The Rebel and the Runaway by Chris Thorndycroft

The Rebel and the Runaway by Chris Thorndycroft

Publisher: Chris Thorndycroft (February 2016)

237 pages, eBook (provided by the author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Violence and Sexual Situations

When a youthful indiscretion has unintended consequences, Alice runs away from home at 15, naively hoping to make a life with the boy she thought loved her, only to find herself amongst smugglers and the trouble that follows them. Interesting tale of smuggling in 1740’s England, that describes how a comparatively innocent crime snowballed into something much worse, raising the stakes for all involved. The telling revolves, for the most part, around the romance between Alice and Will Carter (one of the main figures in the smugglers’ gang), Alice’s viewpoint of the events being a nice vehicle for the novice to this little known bit of history. It got a little dry at times, and perhaps could have used a little less historical detail at certain junctures, but overall is a very smooth read. Adventurous story, with some complex and interesting characters. I found myself thinking about the characters and the situations they found themselves in, long after I finished the book. Good read!

Hope by Rosy Stewart

Hope by Rosy Stewart

Publisher: Cricket International (February 2016)

130 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Violence

This is a collection of stories about Sue, a woman that runs a women’s shelter, and recounts her attempts to help the women she encounters through her association with the shelter. In many cases Sue feels there isn’t enough being done to help the people in question, and she ends up enlisting the help of a couple friends (a female police officer, and a tech specialist) in an attempt to work outside official channels in order to see more progress being made toward a satisfying conclusion. There are eleven stories, all quite short, and could easily be read in short daily doses. Great stories of women or families in crisis that receive help and gain a chance at a better future. Engaging collection.

The Basquiat Bounce by Chris Murphy

The Basquiat Bounce by Chris Murphy

Publisher: CJM Publishing (October 2015)

227 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Violence

After a successful contemporary art show,  the demoralized artist commits suicide sending the price of his remaining works skyrocketing, and not only that but his masterpiece appears to be missing, leaving many scrambling to find it. This story started out a little slow and there were a lot of characters to keep track of, but once you got past that, it was a really good story. The missing painting brings together the most unlikely bunch of quirky people, and I liked the way their individual stories intertwined so intricately. Great story about both the beauty and absurdity of modern art.

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (February 2016)

240 pages, eBook (provided by the publisher for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Mild Swearing and Implied Sexual Situations

Four teenagers face hardship and challenges that will change them forever, as they describe their lives in 1970’s Alaska. The story alternates between the four (Ruth, Dora, Hank & Alyce) as their stories move along until they all converge near the end. Moving, poetic prose that breathes life into a past era of Alaskan life, that many from the “Outside” would never have otherwise known about. Great story that deals with real teenage issues in an authentic way, not shying away from the nitty-gritty of reality. Definitely a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Hannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso by Kali Nicole Gross

Hannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso by Kali Nicole Gross

Publisher: Oxford University Press (December 2015)

230 pages, eBook (provided by the publisher for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

This is the story of a murder that took place in Philadelphia in 1887, and the disembodied torso that was found afterwards leading to an investigation and the arrest of two people. The story is largely told through newspaper articles and police reports from the time. It is likely that no one will ever really know what took place here, but you get enough of the story to speculate, and maybe even make an educated guess (the author relays their own opinion of the events at the end of the text). Interesting analysis of the effects of race on the outcome of the investigation and criminal trial of the two suspects, focusing quite extensively on the degree to which the ability to “pass” as white helped or hindered those involved (the conclusions not being what I would have expected). Interesting, but perhaps a bit dry at times.

Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets

Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets

Publisher: Berkley (February 2016)

320 pages, eBook (provided by the publisher for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Violence and Sexual Situations

This is the story of two women. Amy Raye is an elk hunter who goes missing after she wanders off on her own, and Pru is a ranger with a search and rescue dog who becomes determined to find out what happened to the missing woman. Much of the story is detailed descriptions of the hunt and Amy Raye’s efforts at survival. I perhaps could have done with a little less of the hunting, for my own taste, but then again a hunter may find it more of interest than I did. Amy Raye and Pru are both struggling with internal matters as they move along and it was interesting to see how they were at times parallel in their thinking, especially with the affect the grandeur of nature had on each of them. Interesting, contemplative read.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Publisher: Riverhead Books (September 2015)

285 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $11.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

This is a book about artistic inspiration and perseverance. Many of the anecdotes, and much of the advice, pertain specifically to writing (as this was indeed written by an author), but they could very easily be applied to any artistic endeavor. The exploration of past ideas regarding artistic greatness or failure were of particular interest and help to me in giving me a fresh outlook in approaching my own writing. The text can be a bit repetitious at times, particularly toward the end, but not annoyingly so. Great resource for anyone who is in an artistic rut, or looking to re-inject some joy into their artistic pursuits. Inspiring read!