ENDGAME by Nancy Garden

Endgame by Nancy Garden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Summary:  A new town, a new school, a new start. That's what fourteen-year-old Gray Wilton believes as he chants, "It's gonna be better, gonna be better here." But it doesn't take long for Gray to realize that nothing's going to change--there are bullies in every school, and he's always their punching bag. Their brutal words, physical abuse, and emotional torture escalate until Gray feels trapped in a world where he has no control, no support systems, and no way out--until the day he enters the halls of Greenford High School with his father's semiautomatic in hand.

Award-winning novelist Nancy Garden, author of the groundbreaking novel Annie on My Mind, once again goes out on a limb, this time to show readers the cruelty of bullying and the devastating effects it can have.

MY Review:

Have you ever had your heart beat so hard in your chest that you could swear it was going to burst out of its cavity or you felt it down to yours toes with every thump, thump? That's what I endured reading this book. My heart goes out to Gray. My opinion. My words. My review.

I just wished books of this nature could make a big difference in the world, but can a leopard change it spots or a zebra change its stripes? Thought not.

MY in-depth thoughts on this book are as follows:

Yes, there were innocent victims in this book I don’t dispute this one bit, but i agree to disagree with those who want to point the finger at the accused without taking into clear consideration all the facts and the events before and during the time of the ‘incident’. My sincere sympathy lay with Gray the one boy of 14yrs old that one day just took matters into his own hands and SNAPPED!

Do I believe that the events that took place could have been prevented from happening? You bet I do!

It comes to the full on facts that everyone in Gray’s life failed him.

His father? FAIL

The student body? FAIL

Teachers and piers? FAIL

What Gray was subjected to in his life and not just at school was handled very poorly. Did he have anyone really to turn to? Well, let’s see...

There was the school counsellor, but she just cared more that every student ‘like’ school and be ‘happy’ while being there.

There were the teachers who thoughts the antics of bullying were ‘amusing’.

His father or his mother? He left a bad acidic taste in my mouth regarding his ‘fatherly’ methods as a parent. Well, the father ruled the roost, the mother only accomplished so much say.

Friends? He did have ONE who turned on him in the end. Mind you, said friend did try to report the bullying incidents and the results were basically ‘suck it up’. Not worth reporting really and this was the school principal.

Gray pours his heart out to this lawyer that his own father had hired and i have to wonder... Did this lawyer, even after Gray gave every single detail of what led up to that fateful moment do him justice in the court room? Hmm I do wonder, but now let’s take it to the courtroom: The judge...

1.      I honestly believe the sentence handed out was to appease the victim’s families.

2.      Was it even considered by this judge that Gray was a ‘victim’ himself due to the insistent and consistent cruel and brutal taunting and bullying he’d endured?

3.      Was this judge really give a rat’s ass about the alleged accused shooter? What about future treatment do deal with Gray’s trauma? Nope. It didn’t happen.

4.      Even at trial the justice system failed Gray.

NOTE to judge: You shouldn’t be one. You don’t deserve to be sitting on that bench. YOU sir ARE in my very clear words: A FAILURE! I bet the Almighty justice ‘system’ only brought down the sentence using Gray as a means to setting an example to all teens who choose to pick up a gun. Really? What about those who continue to harass and bully those lesser than themselves?

Lemme take a stab at what a bully might think, but you tell me is it logical to say: The bullying will continue because you see, if I bully you, you’ll just snap one day and do something drastic. I might lose my life or maybe not, but I the bully will get the last laugh because you’ll be caught, arrested unless you’ve off’d yourself first and serve life in prison without parole. You get me? HOW PATHETIC IS THIS??!! But think about it folks: It’s the truth and the cold hard facts. Bullying

The author Brom

MY blog today will reflect this amazingly creative author and after reading his book The Child Thief I'm thrilled to discover this talented man and promote his creative works.

