Reviews By Charline

“The Realms of Animar”

Author: Owen Black

Having just finished reading Owen Black’s first novel “The Realms of Animar;” I’m really hopeful that there’s a sequel coming out soon. I enjoy reading fantasy and I like reviewing books written by currently unknown authors so for me, “The Realms of Animar,” was a match made in heaven.

In the world of Animar, the people who reside in the small town of Avryndale enjoy a fairly peaceful existence. Or at least they have for the past few years. Prior to their leader and king finding this protected oasis; they were hunted as prey until they finally banded together and fled for their lives. Before the founding of Avryndale, these people lived each day filled with fear and dread. How could they not? Who really wants to wind up as a midday snack for some hungry predator?

I know what you’re wondering. What kind of animal can hunt people so skillfully, and in great enough numbers, to cause this kind of panic and mass exodus? Well, here’s the kicker…in Animar each being has two forms: one human and one animal. Each person can morph into their animal at will and just like our own animal kingdom there are peaceful herbivores and hungry carnivores. I bet things are making more sense now?

Just as in any good fantasy tale there is always a battle for power; always some kind of good versus some kind of evil. Animar is no different. In this world, magic has not been seen in centuries, if ever, and while there are stories and legends no one really gives them credence except for a single person; the villain of this story: Fatalis. He has been told there is one among the people who will have the power to eradicate him, and he makes it his mission to find this boy and annihilate him and those who protect him.

I’m not going to provide any more of the plot; suffice it to say that “The Realms of Animar” was a fantastic read. Black has an amazing imagination; he writes with style and aplomb as he transitions seamlessly from character to character and scene to scene. Also, having read that the author has “two adventurous boys,” I daresay there is a little bit of them to be found in the main character known as Thane.

In summary, a great read that will keep you interested from start to finish. Five stars…

“The Further Adventures of Blackjack: The Champion Morgan Horse”

Author: Ellen Feld

I just finished reading “The Further Adventures of Blackjack: The Champion Morgan Horse” and I have to admit that the book was a fun read and a nice change of pace for me. Definitely a tale for the younger adult but regardless, it was well-written and it’s obvious that author Ellen Feld knows a thing or two about horses, horse races and horse shows.

“The Further Adventures of Blackjack: The Champion Morgan Horse” is the seventh book in the “Blackjack” series and I appreciated the author’s inclusion of book one (“Blackjack”) when she sent me her manuscript to me for review. “Blackjack” introduced me to the main characters, gave me some background and helped to set the stage for this particular title.

In this installment Heather and her horse Blackjack have participated, and placed, in all the New England Morgan shows and bottom-line, they have had a phenomenal season. Heather has grown more and evolved into a better rider and Blackjack has truly come into his own. He’s strong, he’s proud, he shows well and Heather knows he’s got what it takes to win in Oklahoma at that the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse show.

The real question is whether or not Heather can put together enough money to cover the costs of getting herself and Blackjack to the event in Oklahoma. You can’t just bubble-wrap; box up and priority mail a thousand pound horse… With a very serious choice before her is Heather’s belief in Blackjack strong enough to allow her to make the huge sacrifice needed? And if she does move forward with her decision will the cost be worth it in the end? I guess you’ll just have to read “The Further Adventures of Blackjack: The Champion Morgan Horse” to find those answers.

In summary I found “The Further Adventures of Blackjack: The Champion Morgan Horse” to be a fun read. I also learned a bit about the Morgan breed and horse shows in general. Geared toward the younger audience “The Further Adventures of Blackjack: The Champion Morgan Horse” will no doubt successfully entertain them with its knowledgeable and well-written style. A good read for all; a “must read” for horse lovers.

“Singing For My Supper, The Greatest Self Help Book Ever Written”

Author: Phillip E. Hardy

I’ve just finished reading “Singing For My Supper, The Greatest Self Help Book Ever Written” by new author Phillip E. Hardy and overall, I found it to be a very entertaining read.

“Singing For My Supper, The Greatest Self Help Book Ever Written” is a partial autobiography, part self-help book and part fictional novel based on the author’s life. As I read through my copy of this title, I kept hearing the infamous quote from the movie A Few Good Men: “you can’t handle the truth!” With that being said, those of you who are faint of heart should not attempt to read this title; neither should those of you who cannot handle truth and / or opinion being delivered with the same abruptness as a sledge hammer completely shattering a glass window because that’s the easiest way to describe Hardy’s writing style. It’s truthful. It’s abrupt. It’s real. And it’s right there in your face whether you want to agree with it or not. Should you, the reader, be one who prefers to sweep everything under the rug and / or “let sleeping dogs lie” this is a title you should definitely skip.

“Singing For My Supper, The Greatest Self Help Book Ever Written” is a funny and irreverent look at life through the eyes of Phillip Hardy. The author shares various stories and experiences from his life in a manner that is both humorous and educational. Because of this, “Singing For My Supper, The Greatest Self Help Book Ever Written” was a fun, quick and easy read. If only school teachers could provide this same kind of wit and sarcasm to complement each student’s required learning workload, I daresay the high school dropout numbers would plummet substantially if not disappear altogether.

