Category Archives: Fiction

Crossroads: A Camino Tale – F. R. Merrill

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “As they stood before a large stone crucifix of the body of Christ carved in a three-dimensional form she pulled out her syringe. When she moved toward Amanda to complete the deed, her sister Margie stepped … Continue reading

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Hollywood Clown – Jason Lassen

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “What’s worse than an out-of-work actor? An out-of-work actor who dresses up like Santa for a month for Hollywood power players and is reminded he’s a lonely depressed, out-of-work actor dressing up in costumes all year … Continue reading

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Humor & Satire | 1 Comment

Soy Sauce for Beginners – Kirstin Chen

(Reviewed by JD Jung) One pushed me to return to America, the other urged me to pull out the knife, let the wound heal, and remain in Singapore. But I was done choosing sides, pleasing one over the other.  From … Continue reading

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Russian Roulette (One Eyed Jack) – Christopher J. Lynch

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “There are plenty of people in this world who want to see me dead, what the hell difference does one more make” That’s one of the occupational hazards of being a professional blackmailer, which John Sharp … Continue reading

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Strikestone:Book III of the Dolvia Saga – Stella Atrium

(Reviewed by Melanie Hamilton) “Brianna Miller in Pear-ass now resides. Who saved the gouleps out of bondage Star traffic for Somule Gems she guides. Who jumped back while warriors engaged. In making for Uburu a safe passage. Far distant from … Continue reading

Posted in Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology | 1 Comment

The Fall of a Sparrow – Robert Hellenga

(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) After reading one of my favorite books, The Italian Lover, I just wanted to grab anything related to it and its characters. Author Robert Hellenga wrote a book about the protagonist’s lover, classics professor Alan “Woody” … Continue reading

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The Hanging Tree – Michael Phillip Cash

Another Halloween pick! (Reviewed by JD Jung) “If she couldn’t move the girl, she would do her best to preserve her innocence, or what was left of it.” Summer of 2013 – Oyster Bay – Seventeen year old Arielle was angry at … Continue reading

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Golf Sayings: wit & wisdom of a good walk spoiled – Bradford G. Wheler

(Reviewed by Pat Luboff) I’m not a golfer, but I have a very dear friend who is one. I was interested in this book as a gift to her. But before I gave it to her, I read it. What … Continue reading

Posted in Humor & Satire, Non-fiction | Comments Off on Golf Sayings: wit & wisdom of a good walk spoiled – Bradford G. Wheler

The Black Spider – Jeremias Gotthelf (Translated from the German by Susan Bernofsky)

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “And now the people where gripped by the ancient fear that the spider might carry off an unbaptized infant, the pledge of their old pact. The woman was beside herself, she had no trust in God, … Continue reading

Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Lost and almost forgotten, World Literature | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Philosophy Made Simple – Robert Hellenga

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Rudy Harrington, a sixty-year-old widower, is trying to find the meaning of life…his life. Is there any purpose left? To try and answer this question, he takes up the study of philosophy. Since his wife, Helen, … Continue reading

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