Category: Young Adult - GRANT LEISHMAN

life happens on the stairs by amy j markstahler

16/7/2018

This award-winning, debut novel, Life Happens on the Stairs by Amy J Markstahler is a wonderfully fresh and realistic look at life and love and the contrasts between the "haves" and the "have nots"; the "elite" and the rest of us ordinary folk. Markstahler has definitely touched a spot in her readers hearts with this beautiful and touching portrayal of young love.

Elsie Richardson, a seventeen-year-old budding artist should be preparing for college, but when a brain tumour strikes down her father and he is incapacitated in hospital, Elsie realises she needs to make some sacrifices, for the sake of her hard-working mother, who is struggling to make ends meet, with no income from Elsie's father. Elsie agrees to take on some of her mother's house-cleaning jobs to give her the time to spend with her husband, before the seemingly inevitable happens. It is whilst cleaning a Southern Society's grand lady's house, that Elsie first meets the handsome, young wealthy grandson, Tyler Vaughn. The attraction between the two is instantaneous, but being aware of her mother's admonition not to do anything that could affect her cleaning job, Elsie is forced to keep her attraction and growing love for Tyler, from her mother. The idea of Tyler ever dating anyone from "the other side of the tracks" is absolutely abhorrent to Tyler's domineering, arrogant and incredibly rude Grandmother, so Tyler also must keep the relationship quiet, on his side, also.

I loved the simple, sweet style of the prose Markstahler writes in. It makes the story very readable and her detailed descriptions of the surroundings gives the reader a wonderful insight into the grandeur of an old, southern, plantation mansion. The interaction and sizzling electricity between Elsie and Tyler is definitely the highlight of the story for me. For readers who love good old-fashioned values, true romance, yet without glossing over our character's flaws and mistakes, then Life Happens on the Stairs will be a rewarding and satisfying read for you.

I enjoyed this story immensely and again, I am pleased and excited to find another, superb, indie author arriving on the literary scene. I expect bigger and even better things from Markstahler in the future. She has definitely hit the mark on this coming-of-age romance. It's a superb debut novel, in my opinion and well worthy of the five stars I'm giving it.

You can find Life Happens on the Stairs, by Amy Markstahler, here on Markstahler's Amazon page.

arcadia falls by ken stark

15/7/2018

This is the first Ken Stark book I've read and I'm certain it won't be the last. Although the genre; young adult. supernatural is hardly my demographic, I found myself completely caught up in the character of this fast-moving, thriller that grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until it spits you out at the very end.

Arcadia Falls is your typical, small-town America, but there is something going on in Arcadia Falls that defies description. For centuries, people have been mysteriously disappearing from Arcadia Falls, but even worse, it seems nobody even remembers who they were after they'd gone. When High School senior, Tyler John begins his final year of school, little does he know what is in store for him and his friends, as they are thrown headlong into a battle for survival against the evil that inhabits "the old town" of Arcadia Falls. Meeting Amanda, a new girl in town, is definitely a highlight of his last year and Tyler begins to imagine this year may be better than the past. Dream on, Tyler!

Tyler, Amanda and their increasing circle of friends, along with a crusty, curmudgeonly History teacher quickly find themselves fighting the battle of their lives against creatures that appear to have come from the very gates of hell itself. This is a battle for friendship, for love and for Arcadia Falls.

Ken Stark has a writing style that carries the reader along in a breathless, non-stop ride of adventure and horror, but yet he doesn't leave behind the character development and makes sure to inject his subtle and sometimes not so subtle humour into the situation. I found this a compelling mixture to read. His characterisations in this particular story were indeed caricatures of every high-school story we've ever read; there is the nerds, the gearheads, the beauties, the jocks, the braniacs and in Mr McTistis, the curmudgeonly, old History teacher, who it turns out is not such a bad "stick" after all. This, I'm sure was intentional, on the author's part to highlight his characters and it worked extremely well, especially as we saw them cast aside their prejudices and embrace each other as common partners in this race to save the town from something inherently evil.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have no hesitation in awarding it a full five stars and I will definitely be looking for other Ken Stark books to read in the future. Highly recommended!

You can take a look at Arcadia Falls, plus the rest of Ken Stark's portfolio, here on his Amazon page:

freaking fast by david pereda

13/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Freaking Fast by David Pereda is a young adult novel that thrusts us into the future, reminiscing about today. Alexandra Martin is a successful mathematician living in Asheville, North Carolina, in the year 2066. As she drives her flash, robot car to shoot the man who she describes as the love of her life, she begins to reminisce about her middle-school years, her friends and the day she met the boy who would have such an influence over her life, Ukranian Vitali Borzov. Back in middle-school Alex was your typical nerd; incredibly smart and bright, but equally, totally uncoordinated, shy and doubtful about her looks and her personality. Eager to obtain a scholarship to an elite high-school, Alex is dismayed when she is told she needs to be a more “well-rounded” teenager if she is to guarantee the scholarship – her high grades will not be enough. She knows she’s a faster runner than her schoolmates, so in desperation she decides to give track and field a crack, sprinting in particular. Alex remembers her friends and her time as a rising sprint star along with her new friends and the impact they had on her life, as she heads over to kill the man who she loves more than anything in this world.

