Category: Indie authors

Book review: The Shoe Box Waltz by Kathleen Patrick

4 out of 5 stars

The Shoe Box Waltz by Kathleen Patrick is an enthralling novel that at times wraps its arms around to comfort the reader and at other times hits the reader with raw emotions. This book continues to showcase Patrick’s ability to observe the human condition and represent it in poetic language that leaves the reader knowing exactly what the characters are going through along their lifelong journeys.

With The Shoe Box Waltz, Patrick has built upon some of her short stories from her collection Anxieties in the Wilderness. Throughout the novel, the reader follows the members of the Daneli family, mostly the daughters Cora and Caitlyn, as they journey through love, broken hearts, bruised bodies, adventures, relationships with friends, and so much more to find what they both desperately seek: their true selves. And as the story is told from different characters’ perspectives, the reader gets a little closer to what it means to brave when all seems lost.

The novel starts with Cora’s adventures traveling through Europe as a young woman, and all the excitement that entails. She meets Nancy who opens Cora’s eyes to a different side of the world and educates her about art history, the performing arts, and taking chances. As travel companions, Cora and Nancy experience many of the ups and downs that plague two people who don’t know each other well but who have agreed to what hopefully is safety in numbers. They talk, cry, laugh, get frustrated with each other, squabble, apologize, and plan the next leg of their trip. Cora’s dream of traveling to Greece is suddenly put in peril as the young women go on one last Italian adventure, this time on sea. What happens on the boat will haunt Cora and Nancy for the rest of their lives.

The second part of the novel speaks to Caitlyn’s state of mind as she works through her latest revelation of what love means to her and how she defines herself through her relationship with Greg. This takes place years after Cora’s European travels, but the ghosts of the past have not left Cora in peace. At one time, the sisters had been very close. They played and laughed together and provided solace to each other throughout a somewhat turbulent childhood. They grew apart after Cora left for college, and had never been able to repair what they thought was broken between them. The reader grows attached to the sisters, understanding each one’s plight and the distance those plights create between siblings once so close.

In The Shoe Box Waltz, Patrick does what she does best: she creates an environment of empathy for her characters that brings the readers a little closer to the truth of the human condition. This novel might offer some triggers for some readers regarding violence and different forms of abuse.

I received this book as an ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Unpredictable Stars by GM Katz

4 out of 5 stars

Unpredictable Stars by GM Katz is an urban fantasy romance novella that grabs ahold of the reader’s heartstrings and doesn’t let go.

Dr. Mora Keneally and Dr. Owen Lang are two astrophysicists who live on opposite sides of the United States. Neither scientist has really made time or room in their hearts for love. Both wistfully wish upon a shooting star that they may find their one true love someday. Someday happens to be a chance meeting months later.

Attracted to each other from the beginning, Mora and Owen long to turn a one-night stand into a long-distance relationship and maybe something more. Forces beyond their control prevent them from seeing each other as much as they would like. Do they finally get a chance to be together in the same place at the same time for a substantial amount of time or does the universe find a way to keep them apart permanently?

Katz weaves the fantasy and mystical worlds into a romantic adventure for the ages. Her world-building and character descriptions lend to a believable story of what it means to find your soulmate even when you don’t believe that you are worthy. There were a few moments where more description would have helped round out the story a little more, but overall, a wonderful novella.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Trauma’s Death by Deanna Repose Oaks

5 out of 5 stars

Trauma’s Death by Deanna Repose Oaks is a collection of 30 poems of varying rhythms and rhyming schemes centering around the topic of trauma and all of the emotions that go with it. The author poetically describes pain, (physical and emotional), falling down and getting back up, and two of the most important: growth and healing. At the end of the collection, Oaks leaves you with “My Pick Me Up Playlist” so you can share in the healing aspect as you read and listen. (Confession: I’m listening to the playlist as I compose this review.)

Anyone who has gone through trauma can relate to working through its various stages as they read through these poems. As Oaks writes through her memories, she connects with the reader and lets them know they are not alone, whatever they may going through. “Telephone Game” is a poem of miscommunication and applying our trauma filters to what the other person is saying instead of hearing what they are trying to communicate. “Tin Cans” talks of taking your trauma with you into fresh beginnings. “Self Evident” and “My Cocoon” are two of my favorite poems from this collection as they reached right into me and tugged at feelings I thought I had buried long ago. “Sunshine” is the appropriate poem to end this collection as it leaves the reader with recognition of growth and a sense of hope.

I highly recommend this poetry collection to have on hand if you need to be reminded you are not alone and want to be reminded there is hope.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: The Time Tourists by Sharleen Nelson

4 out of 5 stars

The Time Tourists by Sharleen Nelson is a story of time traveling, love, and mystery with a bit of science and history mixed in to the plot. Sci-fiction and time traveling tend to be a crowd favorite, but not everyone can pull it together like this. The character building is detailed and done with love. The scenery is well researched and described well enough you can almost see the scenes playing out in front of you on a screen.

Imogen Oliver is not a pushover. Her parents and grandmother helped shape her into a strong, educated woman who can adapt to whatever situation in which she finds herself. She also discovers that she has a secret talent, one that her parents shared but told her nothing about: She can time travel through photos. Imogen must use everything she has learned up to this point to survive situations that we in present day may take for granted: like the proper way for a lady in the early 1900s to cross a street, taking a photograph in that same time period (it’s not as easy as a click of a button), or how to carry a conversation using the proper vocabulary of the era.

Imogen creates a private detective business and calls it Dead Relatives, Inc. She uses her various talents to help solve mysteries of the past for people of the present. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll end up working on a few mysteries of her own.

The Time Tourists is a wonderful new take on the subject of time travel and the complications that may arise.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary. 

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Book review: Rise to the Horizon by Hyunah Kim

4 out of 5 stars

Rise to the Horizon by Hyunah Kim is a heartwarming novella about a horse named Poseidon and Axel, a young rider who will enter his life and improve it at a time when most would have given up. Anyone who has worked with horses, especially horses with traumas, will relate to the bond between Poseidon and Axel. The character descriptions are beautiful and connect the reader to the characters’ emotions.

Poseidon is badly injured in a barn fire and is sent to Axel, a rider known for working with the more difficult cases, for training and emotional and physical healing. The story progresses as Axel and Poseidon work together and gain the other’s trust throughout months of hard work. The supporting cast of Poseidon’s owners and Axel’s family and friends add to the ambience of healing and recovery through relatable stories of overcoming setbacks and loss.

There are two areas of note with this novella: Throughout the story, Kim describes and explains the competitive world of show jumping for the readers who might not be as knowledgeable about these areas. However, what Kim describes is an exposition of show jumping from parts of Europe and may not completely mesh with American readers’ knowledge of the sport. This is not a distraction, only a chance to expand knowledge for those who already love the sport. Also, Kim’s language base is extraordinary and encompasses various languages. Most of the spelling is based on British English, and the English syntax used is lyrical and poetic in ways that may appear unusual to some readers.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Greed Box by Molly Garcia

3 out of 5 stars

Greed Box by Molly Garcia is a horror novella that builds on the “Be careful what you wish for” trope. The character descriptions are well done; however some of the setting descriptions could be filled out a little more. The reader can relate to the main characters’ (Jack and Meg) emotions as they find themselves in various predicaments seemingly brought on by bad luck. Who among us hasn’t made a wish or two in our lifetime? Also, would you give everything back if what you wished for brought more than you can handle? This story goes on to answer the question, “What would you do to ensure the success of your wish completion?”

Jack and Meg are out and about in town one day and come across a shop with an interesting store front. After entering the shop, Jack spies an intriguing and well-made wooden box. The shop curator soon tells the couple of the story and warning behind the box. In spite of the warning, Jack purchases the box almost as if bidden to do so by an unnatural force.

After having the box displayed in their home for a short while, Jack wonders if there was any truth behind the shop curator’s story. Jack contemplates what he should do as he and Meg suffer some setbacks. He picks up the box, opens it, and whispers his wish. What happens afterward is a bit predictable at times, but nonetheless keeps the reader cheering for Jack and Meg to overcome the new obstacles in their lives. Garcia’s thorough character descriptions keep the reader going until the end.

There are a few unresolved questions at the end (that might bother some readers), and various grammatical and punctuation errors throughout that detract a little from the story. However, this quick horror read is an interesting take on “Be careful what you wish for.”

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Happy holidays and good reading wishes to you and yours!

I’ve been working on building content for my language and book blog the past few months. Regularly scheduled book reviews appear every Monday. During this holiday time, I’ll be adding a few reviews a bit spontaneously as I finish books that I think would make good gifts.

The newest book review is about a LitRPG for young readers. A few more will be dedicated to short stories. If you are looking for poetry, feel free to peruse past blog entries for poetry on an array of subjects. Most of these books are available through Amazon in a variety of formats, though some might be available in local book stores as well.

My aim this years has been to help spread the word for indie authors who may not have as wide a reach as do some of the more established authors. Though from time to time, I try to stay current with mass-produced authors as well and include those reviews.

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Book review: The Crafter: The Mysterious Game: A kid’s LitRPG/Gamelit adventure by Dan Sugralinov

If you’re looking for a holiday present for a middle schooler who is interested in learning about gaming, this newer release might be just the book for you.

4 out of 5 stars

The Crafter: The Mysterious Game: A Kid’s LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure by Dan Sugralinov is a wonderful read for middle schoolers who want an introduction to the gaming world. In this first installation of a series, Sugralinov spends time describing and developing the characters and building their world. He does so with age-appropriate colloquial language to provide a basis for what may be new gaming vocabulary for some young readers.

As every adventurer knows, you need a good sidekick and a group of people who will help you make decisions along the way. The main character, Kenny, has Whiskers the cat as his furry sidekick. Kenny and his mother are going through a lot of life changes, and Whiskers is a comforting constant that provides reassurance and wisdom. As Kenny and his mother move to a new town, Kenny meets a group of kids around his age who live near him. They each have a unique importance to help Kenny navigate a new school, town, and home base and suddenly, life without an active father figure. As Kenny spends time with his companions, he learns their strengths and weaknesses and how to help them overcome fears as well as accomplish tasks.

Sugralinov effortlessly combines game play lessons and real life lessons to provide a logic framework for young readers. Through the characters’ experiences, Sugralinov introduces readers to the basic game play rules in this first installment. While the book closes on a bit of a cliffhanger, the novel is the right size to capture and keep readers’ attention. The explanations of how Kenny arrives at his decision making are a bit slow for more experienced gamers; however, the less experienced will appreciate the descriptions of logical thinking and processes.

I received an advanced reader copy, and this review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Anxiety in the Wilderness by Kathleen Patrick

5 out of 5 stars

Anxiety in the Wilderness by Kathleen Patrick is a collection of 17 short stories bookended by a pair of poems. The stories vary in length from six to 14 pages and are written from various points of view. While all the stories can be read independently and in the order they are presented in the book, a few tie together with common characters at various times throughout their lives. The poetic language of the stories lends a warmth to the storytelling that helps to bring the characters to life. Each story describes a different human worry or anxiety that we all may have experienced at some point in our lives; therefore, each story is relatable in its own way. Since this book is a collection of worries and anxieties, it may not be for everyone. There are mentions of death, dying, and possible abuse.

Short stories are a disappearing art form, and Patrick demonstrates why we should keep them around. There is no grandiosity of language that detracts from the storyline or from the artful character descriptions. Characters navigate their way through their predicaments one day at a time. The poignant vignettes showcase the rawness of various human emotions, much like a snapshot of an expert photographer.

My favorite story, Madam Heart, describes the distinct seasons of life through the eyes of the main character, Maddie Heart. The reader travels with Mrs. Heart as she finds love, marries, supports her restauranteur husband, moves with him to a small town in Iowa, and takes over caring for the lovely Victorian home they shared. While worry and anxiety are the two main emotions demonstrated, the reader connects with Mrs. Heart as she lives, learns, and loves. At the end of the story, I wanted to hug the main character and tell her to keep being the amazing and strong woman that she is.

I recommend this collection of heartfelt stories for the readers who might need to take a story at a time, taking breaks in their days to discover a fascinating collection of characters and settings. Though you might find yourself so pulled into the descriptions, you keep on reading.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary. 

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Book review: The First Wordweaver by Rachael Waldburger

5 out of 5 stars

The First Wordweaver by Rachael Waldburger is a Viking-inspired YA fantasy novella that keeps the reader intrigued. The character depth and world development are detailed and add to the storyline in a wonderful manner. Waldburger also includes a pronunciation guide/dictionary at the beginning to aide understanding and to help delve deeper into the novella.

Vilden, Erlendr, Brann, Grye, and a group of Andreveien people arrive at the shore of a new land after traveling by sea for a fortnight. Upon landing, Grye has a vision that has a possibility of forever changing the future of the landing party. Vilden, Brann, and Grye work together to explore all that the new land offers and to unravel the mystery of Grye’s vision. Vilden is the arrogant son of the chief (Erlendr) who has serious misgivings about his role in the new Andreveien community. Brann is the stalwart companion who seems to do everything right at exactly the right time. Grye’s visions have helped her people and have helped shape her cutting wit and the strength of her willpower. All three adventurers mature and become better people throughout their short travels.

Waldburger creates a wonderful entry point for this world for YA and adult readers alike. This is just the beginning for Vilden and his people. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this group of intrepid adventurers.

I received an ARC from the author, and this review is honest and voluntary.

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