WHO is Brom? Born in the deep dark south in the mid-sixties. Brom, an army brat, spent his entire youth on the move and unabashedly blames living in such places as Japan, Hawaii, Germany, and Alabama for all his afflictions. From his earliest memories Brom has been obsessed with the creation of the weird, the monstrous, and the beautiful. You can find out more about him on his personal WS here: http://www.bromart.com/bio.html
  
THESE books are some of his publishings which you can find on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
 

 

 

 

AS the holidays are soon upon us, his most latest book which will fascinate the most morbid mind is KRAMPUS, the Yule Lord. If your thoughts and your mind are as dark as mine and can handle the very darkness of Brom's world in his stories than you can be sure to enjoy this book. Below the cover I'm going to give you from Brom's page what the book is about and it's to your discretion if you can handle it. Or not.

Overview

Santa Claus, my dear old friend, you are a thief, a traitor, a slanderer, a murderer, a liar, but worst of all you are a mockery of everything for which I stood. You have sung your last ho, ho, ho, for I am coming for your head. . . . I am coming to take back what is mine, to take back Yuletide . . .
—from Krampus

The author and artist of The Child Thief returns with a modern fabulist tale of Krampus, the Lord of Yule and the dark enemy of Santa Claus

One Christmas Eve in a small hollow in Boone County, West Virginia, struggling songwriter Jesse Walker witnesses a strange spectacle: seven devilish figures chasing a man in a red suit toward a sleigh and eight reindeer. When the reindeer leap skyward, taking the sleigh, devil men, and Santa into the clouds, screams follow. Moments later, a large sack plummets back to earth, a magical sack that thrusts the down-on-his-luck singer into the clutches of the terrifying Yule Lord, Krampus. But the lines between good and evil become blurred as Jesse's new master reveals many dark secrets about the cherry-cheeked Santa Claus, including how half a millennium ago the jolly old saint imprisoned Krampus and usurped his magic.

Now Santa's time is running short, for the Yule Lord is determined to have his retribution and reclaim Yuletide. If Jesse can survive this ancient feud, he might have the chance to redeem himself in his family's eyes, to save his own broken dreams, . . . and to help bring the magic of Yule to the impoverished folk of Boone County.

The Yule Lord

Santa Claus

Perchta (aka Mrs. Claus)

Nipi

Wipi

The Child Thief by Brom

The Child Thief by Brom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read this book and take a journey with Peter Pan into the land of Never Neverland? I think not if what comes to your mind is the fantasy Fairytale that we all know of as we were growing up as a child. Instead the author Brom encourages us with every detailed word to take sis trip into the land of beautiful horrors. This book is not playful, beautiful, yet it is full of magic, trickery, deceit, revenge and filled with unimaginable nightmares and horrors beyond the imagination. Brom epically creates a story of Peter himself and also centers around Nick, one of the boys the Peter abducts and takes him into a realm through the mist. A realm that Peter takes children that have been abused, abandoned and runaways. The question you'll ask yourself is were these children better off?

The read is not a light one. I read pages upon pages of death, greed, treachery, cruelty. I found no humor, but only sorrow and I came to a point where I realized that although this book is one of the most amazingly creative books I've read apart from a few others, that might heart did not soar. My heart plummeted to a pathetic low and broke a millions times over as I went from page to page.

Brom brings to you a side of THIS fairytale that will hit you full force in a way you would never have in your wildest dreams expected.

Readers, don't be fooled go into this story! It's not a romance, a fun read. Oh it's fun in it's own morbid way! Although I enjoyed this book to maximum capacity, there is in my sole opinion no HEA. It's a story with a spectacular and glorious beginning with a horrific end. I kid you not. 

Two thumbs up and a highly recommended read. If you dare :winks:

Brom is very highly talented. His drawings are majestic and therefore I attach some of his illustrations in the video below.

Just Hit Send by Grasshopper

Just Hit Send by Grasshopper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm editing this review since I last wrote my short snippet on it because I just couldn't let it go with some words unsaid. So here it goes:

An amazing story of two boys connecting and seeing where life, even with all its ups and downs take them. Now on to the next segment... The college years. I liked how all the different characters' lives entwined as they came together. You will have moments when reading the story that will bring you to tears and both sadness and in laughter, but there's more in laughter than any other emotions. JD is the little dude to watch out for. You can find JD's story in Summerfire. Sad yet sweet all bundled in one, yet it's short.

