Quick Review of Grendel

Grendel
by John Gardner

I should rate this higher than 2 1/2 out of 5 Stars because, you know, literature.

But, alas, it just didn't grab me. It seems like it was written for a college lit discussion group, but one where everyone knew what the author was trying to accomplish except me. I had to constantly refer to Sparks Notes online to figure out what I was supposed to be getting, but even then I didn't get it.

Anyone else have that difficulty? Sorry Mr Gardner.

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Quick Review of Specter of the Past

Specter of the Past (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn #1)
by Timothy Zahn

In the deft hands of Timothy Zahn, any Star Wars novel is a delight. This is book one of a duology featuring the return of Thrawn about ten years after his (apparent) demise. The second book is titled, Vision of the Future.

The Empire's Grand Admiral Thrawn first made his appearance in Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy which is set about 5 years after the story in Star Wars Episode VI.

I still want to read Zahn's latest book, Thrawn, where he "chronicles the fateful events that launched the blue-skinned, red-eyed master of military strategy and lethal warfare into the highest realms of power—and infamy." (from the publisher's blurb)

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The Shadow Chaser: Resurgence

Check out Randy Belaire's latest novel, The Resurgance, a new book from the Shadow Chaser Chronicles - a tale of super human fiction.



For a decade, Dr. Arthur Brown has been protecting the city of Toronto as the Shadow Chaser. However, one unfortunate night had changed his life forever. He was able to heal and move on, but the Shadow Chaser was no more. Now 20 years later, that same evil has returned to prey on the innocent. Brown, with the help of his friend, Alexander Taylor, prepare for the war against evil. Brown chooses Kevin Wolf, a dispirited seventeen-year-old, damaged by the loss of the love of his life at the hands of that prevailing evil. But will the new Shadow Chaser be able to fend off the impending darkness, or will he sink once more into a self-imposed abyss?

Purchase your copy of The Resurgence: Chronicles of the Shadow Chaser
by Randal J. Belaire.

New Book by George Duncan

Murder. A shocking secret. A lurking evil. An edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller with a sci-fi twist by two veteran journalists. Special Feature: Choose your own ending to the story.

Harrison Danforth is just settling into his new job as the executive editor of The Dolphin Breeze in the coastal Florida town of Dolphin Beach, when a young pastor is murdered in his own church. Danforth doesn't trust the corrupt Seagrove County sheriff to handle traffic tickets, much less a murder. So Danforth, his psychologist girlfriend, Jill Hedley, and ace investigator Sam Waters set out to uncover the truth.

Their investigation will lead to a corrupt powerbroker, a minister who may have fallen in love with the world instead of his calling, and a sinister figure with ties to the occult. As the mystery deepens, Danforth and his friends must move quickly, because an evil lurks in the shadows...and is almost ready to strike.

George L. Duncan, a former reporter and now an editorial writer, is the acclaimed author of A Cold and Distant Memory, A Wine Red Silence, A Dark Orange Farewell, and Galaxy Gems. Bruce D. Henderson has been a newspaper journalist for more than 35 years, working as reporter, photographer, columnist, city editor, and, for almost 20 years, as a copyeditor in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Well, you just read the official blurb and doesn't the book sound exciting? Hoofbeats of the Devil is on my TBR list for sure. But I am a little biased, I know George from online having published a few of his "Spacehawk Adventures" at ResAliens.com as well as a humorous time-travel baseball tale titled, "Wait Until Last Year." You can read them yourself right here. You can also catch his "random (golf) shots about life, space, faith, politics, science fiction and, of course, golf" at his blog, End Times Tavern. In fact, I'll see you there shortly and maybe have an ale with you.

The Tears of Ishtar by Michael Ehart

Here's a sneak peak at the cover of Michael Ehart's new project (coming February, 2010) - The Tears of Ishtar, a "servant" novel. Ehart is the author of The Servant of the Manthycore, a collection of stories featuring "a warrior woman as ruthless, bloody, and honorable as the ancient world in which she walks, spanning more than forty lifetimes..." I've read many of the short stories, and they are action-filled epics. This new release promises continued mystery, excitement, and adventure.


Here's a bit from Michaels' blog:

February 14th is not just a day for lovers next year --- it is time for Fantasy lovers, too! No, not that kind of fantasy! That is the date that The Tears of Ishtar releases...

Looks like a great Valentine's present to me!