Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: Twilight In York: Volume 1 by Ryan Gray

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Dive into the explosive, raw, and vulnerable story of a man’s search for sanity amid his increasing dependence on DXM (dextromethorphan), the active ingredient in Robitussin and other cough suppressant medications. In Volume One, you’ll enter the underbelly of York, PA, as the narrator navigates the streets and his new normal.

In 2007, Ryan Gray was on and off the streets-living the last days of his existence as an active addict. He stayed in several halfway houses, had friends who were kind enough to let him sleep in their homes, and sometimes stayed at a nearby shelter.

Volume One of his autobiographical narrative chronicles the events leading through the ‘twilight’ of his addiction, from meeting a native of York who became like a brother, to when Ryan began to inwardly sense his own futility, to making the choice to leave behind the middle-class life he knew.

Twilight in York: Volume One is written in the style of Jack Kerouac, with a stream of consciousness effect as well as grammatical alterations. Heavy with explicit drug use, this read is best suited for adults.

Though heavy and dark, Twilight in York, Volume One has a simple, easy-to-follow plot that appeals to the masses. Drug addicts, family and friends of addicts, homeless (and formerly homeless) people, and the mentally ill will resonate with Ryan’s down-to-earth voice and relatable stories.

Review

Those who know me know that I am an advocate of mental illness, and drug addiction is a mental illness. Drug addiction is rampant throughout our society, and I lost my brother to it, so this book hits home on a personally deep level. The further into the book, the more I wanted to scream for the author to seek help, knowing what drug use can lead to.

Ryan Gray does an excellent job of describing the need for drugs. The compulsion not to change and continue to get high even when he knows that they are making him ill. The other mental illness discussed is schizophrenia, one that society deems as scary and potentially violent. Ryan describes it as scary (not violent), though he does it eloquently, placing the reader in his mindset. Giving us a sense of fear in our minds that we couldn’t otherwise understand.

This is more than an autobiography. This is a reality that many face when mental illness is pushed to the edges of society. Too many think, ‘I want to help but not in my backyard,’ that those suffering are forced onto the streets and forgotten about instead of receiving the help that they need. Luckily, Ryan Gray is still here to share his story and help bring a voice to those who are still struggling.

Everyone who is of the age that they may be thinking about trying drugs should read this book. There is explicit content, but that adds to the importance of this message.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for your support).

Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: Divided by CC Robinson

Synopsis (Taken from Amazon)

Impenetrable walls. Ethnic division. A ruthless dictator.

Escape. It’s all eighteen-year-old Marcos Sanchez can think about as he stares at the towering walls of Queenstown in the Federated Republic of America, the ruthless dictator Supreme Commander Martin’s stronghold. But with Marcos’s father controlling his life, freedom seems like an impossible dream. That is, until one daring move lands him in a secret labor camp, facing a future worse than death, and he encounters a secret rebel movement – The Underground.

But their rebellion won’t come without consequences. Martin and his toadies will stop at nothing to crush the Underground’s uprising, and the stakes are higher than ever. Will Marcos and his diverse group of friends’ determination and bravery be enough to free the camp, or will they too fall victim to Martin’s iron fist?

With thrilling action, unexpected betrayals, and a relentless quest for freedom, Divided is perfect for fans of classic YA dystopian fiction.

Review:

CC Robinson did a fantastic job bringing this harrowing story to life. The reader is transported into Martin’s territory and completely immersed in the post-apocalyptic world. This world is unique in that it is divided into areas, and yet beyond Martin’s reach, other areas might be better off.

The characters vary in mannerisms and knowledge, growing throughout the book with the new knowledge they gain. It is interesting to see how they connect when they finally meet others from different areas. I could feel the character’s emotions as they struggled to fight back. 

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic novels, this is an excellent book for you. I am excited to see what’s next.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thanks for your support).

Posted in Blog, On Writing

Review: Inland by Kate Risse

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Inland is a harrowing account of separation and resilience as two families struggle to reunite after the Eastern Seaboard succumbs to catastrophic flooding. Trapped in the rapid floodwaters, Juliet and Martin search for a viable way back to Boston while their children face their own challenges for survival in the rising seas. This intense tale of endurance and hope examines the human connection and the unpredictable role of technology in a warming world.

Review

From the beginning, I was drawn into the depths of this story. The concept of total flooding was creative and described perfectly.

The book is written in first person, with each chapter telling you whether we are reading from Juliet’s (mother) or Billy’s (son) perspective. The difference in the thought processes of these two characters was well written and appreciated by the reader. It helped to bring emotion to the story, hearing from both the mother (who has more life experience) and her son (a scared teenager).

Other characters played pivotal roles in helping (or hurting) the main characters to find each other. As a mother, I identified with Juliet and her need to find her kids.

If you enjoy journeys of the heart with difficulties, this book is for you.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thanks for your support)

 

Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: Last Meal: A Deliciously Paranormal Horror Story by Peter Topside

Synopsis (Taken from Amazon)

Chuck is one miserable, racist, nasty, and downright troubled person. He’s also a diehard foodie that takes great pride in making the last meals for death-row inmates. But when some of those prisoners begin haunting Chuck, making him explore his inner workings, things get uncomfortable, intense, and somehow appetizing.

Review

Like all of Peter Topside’s books, this one starts strong and keeps you entertained all the way through. He knows the world he created, and though this is in a different town, I love that it is still in the same world. Don’t worry, though—you don’t have to have read the other books to know what is happening here.

This is a delicacy of a book with a unique spin on a prison cook. Based on the first chapter, I thought I knew where it was leading, but I am glad it went in a different direction. The author immerses the reader into the story with imagery, which sometimes makes me cringe.

This is not too long of a novel, but it packs a full punch of entertainment. If you love something different and freakish, this is a great read.

Pick up your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for the support).

Posted in Blog, Reviews

REVIEW: The Cat Lady Special by D. C. Gomez

Synopsis (taken from Amazon):

What would you do if you had nothing to lose?

Angela has reached the end of her rope. Bills are piling up, money is sparse, and her two-timing ex-husband traded her in for a “Barbie” lookalike. Depression and lack of hope put her in a world filled with never-ending pain, and when she loses the one thing she has left—her will to live—she knows there’s nothing left to go back to. Until an unexpected knock on her door wakes her up.

The lonely, sad cat lady comes face to face with a new and exciting opportunity, if only she grabs the bull by the horns and accepts. When she does, she learns of a crazy family secret, but she also finds a way to save herself, and the people she loves most.

The Cat Lady Special is a story of second chances, discovering your inner savior, and of finding hope in the most unexpected places. It will appeal to fans of “How Stella Got her Groove Back” and “Breaking Bad.”

REVIEW:

This is an extremely fun read. I ended up reading it out loud so my mom could also enjoy it with me while camping. The first chapter grabs the reader’s attention with a major decision that quickly gets delayed and changed entirely.

The characters are too much fun, especially the older ladies who just want a purpose in their lives. The boys are simply doing the best they can, and through some kind of divine intervention (not really), they end up in a much better position in their lives.

There is so much I want to say about this book, but it would spoil it! Just know that the story compels the reader, the uniqueness of the various generations of the characters adds to the humour and oddness of the group, and finally, the cats always get the last say!

If you love light-hearted, fun stories, this is definitely one you must pick up!

Get your copy here (affiliate link)