David Pereda has produced a fascinating, little story, in Freaking Fast that gives us a peek into what the future might hold, but also spends much time reflecting on the angst and self-doubts that are part of any teenager’s makeup. The characters he creates are typical young teenagers, anxious to prove themselves to their peers, but equally terrified of not being accepted, or of being ridiculed. The author’s style is simple and flowing as should be the case for a target market of young adults. As anything but a young adult, I still found the story compelling and especially enjoyed the deep and meaningful analysis of how Alex faced her sprinting races and dealt with both success and failure. The author made subtle references to how to deal with perceived “failure”, which I appreciated. I also found the little asides, relating to current events of today, both relevant and clever on the author’s part. This was an extremely easy book to read and I can definitely recommend it for not just young adults, but for all those young at heart and especially anyone who tried to follow their dreams, as a young teenager. Freaking Fast is an excellent read.

You can find Freaking Fast as well as David Pereda's other works, here on Amazon:

cascading petals by jane c. brady

31/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Bullying is never okay! That is what they always say in schools all over the world, but is it just a platitude that those in authority spout, without truly adhering to? In Cascading Petals, by Jane C Brady we face bullying head-on, in not an abstract manner, but in a deeply personal and realistic way. Jewel Hart has spent most of her school days as the subject of intense bullying; bullying that has lowered her self-esteem and led her to question her place in the world, whether she even belongs here. In this her final year, a senior now, she hopes and prays that things will be different and the year will fly by until she is released, to be an adult, to go to college and to escape the remorseless taunting and pain. When Jewel meets Kaiden Carter she believes she has finally found a kindred spirit, someone she can believe in and trust. Maybe, this final year will be a good one, after all, she consoles herself. For Jewel and her new friends, the final year of high-school will bring the subjects of bullying and teen suicide to a dramatic head, teaching them all something important about themselves and the world.

Cascading Petals is very much a teen romance story and one that is beautifully told, by author Jane C Brady, but it is very much more than that. The author uses the story to explore dark and often hitherto hidden places where teenage minds and angst can reside, especially when faced with the hurtful taunts and lies of not only their peers, but even some of their teachers. The ulterior motive of this book was clearly to shine a light into areas that we, as adults, are often afraid to go and to show just how incredibly debilitating systematic and concerted bullying can be to, not just those being bullied, but often to the perpetrators themselves. Brady tells the story, with no holds-barred and yet maintains a sensitivity and a compassion that we wish was present inside of those who choose to relieve their own inner pain at the expense of others. The characters are real and perhaps not even your typical target of bullies, but I’m sure that was the intent of the author also; to show that it is not only the overweight, or the acne ridden, or the socially awkward teenagers who can be the butt of these young people’s anger and hurt. This is one of the best books on the subject I’ve read and Brady is to be congratulated for telling this difficult story without resorting to clichés and over-emotional responses. A great job.

You can take a look at Cascading Petals by Jane C. Brady, here on her Amazon page:

a girl named cricket by peter j. manos

16/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Cricket and her family, escape their dying planet, to travel across the cosmos, seeking a new place to live. Eventually they crash land in the Mojave Desert of California and near the tiny desert community of Prickly Pear. During the many millennia of their epic journey through interstellar space they have been in suspended animation and their bodies have been transformed from their Lizard-like originals to human form. Cricket, is a typical teenage girl – angry and rebellious about the subterfuge her parents used to trick her into leaving their home, she is determined not to fit into the small community of Prickly Pear. In A Girl Named Cricket, by Peter J Manos we see the Sminth family slowly warm their way into the hearts and minds of the Prickly Pear residents, despite the almost unanimous opinion that these newcomers are probably Russian spies come to spy on nearby Andrews Air Force Base. Throw in a renegade bikie gang terrorizing the small town and we have the makings of an exciting Young Adult adventure.

Approaching A Girl Named Cricket, by Peter J Manos, from the perspective of his intended audience, i.e. young adults, this story is a lot of fun and told with considerable humour, irony and a touch of pathos. I particularly enjoyed the characters, who were typical of the inhabitants of any small town, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Both Tom and Cricket came across as troubled characters who were just seeking their identity in a world neither felt comfortable with, although for very different reasons. This is a fun story that also manages to poke the borax at some of the current day happenings, which it does with gentle humour. The constant reference to “aliens” as referred specifically to undocumented Mexican workers was a clever construct by the author. I think this book really does hit the mark for its young adult audience. It has romance, action, and that innate fear of authority that often can drive rebelliousness in teenagers. It is an excellent read that I highly recommend.

