Reviews
One of Them is Lying
This book held my interest from the beginning. It has multiple twists and turns with an ending that is not immediately evident as it unfolds. The story of a truly dysfunctional family, the ins and outs make for a very good read.---Reviewed By Vivian Washington
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Hell Hath No Hoagie
Hell Hath No Hoagie by David D. Hammons is a whimsical novel about trying to find the perfect sandwich to get the antichrist to take over the world. It is a nice mix of both absurd and relatable, allowing many to find entertainment in the humor and social commentary.
The story follows a half demon named Steve along with his companions- Gore, Dawn, and Burney- living in the human realm. Steve was tasked with managing the antichrist, Damien, who has now become more obsessed with a video game rather than achieving world domination. If Steve can’t get the antichrist's attention off the video game, Steve will be dragged back to hell and punished for his failure. Using a lie about a great sandwich being good enough to break Damien out of his distraction, Steve must find a sandwich worthy of the antichrist’s full attention.
The novel never has a dull moment within it thanks to its chaotic, fast paced nature. It has eccentric characters that never fail to make you smile at their absurdity. The cast is relatively small, easy to follow, and have great dialogue and interactions that let you really feel the group’s dynamic with one another. The plot is bizarre and silly in a way that leaves readers thinking “how did we get here?” at every turn. It reads like a crazy, comedy sitcom with an overarching equally insane plot.
Despite how outlandish the whole novel is, it still manages to stay relatively grounded and set up what world building is needed to keep you captivated and fully engaged with what’s happening. While done in a comedic tone, there is plenty of social commentary sprinkled throughout the book. Most are very on the nose but completely fits within the context of the book’s tone and the characters making them.
The only real criticism to be had is that sometimes certain bits can go on for longer than necessary and make it lose a bit of steam. There are also certain bits that can sometimes be so fast paced that it loses a bit of coherence. The very beginning of the story is especially guilty of this. This issue, however, diminishes the longer the story progresses and finds it footing.
Overall, Hell Hath No Hoagie is a solid, comedic novel for anyone who likes absurd, almost episodic humor. It offers enough plot to have a real investment in what’s going on with the characters while providing laughs. If you like offbeat humor and stories that don’t take itself too seriously, this is a novel that’s pretty easy to get into.—Reviewed By Jordyn Brown
Seasons Change
Seasons Change by Russel Anthony DePersia and Todd M. Parsi is a heartfelt sports novel that explores having to reevaluate your future after being thrown off the path you once believed was certain.
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The story follows Rex Sarcone, a star high school football player determined to make it to the NFL. However, after a life-altering accident forces him into early retirement, Rex spirals into a depression that impacts not only himself but his closest friends and family. Having built his identity around football, he is left asking a difficult question: without it, who is he?
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The novel does an honest and compelling job of portraying the emotional struggle of accepting one’s circumstances. Rex’s recovery is neither quick nor easy, and even as he begins to heal, his resentment resurfaces in realistic ways. This authenticity makes the story especially powerful, offering something meaningful for readers who have faced setbacks or unexpected changes in their own lives.
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Because of this, Seasons Change becomes more than just a sports novel. It explores themes of love, adaptability, and mental health, while also highlighting the often-overlooked risks athletes face in pursuit of their dreams.
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One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emotional impact. The characters are likable and relatable, each dealing with real-world struggles that make it easy to become invested in their journeys. The story encourages readers to hope for the best while also making them feel the weight of disappointment when things don’t go as planned.
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That said, the book is not without its flaws. The writing style can be overly straightforward at times, occasionally leaning too heavily on telling rather than showing. Some of the dialogue feels stiff, though it rarely detracts from the emotional weight of the scenes themselves.
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Additionally, the romantic subplot feels underdeveloped and a bit rushed. The transition from friction to romance happens too quickly, which undermines what could have been a more interesting, complicated dynamic. The initial tension between the characters had been intriguing, but it faded abruptly in lieu of providing Rex a romantic partner.
