Book Review of DARK THOUGHTS AND DARK FORCES by: JK Dark

Dark Thoughts & Dark Forces was written by J.K. Dark and published by Poor Boy Press in 2012. It is available for purchase at http://www.amazon.com/ You can learn more about this author by visiting his blog at http://onthedarkside.wordpress.com/

From the website:
'Dark Thoughts & Dark Forces is a short story collection of mystery, suspense, and murder. In it, author J.K. Dark guides the reader through the minds of killers, hauntings, voodoo, and the unspeakable, unexplainable atrocities of mankind.'
'Throughout the pages of his highly compelling tale, Dark weaves stories through cities with rich historical backdrops, from St. Louis, Missouri, to New Orleans, Louisiana, as the settings for many of the stories examine the culture and heritage while telling tales that leave as many questions as answers.'

Let me start off by saying that I do not take on too many short story collections for review, and there is a perfectly good reason why I don't...
I love them too much!! There is nothing, in the entire world, more depressing than a poorly written collection of shorts. But, every now and again, I stumble across something so unique and well written; I just have to share it.

I knew from page one that J.K. Dark had sent me something special, something I had never seen before. His one, two and three word sentences are a thing of utter beauty and quickly grab you with their rhythmic, poetic flow. The stories are so tightly woven that you do not see the endings coming until they smack you in the face and then you can't help but smile at the sheer genius of the author's ability to create something so original and fresh.

The titles of the stories are quirky and alluring, capturing the attention of the reader, while the author discreetly pours his honeyed literary libations into every nook and cranny of the readers psyche. Before the last word is read, you will find yourself drunk on the mystery, horror and realness of the stories as well as their characters.

I could go on and on about this author's work OR I could simply say...
'If you are a fan of oddly and beautifully crafted stories that linger long after the pages have all been turned, then I urge you to grab a copy of Dark Thoughts and Dark Forces.'
I am giving Dark Thoughts & Dark Forces a 5-spider rating (well deserved) and recommending it to anyone interested in horror, mystery, thrills and chills or anyone who just loves a great book filled with wonderful stories!!
CK Webb

Book Review for One Major Mistake by: Starr Gardinier Reina

One Major Mistake was written by Starr Gardinier Reina and published by Suspense Publishing. One Major Mistake is set for release in July of 2012. One Major Mistake will be available in print and digital formats at http://www.amazon.com/ or wherever books are sold online. You can learn more about Starr and her writing by visiting her website at http://queenwriter.com/
F.B.I. agent Pavel Ivanovich is back in this third and final installment in Reina’s ‘Ivanovich’ series.

When the body of Brenda Haxton, the ex-wife of Pavel’s partner, Nick Haxton is discovered, everything about the case feels wrong. Without a definite cause of death and the possibilities ranging from murder to drug overdose, Ivanovich vows to uncover the truth. But, as the case moves forward, Ivanovich finds a connection to a vicious drug lord, making the stakes even higher than before.

Ivanovich is a stable, solid agent with a whole world full of distractions and problems, but none are as much fun as his steady girlfriend, Teresa Mancini. Teresa is tough, hilarious and has enough spunk in her to justify a book series of her own!! Teresa’s storyline is sharp, quirky and fun and her side venture as a ‘doggy treat guru’ is brilliant!!

First Things First…
I am not happy about with this book… not happy at all!!
As if I don’t have enough books in my TBR stack, Starr Gardinier Reina is now forcing me to add two more that list; the first two books in the series. Humor, sex, and violence woven together so brilliantly, it will have you questioning ‘Is this really a work of fiction’, One Major Mistake has something for every type of mystery lover.
Reina has a voice and style of writing that is so special and original she has officially been added to my list of favorites. With beautiful editing, smart dialog and enough layers to satisfy even the most finicky of readers, One Major Mistake is sure to be a breath of fresh air.
I am giving One Major Mistake a 4 ½ spider rating and recommending it ONLY to those folks looking for a great, summer read!!

*On a final note, though this is the third book in this series, I was able to read it without having read the first two books HOWEVER, as I often do, I highly recommend that the reader begin with the first book and move forward. This way, you avoid back tracking the series (like me) and are sure not to miss anything.*

CK Webb

*Author Bio*
A paralegal by day, she’s an author by night. Apart from being an award winning author for her short story "Cut", Reina has appeared in a blaze and made her mark on the literary world with her Ivanovich Series. The first is “In the Name of Revenge”, the second, “Deadly Decisions” and the third, "One Major Mistake" is to be released July 10, 2012. Having studied and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Literature/Creative Writing, she has found her unique style and is known for her works' distinctive voice, making every character stand out.

Reina is the artistic creator of the Ivanovich series featuring Pavel Ivanovich. Flanking Ivanovich's side in "Deadly Decisions" is Teresa Mancini, who vies with Ivanovich for readers' attention. According to J.M. LeDuc, who was "raised in an Italian family", Teresa "is perfect... like all your characters". Reina is also the author of young adult novella "Cruel Whispers" and its sequel novel "Cruel Past".

Reina is an executive editor for Suspense Magazine. She has been interviewed in the newspaper and on the radio with relation to her fiction work. She has been a co-host on Suspense Radio.

She has won three Best Speaker awards as well as Best Evaluator at the Voice Ambassadors chapter of Toastmasters. Reina is a member of Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter and nationally. She has always been active in events. As co-chair and main coordinator for the West Coast Author Premiere, she arranged the weekend-long event to help authors from all over network, learn and share their work with the public. Reina has also been instrumental in compiling authors and planning a local author event at Barnes and Noble in Ventura, California along with the store’s event manager.

Please read more about Starr at www.QueenWriter.com or visit her blog at www.qw-blog.blogspot.com.