You can find A Girl Named Cricket by Peter J. Manos, here on Amazon:

the remains in the pond by ann swann

5/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The night Gabrielle Kelly attended her High-School Prom would change her life forever. Gabi went to prom with her (closet gay) friend, Asa, but it was the encounter with her adorable crush, Matt Brennan that would alter the course of many lives in the small town of Live Oak, Texas. In The Remains in the Pond, Ann Swann brings us a coming-of-age, mystery/thriller that takes us on a journey from Texas, to California, to Berne, Switzerland and back again. The chemistry between Gabi and Matt, on Prom night was undeniable and they appeared to be set for an interesting and torrid two weeks of romance, before Matt was due to head off to college. All that would change, however, when a horrific motor vehicle accident and a mysterious phone call from Matt’s cousin, Rose sends Gabi and her friend Asa into a tailspin.

In The Remains in the Pond, author Ann Swann brings us a story reminiscent of “We Know What You Did Last Summer”. The characters in this story are typical teenagers, trying to find their way in a world they’re not sure they fully understand yet. The character of Asa, a gay boy growing up in a small, rural, West Texas town and the angst he felt about revealing his sexuality, was particularly poignant. I liked that Gabi, no matter how hard she tries, cannot walk away from and forget what happened that Prom night. The author reminds us, through this story that all our actions have consequences and it is the “adult way”, to take responsibility for those actions. As a coming of age novel, with a few twists and turns, I found this story a very satisfactory read.

Definitely pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Remains in the Pond plus all of Ann Swann's extensive works.

path to old talbot by jordan elizabeth

5/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

For thirteen-year-old Charity, her life, it seems, is defined by her father’s illness, a man who suffers from clinical depression. Charity’s mother, Isadora and Charity, both love her father deeply, but they also understand they cannot make the changes in his life that he needs to make. In desperation, the pair move out from the family home and into an old mansion, that has seen better days. In Path to Old Talbot, by Jordan Elizabeth we find a coming-of-age story with hidden depths. Charity and Isadora discover, to their excitement and fear, within an old cupboard in the house, a portal to the past. The door opens up to their town of Talbot, but in the late 1800’s. Fascinated by their discovery and finding it an escape from the problems of her father, Charity embraces the old Talbot and quickly makes herself at home in the era, making a number of friends. When she realises that she may have the potential to alter the past and save her friends from a terrible fate, the problems begin.

Written from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Charity, Path to Old Talbot is a sweet, heart-warming tale, with serious undertones. Author Jordan Elizabeth has used the character of Charity’s father to demonstrate the debilitating effects of clinical depression, not just on the sufferer, but also on his or her family. The relationships within this story are what lifts it above your average coming-of-age novel. Charity has a natural impetuosity and a desire to help those she meets in the past, but she is also wise beyond her years, when it comes to the issue of mental illness and particularly depression. Written in a young teenager’s vernacular, the tale is easy to read and full of little twists and turns, that I enjoyed, especially when the author attempted to address that age-old issue of the time-travel paradox. If Charity made changes in the past, how would that affect the future? This was a most enjoyable read and a young adult book I can highly recommend.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Path to Old Talbot, as well as the very extensive portfolio of Author Jordan Elizabeth

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling (Orville Wellington Mouse #5) by tom hoffman

1/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Tom Hoffman takes the reader into his wonderful fantasy world of Orville Mouse in his series of Orville Wellington Mouse Adventures, the latest of which is Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling. Orville Mouse, his best friend (and maybe girlfriend?) Sophia Mouse embark on another adventure through space and time, on this occasion, with his faithful companion Proto and the assistance of a rather unusual tree, we come to know as the Sagacious Sapling. There is trouble afoot in Muridaan Falls, when Orville and Sophie begin to experience some time flips, which they soon discover are the precursor to a massive time shift about to hit them resulting from an enormous explosion some hundreds of thousands of years ago. Somehow, the intrepid band of metaphysical adventurers must travel back in time to the prehistoric, jungle world of Ferus and prevent the explosion from ever occurring and releasing the Great Thaumatarian Time Wave, before it reaches their world and plunges them back into the past, some five thousand years.

