Reader Views

The Gem Merchants

The back cover of the book says it all: “Mined, Stolen, Bought, Sold, Coveted, and Killed For!”  This describes in a nutshell the life gem trader Ray Ferguson lived for many years before writing “The Gem Merchants,” a fascinating story about a young man engaged in the perilous occupation of emerald trading in Africa.

Mark Branson understands all too well the dangers he faces each time he travels from the sedate and gentlemanly streets of Hatton Garden, London’s center for precious stone trading, to the deep bush country of Africa in search of emeralds.  Emerald trading is strictly illegal in Africa and if caught, he can expect to be imprisoned with no recourse to any embassy or in worse case, to lose his life.  Meanwhile, he plies his trade armed only with a lucky gem given to him by an African mine owner, a generous supply of money to be converted to local currency supplied by his sponsor, plus his quick and inventive mind.

During Branson’s journeys in search for gems he encounters a variety of disparate and often hostile characters including hard-drinking Irish missionaries, suspicious and uncooperative Afrikaners, African politicians on the take, a smooth-talking, double-dealing Indian trader, and worst of all, the trigger-happy Zambian Police and Army.  His greatest challenge is to learn quickly who to trust, who to bribe and who to avoid.  It is a challenge fraught with dangers.

As it turns out, Branson’s most reliable ally while in Africa is the Irish priest who runs a missionary compound near his base of operation.  Father O’Hara provides Mark with a ready source of black market local currency for his gem trading because he believes, “The work of God has to be financed and sometimes it has to be done by devious means.”  He also offers the compound as a place of refuge when Mark is being pursued or harassed by his enemies.  During one of his stays in the compound Mark meets a beautiful young woman named Marian who works there.  She quickly falls in love with him and shares his bed whenever she can.

But while the compound provides a source of refuge and comfort, his stays there almost result in his undoing. When Rose, another comely resident, arrives at his door late at night filled with hashish-fueled lust he found it too difficult to refuse.  The second night, however, he would not let her enter his room.  This was a mistake.  It seems that Rose’s brother was a well-placed official with the secret police.  Afterwards she reported his gem trading activities to her brother.  It was a classic case of the woman scorned and what happens next almost cost him his life.

“The Gem Merchants” by Ray Ferguson is a fine story filled with action, suspense, mystery and suspense; all wrapped in a package of authenticity that can only come from an author who knows what he is talking about.  It’s a great read!

The Gem Merchants
Ray Ferguson
Piermont Gem Publications (2009)
ISBN 9780982103401
Reviewed by Ron Standerfer for Reader Views (11/09)

The Iron Gospels

Waking up injured, with no memory except for his name, David Banner finds himself in the wilderness, surrounded by a strange cult.  Believing him to be a prophet, named John Cauliflower, who has come to save them, David is treated with reverence.  As time passes and he continues to heal, he sees more and more of the dark ways of the people.  Being led by a charismatic leader named Rufus, they follow him completely.  There is no escape from this group.  The penalty for treason is death.

Initially David is horrified at the actions of the people.  He also knows that when they discover that he is not who they think he is, he will be in great danger.  As he begins plotting his escape, another injured man is brought into the community.  The people start suspecting that this man might be the chosen one instead of David.  There is a drought, crops are dying, and an illness is killing off many of them.  They are getting scared. Assuming that the new person doesn’t want to be there, David makes contact with him.  The man recognizes him and tries to help jog his memory.  Getting the man to help him with his charade, David “heals” him and once again has the followers believing in him.

As time passes and desperate measures are called for, David begins taking leadership.  The adulation from the others begins to corrupt him.  He starts believing he was sent to save them.  In doing so, he begins taking on a different persona. His values and hopes of returning diminish.  He alienates himself from the other survivor.  Sucked into his new role, he has changed past the point of no return.
          
I read “The Iron Gospels” in a single sitting.  The idea behind the story is fascinating.  The dark ways of the people is very unsettling and disturbing.  Reading this novel was so much more fun because the people creeped me out so much.  As a psychological horror, it was also fascinating to see how a person could be so strongly influenced by a cult mentality.  Due to his memory loss, the main character was basically a blank slate.  Initially he retained his core values, but as time passed he was corrupted. This is scary, because it reminds me of my own mortality and my hopes that my innate goodness cannot be altered.  Not so in this story! “The Iron Gospels” by William Hache is definitely worth reading. I highly recommend as a selection for reader’s groups.  It will really make you think.

The Iron Gospels
William Hache
Nightbox Publications (2009)
ISBN 9780981313207
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/09)

The Cobra Conspiracy

Looking at the front cover of this book, one would assume that it is about gangsters or the mob; however, this book covers that and more.

Buck Barnum, a former sports writer, is out of work and finds a job in public relations at a shipyard with a long-time friend. Although Buck is very excited about having a job- he really isn’t sure what his job is. There seems to be some hidden code in what he is about to get into.

The further he gets into his job he realizes that maybe he shouldn’t have taken this job on. He finds that the ship he is to write about is one that is very controversial- an incinerator ship. Since he committed himself to his job and his long-time friend, he doesn’t see a way to back out.

As time goes by, Buck realizes that his life and that of his children are in danger. Often he jumps into situations without thinking first which puts his life on the line. Being the assertive guy he is, he thinks he can beat all odds- but can he?

From the beginning of the book, the author’s descriptions, and language capture the reader for wanting more. Buck is a plain ole’ Joe like the rest of us-we can relate to him, unemployment and jumping in impulsively. We try through this action-packed book to figure out why he “can’t just get it” and realize he is in over his head. The reading was easy, exciting, and the flow between characters and action was very smooth.

It is apparent that the author, Roger A. Naylor, did some great research on the scientific aspects of “The Cobra Conspiracy” and made his characters real.

The Cobra Conspiracy
Roger A. Naylor
iUniverse (2009)
ISBN 9781440162800
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (11/09)

Tommy Gun Tango

The authors have given readers an opportunity to travel with four main characters back to the 30s in California- the state of reinvention. Along with incredible descriptions of the characters and life in the 30s, the authors have included major news stories that occurred during that era.

Marshall Lawe, who was a constable in Peony Springs, Massachusetts, has decided that after losing his job he will travel to California to make a new life for himself.  While driving for long hours, Lawe becomes somewhat dazed by the lonely highway and he almost hits a hitchhiker, who is also trying to find his way. Al Haine, an Irishman, is a talker, con-artist, gambler and ladies man. He loves to hear himself talk and really doesn’t care if anyone is listening. Although it is never said outright, readers will know that Haine is running from something.

Lawe is also heading to California because a past love of his is there and he is hoping to reconnect with her.  Gladys is a cook and finds that the world is full of surprises when it comes to people from your past. She runs into her cousin and Lawe.  Trying to hide that she knows either of them, she changes jobs frequently. Eventually Lawe and Gladys get together much to the dismay of her Aunt Naomi.

The last character to complete the group is a Jean Harlow look-alike, an upcoming actress. Even though she believes she is better than the real Jean Harlow, she finds herself getting into trouble by impersonating her.

This is a fast, exciting read with a lot of historical detail to give readers the chance to see what life was like in Hollywood in the 30s. You’ll find con-artists, bootleggers, drug dens and much more. Each chapter introduces one of the main characters to provide background on how they ended up in California and toward the end readers will see how each of their lives is intertwined.

I didn’t have the pleasure of reading the first book, “Blood Harvest,” where several of the characters were introduced, but if it is exciting as “Tommy Gun Tango,” I can only imagine where the authors can go with this set of characters.

Tommy Gun Tango
Brant Randall and Bruce Cook
Capital Crime Press (2009)
ISBN 9780979996030
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (9/09)

Black Road 2012

“Black Road 2012” is book one in a four-part book series called “Empire of the Gods: The God Conspiracy.”  After reading the first one, I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest when they become available.  Like a dangerous addictive substance, I was hooked immediately.

Jack Vane is an aging, injured, ex-private eye.  He is head over heels over his much younger, beautiful, pregnant wife.  When she and the twins that she is carrying are brutally murdered, his whole world appears to collapse. But in reality something in him has awakened.  As he discovers that there is much more to her death than meets the eye, he finds himself evolving into something more.  He learns that he is a key player in an ancient prophecy that involves a Sumerian relic.  He also discovers he now has a darkness within that at times threatens to overwhelm him.

As Jack continues to investigate who caused his wife’s death, he learns there are three potential groups involved.  Each one is seeking the mysteriously powerful relic for their groups’ own means.  Initially, Jack is not quite sure what is happening to him, he just knows that one of the three groups was involved with his wife’s murder. He is more interested in seeking revenge than anything else.  As time passes he realizes he could benefit from learning more about the prophecy and how it involves him.  He must do this to stay alive and possibly save the world.

“Black Road 2012” is an incredible book.  The characters are well developed and very interesting. The scenes are vividly detailed, so that you feel like you are watching what is happening instead of reading about it.  Friedberg has done an excellent job with creating a plot that has so many twists and turns, you will feel like you are on a rollercoaster ride -- a really intense one.  As a matter of fact, while I didn’t hold my hands up in the air and scream, I did find myself holding my breath, covered in goose bumps, wishing that I could shut my eyes, but of course since I needed to be able to read the print to move on with the story, I had to keep them open. I highly recommend “Black Road 2012” by Jeffrey A. Friedberg.

Black Road 2012
Jeffrey A. Friedberg
INDI Publishing Group (2009)
ISBN 9780978924720
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/09)

The Black Minute

It has been over a year and a half since Mr. Valen’s first published book, “White Tombs,” found its way into my hands, yet I remember it and its impact vividly. For me, it was love at first read, somewhat surprising in view of the fact that I am not a great lover of violence, evil and generally unpleasant situations. I fell in love with Mr. Valen’s writing, his clever use of contemporary issues, his heroes and his insights into the human mind. I also clearly remember wishing for a sequel, or better yet, sequels.

With the sequel in front of me, I hesitated for a moment.  Will it be as good as the first one or am I in for a disappointment? There was only one way to find out, so I opened it. And four hours later I sat back and finally exhaled. Just like the first one, “The Black Minute” grabbed me from the first page on, and pulled me into a complex world of evil, violence, deceit, bravery and search for justice.

The story opens with detective John Santana, Colombian-born and still haunted by his past, investigating a suspicious death of a young Hmong girl, Mai Yang. While investigating her death, Santana meets her “business associate,” another young prostitute going by the name of Jenna Jones, as well as Mai’s father and brother. While trying to discover what brought Mai to Harriet Island, where she met her death, Santana also questions a woman who discovered her body, Grace Chandler. Grace, daughter of a powerful politician, stirs something in Santana and he finds himself falling hard for her. Jenna is soon murdered herself, and so are several gang members with close ties to Mai Yang and her family. While most clues for those murders point straight to Mai's brother, Kou Yang, Santana is simply not convinced. Will he discover the true culprit before more innocent people die?
Once again I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of Mr. Valen’s writing and storytelling. While the plot is complex and anything but predictable, his storyline stays comprehensible and easy to follow. The characters are well developed, very believable and constantly evolving. The setting of the story is vivid, detailed and engaging.  While being thoroughly entertained, I also felt that I’ve learned a good few new facts, notably about the Hmong people and their fight, as well as details of police procedures and some other items I do not want to mention for fear of divulging too much of the story of “The Black Minute.” Suffice to say that Mr. Valen again wrote an incredibly relevant story, touching on a significant number of challenges facing us today. Although I learned more about Santana and his early life than in the first book, my curiosity is anything but sated, so once again I will - impatiently! - wait on the sequel.

The Black Minute
Christopher Valen
North Star Press of St. Cloud (2009)
ISBN 9780878393329
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (10/09)

The Green Monster: A Johnny Denovo Mystery

This latest addition to the Johnny Denovo series of mysteries has got to be the best one yet. Hired by a CEO of a bio-tech corporation, Johnny’s assignment is just to find out who was blackmailing the man. What Johnny gets into and what he finds goes much deeper and more sinister than just a simple blackmail scheme.

From the start, Johnny finds that the blackmail is a cover for a much greater threat, a threat to national security and possibly the world. In the course of his investigation, he is led down multiple roads, one of which is a threat to agriculture. This leads to a web of covert operations and government involvement to the highest scale. Entwined in all this is a terrorist group that leads Johnny on a multi-faceted journey into corporate espionage, murder and biological warfare. Narrowing the playing field, Johnny finds a key element of all this has to do with the ball park and a section of seats known as “The Green Monster.” A fan sitting in this section is the one that is a part of the conspiracy and signals the blackmail victim by holding up signs to let him know how much money to drop off to them.

Following up on lead after lead, Johnny is introduced to the world of Bio Technology.  He begins a parallel investigation into the destruction of the research fields that Mr. McNaught (the one being blackmailed) owns. McNaught’s company is plagued with destructive acts played upon their research fields and they can’t seem to find out by whom or why. Johnny begins to tie all the loose ends together and finds the one common element that links all these events. Going after that single element brings Johnny close to death when he encounters it and the suspenseful events unfold.

From a simple blackmail scheme to a matter of national security, “The Green Monster” by Andrew Kent has it all.  It is an intricate read with many branches and lots of action and required me to read it all in one sitting. It is not the kind of book you can put down and pick up later. It is definitely a multi-layered book and will require your undivided attention. The quality of the book is top notch. It is a fast-paced read and the 263 pages go by before you know it. I gave it a B and see nothing wrong with it being on the General Audience shelf. Complex and at times a bit involved but definitely a mystery that keeps you guessing till the end.

The Green Monster: A Johnny Denovo Mystery
Andrew Kent
Dog Ear Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9781608441150
Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (9/09)

Bolt Hole

Adam Gontarek’s "Bolt Hole" starts with a quite explicit sentence, "It was not the best kind of night for a sexual rendezvous." We are thrown right into the middle of a slightly scary and slightly seedy situation, and everything only escalates from there.

Grant, a young man with a serious sexual addiction, arranged to meet his girlfriend, Fay, in a slightly unusual location. Upon arriving there he thought he saw her for a moment, but then she disappeared. Soon the police got involved. Fay is nowhere to be found, and Grant definitely looks like a suspect. DCI Cosey keeps looking into the case, as well as some possibly related issues, and he strongly feels that there’s something rather shady about the fishy Whinsper brothers. Is Grant being framed up by them? What role did Grant's shrink, Dr. Katychmar, play in this strange case? Is Diane’s reappearance just a coincidence?

"Bolt Hole" is raw, very graphic and very scary. At times it reads as a catalogue of nightmares. Rape. Abduction. Sexual violence of just about any kind. Prostitution. Mutilation. Murder. Sick minds. Ill bodies. Whatever your nightmares consist of, you could most probably find it there.

Mr. Gontarek’s writing is powerful and fresh, with a distinctive style and some rather unique observations. Seeing the world through his eyes, or rather the eyes of his characters, is a downright chilling experience. He takes us on an unpredictable and ferocious ride. His characters are well fleshed out, with enough telling detail to make them believable and therefore - in most instances - even more terrifying. The story moves fast and keeps one’s attention throughout. The twists, the turns and the detours do not disappoint.

Something that does make the reading considerably more difficult is the extremely faulty punctuation, as well as the overall lack of editing and proofreading. I do sincerely hope Mr. Gontarek will consider correcting those issues in his future books, since they seriously impede one’s enjoyment of an otherwise gripping book. While this is certainly not a book for the squeamish, faint-hearted or overly prudish readers, I found "Bolt Hole" by Adam Gontarek engaging, fresh and promising.

Bolt Hole
Adam Gontarek
AuthorHouse (2009)
ISBN 9781438939803
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/09)

Diamond

Jack Tramp, an idealist, a former minor league farm player, unsuccessful in several career pursuits, had settled into a seasonal job as a maintenance man at a ski lodge. He lived nearby in a small house which he rented from his uncle Harry. When Uncle Harry died suddenly of a heart attack, Jack and his brother Larry inherited his estate, furniture business, and other investments, which amounted to a small fortune.

During a protracted probate the will was contested by a woman purportedly Uncle Harry’s common-law wife. She claimed that Harry was the father of her unborn child. As a result of these delays Jack found himself short of cash. He took a job to find a young missing musician, Jimmy Wright. Jack anticipated earning some quick cash for a few days work.

Jack suddenly found himself drawn into a web of deceit and lies. In a complicated scheme to con Jack and Larry out of their inheritance a devious scammer masterminded a plan, involving a crooked record producer, Jimmy the missing musician, and a beautiful determined woman out to get everything.

In this first-person account narrative, Alan Robertson, through the voice of Jack Tramp, uses a satirical wit as he unfolds the personality and philosophy of his protagonist. Between his fast-paced encounters with a cast of colorful characters with divergent personalities, Jack settles back to rehash and speculate the whereabouts of the missing musician while enjoying a Sam Adams beer. In a self-deprecating way he reveals highlights of his days playing in the league, his career efforts, his choice for country living in Hunter over the fast pace of New York City, and his relationships with Uncle Harry and Brother Larry.

Robertson balances a wild imagination with a droll sense of humor that results in a writing technique and style that turns the unbelievable into an acceptable possibility. His short chapters, fast-moving action, tight dialogue, and intricate plot twists kept me engrossed right up to the unexpected climactic conclusion.

Far-fetched and funny this is escapist reading at its best. Whether describing the beauty of the Mendocino coastline in California or the back booth at Flanagan’s bar in midtown Manhattan, Alan brings a sense of realism to the locale and setting.

"Diamond" establishes Alan Robertson as well on the way to becoming an award-winning and best-selling author. I am looking forward to hearing more of Jack Tramp’s adventures.

Diamond
Alan Robertson
Outskirts Press (2009)
ISBN 9781432742003
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (6/09)

Path of Thunder

C.I.A. analyst James Marshall was sent on a special assignment to discover the motive behind the murders of his best friend, Agent Steve Kranz, and archeologist Davide Palestino. Marshall discovers an ominous conspiracy to suppress the vulnerable Armenian people, victims of oppression, war, and violence and to take control of what appears to be an untold source of oil in the small province of Azerbaijan.

Author Mike Green provides non-stop, thrill-a-minute action coupled with intense dramatic dialog and a cast of unique and colorful characters in his novel of global conspiracy, cultural conflict and retribution titled "The Path of Thunder.

Protagonists James Marshall and Aria Palestino are supported by Deputy Director of Operations P. R. Nicholson, operatives from the CIA, the FBI, as well as Military personnel from multiple branches of the service. They are on a crusade to put an end to the conspiracy instigated by rival forces, the unscrupulous Ivan Mitrofano a UN delegate, his Iranian and Chinese allies, and an alliance of mercenaries, militia, and militant Islamic fundamentalists, who have joined forces with the Strategic Resources of Non-aligned Government Antagonists, in an all out battle which involves United States Helicopters, a Naval Submarine and other high powered technical equipment and military strategy in a race to gain control and domination of a potentially significant source of oil discovered during an archeological dig in the mountains of Azerbaijan.

Behind the scenes the United States Department, the Department of Defense, and United Nations leaders are thwarting the efforts of Mitrofano and his cohorts while a ground battle and hand-to-hand combat is taking place at the "secret" sight of the oil discovery.

Readers with an appreciation for archeology will enjoy Green’s vivid descriptions of the numerous caves in the Caucasus Mountains containing pictorial diaries, artifacts, and artwork of Neolithic life. Students of topography, the environment, and ecology will be rewarded with detailed descriptions of the mountainous terrain, the Caspian Sea, and the Kur-Aras Lowlands and global visual culture as well the bat dwellers found in the extensive caves.

Author Mike Green’s own experiences as an intelligence officer with the Naval Reserves, his service in multiple command tours and several operational assignments in the Middle East give added credibility to his writing. "Path of Thunder" is the first in a trilogy of spy novels which Mike calls "The Peacemaker Series."

Path of Thunder
Mike Green
Peacemaker Productions (2009)
ISBN 9780692001622
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (8/09)