between a grandparent and a grandchild. It's a short glimpse into life in small-town Wisconsin. It's a darn good read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Original review published March 16, 2017

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 2-3,000 words

Review: The Dying Five by Jennifer Wright-Berryman

 Genre: Mystery

Description:

“Murder and conspiracy are exactly what the doctor ordered, if you ask The Dying Five. Who says you can't solve crime with terminal illnesses?

When Eric Graham, the CEO of an Indianapolis start-up company is gunned down on his porch after a dinner party, a group of hospice heroes and their social worker go undercover to unravel the mystery. Investigating Eric's death exposes a scheme of national proportions and tangles The Dying Five in a web of greed, power, and peril. With the life clock ticking, they dance with danger in between naps and nursing visits.

Not everyone in The Dying Five is who they seem to be, and the secrets of some members could end the bond the group has worked hard to build. Their friendship fate hangs in the balance as they travel from their suburban spy lair to the rolling hills of southern Indiana, collecting clues along the way. As they're closing in on Eric's killer, another employee from the start-up company is murdered. The Dying Five are certain they can unmask one killer, but can they catch two?”

Author:

“Jennifer Wright-Berryman is an associate professor of social work at the University of Cincinnati where she conducts research about equitable death care, suicide prevention, and mental health. The Dying Five, A Hospice Heroes Mystery Book 1, is Jennifer's debut novel, and is a culmination of her love of mysteries and her areas of expertise. Jennifer is a resident of southern Indiana, where she hikes, bikes, and rides motorcycles with her husband.”

Appraisal:

This is a mystery story with the qualities I look for in a good mystery story. Those qualities are things like a search for something that is worth finding and a story that keeps the reader guessing with a less than obvious solution. But what raises this story above the run-of-the-mill good read are the characters involved in solving the mystery. Known as TD5, short for “The Dying Five,” they are a team of five people who all have a terminal disease or condition of some kind. Participating helps the five know that they are making a difference in the time they have left. Their conditions provide some different perspectives on life and with a variety of life experiences they have different areas of expertise, each of which is potentially helpful in solving their cases.

While this is the first book in the series, we get glimmers of past cases the TD5 have solved and how they function. The current story is being written by the current leader and the implication is that they have put in place methods to pass their history on when members pass away as well as adding new members to keep their group at its full strength of five. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this first installment and have high hopes for future books in the series.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Review: Mysteries Squared by Russ Hall

 

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Description:

“Retired teacher Esbeth Walters isn’t the type to spend her golden years playing shuffleboard with the other old ladies at the senior center. She would much rather stay at home, tending her flowers and reading. But after finding Jake Marston’s arm in a bed of coreopsis, Esbeth devotes her free time to sleuthing, channeling Agatha Christie detectives, much to the chagrin of Sheriff Danvers. She can’t help it if she’s better at solving crimes than he is.

But soon, her life becomes a series of real-life murder mysteries.

Between Tupperware parties, weddings, and a trip to the north woods of Maine, Esbeth and her eccentric group of pals butt heads with local law enforcement while unraveling a series of seemingly unsolvable cases.”

Author:

Russ Hall is the author of fifteen works of fiction as well as the co-author of numerous non-fiction books. The award-winning author has also worked as an editor for multiple major publishers. Homebase is Austin, Texas.

For more about Russ, visit his website.

Appraisal:

The title Mysteries Squared might have come from the fact that the protagonist, retired teacher Esbeth Walters, doesn’t solve just one murder mystery. In fact, it isn’t even just two murder mysteries, but several. In a way the book reads like a set of murder mystery short stories with the same protagonist and many of the characters showing up in multiple stories. But, of course, that means that the reader knows Esbeth and the other characters that much better as the story moves from the solution of the murder in one section on to the next mystery. The history between the characters adds to the story and the reader’s understanding of Esbeth as the book progresses also adds to the experience.

As for Esbeth and the mysteries, they’re fun in some ways (other than people being murdered, of course). I was amused as Esbeth would consistently put things together and point law enforcement in the right direction since they were constantly reading things wrong. As you might expect, showing up the police can annoy them a bit. Others are more appreciative or amused by it. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, this is right up your alley. If, like Esbeth, you’re no spring chicken, you might find yourself pulling for Esbeth and liking the book even more. At least that’s how it felt to this old guy.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

This review is based on an ARC (advanced reader copy) and I can’t judge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Review: Social Vampire by James Schannep

 Genre: YA/Humor

Description:

“At a new school, you get a chance to reinvent yourself, so...why not be a vampire?