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling is my first foray into the work of Tom Hoffman and indeed his fantasy world of Orville Mouse. This book is the fifth adventure involving these characters and although it is not necessary to have read the previous books, it is always an advantage, I feel, to read a series in order. As a reader, once you get your head around the idea that this story is a fantasy adventure and indeed the two main characters are actually mice, the characters, their foibles and traits very definitely do grow on you. Orville and Sophia are truly sweet and adorable characters, but much of the humour and enjoyment I derived from the story came from the two offbeat characters, Proto (a robot of sorts) and of course, Leaf, the sagacious sapling. I loved the way they analysed Orville’s jokes and tried to replicate the humour themselves. The idea of logical thinking, programmed, machines beginning to adapt and understand humour while not novel was definitely intriguing. Hoffman has probably targeted the Orville Wellington Mouse sagas at the Young Adult market, but to be perfectly honest, I would suggest there is nothing in this book that would preclude it from being read at a younger age and also by older readers. It is a good, old-fashioned, swashbuckling adventure tale, whose two protagonists just happen to be a couple of mice. It was an excellent read and I would definitely recommend it.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check this very good book out, plus take a look at Tom Hoffman's full collection:

love buries a spring bird by charles forgrave

15/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Love Buries a Spring Bird, by Charles Forgrave takes us back to our youth, when romance and our burgeoning sexuality was something we contemplated endlessly. Set in the gorgeous upper reaches of Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior, Cortney, who lives in the ex-fishing village and lumber town, meets up with Jackie, from the nearby city of Soo, who is staying at the lake for two weeks with her family and her best friend Ellie. Cortney and Jackie hit it off immediately and spend the rest of the holiday in each other’s company, exploring and hiking the many trails around the village as well as visiting Cortney’s special place on an island in the middle of Lake Superior. When it becomes time for Jackie and her family to return home, reality bites for the love struck pair and so begins a regular commute for Cortney as he tries to keep the relationship alive once the summer excitement has worn off.

There is much to like about this story. We’ve probably all experienced that summer romance, when we were absolutely certain of our feelings and certain of our love for our new partner, only to discover when summer ends and the day-to-day grind of live intrudes, it is much harder to keep the relationship alive. Charles Forgrave’s descriptions in, Love Buries a Spring Bird, of the beauty of the area that is known as the Upper Peninsular of Michigan, does much to endear the story to the reader. The writing style is different to any I have experienced before and may be too simplistic and repetitive for some readers, but there is a certain syncopation to the author’s lines that lifts it above prose, almost into the realm of poetry. Although the author did give his character of Cortney, the opportunity to think and ponder on bigger questions than just making love to Jackie, the character of Jackie, I felt was a little wooden and mono-syllabic. I found the few sexual scenes in the book to be almost “teenage boy jokey” and if that was what the author was aiming for (his potential Y/A audience), then he definitely hit his mark. This was a pleasant enough coming of age/teenage romance and worth a look.

flying upright by susan jean ricci

18/2/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Flying Upright is a short novella from Susan Jean Ricci that brings us the story of two young children, Monique and Dom who are captivated by the idea of representing their country one day at the Winter Olympics in the sport of pairs figure skating. When Monique, meets the three-year’s older Dom at the age of eight she falls in love with ice-skating and the dream of achieving it all. Years of dedication and hard work see the young prodigy’s progress to the point where they really are serious contenders for Olympic selection. When tragedy strikes and Dom is seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, the pair must reassess their lives, their single-minded commitment to achieving their dreams and indeed the relationship that has grown between the pair over the years. Can Monique and Dom, as individuals, survive this disaster and how will it affect their burgeoning romance?

Although a short, little novella, Flying Upright was sweet and somewhat captivating. With the Winter Olympics currently on television, the timing of the read couldn’t have been more perfect and watching the pairs skaters on television made me think of Monique and Dom and the incredible amount of practice and commitment they had to put in, just to raise their performance to the level where they could be considered for selection. Susan Jean Ricci has a clear, concise writing style that is realistic and believable. The character of Monique, as the precocious and sometimes rebellious teenager was well drawn. I found the story to be somewhat predictable, but that never lessened the pleasure of the read. We all need to read some feel-good stories from time to time and Flying Upright is definitely one of those. If the author’s intent with her novella’s is to entice the reader into accessing more of her work, then she can consider it a job well done, for this reader. It was a pleasant and rewarding journey with Monique and Dom.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Flying Upright, plus Susan Jean Ricci's entire and substantial portfolio.

there be demons by m. k. theodoratus

5/2/2018

There Be Demons By M. K. Theodoratus
Editorial Review for the Author Resource Centre
Prepared by Grant Leishman

