Reviews
The inspiration for this page comes from the fact that it has been said that to be a good writer, one has to have read at least 1000 books. Likewise, to be a good storyteller, it is perhaps necessary to read 1000 stories. I would like to go further than just reading – I think that reading a story alone is not enough. One has to analyse it, review it and be able to critically appraise a story. This, then, will be the aim of this column but with an emphasis on all manner of storytelling. With that in mind, certain things need to be pointed out:
- As this website caters for storytellers, this column will feature all manner of storytelling.
- We accept reviews written by other storytellers as well. Please note that we do not pay for reviews.
- There is no specific genre of stories reviewed here.
If you’d still like us to publish a review you’ve written, please send an email to editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com
Monday, 17 March 2014 15:01
Something Old, Something New by James R. Vance
Written by Aneeta Sundararaj
Something Old, Something New By James R. VancePaperback: 246 pagesPublisher: RealTime Publishing (February 17, 2014)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 184961198XISBN-13: 978-1849611985Website: http://jamesvanceauthor.wix.com/awesomefiction About James R. Vance : Originally from England, I now live in rural south west France. My first novels, 'Animal Instinct', 'Killer Butterfly' and 'The Courier' were published between 2008 and 2010. They formed a trilogy depicting the careers of two detectives. My knowledge of Cheshire and Greater Manchester is apparent in both 'Animal Instinct' and 'Killer Butterfly'. The final novel of the trilogy, 'The Courier', uses my experience of working in France and London as an inspiration for the storyline.…
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Foot Soldiers By Paddy BostockPaperback: 452 pagesPublisher: Wings ePress (2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1613098529ISBN-13: 978-1613098523 About the book: Outraged at the market economic policies adopted by their university, Professor Vinnie McVittie and his colleagues in the Podiatry department kidnap a senior academic, Dr. Malcolm Moon, in protest. Initially they have little hope of success, particularly as their captive refuses to be freed from his new — and improved — life on the North Wales farm where he is being held. However, the chance coincidence of the interests of the gutter press, the Pantymwyn branch of Welsh Freedom Fighters, and a Prime Minister…
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Price of Justice By Alan BrenhamPaperback: 328 pagesPublisher: Black Opal BoLanguage: EnglishISBN-10: 1626940835ISBN-13: 978-1626940833 About the Author: Alan Brenham is the pseudonym of Alan Behr, an American author and attorney. He served as a law enforcement officer before earning a law degree from Baylor University and worked as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney , and staff counsel for the Texas prison and parole agency for twenty-two years.His travels took him to several European and Middle Eastern countries, Alaska and almost every island in the Caribbean. While working with the US military, he resided in Berlin, Germany for two years. Now,…
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Thursday, 21 November 2013 18:53
Life-Ology 101: If All Else Fails, Smile by Michael Soward
Written by Aneeta Sundararaj
Life-Ology 101: If All Else Fails, Smile By Michael SowardPaperback: 68 pagesPublisher: XLIBRIS (September 16, 2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1483695093ISBN-13: 978-1483695099 About the Author: Michael Soward, music producer of cutting edge music for almost 30 years, has released his first novel, "Life-ology 101". The book is receiving acclaim nation-wide for being an inspirational story of transformation and the power of the smile. His mother died in a hospital when he was two months of becoming two years old. His grandmother then takes him along with his younger brother to her hometown of Blytheville, Arkansas where she would raise them.He then shares how…
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Thursday, 21 November 2013 18:45
Engine 24: Fire Stories 2 by Joe Corso
Written by Aneeta Sundararaj
Engine 24: Fire Stories 2 By Joe CorsoSeries: Engine 24 Fire StoriesPaperback: 64 pagesPublisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (October 29, 2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1493623362ISBN-13: 978-1493623365Website: http://www.corsobooks.com/ Genre: Action/True Stories Bio: I grew up in Queens, New York and I began writing in an attempt to raise money to pay for my grandchildren's college education. I've written 12 books and 7 short stories. Right now I'm working on the fifth installment of The Starlight Club. When It's completed I'd like to write a sequel to the Lone Jack Kid which is a finalist in the 2013 Readers Favorite book contest…
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Extraction By Gerald PatrickFile Size: 1065 KBPrint Length: 668 pagesPage Numbers Source ISBN: 1770977473Publisher: FriesenPress (August 8, 2012)Language: EnglishASIN: B008VDMB1OGenre: Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fiction, War & MilitaryWebsite http://www.readgeraldpatrick.com About Gerald Patrick: Coming of age in tumultious times, Gerald Patrick has mixed life's experiences with an imagination and actuality to spin a tale of intrigue fullfilling a challenge to himself. Conscripted into the United States Army in 1969, Gerald relates trials of being an infantry soldier from the jungles of Vietnam, to the post war street drugs that continue to plague our society today. Raised by a single parent in…
