Wow, I'm can't believe I left this masterpiece sitting on my list of books to read for so long - this is a muli-layered story with so much depth and a rich appeal. Written with skill and power.
I throroughly enjoyed being swpt along by the tale - the characters are crafted with the loving touch of a dedicated writer - so much hard work has gone into the writing that I will definitely be placing A BEND IN THE TRAIL on my shelf, as soon as I can make some space.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Lucy,
I agree with one of the comments below - I was hooked by the first line too.
What is so special about this book is the originality of the MC - I became fond of Arthur before the end f the first chapter.
Your narrative bounces along jauntily and carried me with it. You have a real way with words, light-hearted but soulful. I will put you on my shelf and come back for more over the next few days.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Mary-Ann,
I've read five chapters and find your book inspiring and extremely moving. You have a powerful story to tell and I found myself unable to stop reading. Besides providing an amazing insight into your life and the daily struggles with autism, your show how your faith has been tested and strengthened - that is an inspiration and your book is both enlightening and uplifting.
I hope it does well. Best of luck,
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Hi Debbie,
Fabulous idea for a children's story - it's one that would really make them think too, about how easy their lives are! Amusing and witty through the first few chapters, I found myself thoroughly entertained, despite the story being aimed at children.
The story builds nicely through the chapters and I really feel that this book has heart, enough to do really well. I hope so. I'm putting it on my shelf.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Maria,
What a powerful, compelling memoir - you write wonderfully well and I couldn't stop reading.
You swept me along with lots of emotions - I was so sad when grandma died and so fearful of all that is to come for the young Maria.
Your narrative flows really well and I think you've pitched it just right, not at all self-pitying but moving and poignant. I can't wait to read on and give you lots of stars.
Best of luck
Melissa view book

Jenny,
What a wonderful, unusual and thrilling story Wednesday's Child is.
I have read most of the chapters you've loaded here and ove your writing enough to put you on my shelf.
Honoria is a great character and I felt anxious for her right from the outset. I like the way you bring your knowledge of that time in history into the novel but subtlely, so that we are shown rather than you telling it through the author's eyes - it is very well done.
I have given you lots of stars and hope the book does well.
Melissa
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Hi Lindsay,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your fantasy novel - you'r writing is well-crafted and engaging and personally, I love the names you've chosen for your characters.
Your MC has a powerful and distinct voice and I think the opening scene, where the bells fall from the bell tower, is an excellent hook to draw readers in. All the way through the first section, I kept wondering about the prologue and how it all fits together, so it did its job well.
I will definitely be back to read on as I was entertained and drawn in by your writing.
Best of luck,
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Hi Karen,
Great story. I love the originality of the idea and your execution is excellent. Ruby is a strong, formidable female character and I liked her in an instant. Your writing is engaging and very readable. I thoroughly enjoyed all the chapters I read. On my shelf!
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Fabulous!
I love your attention to detail - I was immediately transported into Aurelie's world. You are a talented writer and the setting, premise and execution of your novel are all excellent.
Definitely going on my shelf. Best of luck with it.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Jamie,
I love the premise and the opener pulls the reader inside Steve's head as he frets about completing the jump - nice surprise as he gets pulled in through the clouds/waterfall - the ending of chapter one definitely does the trick of tempting the reader to carry on through the following chapters.
I noticed several changes of tense from past to present which needs sorting out, but apart from that I didn't spot any typos and very much enjoyed what I read.
Original idea and entertaining story.
Melissa view book

I love the opener, with Elvis the dog - great to get me inside the head of a dog and clever writing. 'The birds were flitting about, giving the scenery an interesting degree of flappiness' - supurb wit - I found this ran right the way through the chapters.
There is a fantastic sing-song tone to the narrative. Great part with Freddie and his lip wobble - irritating little so and so. I felt Dave's frustration. And after several rounds of drinks they began to worry that 'there was something wrong with the pub's foundations'!! Love it. Original and funny.
I have to say, I don't particularly like the set-up - I found the sub-headings a little off-putting, it gave the feel of being a little dis-jointed, but that is the only negative to an otherwise fab read.
Great title, strong premise. I hope you do well.
Best of luck,
Melissa view book

Kirstie,
This is a special little gem of a story.
I like your MC and the way you drip-feed some of her back story into the first few chapters, little by little, so that we slowly gain a sense of who she is and what drives her.
Your conversations feel authentic, Tala's visit with her nan, for instance. You create some tension and set the scene for future mystery quite early on, for instance, when Nan reacts nervously to Nala's comment about the wolf pup. You got me wondering what is going on with her.
I like the unusual name of the main character. Did you know there is a book called 'Women who run with the Wolves'? You could think about making your title more original, although I do like it.
I really enjoyed reading the first few chapters and think you've done a fantastic job with it, I hope you do well.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Hi Ashleigh,
You've got the teenage voice right, I think, it comes across as realistic, with all the excitement and woes expected. You have a good story here and I found myself intrigued to read on, to find out how Maddie would feel when she found out she herself was pregnant and how her mother would react.
I noticed a few spots where an edit would be useful but apart from that I enjoyed reading Love, Lies and Pregnancy and think it would appeal to the teen market.
Best of luck,
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

David,
I read your book with particular interest, having been raised as a Jehovah's Witness and maintained a fascination with the 'last days' since my childhood. Your understanding of the Bible is hugely impressive and you manage to involve the reader with an easy to read yet clearly knowledgeable tone.
Your writing, coupled with what must have been a staggering amount of research, have resulted in a book worthy of publication. I hope you find a home for it somewhere and wish you all the best.
Melissa view book

Fabulous premise, great characters. I love your unusual and unique storyline and you write with professional ease. So many original ideas contained here - I love the idea of projected outfits!
I identified with Kelvin immediately, maybe it was our mutual dislike of parties and mingling, but she seemed 'real' to me. Applied chronology! Such a great story. I only read the first couple of chapters but wanted to get my thoughts down early and will definitely read on - thoroughly intrigued.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

This is very well written and the premise is wonderful, the idea that everyone has an inhuman counterpart is really original and intriguing. Natalie is a great main character who will be easy for teenagers to relate to, and her dialogue with Erenel is very natural. Best of luck!
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

Hi Phil,
This is certainly a gritty read! Much more gritty than my usual reading but I was entertained by the roughness of your MC. I found him to be not that likeable through the first chapter, particularly when his thoughts about the girl who gets on the DART come tumbling out - he struck me as a bit too course. But as I read on and began to understand his motivations, I softened to him a little. He reminds me a little of a slightly less likeable Jack Reacher - maybe there is something you could do in the first chapter to show that he has some redeeming qualities... might help readers identify with him earlier on. Just my opinion and maybe you want to keep it that gritty.
Great idea for a book and I found myself intrigued. I noticed the odd cliche here and there - 'greasy enough to fry an egg on' is one, for example. A few tense changes where you slip into present tense, for example 'the top nearly reaches her hips', should be reache(d).
Apart from that I really enjoyed what I read and can see your book appealling to the more hardy Jack Reacher fans!
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book

This is beautifully written. Your descriptions are so skillful, I particularly love, 'the lake water lapping at the pebbled shore' and 'lingering smell of old incense' - you manage to arouse the sights and scents of the scenes you describe and I did feel as if I was accompanying Marielle as she made the journey to St John by the Water.

Her concern for her younger brother makes her instantly appealling, as does the fact that she is no pushover and certainly not in the least bit soppy. This inspires confidence that she will be mistress of her own destiny.

I found myself swept away by the power of your descriptions, all the while pondering on small teasers, such as the reason for her father's strange behaviours in the week leading up to his accident. And who is watching them when they go for their hike?

Excellent stuff! Backed with the hope that you do well on here.
Melissa
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Hi Abigail,
A lovely read, filled to the brim with great lines and intriguing characters. I love your descriptive writing, professional and almost faultless.

For me, the opening isn't as strong as it could be and I wonder whether you could open further along, just before Terence comes in.... 'she had a husband suitably dead' is such a strong line that I'd be tempted to open with that, then get straight to action with the Terence conversation and then come in with the back story/family history, a bit later on. That's just my opinion, but you have some fabulous lines scattered throughout and I think it would make a more powerful impact to start with one.

I really enjoyed reading about the Merriweathers and will give you lots of stars.
Melissa
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Hello,
You have had such an interesting life, full of amazingly diverse experiences. I love the fact that your grandaughter has inspired and motivated you to record it. I enjoyed reading what you have posted here and think others will too. Best of luck with it.
Melissa
Lessons in the Dark view book