In summary, “Singing For My Supper, The Greatest Self Help Book Ever Written” is a sarcastically funny book. One never knows where the author will wind up from one story to the next and honestly that’s part of the book’s appeal. I know I personally appreciated Hardy’s cynical comments and his straightforward approach to the conundrums of life. Four stars…

“Reel Life”

Author: Jackie Townsend

Having just finished reading “Reel Life” I can state that it was an interesting read. When I first started this title, I had a difficult time with it because the book’s style is not one that I typically enjoy. However, as I progressed further through “Reel Life,” I was able to get beyond the consistent past to present, past to present layout and successfully immerse myself in the story. There even came a point when I began to look forward to picking it up and reading more; this says a lot about the writing ability of author Jackie Townsend.

“Reel Life” is a fictional drama although, in today’s day and age, it could quite possibly be the detailed life of your next door neighbor and the relationship she has with her own sister / family. “Reel Life” focuses on two sisters, Betty and Jamie, and their dysfunctional life. Somehow, with neither of them being quite sure when, they grew apart and became total strangers. The ties that bind them together are, of course, their biological family and…their total and complete love of movies. Hence the title…

In “Reel Life” we, the reader, follow along as we are presented with an almost cinematic look into the lives of both sisters. We watch them grow as young children; we see them struggle through their teenage years; we marvel at how they sail through college, yet neither of them seems really or truly happy, especially when the other is present. Both of them love each other but neither is willing to let down their defenses in order to let the other one know how much they are needed. To partially quote Sir Walter Scott: “Oh! what a tangled web we weave…”

I don’t want to give any more of the story away but in summary, “Reel Life” was, for the most part, an entertaining book. Townsend is a very descriptive writer and she seems to write with the ease of someone who has actually experienced this tale first hand. The characters found within “Reel Life” are believable, as are the circumstances that they find themselves in. While not the type of story I generally pick up; I am, nonetheless, happy to have read it.

“Of Animals and Angels”

Author: Marguerite Antonio

What is there to say about the book “Of Animals and Angels?” Well, for starters, at only forty-five pages, forty-nine if you count the Appendix, it was a phenomenally fast read.

“Of Animals and Angels” is a compilation of very short stories designed to let the reader know that, even though we are generally unaware of it, there are angels looking out for / guarding us at all times. “Of Animals and Angels” also reminds us that angels do not always show up in the guise of humans with wings, halos and luminescent light as we so often tend to imagine them. Instead they seem to appear in simple, more easily understood and accepted forms like a grandfatherly / grandmotherly person, a fatherly / motherly figure or…the ever faithful and loveable animal.

Since the dawn of time, many civilizations have recorded history of unusual happenstance with a miraculous save by some unknown stranger who then disappears off the face of the earth; never to be seen or heard from again. Many religious texts also refer to angels so it is not too much of stretch to imagine that we are indeed “watched” and looked after… With that said, I guess it is up to the reader to sort out and decide whether or not this belief holds true in his / her own life.

While “Of Animals and Angels” is comprised of fictional stories, author Marguerite Antonio has used her own angelic encounters as well as the experiences of those who have shared their personal stories with her. Doing this certainly allowed Antonio to provide “Of Animals and Angels” with a more realistic feel.

In summary, “Of Animals and Angels” was an interesting / inspirational read with an easy to understand message. While I was not completely impressed with the writing style itself, it was too short / too clipped for my taste, it is however a book that I would give to anyone who has an interest in this type of spiritual genre. “Of Animals and Angels” is definitely a quick read and is also age appropriate reading material for the younger generation.

“Last Will”

Author: Liza Marklund

I’ve only just recently discovered the reading pleasure of Liza Marklund books. Marklund is a gifted writer who provides an interesting tale in a very well-written and intriguing manner. Marklund’s latest title “Last Will,” which is also my first experience with her, was a great read.

“Last Will” is set in Stockholm, Sweden. Annika Bengtzon, a reporter for the Evening Post, is attending a Nobel Prize Award Ceremony banquet in the hopes of finding a story worthy of a front page headline. She definitely winds up getting more than she bargained for because this night comes complete with a once in a lifetime story as well as a gag order that won’t allow Annika to share it.

A female assassin known only as “the Kitten” has been hired to kill Caroline von Behring, a member of the Nobel Prize committee at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony banquet. Moments before the Kitten ends her target’s life a clumsy dancer knocks the Kitten off balance and she comes face-to-face with Annika. Unable to stop it from happening, the Kitten and Annika make eye contact however, with nothing out of the ordinary, apart from yellow eyes and an injured foot, Annika resumes dancing with her own partner.

Moments later, hearing a muted pop; Annika looks up and sees the man currently dancing with Caroline fall to his knees. Annika hears another muffled pop and watches in stupefied silence as Caroline looks down at her fallen dance partner, then looks directly at Annika before looking down at her own chest. Annika follows Caroline’s gaze and is stunned and horrified when she realizes that Caroline is bleeding profusely. Caroline looks at Annika once more, almost as if trying to convey a message to her, before she too falls to the ground and dies seconds later.

I won’t give away any more of the story but from this point Marklund takes the reader on a winding road between Annika’s life and the Kitten’s. Marklund did a fantastic job with this tale and “Last Will” transitions seamlessly from scene to scene and country to country. An “edge of your seat” experience and a “must read” for anyone who enjoys fictional suspense / crime novels. Five stars…