Places I Never Planned by Aimee Bontreger | Book Review

 "We each have our own unique set of circumstances, but I think we can all relate to life gone awry, being shipwrecked on an island of forgotten dreams, or feeling downright detoured off the road of expectations."


Indie author Aimee Bontreger knows what it's like to face the unexpected and how painful a journey that can be. In this debut book of short stories, she pours out unexpected circumstances on a deeper level than mere words.

From love to loss, amnesia to betrayal, from a life consumed by disappointments and back again, the individuals in Places I Never Planned must deal with the everyday trials that cause so many to give up. But these are only circumstances that don't have to define life. Will Brooke, Martin, Jefferson, and Annie rise above their circumstances or will they be consumed by them?

It's been some time since a book shook my emotions but Places I Never Planned changed all that. It captured my imagination, filled my heart, and awakened those deep places of pain in my own life in an oddly soothing way. Though I've known Aimee for years, this is the first time her writing has laid my heart bare. When I first bought my copy of this book, I intended to read one story at a time; instead, I read it all in one sitting. I just couldn't stop. After I turned the last page, I remained deep in thought for some time after, my heart aching but with hope glimmering on the surface. Only an author who wrote her own heart into these stories could have such an impact on readers. Aimee's witty observations and dry sense of humor combines with a well-paced, easy-to-read writing style that is sure to bring laughter as well as tears for anyone who knows what it is to experience pain and hope and joy in this life. This is an author to read again and again.

Available on the Kindle for $2.99,  these stories left me wanting more...and I hope there will be.

Aimee Bontreger can be contacted at her website, her Facebook page, or on her Twitter feed @onlyaimee. If you enjoyed Places I Never Planned, please take a moment to write a short review on Amazon and be sure to share this brilliant debut collection with your friends.

What are your thoughts on Places I Never Planned?

Review: Rogue Powers by Phil Stern

"Speculative fiction is so different today than it was back then. I wanted to write stuff a bit more recognizable to fans of my generation."

The author of four speculative fiction novels and one contemporary foray, Phil Stern strives to bring that older, classic style into books for the modern age. He has said that he wants his characters to be relateable to a wide number and variety of people. In that, I think he's hit the mark very well in his latest speculative novel, Rogue Powers.

In a world where supernatural powers are the plaything of royalty, commoners like Anson must hide their abilities for fear of torture and even death. When Anson forms an illegal bond with a powerful princess, he is whisked into a world of politics and intrigue where the wrong step could mean not only the end of his own life but of his loved ones, as well.

Rogue Powers was an interesting read, combining the powers of the X-Men with the world of high fantasy in a blend I didn't quite expect. The history and background of the world were well thought-out and the characters were easy to grow attached to. However, I did find myself jolted more than once by chapters that felt more like summaries, convenient scenarios that stopped just short of becoming cliche, and an overall writing style that needed more "show" and far less "tell."

Available on the Kindle for $2.99, this story definitely has some interesting concepts but the execution leaves a little something to be desired.

If you read Rogue Powers and would like to know more about the author, Phil Stern can be contacted at his website, his Facebook page, or on his Twitter feed @philstern100.


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Review: Force of Habit by James Scott Bell

"It's being said all over the place the the new 'gatekeepers' in publishing are the readers...So I have decided to put it to the test by letting readers decide if a new idea of mine will become a series."

And what a series it will be. A month ago in I Am Going to Let the Readers Decide, author James Scott Bell solicited assistance from his own group of “gatekeepers” to find out if they would like his new eBook, Force of Habit, to become one of many.

This reader votes a hearty “yes!”

After a series of vicious nun attacks, Sister Justicia Marie takes action to find the culprit. Her methods are unconventional. The cops and the Mother Superior disapprove. But Sister J is cleaning up the streets of L.A. the only way she knows how: by kicking some serious sinner butt.

From a writer that I consider an invaluable mentor comes the story of a rogue nun who just won't tolerate wrongdoing in her town...and I like it. Force of Habit is one of the funniest, most engaging stories I've read in a long time. Bell's quick, snappy dialogue and wry sense of humor combines with a fast-paced, easy-to-read writing style that will gleefully drag you along whether you wanted to go or not.

Available on both the Kindle and Nook for $1.49, this story will leave you wanting more...and I hope there is.

If you read Force of Habit and want to be a gatekeeper voice, as well, let the author know at The Kill Zone or on his Twitter feed @jamesscottbell.

Review: In Her Name: Empire by Michael R. Hicks

Reza Gard is just one more orphan who has lost his parents to the Human Confederation's century-long war with the all-female race of the Kreelan Empire. Unlike other human boys, however, he has come face to face with humanity's enemy. When the nightmarish, blue-skinned warriors invade his new home years later, Reza is captured and enslaved. Forced to learn to embrace the Kreelan culture, any misstep could mean his death. This proud, alien race wants to know if humanity has a soul. Reza holds a promise that may give them far more than that...but only if he survives.

Empire is the first book in Michael R. Hicks' science fiction series, In Her Name. Another writer recommended it to me as the beginning of a "large-scale, epic series."

Now, I read a lot of books with that label. They promise sweeping space sagas of epic proportions but fail to deliver even halfway into the first book. Most of the time, I can't force myself past the second chapter in these stories.

I am pleased to say that Empire was not one of these. Michael R. Hicks actually gave me the adventure I was looking for. More than that, he held my attention. A pleasant and timely surprise after my recent run of bad science fiction books.

That's not to say it doesn't have a "but." It does, in my opinion, have downsides.

The book starts out slow. There's plenty of action first thing but none of it fits together in a way that pulls the reader into a greater story. Combined with unnerving switchbacks in point of view and no real sense of a main character, it's no surprise that I almost stopped reading without finishing the first chapter.

Fortunately, the appearance of Reza caught me. I was curious enough to continue reading. I'm glad I did. Even then, however, the pull of his character doesn't really set in until about the third chapter - a long time to hold on if you're an impatient reader.

The entire book is filled with jarring POV changes, unnecessary info dumps, and long scenes of narration instead of the action the reader so desperately wants. (I was also disappointed by the ending but that may be more a matter of taste than anything else.)

These are pet peeves of mine, enough to sink other books. But here, the author surprised me. The story itself is gripping. It makes you want to find out more.

I would like to read more in the series when I get the chance but I will say that the quality of the writing gives me pause in doing so. If you plan to check it out yourself, I have two cautions: anyone with a strong inner editor may not be able to enjoy themselves and there are explicit, mature themes about halfway through the book that some readers may not feel are appropriate.

In Her Name: Empire is available in both paperback and eBook from Amazon and in eBook format from Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Sony. You can visit Michael R. Hicks' site here. And be sure to give me your own thoughts in the comments!

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Review: Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress by Shelly Mazzanoble

Ladies: think you know all there is to know (or that you'd ever want to know) about Dungeons and Dragons? Think again.

Shelly Mazzanoble is a girl's girl all the way through, so when a coworker suggests that she play D&D, she accepts out of politeness, secretly wondering what kind of nerdy torture she's in for. In spite of all her preconceived stereotypes - or maybe it's because of them - she finds herself not only enjoying her first night of adventuring but actually looking forward to more.

Written for women whose only experience with D&D was to use it to hurl insults at the nerds at school, this book gleefully tramples the old stereotypes of acne-riddled, dark-cloaked teenage boys huddled in Mom's basement saying weird, voodoo things like, "I'll cast magic missile."

Equal parts how-to guide and tongue-in-cheek (and out of cheek) confessional, this book goes where only a few women have gone before in the world of the most popular roleplaying game.

From creating a character to the rules and proper etiquette of playtime all the way to themed snacks (Magic Missile Meatballs!), Shelly tackles magic, adventure, and, yes, dungeons, for the benefit of girlfriends and wives everywhere. And she does it all in heels and a fresh layer of lip gloss.

While I don't quite fit her girly, fashionista-in-training mold (being a rather proud geek myself), Shelly's humor is impossible to resist. I first found Confessions wedged between two game rulebooks at the bookstore. After reading the first page, I was laughing to tears while the other customers stared.

Already an avid D&D player before I bought the book, I have read it again and again just to enjoy the roleplaying fun Shelly experienced. I have to say that it is one of those must-have (or at least must-read) guides for any gal who has ever felt even a flicker of interest in getting her game on.

I highly recommend that you read Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress. No, I insist you read it. You will not be disappointed and you may even find yourself hankering for a dungeon to cast your own magic missiles in.

Sound off on your own thoughts on the book in the comments below. You can visit Shelly's author site here. And announce your geekdom by liking or tweeting this post!

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Review: Wind and Shadow by Kathy Tyers

Bestselling author of the Star Wars books, The Truce at Bakura and Balance Point, Kathy Tyers rewrote Firebird, her first and favorite science fiction novel, to deal more fully with questions of salvation and a search for faith. She has a gripping writing style and a mind for melding science and politics with a faith-based plot to make an intellectual, romantic, entertaining story that you can’t put down.

The first time I read it, I was awake long into the night as I attempted to finish it in one read. It remains my favorite of all her books (and in the top ten of my all-time favorite novels). The story is continued in its sequels: Fusion Fire and Crown of Fire. I highly recommend all three and would give the trilogy five stars.

I wrote the above review about three years ago, when I had once again re-read my favorite of Kathy's books. Now, after many years of torturous silence for her fans, she has returned with the fourth book in this series in Wind and Shadow, published in 2011 by Marcher Lord Press.
Wind and Shadow picks up Brennan and Firebird's story by following the lives of the three Caldwell children, now all grown up. While their younger sister Tiala has devoted her life to spiritual intercession on behalf of her people, twins Kiel and Kinnor have allowed their own opposite interests and beliefs to take them in very different directions from one another. But when the Sentinels' ancient enemy rises again on a familiar world, events bring the brothers together in ways they could not have foreseen as both of their lives are put at risk. Enter Wind Haworth, a Mikuhran diplomat whose desire to see peace between her people and the Sentinels is thwarted by both sides' mistrust of her. With no place to call her own, Wind finds a chance to belong when she and Kinnor Caldwell are thrown together. But will he trust her? The decisions Kinnor and Kiel make on one shattered planet will determine more than just their own fate – they will affect the outcome of entire worlds.

I was anxiously excited to read Wind and Shadow. It did not disappoint. As usual, Kathy's expert ability to tell a thrilling story while weaving the plot in and out of her characters' decisions and weaknesses shines in every part of this book. Familiar faces made me feel at home while the new characters led me into yet another rich layer of the Whorl that I thought I knew. The plot is fast-paced and so full of stunning descriptions that I felt the need to start it over again the moment I had read the last page, just to try and catch it all.

I particularly enjoyed the difficulties between the Caldwell brothers. Everything I had imagined they would be when reading about them as babies in the second and third books was wiped away in their actuality. For the better, in my opinion. Real struggles and sometimes difficult familial interactions made them lunge off the page.

In short, they captured my imagination.

Once more, Kathy has created a rip-roarin' good time and a gripping adventure as she leads readers in the exploration of tough theological questions. I loved this addition to the Firebird universe and cannot wait for the conclusion to this amazing series in the soon-to-be-published Daystar in April 2012.
My recommendation? Read it. Science fiction fans – and even those who aren't – will not be disappointed by this master storyteller.

Wind and Shadow and the newly released Annotated Firebird are available in both eBook and paperback formats from Marcher Lord Press, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Sound off on your own thoughts on the novel - or any of Kathy's work - in the comments below. You can visit her author site here. And, please, spread the word on this amazing author by liking or tweeting this post.

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No Reviews Today

Sorry, folks. The weekend got away from me and I'm working on the tail end of a big freelancing project that's due tomorrow.

If you're looking for a good read this week, hop on over to my friend Sarah's blog, Thoroughly Alive, where she reviews a very interesting theory about C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia."

On the schedule for this Wednesday's post: tips on writing better dialogue. If you'd like some advice and how-to's in the meantime, look me up on Twitter. I love new chatterers.

Until Wednesday, my dear readers. Keep writing!

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"Prolonged, indiscriminate reviewing of books is a quote thankless, irritating, and exhausting job. It not only involves praising trash but constantly inventing reactions towards books about which one has no spontaneous feeling whatever." ~ George Orwell