To get the full bodied experience "snickering" Yeah I said that, of Just Hit Send, it consists of all the following:

Just Hit 'Send' - The High School Years
Just Hit 'Send' - The College Years
Just Hit 'Send' - The Interim Years
Just Hit 'Send' - The Happy Years

Then go to read Summerfire about JD.

I wish this story didn't end, but as all stories do so did this one.

The author, Grasshopper brings you so much interest in joy in his writings that I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. My eyes were truly open to so many emotions.

Two thumbs up!

Here's the link to access the stories which are free online reads: http://iomfats.org/storyshelf/hosted/grasshopper/

Murphy's Boy by Torey Hayden

Murphy's Boy by Torey Hayden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'll admit that this book warranted a 5 star, but that's a true score and not because I'm a fan of the author, since I haven't reach the level. I can be a fan of many authors but my reviews will stay true it it won't deter my honesty on whether I like the book or not. Fan status aside. I say this because reading some reviews on this one many quoted being a fan hence I believe this book getting the ratings handed out on it.

I was perturbed in the beginning by this book. I was disturbed not by the description given on Kevin's features, but rather how the author herself who is the special ed teacher as well in this story who played a large part in Kevin's life described him then went on to point out how ugly he was and how being assigned as his teacher seemed a nuisance from the way I have read it in my pov and preferred not to take on his case which clearly? it's her JOB to do so. Kevin was a child very much in need and throughout his young life there was no one there to give him the time and attention he clearly needed.

Kevin was clearly disturbed indeed and having read through and learned what events led to his refusal to talk you can understand with compassion as to why. I felt for the boy. Who could not? He acted out a lot. I saw this as his way to get attention although his was of going about it was very negative and the results disastrous. Poor kid! I show no pity for Kevin. I show sorrow and hurt for the deck of cards life dealt him. Everything and anything went wrong for him. He couldn't catch a break even though there was much that he brought on to himself. All that shite to the wayside, I enjoyed Kevin in all his strange mannerisms.

I did come across some contradictory in the book. For example: Torey writes about how Kevin's teacher in school should have reported the burns and cuts that appeared on Kevin's body and how the teacher hadn't, yet Tory herself runs into some risky situations with Kevin and doesn't report them herself.

Apart from ALL of that, I did enjoy reading about Kevin who was scared of his own shadow, life in general since he felt that it'd be better to remain crazy the rest of his life and I'm glad that Torey shared her experience she had with him with all us readers. A part of me wonders where Kevin is at in his life today.

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Loving Instincts by S.J. Frost

Loving Instincts by S.J. Frost

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

***4.5***

This one was a next great addition to the series by S.J. I never get bored reading about the about the guys and I have to admit I'm more in lurve with Daniel with his spark and sass to the masses than the rest of them, but hey we all tend to have our favorite characters in all books we read n'est pas? Suck it up. It is what it is :snickering:

The plot, was well executed and flowed smoothly and nicely. I do also admit that I enjoy tons of action packed stories and this book has it, but not right from the getgo. I mean you can't expect it to start off with a huge boom and it carried through non-stop right from the beginning with a story that's 200 and some odd pages right?

The whole story basically worked for me with it's bit of action, bit of sappiness cause I enjoy that in a book and just the way all the character's personas come out into exposure.

I'm assuming and hoping where the next book will lead us readers to and dayum, but I really wish it was already being released soon. Oiye! Patience is virtue mantra! NOT!

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Cry Silent Tears by Joe Peters

Cry silent tears by Joe Peters

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As I said in my comment on Goodreads: I've read A child Called IT and this one is by far the worst case yet. I was trying to get through it, but it was killing me emotionally and mentally by the viscous, horrific, deplorable acts within this book and that's only mentioning a few of the choice words that come to mind up front. I'm strong, but not that strong and was unsure if I could continue this one, but I have and I conquered it yet not without lasting affects to my psych. I can't for the life of me imagine suffering through such an ordeal as Joe had and even coming out of it with a shred of sanity left.

He's so strong that it takes my breath away.

