SLITHERS by W.W. Mortensen_Review

Slithers by W.W. Mortensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: SLITHERS by W. W. Mortensen

Oh my oh my oh my, I loved this perfect novel. I love a book carrying my imagination into wider realms, and this is exactly what the author has done here. Mr. Mortensen takes the "what if's" common to us all, and for 9 characters, spins out their probabilities. If you've ever been in a "close call, a "near miss," or pondered "There but for the grace of God go I," read SLITHERS. If "What If?" has ever occurred to your mind, read SLITHERS. Curious about "the road not traveled"? Read SLITHERS. I think you owe it to yourself. I can definitely see rereading SLITHERS again and again; and I am off to read this exceptional author's debut novel, EIGHT.

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MONOCHROMES AND OTHER STORIES by Matt Bechtel_Review

Monochromes: And Other Stories by Matt Bechtel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: MONOCHROMES AND OTHER STORIES by Matt Bechtel

I found Matt Bechtel through his story in the New England Horror Writers anthology WICKED HAUNTS. Right then I knew I was on to something. His story collection, MONOCHROMES AND OTHER STORIES, transported me to I can't count how many dimensions and probabilities. In company with authors Paul F. Olson and Tim Meyer (also New England scribes), Matt Bechtel takes my imagination by its clammy little hand and takes it on vacation to exotic possibilities. Each story is an adventure, into the characters but also inside us. When each story is excellent, it's not easy to pick "favorites," but there were several which especially impacted me:

"The Beginning of the End" turned me inside out and upside down and round about. It's about the length of a flash piece, with atomic impact.
"Last Man Standing": a longer story, with an emotional denouement and an ending I never expected. This one woke me during the night for further pondering.

"A Butterfly Flaps Its Wings,"
"Restore Factory Settings,"
"Cozzy's Question."

Each of these three stories made me proud, inspired, and hopeful, touching my heart in positive ways.

Mr. Bechtel is also gifted at delivering the-ending-you-never-saw-coming. Note "Last Man Standing," "This Story Approved by the American Dental Association," "A Man Walks Into A Bar." But don't rely on my opinions; go read this collection for yourself.

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THE FOURTH PROPHECY by Ernest Dempsey_Review

The Fourth Prophecy: A Sean Wyatt Archaeological Thriller by Ernest Dempsey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: THE FOURTH PROPHECY by Ernest Dempsey (Sean Wyatt Adventure Book 14)

In this 14th Adventure, Sean Wyatt and lifelong buddy/adventure Tommy Schultze of International Archaeological Agency in Atlanta are, as always, on the knife edge of danger, and I reiterate DANGER.
These guys never stop, never get sidetracked till the goal is solved and the artifact acquired. This time they reluctantly agree to a quest organized by a Congresswoman, who believes a lost temple in the Yucatan will eventually provide global energy. Sound farfetched? Wait till you read on and discover the real meaning of the temple, and see Tommy and Sean literal inches from death. Meanwhile, every moment is a new breathtaking adventure [read dangerous] but the guys still manage to be humorous.

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Review of PARADOX BOUND by Peter Clines

Paradox Bound by Peter Clines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review of PARADOX BOUND by Peter Clines

Author Peter Clines unfailingly delivers a vastly imaginative landscape, in every single novel. In 14, in FOLD, and in PARADOX BOUND, he gives readers an unparalleled reading experience: escapism, but not only that. He also stretches our intellects and ignites our imaginations. In short, he molds us into individuals enlarged and improved for having read his work.

In PARADOX BOUND, he introduces us to the concept of "history travel," as feckless but well-intentioned protagonist {and hero} Eli Teague of tiny Sanders, Maine, discovers that yes, Virginia, time travel exists, and you can do it while driving. The Founding Fathers of the United States had a lot more metaphysical grasp than is taught in history books and classrooms. They arranged the creation of an actual, physical, American Dream, which inspires citizens to expand and excel and to live their dreams (just as this novel inspires readers). But the Dream disappeared in 1963, and searchers travel throughout and across U. S. history, hunting it, while the ranks of "faceless men" track the searchers.