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Cast in Sorrow By Michelle SagaraPublisher: Harlequin Luna; Original edition (August 27, 2013)Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.Language: English ASIN: B00C84GCK8 The newest addition to the “Chronicles of Elantra” series by Michelle Sagara is Cast in Sorrow. Since the previous book, Cast in Peril, was a giant cliffhanger and left many fans frustrated, I was pleased to discover that the beginning of Cast in Sorrow was very “in the moment.” It did not waste several pages on review, but rather jumped right into the thick of things. If readers had previously grown weary of Elantra (although I am hard-pressed to…
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Engine 24: Fire Stories By Joe CorsoPublisher: Black Horse Publishing; 1 edition (July 29, 2013)Language: EnglishASIN: B00E8898M6Website: http://www.corsobooks.com/ Genre: Action/True Stories About the Author: I was born in 1935 and I grew up in Queens, New York. I started writing at the age of 75 hoping to raise money to send my grandchildren to better schools. In the past three years I've written 12 books and 6 short stories. Right now I'm working on The Starlight Club 5. After that I'm considering writing a sequel to the Lone Jack Kid which is a finalist in the 2013 Readers Favorite book…
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Starlet's Web By Carla J. HannaPublisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 2, 2012)Language: EnglishWebsite:www.carlajhanna.comISBN-10: 1480231827 ISBN-13: 978-1480231825Genre: Young adult, teen love and romance, inspirational romance, religious romance Brief bio: Carla J. Hanna is the author of the STARLET SERIES young adult romance. A former housewife of Santa Monica, marketing communications executive, and graduate of Colorado State University with a Master of Arts, she lives in Colorado with her family. Can a teen actress and a Tim Tebow stand up to Hollywood's web of lies? A fast read with plot twists. *** As soon as I started reading this book I…
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Pelican Bay By Jesse Giles ChristiansenFile Size: 486 KBPrint Length: 209 pagesPage Numbers Source ISBN: 1927792126Publisher: Imajin Books (July 20, 2013)Language: EnglishASIN: B00DZVMWUM An old undersea cemetery, a secret love, mystery and intrigue await you in PELICAN BAY. Jesse Giles Christiansen has written a well-crafted story of suspense that will keep you turning pages! Part suspense novel, part literary mystery, Pelican Bay is an original story set in a small, forlorn beach town in South Carolina. The tale begins with our young protagonist, Ethan Hodges, discovering a sunken cemetery just off the beach that could very well be four centuries…
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Wasp's Nest By Gabriel ValjanPaperback: 294 pagesPublisher: Winter Goose Publishing (November 23, 2012)Language: English ISBN-10: 0988184532 ISBN-13: 978-0988184534Genre: action, thriller, murder mystery, Italy, Rome, Boston Massachusetts About Gabriel Valjan: Ronan Bennett short-listed Gabriel Valjan for the 2010 Fish Short Story Prize for his Boston noir, ‘Back in the Day.’ Gabriel’s short stories and some of his poetry continue to appear in literary journals and online magazines. He recently won first prize in ZOUCH Magazine’s inaugural Lit Bits Contest. He lives in New England. He is the author of the Roma Series, Book 1: Roma, Underground, Book 2: Wasp's Nest, and…
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Dark Lullaby from SmashwordsDark Lullaby By Mayra CalvaniFile Size: 1043 KBPrint Length: 233 pagesLanguage: EnglishASIN: B005UI7FOGGenre: horror,spine chilling,mystery,thriller, suspense, paranormal, supernatural, astronomy, faeries, puerto rico, baltimore, jinn, turkish folklore About Mayra Calvani Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer's Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Represented by Serendipity Literary. She lives in Belgium with her husband of 25+ years, 2 wonderful kids, and her two…
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Tuesday, 09 July 2013 16:16
Children of the Fall: Wails of Mother Earth (Volume 1) by Nicholas Landon
Written by Aneeta Sundararaj
Children of the Fall: Wails of Mother Earth (Volume 1) By Nicholas LandonPublisher CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 6, 2012)Language: EnglishISBN-10 1468056220ISBN-13 978-1468056228Website: http://www.nicholaslandonauthor.com/Genre: Science Fiction Brief bio: Nicholas Landon is an independent author living and working in Southern California. When not writing he takes a special enjoyment in observing various societies and cultures. This love of philosophy, sociology, and religion can be seen in his writing, where they often play a prominent role. About the book: There is no law. There is no morality. There is no peace. Compassion is a weakness, and Faith is insanity. Such is the…
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Saturday, 18 May 2013 03:21
Kaleidoscope Summer: Samantha's Story by Rita Garcia
Written by Aneeta Sundararaj
Kaleidoscope Summer: Samantha's Story By Rita GarciaPaperback: 258 pagesPublisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 25, 2012)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 148104317XISBN-13: 978-1481043175Website: http://www.ritagarcia.comBlog: http://www.reflectionswithdrrita.com What the story is about: Dr. Rita Garcia is a Clinical Christian Counselor. Her knowledge and passion for helping others provides realistic substance to the counseling woven into her stories. The theme that permeates her hope-filled fiction: Love, lit by the flame of hope. Romance is a big part of her novels. Hope is an even larger element of the stories. Rita and her husband reside in Southern California. Samantha Forrester has it all together. Deafness at age fifteen…
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