There are demons among us and we aren’t even aware of it. In the city of Trebridge, Andor, demons seek to take over the world, to inhabit humans and to wreak havoc and destruction everywhere. All that keeps these foul-smelling, evil creatures at bay are a squad of Gargoyles, attached to a Church in Trebridge and four young teenagers, led by the feisty, but shy, fourteen-year-old Britt, who will become the Gargoyle gang, as they find themselves pitted against some of the most evil creatures the Universe has ever spawned. In “There Be Demons” by M. K. Theodoratus, we are introduced to this unlikely band of demon hunters.
All four live in the “Towers” project, a high-rise that is inner-city slum territory. Britt lives, in a two bedroomed apartment, with her Mum, two younger brothers, her half-sister Pietra and Pietra’s two young babies. Crowded, poor, and often hungry, after being abandoned by their philandering father, Britt has everything stacked against her, getting ahead in life. A scholarship to St Cecilia’s High School ensures she will receive the education she needs to find a way out of the projects. Life in Trebridge is tough and uncompromising, with violence everywhere, but it is only as Britt and her friends come to learn from the Gargoyles, that most of the pain and suffering the people are under, comes directly from the influence of the demons, that they truly understand the importance of the task they have been chosen to undertake. Overseeing this mess is the elusive and recalcitrant Angeli, who must be obeyed, but seem unwilling to help the young people, or the Gargoyles, in any practical sense
“There Be Demons”, is an exceptionally readable and exciting, young-adult fantasy. M. K. Theodoratus, an author I have not come across before has done a superb job at creating some very realistic young protagonists/heroes that the reader is immediately able to identify and empathise with. The real standout, for me, was the character of Britt. The author managed to convey the lead protagonist, as a strong, able, and incredibly feisty young woman, who still retained all the shyness, angst and fears of any young fourteen-year-old girl, who equally, longs to be normal, accepted and loved. Britt and her friend/boyfriend Cahal were definitely the star turns in this story. The developing romance and awakening between the pair certainly helped to temper the more violent and vicious parts of the story.
A real highlight was Theodoratus’ descriptive writing when characterising the demons. As one read, one really felt they were there, with Britt, facing down these slimy, disgusting, evil and vile creatures. Her detailed physical descriptions of the many different types of demons; definitely brought them to life, for me. Equally, the fight scenes were realistic and believable. Not once did I find myself scoffing about how a victory was achieved, as is often the case when reading books of this ilk.
“There Be Demons” was a pleasure to read and if fantasy is your thing, you will definitely enjoy this offering. I found intriguing the concept that this battle against demons was something happening all over the Universe and I have little doubt that gives the author plenty of ideas for future projects and stories. All in all, a very satisfying read and something a little bit different in this genre. “There Be Demons”, is definitely a must read for fans of the genre.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out There Be Demons, as well as the rest of M. K. Theodoratus' offerings.

Visions (almana book 2) by julayn Adams

30/1/2018

Visions (Almana Book 2) by Julayn Adams is the second of a planned trilogy following the adventures of Almana an Angel who is sent to a dystopian earth to try and help humanity recover from its ails. Heaven has almost given up on humanity, but Almana (Ali) still believes there is enough good in humanity for them to overcome the evil. She fell in love with a human, Cam and their souls were entwined, but when Cam was killed, Ali had to face the bleakness of a life without her soulmate.

Ali and her friends live in the forest, hiding from the evil ruler of Los Angeles, Equis, who they fear will one day send his Armageddon army against them. Ali and her friend Alexa dream of taking back Los Angeles from the evil that has befallen it and restoring humanity to a loving, caring community. For now, though, survival is the key and Ali, with help from her brother Patrick will do their best to ensure their community survives and flourishes.

It is some time since I read the first book in this series, but I remember it well as it made a significant impact on me at the time, as Julayn Adams' debut novel. I know I tend to repeat myself a little, but watching an indie author grow and develop throughout a series, is one of the most rewarding things about being a reviewer. Almana was a good debut novel, but Visions, its follow-up is simply superb. Adams' writing has tightened and credit to her editor, the editing is faultless in this book. The characters that I grew to love and identify with in Almana are all back in Visions and we have a whole new cast joining the band of survivors which adds diversity, interest and significant conflict. I love watching Indie authors get even better and Adams definitely has, with visions.

There are some neat little twists and turns in this story, that I particularly enjoyed and the book sets the scene perfectly for the final installment in the trilogy, Insurgence, which I am waiting for, with bated breath. Having written a trilogy myself, I know how hard it is for the author to sustain the tempo right to the end, but thus far Adams is showing every ability of being able to do just that. Julayn Adams has rocketed toward the top of my favourite indie authors with Visions and I have every confidence she will bring the series home, with a bang, with Insurgence. Great stuff!

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Visions by Julayn Adams. I would strongly recommend you read Almana first, as Visions flows on perfectly from Almana. It's well worth taking a look.

william wilde and the necrosed (the chronicles of william wilde) by davis ashura

24/1/2018

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When seventeen-year-old William Wilde’s mother, father and brother are killed in a car accident, with William as the sole survivor, his life changes forever, but in ways he could never possibly have foreseen. The accident was, in fact, no accident; it was orchestrated by an evil zombie-like creature, known as a Necrosed. In William Wilde and the Necrosed, by Davis Ashura, William must not only cope with the death of his family, but as time goes on he becomes aware that this evil Necrosed, Kohl Obsidian, is actually after him, for something he wasn’t even aware he possessed. William, along with his friends from High School are all, your typical, quintessential nerds and along with the beautiful and mysterious Serena, who is also much more than she seems, embark on an expedition to kill the Necrosed and to introduce William to his true identity and his true heritage.

