A cliché-busting collection of romances by Kathleen Valentine As an independent author, I find it important to write an independent book review from time to time — my own, unasked-for review of a book from a fellow indie. Here is my review of one such. Kathleen Valentine is a literary leader. As a writer, she […]
For my first post of 2016, I’m going to ask all of you to subscribe to get the Written Words blog by mail. All you have to do is fill in the box to the right with your email address. Why subscribe? You’ll still be able to read it in your Web browser, but with […]
My Temporary Life Martin Crosbie, 2012 This was so good. The traditional publishing model is broken indeed if a string of publishers rejected Martin Crosbie’s excellent first novel. I can’t imagine what made them turn it down. The plot is engaging from the beginning, filled with grabbers like high-school bullying and drunkenness and a strong […]
By Samreen Ahsan This review is long overdue, but A Silent Prayer is a book that deserves all the attention it has received. It’s been just over a year since it was published, and in that time, A Silent Prayer has won first prizes at book fairs in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Paris, first prize […]
This installment of Written Words has reviews of two very different types of books. First is Secrets by SL Pierce: a taut, fast-paced thriller. Pierce is a professional writer. Her skill and knowledge of putting together a good read is evident in all her books. She doesn’t waste words and knows how to make a […]
Gray Retribution, by Alan McDermott No one writes action like McDermott. From the first sentence, Gray Retribution delivers that combination of action and detail that few writers can manage. Not only does McDermott put us eye-to-eye with his characters, he gets the little things right, like the types of weapons and the way they all […]
Image from HBO’s True Detective opening I know, it’s been more than a week since the conclusion of this innovative show aired. But I’ll argue that I have let my impression process in the back of my mind, and now I’m ready to make a more carefully considered evaluation. True Detective, in case you missed […]