Review by Niki: Objects in the Rearview Mirror by F.E. Feeley

Title: Objects in the Rearview Mirror
Author: F.E. Feeley Jr.

Publisher:(click to purchase from publisher)

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

Their new home on Frederick Street in Clay Center, Kansas, was supposed to give writer Jonathan David and his husband, clinical psychologist Dr. Eddie Dorman, an opportunity to enjoy married life. Jonathan has just released his first major bestseller, and he hopes to finally escape his traumatic past and find the quiet existence he has always craved. Eddie has taken a job at the Kansas State University psychology department, and they intend to begin anew.

They have barely settled in when the nightmare begins. Noises, disembodied voices, and mysterious apparitions make Jonathan’s life hell. Part of the house has decided to bare its teeth, show its jagged edges, and bring back the worst of Jonathan’s past. At first, Eddie cannot perceive the spectral events and fears for his husband’s sanity. When he’s also affected by the haunting, he’s unsure of what to do but refuses to be beaten.

Together, they seek a way to fight the forces trying to tear them apart. The world is a frightening place, but confronting their fears plunges Jonathan and Eddie into absolute horror.

Review:

:  So let’s start with a startling fact. I am a chicken-hearted, lily-livered, scaredy-pants who finds Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost a little too horror flickish and still sleeps with the lights on over three years after accidently renting Will Smith’s movie Legend. *yeah, I got it confused with the reluctant superhero flick he did right around the same time and by the time I figured it out I was too far into the film to stop. I would have only imagined far worse things than either Bradbury, Asimov, or any Hollywood writer could dream up. No, seriously. Long story short, this novel, Objects in the Rearview Mirror was not one I’d have normally picked up on my own. Scary on any level is a very hard sell when you are dealing with me.

All right, I know I’m taking the long way around the barn, but when I say this novel is a must read, give it 5/5 smooches as a rating and urge you to make anything by Feeley an auto-buy, I want you to  understand the full scope of what I’m saying.

I read this book with all the lights in my house on. I jumped at shadows. And I desperately want more of what this author has to give.

Why?

Because Feeley writes boldly. His characters draw you in, his dialog feels authentic, the imperfections of his craft actually make this story stronger in the same way that some model and celebrities physical flaws increase their appeal. The man is a bonafide genius guru writer god. I started the book with zero expectations. It was something my Smoocher’s Voice Bosslady sent to me, so I was going to read and do my damnedest to give an honest, insightful review of.

The opening dragged for me. I was a little bored. I buckled down and kept reading, because by golly, I had a job *yeah, yeah, unpaid and all but still* to do… and then I got past the prologue and into the meat of the novel. The characters hooked me in. I liked them right away, and holy creeping surprise, in less than twenty pages I absolutely fecking LOVED them. Another twenty pages in and I was convinced that the prologue I’d originally found slow, boring and unnecessary was the most brilliant bit of foreshadowing in the history of ever. From there on out—yes, even with every light in the house on, and jumping at random noises—I was hooked right through the gills, desperate to know what happened next, utterly riveted.

I’m one of those vile creatures who will flip to the back of a book to make sure everything comes out all right. I get scared for the characters and want to be soothed by knowing they’ll make it through whatever their personal shipwreck is. I couldn’t stop reading long enough to skip to the end. I had to gasp, flinch, and shiver my way through the story word by word with the characters.

Are there flaws in this book?

Probably. I dare you to find them though. I’m betting if you do find any, it’ll be after reading the story multiple times. The writing is so strong, the characters so fully fleshed, the world so three dimensional and all six of your senses so fully engaged that you won’t have time to do anything but shush anyone who tries to interrupt your journey to Clay Center, Kansas and the house where the protagonists fight their way forward to a stunning, chill inducing and thoroughly satisfying conclusion.

Thank you, Mr. Feeley. You made a thing of beauty here, and the world is a better place for it.

Buy Links:

Review by Jodi: A Courageous Ride by Andrew Grey

Title: A Courageous Ride

Author: Andrew Grey

Publisher: 

(click on the logo above to purchase title direct from publisher) 

Rating: 4/5

Blurb: 

The Bullriders: Book Three 

     Aspiring orchestra conductor Marshall is exhausted after months of auditions without a single job offer. Marshall’s friend, Terry, recommends a change of scenery and points Marshall in the direction of a dude ranch run by former bull rider Indigo Santana. Marshall is understandably skeptical, but his friend is convincing, and Marshall needs a break, so he agrees to go. 

     Indigo captures Marshall’s attention but leaves him confused. Indigo’s confidence is shot after an injury ended his rodeo career, and he walks with a slight limp. He hasn’t been anywhere near a bull since he was hurt, and he’s not the most accommodating host. After all, the only reason he keeps guests is because his family ranch is all but bankrupt. 

     Marshall’s attraction doesn’t go unanswered, which leaves him with a huge dilemma. He’s torn between the possibility of love, something he’s searched for all his life, and the career he’s worked toward for as long as he can remember, which is miles away. From his side of the fence, Indigo doesn’t see how the ranch could ever be enough.

Review:

        Andrew Grey has a talent for writing beautiful prose and engaging dialogue. He has a knack for engaging readers within the first couple of sentences and cloistering them in the world he has created. He successfully does this again in his latest novel A Courageous Ride, the third book in his Bullriders series. Although this novel can be read as a standalone, the book is more engaging if you have read the other books in the series first. Dante and Ryan from A Wild Ride make a welcome appearance in this book.

Indigo is a former bull rider. During his last ride, he was seriously injured and can no longer perform. Not only has he not been on a bull since his accident, but thought of bull riding terrifies him. Although Indigo loves working on the ranch, his homestead, he is having a difficult time coming to terms with his new place in the world as a dude ranch owner.

The Circle R Ranch is not just a home to Indigo. The ranch is his salvation and life. In order to keep the ranch financially afloat, Indigo has turned it into a working dude ranch. His guests learn how the ranch operates and participate in the daily chores. Although Indigo is not hiding his sexuality, he does not flaunt it on the ranch. The bull riding circuit is not the most open minded, and Indigo has hidden the fact that he is gay from his family based on a traumatic family event.

“He was just about to go get it when a large car pulled into the drive. Indigo paused on the porch and waited for the black sedan to pull to a stop near the other guests’ car. Then he jogged down the steps and out to the car. Indigo stopped when he saw a gorgeous man get out of the car and look around. For a second he forgot himself and stared openly, then caught himself and walked the rest of the way to the car. It wasn’t a good idea to be that open. The guys on the ranch knew he was gay, and they didn’t mind, but the guests were another matter, and he knew it was always a bad idea to mix business with pleasure and other interests. All it would take was one guest to claim an unwanted advance and he could lose guests… and the ranch he’d been working so hard to save.”

When the reader first meets Marshall, it is while he is conducting an orchestra. Marshall seems confident and in his natural element, but it soon becomes apparent that the confidence is a facade. The conductor position is temporary though, and Marshall is looking for something permanent. His family is pressuring him to come home and work in the family business, but Marshall’s heart is with the music.

Marshall is stressed out and needs a break. He is in a slump and emotionally drained. He needs a place to regroup and re-evaluate. Although going to a working dude ranch is not something he would usually do, but it seems like a way to get away from everything, including his family and the aforementioned former boyfriend who did a number on Marshall’s psyche. And, Indigo, the owner of the ranch, is definitely a beautiful sight to see.

“Indigo was a fine-looking man, with short dark hair, sun-kissed skin, and dark eyes. Tall, dark, and handsome was the old adage, and it described Indigo perfectly. So did a butt that could crack walnuts, for that matter, but concentrating on that would do Marshall no good. No, much better if he was careful and didn’t jump into things.”

The chemistry between Marshall and Indigo is apparent from the beginning, even though both men are skittish. Indigo is insecure, and Marshall’s indecision seems to be deep rooted.  Neither man is looking for a long-term relationship, and both men have other obligations that take presence over making their encounter more than a short fling, which Marshall is very wary of beginning.

“He shouldn’t do this. For so many reasons, he needed to turn and walk away. Doing anything with anyone was not a good idea. He was only staying for a week, and he needed rest and quiet. Messing around with the ranch owner was probably one of the worst ideas he’d had in a long time, and when it came to men, Marshall knew he was the king of bad ideas.”

Andrew Grey is the king of romance. His detailed descriptions of the ranch and the men’s game of cat and mouse are beautifully written. Grey has the ability to bring a reader quickly into a story and this third installment in the Bull riders series is no exception.

There are a few places in the story that leave the reader with questions, but overall the plot is well developed.  The subplots in the story help develop the characters’ personalities and help explain some of their seemingly strange behaviors. A love story in the truest sense of the term, A Courageous Ride is an enchanting story.

