Fiction Review

Goodbye Evilwood: The Murders in Tinseltown
by Vladimir Chernozemsky
ISBN-10: 1932656049

What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. And who is more deceptive than the actors of Hollywood? Aren't they in the business of deception, acting the parts of a lifetime? In Vladimir Chernozemsky's latest novel, "Goodbye Evilwood," the deception is murderous.

Peter Arvad is an instructor at an acting school in Hollywood. He frequently spends a good deal of time with his students, outside of the classroom. Some, more than others; sometimes, in not so respectable situations. When a young woman shows up dead in one of his student's apartments, the law is obviously interested in how he could be involved. When he lies about the identification of the young woman, suspicion rises even more. Likely this action could be part of a cover up, but why and to what end? Peter is involved all right, for he knows all of the key players in this mystery. Some, more than others.

Chernozemsky has done it again. His careful attention to detail and the intricacies of creating a twisted, intense plot pay off tremendously. While this particular book is based on real life events, Vladimir's own experiences, the tale could not be told without his storytelling prowess. The reader's attention is held captive right to the very end. Head hopping between the main characters gives one insight to not just the actions of the plot but also the reasoning behind those actions. This murder mystery is a psychological ride on the Tinseltown roller coaster of greed, envy and jealousy. Bravo! Encore!

Fiction Review

Phase One After Zero
by Vladimir Chernozemsky
ISBN-10: 1932656030
Review by Heather Froeschl

What if Timothy McVeigh was never captured but went on to affect the security of the world in other devious ways? What if this homegrown terrorist went on to consider further plots after his attack on Oklahoma City? What would the world be like if 9/11 never happened?

In an alternate take on history, author Vladimir Chernozemsky takes on Timothy McVeigh, Osama Bin Laden, terrorist training camps, and the CIA. Giving McVeigh the fictional name of Greg MacPherson is just the beginning. Greg escapes after the bombing and finds his way to Canada through an underground web of cells, finds himself outcast even from Communists, meets a mentally unstable girl whom he feels a connection to, and ends up on a slow boat to Beruit after the Mob, whom he'd been working for, discovers who he is, exactly. And this is only from the first chapter! In Beruit, Greg meets Abdoulah Atta who eventually leads him to Osama Bin Laden, training camps and ultimately, to his fate.

Through it all Greg is slightly mental, drug addicted and remains his own one-man army. He realizes what devastation he has caused, and after much inner struggle he contemplates putting a stop to the plans that are being made for an attack on America. But before that can happen there is much action and drama to be had.

"Phase One After Zero" is a gripping, interesting tale right from the start. It is fascinating to read an alternate history that involves many of the characters, places and events that we all wish we'd never heard of. This is a masterful work of fiction that will leave readers thinking of how each moment in history affects the next. This is an exciting read; a well-written book.

Fiction Review

Lion of the Balkans
by Vladimir Chernozemsky
ISBN-10: 1932656014
Review by Heather Froeschl

How does a war begin? Is it possible to really get down to the very beginning of World War I? How does such conflict come to be? Vladimir Chernozemsky shows us in his Historical Fiction, "Lion of the Balkans."

The Ottoman Turks had occupied the Balkans for five hundred years, until finally, Bulgaria - the lion of the Balkans, and its neighbors pulled together and drove the Turks out. Triumph and peace at last...that did not last. Trouble broke out again when it came to deciding who got what of the territories they'd defended. Hence, the end of the Balkan War became the very beginning of WWI. Through it all though, people lived their lives. People overcame differences and developed friendships. People fell in love.

This epic novel tells of the lives behind the war...from the highest Bulgarian royalty to the simple houseboy. Chernozemsky is the real life grandson of the novel's hero. He has taken from family letters and diaries and the tales that his grandmother told him of the story, and created a fictionalized accounting that you will not soon forget.

Included in the book are several maps and a long list of characters and how they relate to one another. This is necessary as the book is quite involved. The beginning of the book may prove a struggle to some as there are so many people to get to know and numerous plots to follow, however, it is all worth it in the end. The dialogues flow naturally and the author's descriptiveness enchants the tale to life.

For a bit of understanding of our world's war history and perhaps some insight into today's conflicts as well, and a story that exudes the realities of living, "Lion of the Balkans" should be on your "to-read" list.