The Sickness Monte's Story - Jeannie Rae

The Sickness Monte's Story by Jeannie Rae is a delicious and devilish tale about Monte, a young girl stuck in a piss of a life. Her troubles, small house, no air conditioning, chunder of a dad and a mother who won’t fight back, all in the stereotypical horrible teenage life handbook - with one exception. Her family (and that is not all) are zombies.

I am not a huge zombie fiction fan. I do like the horror and sometimes suspense build-up related to the book or cinema. That admitted, I do find quite a bit of the zombie culture to be fascinating and the related art displayed inspiring. The Sickness is a well crafted, descriptive tale of the zombie universe. The same suspense build up – struggles and survival.

That is what makes this ride so amazing, the voice. Monte is a fantastic female protagonist. She is in many ways the classic teenager but she is also strong and has convictions that rule the pages as she does what she needs to survive. There isn’t much in the way of surprises in such story-lines but what sets them apart or makes them endearing to readers is the writer’s skill in creating characters, scenes and moving the plot that keeps the reader online.

The Sickness is not an epic tale of grandeur or zombie (sickness) “Oh, Shit-ness” but it is certainly a good read by a writer that has shown she is going places. She is one to watch, follow, or stagger aimlessly behind with mouth dropped open, pale hands extended and vacant eyes staring off in the distance waiting for the next word to drop … so we can feast.

Everflame - Dylan Lee Peters

Dylan Peters has some talent when it comes to crafting an epic fantasy saga and he shows this with Everflame. The tale (less saga) is well drawn out – thought about and placed on paper with conviction and a full understanding of the meaning of the epic fantasy tale. One can see much time, education, dreams, musing and discussion went into the creation of Mr. Peter’s saga. One problem for me, I still wasn’t sold.

 

 The story follows the “chosen” theme and centers on Evercloud(?) and his quest to find the creators (Ancients) who were run off by a Tyrant. This creation tale is just that, a tale of creation and how humans have lost their way and the one that sets out to return the ancients and thus serenity to a world turn dark.

I applaud the world, well designed, thought out and delivered. Characters, though believable and likeable (two key elements in character development success) and there were many but alas, they were also predictable. It may be that I just got lost in the epic stroll through the vast world of Everflame or deciphering the authors meaning behind it all that I missed the tale altogether.

Sagas are hard to pull off even for the seasoned author. The Everflame saga (four books all told) seems to solidify that premise. That said, it could also be the next four part Hollywood blockbuster. I say, at a minimum, check out the first in the saga and decide if you like to carry on but for me it is apart of my library still, even if it is collecting a little dust on its jacket.

Word of the Moment (WOTM)

Forever Fifteen (The Lucia Alberti Series) – Kimberly Steele

Confession, being upfront and honest, I am not a reader of paranormal romance and this book did not turn me. That said, I read it from cover to cover and had to quietly admit that I liked it. Not saying I am a fan and will run out and buy a library full of paranormal romance titles – because I won’t.

So, in a small little package, Forever Fifteen provided me a view into the Twilight Saga, which much of today’s vampire based romance books are compared. In this case, I think it somewhat fits. To the credit of Steele however the gore, violence and erotic moments are far more R rated and enjoyable for the adult reader.

Steele does well with her character, her centerpiece Lucy. She’s a misplaced creature in a misguided and not easy to understand world. The tribulations and growth of the character in such an environment makes the story move along and your “love” of Lucy takes hold.

I quite enjoyed the mood of the storyline – if was brooding, sexy and intriguing, as well the world, which Lucy is unfolding in as a character, is familiar. The package that is Forever Fifteen was a fun diversion from my normal reading habits. This is one place I will return, Steele's library, when I want a fix of such a genre.

Recommendation on this one is a definite for the genre reader and for those wanting to dip a toe into the pool of paranormal romance, why not do it between the dripping pages of blood from Kimberly Steele’s Forever Fifteen?

On the writer's iPod – The Dirty Youth

My muse has a thing for female fronted bands – the ultimate is Evanescence. My muse adores Amy Lee but here my muse is interested in sharing perhaps something less then “everybody knows about” influences. Here we have a female fronted band who affectionately call themselves The Dirty Youth (on the web). From my muse The Dirty Youth is a rocking muse ass-kicker. Sure, they have their lighter side but it is their hard rifts and melodic tones of lead singer Danni Monroe that tips the scales for the muse.

As writers, we all have our personal favorites or things that we do to get our muse comfy at the keyboard or the end of a pen/pencil – from quiet time to booze to music and every thing in between that stimulates what lies deep within. If music, that is pulse pounding, builds a bit of chaos for your muse then The Dirty Youth (on FB) is a must.

Matt Bond and Luke Padfield belt out the lead and rhythmic guitar rifts that are sure to please the most discerning ear. The bass and percussion keeps the music of The Dirty Youth (on Twitter @thedirtyyouth) pure and damning – but as I said, my muse loves female fronted bands and Danni Monroe is a powerhouse singer that can run with the best of them. She simply kicks-ass.

Their album Red Light Fix (sample it here) is a fantastic offering for any muse that enjoys her (or his) music hard and delicious. You will also enjoy a quieter moment here and there but overall you will enjoy an incredible album that displays inspiring talent.

The playlist:

1. Rise Up
2. The End
3. Requiem of the Drunk
4. Fight
5. Final Chapter
6. Ellen
7. Red Light Fix
8. Last Confession
9.  Promises
10.  This is for you

My muse is especially fond of tracks – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 (all right just about the entire bloody album – that should tell you something). Each tune provides a distinct drive and place for the muse to create. Each builds on the other creating a novel worthy journey as you spin the virtual vinyl. Excellent music – with body that will shock your creative senses. These delicious, inspiring and driven tunes will set your muse on a journey through creation – plot, characterization, setting … completion.

Of note, track 4 – “Fight” is an absolute classic in my muse's mind. How this song is not ruling the airwaves and putting The Dirty Youth on every rock fans lips is beyond me. This is a complete band – musically, vocally, look and damn that Danni Monroe! Have a look at “Fight”

The Dirty Youth needs to find its way on to your muse’s playlist – it will grow on her or him and take your writing to places you never thought possible.  

The First Book of Demons - Raquel Dove

When was the last time you read a book and said, “Shit that was good.” The First Book of Demons by Raquel Dove (at the time of this pose, her webpage leaves much to be desired). The story centers on Alexandra whose family meets with a tragic and brutal end. The story moves from there to the introduction of demons into Alexandra’s life and thus the real adventure begins.

I enjoy a good demon read, though the cover tossed me a bit – expecting a vampire tale –, which is the reason it took me a few spins around the virtual library before I checked this one out. Nonetheless, once I did and got through the first few pages I found myself engulfed in the work Dove was painting.

The First Book of Demons is a quick read, not that it is a short story or novel, because the words just keep coming and you find yourself comfortable in them and wanting to continue the journey. A great read with steady storytelling and flushed characters. That said if I had to complain about something it would be that I would love to know more about Alexandra. Perhaps she is flushed out a bit more in book two – another reason to move on to the next tale “Demons Among Us.”

High in my list of recommended reads – its fun, dark and yes, paranormal. Perhaps it is YA but no matter, as an adult I still loved it.

Gateway to Nifleheim - Glenn G. Thater

The author boasts, “Gateway to Nifleheim and the other books in the Harbinger of Doom series explore religious and political topics that some may consider highly controversial. Proceed at your own risk.” So, naturally I was intrigued.

Bad boast in my opinion, as there was little to be “eww” or “aww” about. That aside it was a pretty decent read. Not one I would kickdown library doors to get to but well enough to take the time and read it. All in all, I will not be looking for anything in the series, which should be somewhat of an overall indication but that is one reader’s view.

The story grew confusing in parts, which is sometimes the case in an “epic” fantasy. I did enjoy the hints of Norseman and other “horror centric” moments along the way. For me, there was just too much going on; this book of the series easily could have been two-books in the series. The story read, “Trying to hard to impress” and truly looses it way. The characters were hard to keep track of as well. It felt at times that the author wanted you know that he was intelligent or was a master of history, vice entertaining his audience.

Perhaps the +25K words added to the original over killed this epic tale? I do love a good gates of Hell story where demonic nastiest try and expunge the living add that to a fantastic setting and you have this tale. One would think that it would be just my cup of tea, but alas, not so much.