**Reviewer's note: Thank you to Andrew Grey for providing a [copy] of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Buy Links:

Review by Cam: Pretty Please by Tracey Michael (F/F romance)

Title: Pretty Please
Author: Tracey Michael
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing 
Genre: F/F Romance
Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb: 

Thea and Gwen have been best friends since they were kids. Thea will do anything for Gwen and she uses it to her advantage whenever necessary. A coerced shopping trip turns into a “date”. A few tears turn into unexpected sex. Friendship turns into love. Wait. When did that happen? And do they want to pursue those new feelings? What happens if an attempt at a relationship ruins everything? Thea isn't sure she wants to risk it, but Gwen is sure she does. When Thea turns her “straight” best friend down, Gwen is crushed. Thea has always known she was a lesbian and she loves Gwen more than anything, but that doesn't mean she wants to be Gwen’s experiment. That will only leave her with a broken heart in the end. Can Gwen change Thea’s mind and prove that her love is true?


Review:

Honestly I've been burned by lesbian romance in the past. I've read some awful stuff, full of drama and angst that was just completely unnecessary either that or it's completely sex from start to finish. This wasn't that.

I liked both Gwen and Thea. Their friendship was a tangible part of this story. I'd have liked to see a little more interaction between them and other people, because for the most part they are the only characters in the story. That being said, there is quite a bit of story packed in this short little book. 

I was rooting for their relationship. I felt invested in them getting together. Especially as (and I know it's a popular trope) Thea was totally convinced that Gwen was straight. Gwen just knew she loved her friend, and that the moving to the next level was a natural progression. Thea was afraid of wanting something so badly and the possibility of it failing. 

I love how this story wasn't about the straight girl "turning" gay. This was about loving someone enough that none of it mattered. If you are looking for a fluffy sweet read, this one is definitely for you. I can't wait for more f/f romance from Tracey Michael, because she definitely did this one right. 

Buy Links:

Review by Jodi: Twisted by J.S. Frankel

Title: Twisted

Author: J.S. Frankel

Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises

Rating: 3.5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

Chivalry isn't dead. It just wears a skirt.

Highschoolers Charlie Matthews, his stepbrother Martin, and Sharon Collins win a contest to play an interactive medieval game as the avatars of their favorite characters. Their mission: fight off the monsters, storm the castle, and capture the evil king.

But things go terribly wrong. Charlie is dismayed to discover he is Angella of Avernon, the lead female character in the game. Fortunately, she's the most powerful avatar around, but he also finds out that he, Martin, and Sharon have been infected with a virus that will kill them outside the game, so they have to stay inside the scenario.

Trapped and beset on all sides, Charlie has to deal with the sexism of the characters circa 1430, his stepbrother's distaste for his female form, and his feelings about becoming a woman. In addition to fighting off the various monsters within the scenario, Charlie tries to fight his attraction to Sharon...and then realizes Sharon is attracted to him, which makes it all the more confusing.

When the deadly opponents in the game get the upper hand, Charlie must summon all of his love and courage to save the day and rescue Sharon. Will he understand that love is where you find it and that the gender of the one you love doesn't matter at all?

Review:

J.S. Frankel creates a realistic teen-friendly narrative voice in the young adult (YA) novel Twisted. This is an engaging story with likable characters. Yes, these characters are immature, but that is a positive attribute in a YA book. This book presents a twist on a typical quest in which the characters obtain growth and maturity by overcoming a series of obstacles.

Charlie, the protagonist of this story, is a typical teenage boy. The death of his parents is an important aspect of his life.  Charlie is at a bit of a crossroads as his junior year of high school comes to an end.

“With almost three months of vacation ahead before senior year began, I wanted to work on a tan, work out and bulk up. At six feet and one eighty, my body resembled a muscular swimmer's. I didn't want the metrosexual look. No, I wanted the Alpha Male, don't-screw-with-me look.

Finally, find a girlfriend. No guy wants to go through high school single. I'd had the idea of finding the perfect girl since I turned sixteen, one year ago. It didn't matter what she looked like. It only mattered how decent she was and if she'd be there if and when I needed her--and I'd be there for when she needed me. Yeah, call it an old-fashioned notion, but that's how I rolled.

        Charlie’s best friend/step-brother Martin loves video games. Charlie helps Martin write an essay that affords the two teens the opportunity to participate in the video game adventure. They win the contest, which allows them to go inside a video game prototype.

