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Approximate word count: 65-70,000
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: YES DTB: YES
Author:
Born in Nigeria, Mobashar Qureshi later lived in Pakistan and now lives in Toronto, Canada. He graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Toronto. He was named one of the “ten rising Canadian mystery writers to watch” by Quill & Quire Magazine in 2007. For more information visit the author's website.
Description:
A Plumber, an Electrician, a Caretaker, a Locksmith and a Butcher. Why do they secretly meet every week?
Karl Whaler, a detective for the Chicago Police, is investigating a brutal murder. Then another murder happens that appears related, yet nothing ties the two victims together. Who is doing this and why?
Appraisal:
Some might call this book a mystery. I’m inclined not to because whodunit, the key element in a typical mystery, is apparent early in the book. Yet there is still plenty of mystery. The questions of why the murders were committed, will the police catch the culprits, even whether the reader wants the murderers caught are unanswered questions - mysteries in a way. Then, near the end, some additional mysteries crop up.
The above is a part of what I liked about this book. It is also an example of what I was thinking of when I discuss indie authors in the “why Indies” page of this blog. Something that is different from the typical formula and takes risks is much more likely found among Indies. What this book does differently is take a couple different formulas and combines elements from each. In most books who you should root for is obvious. It might be the criminal trying to pull off the bank robbery or it might be the detective trying to catch him. In The October Five, it isn’t clear. The author doesn’t try swaying the reader toward any of the choices, nor while reading, did I ever decide. The ending has no clear winner either although there are some definite losers. Yet, somehow, the ending was still satisfying. Maybe because real life is seldom clear cut and unambiguous either.
FYI:
I try to mention in this area when a UK or Aussie author uses spelling or expressions that is correct for their native country. I consider these comments neutral since different people react differently to this situation. For me these are typically a positive because they add color (or colour in this case) to the story. It reminds me that the story is taking place somewhere other than the US. Others might find this disconcerting. By making the reader aware they can decide based on their tastes whether this matters or not.
You may wonder why this long discussion. It’s because The October Five doesn’t fit the typical situation. First, the author lives in Canada where typically UK spelling is used, but the setting for the book is Chicago. It appears Qureshi mostly used US spelling conventions, however, some UK spelling variations snuck in. His also used US measurements (feet, pounds, miles, etc) which, given the characters are from Chicago, is correct. However, there is at least one instance where a character thinks in kilometres (with that spelling) rather than miles. These situations are very few and shouldn’t affect your reading pleasure too much; however, it is slightly jarring when you stumble onto these.
Format/Typo Issues:
I spotted very few typos or proofreading issues.
Rating: **** Four star
Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: YES DTB: YES
Author:
Splitting her time between the UK and North Cyprus, Sibel Hodge works as a fitness instructor and massage therapist. In addition to her novels, Hodge writes articles on health and fitness. Her other novels are Fourteen Days Later and The Fashion Police. For more information visit the author's website.
Description:
Helen Grey is jetting off to the Mediterranean for her “pre-honeymoon” followed by “the perfect wedding.” Soon she’ll have it all, a handsome husband and an exciting new life in Cyprus. If only the world would cooperate with her plans
Appraisal:
I found the main character, Helen, an endearing, yet at times frustrating (even infuriating) character. She’s a smart and successful woman, yet she continually makes shortsighted and obviously incorrect decisions. In addition, her luck is so terrible that even somewhat harmless thing still backfire. Helen and her fiancé haven’t made it on their plane in the first chapter before security is detaining them as suspected terrorists due to a couple practical jokes gone wrong.
The other main characters also add spice to the story. Helen’s fiancé, Kaleem, alternates between a foil for Helen’s questionable actions and a partner in crime. Kaleem’s uncle appears to be a Mediterranean Redneck, but eventually showed I’d underestimated him. Kaleem’s parents are sick in their hotel room most of the book, yet provide an ongoing joke regarding the number of condoms they’re using. We’ve got a few villains, some friends of the couple-to-be, and even some celebrities round out what would be described as an ensemble cast were this a TV show.
After the airport episode, things continue going downhill for Helen. There is mystery, suspense, a touch of terror, and plenty of chances to shake your head and laugh while saying, “Helen, what are you thinking?”