William Wilde and the Necrosed is a fantastic coming-of-age novel, with a massive dollop of fantasy and fun thrown in. With Davis Ashura setting the novel in the mid-1980’s and having the main characters as nerds, it was inevitable that many of the iconic movies, songs and heroes of the period would find their way into this story. If anything, that served to give the story more character and depth than would have otherwise been the case. The main character of William Wilde was beautifully drawn, as the sensitive, caring, yet geeky High School senior who slowly but surely discovers his true self, his strength, and his true destiny. The close and caring friendships and inter-friend banter was certainly a highlight of the story for me. Don’t lose sight of the fact, though, that this is also a fantasy, adventure story that absolutely rollicks along at a fantastic and, at times, dizzying speed. The fight scenes in the book were carefully orchestrated and choreographed. Ashura’s knowledge and clever writing certainly made these scenes a highlight of the book. An excellent read and I look forward to the second book in this series.

Why not pop on over to Amazon and check out William Wilde and the Necrosed, along with Davis Ashura's full, impressive body of work.

shiva xiv: Shiva xiv #1 by lyra shanti

19/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

From the moment of Ayn’s Royal birth his future was predestined. Ayn was the reincarnation of the great Adin and would save his world from turmoil, disease and war. In Shiva XIV: (The Shiva XIV Series Book 1), by Lyra Shanti, we meet the young boy who will grow up to be King. Not everything is as it should be though and Ayn is torn by doubt and uncertainty as to whether he is indeed a God. Born with an unusual sexual orientation, the boy is constantly torn between his devotion to his teachers and mentors, his duty to his country and his desire to be simply a boy. On Ayn’s fourteenth birthday he is due to be crowned and recognised, by his people, as a King and a God, but on that day, all hell breaks loose at the castle and Ayn, along with his new friend Zin make an escape from the certain death that was awaiting him, to begin an adventure through the galaxy.

This is the first in a series of books focusing on Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti and she gives us ample opportunity to meet, understand and invest ourselves in the young characters, especially Ayn and Zin. As Science Fiction, this story appealed because it made no pretentions of being overtly technical, it just happened that the coming-of-age story was set on another planet among different species. This made it extremely readable for those of us who like Sci Fi, but sometimes get lost in the author’s overactive imagination. There are a couple of aspects that I particularly liked about the story. The backstory of Ayn’s sexuality was only briefly touched on in passing in this book, but I am sure future stories will focus more on whether indeed, he is male or female, or both. This aspect of the story is particularly relevant in today’s confusing sexual world, for young people. The second thing I loved about Shanti’s writing in Shiva XIV was the deep emotions she evoked in her characters. They were not afraid to show their emotions and “wore them on their sleeve”, so to speak. The character of Pei is fascinating and I’m sure will be explored even more in future episodes. As the start of a series, I would have to say this looks fantastic and well worth getting into.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out the entire Shiva XIV series as well as Lyra Shanti's full portfolio.

ravenhill court by david r. beshears

15/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Ravenhill Court by David R Beshears is the second short story/screenplay adaptation, I’ve read of his in the last couple of weeks and certainly this author is growing on me. In this story, a middle-aged Ben Foster returns to the world of his childhood, Ravenhill Court, a middle-class, suburban, Californian cul-de-sac. All the houses in the street are abandoned, the weeds grow wild and doors hang open or are long gone. Ben opens his friend’s Peter’s journal from 1964 and his mind travels back to when it all began; when four young teenagers discovered that their world was not what it seemed to be and they themselves were not what they thought they were. Ben, his sister Julie, best friend Peter and Louis, are caught in some sort of dimensional shift that they don’t understand and don’t know what to do about. The Professor, who lives down the street will provide them with a clue as to where to start looking and so, their incredible adventure begins.

