Review of Chill Run by Russell Brooks

Russell Brooks afforded me the opportunity to read his new book, Chill Run, which is due to be released in December 2011. I was asked to review the book and was not compensated for my review. I give this book five stars! 

Chill Run is an interesting fast paced thriller. I read the book in a few hours, as I was eager to see what happened at the end. It was a thrilling page-turner that grabbed my attention from the first few pages. The book was written in English with a little French sprinkled in which I felt added to the mysteriousness of the book.


Chill Run is about an aspiring author, Eddie Barrow, Jr., who sets out on a

scheme to acquire fifteen minutes of fame. Eddie wants to become an author by any means necessary and sets out to do so by creating a publicity stunt with a celebrity that includes S & M. With the plans set in place, Eddie dons his leather outfit to begin the night of S & M with the celebrity he’s planning to set up. When he gets to where the scene is set to unfold, Eddie is thrown into a world that’s unknown to him. The joke, albeit a murderous one, is now on him. He becomes involved in a dark world that provides him with more than the fifteen minutes of fame he was seeking. He's tossed into a world of darkness where he and his best friend are accused of murdering his wealthy client that he witnessed being murdered. Eddie’s zealousness put him in the wrong place at the wrong time now it’s up to him to get out of the situation they've found themselves in.

Thrust into a world of corruption and armed with newly acquired knowledge of a billion dollar fraud scheme, Eddie gets his fame when their faces end up on the front page of all of the newspapers, and plastered on every news channel in Canada and the USA. At each point in the book when you thought you knew what was going to happen next, Brooks' storytelling ability took the story into an entirely different direction.

If you like reading thrillers and mysteries this is the book for you. It is well written. The characters and situations seem real. I highly recommend this book to readers interested in this genre. 

Mexican Madness by Andrew J. Rafkin... GREAT summer read!

Mexican Madness
Andrew J. Rafkin
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9781432755096
Pages: 469

Are you’re looking to go on a summer reading adventure? If so, I think I’ve found the book for you! With his third book, Mr. Rafkin keeps you on the edge of your seat with a racing heart trying to figure out what’s going to happen next in this wild, yet believable adventure.

A group of doctors go off on their annual fishing excursion in Mexico City and come up with more than an afternoon meal. What they find is more than they bargained for in the form of a human body. They find a man’s mummy-wrapped body instead of the yellow-fin tuna they sought. After finding the body, they find more bodies opening them up to an adventurous underworld where human organs are more valuable than life itself. Their little vacation is immediately interrupted as they are thrust into a world of corruption, spies, the sale of human organs and terrorism, as more bodies manage to surface.

The doctors aren’t strangers to criminal behavior. They are members of O.R.C.A., an independent worldwide agency created to combat terrorism, drug-trafficking and eco-sabotage. This adventure that started at the end of a snagged fishing line throws them into their toughest task. They go from a pleasant, relaxing trip to a job trying to destroy people who are trying to attack the very core of America. They use all their greatest efforts to do whatever they can to keep this from happening and conquer the people committing such a heinous acts.

This book is your typical good guys verses bad guys story focused on a topic—the sale of human organs--that is quite frightening. To think that this could actually happen in our world where reprehensible things do occur rocks your very core just imagining the possibility. We, Americans, walk around with a naïve level of safety. We never think anything that happens in others countries coulhappen here. This book might make the reader think differently about that.

Mexican Madness is filled with suspense, crime, vivid characters, terrorism, and events ripped directly from the headlines. The story flows naturally and is filled with twists and turns allowing the reader to get lost in the madness of it all. As soon as the reader thinks they know where the author is going, like a roller coaster, the story unexpectedly goes into another direction dropping you deeper into the madness of the story. Although unbelievable the author makes this story quite believable… Five stars for this fast-paced thriller… get your copy today!!

Five stars for this amazing, fast-paced thriller...

Charity Becker

Publisher: Blysster Press

Published: 2009

ISBN: 978082681800

Pages: 292

From the very first page the reader is thrust into the dark yet compelling world of the main character, Mina Jewel. While the reader is supposed to be scared the main issue in the story takes more of your attention--child abuse--lessening your fear. The story begins with Mina Jewel believing that she saw something that authorities have determined she didn't see. Within the depths of her soul she is convinced that she saw the boogeyman murder her abusive stepfather. After spending nine years in a psychiatric facility, her fear, anxiety and pain prevent her from even believing herself. Yet as a reflection of the resiliency children own, once released from the facility she becomes empowered through various experiences and near-death events. As each event occurs attacking the small amount of sanity that remains she becomes stronger.

