Badger's Waddle ~ Nigel Edwards

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers programme.

Badger's Waddle is one of those books that just cannot be classified. A small village unaffected by the rest of the world but thanklessly protects Earth from whatever might come through an otherworldly portal at the end of the garden. However, it's not just about this, in fact, that is but a morsel of what Edwards offers.

This book is replete with quirky characters who go about their day as if there is nothing unusual. To them, this is probably true; but to us, it is a bizarre way of life. Procreation is not dependent on love, emotion, choice of genetic preferences or even a normal gestation period. Heavy artillery is accepted as a necessity for defence of small cottages where the locals visit for tea.

Yet despite its peculiarities, Badger's Waddle is a quintessentially British village, with a bit of Torchwood added to the mix. It's a place where waste management is the purview of one individual and apathy can be used to empower.

While I enjoyed this bit of curiosity, it is not for everyone. Some of the notions of progress might be a bit much for some readers to accept, and the first few chapters seem disconnected but all make sense by the end. Therefore the slow burn effect might not wet everyone's appetite.


Publisher: Greyhart Press
Publication Date: 2012
Format: ebook

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Rising Shadows ~ Ashley Townsend

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers programme.

This book attempts to hit several genres in what I believe is to lure readers of the following genres: time travel, Christian theme, historical fiction, young adult, fantasy and paranormal.

Unfortunately, by setting the story in an England that was both violent and led by a King deeply suspicious of foreigners, and by using modern tropes such as female independence, leaves the reader without a foundation.

The premise is good and had it been more widely developed - meaning had it the story been set over a longer period of time, I think the author might have been more successful.

It is a quaint story, if one is not bothered by all the inconsistencies and the ease with which the characters can interact, but I would hesitate to suggest that anyone with knowledge of history be offered this title.

A note on the Christian theme of the book. I do not typically discuss this sort of thing as my beliefs are my own. However, I got the sense that the author was attempting to link modern Christian approaches with the strong religious themes in history. Unfortunately, the motives for Medieval "devout" religious beliefs and those of the modern Christians are decidedly different both in context and practice. Thus, the unified understanding of prayer in the novel seems quite strange and out of place. For me, the Christian themes were overbearing and stilted the narrative.


Publisher: Kirkdale Press
Publication Date: 16 June 2012
Format: ebook

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

The Man With The Green Suitcase ~ Dee Doanes

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

From the book's description: This story is magical realism, realistic with paranormal elements, a mystery that needs to be solved, and a man and woman who will finally realize that they were meant to come into each other’s lives and remain forever.

This is a difficult book to categorise. There are elements of all manner of genres, but really it stands well on its own.

Though there is a small element of the supernatural, I find this little curiosity a wonderful expression of today's world. With a strong spiritual nod, the book lies just short of being considered Christian. As a non-Christian I had to read past this a bit. However, regardless of one's affiliation (or lack thereof), the messages of this book are relevant to achieve a calmness within oneself.

This is truly a lovely story about how interconnected we all are no matter where or how we are positioned and has a strong emphasis on the concept of paying it forward.

While it's is doubtful that I would have ever selected this from a bookshoppe shelf, I am pleased to have been exposed to this beautiful tale and look forward to future offerings by Ms. Doanes.


Publisher: WLD Enterprises
Publication Date: 30 July 2012
Format: e-book

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Doing Italians...(oops)...Italy ~ The Delusional Divas

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads programme.

Excerpt from back cover: Explore Italy with the Delusional Divas on their humorous yet bittersweet journey. Become privy to their deliciously naughty Traveling Tidbits. Learn the essential Dos and Don'ts of a Diva and the real meaning of Diva. And see how the true story of two ordinary women's travels becomes a voyage of self-discovery, changing their lives forever, and how you can change yours too.

Although, I had won a copy of the book and intended to eventually review it, I was contacted by one of the authors who asked if I had read it and if I would be willing to provide a review. Having now read the work, I might be able to provide some insight as to why. I agnonised a long time on my approach to this review and even considered not writing one at all, but felt that to be unfair.

I think the reason there are so few reviews is that the book suffers from several identity crisis events.

The authors have chosen to define their project as a travel memoir. While I have no issue with calling it a memoir (though I suspect one element of fiction - I will address this later), it has little to do with travelling. Adding 'travel' on the cover is a complete misnomer. No one would suggest this book as an informed guide to Florence or anywhere else in Italy. Yes, the ladies recount their adventures regarding two trips to Italy, primarily in Florence; however, there is little detail about the city, the attractions, accommodations or food. Of the few travel "tips" that are provided, some challenge general travel etiquette and might even be considered appalling, such as stealing away breakfast foods from the hotel restaurant to ensure a free lunch. The few translations, while humorous are not what I'd define as all that helpful. There are definitely more tips on how to become a Diva than there are about travelling. The tests (which have one obvious answer and are accompanied by derisive explanations I suspect are meant to be funny, but are quite insulting) do nothing to help the undecided traveller.

If one views this a solely a memoir then I think it can be described more positively. Divesting the book of it's job as having anything to do with travel allows for a more enjoyable read. In this way, the delusions are funny rather than frustrating. It would also prevent the reader from throwing the book across the room for the umpteenth time when another missed opportunity to provide 'travel' information presents itself.

I give the authors a lot of credit for having shared such a calamitous tale. I found the notion of viewing their vulnerabilities as moments to build up their Diva-ness informative as well as entertaining. The book is well written and quite nicely paced with one exception. I still question whether India is a fictional addition or whether the scenes at the aeroport where added to assist in elucidating a particular point. I will admit though, that as someone who shared many of India's reservations, I was put out by the authors' attitude toward her.

