Saturday, April 30, 2011

Guest Post: Sven Michael Davison, author of State of Mind!

I'd like to welcome Sven Michael Davison, author of State of Mind.

For Sven's guest post, he has chosen to share some interesting facts about odd jobs he's done.


I was Barney. What odd job did you take to support your dream?

When I arrived in LA after college I was focused on becoming a screenwriter. However, I worked various freelance production jobs to help pay the bills. Sometimes there was a lull between gigs, and I needed cash.  I recall complaining to a friend of mine about work one day and she said, “I’ve got a friend who started a party clown company. You dress up as a Disney or nursery rhyme character and entertain little kids for an hour or so. He usually hires actors, but you’re goofy enough, I think you could do it.”

Science Fiction/ Suspense: State of Mind, by Sven Michael Davison

If you could look and feel the way you wanted, be able to eat and do what you wanted, all by implanting a small micro-chip into the base of your head, would you? Smoke all you want, eat all you want, and be able to control how your body responds, would you?

State of Mind by Sven Michael Davison takes place in the near future, 2030. At this time, so much of our world is run by computers, including people. Jake Travissi is an LA police officer who has been implanted with the revolutionary new P-Chip as part of an elite unit of Homeland Security. With his new chip and newly enhanced partners, Jake takes on the scum of the Jihad Brotherhood... or does he?

This book is, to me, a combination of the futuristic technology of J.D. Robb and the governmental scariness of George Orwell. Remember how closely the government of 1984 watched you? At least during that time your private thoughts were your own. Now think of 1984 hopped up on technology, only this time your thoughts, and sometimes your actions, are not even your own.

I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and interesting, and well written. The plot was well thought out and the technology was shown in a plausible way.

There were some minor technical issues, but this was an uncorrected proof, so they were expected. In addition, there was a relationship between Marta (an HLS agent) and Jake that I do not feel was fully explained. Overall, though, a good read.

On a scale of 1-4, I give this book a 3.5. Good, scary plot, but a small lack of connection with regards to Marta and Jake.

This book was published by Bedouin Press.
ISBN: 978-0-9666149-2-3

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Crime Thriller/Mystery: Christmas Eve Can Kill You, by William Marantz

Christmas Eve Can Kill You, by William Marantz is a good paced story about Val Virgo, a mouth jockey at a radio station in Manitoba, and a series of attempts on his life. In a twisting plot, Val tries to figure out what he has in common with 3 other murder victims and who is trying to off him.; is it NAAPALM, an Indian activist group, or someone else? And just where has he seen these people before?

I enjoyed the pacing and storyline of this book. The main character is a bit of a smart ass, which keeps the story fun to read, and makes him a likable guy. There is some good detail and character development, though one or two of the characters would have benefited from some extra back story. The plot twists are not obvious, and the variety of different possibilities is well thought out.


There were some technical issues that were distracting, but can be easily fixed, which would make the story all the better. Overall, it was well written, and will keep you guessing as to "who dunnit."

On a scale of 1-4, I give this book a 3.

This book was published by Outskirts Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-4327-6502-6

Thank you to William Marantz for the gift of this book.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Crime Thriller: Legacy of the Assassin, by Tony Bertot

The Legacy of the Assassin, by Tony Bertot is the third and final book in the Assassin Series. I was honored to have worked on this manuscript with Mr. Bertot and can assure you that this series is a good read.

Book one in the series is The Birth of an Assassin, which introduces the reader to Theo Gresco; a kid growing up in Little Italy, Chicago. This books takes the reader through the twists and turns of the life of young Theo, and shows how he becomes "The Assassin". Book two, The Heart of an Assassin, continues Theo's journey and introduces his son Tyler. Book three, The Legacy of the Assassin, guides us through the struggles of Tyler as he tries to learn more about his father, Theo. This is the last book in the series, thus drawing an emotional conclusion to the tale of "The Assassin".

If you like mafia stories, drama, and suspense, then this is the series for you.

For a copy of The Legacy of the Assassin, or Tony's other books, please visit http://www.thestorytellertonybertot.com/order-books.html

Disclosure: I was paid to edit the manuscript of The Legacy of the Assassin, and will be paid $1 per book sold through me. However, my opinion of the series stands the same. You can read my review of The Birth of the Assassin here: http://soapboxinmymind.blogspot.com/2010/10/suspense-birth-of-assassin-by-tony.html

Historical Fiction: My Enemy, My Beloved, by Karl Vanghen

My Enemy, My Beloved, by Karl Vanghen, is the poignant love story of two teenage children growing up during WWII. Henrik is a German boy who was forced into serving the German army, then was captured and became a POW of the United States. He was brought to a POW camp in Minnesota, where he met and fell in love with Elsa, a local farm girl. This book shows their trials and struggles to be together, as well as demonstrates the times of a post war Germany.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Fiction: Dan Knight's Journey, by Edward F. Smith

Dan Knight's Journey, by Edward F. Smith takes place in Manhattan and is the tale of an adolescent boy who finds himself hanging around some less than desirable elements. He grows into a teenager who continues his shady activities and begins having romances with multiple females, when all of a sudden he has a fall out with a guy named Robert. In his adult life he lands a steady job, but continues to juggle women right up to the surprise ending.