His story is one that's hard to endure through page after page of the painful tortures, beatings, rape, even mental and physical abuse at the hands of his mother, brothers and anyone who came into his life once his father who thought the world of his son died in a tragical accident. Knowing this is happening and it's out there as foretold in Joe's story which is all too vivid and real will have you wanting to hold onto him for dear life and wishing that everything could have better for him and had been there for him where all others had failed him and were not.

I know Joe won't see this review, but it doesn't matter. Joe? I'm so dayum proud of you. You are truly hope to the next generations that fight the same fight.

Awesome story!

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Phoenix by Joey James Hook

Phoenix by Joey James Hook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had to go back and read the descipt on this story one more time prior to writing my thoughts on this one. Just to be sure, yeah know?

I liked it, but not to a full 5 star this time. I'll explain why eventually. To all you curious George's this book is M/M no matter what. The story centers very much around Blake who is transgender and transitioning or at least trying to from the body of the girl his was born in to a boy/young man. If only life were so simple to those of us that are in Blake's same situation. Not so simple. Blake has to endure bullying and it's a shame, but the author knew what he was writing cause he hit the nail on the head with the issue of bullying. So sad, but so real.

Devon and Riley, what a pair, an awesome match, perfect actually since their mannerisms and personalities didn't clash but rather they complement each other. Both guys have their own set of issues, but with a strange turn of events these guys all come together and become friends.

I apologize in advance for this major spoiler, but I just had to share the part I got a real kick out of. Skip this part if you don't wish to know or continue at your own risk :snickering: Now sssshh and listen!

There's a part in the book where the boys are sitting down and eating fries, some friendly bantering is going on. Riley eats one of the few fries that Devon has left and Devin pouts. Riley tells Devon he still has two more then says: "And besides, what're you trying to achieve by pouting at me like that? You want me to regurgitate it?" :snorts: This was priceless. Ok to me.

What lost that one star with me: Even though the summary makes mention of the three guys, technically there are four and the fourth was Ethan who plays a huge part in Blake's life and in a majority of the story. I just wished like the others he was incorporated into it more since having him there was vital to Blake and his state of mind.

That about covers it in a nutshell and all in all: Another good story by Joey. I'm ready for what Joey cooks up next for our reading pleasure :grins:

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One Two Three, Shatter by Joey James Hook

One Two Three, Shatter by Joey James Hook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished this book and needed to get this review down now in writing before whatever I needed to say on it passed me by and I'd miss out on some pretty pertinent facts in how to express myself and this story.

Whew! Can I say that I first groaned when I noticed the story is 752 pages long? But would you believe me when I say that when I reached the last page of the story with: The End that I wanted more!

There's no doubt that there is M/F and M/M and I shocked even myself on reading it. In the norm world of reading as you'll see in my bookshelf that everything is M/M, but I gave it a shot. The beginning of the story is all M/F but keep patient and that patience will pay of to being M/M. Hell, just skip the sex scenes if you must, but you must check out this book if you're not to squeamish over the sensitive content to some of you readers.

The story starts from the time Kaleb is 4 years old up until he's 32 for my calculations. There's a whole clusterfawk of shit in his life and I'm surprised that it ended the way it had.

His mother walks out on him right from the getgo at the beginning of the story, promising to return for him, but doesn't. Everything in his life goes to shit from that point on. His father and older brother continually abuse him both physical, mentally and sexually. Yeah you read that last word right. They are pricks, but justice is served against the bastards. The abuse will continue till Kaleb is about 15 when he takes off.

You'll read how he battles a life of drug and alcohol addiction. He self mutilates to keep in controls and he's quite self distructive, but that's the the character he's portrayed to being in this story. You'll read about his first girlfriend, then his second one who gives him a daughter, a child he wants no part of and finally the one man that steals his heart and teaches him what love is all about.

You'll get so frustrated as hell by Kaleb's cold heart and his attitude, but having known about his past in reading about it you'll get the why. I could have shaken him with my anger at times, I could have cried for him and the injustice of what life served him and I wanted to laugh with his blunt sarcasm and telling you the way it is, no bullshitting around.

Joey, the author, wrote one hellova a book here that deserves the rating I gave it. Perhaps more and I hope this review does the book some justice although, maybe not, but I can only cut it to the best of my ability as a reviewer.

I'm def posting this to my blog and I'm hitting up his next book Phoenix to see if it meets the same high standards I've met with this one.

Two thumbs up on the way!

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Little Boy Lost series by J.P. Barnaby

Wow! Very intense...

Every book will take you through the story of Jamie and Brian. From the tender age of teenagers till the very end and I don't want to give anything away because you really need to read this series to see for yourself.

J.P. did an epic job with this story and in every six of them. I did wait till all the books came out to read them all in sequence without missing a heartbeat and I sure as hell am glad that I had. The way he ends one book is the way the next will continue and so on and so forth. I've read a few books that were series by other authors that I enjoy and adore and I can assure you that this series now ranks up the top with the rest.

These two boys go so through so dayum much and you get to go along for the ride. The books are first person. The first two books are in Brian's POV and the last four are Jamie's POV although there was a part there that I wish it was in Brian's POV cause I honestly wanted to know what was going through his head and for a fact what the heck was he thinking!

I really wished that their stories and the story didn't come to and end in book six but as all good things they must...

A highly recommend series to read! 

Below I've placed them in order with a short summary of what each book entails. 

All the books can be found and bought at Dreamspinner Press. Just follow this link: 

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_395

ENJOY!!

 My rating for each of the books: My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 1: Enlightened

Little Boy Lost is the story of Brian McAllister, the boy next door.

Brian goes to school, does his homework, and helps his foster parents around the house. Brian also has a secret: he is in love with his best friend, Jamie. But in Crayford, Alabama, being in love with another boy is the worst kind of sin.

Brian and Jamie will discover just how deep their emotional bond runs, and at what cost. What will they do if their secret is discovered? From fumbling through their first sexual experiences to hiding all aspects of their relationship from everyone in their lives, Brian and Jamie battle for the one thing that is truly theirs—love.

Book 2: Abandoned

Jamie is gone.Brian's secret has been revealed.Brian McAllister's story continues as he tries to cope with the loss of his best friend and soul mate amid the alienation and ridicule of his classmates. When hatred turns to violence, Brian narrows his focus to two goals: surviving and finding Jamie. Along the way he meets Adam, whose life has also been shattered by violence and cruelty. Can Adam fill the hole in Brian's life left by Jamie's absence? The answer will change everything.

 

Book 3: Vanished

 Brian McAllister’s story continues in San Diego, where he finds so much more than he ever expected: acceptance, friends, encouragement, and an entire world of sexual adventure he’d never dared to imagine back in his small Alabama town. He continues to search for one lost boy in a sea of humanity but slowly begins to realize that maybe dreams really don’t come true.

Encouraged by new friends Mike and Emilio, Brian struggles to find work and keep his spirits up while his hope of finding Jamie starts to falter. But when life comes crashing down, he’s desperate to keep his new life. Can Brian do the unthinkable to remain in California when his money runs out? When Brian meets a beaten and bruised boy no one seems willing to help, he knows that walking away is no longer an option.

 

 

Book 4: Discovered

 Little Boy Lost is the story of Jamie Mayfield, a golden-haired fallen angel. Dumped into a gay rehab center and shunned by his parents, the once-adored son of small-minded, small town people has had to find his own way in life.

Jamie is astonished and dismayed when Brian McAllister, the boy he knows is the other half of his soul, explodes back into his precarious life. In the nearly two years they’ve been apart, not a day has gone by that Jamie hasn’t thought of Brian, no matter how hard surviving has been. How can Jamie protect Brian from the pain and brutalization in his life when he can’t even protect himself? Brian and Jamie will put every bit of themselves into saving each other, but Steven O’Dell isn’t the only obstacle keeping the boys apart. Jamie’s own self-hatred may prove to be their undoing.

 

Book 5: Escaped

Finally together, Brian McAllister and Jamie Mayfield have risked everything in a desperate escape. Jamie is now free of his tormentor, Steven O’Dell... for the moment. But Brian and Jamie know that one wrong choice could lead Steven to their door.