Gordon is hiding something. Is it the fact that he's secretly a vampire? No, of course n-wait. Yes. That's exactly what he's hiding. Let's go with that.

So when this nerdy teen moves to a small town where all the kids are obsessed with vampire fiction, he reinvents himself as their dream character: dark & brooding, cool as hell, and overly susceptible to stabs through the heart.

While rivaling the alpha male jock, garnering the attention of the most popular girl in his class, and forming a hilarious friendship with the girl next door (the only one who knows his secret), Gordon might find that his new school is the perfect place for him to shine-or, better yet, sparkle.

But if his classmates dig up the truth, it'll be the nail in his coffin...”

Author:

“James Schannep has no tragic backstory.

Having grown up in a fairly ordinary suburban household, with a family who loved him, he was forced to dream up far flung adventures on strange new worlds where the hero can save the day and make a difference through strength of character alone.

Schannep attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in English Literature with a minor in General Engineering. After serving honorably as a Nuclear Missile Command and Control Officer, he returned to trying to make a difference through story.

As a screenwriter, game designer, and novelist, he is probably best known for his Click Your Poison series of interactive gamebooks.

Social Vampire is his first novel.

When not dreaming up strange new worlds, James lives in the one inhabited by his wife, who faithfully remains the patroness of his art, and with his children, who don’t quite grasp what they’ve inherited yet with such an eccentric father.”

Appraisal:

Gordon, a teen boy who is the protagonist of this story, and his dad move from Los Angeles, California to Bozeman, Montana after Gordon’s mom dies and his dad becomes unemployed. This put Gordon in the position of struggling with all kinds of things including coming to terms with his mom’s death, understanding dad’s thinking in uprooting them to move back to the town where dad grew up, and most of all figuring out how to fit in in a town where he knows no one and feels nothing like what he’s used to.

There are some things in this book that I could picture myself not buying into in most books, but I do here. For example so many of Gordon’s new classmate’s appearing to believe that he was a vampire, felt reasonable to me. Sure, I had to suspend belief, but it was easy to do. At points Gordon as the narrator presents events (or a fancied-up version of events) in the form of a montage as it would be presented in a screenplay, and it didn’t feel unnatural, because Gordon presented himself as a budding screenwriter so this approach seemed reasonable.

The part that I had no difficulty with and understood immediately was the difficulty in moving into and finding a way to fit in in a new school. While it has been a few years … okay, decades … no, not centuries, not quite yet, this was something I experienced a few times as a kid and still remember the struggle. While aimed at a younger audience I think even someone well out of their teens could still enjoy this book. Those in the young adult age range should like it and relate even more.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

This review is based on an advance reader copy so I can’t judge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 75-80,000 words

Reprise Review: Under Witch Moon (Moon Shadow Series) / Maria E. Schneider

 Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal/ Mystery/ Contemporary

Description:

“Under Witch Moon is the first in an urban fantasy series: When dead bodies start turning up Adriel has no choice but to talk to White Feather, an undercover cop. Unfortunately, Adriel is a witch and White Feather isn't convinced she's innocent of wrongdoing. She's going to have to talk fast--and set spells even faster if she expects to survive.”

Author:

Maria Schneider grew up in New Mexico and currently lives near Austin, Texas with her husband.

After working in the computer industry for twelve years she now enjoys creating messes and inventing characters to find their way clear of her imaginings.

You can find several of Maria's short stories online in such fine magazines as: Coyote Wild Magazine, www.AnthologyBuilder.com, TownDrunkMag.com and Over My Dead Body.

She writes cozy mysteries, fantasy, paranormal mysteries. Feel free to follow her on her blog.

Appraisal:

What starts off as a small protection spell for a misdirected customer quickly mushrooms into a devious scheme involving an evil witch with much farther reaching implications than can be imagined. As the plot grows and the tendrils of the scheme are exposed, Adreil struggles to keep her head above water and her clients safe.

The storyline in this novel is much darker and complicated than I expected. Ms. Schneider has taken great care to make her plot believable and as logical as it can be to draw us into the conspiracy that makes up her story as well as the magic that Adreil spells to insure the best possible outcome. Her characters were all well developed. Lynx was a great character, it was easy to buy into his situation and Adreil’s affection for him. I also really liked White Feather and enjoyed watching his and Adreil’s relationship and respect for each other develop. I even enjoyed the Vampire and his role in the whole scheme of things. Sheila, the evil voodoo witch, was scary as hell!  *shudders* She was the epitome of nightmares.

All in all this is a unique captivating story that will make you shudder and have you cheering for witches and warlocks.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Original review published June 14, 2014

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no significant issues with editing or formatting.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 90-95,000 words