Martin is far more immature than Charlie is. Although he is high school, his raging hormones seem to have him at the pigtail pulling stage of maturity when it comes to girls.

Sharon is the third contest winner. Sharon is a mature young woman, who is a bit of a loner. Sharon is forced into maturity by her mostly absent but abusive alcoholic mother. Although she is proud of being a woman and wants to be treated as an equal, she is a fan of the concept of chivalry.

All this talk about knights and honor made me [Charlie] skeptical anyone could actually achieve the desired scenario. ‘So you just have to fight and defend the honor of—‘

"’Chivalry was key back then," Sharon cut in. She stabbed the table with her forefinger. ‘Many of the old legends talked about guys rescuing a damsel in distress or being in service to their lord or they had to become a protector of their realm, and it's just so corny.’ She laughed. ‘I'm pretty good at taking care of myself, thanks, but I can relate to the concept...sort of like you did with him.’ She jerked her finger at Martin who blushed and looked away.

“The word chivalry sounded too old-fashioned. In my mind, you stuck up for someone because you wanted to and not because some code said you had to.”

When Charlie chooses a powerful male avatar, Edward the Invincible, he is expecting a fun experience leading a charge against the evil king. But when he wakes up inside the game, he finds himself trapped in the body of a female Amazon warrior’s body, Angella of Avernon.

Angella is a powerful warrior, but she is a woman, which makes things uncomfortable for Charlie, who is trapped in her body, as well as the other players. It seems the discomfort is even more intense for Martin. Charlie doesn’t know how to behave or think, and Sharon becomes his mentor, which annoys Martin.

This book takes an innovative look at gender roles, the concept of nature vs. nurture as well as same sex attractions. The relationship between Sharon and Charlie is sweet. Both characters understand that they are attracted to each other as people, but the idea of them both being female is new and confusing. 

This is not a typical romance. As a matter of fact, the romance is a subplot of the story.  This is a twisted adventure where the young characters are forced to go outside their comfort zones, face deadly obstacles and prejudices and try to survive in the process.

Frankel does a good job challenging his characters and, in turn, the readers. However there are some challenges with this book.

First, readers do have to suspend their knowledge of science and technology to accept the premise of the book. The characters shrug off their doubts about being trapped in the video game by blaming things on the computer, but the technological explanation given is a bit weak. Second, the message Frankel is imparting is important, but there are few points in the book that seem a bit heavy handed for a YA book, even though the words are being said by a teenager.

Frankel does a good job pushing the characters towards growth through the journey though. There are very realistic components in this book, and overall, this Frankel handles a complex topic with finesse. The action in the book is well written and will keep readers on the edge of their seat. The ending of the book is wonderful. Frankel chose to stay true to the plot throughout the story and the ending is no exception. This book is a great addition to a YA library.

Buy Links:

Review by Jodi: Blue Notes by Shira Anthony

Title: Blue Notes

Author: Shira Anthony

Publisher: 

Clickable link

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb: 

A Blue Notes Novel

Blame it on jet lag. Jason Greene thought he had everything: a dream job as a partner in a large Philadelphia law firm, a beautiful fiancée, and more money than he could ever hope to spend. Then he finds his future wife in bed with another man, and he’s forced to rethink his life and his choices. On a moment’s notice, he runs away to Paris, hoping to make peace with his life.

But Jason’s leave of absence becomes a true journey of the heart when he meets Jules, a struggling jazz violinist with his own cross to bear. In the City of Love, it doesn’t take them long to fall into bed, but as they’re both about to learn, they can’t run from the past. Sooner or later, they’ll have to face the music.

Review: 

Victor Hugo wrote, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” This quote seems to summarize the theme of Shira Anthony’s novel Blue Notes, and in fact the entire series, well.  

Jason Greene is a powerful New York attorney. He seems to have everything going for him: money, friends, a good job and a beautiful fiancé. Jason is a perfectionist and a workaholic. His well-planned life takes a dramatic turn when he finds his fiancé, Diane, in bed with another man. This event forces Jason to take a step back and begin to reassess his life and priorities. He does this by getting on a plane and leaving New York to head to Paris, France, in the middle of winter.

Although Jason spent his teenage years in France, he never really appreciated the sites as he struggled with teenage angst and leaving his friends. As an adult, Jason looks at the countryside with new eyes and ears. His first night in town, he seeks out some good food and music and winds up in a little dive listening to a jazz trio. He is taken back by the talented violinist in more ways than one.