With the strength of Brian and his friends to protect him, Jamie hides and finds the one person he is truly afraid of—himself. The long, lonely hours in the place Leo found for them to stay leave Jamie with nothing to do but think. He thinks about Brian, about the direction their lives should take. He thinks about his parents, about the industry he left behind. Mostly, though, he thinks about drugs. Jamie wants to feel good again, forget about his self-hatred, and stop the gnawing cravings that prey upon his mind and body even as he tries to start a new life with Brian.

One moment of weakness may prove to be fatal for them both.

Book 6: Sacrificed

Brian and Jamie’s epic journey comes to a close in this thrilling conclusion to the Little Boy Lost series

Reunited with his father but missing the one man he loves more than any other, Jamie Mayfield attempts to put his life back together amid rehab, seizures, and the gutting loneliness of Brian’s rejection. As he tries to cope, Jamie finds that relying on his friends isn’t nearly as difficult as he’d imagined, and soon he can once again stand on his own two feet.

While recovering from his addiction, Jamie starts a new phase of his life at college, working to become the man Brian needs him to be. Only one question remains: Can Jamie earn Brian’s forgiveness and win back his trust, or will their love be sacrificed at the altar of Jamie’s demons?

To Save A Life

My blog title is also the title to the movie I just got finished watching. I'll post the official site, the synopsis on what the movie is about along with a trailer, then I'll end it with my own review and commentary on the movie. 

Synopsis

Jake Taylor has it all: friends, fame, a basketball scholarship and the hottest girl in school. Roger Dawson has nothing. Although the two were best friends when they were kids, the politics of high school quickly pulled them apart. Roger doesn't fit in with anyone and he's had enough. He walks onto campus with a gun in his pocket and pain in his heart and makes a tragic move. Jake's last ditch effort can't stop Roger, and the sudden tragedy rocks Jake's world. In a quest for answers, Jake finds himself looking for the next Roger and reaching out to the outcasts and loners. He quickly finds that crossing class castes threatens all his world is built on and it could cost him his own friends, his dreams and even his reputation.

 

 

 

Official website: http://tosavealifemovie.com/index.php 

 

My view on this movie:

 

To me the movie was very emotional because I could relate to it. I've been there a time, or two when you felt everything was just hopeless and the world doesn't seem to have a place in it for you. 

 

I was inspired by the movie in such a way that the word is out there more than ever these days, unlike it was in past times. We didn't hear much about suicide whether it was a teen or otherwise. I send my judgment on that to ignorance. Suicide was like a sin. Families didn't want to talk about it, people in general didn't want to talk about it. They turned the blind eye because the gods help us if someone committed suicide well... There must be a defect in the family and OMFG could it be contagious? Is this something that could go down to another family member of the next generation or the one following that? FAWKTARDS! That's my answer. 

 

LIFE! That's what it boils down to. Everyone wants to be accepted for who there are and no matter what walk of life they are. Everyone gets lonely, but like it's shown in this move it can show what being different, not being part of the IT crowd or the most popular one, even rejected can lead to. It's extreme, but it's out there, and it's alive like a living breathing virus without a cure until it's TOO LATE.

 

The actors that portray the characters is this movie do one hellova job. The movie is very heartfelt and it's sentimental for me in many ways. 

I do warn you on the sensitive matter such as teens getting intoxicated, there's 'cutting', there's your emo and a group of outcasts. It's all there for your viewing pleasure. 

Although I really liked and enjoyed this movie it held one aspect of it which I wasn't too fond of. The story involved God and the church. I know this comment isn't going to hit a sore spot with some of you reading this blog post, but I'm putting it out there. Awright, so I'm Roman Catholic, I've gone to Catholic school and all that yadda, yadda. I do believe there's something out there, but don't ask me if there's a God per say because I'm not a holy believer. I'm more spiritual than religious and I do digress that it's my upbringing, the preaching of going against the bible for who WE are to be wrong that has led me to seeing the hypocrisy of the church. I'm saying nothing more than this because everyone has their own beliefs and discussing religion is as touchy a subject as discussing politics. 

But hey, if it worked to throw religion into this movie than whatever floats their boat to who produced it. Different strokes for different folks and all that jazz. 

The BIG picture here and look outside of your little box is to bring awareness to teen suicide and that you're not alone and to seek help if you need it. Up so down with that and that's where I highly commend the producers of this film. 