My opinion is that if the authors had chosen to just write a story about their trip without attempting to incorporate the (delusional) idea of the travel memoir, it would be considerably more well received. The Italian adventures, and their preparations could have stood quite well on their own. The Diva Dos and Don'ts I understood to be added humour and found they worked well with the narrative; considerably better than the Tests and Travel Tidbits, which I found did nothing but slow the story.

I would certainly read about these two women's adventures again, provided they drop the pretence that they write about travels.

Publisher: Delusional Divas Inc.
Publication Date: April 2012
Format: Paperback

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Color Of Greed ~ Jack Thompson

Disclosure: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Raja Williams is a private investigator hired by woman convinced that her husband's death was in actuality a murder flies to California to recce the claim amongst the élite some of whom are powerful enough to end the investigation, no matter the cost.

While I enjoyed this detective story, I did find that it included more than its share of clichés. The protagonist, Raja Williams is an highly-educated, independently wealthy loaner who appreciates the feminine form, fast cars and is apparently impervious to all harm. His side-kick is a gorgeous woman who accepts all his faults without question, is über;-tech-savvy, and despite her boss' admiration of breasts, booty and gams, is in a completely plutonic relationship with her boss. I would like to be clear that while it something that annoys me at a personal level, it doesn't detract from the story generally.

The story does offer some intelligent twists. I am rarely in doubt about 'whodunit' midway through a mystery. However, in this case I vacillated between a couple of characters until about three quarters of the way through and for that alone I give Mr. Thompson a great deal of credit.

The one suggestion that I would offer the author is his main character's language. For the first half of the novel, the language is sophisticated, eloquent and a bit high-brow, but I found that this lapsed a bit when the action got a bit excited. I wasn't sure if this should be interpreted as part of the character's make-up or if this was a slip by the author while typing these scenes and missed by the editor.

I would certainly read future instalments as I was drawn to Raja and am interested in learning more about his past and why he does what he does

Publisher: Crackerjack Publishing
Publication Date: 24 July 2012
Format: e-book

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

The Slender Reed ~ John W. Cassell

Disclosure: I received a copy through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway programme.

While this tale of one man fighting political and judicial corruption within his own purview is set in the ‘80s it is easy to see how by simply changing a few names it could be the lead story from any media outlet thirty years later. Le plus ça change le plus ça reste le même.

Initially, I thought the setting of this novel to be Small Town U.S.A., but the more I read, the more I felt that perhaps it was more of a rural subdivision or borough of some larger city. There were other perplexing moments in this novel, which I ultimately chalked up to a lack of knowledge of the American political and judicial system. There were such a mix of levels of political offices and varying departments with their hands in the pot that it was a bit difficult keeping them sorted. Eventually I concluded that this was a deliberate way for the author John W. Cassell to give the non-official a sense of just how convoluted politics and the law can get. While we assume they are supposed to be making decisions to keep us functioning and adapting laws to ensure order, they are often at loggerheads when the ultimate goal is the economy. This is where we realise that economy and individuals are not viewed as compatible and one must decide with which they will side.

Cassell’s protagonist Cranford has all of this to deal with as the man with the dubious role of State’s Attorney, a role I determined sits at the apex of both points of view. As the fulcrum between money and humanity, it is a place where sometimes one must skirt the lines to take back control of what is right, by not allowing cynicism and complacency to run roughshod.

I appreciated the appendices explaining radio codes and ‘insider terms’, but felt that an brief explanation or chart explaining the different political positions and what level of government they are meant to serve would be quite useful for a non-American market. I searched the internet for information and found that it impeded the story’s flow. Otherwise, I quite liked the message and the spark of hope that perhaps in time, with the right people, that politics and the law can share a stage.

Publisher: Inkwater Press
Publication Date: 2 February 2012
Format: Paperback

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Fire & Ice ~ Patty Jansen

Disclosure: I won a copy from LibraryThing's author giveaway programme.

I do not read many fantasy novels, but I have been extremely fortunate over the years that friends have recommended some brilliant ones.. This time I stepped out on a limb without ‘professional’ guidance and put my name for an author’s copy of Fire & Ice from LibraryThing and was honoured to win a copy. As in my few other fantasy novel experiences, I was not disappointed. In fact, I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.

The concept of this series, whether intended, is an allegorical tale of our times - discrimination, segregation, moral superiority and polar bears. Well, yes, polar bears are not precisely an everyday sight for most of us, however, their use in this novel tells of our own uses of animal for sport and the repercussions of attempting to tame the wild.

The centre of power is the City of Glass, the population ruled by a Regent intent on claiming the crown with help from his Eagle Knights, while the son of the former King, living outwith the city’s borders amasses a force of ‘deformed’ individuals who are able to tap into the world’s largest power source. While these two fight for control, the inhabitants are stuck in the middle, unsure, confused and understandably afraid. Patty Jensen wonderfully crafts this tale adding unpredictable scenarios and expertly paces the tension. Moments of the everyday are fused between chess-like moves by the elite, such as a difficult child delivery and light-hearted moments between young soldiers. The main characters are all connected through complicated webs of blood and association, which also serves as a means to add moral dilemma to the mix - all the things we expect in a world where greed and survival meet in the battlefield.

I have yet to read the other two books of the trilogy, but intend to as this first instalment has gripped me and I am invested in the characters and have made my own predictions, which I expect will be wildly off the mark due to Jansen’s ability to throw curves on the straightest of all roads.

Publisher: Capricornica Publications
Publication Date: 6 October 2011
Format: e-book

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog