Jeff Bailey Reviews What Leora Never Knew by Joy Neal Kidney

 

I can’t think of a way to summarize all the great aspects of What Leora Never Knew. This story is a sweeping family quest. Joy Neal Kidney did an extensive family search for the real story behind the death of three of her uncles in World War Two. Five served. Only two made it home. What Leora Never Knew depicts the incomprehensible impact such a loss had on her family and the great resolve it gave author the author to bring the story into the light. She did an exemplary job using actual letters as exhibits in the story. She has honored both those who were lost and those forced to endure such a loss. I am glad I read this account. It had to be told and the family legacy it spawned had to be honored. Joy is such a gifted storyteller. Every bit as good as the other books in the series.

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Jeff Bailey Reviews Between Heaven And Hell by E.L. Irwin

 

Between Heaven And Earth, the second book and conclusion of the Guardian Series by E.L. Irwin was absolutely perfect. I found it to be a great romantic fantasy. I was sorry to see that it may be the end of the Guardian Series. I would read a dozen more by Irwin. The variety and depth of the characters is fascinating. It shows so much imagination. Yes, there was romance and, yes,, there was fantasy, but there was so much more. The story was intriguing and complex and there were many heart-stopping twists. I could easily see the Guardian Series going several more books. It is a series, I would recommend reading book one, Between Earth And Eden, first there is so much than the prolog could not contain that adds to the story, I wouldn’t have missed it. So good. I highly recommend both books for the fantasy and the romance reader.

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Jeff Bailey Reviews The Evil Men's Book Club by T. C. Schueler

 

The Evil Men’s Book Club by TC Schueler was an absolutely delicious and unique read. I understand that there really is an Evil Men’s Book Club and that this book is based on a ‘true story’ – fabulous. But that’s a story for a later time. Maybe even a movie based on the ‘true story.’ In the book, the requirements for membership are: be evil (tongue in cheek), select an evil book and come to the bar. That’s it. Reading is optional—drinking beer is not. So what kind of evil men? Why - bikers, guerilla warfare, old money, gunrunning, extortion, cultism, kidnapping, PTSD—even St. Nick. This is all presented in great fun and added real enjoyment to the story. What I particularly liked in this read was the dialog and Schueler’s ability to tell the story through dialog rather than describing the scene and action. Loo Spicotti said, ‘Don’t hit that man.’ Rather than 'Spicotti tried to stop them from fighting.' Excellent. I may read it again just for the dialog.

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Jeff Bailey Reviews Almighty : Allmachtig by P.R.C. Wright

 

Almighty:Allmachtig  was one of the better historical novels that I have read. I like the level of research that went Almighty:Allmachtig. Wright really immersed the reader in the pre-WWII setting and the horrors of the time when some people believed that those with disabilities or birth defects were not ‘people’ but ‘things’, ‘things’ to be eliminated. Instead of focusing on the Jewish Holocaust, as many in this genre do, this book instead focuses on the equally tragic eugenics programs and handicapped genocide of the Nazi party. But it's not all history - the main plot also goes deep into the compelling characters, their friendships and their relationships. If you enjoy historical fiction, Almighty: Allmachtig is well worth the read! Great pool-side read.

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A Review of B.A Bellec's Someone's Story

 

I've read a description of B.A. Bellec's Someone's Story as, "... a masterpiece of emotive and well-rounded young adult fiction." I Couldn't agree more. Here is my review as I posted it, "For me, Someone’s Story was a comfortably satisfying coming-of-age story. I appreciated the B.A. naming his main protagonist ‘Someone.’ I was able to identify with the abstract character easier than if he had a name. Bellec speaks from the heart of Someone so well that I was able to identify and sympathize with him. Most of us have shared some of Someone’s experiences. The reader has only to check out the many awards shown on the front cover to understand what a terrific read this was. Not my normal genre, but I highly recommend Someone’s Story (everyone’s story.) I’m seventy-five but I suggest Someone’s Story as a read for every teenager that is feeling a bit disconnected. We are not alone." I highly recommend the read.

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Jeff Bailey Reviews Pulse #1 by B. A. Bellec

 

I liked Pulse, # I by B. A. Bellec so much that I bought and will read Pulse, #2 as soon as time permits. B.A. is a master storyteller and has one of the more unique YouTube video blogs that I’ve ever seen, https://www.youtube.com/@BABellec. I’ll let my review speak for itself.

 “I just finished Pulse, #1 by B. A. Bellec, a Sci-Fi conspiracy thriller wrapped in a horror story wrapped in an enigma. Wonderful. A real ‘David and Goliath’ story about a small band of eco-vigilantes working to bring down a small part of a giant, above-the-law, profit-above-all corporation, The Pulse Corporation. Just like in Star Wars, the band is planning an attack that can’t possibly win, can’t possibly leave a mark. They do it anyway. I cheered. What could go wrong??? And we’re off. But things go so terribly wrong. I like reading books that are a creative mark off the traditional. Pulse, #1 was just that. The format was almost a mashup between a novel and a screenplay. It added to the overall feel and emotion of the book. I can’t give it a higher recommendation. Five stars for B.A. Bellec and for his creation, the Pulse series.”

Enjoy the read, Jeff

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The Judas Robe (Larry Rodness), The Back Story

 

As always, I enjoy a book far more when I know a bit of the back story for the book, the moment of inspiration, if you will. This was true for Larry Rodness' book, The Judas Robe. Book to screenplay is not unusual for we authors that create both. But Screenplay to book well that's another matter. To do justice for this Back Story, I'm quoting Larry:  

 'The novel entitled “The Judas Robe” actually came out of a vampire script I’d written years ago as a screenplay. (Who hasn’t written a vampire story?) Vampires always posed existential questions to me about immortality and the consequences of actions reverberating down through the centuries. I jettisoned the vampire aspect but decided to address questions I’d long considered about religion and its effects on humankind. The most important thing was the story line – creating an inciting incident strong enough to have an impact for thousands of years and affect millions of people. The hook for me was The Judas Robe, an ancient relic that had been owned and protected by one family for years was now being threatened and its exposure would affect almost everyone on the planet.'

So, when you read The Judas Robe, imagine Larry trying to adapt it from a screenplay. More fun to read.

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