I found myself cheering Mina on hoping that she would become empowered as she searched for herself amidst the pain she had become accustomed to feeling. Like many people who are abused, she felt that she didn't deserve better even when it made her feel safe and warm. Mina expected the worst as she had always been told she deserved. When the story ends, the reader may not look at the boogeyman as the "scary guy" as they witness his true self evolve throughout the story.

As you become aware of who you think each character really is the author reveals more information modifying your initial perception. Charity Becker is an amazing storyteller and created a vivid, riveting page turning thriller. She uses supernatural powers while focusing on such a human theme. Many children thrust in the throes of abuse secretly wish for power to excel from such madness. Through the life of Mina Jewel, they do. I highly recommend this book and encourage readers to let the hair down and get lost in this magnificent story about a little girl lost. Yes, she finds her way and this story will encourage others to do the same.

Five stars for Self Convictions...

Self Convictions
R.J. Hamilton
Publisher: Bedside Books
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9781589825918
Pages: 220

From start to finish I was intrigued by the idea of telekinesis in R. J. Hamilton’s book, Self Convictions, as I’ve been in real life. However, the fast paced and sometimes violent journey of the main character, Brandon Hudson, went beyond what I could ever imagine. As his extraordinary powers emerge, one is thrust into a thrilling journey as his insanity comes to life through his experiences and the events that occur in the lives of those around him. This story was a page turner that I had to force myself to read at a slower pace. I was eager to finish it the first day because it snatches the reader’s attention from the Prelude holding onto it until the very last page.

Brandon is a character that one might envy, love and feel empathy for because of his powers. He appears at times to be a lost soul struggling with his real powers. Every time I thought one thing was going to happen, the author took the story in a different direction. As each event took place I felt a range of emotions—sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, nervousness and love. The author created an extremely vivid story making it hard to believe this is his first book. I highly recommend this fantasy book to readers looking to get lost in the mind of one with telekinesis. It might make you think twice about wanting the ability to read minds or seek revenge on someone using your mind rather than your hands.

The author challenges the reader to think about becoming at the very least a friend to the Hudson family, feel for them or wish to be with one of them. After reading this story I’ve decided to watch them from afar.

Fast paced thriller!!

This is a page turning fiction novel that leaves you wondering, “Could I do that?” Life keeps us all very busy and at times it seems that bad things only happen to good people over and over again at the hands of the dredges of our society. There are times when people become frustrated with their life and it becomes evident in an outrageous act that affects others—work or school shootings, or other violent unexplainable acts where people just snap. This book reminds me of how fragile the heart and mind is.

Benjamin Cole rides the bus daily and has “bus friends.” He knows their first names but that is the extent of him truly knowing them. Despite that, there is a bond between all of the daily riders. Commuters establish a relationship with the other commuters. It may not extend beyond the train car, bus or the commuter parking lot but it is there nonetheless. Benjamin Cole is a good guy who looks out for his fellow man but when his world in the fast pace city is disrupted by one act where a “bus friend” dies, that all changes. Life as he knew it no longer exists. What evolves from this one experience affects the next moments of his life.

The life changing event takes place in the very first pages snatching your attention and never letting it go making it impossible to put down. Readers will be eager to find out what happens next on Benjamin’s journey but as soon as you think one thing may happen, there is another twist. To see the heart, mind and soul of a humble man evolve into those he hates is an amazing feat that Mr. Dickerson portrays with ease.

The author suggests that the reader makes this book come alive when in fact it is his amazing talent that brings the story to life. We all have felt like Benjamin Cole at least once in our lives and may or may not have acted upon it. This book allows us to open our eyes, heart, soul and mind to the world that we live in and takes us through a range of emotions—anger, joy, excitement, pain, fear—without ever leaving our chairs. Well done Mr. Dickerson. I am glad you found your voice and look forward to listening to it again… bravo!

Blow Dart: The Abduction Book Review...

Blow Dart: The Abduction
Patricia Gayle
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Published: 2009
ISBN: 97816084431347
Pages: 232


In a word, brilliant! I am a fast reader when I'm interested in a book but my pace is faster when the book is extremely good. I finished this book which shall now be classified as one of my favorite books, in only a day and a half! This book is a fast paced thriller that grabs your attention from the first page never letting go until the very last word. My anticipation for the next one was heightened after reading the epilogue. Ms. Gayle leaves readers thirsty for more!