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THELEMA By Colin D. Campbell_ Review

Thelema: An Introduction to the Life, Work & Philosophy of Aleister Crowley by Colin D. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: THELEMA by Colin D. Campbell

THELEMA is a remarkably lucid, readable, and inspiring account of the life, and lifelong work, of Aleister Crowley: ceremonial magician, leader, founder, channeler, prophet. The author's enthusiasm and continued encouragement of readers to press on for themselves, to prove for themselves the truth of the Great Work, drives this book and vivifies his explanations. Cutting through the scurrilous and slanderous propaganda, Campbell illustrates a man who childhood was stable and beneficial, only to be upended and personally destructive to the drives and imagination. As author Campbell delineates Crowley' s biography, he also discusses at length his writings, magical beliefs and activities, and most essential, his Great Work. Included are selections from Crowley' s own writings.

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Review of YOGA NIDRA MEDITATION by Pierre Bonnasse

Yoga Nidra Meditation: The Sleep of the Sages by Pierre Bonnasse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Review of YOGA NIDRA MEDITATION
The Sleep of the Sages
by Pierre Bonnasse
A Conscious Exploration of Wakefulness, Dreaming, and Deep Sleep

YOGA NIDRA MEDITATION is a manual that is designed to expand the consciousness. Yoga Nigra is a practice not as popular or well known as some other forms of Yoga, but here author Pierre Bonnasse offers an extensively researched and quite readable guide to the history, philosophy, and practice. His aim is to inspire readers to seek out the benefits of Yoga Nidra for themselves. As the subtitle iterates, it is beneficial in consciously exploring the realms of wakefulness, dreaming, and deep sleep. This book will resonate with readers who seek to explore thought, attention, and metaphysical awareness. Yoga Nidra is supportive of relaxation, release of fear and anxiety, and acquiring joy, peace, and calm within one's self.

















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THE CHILD AT THE END OF TIME by Chad Clark_Review

The Child At The End Of Time by Chad A. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: THE CHILD AT THE END OF TIME by Chad Clark

(Release Oct. 11 2017)

I seriously don't remember breathing from start to finish. I am certain I read with eyes the size of flying saucers and jaw lying on the floor. I never thought I could be as monstrously affected by an end-of-the-world scenario as I was by Philip Wylie' s TOMORROW, which I read when I was about 10. {Under the Dome sure didn't affect me that way.} Along comes Mr. Chad Clark, predicating an absolutely implacably horrific end-time--not just of humanity, but of anything of civilization...and the End comes from Out There. No, not aliens. From Beyond. H. P. Lovecraft is surely applauding from his interment. Certainly I applaud. Although, likely I may never sleep again. And at the next crack of thunder, cardiac arrest will surely be imminent.

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Review: MESTLVEN by Jesse Teller

Mestlven: A Tale from Perilisc by Jesse Teller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: MESTLVEN by Jesse Teller

MESTLVEN is grimdark epic fantasy, or in my categorizing, fantasy noir. Set in the author's created world Perilisc, it weaves neatly back and forth between present and past, relating the tale of a young woman, a mother, who undergoes grievous tragedies and is led astray. Meredith, once the wife of a well-to-do nobleman, instead mutates into a talented and seemingly invisible and invincible assassin. Internally, her psyche is all darkness, yet she can't retrieve the memories to explain why. Readers will become inextricably attached to many of these characters, vicariously suffering with them.

Caution: This is NOT your ancestors' Happily-Ever-After Fairy Tale.

I read a digital copy generously provided by the author, via Shut Up and Read Goodreads Group, at no cost. I chose to review MESTLVEN.

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THE X-VARIANT by Rosemary Cole_Review

The X-Variant by Rosemary Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: THE X-VARIANT by Rosemary Cole (THE GUARDIANS #1)

Welcome to the Hive Mind! Usually, such a phrase elicits terror, as when we think of The Borg {"Resistance is futile!"} or we remember "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or "The Blob." However, Rosemary Cole's version, the Dronenet, is actually positive, and the society is utopian. This fact is even more amazing given that it is the outgrowth of a viral pandemic apocalypse, nearly 5.5 centuries earlier.

Not only did I applaud the outcome; THE X-VARIANT is a tremendously fast-paced sci fi thriller, with tons of suspense and empathetic characters. I finished eager to read the sequel (in 2018).

Thanks to author Rosemary Cole and Goodreads Group Shut Up and Read, for so generously providing a digital copy at no cost.

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