Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Friday, December 31, 2004

Short Story Collection Review

Dreamtime: A Collection of Short Stories
by Robert F. Steiner
ISBN-10: 0595318673
Review by Heather Froeschl

Dreamtime is a term for the magical period of the creation of the world...it grasps the meaning of mystery and mystical wonder. The title "Dreamtime" captures the essence of Robert Steiner's short story collection and gives the correct suggestion that this too is a thing of mystery and mystical wonder.

This collection offers stories of great variety, from an odd summer job of being a decoy for muggings to the consequences of space travel. All of the stories contain some sort of oddity, lending them all an air of the "Twilight Zone." Each is a short, satisfying episode of fiction that will be sure to please its readers.

Robert Steiner is a storyteller with a gift for description. He grabs the reader's attention from the first word and offers tidbits of uniqueness to carry you through to the end of each tale. "Dreamtime" is an interesting and enjoyable read that touches on the paranormal but also demonstrates the very human qualities of its characters.

Monday, December 27, 2004

Poetry Review

Picture Poetry On Parade!
by Joseph Sottile
ISBN-10: 1591134951
Review by Heather Froeschl

Picture Poetry on Parade is a humorous collection of poems that every school aged kid can relate to. Covering topics such as how to not make friends, brothers, sisters, teachers, dads, having to go to school and so much more.

Along the lines of Shel Silverstein, Joe Sottile has a good grasp on the viewpoint of kids and he's not afraid to show it. There are also poems where he offers the same subject from the view point of adults and kids and these make for funny comparisons if not friendly reminders to parents that we sometimes need to chill out.

The artwork is simplistic and kid friendly, just right for the accompanying text. The collection is a cute addition to a child's library and will be a well-checked book at school libraries, everywhere.

Fiction Review

Eenok and the Womb of Gods
by Andrew SkoroBogaty
Review by Heather Froeschl

An epic adventure awaits in the pages of "Eenok and The Womb of Gods." Open the book and open your mind to a vast world of guardians, giants, storytellers, servants and dragons. This is no light fantasy though. The deep, thought provoking side of the book touches on high intelligence, spirituality, and prejudices. "Eenok" is a book that will envelop you, if you allow it, and will leave you deeply touched.

The main character, Eenok, must overcome the prejudices against him, endure being a servant to the dragons where he is trapped among them and basically overcome great evils. He is guided by El (God, in this world) and the goodness of love and light. The plot is so much more involved than that, as the author has created an intensely multi-dimensional universe that nearly boggles the mind.

SkoroBogaty suggests that readers skip the first three chapters if they wish to simply dive into Eenok's adventures, though I hesitated to do so since I needed to review the whole book. It was difficult to get through the beginning and I found it hard to let go of reality and immerse myself in his world. Once I did, it all became a little clearer.

This book is deeply spiritual, yet full of sci. fi. appeal. Head hopping gets a bit tedious but the scenic descriptions more than make up for that distraction. The writing is well executed and obviously well planned. Christian Fiction readers, put Eenok on your Must Read list.

Monday, December 13, 2004

Mystery Review

Six to Five Against
by Jeff Sherratt
ISBN-10: 0975272101
Review by Heather Froeschl

Jimmie O'Brien, an ex-cop and a floundering new lawyer with a just-hung shingle, is about broke. He calls in the favor of an ex-cop buddy, a judge who has a few favors of his own he needs attended to. In fact, the judge has a big "favor" that is just right for Jimmie. The new lawyer becomes the appointed defense attorney for a murder suspect. It just so happens that the murder victim was the assistant to the state's Senator. Something smells fishy, and Jimmie jumps right into the ride of his life.

Hiring an Investigator friend for a buck, who eventually calls in a favor or two with the local Mafia, Jimmie is getting involved in his community in a big way. He's being followed, his office gets ransacked and he gets set up as a crooked, evidence-fabricating lawyer. However, Jimmie believes his client is innocent and he will do whatever it takes to prove it, thus saving an innocent man's life. On the side, he attends to fantasies he has in regards to the Assistant DA, encourages his dedicated secretary, and drinks a lot of coffee.

"Six to Five...Against" is a classic styled murder, scandal, investigative mystery suspense story. The plot is exquisitely cooked up and fed to the reader on a diner spoon. Jimmie is a down to earth hero who will keep your attention and make you feel good about reading his story. The dialogue is natural and flawless, and the settings are easily envisioned. Setting the story in the seventies is a nice addition, lending a basic police work feel to the book, leaving out the modern CSI-like forensics garble. Besides, I like living in the past a bit and the author gives authenticity to the decade portrayed with various mentions of then current affairs. My only minor problem was that there was a little too much atmospheric detail at the beginning of new locals, and I wanted to get to the nitty gritty faster. But that is just my reviewer need for speed, and I trust the average reader will enjoy the details.

I highly recommend Jeff Sherratt's work, and look forward to his next book.

Thursday, December 9, 2004

Poetry Review

Emotions: Love Made Courageous
by Milena Gomez
ISBN-10: 074141404X
Review by Heather Froeschl

"Emotions: Love Made Courageous," is a poetry book that touches deep the heart of the reader. It is our emotions that make us human, give our souls the lessons we need in life. Milena Gomez Alvarez has taken raw emotion and woven it into words of understanding.

Poetry is a language that speaks to everyone, if only they give it a chance. And what better topic to offer than that of emotion? Alvarez explores what love, the greatest human emotion, does to the heart and soul and shares her thoughts with the reader.

Her style is freeing and her grasp on rhythm and rhyme is well demonstrated. That she puts her own emotions into her writing is obvious and endearing. Here, an author offers up her self through her words and one cannot help but be moved. Expression of feelings is what this book is all about and, clearly, Alvarez has accomplished this. Life is, indeed, expressed in her prose.

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Poetry Review

Emotions: Love Made Courageous
by Milena Gomez
ISBN-10: 074141404X
Review by Heather Froeschl

"Emotions: Love Made Courageous," is a poetry book that touches deep the heart of the reader. It is our emotions that make us human, give our souls the lessons we need in life. Milena Gomez Alvarez has taken raw emotion and woven it into words of understanding.

Poetry is a language that speaks to everyone, if only they give it a chance. And what better topic to offer than that of emotion? Alvarez explores what love, the greatest human emotion, does to the heart and soul and shares her thoughts with the reader.

Her style is freeing and her grasp on rhythm and rhyme is well demonstrated. That she puts her own emotions into her writing is obvious and endearing. Here, an author offers up her self through her words and one cannot help but be moved. Expression of feelings is what this book is all about and, clearly, Alvarez has accomplished this. Life is, indeed, expressed in her prose.