“The sound of the violin flickered like a candle flame blown by an unseen breeze, then grew and melded with the muted piano, sultry and inviting. Jules closed his eyes, letting the sound wash over him, responding the slow harmonic progression on the piano, both instruments weaving the ghostly melody.

“In a dim alcove only a dozen or so feet from the musicians, Jason sat nursing his drink, transported by the sound of the violin. It wasn’t jazz in its purest form. It was more of a hybrid combing the traditional jazz rhythms of the fifties with a modern yet classical approach. But whatever you might call the music, he found it transcendent.”

Through a bit of plot manipulation, coincidence and rain, Jason and the young violinist, Jules, are thrown together and the plot continues to build in a slow moving crescendo.

Jules Bardon is a talented violinist. He is attractive, flirtatious, a bit of a prima donna and a brat. Jules is intense and playful. Although he seems confident on the surface, behind the playful flirting, he is insecure and juggling a lot of inner turmoil.

Jules is the antithesis of Jason in his style, upbringing and social and financial status. And yet, the two men are instantly drawn together, which proves to be very interesting since Jules is admittedly gay and Jason is not. Although appearing confident and self-assured, Jason is lost and confused. He is clearly smitten with the enigma that is Jules.

“Jules took a deep breath and closed his eyes once more, gently laying bow to string and beginning the opening phrases with their insistent, rhythmic repetition sounding below the melodic line. The simplicity of the piece was both stunning and heart wrenching. Each phrase built upon the next, rising in intensity and in pitch. It reminded Jason of a prayer, powerful in its stark beauty, and he heard Jules’ soul poured out into every note. And then it was over and Jason was left sitting in silence starting at Jules as he has in the club, transfixed.”

“’Bach always touches my soul,’ Jules half whispered. His fingers still rested against Jason’s cheek. ‘He must have known great love, and great pain, to write something so powerful.’”

Blue Notes is more than just a love story. It is a romantic tale exploring a journey of discovery, growth and coming to terms with the past. Both Jason and Jules are lost, and their connection through the love of music seems to pull them together and heal them. Jason and Jules need each other, and that is a startling revelation for Jason.

Blue Notes is the first book in a phenomenal series. Although this book can be read as a standalone, this book begins a journey into Anthony’s world. The men Anthony writes about are romantic, sweet and haunted. Although there is a fairytale-like quality to the books, especially this first one, there is also a sense of realism, which can be attributed to some autobiographical elements. Although this book is not the best in the series, Anthony’s style clearly shines in the descriptive passages and character development.

Anthony’s prose are poetic. There is an underlying soundtrack of classical and jazz music that permeates this book, especially the scenes as Jason and Jules explore Paris together. And while Jason takes Jules on a romantic exploration of the City of Love, Jules takes Jason on a quest of growth and passion. Jason reconnects with his past and music and discovers that being needed by another person is wonderful.

“This is what music is… what my heart is … and my soul.

“He understood the depth of Jules’ sensuality and why it had so drawn him, right from the start: it made him feel alive and human, full of faults, but accepting of them nonetheless. That was Jules’s gift.”

Buy Links:

(or you can click on the Dreamspinner logo and buy direct from the publisher. Previously Offered on ARE and B&N, currently the ebook of Blue Notes is only available through Amazon and the Publisher)

Review by Cam: See You in the Morning by A.T. Weaver

Title: See You in the Morning
Author: A.T. Weaver
Publisher: Self-Published
Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb: 

Jake and Dave lived and loved for over fifty years. During that time, they campaigned for gay rights. They married each other three times until, finally, in 2013, the United States Supreme Court declared DOMA to be unconstitutional and thus legalized their union. 

They made a family and raised four beautiful children together.

When he loses Dave to a massive stroke, Jake feels his world has ended. Join him as he relives a life well-lived through memories triggered by photos of his and Dave's years together.

Review:

Oh My Gosh. I fell in love with Jack and Dave and their children, and their lives. A.T. Weaver had me crying in the first 4 pages of her book, to the point that I put it down for a couple of days. You see, I got the review request in my inbox, and I hadn't even looked up the blurb before I started to read it. I didn't know Dave would die so soon into the book, and it took my breath away. 