How you’ll react to My Perfect Wedding is largely dependent on your sense of humor. If you prefer something sly and subtle that sneaks up on you this might sometimes seem too over-the-top. For many of us, it’s full of laughs.
Format/Typo Issues:
No significant issues
Rating: **** Four stars
Genre: Comedic Fiction
Approximate word count: 90-95,000 if all variations read.
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: NO DTB: NO
Author:
Rudolf Kerhoven is a Canadian, born in the Yukon he gravitated south until he finally thawed out in Vancouver, BC. Kerhoven has one other novel, The Year We Finally Solved Everything. For more information, visit the author’s blog.
Co-author Daniel Pitts is an enigma. A cipher. A mysterious author with no apparent (at least not obvious) internet presence or biographical information that Google knows about. Sure, I could try asking his co-author about him, but prefer he maintain his mysteriousness.
Not enough? Fine. It has been reported (in the “About the Authors” section of the book – good luck finding it) that Pitts “lives in a fortress of solitude overlooking the Canadian Rocky Mountains.” That will have to be enough.
Description:
“Whatley Tupper is an A-grade janitor at a B-grade university about to become entwined in C-grade fiction!”
What Whatley does and how it turns out is up to you. Several times during the story, at the point where Whatley has a major (or minor) decision to make you get to choose for him. Depending on your choices, the story will change. There are more than 100 different choices and 37 different endings possible.
Appraisal:
The concept is simple enough, a “choose your own adventure” book for adults. Is this great literature, the next Hemmingway, Dickens, or Fitzgerald? Of course not. Is the plot, actually any of the many potential plots, a fantastic story? No, not really – at least none that I found.
But all these questions miss the point. What Whatley Tupper aims to be is fun (it is). Funny (that too). One review I saw called it a guilty pleasure, a description I can’t argue with either. It’s strange, ridiculous, and downright weird at times (if you pick the right – or is that wrong – choice). If you don’t like how it turns out, just try again. For a bunch of laughs and a ton of fun Whatley Tupper may the perfect choice.
FYI
Adult adventure means “not kids.” Don’t read too much into the “adult” tag. Although there are a few sexual situations those I found were tamer than a typical bestseller and many YA books.
Kerhoven and the mysterious Mr. Pitts are co-authoring another choose your own adventure book, The Redemption of Mr. Sturlubok, with a planned release of April 30, 2011.
Format/Typo Issues:
I found a very small number typos. For a book of this type, formatting along with a table of contents (normally not much use in fiction) is critical. The formatting and table of contents is top notch. Everything works as it should.
Rating: **** Four stars
Approximate net words: 90-95,000 words
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: YES DTB: NO
Author:
By day, Beth Orsoff is an entertainment lawyer. But she only went to law school because her parents told her they didn’t pay for four years of college so she could become a professional lifeguard, even if the job did come with health insurance. Always a movie fan, she decided to move to Los Angeles and enroll in USC Law School. Now, when she's not representing movie stars or writing books about them, she spends time with her husband, an author and avid movie fan too. She has two other books available for your Kindle. Romantically Challenged and Honeymoon for One. For more information visit the author's website.
Description:
When Los Angeles publicist Sydney Green agrees to help Blake McKinley, a movie star on the rise and her sometimes boyfriend, produce a documentary for the Save the Walrus foundation she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Getting her boss to allow it is tough enough. But a month in rural Alaska is farther from Hollywood than she ever dreamed.
Appraisal:
At its heart, How I Learned to Love the Walrus is good chick lit. Sydney Green is a self-absorbed publicist with a "thing" for the wrong man - Blake, an actor who is also her top client. Sydney would do almost anything to help Blake who is only too happy to take advantage when it suits him. A typical chick lit plot would have Sydney's relationship with Blake resolve itself somehow. Blake would see the error of his ways or Mr. Right would somehow step into the breach.
What sets Walrus apart and elevates it beyond just good is that how (or even if) Sydney's relationship problems are resolved isn't the story. Instead, Sydney learns life lessons. Maybe she isn't the most important person in the world. Is it possible that by making the world a better place she'll end up a better and happier person herself?