As I read Ravenhill Court by David R Beshears, I couldn’t help but think of that wonderful movie, The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey. There was certainly an element of The Truman Show shining through this work – not everything is as it seems. One thing that struck me about this book was the dialogue between the young friends, which was witty, cleverly written and totally appropriate for the age and the period. I almost found myself back in 1964 and thinking about how I was way back then. I could certainly identify with Ben, Julie, Peter and Louis. I particularly enjoyed the Professor. Perhaps it was one of those days when I couldn’t help but see this story as a screenplay, but I also kept thinking of the brilliant Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future franchise. The plot was cleverly woven and the young adults certainly had some questioning to do about who they were, what they were doing, and what their place in this Universe was. This is an excellent science fiction/fantasy story, particularly suitable for the young adult market, but equally applicable to all ages. Clever, witty, and sometimes, dark humour, will always have a place on our bookshelves.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Ravenhill Court plus David R. Beshears full and extensive portfolio.

the war blog by glen sobey

12/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Crystal Rose and her brother JD’s names pretty much sum up their parent’s attention to them. Crystal Rose Rock, named after a drug and JD, named after a popular brand of whiskey. Both children suffered from foetal alcohol syndrome, with Crystal being very underdeveloped and JD afflicted with learning and behavioural disabilities. Their mother was an addict and an alcoholic, while their father was a convicted felon. Fortunately the two children had been abandoned by their mother with their maternal grandparents and had been brought up in a small, Alaskan town, surrounded by love, but also some measure of deceit and lies about the past. Seventeen-year-old Crystal is appalled by the behaviour of her fellow male high-school pupils toward girls in general. They are just there to provide eye candy and easy sex for the boys. The girls, sadly, also seem to play along to the only game in town and Crystal becomes determined to make a difference and change the attitudes toward girls and women. A talented musician and singer, Crystal starts a blog and writes songs about sexism, chauvinism and abuse of women. The boys of the town and even some of the girls hate what she is doing, but she is a fighter. So begins the adventure in The War Blog by Glen Sobey.

As a reviewer, every so often a book crosses my Kindle, especially from a debut author, that makes me sit up and take notice. The War Blog by Glen Sobey is definitely one of those books. Sobey has taken an incredibly powerful and (in today’s environment) a very topical subject and forcefully made us, as readers, address the issues faced by Crystal and all young women today. The author tackles the hard questions head on, through the eyes of this young warrior, Crystal Rose. Although the book covers such angst ridden topics as sexual abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and the objectification of woman, by viewing these topics through the eyes of a beautiful spirit, such as Crystal, the ugliness of them is softened by the love and warmth of the characters as well as the beautiful poetry of the songs written. I have no idea whether the author is male or female, but either way, I felt Sobey could not have done a better job of highlighting the often meaningless feelings of the younger generation at this time and more importantly, the idea of being trapped by the cultural norms and being judged by how they look and whether or not they “put out”, felt by young women everywhere. This is a powerful novel that all Adult (Young and otherwise) should read. I will be looking for more from this very talented author, in the future.

Unfortunately, The War Blog, by Glen Sobey is not yet available, but definitely keep an eye out for this book and this very talented author.

the other side of freedom by cynthia t. toney

10/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Other Side if Freedom by Cynthia T Toney takes us back to 1925, pre-depression Louisiana and the small town of Freedom. Salvatore is just thirteen, but this son of Italian immigrants is a hard-working farm boy, whose parents and Uncle have struggled to make a good life for themselves in this rural area. Prohibition is in full swing in America and when Italian mobsters come to town and demand Sal’s father’s help in their plans to rob the Freedom bank, or they will hurt his family, Sal’s family finds themselves in a moral quandary. When the bank robbery goes awry, Sal is left with a secret that could destroy their entire lives and set their family on the run. This young man must weigh up the rights and wrongs of the situation and make a decision that he and the rest of his family can live with. Sal is just discovering his feelings and attraction to his best friend, Antonina and whatever decisions he and the family make are almost certain to affect the relationship. This is indeed a dilemma of morals.

I found The Other Side of Freedom to be a truly compelling coming-of-age story. The setting was beautifully described by Cynthia T Toney and one felt oneself being drawn back to the era of gangsters, the G-Men, and bootlegging across the south. The feel of the story was authentic and action fast and furious. I particularly found it interesting to compare the experience faced by the Italian and Sicilian immigrants of the 19th and early 20th Centuries to those of the immigrants of today. They faced discrimination and generalisation – they are Sicilians, therefore they must be gangsters and criminals where today we see, they are Arabs, therefore they must be terrorists. I also found interesting that Sal found some sympathy and empathy with his black friend Hiram in that the prejudices they both faced were somewhat similar. I particularly liked the fact that Toney offered some questions at the end of the book for younger readers to consider and reflect on the story. This is an excellent children’s story that poses some interesting moral dilemmas for the young readers to ponder.