'Nough said and I'm outta here. 

Laterz and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Black Rose: Diary of a Teen

Black Rose: Diary of a Teen by Jacob Mederin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hate, violence, homophobia, pedophilia, incest, and rape, are all things that blacken this young boy's earliest years. However, buried under such sinister events, is a beautiful story of young gay teenage love, and it's struggle to survive in the midst of all this chaos. Black Rose is printed untouched and unedited in it's entirety, in the teenager's exact words.


 
The short summary above of the book should prepare you for the content of it. I located this book on amazon while browsing for potential reads in the YA genre and snagged it up, but without realizing how it would completely absorb me and have me strung out for days. I'm going to give the warning that this one is HEA in any shape or form so be reading when and if you decide to tackle it.

Eddie's few years of life are told by him in first person within his diary are very emotional, not uplifting and very distressful. My mind is cracked between liking this book and hating it. It's a very fine line and barrier that you as the read will come to your own conclusion on.

After having read this extremely traumatic story I want to OD on antidepressants for the simple enough reason that it's dark and foreboding in every sense of the word. The combination of cruelty, scenes of rape, abuse, battery and substance abuse is fawking overwhelming and all wrapped up into the pages of this short book.

As you can see by my review it's not a light read by any means, but rather very heavy. From the first page you start reading, be ready for the roller-coaster ride of Eddie's days of torment, loss of love, having no hope and finding a way out of it all in order to cope with the hand that life has dealt him. A heavy blow. The injustice throughout that one boy has to face is incomprehensible, disbelieving, but it's the story it is.

I was moved to tears constantly by the sorrow, the trauma, the hurt that could be felt coming out of the words written within his diary on the daily accounts that Eddie has documented. I won't deny that it's been 4 days since I've read the book and I'm still distressed and distraught when thinking about it, hence the reason I procrastinated on writing up this review. With a heavy heart at that.

The author did an exceptional job with this book, but I have to wonder and ask myself how they themselves got through with writing this one.

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Books by Terry Trueman

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The back of the book says "An intense reading experience"

That folks is an understatement.

You anxiety will reach a crescendo, an all time high and pluck at your emotions like strumming guitar strings. Emotionally I was thoroughly drained by the end of it, but this story, so detailed about what Shawn might be thinking or feeling while locked inside a bottom he has no control over is incredibly vivid. Heart warming at times and utterly heartbreaking at others.

The author brings to light a whole new world and makes your imagination soar incredibly. The story will have you seeing differently, think differently when coming across someone with C.P. I know I will see, sit and wonder if there's perhaps truth to what Terry has written.

It's written perfection in the life of 14 year old Shawn McDaniel.

Cruise Control by Terry Trueman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book follows 'Stuck in Neutral'

It's Paul's story. Shawn's brother.

He has anger issues, but who can really blame him. The story is told in his POV and you'll get to read how having a brother like Shawn has taken his toll on him. I can't say I understand it, but who can unless you're in that exact situation in which I am not. But what Paul has to tell you in the author's words makes you listen and want to stand up and say: I hear you. It is clear in this book that Paul really loves his brother and he admits to something really painful that he's been holding inside him that he finally lets known.

Another one I've enjoyed by Terry Trueman and I know for fact there's a third book to this set and I'm anticipating its release. To say I'm overly anxious for it is an understatement. That's because of the way the 2 books were left ending. 

Here's the third installment to the short series if you're interested in checking them out. The release date is August 21, 2012

Stuck in Neutral, a Printz Honor Book, introduced the world to Shawn McDaniel, a fourteen-year-old kid with cerebral palsy. But what happens next?

Shawn's got a new perspective on life. But no one has a clue. That's because they can see only his wheelchair, his limp body, his drool. What they don't see? His brain, with perfect auditory memory. And his heart, which is in love with a girl. And his fierce belief that someday someone will realize there's way more to him than his appearance.

How do you connect with others when you can't talk, walk, or even wave hello? In the sequel to Stuck in Neutral, which ALA Booklist called "an intense reading experience," Shawn McDaniel discovers a new definition of "normal" and finds that life happens next for everyone.

You can find these books on Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/151783.Terry_Trueman

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Shades of Grey by Michael Cargill

Shades of Grey by Michael Cargill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I saw the announcement on anyone interested in reviewing this book I signed up in an instant. Not because it's m/m because it def isn't that. I told myself I would go out of my normal genre reading zone and chose this one. Boy did I ever! The cover I'll say is what brought my attention to the forefront the most.

Michael presents you with 3 stories. 2 with men and one with a young boy.

1. Shades of Grey: Features John who's kidnapped and you'll read in his POV his thoughts while he's being held captive. (When I asked Michael a Q regarding the ending of this one he replied: If I tell you I'd have to hack your PC and delete my answer) :snickering:

2. There and Back Again: About James. A soldier in the war and experience his ordeal.

3. Down the Rabbit Hole: Young boy named Tom and his mischievous stuff animal toy.

I won't give more details than the above on each story since I'm not one to spoil it for potential readers. What came to mind after even having finished the first story was Sterling's Twilight zone storied. I really enjoyed the time that was aired on the tube. I miss them, but Michael brought some of that back with these short. Shorts versions that have potential to become great novels and def a great read from the norm.

I got a great taste of the genre I haven't really explored outside of m/m before. These interesting stories has a little bite that left me wanting more and their endings left it wide open for your mind to think, wonder and explore the possibilities of the impossible. You'll experience a mixed bag of intrigue, fascination and chills in the vivid details.

Overall this is a decent book worthwhile for fans of these kinda stories and I highly recommend it. But my honest perceives me and out of all 3? I impartial the last one the most with little Tommy.

Kudos and a two thumbs up and I look forward to reading what others Michael has to offer. 

Final note: I have many followers, but I'm limited here. Michael has given me the permission to offer the first 10 to be interested in this book to contact me and I can award them with a copy of this book which is available at Smashwords. You can leave a comment here with your email details or send me a private message.
 

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Hushed by Kelley York

Hushed by Kelley York

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There were 2 instances, scenes in the book that cut off abruptly and continued into the next chapter, following day without knowing what happened next or even the character thinking back on it and I will admit that I found that quite frustrating and these were pertinent scenes and points to the story itself.

Other than that I liked the story if even the main ch was a gullible wimp and allowed one so called friend put him into a place no one should be in. I am glad it ended the way it had, but in a way so not.

Do I sound confusing? You don't know the half of it. I ground my teeth, gnashed them and wanted to throw my paperback at times, but I made it to the end. My rating is high because it's very well written and I do digress the story will keep your interest right to the very end. So hang in with it even if you feel like giving up.

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Trapdoor by Vixen Phillips

Trapdoor by Vixen Phillips

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing cover? Do be fooled. 

This is one book that's completely intense and it's kept that way throughout the book as you keep reading it. I won't delve into what it's about, because the excerpt provides that for you, but don't be fooled by it. It does NOT tell you the majority of the content or even what you're about to experience once you start at page one, but I sure as hell will tell you about the emotional clusterfawk I experienced while reading it.

The story is so exceptionally written that it even messed with my own frame of mind to the point that I've already read this book last month, but it's taken me till now to even put some words on it into my short review here. I had trouble getting past the events that held nothing positive to uplift the story from a severe landslide down into a hailstorm of trauma, and negativism. and I was in complete conflict on how to rate this one and in a personal breakdown I would admit to a 5 in the written story itself, but 2 for the complete type of content. It's in first person but switches into the point of view of the two main characters Pegasus and Raven. These two are self-destructing in the one life they have to live.

After each page completed it declined and descended into a very oppressive and depressing read. It'll get to the point that the story will induce depression on an unhealthy scale. You can't help but fall head over heals for both the characters, but your mind and your heart will hurt perhaps even bleed for them to the very end.

If you're looking for a HEA ending don't look for it in this story? You won't find it with this one.

If you're looking for a light read? Not in this one.

If you're looking for one where there's damaged characters, but life will get better for them? Not here either. It's too dark in mood and setting.

BUT If you're looking for a story that will blow your mind with totally complete intensity? You've got it here.

I'll end this review with saying that without a doubt I will read more from this author cause I'm amazed by how she writes and mucho curious after this story, what she would produce next.

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