Format/Typo Issues:
There were no significant typos, editing, or formatting issues.
Ranking: ***** 5 Stars
Genre: Literary Fiction
Approximate word count: 65-70,000
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: YES DTB: YES
Author:
In 1995 Calling Crow, Paul Clayton’s first published book landed in the bookstores. This was the first of three historical fiction books on the Spanish Conquest of Florida. Yet, despite this success, he continued trying to find a home for his first novel based on his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam, written 20 years prior. It was a story he wanted people to read. Finally, he succeeded when St. Martin’s Press offered a contract and released the book in 2004. He’s since written another book, White Seed, another historical fiction. Carl Melcher is an example of a book gone out of print and now finding a second life through an author going the indie route after publication rights have reverted. Read the full account of Paul Clayton’s quest to see Carl Melcher published on the author’s website.
Description:
A coming-of-age novel of the 60s generation, Carl Melcher is a young Philadelphian, drafted after college doesn’t work out for him.
Appraisal:
Tons of novels have been written about war. It seems like half of Hemingway’s oeuvre qualifies. Catch-22 and Ron Kovic’s Born on the Fourth of July are two classics. Some glorify war while others illustrate its absurdity.
Carl Melcher is one that shows the absurdity, but takes a more subtle approach than the over-the-top satire of Catch-22. Sometimes contrast can illustrate an idea better than repetition. Rather than continually showing the absurd, as Heller did in Catch-22, Clayton shows the contrasts. Many days Melcher is bored, working in the camp in the Vietnam jungle with no imminent danger. Even while on patrol it is usually a whole lot of no action. Yet the threat is always there and the sheer terror when attacked shows why war changes a soldier. Melcher’s changes are gradual – some good, some not, and some hard to judge – yet over the course of the novel the amount of change is immense.
It seems to me that Melcher’s experiences are probably more true to what the typical soldier in Vietnam actually experienced than most other Vietnam War novels. This makes its message both more powerful and more credible.
Format/Typo Issues:
I found no significant issues
Rating: **** Four stars
Approximate word count: 35-40,000
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: NO DTB: NO
Author:
Kelvin O’Ralph is currently a student at a university in England. For more information visit his website.
Description:
Lucas Taylor is a university student, studying Computer Science, who is also an aspiring novelist, looking for that elusive first publishing contract. He dates sporadically (still holding out hope of reconnecting with his first love). Then he discovers a gift he has, the ability to time travel. Will this ability help or hurt? Only time will tell. (This book was originally called Lucas Taylor: the time traveler.)
Appraisal:
The typos, grammar errors, and incorrect word usage render this book almost unreadable. In the first twenty-five percent of the book I found in excess of fifty instances. The remainder was no better. These errors ranged from pluralizing incorrectly (“Lucas and his sister were working as part-time staffs in McDonald’s …”) to using the wrong word (suite instead of suit, cooperate instead of corporate) to sentences that made very little sense at all (“Well, my future self did she requested”).
Even if typo, grammar, and word usage were fixed, there are other issues. For example constantly telling us things we don’t need to know. A case in point is this:
Sophie smiled, and began eating her food. She then remembered that she did not ask about his day. She placed her fork on the chips, and looked at him.
“How was your day?” asked Sophie.
Do we need to know she’d forgotten and then realized she hadn’t asked about his day? Doesn’t her asking imply that? Does her fork matter?
Finally, we should discuss the story. The basic story, boiled down to 25 words or less, could be called a cliché - not so good - or it could be called an archetype - no problem. Boy wants to succeed. Boy wants girl. Boy gets both, but makes mistakes along the way. The question of cliché or archetype depends on execution. Are the characters interesting? Are the variations to the basic story unique, believable, and compelling? For me the answers were no, no, no and no.
FYI:
The author lives in the UK, uses UK spelling and slang.
Format/Typo Issues:
Numerous typos and misspellings as mentioned in the appraisal section.
Rating: * 1 star
Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words
Availability Kindle: YES Nook: YES DTB: YES
Author:
Globetrotter Imogen Rose is Swedish by birth, went to college in London where she received a PhD in immunology, and is now a Jersey girl. After her eight-year-old daughter insisted she write down her stories, Rose wrote the first of the Portal Chronicles and decided to let it out into the world. The response was so positive that she’s continued with three books in the series and at least one more planned. Faustine is the first book in a new series called The Bonfire Chronicles. For more visit the author's web site.