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon to check out The Other Side of Freedom, plus all of Cynthia T. Toney's offerings.

eyes of the hunter by rosa marchisella

7/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Eyes of the Hunter by Rosa Marchisella is a fantastic young adult adventure tale about a young Prince who may not be all that he seems. After years of giving birth to girls and no heir to the throne of Simanthea, finally the Queen produces a boy to claim the throne. Prince Erin is special, not only because he is a boy and able to rule when his Father, the King dies, but also in ways that will surprise. An overprotective Queen chooses a young lad, Caley, to be Prince Erin's friend, companion, and bodyguard to ensure the Prince's safety. As Erin grows he quickly realises something is wrong and ultimately he must run to escape the clutches of the King, as well as his now furious friend Caley, who feels angry and betrayed by the lies and deceit of the Queen and Prince Erin. What follows is a chase across many lands, by Caley - who is now known as The Hunter to seek Prince Erin and destroy the boy who ruined his life.

This is a wonderful story with a fascinating premise that had me hooked from the very beginning. Eyes of the Hunter is a very suitable story for young adults as it explores the aspects of relationshps and hpw they can be affected by lies and deceit. Rose Marchisella did a tremendous job with the two main characters, Prince Erin and Caley in developing the relationship between the pair and showing how love and hate can be two sides of the same coin. The action is fast and frenetic with plenty of little twists thrown into the story to keep the reader guessing. I found the writing to be tight and compelling, drawing the reader into the story and ensuring he/she just wanted to keep reading. This story could well be the basis for a series of books one feels and I for one would love to read more of the story of these two characters. The author definitely set the scene for a possible sequel, which is great. An excellent read that is as equally suitable for adults as it is for young adults. A great job Ms Marchisella.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Eyes of the Hunter by Rosa Marchisella as well as this authors full portfolio of books on offer.

16 and pregnant with twins by elizabeth van der wilt

5/1/2018

16 and Pregnant with Twins by Elisabeth van der Wilt tells us the story of sixteen-year-old, Catholic home-schooled Lora who is totally innocent in the ways of the world. When she meets up with her fellow home-schooled friend, Tommy, the inevitable happens and some innocent exploration of feelings quickly turns to much more, as the two innocents experiment with sex. When Lora realises she is pregnant, she reluctantly tells her parents who respond by throwing her out of the house and banning her from their family. Fortunately Tommy and Tommy's parents are much more supportive and pledge to help her and the young couple, especially when their first sonogram shows they are expecting twins.

Elisabeth van der Wilt admits at the end of 16 and Pregnant with Twins that she wrote this story when she was twelve years old and for that she should be commended. However and consequently it does indeed read like a middle-grader's essay on the subject. The dialogue is unbelievable and poorly constructed and the story meanders from one event to the next, with no clear destination in mind. Don't get me wrong, there is a story in here and a good story, but what it needs is two things: A good content editor to tidy up the grammar and the structure of the story and a good proofread to remove and correct all the incorrect words, missing words, and typos. I would commend van der Wilt for this effort, but suggest it is not ready to be on sale and she should seriously consider making the corrections before re-offering it on Amazon. As I said, she is to be commended for being able to produce work of this quality at a young age and I hope she continues to write and continues to improve over time.

You can take a look at 16 and Pregnant with Twins by Elisabeth van der Wilt here on Amazon:

becoming animals by olga and christopher werby

5/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Becoming Animals by Olga and Christopher Werby explores an idea that probably few of us have ever thought about. What would it be like to inhabit and share an animal's brain? Would the humanity overtake the animal, would the animal display dominance or would it be possible to co-exist and to share their experiences, understanding and view of the world. When eight-year-old Toby Crowe is left alone in her father Will's lab to play with the lab rat, it soon becomes obvious to all those involved in the BRATS project that Toby has an affinity with not only the animals, but the idea of joining minds and "riding" the animals. Dr Will Crowe heads up the BRATS programme, which is funded by the Army. The plan, initially, was to use rats or other animals to assist the Army in searching for survivors in the rubble of buildings as part of their disaster relief programmes. Other member of the Armed Forces, though, have ulterior motives for trying to meld human minds with animal minds. For Toby, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and whose mother is terminally ill with the illness, the idea of becoming part of another animal seems one way of leaving something of herself behind, when her illness eventually claims her young life.

As a concept for a novel I found the idea of melding with an animal's mind, in Becoming Animals, to be utterly fascinating and was excited to see how this would develop for young Toby. I became very invested in the characters created by Olga and Christopher Werby and consequently enjoyed this children's/young adult book even more than I thought I would have. The amount of honest research that had clearly gone on before penning this novel lent real authenticity to the tale. Much of what was discussed, I had heard in broad details in various places, but had perhaps not realised the possible implications - this was especially true of the idea of neuroplasticity and our brain's ability to reset and remake neural connections, at will, or as required. The book was an incredibly easy read and although the science might be above the understanding of some of the authors' intended audience, it in no way detracted from the understanding of the story. This story was unique, in my opinion, a rare quality in today's book market. I commend the two authors for their ingenuity and creativity and can highly recommend this read. A great job!

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon and check out this amazing story plus the full selection of books available from Olga and Christopher Werby.

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