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Overall, Seasons Change is an inspiring, emotional story about adapting to life’s curveballs. Its core message is one that can connect with a wide audience, regardless of their interest in football. Reviewed By Jordyn Brown
No Passengers
The novella, No Passengers by Elainie La Force, took me on a thrilling, fast-paced ride through the Russian woods after “the line goes dead. Anna sits in the cooling water, naked and shivering, staring at the black screen in dizzy discombobulation.
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The bathroom is silent except for the drip of the faucet.
Somewhere in the distance, the sound of screeching tires jolts her from her trance. Anna launches herself out of the tub.”
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This story is about a naïve, young woman, eagerly trying to prove herself to her employer, a Russian bank. In the process, she ignores the wolf in sheep’s clothing who coaxes her into breaking the law. After unwittingly laundering a million USD, Anna goes on the run. But will she make it to her destination? Read this page-turner to find out.
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La Force craftily spins a story that has you rooting for the main character, while clutching your shirt and scooting to the edge of your seat to see what happens next when you turn the page. Although La Force missed an opportunity to steep us in setting in the earliest chapters, she more than makes up for it later. This novella is well-written.
Sabrina Tells Maddie The Truth About Her Past
Sabrina Tells Maddie the Truth About the Past by George Bachman is supposed to be a horror story. Are you into blood and gore? Are you into bone-chilling fear? If so, this story will deliver neither. Instead, I’d classify it as fantasy or paranormal. Bachman’s writing sparkles with snappy dialogue. However, interjections with Maddie’s tablet sometimes serve as a distraction rather than a plot device.
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The story is about the mysterious disappearance of film star Madeline Ionescu and her seventeen-year-old friend, Sabrina Bogdan, a college freshman. Police have questioned both women about a previous murder. So, their disappearance appears timed to escaping further questioning. However, strange things occur while the two women are holed up in a burnt-out home while performing witchcraft. While Sabrina recovers long-buried memories, dangerous questions arise about Maddie.
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Because Bachman wrote the bulk of the book in transcribed text, an effective melding of plot, character, and pacing couldn’t be realized without the book seeming disjointed at times. I would love to have gotten into at least one of the characters’ heads. I also would have loved a description of each character as well as a better description of their movements. Overall, I think this is a fantasy or paranormal book.
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Readers of horror fiction will find this book disappointing. However, readers of fantasy or paranormal fiction might take a liking to this book. I rate this book a 3-star read because it is more suitable for the audience I mentioned, and it reads like a screenplay instead of a book.
Rakiya: Stories of Bulgaria
Lovers of history as well as Jewish fiction will enjoy this book because I have. After experiencing a range of emotions including admiration then outrage, I finally settled on relief and praise for Ellis Shuman’s Rakiya: Stories of Bulgaria. These stories promise to entertain you as well as provoke thoughts on humanity. Sometimes, the tears are worth it.
Ellis Shuman painted a beautiful picture of Sofia, Bulgaria. This setting became a character because it encompassed all the stories in this book. By providing sensory details about Sofia, Shuman dropped me into Sofia, Bulgaria.
52 Weeks A Party Of One
52 Weeks A Party Of One plunges readers into the life of Aisha Jones, a young thirty-something-year-old coming to terms with the betrayal of her live-in boyfriend and her best friend. So, she moves from Denver to Dallas to process her relationships, including the ones shared with her mother, brother and deceased father. While working on herself, Aisha discovers her true identity, and it angers and confuses her while she navigates new relationships she forms in Dallas. At times I wanted to shake Aisha, and at times I wanted to hug her.
The characters come alive on the page; they speak to the reader. Bianca Pensy Aba’s characterization, dialogue and settings ring true, and all of it serves to move the plot along fabulously. Aisha Jones’s evolution over the 52 weeks shows why this novel is a must read.
All Money Ain't Good Money
INTRODUCTION TO INVESTING
Although this book does not replace a financial advisor, it tells you what to expect from one. By demonstrating how he invests in the stock market, Vladyslav Grabarskyy walks readers through the investing process. He provides information on the different types of stocks while advising readers to diversify. Written with a structure the reader can understand, the book is professionally edited to reflect and match the author’s professionalism. I highly recommend this book. It’s a five-star read.
The Misery House
A hair-raising novel, The Misery House by David Kummer, rivets readers to its pages and compels them to turn the pages with lightning speed. With themes of class consciousness and racial overtones woven into this psychological thriller, readers root for the novel’s protagonist, Kaia Woods. Smart, sassy and strong-minded, Kaia Woods proved to be my favorite character because of her mental and emotional strength, and her strong dose of courage shines through when she stands up for justice and her best friend.
But the scariest part in this novel is the setting. Because the setting is alive, it represents a character in the novel. Kummer braids character, plot and setting with such ease that the reader bonds with all three. This is a fast and easy read.
As a reviewer, I obtain free books in exchange for an honest review. In this case, I purchased this psychological thriller because I want readers to know the first in this trilogy is well worth the money. I look forward to reading the two sequels. The Misery House is captivating from start to finish.
LOVE SPELLS CRAFTING HAVOC
A blend of romance and fantasy for the young adult genre, Love Spells by Gino Cox, was entertaining. Juveniles witches Dizzy, Tilly and Drew will have you in stitches trying to play match maker for their parents resulting in comedic consequences. The characters speaking in rhymes was a nice touch. However, far too many characters with their own point of view populated the novel. The short chapters were jarring. Other drawbacks to this novel is the lack of development of setting as well as the feeling of a rushed ending. The loose ends could’ve been tied off better while achieving the same result. Overall, this was a good book, and I rate it 3 stars.
HEAVY TALK BY STACK McINTYRE
Heavy Talk by Stack McInTyre chastises the misguided and uplifts black women, representing a deviation from the Hip-Hop genre. McInTyre’s poetry is based on the author’s life and experiences, and one can understand as well as empathize with the author’s plight. Instead of placing blame, the author takes responsibility for his life’s choices, and he implores others to do the same. His poetry is insightful and thoughtful, casting a rhythm that could be used in a movie soundtrack. I highly recommend Heavy Talk! It's a Five Star Read.
- Tracey Lampley
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THE PHAGE
GEORGE BACHMAN
This book begins with a character looking for a party, but something goes horrifically wrong in the first chapter. Due to murderous circumstances, Alicia and Chelsea are thrown together. What if the world’s survival depended on these young adults? Totally dependent on each other, the duo navigate treachery and evil while dodging overgrown insects and prehistoric animals brought back to life.
The goose-bump-inducing novel, The Phage by George Bachman, will have readers grasping and sometimes clawing at their seats and slamming their eyes shut while turning the pages. The Phage draws readers into its vortex of terrifying action, fully developed characters—including a seemingly unbeatable villain—against a backdrop of a frightening setting. George Bachman brilliantly has the main characters displaying courage under fire while the characters ooze enthusiasm and sarcasm to defeat their enemy. From start to finish, The Phage is an exciting read!
- Tracey Lampley
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UNDEPRESSED -
WALEED MAHMUD
Waleed Mahmud’s Undepressed serves as a companion piece to people suffering from depression and the traumas associated with it. By concentrating on trauma and its root cause or causes, Mahmud answers a question often asked: what causes depression? As a result, Mahmud is both thoughtful and thorough when describing the disease and when providing remedies for it.
I see this book as a gift for people suffering from depression and a gift for people trying to understand the disease that’s afflicting their loved ones. Surviving or living with depression is not easy. This book champions the depressed while helping them activate much needed coping skills. This is a must read.
- Tracey Lampley
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THE VESSEL GAMES
E.J. EDEN
Loved it, loved it.
A wonderful story with real heart and passion. Highly recommended
Tracey Lampley