The love etched in these pages is amazing. It's written in a unique style. In snapshots. At first, I wasn't sure that I liked it but as the book progressed I absolutely loved how it skipped forward to the important moments in Jake and Dave's lives. I also love how it started in the 1980's and ended up in the 2050's. There are so many important secondary characters in this book that absolutely MAKE the book. Our lives are intertwining circles, connected to so many important people, and this book shows that. It shows how one act can make a difference, and it shows how the love of partner and family can make a life. 

I'm so blown away by this story that I just really don't know what to say. It's not sexually explicit. It's more of a sweet story that isn't all about the romance between the couple. Yes, there is romance, but it's more a story about the endurance of love. I think this from the book sums it up almost perfectly: 

"What happened to 'Too many people start into a relationship with the idea that if it doesn't work out okay, they can move on to something better.' ?" 

Jake looked deep into Dave's brown eyes. "You're right. It's all or nothing."  

I cut off the rest of what Jake says, but this reflects how both men lived their lives. All in. I love that so much. 

After reading this book, which is a little bittersweet, as life most times is, I know that I'll be reading more by A.T. Weaver. 

Please support this indie author by purchasing the book at the following retailers: 

Review by Niki: Glory Lands by Vastine Bondurant

Title: Glory Lands

Author: Vastine Bondurant

Publisher: DreamspinnerPress  <--publisher buy link

Rating: 5 out of 5 Smooches 

Blurb:

A Texas Piney Woods Story

Rural East Texas, 1931. Preacher’s son Emory Joe Logan and a fiddler from Shreveport, Glory Lands, meet and form a tender bond. When they are caught and arrested for homosexual acts by Sheriff Elihu Bishop, the lawman’s sanctimonious bigotry threatens to rip the young men from their families.

Emory Joe’s father, Pastor Charles Logan, is brought to his knees in terror, confusion, and anger. He still regrets not standing up against Bishop when the lawman murdered a youth in cold blood nine years ago.

Now there’s no longer a choice for the preacher to stand up to the lawman. Cold-blooded justice, bigotry-disguised-as-religion, and hatred take on a whole new meaning when they’re standing on his doorstep, ready to take the son he loves.

Review: 

(This review contains some heartfelt sighs, a gasp or two, and absolutely zero spoilers)

Now and again one stumbles upon a true wordsmith. The art and artistry inherent in Glory Lands makes an irrefutable case for Vastine Bondurant being one of those rare and precious beings. From the gut-clenching, edge of your seat, hair at the nape of your neck standing on end first page through the gentle spring breezes and winsome yet disconsolate strains of a fiddle player’s hapless yearning, right up to the shiver inducing moments when you, the reader, stand face to face with an indescribable evil and feel the indisputable, awe inducing touch of a higher power—yes, I do mean you, gentle reader. Vastine Bondurant’s words are so well crafted as to hook into the tender, secret flesh of your heart. She reels you, gasping and choking for air like a landed fish, right into the bone and marrow of her characters, and once there you can only journey through their interwoven stories from inside their trembling, beating hearts.

If you are in the mood for a light a fluffy read that stirs nothing of your soul… well, then Glory Lands is not the book for you.

You may have heard that Glory Lands is scary, or terrifying… and yes there is some truth to these suppositions. This story is not for the faint of heart. It is a stark, plainly beautiful story of the fragility of first loves, the endurance and valor that the great among us find in their darkest hours, and—oh, I’ve goosebumps rising between my shoulder blades still—the triumphs possible when one holds fast to the truths which pure hearts have always seen.

I will tell you though, do not be dismayed, nor should you give up before attempting this story. Yes, Glory Lands is filled with beauty, evil, love, and terror. Yet… easy and gentle as the ripples of a quiet creek against smooth stones, Glory Lands will hold a mirror to your soul and bid you look. No, no, this story is not for the faint of heart, but rather for those brave enough to at least stare into that speckled mirror, squinting one eye nearly shut and covering the other with a trembling hand… for those able to hold their breath and jump in, Glory Lands will allow you to... ah, William Blake said it best: To see a world in a grain of sand. And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour…

Oh, be brave, sweet reader. Find this story. Dive in headfirst. You will find not only that impossible soul mirror I’ve spoken of throughout this review… you will also find a map to becoming great. One of the ones able to stand fast in the face of evil, even while on your knees.

Go on. Do it. You may shed a tear or two along the way. But you’ll end by inspiring others around you to be just as brave as you… and all from a handful of flawlessly crafted words.

Buy Links: