Author, Gary Roen, demonstrates mastery of writing skills and depth of imagination!

In this collection of shorts, author Gary Roen demonstrates a keen imagination, economic use of the English language and a mastery of his skills as a story teller, and all while gaining and keeping the attention of the reader.

Journey is a collection of short stories sure to engage and entertain any reader. The first set of stories focus on the adventures of Slotski Bear, a somewhat endearing if not at all typical teddy bear. Described by the author as “hideous” in appearance, and oft found atop a trash bin, Slotski does get around in the series of odd adventures, which typically deliver him right back to his trash bin.

The other stories throughout Journey are a “mash-up” of different science fiction tales and tech drawn from the fertile and somewhat quirky imagination of author Gary Roen. Many of these tales are inspired by Roen’s own journey returning to academia. This collection of short stories makes for a delightful afternoon of reading. The “journey” wraps on 3 fascinatingly short, almost poetic tales, each written with an nearly Haiku precision, and managing to capture there subjects and paint their characters in as few words as possible. The varied tales, the demonstrations of wit and precision use of the English language make Journey a fantastic read. Even the economy of words in the final stories, of which I am typically not enamored, were delivered in such a sharp and stark contrast to their topics as to really capture my attention and leave the reader in bemusement and even deep thought.

This is a great book to tuck under the arm and keep handy, as each story is a quick read, and even those connected stand well on their own, and a reader can and is very likely come back over and again for more.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193795207X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hanginwithsho-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=193795207X&linkId=6e76ead83ea5f803b9583d6414e50613

Five Stars: Aftermath: A Saga Begins (2nd Edition)

Here is a story that rounds all the bases. Friendship, inner turmoil, human growth and oh yeah, healthy doses of futuristic space battles against evil dictators! See what not to love.

In his second edition, F-Kenneth Taylor adds greater depth and insights to his already vivid and well-crafted world.

It’s the 31st century and one would expect in an almost Rodenberry way, humanity would have outgrown the petty struggles of yesterday, but Taylor turns this proposition upside down showing us a futuristic dystopia where the mega-maniacal still rule and like so many of our greatest heroes journeys, where hope comes from some unlikely places.

Aftermath sets the stage by painting a vivid picture of very real characters, each battling their own inner demons, and together finding their way in friendship and against overwhelming odds.

Yes, this book is filled with drama, and very human tropes, but it also packs a hard paced action punch that drives the sci-fi fan deeper into the story! I mean what’s the point of traveling 1000 years into the future without some mind bending heart pumping struggles against the forces of evil that threaten to rule over the dystopian void of space? Well, no worries there, F-Kenneth Taylor delivers us right into the jaws of just such an adventure!

This instant sci-fi classic is the first in what promises to be a terrific series and F. Kenneth Taylor delivers what he claims as he writes his way across the darkness of space in a distant future where mankind still struggles to find its way through its own vices and a new heroes journey begins and embraces humanity's greatest virtues.

Get in on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Aftermath-Saga-Begins-2nd-Book/dp/1544899491 

Entertaining and Enjoyable Read for People of all Ages! (On A L.A.R.P. by Stefani Deoul)

Entertaining and Enjoyable Read for People of all Ages, March 31, 2017

By 

G.W. Pomichter

At 200 pages (Kindle) this is a great few of hours, spent immersed in a a youthful and fun mystery read!

Not typically one for a YA story, (well not anymore), I am so glad I decided to take a look at this one. Stefani Deoul really put all her knowledge and experience as a story-teller on both the page and the small screen to work to deliver a dynamic and immersive as well as original tale. As she describes, On a LARP introduces us to a young teen coder (That’s compu-speak for all of us middle aged folks). Sid Rubin is a typical teen smartass, well typical if your teen is a super-smart high school kid with a strong conscience and a knack for solving problems. (Happily mine were).

The secret to a great YA story to me is in the point of view. It is important to feel yourself, no matter how old you are in the shoes of the protagonist, and from word one, Deoul puts her readers there fro page one.

“Do any of you know the truly scary part about being seventeen?”

Answer: “Your brain doesn't actually know, understand or care what it can't do; and, while this sounds great in theory, in my particular case, my under-developed brain apparently didn't know I couldn't fly.

So I jumped . . .
And I plummeted . . .”

When young Sid sees the photo of a murder victim during a field trip to the police station, her keen eye soon finds her and her friends chasing a “dark web” (another techno-term I’ve always loved) killer through the middle of a live action role playing game, and hey, who doesn’t want to LARP through a murder mystery.

This story is an energetic and youthful ride that really delves into the fascinating world of interactive role-playing (or L.A.R.P.-ing), Ted Talks, teenage heartbreak, suspicious parents, oh, and some really cool “Cosplay.”

This, of course, is not the first literary run for the award winning Deoul, who is the author of the novel The Carousel, and who has produced TV series such as The Dead Zone, Brave New Girl, and Haven, as well as being the executive in charge of production for the series Dresden Files and Missing, but tackling a YA story might have seemed like the road less traveled to her at first. It is, however, a path she navigated to perfection providing an entertaining and enjoyable read for people of all ages.


https://www.amazon.com/LARP-Rubin-Silicon-Alley-Adventure-ebook/dp/B06X6L1RKY