Description:
Who is Faustine? Those of you who traipse around the right areas of the internet may have already seen or will see this question between now and the official “launch date” on March 14, 2011. However, eBook versions for both your Kindle and Nook and the paperback version are available now.
Faustine Spencer’s life changed forever when she found out at the tender age of five that she had special powers. At twelve she attended a special Swiss boarding school, The Bonfire Academy, where she learned how to control and channel the powers. Three years later Faustine returns to Manhattan, ready to live life as a normal teenager. Then her father, a prominent sovereign, disappears and Faustine finds her life anything but normal.
Appraisal:
Unlike the middle-class Arizona Darley (or Stevens), the main character in Rose’s Portal Chronicles series, Faustine comes from a much more upper-crust background. Yet, like Arizona, she is very likeable. I sympathized with her when things went poorly and pulled for her when she attempted to overcome challenges.
In keeping with the spirit of “Who is Faustine,” I’m hesitant to say too much specific. I will say the book has paranormal characters, but think it best the reader discover who and what they are while reading. What I can say is with the initial book in her new series Rose has created an environment rich in interesting characters, each with unique personality and (sometimes) distinctive powers. Like a fantasy book, it is a new world, yet operating within our world. There is conflict and tension aplenty. Who are friends and who are enemies is unclear. If this vague appraisal sounds appealing then this is the book for you. I love the Portal Chronicles, but think Rose has one-upped herself with Faustine.
Format/Typo Issues:
As a beta reader I received a pre-publication version of the book and cannot evaluate formatting and typos of the final release version. The author was notified of all typos I found and is believed to have fixed them prior to release.
Rating: ***** Five stars
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Approximate word count: 85-90,000
Availability
Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: YES Smashwords: YES DTB: NO
Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store
Author:
Born in Sweden and married to a now retired Irish diplomat, Susanne O’Leary has lived in France, Australia, and Belgium while following her husband from assignment to assignment. They’ve finally settled in Ireland with an occasional romantic holiday in France. O’Leary has six books available for your Kindle, some traditionally published initially and re-released in eBook form, and some that have gone direct to Kindle. Her most recent is A Woman’s Place, based on the true story of two of her ancestors.
Co-author Ola Zaltin is also Swedish. He studied screenwriting at the National Film School of Denmark and has written several short films, one feature film, and many scripts for episodic TV shows.
Description:
“Seabee” from England and Annika, the knockout from France, are two strangers, both in difficult relationships. They meet online at a site for wannabe authors and engage in some witty banter, a little harmless flirtation – no big deal. It’s innocent fun until one jokes that killing each other’s partner would solve all their problems. Reminiscent of the premise behind Alfred Hitchcock’s classic movie Strangers on a Train, Virtual Strangers goes its own way when both partners die in what seem to be freak accidents the same weekend. When evidence indicates both were murders Seabee and Annika each deny responsibility. But, if not them, who did it?
Appraisal:
Virtual Strangers operates in two worlds, the real world and cyberspace. The real life murder-mystery portion of the book has plenty of unique twists; many of them work because of the uniqueness of the tie-in to cyberspace. The real world portion also has the stereotypical murder mystery device of strangers (okay, Virtual Strangers) stuck together in a big house trying to solve the murder. However, this has the variation that the murder(s) didn’t happen in the house, instead they’re together specifically to solve them.
However, what sets Virtual Strangers apart is how well O’Leary and Zaltin capture the dynamic of life in cyberspace and the potential for the two worlds to collide. Anyone who spends much time online should relate. How often have you seen someone on a forum behave in ways they never would face to face? Is a friend on Facebook who lives halfway across the world the same as your friend who lives next door and does it feel different? How much is real and how much is something else? When you think you’re anonymous, are you?
Format/Typo Issues:
I evaluated a pre-release copy before the book had gone through the editing process and am unable to evaluate this area.
Rating: ***** Five stars
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The winner of a Kindle copy of "Three Sisters" is: Giovanni Gelati
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