Patricia Dawson is an extremely good friend and because of that she is thrust into a position she does not deserve to be in. She is happily married and innocently offers relationship advice to two of her closest friends. As a result, she ends up fighting for her life as well as that of her best friend. Patricia is left in the woods barely alive and is rescued by a man that she eventually falls in love with.

Ms. Gayle's amazing storytelling ability allowed me to feel a range of emotions that mirrored those that Patricia felt-- fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, rage-- toward her captor. In addition, I was pulled so deeply into the story that I also felt anger towards her rescuer for allowing her to continue to forget her past. His selfishness mirrored that of the murderer/captor although he was the hero for bringing her to safety after finding her initially. I know the story would've been extremely short if the author didn't allow this to happen but his behavior angered me just the same.

Without telling the story I must say from start to finish, Ms. Gayle captured my attention providing twists and turns that left me astonished. Each time I thought I knew what was going happen the story took another turn. Each scene more vivid than the next, I felt like I was there when each person was fighting for their life or running to safety. I was clearly able to see the black van, its license plate and smell the sweat of the captor and basement. It is hard to believe that this is Ms. Gayle's first book. I look forward to reading her next book and liken her work to that of one of my favorite authors--Patricia Cornwell.

Well done and I eagerly await the next masterpiece!

NI'IL The Awakening Review...

NI’IL The Awakening
By James Boyle
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2008
ISBN: 978144018679
Pages: 201

This debut novel by James Boyle was a thrilling work of fiction about a small town in Placerton, Oregon. The story follows the life of a widower, Dan Connor, who is the police chief left with the task of finding out who or what has killed several residents of his town. He doesn’t clearly agree with the others that it is a rogue bear or cougar out killing people. There is no evidence left at the scenes and he has witnessed some strange things going on around him—an old Native American man at each scene who disappears once approached, a beautiful young Native American woman that disappears as well and a large possum mocking him—and each death or disappearance is related to him. The "thing" in the woods is taunting him.

As soon as I thought I knew what was going to happen, there was another twist and turn in the story. I spent my time guessing what would happen next. In addition to the murders, missing dogs and people, there is a storm that rages through the town destroying all that is in its path. A large gray cloud hovers over this town for a period of time—the storm and the “thing” in the woods—setting the town on edge. People are left without electricity, food and shelter in some cases forced to seek comfort at an emergency shelter.

I felt a range of emotions with each page that I turned eagerly trying to find out what was going on in this town. I couldn’t put the book down until I reached the end. When Stephanie was kidnapped along with Dan’s dog, Maggie, I became angered. I thought he was too smart to allow her to go off alone to risk being harmed. As the search for them ensued I quietly wished for their safety. In the midst of all of this, Dan Connor realizes that he has powers that will allow him to defeat the “thing” that is killing people if he combines his powers with those of Stephanie, his secretary and new love interest. Together they set out to accomplish that by any means necessary.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys well written, action packed, thrillers. The detailed descriptions of the Oregon countryside and the mystical aspects of the Native American lore is an added touch to the story. Each character and scene is extremely vivid allowing the reader to become a part of the story. I feel it touches on the power of the human spirit reflected in the ability of Dan and Stephanie to defeat this “thing” that has come to town to harm the residents and find love in the process. This book definitely doesn’t read like a debut novel. I anxiously await the arrival of Mr. Boyle’s next book.

Busy, busy, busy...

I haven’t blogged in a few days because I am busy, busy, busy-- that’s a good thing, right? I went into work yesterday to cover for someone and had quite a busy shift. I had planned on getting off early but was asked to stay a little later. I’m also going in today to cover for someone as well. It won’t be an entire shift so I should be back on track tonight when I get off. I look forward to working on my young adult fiction novel. It is on my list to finish next which would complete the projects that I would like to publish for 2010.

I am currently reading Ni’il, the Awakening by James Boyle. This dark thriller is filled with mystery and romance. I am enjoying the book and look forward to writing a review on it. I have four more books to review and should have them all completed before the end of this month. Today I plan on reading a bit, and possibly doing some writing before I go off to work. And then, I’ll be burning the midnight oil…